Pd nanowire arrays as electrocatalysts for ethanol electrooxidation

Highly ordered Pd nanowire arrays were prepared by template-electrodeposition method using anodic aluminum oxide template. The Pd nanowire arrays, in this paper, have high electrochemical active surface and show excellent catalytic properties for ethanol electrooxidation in alkaline media. The activity of Pd nanowire arrays for ethanol oxidation is not only higher that of Pd film, but also higher than that of commercial E-TEK PtRu(2:1 by weight)/C. The micrometer sized pores and channels in nanowire arrays act as structure units. They make liquid fuel diffuse into and products diffuse out of the catalysts layer much easier, therefore, the utilization efficiency of catalysts gets higher. Pd nanowire arrays are stable catalysts for ethanol oxidation. The nanowire arrays may be a great potential in direct ethanol fuel cells and ethanol sensors.     

Electrodeposited highly-ordered manganese oxide nanowire arrays for supercapacitors

Large arrays of well-aligned Mn oxide nanowires were prepared by electrodeposition using anodic aluminum oxide templates. The sizes of nanowires were tuned by varying the electrotype solution involved and the MnO₂ nanowires with 10 μm in length were obtained in a neutral KMnO₄ bath for 1 h. MnO₂ nanowire arrays grown on conductor substance save the tedious electrode-making process, and electrochemical characterization demonstrates that the MnO₂ nanowire arrays electrode has good capacitive behavior. Due to the limited mass transportation in narrow spacing, the spacing effects between the neighbor nanowires have show great influence to the electrochemical performance.     

钯纳米线电极的制备及其应用于乙醇的电化学氧化研究

纳米线作为纳米科学领域中的重要一员,因其优异的光学、电学及磁学等特性引起了凝聚态物理学界、化学界以及材料科学界科学家们的极大关注,并己成为当今纳米科技研究的热点领域[1].纳米线的制备方法有多种,本文提及的模板法制备纳米线结构技术是20世纪90年代初发展起来的一种既经济又简便实用的新工艺[2].     

Synthesis of ordered Al nanowire arrays

Ordered Al nanowire arrays with the same nanowire density but the diameters decrease radially embedded in one piece of anodic alumina membranes were successfully fabricated by two-step synthesis: electrodeposition of Zn and replacement in AlCl₃ solution. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and selected-area electron diffraction techniques were used to characterize the Al nanowires obtained. SEM and TEM images taken from the different areas of Al nanowire arrays show that we can control the growth of aligned Al nanowires with different diameters in a single process at the same time. The investigation results not only have potential applications in photoelectric devices but also open up a new method for fabricating nano-scale materials.     

Electrochemical synthesis of ordered alumina nanowire arrays

Ordered Al₂O₃ nanowire arrays embedded in the nanochannels of anodic alumina membranes (AAMs) were synthesized by electrodepostion at room temperature. Our synthetic route yielded large quantities of Al₂O₃ nanowires of uniform size and shape that are ~40 μm long with diameters of 70 nm. The Al₂O₃ nanowire structures were characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopies, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Electronic Publication     

Synthesis and characterization of highly ordered BiFeO3 multiferroic nanowire arrays

We report the synthesis and characterization of multiferroic BiFeO₃ (BFO) nanowires. The perovskite BFO nanowires with diameters about 60 nm and lengths about 10 μm were fabricated by means of the sol-gel method utilizing nanochannel alumina templates with post annealing at 700 °C. The microstructure of the BFO nanowires was investigated by means of x-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy, and the ferroelectric characteristic of BFO nanowires were demonstrated.     

One-step nanocasting synthesis of highly ordered single crystalline indium oxide nanowire arrays from mesostructured frameworks

A one-step nanocasting route has been demonstrated to prepare highly ordered single-crystal indium oxide nanowire (IONW) arrays with mesostructured frameworks. Unlike the reported multistep nanocasting process (synthesis of mesoporous materials, and then incorporation of precursors and formation of inorganic frameworks), a highly ordered mesostructured surfactant-silica monolith with low external surface serves as both the template and the reducing agent and makes the formation of single-crystal IONWs in its channels easily in one step by using normal In(NO(3))(3) as an inorganic precursor. After silica is removed, highly ordered uniform single-crystal IONW arrays with hexagonal (p6mm) or cubic (Ia3d) mesostructures are derived. These new materials are studied by XRD, SEM, TEM, N(2) adsoption, and UV spectrum. Furthermore, this one-step nanocasting synthesis route is a generalized method and can be used to synthesized a highly ordered mesoporous silica monolith with metal oxide nanocrystals in its channels. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a single crystalline mesostructured In(2)O(3) framework.     

Size-dependent orientation growth of large-area ordered Ni nanowire arrays

Large-area ordered Ni nanowire arrays with different diameters have been fabricated by the direct current electrodeposition into the holes of porous anodic alumina membrane. The crystal structure and micrograph of nanowire arrays are characterized by X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The results indicate that the growth orientation of Ni nanowires turns from [110] to [111] direction with increasing diameters of nanowires. The mechanism of the growth was discussed in terms of interface energy minimum principle. The size-dependent orientation of Ni nanowire arrays has the important significance for the design and control of nanostructures.     

