General and facile synthesis of ceria-based solid solution nanocrystals and their catalytic properties

Uniform Ce_1−xZr_xO₂ (x=0.2–0.8) nanocrystals with ultra-small size were synthesized through a thermolysis process, facilitated by the initial formation of precursor (hydrated (Ce,Zr)-hydroxides) at low temperature. TEM, XRD, EDAX, and Raman spectra were employed to study the formation of the solid solutions with various Ce/Zr ratios. Ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectra showed that the ratios of Ce³⁺ to Ce⁴⁺ in both surface and bulk for the as-prepared Ce_1−xZr_xO₂ nanocrystals increased with the zirconium content x. The well-distributed Zr and Ce in the hydrated (Ce,Zr)-hydroxides before their thermolysis became the crucial factor for the structural homogeneity of the products. In addition, this strategy was extended to the synthesis of Ce_1−xGd_xO_1−x/2, Ce_1−xSm_xO_1−x/2, and Ce_1−xSn_xO₂ solid solutions. Catalytic measurements indicated that the ceria-based catalysts were active for CO oxidation at temperatures beyond 250 °C and the sequence of catalytic activity was Ce_0.5Zr_0.5O₂>Ce_0.8Zr_0.2O₂>Ce_0.2Zr_0.8O₂>Ce_0.5Sm_0.5O_1.75.     

Synthesis and aqueous solution properties of a well-defined thermo-responsive schizophrenic diblock copolymer

We report only the second example of a thermo-responsive 'schizophrenic' diblock copolymer surfactant: unlike the original (meth)acrylamide-based example reported by Laschewsky and co-workers (J. Am. Chem. Soc., 2002, 124, 3787), this new methacrylate-based diblock copolymer is near-monodisperse, readily synthesized in high yield and exhibits a broad temperature range between the two micelle transitions.     

Co-Fe普鲁士蓝类配合物纳米颗粒的微乳液法制备与表征

Highly oriented cubic, hollow cubic and spherical nanoparticles of cobalt-iron Prussian blue analogues were synthesized in poly oxyethylene tertoctylphenyl ether (TritonX-100)/n-hexanol/cyclohexane microemulsion. The effects of the water-to-surfactant molar ratio (w), the reactant concentration and the reaction temperature on the morphology of cobalt-iron Prussian blue analogues were studied. The samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), field emission scan electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and infrared spectroscopy (IR).     

Electrosynthesis, characterization and electrocatalytic properties of Prussian Blue (PB) nanoparticles disposed on a template

In the present work, an arrangement of polystyrene (PS) spheres was employed as a pattern for the electrodeposition of nanostructured Prussian blue (PB). The pattern of PS spheres was formed on Indium tin oxide (ITO) glass substrate. The ITO substrate modified by the PS spheres was used as a working electrode for the electrosynthesis of PB. A macroporous PB film constituted by nanoparticles of the compound was obtained after the dissolution of the spheres and was characterized by voltammetric and atomic force microscopy techniques. The electrocatalytic properties of this material were tested in the electrooxidation of hydrazine.     

Electroanalytical applications of Prussian Blue and its analogs

The applications of transition metal hexacyanoferrates in electroanalysis are surveyed. Prussian Blue (ferric hexacyanoferrate) is recognized as the most promising low-potential transducer for hydrogen peroxide reduction among all known systems. The advantages of Prussian Blue over platinum or peroxidase electrodes for hydrogen peroxide detection are discussed. Various types of biosensors based on transition metal hexacyanoferrates and oxidase enzymes are considered. Amperometric biosensors based on Prussian Blue-modified electrodes allow the detection of glucose and glutamate down to 10^–7 mol L^–1 in the flow-injection mode. The future prospects of Prussian Blue-modified electrodes in analytical chemistry for the monitoring of chemical toxic agents, in clinical diagnostics, and in food control are outlined.     

普鲁士蓝纳米修饰电极的制备及表征

采用激光加热拉伸的方法制备铂纳米电极,并通过交流电刻蚀的方法制备纳米孔电极,在这两种电极上可通过电化学方法原位合成单颗普鲁士蓝微晶. 结果表明,普鲁士蓝微晶在纳米微孔电极上的机械附着强度增强. 这种方法可用于制备纳米修饰电极或研究功能微晶体材料的电化学性质.     

反相微乳液法制备膜状普鲁士蓝类配合物纳米材料

在十六烷基三甲基溴化铵(CTAB)/正戊醇/异辛烷/水构成的油包水型(W/O)微乳体系中合成了膜状及50 nm立方状的Co-Fe普鲁士蓝类配合物(cobalt-iron Prussian blue analogues). 研究了w值(水与CTAB的物质的量的比)、反应物浓度和反应温度对产品形貌的影响. 并用原子力显微镜(AFM), 透射电子显微镜(TEM), 电子能谱(EDS), X射线光电子能谱(XPS)和红外(IR)对产品进行了表征.     

Ultralight Mesoporous Magnetic Frameworks by Interfacial Assembly of Prussian Blue Nanocubes

A facile approach for the synthesis of ultralight iron oxide hierarchical structures with tailorable macro‐ and mesoporosity is reported. This method entails the growth of porous Prussian blue (PB) single crystals on the surface of a polyurethane sponge, followed by in situ thermal conversion of PB crystals into three‐dimensional mesoporous iron oxide (3DMI) architectures. Compared to previously reported ultralight materials, the 3DMI architectures possess hierarchical macro‐ and mesoporous frameworks with multiple advantageous features, including high surface area (ca. 117 m² g^?1) and ultralow density (6–11 mg cm^?3). Furthermore, they can be synthesized on a kilogram scale. More importantly, these 3DMI structures exhibit superparamagnetism and tunable hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity, thus allowing for efficient multiphase interfacial adsorption and fast multiphase catalysis.     

Shape-controlled synthesis of well-defined matlockite LnOCl (Ln: La, Ce, Gd, Dy) nanocrystals by a novel non-hydrolytic approach

We report here a novel synthetic route for the preparation of well-defined and faceted nanocrystals of ternary rare earth oxychlorides based on the ligand exchange and condensation of rare earth halides and alkoxides in the presence of coordinating solvents. Nanocubes, faceted 2D nanosheets, and nanodisk morphologies are obtained as a result of preferential growth along specific crystallographic directions dictated by the choice of the rare earth ion and the capping ligand. The synthetic approach reported here represents a unique low-temperature route for the preparation of LnOCl in the PbFCl matlockite phase. The synthetic strategy can further be adapted to incorporate dopant ions. The potential applicability of these nanostructures as phosphors is illustrated by demonstrating the upconversion of near-infrared illumination to green and red emission by Er(3+):GdOCl nanocrystals.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Applications of a New Prussian Blue Type Material

This work reports on a material synthesized via 1‐butyl‐3‐methylimidazolium tetrachloroferrate and K₃[Fe(CN)₆]. Its structure and properties were characterized by IR, XPS, AFM and CV, which was inferred as Prussian Blue Type (PBT) material with particle size distribution between 80–120 nm and spike‐like aggregation from the characterization results. PBT is insoluble in acetone, water and ethanol uniformly, which gives magnetic properties. It can be reacted with 30 % H₂O₂, and produce gas bubbles when a voltage is applied. Modified on the glassy carbon electrode, the material showed obviously electrocatalytic activity to sodium nitrite, which has potential application prospect for sensors.     

普鲁士蓝和苝四甲酸二酐衍生物膜修饰的过氧化氢生物传感器

以玻碳电极(GCE)为基底,采用恒电位法沉积一层普鲁士蓝(PB),然后将苝四甲酸二酐衍生物(PTC-NH2)自组装到其表面,形成既带氨基功能团,又可有效防止PB渗漏的导电膜.通过静电吸附和共价键合作用固定纳米金和辣根过氧化物酶(HRP)的复合物,从而制得性能优良的过氧化氢(H2O2)生物传感器.采用循环伏安法(CV)和计时电流法,考察了传感器的电化学性能.实验表明,本传感器具有灵敏度高、线性范围宽、检出限低、稳定性好、抗干扰能力强等特点.其线性范围为2.0×10-6～1.4×10-3mol/L;检出限为8.3×10-7mol/L(S/N=3).     

Synthesis of Monocrystalline Nanoframes of Prussian Blue Analogues by Controlled Preferential Etching

Metal cyanide coordination compounds are recognized as promising candidates for broad applications because of their tailorable and adjustable frameworks. Developing the nanostructure of a coordination compound may be an effective way to enhance the performance of that material in application‐based roles. A controllable preferential etching method is described for synthesis of monocrystalline Prussian blue analogue (PBA) nanoframes, without the use of organic additives. The PBA nanoframes show remarkable rate performance and cycling stability for sodium/lithium ion insertion/extraction.     

