Application of nanostructured Ca doped CeO2 for ultraviolet filtration

Calcium doped CeO₂ nanoparticles with doping concentrations between 0 and 50 mol% were synthesized by a co-precipitation method for ultraviolet filtration application. Below 20 mol% doping concentration, the samples were single-phase. From 30 mol%, CaCO₃ appears as a secondary phase. The calculated CeO₂ mean crystallite size was 9.3 nm for the pure and 5.7 nm for the 50 mol% Ca-doped sample. Between 250 and 330 nm, the absorbance increased for the 10, 30, and 40 mol% Ca-doped samples compared to the pure one. The band-gap was found to be 3.20 eV for the undoped, and between 3.36 and 3.51 eV for the doped samples. The blue shifts are attributed to the quantum confinement effect. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy showed that the Ce³⁺ atomic concentration in the pure sample was higher than that of the 20 mol% Ca-doped sample.     

Silver nanoparticles: Large scale solvothermal synthesis and optical properties

Silver nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized by a simple and modified solvothermal method at large scale using ethanol as the refluxing solvent and NaBH₄ as reducing agent. The nanopowder was investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), UV-visible and BET surface area studies. XRD studies reveal the monophasic nature of these highly crystalline silver nanoparticles. Transmission electron microscopic studies show the monodisperse and highly uniform nanoparticles of silver of the particle size of 5 nm, however, the size is found to be 7 nm using dynamic light scattering which is in good agreement with the TEM and X-ray line broadening studies. The surface area was found to be 34.5 m²/g. UV-visible studies show the absorption band at ∼425 nm due to surface plasmon resonance. The percentage yield of silver nanoparticles was found to be as high as 98.5%.     

CeO2 nanocrystals: Seed-mediated synthesis and size control

This work reports on seed-mediated synthesis and size control of monodispersed CeO₂ nanoparticles. CeO₂ nanoparticles of mean size smaller than 2 nm were first prepared by a simple mixing of aqueous solution of cerium (IV) sulfate and ammonia solution at ambient conditions. Using these as-prepared fine particles as the tiny seeds, tunable sizes of CeO₂ nanoparticles were achieved via a facile hydrothermal treatment. All samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). It is shown that in comparison with other inorganic cerium salts such as cerium (III) nitrates, cerium (IV) sulfate appears more suitable for forming CeO₂ nanoparticles at room temperature. Sulfate groups are strongly thermodynamically adsorbed on CeO₂ nanoparticle surfaces. The formation mechanism, surface hydration and sulfation characteristics of the resulting CeO₂ nanoparticles are also discussed.     

Zinc oxide micro- and nanoparticles: Synthesis, structure and optical properties

Zinc oxide (ZnO) spherical nanoparticles (SNPs) and bitter-melon-like (BML) microparticles were synthesized by a hydrothermal route using a zinc (Zn) plate as a source and substrate at various synthesis conditions. The structural analysis confirmed the formation of ZnO with hexagonal wurtzite phase on the hexagonal Zn substrate with growth of the ZnO microparticles along the [1 0 1] direction. The UV-vis absorption spectra of the ZnO microparticles indicated absorption peaks in the UV region which can be attributed to the band gap of ZnO. The room temperature photoluminescence (PL) of the ZnO microparticles exhibited a broad emission band, which is fitted with four Gaussian peaks and were assigned to transitions involving free excitons and various defect centers. The growth model for the formation of ZnO micro- and nanoparticles is presented.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and properties of solid solutions and composite nanoparticles in the TiO2-SnO2 system

Solid solutions and composite nanoparticles in the TiO₂-SnO₂ system were directly formed via the hydrothermal treatment of precursor solutions of TiCl₄ and SnCl₄ under weakly basic conditions in the presence of urea. The rutile-type (Ti, Sn)O₂ solid solutions were formed in the composition range of Ti 0-70 mol%. The composite nanoparticles consisting of anatase- and rutile-type phases were formed at the composition of Ti 80 and Ti 90 mol%. The change in the lattice parameters a₀ and c₀ of the rutile-type solid solutions followed the Vegard Law. The crystallite size of the rutile-type solid solutions was in the range of 5-10 nm. The diffuse reflectance spectra varied with changing Ti content in the precipitates. The photocatalytic activity of composite nanoparticles synthesized at 240 °C was higher than that synthesized at 180 °C. The composite nanoparticles consisting of anatase- and rutile-type phases with compositions Ti_0.90Sn_0.10O₂ and Ti_0.80Sn_0.20O₂ showed improved photocatalytic activity.     

