Mild-temperature Synthesis of Covellite Copper Sulfide Hexagonal Nanoplatelets via the Hydrothermal Route

Covellite CuS hexagonal nanoplatelets were prepared by a simple hydrothermal process at mild temperature, using sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate （SDBS） as an assisting reagent. The products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction （XRD）, transmission electron microscopy （TEM） and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. An energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer （EDS） was used to analyze the elementary compositions of the intermediate products. A possible formation mechanism of hexagonal nanoplatelets is discussed, using TEM observations.     

Synthesis of dandelion-like three-dimensional nickel nanostructures via solvothermal route

The objectives of the present research are synthesizing three-dimensional （3D） nickel nanostructures and investigating their magnetic properties. Thus a template-free method was used to prepare 3D dandelion-like nickel nanostructures via reducing of nickel chloride with hydrazine hydrate in ethylene glycol solution at 100 ℃. The resulting Ni nanostructures were characterized by means of powder X-ray diffraction （XRD）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, transmission electron microscopy （TEM）, and selected-area electron diffraction （SAED）. And the magnetic properties of the 3D Ni nanostructures were measured as well. Results indicated that solvothermal process could be successfully used to prepare 3D dandelion-like nanostructures of Ni at a relatively mild temperature of 100℃. And the conclusions were made as follows： as-prepared Ni samples had obvious shape anisotropy and were composed of fine nanocrystallites, while they had significantly enhanced ferromagnetic properties than bulk Ni and Ni nanoparticles.     

Fabrication of hollow silica microspheres utilizing a hydrothermal approach

Hollow silica microspheres(HSMSs) have been successfully fabricated via a facile hydrothermal route using D-glucose as the sacrificial template and sodium silicate powder as the silica precursor.The resulting silica hollow particles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),X-ray diffraction(XRD),and infrared spectroscopy(IR).The surface area was determined using the BET method.SEM and TEM images exhibited micro-sized silica hollow particles with a size of ~1.5μm.     

An alternative aqueous synthetic route to preparing CdTe quantum dots with tunable photoluminescence

An aqueous synthetic route has been developed for the preparation of mercaptosuccinic acid（MSA）-capped CdTe quantum dots （QDs） using TeO₂ as tellurium source and sodium borohydride as reductant.The size and the emission color of CdTe QDs can be tuned by varying the reflux time.The obtained QDs were characterized by photoluminescence（PL） spectroscopy,X-ray powder diffraction（XRD） and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy（HRTEM）.The results show that the CdTe QDs were of zinc-blende crystal structure in a sphere-like shape.     

Transferring CdTe Nanoparticles from Liquid Phase to Polyvinylpyrrolidone Nanofibers by Electrospinning and Detecting Its Photoluminesccnce Property

The major aim of this work was to synthesize thio-stabilized CdTe nanoparticles（NPs） in an aqueous solution, which was then enwrapped with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide（CTAB）, and finally transferred to the polyvinylpyrrolidone（PVP） matrix by electrospinning. The PVP nanofibers containing CdTe NPs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy（SEM） and transmission electron microscopy（TEM）, to observe the morphology of the nanofibers and the distribution of CdTe NPs. The selective area electronic diffraction（SAED） pattern verified that CdTe NPs were cubic lattice. The photoluminescence（PL） spectrum indicated that CdTe NPs existed in an optical style in PVP nanofibers. Moreover, X-ray photoelectron spectra（XPS） revealed that thiol-stabilized CdTe NPs were enwrapped by CTAB, and PVP acted as a dispersant in the process of electrospinning.     

BiOCl nanostructures with different morphologies: Tunable synthesis and visible-light-driven photocatalytic properties

BiOCl nanostructures including microspheres,microflowers,microplates,and nanoplates,have been synthesized by a simple solvothermal method using bismuth nitrate and sodium chloride as raw materials without adding any additives.Structure and morphology of the products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscopy,and transmission electron microscopy.The results indicated that the as-prepared microspheres and microflowers were composed of nanosheets.Although with different shape and lateral size,the nanoplates and microplales were all single-crystalline plates with exposed {001) facets.It was found that the volume ratio of polyethylene glycol 400 and H₂O in the solvent played a key role in the morphology of the products,and the possible growth mechanism was also discussed.The photocatalytic measurements indicated that the BiOCl samples exhibit good photocatalytic properties towards Rhodamine B.     

