Direct Synthesis of Ultrathin Pt Nanowire Arrays as Catalysts for Methanol Oxidation

High‐performance electrocatalysts are of critical importance for fuel cells. Morphological modulation of the catalyst materials is a rare but feasible strategy to improve their performance. In this work, Pt nanowire arrays are directly synthesized with a template‐less wet chemical method. The effects of surface functionalization and the reduction kinetics are revealed to be vital to the nanowire growth. The growth mechanism of the Pt nanowires is studied. By adjusting the concentration of the organic ligands, Pt nanowire arrays with tunable surface roughness can be obtained on various substrate surfaces. Such arrays avoid the contact resistance of randomly packed particles and allow open diffusion channels for reactants and products alike, making them excellent electrocatalysts for the methanol oxidation reaction. In particular, Pt nanowire arrays with rough surface have a mass activity of 1.24 A mg_Pt^?1 at 1.12 V (vs Ag/AgCl), 3.18‐fold higher than that of the commercial Pt/C catalysts. It also shows more resistant against poisoning, as indicated by the higher I_f/I_b ratio (2.06), in comparison to the Pt/C catalysts (1.30).     

Enhanced Magnetism in Highly Ordered Magnetite Nanoparticle‐Filled Nanohole Arrays

A new approach to develop highly ordered magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticle‐patterned nanohole arrays with desirable magnetic properties for a variety of technological applications is presented. In this work, the sub‐100 nm nanohole arrays are successfully fabricated from a pre‐ceramic polymer mold using spin‐on nanoprinting (SNAP). These nanoholes a then filled with monodispersed, spherical Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles of about 10 nm diameter using a novel magnetic drag and drop procedure. The nanohole arrays filled with magnetic nanoparticles a imaged using magnetic force microscopy (MFM). Magnetometry and MFM measurements reveal room temperature ferromagnetism in the Fe₃O₄‐filled nanohole arrays, while the as‐synthesized Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles exhibit superparamagnetic behavior. As revealed by MFM measurements, the enhanced magnetism in the Fe₃O₄‐filled nanohole arrays originates mainly from the enhanced magnetic dipole interactions of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles within the nanoholes and between adjacent nanoholes. Nanoparticle filled nanohole arrays can be highly beneficial in magnetic data storage and other applications such as microwave devices and biosensor arrays that require tunable and anisotropic magnetic properties.     

三维结构磷酸铁锂纳米线阵列的制备及其电化学性能

采用阳极氧化铝模板(AAO),通过溶胶-凝胶法制备出磷酸铁锂(LiFePO_4)纳米线阵列。场发射扫描电镜(FESEM)和透射电镜(TEM)表征均说明制得的LiFePO_4阵列是分散均匀且相互平行的。X射线衍射(XRD)和能谱图(EDS)表征均说明LiFePO_4纳米线是纯相橄榄石型结构。电化学性能测试表明纳米线阵列具有较好的循环稳定性,1C电流密度下循环100次后容量几乎不衰减,容量保持率为99.1%,10C电流密度下循环350次后容量保持率为91.6%。纳米线阵列的倍率性能较同等条件下制备的纳米粉体有较大提升,0.1C、10C电流密度下容量可分别达156.4mAh/g、106.9mAh/g。     

Characterization of ordered Cu2O nanowire arrays prepared by heat treated Cu/PAM composite

Cu nanowire arrays were synthesized via a porous alumina membrane (PAM) template with a high aspect ratio, uniform pore size (120–140 nm), and ordered pore arrangement. The Cu₂O nanowire arrays were prepared from the oxidization of Cu metal nanowire arrays. The electrochemical deposition potential of Cu metal nanowires (?180 mV vs. SCE) was determined from X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns. The microstructure and chemical composition of Cu nanowire arrays were characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Results indicate that the Cu/Cu₂O nanowire arrays assembled into the nanochannel of the porous alumina template with diameters of 120–140 nm. The valence of copper was controlled by the porous alumina template during the annealing process. Copper nanowires transformed to the Cu₂O phase with the space limitation of the PAM template. Single-crystal Cu₂O nanowire arrays were also obtained under the template embedded.     

