V-shaped tin oxide nanostructures featuring a broad photocurrent signal: an effective visible-light-driven photocatalyst

Oleic acid/oleylamine ligand pair: a versatile combination in the synthesis of colloidal nanoparticles

A variety of colloidal chemical approaches has been developed in the last few decades for the controlled synthesis of nanostructured materials in either water or organic solvents. Besides the precursors, the solvents, reducing agents, and the choice of surfactants are crucial for tuning the composition, morphology and other properties of the resulting nanoparticles. The ligands employed include thiols, amines, carboxylic acids, phosphines and phosphine oxides. Generally, adding a single ligand to the reaction mixture is not always adequate to yield the desired features. In this review, we discuss in detail the role of the oleic acid/oleylamine ligand pair in the chemical synthesis of nanoparticles. The combined use of these ligands belonging to two different categories of molecules aims to control the size and shape of nanoparticles and prevent their aggregation, not only during their synthesis but also after their dispersion in a carrier solvent. We show how the different binding strengths of these two molecules and their distinct binding modes on specific facets affect the reaction kinetics toward the production of nanostructures with tailored characteristics. Additional functions, such as the reducing function, are also noted, especially for oleylamine. Sometimes, the carboxylic acid will react with the alkylamine to form an acid-base complex, which may serve as a binary capping agent and reductant; however, its reducing capacity may range from lower to much lower than that of oleylamine. The types of nanoparticles synthesized in the simultaneous presence of oleic acid and oleylamine and discussed herein include metal oxides, metal chalcogenides, metals, bimetallic structures, perovskites, upconversion particles and rare earth-based materials. Diverse morphologies, ranging from spherical nanoparticles to anisotropic, core-shell and hetero-structured configurations are presented. Finally, the relation between tuning the resulting surface and volume nanoparticle properties and the relevant applications is highlighted.

Highly Dense and Stable p-Type Thin-Film Transistor Based on Atomic Layer Deposition SnO Fabricated by Two-Step Crystallization

Over the past several decades, tin monoxide (SnO) has been studied extensively as a p-type thin film transistor (TFT). However, its TFT performance is still insufficient for practical use. Many studies suggested that the instability of the valence state of Sn (Sn²⁺/Sn⁴⁺) is a critical reason for the poor performance such as limited mobility and low on/off ratio. For SnO, the Sn 5s-O 2p hybridized state is a key component for obtaining p-type conduction. Thus, a strategy for stabilizing the SnO phase is essential. In this study, we employ a variety of analytical methods such as X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), and Hall measurement to identify the main contributors to the physical properties of SnO. It is revealed that precision control of the process temperature is needed to achieve both the crystallinity and thermal stability of SnO. In other words, it would be ideal to obtain high-quality SnO thin films at low temperature. We find that atomic layer deposition (ALD) is a quite advantageous process for obtaining high-quality SnO thin films by the following two-step process: (i) growth of highly c-axis oriented SnO at the initial stage and (ii) further crystallization along the in-plane direction by a postannealing process. Consequently, we obtained a highly dense SnO thin film (film density: 6.4 g/cm³) with a high Hall mobility of ∼5 cm²/(V·s). The fabricated SnO TFTs exhibit a field-effect mobility of ∼6.0 cm²/(V·s), which is a quite high value among the SnO TFTs reported to date, with long-term stability. We believe that this study demonstrates the validity of the ALD process for SnO TFTs.

Advantages of eutectic alloys for creating catalysts in the realm of nanotechnology-enabled metallurgy

The nascent field of nanotechnology-enabled metallurgy has great potential. However, the role of eutectic alloys and the nature of alloy solidification in this field are still largely unknown. To demonstrate one of the promises of liquid metals in the field, we explore a model system of catalytically active Bi-Sn nano-alloys produced using a liquid-phase ultrasonication technique and investigate their phase separation, surface oxidation, and nucleation. The Bi-Sn ratio determines the grain boundary properties and the emergence of dislocations within the nano-alloys. The eutectic system gives rise to the smallest grain dimensions among all Bi-Sn ratios along with more pronounced dislocation formation within the nano-alloys. Using electrochemical CO2 reduction and photocatalysis, we demonstrate that the structural peculiarity of the eutectic nano-alloys offers the highest catalytic activity in comparison with their non-eutectic counterparts. The fundamentals of nano-alloy formation revealed here may establish the groundwork for creating bimetallic and multimetallic nano-alloys.

