SnO2 hollow spheres:Polymer bead-templated hydrothermal synthesis and their electrochemical properties for lithium storage

SnO2 hollow spheres have been synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method using sulfonated polystyrene beads as a template followed by a calcination process in air.X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscopy,and transmission electron microscopy show that the as-obtained SnO2 hollow spheres have a wall thickness of about 50 nm,and consist of nanosized SnO2 particles with a mean diameter of about 15 nm.Electrochemical measurements indicate that the SnO2 hollow spheres exhibit improved electrochemical performance in terms of specific capacity and rate capability in comparison with commercial SnO2 when used as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.The enhanced performance may be attributed to the spherical and hollow structure,as well as the building blocks of SnO2 nanoparticles.     

Metal oxide and sulfide hollow spheres: layer-by-layer synthesis and their application in lithium-ion battery

A novel layer-by-layer approach has been developed to synthesize polycrystalline SnO(2) hollow spheres with tunable shell thickness and size using SiO(2) spheres as a template. The surface of the SiO(2) spheres has been first modified by the polyelectrolyte, and subsequently, the compact SnO(2) layer has deposited on the surface of the SiO(2) spheres through a redox reaction because of the electrostatic attraction between the charged species. After HF etching treatment, the uniform SnO(2) hollow spheres have been obtained. The approach presented herein has been extended to synthesize other metal oxide and sulfide hollow spheres such as In(2)O(3) and ZnS. Moreover, the as-synthesized SnO(2) hollow spheres have been applied in lithium-ion battery and show improved performance compared with SnO(2) nanoparticles. The high surface area and stable hollow structure of the SnO(2) hollow spheres may be responsible for the improved performance.     

Formation of SnO2 hollow nanospheres inside mesoporous silica nanoreactors

We report an interesting approach for efficient synthesis of SnO(2) hollow spheres inside mesoporous silica "nanoreactors". The as-prepared products are shown to have a uniform size distribution and good structural stability. When evaluated for their lithium storage properties, these SnO(2) hollow spheres manifest improved capacity retention.     

Synthesis and utilization of monodisperse hollow polymeric particles in photonic crystals

We developed a process to fabricate 150-700 nm monodisperse polymer particles with 100-500 nm hollow cores. These hollow particles were fabricated via dispersion polymerization to synthesize a polymer shell around monodisperse SiO(2) particles. The SiO(2) cores were then removed by HF etching to produce monodisperse hollow polymeric particle shells. The hollow core size and the polymer shell thickness, can be easily varied over significant size ranges. These hollow polymeric particles are sufficiently monodisperse that upon centrifugation from ethanol they form well-ordered close-packed colloidal crystals that diffract light. After the surfaces are functionalized with sulfonates, these particles self-assemble into crystalline colloidal arrays in deionized water. This synthetic method can also be used to create monodisperse particles with complex and unusual morphologies. For example, we synthesized hollow particles containing two concentric-independent, spherical polymer shells, and hollow silica particles which contain a central spherical silica core. In addition, these hollow spheres can be used as template microreactors. For example, we were able to fabricate monodisperse polymer spheres containing high concentrations of magnetic nanospheres formed by direct precipitation within the hollow cores.     

SnO2 hollow nanospheres assembled by single layer nanocrystals as anode material for high performance Li ion batteries

SnO₂ hollow nanospheres were successfully synthesized via a facile one-step solvothermal method.Characterizations show that the as-prepared SnO₂ spheres are of hollow structure with a diameter at around 50 nm,and especially,the shell of the spheres is assembled by single layer SnO₂ nanocrystals.The surface area of the material reaches up to 202.5 m²/g.As an anode material for Li ion batteries,the sample exhibited improved electrochemical performance compared with commercial SnO₂ particles.After cycled at high current rate of 0.5 C,1 C and 0.5 C for 20 cycles,respectively,the electrode can maintain a capacity of 509 mAh/g.The suitable shell thickness/diameter ratio endows the good structural stability of the material during cycling,which promises the excellent cycling performance of the electrode.The large surface area and the ultra thin shell ensure the high rate performance of the material.     

