Morphology modulated growth of bismuth tungsten oxide nanocrystals

Two kinds of bismuth tungsten oxide nanocrystals were prepared by microwave hydrothermal method. The morphology modulation of nanocrystals synthesized with precursor suspension's pH varied from 0.25 (strong acid) to 10.05 (base) was studied. The 3D flower like aggregation of Bi₂WO₆ nanoflakes was synthesized in acid precursor suspension and the nanooctahedron crystals of Bi_3.84W_0.16O_6.24 were synthesized in alkalescent precursor. The dominant crystal is changed from Bi₂WO₆ to Bi_3.84W_0.16O_6.24 when the precursor suspension changes from acid to alkalescence. The growth mechanisms of Bi₂WO₆ and Bi_3.84W_0.16O_6.24 were attributed to the different solubility of WO₄²⁻ and [Bi₂O₂]²⁺ in precursor suspensions with various pH. For the decomposition of Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation (λ>400 nm), different morphology of Bi₂WO₆ crystal samples obtained by microwavesolvothermal process showed different photocatalytic activity.     

五氧化二钽纳米柱的水热合成和光催化性能

以聚乙烯醇(PEG)为结构导向剂,利用水热法合成了形貌可控的Ta2O5纳米柱.采用X射线衍射、扫描电镜、透射电镜、漫反射紫外-可见光谱和光致发光光谱对所制备样品进行了表征.考察了结晶时间和Ta2O5/Sr(OH)2摩尔比等合成参数对样品形貌的影响,并在此基础上对Ta2O5纳米粒可能的生长机理进行了推测.结果表明,在PEG和Sr(OH)2存在条件下可以合成形貌可控的Ta2O5纳米柱.研究了紫外光下Ta2O5纳米柱降解罗丹明B的光催化性能,发现Ta2O5的形貌对光催化性能有很大影响, Ta2O5纳米柱的光催化性能与其长度和直径比成线性关系.催化降解反应的表观速率常数最高可达0.156 min–1,且经多次循环使用后,样品仍然保持较高的催化性能.     

A simple method to synthesize NiO fibers

Nickel oxide fibers with diameters 1-2 μm and lengths up to 100 μm were synthesized by a simple pyrolytic decomposition method in NaCl flux with NiSO₄ as precursor. X-Ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques were used to characterize these fibers. They have single-crystal structure, large aspect ratios and macroscopic quantity. Suitable precursor and molten NaCl environment are conjectured to be key factors in this method.     

Direct growth of comet-like superstructures of Au-ZnO submicron rod arrays by solvothermal soft chemistry process

The synthesis, characterization and proposed growth process of a new kind of comet-like Au-ZnO superstructures are described here. This Au-ZnO superstructure was directly created by a simple and mild solvothermal reaction, dissolving the reactants of zinc acetate dihydrate and hydrogen tetrachloroaurate tetrahydrate (HAuCl₄·4H₂O) in ethylenediamine and taking advantage of the lattice matching growth between definitized ZnO plane and Au plane and the natural growth habit of the ZnO rods along [001] direction in solutions. For a typical comet-like Au-ZnO superstructure, its comet head consists of one hemispherical end of a central thick ZnO rod and an outer Au-ZnO thin layer, and its comet tail consists of radially standing ZnO submicron rod arrays growing on the Au-ZnO thin layer. These ZnO rods have diameters in range of 0.2-0.5 μm, an average aspect ratio of about 10, and lengths of up to about 4 μm. The morphology, size and structure of the ZnO superstructures are dependent on the concentration of reactants and the reaction time. The HAuCl₄·4H₂O plays a key role for the solvothermal growth of the comet-like superstructure, and only are ZnO fibers obtained in absence of the HAuCl₄·4H₂O. The UV-vis absorption spectrum shows two absorptions at 365-390 nm and 480-600 nm, respectively attributing to the characteristic of the ZnO wide-band semiconductor material and the surface plasmon resonance of the Au particles.     

Syntheses and characterization of a new nano-structured bismuth(III) bromide coordination polymer; new precursor for preparation of bismuth(III) bromide and bismuth(III) oxide nanostructures

Nanoparticles of a Bi(III) coordination polymer, {[Bi(μ-4,4′-bipy)Br₄] · (4,4′-Hbipy)} _n (1) (4,4′-bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine), were synthesized by a sonochemical method. The new nanoparticles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), IR spectroscopy, and elemental analyses. Compound 1 was structurally characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The thermal stabilities of 1 as bulk and at nanosize were studied by thermal gravimetric (TG) and differential thermal analyses (DTA). The Bi₂O₃ and BiBr₃ nanostructures were obtained by calcinations of nanostructure of 1 in air and argon.     

