Submit to Materials Review for Materials Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Recent Advancements and Challenges in Growth and Characterizations of Ceramics Nanostructures

Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Published Papers

A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Advanced and Functional Ceramics and Glasses".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 October 2023) | Viewed by 13912

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Shalendra Kumar

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Physics, College of Science, King Faisal University, Al-Hofuf 96613, Saudi Arabia
Interests: functional oxide materials; ferrites; CMR, lead free peizoelectric, multiferroics and DMS in various forms such as bulk, thin films and 1-D nanostructures; nanostructures for energy storage applications and solar cells
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Faheem Ahmed

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Physics, College of Science, King Faisal University, P.O. Box-400, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia
Interests: nanostructures; energy; sensing; photocatalysis; batteries; supercapacitors; solar cells; nanomedicines
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Nagih Shaalan

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

Department of Physics, College of Science, King Faisal University, Al-Hofuf 96613, Saudi Arabia
Interests: materials sciences; functional materials; photovoltaic; supercapacitors; sensing materials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Kavita Kumari

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

School of Materials Science and Engineering, Changwon National University, Changwon, Gyeongnam 17 51140, Korea
Interests: dilute magnetic semiconductors (DMS); spintronics; perovskites, intermetallics; nanomaterials; structural, microstructural, electronic structural, morphological, optical, ferroelectric, dielectric, magnetic and electrochemical characterization

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Recently, ceramic materials have emerged as multifunctional materials for a wide range of applications as well as due to their underlying fundamental physics. The ceramic nanomaterials have unique chemical and physical properties. Moreover, ceramic nanomaterials exhibit extraordinary properties such as large surface area, good electronic conductivity, excellent electrochemical properties, and good chemical, electrochemical, and thermal stabilities that are promising for numerous advanced technological applications. Therefore, many efforts have been attempted worldwide for the synthesis and characterization of cermaic materials. Various advanced characterization tools such X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence, Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Atomic-force microscopy (AFM), Magnetic force microscopes (MFMs), scanning tunneling microscopes (STMs), Raman spectroscopy, DC magnetization measurements, dielectric spectroscopy, impedance spectroscopy considered to be of importance for characterizing the properties of ceramic materials. Thus, The ultimate goal of this special issue is to publish high-quality research articles as well as review articles related to ceramic materials focused on their growth, characterization, and potential applications. Quality submissions in the following Potential topics are invited for this special issue.

Dr. Shalendra Kumar
Dr. Faheem Ahmed
Dr. Nagih Shaalan
Dr. Kavita Kumari
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

synthesis, fabrications, and characteristics/properties of ceramic materials
ceramic materials and ceramic/carbon composite for energy storage device applications
ceramic materials for the biomedical applications
electrical properties of ceramic materials
magnetic properties of ceramic materials
ceramic materials for piezoelectric applications
ceramic materials for ferroelectric applications
environmental applications of ceramic materials
X-ray absorption spectroscopy of ceramic materials
ceramic materials for application water purification
synthesis, fabrications, and characteristics/properties of ceramic materials

Published Papers (9 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

15 pages, 5837 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Structural, Optical, Magnetic and Electrochemical Properties of CeXO₂ (X: Fe, and Mn) Nanoparticles

by Shalendra Kumar, Faheem Ahmed, Nagih M. Shaalan, Nishat Arshi, Saurabh Dalela and Keun H. Chae

Materials 2023, 16(6), 2290; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16062290 - 13 Mar 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1482

Abstract

CeXO₂ (X: Fe, Mn) nanoparticles, synthesized using the coprecipitation route, were investigated for their structural, morphological, magnetic, and electrochemical properties using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission transmission electron microscopy (FE-TEM), dc magnetization, and cyclic voltammetry methods. The single-phase formation of CeO₂ nanoparticles with FCC fluorite structure was confirmed by the Rietveld refinement, indicating the successful incorporation of Fe and Mn in the CeO₂ matrix with the reduced dimensions and band gap values. The Raman analysis supported the lowest band gap of Fe-doped CeO₂ on account of oxygen non-stoichiometry. The samples exhibited weak room temperature ferromagnetism, which was found to be enhanced in the Fe doped CeO₂. The NEXAFS analysis supported the results by revealing the oxidation state of Fe to be Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ in Fe-doped CeO₂ nanoparticles. Further, the room temperature electrochemical performance of CeXO₂ (X: Fe, Mn) nanoparticles was measured with a scan rate of 10 mV s⁻¹ using 1 M KCL electrolyte, which showed that the Ce_0.95Fe_0.05O₂ electrode revealed excellent performance with a specific capacitance of 945 Fּ·g⁻¹ for the application in energy storage devices. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advancements and Challenges in Growth and Characterizations of Ceramics Nanostructures)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 4030 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Structural, Morphological, Electronic Structural, Optical, and Magnetic Properties of ZnO Nanostructures

by Nisrin Alnaim, Shalendra Kumar and Adil Alshoaibi

Materials 2022, 15(24), 8889; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15248889 - 13 Dec 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1503

Abstract

ZnO nanostructures were grown on a Si(111) substrate using a vapor–liquid–solid (VLS) growth procedure (pristine ZnO) and annealed via a rapid thermal-annealing process in an argon atmosphere at 1100 °C (Ar-ZnO). The synthesized ZnO nanostructures were investigated through structural, electronic structural, morphological, optical, and magnetic characterizations. X-ray diffraction and selective area electron diffraction (SAED) measurements revealed that both samples exhibited the hexagonal wurtzite phase of nanocrystalline ZnO. Near-edge X-ray absorption fine structure (NEXAFS) spectroscopy carried out at the O K-edge inferred the presence of the intrinsic-defect states. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and transmission electron microscopy images displayed the formation of ZnO nanostructures. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra demonstrated an emission band in the UV region along with an additional defect band in the visible region. PL spectral analysis confirmed the presence of intrinsic defects in Ar-ZnO nanowires, contributing to the enhanced emission in the visible region. The Raman spectra showed the characteristic band (434 cm⁻¹) corresponding to the vibrational modes of hexagonal wurtzite ZnO, with an additional band attributable to intrinsic defects. DC magnetization measurements showed a ferromagnetic response in both samples with enhanced coercivity in Ar-ZnO (~280 Oe). In brief, both samples exhibited the presence of intrinsic defects, which are found to be further enhanced in the case of Ar-ZnO. Therefore, it is suggested that intrinsic defects have played an important role in modifying the optical and magnetic properties of ZnO with enhanced results for Ar-ZnO. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advancements and Challenges in Growth and Characterizations of Ceramics Nanostructures)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 4448 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Structural, Morphological, Optical and Magnetic Studies of Cu-Doped ZnO Nanostructures

by Shalendra Kumar, Faheem Ahmed, Naushad Ahmad, Nagih M. Shaalan, Rajesh Kumar, Adil Alshoaibi, Nishat Arshi, Saurabh Dalela, Fatima Sayeed and Kavita Kumari

Materials 2022, 15(22), 8184; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15228184 - 17 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1359

Abstract

In the present work, Cu-doped ZnO nanostructures (Cu% = 0, 1, 5) have been prepared using microwave-assisted chemical route synthesis. The synthesized nanostructures were investigated through structural, morphological, optical, and magnetic characterizations. The results of the X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and selective area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns confirmed that all of the samples exhibit the single-phase polycrystalline hexagonal crystal structure. The XRD results infer a decrease in the lattice parameters (a/c) by increasing the Cu% doping into ZnO. The field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and energy dispersive x-ray (EDX) spectroscopic measurements revealed the formation of nanostructures, showing the major elemental presence of Zn and O in the samples. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra exhibited photoemission in the UV and blue-green regions. With the increase in the Cu%, the photoemission in the UV region is reduced, while it is enhanced in the blue-green region. Raman spectra of the Cu-doped ZnO nanostructures displayed a blue shift of the

E_{2}^{High}

mode and an increase in the peak intensity of E₁(LO), indicating the doping of Cu ion in the ZnO lattice. The dc magnetization measurements demonstrated the ferromagnetic behavior of all of the samples with an enhanced ferromagnetic character with increasing Cu%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advancements and Challenges in Growth and Characterizations of Ceramics Nanostructures)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

9 pages, 1431 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Realization of Microfluidic Preconcentrator for N-Pentane Traces Impurities from the Gaseous Media

by Vladimir Platonov, Prachi Sharma, Mikhail Ledyaev, Maria A. Anikina, Nikolay Alekseevich Djuzhev, Maksim Yuryevich Chinenkov, Nishant Tripathi, Sania Parveen, Rafiq Ahmad, Vladimir Pavelyev and Ammar A. Melaibari

Materials 2022, 15(22), 8090; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15228090 - 15 Nov 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1252

Abstract

In this paper, we present the work of designing and fabricating a new generation of microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) based microfluidic preconcentrators (MFP) for volatile organic compounds (VOCs) quantification. The main objective of this work is to quantify the n-pentane impurities using MFP for sample preparation. The MFP was analyzed using Hewlett-Packard 5890 gas chromatography, having a flame ionization detector under isothermal conditions. The proposed MFP system includes two-microfluidic preconcentrators for continuous action and a system of four 3/2 solenoid valves with a control unit. Microfluidic preconcentrators were placed on metal plates and have circular channels filled with Al₂O₃ (50 μm), n-octane ResSil-C (80/100 mesh) sorbents of one nature and are hyphenated with the Peltier elements to regulate the temperature of sorption and desorption. The n-pentane quantitative determination was carried out using a calibration plot of gas mixtures on a successive dilution with the nitrogen. This study shows that the microfluidic preconcentrator system with Al₂O₃ and n-Octane ResSil-C sorbent concentrates the n-pentane traces up to 41 to 47 times from the gas mixture with the standard deviation of ≤5%. It has been observed that the n-octane ResSil-C based MFC shows very fast response (<5 min) and stability up to 300 cycles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advancements and Challenges in Growth and Characterizations of Ceramics Nanostructures)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 2434 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Structural, Magnetic, and Electrical Properties of CoFe₂O₄ Nanostructures Synthesized Using Microwave-Assisted Hydrothermal Method

by Shalendra Kumar, Faheem Ahmed, Nagih M. Shaalan, Rajesh Kumar, Adil Alshoaibi, Nishat Arshi, Saurabh Dalela, Fatima Sayeed, Sourabh Dwivedi and Kavita Kumari

Materials 2022, 15(22), 7955; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15227955 - 10 Nov 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1294

Abstract

Magnetic nanostructures of CoFe₂O₄ were synthesized via a microwave-assisted hydrothermal route. The prepared nanostructures were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), selective area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern, DC magnetization, and dielectric spectroscopy measurements. The crystal structure studied using HR-TEM, SAED, and XRD patterns revealed that the synthesized nanostructures had a single-phase nature and ruled out the possibility of any secondary phase. The lattice parameters and unit cell volume determined from the XRD data were found to be 8.4821 Å and 583.88 Å³. The average crystallite size (~7.0 nm) was determined using Scherrer’s equation. The FE-SEM and TEM micrographs revealed that the prepared nanostructures had a spherical shape morphology. The EDX results showed that the major elements present in the samples were Co, Fe, and O. The magnetization (M) versus temperature (T) measurements specified that the CoFe₂O₄ nanostructures showed ferromagnetic ordering at room temperature. The blocking temperature (T_B) determined using the M-T curve was found to be 315 K. The magnetic hysteresis (M-H) loop of the CoFe₂O₄ nanostructures recorded at different temperatures showed the ferromagnetic behavior of the CoFe₂O₄ nanostructures at temperatures of 200 K and 300 K, and a superparamagnetic behavior at 350 K. The dielectric spectroscopy studies revealed a dielectric constant (ε′) and loss tangent (tanδ) decrease with the increase in the frequency, as well as demonstrating a normal dispersion behavior, which is due to the Maxwell–Wagner type of interfacial polarization. The values of ε′ and tanδ were observed to increase with the increase in the temperature. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advancements and Challenges in Growth and Characterizations of Ceramics Nanostructures)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 3153 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Novel Nd-N/TiO₂ Nanoparticles for Photocatalytic and Antioxidant Applications Using Hydrothermal Approach

by Mir Waqas Alam, N. R. Khalid, Sumaira Naeem, N. A. Niaz, Tanveer Ahmad Mir, Insha Nahvi, Basma Souayeh and Noushi Zaidi

Materials 2022, 15(19), 6658; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15196658 - 26 Sep 2022

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 1552

Abstract

In this study, photocatalysis was employed to degrade a wastewater pollutant (AB-29 dye) under visible light irradiation. For this purpose, nitrogen (N)- and neodymium (Nd)-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles were prepared using the simple hydrothermal method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed an anatase phase structure of the Nd-N/TiO₂ photocatalyst, whereas properties including the surface morphology, chemical states/electronics structure and optical structure were determined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV–visible (UV–vis.) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopies. Photocatalytic testing of the prepared nanomaterials was performed to remove acid blue-29 (AB-29) dye under visible-light exposure. The prepared Nd-N/TiO₂ nanoparticles demonstrated a superior photocatalytic activity and the decolorization efficiency was about 92% after visible-light illumination for 1 h and 20 min, while N/TiO₂, Nd/TiO₂ and TiO₂ only showed a 67%, 43% and 31% decolorization efficiency, respectively. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of the Nd-N/TiO₂ photocatalyst was due to a decrease in the electron/hole’s recombination and the increased absorption of TiO₂ in the visible range. The reusability results showed that the average photocatalytic activity decrease for all the samples was only about 16% after five consecutive cycles, indicating a good stability of the prepared nanomaterials. Moreover, the radical scavenging activity of the prepared nanomaterials was evaluated using the DPPH method. The novel Nd-N/TiO₂ exhibited a higher antioxidant activity compared to all the other samples. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advancements and Challenges in Growth and Characterizations of Ceramics Nanostructures)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 15368 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Low-Temperature Ethanol Sensor via Defective Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

by Nagih M. Shaalan, Faheem Ahmed, Mohamed Rashad, Osama Saber, Shalendra Kumar, Abdullah Aljaafari, Adil Ashoaibi, Amera Z. Mahmoud and Mohammed Ezzeldien

Materials 2022, 15(13), 4439; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15134439 - 23 Jun 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1615

Abstract

This paper focuses on the fabrication of defective-induced nanotubes via the catalytic chemical vapor deposition method and the investigation of their properties toward gas sensing. We have developed defective multi-walled carbon nanotubes with porous and crystalline structures. The catalyst layer used in CNTs’ growth here was based on 18 and 24 nm of Ni, and 5 nm of Cr deposited by the dc-sputtering technique. The CNTs’ defects were characterized by observing the low graphite peak (G-band) and higher defect peaks (D-band) in the Raman spectrum. The defectives sites are the main source of the sensitivity of materials toward different gases. Thus, the current product was used for sensing devices. The device was subjected to various gases such as NO, NO₂, CO, acetone, and ethanol at a low operating temperature of 30 °C and a concentration of 50 ppm. The sensor was observed to be less sensitive to most gas while showing the highest response towards ethanol gas. The sensor showed the highest response of 8.8% toward ethanol at 30 °C of 50 ppm, and a low response of 2.8% at 5 ppm, which was investigated here. The signal repeatability of the present sensor showed its capability to detect ethanol at much lower concentrations and at very low operating temperatures, resulting in reliability and saving power consumption. The gas sensing mechanism of direct interaction between the gas molecules and nanotube surface was considered the main. We have also proposed a sensing mechanism based on Coulomb dipole interaction for the physical adsorption of gas molecules on the surface. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advancements and Challenges in Growth and Characterizations of Ceramics Nanostructures)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

12 pages, 4178 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Fe and Cu Co-Doping on Structural, Magnetic and Electrochemical Properties of CeO₂ Nanoparticles

by Shalendra Kumar, Faheem Ahmed, Naushad Ahmad, Nagih M. Shaalan, Rajesh Kumar, Adil Alshoaibi, Nishat Arshi, Saurabh Dalela, Parvez Ahmad Alvi and Kavita Kumari

Materials 2022, 15(12), 4119; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15124119 - 9 Jun 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1510

Abstract

The nanoparticles of CeO₂, Ce_0.98Fe_0.02O₂, and Ce_0.78Fe_0.02Cu_0.20O₂ were synthesized using the co-precipitation-synthesis technique. The effect of co-doping of Fe and Cu on structural, optical, and magnetic properties as well as specific capacitance have been studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning-electron microscopy (SEM), UV-visible spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, dc magnetization, and electrochemical measurements at room temperature. The results of the XRD analysis infer that all the samples have a single-phase nature and exclude the formation of any extra phase. Particle size has been found to reduce as a result of doping and co-doping. The smallest particle size was obtained to be 5.59 nm for Ce_0.78Fe_0.02Cu_0.20O₂. The particles show a spherical-shape morphology. Raman active modes, corresponding to CeO₂, were observed in the Raman spectra, with noticeable shifting with doping and co-doping indicating the presence of defect states. The bandgap, calculated using UV-Vis spectroscopy, showed relatively low bandgap energy (1.7 eV). The dc magnetization results indicate the enhancement of the magnetic moment in the samples, with doping and co-doping. The highest value of saturation magnetization (1.3 × 10⁻² emu/g) has been found for Ce_0.78Fe_0.02Cu_0.20O₂ nanoparticles. The electrochemical behavior studied using cyclic-voltammetry (CV) measurements showed that the Ce_0.98Fe_0.02O₂ electrode exhibits superior-specific capacitance (~532 F g⁻¹) along with capacitance retention of ~94% for 1000 cycles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advancements and Challenges in Growth and Characterizations of Ceramics Nanostructures)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 8676 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Role of Cr Doping on the Structure, Electronic Structure, and Electrochemical Properties of BiFeO₃ Nanoparticles

by Shalendra Kumar, Faheem Ahmed, Naushad Ahmad, Nagih M. Shaalan, Rajesh Kumar, Adil Alshoaibi, Nishat Arshi, Saurabh Dalela, Mohammed Albossed, Keun Hwa Chae, Parvez Ahmad Alvi and Kavita Kumari

Materials 2022, 15(12), 4118; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15124118 - 9 Jun 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 1686

Abstract

BiFe_1−xCr_xO_3, (0 ≤ x ≤ 10) nanoparticles were prepared through the sol–gel technique. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using various techniques, viz., X-ray diffraction, high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy (HRFESEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy, photoluminescence (PL), dc magnetization, near-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy (NEXAFS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements, to investigate the structural, morphological, optical, magnetic and electrochemical properties. The structural analysis showed the formation of BiFeO₃ with rhombohedral (R3c) as the primary phase and Bi₂₅FeO₃₉ as the secondary phase. The secondary phase percentage was found to reduce with increasing Cr content, along with reductions in crystallite sizes, lattice parameters and enhancement in strain. Nearly spherical shape morphology was observed via HRFESEM with Bi, Fe, Cr and O as the major contributing elements. The bandgap reduced from 1.91 to 1.74 eV with the increase in Cr concentration, and PL spectra revealed emissions in violet, blue and green regions. The investigation of magnetic field (H)-dependent magnetization (M) indicated a significant effect of Cr substitution on the magnetic properties of the nanoparticles. The ferromagnetic character of the samples was found to increase with the increase in the Cr concentration and the increase in the saturation magnetization. The Fe (+3/+4) was dissolved in mixed-valence states, as found through NEXAFS analysis. Electrochemical studies showed that 5%-Cr-doped BFO electrode demonstrated outstanding performance for supercapacitors through a specific capacitance of 421 F g⁻¹ measured with a scan rate of 10 mV s⁻¹. It also demonstrated remarkable cyclic stability through capacitance retention of >78% for 2000 cycles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advancements and Challenges in Growth and Characterizations of Ceramics Nanostructures)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Recent Advancements and Challenges in Growth and Characterizations of Ceramics Nanostructures

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editors

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Published Papers (9 papers)

Research

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI