Fabrication of hollow silica microspheres utilizing a hydrothermal approach

Hollow silica microspheres(HSMSs) have been successfully fabricated via a facile hydrothermal route using D-glucose as the sacrificial template and sodium silicate powder as the silica precursor.The resulting silica hollow particles were characterized by scanning electron microscopy(SEM),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),X-ray diffraction(XRD),and infrared spectroscopy(IR).The surface area was determined using the BET method.SEM and TEM images exhibited micro-sized silica hollow particles with a size of ~1.5μm.     

General and Facile Syntheses of Metal Silicate Porous Hollow Nanostructures

Porous hollow nanostructures have attracted intensive interest owing to their unique structure and promising applications in various fields. A facile hydrothermal synthesis has been developed to prepare porous hollow nanostructures of silicate materials through a sacrificial‐templating process. The key factors, such as the concentration of the free metal cation and the alkalinity of the solution, are discussed. Porous hollow nanostructures of magnesium silicate, nickel silicate, and iron silicate have been successfully prepared by using SiO₂ spheres as the template, as well as a silicon source. Several yolk–shell structures have also been fabricated by a similar process that uses silica‐coated composite particles as a template. As‐prepared mesoporous magnesium silicate hollow spheres showed an excellent ability to remove Pb²⁺ ions in water treatment owing to their large specific surface and unique structures.     

Novel and facile method for the preparation of monodispersed titania hollow spheres

The fabrication of monodispersed hollow spheres in varying sizes and shapes is very interesting and has a lot of potential applications. This paper provides a very simple route to preparing hollow titania spheres using polystyrene (PS) as a template. In this approach, the titania shells were first formed and the PS cores were dissolved subsequently, even synchronously, in the same medium; neither an additional dissolution nor a calcination process was needed to remove the PS cores. Transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and Barret-Emmet-Teller measurements were used to characterize the monodispersed hollow titania spheres. A possible formation mechanism of the hollow spheres was proposed.     

Synthesis of novel tantalum oxide sub-micrometer hollow spheres with tailored shell thickness

Sub-micrometer-sized hollow tantalum oxide (Ta2O5) spheres with tunable shell thickness and void size have been fabricated exploiting beta-diketone-functionalized polystyrene (PS) beads as sacrificial templates in a sol-gel process. First, a controlled precipitation of Ta2O5 nanoparticles was carried out on the template surface by hydrolyzing tantalum ethoxide (Ta(OEt)5) at room temperature, and subsequently, the polymer core was removed either via chemical treatment with toluene or calcination at 650 degrees C. The thickness of the tantala shell precipitated on the PS core during the coating process was tuned between 100 and 142 nm by varying the concentration of tantala precursor in the reaction media. The obtained Ta2O5-coated PS particles and hollow microspheres were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetric analysis. Due to the unique optical and dielectric properties, these nanostructured materials are envisaged to be used in applications such as novel building blocks for the fabrication of advanced materials, surface coatings, catalysts, and drug delivery systems.     

Tubular carbon nano-/microstructures synthesized from graphite powders by an in situ template process

Through the use of commercial graphite powders as the carbon sources, a variety of interesting tubular carbon nano- and microstructures, such as networked carbon nanotubes, aligned carbon microtubes with hexagonal cross-sections, aligned tapered carbon tubes, and hollow carbon microhorns, have been successfully synthesized. As-grown tubular carbon structures were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray energy-dispersive spectroscopy. An in situ template mechanism was proposed to explain the possible growth process. The vibrational properties of the synthesized tubular carbon structures were also studied by Raman spectroscopy.     

Preparation and characterization of hollow carambola-shaped silver sulfide microspheres using a microwave-assisted template-free method

A simple and convenient method, free of template, has been proposed to synthesize hollow carambolashaped Ag_2 S microspheres with Ag NO3, thiourea(TU), Na Cl and diethanolamine as reagents using a microwave-assisted method, at low temperatures of below 100 8C. Powder X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(FESEM) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy(HRTEM)were employed to characterize the morphology and composition of those microspheres. The results indicated that the hollow carambola-shaped silver sulfide microspheres(with high purity and homogeneous morphology) were prepared by an Ostwald ripening process. A possible formation mechanism of hollow carambola-shaped Ag2 S microspheres was proposed.     

