Solvothermal synthesis of Cr-doped ZnO nanowires with visible light-driven photocatalytic activity

Cr-doped ZnO nanowires were fabricated by a solvothermal route from Zn(NO₃)₂6H₂O, Cr(NO₃)₃9H₂O and NaOH. Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and high resolution transmission electron microscopy results confirmed the doping of Cr into ZnO lattices. UV-vis absorption spectra of both pure ZnO and Cr-doped ZnO displayed a band gap absorption peak at about 365 nm. However, compared with pure ZnO, an additional broad tail from approximately 400 nm to 750 nm appeared in the UV-vis absorption spectrum of Cr-doped ZnO. The photocatalytic studies indicated that the as-synthesized Cr-doped ZnO nanowires were a kind of promising photocatalyst in remediation of water polluted by some chemically stable azo dyes under visible light.     

Synthesis of K6Ta10.8O30 nanowires by molten salt technique

The synthesis of single crystalline K₆Ta_10.8O₃₀ nanowires by molten salt method was reported for the first time. X-ray diffraction results indicated that the as-prepared products were pure phase K₆Ta_10.8O₃₀. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy results showed that the products consisted of wire-like nanostructures with 100-300 nm in diameter and several micrometers in length. High resolution electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction results indicated that the K₆Ta_10.8O₃₀ nanowires were single crystalline with a growth direction of [0 0 1]. The ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance measurement showed that the band gap of the nanowires was about 4.1 eV. The effects of reaction temperature, time, and weight ratio of the precursor (mixture of K₂CO₃ and Ta₂O₅) to KCl salt on the morphology of the products were investigated.     

Rapid synthesis, characterization and optical properties of TiO2 coated ZnO nanocomposite particles by a novel microwave irradiation method

A novel and rapid microwave method was used to prepare TiO₂ coated ZnO nanocomposite particles. The resulted particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Results show that ZnO nanoparticles were coated with 6-10 nm amorphous TiO₂ layers. In addition, zeta potential analysis demonstrated the presence of TiO₂ layer on the surface of ZnO nanoparticles. Photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and UV-visible spectroscopy were used to investigate the optical properties of the nanoparticles. Compared to uncoated ZnO nanoparticles, the TiO₂ coated ZnO nanoparticles showed enhanced UV emission. The UV-visible diffuse reflectance study revealed the significant UV shielding characteristics of the nanocomposite particles. Moreover, amorphous TiO₂ coating effectively reduced the photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanoparticles as evidenced by the photodegradation of Orange G with uncoated and TiO₂ coated ZnO nanoparticles under UV radiation.     

Green hydrothermal synthesis and optical absorption properties of ZnO2 nanocrystals and ZnO nanorods

A green hydrothermal method was proposed for the controllable synthesis of ZnO₂ nanocrystals and ZnO nanorods, using the common and cost-effective 2ZnCO₃·3Zn(OH)₂ powder and 30 mass% H₂O₂ aqueous solution as the raw materials. The characterization results from X-ray diffraction, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy indicated that the products synthesized at 100-120 °C for 6 h or at 170 °C for 0 h were cubic phase ZnO₂ nanocrystals; while those synthesized at 170 °C for 3-6 h were hexagonal phase ZnO nanorods. The UV-vis absorption spectra showed that the as-synthesized ZnO₂ nanocrystals and ZnO nanorods had optical band gaps of about 4.1 and 3.3 eV, respectively.     

Synthesis and characterization of ZnO nanowires for nanosensor applications

In this paper we report the synthesis of ZnO nanowires via chemical vapor deposition (CVD) at 650 °C. It will be shown that these nanowires are suitable for sensing applications. ZnO nanowires were grown with diameters ranging from 50 to 200 nm depending on the substrate position in a CVD synthesis reactor and the growth regimes. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), photoluminescence (PL), and Raman spectroscopy (RS) have been used to characterize the ZnO nanowires. To investigate the suitability of the CVD synthesized ZnO nanowires for gas sensing applications, a single ZnO nanowire device (50 nm in diameter) was fabricated using a focused ion beam (FIB). The response to H₂ of a gas nanosensor based on an individual ZnO nanowire is also reported.     

Synthesis,characterization and growth mechanism of ZnO nanowires on NiCl<Subscript>2</Subscript>-coated Si substrates

Well-crystallized ZnO nanowires have been successfully synthesized on NiCl₂-coated Si substrates via a carbon thermal reduction deposition process. The pre-deposited Ni nanoparticles by dipping the substrates into NiCl₂ solution can promote the formation of ZnO nuclei. The as-synthesized nanowires were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and photoluminescence (PL) spectrum. The results demonstrate that the as-fabricated nanowires with about 60 nm in diameter and several tens of micrometers in length are preferentially arranged along [0001] direction with (0002) as the dominate surface. Room temperature PL spectrum illustrates that the ZnO nanowires exist a UV emission peak and a green emission peak, and the peak centers locate at 387 and 510 nm. Finally, the growth mechanism of the nanowires is briefly discussed.     

