Self-Assembly of Ultrathin Nanocrystals to Multidimensional Superstructures

The self-assembly of ultrathin nanocrystals (UTNCs) into well-organized multidimensional superstructures is one of the key topics in material chemistry and physics. Highly ordered nanocrystal assemblies also known as superstructures or synthetic structures have remained a focus for researchers over the past few years due to synergy in their properties as compared to their components. Here, we aim to present the recent progress being made in this field with highlights of our research group endeavors in the engineering of self-assembled complex multidimensional superstructures of various inorganic materials, including polyoxometalates. The driving forces for the assembly process and its kinetics along with the potential applications associated with these unique ordered and spatially complex superstructures are also discussed.

Hematite mesocrystals templated by hydrolyzed and aminolyzed glycidyl methacrylate, and their application in photocatalytic Fenton reaction

Aminolyzed and hydrolyzed glycidyl methacrylate were applied for hydrothermal preparation of bipyramids and plate-like hematite mesocrystals with (116) and (001) exposed faces, respectively.

Preparation and exceptional adsorption performance of porous MgO derived from a metal–organic framework

Porous MgO-hex and MgO-dhp materials were synthesized by annealing metal–organic framework [NH₄][Mg(HCOO)₃], and exhibit excellent adsorption capacities toward Congo red.

Wide bandgap mesoporous hematite nanowire bundles as a sensitive and rapid response ethanol sensor

In this study, α-Fe2O3 nanowires were synthesized using mesoporous SBA-15 silica as the hard templates with the nanocasting method, and then mesoporous α-Fe2O3 nanowire bundles (NWBs) were separated from the well-dispersed α-Fe2O3 nanowires (NWs) by the centrifugation technique. Both samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm and UV-vis spectra. All results indicated that the α-Fe2O3 NWBs with mesoporous structure presented a higher BET surface area (95 m(2) g(-1)) and wider bandgap (2.08 eV) than those of α-Fe2O3 NWs (32 m(2) g(-1) and 1.91 eV). The bandgap of α-Fe2O3 NWBs was in accordance with the bulk α-Fe2O3, while the BET surface area was much higher. The results from the gas-sensing measurement revealed that the α-Fe2O3 NWBs based gas sensor exhibited a high sensitivity of 21.7, fast response-recovery of 7.5 s and 1 s, and good selectivity to ethanol at 340 °C. The sensitivity (21.7) for ethanol of α-Fe2O3 NWBs was much better than that of the α-Fe2O3 NWs (12.2), which should be attributed to the higher BET surface area and wider bandgap of α-Fe2O3 NWBs.

Facile synthesis of Mn-doped Fe2O3 nanostructures: enhanced CO catalytic performance induced by manganese doping

A promoting influence of manganese species on the controllable synthesis and catalytic property on CO conversion of the manganese-iron oxide is observed.

One-pot synthesis of lotus-shaped Pd–Cu hierarchical superstructure crystals for formic acid oxidation

Lotus-shaped Pd–Cu hierarchical superstructure crystals with enhanced electrocatalytic properties toward HCOOH oxidation were successfully synthesized through an aqueous solution method.

Facile synthesis of anisotropic single crystalline α-Fe2O3 nanoplates and their facet-dependent catalytic performance

Facet-dependent photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue was carried out using hexagonal and cylindrical hematite nanoplates.

Zinc oxide based photocatalysis: tailoring surface-bulk structure and related interfacial charge carrier dynamics for better environmental applications

Surface-bulk modification of zinc oxide for efficient photocatalysis.

Formation of hierarchical structures of Fe2O3 by the liquid–liquid interface technique

We report the formation of dendritic hierarchical structures of α-Fe₂O₃ and nanostructures of Fe₂O₃ by the simple liquid–liquid interface method.