Surface-dependent, ligand-mediated photochemical etching of CdSe nanoplatelets

Photochemical etching of CdSe nanoplatelets was studied to establish a relationship between the nanocrystal surface and the photochemical activity of an exciton. Nanoplatelets were synthesized in a mixture of octylamine and oleylamine for the wurtzite (W) lattice or in octadecene containing oleic acid for the zinc-blende (ZB) lattice. For photochemical etching, nanoplatelets were dispersed in chloroform containing oleylamine and tributylphosphine in the absence or presence of oleic acid and then irradiated with light at the band-edge absorption maxima. Etching phenomena were characterized using UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The absorption spectra of both W and ZB CdSe nanoplatelets showed that the exciton was confined in one dimension along the thickness. However, the two nanoplatelets presented different etching kinetics and erosion patterns. The rate of etching for W CdSe nanoplatelets was much faster than that for ZB nanoplatelets. Small holes were uniformly perforated on the planar surface of W nanoplatelets, whereas the corners and edges of ZB nanoplatelets were massively eroded without a significant perforation on the planar surface. This suggests that the amine-passivated surface of trivalent cadmium atoms on CdSe nanoplatelets is photochemically active, but the carboxylate-passivated surface of divalent cadmium atoms is not. Hence, the ligand, which induces the growth of W or ZB CdSe nanoplatelets, mediates the surface-dependent photochemical etching. This result implies that an electron-hole pair can be extracted from the planar surface of amine-passivated W nanoplatelets but from the corners and edges of carboxylate-passivated ZB nanoplatelets.     

Preparation of antistatic high‐density polyethylene composites based on synergistic effect of graphene nanoplatelets and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes

Graphene nanoplatelets are promising candidates for enhancing the electrical conductivity of composites. However, because of their poor dispersion, graphene nanoplatelets must be added in large amounts to achieve the desired electrical properties, but such large amounts limit the industrial application of graphene nanoplatelets. Multi‐walled carbon nanotubes also possess high electrical conductivity accompanied by poor dispersion. Therefore, a synergistic effect was generated between graphene nanoplatelets and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes and used for the first time to prepare antistatic materials with high‐density polyethylene via 1‐step melt blending. The synergistic effect makes it possible to significantly improve the electrical properties by adding a small amount of untreated graphene nanoplatelets and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes and increases the possibility of using graphene nanoplatelets in industrial applications. When only 1 wt% graphene nanoplatelets and 0.5 wt% multi‐walled carbon nanotubes were added, the surface and volume resistivity values of the composites were much lower than those of the composites that were only added 3 wt% graphene nanoplatelets. Additionally, as a result of the synergistic effect of graphene nanoplatelets and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes, the composites met the requirements for antistatic materials.     

近二维结构的六边形金属镍纳米片的水热合成

片状二维镍纳米材料具有较高的形状各异性,在催化、磁记录以及生物探测方面具有重要的应用价值,因此寻找一种简单,成本低的方法制备表面无活性剂的片状镍纳米材料显得尤为重要。在没有有机表面活性剂和形貌控制剂的条件下,在氟掺杂氧化铟锡(FTO)导电玻璃表面,通过水热制备得到金属镍纳米薄片。系统地研究了反应条件对产物形貌的影响,发现镍源、氢氧化钠、氨水的浓度以及反应温度对纳米镍的形貌有较大的影响。只有在合适的氨水和氢氧化钠浓度共同存在下,才能获得具有较大的特征长度以及较薄的近二维结构的六边形镍金属钠米薄片。经过条件优化,制备得到的厚度约为10 nm,横向特征长度超过1μm金属镍纳米薄片。经过分析认为,体系的p H值及温度影响了反应速度,最终导致产物的形貌受到影响,在p H值约为10的条件下,氨水对镍离子的络合作用对镍纳米薄片的二维生长具有一定的促进作用。     