TiO2/SnO2复合空心球在染料敏化太阳能电池中的应用

采用模板辅助法制备了SnO2/TiO2复合空心球,样品直径为1.5~4.0μm,比表面积达到了92.9 m^2·g^-1,复合空心球表现出优越的光散射性能.以这种复合空心球作为染料敏化太阳能电池的光阳极,电池的光电转换效率可达到7.72%,高于SnO2微米球(2.70%)和TiO2微米球(6.26%).此外,以锐钛矿型TiO2纳米晶作为底层,SnO2/TiO2复合空心球作为光散射层制备的双层结构光阳极,电池光电转换效率进一步提升至8.43%.     

Preparation and characterization of silver/TiO2 composite hollow spheres

Silver-coated poly(methyl acrylic acid) (PSA) core-shell colloid particles were prepared by an in situ chemical reduction method. Crystalline silver/titania composite hollow spheres were obtained by coating the as-prepared PSA/silver particles with an amorphous titania layer and subsequently calcining in Ar atmosphere. SEM and TEM investigation indicated that the size of the as-prepared PSA/silver and PSA/silver/TiO(2) core-shell particles and silver/titania composite hollow particles was fairly uniform and the wall thickness of the hollow spheres was in the range of 40-80 nm. UV-vis absorption spectra were recorded to investigate their optical properties.     

Preparation of band gap tunable SnO2 nanotubes and their ethanol sensing properties

SnO(2) nanotubes have been prepared via a facile hydrothermal method at low temperatures using polycarbonate (PC) membrane as a hard template. The walls of as-prepared SnO(2) nanotubes are composed of fine nanocrysalline particles and the size of SnO(2) nanocrystals could be modified by changing reaction temperature. Formation mechanism of SnO(2) nanotubes is also discussed according to the experimental results. Cathodoluminescence properties of the SnO(2) product indicated that the band gap of the nanostructures increase from 3.75 eV with a particle size 5.6 nm to 3.99 eV with a particle size 3.3 nm. The as-prepared SnO(2) nanotubes were found to show enhanced gas-sensing activity and may be used as a candidate for the fabrication of gas sensors.     

Preparation, photocatalytic activities, and dye-sensitized solar-cell performance of submicron-scale TiO2 hollow spheres

We prepared submicron-scale spherical hollow particles of anatase TiO2 by using a polystyrene-bead template. The obtained particles were very uniform in size, with a diameter of 490 nm and a shell thickness of 30 nm. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area measurements revealed a large value of 70 m2/g. The photocatalytic property was investigated by the complete decomposition of gaseous isopropyl alcohol under UV irradiation. It was indicated that the activity of the hollow spheres was 1.8 times higher than that of the conventional P25 TiO2 nanoparticles with a diameter of 30 nm. Furthermore, we fabricated a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC) using an electrode of the TiO2 hollow spheres, and examined the photovoltaic performance under simulated sunlight. Although the per-area efficiency was rather low (1.26%) because of a low area density of TiO2 on the electrode, the per-weight efficiency was 2.5 times higher than those of the conventional DSCs of TiO2.     

Thermo-responsive monodisperse core-shell microspheres with PNIPAM core and biocompatible porous ethyl cellulose shell embedded with PNIPAM gates

A series of size-controllable hierarchically nanostructured magnetic hollow spheres (MHS) (250-2330 nm) have been fabricated by using the hard-template method involving the coprecipitation of ferrite precursor over the pre-synthesized polystyrene spheres with varied sizes under organic solvent-free conditions followed calcinations. The SEM, TEM and HRTEM results indicate that the primary nanoparticles constructing hierarchically nanostructured MHS clearly show the template sphere size-dependent changes in morphologies and stacking modes from disorderly stacked globular and nanorodlike mixed particles, to orderly perpendicularly oriented nanorodlike particles, and to compact horizontally arranged nanospindle particles as the template size is increased. The N(2) adsorption-desorption data reveal that the MHS spheres have a high BET surface area (48-83 m(2)/g) and large pore volumes (0.37-0.66 cc/g). The vibration sample magnetization analysis shows that the MHS spheres have moderate magnetization saturation of 24-37 emu/g. The adsorption results show that the BSA adsorbance is greatly affected by the varied morphologies and stacking modes of primary nanoparticles constructing the MHS spheres and the maximum adsorption occurs on the MHS spheres mainly comprised of perpendicularly oriented nanorodlike primary particles.     

