Shape-Controlled Synthesis of Wurtzite ZnS Microstructures Under Mild Solvothermal Condition

Through a facile solvothermal route using zinc chloride and thiourea as reactants, wurtzite ZnS and its precursor ZnS center dot (en)(0.5) (en = ethylenediamine) with various morphologies and sizes were grown, which were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM and N-2 adsorption and so on. The phase evolution, composition and morphologies of the products are highly dependent on the concentration of en. By keeping the en-water volume ratio at 1/2 to 1, the nanostripes-flower or nanorod-spheric wurtzite ZnS were easily obtained under 120 degrees C for 6-24 h, which possess relatively higher specific surface area and larger total pore volume.

Facile shape-controlled synthesis of luminescent europium benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylate architectures at room temperature

The large-scale synthesis of the metal-organic framework Eu(1,3,5-BTC)center dot 6H(2)O nanocrystallites with delicate morphologies such as sheaflike, butterflylike, and flowerlike superstructures composed of nanowires have been realized via a simple solution phase method at room temperature. Time-dependent experiments indicate that these superstructures were constructed by the splitting crystal growth mechanism, as has been noted in some minerals in nature. The synthetic parameters such as reaction time, concentration and molar ratio of reactants, surfactant, and reaction temperature all affected the morphology of the Eu(1,3,5-BTC)center dot 6H(2)O architectures. These well-arranged architectures exhibit red emission corresponding to the D-5(0) -> F-7(2) transition of the Eu3+ ions under UV light excitation, and the lifetime is determined to be about 0.22 ms.

Shape controlled synthesis of CaMoO4 thin films and their photoluminescence property

CaMoO4 (CMO) disordered and ordered thin films were prepared by the complex polymerization method (CPM). The films were annealed at different temperatures and time in a conventional resistive furnace (RF) and in a microwave (MW) oven. The microstructure and surface morphology of the structure were monitored by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM). Order and disorder were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and optical reflectance. A strong photoluminescence (PL) emission was observed in the disordered thin films and was attributed to complex cluster vacancies. The experimental results were compared with density functional and Hartree-Fock calculations. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Shape and Phase-Controlled Synthesis of KMgF3 Colloidal Nanocrystals via Microwave Irradiation

In this paper, we present a facile one-step route to controlled synthesis of colloidal KMgF3 nanocrystals via the thermolysis of metal trifluoroacetate precursors in combined solvents (OA/OM) using microwave irradiation. X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra, and photoluminescence (PL) spectra were employed to characterize the samples. Only through the variation of the OA/OM ratio, can the phase and shape of nanocrystals be readily controlled, resulting in the formation of well-defined near-spherical nanoparticles, and nanoplates of cubic-phased KMgF3, as well as nanorods of tetragonal-phased MgF2, and a possible mechanism has been proposed to elucidate this effect. Furthermore, all these samples in this system can be well dispersed in nonpolar solvents such as cyclohexane to form stable and clear colloidal solutions, due to the successful coating of organic surfactants (OA/OM) on the nanocrystal surface.

Two-phase synthesis of shape-controlled colloidal zirconia nanocrystals and their characterization

We have developed a two-phase approach for the synthesis of shape-controlled colloidal zirconia nanocrystals, including spherical-, teardrop-, rod-, and rice grain-shaped particles. We found that the key factors for controlling the shape were the reaction time, the nature of the capping agent, and the monomer concentration. We have analyzed the morphologies, crystallinity, optical properties, and structural features of the as-prepared ZrO2 nanoparticles by using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM, X-ray powder diffraction, and UV-vis absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy. The possible nucleation and growth process is also discussed.

Shape-controlled continuous synthesis of metal nanostructures

A segmented flow-based microreactor is used for the continuous production of faceted nanocrystals. Flow segmentation is proposed as a versatile tool to manipulate the reduction kinetics and control the growth of faceted nanostructures; tuning the size and shape. Switching the gas from oxygen to carbon monoxide permits the adjustment in nanostructure growth from 1D (nanorods) to 2D (nanosheets). CO is a key factor in the formation of Pd nanosheets and Pt nanocubes; operating as a second phase, a reductant, and a capping agent. This combination confines the growth to specific structures. In addition, the segmented flow microfluidic reactor inherently has the ability to operate in a reproducible manner at elevated temperatures and pressures whilst confining potentially toxic reactants, such as CO, in nanoliter slugs. This continuous system successfully synthesised Pd nanorods with an aspect ratio of 6; thin palladium nanosheets with a thickness of 1.5 nm; and Pt nanocubes with a 5.6 nm edge length, all in a synthesis time as low as 150 s.

Controlled synthesis of inorganic semiconductor nanocrystals and their applications

This thesis is a comprehensive study of the synthesis of nanomaterials. It explores the synthetic methods on the control of the size, shape and phase of semiconductor nanocrystals. A number of important conclusions, including the mechanism behind crystal growth and the structure-relationship, have been drawn through the experimental and theoretical investigation. The synthesized nanocrystals have been tested for applications in gas sensing, photocatalysis and solar cells, which exhibit considerable commercialization potential.

