Chemically sprayed CdO: Cr thin films for formaldehyde gas detection and optoelectronic applications

Chromium (Cr) doped CdO films are chemically sprayed and are characterized by their optical, electrical, structural, and microstructural characteristics. The thickness of the films is determined by spectroscopic ellipsometry. The cubic crystal structure with a superior growth along (111) plane of the spray-deposited films is confirmed from the powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. XRD studies also suggested that some of the Cd²⁺ ions were substituted by Cr³⁺ ions, and the solubility of Cr in CdO is minimal, to be around ∼0.75 wt%. The analysis by atomic force microscopy shows uniform distribution of grains throughout the surface, whose roughness is varied from 33 to 13.9 nm concerning Cr-doping concentration. The microstructures from the field emission scanning electron microscope reveal a smooth surface. The elemental composition is examined using an energy dispersive spectroscope. The micro-Raman studies carried out in room temperature endorse the presence of metal oxide (Cd-O) bond vibrations. Transmittance spectra are obtained using UV-vis-NIR spectrophotometer, and the band gap values are estimated from the absorption coefficient. The films show high optical transmittance (>75%) in vis-NIR region. A maximum optical band gap of 2.35 eV is obtained from 1.0 wt% Cr-doping. The electrical measurement (Hall analysis) confirmed the degeneracy nature and n-type semi-conductivity. The carrier density, carrier mobility, and dc-conductivity are increased for higher Cr-dopant percentage. High mobility (85 cm²V^-1s^-1) is observed for 0.75 wt% Cr-doping. The 0.75 wt% Cr-doping show a remarkable response to formaldehyde gas (74.39%).

Synthesis, crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of the ortho-rhom-bic polymorph of 4-bromo-N-(4-bromo-benzyl-idene)aniline

The crystal structure of the title compound, C₁₃H₉Br₂N [systematic name: (E)-N,1-bis-(4-bromo-phen-yl)methanimine], is a second polymorph (Form II) crystallizing in the ortho-rhom-bic space group Pccn. The first polymorph (Form I) crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2₁/c [Bernstein & Izak (1975 ▸). J. Cryst. Mol. Struct. 5, 257-266; Marin et al. (2013 ▸). J. Mol. Struct. 1049, 377-385]. The mol-ecule is disordered about an inversion center situated in the middle of the C=N bond, similar to the situation in the monoclinic polymorph: the C=N bond length is 1.243 (7) Å. In the crystal, mol-ecules stack along the b-axis direction and are linked by C-H⋯π inter-actions. The inter-atomic contacts in the crystal for both polymorphs were studied by Hirshfeld surface analysis and have notable differences. The solid-state fluorescence spectrum of Form II shows an emission peak at ca 469 nm. The two-photon absorption coefficient measured from the open aperture Z-scan technique is 1.3 × 10 ^-11 m W^-1, hence, Form II shows optical limiting behaviour.

Crystal structure of poly[tetrakis(4-methylanilinium) [octa-μ-chlorido-dichloridotricadmium(II)]]: a two-dimensional organic–inorganic hybrid perovskite

The title polymeric compound, (C7H10N)4[Cd3Cl10], involves a centrosymmetric [Cd3Cl10]4− tetra-anion, which is made up of three face-sharing CdCl6 octahedra, linked by four corner Cl atoms, forming layers propagating in the ab plane. The p-methylanilinium cations, situated between the layers, form N—H...Cl hydrogen bonds to the layers, which stack up the c-axis direction. There are no π–π or C—H...π interactions involving the aromatic rings, which are inclined to each other by 42.3 (1) ° in the asymmetric unit.

Spray-Deposited Rare Earth Metal Ion (Sm3+, Ce3+, Pr3+, La3+)-Doped CdO Thin Films for Enhanced Formaldehyde Gas Sensing Characteristics

This study shows the electrical conductivity-dependent gas sensing characteristics of spray-deposited rare earth (RE) metal ion (Sm³⁺, Ce³⁺, Pr³⁺, La³⁺)-doped cadmium oxide (CdO) thin films on soda-lime microscope glass substrates at 300 °C. We examined the deposited films' structural, surface microstructural, DC electrical, and gas sensing features. The X-ray diffraction study indicates that all samples were polycrystalline, with the favored growth direction shifting from the (111) plane to the (200) plane. The highest root-mean-square values were obtained for the Pr-doped CdO thin film (5.86 nm). The surface microstructure of CdO thin films was significantly influenced by the RE metal ion dopant, with typical grain size values ranging from 64 nm to 134 nm depending on the dopant. The carrier concentration and resistivity of CdO films vary based on the RE metal ions used as dopants. Low resistivity (3.01 × 10^-4 Ω.cm) was achieved for the CdO thin film doped with La. High gas sensitivity (71.42%) was achieved for CdO thin films doped with La. The donor dopant regulated the electrical conductivity and gas sensing capabilities of CdO thin films.