Generalized and facile synthesis of semiconducting metal sulfide nanocrystals

We report on the synthesis of semiconductor nanocrystals of PbS, ZnS, CdS, and MnS through a facile and inexpensive synthetic process. Metal-oleylamine complexes, which were obtained from the reaction of metal chloride and oleylamine, were mixed with sulfur. The reaction mixture was heated under appropriate experimental conditions to produce metal sulfide nanocrystals. Uniform cube-shaped PbS nanocrystals with particle sizes of 6, 8, 9, and 13 nm were synthesized. The particle size was controlled by changing the relative amount of PbCl(2) and sulfur. Uniform 11 nm sized spherical ZnS nanocrystals were synthesized from the reaction of zinc chloride and sulfur, followed by one cycle of size-selective precipitation. CdS nanocrystals that consist of rods, bipods, and tripods were synthesized from a reaction mixture containing a 1:6 molar ratio of cadmium to sulfur. Spherical CdS nanocrystals (5.1 nm sized) were obtained from a reaction mixture with a cadmium to sulfur molar ratio of 2:1. MnS nanocrystals with various sizes and shapes were synthesized from the reaction of MnCl(2) and sulfur in oleylamine. Rod-shaped MnS nanocrystals with an average size of 20 nm (thickness) x 37 nm (length) were synthesized from a 1:1 molar ratio of MnCl(2) and sulfur at 240 degrees C. Novel bullet-shaped MnS nanocrystals with an average size of 17 nm (thickness) x 44 nm (length) were synthesized from the reaction of 4 mmol of MnCl(2) and 2 mmol of sulfur at 280 degrees C for 2 h. Shorter bullet-shaped MnS nanocrystals were synthesized from a 3:1 molar ratio of MnCl(2) and sulfur. Hexagon-shaped MnS nanocrystals were also obtained. All of the synthesized nanocrystals were highly crystalline.     

Electrochemical preparation and characterisation of bilayer films composed by Prussian Blue and conducting polymer

Preparation and electrochemical behaviour of bilayer films consisting of iron(III) hexacyanoferrate, well known as Prussian Blue, and of poly[4,4^′-bis(butylsulphanyl)-2,2^′-bithiophene], on a platinum electrode, are reported. The electrochemical features of the Prussian Blue/conducting polymer bilayer system are examined in aqueous and acetonitrile solutions. Cyclic voltammetric studies show that, in acetonitrile solvent, the inner layer Prussian Blue is electroactive to some extent, though the electrochemical response of the system is mainly accounted for by poly[4,4^′-bis(butylsulphanyl)-2,2^′-bithiophene] outer layer. On the other hand, in aqueous solution Prussian Blue exhibits good electroactivity. Under specific experimental conditions, the individual redox behaviour of each constituent of the bilayer is evidenced in the two solvents separately, i.e., that of PB and that of poly[4,4^′-bis(butylsulphanyl)-2,2^′-bithiophene] in aqueous and in organic solvent, respectively. However, interesting reciprocal influences are evident in the current/potential curves recorded under conditions which are discussed.     

普鲁士蓝正极材料的离子交换法制备及电化学储钾性能

采用氯化钾(KCl)和钠基普鲁士蓝(NPB)材料Na2-xMn[Fe(CN)6]z·yH2O为原料,通过离子交换法制备了掺钠钾基普鲁士蓝(NKPB)材料K1.9Na0.1Mn[Fe(CN)6]·0.4H2O。电化学测试表明,与用传统共沉淀法制备的钾基普鲁士蓝(KPB)材料K1.85Mn[Fe(CN)6]0.98□0.02·0.7H2O(□代表[Fe(CN)6]空位)相比,采用离子交换法制备的NKPB具有更高的容量(0.1C首次放电容量达136.3 mAh·g^-1)、较好的循环稳定性(0.5C经过100次循环,容量保持率为96.1%)和优异的倍率性能(5C和10C容量分别为87.6和68.4 mAh·g^-1)。NKPB优异的电化学性能与其高的钾含量、完整的晶体结构、钠离子掺杂、纳米级的颗粒尺寸,以及独特的开放框架结构有关。     

Size-dependent hydrogen storage properties of Mg nanocrystals prepared from solution

Mg nanocrystals of controllable sizes were prepared in gram quantities by chemical reduction of magnesocene using a reducing solution of potassium with an aromatic hydrocarbon (either biphenyl, phenanthrene, or naphthalene). The hydrogen sorption kinetics were shown to be dramatically faster for nanocrystals with smaller diameters, although the activation energies calculated for hydrogen absorption (115-122 kJ/mol) and desorption (126-160 kJ/mol) were within previously measured values for bulk Mg. This large rate enhancement cannot be explained by the decrease in particle size alone but is likely due to an increase in the defect density present in smaller nanocrystals.     

铁基普鲁士蓝正极的制备及电化学储钠性能

通过引入抗氧化剂(抗坏血酸)和配位剂(柠檬酸钠),采用共沉淀法在室温下制备出了高钠含量、低缺陷的铁基普鲁士蓝材料。由于高的钠含量和低的晶体缺陷,该材料在0.1C时容量可达110.0 mAh·g^-1。除了普鲁士蓝材料独特的开放框架结构,其多边界结构和低的缺陷,使该材料表现出优异的倍率性能和循环稳定性。在10C大电流下,容量仍有86.6 mAh·g^-1,1C电流下经过1300次循环,容量保持在90.1 mAh·g^-1,容量保持率达到86.9%。