ZnO nanostructures prepared using a vapour transport method

ZnO nanostructures were prepared on Si(100) substrates using a vapour transport technique in water vapour and oxygen gas, in the existence of Au catalyst. Synthesised in both water vapour and oxygen gas, the ZnO nanostructures presented hexagonal wurtzite structure but exhibited different growth orientations, which subsequently created diverse nanostructures. The different ZnO morphologies grown in different atmosphere are due to various growth mechanisms, which have been proposed in this article. At the end, the photoluminescence spectra of both ZnO nanostructures were measured, which revealed only a strong ultraviolet peak at about 389 nm.     

Direct synthesis of monodispersed ZnO nanoparticles in an aqueous solution

Monodispersed ZnO nanoparticles with mesopores were successfully prepared via a simple route through the transformation of Zn(NH₃)₄²⁺ precursor in the presence of sodium oleate and hydrazine at 80 °C with the pH of 8.5. Hydrazine and sodium oleate were used to control the size at 30-60 nm and to improve dispersion properties of ZnO nanoparticles. The samples were characterized by TEM, XRD, IR and TG-DTA, and the results suggest that the grains are composed of ZnO and a small quantity of oleate. The oleate plays an important role in preventing the ZnO nanoparticles from aggregating.     

Facile synthesis of ZnO nanorod arrays and hierarchical nanostructures for photocatalysis and gas sensor applications

A facile one-step hydrothermal route was demonstrated to grow ZnO nanorod arrays and hierarchical nanostructures on arbitrary substrates without any catalysts and seeds coated before the reaction, which are prerequisite in the current two-step protocol. Meanwhile, ZnO nanoflowers composed of nanorods were obtained at the bottom of the autoclaves in the absence of substrates. An in situ spontaneous-seeds-assisted growth mechanism was tentatively proposed on the basis of the experimental data to explain the growth process of ZnO nanostructures. Moreover, the obtained ZnO nanorod arrays exhibited superior photocatalytic activity for decomposing methyl orange, and the nanoflowers showed better gas sensing performance towards some flammable gases and corrosive vapors with high sensitivity, rapid response-recovery characteristics, good selectivity and long-term stability.     

纳米ZnO晶体的制备及其荧光性能研究

采用直接沉淀法，通过改变沉淀剂（氨水、NaOH）及反应时间制备纳米ZnO粒子，并通过扫描电子显微镜、荧光显微镜对所得产物的形貌及其荧光性能进行分析表征。结果显示：不同沉淀剂制备的ZnO纳米粒子的形貌和尺寸均不相同，用Zn（NO3）2和NH3．H2O反应可制得花状的纳米粒子，而用Zn（NO3）2和NaOH反应则会生成球状的纳米粒子，其尺寸分别为500和200nm左右；反应前期，反应时间主要影响粒子的尺寸，随反应时间的增加粒子的形貌也发生变化；与以NaOH为沉淀剂制备的纳米ZnO粒子相比，以氨水为沉淀剂制备的纳米ZnO粒子具有好的荧光性能。     

A facile and green approach for the fabrication of ZnO nanorods using bamboo charcoal as the template

A green synthetic approach was presented for the fabrication of ZnO nanorods via the bamboo charcoal-assisted impregnation route with ZnC₂O₄ colloid in ethanol as the inorganic precursor, followed by calcination at 800 °C for 7 h in air. These ZnO samples were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It is shown that wurtzite hexagonal structured ZnO nanorods were fabricated, with an average diameter of about 300 nm and a length up to several micrometers. Bamboo charcoal played a key role in the formation of ZnO nanorods. The possible formation mechanism for ZnO nanorods was proposed.     