用于甲烷水蒸气重整的镍基催化剂的失活和再生

The deactivation of nickel catalysts used in Arak and Razi petrochemical complexes followed by catalyst regeneration was evalu-ated. The characterization of the different structures was made by powder X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDS),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),and carbon & sulfur analyzer. The Ni particle size was estimated from XRD patterns and TEM graphs. The agglomeration of nickel particle and the poison by sulfur components were recognized as the main reasons in deactivation of Arak and Razi catalysts,respectively. The activity of the used catalysts before and after regeneration was measured on methane steam reforming at a CH4:H2O ratio of 1:3 at 850 oC. The regeneration processes for Arak and Razi samples were performed with CO2 as an oxidative atmosphere and steam as a regenerating agent,respectively. The results show that,(1) no residual sulfur components were on the regenerated Razi catalyst surface without changing the structure of the catalyst and the regenerated catalyst has gained 80% of its catalytic activity,and that(2) the nickel particle size of regenerated Arak specimen decreased remarkably as measured by Debye-Scherrer equation from XRD patterns. TEM images were in agreement with the XRD results and indicated a decrease in nickel particle size of regenerated catalyst. Additionally,in both regenerated catalysts all the coke on the surface of the support was eliminated after regeneration.     

采用燃烧技术制备CuO纳米粒子:一种高效且环境友好的用于芳族醛合成芳族腈催化剂(英文)

CuO nanoparticles were synthesized using an energy-efficient and rapid solution combustion technique with malic acid employed as a fuel. The combustion-derived CuO nanoparticles were used as catalysts in a one-pot synthesis of aromatic nitriles from aromatic aldehydes and hydroxylamine hydrochloride. The catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, transmission electron microscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area analysis. The catalytic activity of the CuO nanoparticles in the synthesis of aromatic nitriles from aromatic aldehydes was evaluated. The present protocol offers the advantages of a clean reaction, simple methodology, short reaction duration (1-2 min), and high yield (85%-98%). The catalytic activity of the CuO nanoparticles was found to be higher than that of bulk CuO powder under the same conditions. The catalyst can also be recovered and reused up to four times with no significant loss of catalytic activity. The present approach is inexpensive and is a convenient technique suitable for industrial production of CuO nanoparticles and nitriles.     

Effects of boron nitride nanopowder on thermal,chemical and gas barrier properties of starch

Starch/boron nitride （starch/BN） bionanocomposites were prepared with the reinforcement of boron nitride nano powder by solution technique. The dispersion of BN in the starch was achieved by a continuous sonication process. The interaction between starch and boron nitride nanopowder was investigated by Fourier transform infrared （FTIR） spectroscopy. The structural properties of starch/BN bionanocomposites was studied by X-ray diffraction （XRD）. The high resolution transmission electron microscopy （HRTEM） was used for the study of dispersion of boron nitride in starch matrix and diffraction patterns were studied by selected area electron diffraction （SAED）. Thermal stability of the starch was increased with rising concentrations of boron nitride due to incorporation of rigid nano BN with starch matrix. The substantial reduction in oxygen permeability was obtained by increasing the concentration of BN. The biodegradability of synthesized bionanocomposites was measured by using activated sludge water. Further, it was noticed that, starch/BN bionanocomposites are resistant towards inorganic acids and bases. The tensile strength of starch/BN bionanocomposites was increased whereas; the water resistance property of the materials was decreased with increasing BN loading.     

Synthesis and Characterization of La（OH）3 Nanorods by Hydrothermal Microemulsion Method

La（OH）3 nanorods with diameters of 20-40 nm and lengths of 200-300 nm were synthesized by a hydrothermal microemulsion method. The structure and morphology of the final products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction （XRD）, transmission electron microscopy （TEM）, and field emission scanning electron microscope （FESEM）.     

Solvothermal Synthesis and Characterization of HgTe Nanoplatelets Using Mercury(Ⅰ) Source

Mercury telluride (HgTe) nanoplatelets were obtained via a facile solvothermal reaction of mercury(Ⅰ) chloride and tellurium powder in ethylenediamine (en). Mercury(Ⅰ) was first applied as the mercury sources to prepare nanocrystal HgTe; moreover, the proposed mechanism for the fabrication of the sample was discussed in detail. The HgTe nanoplatelets were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM),transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy(HRTEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The absence of IR absorption may render the title nanocrystal useful as an IR transparent material in the region.     