A mild solvothermal route to α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles

A mild solvothermal route has been developed to synthesize α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles using Fe(NO₃)₃ as a starting material. The results from XRD and TEM indicate the α-Fe₂O₃ powders possess a rhombohedrally centered hexagonal structure, and the size of particles from alcohothermal method at 160 °C is about 50-100 nm.     

Preparation of Mn2SnO4 nanoparticles as the anode material for lithium secondary battery

The ultrafine Mn₂SnO₄ nanoparticles with diameters of 5-10 nm have been prepared by thermal decomposition of precursor MnSn(OH)₆. The MnSn(OH)₆ nanoparticles precursor was synthesized by a hydrothermal microemulsion method. X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and electron diffraction have been employed to characterize the crystal structures and morphologies of the as-prepared samples. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy observations revealed that the as-synthesized nanoparticles were single crystals. The thermal characterization was studied by differential thermal analysis and thermogravimetry analysis measurements. Electrochemical test showed that the Mn₂SnO₄ nanoparticles exhibited a high initial charge-discharge capacity of 1320 mAh/g.     

Hydrothermal fabrication of various morphological α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles modified by surfactants

Two kinds of various morphological α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles modified by anionic surfactant (sodium dodecylsulfonate, SDS) and cationic surfactant (hexadecyipyridinium chloride, HPC), respectively, have been synthesized via hydrothermal method, using simple inorganic salt (NH₄)₃Fe(C₂O₄)₃ and alkali NaOH as starting precursors. Meanwhile, α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles without surfactant are also fabricated under the same conditions for comparison. The resultant products were characterized by means of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron micrograph (TEM) combined with electron diffraction (ED) and magnetization measurements. It is interesting that the obtained α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles without surfactant are polyhedral with average particle size of 90 ± 35 nm; while the obtained α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles modified by SDS are ellipsoidal with mean particle size of major axis: ca. 420 nm; minor axis: ca. 205 nm and those modified by HPC are spherical with mean particle size of ca. 185 nm observed from TEM. In addition, magnetic hysteresis measurements reveal that the α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles modified by two surfactants show enhancement in coercivity (H_c) and the remanent magnetization (M_r) compared with those of the obtained α-Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles without surfactant at room temperature. The experimental results suggest that the surfactants not only significantly influence the size and shape of the particles, but also their magnetic properties.     

Green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles by aloe barbadensis miller leaf extract: Structure and optical properties

Biological methods for nanoparticle synthesis using microorganisms, enzymes, and plants or plant extracts have been suggested as possible ecofriendly alternatives to chemical and physical methods. In this paper, we report on the synthesis of nanostructured zinc oxide particles by both chemical and biological method. Highly stable and spherical zinc oxide nanoparticles are produced by using zinc nitrate and Aloe vera leaf extract. Greater than 95% conversion to nanoparticles has been achieved with aloe leaf broth concentration greater than 25%. Structural, morphological and optical properties of the synthesized nanoparticles have been characterized by using UV-Vis spectrophotometer, FTIR, Photoluminescence, SEM, TEM and XRD analysis. SEM and TEM analysis shows that the zinc oxide nanoparticles prepared were poly dispersed and the average size ranged from 25 to 40 nm. The particles obtained have been found to be predominantly spherical and the particle size could be controlled by varying the concentrations of leaf broth solution.     

Powder synthesis and characterization of nanocrystalline CeO2 via the combustion processes

Nanocrystalline CeO₂ powders were synthesized by the combustion reactions using citric acid and glycol as fuels and nitrate as an oxidant. The adiabatic flame temperatures in the auto ignition processes of the precursors were calculated theoretically. XRD measurements indicated that the powders produced in the combustion processes were cubic fluorite CeO₂ phase. The size and morphology of the particles and extent of agglomeration in the powders were studied using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and the particle size analyzer respectively. Blue shifts of the absorption peak of the as-prepared powders were observed.     