Cadmium oxide nanoplatelets: synthesis, characterization and their electrochemical sensing property of catechol

Cadmium oxide (CdO) nanoplatelets were synthesized by thermal decomposition of cadmium malonate. The synthesized CdO nanoplatelets were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD); from the XRD analysis, it is clear that the phase structure of CdO nanoplatelets was found to be face-centered cubic with the average crystalline size of 40–50 nm. FT-IR analysis shows the presence of surface carboxyl and hydroxyl groups on to the CdO nanoplatelets. From DRS-UV–Vis analysis, both the direct and indirect band gaps of the CdO nanoplatelets were found to be 2.0 and 1.67 eV, respectively. From the FE-SEM analysis, the morphology of the synthesized CdO was found to be nanoplatelets, which were randomly agglomerated. Further, HR-TEM was used to confirm the formation of nanoplatelets. The electrochemical sensing property of CdO nanoplatelets was carried out by cyclic voltammetry (CV) by coating CdO nanoplatelets on Glassy carbon electrode (GCE) and using it as working electrode for sensing of catechol. The enhanced electrochemical behaviour is mainly attributed to the nanometer dimensions and surface hydroxyl groups on the CdO nanoplatelets. Chronoamperometry (CA) was used to determine the sensitivity and repeatability of the modified electrode. The modified electrode shows linear range of catechol concentration between 7.5 × 10^?6 and 1.5 × 10^?4 M with sensitivity of 9.8 nA μM^?1.     

Large‐Scale Synthesis of Highly Luminescent Perovskite‐Related CsPb2Br5 Nanoplatelets and Their Fast Anion Exchange

All‐inorganic cesium lead‐halide perovskite nanocrystals have emerged as attractive optoelectronic nanomaterials owing to their stabilities and highly efficient photoluminescence. Herein we report a new type of highly luminescent perovskite‐related CsPb₂Br₅ nanoplatelets synthesized by a facile precipitation reaction. The layered crystal structure of CsPb₂Br₅ promoted an anisotropic two‐dimensional (2D) crystal growth during the precipitation process, thus enabling the large‐scale synthesis of CsPb₂Br₅ nanoplatelets. Fast anion exchange has also been demonstrated in as‐synthesized CsPb₂Br₅ nanoplatelets to extend their photoluminescence spectra to the entire visible spectral region. The large‐scale synthesis and optical tunability of CsPb₂Br₅ nanoplatelets will be advantageous in future applications of optoelectronic devices.     

Thickness-dependent photocatalytic performance of ZnO nanoplatelets

In this paper, we report the large-scale synthesis of ZnO nanoplatelets as thin as 10 nm. The nanoplatelets show higher efficiency in photodegrading organic dyes than ZnO nanorods do, and for the nanoplatelets, the thinner they are, the higher the performance. The photocatalytic decomposition of organic dyes (eosin B) by ZnO nanoplatelets compares favorably to the performances of ZnS porous nanoparticles and commercial Degussa P25 titania particles. This finding may have significant implications in the environment remediation and the fabrication of functional nanodevices.     

From layered double hydroxide to spinel nanostructures: facile synthesis and characterization of nanoplatelets and nanorods

Mg-Al spinel (MgAl2O4) nanorods and nanoplatelets transformed from Mg-Al layered double hydroxide (Mg-Al-LDHs) were synthesized via a combined hydrothermal method and calcination route using Al(NO3).9H2O and Mg(NO3)2.6H2O as raw materials. The nanorods and nanoplatelets were characterized by means of physical techniques, including powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microcopy (HRTEM), selected-area electron diffraction (SAED), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT-IR), thermogravimetric (TG), and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms. XRD patterns reveal that the Mg-Al-LDHs nanostructures were obtained under a hydrothermal reaction temperature of 200 degrees C and Mg-Al spinel nanostructures were fabricated via calcination of the Mg-Al-LDHs nanostructures at 750 degrees C. It can be seen from TEM that the sizes of the Mg-Al-LDHs nanoplatelets were about 20-40 nm and the diameters of the MgAl2O4 nanorods were ca. 6 nm. The HRTEM images indicate that the crystal lattice spaces of the MgAl2O4 nanorods and nanoplatelets are 0.282 and 0.287 nm, respectively.     

