LIST OF TOP 25 ARTICLES OF PHYSICS

Jan-Mar 2014
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Sr. No Title

1 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.

2 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.

3 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.


4 Multiple functionalization of multi-walled carbon nanotubes with carboxyl and amino groups
Abstract
In this paper, carboxyl and amino groups have been introduced onto the surface of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by the mixed acid
treatment and the diazonium reaction, respectively. The presence of multifunctionality groups on the MWCNTs has been characterized by Fourier
transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric (TGA) analysis, Raman spectra, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-
ray spectrum (EDS). The multifunctionalized carbon nanotubes were further utilized to react with acetyl chloride and ethylenediamine (EDA). The
formation of the amide bond in the grafting reaction has been confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy. The result indicates that the further grafting is
successful. The multifunctionalized MWCNTs can be a new versatile platform for many interesting applications.


5 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 few-
layer 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
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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6 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.

7 Effect of maleic anhydride on dielectric properties of natural fiber composite
Abstract
The use of short palm tree lignocellulosic fibers as a reinforcing phase in polyester matrix has been reported. In order to improve interfacial adhesion, the
esterification of the lignocellulosic filler in alkaline medium was performed using maleic anhydride. The dynamic dielectrical analysis of short palm tree
lignocellulosic fibres reinforced polyester composites was carried out. Measurements were performed in the frequency range 1104 Hz. Two relaxations
processes were identified in the case of polyester matrix and non treated fibre composite, which are the relaxation associated with glassrubbery
transition of the polymer and the relaxation process associated with conductivity occurring as a result of the carriers charges diffusion for high
temperature above glass transition and low frequencies.
For the treated fiber composite with anhydride, a new relaxation process due to the molecular motion of amorphous celluloses was identified.


8 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
biodegradable nanoparticles such as PLGA, PLA, chitosan, gelatin, polycaprolactone and poly-alkyl-cyanoacrylates.

9 Applications of nanotechnology in food packaging and food safety: Barrier materials, antimicrobials and sensors

Abstract:

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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.

10 Explanation for the appearance of alumina nanoparticles in a cold wall Atomic Layer Deposition system and their characterization
Abstract
An explanation for the possible mechanism of formation of alumina nanoparticles in Atomic Layer Deposition process of Alumina using Trimethyl
aluminum (TMA) and water in a cold wall ALD chamber is given based on the physisorption of TMA and surface energy of alumina thin films. The sorption
mechanism proposed is physisorption at the cold walls rather than the conventional chemisorption at the hot substrates as in the case of typical ALD. It is
argued that when the surface energy of alumina is larger than the physorption energy, the newly forming film will try to reduce the surface area and
assume spherical shape forming nano particles. Synthesized particles were characterized using XRD, SEM, HRTEM, SAED, FTIR and EDS. It was found that
the particle size varied from 20 nm to 45 nm. The samples were identified as slightly aluminum rich alumina. The as prepared samples were amorphous
whereas annealing at 1200 deg C made them crystalline. Dielectric studies of pelletized samples yielded a dielectric constant of 9.08 which agreed well
with reported values.

11 Charge carrier mobility and lifetime of organic bulk heterojunctions analyzed by impedance spectroscopy
Abstract
Charge carrier diffusion and recombination in an absorber blend of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM)
with indium tin oxide (ITO) and aluminium contacts have been analyzed in the dark by means of impedance spectroscopy. Reverse bias capacitance
exhibits MottSchottky-like behavior indicating the formation of a Schottky junction (band bending) at the P3H:PCBM-Al contact. Impedance
measurements show that minority carrier (electrons) diffuse out of the P3HT:PCBM-Al depletion zone and their accumulation contributes to the
capacitive response at forward bias. A diffusionrecombination impedance model accounting for the mobility and lifetime parameters is outlined.
Electron mobility results to be 2 103 cm2 V1 s1 and lifetime lies within the milliseconds timescale.

12 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
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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.

14 Silver nanoparticles: Green synthesis and their antimicrobial activities

Abstract:

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
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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.
15 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.