Fabrication of hollow spheres of metal oxide using fructose-derived carbonaceous spheres as sacrificial templates

In this report, fructose-derived carbonaceous spheres were utilized as sacrificial templates for the fabrication of metal oxide hollow spheres (MOHSs) by a facile hydrothermal approach. Hollow spheres of a series of crystalline metal oxides (α-Fe₂O₃, Cr₂O₃, Co₃O₄, NiO, and ZnO) have been fabricated, utilizing the metal chloride as the oxide precursors. Heating of an aqueous solution of the metal chloride and fructose to moderate temperature in an autoclave affords a spherical composite consisting of a metal precursor shell sheathing a carbonaceous core. Subsequent removal of the interior carbonaceous cores by thermal treatment through oxidation in air produces free-standing crystalline oxides hollow spheres. The MOHSs were characterized by means of SEM, TEM, XRD, IR spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) and sorption measurements. The results show convincingly that using fructose as a sacrificial template after application of a hydrothermal synthesis route could be a favourable sacrificial template for the fabrication of various MOHSs.     

SnO2 hollow spheres:Polymer bead-templated hydrothermal synthesis and their electrochemical properties for lithium storage

SnO2 hollow spheres have been synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method using sulfonated polystyrene beads as a template followed by a calcination process in air.X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscopy,and transmission electron microscopy show that the as-obtained SnO2 hollow spheres have a wall thickness of about 50 nm,and consist of nanosized SnO2 particles with a mean diameter of about 15 nm.Electrochemical measurements indicate that the SnO2 hollow spheres exhibit improved electrochemical performance in terms of specific capacity and rate capability in comparison with commercial SnO2 when used as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.The enhanced performance may be attributed to the spherical and hollow structure,as well as the building blocks of SnO2 nanoparticles.     

Synthesis of hollow CaCO3 nanospheres templated by micelles of poly(styrene-b-acrylic acid-b-ethylene glycol) in aqueous solutions

An asymmetric triblock copolymer, poly(styrene-b-acrylic acid-b-ethylene glycol) (PS-b-PAA-b-PEG), was synthesized via reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer controlled radical polymerization. Micelles of PS-b-PAA-b-PEG with PS core, PAA shell, and PEG corona were then prepared in aqueous solutions, followed by extensive characterization based on dynamic light scattering, zeta-potential, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements. The well-characterized micelles were used to fabricate hollow nanospheres of CaCO(3) as a template. It was elucidated from TEM measurements that the hollow nanospheres have a uniform size with cavity diameters of ca. 20 nm. The X-ray diffraction analysis revealed a high purity and crystallinity of the hollow nanospheres. The hollow CaCO(3) nanospheres thus obtained have been used for the controlled release of an anti-inflammatory drug, naproxen. The significance of this study is that we have overcome a previous difficulty in the synthesis of hollow CaCO(3) nanospheres. After mixing of Ca(2+) and CO(3)(2-) ions, the growth of CaCO(3) is generally quite rapid to induce large crystal, which prevented us from obtaining hollow CaCO(3) nanospheres with controlled structure. However, we could solve this issue by using micelles of PS-b-PAA-b-PEG as a template. The PS core acts as a template that can be removed to form a cavity of hollow CaCO(3) nanospheres, the PAA shell is beneficial for arresting Ca(2+) ions to produce CaCO(3), and the PEG corona stabilizes the CaCO(3)/micelle nanocomposite to prevent secondary aggregate formation.     

Microgel-based engineered nanostructures and their applicability with template-directed layer-by-layer polyelectrolyte assembly in protein encapsulation

A novel strategy for the fabrication of microcapsules is elaborated by employing biomacromolecules and a dissolvable template. Calcium carbonate (CaCO(3)) microparticles were used as sacrificial templates for the two-step deposition of polyelectrolyte coatings by surface controlled precipitation (SCP) followed by the layer-by-layer (LbL) adsorption technique to form capsule shells. When sodium alginate was used for inner shell assembly, template decomposition with an acid resulted in simultaneous formation of microgel-like structures due to calcium ion-induced gelation. An extraction of the calcium after further LbL treatment resulted in microcapsules filled with the biopolymer. The hollow as well as the polymer-filled polyelectrolyte capsules were characterized using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and scanning force microscopy (SFM). The results demonstrated multiple functionalities of the CaCO(3) core - as supporting template, porous core for increased polymer accommodation/immobilization, and as a source of shell-hardening material. The LbL treatment of the core-inner shell assembly resulted in further surface stabilization of the capsule wall and supplementation of a nanostructured diffusion barrier for encapsulated material. The polymer forming the inner shell governs the chemistry of the capsule interior and could be engineered to obtain a matrix for protein/drug encapsulation or immobilization. The outer shell could be used to precisely tune the properties of the capsule wall and exterior. [Diagram: see text] Confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) image of microcapsules (insert is after treating with rhodamine 6G to stain the capsule wall).     

