Study of the synthesis and Cl2 gas-sensing properties of nanometer HNO3-doped SnO2

We focused on the effects of the inorganic acid HNO₃ on the gas-sensing properties of nanometer SnO₂ and prepared the powders via a dissolution-pyrolysis method. Furthermore, the powders were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectra (EDS). Several aspects were surveyed, including the calcining temperature, concentration of nitric acid and the working temperature. The results showed that the gas response of 3 wt% HNO₃-doped SnO₂ powders (calcined at 500 °C) to 10 ppm Cl₂ reached 316.5, at the working temperature 175 °C. Compared with pure SnO₂, appropriate HNO₃ could increase the gas sensitivity to Cl₂ gas more significantly.     

Preparation and characterization of novel Pd/SiO2 and Ca-Pd/SiO2 egg-shell catalysts with porous hollow silica

Novel egg-shell structured monometallic Pd/SiO₂ and bimetallic Ca-Pd/SiO₂ catalysts were prepared by an impregnation method using porous hollow silica (PHS) as the support and PdCl₂ and Ca(NO₃)₂·4H₂O as the precursors. It was found from transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) that Pd was loaded on PHS with a particle size of 5-12 nm in Pd/SiO₂ samples and the Pd particle size in Ca-Pd/SiO₂ was smaller than that in Pd/SiO₂ since Ca could prevent Pd particles from aggregating. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses exhibited that Pd 3d_5/2 binding energies of Pd/SiO₂ and Ca-Pd/SiO₂ were 0.2 and 0.9 eV lower than that of bulk Pd, respectively, as a result of the shift of the electron cloud from Pd to oxygen in Pd/SiO₂ and to both oxygen and Ca in Ca-Pd/SiO₂. The activity of Ca-Pd/SiO₂ egg-shell catalyst for CO hydrogenation and the selectivity to methanol, with a value of 36.50 mmol_CO mol⁻¹_Pd s⁻¹ and 100%, respectively, were much higher than those of the catalysts prepared with traditional silica gel as the support, owing to the porous core-shell structure of the PHS support.     

Temperature controlled synthesis of SrCO3 nanorods via a facile solid-state decomposition rout starting from a novel inorganic precursor

Strontium carbonate nanorods have been successfully synthesized via solid-state decomposition of a new precursor, [Sr(Pht)(H₂O)₂]. The obtained nanorods were found to be orthorhombic with the length of 70-100 nm and the diameter of about 10-15 nm. The Effect of calcinations temperature on morphology and purity of the products has been investigated. Strontium carbonate nanorods were formed at 500 °C. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. In addition, further evidence for the purity and stoichiometry of the product was obtained by XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) spectrum.     

Synthesis and characterization of TiO2/Fe2O3 core-shell nanocomposition film and their photoelectrochemical property

TiO₂/Fe₂O₃ core-shell nanocomposition film has been fabricated via two-step method. TiO₂ nanorod arrays are synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method, and followed by Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles deposited on TiO₂ nanorod arrays through an ordinary chemical bath deposition. The phase structures, morphologies, particle size, chemical compositions of the composites have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectrophotometer. The results confirm that Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles of mean size ca. 10 nm coated on the surface of TiO2 NRs. After depositing Fe₂O₃, UV-vis absorption property is induces the shift to the visible-light range, the annealing temperature of 600 °C is the best condition for UV-vis absorption property of TiO₂/Fe₂O₃ nanocomposite film, and increasing Fe content, optical activity are enhanced one by one. The photoelectrochemical (PEC) performances of the as-prepared composite nanorods are determined by measuring the photo-generated currents under illumination of UV-vis light. The TiO₂ NRs modified by Fe₂O₃ show the photocurrent value of 1.36 mA/cm² at 0 V vs Ag/AgCl, which is higher than those of unmodified TiO₂ NRs.     

