LIST OF TOP 25 ARTICLES OF PHYSICS

Jul-Sep 2014

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Sr. No

Title

Raman spectroscopy of carbon nanotubes

Abstract
The use of Raman spectroscopy to reveal the remarkable structure and the unusual electronic and phonon properties of single wall carbon nanotubes
(SWNTs) is reviewed comprehensively. The various types of Raman scattering processes relevant to carbon nanotubes are reviewed, and the theoretical
foundations for these topics are presented. The most common experimental techniques used to probe carbon nanotubes are summarized, followed by a
review of the novel experimental findings for each of the features in the first order and second order Raman spectra for single wall carbon nanotubes.
These results are presented and discussed in connection with theoretical considerations. Raman spectra for bundles of SWNTs, for SWNTs surrounded by
various common wrapping agents, and for isolated SWNTs at the single nanotube level are reviewed. Some of the current research challenges facing the
field are briefly summarized.

TiO"2 photocatalysis and related surface phenomena

Abstract
The field of photocatalysis can be traced back more than 80 years to early observations of the chalking of titania-based paints and to studies of the
darkening of metal oxides in contact with organic compounds in sunlight. During the past 20 years, it has become an extremely well researched field due
to practical interest in air and water remediation, self-cleaning surfaces, and self-sterilizing surfaces. During the same period, there has also been a
strong effort to use photocatalysis for light-assisted production of hydrogen. The fundamental aspects of photocatalysis on the most studied
photocatalyst, titania, are still being actively researched and have recently become quite well understood.

The surface science of titanium dioxide

Abstract:
Titanium dioxide is the most investigated single-crystalline system in the surface science of metal oxides, and the literature on rutile (1 1 0), (1 0 0),
(0 0 1), and anatase surfaces is reviewed. This paper starts with a summary of the wide variety of technical fields where TiO2 is of importance. The bulk
structure and bulk defects (as far as relevant to the surface properties) are briefly reviewed. Rules to predict stable oxide surfaces are exemplified on
rutile (1 1 0). The surface structure of rutile (1 1 0) is discussed in some detail. Theoretically predicted and experimentally determined relaxations of
surface geometries are compared, and defects (step edge orientations, point and line defects, impurities, surface manifestations of crystallographic shear
planesCSPs) are discussed, as well as the image contrast in scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). The controversy about the correct model for the

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(12) reconstruction appears to be settled. Different surface preparation methods, such as reoxidation of reduced crystals, can cause a drastic effect on
surface geometries and morphology, and recommendations for preparing different TiO2(1 1 0) surfaces are given. The structure of the TiO2(1 0 0)-(11)
surface is discussed and the proposed models for the (13) reconstruction are critically reviewed. Very recent results on anatase (1 0 0) and (1 0 1)
surfaces are included.

Metal-organic coordination polymers based on imidazolyl- and benzimidazolyl-containing 4,4'-bipy typeligands

Abstract
Two new semirigid ligands 2,2-bis(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-4,4-bis(4-pyridyl)biphenyl(L1) and 2,2-bis(benzimidazol-1-ylmethyl)-4,4-bis(4pyridyl)biphenyl(L2) were designed and synthesized. Six new coordination compounds, {Cd(L1)Br2}n (1), {Cd(L1)(1,2-bdc)(H2O)H2O}n (2), {Zn(L1) (1,3bdc)2.7H2O}n(3), {Co(L1)(1,3-bdc)H2O}n (4), (1,2-bdc = 1,2-benzenedicarboxylate, 1,3-bdc = 1,3-benzenedicarboxylate, {Cd(L2)2(NO3)22H2O}n (5) and,
[Ni(L2)2(H2O)2](ClO4)23H2O (6) based on them were obtained and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods. 1 is a 2D infinite spongy
cushion-like network. In 2, two bridging 1,2-bdc anions chelate two neighboring Cd(II) atoms with their carboxylate groups to form a 1D double
chain. 3 displays a 2D network in which the wavelike {Zn(1,3-bdc2)}n chains are linked to each other by bidentate L1. 4 adopts a unique 3D framework,
in which the coplanar {Co(1,3-bdc2)}n chains are connected to each other through tridentate L1. 5 features a 1D double chain motif composed of a
square bimetallic ring as the building block. 6 is mononuclear nickel complex. The photoluminescence properties of L1L2, 13 and 5 were investigated,
and all of them exhibit intense fluorescent emissions in the solid state at room temperature.

