Multiple Interfaces Structure Derived from Metal–Organic Frameworks for Excellent Electromagnetic Wave Absorption

Hierarchical yolk–shell nanostructure (NiO/Ni/GN@Air@NiO/Ni/GN) derived from Ni‐based metal–organic frameworks (Ni‐MOFs) is synthesized by solvothermal reactions. After successive carbonization and oxidation treatments, hierarchical NiO/Ni nanocrystals covered with a graphene shell are obtained with the yolk–shell nanostructure intact. The NiO/Ni/GN@Air@NiO/Ni/GN composites are characterized by X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results indicate that the NiO/Ni/GN@Air@NiO/Ni/GN composites exhibit superior electromagnetic wave absorption properties. A minimum reflection loss (RL_min) of ?34.5 dB is obtained at 17.2 GHz with the thin thickness of 1.7 mm. In addition, the best microwave absorption properties are achieved with a 2.0 mm absorber layer (RL_min = ?22.5 dB, bandwidth of 6.0 GHz). The outstanding absorption ability may arise from the unique yolk–shell structure and nanoporous carbon, which can tune the dielectric of the NiO/Ni/GN@Air@NiO/Ni/GN composites to acquire good impedance matching. Moreover, the interspaces can induce interfacial polarization and multiple reflections.     

Structural and electrical properties of core–shell structured GaP nanowires with outer Ga2O3 oxide layers

This paper presents a review of our current experimental research on GaP nanowires grown by a vapor deposition method. Their structural, electrical, opto-electric transport, and gas-adsorption properties are reviewed. Our structural studies showed that a GaP nanowire consisted of a core–shell structure with a single-crystalline GaP core and an outer Ga₂O₃ layer. The individual GaP nanowires exhibited n-type field effects. Their electron mobilities were in the range of about 6 to 22 cm²/V s at room temperature. When the nanowires were illuminated with an ultraviolet light source, an abrupt increase of conductance occurred resulting from carrier generation in the nanowire and de-adsorption of adsorbed OH^- or O₂ ^- ions on the Ga₂O₃ surface shell. Using an intrinsic Ga₂O₃ shell layer as a gate dielectric, top-gated GaP nanowire field-effect transistors were fabricated and characterized. Like other metal oxide nanowires, the carrier concentration and mobility of GaP nanowires were significantly affected by the surface molecular adsorption of OH or O₂. The GaP nanowire devices were fabricated as sensors for NO₂, NH₃, and H₂ gases by using a simple metal decoration technique. PACS 73.63.-b; 72.80.Ey; 85.35.-p     

Magnetic and structural properties of Fe–Co nanowires fabricated by matrix synthesis in the pores of track membranes

Fe_1-x Co _x nanowires are obtained by electrochemical deposition into the pores of track-etched membranes. The characteristics of the growth process that allow controlling the length and aspect ratio of the nanowires are established. The elemental composition and magnetic properties of the nanowires depend on the diameter of the track-etched pores, which varies from 30 to 200 nm, and the electrochemical potential U (650–850 mV), which determines the nanowire growth rate. According to the results of elemental analysis and the Mössbauer spectroscopy data, the Co content in Fe_1-x Co _x lies in the range of x=0.20?0.25. It is found that the orientation of the magnetic moment of Fe–Co nanoparticles in the wires depends both on the track pore size d and on the nanowire growth rate. Thus, the magnetic moments in nanowires grown in 50-nm-diameter pores are oriented within 0°–40° with respect to the nanowire axis. The magnetic properties of the nanowires are explained in the framework of a theoretical model describing the magnetic dynamics of nanocomposites, which was extended to include the relaxation of the magnetization vector and to take into account interaction between the particles. The key physical parameters important for the technological applications of the nanowires are determined, their dependence on the nanowire growth conditions is traced, and the possibility of controlling them is established.     

The composition-dependent mechanical properties of Ge/Si core–shell nanowires

The Stillinger–Weber potential is used to study the composition-dependent Young's modulus for Ge-core/Si-shell and Si-core/Ge-shell nanowires. Here, the composition is defined as a ratio of the number of atoms of the core to the number of atoms of a core–shell nanowire. For each concerned Ge-core/Si-shell nanowire with a specified diameter, we find that its Young's modulus increases to a maximal value and then decreases as the composition increases. Whereas Young's modulus of the Si-core/Ge-shell nanowires increase nonlinearly in a wide compositional range. Our calculations reveal that these observed trends of Young's modulus of core–shell nanowires are essentially attributed to the different components of the cores and the shells, as well as the different strains in the interfaces between the cores and the shells.     

