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This study is aimed to investigate laser irradiation effects on the surface, structural, and mechanical properties of iron samples. The prepared samples have been treated for multiple exposure times using continuous-wave diode laser with a wavelength of 532 nm in a laboratory environment. The structural as well as surface modifications of laser exposed targets are explored via scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffractometer. The SEM analysis revealed micrometer grain size, exfoliational sputtering, and crater formation, while XRD patterns were used to investigate d-spacing, and grain size of laser exposed samples. The mechanical characteristics of laser-ablated materials were examined using a micro Vickers hardness-tester, and microhardness has been explored as a function of increasing laser exposure time. It has been observed that grain size reduces while hardness of polycrystalline iron increases with increase in exposure time.

In this study, novel hydrothermal synthesis is used to explore the impact of photocatalytic activity on H2 production using an aqueous solution of triethanolamine (TEoA) in TiO2 nanostructures designed with varying molar concentrations of HCl, and the production of molecular hydrogen is explored as a function of molar concentration. A solar simulator is utilized to assess the photocatalytic activities of methyl orange degradation under UV light irradiation and molecular H2 production. Also, XRD patterns and SEM images are explored to show agglomerated nanoparticle formation, and an EDX spectrum is employed to confirm TiO2 compositions. The band gap analysis of produced nanostructures is performed using a UV-Vis spectrometer and is found to be varying in between 2.5 and 3.0 eV, while the maximum methyl orange degradation corresponds to 1.0 M concentration of HCl, indicating an enhanced hydrogen production. To meet the foreseeable future energy crises and worsening environmental challenges, we may need sustainable energy sources, and photocatalysis molecular H2 production offers a viable alternative to fossil fuels that can be employed to tackle future difficulties.

Aluminium samples are irradiated using a continuous-wave diode laser in a laboratory environment to study the effect on its surface, structural, and mechanical properties. The exposed samples are investigated by scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffractometer for the surface and structural morphology, respectively. The scanning electron microscopic analysis unveils the realization of micrometer grain size, exfoliational sputtering, and crater production. The diffractometric x-ray analysis reveals the grain size, d-spacing, and dislocation line density of the targeted samples. The hardness of the samples as a function of exposure time is investigated using the micro Vickers hardness tester to perceive the mechanical properties. An increase in micro-hardness is observed with the increase in the exposure time.

Density functional theory’s (DFT) full potential linearized augmented plane wave method has been used to explore the structural and optoelectronic properties of bismuth-based tetragonal BiOCl, BiOBr and BiOI semiconductors. The generalized gradient approximation (GGA) has been used for structural optimization to approximate lattice constants and bulk moduli, which are found to be consistent with the current literature. Electronic band structures are computed using the modified Becke and Johnson generalized gradient approximation (mBJ) and within the Engel and Vosko generalized gradient approximation (EV-GGA), respectively. Based on the band structure analysis, these functional materials are indirect bandgap semiconductors with a wide range of potential applications. In addition, optical properties are also computed within mBJ and found to be appealing for optoelectronics and photocatalysis.

Laser irradiation effects on morphological, structural and mechanical properties of copper are explored. The targets are exposed by employing low-cost continuous wave (CW) laser (wavelength of 532 ...