Raman spectroscopy in graphene

Abstract:
Recent Raman scattering studies in different types of graphene samples are reviewed here. We first discuss the first-order and the double resonance
Raman scattering mechanisms in graphene, which give rise to the most prominent Raman features. The determination of the number of layers in fewlayer graphene is discussed, giving special emphasis to the possibility of using Raman spectroscopy to distinguish a monolayer from few-layer graphene
stacked in the Bernal (AB) configuration. Different types of graphene samples produced both by exfoliation and using epitaxial methods are described
and their Raman spectra are compared with those of 3D crystalline graphite and turbostratic graphite, in which the layers are stacked with rotational
disorder. We show that Resonance Raman studies, where the energy of the excitation laser line can be tuned continuously, can be used to probe
electrons and phonons near the Dirac point of graphene and, in particular allowing a determination to be made of the tight-binding parameters for
bilayer graphene. The special process of electronphonon interaction that renormalizes the phonon energy giving rise to the Kohn anomaly is discussed,
and is illustrated by gated experiments where the position of the Fermi level can be changed experimentally. Finally, we discuss the ability of

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distinguishing armchair and zig-zag edges by Raman spectroscopy and studies in graphene nanoribbons in which the Raman signal is enhanced due to
resonance with singularities in the density of electronic states.
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UV-assisted in situ synthesis of silver nanoparticles on silk fibers for antibacterial applications
Abstract
To overcome the bacteria-caused degradation of silk, an ultraviolet light (UV)-assisted in situ synthesis approach is developed to immobilize silver
nanoparticles (AgNPs) on degummed silk fibers for antibacterial applications. Results show that AgNPs with excellent crystalline structures are efficiently
attached on the silk surface in an irradiation time-dependent manner. The immobilization of AgNPs could greatly delay the thermal degradation of silk.
The antibacterial activity of the AgNPs-coated silk is evaluated by the growth curve of bacteria, zone of inhibition and dual staining assays, clearly
demonstrating its bacterial growth inhibition ability and bactericidal effects. This work offers potentials to produce specific AgNPs-coated antimicrobial
silk for various applications in textile industry.

The effect of heat treatment on the physical properties of sol-gel derived ZnO thin films
Abstract
Zinc oxide (ZnO) thin films were deposited on microscope glass substrates by solgel spin coating method. Zinc acetate (ZnAc) dehydrate was used as the
starting salt material source. A homogeneous and stable solution was prepared by dissolving ZnAc in the solution of monoethanolamine (MEA). ZnO thin
films were obtained after preheating the spin coated thin films at 250 C for 5 min after each coating. The films, after the deposition of the eighth layer,
were annealed in air at temperatures of 300 C, 400 C and 500 C for 1 h. The effect of thermal annealing in air on the physical properties of the
solgel derived ZnO thin films are studied. The powder and its thin film were characterized by X-ray diffractometer (XRD) method. XRD analysis revealed
that the annealed ZnO thin films consist of single phase ZnO with wurtzite structure (JCPDS 36-1451) and show the c-axis grain orientation. Increasing
annealing temperature increased the c-axis orientation and the crystallite size of the film. The annealed films are highly transparent with average
transmission exceeding 80% in the visible range (400700 nm). The measured optical band gap values of the ZnO thin films were between 3.26 eV and
3.28 eV, which were in the range of band gap values of intrinsic ZnO (3.23.3 eV). SEM analysis of annealed thin films has shown a completely different
surface morphology behavior.

Biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles based drug delivery systems

Abstract:
Biodegradable nanoparticles have been used frequently as drug delivery vehicles due to its grand bioavailability, better encapsulation, control release
and less toxic properties. Various nanoparticulate systems, general synthesis and encapsulation process, control release and improvement of therapeutic
value of nanoencapsulated drugs are covered in this review. We have highlighted the impact of nanoencapsulation of various disease related drugs on

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biodegradable nanoparticles such as PLGA, PLA, chitosan, gelatin, polycaprolactone and poly-alkyl-cyanoacrylates.
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Applications of nanotechnology in food packaging and food safety: Barrier materials, antimicrobials and sensors
Abstract:
In this article, several applications of nanomaterials in food packaging and food safety are reviewed, including: polymer/clay nanocomposites as high
barrier packaging materials, silver nanoparticles as potent antimicrobial agents, and nanosensors and nanomaterial-based assays for the detection of
food-relevant analytes (gasses, small organic molecules and food-borne pathogens). In addition to covering the technical aspects of these topics, the
current commercial status and understanding of health implications of these technologies are also discussed. These applications were chosen because
they do not involve direct addition of nanoparticles to consumed foods, and thus are more likely to be marketed to the public in the short term.

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Dye and its removal from aqueous solution by adsorption: A review

Abstract
In this review article the authors presented up to-date development on the application of adsorption in the removal of dyes from aqueous solution. This
review article provides extensive literature information about dyes, its classification and toxicity, various treatment methods, and dye adsorption
characteristics by various adsorbents. One of the objectives of this review article is to organise the scattered available information on various aspects on
a wide range of potentially effective adsorbents in the removal of dyes. Therefore, an extensive list of various adsorbents such as natural materials,
waste materials from industry, agricultural by-products, and biomass based activated carbon in the removal of various dyes has been compiled here. Dye
bearing waste treatment by adsorption using low cost alternative adsorbent is a demanding area as it has double benefits i.e. water treatment and waste
management. Further, activated carbon from biomass has the advantage of offering an effected low cost replacement for non-renewable coal based
granular activated carbon provided that they have similar or better adsorption on efficiency. The effectiveness of various adsorbents under different
physico-chemical process parameters and their comparative adsorption capacity towards dye adsorption has also been presented. This review paper also
includes the affective adsorption factors of dye such as solution pH, initial dye concentration, adsorbent dosage, and temperature. The applicability of
various adsorption kinetic models and isotherm models for dye removal by wide range of adsorbents is also reported here. Conclusions have been drawn
from the literature reviewed and few suggestions for future research are proposed.

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Functional and smart coatings for corrosion protection: A review of recent advances
Abstract
Coatings tailored to corrosion protection of metallic substrates are of the utmost relevance to ensure reliability and long-term performance of coated
parts as well as the product value of the coated materials. Presently, there is a strong emphasis on the development of advanced functional and smart
coatings for corrosion protection in different technological applications. On the one hand, there is a need for more advanced coatings for conventional
applications and, on the other hand, there is a need to answer the requirements of several new Hi-Tech applications. Thus, this review highlights the

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most recent trends in the field of functional coatings for corrosion protection of metallic materials in a wide range of technical applications. Emphasis is
given to self-healing coatings and smart coatings combining multiple functionalities for increased corrosion protection. Recent developments on the
introduction of functionalities based on encapsulation of corrosion inhibitors, anti-fouling agents and superhydrophobic additives or modification of
organic and hybrid matrices via chemical manipulation are reviewed. Special attention is dedicated to functional coatings for corrosion protection of
bioresorbable metallic implants that have an important impact in biomedical applications.
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Complex networks: Structure and dynamics

Abstract:
Coupled biological and chemical systems, neural networks, social interacting species, the Internet and the World Wide Web, are only a few examples of
systems composed by a large number of highly interconnected dynamical units. The first approach to capture the global properties of such systems is to
model them as graphs whose nodes represent the dynamical units, and whose links stand for the interactions between them. On the one hand, scientists
have to cope with structural issues, such as characterizing the topology of a complex wiring architecture, revealing the unifying principles that are at the
basis of real networks, and developing models to mimic the growth of a network and reproduce its structural properties. On the other hand, many
relevant questions arise when studying complex networks dynamics, such as learning how a large ensemble of dynamical systems that interact
through a complex wiring topology can behave collectively. We review the major concepts and results recently achieved in the study of the structure and
dynamics of complex networks, and summarize the relevant applications of these ideas in many different disciplines, ranging from nonlinear science to
biology, from statistical mechanics to medicine and engineering.

