Synthesis and characterization of wurtzite ZnTe nanorods with controllable aspect ratios

ZnTe nanorods with controllable aspect ratios were synthesized using polytellurides a tellurium precursor. The use of polytellurides which allow nucleation and growth at relatively low temperature is the key to formation of wurtzite phase and controlled anisotropic growth along c-axis. The aspect ratio of the resulting ZnTe nanorods was controlled by tuning the temperature that in turn controls the kinetics of the nanocrystal growth. A diameter dependent quantum confinement effect in ZnTe nanorods was observed by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy. Transient absorption measurements show ultrafast charge injection dynamics from ZnTe nanorods, suggesting their strong potential for applications in photocatalysis.     

Growth of single-crystalline KNbO3 nanostructures

This communication reports on the growth of highly uniform KNbO3 nanowires exhibiting a narrow diameter distribution around 60 nm and a length-to-width ratio up to 100. The nanowires were prepared by a hydrothermal route, which enables simple, gram-scale production. A systematic study of the synthesized nanowires in terms of the morphological and chemical characteristics was carried out by varying the temperature-pressure conditions and the composition of the starting mixture. The results indicate that highly uniform single-crystalline nanowires form within a narrow window of the ternary phase diagram of KOH-Nb2O5-H2O.     

Anisotropic wet etched silicon substrates for reoriented and selective growth of ZnO nanowires and enhanced hydrophobicity

Herein we report the fabrication of ZnO nanowires on anisotropic wet etched silicon substrates by selective hydrothermal growth. <100> oriented silicon wafers were first patterned by anisotropic wet etch with a KOH solution, resulting in V-shaped stripes of different periods. Then, a thin layer of gold was deposited and annealed to promote the hydrothermal growth of ZnO nanowires. It was found that the growth rate of ZnO nanowires on <111> surfaces was much higher than that on <100> surfaces. As a first application of such micro- and nanostructured surfaces, we show enhanced wetting properties by measuring the contact angle of water droplets on the samples obtained under different patterning and growth conditions. Our results also demonstrated the possibility of tuning the contact angle of the sample in the range between 115° and 155°, by changing either the pattern of the silicon template or the hydrothermal growth conditions.     

Mechanistic studies on the formation of silver nanowires by a hydrothermal method

Silver (Ag) nanowires were fabricated from silver chloride (AgCl) by the hydrothermal method. The successful formation of Ag nanowires relied on the low solubility of AgCl as a precursor and the structural change of glucose to polymer on the Ag nanowire (protective layer). The Ag(+) ion concentration in the reaction solution containing AgCl was initially low, but after a reaction time of over 12 h, Ag(+) gradually reduced to Ag metal. Transmission electron microscope, Raman spectrometery, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that the surface of the obtained Ag nanowires possessed a carbon-rich layer with a carboxyl group, and the Ag(+) ion coordinated with the carboxyl group of this layer. The difference in the surface-free energy of Ag crystals changed the crystal growth rate that impelled the anisotropic growth of the Ag particles. By examining various reaction conditions, it was determined that the ratio of Cl(-) to Ag(+), reaction temperature, and reaction time are important factors for successful preparation of Ag nanowires. Under the reaction condition that the molar ratio of Cl(-) to Ag(+) at 160 °C for 24 h is above equimolar concentration, uniform Ag nanowires were successfully prepared.     

Hydrothermal synthesis of hexagonal WO3 nanowires with high aspect ratio and their electrochemical properties for lithium-ion batteries

One dimensional WO₃ nanowires with high aspect ratio of >200 were synthesized by hydrothermal method. The effects of reaction temperature and time on phase and morphologies were studied and discussed. In this research, a suitable hydrothermal condition is at 200°C for 48 h. XRD, SEM, and TEM results show that the product is hexagonal WO₃ phase with diameter of 25 nm and several ten micrometers long with growth in the c direction. The electrochemical properties were tested for rechargeable lithium batteries. The WO₃ NWs electrode exhibits a stability trend over the 30 cycle testing. Some long-term activation process is attributed to the WO₃ NWs electrode during charge/discharge reaction.