Selective SnO x Atomic Layer Deposition Driven by Oxygen Reactants

SnO _x thin films were successfully deposited by the thermal atomic layer deposition (ALD) method using N, N'- tert-butyl-1,1-dimethylethylenediamine stannylene(II) as a precursor and ozone and water as reactants. The growth of SnO and SnO₂ films could be easily controlled by employing different reactants and utilizing different ozone and water concentrations, respectively. The formation of both SnO and SnO₂ films exhibited typical surface-limiting reaction characteristics, although their growth behaviors differ from one another. The combined studies of density functional theory calculations and experimental analyses showed that the difference in growth behavior of the SnO and SnO₂ films can be attributed to the stability of ozone and water on the SnO₂ and SnO films. SnO and SnO₂ films have different crystal structures and both films were crystallized from the amorphous to polycrystalline states following an increase in the deposition temperature. The absorbance and refractive index of the thin films were investigated using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis) and spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE), respectively. SnO _x films formed using ozone and water as a reactant showed an optical band gap of 3.60-3.17 eV and 2.24-2.30 eV and refractive indices of ∼2.0 and ∼2.6, respectively, which correspond to values typical of SnO₂ and SnO. The bilayer structure of SnO/SnO₂ was successfully fabricated on indium tin oxide (ITO) glass with nickel as a top electrode at 100 °C. The SnO/SnO₂ bilayer exhibited diode characteristics with a current rectification ratio of 15. Our results present a simple but highly versatile growth method for producing multilayer oxide films with electronic properties that can be finely controlled.

Photocatalytic degradation of reactive black 5 on the surface of tin oxide microrods

A simple co-precipitation technique is proposed for synthesis of tin oxide (SnO₂) microrods. Stannous chloride and urea were used during synthesis. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed that the annealed product consists of SnO₂ microrods having tetragonal unit cells, while scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed the rod-like morphology of a synthesized product. These synthesized microrods are used as photocatalyst for the degradation of reactive black 5 (RB5). Degradation kinetics of RB5 are monitored under daylight in different concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and catalyst. The percentage of RB5 conversion is also calculated at various concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and catalyst which demonstrate that RB5 shows high catalytic degradation at high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and catalyst.

Heterostructured TiO2/NiTiO3 Nanorod Arrays for Inorganic Sensitized Solar Cells with Significantly Enhanced Photovoltaic Performance and Stability

Organic dyes used in the conventional dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) suffer from poor light stability and high cost. In this work, we demonstrate a new inorganic sensitized solar cell based on ordered one-dimensional semiconductor nanorod arrays of TiO₂/NiTiO₃ (NTO) heterostructures prepared via a facile two-step hydrothermal approach. The semiconductor heterostructure arrays are highly desirable and promising for DSSCs because of their direct charge transport capability and slow charge recombination rate. The low-cost NTO inorganic semiconductor possesses an appropriate band gap that matches well with TiO₂, which behaves like a "dye" to enable efficient light harvesting and fast electron-hole separation. The solar cells constructed by the ordered TiO₂/NTO heterostructure photoanodes show a significantly improved power conversion efficiency, high fill factor, and more promising, outstanding life stability. The present work will open up an avenue to design heterostructured inorganics for high-performance solar cells.

Specially designed B4C/SnO2 nanocomposite for photocatalysis: traditional ceramic with unique properties

Boron carbide: A traditional ceramic material shows unique properties when explored in nano-range. Specially designed boron-based nanocomposite has been synthesized by reflux method. The addition of SnO2 in base matrix increases the defect states in boron carbide and shows unique catalytic properties. The calculated texture coefficient and Nelson–Riley factor show that the synthesized nanocomposite has large number of defect states. Also this composite is explored for the first time for catalysis degradation of industrial used dyes. The degradation analysis of industrial pollutants such as Novacron red Huntsman (NRH) and methylene blue (MB) dye reveals that the composite is an efficient catalyst. Degradation study shows that 1 g/L catalyst concentration of B4C/SnO2 degrades NRH and MB dye up to approximately 97.38 and 79.41%, respectively, in 20 min under sunlight irradiation. This water-insoluble catalyst can be recovered and reused.

Facile synthesis and high formaldehyde-sensing performance of NiO–SnO2 hybrid nanospheres

A formaldehyde gas sensor with high sensitivity and superior selectivity has been fabricated successfully with NiO–SnO₂ hybrid nanospheres.

Synthesis of fluorinated SnO2 3D hierarchical structures assembled from nanosheets and their enhanced photocatalytic activity

Fluorinated 3D SnO₂ hierarchical structures assembled from nanosheets were synthesized via a hydrothermal treatment and present excellent photocatalytic degradation of RhB.