Effect of the Electrodeposition Frequency,Wave Form,and Thermal Annealing on Magnetic Properties of [Co0.975Cr0.025]0.99Cu0.01 Nanowire Arrays

Highly ordered [Co _0.975Cr _0.025]_0.99Cu _0.01 nanowire arrays were electrodeposited by conducting alternating current (AC) conditions from sulfate-based electrolyte into nanopores of anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template with 37 nm pore diameter and the interpore distances of almost 50 nm. Fabricated nanowire arrays were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, alternating gradient force magnetometer, and X-ray diffraction. The results illustrated that varying frequency, wave form, and annealing procedure had influence on magnetic properties of as deposited nanowires. The nanowire arrays electrodeposited at different electrodeposition frequencies show remarkably different magnetic behaviors. Due to increasing of the electrodeposition frequency, the rate of ions for reduction was decreased. The nanowires prepared at various wave form illustrated insignificant impact on magnetic properties. X-ray diffraction patterns display that both as-deposited and annealed nanowire arrays expose the same structure. The raised value of coercivity has been determined in annealed nanowire arrays. Magnetization measurements show that the maximum value of coercivity for [Co _0.975]_0.99Cu _0.01 nanowires is observed at high temperature.     

Preparation of superparamagnetic and flexible γ-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanowire arrays in an anodic aluminum oxide template

Superparamagnetic and flexible Fe₂O₃ nanowire arrays were fabricated by the controlled electrostatic assembly of iron oxide nanoparticles and poly(dimethyldiallylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) in an anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) template. The micrograph of iron oxide nanowire arrays was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy. The magnetic hysteresis loops obtained by a vibrating sample magnetometer confirm that the nanowire arrays have superparamagnetic properties. The filling ratio of iron oxide nanoparticles and polymers in the AAO template was affected by four factors, including the concentration of iron oxide nanoparticles, the pore diameter of the AAO template, the charge ratio of iron oxide nanoparticles and PDADMAC, and the molecular weight of polyacrylic acid. The effect of the AAO template on the diameter and length of the nanowire arrays was also analyzed. In addition, the nanowire arrays were shown to be flexible because of the presence of polymers. These nanowire arrays with superparamagnetic and flexural properties have potential applications in sensor probes.     

Layer-by-layer assembly synthesis of ZnO/SnO2 composite nanowire arrays as high-performance anode for lithium-ion batteries

A layer-by-layer approach has been developed to synthesize ZnO/SnO₂ composite nanowire arrays on copper substrate. ZnO nanowire arrays have been first prepared on copper substrate through seed-assisted method, and then, the surface of ZnO nanowires have been modified by the polyelectrolyte. After oxidation-reduction reaction, SnO₂ layer has been deposited onto the surface of ZnO nanowires. The as-synthesized ZnO/SnO₂ composite nanowire arrays have been applied as anode for lithium-ion batteries, which show high reversible capacity and good cycling stability compared to pure ZnO nanowire arrays and SnO₂ nanoparticles. It is believed that the improved performance may be attributed to the high capacity of SnO₂ and the good cycling stability of the array structure on current collector.     

A facile template-free method for preparing bi-phase TiO2 nanowire arrays with high photocatalytic activity

Ordered bi-phase TiO₂ nanowire arrays were simply obtained by heat treating TiO₂ nanotube arrays prepared by a two-step anodization method. The nanowire arrays are composed of anatase and rutile phases with uniform diameters around 50 nm. The photocatalysis activities of TiO₂ nanowire arrays were characterized by quantifying the degradation of methyl orange solution. And the results indicated that the bi-phase nanowire arrays, especially obtained at 700 °C, showed much higher activity than that of P25 film or anatase TiO₂ nanotube array.     

The catalyst-free synthesis of large-area tungsten oxide nanowire arrays on ITO substrate and field emission properties

Tungsten oxide nanowire arrays have been grown on indium tin oxide coated glass substrate using tungsten trioxide powders as source by thermal evaporation approach without any catalysts. When the O₂/Ar flow rate ratio was 1/100, large-scale, high-density and uniformly distributed tungsten oxide nanowire arrays were obtained. The morphology and structure properties of the tungsten oxide nanowires were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy. The influences of the oxygen concentration on the growth, density, shape and structure of the nanowires were investigated. The possible growth mechanism which governs the various types of nanowire arrays as the O₂/Ar flow rate ratios changed is also discussed. Field emission properties of tungsten oxide nanowire arrays were studied at a poor vacuum condition. The remarkable performance reveals that the tungsten oxide nanowire arrays can be served as a good candidate for commercial application as electron emitters.     

Enhancement of the coercivity of electrodeposited nickel nanowire arrays

In the present study, the single-crystal Ni nanowire arrays with a preferred growth along the [110] direction have been prepared by the deposition of Ni into the alumina template with nanopores at a current density of 2.0 mA/cm². The single-crystal Ni nanowire arrays show a magnetic anisotropy with the easy axis parallel to the nanowires and an enhanced coercivity as compared with the polycrystalline Ni nanowire arrays. A large coercivity of 1110 Oe together with a high remanence M_r = 0.92M_s is observed for 15-nm diameter single-crystal Ni nanowire arrays. The preferred growth mechanism of the single-crystal nanowires is briefly discussed.     

Structural and magnetic properties of Co and Co71Ni29 nanowire arrays prepared by template electrodeposition

A comparative study on the structural and magnetic properties of Co and Co₇₁Ni₂₉ nanowire arrays prepared by AC electrodeposition in alumina templates has been presented. The Co and Co₇₁Ni₂₉ nanowires observed by SEM and TEM have a 45 nm diameter and exhibit high aspect ratio. Also, the nanowires of both Co and Co₇₁Ni₂₉, determined by XRD, have an identical crystallographic structure. The Co₇₁Ni₂₉ nanowires exist in a cobalt solid solution. Both the as-obtained Co and Co₇₁Ni₂₉ nanowire arrays measured by VSM show obvious magnetic anisotropy, dominated by shape anisotropy. Compared to the Co nanowire arrays, Co₇₁Ni₂₉ nanowire array shows an enhanced coercivity Hc (⊥) and approximate square ratio Mr/Ms(⊥).     

Growth of TiO2 nanowire bundle arrays and their application in dye-sensitized solar cells

Highly oriented single-crystalline TiO₂ nanowire bundle arrays on transparent conductive fluorine-doped tin oxide substrates are prepared by hydrothermal method using the precursors of titanium butoxide, deionized water and hydrochloric acid. The structure and morphology characteristics of all the samples have been analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Results show that the diameter, length, and density of the nanowire bundle arrays can be varied by changing the growth parameters, such as growth time, initial reactant concentration and acidity. The enhanced (002) peak in XRD patterns indicate that the nanowire is well crystallized and grow perpendicular to the substrate. The high resolution transmission electron microscope images and selected-area electron diffraction patterns confirm that there are approximately 10–30 nanowires in each bundle. The nanowire is single crystalline. Dye-sensitized solar cells assembled from oriented TiO₂ nanowire bundle arrays as the photoanode are studied. The light-to-electricity conversion efficiency is about 2.17 %.     

Fabrication and magnetic properties of Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>Co<Subscript>7</Subscript> alloy nanowire arrays

Fe₃Co₇ alloy nanowire arrays have been fabricated by direct current electrodeposition of Fe²⁺ and Co²⁺ into anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates. The phase structure and magnetic properties of the nanowires were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). Magnetic measurements show that the coercivity and remanence of the as-deposited Fe₃Co₇ Alloy nanowires increase dramatically after heat-treatment at 773 K for 2 h, and the nanowire arrays exhibit uniaxial magnetic anisotropy with easy magnetization direction along the nanowire axes owing to the large shape anisotropy. The great difference between practical coercivity and ideal coercivity was also discussed in detail.     

Synthesis and photocatalytic properties of BiOCl nanowire arrays

Bismuth oxychloride (BiOCl) nanowire arrays have been successfully prepared employing the Anodic Aluminum Oxide (AAO) template assisted sol-gel method. Nanowires of 100 nm diameter and length 2-6 μm, assembled in the porous of AAO templates, were formed. XRD and HRTEM results show that the nanowires are pure BiOCl polycrystal phase without Bi₂O₃ or BiCl₃. The photocatalytic activity of BiOCl nanowire arrays was investigated by the degradation of Rhodamine B dye solution under UV irradiation.     

Electrochemical fabrication and magnetic properties of Fe<Subscript>7</Subscript>Co<Subscript>3</Subscript> alloy nanowire array

A new type of magnetic material, Fe₇Co₃ nanowires, was successfully synthesized for the first time via a simple electrodeposition method. Highly uniform, self-ordered porous anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes were prepared by the way of electrochemical. Fe₇Co₃ alloy nanowire arrays were fabricated in the porous alumina template in an aqueous solution of FeCl₂ and CoCl₂ by direct current electrodepositing. The microstructures of nanowires and AAO template were characterized by XRD, SEM, and TEM. The results show that a single Fe₇Co₃ nanowire is 40 nm in width and 2.5 μm in length with a preferred crystal face (110) during growing. The Fe₇Co₃ nanowire arrays have uniaxial magnetic anisotropy with easy magnetization direction along the nanowire axis due to the large shape anisotropy. It also shows that Fe₇Co₃ nanowire is a well-soft magnetic phase compared with Fe nanowires. It illustrates that Fe₇Co₃ possess higher saturation magnetization.     

Electrodeposition and magnetic properties of ternary Fe-Co-Ni alloy nanowire arrays with high squareness ratio

Highly-ordered ternary Fe-Co-Ni alloy nanowire arrays with diameters of about 50 nm have been fabricated by alternating current (AC) electrodeposition into the nanochannels of porous anodic aluminum oxide templates. SEM and TEM results indicate that the alloy nanowires are highly ordered. XRD and HRTEM results show that the ternary FeCoNi alloy nanowires are polycrystalline, with HCP-FCC dual phase structure. Magnetic measurements demonstrate that the ternary alloy nanowire arrays have an obvious magnetic anisotropy with an easy magnetization direction being parallel to the nanowire arrays. Along the easy magnetization direction, the coercivity (H _c ) and squareness ratio (S) increase as the annealing temperature increases, and reach a maximum level (H _c = 1337 Oe, S = 0.96) at 300 °C.     

The effects of composition and thermal treatment on the magnetic properties of Fe100-x Co x nanowire arrays based on AAO templates

A series of Fe_100-xCo_x nanowire arrays with about 6.0 μm in length and 60 nm in diameter have been fabricated successfully by AC deposition of Fe and Co atoms into anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) templates. Samples with different composition could be obtained by adjusting the concentration ratio of Fe²⁺ and Co²⁺ in the solution of the electrolyte. The composition of the samples were determined by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Structural analysis was performed using scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The magnetic properties of the samples were examined by vibrating sample magnetometry. The effects of composition and thermal treatment on the magnetic properties of the nanowire arrays have been examined. XRD shows that the nanowires have a body-centred-cubic (bcc) structure with a preferred orientation of the <110> axis parallel to the nanowires. When x is between 80 and 90, nanowires undergo a phase transformation α → γ which is very different from Fe–Co bulk alloy. Furthermore, a localized magnetization reversal mechanism of the nanowire arrays was conformed. It is also found that the magnetic properties of the arrays are critically dependent on the compositions and thermal treatment. With suitable choices of these factors, a kind of soft ferromagnetic film can be produced while maintaining a high coercivity and squareness.     

An investigation of thermal decomposition of β-FeOOH nanowire arrays assembled in AAO templates

β-FeOOH nanowire arrays were assembled into porous anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) templates by electrochemical deposition in the mixture solution of FeCl₃ and (NH₄)₂C₂O₄. In order to obtain well-crystallized α-Fe₂O₃ and other iron oxides nanowires, β-FeOOH nanowire arrays with amorphous crystal structure were heat-treated at different temperatures from 200 to 600 °C. The decomposition products were characterized by DTA, XRD, FTIR, and Mössbauer spectroscopy. When heat-treated at 200 °C, only 65% of β-FeOOH decomposed, whereas, when the temperature was up to 300 °C, it was completely decomposed and formed poorly crystallized β-Fe₂O₃. This transition temperature is higher than the 200 °C obtained on other β-FeOOH materials. However, when heated above 300 °C, the main products are characterized as poorly crystallized α-Fe₂O₃ nanowires, whereas, well-crystallized α-Fe₂O₃ nanowire arrays can be formed when the temperature was up to 600 °C, and this temperature is also higher compared with those temperatures observed on other β-FeOOH materials. From Mössbauer results, the α-Fe₂O₃ nanowires were composed of fine particles in which 66% of the particles are superparamagnetic.     

Low-temperature growth of well-aligned ZnO nanowire arrays by chemical bath deposition for hybrid solar cell application

Well-aligned ZnO nanowire arrays were grown on indium tin oxide coated glass substrates by a facile chemical bath deposition technique. Morphologies, crystalline structure and optical transmission were investigated by field-emission scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and UV–visible transmission spectrum, respectively. The results showed that ZnO nanowires were aligned in a dense array approximately perpendicular to substrate surface, they were wurtzite-structured (hexagonal) ZnO. In addition, the nanowire arrays exhibited high optical transmission (>85 %) in the visible region. Furthermore, an inverted inorganic/polymer hybrid solar cell was built using as-grown well-aligned ZnO nanowire arrays as inorganic layer, under the AM 1.5 illumination with a light intensity of 80 mW/cm², the device showed an open circuit voltage (V_oc) of 0.44 V, a short circuit current (J_sc) of 3.23 mA/cm², a fill-factor of 38 %, and a power conversion efficiency of 0.68 %.     

Electrochemical template synthesis of large-scale uniform copper selenides nanowire arrays

Ordered Cu₃Se₂ nanowire arrays have been prepared by electrochemical template synthesis based on anodic alumina membranes at room temperature. After annealing in argon ambient at 300 °C for 1 h, Cu₂Se nanowire arrays were obtained by structural change. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and selected-area electron diffraction (SAED) results show that single crystal copper selenides nanowires with a high filling rate are dense, smooth, and uniform in large area. The effects of several electrodeposition parameters on high-filling, stoichiometric and single crystal copper selenides were discussed.