Green hydrothermal synthesis and characterization of CdO2 nanoparticles

A green hydrothermal method has been developed for the synthesis of CdO₂ nanoparticles from Cd(OH)₂ powder and 6 vol.% H₂O₂ aqueous solution at 80-150 °C. The characterization results from X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and thermal gravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry analysis disclosed that the resultant products were pure cubic phase CdO₂ nanoparticles with the sizes in the range of about 11-13 nm. The UV-vis absorption spectra revealed that the as-synthesized CdO₂ nanoparticles had similar optical band gaps of about 3.85 eV. The Raman spectra of the as-synthesized CdO₂ nanoparticles displayed two obvious peaks at about 348 and 830/833 cm^-1, a characteristic of pyrite-type IIB-peroxides.     

A facile synthesis of novel nanorod-assembling hollow nanowires of cadmium sulfide/DBTU nanocomposite

Novel nanorod-assembling hollow nanowires of cadmium sulfide/DBTU (N,N′-dibutylthiourea) nanocomposite were synthesized by reacting CdCl₂ with in situ produced H₂S from reaction of butylamine and carbon disulfide at molar ratio 3:3 of CS₂:BuNH₂ at 50 °C. This product was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SEAD), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX), thermogravimetric (TG), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV-vis absorption spectra. A plausible mechanism that the extending DBTU molecules in solvent of CS₂ induce the formation of CdS/DBTU nanorods by coordinating with the formed CdS particles, and construct these nanorods to hollow nanowires via molecular interactions is proposed and discussed on the basis of experimental results. Photoluminescence (PL) of CdS/DBTU nanocomposite exhibits increasing emission intensity largely.     

Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of aligned Zn2GeO4 coated ZnO nanorods and Ge doped ZnO nanocombs

Aligned Zn₂GeO₄ coated ZnO nanorods and Ge doped ZnO nanocombs were synthesized on a silicon substrate by a simple thermal evaporation method. The structure and morphology of the as-synthesized nanostructure were characterized using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The growth of aligned Zn₂GeO₄ coated ZnO nanorods and Ge doped ZnO nanocombs follows a vapor-solid (VS) process. Photoluminescence properties were also investigated at room temperature. The photoluminescence spectrum reveals the nanostructures have a sharp ultraviolet luminescence peak centered at 382 nm and a broad green luminescence peak centered at about 494 nm.     

Synthesis of ZnO flowers and their photoluminescence properties

Flower-like ZnO nano/microstructures have been synthesized by thermal treatment of Zn(NH₃)₄²⁺ precursor in aqueous solvent, using ammonia as the structure directing agent. A number of techniques, including X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scan electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermal analysis, and photoluminescence (PL) were used to characterize the obtained ZnO structures. The photoluminescence (PL) measurements indicated that the as-synthesized ZnO structures showed UV (∼375 nm), blue (∼465 nm), and yellow (∼585 nm) emission bands when they were excited by a He-Gd laser using 320 nm as the excitation source. Furthermore, it has been interestingly found that the intensity of light emission at ∼585 nm remarkably decreased when the obtained ZnO nanocrystals were annealed at 600 °C for 3 h in air. The reason might be the possible oxygen vacancies and interstitials in the sample decreased at high temperature.     

Nonaqueous sol-gel synthesis and growth mechanism of single crystalline TiO2 nanorods with high photocatalytic activity

In this paper, we report on a nonaqueous synthesis of single crystalline anatase TiO₂ nanorods by reaction between TiCl₄ and benzyl alcohol at a low temperature of 80 °C. The resulting samples were characterized with X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption, X-ray photoelectron spectrometry and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. We proposed that the TiO₂ nanorods were formed through an oriented attachment mechanism. More importantly, these single crystalline anatase TiO₂ nanorods exhibited significantly higher photocatalytic activities than commercial photocatalyst P25. This study provides an environmentally friendly and economic approach to produce highly active TiO₂ photocatalyst.     

Synthesis of plasmonic Ag@AgBr nanowires as highly efficient sunlight photocatalyst

Ag@AgBr core–shell nanowires have been synthesized through a simple method. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electronmicroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, were used to characterize the as-synthesized nanowires. The as-prepared Ag@AgBr photocatalyst can be used to remove the pollutants under direct sunlight. The as-prepared Ag@AgBr plasmonic photocatalysts show excellent visible-light photocatalytic performance and good reusability for decomposing organic pollutant of Rhodamine B and methyl orange dyes due to the surface plasmon resonance effect of Ag and AgBr nanoparticles. Additionally, the recycling experiment of Ag@AgBr nanowires has been done, demonstrating that Ag@AgBr nanowires have high efficiency and stability.     

High aspect ratio CdS nanowires synthesized in microemulsion system

CdS nanowires with typical length more than 8 μm and width of 30 nm on average have been successfully synthesized through Cd(NO₃)₂ reacting with CS₂ and ethylenediamine in microemulsion system of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SBDS). The microstructures of the as-synthesized CdS nanowires were characterized using XRD, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and HRTEM. The possible formation mechanism was discussed. The morphologies of CdS sample strongly depend on the concentration of surfactant in solutions.     

