Charge storage in mesoscopic graphitic islands fabricated using AFM bias lithography.

Electrochemical oxidation and etching of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) has been achieved using biased atomic force microscopy (AFM) lithography, allowing patterns of varying complexity to be written into the top layers of HOPG. The graphitic oxidation process and the trench geometry after writing were monitored using intermittent contact mode AFM. Electrostatic force microscopy reveals that the isolated mesoscopic islands formed during the AFM lithography process become positively charged, suggesting that they are laterally isolated from the surrounding HOPG substrate. The electrical transport studies of these laterally isolated finite-layer graphitic islands enable detailed characterization of electrical conduction along the c-direction and reveal an unexpected stability of the charged state. Utilizing conducting-atomic force microscopy, the measured I(V) characteristics revealed significant non-linearities. Micro-Raman studies confirm the presence of oxy functional groups formed during the lithography process.

Rapid biosynthesis of irregular shaped gold nanoparticles from macerated aqueous extracellular dried clove buds (Syzygium aromaticum) solution.

In this paper, we stress upon rapid synthesis of irregular shape gold nanoparticles from a biological base. Treatment of macerated extracellular aqueous dried clove buds (Syzygium aromaticum) solution with the aqueous gold salt solution yielded irregular shaped stable gold nanoparticles in the range of 5-100 nm. The synthesis and morphology of these gold nanoparticles are understood by UV (UV-vis spectroscopy), FESEM (field emission scanning electron microscopy), TEM (transmission electron microscopy) and AFM (atomic force microscopy) techniques. The formation of these bio-adsorbed gold nanoparticles is rapid as the reaction process completes within few minutes. The XRD (X-ray diffraction studies) and EDAX (energy dispersive X-ray analysis) show that the particles are crystalline in nature. This clean-green method of synthesis is performed under ambient conditions. Probable biochemical pathway of the synthesis is studied using FTIR (Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy). It is observed that the freely water soluble flavonoids of clove buds are responsible for bioreduction. The possible applications viz., catalysis, sensor, diagnostics, biomedical imaging and photo thermal therapy of these functionalized noble metal nanoparticles are envisaged.

Extracellular biosynthesis of functionalized silver nanoparticles by strains of Cladosporium cladosporioides fungus.

In the present investigation, we report the extracellular biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNP) employing the fungus Cladosporium cladosporioides. The extracellular solution of C. cladosporioides was used for the reduction of AgNO(3) solution to AgNP. The present study includes time dependent formation of AgNP employing UV-vis spectrophotometer, size and morphology by employing TEM (transmission electron microscopy), structure from powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique and understanding of protein-AgNP interaction from Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The AgNP were 10-100nm in dimensions as measured by TEM images.