@article { ISI:000252482800031, title = {Tuning the hydrophobic properties of silica particles by surface silanization using mixed self-assembled monolayers}, journal = {Journal of Colloid and Interface Science}, volume = {318}, number = {2}, year = {2008}, month = {FEB}, pages = {372-379}, publisher = {ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE}, type = {Article}, address = {525 B ST, STE 1900, SAN DIEGO, CA 92101-4495 USA}, abstract = {

Here we describe a novel method of preparing hydrophobic silica particles (100-150 nm; water contact angle of dropcasted film ranging from 60 degrees to 168 degrees) by surface functionalization using different alkyltrichlorosilanes. During their preparation, the molecular surface roughness is also concurrently engineered facilitating a change in both the surface chemical composition and the geometrical microstructure to generate hierarchical structures. The water contact angle has been measured on drop-cast film surface. The enhancement in the water contact angle on 3D (curved) SAMs in comparison to that on 2D (planar) surface is discussed using the Cassie-Baxter equation. These silica particles can be utilized for many potential applications including selective adsorbents and catalysts, chromatographic supports and separators in microfluidic devices. (C) 2007 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

}, keywords = {alkyltrichlorosilane, silanization, silica particles, superhydrophobicity}, issn = {0021-9797}, doi = {10.1016/j.jcis.2007.11.012}, author = {Kulkami, Sneha A. and Ogale, Satishchandra B. and Vijayamohanan, Kunjukrishanan P.} } @article { ISI:000279851200004, title = {Template assisted highly ordered novel self assembly of micro-reservoirs and its replication}, journal = {Lab on a Chip}, volume = {10}, number = {15}, year = {2010}, month = {JAN}, pages = {1902-1906}, publisher = {ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY}, address = {THOMAS GRAHAM HOUSE, SCIENCE PARK, MILTON RD, CAMBRIDGE CB4 0WF, CAMBS, ENGLAND}, abstract = {

A novel method is developed for template assisted fabrication of a regular assembly of microcavity arrays. Simple micropatterns on PDMS mold are used to create complex geometries via solvent vapor back pressure in a biodegradable polymer. Cavities are in turn replicated in complimentary PDMS mushroom like microstructures.

}, issn = {1473-0197}, doi = {10.1039/c004576d}, author = {Hire, Santosh L. and Shelke, Manjusha V. and Kale, Vinayak S. and Galopin, Elisabeth and Kulkarni, Mohan G. and Boukherroub, Rabah and Ogale, Satishchandra B.} } @article { ISI:000294586400026, title = {TiO2 nanoparticle size dependence of porosity, adsorption and catalytic activity}, journal = {Colloids and Surfaces A-Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects}, volume = {385}, number = {1-3}, year = {2011}, month = {JUN}, pages = {195-200}, publisher = {ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV}, type = {Article}, address = {PO BOX 211, 1000 AE AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS}, abstract = {

The issue of size-sensitivity of the surface properties of anatase TiO2 is addressed by examining three samples synthesized by aqueous sol-gel method having different particle sizes on the nanoscale (8-19 nm). A number of characterization methods, namely, X-ray powder diffractometry, infrared spectroscopy, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, sorptiometry and electron microscopy are employed. The data obtained reveal interrelated dependencies of the surface area, porosity, nitrogen and pyridine adsorption capacity and strength, and catalytic methylbutynol decomposition activity on the size of titania nanoparticles. Pertinent size-dependent bulk properties are also revealed and used to account for the changes conceded by the surface properties. Accordingly, going from 19 to 8-nm sized titania particles has been found to stabilize the anatase structure, weaken the surface acidity, and blueshift the UV absorption edge of titania. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

}, keywords = {Catalytic methylbutynol decomposition activity, Nano-titania, Particle size dependencies, Pyridine sorptiometry, Surface texture}, issn = {0927-7757}, doi = {10.1016/j.colsurfa.2011.06.010}, author = {Zaki, Mohamed I. and Fouad, Nasr E. and Mekhemer, Gamal A. H. and Jagadale, Tushar C. and Ogale, Satishchandra B.} } @article { ISI:000303304900028, title = {TiO2-Au plasmonic nanocomposite for enhanced dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) performance}, journal = {Solar Energy}, volume = {86}, number = {5}, year = {2012}, month = {MAY}, pages = {1428-1434}, publisher = {PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD}, address = {THE BOULEVARD, LANGFORD LANE, KIDLINGTON, OXFORD OX5 1GB, ENGLAND}, abstract = {

Anatase TiO2 nanoparticles dressed with gold nanoparticles were synthesized by hydrothermal process by using mixed precursor and controlled conditions. Diffused Reflectance Spectra (DRS) reveal that in addition to the expected TiO2 interband absorption below 360 nm gold surface plasmon feature occurs near 564 nm. It is shown that the dye sensitized solar cells made using TiO2-Au plasmonic nanocomposite yield superior performance with conversion efficiency (CE) of similar to 6\% (no light harvesting), current density (J(SC)) of similar to 13.2 mA/cm(2), open circuit voltage (V-oc) of similar to 0.74 V and fill factor (FF) 0.61; considerably better than that with only TiO2 nanoparticles (CE similar to 5\%, J(SC) similar to 12.6 mA/cm(2), V-oc similar to 0.70 V, FF similar to 0.56). (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

}, keywords = {Anatase TiO2, Au, Dye-sensitized solar cells, Hybrid composite, hydrothermal}, issn = {0038-092X}, doi = {10.1016/j.solener.2012.02.002}, author = {Muduli, Subas and Game, Onkar S. and Dhas, Vivek V. and Vijayamohanan, K. and Bogle, Kashinath A. and Valanoor, N. and Ogale, Satishchandra B.} } @article { ISI:000299584400070, title = {Toward a quantitative correlation between microstructure and DSSC efficiency: a case study of TiO2-xNx nanoparticles in a disordered mesoporous framework}, journal = {Journal of Physical Chemistry C}, volume = {116}, number = {3, SI}, year = {2012}, month = {JAN}, pages = {2581-2587}, publisher = {AMER CHEMICAL SOC}, address = {1155 16TH ST, NW, WASHINGTON, DC 20036 USA}, abstract = {

The efficiency (eta) of a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) depends on various parameters, the critical factors being a fast charge carrier transport and a slow rate of electron-hole recombination. The present article describes a simple combustion synthesis method to prepare TiO2-xNx with following four important features that directly influences eta: (1) a disordered mesoporous structural framework with high surface area to give high dye-loading and a small diffusion length for charge carriers allowing rapid movement to the surface; (2) electrically interconnected nanocrystalline TiO2-xNx particles with good necking and predominant (101) anatase facets to minimize electron-hole recombination; (3) low charge storage capacity in the titania framework; and (4) surface unsaturation assisting all the above factors. The pseudo-three-dimensional nature of mesoporous TiO2-xNx with the above features demonstrates the importance of textural features, and porosity allows faster diffusion of charge carriers to surface and their utilization to generate power. A quantitative correlation between interconnected nanoparticles over larger distances in a mesoporous framework and eta is demonstrated. This study also demonstrates an inexpensive and rapid method of producing the photoanode material with high eta in about 10 min.

}, issn = {1932-7447}, doi = {10.1021/jp210677d}, author = {Sivaranjani, Kumarsrinivasan and Agarkar, Shruti A. and Ogale, Satishchandra B. and Gopinath, Chinnakonda S.} }