Controlled reactions on a copper surface: synthesis and characterization of nanostructured copper compound films

Fabrication of biomimetic superhydrophobic surface on engineering materials by a simple electroless galvanic deposition method

We have reported an easy means in this paper to imitate the "lotus leaf" by constructing a superhydrophobic surface through a process combining both electroless galvanic deposition and self-assembly of n-octadecanethiol. Superhydrophobicity with a static water contact angle of about 169 +/- 2 degrees and a sliding angle of 0 +/- 2 degrees was achieved. Both the surface chemical compositions and morphological structures were analyzed. We have obtained a feather-like surface structure, and the thickness of the Ag film is about 10-30 microm. The stability of the superhydrophobic surface was tested under the following three conditions: (1) pH value from 1 to 13; (2) after freezing treatment at -20 degrees C; (3) at ambient temperature. It shows a notable stability in that the contact angle of the sample still remained higher than 150 degrees in different conditions. It can be concluded that our approach can provide an alternative way to fabricate stable superhydrophobic materials.

In situ fabrication of inorganic nanowire arrays grown from and aligned on metal substrates

The full potential of nanotechnology can be unleashed only when one is able not only to synthesize a rich variety of nanoscale building blocks but also assemble them into various patterns at the supramolecular and supracluster levels. In particular, the application of nanoparticle and nanowire materials often requires their assembly in the form of thin films, preferably on conductive surfaces for electrical addressing, control, and detection. Although a dazzling array of nanostructures has been fabricated by bottom-up approaches, one of the contemporary challenges is to assemble these nanostructures so that they introduce and realize functionalities. An alluring avenue is to simultaneously accomplish both the nanostructure synthesis and assembly on a useful substrate in a parallel fashion, affording the advantages of simplicity, low cost, and high throughput. In this Account, we review our recent work on growing inorganic nanowires (for example, metal sulfides, metal oxides, and so forth) directly from and on metal substrates in arrays without using templates and catalysts. This method of engineering nanowire arrays on metal substrates integrates the nanowire synthesis and assembly into a parallel process, both in time and in space, by exploiting in situ chemistry on the metal substrates. Both gas-phase and solution-phase approaches have been developed to synthesize the aligned nanowires; here, full advantage is taken of interfacial kinetics of restricted diffusion and surface-specific reactions, often accompanied by new interfacial growth mechanisms. The setting of nanowire arrays on metal substrates has allowed exploration of their application potentials in areas such as field electron emission and chemical sensing. The approaches described here are general, and we predict that they will be extended to more inorganic materials, such as metal halides. Moreover, as more control is achieved with synthetic methods, inorganic nanowire arrays should provide unusual magnetic, optical, and electronic properties for nanostructural engineers willing to confront the attendant challenges. Accordingly, applications for which there is a current impetus for progress, such as solar cells or lithium ion secondary batteries, might well be addressed with this methodology.

Room Temperature Synthesis of Curved Ammonium Copper Molybdate Nanoflake and Its Hierarchical Architecture

A new strategy has been successfully designed to synthesize curved ammonium copper molybdate [(NH(4))(2)Cu(MoO(4))(2)] nanoflakes on a copper surface by employing a novel solution-phase approach at room temperature. This method consists of a liquid-solid reaction between Na(2)MoO(4) solution and the copper substrate itself in the assistance of formamide. The lamellar ammonium copper molybdate are approximately perpendicular to the copper substrate surface and are intermeshed with each other to form nanogroove structures. Formamide molecules cannot only promote the oxidation of copper substrate and the formation of copper complex, but also act as a NH(4)(+) source in the final products. Furthermore, the selective adsorption of formamide molecules on different crystallographic planes of ammonium copper molybdate plays the major role in determining the curved morphology. In addition, using glucose as additives to control the nucleation and growth process (through a stepwise nucleation mechanism) can lead to a hierarchical sphere-like architecture.

Fabrication of Upended Taper-Shaped Cuprous Thiocyanate Arrays on a Copper Surface at Room Temperature

A new strategy has been well designed to form upended taper-shaped cuprous thiocyanate (hereafter abbreviated as CuCNS) arrays on a copper substrate with use of a simple solution-phase method at room temperature. This method consists of a liquid-solid reaction between a solution of thiocyanate ammonium and the copper substrate itself in the assistance of formamide. Novel CuCNS arrays are approximately perpendicular to copper substrate surfaces. Every single crystal shows an upended taper-like morphology (i.e., the tip end points into the surface of copper substrate and the other big end of the taper exposes out, like a dart thrusting into the copper substrate). On the basis of structure and chemical bond analysis, CuCNS crystals tend to grow along the c-axis, which is essential for the formation of CuCNS arrays on a copper substrate. This approach also provides a facile strategy to produce different patterns on different copper substrates, which may be applicable to the synthesis of other inorganic materials with various potential applications.

Synthesis and Formation Mechanism of Nanoneedles and Nanorods of Manganese Oxide Octahedral Molecular Sieve Using an Ionic Liquid

Single-crystalline cryptomelane-type manganese oxide octahedral molecular sieve (OMS-2) nanoneedles and nanorods were prepared by a solution-phase approach in the presence of an ionic liquid 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIM]BF4). [BMIM]BF4 can act as a cosolvent, structure-directing agent, and reducing reagent in the reaction system. Based on the redox reaction of MnCl2 and KMnO4 in the mixed solvents of water and [BMIM]BF4, the formation of OMS-2 nanoneedles followed the rolling mechanism with lamellae as an intermediate. However, the direct reaction of KMnO4 with [BMIM]BF4 resulted in the formation of OMS-2 nanorods with diameters as small as 3-6 nm. The formation mechanism of OMS-2 nanostructures was discussed.

Well-Aligned Arrays of CuO Nanoplatelets

This paper reports well-aligned arrays of CuO nanoplatelets synthesized through a hydrothermal route without template's assistance. The surface of well-aligned arrays of CuO nanoplatelets looks like a wall. These nanoplatelets, possessing four clear edges, are 50-80 nm in thickness, 150-250 nm in width, and 0.8-1.5 microm in length. Electron microscopic detection shows that the nanoplatelet grows along the [010] direction. The Ostwald ripening mechanism has been used to describe the growth of CuO nanoplatelets. In addition, the optic and electrochemical properties of as-obtained products have been discussed. And the arrays of CuO nanoplatelets exhibit the blue shift in UV-visible spectra, a slow capacity fading rate, and a relatively high Coulombic efficiency in charge-discharge process.

Copper Hydroxide Nanoneedle and Nanotube Arrays Fabricated by Anodization of Copper

Cu(OH)2 nanoneedle and nanotube arrays were electrochemically synthesized by anodization of a copper foil in an aqueous solution of KOH. The nanoneedles and nanotubes were constructed from nanosheets of Cu(OH)2. Controlling the electrochemical conditions can qualitatively modulate the lengths, amounts, and shapes of Cu(OH)2 nanostructures. The composition of as-prepared Cu(OH)2 nanostructures has been confirmed by X-ray diffraction and select-area electron diffraction. The influences of the KOH concentration of the aqueous electrolyte, the reaction temperature, and current density on the morphology of Cu(OH)2 nanostructures were investigated, and the formation mechanism of the nanostructures is discussed. Furthermore, Cu(OH)2 nanoneedles can be successfully transformed to CuO nanoneedles with little morphology change by heating. This work developed a simple, clean, and effective route for fabrication of large area Cu(OH)2 or CuO nanostructured films.

Hydrothermal Synthesis of Ultralong and Single-Crystalline Cd(OH)2 Nanowires Using Alkali Salts as Mineralizers

Ultralong and single-crystalline Cd(OH)(2) nanowires were fabricated by a hydrothermal method using alkali salts as mineralizers. The morphology and size of the final products strongly depend on the effects of the alkali salts (e.g., KCl, KNO(3), and K(2)SO(4) or NaCl, NaNO(3), and Na(2)SO(4)). When the salt is absent, only nanoparticles are observed in TEM images of the products. The 1D nanostructure growth method presented herein offers an excellent tool for the design of other advanced materials with anisotropic properties. In addition, the Cd(OH)(2) nanowires might act as a template or precursor that is potentially converted into 1D cadmium oxide through dehydration or into 1D nanostructures of other functional materials (e.g., CdS, CdSe).