Bismuth telluride hexagonal nanoplatelets and their two-step epitaxial growth

We report a synthesis of discrete, single-crystal, defect-free, and hexagonal Bi2Te3 nanoplatelets using a high-temperature organic solution approach, and we demonstrate a two-step epitaxial growth of the cylindrical strings of Bi2Te3 nanoplatelets on the surface of the Te rod by packing them along c-axis in a top-bottom-top-bottom sequence. This type of building-up provides additional opportunity for the exploration of novel thermoelectric properties from such quantum-confined materials, in which the boundary scattering of phonons is anticipated to enhance.     

基于叶片状氧化铜纳米材料的无酶葡萄糖传感电极

将Nafion交联剂与纳米材料修饰至玻碳电极基底制备一种无酶葡萄糖传感器,通过循环伏安曲线、时间-电流曲线检测该电极电化学特性. 氧化铜纳米复合膜具有高比表面积和多活性点位的优点. 实验结果表明,氧化铜纳米电极对葡萄糖的检测线性响应范围0.01 ~ 0.3 mmol·L^-1,灵敏度1783.58 μA·L·mmol^-1·cm^-2,检测限0.80 μmol·L^-1 (S/N=3),稳定性较好,能抵抗抗坏血酸、多巴胺和尿酸干扰.     

Non-isothermal pyrolysis of used lubricating oil and the catalytic effect of carbon-based nanomaterials on the process performance

Pyrolysis is a commonly used method for the recovery of used lubricating oil (ULO), which should be kinetically improved by a catalyst, due to its high level of energy consumption. In this research, the catalytic effects of carbon nanotube (CNT) and graphene nanoplatelets on the pyrolysis of ULO were studied through thermogravimetric analysis. First, the kinetic parameters of ULO pyrolysis including activation energy were calculated to be 170.12 and 167.01 kJ mol^?1 by FWO and KAS methods, respectively. Then, the catalytic effects of CNT and graphene nanoplatelets on pyrolysis kinetics were studied. While CNT had a negligible effect on the pyrolysis process, graphene nanoplatelets significantly reduced the temperature of maximum conversion during pyrolysis from 400 to 350 °C, due to high thermal conductivity and homogenous heat transfer in the pyrolysis process. On the other hand, graphene nanoplatelets maximized the rate of conversion of highly volatile components at lower temperatures (<?100 °C), which was mainly due to the high affinity of these components toward graphene nanoplatelets and also the effect of nanoplatelets’ edges which have free tails and can bond with other molecules. Moreover, graphene nanoplatelets decreased the activation energy of the conversion to 154.48 and 152.13 kJ mol^?1 by FWO and KAS methods, respectively.

     

Reverse atom transfer radical random copolymerization of styrene and methyl methacrylate in the presence of diatomite nanoplatelets

Diatomite nanoplatelets were used for in situ random copolymerization of styrene and methyl methacrylate by reverse atom transfer radical polymerization to synthesize different well‐defined nanocomposites. Inherent features of the pristine diatomite nanoplatelets were evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscope. Gas and size exclusion chromatography was also used to determine conversion and molecular weight determinations, respectively. Considerable increment in conversion (from 81% to 97%) was achieved by adding 3 wt% diatomite nanoplatelets in the copolymer matrix. Moreover, molecular weight of random copolymer chains was increased from 12 890 to 13 960 g·mol⁻¹ by addition of 3 wt% diatomite nanoplatelets; however, polydispersity index (PDI) values increases from 1.36 to 1.59. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy was used to evaluate copolymers composition. Thermal gravimetric analysis results indicate that thermal stability of the nanocomposites is improved by adding diatomite nanoplatelets. Differential scanning calorimetry shows an increase in glass transition temperature from 66°C to 71°C by adding 3 wt% of diatomite nanoplatelets.     