Bacterial kinetics-controlled shape-directed biosynthesis of silver nanoplates using Morganella psychrotolerans

We show for the first time that by controlling the growth kinetics of Morganella psychrotolerans, a silver-resistant psychrophilic bacterium, the shape anisotropy of silver nanoparticles can be achieved. This is particularly important considering that there has been no report that demonstrates a control over shape of Ag nanoparticles by controlling the growth kinetics of bacteria during biological synthesis. Additionally, we have for the first time performed electrochemistry experiments on bacterial cells after exposing them to Ag(+) ions, which provide significant new insights about mechanistic aspects of Ag reduction by bacteria. The possibility to achieve nanoparticle shape control by using a "green" biosynthesis approach is expected to open up new exciting avenues for eco-friendly, large-scale, and economically viable shape-controlled synthesis of nanomaterials.

Morphology controlled synthesis of wurtzite ZnS nanostructures through simple hydrothermal method and observation of white light emission from ZnO obtained by annealing the synthesized ZnS nanostructures

A controllable synthesis of phase pure wurtzite (WZ) ZnS nanostructures has been reported in this work at a low temperature of similar to 220 degrees C using ethylenediamine as the soft template and by varying the molar concentration of zinc to sulphur precursors as well as by using different precursors. A significant reduction in the formation temperature required for the synthesis of phase pure WZ ZnS has been observed. A strong correlation has been observed between the morphology of the synthesized ZnS nanostructures and the precursors used during synthesis. It has been found from Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) image analyses that the morphology of the ZnS nanocrystals changes from a block-like to a belt-like structure having an average length of similar to 450 nm when the molar ratio of zinc to sulphur source is increased from 1 : 1 to 1 : 3. An oriented attachment (OA) growth mechanism has been used to explain the observed shape evolution of the synthesized nanostructures. The synthesized nanostructures have been characterized by the X-ray diffraction technique as well as by UV-Vis absorption and photoluminescence (PL) emission spectroscopy. The as-synthesized nanobelts exhibit defect related visible PL emission. On isochronal annealing of the nanobelts in air in the temperature range of 100-600 degrees C, it has been found that white light emission with a Commission Internationale de I'Eclairage 1931 (CIE) chromaticity coordinate of (0.30, 0.34), close to that of white light (0.33, 0.33), can be obtained from the ZnO nanostructures obtained at an annealing temperature of 600 degrees C. UV light driven degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye aqueous solution has also been demonstrated using as-synthesized nanobelts and similar to 98% dye degradation has been observed within only 40 min of light irradiation. The synthesized nanobelts with visible light emission and having dye degradation activity can be used effectively in future optoelectronic devices and in water purification for cleaning of dyes.

Morphology-controlled synthesis of magnetites with nanoporous structures and excellent magnetic properties

Different morphological single-crystal magnetites (Fe3O4) with a nanoporous structure, which exhibit excellent magnetic properties, have been synthesized by a polyol process. Both the type of polyol and the concentration of KOH play important roles in the formation of various morphologies. Cubic, truncated-octahedral, and octahedral shapes can be prepared by changing the concentration of the KOH solution in ethylene glycol.

Polyol-Mediated Synthesis of PbS Crystals: Shape Evolution and Growth Mechanism

An interesting shape evolution of. PbS crystals, that is, from cubes to (truncated) octahedra and finally to stable star-shaped multipods with six arms along the < 100 > directions is first realized via a facile polyol-mediated reaction between lead acetate and sulfur powder in the absence of surfactants. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) techniques were employed to characterize the samples. We elucidate the important parameters (including reaction temperature and sulfur sources) responsible for the shape-controlled synthesis of PbS crystals.

Controlled Synthesis of Ln(3+) (Ln = Tb, Eu, Dy) and V5+ Ion-Doped YPO4 Nano-/Microstructures with Tunable Luminescent Colors

YPO4 nano/microcrystals with multiform crystal phases and morphologies, such as hexagonal nano/submicroprisms, spherical-like nanoparticles, and nanorods with different length/diameter ratios as well as tetragonal nanospindles, have been synthesized via a facile hydrothermal route. A series of controlled experiments indicate that the pH values in the initial solution, phosphorus sources, and the organic additive trisodium citrate (Cit(3-)) are responsible for crystal phase and shape determination of final products. It is found that Cit(3-) as a ligand and shape modifier has the dynamic effect by adjusting the growth rate of different facets under different experimental conditions, resulting in the formation of various geometries of the final products. The possible formation mechanisms for products with diverse architectures have been presented.

Plant extract: A promising biomatrix for ecofriendly, controlled synthesis of silver nanoparticles

Uses of plants extracts are found to be more advantageous over chemical, physical and microbial (bacterial, fungal, algal) methods for silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesis. In phytonanosynthesis, biochemical diversity of plant extract, non-pathogenicity, low cost and flexibility in reaction parameters are accounted for high rate of AgNPs production with different shape, size and applications. At the same time, care has to be taken to select suitable phytofactory for AgNPs synthesis based on certain parameters such as easy availability, large-scale nanosynthesis potential and non-toxic nature of plant extract. This review focuses on synthesis of AgNPs with particular emphasis on biological synthesis using plant extracts. Some points have been given on selection of plant extract for AgNPs synthesis and case studies on AgNPs synthesis using different plant extracts. Reaction parameters contributing to higher yield of nanoparticles are presented here. Synthesis mechanisms and overview of present and future applications of plant-extract-synthesized AgNPs are also discussed here. Limitations associated with use of AgNPs are summarised in the present review.