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In this paper we reported a NH3·H2O-assisted solvothermal route for successful synthesis of cadmium hydroxyl chlorides (Cd x (OH) y Cl z ) microstructures with different phases and shapes, employing 1D CdQCl (Q=quinoline) complex microwires as the precursor. Experiments contained two processes: firstly, CdQCl complex microwires with 500–600nm in diameter and several hundreds of micrometers in length were prepared by the complexation between CdCl2·2.5H2O and quinoline at room temperature; then, CdQCl microwires were solvothermally treated at 150°C for 10h in the presences of different amounts of NH3·H2O to produce Cd x (OH) y Cl z microstructures with various phases and shapes. The as-obtained precursor and Cd x (OH) y Cl z microstructures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Infrared spectrometry and X-ray powder diffraction. Experiments showed that hexagonal Cd(OH)Cl was obtained from water–methanol system, while rhombohedral Cd4(OH)5Cl3 from methanol system. Also, it was found that the shapes of Cd x (OH) y Cl z could be tuned by the amounts of NH3·H2O. Furthermore, the UV diffuse reflection and photoluminescence spectra of the precursor and Cd x (OH) y Cl z were also investigated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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]

Abstract: In the present paper, we successfully prepared PbTe nanocrystals in a simple aqueous system via the hydrothermal route employing PbO, Te powders and N2H4·H2O as the starting reactants at 150°C for 14h. Some factors affecting the morphologies of the PbTe nanocrystals, such as the reaction temperature, time, the amount of NaOH, sorts of reductants and Pb2+ ion sources, were systematically investigated. Experimental results indicated that, under keeping the other experimental conditions constant: raising the reaction temperature, the shapes of the as-obtained PbTe hardly changed, while decreasing the temperature, some PbTe dendrites were obtained; the short reaction time availed to obtain cubes with a hole in the center of each face; more amounts of NaOH were favorable to the formation of regular PbTe nanocuboids. When NaBH4 was used as the reductant, a large amount of near spherical PbTe nanocrystals was produced; while NaH2PO2 was used, many PbTe crystals with hollow framework structures were obtained. When Pb(CH3COO)2 was used as the Pb2+ ion source, some dendrites made of many irregular particles were generated; while PbSO4 was employed, many PbTe nanocuboids were produced. A possible formation mechanism of PbTe nanocrystals was proposed based on the experimental results. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the current paper, we successfully prepared lead sulfide (PbS) microcrystals with various shapes in a simple aqueous system using the hydrothermal synthesis route. Experimental results indicated that the change of the molar ratio of Pb2+/S2O3 2− could significantly influence the morphology of the product while keeping the other experimental conditions constant: with the decrease of the molar ratio of Pb2+/S2O3 2− from 1:1 to 1:4, the shape of the products varied from tri-prism, cube to magic-square structure. Changing the reaction temperature had big effect on the shape of the product: flower-shaped product was obtained at 80°C and cube-shaped products were produced at 120°C. When the reaction time varied, the shapes of the as-obtained PbS crystals also changed. At the same time, SEM observations showed that the counter-anions for Pb2+ could influence the shape of the product: Pb(NO3)2 being used as lead ion sources, most flower-shaped and few cubic PbS crystals were produced; while PbSO4 as lead ion source, the PbS cubes were obtained. An evolution process was described based on experimental facts. [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