Room temperature ferromagnetism in Mn, Ni and Co ions doped Cu2O nanorods

Here we report the synthesis and characterization of Cu₂O nanorods doped with Mn, Ni and Co transition metal ions and the study of their magnetic properties. Synthesis of the nanorods was carried out by the modified polyol method. Powder X-ray diffraction patterns clearly showed them to be polycrystalline single phase material. They exhibited ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature, however no such behavior was observed for the reference undoped sample, which indicated that unintentionally introduced magnetic impurities were not responsible for the observed phenomenon. Ferromagnetic behavior was found to be dependent on the dopant concentration and increased consistently with its increment in the material. The total magnetic moments contribution was calculated for the dopant concentration and was found to be insignificant to account for the observed ferromagnetism, therefore it was suggested that ferromagnetism could have conjured up from the induced magnetic moment in the defects created as cation vacancies in the material. The presence of the defects was supported by the room temperature photoluminescence study which showed that intensity of the peaks was dependent on the dopant concentration and increased consistently with it. There was strong correlation between the magnitude of the photoluminescence peak and the observed ferromagnetic property in the doped samples.     

Room temperature solution synthesis of monodispersed single-crystalline ZnO nanorods and derived hierarchical nanostructures

In this work, we report a room temperature wet-chemical approach to synthesize highly regulated, monodispersed ZnO nanorods and derived hierarchical nanostructures. In particular, ZnO has been prepared into single-crystalline conical or prismatic nanorods, and various hierarchical structures such as hexagonally branched, reversed umbrella-type, and cactus-like ZnO nanostructures comprising individual c-oriented nanorods. Depending on the synthetic conditions used, the diameter of nanorods can be controlled with a size down to 10-30 nm, while the aspect ratio can be controlled up to 50-100. Various preparative parameters, such as initial reactant concentrations, solvents, ligands, surfactants, precursor salts, and reaction time, have been systematically examined. Due to slow reactions at room temperature, excellent crystallinity and high morphological yield (100% in most cases) have been achieved via tuning the synthetic parameters. Our photoluminescence and UV measurements also confirm the attained crystal perfection and size uniformity.     

Green synthesis and characterization of Fe doped ZnO nanoparticles and their interaction with bovine serum albumin

Herein we report an eco-friendly and cost efficient synthesis of Fe doped ZnO (TPFZO) nanoparticles using the extract of Thespesia polpulanea flowers as a stabilizing agent. The synthesized NPs have been characterized by XRD, FT-IR, UV-DRS, SEM, EDAX and TEM studies. The synthesized NPs were found to have the crystallite size in the range of 30–60 ​nm. The calculated band gap energies for ZO and TPFZO nanoparticles were 3.00 ​eV and 1.97 ​eV respectively. The size distribution of the ZO and TPFZO obtained from TEM were observed to be lying in the range 50–120 ​nm and 4–22 ​nm respectively. The interaction of TPFZO NPs with bovine serum albumin (BSA) has been studied using fluorescence and absorption titration methods. The results indicated that the nanoparticles quenched the BSA fluorescence at 340 ​nm via static quenching mode having a bimolecular quenching rate constant value of 6.21 ​× ​10¹³ Lmol⁻¹s⁻¹.     

Room Temperature Magnetic Behavior of Sol-Gel Synthesized Mn Doped ZnO

Mn doped ZnO nano-crystallites were synthesized by state of the art sol-gel derived auto-combustion technique. As-burnt powder was investigated with different characterization techniques to explore the properties of Mn doped ZnO dilute magnetic semiconductor. X-ray diffraction measurements indicate that Mn doped ZnO retain wurtzite type hexagonal crystal structure like ZnO. Compositional and morphological studies were carried out by energy dispersive X-ray analysis and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Tempera-ture dependent resistivity of the sample exhibited the semiconducting behavior of the DMS material. Room temperature magnetic properties determined by vibrating sample magne-tometer, revealed the presence of ferromagnetic and diamagnetic contributions in Mn doped ZnO.     

Controlled synthesis of ZnO from nanospheres to micro-rods and its gas sensing studies

1D ZnO rods are synthesized using less explored hydrazine method. Here we find, besides being combustible hydrazine can also be used as a structure-directing agent. The ratio of zinc nitrate (ZN) to hydrazine is found to control the morphology of ZnO. At lower concentration of ZN as compared with hydrazine the morphology of ZnO is found to be spherical. As we increase the hydrazine content the morphology changes from spherical (diameter  100 nm) to the elongated structures including shapes like Y, T as well dumbbell (diameter  40 nm and length  150 nm). Interestingly for more than 50% of hydrazine ZnO micro-rods are formed. Such rods are of diameter  120 nm having length of about 1 μm for ZN to hydrazine ratio of 1:9, isolated as well as bundle of rods are seen in scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The X-ray diffraction (XRD) reveals the phase formation with average particle size of 37 nm as calculated using Scherrer's formula. The high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) is also done to confirm the d-spacing in ZnO. Gas sensing study for these samples shows high efficiency and selectivity towards LPG at all operating temperatures. Photoluminescence (PL) study for these samples is performed at room temperature to find potential application as photoelectric material.     

Straight and thin ZnO nanorods: hectogram-scale synthesis at low temperature and cathodoluminescence

A novel seed-assisted chemical reaction at 95 degrees C has been employed to synthesize uniform, straight, thin, and single-crystalline ZnO nanorods on a hectogram scale. The molar ratio of ZnO seed and zinc source plays a critical role in the preparation of thin ZnO nanorods. At a low molar ratio of ZnO seed and zinc source, javelin-like ZnO nanorods consisting of thin ZnO nanorods with a diameter of 100 nm and thick ZnO nanorods with a diameter of 200 nm have been obtained. In contrast, straight ZnO nanorods with a diameter of about 20 nm have been prepared. Dispersants such as poly(vinyl alcohol) act spatial obstructors to control the length of ZnO nanorods. The morphology, structure, and optical property of the ZnO nanostructures prepared under different conditions have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and cathodoluminescence. The formation mechanisms for the synthesized nanostructures with different morphologies have been phenomenologically presented.     

Controlled synthesis and luminescence of semiconductor nanorods

A variety of nearly monodisperse semiconductor nanocrystals, such as CdS, ZnS, and ZnS:Mn, with controllable aspect ratios have been successfully prepared through a facile synthetic process. These as-prepared nanocrystals were obtained from the reactions between metal ions and thioacetamide by employing octadecylamine or oleylamine as the surfactants. The effects of reaction temperature and time, ratios of thioacetamide to inorganic precursors, and the reactant content on the size and crystal purity of the nanorods, have been systematically investigated. The optical properties and the formation mechanism of the nanorods have also been discussed. For the next biolabel applications, these hydrophobic nanocrystals have also been transferred into hydrophilic colloidal spheres by means of an emulsion-based bottom-up self-assembly approach.     

Aligned ZnO nanorods: A useful film to fabricate amperometric glucose biosensor

A novel amperometric glucose biosensor has been fabricated on the basis of aligned ZnO nanorod film grown on ITO directly. Glucose oxidase immobilized on the surface of ZnO nanorods are very stable with highly catalytic activity during the measurements, Because of the novel properties of ZnO, such as biocompatibility, non-toxicity, chemical stability, electrochemical activities and high isoelectric point, and the protection effect of Nifion membrane cast on the surface of the film. This biosensor displays excellent analytical performance over a wide linear range along with good selectivity. Interference from uric acid and ascorbic acid which usually coexist with glucose in practical samples has been found to be negligible. This method may be used to construct other amperometric biosensors using aligned nanorod/nanowire films.     

纳米Ag/ZnO微波辅助合成与微波增强光催化罗丹明B

本文通过微波辅助、程序升温溶剂热以及煅烧等不同方法制备了系列纳米复合材料Ag/ZnO,并采用X-射线衍射(XRD)、紫外-可见漫反射吸收光谱(UV-Vis/DRS)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)、氮气吸附-脱附测定以及扫描电子显微镜配合X-射线能量色散谱仪(SEM-EDS)等测试手段对上述合成材料的晶型结构、形貌及表面物理化学性质进行了表征。结果表明,合成过程中辅以微波后其纤锌矿晶型结构未发生明显变化。但同时,其光的吸收性质以及粒子尺寸、形貌以及颗粒分布等方面则有较大改变。其中,经微波辐射、程序升温溶剂热以及煅烧三步处理的样品(mcd-Ag/ZnO)更多呈现规则的六棱柱结构。在紫外光照射和微波辐射下,合成产物光催化降解罗丹明B的实验结果显示,经微波辅助合成的Ag/ZnO光催化活性较未经微波处理样品的活性有较大提高,且明显高于市售P25。同时,mcd-Ag/ZnO在微波辐射下的光催化活性也被有效增强。     

Rational synthetic strategy: From ZnO nanorods to ZnS nanotubes

We demonstrate here that ZnS nanotubes can be successfully synthesized via a facile conversion process from ZnO nanorods precursors. During the conversion process, ZnO nanorods are first prepared as sacrificial templates and then converted into tubular ZnO/ZnS core/shell naonocomposites through a hydrothermal sulfidation treatment by using thioacetamide (TAA) as sulfur source. ZnS nanotubes are finally obtained through the removal of ZnO cores of tubular ZnO/ZnS core/shell naonocomposites by KOH treatment. The photoluminescence (PL) characterization of the as-prepared products shows much enhanced PL emission of tubular ZnO/ZnS core/shell nanocomposites compared with their component counterparts. The probable mechanism of conversion process is also proposed based on the experimental results.     

Combustion synthesis of calcium doped ZnO nanoparticles for the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue dye

ZnO nanoparticles are one of the prominent photocatalysts for environmental applications due to its high redox ability, nontoxic and higher stability. This report explains the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles by a simple solution combustion method using zinc nitrate hexahydrate as an oxidizing agent and incense stick powder as fuel at 400 °C. Several techniques were adopted for the characterization of the obtained product. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern shows that a lower concentration of fuel gives pure ZnO and a higher concentration of fuel results in calcium doped ZnO with a cubic phase having a crystallite size of 32–28 nm. UV–vis spectrum shows that as the fuel concentration increases, band gap decreases and reaches to 3.33 eV for 3 g of fuel. Spongy networks with many pores wereobserved in the scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) images showed the average particle size of Ca doped ZnO NPs is about 20 nm. Pure and Ca doped ZnO nanoparticles were examined for photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye under UV light irradiation. The results prove that Ca doped ZnO nanoparticles show good photocatalytic activity.     

Microwave plasma growth and high spatial resolution cathodoluminescent spectrum of tetrapod ZnO nanostructures

A novel microwave plasma assisted by tube furnace heating system is designed to grow tetrapod ZnO nanostructures. Under optimal reaction conditions, Zn powder is oxidated to form the tetrapod ZnO with straight and uniform four legs (nanorods), bearing diameters ranging from 10 to 25 nm and lengths up to 160 nm. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy analyses reveals that the tetrapod ZnO nanostructures are perfect crystalloid. High spatial resolution cathodoluminescent spectrum for individual tetrapod ZnO nanostructure shows only a strong ultraviolet emission at 385 nm.     

PbTe nanostructures: Microwave-assisted synthesis by using lead Schiff-base precursor,characterization and formation mechanism

Pure cubic phase lead telluride (PbTe) nanostructures have been produced by using a Schiff-base complex as a precursor in the presence of microwave irradiation. The Schiff base used as ligand was derived from salicylaldehyde and ethylenediamine. The Schiff-base complex was marked as [Pb(salen)]. In addition, the effect of the irradiation time and the type of reducing agent on the morphology and purity of the final products was investigated. The as-synthesized PbTe nanostructures were characterized extensively by techniques like X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The microwave formation mechanism of the PbTe nanostructures was studied by XRD patterns of the products. Although it was found that both ionic and atomic mechanisms could take place for the preparation of PbTe, the main steps were according to the atomic reaction process, which could occur between elemental Pb and Te.     

Synthesis,textural and magnetic properties of doped and undoped CuO nanoparticles

We have fabricated undoped CuO, Co_0.1Ni_0.07Zn_0.04Cu_0.79O and Co_0.08Ni_0.07Zn_0.04Mg_0.03Cu_0.78O nanoparticles through thermal decomposition of their respective inorganic copper creatinate hydrazinate and mixed metal doped copper creatinate hydrazinate precursors which were prepared by the co-precipitation method and characterized through EDS, ICP-AES, IR, and TG-DTA analysis. Techniques such as EDS, ICP-AES, FT-IR, XRD, XPS, TEM, SEM, BET, and VSM analysis were employed to characterize the composition, structural phase, chemical state, morphological, textural, and magnetic properties of the nanoparticles.     

Microwave-assisted preparation of cyclic ureas from diamines in the presence of ZnO

A microwave-assisted facile method for the preparation of various ureas, cyclic ureas, and urethanes has been developed that affords nearly quantitative yield of products at 120 °C (150 W), 71 kPa within 10 min using ZnO as a catalyst. The enhanced selectivity in this reaction is attributed to the deployment of ZnO whose absence results in poor yield and the generation of byproducts.     

The effect of solvent on the morphology of ZnO nanostructure assembly by dielectrophoresis and its device applications

Different zinc oxide nanostructured morphologies were grown on photolithographically patterned silicon/silicon dioxide substrates by dielectrophoresis technique using different solvents, such as water and ethanol, obtaining rod-like and net-like nanostructures, respectively. The formation of continuous nanostructures was confirmed by scanning electron microscopic, atomic force microscopic images, and electrical characterizations. The rod-like zinc oxide nanostructures were observed in the 10 μm gap between the fingers in the pattern, whereas net-like nanostructures were formed independently of microgap. A qualitative study about the mechanism for the assembly of zinc oxide continuous nanostructures was presented. Devices were electrically characterized, at room temperature, in controlled environment to measure the conductance behavior in ultraviolet and humidity environment. Devices based on zinc oxide nanostructures grown in ethanol medium show better responses under both ultraviolet and humidity, because of the net-like structure with high surface-to-volume ratio.     

氧化锌纳米棒的水热合成及其光催化性能

以分析纯ZnO作为锌源、NaOH为矿化剂、盐酸为反应溶液pH调节剂,利用水热反应制备了花状ZnO纳米棒;采用扫描电子显微镜和X射线衍射仪分析了产物的形貌和结构,考察了水热温度以及Zn2+和OH-浓度比对产物形貌的影响;以甲基橙为目标降解物,采用紫外-可见分光光度计研究了ZnO纳米棒的光催化性能.结果表明,在水热反应温度80℃、Zn2+/OH-浓度比1∶7.5条件下所得ZnO纳米棒呈花状聚合,直径约为200nm,长度约为2μm,具有六方纤锌矿结构.当甲基橙初始浓度为30 mg.L-1、ZnO纳米棒的投放量为1.5g.L-1时,以300W紫外灯照射150min,甲基橙的降解率可达90%.     

Li doped and undoped ZnO nanocrystalline thin films: a comparative study of structural and optical properties

Thin films of ZnO were grown by the sol–gel method using spin-coating technique on (0001) sapphire substrates. The effect of doping after annealing on the structural and optical properties has been investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), cathodoluminescence (CL) spectrum, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The films that were dried at 623 K and then post annealed at 873 K showed (0002) as the predominant orientation. Two emission bands have been observed from CL spectrum. Lithium doped film shows shift in the near band edge UltraViolet emission peak and suppressed defect level emission peak in the visible range. SEM analysis of the films exhibits many spherical shaped nanoparticles. Roughness of the films determined using atomic force microscopy.      

三维球状ZnO纳米簇的微波辅助合成与微波增强光催化降解染料

采用微波辅助合成方法制备了具有高光催化活性的三维球状ZnO纳米簇, 通过X射线衍射(XRD)、 扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、 透射电子显微镜(TEM)以及氮气吸附-脱附测定等手段对材料进行了表征. 结果表明, 纳米ZnO具有纤锌矿晶型结构, 在微波辐射作用下形成了直径约为3~4 μm的球状纳米簇. 该纳米簇内外结构不同, 表面由尺寸均一的ZnO纳米棒紧密整齐排列, 内核由许多ZnO粒子组成的层状骨架构成. 该纳米簇属介孔材料, 其比表面积在微波作用下显著增大. 以染料罗丹明B为模型分子考察了纳米ZnO在微波辐射下的光催化活性, 结果显示, 微波辅助合成球状ZnO纳米簇在微波增强光催化条件下, 催化活性明显高于未经微波处理的ZnO样品和市售P25, 其对多种染料均有显著的降解效果, 40 min内对染料(除甲基橙外)的降解率可达90%以上.