Synthesis and Characterization of Silver–Platinum Bimetallic Nanowires and Platinum Nanotubes

A galvanic replacement reaction was used to prepare silver–platinum bimetallic nanowires and platinum nanotubes. Silver nanowires, prepared by boiling aqueous silver nitrate with sodium citrate in the presence of small amount of sodium hydroxide, were used as the sacrificial template in the galvanic reaction to prepare silver–platinum bimetallic nanowires and ultimately hollow platinum nanotubes. The resulting nanomaterials are stable and can be isolated without core aggregation or decomposition. These new materials have been characterized by transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy.     

Tetraethylenepentamine-directed controllable synthesis of wurtzite ZnSe nanostructures with tunable morphology

A novel tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA)-directed method has been successfully developed for the controlled synthesis of ZnSe particles with distinctive morphologies, including nanobelts, nanowires, and hierarchically solid/hollow spheres. These structures, self-assembled from nanobelts and nanorods, have been synthesized by adjusting the reaction parameters, such as the solvent composition, reaction temperature, and the aging time. Results reveal that the volume ratio of H2O and TEPA plays a crucial role in the final morphology of ZnSe products. The mechanisms of phase formation and morphology control of ZnSe particles are proposed and discussed in detail. The products have been characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction, high-resolution TEM, Raman spectra and luminescence spectroscopy. The as-prepared ZnSe nanoparticles display shape- and size-dependent photoluminescent optical properties. This is the first time to report preparation of complex hollow structures of ZnSe crystals with hierarchy through a simple solution-based route. This synthetic route is designed to exploit a new H2O/TEPA/N2H4H2O system possibly for the preparation of other semiconductor nanomaterials.     

Microwave assisted synthesis of manganese mixed oxide nanostructures using plastic templates

The synthesis method for obtaining sub-micrometric structures of rare earth manganese-based mixed oxide compounds is described. Pore wetting of porous polycarbonate templates with the liquid precursor was followed by a two-stage thermal treatment to obtain single phase La_0.325Pr_0.300Ca_0.375MnO₃ hollow and solid structures, with external diameter determined by the sacrificial template pore size. The first thermal stage, a microwave assisted denitration process, determines the shape of the structures. The second treatment, performed at 1073 K, allows to obtain the crystallographic structure of the compound. A variety of techniques (scanning and transmission electron microscopy, scanning probe microscopy) allowed to fully characterize the microstructure and morphology of these self-standing manganite nanostructures. For 1 μm pore size templates we obtained tubes, with external diameter around 800 nm and wall thickness around 150 nm; densely packed nanoparticles sized 20-50 nm are the building blocks of the walls. For pore size below 0.1 μm, solid nanowires were obtained, the size of constituent crystallites being around 10 nm. Overall obtained material exhibits ferromagnetic ordering below 200 K.     

Hollow Nanotubes of N‐Doped Carbon on CoS

Low‐cost, single‐step synthesis of hollow nanotubes of N‐doped carbon deposited on CoS is enabled by the simultaneous use of three functionalities of polyacrylonitrite (PAN) nanofibers: 1) a substrate for loading active materials, 2) a sacrificial template for creating hollow tubular structures, and 3) a precursor for in situ nitrogen doping. The N‐doped carbon in hollow tubes of CoS provides a high‐capacity anode of long cycle life for a rechargeable Li‐ion or Na‐ion battery cell that undergoes the conversion reaction 2 A⁺+2 e^?+CoS →Co+A₂S with A=Li or Na.     

Self‐Templating Synthesis of Hollow Co3O4 Microtube Arrays for Highly Efficient Water Electrolysis

In spite of recent advances in the synthesis of hollow micro/nanostructures, the fabrication of three‐dimensional electrodes on the basis of these structures remains a major challenge. Herein, we develop an electrochemical sacrificial‐template strategy to fabricate hollow Co₃O₄ microtube arrays with hierarchical porosity. The resultant unique structures and integrated electrode configurations impart enhanced mass transfer and electron mobility, ensuring high activity and stability in catalyzing oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions. Impressively, the apparent performance can rival that of state‐of‐the‐art noble‐metal and transition‐metal electrocatalysts. Furthermore, this bifunctional electrode can be used for highly efficient overall water splitting, even competing with the integrated performance of Pt/C and IrO₂/C.     

