Search

Gold nanorods (AuNRs) are versatile materials due to their broadly tunable optical properties associated with their anisotropic feature. Conventional seed-mediated synthesis is, however, not only limited by the operational complexity and over-sensitivity towards subtle changes of experimental conditions but also suffers from low yield (≈15 %). A facile seedless method is reported to overcome these challenges. Monodispersed AuNRs with high yield (≈100 %) and highly adjustable longitudinal surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) are reproducibly synthesized. The parameters that influence the AuNRs growth were thoroughly investigated in terms of growth kinetics and soft-template regulation, offering a better understanding of the template-based mechanism. The facile synthesis, broad tunability of LSRP, high reproducibility, high yield, and ease of scale-up make this method promising for the future mass production of monodispersed AuNRs for applications in catalysis, sensing, and biomedicine.

This study demonstrates a facile but efficient hydrothermal method for the direct synthesis of both carbonaceous silver (Ag@C core-shell) nanocables and carbonaceous nanotubes under mild conditions (

Vanadium dioxide/titanium nitride (VO2 /TiN) smart coatings are prepared by hybridizing thermochromic VO2 with plasmonic TiN nanoparticles. The VO2 /TiN coatings can control infrared (IR) radiation dynamically in accordance with the ambient temperature and illumination intensity. It blocks IR light under strong illumination at 28 °C but is IR transparent under weak irradiation conditions or at a low temperature of 20 °C. The VO2 /TiN coatings exhibit a good integral visible transmittance of up to 51% and excellent IR switching efficiency of 48% at 2000 nm. These unique advantages make VO2 /TiN promising as smart energy-saving windows.

Vanadium oxides are known for their multioxidation states and diverse crystalline structures. Owing to their excellent interactions with molecules or ions, outstanding catalytic activities, and/or strong electron–electron correlations, nanostructured vanadium oxides have been extensively studied for energy conversion in the recent years. Here is a review of the recent advances in the development of nanostructured vanadium oxides and their applications. The synthesis strategies and structural properties of various vanadium oxide nanostructures, including vanadium dioxide (VO2), vanadium pentoxide (V2O5), and others, are summarized. The applications of vanadium oxides in energy conversion are discussed, focusing on three important types of energy sources: chemical energy (LIBs, pseudocapacitors and fuel cells), solar energy (photovoltaics and photocatalytic hydrogen evolutions), and heat (thermoelectric generation). Finally, conclusion with our remarks on the prospects of nanostructured vanadium oxides in energy conversion are provided.

Nanocrystalline FeAs, CoAs and NiAs were prepared by keeping the mixture of FeCl3, CoCl2 or NiCl2 with arsenic and KBH4 in ethylenediamine (en) at 100 °C for 4 h, respectively. X-Ray powder diffraction (XRD) patterns and transmission electron microscope (TEM) images show that the products are orthorhombic FeAs, CoAs and hexagonal NiAs, respectively, and all are well crystalline in nanometers.

Nanocrystallites of nonstoichiometric copper selenide (Cu(2-x)Se) and stoichiometric copper selenides (beta-CuSe and Cu(3)Se(2)) were synthesized in different solutions via sonochemical irradiation at room temperature. The influence of solvents, surfactants, and ultrasonic irradiation on the morphology and phase of products has been investigated. The morphological difference of the products was mainly affected by the solvents and surfactants, which can self-aggregate into lamellar structures or microemulsions, and then these unique structures can act as both supramolecular template and microreactor to direct the growth of copper selenides. On the other hand, it was also found that the sonochemical irradiation and solvents played an important role in the formation of different phases of copper selenides. The proposed formation mechanism of copper selenides is discussed.

A novel solvent-relief-self-seeding (SRSS) process was applied to grow bulk polygonal tubular single crystals of Sb2E3 (E = S, Se), using SbCl3 and chalcogen elements E (E = S, Se) as the raw materials at 180 °C for 7 days in ethanol solution. The products were characterized by various techniques, including X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electronic microscope (SEM), transmission electronic microscope (TEM), electronic diffraction (ED), and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS). The calculated electrical resistivities of the tubular single crystals in the range 20−320 K were of the order of 105−106 Ω cm for Sb2S3 and 103−104 Ω cm for Sb2Se3, respectively. The studies of the optical properties revealed that the materials formed had a band gap of 1.72 eV for Sb2S3 and 1.82 eV for Sb2Se3, respectively. The optimal reaction conditions for the growth of bulk tubular single crystals were that the temperature was not lower than 180 °C and the reaction time was not shorter than 7 days. The possible growth me...