ZnO nanowhiskers were used for photodecomposition of methylene blue in aqueous solution under UV irradiation. The rate of methylene blue degradation increased linearly with time of UV irradiation. 54% of degradation rate was observed when the ZnO nanowhiskers were used as photocatalysts for methylene blue degradation for 80 min under UV irradiation. The decoration of p-type NiO nanoparticles on n-type ZnO nanowhiskers significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity and reached 72% degradation rate of methylene blue by using the same method. NiO-decorated ZnO was recycled for second test and shows 66% degradation from maximal peak of methylene blue within the same period. The increment of photocatalytic activity of NiO-decorated ZnO nanowhiskers was explained by the extension of the electron depletion layer due to the formation of nanoscale p-n junctions between p-type NiO and n-type ZnO. Hence, these products provide new alternative proficient photocatalysts for wastewater treatment.

Activated carbon monolith porous electrodes of a supercapacitor prepared by carbonization (N₂) and activation (CO₂) methods from KOH-treated pre-carbonized biomass fibers were deposited with nickel oxide at varying dipping time (from 0 to 60 min) in 20 mL of 0.1 mol Ni(NO₃)₂ and 20 mL of 0.2 mol NaOH solution followed by annealing at 300°C for 2 h. N₂ adsorption-desorption characterization results confirmed the porous characteristic of the bare electrodes (surface area 1656 m²g^-1). Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) results showed the deposited nickel oxide nanoparticles were homogeneously distributed on the surface of electrodes and X-ray diffraction results revealed the semicrystalline phase of the deposited particles. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy characterization of the supercapacitor cells fabricated using these electrodes showed that the optimum dipping time (15 – 45 min) can improve the supercapacitor specific capacitance and equivalent series resistance by 27 – 30 % and 6 – 34 %, respectively.

Gadolinium oxysulfide nanophosphors (Gd₂O₂S-NPs) have been successfully synthesized using γ-irradiation and hydrogenation treatment. The primary stage of Gd₂O₂S-NPs synthesis was carried out using various doses of γ-irradiation to form diverse sizes of Gd₂(SO₄)₃ precursor, followed by hydrogenation treatment at 900°C for 2 hours to form Gd₂O₂S-NPs. Then, the nanophosphors were characterized for the structure, morphology, and luminescence properties through X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and photoluminescence spectrometer (PL). Pure hexagonal phase of Gd₂O₂S-NPs was obtained with high crystallinity and without any impurities. The morphologies were observed from grain-like nanostructures transformed to spherical shape as the irradiation dose reached 40 kGy. Besides, Gd₂O₂S-NPs which were prepared at highest irradiation dose of 40 kGy show highest intensity of emission peak at 548 nm and corresponded to Stark level transition from the GJ6 state of Gd³⁺ ion. It can be emphasized that the different doses of γ-irradiation influenced the nucleation event of Gd₂(SO₄)₃ precursor thus affecting the morphology and size particles of Gd₂O₂S-NPs. Hence, from the results, it can be suggested that Gd₂O₂S-NPs can be a promising host for optical applications.

Many of the cellular process depend on the ability of the membrane to separate areas while allowing exchange and tightly regulated transport of material within and across the membrane to occur, which is the driving principle behind cell communication. The complexity of biological membranes has motivated the development of a wide variety of simpler model systems whose size, geometry and composition can be tailored with precision. This study was conducted to investigate the interactions between silica nanoparticles and Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) vesicles. The size range of DPPC vesicles formed was from 50 to 150 nm. Concentration of silica added to the vesicles was varied from 0.25 to 1.5 mg/ml. The change in vesicle size distribution, localization and positioning of silica nanoparticles in vesicles was studied via transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).

Great interests in metallic oxides have emerged because of the possibility to modify the properties of these materials for different applications such as catalysis or sensors. In this work, CuO, ZnO and CuO-ZnO nanoparticles were prepared by a novel sol-gel route under ultrasonic condition using triethanolamine as an emulsifying surfactant. Fine powders were obtained when the pH of the sols were increased to 13 using NaOH. Particle sizes of the produced oxide materials were in the range of 3-4 nm, 40-50 x 100-150 nm (diameter x length) and 100-200 nm for CuO, ZnO and CuO-ZnO, respectively. The molar ratio of triethanolamine to metal nitrate precursors was set at 2:3. TEM micrographs of these particles were obtained to elucidate the morphology of the nanoparticles. Experimental results show that the band gap energies (E_g) for CuO, ZnO and CuO-ZnO were found to be 2.71, 3.35 and 2.82 eV, respectively.