Structural and optical properties of tin oxide branched nanostructures

Branched nanostructures of tin oxide (SnO2) have been synthesized by Vapor-Liquid-Solid (VLS) mechanism using a gold catalyst in the temperature range of 800-850 degrees C under an ambient gas flow of 200 sccm. The microstructural and the optical properties of the as prepared products have been studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), micro-Raman, and photoluminescence (PL) studies. SnO2 branches with a rutile phase are found to have a preferential orientation along (101). Typical lengths of these branches are found to be approximately 3-5 microm and diameters in the range of 50-100 nm. Selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern shows that the SnO2 branches have a tetragonal cross section with [101] crystal direction. A Raman line at 631 cm(-1) (Sn-O bond) is obtained in the micro Raman spectra. Low temperature PL spectrum shows a strong green emission band near 506 nm.     

The synthesis and selective gas sensing characteristics of SnO(2)/α-Fe(2)O(3) hierarchical nanostructures

SnO(2)/α-Fe(2)O(3) hierarchical nanostructures, in which the SnO(2) nanorods grow on the side surface of α-Fe(2)O(3) nanorods as multiple rows, were synthesized via a three-step process. The diameters and lengths of the SnO(2) nanorods are 6-15?nm and about 120?nm. The growth direction of SnO(2) nanorods is [001], significantly affected by that of α-Fe(2)O(3) nanorods. The hetero-nanostructures exhibit very good selectivity to ethanol. The sensing characteristics are related to the special heterojunction structures, confirmed by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy observation. Therefore, a heterojunction barrier controlled gas sensing mechanism is realized. Our results demonstrate that the hetero-nanostructures are promising materials for fabricating sensors and other complex devices.     

SnO_2纳米空心球的合成及在锂离子电池正极方面的应用(英文)

采用锡盐溶液浸渍-煅烧锯末法,制备了SnO2纳米空心球.分别用X射线衍射(XRD)、透射电子显微镜(TEM)、高分辨透射电子显微镜(HRTEM)及恒流充放电技术对产品的结构形态和电化学性质进行了表征.结果表明,SnO2空心球的尺寸在50～120nm之间,壳层厚度约为5nm.在作为锂离子电池正极使用时,初始放电容量为607.7 mAh g-1.     

Growth of tin dioxide nanobelts via Au-catalytic VLS process

Ultra-long (several millimeters) tin dioxide SnO2 nanobelts were prepared by chemical vapor deposition at 850 degrees C. The X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) indicated that the as-prepared sample is tetragonal phase SnO2; field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) reveals the as-prepared SnO2 is uniform nanobelts; transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) studies show the nanobelts is monocrystalline with width of hundreds of nanometers and growth along [101] crystal direction; X-ray energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and photoluminescence (PL) spectrum were used to detail its composition and optical properties. The possible formation mechanism of these ultra-long nanobelts was also proposed on the basis of experiments.     

Rutile structured SnO2 nanowires synthesized with metal catalyst by thermal evaporation method

One-dimensional (1-D) nanostructures such as tubes, rods, wires, and belts have attracted considerable research activities owing to their strong application potential as components for nanosize electronic or optoelectronic devices utilizing superior optical and electrical properties. Characterizing the mechanical properties of nanostructure is of great importance for their applications in electronics, optoelectronics, sensors, actuators. Wide-bandgap SnO2 semiconducting material (Eg = 3.6 eV at room temperature) is one of the attractive candidates for optoelectronic devices operating at room temperature, gas sensors, and transparent conducting electrodes. The synthesis and gas sensing properties of semiconducting SnO2 nanomaterials have became one of important research issues since the first synthesis of SnO2 nanobelts. Considering the important application of SnO2 in sensors, these structures are not only ideal systems for fundamental understanding at the nanoscale level, but they also have potential applications as nanoscale sensors, resonator, and transducers. The structured SnO2 nanorods have been grown on silicon substrates with Au catalytic layer by thermal evporation process over 800 degrees C. The resulting sample is characterized and analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). The morphology and structural properties of SnO2 nanowires were measured by scanning electron microscopy and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The mean diameter of the SnO2 nanorods grown on Au coated silicon (100) substrate is approximately 80 nm. In addition, X-ray diffraction measurements show that SnO2 nanorods have a rutile structure. The formation of SnO2 nanowires has been attributed to the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) growth mechanisms depending on the processing conditions. We investigated the growth behavior of the SnO2 nanowires by variation of the growth conditions such as gas partial pressure and temperature.     

Growth of cubic and hexagonal InN nanorods

InN nanorods with polyhedral ends were grown by evaporating indium in the flow of ammonia gas on Si substrates coated with Au catalyst. The samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). XRD shows that the samples contain both cubic and hexagonal phases. From the TEM results, it can be found that the cubic nanorods grow along [010] direction with a lattice constant of 0.497 nm, while the hexagonal nanorods grow along [112¯0] direction. The growth mechanism of the obtained nanostructures is discussed.     

Fabrication and highly sensitive gas sensors based on h-MoO3/SnO2 hollow nanostructures operated at low temperatures

Simulated by the synthesis of one dimensional hollow nanostructures with significant sensing, electrical, and optical properties, we have successfully synthesized 1D hollow nanostructures of h-MoO3/SnO2 with well-defined multi-side walls. These hollow nanostructured materials synthesized via a hydrothermal method with SnCl2.2H2O as the precursor and h-MoO3 as the template. SnO2 nanoparticles grew on the surface of h-MoO3 with preferential direction [001]. The morphological change was observed with variation of the growth conditions, such as HNO3, and h-MoO3 concentration. 1D hollow nanostructures of h-MoO3/SnO2 were studied and their growth mechanism was discussed. The result revealed that the existence of h-MoO3 caused to increase the sensor response to ethanol gas and downshift the sensor operating temperature at low temperatures.     

ZnO-Sn:ZnO core-shell nanowires and ZnO-Zn2SnO4 comb-like nanocomposites

Novel single-crystalline ZnO-Sn:ZnO (SZO) core-shell nanowires and ZnO-Zn2SnO4 (ZTO) comb-like nanocomposites were synthesized by thermal chemical vapor deposition at a low temperature of 650 degrees C. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy show the diameters and lengths of the core-shell nanowires are in ranges of 25-60 nm and 300-500 nm, respectively. The atomic ratios of Sn to (Zn + Sn) in the central and shell parts of the nanowire are 0.4 at.% and 6.1 at.%, respectively. The ZnO-ZTO comb-like nanocomposites possess ZnO nanocombs with ZTO nano-layers deposited on both sides of them. The ZnO branches and ZTO layers are single-crystalline wurtzite and spinel structures growing along the [0002] and [111] directions, respectively. Room-temperature cathodoluminescence measurements show the nanocomposites exhibit strong ultraviolet (UV) emissions at 300, 384 nm, and a broad green emission. The novel luminescence shows promising singularity for opto-electronic applications.     

Three-dimensional structure of helical and zigzagged nanowires using electron tomography

Electron tomography and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the unique three-dimensional structures of helical or zigzagged GaN, ZnGa2O4, and Zn2SnO4 nanowires. The GaN nanowires adopt a helical structure that consists of six equivalent <011> growth directions with the axial [0001] direction. We also confirmed that the ZnGa2O4 nanosprings have four equivalent <011> growth directions with the [001] axial direction. The zigzagged Zn2SnO4 nanowires consisted of linked rhombohedrons having the side edges matched to the <110> direction and the [111] axial direction.     

Brush-shaped ZnO heteronanorods synthesized using thermal-assisted pulsed laser deposition

Brush-shaped ZnO heteronanostructures were synthesized using a newly designed thermal-assisted pulsed laser deposition (T-PLD) system that combines the advantages of pulsed laser deposition (PLD) and a hot furnace system. Branched ZnO nanostructures were successfully grown onto CVD-grown backbone nanowires by T-PLD. Although ZnO growth at 300 °C resulted in core-shell structures, brush-shaped hierarchical nanostructures were formed at 500-600 °C. Materials properties were studied via photoluminescence (PL), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) characterizations. The enhanced photocurrent of a SnO(2)-ZnO heterostructures device by irradiation with 365 nm wavelength ultraviolet (UV) light was also investigated by the current-voltage characteristics.     

Investigation of substrate influence on tin dioxide nanostructures synthesized using horizontal furnace

SnO2 nanostructures were directly synthesised by chemical vapour transport on different substrates in a horizontal furnace. The influence of substrate on the morphology of these nanostructures was investigated by changing the substrate type, coating, and temperature. The SnO2 nanowires and nanorods were one dimensional (1D) structures with widths and lengths of 50-200 nm and several micrometers respectively. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images show formation of short nanorods with lengths of less than 1 microm on indium-tin oxide (ITO) substrates. The effect of substrate temperature on growth was studied. SnO2 nanowires were obtained using silicon substrate, and the effect of Au coating on the size and morphology of these structures was proposed. By coating the Si wafer with a thin layer of Au, the size of the nanostructure was reduced and the length increased. The differences in size and morphology are shown by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra show tetragonal structures for both substrates.     

Dense doping of indium to coral-like SnO2 nanostructures through a plasma-assisted strategy for sensitive and selective detection of chlorobenzene

A plasma-assisted strategy for densely doping indium to SnO(2) nanostructures for gas-sensing applications is reported. The morphology, structure, and composition of the as-prepared nanostructures were characterized by field emission scanning electronic microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD), and x-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS), respectively. The results show that the densities of hydroxyl and carboxyl groups of the coral-like SnO(2)/carbonaceous nanocomposites are remarkably improved by using a plasma treatment (PT), which enables them to adsorb a large quantity of indium ions and thereby enhance the doping. In gas-sensing measurements, it is found that the sensor is sensitive to chlorobenzene with a high response and short response and recovery times. Besides, the gas-sensing properties of the sensor based on the In-doped SnO(2) with PT are greatly improved compared with sensors based on In-doped SnO(2) without PT and pure SnO(2). The enhanced doping and the special coral-like structure are demonstrated as the mechanism of improvement. The kinetic processes of gas adsorption and desorption are also investigated. Furthermore, it is revealed that chlorobenzene can be clearly identified from some gas references by using principal component analysis, exhibiting a good selectivity. Our findings not only provide a promising building block for developing a sensitive and selective gas sensor for environmental monitoring, but also demonstrate a novel plasma-assisted strategy which could be potentially developed as a general method for dense doping of nanomaterials.     

ZnO四足和多足纳米结构的制备和光致发光性能研究

采用简单的热蒸发法,在没有使用载气和催化剂的情况下成功制备出ZnO四足和多足纳米结构。采用场发射扫描电镜、X射线衍射、高分辨透射电子显微镜和荧光分光光度计研究了ZnO纳米结构的形貌、结构和光致发光性能。结果表明所合成的ZnO是由具有六方纤锌矿结构的四足和多足纳米结构组成,足部呈棒状并沿[0001]方向生长。提出了四足和多足ZnO纳米结构的生长机制。在室温下的光致发光光谱中,494nm处出现一个较强的绿色发射峰,391nm处出现一个较弱的紫外发射峰。     

Structural and magnetic properties of Zn1-xcoxO nanorods prepared by microwave irradiation technique

We have successfully synthesized large-scale aggregative flowerlike Zn1-xCo(x)O (0.0 < or = x < or = 0.07) nanostructures, consisting of many branches of nanorods at different orientations with diameter within 100-150 nm (tip diameter approximately 50 nm) and length of approximately 1 microm. The rods were prepared using Zinc nitrate, cobalt nitrate and KOH in 180 Watt microwave radiation for short time interval. The synthesized nanorods were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), field emission transmission electron microscopy (FETEM) and DC magnetization measurements. XRD and TEM results indicate that the novel flowerlike nanostructures are hexagonal with wurtzite structure and Co ions were successfully incorporated into the lattice position of Zn ions in ZnO matrix. The selected area electron diffraction (SAED) pattern reveals that the nanorods are single crystal in nature and preferentially grow along [0 0 1] direction. Magnetic studies show that Zn1-xCo(x)O nanorods exhibit room temperature ferromagnetism. This novel nanostructure could be a promising candidate for a variety of future spintronic applications.     

Graphene-SnO(2) composites for highly efficient photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue under sunlight

Graphene sheets decorated with SnO(2) nanoparticles (RGO-SnO(2)) were prepared via a redox reaction between graphene oxide (GO) and SnCl(2). Graphene oxide (GO) was reduced to graphene (RGO) and Sn(2+) was oxidized to SnO(2) during the redox reaction, leading to a homogeneous distribution of SnO(2) nanoparticles on RGO sheets. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images show uniform distribution of the nanoparticles on the RGO surface and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) shows an average particle size of 3-5?nm. The RGO-SnO(2) composite showed an enhanced photocatalytic degradation activity for the organic dye methylene blue under sunlight compared to bare SnO(2) nanoparticles. This result leads us to believe that the RGO-SnO(2) composite could be used in catalytic photodegradation of other organic dyes.     

Fabrication and structure characterization of te butterfly nanostructures

Te nanowires and butterfly nanostructures have been fabricated by template-free electrodeposition (TFED) in aqueous solution. By high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) study, the favored growth directions of the nanowires and the wings of the butterfly nanostructures were determined to be along the [0001] direction of trigonal Te, and the twinning plane of the butterfly nanostructures was (11-22). The cathodoluminescence measurements carried out at different positions of the butterfly nanostructure indicated that the twin boundaries influenced the photoemission efficiency.     

Microstructural and photoluminescence properties of tin dioxide modified by electron beam irradiation

A modified technique was developed by electron beam irradiation to prepare tin dioxide (SnO2) nanocrystals using the sol-gel method. SnO2 nanoparticles were radiated under a 1,400 KGy dose. The morphology and microstructure of the SnO2 nanocrystals were investigated by X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and Raman spectroscopy. The results indicate that the irradiated SnO2 nanoparticles have better crystallinity than unirradiated SnO2 nanoparticles, and the resulting nanocrystals have a tetragonal rutile crystalline structure. The HRTEM image proves that the average grain size is about 4 nm, and the clear lattice fringes indicate the improvement of SnO2 nanocrystals after irradiation. The Raman spectrum shows that there are new peaks at 535 cm(-1) and 691 cm(-1). The optical properties of SnO2 nanoparticles were characterized by ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) and photoluminescence spectrophotometers. The band gap energy of the irradiated SnO2 was 3.29 eV smaller than that of the unirradiated SnO2 due to size effects and some defects of SnO2 nanocrystals. This work provides a novel approach for the improvement of SnO2 nanocrystals. The optical properties of the irradiated SnO2 nanomaterials are also expected to improve.     

Growth of mane-like ZnS nanostructures by using a two-heating zone-tube furnace: structural characterization and photoluminescence

We have synthesized ZnS nanowires with mane-like branches by thermal evaporation of ZnS powder on the Au-coated Si(100) substrate using a two-heating zone tube furnace. The ZnS powder and the Si substrate were kept at 1,000 and 850 °C, respectively, in a nitrogen atmosphere during synthesis of the ZnS nanostructures. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy analyses were performed to investigate the structure, morphology and photoluminescence properties of the products. The axial nanowires grow along the [002] direction and have diameters of 100–200 nm, while on the other hand the branch nanowires grow along the [101] direction and their diameters and lengths are 30–50 and 800–100 nm, respectively. The room temperature PL spectrum with a Gaussian fitting exhibits two visible light emission bands centered at around 397 and 458 nm.     

SnO2/Fe2O3双层薄膜的界面结构及其对气敏特性的影响

本文给出用等离子化学气相沉积 (PCVD)技术制备的SnO2 /Fe2 O3 双层薄膜结构的俄歇谱 (AES)剖面分析、透射电镜 (TEM)断面形貌和扫描电镜 (SEM)表面形貌的实验研究结果。AES剖面分析和TEM断面形貌图显示在SnO2 与Fe2 O3 界面区有一个约 35nm厚的过渡层存在 ,其质地松散。实验还发现这个界面过渡层的存在缓解了层间应力 ,增强了SnO2 薄膜的附着力 ,对该双层膜的气敏特性有明显的控制作用 ;但当SnO2 层厚大于 2 70nm时 ,其控制作用几乎完全消失     

Synthesis and photo-catalytic degradation property of nanostructured-ZnO with different morphology

ZnO nanostructures with different morphology have been successfully fabricated by a simple relative low temperature approach at 90 °C for 5 h without surfactant assistance. These structures can be easily tailed using varied concentrations of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and different amounts of the hydrazine hydrate (N₂H₄·H₂O). X-ray diffraction (XRD) result proves the formation of ZnO with wurtzite structure. Microstructure as revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) indicates that the rod-like and chrysanthemum-like ZnO nanostructures contain many radial nanorods, which grow along the [0001] direction. Furthermore, the as-prepared ZnO nanomaterials exhibit high activity on the photo-catalytic degradation of typical persistent organic pollutants (POPs), indicating that they are promising as semiconductor photo-catalysts.