梳状氧化锌纳米材料的制备及结构、性能的表征

通过纯锌粉蒸发，在600-650℃无催化条件下成功制备了高质量的梳状ZnO纳米结构。通过扫描电镜（SEM）及高分辨透射电镜（HRTEM）观察，所制备的梳状ZnO纳米结构具有两种典型形貌，且皆为单晶结构，分析表明其生长由气-固生长机理控制。室温光致发光谱显示，梳状ZnO纳米结构在385nm附近形成紫外发射峰；在以495nm为中心的范围内，形成较宽的绿光发射峰。     

Controllable synthesis of ZnO nanostructures using dodecythiol as ligands: A phase-transfer strategy

We report an unparallel route to synthesize ZnO nanocrystallines by using dodecythiol as ligand. Different from other reported solvotherml synthetic routes, the route reported here related to a two-phase reaction system. Primary ZnO particles were generated in aqueous phase and spontaneously capped by dissolved thiol molecules. When a critical size was reached, the thiol-capped particles transferred from aqueous to thiol phase, and their growth was stopped there. After calcining the thiol-capped precursor particles, ZnO nanoparticles were obtained. The derived ZnO nanocrystallines were characterized with X-ray diffraction, energy dispersion X-ray analysis, transmission electron microscopy techniques.     

A facile low-cost synthesis of ZnO nanorods via a solid-state reaction at low temperature

ZnO nanorods have been prepared via a solid-state reaction between anhydrous zinc sulfate and sodium hydroxide in the absence of surfactant and template at relatively low temperature. The products were characterized by XRD, XPS and TEM. The influence of Zn²⁺/OH⁻ ratio on the size and morphology of the as-prepared ZnO samples has been studied, and the experimental results showed that when Zn²⁺/OH⁻ ratio was 1:4, good rod-like morphology with the diameter of 30–50 nm and length of ca. 600 nm can be obtained. Finally, the mechanism for the ZnO nanorods developed in the reaction system has been explained.     

Medicinal plants mediated the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles and their biomedical applications

The alarming effect of antibiotic resistance prompted the search for alternative medicine to resolve the microbial resistance conflict. Over the last two decades, scientists have become increasingly interested in metallic nanoparticles to discover their new dimensions. Green nano synthesis is a rapidly expanding field of interest in nanotechnology due to its feasibility, low toxicity, eco‐friendly nature, and long‐term viability. Some plants have long been used in medicine because they contain a variety of bioactive compounds. Silver has long been known for its antibacterial properties. Silver nanoparticles have taken a special place among other metal nanoparticles. Silver nanotechnology has a big impact on medical applications like bio‐coating, novel antimicrobial agents, and drug delivery systems. This review aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the pharmaceutical qualities of medicinal plants, as well as a convenient guideline for plant‐based silver nanoparticles and their antimicrobial activity.     

Facile and green synthesis of cobalt oxide nanoparticles using ethanolic extract of Trigonella foenumgraceum (Fenugreek) leaves

Cobalt oxide nanoparticles (Co₃O₄ NPs) were successfully synthesized using ethanolic extract of Trigonella foenumgraceum L. (fenugreek) leaves as a green, potentially low cost, and easily biosynthesized method. The organic bioactive compounds present in fenugreek leaves extract acted as both reducing agents and stabilizing agents for synthesizing metal NPs from cobalt chloride hexahydrate as a precursor. As evidence from UV/Visible spectroscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) studies, high alkaline pH was found favorable for the preparation of pure and crystallized single-phase Co₃O₄ NPs. The interaction of biomolecules from fenugreek leaves extract with Co₃O₄ NPs was defined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The hydrodynamic size and surface charge of the biosynthesized NPs were measured using light-scattering (DLS) and zeta potential analyses; revealed the formation of negative charged Co₃O₄ NPs with uniform hydrodynamic size distribution. According to transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis, quasi-spherical Co₃O₄ NPs were synthesized with an average size of 13.2 nm under the modified condition of pH 12 and reaction time of 2 h through inexpensive, environmental friendly benign synthesis process without the use of any additional toxic chemical.     

Nigella arvensis leaf extract mediated green synthesis of silver nanoparticles: Their characteristic properties and biological efficacy

In the present study, the potential of aqueous leaf extract of Nigella arevensis for biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was evaluated. The formation of AgNPs was confirmed by color changes and UV–visible spectroscopy, which showed absorbance maxima peak at 416?nm. The transmission electron microscope (TEM) image showed the AgNPs to be anisotropic and mostly spherical with sizes in the range of 5–100?nm. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis indicated that the flavonoids, alkaloids and phenolic groups present in leaf extract were involved in the reduction and capping of phytogenic AgNPs. These nanoparticles showed the cytotoxic effects against H1229 and MCF-7 cancer cell lines with an IC₅₀ value of 10?μg/mL. AgNPs showed insignificant antioxidant properties compared to the crude extract, and it was effective against clinical isolated bacterial strains. Furthermore, the bioderived AgNPs displayed significant catalytic activity against methylene blue. These results confirmed the advantages and applications of these phytogenic AgNPs using the green method in various fields.     

Rapid biologically one-step synthesis of stable bioactive silver nanoparticles using Osage orange (Maclura pomifera) leaf extract and their antimicrobial activities

Synthesis of nanoparticles by using natural products as reducing and stabilizing agents have been widely used in various fields especially medicine, primarily because of its lower cost, simplicity, and less toxic byproducts. In the present work, silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) were rapidly synthesized from silver nitrate in a green one-step synthesis by the aqueous extracts of Osage orange (Maclura pomifera) leaf as a reducing and stabilizing agent simultaneously. The effects of pH, extract quantity, and silver salt concentration were investigated to determine the optimum conditions of green synthesis of Ag NPs. The synthesized Ag NPs were characterized by different techniques including UV–Visible (UV–Vis) absorption spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy, and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM). The Ag NPs showed surface plasmon resonance centered at 415?nm. The XRD pattern and TEM analysis revealed spherical, stable, and uniform Ag NPs with the average particle size of about 12?nm. The FT-IR spectroscopy showed that mainly hydroxyl functional groups, as both the reducing and stabilizing agent are responsible for silver nanoparticles synthesis. The antimicrobial activity of the synthesized Ag NPs showed a significant microbicidal effect on all clinical isolates especially, Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. These results suggest that such stable and uniform Ag NPs can be synthesized rapidly and simply for clinical as well as pharmaceutical applications.     

Low-temperature synthesis of ZnO nanorods using organic-inorganic composite as a seed layer

Well-aligned zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods were synthesized using a low-temperature hydrothermal method employing a zinc/sodium dodecyl sulfate (Zn/SDS) composite as a seed layer. The results of X-ray diffraction measurements indicate that the Zn/SDS composite has a lamellar structure with an interlayer distance of 3.12 nm, which is shorter than that of the lamellar structure of SDS (3.82 nm) due to ion exchange between Zn and Na. The results of X-ray absorption fine structure analyses suggest that ZnO crystals start to grow after an induction period of 20-30 min. The length of nanorods and the aspect ratio of ZnO nanorods could be controlled by altering the molarity of ammonium and zinc nitrate in the growth solutions.     

Biomimetic synthesis of gold nanocrystals using a reducing amphiphile

The first synthesis of a chelating and reactive surfactant derived from citric acid and a short silicone as hydrophobic tail is described. Aqueous solutions of this reactive amphiphile spontaneously induce gold ion reduction, particle nucleation, and further direct crystal growth. The process, both pH and light dependent, occurs through lipid-directed assembly of metal ions, their reduction and subsequent lipid-directed growth to yield ultrathin (approximately 7 nm thick) quasi two-dimensional gold nanocrystals.     

A green chemistry approach for the synthesis and characterization of bioactive gold nanoparticles using Azolla microphylla methanol extract

This article reports the environmentally benign synthesis of gold nanoparticles （GNPs） using methanol extract of Azolla microphylla as the stabilizing and reducing agent. The GNPs were characterized by UV-vis spectrophotometry and FTIR, and the morphological characteristics were analyzed by XRD, FESEM-EDX and HRTEM. The GNPs could be formed in very short time, even in less than 30 min. The nanoparticles measured by UV-spectrophotometer demonstrated a peak at 540 nm corresponding to surface plasmon resonance spectra, and the peaks showed by FTIR suggested the presence of organic biomolecules on the surface of the GNPs. XRD results confirmed the crystalline nature of the GNPs, and FESEM-EDX and HRTEM analyses had been performed in the size ranges of 17-40nm and 1.25-17.5nm respectively. The synthesized GNPs showed excellent antioxidant activity. This study shows the feasibility of using plant sources for the biosynthesis of GNPs.     