ZnS:Mn2+/聚苯乙烯核壳及ZnS:Mn2+中空球的制备和光谱性质

ZnS:Mn2+ polystyrene (PS) core-shell structures and ZnS:Mn2+ hollow spheres were prepared by a sonoehemical deposition approach. Transmission electron micrograph (TEM) studies show that the PS surface is covered by a thin shell consisted of ZnS: Mn2+ nanoparticles with an average size of 9 nm. ZnS: Mn2+ hollow spheres were obtained by heating the core-shell particles in air at 500 ℃ to drive off PS. The photoluminescence spectrum for the emission band of Mn2+ peaked at 540 nm, and a 45 nm blue shift compared to that of corresponding bulk sample, was discussed based on the Mn-O octahedral distortion induced by shell structure.     

Use of carbonaceous polysaccharide microspheres as templates for fabricating metal oxide hollow spheres

A general method for the synthesis of metal oxide hollow spheres has been developed by using carbonaceous polysaccharide microspheres prepared from saccharide solution as templates. Hollow spheres of a series of metal oxides (SnO2, Al2O3, Ga2O3, CoO, NiO, Mn3O4, Cr2O3, La2O3, Y2O3, Lu2O3, CeO2, TiO2, and ZrO2) have been prepared in this way. The method involves the initial absorption of metal ions from solution into the functional surface layer of carbonaceous saccharide microspheres; these are then densified and cross-linked in a subsequent calcination and oxidation procedure to form metal oxide hollow spheres. Metal salts are used as starting materials, which widens the accessible field of metal oxide hollow spheres. The carbonaceous colloids used as templates have integral and uniform surface functional layers, which makes surface modification unnecessary and ensures homogeneity of the shell. Macroporous films or cheese-like nanostructures of oxides can also be prepared by slightly modified procedures. XRD, TEM, HRTEM, and SAED have been used to characterize the structures. In a preliminary study on the gas sensitivity of SnO2 hollow spheres, considerably reduced "recovery times" were noted, exemplifying the distinct properties imparted by the hollow structure. These hollow or porous nanostructures have the potential for diverse applications, such as in gas sensitivity or catalysis, or as advanced ceramic materials.     

中空TiO_2微球的制备及对聚丙烯酸酯薄膜性能的影响

采用阳离子聚苯乙烯微球作为模板,钛酸四丁酯为钛源,氨水为催化剂,制备了中空TiO_2微球.采用X射线衍射、扫描电镜及比表面测定仪对其形貌和结构进行了表征,并考察了模板粒径、钛源用量以及催化剂用量对中空TiO_2微球形貌的影响.通过物理共混法将其引入至聚丙烯酸酯乳液中并成膜,研究了复合薄膜的保温性能、抗紫外性能及力学性能.结果表明,锐钛矿相中空TiO_2微球模板粒径、钛源用量以及催化剂用量影响中空TiO_2微球的空心尺寸、壁厚及壳层致密性.中空TiO_2微球可显著提升聚丙烯酸酯薄膜的保温性能、抗紫外性能和力学性能.采用不同粒径的模板制备的中空TiO_2微球对复合薄膜的各项性能均有影响,其中模板粒径为140 nm时复合薄膜性能最优,光反射率提升63%,导热系数降低27%,且在波长小于360 nm范围内,紫外透过率几乎为0,抗张强度增加100%,断裂伸长率提升62%.     

Solvothermal synthesis of hollow ZnS spheres

Mono-dispersed semiconductor ZnS hollow spheres with the diameter of 300-500 nm and the shell thickness of about 100-150 nm have been synthesized successfully by solvothermal method from ethanol solution in the presence of a special surfactant-quaternary ammonium salt of 2-undecyl-1-dithioureido-ethyl-imidazoline (SUDEI) made in our lab. The mono-dispersed ZnS hollow spheres are characterized by XRD, size distribution investment, UV-vis, TEM, and SEM, respectively. The UV-vis measurement indicates that there is a broad absorption at 210-280 nm, which is likely to be caused by "hollow-effect." A growth mechanism of ZnS hollow spheres has also been put forward and discussed.     