Template and silica interlayer tailorable synthesis of spindle-like multilayer α-Fe2O3/Ag/SnO2 ternary hybrid architectures and their enhanced photocatalytic activity

Our study reports a novel iron oxide/noble metal/semiconductor ternary multilayer hybrid structure that was synthesized through template synthesis and layer-by-layer deposition. Three different morphologies of α-Fe2O3/Ag/SiO2/SnO2 hybrid architectures were obtained with different thicknesses of the SiO2 interlayer which was introduced for tailoring and controlling the coupling of noble metal Ag nanoparticles (NPs) with the SnO2 semiconductor. The resulting samples were characterized in terms of morphology, composition, and optical property by various analytical techniques. The as-obtained α-Fe2O3/Ag/SiO2/SnO2 nanocomposites exhibit enhanced visible light or UV photocatalytic abilities, remarkably superior to commercial pure SnO2 products, bare α-Fe2O3 seeds, and α-Fe2O3/SnO2 nanocomposites. Moreover, the sample of α-Fe2O3/Ag/SiO2/SnO2 also exhibits good chemical stability and recyclability because it has higher photocatalytic activity even after eight cycles. The origin of enhanced photocatalytic activity on the multilayer core-shell α-Fe2O3/Ag/SiO2/SnO2 nanocomposites was primarily ascribed to the coupling between noble metal Ag and the two semiconductors Fe2O3 and SnO2, which are proven to be applied in recyclable photocatalysis.

Effects of fluorine ions on the formation and photocatalytic activities of SnO2 nanoparticles with small sizes

SnO₂ nanoparticles with small sizes were synthesized by a simple hydrothermal route with different dosages of fluorine ions.

Non-centrosymmetric Au-SnO2 hybrid nanostructures with strong localization of plasmonic for enhanced photocatalysis application

We present an innovative approach to the production of sub-100 nm hollow Au-SnO2 hybrid nanospheres, employing a low-cost, surfactant-free and environmentally friendly solution-based route. The hollow hybrid nanostructures were synthesized using a seed-mediated hydrothermal method, which can be divided into two stages: (1) formation of multicore-shell Au@SnO2 nanoparticles (NPs) and (2) thermal diffusion and ripening to form hollow Au-SnO2 hybrid NPs. The morphology, optical properties and formation mechanism were determined by a collection of joint techniques. Photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) in the liquid phase served as a probe reaction to evaluate the activity of the as-prepared hollow hybrid Au-SnO2 NPs under the irradiation of both visible light and ultraviolet light. Significantly, the as-obtained Au-SnO2 hybrid nanostructures exhibited enhanced visible light or UV photocatalytic abilities, remarkably superior to commercial pure SnO2 products and P25 TiO2, mainly owing to the effective electron hole separation at the SnO2-Au interfaces and strong localization of plasmonic near-fields effects.

Facile route for the synthesis of a vertically aligned ZnO-PANI nanohybrid film for polyphenol sensing

Vertically aligned zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods have been fabricated on a polyaniline (PANI) film template after electrochemical seeding and hydrothermal growth in a nutrient medium at a low temperature of 65 °C. Dense c-oriented [0001], hexagonal-shaped, vertically aligned ZnO nanorods are obtained on the PANI film surface, which is confirmed by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy studies. The nanohybrid film used as the working electrode has been characterized for sensing catechin polyphenol in different tea varieties through cyclic voltammetry. Principal component analysis shows enhancement in the classification ability of the nanohybrid film for various concentrations of catechin standard and tea infusions.

SnO₂-based nanomaterials: synthesis and application in lithium-ion batteries

The development of new electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has always been a focal area of materials science, as the current technology may not be able to meet the high energy demands for electronic devices with better performance. Among all the metal oxides, tin dioxide (SnO₂) is regarded as a promising candidate to serve as the anode material for LIBs due to its high theoretical capacity. Here, a thorough survey is provided of the synthesis of SnO₂-based nanomaterials with various structures and chemical compositions, and their application as negative electrodes for LIBs. It covers SnO₂ with different morphologies ranging from 1D nanorods/nanowires/nanotubes, to 2D nanosheets, to 3D hollow nanostructures. Nanocomposites consisting of SnO₂ and different carbonaceous supports, e.g., amorphous carbon, carbon nanotubes, graphene, are also investigated. The use of Sn-based nanomaterials as the anode material for LIBs will be briefly discussed as well. The aim of this review is to provide an in-depth and rational understanding such that the electrochemical properties of SnO₂-based anodes can be effectively enhanced by making proper nanostructures with optimized chemical composition. By focusing on SnO₂, the hope is that such concepts and strategies can be extended to other potential metal oxides, such as titanium dioxide or iron oxides, thus shedding some light on the future development of high-performance metal-oxide based negative electrodes for LIBs.