Facile synthesis of Ag/ZnO nanorods using Ag/C cables as templates and their gas-sensing properties

A solid-state chemical reaction with the assistance of Ag/C nanocables was implemented for the preparation of Ag/ZnO nanorods. This is the first time Ag/ZnO nanorods are fabricated by using Ag/C cables as template. Compared with the traditional organic surfactant, Ag/C cable is a new and effective template to control the shape of precursors in the solid-state reaction under ambient conditions. The results of systematical gas-sensing studies demonstrate that the sensor based on Ag/ZnO nanorod materials has high sensitivity, good selectivity and short response and reversion time to ethanol. It demonstrates that Ag/ZnO nanorods can be used as gas-sensing material.     

Co掺杂ZnO块材的晶体结构和磁性能研究

采用固相法制备了Zn1-xCoxO（x=0．05-0．25）块材,烧结温度和Co含量对Zn1-xCoxO（x=0．05-0．25）块材的晶体结构和室温磁性能影响强烈,当x≤0．1,烧结温度从800增加到1100℃时,Zn1-xCoxO（x=0．05-0．25）呈现出单相结构,但当x〉0．1,烧结温度为800℃时,样品中出现CoO相;随着烧结温度提高到900℃,样品再次获得纯的单相结构。为了获得高的饱和磁化强度Ms,最佳烧结温度应该根据Co含量进行调整。在最佳烧结温度条件下,当x从0．05提高到0．1时,Ms从0．79增加到了1．06μB/Co,但当x继续提高到0．2和0．25时,Ms分别降低到了0．59和0．41μB/Co。     

Sonochemical synthesis and photocatalytic property of zinc oxide nanoparticles doped with magnesium(II)

Mg-doped ZnO nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by sonochemical method. The products were characterized by scan electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). SEM images revealed that ZnO doped with Mg(II) nanoparticles and ZnO nanoparticles synthesized by the same strategy all had spherical topography. XRD patterns showed that the doped nanoparticles had the same crystals structures as the pure ZnO nanoparticles. The Mg-doped ZnO nanoparticles had larger lattice volume than the un-doped nanoparticles. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) not only demonstrated the moral ratio of Mg and Zn element on the surface of nanoparticles, but their valence in nanoparticles as well. The Mg-doped ZnO nanoparticles presented good properties in photocatalyst compared with pure ZnO nanoparticles.     

一维纳米ZnO制备技术及应用研究进展

一维纳米ZnO由于具有良好的光学、电学和压电性能,在纳米光电子器件方面具有潜在的应用价值,已受到广泛的关注和重视.介绍了ZnO纤锌矿的晶体结构及性质,阐述了一维纳米ZnO的制备技术及其在光电子器件、传感器以及太阳能电池等方面的潜在应用,并进一步探讨了目前存在的问题及其今后的研究发展方向.     

Sol-gel synthesis,structural and enhanced photocatalytic performance of Al doped ZnO nanoparticles

In this research ZnO and Zn_1?x Al_xO (x = 1, 3, 5, 7% mol) nanoparticles were synthesized by sol-gel method. The effect of Al concentration on the structure, morphology, absorption spectra and photocatalytic properties investigated by using X-ray, TEM, EDS and UV–Vis spectrophotometer approaches. Hexagonal, spherical and rod-like structure was achieved as the dominant structure for undoped nanoparticles, low and high concentrations of doped Al, respectively. Photocatalytic activity of nanoparticles was measured by degradation of methyl orange as a pollutant under radiation of ultraviolet (UV). The experimental test results indicate that the best photocatalytic performance is at of 5% of Al. Furthermore, the doped ZnO nanoparticles have more activity in visible area compared with undoped nanoparticles. The absorption amount in this area increases by raising the Al concentrations. Furthermore, the band gap of the particles decreases from 3.22 eV to 2.93 eV by increasing Al percentage.