Facile synthesis and characterization of uniform CdS colloidal spheres

Uniform CdS colloidal spheres have been successfully synthesized via a simple hydrothermal method.X-ray diffraction(XRD) analyses indicate that the products exhibit a hexagonal structure.Scanning electron(SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are used to characterize CdS colloidal spheres.The final size of the spheres may be selected from a range of 71±2 nm to approximately 181±5 nm by changing the amount of polyvinylpyrrolidone(PVP) and hexamethylenetetramine(HMT).The CdS colloidal spheres are not obtained in the absence of either of the capping agents.A synergistic effect between HMT and PVP is proposed to be crucial for the formation of colloidal spheres.     

Size-controlled synthesis and growth mechanism of monodisperse tellurium nanorods by a surfactant-assisted method

This article describes a surfactant-assisted approach to the size-controlled synthesis of uniform nanorods of trigonal tellurium (t-Te). These nanorods were grown from a colloidal dispersion of amorphous Te (a-Te) and t-Te nanoparticles at room temperature, which was first formed through the reduction of (NH4)2TeS4 by Na2SO3 in aqueous solution at 80 degrees C. Nuclei formed in the reduction process had a strong tendency to grow along the [001] direction due to the inherently anisotropic structure of t-Te. The formation of Te nanorods could be ascribed to the confined growth through the surfactant adsorbing on the surfaces of the growing Te particles. By employing various surfactants in the synthesis system, Te nanorods with well-controlled diameters and lengths could be reproducibly produced by this method. Both the diameters and lengths of nanorods decreased with the increase of the alkyl length and the polarity of the surfactants. Te nanorods could also be obtained in mixed surfactants, where the different surfactants were used to selectively control the growth rates of different crystal planes. We also observed that the as-synthesized nanorods with uniform size could be self-assembled into large-area smecticlike arrays.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of hexagonal and monoclinic neodymium orthophosphate single-crystal nanowires

Hexagonal and monoclinic NdPO₄ nanowires about 5-50 nm in diameter and up to several micrometers long were prepared through hydrothermal reaction in 100°C and 220°C, respectively. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). Furthermore, both the temperature and the pH value influence on the products were investigated.     

Coordination polyhedron growth mechanism model and growth habit of crystals

A new growth mechanism model, coordination polyhedron growth mechanism model, is introduced from the angle of the coordination of anion and cation to each other at the interface. It is pointed out that the force driving the growth unit to enter the crystal lattice is the electrostatic attraction force between ions, whose relative size can be approximately measured by the electrostatic bond strength (EBS) that reaches a nearest neighbor anion (or cation) in the parent phase from a cation (or anion) at the interface. The growth habits of NaCI, ZnS, CaF2 and Csl crystals are discussed, and a new growth habit rule is proposed as follows. When the growth rate of a crystal is determined by the step generation rate, the growth habit of this crystal is related to the coordination number of the ion with the smallest coordination rate at the interface of various crystal faces. The smaller the coordination number of the ion at the interface, the faster the growth rate of corresponding crystal face. When the growth     

Topotactic synthesis of Co3O4 nanoboxes from Co(OH)2 nanoflakes

Hollow nanocubes of spinel Co₃O₄ with the dimension of 20 nm were successfully prepared via a facile and reproducible solvothermal route. The structure and morphology of Co₃O₄ nanoboxes were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM) techniques. And a possible growth mechanism of Co₃O₄ nanoboxes were suggested that solid Co₃O₄ nanocubes nucleate in-situ and grow epitaxially from hexagonal β-Co(OH)₂ precursors with the structural matching relationship of [0 0 1] β-Co(OH)₂//[1 1 1] Co₃O₄, and then solid Co₃O₄ nanocubes gradually hollow and convert to single-crystal nanoboxes owing to Ostwald ripening.     

三元荆棘状Zn1-xCdxO纳米结构及其光致发光特性

以锌粉(Zn)、镉粉(Cd)为源材料, 金(Au)做催化剂, 采用热蒸发法, 在硅(Si)衬底上制备出掺Cd摩尔分数为6.7%的三元荆棘状Zn1-xCdxO单晶纳米结构. 荆棘状纳米结构样品的主干直径均一, 约为100 nm. 主干两侧刺的直径和长度分别约为10和100 nm. 由于Cd替位原子对ZnO带隙的调节作用, 样品的近带边(NBE)紫外(UV)发射从3.37 eV红移到3.13 eV. 结果表明, 氧气(O2)分压是形成荆棘状Zn1-xCdxO纳米结构的重要条件.     