Incorporation of Ti3+ metal ions in chemically spray deposited CdO thin films for optoelectronic and chem-resistive based formaldehyde gas sensor applications

The surface-microstructural dependent optoelectronic and gas sensing characteristics of Ti-doped CdO thin films spray deposited on tiny glass substrates at 300 °C were examined in depth. XRD measurements revealed the...

Evaluation of nonlinear optical properties from molecular descriptors of benzimidazole metal complexes by principal component analysis

In the present work, semiempirical quantum chemical method (PM6) has been used for the simulation of molecular descriptors of first row transition metal ions incorporated benzimidazole metal complexes. Metal complexes with and without substituents are considered for the analysis. In both the cases, molecules show distinct properties with respect to the molecular descriptors. Since the dimension of the data set is large, principal component analysis has been used and the obtained principal components, PCA1 and PCA2, are linearly regressed with hyperpolarizability values. The obtained results indicate that molecular energy plays a dominant role in the nonlinear optical properties of benzimidazole metal complexes. Further, it is observed that the bond angle, global hardness and heat of formation of the molecules have considerable impact on the hyperpolarizability values.

Laser assisted anticancer activity of benzimidazole based metal organic nanoparticles

Recent studies showed that the photothermal therapy can be effectively used for the targeted cancerous cells destruction. Hence, in the present study, benzimidazole based metal organic complex nanoparticles, dichloro cobalt(II) bis-benzimidazole (Co-BMZ) and dichloro copper(II) bis-benzimidazole (Cu-BMZ), were synthesized by reprecipitation method and their anti-cancer activity by means of photothermal effect has been studied. Transmission electron microscopy analysis shows that the particle size of Cu-BMZ is ∼100 nm and Co-BMZ is in the range between 100 and 400 nm. Zeta potential analysis ensures the stability of the synthesized nanoparticles. It is found that the nonlinear absorption of the nanoparticles increases with increase in laser power intensity. Phototoxicity of human lung cancer (A549) and the normal mouse embryonic fibroblast (NIH-3T3) cells was studied using a 650 nm laser. Even though both the cell lines were affected by laser irradiation, A549 cells show higher cell destruction and lower IC₅₀ values than the normal cells. Docking studies were used to analyse the interaction site and the results showed that the Cu-BMZ molecules have higher dock score than the Co-BMZ molecules. The obtained results indicate that Cu-BMZ samples have lesser particle size, higher nonlinear absorption and higher interaction energy than the Co-BMZ samples.

Role of annealing on the structural and optical properties of nanostructured diaceto bis-benzimidazole Mn(II) complex thin films

A coordination complex, manganese incorporated benzimidazole, thin films were prepared by chemical bath deposition method. Structural characterization of the deposited films, carried out by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman and electron paramagnetic resonance spectral analyses, reveals the distorted tetrahedral environment of the metal ion with bis-benzimidazole ligand. Further the molecular composition of the deposited metal complex was estimated by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The prepared thin films were thermally treated to study the effect of annealing temperature on the surface morphology and the results showed that the surface homogeneity of the films increased for thermally treated films up to 150°C. But distortion and voids were observed for the films annealed at 200°C. The Raman analysis reveals the molecular hydrogen bond distortion which leads to the evaporation of the metal complex from the thin film surface with respect to annealing temperature. The linear and nonlinear optical properties of the as prepared and annealed films were studied using ultraviolet-visible transmittance spectroscopy, second harmonic generation and Z-scan analyses. Films annealed at 150°C show a better linear transmittance in the visible region and larger SHG efficiency and third order nonlinear susceptibility when compared with the other samples. Further, the film annealed at 150°C was subjected to optical switching analysis and demonstrated to have an inverted switching behavior.

Spectral, morphological, linear and nonlinear optical properties of nanostructured benzimidazole metal complex thin films

Metal organic materials are widely investigated to find their suitability for nonlinear optical applications due to the advantage of combined organic and inorganic properties. In this work benzimidazole based metal organic thin films of dichlorobis (1H-Benzimidazole) Co(II) and dichlorobis (1H-Benzimidazole) Cu(II) were deposited by chemical bath deposition method. The deposited films were annealed at 100, 150 and 200 °C to investigate the effect of annealing on the properties of thin films. Surface homogeneity of the films was increased with the annealing temperature due to the surface diffusion of the films and the same was evidently shown by Raman spectroscopy and Atomic Force Microscopy studies. But annealing the films at 200 °C yielded bulk patches on the surface due to the distortion of molecules. Linear and nonlinear optical properties of the films annealed at 150 °C showed relatively higher transmittance and improved nonlinear optical properties than the other as prepared and annealed samples.

Structural, optical, mechanical and dielectric studies of pure and doped L-Prolinium trichloroacetate single crystals

In the present work, pure and metal substituted L-Prolinium trichloroacetate (LPTCA) single crystals were grown by slow evaporation method. The grown crystals were subjected to single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD), powder X-ray diffraction, FTIR, UV-Visible-NIR, hardness, photoluminescence and dielectric studies. The dopant concentration in the crystals was measured by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) analysis. Single crystal X-ray diffraction studies of the pure and metal substituted LPTCA revealed that the grown crystals belong to the trigonal system. Ni(2+) and Co(2+) doping slightly altered the lattice parameters of LPTCA without affecting the basic structure of the crystal. FTIR spectral analysis confirms the presence of various functional groups in the grown crystals. The mechanical behavior of pure and doped crystals was analyzed by Vickers's microhardness test. The optical transmittance, dielectric and photoluminescence properties of the pure and doped crystals were analyzed.

Growth, spectral, thermal, optical, mechanical and etching studies of l-lysine semi-maleate (l-LSM) single crystals

Organic nonlinear optical material, l-lysine semi-maleate (l-LSM) single crystals were grown by slow cooling solution growth technique. The crystal system of grown l-LSM was confirmed by single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction analyzes. Functional groups of the grown crystal have been identified by Fourier Transform Infrared spectral analysis. The proton and carbon NMR spectral studies confirm the presence of hydrogen and carbon in the grown l-LSM. The melting and thermal decomposition temperatures of the crystal were determined using thermogravimetric (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses. Optical transparency, second harmonic generation efficiency, micro hardness, dielectric constant and loss, refractive index and birefringence have also been measured. Further, the growth patterns and dislocations present in the grown crystal are studied.

Role of SDS surfactant concentrations on the structural, morphological, dielectric and magnetic properties of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles

Schematic illustration of the synthesis of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) added to cobalt ferrite (CoFe₂O₄) magnetic nanoparticles at various concentrations (0.04 and 0.08 M) and their morphological and magnetic characterizations.

Highly transparent conducting cerium incorporated CdO thin films deposited by a spray pyrolytic technique

In the present work, a spray pyrolysis technique was employed to deposit cerium (Ce) doped cadmium oxide (CdO) thin films with low level doping concentrations (0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.0 wt%).

4-Fluoro-N-(4-hy-droxy-benzyl-idene)aniline

In the title compound, C13H10FNO, the benzene ring planes are inclined at an angle of 50.52 (8)°. A characteristic of aromatic Schiff bases with N-aryl substituents is that the terminal phenyl rings are twisted relative to the plane of the HC=N link between them. In this case, the HC=N unit makes dihedral angles of 10.6 (2) and 40.5 (2)° with the hy-droxy-benzene and fluro-benzene rings, respectively. In the crystal, O-H⋯N and C-H⋯F hydrogen bonds lead to the formation of chains along the c- and b-axis directions, respectively. C-H⋯π contacts link mol-ecules along a and these contacts combine to generate a three-dimensional network with mol-ecules stacked along the b-axis direction.

Design and fabrication of eight zone vertical dynamic gradient freeze system for organic single crystal growth

Design and construction of the vertical dynamic gradient freeze (VDGF) system operating in the temperature range from 50 °C to 500 °C for growing organic single crystals are described. The design of VDGF system consists of furnace, control system, translation assembly, and image capturing device. Furnace has been constructed with eight zones controlled independently by a dynamic temperature control system for achieving desired thermal environment and multiple temperature gradients, which are essential for the growth of organic single crystals. The transparent furnace enables direct observation to record and monitor the solid-liquid interface and growth of crystals through charge coupled device based video camera. The system is fully computerized hence it is possible to retrieve the complete growth and furnace history. In order to investigate the functioning of the constructed VDGF system for the growth of organic single crystals, a well known organic nonlinear optical single crystal of benzimidazole was grown. The crystalline quality and the optical transmittance of the grown crystal were studied.