SnO_2纳米棒负载Pd-Cu空心球催化剂的制备及其对乙醇氧化电催化性能研究

本文通过简单溶剂热反应合成棒状SnO2,然后以谷氨酸为添加剂,乙二醇为分散剂和还原剂,溶剂热合成SnO2纳米棒负载的Pd-Cu球形空壳催化剂.透射电镜结果表明Pd-Cu空心球粒径大约100 nm,并且分布均匀.电化学测试结果表明,该催化剂对乙醇氧化表现出较高的电催化活性和稳定性,其中电流密度可达119.4 mA cm?2,研究表明,合适的金属氧化物的引入可使催化剂释放更多的活性位点从而提高催化剂的电催化活性.     

The formation of mesoporous TiO2 spheres via a facile chemical process

The mesoporous TiO(2) solid and hollow spheres have been synthesized via a controllable and simple chemical route. Structural characterization indicates that these TiO(2) mesoporous spheres after calcined at 500 degrees C have an obvious mesoporous structure with the diameters of 200-300 nm for solid spheres and 200-500 nm for hollow spheres. The average pore sizes and BET surface areas of the mesoporous TiO(2) solid and hollow spheres are 6.8, 7.0 nm and 162, 90 m(2)/g, respectively. Optical adsorption investigation shows that TiO(2) solid and hollow spheres possess a direct band gap structure with the optical band gap of 3.68 and 3.75 eV, respectively. A possible formation mechanism for TiO(2) solid and hollow spheres is discussed.     

三元添加剂水溶液体系制备CaCO3空心球

利用原位聚合方法, 通过加入一定量的引发剂使甲基丙烯酸原位聚合, 在三嵌段共聚物(P123)、聚甲基丙烯酸(PMAA)和十二烷基硫酸钠(SDS)的三元添加剂混合溶液体系中成功地制备了CaCO3空心球. 采用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)和X射线粉末衍射(XRD)对合成样品的形貌、结构进行了表征. 结果显示, 方解石CaCO3空心球直径约0.5-2 μm. 空心球壁由直径约25-35 nm的圆形粒子组成, 壁厚约100-300 nm. 利用核鄄壳机理解释了空心球结构的形成过程.     

TiO2 and SnO2@TiO2 hollow spheres assembled from anatase TiO2 nanosheets with enhanced lithium storage properties

TiO(2) and SnO(2)@TiO(2) hollow spheres assembled from anatase TiO(2) nanosheets with exposed (001) high-energy facets are constructed via a templating approach, and the as-prepared samples exhibit enhanced lithium storage properties.     

以手性两亲小分子自组装体为模板制备介孔二氧化硅空心球

合成了手性阳离子型两亲性小分子化合物,利用圆二色谱分析了其在水中形成的自组装体的结构;以该化合物的自组装体为模板,在正丙醇和氨水的混合溶剂中制备得到了介孔二氧化硅空心球;利用扫描电镜、透射电镜、X射线衍射仪以及氮气吸附-脱附试验装置分析了二氧化硅空心球的形貌及孔结构.结果表明,两亲性小分子在水中形成的自组装体呈现手性堆积;合成的介孔二氧化硅空心球的直径约为600~800nm,壁厚约为100~150nm,其孔道垂直于球的表面,孔径约为3.0nm,比表面积约为306m2·g-1.正丙醇作为模板控制二氧化硅空心球的空腔尺寸和形貌,而两亲性小分子的自组装体作为模板控制放射状孔道的形貌和尺寸.     

A microemulsion-template-interfacial-reaction route to copper sulfide hollow spheres

CuS hollow spheres have been successfully synthesized through a facile microemulsion-template-interfacial-reaction route using copper naphthenate as metal precursor and thioacetamide as the source of S(2-). In this way, hollow spheres could be obtained directly since the reaction of two reactants respectively dissolved in two different phases of an oil-in-water (o/w) microemulsion only occurs at the oil/water interface. Therefore, it is a key for forming hollow spheres to optimize the interfacial reaction rate by controlling reaction conditions. Furthermore, the size of the hollow spheres can be tailored by changing the content of oil phase. In this study, the average diameter of the CuS hollow spheres can be adjusted from 110 to 280 nm by changing the content of oil phase from 0.5 ml to 1.5 ml. In addition, the reaction temperature is a very important factor for forming CuS hollow spheres and the appropriate reaction temperature is about 50 °C.