Tunable electronic properties and carrier mobility in binary pnictogen nanosheets,PX (X = As,Sb, and Bi)

Catalytic graphitization of kraft lignin to nano-materials was investigated over four transitional metal catalysts (Ni, Cu, Fe, and Mo) through a thermal treatment process under an argon flow at 1000 °C. The catalytic thermal process was examined using thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and temperature-programmed decomposition (TPD) experiments. The crystal structure and morphology of the thermal-treated metal-lignin samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and Raman spectroscopy. Catalytic graphitization of kraft lignin to nano-materials was investigated over four transitional metal catalysts (Ni, Cu, Fe, and Mo) through a catalytic thermal treatment process. It was observed that multi-layer graphene-encapsulated metal nanoparticles were the main products, beside along with some graphene sheets/flakes. The particle sizes and graphene shell layers were significantly affected by the promoted metals. BET surface areas of samples obtained from different metal precursors were in the range of 88–115 m²/g within the order of Ni-?>?Fe-?>?Mo-?>?Cu-. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and temperature-programmed decomposition (TPD) experimental results showed that adding transitional metals could promote the decomposition and carbonization of kraft lignin. The catalytic activity increased with an order of Mo?Cu?<?Ni?Fe. XRD results show that face-centered cubic (fcc) Cu crystals is formed in the thermal-treated Cu-lignin sample, fcc nickel phase for the Ni-lignin sample, β-Mo₂C hexagonal phase for the Mo-lignin sample and α-Fe, γ-iron, and cementite(Fe₃C) for the Fe-lignin sample. Average particle sizes of these crystal phases calculated using the Scherrer formula are 52.4 nm, 56.2 nm, 21.0 nm, 23.3 nm, 11.3 nm, and 32.8 nm for Ni, Cu, β-Mo₂C, α-Fe, γ-iron, and Fe₃C, respectively. Raman results prove that the graphitization activity of these four metals is in the order of Cu?<?Mo?<?Ni?<?Fe. Metal properties such as catalytic activity, carbon solubility, and tendency of metal carbide formation were related to the graphene-based structure formation during catalytic graphitization of kraft lignin process.

     

Nucleation of misfit dislocations and plastic deformation in core/shell nanowires

During fabrication of metal nanowires, an oxide layer (shell) that surrounds the metal (core) may form. Such an oxide-covered nanowire can be viewed as a cylindrical core/shell nanostructure, possessing a crystal lattice mismatch between the core and shell. Experimental evidence has shown that, in response to this mismatch, mechanical stresses induce plastic deformation in the shell and misfit dislocations nucleate at the core/shell interface. As a result, the mechanical, electrical and optoelectronic properties of the nanowire are affected. It is therefore essential to be able to predict the critical conditions at which misfit dislocation nucleation at the nanowire interface takes place and the critical applied load at which the interface begins deforming plastically. Two approaches are explored in order to analyze the stress relaxation processes in these oxide-covered nanowires: (i) energy considerations are carried out within a classical elasticity framework to predict the critical radii (of the core and shell) at which dislocation nucleation takes place at the nanowire interface; (ii) a strain gradient plasticity approach is applied to estimate the flow stress at which the interface will begin deforming plastically (this stress is termed “interfacial-yield” stress). The interfacial-yield stress, predicted by gradient plasticity, depends, among other material parameters, on the radii of the core and shell. Both approaches demonstrate how the geometric parameters of nanowires can be calibrated so as to avoid undesirable plastic deformation; in particular, method (i) can give the radii values that prevent misfit dislocation formation, whereas method (ii) can provide, for particular radii values, the critical stress at which interface deformation initiates.     