Preparation and characterization of upconversion luminescent LaF3:Yb,Er/LaF3 core/shell nanocrystals

LaF₃:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺/LaF₃ core/shell nanocrystals were successfully synthesized using solvothermal method. The crystal structure, morphology and photoluminescence properties of as-prepared nanocrystals were investigated in detail. XRD patterns show that the obtained LaF₃:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺ core and LaF₃:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺/LaF₃ core/shell nanocrystals exhibit hexagonal structure. The average particle size is about 9.3 nm and 11.4 nm for core and core/shell nanocrystals, respectively. Compared with LaF₃:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺ nanocrystals, both the upconversion emission intensity and the lifetime increase in LaF₃:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺/LaF₃ core/shell nanocrystals. The enhancement can be attributed to the LaF₃ shell which can eliminate the nonradiative centers on the surface of LaF₃:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺ nanocrystals.     

TiO2 Wedgy Nanotubes Array Flims for Photovoltaic Enhancement

In this study, TiO₂ wedgy nanotubes with rectangular cross-sections were fabricated on transparent conductive substrates by using TiO₂ nanorods as the precursor via the anisotropic etching route. TiO2 nanotubes with V-shaped hollow structure and the special crystal plane exposed on the tube wall possess nature of high surface area for more dye molecules absorption, and the strong light scattering effects and dual-channel for effective electron transport of the TiO₂ V-shaped nanotubes based dye-sensitized solar cell exhibit a remarkable photovoltaic enhancement compared with the TiO₂ nanorods. The photoanode based on our V-shaped TiO₂ nanotubes with a length of 1.5 μm show a 123% increase of the dye loading and a 182% improvement in the overall conversion efficiency when compared with 4 μm rutile TiO₂ nanorods photoanode.     

Microstructures and multiferroic properties of textured Bi0.8La0.2FeO3 thin films

La-substituted BiFeO₃, Bi_0.8La_0.2FeO₃, thin films were fabricated on Pt/Ti/SiO₂/Si substrates by pulsed laser deposition. X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscope were used to analyze the structures of the films. The results show the films fabricated under optimized growth condition are (0 1 2) textured. X-ray photoemission spectroscopy results indicate that the oxidation state of Fe ion is Fe³⁺ in the films without detectable Fe²⁺. The films show low leakage current and excellent dielectric characters. Multiferroic properties with a remnant ferroelectric polarization of 5.2 μC/cm² and a remanent magnetization of 0.02 μ_B/Fe were established. These results have some implications for further research.     

Study of ZnO-coated SnO2 nanostructures synthesized by a two-step process

We investigated the influence of the ZnO coating on the properties of one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures of SnO₂. We have employed X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy to characterize both as-synthesized and ZnO-coated products. We observed that deposition process of ZnO by using an atomic layer deposition technique resulted in the SnO₂ core/ZnO shell structure. The photoluminescence of the ZnO-coated products exhibited broad bands in the UV and green region, suggesting a possible contribution of the emission from the ZnO outlayers.     

Structure and dielectric studies of nano-composite Fe2O3: BaTiO3 prepared by sol-gel method

Nano-structure pure barium titanate (BaTiO₃) and that was doped with iron oxide (Fe₂O₃), have been prepared by sol-gel method, using barium acetate (Ba(Ac)₂) and titanium butoxide (Ti(C₄H₉O)₄), as precursors. The as-grown prepared samples by sol-gel technique were found to be amorphous, which crystallized to the tetragonal phase after synthesized at 750 °C in air for 1 h as detected from the XRD patterns. The XRD data were confirmed by transmission electron microscope (TEM). The dielectric properties namely; dielectric constant (ε′) and loss tangent (tan δ) in the frequency range between 42 Hz and 1 MHz, at range of temperature 25-250 °C were investigated. The temperature dependence of ε′ and tan δ for the undoped and doped materials, at 1 kHz, was also investigated. As a result, tan δ increased rapidly with decreasing temperature below 125 °C (Curie temperature) while above this temperature, tan δ shows temperature independent. As a result, below and above Curie temperature, ferroelectric phase and paraelectric phase of BaTiO₃ can be obtained, respectively.     

