S. Ramaprabhu

Nitrogen doped graphene nanoplatelets as catalyst support for oxygen reduction reaction in proton exchange membrane fuel cell

Graphene nanoplatelets have been synthesized by thermal exfoliation of graphitic oxide and nitrogen doped graphene nanoplatelets have been obtained by nitrogen plasma treatment. Graphene nanoplatelets and nitrogen doped graphene nanoplatelets have been used as a catalyst support for platinum nanoparticles for oxygen reduction reactions in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. Platinum nanoparticles were dispersed over these support materials using the conventional chemical reduction technique. The morphology and structure of the graphene based powder samples were studied using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A full cell was constructed with platinum loaded nitrogen doped graphene nanoplatelets and the results have been compared with platinum loaded graphene nanoplatelets. A maximum power density of 440 and 390 mW cm−2 has been obtained with platinum loaded nitrogen doped graphene and platinum loaded graphene nanoplatelets as ORR catalysts respectively. Nitrogen plasma treatment created pyrrolic nitrogen defects, which act as good anchoring sites for the deposition of platinum nanoparticles. The improved performance of fuel cells with N-G as catalyst supports can be attributed to the increased electrical conductivity and improved carbon–catalyst binding.

Graphene synthesis via hydrogen induced low temperature exfoliation of graphite oxide

A novel and facile technique for the rapid synthesis of few layered graphene sheets via hydrogen induced reduction–exfoliation of graphite oxide at a low temperature of ∼200 °C is reported.

A Raman spectroscopic investigation of graphite oxide derived graphene

Graphene sheets that are now routinely obtained by the exfoliation/reduction of graphite oxide exhibit Raman spectra unlike traditional graphene systems. The general attributes of the Raman spectra of these ‘wrinkled graphene’ are first reaffirmed by evaluating the spectra of samples prepared by seven different exfoliation-reduction methods. These graphene sheets exhibit highly broadened D and G Raman bands and in addition, have a modulated bump in place of the conventional 2D (G′) band. It is shown that the high wavenumber ‘bump’ can be resolved into the conventional 2D band and several defect activated peaks such as G*, D+D′ and 2D′. The broad G band could also be deconvoluted into the actual G band and the D′ band, thereby attributing the broadening in the G band to the presence of this defect activated band. Two additional modes, named as D* at 1190 cm-1 and D** at ∼1500 cm-1 could be identified. These peculiar features in the Raman spectrum of ‘graphene’ are attributed to the highly disordered and wr...

Graphene-Based Engine Oil Nanofluids for Tribological Applications

Ultrathin graphene (UG) has been prepared by exfoliation of graphite oxide by a novel technique based on focused solar radiation. Graphene based engine oil nanofluids have been prepared and their frictional characteristics (FC), antiwear (AW), and extreme pressure (EP) properties have been evaluated. The improvement in FC, AW, and EP properties of nanofluids is respectively by 80, 33, and 40% compared with base oil. The enhancement can be attributed to the nanobearing mechanism of graphene in engine oil and ultimate mechanical strength of graphene.

Synthesis of graphene-multiwalled carbon nanotubes hybrid nanostructure by strengthened electrostatic interaction and its lithium ion battery application

We report a novel way of synthesizing graphene-carbon nanotube hybrid nanostructure as an anode for lithium (Li) ion batteries. For this, graphene was prepared by the solar exfoliation of graphite oxide, while multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were prepared by the chemical vapor deposition method. The graphene–MWNT hybrid nanostructure was synthesized by first modifying graphene surface using a cationic polyelectrolyte and MWNT surface with acid functionalization. The hybrid structure was obtained by homogeneous mixing of chemically modified graphene and MWNT constituents. This hybrid nanostructure exhibits higher specific capacity and cyclic stability. The strengthened electrostatic interaction between the positively charged surface of graphene sheets and the negatively charged surface of MWNTs prevents the restacking of graphene sheets that provides a highly accessible area and short diffusion path length for Li-ions. The higher electrical conductivity of MWNTs promotes an easier movement of the electrons within the electrode. The present synthesis scheme recommends a new pathway for large-scale production of novel hybrid carbon nanomaterials for energy storage applications and underlines the importance of preparation routes followed for synthesizing nanomaterials.

Investigation of thermal and electrical conductivity of graphene based nanofluids

We report for the first time, the synthesis of highly stable exfoliated graphene based nanofluids with water and ethylene glycol as base fluids with out any surfactant and the subsequent studies on their thermal and electrical conductivities. Graphene was synthesized by thermal exfoliation of graphene oxide at 1050 °C in Ar atmosphere. The as-synthesized graphene has been suitably functionalized and further dispersed it in the base fluids without any surfactant. Thermal and electrical conductivities of these nanofluids were measured for varying volume fractions and at different temperatures. An enhancement in thermal conductivity by about 14% has been achieved at 25 °C with deionized water (DI) as base fluid at a very low volume fraction of 0.056% which increases to about 64% at 50 °C. Electrical conductivity measurements for these nanofluids indicate an enormous enhancement at 25 °C for a volume fraction of 0.03%in DI water.

SiO2 coated Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticle dispersed multiwalled carbon nanotubes based amperometric glucose biosensor.

A new type of amperometric glucose biosensor based on silicon dioxide coated magnetic nanoparticle decorated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (Fe(3)O(4)@SiO(2)/MWNTs) on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) has been developed. MWNTs have been synthesized by catalytic chemical vapour decomposition (CCVD) of acetylene over rare earth (RE) based AB(3) alloy hydride catalyst. The as-grown MWNTs have been purified and further functionlized. Functionalized MWNTs have been decorated with magnetic Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles which have been uniformly coated with biocompatible SiO(2) using a simple chemical reduction method. The characterization of magnetic nanoparticle modified MWNTs have been done by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infra red spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and UV-vis spectroscopy. Amperometric biosensor has been fabricated by the deposition of glucose oxidase (GOD) over Nafion-solubilized Fe(3)O(4)@SiO(2)/MWNTs electrode. The resultant bioelectrode retains its biocatalytic activity and offers fast and sensitive glucose quantification. The performance of the biosensor has been studied using cyclic voltammetry and amperometry and the results have been discussed. The fabricated glucose biosensor exhibits a linear response from 1 microM to 30 mM with an excellent detection limit of 800 nM indicating the potential applications in food industries.

Effect of nitrogen doping on hydrogen storage capacity of palladium decorated graphene.

A high hydrogen storage capacity for palladium decorated nitrogen-doped hydrogen exfoliated graphene nanocomposite is demonstrated under moderate temperature and pressure conditions. The nitrogen doping of hydrogen exfoliated graphene is done by nitrogen plasma treatment, and palladium nanoparticles are decorated over nitrogen-doped graphene by a modified polyol reduction technique. An increase of 66% is achieved by nitrogen doping in the hydrogen uptake capacity of hydrogen exfoliated graphene at room temperature and 2 MPa pressure. A further enhancement by 124% is attained in the hydrogen uptake capacity by palladium nanoparticle (Pd NP) decoration over nitrogen-doped graphene. The high dispersion of Pd NP over nitrogen-doped graphene sheets and strengthened interaction between the nitrogen-doped graphene sheets and Pd NP catalyze the dissociation of hydrogen molecules and subsequent migration of hydrogen atoms on the doped graphene sheets. The results of a systematic study on graphene, nitrogen-doped graphene, and palladium decorated nitrogen-doped graphene nanocomposites are discussed. A nexus between the catalyst support and catalyst particles is believed to yield the high hydrogen uptake capacities obtained.

Polyaniline–MnO2 nanotube hybrid nanocomposite as supercapacitor electrode material in acidic electrolyte

Herein, we report a preparation method of a novel binary hybrid nanocomposite based on polyaniline (PANI) and α-MnO2 nanotubes (MNTs) by in situpolymerization. The polymerization is carried out in acidic medium using α-MnO2 nanotubes as oxidant. A symmetrical supercapacitor is fabricated and the electrochemical performance of the supercapacitor is investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronopotentiometry (CP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques using 1.0 M H2SO4 as electrolyte. The nanocomposite shows maximum specific capacitance of 626 F g−1 and corresponding energy density of 17.8 W h kg−1, as calculated from the charge–discharge curve at a specific current density of 2 A g−1 in the potential range 0–0.7 V.

Synthesis and nanofluid application of silver nanoparticles decorated graphene

In the present work we describe a novel synthesis procedure for silver decorated functionalized hydrogen induced exfoliated graphene (Ag/HEG) and preparation of nanofluids using this material. Further, thermal conductivity and convective heat transfer studies are carried out for these nanofluids. A simple chemical reduction method is implemented to synthesize uniformly coated Ag/HEG and characterized by different experimental techniques. Ag/HEG is used for making nanofluids considering the high thermal conductivity of graphene and silver nanoparticles. Ag/HEG has been dispersed in deionized water and ethylene glycol using ultrasonic agitation and proper dispersion is achieved without any surfactant. Thermal conductivity and heat transfer studies on Ag/HEG dispersed nanofluids show an enhancement in the corresponding values compared to the base fluid. The level of enhancement depends on the volume fraction and temperature at which the measurement is performed. Ag/HEG dispersed deionized water based nanofluid shows an enhancement of ∼25% for 0.05% volume fraction at 25 °C. Similarly, the heat transfer coefficient of Ag/HEG based nanofluids also shows a large enhancement compared to the base fluid. The synthesized nanofluid is stable for more than three months.