High-performance supercapacitor based on tantalum iridium oxides supported on tungsten oxide nanoplatelets

Here we report on a novel supercapacitor electrode based on IrO₂–Ta₂O₅ nanoparticles supported on WO₃ nanoplatelets. The nanoplatelets were directly grown on a W plate using a facile hydrothermal method, whereas the IrO₂–Ta₂O₅ nanoparticles were formed via a thermal decomposition technique which can be easily scaled up. The structural, morphological, and electrochemical properties of the WO₃ nanoplatelets and the formed trimetallic oxide nanocomposite have been investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and charging/discharging techniques. The fabricated trimetallic oxide nanocomposite exihibited rectangular cyclic voltamograms even tested at high potential scan rates, a high specific capacitance and high charging/discharging stability, promising utilization in the design of high-performance devices for energy storage.     

Colloidal Synthesis of CH3NH3PbBr3 Nanoplatelets with Polarized Emission through Self‐Organization

We report a combined experimental and theoretical study of the synthesis of CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ nanoplatelets through self‐organization. Shape transformation from spherical nanodots to square or rectangular nanoplatelets can be achieved by keeping the preformed colloidal nanocrystals at a high concentration (3.5 mg mL⁻¹) for 3 days, or combining the synthesis of nanodots with self‐organization. The average thickness of the resulting CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ nanoplatelets is similar to the size of the original nanoparticles, and we also noticed several nanoplatelets with circular or square holes, suggesting that the shape transformation experienced a self‐organization process through dipole–dipole interactions along with a realignment of dipolar vectors. Additionally, the CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ nanoplatelets exhibit excellent polarized emissions for stretched CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ nanoplatelets embedded in a polymer composite film, showing advantageous photoluminescence properties for display backlights.     

Evaluation and modeling of the mechanical properties of graphite nanoplatelets based rubber nanocomposites for pressure sensing applications

Acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) compounds filled with different concentrations of graphite nanoplatelets were experimentally investigated. The stress–strain curves of the nanocomposites were studied, which suggest good filler–matrix adhesion. The large reinforcement effect of the filler followed the Guth model for non‐spherical particles. The effect of graphite nanoplatelets on the cyclic fatigue and hysteresis was also examined. The loading and unloading stress–strain relationships for any cycle were described by applying Ogden's model for rubber nanocomposites. With this model for incompressible materials, expressions may be developed to predict the stress–strain relationship for any given cycle. The dissipated energy increased with graphite nanoplatelets concentrations and decrease with number of cycles. The rate of damage accumulation becomes marginal after first ten cycles. The rate of damage increases as the amount of graphite nanoplatelets increase into the rubber matrix. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effect of nanoplatelet dispersion on mechanical behavior of polymer nanocomposites

By manipulating processing conditions, three levels of exfoliation of synthetic α-zirconium phosphate (α-ZrP) nanoplatelets in epoxy matrices have been achieved. Transmission electron microscopy and wide angle X-ray diffraction were utilized to confirm the three different levels of exfoliation of nanoplatelets in epoxy/α-ZrP nanocomposites. As expected, it was found that modulus and strength of the nanocomposite are affected by how well the nanoplatelets disperse. It was also found that the operative fracture mechanisms depend strongly on the state of the nanoplatelets dispersion. The crack deflection mechanism, which leads to a tortuous path crack growth, was only observed for poorly dispersed nanocomposites. Delamination of intercalated nanoplatelets and crack deflection were observed in a moderately dispersed system. In the case of fully exfoliated system, the crack only propagated in a straight fashion, which indicates that the fully exfoliated individual nanoplatelet can not affect the propagation of crack at all. The implication of the present findings for structural applications of polymer nanocomposites is discussed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 1459–1469, 2007     