     

CePO4纳米线的热稳定性及光学性能

以铈盐和磷酸为前驱体, 经水热合成获得了高长径比的具有六方晶型和单斜晶型独居石结构的CePO4纳米线, 采用XRD、HRTEM、SEM和荧光光度计对其晶相组成、形貌及发光性能进行了表征. 结果表明, 六方晶型CePO4纳米线直径约为40 nm, 长度约为3 μm; 单斜晶型独居石结构CePO4纳米线直径约为50 nm, 长度可达10 μm, 产物均为高纯且结晶良好的CePO4晶体. 可通过控制水热反应时间达到控制CePO4纳米线晶型的目的. 随水热反应时间的延长, 磷酸铈纳米线从六方晶型转变为单斜晶型(独居石结构). 随煅烧温度的升高, 磷酸铈纳米线直径增大, 但经1000 ℃煅烧仍具有一维线性结构, 其热稳定性高. 磷酸铈纳米线在紫外光激发下具有可见光区蓝紫发射区, 但随煅烧温度的升高, 磷酸铈纳米线的发光强度明显降低.     

Topochemical synthesis of cobalt oxide-based porous nanostructures for high-performance lithium-ion batteries

Two kinds of topochemical conversion routes from cobalt hydroxide precursors to cobalt oxide-based porous nanostructures are presented: pyrolysis in air and hydrothermal treatment by the Kirkendall diffusion effect. These cobalt hydroxide precursors were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal approach with sodium acetate as mineralizer at 200 °C. Detailed proof indicates that the process of cobalt hydroxide precursor growth is dominated by a nucleation, dissolution, renucleation, growth, and exfoliation mechanism. By the topochemical conversion processes several Co(3)O(4) nanostructures, such as cobalt oxide-coated cobalt hydroxide carbonate nanowires, cobalt oxide nanotubes, hollow cobalt oxide spheres, and porous cobalt oxide nanowires, have been synthesized. The obtained Co(3)O(4) nanostructures have also been evaluated as the anode materials in lithium-ion batteries. It was found that the as-prepared Co(3)O(4) nanostructures exhibited high reversible capacity and good cycle performance due to their porous structure and small size.     

Ultralong cadmium hydroxide nanowires: synthesis, characterization, and transformation into CdO nanostrands

Ultralong Cd(OH)2 nanowires were fabricated by a hydrothermal method from Cd(CH3COO)2 x H2O (0.01 mol/L) and C6H12N4 (0.015 mol/L) aqueous solution at 95 degrees C for 16 h without using any templates and were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The length of the nanowires reached several micrometers, giving an aspect ratio of a few thousands. The formation mechanism of the nanowires is attributed to the oriented attachment of small particles. The growth method for the 1D nanostructure presented here offers an excellent tool for the design of other advanced materials with anisotropic properties. The Cd(OH)2 nanowires efficiently captured negatively charged dye, and the adsorbed dye molecules can be released after the addition of EDTA. The Cd(OH)2 nanowires as template compounds were further transformed into CdO semiconductor nanomaterials with similar morphology by calcination under 350 degrees C in air for 3 h.     

High aspect ratio γ-MnOOH nanowires for high performance rechargeable nonaqueous lithium-oxygen batteries

High aspect ratio γ-MnOOH nanowires (MNWs) are synthesized by a simple one-step hydrothermal method and used as catalysts in rechargeable nonaqueous lithium-oxygen batteries. When the nanowires are employed, great improvements in discharge capacity, cycle stability, and rate retention are obtained, which are attributed to the high catalyst efficiency and the cathode porosity.     

Large aspect ratio titanate nanowire prepared by monodispersed titania submicron sphere via simple wet-chemical reactions

A facile one-step hydrothermal reaction among monodispersed titania submicron spheres and KOH solution was found to result in potassium titanate nanowires with a large aspect ratio. The diameter of these nanowires falls in the range of 50-200 nm and the length ranges from several micrometers to several tens of micrometers. It is found that the reaction temperature, duration, titanium source and the size distribution of titania raw powders have a great impact on the resultant morphology. Monodispersed TiO₂ submicron sphere is beneficail for the formation and growth of large-area lamellar potassium titanate and consequently it is in favor of the production of nanowires with a large aspect ratio. The nanowires were analyzed by a range of methods including powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDX) and UV/Vis spectrophotometer. UV-absorption study showed that these nanowires are wide-band semiconductors with a band gap 3.4 eV. A formation mechanism is proposed on the basis of the dissolving, growth, thickening and splitting of K₂Ti₆O₁₃ nanointermediates.     

