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Two-dimensional (2D) nanostructures are attractive candidates for electrocatalytic applications owing to their excellent mechanical flexibility and large exposed surfaces. In this work, we present ultra-thin 2D NiO porous nanosheets prepared by a simple, economical and green experimental method (hydrothermal, freeze-drying, and sintering) as efficient electrocatalysts for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) application. Benefiting from the ultra-thin 2D framework and porous nanostructure, the 550-NiO catalyst (annealed at 550 °C) exhibit higher current density (12.54mA cm−2) and faster charge transfer in the catalytic process, due to its abundant solid state redox couples (Ni2+/Ni3+= 0.991), suitable oxygen defects and surface coverage of redox species (2.90 × 10−7mol cm−2). First-principles density functional theory calculations were employed to provide mechanistic insights into the methanol oxidation reaction over the NiO catalyst via methanol dehydrogenation to CO involving O–H and C–H bond scissions, and subsequently, CHO oxidation with OH. The most plausible reaction pathway of methanol oxidation on NiO (100) is predicted to be CH3OH → CH3O → CH2O → CHO → CHOOH → COOH → CO2. The reported facile, simple, low-cost and method provides an avenue for the rational design and synthesis of 2D NiO porous nanostructured electrode materials for DMFC and beyond.

In this paper, we report a hierarchical structure Ni(OH) 2 nanosheet array electrode by a directed liquid-phase approach, which consists of amorphous Ni(OH) 2 interface layer and crystalline ultra-thin porous Ni(OH) 2 nanosheets top layer. The testing results present that the maximum discharge capacity of 404.8 mA h g −1 at lower rate of 1.4 A g −1 and the ultra-high capacity of 1714 F g −1 at super-high rate of 50 A g −1 without decay after 3000 cycles was obtained, respectively. This unique design provides excellent flexibility, long and stable cycle lifetimes, high energy and power densities simultaneously.

Synroc is recognized as the second generation waste form for the disposal of high-level radioactive waste (HLW). In this research, one of the mostly studied Synroc minerals, zirconolite (CaZrTi2O7), was prepared by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS). CuO and MoO3 were employed as the oxidants with Ti as the reductant. Different TiO2/Ti ratios were selected to investigate reactivity and adiabatic temperature (Tad) of the designed SHS reactions. Zirconolite was successfully synthesized as the main phase at varied TiO2/Ti ratios using CuO and MoO3 as the oxidants. The as-synthesized samples were readily solidified with desirable density and Vickers hardness.

A powder of oxyfluorotitanate Na3TiOF5crystals is acquired as an intermediate product during the synthesis of anatase titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanosheets with a large percentage of exposed reactive {001} facets. By application of transmission electron microscopy techniques, mainly energy dispersive spectroscopy and selected-area electron diffraction, coherent domain variants of Na3TiOF5are shown to possess monoclinic structure with space groupP21/n. The occurrence of these orientation domain variants is attributed to the reduction of crystal symmetry as a result of the phase transition from the high-temperature cubic phase to the low-temperature monoclinic phase. Through a detailed group theory analysis, the orientation domains are shown to exhibit 12 variants and 11 domain boundaries, which can be categorized into three types of perpendicular twins and two types of antiparallel twins. This work may provide meaningful insight for understanding the growth mechanism of anatase TiO2with a high percentage of reactive facets.

High yield of β-Ni(OH)2 was synthesized by hydrothermal reaction. After heat treatment, novel NiO nanosheets with hexagonal nanopores were obtained. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to investigate the morphology and the crystallographic structure of the products, which indicated that the nanosheets were commonly ⟨111⟩ orientated and the nanopores were bounded by {111} and {100} planes. Meanwhile, the nanosheets were oxygen-sufficient based on the electron energy loss spectroscopy. The mechanism associated with formation of the hexagonal nanopores was discussed according to structural evolution. This unique morphology and the chemical characteristics were considered as the probable key factor responsible for its excellent performance on catalysis, gas sense, and adsorption.

Electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) of a novel phenyleneethynylene derivatives [4,4’-(2,5-dimethoxy-1,4-phenylene)bis(ethyne-2,1-diyl) dibenzoic acid; P-acid] possessing carboxylic acid groups at the para positions in aqueous solutions and its first immunosensing application are studied. Nanotubular mesoporous Pt–Ag alloy nanoparticles are first used to fabricate the ECL immunosensor as a signal amplification carrier. Absorption, photoluminescence, cyclic voltammetry, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy are used as powerful tools to characterize P-acid, Pt–Ag alloy nanoparticles, and the fabrication process of the immunosensor. P-acid exhibits two ECL peaks at –1.07 (ECL-1) and 0.64 (ECL-2) V in air-saturated pH 7.4, 0.1 M PBS containing 0.1 M KCl during the cyclic sweep between 1.51 and –2.67 V at 0.1 V s−1; the ECL mechanism of these two ECL peaks is demonstrated. The electron-transfer reaction between electrochemically oxidized P-acid and tri-n-propylamine (TPrA) radical cation is also demonstrated to produce high ECL emissions and used to develop an ultrasensitive ECL immunosensor. In addition, a Pt–Ag alloy nanoparticles amplification carrier for protein ECL analysis is applied for improvement of the detection sensitivity. Thus, this ECL immunosensor exhibits high sensitivity, good reproducibility, rapid response, and long-term stability.

A large clearance TiO{sub 2} nanotube arrays (LTAs) has been synthesized by a not more than 12 h anodization duration and based on this a branched TiO{sub 2} nanotube arrays (BLTs) has been achieved through TiO{sub 2} nanorods branch-like grown on the LTAs. Some key factors and probable mechanisms of the fabrication processes on two novel nanoarchitectures are discussed. Exhilaratingly, it is found that the obtained LTAs has demonstrated large pore diameter and void spaces (pore diameter {approx}350 nm; void spaces {approx}160 nm; and tube length {approx}3.5 {mu}m), and the synthesized hierarchical BLTs, compared with conventional TiO{sub 2} nanotube arrays, has shown a much stronger dye absorption performance and an approximately double of the solar cell efficiency (in our case from 1.62% to 3.18% under simulated AM 1.5 conditions). - Graphical Abstract: The schematic diagram of synthesis process for LTAs and BLTs is on the above and the corresponding FESEM images of obtained photoanodes samples are shown below. Highlights: > Large clearance TiO{sub 2} nanotube arrays (LTAs) was synthesized by a fast anodization process of 12 h. > Anodization time of 12 h is just 10% of about 120 h reported in the previous references. > Branch-like TiO{sub 2} nanotubemore » arrays (BLTs) was achieved by growing TiO{sub 2} nanorods on the LTAs. > Obtained BLTs and LTAs show impressive morphology and noticeable improvement of surface area. > BLTs shows about more than 1 times higher solar cell efficiency than that of TiO{sub 2} nanotube arrays.« less

One-dimensional SrSn(OH) 6 nanowires were successfully synthesized through a rapid simple method-sonochemical synthesis at room temperature without using any templates or surfactants. The growth mechanism has been proposed, and the reaction conditions were carefully investigated. The experimental results revealed that both the ultrasound irradiation and the presence of Na 2 CO 3 in the synthetic process had an impact on the fast formation of the SrSn(OH) 6 nanowires. Moreover, a subsequent precipitation-hydrothermal treatment of SrSn(OH) 6 nanowires-was conducted in ethanol at 180 °C for 8 h in order to improve their crystallinity and thermal stalibity. SrSnO 3 nanorods were converted by calcination of the hydrothermally treated SrSn(OH) 6 nanowires at 700 °C for 3 h in air. In particular, it was the first attempt to test the electrochemical properties of the SrSnO 3 products as anode in a Li ion battery. The resulting SrSnO 3 nanorods exhibited a better cyclability over 50 cycles with a reversible lithium storage capacity of 200 mA h g ―1 than that of SrSnO 3 nanoparticles.

CaSn(OH)(6) nanotubes were fabricated by sonochemical precipitation method at room temperature. A direct rolling process from nanosheets to nanotubes was expected for the synthesis of CaSn(OH)(6) nanotubes. The transient CaSn(OH)(6) nanosheets are formed as intermediates produced by the spontaneous self-assembly and transformation of amorphous colloid clusters. During the crystallization process of intermediate nanosheets, the relaxation of surface strain in the nanosheet interfaces can induce the nanosheets to roll up to form nanotubes under ultrasonic conditions. In this synthesis, the addition of Na(2)CO(3) seems to play an important role in the formation, size, and shape control of the nanotubes. Investigations into the stability performance of the nanotubes indicate that the morphologies are very sensitive to pH and temperature. The method suggests a general strategy for the design and fabrication of functional single-crystalline nanotubes through an intermediate nanosheet rolling process. The in vitro fabrication of such single crystal nanotubes could shed light on fundamental mechanisms for closed hollow nanostructures. Furthermore, nanotubes produced in high yield and at low cost are envisioned to have applications in areas ranging from medicine to pharmaceuticals through to materials science.

Nickel hydroxyl sulfate (Ni(SO4)0.3(OH)1.4) nanobelts were obtained via a simple template-free hydrothermal reaction. The structural evolution of Ni(SO4)0.3(OH)1.4 nanobelts during ex situ heat treatment and in situ electron irradiation are investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques mainly including bright-field imaging, selected-area electron diffraction combined with kinematic simulations, and high-resolution TEM. The transformation from Ni(SO4)0.3(OH)1.4 to NiO can be observed in both ex situ and in situ experiments. Based on the TEM results, the structural evolution is clarified and the preliminary structural framework of Ni(SO4)0.3(OH)1.4 is proposed. This structural evolution also provides an excellent approach for large-scale production and/or modification of NiO nanoparticles.

An axial magnetic field of 0.1 T was applied to ZrF4–BaF2–LaF3–AlF3NaF fibers during heating to the glass crystallization temperature. Scanning electron microscopy and x-ray diffraction were used to identify crystal phases. It was shown that fibers exposed to the magnetic field did not crystallize, while fibers not exposed to the field did crystallize. A hypothesis based on magnetic work was proposed to explain the results, and was tested by measuring the magnetic susceptibilities of the glass and crystal.

In this paper, large-scale, single-crystalline ZnO nanotube arrays were directly fabricated onto F-doped SnO2 (TCO) glass substrate via an electrochemical deposition method from an aqueous solution for the first time. The tubes had a preferential orientation along the [0001] direction and hexagon-shaped cross sections. The novel nanostructure could be easily fabricated without a prepared layer of seeds on the substrate. The surface condition of substrate material and the experimental conditions played a key role in the nanotube formation. A possible formation mechanism has been proposed. Keywords: ZnO nanotube, Arrays, TCO glass, Electrochemical deposition

Nanobelts of nickel hydroxyl sulfate have been prepared on a large scale via a simple template-free hydrothermal reaction on the basis of a complex [Ni(NH(3))(6)](2+) formed with Ni(2+) and ammonia in an ethanol-water solution. The as-synthesized nanobelts were single crystals, with several tens of microns in length and 50-150 nm in width. The nanobelts were enclosed by top surfaces (100) and side surfaces (001) and their growth direction was parallel to [010]. The function of aqueous ammonia and ethanol was discussed. Furthermore, nanostructures of a mixture of crystralline NiO and amorphous nickel sulfate with various morphologies, such as nanobelts, porous nanobelts, and nanoparticles, were obtained by the thermal treatment of the as-synthesized Ni(SO(4))(0.3)(OH)(1.4) nanobelts at different temperatures.

One-dimensional SrSn(OH) 6 nanowires were successfully synthesized through a rapid simple methods sonochemical synthesis at room temperature without using any templates or surfactants. The growth mechanism has been proposed, and the reaction conditions were carefully investigated. The experimental results revealed that both the ultrasound irradiation and the presence of Na 2 CO 3 in the synthetic process had an impact on the fast formation of the SrSn(OH) 6 nanowires. Moreover, a subsequent precipitations hydrothermal treatment of SrSn(OH) 6 nanowiresswas conducted in ethanol at 180 °C for 8 h in order to improve their crystallinity and thermal stalibity. SrSnO 3 nanorods were converted by calcination of the hydrothermally treated SrSn(OH) 6 nanowires at 700°C for 3 h in air. In particular, it was the attempt to test the electrochemical properties of the SrSnO 3 products as anode in a Li ion battery. The resulting SrSnO 3 nanorods exhibited a better cyclability over 50 cycles with a reversible lithium storage capacity of 200 mA h g−1 than that of SrSnO 3 nanoparticles.

This paper describes a facile solvothermal method to synthesize self-assembled three-dimensional (3D) Ni2+-Fe3+ layered double hydroxides (LDHs) nanocrystals. Flower-like Ni2+-Fe3+ LDHs constructed of thin nanopetals were obtained using ethylene glycol (EG) as a chelating reagent and urea as a hydrolysis agent. The reaction mechanism and self-assembly process are discussed. After calcinating the as-prepared LDHs at 450 °C in nitrogen gas, porous NiO/NiFe 2 O 4 nanosheets were obtained. This work resulted in the development of a simple, cheap, and effective route for the fabrication of large area Ni2+-Fe3+ LDHs as well as porous NiO/NiFe 2 O 4 nanosheets.

In this paper, single-crystalline Ni(SO4)0.3(OH)1.4 nanocrystals could be synthesized on a large scale by a facile hydrothermal treatment without using templates or organic additives. Ammonia concentration played an important role for the composition, phase structure and shape control of the the Ni(SO4)0.3(OH)1.4 nanobelts. Electrochemical measurement revealed that the asprepared Ni(SO4)0.3(OH)1.4 nanobelts exhibited high specific capacity close to the theoretical capacity performance of β-Ni(OH)2. On the other hand, the single-crystalline porous nickel oxide nanobeltsnanobelts can be obtained through calcination of the Ni(SO4)0.3(OH)1.4. nanobelts.

This paper describes a facile solvothermal method to synthesize self-assembled three-dimensional (3D) Ni2+-Fe3+ layered double hydroxides (LDHs). Flower-like Ni2+-Fe3+ LDHs constructed of thin nanopetals were obtained using ethylene glycol (EG) as a chelating reagent and urea as a hydrolysis agent. The reaction mechanism and self-assembly process are discussed. After calcinating the as-prepared LDHs at 450 degrees C in nitrogen gas, porous NiO/NiFe2O4 nanosheets were obtained. This work resulted in the development of a simple, cheap, and effective route for the fabrication of large area Ni2+-Fe3+ LDHs as well as porous NiO/NiFe2O4 nanosheets.