16 Photoinduced reactivity of titanium dioxide
Abstract
The utilization of solar irradiation to supply energy or to initiate chemical reactions is already an established idea. If a wide-band gap semiconductor like
titanium dioxide (TiO2) is irradiated with light, excited electronhole pairs result that can be applied in solar cells to generate electricity or in chemical
processes to create or degrade specific compounds. Recently, a new process used on the surface of TiO2 films, namely, photoinduced
superhydrophilicity, is described. All three appearances of the photoreactivity of TiO2 are discussed in detail in this review, but the main focus is on the
photocatalytic activity towards environmentally hazardous compounds (organic, inorganic, and biological materials), which are found in wastewater or in
air. Besides information on the mechanistical aspects and applications of these kinds of reactions, a description of the attempts and possibilities to
improve the reactivity is also provided. This paper would like to assist the reader in getting an overview of this exciting, but also complicated, field.

17 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
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in applications in particle physics, nuclear physics, accelerator design, space engineering and medical physics.


18 Two-dimensional nanosheets for photoelectrochemical water splitting: Possibilities and opportunities
Summary
In view of the worldwide energy challenge in the 21st century, the technology of semiconductor-based photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting has
received considerable attention as an alternative approach for solar energy harvesting and storage. The performance of advanced PEC devices is
fundamentally related to the semiconductor photoelectrode design at the nanoscale. Among various architectures, two-dimensional (2D) nanosheets
with thickness generally below 100 nm hold great promise for highly efficient PEC water splitting. Hence, this article mainly provides a comprehensive
review of current research efforts that focus on the scientific and technological possibilities of using 2D nanosheets to fabricate efficient photoelectrodes
for PEC water splitting, followed by a concise overview of the state-of-the-art progress of 2D nanosheets, where we also present a discussion of how to
overcome the challenges that have prevented realizing the full potential of 2D nanosheets. Particular attention is paid on two major approaches. One is
to align nanosheets directly on the substrate to maximize the morphological advantages of 2D nanosheets. The other is to further reduce the thickness of
common 2D nanosheets to single or a few atomic layers aiming at regulating the intrinsic physical and chemical properties for PEC water splitting. Both
of the approaches have led to excellent improvements on PEC performance and greatly broaden the knowledge about where and how the existing
semiconductor materials can be used in solar energy-related applications. It is hence envisioned that 2D nanosheets can offer wide opportunities and
perspectives on the directions toward high-efficiency solar energy conversion.

19 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.

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
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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 Recent NMR developments applied to organic-inorganic materials
Abstract
In this contribution, the latest developments in solid state NMR are presented in the field of organicinorganic (O/I) materials (or hybrid materials). Such
materials involve mineral and organic (including polymeric and biological) components, and can exhibit complex O/I interfaces. Hybrids are currently a
major topic of research in nanoscience, and solid state NMR is obviously a pertinent spectroscopic tool of investigation. Its versatility allows the detailed
description of the structure and texture of such complex materials. The article is divided in two main parts: in the first one, recent NMR
methodological/instrumental developments are presented in connection with hybrid materials. In the second part, an exhaustive overview of the major
classes of O/I materials and their NMR characterization is presented.

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 force-
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versus-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 Recent advances in designing superhydrophobic surfaces
Abstract
The interest in superhydrophobic surfaces has grown exponentially over recent decades. Since the lotus leaf dual hierarchical structure was discovered,
researchers have investigated the foundations of self-cleaning behavior. Generally, surface micro/nanostructuring combined with low surface energy of
materials leads to extreme anti-wetting properties. The great number of papers on this subject attests the efforts of scientists in mimicking nature to
generate superhydrophobicity. Besides the thirst for knowledge, scientists have been driven by the many possible industrial applications of
superhydrophobic materials in several fields. Many methods and techniques have been developed to fabricate superhydrophobic surfaces, and the aim
of this paper is to review the recent progresses in preparing manmade superhydrophobic surfaces.

25 The surface energy of metals
Abstract
We have used density functional theory to establish a database of surface energies for low index surfaces of 60 metals in the periodic table. The data
may be used as a consistent starting point for models of surface science phenomena. The accuracy of the database is established in a comparison with
other density functional theory results and the calculated surface energy anisotropies are applied in a determination of the equilibrium shape of nano-
crystals of Fe, Cu, Mo, Ta, Pt and Pb.