A facile route to synthesis of AgInS2 nanostructures

AgInS₂ nanoparticles have been synthesized via a facile one-step process using AgNO₃, thiosemicarbazid (TSC) and InCl₃·4H₂O as starting reagents from propylene glycol solution. The effects of concentration of precursors, reaction time and type of sulfur sources on the morphology and particle size were also studied. X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy were used to characterize the obtained products.     

A simple and reliable route to prepare high-temperature microwave high-performing absorbers

Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics - With extensive use of electronic devices and communication equipment, serious issue of electromagnetic wave pollution needs to be addressed...     

Template-free mechanochemical route to prepare crystalline and electroactive polydiphenylamine nanostructures

A facile and sustainable mechanochemical route for the synthesis of undoped polydiphenylamine (PDPA) and inorganic acid doped nanostructures are reported. Field emission scanning electron microscopic (FESEM) images highlighted the formation of distinctly different nanostructures for each of the inorganic acid doped PDPA. Elemental analysis carried out for the polymers revealed the presence of more repeating units in their backbone. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) results of the as-prepared PDPA nanostructures indicated the high degree of crystallinity ever reported for PDPA. Spectroscopic profile of the polymers showed that the prepared PDPA is in a doped conducting form. Electrochemical studies performed for the polymeric particles ascertained the redox behaviour and the good electrochemical activity of obtained PDPA samples. The probable mechanistic aspect behind the formation of PDPA nanostructures through this simple and efficient route is discussed.     

A facile route to prepare PdPt alloys for ethanol electro-oxidation in alkaline electrolyte

We adopted a displacement reaction in acidic solution that enabled the spontaneous reduction of Pd and Pt cations in conjunction with corrosive dissolution of Ni. The composition for the PdPt was adjusted by varying the concentration of Pd and Pt cations. From SEM images and XRD patterns, the PdPt formed an fcc alloy uniformly deposited on the Ni substrate. Electro-oxidation of ethanol was conducted in alkaline electrolyte for samples of Pd, Pt, and PdPt alloys. In cyclic voltammetric profiles, the Pd₇₇Pt₂₃ revealed the highest electrocatalytic ability in both apparent current and mass activity, followed by Pd₈₇Pt₁₃, Pd, and Pt. Similar behaviors were observed in life time measurements in which stable performances for ethanol electro-oxidation were obtained.     

A facile thermal decomposition route to synthesise CoFe2O4 nanostructures

The synthesis of CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles has been achieved by a simple thermal decomposition method from an inorganic precursor, cobalt ferrous cinnamate hydrazinate (CoFe₂(cin)₃(N₂H₄)₃) which was obtained by a novel precipitation method from the corresponding metal salts, cinnamic acid and hydrazine hydrate. The precursor was characterized by hydrazine and metal analyses, infrared spectral analysis and thermo gravimetric analysis. Under appropriate annealing, CoFe₂(cin)₃(N₂H₄)₃ yielded CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles, which were characterized for their size and structure using X-Ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscopic (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) techniques.     

Using hydrophilic ionic liquids as a facile route to prepare porous-structured biopolymer scaffolds

A simple new methodology to preapre 3-dimensional (3D) porous scaffold of biodegradable polymer was exploited by using hydrophilic types of ionic liquids. The mixture of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and ionic liquid within dichloromethane solvent was phase-separated during the solvent evaporation, after which the ionic liquid phase was selectively extracted to provide interconnected macropores. The pore sizes of the PLA scaffold were highly dependent on the types of ionic liquids (anion variant), ranging from tens to hundreds of micrometers, and the porosity reached to ~ 85-95%. The ionic liquid-directed technique to prepare porous structure reported for the first time herein will be highly effective in the development of polymer skeletons for tissue engineering biomaterials. In addition, the ionic liquids recovered by a simple extraction with ethanol or water can be reused for subsequent runs without the loss of its physicochemical properties.     

A facile hydrothermal synthesis route to single-crystalline lead iodide nanobelts and nanobelt bundles

Single-crystalline PbI2 nanobelt bundles have been prepared using lead monoxide powder and hydroiodic acid as reagents at the assistance of dodecylamine. The assembled PbI2 nanobelt bundles can be spilt into nanobelts through long-playing sonication. The prepared nanobelt bundles consist of several nanobelts and the nanobelts have lengths of tens of microns, widths of 50-150 nanometers, and thicknesses ca. 20 nanometers. X-Ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electronic diffraction (ED), and high-resolution transmission microscopy (HRTEM) was used to characterize the as-prepared product. The possible formation mechanism of PbI2 nanobelt bundles was tentatively proposed.     

Epitaxial self-alignment: A new route to hybrid active plasmonic nanostructures

Concepts of lateral ordering of epitaxial semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are for the first time transferred to hybrid nanostructures for active plasmonics. We review our recent research on the self-alignment of epitaxial nanocrystals of In and Ag on ordered one-dimensional In(Ga)As QD arrays and isolated QDs by molecular beam epitaxy. By changing the growth conditions the size and density of the metal nanocrystals are easily controlled and the surface plasmon resonance wavelength is tuned over a wide range in order to match the emission wavelength of the QDs. Photoluminescence measurements reveal large enhancement of the emitted light intensity due to plasmon enhanced emission and absorption down to the single QD level.     

A facile and green approach to prepare monodispersion nanonickel nanofluids

This paper first develops a novel approach to prepare solvent-free nanonickel (Ni) nanofluids via hydrogen bonding between poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(propylene oxide)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) and 3-(Trimethoxysilyl)-1-propanethiol-modified Ni powder with average diameter of 80?nm to solve the problem of nanoparticles agglomerating due to the anisotropic dipolar attraction. It is interestingly found that Ni nanofluid is solid at room temperature while it undergoes solid–liquid transition without solvent at 50.7°C. The content of Ni is up to 12.1?wt%. The average diameter of core-shell structure of Ni nanofluids is 182?nm without agglomerations. It is worth noting that incorporation of Ni powder can elevate remarkably initial decomposition temperature of block copolymer due to high dispersity of Ni powder after modification. In addition, the viscosity of Ni nanofluids is found to be less than 10?Pa?·?s at 100°C, which is between that of water and honey, 0.001 and 10?Pa?·?s, respectively, at 20°C. More importantly, the Ni nanofluids exhibit excellent dispersion in water and other organic solvents for 2 months due to amphiphilic properties of the modifier molecule. These unique properties of Ni nanofluids may offer new scientific and technical opportunities for application of Ni powder in the form of liquid-like status.     

A facile and green route to silver nanoparticles in water

Stable water-dispersible silver nanoparticles with a narrow size distribution are obtained by light-assisted spontaneous reduction of silver nitrate with gelatin, which acts as both the reducing and the stabilizing agents, in water. The formation mechanism of the silver nanoparticles involves an in-situ conversion of Ag(+)-gelatin aggregates to gelatin-stabilized silver nanoparticles via a Ag(+)-mediated oxidation of primary amine groups of the gelatin to carboxylic acid groups. The resultant silver nanoparticles are well within the quantum size domain (10 nm). In addition, the nanoparticles are stable in aqueous solutions and can be separated easily by simple pH adjustment.     

A new route to zero-barrier metal source/drain MOSFETs

A new method for dramatically lowering the Schottky barrier resistance at a metal/Si interface by interposing an ultrathin insulator is demonstrated for the first time, with thermionic barriers less than those reported to date with silicides. Results with Er and near-monolayer thermal SiN/sub x/ at the interface are consistent with simulations of effective metal Fermi level separations from the silicon conduction band of 0.15 V for n-type Si and 45 mV for p-type Si. Simulations of advanced metal source/drain (S/D) ultrathin-body CMOS devices in comparison with competitive doped S/D devices show a significant performance advantage with a barrier to the conduction band of up to 0.1 V.     

A facile method to prepare size-tunable silver nanoparticles and its antibacterial mechanism

The antibacterial effect of silver nanoparticles (denoted as Ag NPs) is closely related to size. This could partly explain why size controllable synthesis of Ag NPs for bactericidal application is drawing much attention. Thus, we establish a facile and mild route to prepare size-tunable Ag NPs with highly uniform morphologies and narrow size distributions. The as-prepared Ag NPs with averaged sizes of 2, 12 and 32?nm were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), ultraviolet–visible absorption spectroscopy (UV–vis), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The antimicrobial effect of the as-prepared Ag NPs with different particles size was assessed by broth dilution and disk diffusion as well as measurement of optical density (OD₆₀₀). Moreover, their antibacterial mechanism was discussed in relation to morphology observation of microorganism by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and to concentration detection of Ag⁺ by stripping voltammetry. It was found that the parameters such as reactant molar ratio, reaction time, dropping speed, and most of all, pH of the reactant solutions, have significant influences on size-regulation of Ag NPs. The as-prepared Ag NPs exhibit excellent antibacterial properties, and their antimicrobial activities increase with decreasing particles size. Besides, two kinds of mechanisms, i.e., contact action and release of Ag⁺, are responsible for the antimicrobial effect of Ag NPs.     

A green and facile route to synthesize calcium silicate nanowires

Large-scale single crystalline calcium silicate nanowires have been synthesized via a simple and facile hydrothermal route using nanoscale SiO₂ and CaO powders as the starting materials. Xonotlite [Ca₆(Si₆O₁₇)(OH)₂] nanowires were first achieved after hydrothermal treatment at 220 °C for 12 h. After being calcinated at 800 °C for 1 h, the Ca₆(Si₆O₁₇)(OH)₂ nanowires are completely transformed into β-CaSiO₃ nanowires. The β-CaSiO₃ nanowires have a diameter of 30–150 nm and a length of tens of micrometers. The hydrothermal conditions and the size of the raw materials play important roles on the size of the nanowires. A possible growth mechanism of the nanowires is also proposed.     

Controllable fabrication of various ZnO micro/nanostructures from a wire-like Zn-EG-AC precursor via a facile solution-based route

In this paper, ZnO particles with various morphologies were prepared though a facile solution-based route. The complexes Zn-EG-AC (EG: ethylene glycol; AC: CH₃COO⁻ groups) obtained by reaction of anhydrous zinc acetate and EG were used as precursors. It is found that the precursor could transform into ZnO in water with no need of assistant of additional alkali as it is sensitive to water. At the same time, it is well dispersed in reaction medium (water and ethanol). Experimental results showed that ZnO particles with various morphologies, such as the hexagonal rings, the hexagonal plates, the tubes, the prisms, and some interesting hierarchical structures, could be obtained by controlling hydrolysis of precursor in water and water/ethanol medium through finely tuning the experimental parameters. The success of shape-controllable fabrication was related intimately with the Zn-EG-AC precursor used in our synthesis.     

A new hydrothermal route for synthesis of molybdenum disulphide nanorods and related nanostructures

A simple approach to prepare nanorods of Molybdenum Disulphide (MoS2) using hydrothermal method by reacting aqueous solutions of (NH4)6Mo7O24.4H20, C2H4NS and Na2S2O4 at 190 degrees C for 24 h is described. The hydrothermal product has been subsequently subjected to the thermal treatment in nitrogen atmosphere at 675 degrees C for 6 h and characterized. X-ray diffraction (XRD) of the hydrothermal product indicated the formation of MoS2 relatively with much lower crystallinity compared to when it thermally treated. Energy dispersive analysis (EDX) was done to know the chemical composition of the product. TEM showed onset growth of MoS2 nanorods within the hydrothermal products itself and in thermally treated products it was prominent with the diameter of the nanorods ranging between 10-20 nm. Photoluminescence spectra MoS2 nanorods shows an intense absorbance at around 429 nm. TGA of the MoS2 nanorods in air and nitrogen atmosphere has also been studied. The extent of formation of MoS2 from the precursors obtained at 190 degrees C for duration of 12, 18, and 24 h and annealed at 675 degrees C for 6 h under nitrogen atmosphere is also demonstrated based on XRD data.     

A facile synthetic route to aqueous dispersions of silver nanoparticles

Stable aqueous dispersions of silver nanoparticles have been synthesized from an organometallic precursor dissolved in an organic phase. Hydrogen gas is used to reduce the precursor to form silver nanoparticles which spontaneously transfer into an immiscible aqueous phase where they are stabilized. This route provides a simple pathway for the preparation of aqueous nanoparticle solutions and avoids production of the inorganic ions that are usually associated with aqueous methods. The effectiveness of a variety of aqueous stabilizing agents is evaluated. All products show plasmon absorption bands characteristic of silver nanoparticles and transmission electron microscopy reveals most particles to be below 40 nm in diameter.     

Interfacially organized DNA/polycation complexes: a route to new planar polymeric and composite nanostructures

Effects of nano-scale supramolecular organization and patterning in amphiphilic polycation monolayer formed by poly-4-vinilpyridine with 16% cetylpyridinium groups and in novel planar DNA/amphiphilic polycation complexes formed at the air-aqueous DNA solution interface and deposited on the solid substrates have been studied using AFM. Stable ordered quasi-crystalline planar polymeric monolayer structures were formed by amphiphilic polycation molecules. Extended net-like and quasi-circular toroidal condensed conformations of deposited planar DNA/amphiphilic polycation complexes were obtained in dependence on the amphiphilic polycation Langmuir monolayer state during the DNA binding. Those monolayer and multilayer DNA/polycation complex Langmuir–Blodgett films were used as templates and nanoreactors for generation of inorganic nanostructures. As a result, ultrathin polymeric nanocomposite films with integrated DNA building blocks and inorganic semiconductor (CdS) and iron oxide nanoparticle quasi-linear arrays or aggregates (nanorods) were formed successfully and characterized by TEM. The data obtained give evidence for effectiveness of the monolayer techniques for study mechanisms of DNA structural transformations caused by complexation with cationic compounds and demonstrate its perspectives for creation of new planar DNA-based self-organized stable polymeric complex nanostructures and nanocomposites with nano-scale structural ordering.