铂纳米空球的制备及其对甲醇氧化的电催化性能

以粒径为100nm的硒球作模板,在室温下批量合成了粒径约110nm、壳厚约5 nm的铂空球.采用扫描电子显微镜（SEM）、透射电子显微镜（TEM）、高分辨透射电子显微镜（HR-TEM）、选区电子衍射（SAED）、X射线衍射（XRD）、能量色散X射线谱（EDX）等检测技术表征了其形貌与结构;以甲醇为探针分子研究了铂纳米空球修饰玻碳电极对甲醇电氧化的催化性能.结果表明,由铂原子簇团构筑的多孔铂空球粒径均匀、分散性好、结构稳定、比表面积大、传质性能好,是甲醇氧化的理想催化材料.循环伏安（CV）结果表明:当甲醇氧化的电流密度0.10 mA·cm^-2,正扫时,铂纳米空球的氧化电位与实心铂纳米粒子及铂黑相比,分别负移了约110和64mV;负扫时,前者比后两者分别负移了约51与13 mV.经800圈循环伏安扫描后,正扫时,甲醇在铂纳米空球上氧化峰的电流密度为实心铂纳米粒子及铂黑上的13和15倍;负扫时,前者为后两者的19和38倍.表明铂纳米空球对甲醇氧化具有较好的催化活性和稳定性.     

Synthesis and Photocatalytic Activity of Cerium(IV) Fibrous Nanostructures

The method using cellulose as a template was proposed for the synthesis of fibrous structures consisting of cerium(IV) oxide nano-sized particles. The chemical composition and morphology of the samples as functions of the annealing temperature were studied by X-ray diffraction analysis, IR spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. It was shown that CeO2 particles obtained from Ce(NO3)3 by the template synthesis at 800°C have the highest photocatalytic activity in the photodestruction of methyl orange (pH = 3.5, acetate buffer) and phenol. It was revealed that CeO2 particles exhibit photoprotective properties in the hydrotartrate buffer solution of methyl orange.     

Formation of NixCo3−xS4 Hollow Nanoprisms with Enhanced Pseudocapacitive Properties

Hollow nanostructures are of great interest for a wide variety of applications. Despite the great advances, synthesis of anisotropic hollow structures is still very challenging. In this work, we have developed a simple sacrificial template method to synthesize uniform Ni_xCo_3?xS₄ hollow nanoprisms with tunable composition. Tetragonal nanoprisms of nickel–cobalt acetate hydroxide precursors with controllable Ni/Co molar ratios are first synthesized and used as the sacrificial templates. After a sulfidation process with thioacetamide (TAA) in ethanol, the solid precursor prisms can be transformed into the corresponding Ni_xCo_3?xS₄ hollow nanoprisms with a well‐defined hollow interior. The intriguing structural and compositional features are beneficial for electrochemical applications. Impressively, the resultant Ni_xCo_3?xS₄ hollow prisms manifest a high specific capacitance with enhanced cycling stability, making them potential electrode materials for supercapacitors.     

锌离子掺杂的二氧化钛介孔空心微球的制备及光催化性能

以二氧化硅为模板,钛酸四丁酯(TBOT)为钛源,硝酸锌为锌源,采用溶胶凝胶法制备了锌离子掺杂的介孔二氧化钛空心微球。采用X射线衍射(XRD)、比表面积(BET)、透射电镜(TEM)、扫描电镜(SEM)和X射线光电子能谱(XPS)等技术对样品进行表征,以亚甲基蓝(MB)的光催化降解为目标反应评价其光催化活性。结果表明,去核之后的复合微球为空心微球,壁厚为20 nm左右。钛酸四丁酯溶液的滴加时间对微球的形貌影响较大,当滴加时间大于15 min时,可以得到结构清晰的空心微球。用氢氧化钠溶液去除二氧化硅核,反应90 min,二氧化硅可以被完全去除。X射线衍射表明,实验得到的掺杂锌离子的空心微球和没有掺杂锌离子的空心微球都是锐钛矿。当锌离子的摩尔分数为0.3%时,二氧化钛空心微球的晶粒尺寸最小,比表面积最大,催化亚甲基蓝降解的效率最高。     

锌离子掺杂的二氧化钛介孔空心微球的制备及光催化性能

以二氧化硅为模板,钛酸四丁酯（TBOT）为钛源,硝酸锌为锌源,采用溶胶凝胶法制备了锌离子掺杂的介孔二氧化钛空心微球。采用X射线衍射（XRD）、比表面积（BET）、透射电镜（TEM）、扫描电镜（SEM）和X射线光电子能谱（XPS）等技术对样品进行表征,以亚甲基蓝（MB）的光催化降解为目标反应评价其光催化活性。结果表明,去核之后的复合微球为空心微球,壁厚为20nm左右。钛酸四丁酯溶液的滴加时间对微球的形貌影响较大,当滴加时间大于15min时,可以得到结构清晰的空心微球。用氢氧化钠溶液去除二氧化硅核,反应90min,二氧化硅可以被完全去除。X射线衍射表明,实验得到的掺杂锌离子的空心微球和没有掺杂锌离子的空心微球都是锐钛矿。当锌离子的摩尔分数为0.3%时,二氧化钛空心微球的晶粒尺寸最小,比表面积最大,催化亚甲基蓝降解的效率最高。