13

Community detection in graphs

Abstract
The modern science of networks has brought significant advances to our understanding of complex systems. One of the most relevant features of graphs
representing real systems is community structure, or clustering, i.e. the organization of vertices in clusters, with many edges joining vertices of the same
cluster and comparatively few edges joining vertices of different clusters. Such clusters, or communities, can be considered as fairly independent
compartments of a graph, playing a similar role like, e.g., the tissues or the organs in the human body. Detecting communities is of great importance in
sociology, biology and computer science, disciplines where systems are often represented as graphs. This problem is very hard and not yet satisfactorily
solved, despite the huge effort of a large interdisciplinary community of scientists working on it over the past few years. We will attempt a thorough
exposition of the topic, from the definition of the main elements of the problem, to the presentation of most methods developed, with a special focus on
techniques designed by statistical physicists, from the discussion of crucial issues like the significance of clustering and how methods should be tested
and compared against each other, to the description of applications to real networks.

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Silver nanoparticles: Green synthesis and their antimicrobial activities

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Abstract:

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This review presents an overview of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) preparation by green synthesis approaches that have advantages over conventional
methods involving chemical agents associated with environmental toxicity. Green synthetic methods include mixed-valence polyoxometallates,
polysaccharide, Tollens, irradiation, and biological. The mixed-valence polyoxometallates method was carried out in water, an environmentally-friendly
solvent. Solutions of AgNO3 containing glucose and starch in water gave starch-protected Ag NPs, which could be integrated into medical applications.
Tollens process involves the reduction of Ag(NH3)2+ by saccharides forming Ag NP films with particle sizes from 50200 nm, Ag hydrosols with particles
in the order of 2050 nm, and Ag colloid particles of different shapes. The reduction of Ag(NH3)2+ by HTAB (n-hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide)
gave Ag NPs of different morphologies: cubes, triangles, wires, and aligned wires. Ag NPs synthesis by irradiation of Ag+ ions does not involve a reducing
agent and is an appealing procedure. Eco-friendly bio-organisms in plant extracts contain proteins, which act as both reducing and capping agents
forming stable and shape-controlled Ag NPs. The synthetic procedures of polymer-Ag and TiO2Ag NPs are also given. Both Ag NPs and Ag NPs modified
by surfactants or polymers showed high antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The mechanism of the Ag NP
bactericidal activity is discussed in terms of Ag NP interaction with the cell membranes of bacteria. Silver-containing filters are shown to have
antibacterial properties in water and air purification. Finally, human and environmental implications of Ag NPs to the ecology of aquatic environment are
briefly discussed.
Raman spectroscopy of graphene and graphite: Disorder, electron-phonon coupling, doping and nonadiabatic effects
Abstract:
We review recent work on Raman spectroscopy of graphite and graphene. We focus on the origin of the Dand G peaks and the second order of
the D peak. The G and 2D Raman peaks change in shape, position and relative intensity with number of graphene layers. This reflects the evolution of the
electronic structure and electronphonon interactions. We then consider the effects of doping on the Raman spectra of graphene. The Fermi energy is
tuned by applying a gate-voltage. We show that this induces a stiffening of the Raman Gpeak for both holes and electrons doping. Thus Raman
spectroscopy can be efficiently used to monitor number of layers, quality of layers, doping level and confinement.

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A continuous vibration theory for rotors with an open edge crack

Abstract
In this paper a new continuous model for flexural vibration of rotors with an open edge crack has been developed. The cracked rotor is considered in the
rotating coordinate system attached to it. Therefore, the rotor bending can be decomposed in two perpendicular directions. Two quasi-linear
displacement fields are assumed for these two directions and the strain and stress fields are calculated in each direction. Then the final displacement and
stress fields are obtained by composing the displacement and stress fields in the two directions. The governing equation of motion for the rotor has been
obtained using the Hamilton principle and solved using a modified Galerkin method. The free vibration has been analyzed and the critical speeds have

