Vikas Kashid

Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction and chiral magnetism in 3d − 5d zigzag chains: Tight-binding model and ab initio calculations

We investigate the chiral magnetic order in freestanding planar 3d-5d biatomic metallic chains (3d :F e, Co; 5d: Ir, Pt, Au) using first-principles calculations based on density functional theory. We find that the antisymmetric exchange interaction, commonly known as the Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interaction (DMI), contributes significantly to the energetics of the magnetic structure. For the Fe-Pt and Co-Pt chains, the DMI can compete with the isotropic Heisenberg-type exchange interaction and the magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy, and for both cases a homogeneous left-rotating cycloidal chiral spin-spiral with a wavelength of 51 u A and 36 u A, respectively, was found. The sign of the DMI, which determines the handedness of the magnetic structure, changes in the sequence of the 5d atoms Ir(+), Pt(−), Au(+). We use the full-potential linearized augmented plane wave method and perform self-consistent calculations of homogeneous spin spirals, calculating the DMI by treating the effect of spin-orbit interaction in the basis of the spin-spiral states in first-order perturbation theory. To gain insight into the DMI results of our ab initio calculations, we develop a minimal tight-binding model of three atoms and four orbitals that contains all essential features: the spin canting between the magnetic 3d atoms, the spin-orbit interaction at the 5d atoms, and the structure inversion asymmetry facilitated by the triangular geometry. We find that spin canting can lead to spin-orbit active eigenstates that split in energy due to the spin-orbit interaction at the 5d atom. We show that the sign and strength of the hybridization, the bonding or antibonding character between d orbitals of the magnetic and nonmagnetic sites, the bandwidth, and the energy difference between occupied and unoccupied states of different spin projection determine the sign and strength of the DMI. The key features observed in the trimer model are also found in the first-principles results.

Photophysical, bandstructural, and textural properties of o-FeNbO4 in relation to its cocatalyst-assisted photoactivity for water oxidation

In this study, a relationship between physicochemical, photophysical and photocatalytic properties of hydrothermally synthesized orthorhombic iron niobate (FeNbO4) is investigated. o-FeNbO4 displayed a multi-regime optical absorbance, which was ascribed to at least two distinct phenomena: (i) bandgap (∼3.4 eV) excitation giving rise to UV absorbance and (ii) energy transitions involving disorder-induced sub-bandgap donor or acceptor states leading to visible light absorbance. The preparation-dependent distortion in the crystal lattice and the existence of closely spaced inter-bandgap energy states were corroborated by powder X-ray diffraction, photoluminescence, thermoluminescence, and Raman spectroscopy studies. The first principles electronic structure elucidation and photoelectrochemical measurements supported a wide bandgap for FeNbO4, in contrast to the narrow bandgap reported previously. Correspondingly, a small photocurrent density was observed for FeNbO4 (∼2 to 3 μA cm−2) under 1 sun illumination, suggesting the availability of a smaller cross section of photogenerated charge pairs. Following these band characteristics, while no H2 evolution was observed, FeNbO4 gave rise to particle size-dependent O2 evolution during visible light irradiation of water in the presence of electron scavengers, the samples loaded with NiO as cocatalyst showing better activity. Further, the transmission electron microscopy examination revealed the dominant exposure of (011) facets of FeNbO4, besides a significant heterogeneity of inter-domain boundaries. Overall, our results confirm that the photoactivity of metal/oxide nanocomposites is governed by a combination of factors, such as: grain morphology, microstructure, surface adsorption states, and the localized inter-bandgap energy states. Our study also reveals that, in contrast to prevalent assumptions, the wavelength at the absorption edge may not represent the true band-to-band energy gap of metal oxide semiconductors, which is relevant to their photocatalytic activity.

Low frequency noise and photo-enhanced field emission from ultrathin PbBi2Se4 nanosheets

Atomically thin two-dimensional layered materials have gained wide interest owing to their novel properties and potential for applications in nanoelectronic and optoelectronic devices. Here, we present the spectral analysis and photo-enhanced field emission studies of a layered intergrowth PbBi2Se4 nanosheet emitter, performed at the base pressure of ∼1 × 10−8 mbar. The emitter shows a turn-on field value of ∼4.80 V μm−1, corresponding to an emission current density of ∼1 μA cm−2. Interestingly, when the cathode was illuminated with visible light, it exhibited a lower turn-on field of ∼3.90 V μm−1, and a maximum emission current density of ∼893 μA cm−2 has been drawn at an applied electric field of ∼8.40 V μm−1. Furthermore, the photo-enhanced emission current showed reproducible, step-like switching behavior in synchronous with ON–OFF switching of the illumination source. The emission current–time plots reveal excellent stability over a duration of ∼6 h. Low-frequency noise is a significant limitation for the performance of nanoscale electronic devices. The spectral analysis performed on a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) analyzer revealed that the observed noise is of 1/fα type, with the value of α ∼0.99. The low frequency noise, photo-enhanced field emission, and reproducible switching behavior characterized with very fast rise and fall times propose the layered PbBi2Se4 nanosheet emitter as a new promising candidate for novel vacuum nano-optoelectronic devices.

Preparation-method-dependent morphological, band structural, microstructural, and photocatalytic properties of noble metal–GaNbO4 nanocomposites

We report the distinct physicochemical and photophysical properties of gallium niobate photocatalysts (bandgap: ∼3.1 eV), prepared by a solid-state (SS) reaction and sol–gel (SG) method and dispersed with a noble metal (∼0.5% of Pt, Au, or RuOx) cocatalyst. SG–GaNbO4 comprised smaller size particles (∼20–50 nm) and a larger surface area (∼160 m2 g−1) compared to SS–GaNbO4 (particle size ∼30–150 nm, surface area ∼27 m2 g−1). XRD patterns revealed a preparation-dependent variation in the relative intensity of prominent reflections. In TEM examination, SG samples exhibited small-range grain boundaries and heterogeneous metal/substrate interfacial contacts, while SS–GaNbO4 had long-range ordering. Laser-Raman and thermoluminescence investigations revealed that lattice distortion, defect-induced inter-bandgap charge trapping states, and the local environment around the metal/semiconductor interfaces may also depend on the preparation method. Metal–GaNbO4 nanocomposites showed no activity for the dissociation of pure water under UV (>250 nm) irradiation, despite the favourable conduction and valence band potentials. This was attributed to the sharp Ga and Nb d-levels in the narrow conduction band of GaNbO4, as confirmed by ab initio electronic structure calculation. These photocatalysts, however, showed good activity for semiconductor-mediated photo-dissociation of aqueous methanol to produce H2; a cocatalyst-dependent activity trend, Pt > RuOx > Au, was observed. Doping of S at ∼5% of the oxygen sites led to decreased photoactivity, ascribed to the presence of localized S 3p states just above the O 2p valence level. In conclusion, besides band characteristics, certain morphological and microstructural properties play a crucial role in the photoactivity of the metal/oxide nanocomposites.

Magnetic properties of 2D nickel nanostrips: structure dependent magnetism and Stoner criterion

We have investigated different geometries of two-dimensional (2D) infinite length Ni nanowires of increasing width using spin density functional theory calculations. Our simulations demonstrate that the parallelogram motif is the most stable and structures that incorporate the parallelogram motif are more stable as compared to rectangular structures. The wires are conducting and the conductance channels increase with increasing width. The wires have a non-linear behavior in the ballistic anisotropic magnetoresistance ratios (BAMR) with respect to the magnetization directions. All 2D nanowires as well as Ni (1 1 1) and Ni (1 0 0) monolayer investigated are ferromagnetic under the Stoner criterion and exhibit enhanced magnetic moments as compared to bulk Ni and the respective Ni monolayers. The easy axis for all nickel nanowires under investigation is observed to be along the wire axis. The double rectangular nanowire exhibits a magnetic anomaly with a smaller magnetic moment when compared to Ni (1 0 0) monolayer and is the only structure with an easy axis perpendicular to the wire axis. The Stoner parameter which has been known to be structure independent in bulk and surfaces is found to vary with the structure and the width of the nanowires. The less stable rectangular and rhombus shaped nanowires have a higher ferromagnetic strength than parallelogram shaped nanowires.

Electronic structure investigations in conductance across porphyrin-fullerene molecular junctions

ab-initio density functional electronic structure calculations have been performed on a weakly interacting porphyrin-fullerene molecular junction. The goal of the study was to investigate the conductance trend across the porphyrin-fullerene molecular junction. We demonstrate that the conductance is dependent on the “X” group (X=H, F, OH) present on the donor porphyrin derivative. The porphyrin-fullerene junction with fluorine substituted in the porphyrin has the largest conductance.

Effect of tautomerism on Au-6-mercaptopurine nanocluster stability

We have investigated the stability of conjugated nanoparticles of Au-6-Mercaptopurine (6-MP) using ab initio density functional theory. We have studied the conjugation of the 6 tautomers of 6-MP via the different atomic sites with the gold nanoparticles. Our results show that the least stable tautomer has the strongest adsorption with the Au nanoparticles whereas the most stable tautomer has the weakest adsorption. We will discuss our results to explain the experimentally observed increased plasma half life time of the conjugated drug in vitro.

Magnetic properties of two dimensional nickel nanowires

We have performed first principles calculations for two dimensional, infinite length nickel nanowires using spin density functional theory. Our results show that, the magnetization in nickel nanowires is strongly dependent on geometry of the nanowire. The increased magnetization in nickel nanowires is attributed by reduced coordination of the structure. The relativistic calculations show that nickel nanowires show strong magnetic anisotropy and the magnetization points along the axial direction of the nanowire except for three row rectangular structure. The magnetic anisotropy energy reduces as the number of rows are increased.