Fabrication of exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets-reinforced aluminum composites and evaluating their mechanical properties and corrosion behavior

Aluminum composites with different amounts of exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets particles were fabricated by powder metallurgy method. The mixture powders were consolidated at 520 MPa for 5 min and followed by pressureless sintering at 600 °C for 6 h. The mechanical properties of composites were evaluated by compression and hardness tests. The corrosion behavior in 3.5% NaCl solution was investigated using potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurements. The mechanical testing results showed that the maximum strength and Vickers hardness increase as a function of exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets content. Corrosion data indicated that the presence of exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets and the increase of its concentration raise the corrosion rate and reduce the polarization resistance of Al. SEM/EDX investigations revealed that the presence of exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets activates the corrosion of Al due to the occurrence of galvanic corrosion. SEM/EDX investigations confirmed the electrochemical measurements showing that the increase of exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets content increases the corrosion of Al.     

Chemical treatment of graphite nanoplatelets and their use in supercapacitors

Graphite nanoplatelets treated with nitric acid of different concentrations were studied. The initial graphite nanoplatelets were prepared by ultrasonication of exfoliated graphite. The samples were examined by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and FTIR and Raman spectroscopy and were tested as electrode materials for supercapacitors.     

Well-aligned arrays of CuO nanoplatelets

This paper reports well-aligned arrays of CuO nanoplatelets synthesized through a hydrothermal route without template's assistance. The surface of well-aligned arrays of CuO nanoplatelets looks like a wall. These nanoplatelets, possessing four clear edges, are 50-80 nm in thickness, 150-250 nm in width, and 0.8-1.5 microm in length. Electron microscopic detection shows that the nanoplatelet grows along the [010] direction. The Ostwald ripening mechanism has been used to describe the growth of CuO nanoplatelets. In addition, the optic and electrochemical properties of as-obtained products have been discussed. And the arrays of CuO nanoplatelets exhibit the blue shift in UV-visible spectra, a slow capacity fading rate, and a relatively high Coulombic efficiency in charge-discharge process.     

High-yield preparation of uniform cobalt hydroxide and oxide nanoplatelets and their characterization

Cobalt hydroxide nanoplatelets with a uniform hexagonal shape were prepared in high yield ( approximately 95%) by a facile hydrothermal route in the presence of poly(vinylpyrrolidone). This method provides a simple, low-cost, and large-scale route to produce beta-cobalt hydroxide nanoplatelets with an average diameter of 280 nm and a thickness of ca. 26 nm which show a predominant well-crystalline hexagonal brucite-like phase. Their thermal decomposition produced anisotropic nanoplatelets of cobalt oxides (CoO and Co3O4) under designed temperatures. The products were characterized by transmission electronic microscopy, selected-area electron diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetric, and thermogravimetric analysis. The magnetic properties of the products were investigated by a superconducting quantum interference device magnetometer. Co3O4 nanoplatelets exhibit a superparamagnetic behavior, and they might be a promising material to study the magnetic tunneling effect as anisotropic nanostructures.     

Continuous transition from 3D to 1D confinement observed during the formation of CdSe nanoplatelets

We study the formation of colloidal CdSe nanoplatelets using both tansmission electron microscopy (TEM) and spectroscopic analysis. We show that the platelets form by continuous lateral extension of small (<2 nm) nanocrystal CdSe seeds. The nanoplatelet thickness is fixed by the seed dimension and remains constant during the platelet formation. The nanoplatelet lateral dimensions can be tuned using additional precursor injection. Absorption and fluorescence analysis of the CdSe nanoplatelets as they continuously extend laterally confirms a continuous transition from 3D to 1D confined nanoparticles. The formation of the CdSe platelets is found to be similar for different platelet thicknesses that we control with a precision of one CdSe monolayer.