Influence of synthesis and operating parameters on silicalite-1 membrane properties

The present study deals with the synthesis of nanostructured silicalite-1 membranes on porous α-Al₂O₃ supports by a hydrothermal method. Different parameters including the synthesis conditions (temperature and alkalinity) and operating conditions (temperature and pressure) were investigated. The membranes were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques. The optimum synthesis temperature and alkalinity were determined to be 160 °C and pH = 11, respectively. The permeability of CO₂ and CH₄ through the optimized membrane was determined by the pressure drop method. The results revealed that the main effective separation mechanism was adsorption. The permeation of CO₂ and CH₄ declined with increasing temperature, whereas high feed pressures enhanced the single gas flux. The CO₂ and CH₄ permeability values at 30 °C and 2 bar were 1.62 × 10^?7 and 2.07 × 10^?7 mol m^?2 s^?1 Pa^?1, respectively. Furthermore, the response surface methodology analysis confirmed the significance of all the variables and the proposed model. Excellent correlation between the experimental and predicted data (R² = 0.99) was obtained, confirming that response surface methodology is a powerful tool for modeling nanostructured silicalite-1 membrane processes.     

Structure and growth of single crystal SiP2 using flux method

A new orthorhombic phase of silicon diphosphide has been grown in Sn flux by using Gd as a mineralizer. It is a needle-like crystal and its structure has been determined through single crystal X-ray diffraction and elemental analysis. It crystallizes in the orthorhombic space group Pnma (No. 62, Z = 8) with cell parameters: a = 10.0908(19) Å, b = 3.4388(6) Å and c = 13.998(3) Å and the final R value is 0.0294. It has a layered structure that is closely related to the Pbam phase of SiP₂. Its optical band gap is 1.45 eV and it decomposes at 1002 K.     

Nucleation and growth of BaFxCl2-x nanorods

Different ratios and sizes of Ba2F3Cl (BaFxCl2-x, x=1.5) nanorods and nanowires and orthorhombic BaF2 (BaFxCl2-x, x=2) nanorods were prepared by using a liquid-solid-solution approach at 160 approximately 180 degrees C. The processes and results of the experiments conducted to prepare monodisperse Ba2F3Cl nanorods and nanowires showed that the specific surface area increased as the initial concentrations were multiplied. Based on this fact, a mechanism for the nucleation and growth processes of these nanocrystals that have a variety of enlarged sizes was substantiated in view of the surface chemical thermodynamics (SCT). In this SCT mechanism, the specific surface energy takes into account both the surfactant oleic acid and the nanocrystal surface, and is dominated by the chemical potential of the adsorbate.     

Controlled synthesis, growth mechanism and highly efficient solar photocatalysis of nitrogen-doped bismuth subcarbonate hierarchical nanosheets architectures

The synthesis and self-assembly of hierarchical architectures from nanoscale building blocks with unique morphology, orientation and dimension have opened up new opportunities to enhance their functional performances and remain a great challenge. This work represents tunable synthesis of various types of 3D monodisperse in situ N-doped (BiO)(2)CO(3) hierarchical architectures composed of 2D single-crystal nanosheets with dominant (001) facets by a one-pot template-free hydrothermal method from bismuth citrate and ammonia solution. Depending on the concentration of ammonia solution, the morphology of N-doped (BiO)(2)CO(3), including dandelion-like, hydrangea-like and peony flower-like microspheres, can be selectively constructed due to different self-assembly patterns of nanosheets. It was revealed that the ammonia played dual roles in the formation of N-doped (BiO)(2)CO(3) architectures. One is to hydrolyze bismuth citrate, and the other is to behave as a nitrogen doping source. The in situ doped nitrogen substituted for oxygen in (BiO)(2)CO(3) and subsequently narrowed the band gap, making N-doped (BiO)(2)CO(3) visible light active. Due to the special nanosheets architectures, the prepared various N-doped (BiO)(2)CO(3) materials exhibited especially efficient photocatalytic activity and high durability for the removal of NO in air under both visible and UV light irradiation. Based on the direct observation of the growth process with respect to phase structure, chemical composition and morphological structure, a novel growth mechanism is revealed, which involves a unique multistep pathway, including reaction-nucleation, aggregation, crystallization, dissolution-recrystallization, and Ostwald ripening. The facile synthesis approach and the proposed growth mechanism could provide new insights into the design and controlled synthesis of inorganic hierarchical materials with new or enhanced properties.     