Strain control in germanium nanowires: the use of a silicon nitride shell

The core–shell geometry is a strong tool for inducing and controlling strains in nano‐objects in order to tune their optoelectronic properties. We synthesized and characterized core–shell nanostructures by depositing a non‐epitaxial silicon nitride shell around germanium nanowires. Scanning electron microscopy as well as energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy confirms the structural integrity of the heterostructures, and grazing incidence X‐ray diffraction measurements reveal the presence of a radial tensile strain in the Ge nanowires. A control of this strain is then demonstrated up to 0.3% by adjusting the SiN_x shell thickness versus Ge nanowire diameter. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Study of the effect of varying core diameter,shell thickness and strain velocity on the tensile properties of single crystals of Cu–Ag core–shell nanowire using molecular dynamics simulations

Core–shell type nanostructures show exceptional properties due to their unique structure having a central solid core of one type and an outer thin shell of another type which draw immense attention among researchers. In this study, molecular dynamics simulations are carried out on single crystals of copper–silver core–shell nanowires having wire diameter ranging from 9 to 30 nm with varying core diameter, shell thickness, and strain velocity. The tensile properties like yield strength, ultimate tensile strength, and Young’s modulus are studied and correlated by varying one parameter at a time and keeping the other two parameters constant. The results obtained for a fixed wire size and different strain velocities were extrapolated to calculate the tensile properties like yield strength and Young’s modulus at standard strain rate of 1 mm/min. The results show ultra-high tensile properties of copper–silver core–shell nanowires, several times than that of bulk copper and silver. These copper–silver core–shell nanowires can be used as a reinforcing agent in bulk metal matrix for developing ultra-high strength nanocomposites.     

Structural,electronic and magnetic properties of hcp Fe,Co and Ni nanowires encapsulated in zigzag carbon nanotubes

The structural, electronic and magnetic properties of hcp transition metal (TM = Fe, Co or Ni) nanowires TM₄ encapsulated inside zigzag nanotubes C(m, 0) (m = 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12), along with TM _n (n = 4, 10 or 13) encapsulated inside C(12, 0), have been systematically investigated using the first-principle calculations. The results show that the TM nanowires can be inserted inside a variety of zigzag carbon nanotubes (CNTs) exothermically, except from the systems TM₄@(7, 0) and TM₁₃@(12, 0) which are endothermic. The charge is transferred from TM nanowires to CNTs, and the transferred charge increases with decreasing CNT diameter or increasing nanowire thickness. The magnetic moments of hybrid systems are smaller than those of the freestanding TM nanowires, especially for the atoms on the outermost shell of the nanowires. The magnetic moment per TM atom of TM/CNT system increases with increasing CNT diameter or decreasing nanowire thickness. Both the density of states and spin charge density analysis show that the spin polarization and the magnetic moments of all hybrid systems mainly originate from the TM nanowires, implying these systems can be applied in magnetic data storage devices.     

Growth of self-assembled ZnO nanowire arrays

This paper reports on ZnO nanowires arrays synthesized using Sn as a catalyst. The Sn particles were produced from the reduction of SnO₂ powders via a vapour-solid growth process. Control of growth conditions led to the formation of ZnO nanowire arrays, radial nanowire ‘flowers’ and uniaxial fuzzy nanowires. ZnO nanowire–nanobelt junctions were also grown by changing the growth direction. As-grown nanowire arrays could be fundamental materials for investigating physical and chemical properties at nano-scale dimensions.     

Formation of Si nanowires by the electrochemical reduction of porous Ni/SiO2 blocks in molten CaCl2

Silicon nanowires (SiNWs) were prepared by the electrochemical reduction of solid Ni/SiO₂ blocks in molten CaCl₂ at 1173 K. The SiNWs have diameter distributions ranging from 80 to 350 nm, and the nickel–silicon droplets are found on the tips of the nanowires. The growth mechanism of SiNWs was investigated, which confirmed that the nano-sized nickel–silicon droplets formed at the Ni/SiO₂/CaCl₂ three-phase interline. The droplets lead to the oriented growth of SiNWs. Formation of nano-sized nickel–silicon droplets suggests that this method could be a potential way to produce nano-sized metal silicides.     

Fabrication of hollow thin films of yttria-stabilized zirconia by chemical vapor infiltration using NiO as oxygen source

Deposition of yttria-stabilized zirconia films on surface oxidized Ni wire substrate by chemical vapor infiltration (CVI) using ZrCl₄ and YCl₃ as metal sources and NiO as oxygen source were studied. The resultant films were cubic crystals of YSZ with a Y₂O₃ content of 1.0–3.7 mol%. The growth rate is larger than that obtained by conventional method of chemical vapor deposition (CVD), increased with the flow rate and decreased with diameter of NiO fiber. The growth rate above its thickness of 4 μm decreased with an increase in the oxidation temperature since the porosity of NiO wire might decrease with an increase in the oxidation temperature. Growth of YSZ films with the CVI method simultaneously involved CVD and electrochemical vapor deposition (EVD).     