Facet-dependent photocatalytic properties of AgBr nanocrystals

Polyhedral AgBr nanocrystals, evolved from cubes through truncated cubes and finally to high-symmetry octahedra, which corresponds to a progressive shrinkage of exposed {100} facets and enlargement of exposed {111} facets, are prepared by facile precipitation reactions. The as- prepared AgBr nanocrystals exhibit facet-dependent catalytic properties, with the {111}-dominated octahedra showing the highest photocatalytic activities.

Controllable synthesis, magnetic properties, and enhanced photocatalytic activity of spindlelike mesoporous α-Fe(2)O(3)/ZnO core-shell heterostructures

Mesoporous spindlelike iron oxide/ZnO core-shell heterostructures are successfully fabricated by a low-cost, surfactant-free, and environmentally friendly seed-mediate strategy with the help of postannealing treatment. The material composition and stoichiometry, as well as these magnetic and optical properties, have been examined and verified by means of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction, the thickness of ZnO layer can be simply tailored by the concentration of zinc precursor. Considering that both α-Fe2O3 and ZnO are good photocatalytic materials, we have investigated the photodegradation performances of the core-shell heterostructures using organic dyes Rhodamin B (RhB). It is interesting to find that the as-obtained iron oxides/ZnO core-shell heterostructures exhibited enhanced visible light or UV photocatalytic abilities, remarkably superior to the as-used α-Fe2O3 seeds and commercial TiO2 products (P25), mainly owing to the synergistic effect between the narrow and wide bandgap semiconductors and effective electron-hole separation at the interfaces of iron oxides/ZnO.

Controlled synthesis of magnetic iron oxides@SnO2 quasi-hollow core-shell heterostructures: formation mechanism, and enhanced photocatalytic activity

Iron oxide/SnO(2) magnetic semiconductor core-shell heterostructures with high purity were synthesized by a low-cost, surfactant-free and environmentally friendly hydrothermal strategy via a seed-mediated method. The morphology and structure of the hybrid nanostructures were characterized by means of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The morphology evolution investigations reveal that the Kirkendall effect directs the diffusion and causes the formation of iron oxide/SnO(2) quasi-hollow particles. Significantly, the as-obtained iron oxides/SnO(2) core-shell heterostructures exhibited enhanced visible light or UV photocatalytic abilities, remarkably superior to as-used α-Fe(2)O(3) seeds and commercial SnO(2) products, mainly owing to the effective electron hole separation at the iron oxides/SnO(2) interfaces.

Zinc oxide nanorod mediated visible light photoinactivation of model microbes in water

The inactivation of model microbes in aqueous matrix by visible light photocatalysis as mediated by ZnO nanorods was investigated. ZnO nanorods were grown on glass substrate following a hydrothermal route and employed in the inactivation of gram-negative Escherichia coli and gram-positive Bacillus subtilis in MilliQ water. The concentration of Zn(2+) ions in the aqueous matrix, bacterial cell membrane damage, and DNA degradation at post-exposure were also studied. The inactivation efficiencies for both organisms under light conditions were about two times higher than under dark conditions across the cell concentrations assayed. Anomalies in supernatant Zn(2+) concentration were observed under both conditions as compared to control treatments, while cell membrane damage and DNA degradation were observed only under light conditions. Inactivation under dark conditions was hence attributed to the bactericidal effect of Zn(2+) ions, while inactivation under light conditions was due to the combined effects of Zn(2+) ions and photocatalytically mediated electron injection. The reduction of pathogenic bacterial densities by the photocatalytically active ZnO nanorods in the presence of visible light implies potential ex situ application in water decontamination at ambient conditions under sunlight.

Porous SnO2 nanospheres as sensitive gas sensors for volatile organic compounds detection

Porous SnO(2) nanospheres with high surface areas have been synthesized through a solvothermal method in the absence of any templates. The structure and morphology of the resultant products were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and nitrogen adsorption-desorption technique. The as-prepared SnO(2) porous nanospheres with the diameters ranging from 90-150 nm are composed of small nanocrystals with average sizes of less than 10 nm. Results demonstrated that the formation of porous SnO(2) nanospheres is ascribed to etching the center part of the nanospheres. It was found that hydrochloric acid and NaClO played important roles in determining the final morphologies of the porous SnO(2) nanospheres. The gas sensing properties of the as-prepared porous SnO(2) nanospheres were investigated. By the comparative gas sensing tests, the porous SnO(2) nanospheres exhibited a superior gas sensing performance toward ppb level 2-chloroethanol and formaldehyde vapor, implying promising applications in detecting toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs).