The MnFe2O4 nanoparticle has been among the most frequently chosen systems due to its diverse applications in the fields ranging from medical diagnostics to magnetic hyperthermia and site-specific drug delivery. Although numerous efforts have been directed in the synthesis of monodisperse MnFe2O4 nanocrystals, unfortunately, however, studies regarding the tuning of surface property of the synthesized nanocrystals through functionalization are sparse in the existing literature. Herein, we demonstrate the emergence of intrinsic multicolor fluorescence in MnFe2O4 nanoparticles from blue, cyan, and green to red, upon functionalization and further surface modification with a small organic ligand, Na-tartrate. Moreover, we have found an unprecedented photocatalytic property of the functionalized MnFe2O4 nanoparticles in the degradation of a model water contaminant. Detailed characterization through XRD, TEM, and FTIR confirms the very small size and functionalization of MnFe2O4 nanoparticles with a biocompatible ligand. Proper investigation through UV-visible absorption, steady-state and time-resolved photoluminescence study reveals that ligand-to-metal charge-transfer transition from the tartrate ligand to the lowest unoccupied energy level of Mn(2+/3+)or Fe(3+) of the NPs and Jahn-Teller distorted d-d transitions centered over Mn(3+) ions in the NPs play the key role behind the generation of multiple fluorescence from the ligand-functionalized MnFe2O4 nanoparticles. VSM measurements indicates that the superparamagnetic nature of MnFe2O4 nanoparticles remains unchanged even after surface modification. We believe that the developed superparamagnetic, multicolor fluorescent MnFe2O4 nanopaticles would open up new opportunities as well as enhance their beneficial activities toward diverse applications.

Herein, we report the emergence of intrinsic multicolor photoluminescence in Fe2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) ranging from blue, cyan, to green, upon facile functionalization and further surface modification with a small organic ligand, Na-tartrate. Moreover, we have found unprecedented photocatalytic property of the functionalized Fe2O3 NPs in the degradation of a model water-contaminant. Meticulous investigation through UV-visible absorption and fluorescence study along with theoretical support from literature unfolds that ligand-to-metal charge-transfer transition from the tartrate ligand to the lowest unoccupied energy level of Fe3+ of the NPs and d−d transitions centered over Fe3+ ions in the NPs play the key role in the emergence of multiple photoluminescence from the ligand functionalized Fe2O3 NPs. Moreover, vibrating sample magnetometry measurements demonstrate that the surface modification changes the magnetic behaviour of Fe2O3 NPs upon functionalization. We believe that the great potential of our versatile, ferromagnetic, multicolor photoluminescent Fe2O3 NPs would stimulate the development of numerous opportunities toward their biological and technological applications.

The electric-field-assisted hydrogenation and corresponding resistance modulation of NdNiO 3 (NNO) thin-film resistors were systematically studied as a function of temperature and dc electric bias. Catalytic Pt electrodes serve as triple-phase boundaries for hydrogen incorporation into a perovskite lattice. A kinetic model describing the relationship between resistance modulation and proton diffusion was proposed by considering the effect of the electric field during hydrogenation. An electric field, in addition to thermal activation, is demonstrated to effectively control the proton distribution along its gradient with an efficiency of ∼22% at 2 × 10 5 V/m. The combination of an electric field and gas-phase annealing is shown to enable the elegant control of the diffusional doping of complex oxides.

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