Vapor phase growth and optical properties of single-crystalline SnO2 nanobelts

Mass production of single-crystalline SnO₂ nanobelts was successfully achieved through a thermal evaporation of metallic Sn powders at 900 °C. The as-prepared SnO₂ nanobelts were typically 30-200 nm in width, 10-50 nm in thickness, and about tens of micrometers in length. In addition to the classical Raman models, two new Raman bands at 498 and 698 cm⁻¹ are observed for rutile-phased SnO₂ nanobelts, which can be attributed to the IR-active A_2u TO and A_2u LO modes, respectively. Photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of SnO₂ nanobelts featured an emission band at 615 nm (with a small shoulder at 585 nm), which might correspond to the existence of oxygen deficiencies in the produced belts. The formation of SnO₂ nanobelts followed a vapor-solid (VS) growth mechanism.     

Photocatalytic activity of nitrogen doped rutile TiO2 nanoparticles under visible light irradiation

This work provides the design and synthesis of nitrogen doped rutile TiO₂ nanoparticles working as efficient photocatalysts under visible light irradiation. Nitrogen doped rutile TiO₂ nanoparticles are synthesized through the surface nitridation of rutile nanoparticles, which have been prepared in advance. The experimental results show that the nitrogen element is easily doped into the lattice of TiO₂ nanoparticles and its doping amount increases with the decrease of nanocrystallite size. The photocatalytic activity of the nanoparticles under visible light irradiation is correlated not only with the amount of doped nitrogen element but also with the morphology and crystallinity of nanoparticles.     

Synthesis by an ionic liquid-assisted method and optical properties of nanoflower Y2O3

Flower-like Y₂O₃ nano-/microstructured phosphors without metal activators have successfully been fabricated by an ionic liquid (IL)-assisted method involving temperature (600 °C) annealing. In this paper, the effect of IL concentration on the morphology of the product has been investigated. The IL plays a crucial role in the formation of various morphologies of Y₂O₃. The structural and morphological features of the obtained samples have been characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis, photoluminescence spectra (PL), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS). The photoluminescence spectra of the products exhibit an intense bluish-white emission (ranging from 405 to 430 nm and centered at 418 nm). The luminescent mechanisms have been ascribed to the carbon impurities in the Y₂O₃ host. The effect of the ILs cation and the counter anions on the Y₂O₃ morphology of these nanostructures was studied experimentally. It was observed that Y₂O₃ morphology and PL of these nanostructures were strongly influenced by the type of cation and anion. As the length of the subsidiary chain of cation section of IL (imidaziole ione) reduces, the thickness of the nano-sheets increases. It is expected that the present method may easily be extended to similar nano-/microstructures of other oxide materials. Such investigations are currently underway.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and magnetic properties of Co0.2Cu0.03Fe2.77O4 nanoparticles

Co_0.2Cu_0.03Fe_2.77O₄ nanoparticles with different morphologies have been synthesized directly via a simple hydrothermal method. The effects of pH value, precursor concentration, reaction temperature and surfactant on the particle size were discussed. X-ray diffraction analyses showed that the as-synthesized Co_0.2Cu_0.03Fe_2.77O₄ nanoparticles possessed typical spinel structure. Scanning electron microscope images showed different morphologies of the particles, including truncated octahedron and octahedron. It was indicated that well-dispersed Co_0.2Cu_0.03Fe_2.77O₄ nanoparticles can be synthesized at pH values ranging from 11 to 13, and reaction temperature of 160 °C. The particle size decreased from 18 to 10 nm after the addition of sodium dodecyl sulphate at the pH value of 9. The magnetic measurement showed that the as-prepared Co-Cu spinel ferrite nanoparticles possessed hard magnetic property.     