Self-assembly of highly ordered Peptide amphiphile metalloporphyrin arrays

Long fibers assembled from peptide amphiphiles capable of binding the metalloporphyrin zinc protoporphyrin IX ((PPIX)Zn) have been synthesized. Rational peptide design was employed to generate a peptide, c16-AHL(3)K(3)-CO(2)H, capable of forming a β-sheet structure that propagates into larger fibrous structures. A porphyrin-binding site, a single histidine, was engineered into the peptide sequence in order to bind (PPIX)Zn to provide photophysical functionality. The resulting system indicates control from the molecular level to the macromolecular level with a high order of porphyrin organization. UV/visible and circular dichroism spectroscopies were employed to detail molecular organization, whereas electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy aided in macromolecular characterization. Preliminary picosecond transient absorption data are also reported. Reduced hemin, (PPIX)Fe(II), was also employed to highlight the material's versatility and tunability.     

Porous alumina membranes with branched nanopores as templates for fabrication of Y-shaped nanowire arrays

Porous anodic alumina membranes with Y-branched and double-branched nanopores were fabricated by the stepwise reduction of anodizing potential during the second step of anodization carried out in 0.3 M oxalic acid. The process of nanoporous layer formation and influence of anodizing parameters on structural features of as-obtained anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes were discussed in detail. The pore rearrangement process occurring after the potential decrease was investigated on the basis of the current density vs. time curves, and results were correlated with the field-emission scanning electron microscope images of the pore bottoms taken after different anodizing durations. It was found that the reorganization of nanopores begins after 600 and 500 s from the time of the potential reduction to 42 and 30 V and the process seems to be completed after about 900 and 800 s, respectively. The through-hole AAO membranes were used as templates for the fabrication of gold and polystyrene nanowires via electrochemical deposition and simple immersing in the polymer solution, respectively. The arrays of hierarchically branched nanowires were synthesized, and the dimensions of nanowires were consistent with the shape and structure of used AAO templates.

     

High proton conductivity of water channels in a highly ordered nanowire

A proton-conductive material based on a crystalline assembly of trimesic acid and melamine (TMA?M, see picture) is reported. Because of the ordered structure of the assembly, the water-saturated proton conductivity for the TMA?M assembly is 5.5?S?cm(-1) , which is the highest proton conductivity measured to date. This exceptionally high conductivity and low-cost fabrication of the material make applications feasible for fuel-cell devices.     

High density copper nanowire arrays deposition inside ordered titania pores by electrodeposition

Large area and free-standing TiO₂ films was prepared by ultrasonic splitting and a chemical etching step was used to open the closed bottom end of TiO₂ films and yields a high aspect-ratio anodic titanium oxide membrane open at both ends. Ordered Cu nanowire structures were fabricated by a simple electroplating method inside high aspect-ratio anodic titanium oxide membrane. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and the X-ray diffraction (XRD) were employed to characterize the resulting samples. Detailed results and the possible mechanism are presented.     

Porous Pt-Ni-P composite nanotube arrays: highly electroactive and durable catalysts for methanol electrooxidation

Porous Pt-Ni-P composite nanotube arrays (NTAs) on a conductive substrate in good solid contact are successfully synthesized via template-assisted electrodeposition and show high electrochemical activity and long-term stability for methanol electrooxidation. Hollow nanotubular structures, porous nanostructures, and synergistic electronic effects of various elements contribute to the high electrocatalytic performance of porous Pt-Ni-P composite NTA electrocatalysts.     

Magnetic field induced assembly of highly ordered two-dimensional particle arrays

Suspended magnetic beads are exposed to an external homogeneous magnetic field which rotates around the axis perpendicular to the field direction. Because of dipolar interactions, magnetic beads assemble in highly ordered two-dimensional hexagonal arrays perpendicular to the rotation axis. By continuous provision of the particle concentration, the growth modes of two-dimensional particle clusters and monolayers are observed. The structure of the resulting assembled objects is analyzed for different field frequencies and particle concentrations. We identify dynamic processes which enhance stability and reduce lattice distortions and, thus, allow for the application of these particle agglomerations as dynamic components in lab-on-a-chip technologies.     

Direct electrodeposition of highly dense Bi/Sb superlattice nanowire arrays

Ordered arrays of Bi/Sb superlattice nanowires with diameters of about 50 nm have been produced by pulsed electrodeposition technique into the pores of anodic alumina membrane (AAM). The structure of Bi/Sb superlattice nanowire can be modulated by controlling the electrodeposition conditions.     

Assembly of highly ordered 2D arrays of silver-PNIPAM hybrid microgels

A strategy was developed for the synthesis of highly ordered 2D arrays of Ag-PNIPAM hybrid microgel.The highly ordered 2D arrays of PNIPAM microgel were prepared by dispersing PNIPAM microgel on a charge-reversible substrate.The microgel spheres self-assembled into a 3D colloidal crystal,and the first 111 plane was fixed in situ onto the substrate as a result of spontaneous charge reversal of the substrate,leaving a high-quality 2D array of PNIPAM microgel.Ag nanoparticles were then synthesized in situ inside the microgel spheres by introduction of Ag+ ions into the microgel spheres and reduction with sodium borohydride.The resulting 2D arrays are highly ordered.The inter-particle distance in the array can be tuned.In addition,the method allows the synthesis of large size arrays and the use of nonplanar substrate.     

Crystals of crystals: fabrication of encapsulated and ordered two-dimensional arrays of microcrystals

A new technique-crystallization in asymmetric microwells-generates arrays of small crystals with controlled size, orientation, and arrangement in space. These arrays of crystals can be generated in a form completely encapsulated in polymer.     

Molecular level dispersed Pd clusters in the carbon walls of ordered mesoporous carbon as a highly selective alcohol oxidation catalyst

Ordered mesoporous carbon containing molecular-level dispersed Pd clusters in the carbon walls can be synthesized by the nanocasting pathway, which shows high selectivity for the oxidation of alcohols to aldehydes.