Nanostructure and / or 2-Dimensional (2D) Layered Materials 

Nanomaterials are an outgrowth of the rapidly evolving science since these materials have a structural unit of at least one dimension smaller than 100 nanometers. Compared to bulk materials, especially for the nanoscaled materials, these materials exhibit various unique mechanical, electrical, optical and chemical properties because of the larger surface area and quantum effects which prevail at nanoscale. Thin filers are prepared of thickness ranging from roughly a few atoms to several nanometers and are known as two-dimensional (2D) layer materials. These materials exhibit strong and remarkable physical and chemical properties because of their low dimensionality. 

Nanomagnetism in Semiconductors 

Nanomagnetism in undoped semiconductors brings a new aspect in the field of materials wherein the unique magnetic properties emerge because of quantum and surface effects as well as defects. These properties are crucial for the technological enhancement in many areas including electronics and medicine. 

Doping and Tailoring of Material Properties 

Doping of semiconductor nanostructures is known to be one of the most appropriate ways of modifying their optical, magnetic, and electrical properties and hence improving performance and incorporates new functionalities. . This allows the designing of novel materials and devices for electronics, energy, photonics and other applications.

X-ray Spectroscopy and Raman Spectroscopy are sensitive analytical techniques for the characterization and the correlation of the properties of a material. These techniques yield supplementary information which is vital in the description of the structural, chemical and electronic features of the materials concerned. This holistic approach renders feasible the design of new materials that exhibit optimized performance for a wide range of applications.

Raman Spectroscopy: This technique probes the vibrational modes of molecules or lattice structures of crystals and therefore provides information on molecular bonds, the degree of crystallinity and phase transformation. Characteristically detectable levels of incorporation include changes in chemical composition, strain and defects in a material.

X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS): This technique provides information about the elemental composition and chemical states of the materials under analysis. It also contributes information concerning the electronic surroundings and oxidation state of atoms, the local electronic structure as well as the spatial arrangement of specific elements in materials.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)

Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) is a specialized variant of Raman spectroscopy that greatly improves the Raman scattering effect due to adsorption of molecules on a rough metallic surface or nanotechnology surface. An enhancement like this makes it possible to detect very low concentrations of analytes.

SERS Normal enhancement: Normal enhancement in SERS is due to electromagnetic and chemical enhancement mechanisms. SERS or photo-induced enhancement: SERS or photo-induced enhancement occurs when light, usually in the form of laser beam irradiation, is focused on the SERS-active substrate causing modification to either the substrate or the adsorbates.

SERS or Piezo-induced enhancement: SERS or Piezo-induced enhancement involves certain stress or strain being applied onto the SERS substrate. This strain causes modification on the plasmonic properties of the nanostructures.

Energy Storage and Catalysis Applications

Nanomaterials and/or 2D layer materials are fundamental in boosting energy storage and catalysis applications owing to their physical and chemical properties. They have features like high surface area, tunable electronic features and inbuilt efficiencies enabling efficient reactions promoting their use.