Synthesis and morphology of silicon oxide nanowires from a free jet activated by electron-beam plasma

Silicon oxide nanowires were synthesized from monosilane–argon–hydrogen mixture by the gas-jet electron-beam plasma chemical deposition method with simultaneous oxygen injection into the vacuum chamber. The synthesis was performed on monocrystalline silicon substrates covered with micron and nanometer tin catalyst particles. The nanowires are formed the via vapor–liquid–solid mechanism in the “catalyst-on-bottom” mode, in which many nanowires grow from one catalyst particle. The process of synthesizing nanowires on a substrate with catalyst consists of three stages: heating to synthesis temperature, hydrogen plasma treatment, and nanowire growth. In the substrate region corresponding to the jet axis, different structures are formed depending on the catalyst particle size. For catalyst particles under 100 nm, there are formed structures of chaotically oriented and interlaced bundles of silica nanowires. For catalyst particles of 0.3–1 micron, there are formed oriented arrays of cylindrically shaped nanowire bundles (“microropes”). Cocoon-like structures are formed for catalyst particles of more than 1 micron.We propose a model of nanowire growth by this method, which is based on nonuniform heating of a catalyst particle by a directed plasma flow. It was found that for synthesis of oriented microrope arrays the initial tin film thickness should be less than 100 nm and the synthesis process should include a hydrogen plasma treatment stage.     

InAs/GaAs和InAs/InxGa1-xAs/GaAs纳米线异质结构的生长研究

利用金辅助金属有机化学气相沉淀法(MOCVD)在GaAs(111)B衬底上分别制备了InAs/GaAs和InAs/In _{x Ga1-xAs/GaAs(0≤x≤1)纳米线异质结构.实验结果显示,直接生长在GaAs纳米线上的InAs纳米线生长方向杂乱或者沿着GaAs纳米线侧壁向衬底方向生长,生长的含有In x Ga1-xAs组分渐变缓冲段的InAs/In x Ga1-x关键词： 纳米线异质结构 xGa1-xAs')" href="#">InxGa1-xAs 组分渐变缓冲层 金属有机化学气相沉淀法}     

Al纳米线不同晶向力学行为和变形机制的模拟

采用分子动力学模拟计算方法,考察具有较高层错能的Al纳米线沿不同晶向的力学行为和变形机制。在相同计算条件下与具有较低层错能的Ni、Cu、Au和Ag等FCC金属纳米线进行比较。结果表明：在力学行为方面,Al纳米线的弹性模量呈现明显的结构各向异性,满足E_[111] > E_[110] > E_[100]的关系,这一关系在FCC金属纳米线中普遍成立;Al纳米线的屈服应力随晶向呈现σ_y[100] > σ_y[111] > σ_y[110]的关系,这一关系在具有较低层错能的FCC金属纳米线中不具有普遍性,这与体系中位错形成机制密切相关。根据拉伸变形过程微观结构的演变规律,阐明Al纳米线不同晶向的变形机制,并与具有较低层错能的Ni、Cu、Au和Ag等FCC金属纳米线的变形机制进行比较。结果表明,对于尺度较小的高层错能Al纳米线,Schmid因子和广义层错能均难以准确预测其变形机制。     

磁场对模板法制备的Co纳米线结构和磁性的影响

在用二次氧化法制备的高度有序的氧化铝模板上通过交流电化学方法制备了Co纳米线阵列．研究了外加磁场及电解液pH值对纳米线生长的影响．在pH值为6.0和6.5的电解液中分别在不加磁场和沿纳米线轴向施加0.3 T磁场情况下制备了hcp结构的Co纳米线阵列．实验数据表明,沉积时外加磁场和调节pH值能有效影响纳米线中hcp结构的Co晶粒的易磁化轴沿纳米线长轴方向生长．由于晶粒的磁晶各向异性和纳米线沿长度方向的宏观形状各向异性叠加,制备的Co纳米线阵列具有高垂直各向异性,高矫顽力和较高矩形比． 关键词： Co纳米线阵列 织构 磁性     

Morphological control of Ni/NiO core/shell nanoparticles and production of hollow NiO nanostructures