液固相水热法制备氧化硅纳米线

利用液固相水热反应方法, 以硅溶胶为硅源, 在三价铁辅助下与乙二胺的水溶液在180 ℃反应4 d后生成具有P21212空间群结构的单晶氧化硅纳米线. 用扫描电子显微镜、透射电子显微镜和多晶X射线衍射对制备的样品进行了表征, 系统研究了有机胺、金属盐、反应时间及反应温度等条件对氧化硅纳米线生长的影响. 结果表明, 随着有机胺碳链的增长, 产物形貌逐渐由纳米线转变为纳米片; 金属阳离子的存在对纳米线形貌有较大的影响, 而阴离子的存在并不影响纳米线的生成; 过低的铁含量导致反应进行不完全, 而过多的铁盐加入则会导致反应中剩余铁氧化物吸附到氧化硅纳米线表面, 进而影响到产物纯度; 反应时间延长及反应温度的提高都有利于氧化硅纳米线的生长. 最佳反应条件为: 有机胺为乙二胺, 硝酸铁为铁源, 硅溶胶为硅源, 硅/铁摩尔比为1∶0.4, 乙二胺与水的体积比为8∶5, 温度为180 ℃.     

液晶模板法制备Au纳米线

利用非离子表面活性剂C₁₂E₄的层状液晶作为模板,以氯金酸(HAuCl₄)水溶液作为体系的水相和反应物,并利用C₁₂E₄中EO基团的还原性制备了Au的纳米线.研究表明,反应物的浓度、液晶体系的组成和反应时间都将影响产物的形貌.在适当条件下,可以得到直径约为20nm,长度达到几微米的均匀金纳米线,并探讨了纳米线形成过程中层状液晶的模板作用.     

多羟基化合物法制备五次孪晶银纳米线的生长机理

运用多羟基化合物方法, 在添加表面活性剂聚乙烯吡咯烷酮(PVP) K30的溶液中合成了多次孪晶银纳米颗粒和纳米线. 运用透射电子显微术(TEM)和光吸收谱, 对不同的摩尔比n(PVP):n(AgNO3)和不同的搅拌条件下制备的纳米线进行了对比研究. 结果表明, 这种方法的制备过程中不仅存在由五个{111}面包裹成的锥形生长, 而且还同时存在垂直于生长方向的{110}层状生长, 并且两者之间还存在着竞争; 另外对纳米线的弯折处进行的高分辨电子显微学研究表明, 纳米线制备过程中遭受的塑性变形在纳米线中产生了大量的层错和位错; 纳米线折断产生的新鲜断口容易成为新的晶粒形核位置.     

Phase-controlled growth of metastable Fe5Si3 nanowires by a vapor transport method

We report the synthesis of single-crystalline nanowires (NWs) of metastable Fe5Si3 phase via an iodide vapor transport method. Free-standing Fe5Si3 NWs are grown on a sapphire substrate placed on a Si wafer without the use of any catalyst. The typical size of the Fe5Si3 nanowires is 5-15 microm in length and 100-300 nm in diameter. Synthesis of the metastable phase is induced by composition-dependent nucleation from the gas-phase reaction. Depending on the concentration ratio of FeI2(g) to SiI4(g), different phases of iron silicides are formed. The growth of nanowires is facilitated by the initial nucleation of silicide particles on the substrate and further self-seeded growth of the NWs. The present work not only provides a method for the synthesis of metastable Fe5Si3 nanowires but also suggests that the phase controlled synthesis can be further optimized to produce other metal-rich silicide nanostructures for future spintronic devices.     

聚吡咯纳米线的恒电位合成及形貌分析

采用恒电位法,直接在石墨电极表面快速合成聚吡咯纳米线,并重点研究了聚吡咯纳米线的生成过程及形貌变化规律。结果表明,聚吡咯纳米线的生成包括成核和生长过程,纳米线的形貌随聚合条件的不同而变化,直径随聚合电位、吡咯单体浓度、电解质浓度的升高而增大,这是由于不同聚合条件下聚吡咯的成核速率不同引起的。     

Ultrathin gold nanowires can be obtained by reducing polymeric strands of oleylamine-AuCl complexes formed via aurophilic interaction

This Communication describes a facile route to the preparation of ultrathin gold nanowires using linear chains formed from [(oleylamine)AuCl] complex via aurophilic interaction. The linear chains, with AuI...AuI bonds as the backbone and surrounded by oleylamines, can group together to form bundles of polymeric strands. When the AuI was reduced to Au0 by reacting with Ag nanoparticles in hexane, the polymeric strands functioned as both the source of Au and the template to mediate the nucleation and growth of Au nanowires. Using this method, we were able to produce Au nanowires with an average diameter of approximately 1.8 nm and an aspect ratio of >1000 in high yields (approximately 70%).     

