Muniba Yaseen Naz

This work presents the synthesis and characterization of high performance Grassy-Free standing TiO2 nanotubes (Gfs-TiNts). The scalable 2-step anodization technique is selected to formulate the Gfs-TiNts. The synthesis route provided ordered and a few micrometers long TiO2 nanotubes with nanotubular morphology. Initially, Ti base layer is utilized as a substrate for the synthesis of 1-step anodized TiNts. Certain parameters are carefully chosen to synthesize the nanotubes. After 2nd step anodization, the nanotubes are removed from the substrate and obtained as free standing Grassy TiO2 nanotubes. Furthermore, the various characterizations are also performed including Field-emission Scanning Electron microscopy (FE-SEM), UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) respectively. These characterizations confirmed the formation of ordered free standing TiNts. Through these viable characterizations, some morphological, structural and optical properties are also analyzed. The optical band gap for Gfs-TiNts is also calculated through tauc-plot method that aided in the requirement for the Photodegradation. At the end, the synthesized nanomaterials were utilized for the photocatlalytic conversion of the Electrochromic Black T-dye (EBT). The synthesized 2-step free standing grassy TiNts resulted in 40% photocatalytic conversion (80 minutes) due to their nanotubular morphology and a lower charge recombination. Thus, the synthesized Gfs-TiNts based nanomaterials can contribute to sustainable environment management through the degradation of various toxic organic dyes.

The present study was conducted to develop highly ordered facile TiO₂ nanotubes (TiNTs) at two different applied voltages using two-step electrochemical anodization for the application in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The nanotube fabrication is carried out in an aqueous electrolyte containing ethylene glycol and ammonium fluoride at 40 V and 60 V fixed applied potentials. Nanotubes synthesized at 40 V are comparatively uniform and smoother, whereas a rough top surface is observed at 60 V. The photovoltaic efficiency achieved for the device based on TiNTs prepared at 40 V is 0.84% which is higher than the efficiency achieved for the 60 V device. This work highlights the importance of ordered nanotubes for efficient devices.

Photosensitizers have been used for years to treat or diagnose several oncological diseases. In this research, we evaluate Rhodamine (Rh-640 perchlorate), a second-generation photosensitizer’s mediated preliminary photodynamic effects. To investigate these preliminary dose–response effects on the Rhabdomyosarcoma cancer cell line, the UV absorption spectra, standard curve, and cytotoxic analysis of Rh-640 perchlorate are demonstrated. The absorption spectra suggest that longer wavelengths of light like yellow-red light are best used for light irradiation. Different concentrations are used to evaluate absorbance and cytotoxic response. The results suggest that Rh-640 perchlorate may be used for the selective destruction of cancer cells without imposing any toxicity on normal cells in the dark. This research finding also suggests that its efficiency may also be evaluated on other cancer cell lines.