Chemical synthesis coupled with a microwave irradiation process allowed for the control of size (6–40 nm), shape, and shell thickness of Ni/NiO core/shell nanoparticles. In this unique synthetic route, the size of Ni nanoparticles (NiNPs) was strongly influenced by the nickel salt-to-stabilizer ratio and the amount of the stabilizer. Interestingly, it was observed that the shape of the nanoparticles was altered by varying the reaction time, where longer reaction times resulted in annealing effects and rupture of the stabilizer micelle leading to distinct shapes of Ni/NiO core/shell nanostructures. Product cooling rate was another important parameter identified in this study that not only affected the shape, but also the crystal structure of the core/shell nanoparticles. In addition, a simple and cost-effective method of microwave irradiation of NiNPs led to the formation of distinctly shaped hollow NiO nanoparticles. These high surface area core/shell nanoparticles with well-controlled morphologies are important and can lead to significant advancement in the design of improved fuel cells, electrochromic display devices, and catalysis systems.     

Room-temperature magnetic properties of SiC based nanowires synthesized via microwave heating method

Two kinds of ferromagnetic SiC based nanowires with and without Ni catalyst were successfully synthesized by employing microwave heating method. The comprehensive characterizations and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) have been applied to investigate the micro-structures and magnetic properties of as-grown nanowires. For the nanowires synthesized without using Ni catalyst, the diameters and lengths are in the range of 20–60 nm and dozens of micrometers, respectively. Particularly, the results of transmission electron microscopy (TEM) show that the nanowires consist of SiC core and SiO_x shell. The SiC/SiO_x coaxial nanowires exhibit room-temperature ferromagnetism with saturation magnetization (Ms) of 0.2 emu/g. As to the nanowires obtained using Ni catalyst, the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results indicate that the Ni catalyzed nanowires have a nano-particle attached on the tip and a uniform diameter of approximately 50 nm. The vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) growth mechanism can be used to explain the formation of the Ni catalyzed nanowires. The detection result of VSM indicates that the Ni catalyzed nanowires possess the paramagnetism and the ferromagnetism, simultaneously. The enhancement of the ferromagnetism, compared with the SiC/SiO_x coaxial nanowires, could be attributed to the Ni₂Si and NiSi phases.     

Preparation,characterization, and electrochemical performances of graphene/Ni(OH)2 hybrid nanomaterials

We report a class of core–shell nanomaterials that can be used as efficient surface-enhancement Raman scattering (SERS) substrates. The core consists of silver nanowires, prepared through a chemical reduction process, that are used to capture 4-mercaptobenzoic acid (4-MBA), a model analyte. The shell was prepared through a modified Stöber method and consists of patchy or full silica coats. The formation of silica coats was monitored via transmission electron microscopy, UV–visible spectroscopy, and phase-analysis light-scattering for measuring effective surface charge. Surprisingly, the patchy silica-coated silver nanowires are better SERS substrate than silver nanowires; nanomolar concentration of 4-MBA can be detected. In addition, “nano-matryoshka” configurations were used to quantitate/explore the effect of the electromagnetic field at the tips of the nanowire (“hot spots”) in the Raman scattering experiment.     

Structural characterization of ZnO/ Er2O3 core/shell nanowires

Zinc oxide/erbium oxide core/shell nanowires are of great potential value to optoelectronics because of the possible demonstration of laser emission in the 1.5 μm range. In this paper we present a convenient technique to obtain structures of this composition. ZnO core nanowires were first obtained by a vapor–liquid–solid (VLS) method using gold as a catalyst. ZnO nanowires ranging from 50 to 100 nm in width were grown on the substrates. Erbium was incorporated into these nanowires by their exposure to Er(tmhd)₃ at elevated temperatures. After annealing at 700 C in air, the nanowires presented 1.54 μm emission when excited by any of the lines of an Ar⁺ laser. An investigation of nanowire structure by HRTEM indicates that indeed the cores consist of hexagonal ZnO grown in the 001 direction while the surface contains randomly oriented Er₂O₃ nanoparticles. EXAFS analysis reveals that the Er atoms possess a sixfold oxygen coordination environment, almost identical to that of Er₂O₃. Taken collectively, these data suggest that the overall architectures of these nanowires are discrete layered ZnO/ Er₂O₃ core/shell structures whereby erbium atoms are not incorporated into the ZnO core geometry.