One-step solution synthesis of Fe2O3 nanoparticles at low temperature

A new synthesis method of α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles was developed, in which the ferrous and ferric salts as well as polyaniline acted as the precursor and dispersant, respectively. From the investigation of X-ray diffraction and FT-IR spectra, the α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles can be directly prepared by the co-precipitation method without high-temperature calcining. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation revealed that the α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles had average diameters ranging from 30.0 to 75.0 nm. Compared with previous methods, this present method shows an easy processing and can be applied on the large-scale produce of α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles in one step.     

Field emission investigations of RuO2-doped SnO2 wires

Field emission studies of a bunch and a single isolated RuO₂:SnO₂ wire have been performed. A current density of 5.73 × 10⁴ A/cm² is drawn from the single wire emitter at an applied field of 8.46 × 10⁴ V/μm. Nonlinearity in the Fowler-Nordheim (F-N) plot has been observed and explained on the basis of electron emission from both the conduction and the valence bands of the semiconductor. The current stability recorded at the preset value of 1.5 μA is observed to be good. Overall the high emission current density, good stability and mechanically robust nature of the RuO₂:SnO₂ wires offer advantages as field emitters for many potential applications.     

Synthesis and luminescent properties of nanoparticles GdCaAl3O7:RE (RE=Eu, Tb) via the sol-gel method

By using metal nitrates as starting materials and citric acid as complexing agent, GdCaAl₃O₇:Eu³⁺ and GdCaAl₃O₇:Tb³⁺ powder phosphors were prepared by a citrate-gel method. Thermal analysis (TG-DTG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), photoluminescence excitation and emission, as well as kinetic decays were employed to characterize the resulting samples. The results of the XRD indicated the precursor samples began to crystallize at 800 °C and the crystallinity increased with elevation the annealing temperature. TEM images showed that the phosphor particles were basically of spherical shape, with good dispersion about a particle size of around 40-70 nm. Upon excitation with UV irradiation, it is shown that there is a strong emission at around 617 nm corresponding to the forced electric dipole ⁵D₀-⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺, and at around 543 nm corresponding to the ⁵D₄-⁷F₅ transition of Tb³⁺. The dependence of photoluminescence intensity on Eu³⁺ (or Tb³⁺) concentration and annealing temperature were also studied in detail.     

Synthesis and photocatalytic property of N-doped TiO2 nanorods and nanotubes with high nitrogen content

Nano N-doped TiO₂ nanotubes were fabricated by hydrothermally treating N-doped TiO₂ nanorods in a 8 M NaOH solution at 110 °C for 20 h. The N-doped TiO₂ nanorods were synthesized by a solvothermal process with precursor solution containing titanium sulfate, urea, and dichloroethane. The N-doped TiO₂ nanorods and nanotubes were characterized with X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and UV-vis spectrophotometry. The nitrogen contents of the N-doped TiO₂ nanorods and nanotubes were reached to high values of 36.9 at.% and 25.7 at.%, respectively. The nitrogen doping narrowed the band gap of the N-doped TiO₂ nanorods and nanotubes and introduced indirect band gap to the powders, which respectively extended the absorption edge to visible light and infrared region. The nanotubes showed larger specific surface area and greater degradation efficiency to methyl orange than the nanorods.     

Optical and electrical properties of single Sb2Se3 nanorod

In this report, methods of solvothermal synthesis of Sb₂Se₃ nanorods from a single-source precursor Sb[Se₂P(O ⁱPr)₂]₃ were demonstrated. The synthesized Sb₂Se₃ nanorods were expected to have new optical and electrical properties. With the electron beam (E-beam) lithography and focus ion beam (FIB) techniques, we achieved immobilization and positioning of a single Sb₂Se₃ nanorod on a patterned template. By using the confocal Raman microscope and two-point-contact electrical measurement methods, we obtained optical and electrical characteristics from a single Sb₂Se₃ nanorod.     