Preparation and luminescence properties of Mn-doped ZnGa2O4 nanofibers via electrospinning process

One-dimensional Mn²⁺-doped ZnGa₂O₄ nanofibers were prepared by a simple and cost-effective electrospinning process. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), photoluminescence (PL) and cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra as well as kinetic decays were used to characterize the samples. SEM results indicated that the as-formed precursor fibers and those annealed at 700 °C are uniform with length of several tens to hundred micrometers, and the diameters of the fibers decrease greatly after being heated at 700 °C. Under ultraviolet excitation (246 nm) and low-voltage electron beams (1–3 kV) excitation, the ZnGa₂O₄:Mn²⁺ nanofibers presents the blue emission band of the ZnGa₂O₄ host lattice and the strong green emission with a peak at 505 nm corresponding to the ⁴T₁–⁶A₁ transition of Mn²⁺ ion.     

Polyol method synthesis and characterization of nanoscale Sb2Se3 wires

Sb₂Se₃ nanowires ([0 0 1] orientation) with diameter of ∼100 nm and high aspect ratio were successfully synthesized in large scale by a facile nonaqueous polyol method, where home-prepared NaHSe alcohol solution is used as selenium source and PEG-400 serves as an excellent solvent and structure director. The product was characterized by XRD, TEM, SAED, HRTEM, EDS and diffuses reflectance spectroscopy, respectively. The effects of the experimental conditions on the final morphologies were also investigated. The method is promising to be extended to synthesize other V₂VI₃ compound semiconductor 1D nanostructure.     

Microwave synthesis of nanocrystalline Sb2S3 and its electrochemical properties

Nanocrystalline antimony trisulfide (Sb₂S₃) was successfully synthesized via microwave irradiation by the reaction of antimony trichloride (SbCl₃) and thiourea (CS(NH₂)₂) with PVP as the surfactant. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high resolution TEM (HRTEM). XRD results show that the as-prepared sample is orthorhombic-phase Sb₂S₃. TEM image of the as-prepared Sb₂S₃ shows the rod-like structure. HRTEM image indicates that rodbundles of Sb₂S₃ consists of a number nanorods with the diameter ranging from 30 nm to 50 nm. Detailed HRTEM image demonstrates the preferential direction growth of the Sb₂S₃ nanorods. The electrochemical properties of Sb₂S₃ were primarily investigated by constant current charge/discharge cycling tests in lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF₆) solution. The possible electrochemical reaction mechanism was explained. The results indicate that the nanocrystalline Sb₂S₃ shows potential application in the field of the electrode materials.     

Preparation, magnetic and microwave absorption properties of La0.5Sr0.5MnO3/La(OH)3 composites

La_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃/La(OH)₃ composites with different weight ratio of La_0.5Sr_0.5MnO₃ particles and La(OH)₃ nanowires have been prepared by tuning the reaction time under hydrothermal conditions. The structure, morphology and magnetic properties have been investigated. Additionally, by the measurements of the complex permittivity, permeability and microwave absorption properties in the frequency range of 1-12 GHz, the results shown that the weight ratio of La(OH)₃ nanowires has great influence on reflection loss. Excellent absorption property can be obtained when the ratio is 1.4%, which is attributed to the enhanced electromagnetic match as well as the proper dielectric loss and magnetic loss. The enhanced electromagnetic match is originated from the improved frequency dispersion of the complex permittivity and permeability due to the presence of dielectric La(OH)₃ nanowires.     

Magnetic properties and photoabsorption of the Mn-doped CeO2 nanorods

Mn-doped CeO₂ nanorods have been prepared from CeO₂ particles through a facile composite-hydroxide-mediated (CHM) approach. The analysis from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicates that the manganese doped in CeO₂ exists as Mn²⁺. The magnetic measurement of the Mn-doped CeO₂ nanorods exhibits an enhanced ferromagnetic property at room temperature with a remanence magnetization (Mr) of 1.36 × 10⁻³ emu/g and coercivity (Hc) of 22 Oe. Comparative UV-visible spectra reveal the shift of the absorption peak of the CeO₂ from ultraviolet region to visible light region after being doped with Mn. The room temperature ferromagnetic properties and light absorption of the Mn-doped CeO₂ nanorods would have potential applications in photocatalysis and building of photovoltaic devices.     

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.