Structural, dielectric and magnetic characterization of large scale template synthesized Gd doped BiFeO3 nanowires

Pure and 10 % Gd doped BiFeO₃ nanowires of 100-nm diameter have been synthesized by sol–gel template-assisted technique. Phase-dependent structural, dielectric and magnetic properties of pure and Gd doped BiFeO₃ nanowires have been investigated. X-ray diffraction study reveals that pure BiFeO₃ nanowires possess rhombohedral structure while 10 % Gd doped BiFeO₃ nanowires are orthorhombic in nature. Magnetic study confirms that the value of saturation magnetization, increased with structural change via doping of Gd in host BiFeO₃.     

Preparation and characterization of silica-coated ZnSe nanowires with thermal stability and photoluminescence

Silica-coated ZnSe nanowires with well-controlled the thickness of sheath in the range of 10-60 nm have been synthesized through a simple sol-gel process. The thickness of silica coating could be controlled through altering reaction parameters such as volume ratio of TEOS and ammonia. XRD, high-resolution TEM, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectra, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and photoluminescence (PL) spectra were used to characterize the core/sheath nanostructures. Room-temperature PL measurements indicate these silica-coated ZnSe nanowires remarkably improve the PL intensity. Meanwhile, the thermal stability has been enhanced greatly, which is useful for their potential applications in advanced semiconductor devices.     

Defect studies of ZnSe nanowires

During the synthesis of ZnSe nanowires various point and extended defects can form, leading to observed stacking faults and twinning defects, and strong defect related emission in photoluminescence spectra. In this paper, we report on the development of a simple thermodynamic model for estimating the defect concentration in ZnSe nanowires grown under varying Se vapour pressure and for explaining the results of our experimental findings. Positron annihilation spectroscopy was used successfully for the first time for nanowires and the results support predictions from the defect model as well as agreeing well with our structural and optical characterization results. Under very high Se vapour pressure, Se nodules were observed to form on the sidewalls of the nanowire, indicating that beyond a limit, excess Se will begin to precipitate out of the liquid alloy droplet in the vapour-liquid-solid growth of nanowires.     

Fluorescence spectroscopy of electrochemically self-assembled ZnSe and Mn:ZnSe nanowires

We report room temperature fluorescence spectroscopy (FL) studies of ZnSe and Mn-doped ZnSe nanowires of different diameters (10, 25, 50?nm) produced by an electrochemical self-assembly technique. All samples exhibit increasing blue-shift in the band edge fluorescence with decreasing wire diameter because of quantum confinement. The 10?nm ZnSe nanowires show four distinct emission peaks due to band-to-band recombination, exciton recombination, recombination via surface states and via band gap (trap) states. The exciton binding energy in these nanowires exhibits a giant increase (～10-fold) over the bulk value due to quantum confinement, since the effective wire radius (taking into account side depletion) is smaller than the exciton Bohr radius in bulk ZnSe. The 25 and 50?nm diameter wires show only a single FL peak due to band-to-band electron-hole recombination. In the case of Mn-doped ZnSe nanowires, the band edge luminescence in 10?nm samples is significantly quenched by Mn doping but not the exciton luminescence, which remains relatively unaffected. We observe additional features due to Mn(2+) ions. The spectra also reveal that the emission from Mn(2+) states increases in intensity and is progressively red-shifted with increasing Mn concentration.     

Structural characterization of β-SiC nanowires synthesized by direct heating method

Crystal structure of β-SiC nanowires was investigated using Raman spectroscopy, FT-IR, XRD, transmission electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction. Cubic β-SiC nanowires were synthesized by heating NiO catalyzed Si substrates with WO₃ and graphite mixed powders in the growth temperature of 1000–1100 °C. HRTEM image showed atomic arrangements of the grown SiC nanowires with a main growth direction of [111]. Raman spectra showed two characteristic peaks at 796 cm^− 1 and 968 cm^− 1, which are corresponding to transversal optic mode and longitudinal optic mode of β-SiC, respectively. Also, FT-IR absorption spectroscopy showed a SiC characteristic absorption band at ∼792 cm^− 1.     