Analysis on structural, SHG efficiency, optical and mechanical properties of KDP single crystals influenced by Glycine doping

Good quality single crystals of potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate (KDP) were grown with different doping concentration of Glycine by conventional solution technique in aqueous solution. X-ray diffraction study has been carried out in order to see the effect of dopant on the structural parameters of KDP. There is no additional phase was observed which was further confirmed by Raman spectroscopic analysis. The second harmonic generation efficiency was measured by using Kurtz powder technique. The relative second harmonic generation (SHG) efficiency of the grown crystals was found to be increased with doping concentration up to 2.5 mol%. Optical transmission study also revealed the same behaviour with enhancement up to 2.5 mol% concentration and later decreased but still higher than pure KDP. The mechanical strength was found to increase with increasing the doping concentration.

Synthesis, growth and characterization of L-lysinium(+)...L-lysinium(2+) dichloride perchlorate (LLDP) single crystals by Sankaranarayanan-Ramasamy method

L-lysinium(+)...L-lysinium(2+) dichloride perchlorate was synthesized at ambient temperature and bulk single crystals were grown by conventional and Sankaranarayanan-Ramasamy methods. Crystals grown by these methods were subjected to single crystal X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, high resolution X-ray diffraction, Vickers microhardness and thermogravimetric/differential scanning calorimetric/differential thermal analyses. Further, the cut-off wavelength and optical transmittance of the grown crystals were determined by UV-vis-NIR spectrum. Linear refractive index (n(x)) of the crystal was measured using minimum deviation method for different wavelengths. Optical quality of the grown crystals was analyzed by conoscopic interference pattern and the birefringence was calculated using interferometric technique. Surface laser damage threshold of the crystal was determined using Nd:YAG laser. The nonlinear refractive index n(2) was measured through the Z-scan technique using low power continuous wave HeNe laser. Frequency and temperature dependent dielectric constant (ε(r)) and dielectric loss (tanδ) were measured.

4-Bromo-N-(4-hy-droxy-benzyl-idene)-aniline

In the title compound, C(13)H(10)BrNO, the benzene ring planes are inclined at an angle of 48.85 (17)°, resulting in a nonplanar mol-ecule. A characteristic of aromatic Schiff bases with N-aryl substituents is that the terminal phenyl rings are twisted relative to the HC=N plane. In this case, the HC=N unit makes dihedral angles of 11.1 (4) and 38.5 (3)° with the hy-droxy-benzene and bromo-benzene rings, respectively. In the crystal, the molecules are linked by O-H⋯N hydrogen bonds to form infinite (C8) chains along the b axis.

4-[(E)-(4-Methyl-phen-yl)imino-meth-yl]phenol

In the title compound, C₁₄H₁₃NO, the two rings show significant deviation from coplanarity, with a dihedral angle between the two planes of 49.40 (5)°. The hy­droxy group is involved in an inter­molecular O—H⋯N hydrogen bond, forming an extended one-dimensional zigzag chain along (001).

Growth and characterization of thiosemicarbazide hydrochloride: a semiorganic NLO material

Thiosemicarbazide hydrochloride (TSCHCL) was synthesized by mixing thiosemicarbazide and hydrochloride in 1:1 molar ratio in double distilled water. Single crystals of TSCHCL were grown by slow evaporation at room temperature and were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction study to determine the molecular structure and by FT-IR, (1)H and (13)C NMR spectral analyses to confirm the synthesized compound. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses reveal the thermal stability of the crystal. The transmission spectrum of TSCHCL showed that the crystal is transparent in the wavelength range 380-1100 nm. High resolution X-ray diffractometry (HRXRD) was employed to evaluate the perfection of the grown crystal. Mechanical properties of the grown crystal were studied using Vickers microhardness test. Second harmonic generation efficiency of the powdered TSCHCL was tested using Nd:YAG laser and is ∼1.5 times that of potassium dihydrogen orthophosphate.

Spectral studies on Ag8+ ions irradiated LAHCl·H2O and LAHBr·H2O single crystals

L-arginine hydrochloride monohydrate and L-arginine hydrobromide monohydrate single crystals are irradiated by 100 MeV Ag8+ swift heavy ions. The residual gases liberated from the irradiated samples are monitored as a function of ion fluence using quadrupole mass analyzer. The C2H3+, C2H2, N2, CO, HCl and CO2 are the dominant gases liberated. Fourier transform infrared spectra of irradiated crystals explain the breaking of bonds in a localized region of the crystals. The crystallinity of irradiated crystals is analyzed by powder X-ray diffractions.

