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Abstract: In this paper, we report the successful synthesis of NiTiO3 microtubes constructed by nearly spherical nanoparticles via a simple solution-combusting method employing a mixture of ethanol and ethyleneglycol (V/V=60/40) as the solvent, nickel acetate as the nickel source, tetra-n-butyl titanate as the titanium source and oxygen gas in the atmosphere as the oxygen source. The as-obtained product was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS). The UV–vis absorption spectrum of the product showed two absorption peaks centered at 258.6 and 350.1nm, respectively. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area of the product was 14.06m2/g and the pore size distribution mainly located from 20 to 30nm. The photocatalytic degradation property of the product for organic dyes showed that the as-obtained porous NiTiO3 microtubes could strongly promote the degradation of organic dyes including Pyronine B, Safranine T and Fluorescein. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

ZnS nanoparticles about 3 nm in size were prepared by a simple, rapid and reliable route under microwave irradiation in a heterogeneous system, using ZnAc2·2H2O (Ac&z.dbnd6;CH3COO) and Na2S·9H2O as the starting materials, ethylene glycol (EG) as the medium. The product was characterized with X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and ED, respectively. The optical properties of ZnS nanoparticles were studied. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] La-doped ZnO nanoparticles were successfully prepared via a simple solution-combustion route. [•] The integration of La3+ ions into ZnO decreased the band-gap of ZnO nanoparticles. [•] La-doped ZnO nanoparticles could remove more Pb and Cu ions from water resources than undoped ZnO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current paper, the submicron Cu2O hollow spheres composed of small Cu2O nanoparticles of 22 nm in size were successfully prepared via using a multiple emulsion (O/W/O) system as the template. In this system, the interior oil phase was used as the core and exterior oil phase as the dispersion medium to prevent the product from aggregating; the reactants are dissolved in interim water layer. The liquid-droplet of the multiple emulsions plays a template and space-limiting role in addition to preventing the product from aggregation. [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]