@article { ISI:000261896400061,
	title = {Enhanced conversion efficiency in dye-sensitized solar cells based on ZnO bifunctional nanoflowers loaded with gold nanoparticles},
	journal = {Applied Physics Letters},
	volume = {93},
	number = {24},
	year = {2008},
	month = {DEC},
	pages = {Article No. 243108},
	publisher = {AMER INST PHYSICS},
	type = {Article},
	address = {CIRCULATION \& FULFILLMENT DIV, 2 HUNTINGTON QUADRANGLE, STE 1 N O 1, MELVILLE, NY 11747-4501 USA},
	abstract = {<p>The ZnO nanoflowers loaded with gold (Au) nanoparticles (NPs) are synthesized by a hydrothermal route using mixed precursors and controlled conditions. The dye-sensitized solar cells based on the ZnO nanoflowers with Au NPs show power conversion efficiency of 2.5\%, which is considerably higher than that of ZnO nanoflowers without Au NPs. Detailed characterizations are performed, presented, and discussed.</p>},
	keywords = {crystal growth from solution, Gold, II-VI semiconductors, Nanocomposites, Nanoparticles, solar cells, wide band gap semiconductors, zinc compounds},
	issn = {0003-6951},
	doi = {10.1063/1.3049131},
	author = {Dhas, Vivek V. and Muduli, Subas and Lee, Wonjoo and Han, Sung-Hwan and Ogale, Satishchandra B.}
}
@article { ISI:000266520400034,
	title = {Polymer-embedded stannic oxide nanoparticles as humidity sensors},
	journal = {Materials Science \& Engineering C-Biomimetic and Supramolecular Systems},
	volume = {29},
	number = {3},
	year = {2009},
	month = {APR},
	pages = {847-850},
	publisher = {ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV},
	address = {PO BOX 211, 1000 AE AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS},
	abstract = {<p>Stannic oxide (SnO(2)) nanoparticles have been suspended in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix in different PVA: SnO(2) molar ratios ranging from 1:1 to 1:5 using simple chemical route. This suspension was deposited on ceramic substrate and upon drying was carefully detached from the substrate. SnO(2)-embedded self-standing, transparent and flexible thin films were hence synthesized. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Xray diffraction (XRD) techniques show the rutile tetragonal structure of SnO(2) with particle size similar to 5 nm. UV-Visible spectroscopy demonstrates the band gap of 3.9 eV, which does not alter when embedded in polymer. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) reveals that the properties of SnO(2) do not modify due to incorporation in the PVA matrix. The structures work as excellent humidity sensors at room temperature. For a critical PVA:SnO(2) molar ratio of 1:3, the resistance changes to five times of magnitude in 92\% humidity within fraction of second when compared with resistance at 11\% humidity. The sample regains its original resistance almost instantaneously after being removed from humid chamber. Nanodimensions of SnO(2) particles and percolation mechanism related to transport through polymer matrix and water molecule as a carrier has been used to understand the mechanism. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.</p>},
	keywords = {humidity sensor, Nanoparticles, Polymer, Stannic oxide},
	issn = {0928-4931},
	doi = {10.1016/j.msec.2008.07.039},
	author = {Hatamie, Shadie and Dhas, Vivek V. and Kale, B. B. and Mulla, Imtiaz S. and Kale, Sangeeta N.}
}