Structural, spectral, optical and dielectric properties of copper and glycine doped LAHCl single crystals

Cu2+ and glycine doped L-arginine monohydrochloride monohydrate (LAHCl) single crystals were grown by slow solvent evaporation technique. The grown single crystals were confirmed by X-ray diffraction study and the interaction of dopants with LAHCl molecule was identified in Fourier transform infrared spectra. The crystalline perfection of pure and doped crystals was analyzed by high resolution X-ray diffraction studies. Vickers microhardness and UV-visible spectroscopy were carried out respectively to study the mechanical stability and optical transmittance of pure and doped LAHCl single crystals. He-Ne laser of wavelength 632.8 nm was used to measure refractive index and birefringence of grown crystals. The second harmonic generation efficiency was also measured for pure and doped LAHCl single crystals using Nd:YAG laser.

Growth, structural, spectral, mechanical and optical properties of pure and metal ions doped sulphamic acid single crystals

Bulk single crystals of pure and metal ions (Mn(2+), Cu(2+) and Ni(2+)) doped sulphamic acid (SA) have been grown by conventional and unidirectional solution growth methods. Intensities of powder X-ray diffraction peaks of metal ions doped SA reveal that these dopants enhanced the crystallanity. The peak broadening and intensity variation in some frequency regions in FT-IR spectra show the incorporation of dopants in the SA lattice. Mn(2+) and Cu(2+) doped SA single crystals show high crystalline perfection (FWHM 5.5arcs) compared to pure and Ni(2+) metal ions doped SA crystals. The grown pure and Mn(2+), Cu(2+) and Ni(2+) ions doped SA crystals have transparency in the order SA>Mn:SA>Cu:SA>Ni:SA. The hardness value of Ni(2+) doped crystal is relatively less than that of the pure and other metal ions doped SA crystals. Pure and Ni(2+) ions doped SA crystals possess high dielectric constants than that of Cu(2+) and Mn(2+) ions doped crystals. From the SEM micrograph analyses, it is observed that the doping of these metal ions modify the surface morphology of the grown crystals.

Growth of ninhydrin single crystal and its characterization

A novel organic nonlinear optical crystal ninhydrin having good optical quality was grown by solution technique using aqua solution. The quality of the crystal was also examined by high-resolution X-ray diffraction study. Solubility studies were made at different temperatures. Functional groups present in the grown material were identified from the vibrational frequencies of recorded FTIR spectrum. Transmittance of the crystal was recorded using the UV-vis-NIR spectrophotometer. From the thermal analysis it was observed that the material exhibits single sharp melting point. The fluorescence spectrum of ninhydrin was recorded. The Vicker's microhardness values were measured for the grown crystal. Second harmonic generation conversion efficiency estimated using Kurtz and Perry method is about five times that of KDP.

Growth and characterization of glycine picrate single crystal

Glycine picrate (GP), an organic material, was synthesized and successfully grown by solution growth method. Cell parameters of the grown crystals were obtained from the single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and the presence of functional groups was identified by FTIR study. Its optical properties were examined by UV-vis-NIR analysis, which shows that the crystal is transparent between the wavelengths 400 nm and 1000 nm. Thermal analysis carried out for the glycine picrate reveals that the crystal exhibits a single sharp weight loss at 214 degrees C. The fluorescence spectrum of glycine picrate was recorded. The Vicker's microhardness values were measured for the grown crystal.

Growth, structural, optical and thermal properties of gamma-glycine crystal

Single crystals of gamma-glycine were grown from a mixture of glycine, water and lithium bromide. Single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the growth of gamma-glycine phase. Presence of various functional groups of gamma-glycine was identified by FTIR spectrum. Optical absorbance spectrum recorded in the wavelength range of UV-vis-NIR revealed that this crystal has good optical transparency in the range 250-1500 nm. Vickers microhardness values were estimated on the prominent (100) face. Thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetric analyses were carried out to study the thermal properties of gamma-glycine. Second harmonic generation efficiency of the crystal measured by Kurtz's powder method using Nd:YAG laser is about three times that of KDP.

Growth and characterization of organic nonlinear optical crystal of 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene (CDNB)

Organic nonlinear optical crystal of 1-chloro-2,4-dinitrobenzene has been successfully grown by low temperature solution growth technique. Good optical quality single crystals of size 28 mm x 11 mm x 5mm are obtained. Grown crystals were subjected to X-ray powder diffraction analysis, FT-IR, FT-Raman, proton nuclear magnetic resonance (PNMR) and etching studies. Thermal properties of the grown crystals were studied by thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). UV-vis studies show the cutoff wavelength is less than 400 nm. Nonlinear optical property of the crystal was studied by Kurtz powder technique using Nd:YAG laser and the crystal exhibits second harmonic generation property.