ABSTRACT
Nanohybrids are a composite of two individual counterparts, interacting at the molecular level exhibiting unprecedented properties than the constituents. The modified properties followed by enhanced activity of the hybrid material have often been dictated by the interfacial junction between the two moieties. Thus, it is crucial to understand the various critical interactions present at the interfacial position. The commonly used techniques for structural characterization as electron microscopy (SEM, TEM) or x-ray diffraction (XRD) can only be able to visualize the inorganic counterpart whereas the Fourier transformed infra-red spectroscopy (FTIR), Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) can distinguish the organic part predominantly. However, there exists the necessity to probe the interfacial dynamical properties of the nanohybrids as this inter-junctional cross-talking often dictates the improved functionalities. There lies the advantages of ultrafast spectroscopic methods to envisage the interfacial properties. The junctional charge transfer or energy transfer processes, which are the basis of unusual properties in nanohybrids, can be rationalized using excited state lifetime measurements which include time correlated single photon counting and femtosecond resolved upconversion techniques.
