Browsing by Author "Senthamizhan, A."

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Open Access
The effect of gadolinium doping on the structural, magnetic and photoluminescence properties of electrospun bismuth ferrite nanofibers
(Elsevier Ltd, 2015) George Philip G.; Senthamizhan, A.; Srinivasan Natarajan, T.; Chandrasekaran G.; Annal Therese H.
Gadolinium (Gd) doped Bismuth ferrite (BFO) nanofibers (Bi1-xGdxFeO3 (x=0.0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20)) were synthesized via electrospinning. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis showed that the diameter of the nanofibers ranged from 150 to 250 nm. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed a structural phase transition with varying 'x', the compositions with x≤0.10 have crystal structures with space group R3c, while the compositions with x > 0.10 have crystal structures with space group Pnma. Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM) analysis exhibited the weak ferromagnetic nature of the BFO nanofibers. However an increase in the saturated magnetic moment with increase in Gd dopant concentration was observed. The Photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the Bi:1-x :x nanofibers show enhanced Near Band Emission (NBE) intensity at x=0.10 due to the passivation of oxygen vacancies by Gd doping. © 2015 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l. All rights reserved.
Open Access
Flexible and highly stable electrospun nanofibrous membrane incorporating gold nanoclusters as an efficient probe for visual colorimetric detection of Hg(II)
(The Royal Society of Chemistry, 2014) Senthamizhan, A.; Celebioglu A.; Uyar, Tamer
Here, we describe the visual colorimetric detection of Hg2+ based on a flexible fluorescent electrospun nanofibrous membrane (NFM). It is an efficient approach, in which we have effectively integrated fluorescent gold nanoclusters (AuNC) into electrospun polyvinyl alcohol nanofibers. Interestingly, the resulting composite nanofibers (AuNC*NFM) are shown to retain the fluorescence properties of AuNC and exhibit red fluorescence under UV light, being cogent criteria for the production of a visual colorimetric sensor. Furthermore, capabilities with regard to the stability of the AuNC*NFM have been under observation for a period of six months, with conditions matching those of typical atmosphere, and the resulting outcome has thrown light on their long-term storability and usability. It is clear, from the fact that the nanofibrous membrane preserves the fluorescence ability up to a temperature of 100 °C, that temperature does not have an effect on the sensing performance in real-time application. The water-insoluble AuNC*NFM have been successfully tailored by cross-linking with glutaraldehyde vapor. Further, the contact mode approach has been taken into consideration for the visual fluorescent response to Hg2+, and the observed change of color indicates the utility of the composite nanofibers for onsite detection of Hg2+ with a detection limit of 1 ppb. The selectivity of the AuNC*NFM hybrid system has been analyzed by its response to other common toxic metal interferences (Pb2+, Mn2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, Cd2+) in water. Several unique features of the hybrid system have been determined, including high stability, self-standing ability, naked-eye detection, selectivity, reproducibility and easy handling – setting a new trend in membrane-based sensor systems.
Open Access
Glucose sensors based on electrospun nanofibers: a review
(Springer Verlag, 2016) Senthamizhan, A.; Balusamy, B.; Uyar, Tamer
The worldwide increase in the number of people suffering from diabetes has been the driving force for the development of glucose sensors. The recent past has devised various approaches to formulate glucose sensors using various nanostructure materials. This review presents a combined survey of these various approaches, with emphasis on the current progress in the use of electrospun nanofibers and their composites. Outstanding characteristics of electrospun nanofibers, including high surface area, porosity, flexibility, cost effectiveness, and portable nature, make them a good choice for sensor applications. Particularly, their nature of possessing a high surface area makes them the right fit for large immobilization sites, resulting in increased interaction with analytes. Thus, these electrospun nanofiber-based glucose sensors present a number of advantages, including increased life time, which is greatly needed for practical applications. Taking all these facts into consideration, we have highlighted the latest significant developments in the field of glucose sensors across diverse approaches.