Growth and characterization of ZnO nanowire arrays electrodeposited into anodic alumina templates in DMSO solution

ZnO nanowire arrays were grown by potentiostatic cathodic electrodeposition on aluminum anodic oxide template (AAO) from dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solutions containing zinc chloride and molecular oxygen as precursors. The nanowires presented high aspect ratio and exhibited a very high crystallinity with a wurtzite crystal structure with preferential orientation along the (0001) crystallographic axis. Chronoamperometric experiments were performed on gold bulk electrodes in order to model this preferential mode growth of ZnO nanowires, which has not been previously reported for similar precursors in DMSO solution. The analysis of the corresponding chronoamperograms revealed that chloride ions influence the oxide nucleation and growth mechanism. It was found that in the absence of KCl as a supporting electrolyte, the data fitted an instantaneous three-dimensional diffusion-controlled (IN-3D)_diff nucleation and growth mechanism (NGM). The presence of KCl, instead favored a progressive three-dimensional (PN-3D)_diff NGM. With these results, a model for the more complex nanowire’s growth inside the pores of the AAO template is proposed.     

Synthesis and characterization of iron silicon boron (Fe5Si2B) and iron boride (Fe3B) nanowires

Single-crystal iron silicon boron (Fe(5)Si(2)B) and iron boride (Fe(3)B) nanowires were synthesized by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method on either silicon dioxide (SiO(2)) on silicon (Si) or Si substrates without introducing any catalysts. FeI(2) and BI(3) were used as precursors. The typical size of the nanowires is about 5-50 nm in width and 1-20 mum in length. Different kinds of Fe-Si-B and Fe-B structures were synthesized by adjusting the ratio of FeI(2) vapor to BI(3) vapor. Single-crystal Fe(5)Si(2)B nanowires formed when the FeI(2) sublimator temperature was kept in the range of 540-570 degrees C. If the FeI(2) sublimator temperature was adjusted in the range of 430-470 degrees C, single-crystal Fe(3)B nanowires were produced. Fe(3)B nanowires grow from polycrystalline Fe(5)SiB(2) particles, while Fe(5)Si(2)B nanowires grow out of the Fe(5)Si(2)B layers, which are attached to triangle shaped FeSi particles. Both the ratio of FeI(2) vapor to BI(3) vapor and the formation of the particles (Fe(5)SiB(2) particles for the growth of Fe(3)B nanowires, FeSi particles for the growth of Fe(5)Si(2)B nanowires) are critical for the growth of Fe(3)B and Fe(5)Si(2)B nanowires. The correct FeI(2) vapor to BI(3) vapor ratio assures the desired phase form, while the particles provide preferential sites for adsorption and nucleation of Fe(3)B or Fe(5)Si(2)B molecules. Fe(3)B or Fe(5)Si(2)B nanowires grow due to the preferred growth direction of <110>.     

Single-crystal nanowires of platinum can be synthesized by controlling the reaction rate of a polyol process

Platinum nanowires of approximately 100 nm in length and approximately 5 nm in diameter have been synthesized by reducing H(2)PtCl(6) with ethylene glycol in the presence of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) and a trace amount of Fe(3+) or Fe(2+). The wires were generated at the final stage of the synthesis, which involved the formation of several intermediate species. The Fe(3+) or Fe(2+) ions had dual functions in the synthesis: they induced aggregation of Pt nanoparticles into larger structures that served as the nucleation sites, and they greatly reduced the reaction rate and supersaturation level to induce anisotropic growth. The reaction mechanism was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV-vis spectral analysis. The Pt nanowires could be readily separated from the surfaces of the agglomerates by sonication and obtained as pure samples by centrifugation.     

无机矿化剂辅助水热合成高长径比的α-Fe2O3多孔纳米线

本文以K2SO4为矿化剂,在100℃低温水热条件下.制备出大量形貌均一、高分散的直径约40 nm、长度为2～3μm的αFeOOH纳米线.该纳米线在300℃煅烧2 h后,得到一维形貌保持良好且表面具有多孔结构、长径比可达20的α-Fe2O3纳米线.通过XRD、FTIR、TG-DSC、HRTEM、SAED以及N2物理吸附技术对产物的形貌和结构进行了表征.研究发现.无机盐对一维纳米线形貌的控制至关重要,还详细讨论了K2SO4在α-FeOOH纳米线的成核和生长过程中所起的作用.