Growth of PbTe nanorods controlled by polymerized tellurium anions and metal(II) amides via composite-hydroxide-mediated approach

The pure face-centered-cubic PbTe nanorods have been synthesized by the composite-hydroxide-mediated approach using hydrazine as a reducing agent. The method is based on reaction among reactants in the melts of potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide eutectic at 170-220 °C and normal atmosphere without using any organic dispersant or surface-capping agent. Scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were used to characterize the structure, morphology and composition of the samples. The diameters of nanorods are almost fixed, while the lengths can be tunable under different growth time and temperatures. The growth mechanism of PbTe nanorods is investigated via UV-vis absorption, demonstrating that polymerized tellurium anions and metal(II) amides in the hydrazine hydroxide melts could control the crystallization and growth process of PbTe nanostructures. The band gap of as-synthesized PbTe nanorods has been calculated based on UV-vis-NIR optical diffuse reflectance spectra data.     

A simple and novel low-temperature hydrothermal synthesis of ZnO nanorods

A new simple low-temperature hydrothermal process without addition of any surfactant or complexing agent was put forward to synthesize uniform ZnO nanorods, in which hydrazine hydrate instead of NaOH was used as mineralizer. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy were used to characterize the product, the results of which reveal that uniform ZnO nanorods approximately 70 nm in width and 2 μm in length were formed at 150°C within 8 h. Prior to the hydrothermal process hydrazine hydrate reacted with ZnCl₂ solution to form a complex, and the complex slowly decomposed in the hydrothermal process. All these characteristics were favorable to this additive-free hydrothermal synthesis of ZnO nanorods. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Controllable synthesis of pentagonal silver nanowires via a simple alcohol-thermal method

Pentagonal silver nanowires with diameters in range of 20-40 nm, and lengths up to ~ 10 µm were successfully synthesized via a simple and effective alcohol-thermal route. These nanowires were prepared by reducing silver nitrate in ethanol solution with dodecylamine which acted as complexing, reducing and capping agent. The molar ratio of dodecylamine to AgNO₃ played an important role in controlling aspect ratio of the products. Samples were characterized in detail by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) technologies. UV-vis absorption spectrum of the nanowires in solution has been taken to study their optical properties. Based on the analysis of the experimental results, the possible formation mechanism of nanowires was proposed as well.     

Fabrication of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/ZnO composite nanofibers with enhanced photocatalytic activity

TiO₂/ZnO composite nanofibers have been successfully prepared by electrospinning technique. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectrum, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, were used to characterize the as-synthesized nanofibers. The photocatalytic studies revealed that the TiO₂/ZnO nanofibers exhibited enhanced photocatalytic efficiency of photodegradation. Additionally, the recycling experiment of TiO₂/ZnO nanofibers had been done, demonstrating that TiO₂/ZnO nanofibers have high efficiency and stability.     

Synthesis of ZnGa2O4 nanowires with β-Ga2O3 templates and its photoluminescence performance

This paper focuses on a new but much simple approach in synthesizing cubic spinel-structure ZnGa₂O₄ nanowires through the reaction of β-Ga₂O₃ nanowires templates and ZnO vapor at high temperature. Characterization has been achieved by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The length of as-synthesized ZnGa₂O₄ nanowires is scaled over 10 μm and the diameter is 80 nm respectively. It has been noticed that the concentration of ZnO vapor plays an important role for synthesizing ZnGa₂O₄ nanowires. And with different concentration of ZnO vapor, the very nanowires could be compounded in the form of β-Ga₂O₃:ZnGa₂O₄, ZnGa₂O₄ and ZnO:ZnGa₂O₄. The corresponding photoluminescence emission bands centered at 460 nm, 405 nm and 381 nm have also been observed.     

Green hydrothermal synthesis and photoluminescence property of ZnO2 nanoparticles

ZnO₂ nanoparticles were synthesized via a green hydrothermal method using ZnO powder and 30% H₂O₂ aqueous solution as the starting materials, and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectra, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectra, field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), and room temperature photoluminescence (RTPL) spectra. It was found that suitable reaction temperature (e.g., 80-140 °C) played an important role in obtaining pure cubic phase ZnO₂ nanoparticles. The RTPL spectra disclosed that the as-synthesized ZnO₂ nanoparticles exhibit one strong emission band centered at around 400 nm and one very weak emission band at around 474 nm, which may have originated from the band edge emission and the oxygen vacancy, respectively.     

Synthesis of worm-like Ag2S nanocrystals in W/O reverse microemulsion

High-aspect-ratio of worm-like Ag₂S nanocrystal with length up to several micrometers and a diameter of 25-50 nm has been successfully prepared by a Triton X-100/cyclohexane/hexanol/water W/O reverse microemulsion in the presence of TAA (Thioacetamide) as a sulfur source and EDTA (ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid) as a chelating ligand. The products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-vis diffuse reflectance absorption spectra. The results indicate that the morphology and size of Ag₂S nanocrystal can be readily controlled by modulating the mole ratio of Ag⁺ to EDTA, the molar ratio of water to surfactant (ω₀), and the aging time.