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been calculated. Results are compared with the finite element results and an excellent agreement is observed.
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Geant4-a simulation toolkit

Abstract:
Geant4 is a toolkit for simulating the passage of particles through matter. It includes a complete range of functionality including tracking, geometry,
physics models and hits. The physics processes offered cover a comprehensive range, including electromagnetic, hadronic and optical processes, a large
set of long-lived particles, materials and elements, over a wide energy range starting, in some cases, from
and extending in others to the TeV
energy range. It has been designed and constructed to expose the physics models utilised, to handle complex geometries, and to enable its easy
adaptation for optimal use in different sets of applications. The toolkit is the result of a worldwide collaboration of physicists and software engineers. It
has been created exploiting software engineering and object-oriented technology and implemented in the C++ programming language. It has been used
in applications in particle physics, nuclear physics, accelerator design, space engineering and medical physics.

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Acceleration of the Jacobi iterative method by factors exceeding 100 using scheduled relaxation
Abstract
We present a methodology that accelerates the classical Jacobi iterative method by factors exceeding 100 when applied to the finite-difference
approximation of elliptic equations on large grids. The method is based on a schedule of over- and under-relaxations that preserves the essential
simplicity of the Jacobi method. Mathematical conditions that maximize the convergence rate are derived and optimal schemes identified. The
convergence rate predicted from the analysis is validated via numerical experiments. The substantial acceleration of the Jacobi method enabled by the
current method has the potential to significantly accelerate large-scale simulations in computational mechanics, as well as other areas where elliptic
equations are prominent.

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Silver nanoparticles as antimicrobial agent: a case study on E. coli as a model for Gram-negative bacteria
Abstract
The antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles against E. coli was investigated as a model for Gram-negative bacteria. Bacteriological tests were
performed in LuriaBertani (LB) medium on solid agar plates and in liquid systems supplemented with different concentrations of nanosized silver
particles. These particles were shown to be an effective bactericide. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) were used to study
the biocidal action of this nanoscale material. The results confirmed that the treated E. coli cells were damaged, showing formation of pits in the cell
wall of the bacteria, while the silver nanoparticles were found to accumulate in the bacterial membrane. A membrane with such a morphology exhibits a
significant increase in permeability, resulting in death of the cell. These nontoxic nanomaterials, which can be prepared in a simple and cost-effective
manner, may be suitable for the formulation of new types of bactericidal materials.

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20

Core/shell nanoparticles in biomedical applications

Abstract
Nanoparticles have several exciting applications in different areas and biomedial field is not an exception of that because of their exciting performance in
bioimaging, targeted drug and gene delivery, sensors, and so on. It has been found that among several classes of nanoparticles core/shell is most
promising for different biomedical applications because of several advantages over simple nanoparticles. This review highlights the development of
core/shell nanoparticles-based biomedical research during approximately past two decades. Applications of different types of core/shell nanoparticles
are classified in terms of five major aspects such as bioimaging, biosensor, targeted drug delivery, DNA/RNA interaction, and targeted gene delivery.

21

Applications of ultrasound in food technology: Processing, preservation and extraction

Abstract:
Ultrasound is well known to have a significant effect on the rate of various processes in the food industry. Using ultrasound, full reproducible food
processes can now be completed in seconds or minutes with high reproducibility, reducing the processing cost, simplifying manipulation and work-up,
giving higher purity of the final product, eliminating post-treatment of waste water and consuming only a fraction of the time and energy normally
needed for conventional processes. Several processes such as freezing, cutting, drying, tempering, bleaching, sterilization, and extraction have been
applied efficiently in the food industry. The advantages of using ultrasound for food processing, includes: more effective mixing and micro-mixing, faster
energy and mass transfer, reduced thermal and concentration gradients, reduced temperature, selective extraction, reduced equipment size, faster
response to process extraction control, faster start-up, increased production, and elimination of process steps. Food processes performed under the
action of ultrasound are believed to be affected in part by cavitation phenomena and mass transfer enhancement. This review presents a complete
picture of current knowledge on application of ultrasound in food technology including processing, preservation and extraction. It provides the necessary
theoretical background and some details about ultrasound the technology, the technique, and safety precautions. We will also discuss some of the
factors which make the combination of food processing and ultrasound one of the most promising research areas in the field of modern food
engineering.

