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Abstract: Urchin-like CuO microspheres have been successfully synthesized via a simple water–ethyleneglycol (water–EG) mixed-solvothermal route at 100°C for 12h, employing cupric chloride (CuCl2) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) as starting reactants in the absence of any surfactant or template. The as-obtained product was characterized by means of powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). It was found that the volume ratio of water and EG played an important role in the formation of urchin-like CuO microspheres. The UV–vis absorption and the photocatalytic degradation for organic dyes of the final product were also studied. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Nickel phosphide nanocrystals with various phases have been successfully synthesized via a simple solvothermal route at 180°C for 16h, employing nickel chloride and white phosphorus (WP) as starting reactants in the presence of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS). X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) research showed that the pure Ni12P5 phase with a high yield could be obtained in an ethanol solution, and the pure Ni2P form was prepared in a mixed system with the volume ratio of water/ethanol of 10:10. Namely, the presence of water molecules induced the phase conversion of nickel phosphides. Furthermore, in order to investigate the correlation between properties and phases, as a case, the photocatalytic degradation abilities of two nickel phosphide phases for organic dyes were compared. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

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]

In the present work, we report the successful preparation of columnar hexagonal-shaped ZnO crystals in one step by a simple, rapid and reliable microwave irradiation route, using Zn(CH3COO)2, hexamethylenetetramine, acrylamide and 2,2′-azo-bis-iso-butyronitrile as the starting materials. The in situ produced polyacrylamide acted as the surfactant directing the growth of ZnO crystals. The photocatalytic activity and electrochemical properties of the as-obtained columnar hexagonal-shaped ZnO crystals were studied. [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 report the hydrothermal preparation of Cd(OH)2 nanowires and further conversion to CdO nanobelts, CdS nanowires and CdSe nanoparticles through thermal treatment, solvothermal and mixed-solvothermal routes, respectively. The as-obtained products were characterized by means of powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FEMSEM). Research showed that four cadmium compounds were good photocatalysts for the degradation of organic dyes such as Safranine T and Pyronine B, under irradiation of 365nm UV light. The order of catalytic activity of different materials was found to be Cd(OH)2