A low-temperature synthesis of ultraviolet-light-emitting ZnO nanotubes and tubular whiskers

We have successfully synthesized single-crystal ZnO nanotubes and tubular whiskers by employing Zn(NO₃)₂·6H₂O, NH₃·H₂O as the starting materials in the presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG, M_w=2000) at ambient pressure and low temperature (70 °C). Characterizations are carried out by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM, HRTEM) and photoluminescence (PL) measurement. The results show that the as-prepared ZnO are tubular textures, which have average cross-sectional dimensions of 200-300 nm, lengths of 2-3.5 μm, and wall thickness of 80 nm. These tubular products demonstrate a sharp ultraviolet excitonic emission peak centered at 385 nm at room temperature. A possible growth mechanism and the influence of the reaction temperature on the formation of crystalline ZnO are presented.     

Controlled hydrothermal synthesis of bismuth oxyhalide nanobelts and nanotubes

Ternary bismuth oxyhalide crystalline nanobelts (such as Bi24O31Br10, Bi3O4Br, Bi12O17Br2, BiOCl, and Bi24O31Cl10) and nanotubes (such as Bi24O31Br10) have been synthesized by using convenient hydrothermal methods. The composition and morphologies of the bismuth oxyhalides could be controlled by adjusting some growth parameters, including reaction pH, time, and temperature. All the nanostructures were characterized by using various methods including X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution TEM, electron diffraction, and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. The possible reaction mechanism and growth of the crystals are discussed based on the experimental results.     

Synthesis and structural characterization of YVO3 prepared by sol–gel acrylamide polymerization and solid state reaction methods

The formation of the YVO₃ compound obtained by sol–gel acrylamide polymerization is reported. This synthesis method is contrasted with solid state reaction. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) results show the formation of YVO₃ at 805 °C compared with 1312 °C for solid state reaction. Thermogravimetric analysis (TG) results show that between 400 and 600 °C the denaturalization of the organic part, ethylenediamine, and the decomposition of nitrates occur. The evolution of YVO₄ into YVO₃ was also studied by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The refinement results obtained for both YVO₃ samples show an orthorhombic phase with Pbnm (62) space group and lattice parameters: a = 5.283 Å, b = 5.605 Å and c = 7.580 Å. Grain size and morphology evolution for different heat treatments were studied with scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The use of sol–gel acrylamide synthesis allows us to start with a homogeneous grain distribution with a mean size of 5.03 ± 0.65 nm growing up to 4.11 ± 0.87 μm in YVO_4. After reduction to YVO₃ the final grain size was 2.87 ± 0.10 μm also with grain size homogeneity. This is in contrast with samples prepared by solid state reaction for which the grain size starts (YVO₄) between 1 and 7.0 μm and ends (YVO₃) with a size distribution centered at 90.32 ± 74.46 μm. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) results corroborate XRD results. Energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) results are in agreement with theoretical values.     

Chemical growth of ZnO nanorod arrays on textured nanoparticle nanoribbons and its second-harmonic generation performance

On the basis of the highly oriented ZnO nanoparticle nanoribbons as the growth seed layer (GSL) and solution growth technique, we have synthesized vertical ZnO nanorod arrays with high density over a large area and multi-teeth brush nanostructure, respectively, according to the density degree of the arrangement of nanoparticle nanoribbons GSL on the glass substrate. This controllable and convenient technique opens the possibility of creating nanostructured film for industrial fabrication and may represent a facile way to get similar structures of other compounds by using highly oriented GSL to promote the vertical arrays growth. The growth mechanism of the formation of the ordered nanorod arrays is also discussed. The second-order nonlinear optical coefficient d₃₁ of the vertical ZnO nanorod arrays measured by the Maker fringes technique is 11.3 times as large as that of d₃₆ KH₂PO₄ (KDP).     

CCl2(A1B1和a3B1)被酮类分子猝灭速率常数的测定

对CCl4/Ar混合气体脉冲直流高压放电产生CCl2自由基,经过约110μs后,再用541.52mm激光将电子基态CC2激励到激发态A1B1(0,4,0)振动态K=0能级上,通过检测激发态CCl2(A)时间分辨荧光信号,测得室温下CC2(A1B1和a3B1)被酮类分子猝灭的实验结果,用所提出的三能级模型分析处理实验数据,获得态分辨速率常数KA和Ka值.