22

Extinction coefficient of gold nanoparticles with different sizes and different capping ligands
Abstract
Extinction coefficients of gold nanoparticles with core size ranging from 4 to 40 nm were determined by high resolution transmission electron
microscopy analysis and UVvis absorption spectroscopic measurement. Three different types of gold nanoparticles were prepared and studied: citratestabilized nanoparticles in five different sizes; oleylamide-protected gold nanoparticles with a core diameter of 8 nm, and a decanethiol-protected
nanoparticle with a diameter of around 4 nm. A linear relationship between the logarithms of extinction coefficients and core diameters of gold particles

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was found independent of the capping ligands on the particle surface and the solvents used to dissolve the nanoparticles. This linear relation may be
used as a calibration curve to determine the concentration or average size of an unknown nanoparticle or nanoparticlebiomolecule conjugate sample.
23

Force measurements with the atomic force microscope: Technique, interpretation and applications
Abstract
The atomic force microscope (AFM) is not only a tool to image the topography of solid surfaces at high resolution. It can also be used to measure forceversus-distance curves. Such curves, briefly called force curves, provide valuable information on local material properties such as elasticity, hardness,
Hamaker constant, adhesion and surface charge densities. For this reason the measurement of force curves has become essential in different fields of
research such as surface science, materials engineering, and biology.
Another application is the analysis of surface forces per se. Some of the most fundamental questions in colloid and surface science can be addressed
directly with the AFM: What are the interactions between particles in a liquid? How can a dispersion be stabilized? How do surfaces in general and
particles in particular adhere to each other? Particles and surfaces interactions have major implications for friction and lubrication. Force measurements
on single molecules involving the rupture of single chemical bonds and the stretching of polymer chains have almost become routine. The structure and
properties of confined liquids can be addressed since force measurements provide information on the energy of a confined liquid film.

24

Fabrication of thin film dye sensitized solar cells with solar to electric power conversion efficiency over 10%
Abstract
Techniques of TiO2 film fabrication for dye-sensitized solar cells having a conversion efficiency of global air mass 1.5 (AM 1.5, 1000 W/m2) solar light to
electric power over 10% are reported. Newly implemented fabrication technologies consist of pre-treatment of the working photoelectrode by TiCl4,
variations in layer thickness of the transparent nanocrystalline-TiO2 and applying a topcoat light-scattering layer as well as the adhesion of an antireflecting film to the electrode's surface. TiCl4 treatments induce improvements in the adhesion and mechanical strength of the nanocrystalline
TiO2 layer. Optimization of the thickness of the TiO2 layer, acting as the working electrode, affects both the photocurrent and the photovoltage of the
devices. Covering of the TiO2 photoanode by an anti-reflecting film results in enhancement of the photocurrent. Each of these components of film
fabrication exerts a significant influence on the overall photovoltaic parameters of the devices resulting in improvements in the net energy conversion
performance.

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25

Extraordinary attributes of 2-dimensional MoS"2 nanosheets

Abstract
The discovery of the amazing properties of graphene has stimulated exploration of single- and few-layer structures of layered inorganic materials. Of all
the inorganic 2D nanosheet structures, those of MoS2 have attracted great attention because of their novel properties such as the presence of a direct
bandgap, good field-effect transistor characteristics, large spinorbit splitting, intense photoluminescence, catalytic properties, magnetism,
superconductivity, ferroelectricity and several other properties with potential applications in electronics, optoelectronics, energy devices and spintronics.
MoS2 nanosheets have been used in lithium batteries, supercapacitors and to generate hydrogen. Highlights of the impressive properties of
MoS2 nanosheets, along with their structural and spectroscopic features are presented in this Letter. MoS2 typifies the family of metal dichalcogenides
such as MoSe2 and WS2 and there is much to be done on nanosheets of these materials. Linus Pauling would have been pleased to see how molybdenite
whose structure he studied in 1923 has become so important today.

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