Formation of tetrapod ZnO nanowhiskers and its optical properties

Nanopowder containing ZnO nanowhiskers and nanoparticles was synthesized by the oxidation of Zn vapor, at temperatures from 1050 to 1450 °C in a flow of Ar and O₂ gas mixture. The morphology and structure of the nanowhiskers were dependent on the synthesis parameters such as evaporation temperature and the gas pressure. The nanowhiskers formed had a tetrapod shape with needle-like feet that become shorter and fatter on increasing temperature under a certain pressure range. The amount of Zn phase inside the nanowhiskers increased with increasing temperature. The Zn phase melted at temperature of 420 °C, which was confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The nanopowders showed strong sintering activity after they were pressed. The far infrared light was intensely absorbed by the ZnO tetrapod nanowhiskers.     

以PAMAM树形分子为模板剂纳米氧化锌的制备及其光催化性能研究

以3.5代端酯基PAMAM树型分子为模板,成功制备了颗粒均匀的纳米氧化锌.采用TEM、XRD及UV-vis等手段对合成样品的形貌和结构进行表征.初步探讨了纳米ZnO形成的可能模板机理.测试其在紫外光作用下光降解罗丹明B的性能,结果表明,该法制备的纳米ZnO具有很高的光催化活性.     

Fabrication of ZnO nanowhiskers array film by forced-hydrolysis-initiated-nucleation technique using various templates

ZnO nanowhiskers array films were successfully fabricated using an aqueous solution deposition at 88 °C based on the forced-hydrolysis-initiated-nucleation technique of a template layer. Several zinc salts template layers (anhydrous zinc acetate, layered hydroxide zinc acetate, fibrous monohydrate zinc hydroxonitrate, and two types of layered hydroxide zinc nitrate) were investigated. In-situ forced hydrolysis of low-solubility zinc salts to ZnO nanocrystals at an initial stage promoted homoepitaxial growth of ZnO nanowhiskers array by heterogeneous nucleation on the substrate surface, which were clarified by XRD and FE–SEM. ZnO nanowhiskers array film was successfully fabricated on the low heat-resistant plastic substrate by this technique.     

One-step solution synthesis of monodispersed ZnO nanowhiskers at low-temperature

In this paper, a one-step wet-chemical approach to synthesize monodispersed ZnO nanowhiskers is reported. Depending on the synthetic conditions used, the nanosized ZnO can be formed directly in aqueous solution at low-temperature. From the investigation of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetry (TG) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), the resultant powders without high-temperature calcining were confirmed to be ZnO, and its crystal phase was hexagonal wurtzite structure, transmission electron microscope (TEM) observation revealed that ZnO nanowhiskers have diameters ranging from 30 to 50 nm and lengths up to 500 nm.     

Dynamic compressive response and failure behavior of fiber polymer composites embedded with tetra-needle-like ZnO nanowhiskers

Glass fiber polymer composites embedded with tetra-needle-like zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowhiskers were prepared. The prepared composites exhibited excellent mechanical properties after the effective dispersion of ZnO nanowhiskers in the resin. The static and dynamic compressive properties of the composites were tested in the thickness and in-plane directions. The macro- and microfracture morphologies of the damaged specimens were obtained by using a scanning electron microscope. The results show that the compressive properties of the composites could be significantly affected by strain rates. As the strain rate increases, the composites have a higher strength. The compressive properties of the composites are affected by the content of ZnO nanowhiskers in the resin. The high strength of the composites can be attributed to the three-dimensional structures of ZnO nanowhiskers and the corresponding stress transfer.     

Microwave-assisted silica coating and photocatalytic activities of ZnO nanoparticles

A new and rapid method for silica coating of ZnO nanoparticles by the simple microwave irradiation technique is reported. Silica-coated ZnO nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), CHN elemental analysis and zeta potential measurements. The FT-IR spectra and XPS clearly confirmed the silica coating on ZnO nanoparticles. The results of XPS analysis showed that the elements in the coating at the surface of the ZnO nanoparticles were Zn, O and Si. HR-TEM micrographs revealed a continuous and uniform dense silica coating layer of about 3 nm in thickness on the surface of ZnO nanoparticles. In addition, the silica coating on the ZnO nanoparticles was confirmed by the agreement in the zeta potential of the silica-coated ZnO nanoparticles with that of SiO₂. The results of the photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solution showed that silica coating effectively reduced the photocatalytic activity of ZnO nanoparticles. Silica-coated ZnO nanoparticles showed excellent UV shielding ability and visible light transparency.     

Preparation and characterization of vanadium-doped ZnO nanoparticles for environmental application

Vanadium-doped ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO:V) were prepared via flame spray pyrolysis (FSP) from a mixed aqueous solution of zinc hydroxide and vanadyl (IV) acetylacetonate. The morphological, structural and optical properties of the ZnO:V photocatalyst were characterized via transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and UV-visible diffused reflection spectrum (DRS). The photocatalytic activity of ZnO:V was evaluated via photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB). The results showed that the hexagonal wurtzite-structured ZnO:V nanoparticles were successfully synthesized via FSP. The morphology of the as-prepared nanoparticles was polyhedral and non-hollow. The average diameter of ZnO:V, which was calculated from BET result, was 11.7 nm when the molar ratio of V/Zn was 0.1. The maximum decomposition of MB by the ZnO:V nanoparticles was 99.4% after 180 min under UV irradiation, whereas the decomposition of MB by the pure ZnO nanoparticles was 96.6%.     

Increase in the fluorescence intensity of ZnO nanoparticle by laser irradiation

We increased fluorescence intensity of ZnO nanoparticles by irradiation of laser to nanoparticles in solvent. The intensity of laser-irradiated nanoparticles became 1.4 times larger than that of non-irradiated one. The ZnO nanoparticles were synthesized by precipitation method. The laser for irradiation to ZnO nanoparticles was He-Cd cw laser. It was found that the average particle size was slightly increased during laser irradiation by red-shifted absorbance onset. These highly-fluorescent nanoparticles in solvent are useful for biomedical field such as biological imaging.     

Synthesis and systematic investigations of Al and Cu-doped ZnO nanoparticles and its structural,optical and photo-catalytic properties

Here we report, copper (Cu) and Aluminum (Al) doped zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles by a novel one step microwave irradiation method for the first time. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) reveals that both pure and doped samples assigned to hexagonal wurtzite type structure. The calculated average crystalline size decreases from 24 to 11 nm for pure and doped (Al and Cu) ZnO respectively, which is in good agreement with the particles size observed from Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) analyses. A considerable red shift in the absorption edge and the reduction in the energy gap from 3.35 to 2.95 eV reveal the substitution of Al³⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions into the ZnO lattice analyzed by UV–Vis transmission spectra. The photocatalytic degradation of Methyl Violet (MV), Phenol and Rhodamine B (RHB) was investigated by using pure, Al and Cu doped ZnO catalyst under UV light irradiation. The results showed that the photocatalytic property is significantly improved by Cu doping concentration. This could be attributed to extended visible light absorption, inhibition of the electronehole pair’s recombination and enhanced adsorptivity of dye molecule on the surface of Cu–ZnO nanopowders. The samples were further characterized by photoluminescence spectra and Fourier Infrared Spectra (FTIR) analysis.     

Preparation and tunable luminescent characteristics of SiO2 coated ZnO:LiAc nanoparticles

ZnO:LiAc nanopaticles were successfully synthesized though a colloidal-sol technique in nonaqueous solution under ultrasonic irradiation. The luminescent characteristics from blue to red can be tunable by varying [Li]/[Zn] ratios. The possible reason of tunable luminescent characteristics can be attributed to the increase of density of oxygen vacancies caused by Li+ adsorbed in the surface of magic-sized ZnO nanocrystals based on XRD, zeta potential and XPS results. What's more, it is found that SiO2 shell coated on ZnO:LiAc nanoparticles can improve the surface property of ZnO nanoparticles and enhance the PL emission intensity and optical stability. Due to its excellent luminescent characteristic and optical stability, as-prepared SiO2 coated ZnO:LiAc nanoparticles may be a promising candidate for some applications in high-efficiency low-voltage phosphor, solar cells and biological luminescent labels.     

Tuning the band gap of ZnO nanoparticles by ultrasonic irradiation

In this present paper, we report the tunability of ZnO nanoparticles by ultrasonic irradiation. Different sized ZnO nanoparticles viz. 2.58–2.97 nm have been synthesized with variation of ultrasonic irradiation time 75–270 min in presence of Histidine as capping agent. UV and visible spectroscopy study revealed that as ultrasonic irradiation time increases, there is increase in amount of formed ZnO nanoparticles and also there is red shift in absorption edge. This confirms the tunability of bandgap of histidine capped ZnO nanoparticles with ultrasonic irradiation. Growth mechanism for controlling the size of ZnO nanoparticles are also discussed.     

Microwave-assisted synthesis of ZnO/MWCNT hybrid nanocomposites and their alcohol-sensing properties

Zinc oxide and multi-walled carbon nanotube (ZnO/MWCNT) hybrid nanocomposites were synthesised by microwave-assisted method using the mixed solution of zinc acetate dehydrate (Zn(CH₃COO)₂·2H₂O) and treated MWCNTs. The syntheses were carried out at various microwave irradiation powers. The characterisation of the as-synthesised nanocomposites was conducted by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The XRD results revealed that the composites were composed of two phases of MWCNTs and hexagonal wurzite ZnO. The SEM results showed that the ZnO nanoparticles were well decorated on the surface of MWCNTs. The amount of ZnO nanoparticles and their size increased with increasing irradiation power. Thick-film sensors were fabricated onto interdigitated conducting electrodes using as-synthesised hybrid composites as sensing materials. The alcohol-sensing behaviour of the hybrid composite films was investigated. The results indicated that the irradiation power had significant influence on the sensing response of the sensors toward alcohol. The sensor fabricated from the composite synthesised at higher irradiation power exhibited an enhanced alcohol-sensing performance.     

Synthesis of [60]fullerene-ZnO nanocomposite under electric furnace and photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were synthesized by a reaction between an aqueous-alcoholic solution of zinc nitrate and sodium hydroxide under ultrasonic irradiation at room temperature. The morphology, optical properties of the ZnO nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-vis spectroscopy. The [60]fullerene and zinc oxide nanocomposite were synthesized in an electric furnace at 700 degrees C for two hours. The [60]fullerene-ZnO nanocomposite was characterized by XRD, SEM and TEM. In addition, the [60]fullerene-ZnO nanocomposite was investigated as a catalyst in the photocatalytic degradation of organic dyes using UV-vis spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity of the [60]fullerene-ZnO nanocomposite was compared with that of ZnO nanoparticles, heated ZnO nanoparticles after synthesis, pure [60]fullerene, and heated pure [60]fullerene in organic dyes such as methylene blue (MB), methyl orange (MO), and rhodamine B (RhB) under ultraviolet light at 254 nm.     

Facile synthesis of Au/ZnO nanoparticles and their enhanced photocatalytic activity for hydroxylation of benzene

Au/ZnO nanocomposites have been prepared by a simple chemical method. For the first time, the nanocomposites were directly used as photocatalysts for hydroxylation of aromatic hydrocarbons under UV and visible light irradiation. The results show that the as-prepared photocatalysts display high photocatalytic activity for UV and visible catalytic hydroxylation of benzene. Without the assistance of any solvent or additive, high selectivity and high conversion efficiency were still obtained. Different photocatalytic mechanisms were proposed depending on whether excitation happens on ZnO semiconductor or on the surface plasmon band of Au. The former is Au nanoparticles act as electron buffer due to irradiation by UV light and ZnO nanoparticles as reactive sites for hydroxylation of benzene, the latter is that Au nanoparticles act as light harvesters and inject electrons into ZnO conduction band and as photocatalytic sites under visible light irradiation.     

Copper and iron doped zinc oxide: chemical synthesis,characterization and their properties

We report here the synthesis of Cu and Fe doped ZnO nano-particles. Cu and Fe doped ZnO nanoparticles were successfully synthesized and structurally, optically and morphologically characterized using X-ray diffractometer, optical spectroscope and scanning electron microscope. The crystal size is in the range of 15–20 nm for both the Cu and Fe doped ZnO nanoparticles. Nanoparticles are not below the critical size where quantum confinement effect is observed. ZnO has hexagonal, wurtzite structure. Synthesis was carried out at 60 °C. The light orange and gray color powder of Cu and Fe doped ZnO nanoparticles were obtained.     

Facile Synthesis as well as Structural,Raman, Dielectric and Antibacterial Characteristics of Cu Doped ZnO Nanoparticles

Here, undoped and Cu doped ZnO nanoparticles(NPs) have been prepared by chemical co-precipitation technique. X-ray diffraction(XRD) results reveal that Cu ions are successfully doped into ZnO matrix without altering its wurtzite phase. The single wurtzite phase of ZnO is retained even for 10 wt% Cu doped ZnO sample. It is observed from the electron microscopy results that higher level of Cu doping varies the morphology of ZnO NPs from spherical to flat NPs. Moreover, the particle size is found to increase with the increase in Cu doping level. Raman spectroscopy results further confirm that Cu dopant has not altered the wurtzite structure of ZnO. Impedance spectroscopy results reveal that the dielectric constant and dielectric loss have increasing trend with Cu doping. Cu doping has been found to slightly decrease the bactericidal potency of ZnO nanoparticles.     

Cu纳米颗粒添加体的[BMIm]NTf_2离子液体法制备及其摩擦学性能

用离子液体法制备Cu纳米颗粒并将其用于摩擦学研究优于常用的方法,以往对此报道不多。通过微波辐射合成了1-丁基-3-甲基咪唑双三氟甲基磺酰亚胺{[BMIm]NTf2}离子液体,利用化学还原法分别在水溶液和[BMIm]NTf2中制备了Cu纳米颗粒,采用XRD,TEM,TG和DTA对其结构进行了表征;将2种纳米Cu颗粒溶于N68基础油中,采用四球摩擦磨损试验机对2种纳米Cu添加体的摩擦学性能进行了试验,并对磨痕表面进行了SEM分析。结果表明:[BMIm]NTf2离子液体中制备的Cu纳米颗粒为面心立方结构,粒径为3～25nm,能够显著改善N68基础油的抗磨减摩性能;与水溶液中制备的纳米Cu添加体相比,其摩擦系数下降了24.6%,钢球磨斑直径下降了18.8%,PB值提高了16.4%。     

ZnO/Al_2O_3复合纳米颗粒的制备与表征

为研究ZnO/Al2O3复合纳米颗粒在涂料、化妆品等领域的应用,采用直接沉淀法制备了纳米ZnO,用硫酸铝水解生成的Al2O3对纳米ZnO进行了表面改性。采用IR、TEM、SEM、XRD等手段对改性前后的粉体进行表征。分析结果表明,改性后粉体颗粒的团聚现象减轻。粉体的光催化降解甲基橙的实验研究表明,改性后ZnO粉体的光催化活性明显下降,进一步证明纳米ZnO颗粒表面存在Al2O3的包覆层。     

Effect of doping on structural and optical properties of ZnO nanoparticles: study of antibacterial properties

Sol-gel method was successfully used for synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles doped with 10 % Mg or Cu. The structure, morphology and optical properties of the prepared nanoparticles were studied as a function of doping content. The synthesized ZnO:(Mg/Cu) samples were characterized using XRD, TEM, FTIR and UV-Vis spectroscopy techniques. The samples show hexagonal wurtzite structure, and the phase segregation takes place for Cu doping. Optical studies revealed that Mg doping increases the energy band gap while Cu incorporation results in decrease of the band gap. The antibacterial activities of the nanoparticles were tested against Escherichia coli (Gram negative bacteria) cultures. It was found that both pure and doped ZnO nanosuspensions show good antibacterial activity which increases with copper doping, and slightly decreases with adding Mg.     

Fabrication and characterization of a composite ZnO semiconductor as electron transporting layer in dye-sensitized solar cells

ZnO nanocomposites involving nanowires and nanoparticles with a thickness of 4 μm were grown by chemical bath deposition and used as electron transporting layer in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The growth of ZnO nanowires was initially achieved in a zinc nitrate and hexamethylenetetramine aqueous solution on a fluorine-doped tin oxide thin film seeded with ZnO nanoparticles. Subsequently, layered hydroxide zinc acetate (LHZA) nanoparticles were deposited on the nanowires by dip coating in a zinc acetate methanolic solution. A relatively conformal deposit of nanoparticles all along the nanowires was revealed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. It is shown by X-ray diffraction measurements that a subsequent annealing convert the LHZA nanoparticles into ZnO nanoparticles. The resulting DSSCs present a short circuit current density almost three times higher when the ZnO nanowire interstices were filled with ZnO nanoparticles, which is due to a higher dye loading for a constant device thickness. This is correlated with a very high specific surface area in ZnO nanocomposites, which is 250 times larger than the geometrical surface area. Although a decrease in both the open circuit voltage and the fill factor was shown by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy owing to an increase in electron radiative and nonradiative recombinations, the efficiency of ZnO nanocomposite-based-DSSCs was on average 1.75%, which is 70% higher than for single ZnO nanowire-based-DSSCs.