One-pot synthesis of ultranarrow single crystal ZnSe nanowires

High-quality wurtzite-type ultranarrow single crystal ZnSe nanowires were synthesized via a one-pot, solution-based method for the first time. The as-prepared nanowires have diameters ranging from 1.0 nm to 3.5 nm and lengths up to 300 nm. The optical characterizations indicate that the as-synthesized ZnSe nanowires have a band gap of 3.31 eV, whose absorbance spectra are different from recent literatures. Both the quantum confinement and the vacancies of Zn in ZnSe or impurities were accounted for the phenomenon. The solvent employed in the synthesis is also playing a dominant role in the size and morphology control of the ZnSe nanowires. A reasonable mechanism was proposed to describe the function of solvent. The excellent properties of the ZnSe nanowires would render it a promising alternative functional material which might be widely used in short-wavelength lasers and other photoelectronic devices.     

Fabrication and characterization of NiTi shape memory alloy synthesized by Ni electroless plating of titanium powder

In this work NiTi shape memory alloy was fabricated from mixed elemental powders, Ni plated titanium powder and Ni heated/plated titanium powder by Ar-sintering. Electroless plating process was utilized to fabricate Ni plated titanium powder. For this purpose titanium powder was plated in an electroless Ni bath for 225?min and hydrazine hydrate was used as a reductant to deposit pure nickel on the titanium particles. Ni plated titanium powder was heat treated under an argon atmosphere at 1000?°C to prepare Ni heated/plated titanium powder. Finally, the three sample powders were pressed by CIP followed by sintering at 980?°C for 8?h to manufacture NiTi shape memory alloy. The prepared powders, as well as sintered samples, were characterized by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer analysis (EDS), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetric (DSC). The results indicated the presence of NiTi phase and also non-transformable phases (NiTi₂ and Ni₃Ti) in the heated/plated Ti powder and sintered samples. NiTi compound was dominated phase in the heated/plated sintered sample. All three sintered samples, as well as heated/plated powder, showed one-step phase transformation (B2???B19′).     

Biofunctionalization and capping of template synthesized nanotubes

Using alumina templates both nanotubes (open on both ends) and nano test tubes (open on only one end) have been synthesized from many different materials and these have great potential as delivery vehicles for biomedical applications. This review focuses on our recent results directed towards developing "smart" nanotubes for biomolecule delivery applications. While intensive efforts have focused on spherical nanoparticles that are easier to make, cylindrical particles or nanotubes offer many advantages. First, the tunable alumina template allows one to dictate both the pore diameter and length of the nanotube. In addition, template synthesized nanotubes can be differentially functionalized on their inner and outer surfaces. This review highlights these advantages in the contexts of drug extraction and antibody-antigen interactions, the synthesis of protein nanotubes, and recent advances in covalently capped ("corked") nanotubes designed to prevent premature payload leakage. Though diverse applications for nanotubes have already been discovered, many new and exciting paths await exploration.     

Effects of annealing on structural and magnetic properties of template synthesized cobalt nanowires useful as data storage and nano devices

Cobalt nanowires of 100 nm diameter were synthesised electrochemically, in the pores of anodic alumina membrane (AAM). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used to study the in situ growth of cobalt nanowires in the AAM. The structural and morphological characterization of template synthesized cobalt nanowires was done through X-ray diffractometer and scanning electron microscope, respectively. Effect of annealing on electrical and magnetic properties of cobalt nanowires was also investigated.     

Microstructural properties of electrochemically synthesized ZnSe thin films

In this study, we report the electrosynthesis of zinc selenide (ZnSe) thin films on indium-doped tin oxide-coated glass substrates. The deposited ZnSe thin films have been characterized for structural (X-ray diffraction), surface morphological (scanning electron microscopy), compositional (energy dispersive analysis by X-rays), photo luminescence property, and optical absorption analysis. Formation of cubic structure with preferential orientation along the (111) plane was confirmed from structural analysis. In addition, the influence of the deposition potential on the microstructural properties of ZnSe is plausibly explained. The optical properties of ZnSe thin films are estimated using the transmission spectrum in the range of 400–1200 nm. The optical band gap energy of ZnSe thin films was found to be in the range between 2.52 and 2.61 eV. Photoluminescence spectra were observed at blue shifted band edge peak. The morphological studies depict that the spherical and cuboid shaped grains are distributed evenly over the entire surface of the film. The sizes of the grains are found to be in the range between 150 and 200 nm. The ZnSe thin film stoichiometric composition was observed at optimized deposition condition.     

Synthesis and characterisation of selenium nanowires using template synthesis

Selenium (Se) nanowires were grown in the pores of anodic alumina membrane as template. Facile electrodeposition technique was used for the synthesis of Se nanowires. Scanning electron microscopy was used for the morphological study of the nanowires. X-ray diffraction and Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence were utilised for the structural characterisation. The optical properties of Se nanowires were investigated using optical absorption spectroscopy.     

铝阳极氧化膜模板组装铜纳米线及其TEM表征

为了研究纳米线的微观结构，通过电化学交流电沉积的方法，以多孔阳极氧化铝膜（Al2O3/Al)为模板，制备了金属铜纳米线，利用透射电子显微及选区电子衍射技术对纳米线进行了表征，并从电化学角度探讨了铜纳米线凸凹相间条纹结构的形成机理，研究表明：铜纳米线具有凸凹的条纹结构，平均长度约为4μm，直径20nm；铜纳米线具有面心立方（FCC）的多晶结构，其凸、凹部位具有相同的物相组成。     

Field-emission triode of low-temperature synthesized ZnO nanowires

A field-emission triode based on the low-temperature (75/spl deg/C) and hydrothermally synthesized single-crystalline zinc-oxide nanowires (ZnO NWs) grown on Si substrate with a silicon dioxide (SiO/sub 2/) insulator was fabricated for the controllable field-emission device application. Field-emission measurement reveals that the ZnO NWs fabricated on the Si substrate exhibit a good emission property with the turn-on electric field and threshold electric field (current density of 1 mA/cm/sup 2/) of 1.6 and 2.1 V//spl mu/m, respectively, with a field enhancement factor /spl beta/ of 3340. The field-emission properties of the ZnO NW-based triode exhibit the controllable characteristics. The well-controlled field-emission characteristics can be divided into three parts: gate leakage region, linear region, and saturation region. Therefore, this study provides a low-temperature field-emission triode fabrication process that is compatible with the Si-based microelectronic integration, and the field-emission measurements also reveal that the emission behavior can be well controlled by adopting the triode structure.     

Optical studies of electrochemically synthesized CdS nanowires

In this paper, electrochemical fabrication and characterization of CdS nanowires having diameter 100 and 200 nm is reported. Nano-channels in anodic alumina membrane were utilized as template. Morphological study of nanowires was made using Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). UV–visible absorption and laser induced time resolved photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy were used for optical characterization. UV–visible absorption depicts that, there is slight increase in band gap of nanowires with decrease in diameter of nanowires. PL measurements indicate emission band peak of 435 and 420 nm in case of 200 and 100 nm wires respectively. These studies are very important regarding the synthesis and optoelectronic applications of CdS nanowires.     

Field emission of Co nanowires in polycarbonate template

The Co nanowire arrays were synthesized by electrodeposition in polycarbonate template (PC) with 4 μm thickness. Electron field emission properties of cobalt nanowires were studied for wires with different aspect ratios, R ranged between 10 and 60, while the diameter of wires was fixed about 50 nm. The field emission properties of the samples showed low turn on electric field (E_to) with values varying between 2.9 and 11.3 V/μm showing a minimum value for R = 20 (E_to < 3 V/μm). On the other hand, the enhancement factor shows a peak for nanowires length about 1 μm. Field emission data using the Fowler-Nordhiem theory showed nearly straight-line nature confirming cold field emission of electrons. The fabricated field emitter arrays of cobalt nanowires in the PC templates opens the possibility of fabricating flexible flat panel displays.     

Electrical properties of electrodeposited zinc selenide (ZnSe) nanowires

In this work, zinc selenide (ZnSe) nanowires were fabricated on indium-tin oxide coated glass substrate via template-assisted electrodeposition method from an electrolytic solution of zinc (II) sulphate (ZnSO₄·7H₂O) and selenium dioxide (SeO₂). ZnSe nanowires of diameter 100 nm have been fabricated using polycarbonate track-etch membrane. Electrodeposition was done at 30 °C temperature and the length of the nanowires was controlled by adjusting the deposition time. Both morphological and electrical characteristics were studied. Sample characterization was done using scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction. I–V measurements reveal that the ZnSe nanowires have non-linear behavior like Schottky diode characteristics. Further, the ZnSe nanowires were used in astable multivibrator which acts as capacitor to give conventional output behavior. The temperature dependent capacitive properties of ZnSe nanowires reveal that ZnSe nanowire can be used as temperature sensor.     

Mechanical properties of microwave hydrothermally synthesized titanate nanowires

In this investigation titanate nanowires were synthesized by a microwave hydrothermal process and their nanomechanical characterization was carried out by a compression experiment via buckling instability using a nanomanipulator inside a scanning electron microscope. Nanowires of diameters 120-150?nm and length tens of microns can be synthesized by keeping a commercial nanoparticle inside a microwave oven at 350?W and 210?°C for 5?h. The nanowire was clamped between two cantilevered AFM tips attached to two opposing stages of the manipulator for nanomechanical characterization. The elasticity coefficients of the titanate nanowires were measured by applying a continuously increasing load and observing the buckling instability of the nanowires. The buckling behavior of a nanowire was analyzed from the series of SEM images of displacement of the cantilever attached to the nanowire due to application of load. The critical loads for different sized titanate nanowires were determined and their corresponding Young's modulus was computed with the Euler pinned-fixed end model. The Young's modulus of these microwave hydrothermal process synthesized titanate nanowires were determined to be approximately in the range 14-17?GPa. This investigation confirms the capability of the nanomanipulator via the buckling technique as a constructive device for measuring the mechanical properties of nanoscale materials.     

Wurtzite ZnSe nanowires: growth, photoluminescence, and single-wire Raman properties

Wurtzite ZnSe nanowires were prepared on GaAs substrates in a metal-organic chemical vapour deposition system. Electron microscopy shows that they are smooth and uniform in size. Both transmission electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction reveal the wurtzite structure of the nanowires, which grows along the [Formula: see text] direction. Raman scattering studies on individual nanowires were performed in the back-scattering geometry at room temperature. Besides the commonly observed longitudinal and transverse optical phonon modes, a possible surface mode located at 233?cm(-1) is also observed in the Raman spectrum. A peak located at 2.841?eV was clearly observed in the photoluminescence spectra of the nanowires, which can be assigned to near band edge emissions of wurtzite ZnSe.     

双扩散AAO模板法制备AgCl纳米线及其光催化性能

采用二次阳极氧化法,制得具有一定厚度有序性较高的阳极氧化铝(AAO)模板,并结合溶液的双扩散法制备AgCl纳米线,利用XRD、SEM和TEM等分析手段对模板和纳米线进行了表征,结果表明,用该方法制备的AgCl纳米线阵列分布均匀,取向性好,直径与AAO模板的孔径一致.通过纳米线阵列膜对罗丹明B的降解情况对其光催化活性进行了测试,结果表明,AgCl纳米线具有良好的光催化性能.