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.     

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.     

Cellulose nanocrystals obtained from microcrystalline cellulose by p-toluene sulfonic acid hydrolysis,NaOH and ethylenediamine treatment

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) were first isolated from microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) by p-toluene sulfonic acid (p-TsOH) hydrolysis. Cellulose II nanocrystal (CNC II) and cellulose III nanocrystal (CNC III) were then formed by swelling the obtained cellulose I nanocrystal (CNC I) in concentrated sodium hydroxide solutions and ethylenediamine (EDA) respectively. The properties of CNC I, CNC II and CNC III were subjected to comprehensive characterization by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The results indicated that CNC I, CNC II and CNC III obtained in this research had high crystallinity index and good thermal stability. The degradation temperatures of the resulted CNC I, CNC II and CNC III were 300 °C, 275 °C and 242 °C, respectively. No ester bonds were found in the resulting CNCs. CNCs prepared in this research also had large aspect ratio and high negative zeta potential.

     

Magnesium hydroxide nanoparticles synthesized in water-in-oil microemulsions

Well-dispersed magnesium hydroxide nanoplatelets were synthesized by a simple water-in-oil (w/o) microemulsion process, blowing gaseous ammonia (NH(3)) into microemulsion zones solubilized by magnesium chloride solution (MgCl(2)). Typical quaternary microemulsions of Triton X-100/cyclohexane/n-hexanol/water were used as space-confining microreactors for the nucleation, growth, and crystallization of magnesium hydroxide nanoparticles. The obtained magnesium hydroxide was characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), high-resolution transmission election microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), laser light scattering, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and thermogravimetric analysis-differential scanning calorimetry (TGA-DSC). The mole ratio of water to surfactant (omega(0)) played an important role in the sizes of micelles and nanoparticles, increasing with the increase of omega(0). The compatibility and dispersibility of nanoparticles obtained from reverse micelles were improved in the organic phase.     

A Facile Sonochemical Method for Synthesis of Mercury Selenide Nanostructures

Mercury selenide (HgSe) nanostructures has been achieved from N–N′-bis(salicylaldehyde)-1,2-phenylenediimino mercury [Hg(salophen)] as a new precursor. Cubic phase HgSe nanoparticles with the size of mostly 20–40 nm were produced by sonication of the Hg(salophen) precursor. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, photoluminescence, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. The results of this paper show that the shape and size of mercury selenide nanostructures can be controlled systematically by adjusting reaction parameters, such as the ultrasonic power, temperature, capping agent and reaction time.     

Large-scale synthesis of mesoporous CoO-doped NiO hexagonal nanoplatelets with improved electrochemical performance

CoO-doped NiO hexagonal nanoplatelets with mesoporous structure were prepared in large scale through a simple solution method followed by calcination process. A series of characterizations such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) revealed that incorporation of 1.0 at.% cobalt did not destroy the crystal lattice of NiO, which still kept the single crystalline nature with the top/bottom surfaces oriented along (111) crystal planes. Galvanostatic electrochemical results showed that the CoO-doped mesoporous NiO nanoplatelets exhibited much-improved specific capacity and better reversible stability than that of the pure NiO porous nanoplatelets and CoO-doped NiO microparticles, which could be ascribed to the co-effect of cobalt doping and porous nanostructure.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Poly-thiophene-nanoporous Silica and its Application for Mercury Removal from Waste Waters

In this work, MCM-41 (Mobil Composition of Matter number 41) nanoporous silica has been synthesized and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction and IR spectroscopy. In the next step, poly-thiophene was coated on the nanoporous silica in order to increase its surface area. This composite was characterized by X-Ray powder diffraction, High resolution transmission electronic microscopy micrograph (HRTEM), elemental analysis (CHNS) and Thermal analysis (TG/DTA). The application of this composite was investigated in mercury ions removal from waste water prior to determination by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). In order to investigate the effect of nanoporous structure on the efficiency of this composite, the same composite without porous structure has been synthesized and the results were compared.