Surface characterization and growth mechanism of laminated Ti3SiC2 crystals fabricated by hot isostatic pressing

Laminated Ti₃SiC₂ crystals were prepared by hot isostatic pressing from Ti, Si, C and Al powders with NaCl additive in argon at 1350 °C. The morphology and microstructure of Ti₃SiC₂ crystals were investigated by means of XRD, SEM, and TEM. The high symmetry and crystalline was revealed by high resolution transmission electronic microscope (HRTEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). The growth mechanism of Ti₃SiC₂ crystals controlled by two-dimensional nucleation was put forward. The growth pattern of layered steps implies that the growth of the (0 0 2) face should undergo two steps, the intermittent two-dimensional nucleation and the continuous lateral spreading of layers on growth faces.     

Facile synthesis of Nb2O5 nanorod array films and their electrochemical properties

Nb₂O₅ nanorod array films were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal process using niobium metal foil and NH₄F as precursors. The Nb₂O₅ nanorods stand on the niobium metal foil substrate and are less than 100 nm in diameter and about 1 μm in length. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) characterizations indicate that these nanorods have orthorhombic structure and grew longitudinally along 〈0 0 1〉 direction. The nanorod growth mechanism was discussed. Thermal annealing at a temperature below 500 °C did not change the microstructure of nanorods but improve the crystallinity. The Nb₂O₅ nanorod array films have been tested as cathode material for lithium battery, which showed a good specific capacity up to 380 mAh g⁻¹ even after 50 charge/discharge cycles.     

Porous WO3 from anodized sputtered tungsten thin films for NO2 detection

In this paper, porous WO₃ films were prepared by anodic oxidation of metallic tungsten (W) films deposited on alumina substrates. The structural and morphological properties of the porous WO₃ films were investigated using field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). A large number of cracks appeared on the surface of films after anodization, which makes the films porous. The porous WO₃ sensors achieved their maximum response values to NO₂ at a low operating temperature of 150 °C. The porous WO₃ sensors showed high response values, great stability and fast response-recovery characteristics to different concentration of NO₂ gas due to the high specific surface area and special structural and morphological properties.     

Chemical synthesis of nanocrystalline SnO2 thin films for supercapacitor application

Nanocrystalline SnO₂ thin films were deposited by simple and inexpensive chemical route. The films were characterized for their structural, morphological, wettability and electrochemical properties using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy techniques (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), contact angle measurement, and cyclic voltammetry techniques. The XRD study revealed the deposited films were nanocrystalline with tetragonal rutile structure of SnO₂. The FT-IR studies confirmed the formation of SnO₂ with the characteristic vibrational mode of Sn-O. The SEM studies showed formation of loosely connected agglomerates with average size of 5-10 nm as observed from TEM studies. The surface wettability showed the hydrophilic nature of SnO₂ thin film (water contact angle 9°). The SnO₂ showed a maximum specific capacitance of 66 F g⁻¹ in 0.5 Na₂SO₄ electrolyte at 10 mV s⁻¹ scan rate.     

Highly luminescent red light phosphor CaTiO3:Eu under near-ultraviolet excitation

The Eu-doped CaTiO₃ particles with a good crystallinity were prepared via sol-gel method. The phosphors showed a strong red emission corresponding to ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ (618 nm) of Eu³⁺ under the near-ultraviolet excitation (400 nm). X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), photoluminescent (PL) analysis and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) specific surface area measurement were utilized to characterize the CaTiO₃:Eu³⁺ particles. The concentration quenching and thermal quenching of the samples were discussed as well. The optimal concentration and the calcination temperature were 16 mol% of Eu³⁺ and 1400 °C for these phosphors, and the possible reason was discussed as well. CaTiO₃:Eu³⁺ is a promising red phosphor under near-ultraviolet excitation for various applications.     

Synthesis and characterization of Zn3P2/ZnS core/shell nanowires

Fully-surrounded Zn₃P₂/ZnS core/shell nanowires (NWs) were synthesized for the first time via a two-step method: a catalyst free chemical vapor deposition followed by a low-pressure vulcanization process. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and high-angle angular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the morphologies, crystal structure, and element composition of the core/shell NWs. The band structure analysis demonstrates that the Zn₃P₂/ZnS core-shell NW type-II heterostructures have bright potential in photovoltaic nanodevice applications. The core/shell NW growth method used here can be extended to other material system.