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An array of CdS nanotubes was successfully prepared in a porous anodic alumina (PAA) membrane under the assistance of microwave irradiation, employing CdCl2 and thiourea as the starting materials. TEM and SEM observations clearly showed the tubular structure of the product. SAED and XRD patterns showed the as-prepared product was non-crystalline, but EDX analysis confirmed the formation of CdS in the PAA membrane. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: CoSn(OH)6 nanocubes were rapidly prepared by a simple sonochemical route at room temperature for 30min, employing CoCl2, SnCl4 and NaOH as the starting reactants in the absence of any surfactant or template. Subsequently, CoSn(OH)6 nanocubes were converted into SnO2–Co3O4 hybrids by calcining at 500°C for 120min in air. Interestingly, the as-obtained SnO2–Co3O4 hybrids still kept the cubic morphology of CoSn(OH)6. The above samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS), and (high resolution) transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM/TEM). Experiments showed that SnO2–Co3O4 hybrids owned the stronger photocatalytic activity for the degradation of methylene blue than CoSn(OH)6 nanocubes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper, a two-step route was designed to prepare AgBr nanoparticles (NPs)-modified BiOBr nanoplates. Smooth BiOBr nanoplates were firstly synthesized through a simple hydrothermal method employing Bi(NO3)3 and KBr as the reactants in the absence of any surfactant or template; sequentially, smooth BiOBr nanoplates were immerged into a diluted AgNO3 solution to generate AgBr/BiOBr composite nanostructures based on ion exchanges. The as-obtained products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Photodegradation experiments showed that AgBr NPs-modified BiOBr nanoplates exhibited superior and better photocatalytic property compared with commercial P25 and pure BiOBr nanoplates. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In this paper we reported the preparation of wrapped CuS nanowires via a simple hydrothermal reaction at 180 °C for 2 h, employing CuSO4·5H2O and thiourea as reactants in the absence of any structure-directing agent. SAED pattern showed that the wrapped CuS nanowires were polycrystalline, which was comprised of small nanoparticles. TEM observations showed that wrapped nanowires could grow and further transfer to hollow spheres with the prolonging of the reaction time from 2 h to 13. The UV–Vis spectra of CuS prepared at 180 °C for different times were studied. The possible transfer mechanism from wrapped nanowires to hollow spheres was suggested. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A magnetite with high aspect ratio has been synthesized by a wet chemical process. A surfactant, polyethylene glycol, was used as the template, and a ferrous ammonia sulphate was used as iron source. In the one-step synthesis, a suitable ratio between the rates of deposition and oxidation of ferrous ions was achieved by adjusting the diffusion of ammonia and resulted in the iron oxide deposited with nanorod morphology. According to X-ray powder diffraction analysis, these nanorods crystallize in structure of magnetite phase. Transition electron microscopy and selected area electron diffraction investigations have revealed that nanorods are single crystal and up to 2000 nm long and their diameters generally range from 20 to 100 nm. The measurement by vibration sample magnetization shows the magnetization of the as-synthesized nanorods is higher than 50 emu/g. The presented one-step synthesis approach provides an advantageous access to large quantity of this important anisotropic nanomaterial. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Amorphous rod-like and needle-like nanoparticles of cobalt disulfide were prepared by the reaction of CoCl2·6H2O with thiourea in the presence of some hydrazine in aqueous solution. The reaction was undertaken in an open reflux system at a relatively low temperature. Polycrystalline cobalt disulfide nanorods were obtained by a similar reaction in an alcohol/water mixed solution. The products were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The effects of solvent, temperature and time of the reaction on the formation of cobalt disulfide nanocrystalline were discussed. It was found that hydrazine played an important role in shaping rod- or needle-like nanoparticles, and the reflux temperature and time mainly influenced the crystallization of nanoparticles. In addition, the microwave (wavelength λ=3 cm) absorption property of this nanocomposite at room temperature was also investigated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Nanoparticles of Bi4Ti3O12 have been prepared by chemical coprecipitation. The phase structure was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and refined using the Rietveld method. Orthorhombic Bi4Ti3O12 particles were obtained after heating at 700 and 800 °C; however, for the particles calcined at 500–650 °C, the results suggested the presence of a high-temperature tetragonal phase at room temperature. This structural anomaly was further confirmed by differential thermal analysis (DTA). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Rice-like α-Fe2O3 nanorods have been successfully synthesized by a simple microwave–hydrothermal route, employing FeCl3·6H2O and ethylenediamine (en) as the starting materials. The phase of the as-prepared product was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction and further determined by Rietveld refinement of XRD data. The morphology of the product was observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and (high-resolution) transmission electron microscopy (HR/TEM). The formation of Fe2O3 was further confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) and the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum of the product. Experiments showed that the product possessed a high coercive force of 467.1Oe at room temperature, and exhibited a strong electrochemical response to Hg2+ ions in water resources. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]