Soney Varghese

Poly (vinylidene fluoride-trifluoroethylene)/barium titanate nanocomposite for ferroelectric nonvolatile memory devices

The effect of barium titanate (BaTiO3) nanoparticles (particle size <100nm) on the ferroelectric properties of poly (vinylidenefluoride-trifluoroethylene) P(VDF-TrFE) copolymer has been studied. Different concentrations of nanoparticles were added to P(VDF-TrFE) using probe sonication, and uniform thin films were made. Polarisation - Electric field (P-E) hysteresis analysis shows an increase in remnant polarization (Pr) and decrease in coercive voltage (Vc). Piezo-response force microscopy analysis shows the switching capability of the polymer composite. The topography and surface roughness was studied using atomic force microscopy. It has been observed that this nanocomposite can be used for the fabrication of non-volatile ferroelectric memory devices.

Effect of cellulose whisker content on the properties of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate)/cellulose composites.

The reinforcing effect of cellulose whiskers, produced from banana waste fibres, has been investigated using poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) [EVA]/cellulose whisker composites. Cellulose whiskers, approximately 300 nm long and 30 nm wide, were obtained via a sulphuric acid hydrolysis method. The effects of the cellulose whisker loading on the thermal properties, mechanical properties and on the morphological features of the composites have been investigated. EVA copolymer with a vinyl acetate segment content of 40% has been used for composite fabrication. The developed composites showed superior thermal and mechanical properties relative to that of the EVA copolymer alone. Three theoretical models, namely the Halpin-Tsai model, the Kerner model and the Nicolais-Narkis model have been employed to provide a basis for the comparison of the results with the observations from the tensile investigations.

Nanoindentation and thermal characterization of poly (vinylidenefluoride)/MWCNT nanocomposites

We report the preparation, thermal and micro/nanomechanical behavior of poly (vinylidine diflouride) (PVDF)/multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanocomposites. It has been found that the addition of MWCNT considerably enhances the β-phase formation, thermal and mechanical properties of PVDF. Atomic force microscope (AFM) studies have been performed on the composites under stress conditions to measure the mechanical properties. The nanoscale mechanical properties of the composites like Youngs modulus and hardness of the nanocomposites were investigated by nanoindentation technique. Morphological studies of the nanocomposites were also studied, observations show a uniform distribution of MWCNT in the matrix and interfacial adhesion between PVDF and MWCNT was achieved, which was responsible for enhancement in the hardness and Youngs modulus. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies indicate that the melting temperature of the composites have been slightly increased while the heat of fusion markedly ...

Synthesis and characterisation of azomethine class thermotropic liquid crystals and their application in nonlinear optics

Liquid crystals of azomethine derivatives were synthesised and their molecular structures were confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy. Mesomorphic studies using differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction and polarising optical microscope revealed that all of these compounds exhibit thermotropic mesophases over a temperature range. The nonlinear optical properties of these liquid crystals were studied using a Z-scan technique with 7 ns pulse duration at 532 nm. The nonlinear refractive index, and the third order nonlinear susceptibility, were measured to be of the order of and respectively. Reverse saturable absorption was identified as the main mechanism responsible for optical limiting.

Characterization of Europium Complex-doped PMMA and PMMA-EVA Polymer Networks

Europium-β-diketone chelate doped poly(methyl methacrylate) and poly(methyl methacrylate)/poly(ethylene co-vinyl acetate) blends have been successfully prepared and characterized. The mechanical properties of the PMMA-EVA systems have been assessed in terms of tensile strength and impact strength. The thermal characteristics and the energy involved in thermal decomposition have been studied. The structural properties of the complex doped polymeric systems reveal that the complex exists in the same crystalline state in the doped systems as it does in the pure state. The orientations of the groups in the host matrix have been found to be affected by the complex loading. The optical properties of the system have been studied by photo luminescence spectroscopy. The fluorescence lifetime have been observed to decrease at greater loadings of the complex; an effect that has been attributed to concentration quenching. The complex doped PMMA/EVA polymer network developed is considered to be a potential candidate for the development of optoelectronic devices those possess superior mechanical properties.

Transparent Electrode Patterning using Laser Ablation for In‐Plane Switching Liquid Crystal Display

Transparent indium tin oxides (ITO) electrodes were patterned using flash lamp pumped Q‐switched Nd: YAG laser ablation technique. The Optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy and energy dispersive x‐ray spectrum along with scanning electron microscope analysis shows the depth and width of the ablated area and the elements available in the ablated area. In‐plane switching liquid crystal display were constructed using the patterned indium tin oxide and its switching characteristics are investigated.

Ferroelectric polymer nanocomposite alignment layer in twisted nematic liquid crystal devices for reducing switching voltage

ABSTRACT Twisted nematic liquid crystal device (TNLCD) was fabricated using a ferroelectric zinc oxide (ZnO)-doped polyimide alignment layer. The ferroelectric nanoparticle can produce a local electric field, which can trigger the orientation of liquid crystal molecule and reduces the switching voltage. The uniform dispersion of ferroelectric ZnO nanoparticles in the alignment layer was studied using field emission scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. The ferroelectric property of ZnO-doped polyimide was investigated using dynamic contact electrostatic force microscopy. An increased local electric field due to the presence of nano ZnO was confirmed with the help of scanning tunnelling microscopy. An augmentation of capacitance was observed with an increase in concentration, which substantiates the reduction of switching voltage of TNLCD with the modification of ferroelectric nanoparticle-doped alignment layer. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

α- & β-crystalline phases in polyvinylidene fluoride as tribo-piezo active layer for nanoenergy harvester:

The manuscript introduces the use of non-electrically polled spin-coated thin polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) films as the active layers in a contact electrification-based nanoenergy harvester. The four-layered device utilizes both piezo and triboelectric effect coupled with electrostatic induction. The elucidation of potential generation during contact between crystalline phases (α and β) of PVDF layer material is investigated in the manuscript. Fourier transform infrared–attenuated total reflectance spectroscopy is carried out to illustrate the α- and β-phases in PVDF pellet, prepared film as well as the film after contact. Dynamic contact mode electrostatic force microscopy (DC-EFM) along with atomic force microscopy is used for the evaluation of reverse piezoelectric, local ferroelectric, triboelectric voltage and adhesive energy of the PVDF films before–after contact process. Quantum chemical calculation is performed using density functional theory to explain possible electron transitions in the active layers between the cylindrically symmetric α-phase and electrical double layer charges in the β-phase of PVDF. The interface study of the film is also carried out both experimentally using DC-EFM and through quantum chemical calculations. The fabricated device with the hybrid piezo-tribo layer promises to be a simple and low-cost energy source for the next-generation self-powered electronic devices. The device can also be used as knock sensor in engines as well as a capacitor.

Process sequence optimization for digital microfluidic integration using EWOD technique

Micro/nano-fluidic MEMS biosensors are the devices that detects the biomolecules. The emerging micro/nano-fluidic devices provide high throughput and high repeatability with very low response time and reduced device cost as compared to traditional devices. This article presents the experimental details for process sequence optimization of digital microfluidics (DMF) using “electrowetting-on-dielectric” (EWOD). Stress free thick film deposition of silicon dioxide using PECVD and subsequent process for EWOD techniques have been optimized in this work.

Enhancing Q-factor using fractal electrodes in Film Bulk Acoustic Resonator for wireless applications

In this paper, we have proposed the fractal electrodes in Film Bulk Acoustic Resonator (FBAR) and studied its effects on resonance behavior. The performance parameters such as quality factor and operating frequency have been compared with FBAR with simple planar electrode. To study the effects of fractal geometries in FBAR electrodes, the FEM analysis has been carried out using commercially available CoventorWare™ tool. In our study, we have observed that the quality factor of FBAR have been significantly enhanced by introducing specific fractal geometries in electrode. Details on the different fractal electrode geometries and their effects are presented and discussed.