Open Access
Highly fluorescent pyrene-functional polystyrene copolymer nanofibers for enhanced sensing performance of TNT
(American Chemical Society, 2015) Senthamizhan, A.; Celebioglu A.; Bayir, S.; Gorur, M.; Doganci, E.; Yilmaz, F.; Uyar, Tamer
A pyrene-functional polystyrene copolymer was prepared via 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction (Sharpless-type click recation) between azide-functional styrene copolymer and 1-ethynylpyrene. Subsequently, nanofibers of pyrene-functional polystyrene copolymer were obtained by using electrospinning technique. The nanofibers thus obtained, found to preserve their parent fluorescence nature, confirmed the avoidance of aggregation during fiber formation. The trace detection of trinitrotoluene (TNT) in water with a detection limit of 5 nM was demonstrated, which is much lower than the maximum allowable limit set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Interestingly, the sensing performance was found to be selective toward TNT in water, even in the presence of higher concentrations of toxic metal pollutants such as Cd2+, Co2+, Cu2+, and Hg2+. The enhanced sensing performance was found to be due to the enlarged contact area and intrinsic nanoporous fiber morphology. Effortlessly, the visual colorimetric sensing performance can be seen by naked eye with a color change in a response time of few seconds. Furthermore, vapor-phase detection of TNT was studied, and the results are discussed herein. In terms of practical application, electrospun nanofibrous web of pyrene-functional polystyrene copolymer has various salient features including flexibility, reproducibility, and ease of use, and visual outputs increase their value and add to their advantage.
Open Access
Hydrochromic carbon dots as smart sensors for water sensing in organic solvents
(Royal Society of Chemistry, 2019-10) Senthamizhan, A.; Fragouli, D.; Balusamy, B.; Patil, Bhushan; Palei, M.; Sabella, S.; Uyar, Tamer; Athanassiou, A.
Smart, stimuli-responsive, photoluminescent materials that undergo a visually perceptible emission color change in the presence of an external stimulus have long been attractive for use in sensor platforms. When the stimulus is the presence of water, the materials that undergo changes in their light emission properties are called hydrochromic and they can be used for the development of sensors to detect and quantify the water content in organic solvents, which is fundamental for laboratory safety and numerous industrial applications. Herein, we demonstrate the preparation of structurally different carbon dots with tunable emission wavelengths via a simple carbonization approach under controlled temperature and time, involving commercial brown sugar as a starting material. The detailed experimental analysis reveals the “structure-hydrochromic property” relationship of the carbon dots and assesses their capability as effective water sensors. The carbon dots that were proved most efficient for the specific application were then used to identify the presence of water in various aprotic and protic organic solvents via a sensing mechanism based either on the fluorescence wavelength shift or on the fluorescence intensity enhancement, respectively, attributed to the formation of intermolecular hydrogen bonds between carbon dots and water molecules. This is the first demonstration of structurally defined carbon dots in a specific application. The developed carbon dots, apart from being environmentally friendly, were proved to also be biocompatible, enabling this presented process to be a path to “green” sensors.
Open Access
Real-time selective visual monitoring of Hg 2+ detection at ppt level: An approach to lighting electrospun nanofibers using gold nanoclusters
(Nature Publishing Group, 2015) Senthamizhan, A.; Celebioglu A.; Uyar, Tamer
In this work, fluorescent gold nanocluster (AuNC) decorated polycaprolactone (PCL) nanofibers (AuNC∗PCL-NF) for real time visual monitoring of Hg 2+ detection at ppt level in water is demonstrated. The resultant AuNC∗PCL-NF exhibiting remarkable stability more than four months at ambient environment and facilitates increased accessibility to active sites resulting in improved sensing performance with rapid response time. The fluorescence changes of AuNC∗PCL-NF and their corresponding time dependent spectra, upon introduction of Hg 2+, led to the visual identification of the sensor performance. It is observed that the effective removal of excess ligand (bovine serum albumin (BSA) greatly enhances the surface exposure of AuNC and therefore their selective sensing performance is achieved over competent metal ions such as Cu 2+, Ni 2+, Mn 2+, Zn 2+, Cd 2+, and Pb 2+ present in the water. An exceptional interaction is observed between AuNC and Hg 2+, wherein the absence of excess interrupting ligand makes AuNC more selective towards Hg 2+. The underlying mechanism is found to be due to the formation of Au-Hg amalgam, which was further investigated with XPS, TEM and elemental mapping studies. In short, our findings may lead to develop very efficient fluorescent-based nanofibrous mercury sensor, keeping in view of its stability, simplicity, reproducibility, and low cost.
Open Access
Ultrafast on-site selective visual detection of TNT at sub-ppt level using fluorescent gold cluster incorporated single nanofiber
(Royal Society of Chemistry, 2015) Senthamizhan, A.; Celebioglu A.; Uyar, Tamer
In this communication, a fluorescent gold cluster incorporated electrospun nanofibrous membrane and single nanofiber for selective and sensitive detection of TNT at sub-ppt level are demonstrated.