Nanomaterials. Stretching the mold

Synthesis and photoelectric properties of Cu2ZnGeS4 and Cu2ZnGeSe4 single-crystalline nanowire arrays

Cu2ZnGeS4 (CZGS) and Cu2ZnGeSe4 (CZGSe) single crystalline nanowire arrays have been prepared via a convenient one-step nanoconfined solvothermal approach. The porous anodic aluminum oxide was used as a morphology directing template by offering nanospace in the AAO pores for confined solvothermal reaction. The structure, morphology, composition, and optical absorption properties of the as-prepared samples were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, and a UV-vis spectrophotometer. The CZGS and CZGSe films are found to have obvious photoelectric response, indicating their potential in the application of photovoltaic devices.

Ordered arrays of shape tunable CuInS(2) nanostructures, from nanotubes to nano test tubes and nanowires

Well-aligned arrays of chalcopyrite CuInS(2) one dimensional nanostructures have been prepared in a controllable manner via a convenient wet-chemical approach using anodic aluminium oxide (AAO) as a hard template. Highly oriented CuInS(2) nanotubes, nano test tubes and nanowires arrays can be selectively grown by simply varying reaction conditions. Oleylamine (OLA) was found to play a key role in the synthesis and morphology control of the CuInS(2) product. The structure, morphology, composition and optical absorption properties of the as-prepared samples were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The formation mechanism of the CuInS(2) arrays is discussed.

Environmentally friendly methodologies of nanostructure synthesis

Environmentally friendly synthetic methodologies have gradually been implemented as viable techniques in the synthesis of a range of nanostructures. In this work, we focus on the application of green-chemistry principles to the synthesis of complex metal oxide and fluoride nanostructures. In particular, we describe advances in the use of the molten-salt synthetic methods, hydrothermal protocols, and template-directed techniques as environmentally sound, socially responsible, and cost-effective methodologies that allow us to generate nanomaterials without the need to sacrifice sample quality, purity, and crystallinity, while allowing control over size, shape, and morphology.

A Nanoring−Nanosphere Molecule, {Mo214V30}: Pushing the Boundaries of Controllable Inorganic Structural Organization at the Molecular Level

A controlled, Raman-monitored chemical reduction of a molybdate and vanadate mixture affords a new type of molybdenum-oxide-based cluster showing an unprecedented level of inorganic structural organization. The cluster incorporates two nanosized substructures (a ring and a sphere) in an open clam-like assembly. Multiple methods indicate that the nanoring contains delocalized electrons and the nanosphere contains localized but interacting electrons.

General, Room-Temperature Method for the Synthesis of Isolated as Well as Arrays of Single-Crystalline ABO4-Type Nanorods

Single-crystalline BaWO(4) and BaCrO(4) nanorods of reproducible shape and of varying sizes have been controllably prepared using a simple, room-temperature approach, based on the use of porous alumina template membranes. Aligned BaWO(4) and BaCrO(4) nanorod arrays can be obtained by dissolving the template. Our facile technique, which is analogous to biomineralization, offers a promising and generalized methodology to prepare other types of free-standing ABO(4) nanorods and their corresponding nanorod arrays. Extensive characterization of these samples has been performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), Raman spectroscopy, FT-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD).