Hollow and nanoporous Ag sub-microcubes as SERS substrates

In this work, Ag(NH₃)₂NO₃ microcubes are obtained by directly evaporating the silver ammonia complex solution. In Na₃Cit solution, each Ag(NH₃)₂NO₃ microcube can crumble into lots of Ag₃Cit sub-microcubes with uniform size, which serve as sacrificial templates to yield Ag sub-microcages. The as-obtained Ag cages possess ultra-high surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensitivity towards R6G and thiram.

Photoluminescence and Photocatalytic Properties of Ag3 PO4 Microcrystals: An Experimental and Theoretical Investigation

The structural, morphological, and optical properties of Ag₃ PO₄ microcrystals were systematically characterized by using a combination of theoretical calculations and experimental techniques. These microcrystals were synthesized by the microwave-assisted hydrothermal (MAH) method. XRD, Rietveld refinements, and FTIR spectroscopy were employed to carry out a structural analysis; the morphologies of the microcrystals were examined by FEG-SEM. First-principles computational studies were used to calculate the geometries of bulk Ag₃ PO₄ and its (010), (100), (001), (110), (101), (011), and (111) surfaces. A continuous decrease in the energy of the (100) surface led to a good agreement between the experimental and theoretical morphologies. Optical properties were investigated by UV/Vis spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) measurements, which revealed a maximum PL emission at λ=444 nm. The MAH-synthesized sample exhibited good activity for the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange dye under visible irradiation. The photocatalytic activity and PL behavior were correlated with the observed morphology.

Mesoporous nano/micro noble metal particles: synthesis and applications

The morphology, size and composition often govern the physical and chemical properties of noble metal units with a size in the nano or micro scale. Thus, the controlled growth of noble metal crystals would help to tailor their unique properties and this would be followed by their practical application. Mesoporous nano/micro noble metal units are types of nanostructured material that have fascinating properties that can generate great potential for various applications. This review presents a general view on the growth mechanisms of porous noble metal units and is focused on recent progresses in their synthetic approaches. Then, their potential applications in the field of drug delivery, cell imaging and SERS substrates, as well as fuel cell catalysts are overviewed.

3D AgCl microstructures selectively fabricated via Cl−-induced precipitation from [Ag(NH3)2]+

Herein various AgCl microstructures including octapods, octapods with fishbone pods, hexapods, hexapods with 4-blade arrowhead pods, concave octahedra, and octahedra are selectively precipitated from a [Ag(NH₃)₂]⁺ solution by addition of Cl⁻.

Electrospun hollow cage-like α-Fe2O3 microspheres: synthesis, formation mechanism, and morphology-preserved conversion to Fe nanostructures

Novel 3D hollow cage-like α-Fe₂O₃ and Fe microspheres were fabricated by electrospinning followed by an annealing process for the first time.

Copper-templated synthesis of gold microcages for sensitive surface-enhanced Raman scattering activity

Nanoparticle-aggregated Au microcages have been successfully synthesized from sacrificial hollow Cu microstructures, and exhibit remarkable surface-enhanced Raman scattering activity for 4-mercaptobenzoic acid.