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A series of novel BiPO4–BiOBrxI1−x p–n heterojunctions were successfully prepared by a facile solvothermal method. The morphology, structure and optical properties of photocatalysts were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and ultraviolet visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The visible light photocatalytic activities of BiPO4–BiOBrxI1−x heterojunctions were investigated by photocatalytically reducing CO2. After 4 hours of irradiation, the 5% BiPO4–BiOBr0.75I0.25 heterojunction showed the highest photocatalytic activity with the yields of CO and CH4 up to 24.9 and 9.4 μmol gcat−1 respectively. The improved photocatalytic activity may be due to the formation of BiPO4–BiOBrxI1−x p–n heterojunctions which can effectively restrict the recombination rate of the photoexcited charge carriers. Moreover, the energy band structure of BiPO4–BiOBrxI1−x heterojunctions could be easily adjusted by changing the mole ratio of I and Br. The possible mechanism of the enhancement of the photocatalytic performance was also proposed based on experimental and theoretical analysis. The present study may provide a rational strategy to design highly efficient heterojunctions with an adjustable energy band for environmental treatment and energy conversion.

The BiOBrxI1−x solid solutions were successfully synthesized both in water and ethylene glycol (EG), using a facile solvothermal method. The as-prepared BiOBrxI1−x solid solutions were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–vis spectrometer and so on. SEM images revealed that BiOBrxI1−x solid solutions formed 2D plate-like shape in water, and formed microspheres in EG solvent; except that BiOI formed nanoparticles in EG solvent. The photocatalytic performance of all the BiOBrxI1-x solid solutions samples were investigated by degrading phenol under visible light irradiation (λ > 420 nm). The BiOBr0.5I0.5 microspheres with highly exposed {1 1 0} facets showed the highest photocatalytic activity with phenol completely degraded within 80 min under visible light irradiation. In addition, a reasonable mechanism for the enhanced photocatalytic performance was also discussed in detail.

The efficient visible-light-driven AgIO3/AgBr photocatalyst was successfully synthesized by an in-situ anion-exchange method at room temperature. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and UV–vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy (DRS) were used to characterize the obtained samples. The photocatalytic activities of the as-prepared heterojunctions were estimated by decomposing the organic dye RhB under visible-light irradiation (λ > 420 nm). Compared with pure AgBr and AgIO3, the AgIO3/AgBr compounds showed dramatically improved visible-light photocatalytic activity. Besides, the results also revealed that 20% AgIO3/AgBr exhibited the best photocatalytic activity, which could decompose the RhB completely in 24 min. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of the composites could be ascribed to the high separation rate of the photoinduced electron–hole pairs in the heterojunction structure. Moreover, the radical trap experiments were also carried out which confirmed that h+ played the major role in RhB photodegradation. The possible mechanism of RhB degradation on the AgIO3/AgBr composite was also discussed according to the results of the experiments and the performance of the obtained photocatalysts.

BiOCl 1− x Br x solid solutions with tunable structures and morphologies were successfully synthesized both in water and ethylene glycol (EG), via a facile solvothermal process. The microstructure and properties of composites were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Brunauer Emmet Teller (BET), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), UV–vis spectrophotometer, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and so on. The effect on the innate character and light reaction mechanism on the photocatalytic activity of BiOCl 1− x Br x were investigated in detail by degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB). SEM revealed that rose-like BiOCl 1− x Br x solid solutions can be obtained in water and the sphere-like were synthesized in EG solvents. And the rose-like nanostructures showed superior photocatalytic properties. Furthermore, the rose-like BiOCl 0.5 Br 0.5 with high exposed {101} facets showed the highest photocatalytic activity with the RhB completely degraded within 12 min under visible light irradiation. In addition, a reasonable mechanism of the enhanced photocatalytic performance was also discussed according to the experimental results.

A novel heterojunction photocatalyst AgIO3/WO3 was fabricated through hydrothermal and chemical precipitation methods. The AgIO3/WO3 samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray detector, and UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV-vis DRS). Moreover, the photocatalytic activities of AgIO3/WO3 samples were estimated by the decomposition of organic dye RhB under visible light irradiation (λ >420 nm). The result reveled that AgIO3/WO3 composite showed higher photocatalytic performance than pure AgIO3 and WO3 photocatalysts, and 50% AgIO3/WO3 heterojunction was recorded to have the optimum rate constant. The enhancement of the photocatalytic activity could be attributed chiefly to the effective separation and migration of photogenerated electron-hole pairs at the interface of AgIO3 and WO3. In addition, radical trap experiments confirmed that the ·OH was the primary reactive species during the photodecomposition of RhB. A possible photocatalytic mechanism of RhB decomposition over AgIO3/WO3 heterostructures was also presented.

A novel BiIO4/Ag3PO4 nanocomposite photocatalyst was synthesized through hydrothermal and chemical precipitation methods. The as-prepared samples were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and ultraviolet visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Moreover, the photocatalytic activity was evaluated by degradation of phenol under visible light irradiation. BiIO4/Ag3PO4 nanocomposite exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than BiIO4 and Ag3PO4, with 5% BiIO4/Ag3PO4 nanocomposite displaying the highest activity. The enhanced photocatalytic performance may be due to the formation of BiIO4/Ag3PO4 heterojunction interface, which is beneficial to the separation and migration of the photogenerated electrons and holes. In addition, the active species trapping experiment demonstrated that •O2− and •OH were the major active species during the photocatalytic process.

In this work, BiOIO3 nanoplatelets were successfully prepared by a simple hydrothermal method. The as-prepared samples were characterised by energy-dispersive spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction and ultraviolet visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activities of the as-prepared BiOIO3 nanoplatelets were evaluated by photodegradation of rhodamine B (RhB) under simulated solar light. The results showed that the change of temperature within a certain range has almost no influence on the morphology and size of BiOIO3 nanoplatelets. However, it had an obvious effect on the photocatalytic performance of BiOIO3 nanoplatelets. The results showed that the BiOIO3 sample synthesised at 130 °C exhibited the highest photocatalytic activities compared to others, with RhB completely decomposed in 80 min. The products with proper crystallinity formed at 130 °C have the optimal rate of RhB photodegradation. It...

In this study, the Ag3PO4 microcrystal was successfully prepared at different temperatures using precipitation and hydrothermal methods. The as-prepared products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–vis DRS) and so on. It was found that the synthesized temperature had some effects on the morphologies and photocurrent of Ag3PO4. As the synthesized temperature increased from 20 °C to 120 °C, the ratio of exposed (110) facets increased, which are the active photocatalysis facets in Ag3PO4 crystals, along with a higher photocatalytic efficiency over RhB under visible light irradiation. And the Ag3PO4 microcrystals synthesized at 120 °C exhibited the highest photocatalytic activities with the degradation ratio of RhB rising up to 97.83% in 6 min due to the high separation efficiency of electron and hole pairs. In addition, the main active species and their roles were investigated by adding scavengers (isopropyl alcohol and EDTA) during the photocatalytic degradation of RhB and a possible mechanism was discussed.

In this article, the direct electrochemical behavior of nitrite at a Au nanoparticles (AuNPs)/carbon paper (CP) electrode made using a rapid electrochemical deposition method was investigated. The morphology of the AuNPs on the CP surface was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The existence of the Au element was verified by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The crystal structure of the AuNPs was verified by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was applied to evaluate the electrochemical behavior of nitrite oxidation. Under the optimum conditions, the AuNPs/CP electrode exhibited a very strong response to nitrite; the oxidation peak current linearly increased with increasing nitrite in the ranges of 1 μM to 30 μM and 40 μM to 100 μM with correlation coefficients of 0.99883 and 0.99789, and a low detection limit of 0.093 μM. The suggested sensor demonstrated high sensitivity, good reproducibility and good recovery.

A novel ferric oxide/multi-walled carbon nanotubes ( $$\hbox {Fe}_{2}\hbox {O}_{3}$$ /MWCNTs)-modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was prepared by drop casting $$\hbox {Fe}_{2}\hbox {O}_{3}$$ /MWCNTs onto the surface of GCE. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image shows that the $$\hbox {Fe}_{2}\hbox {O}_{3}$$ /MWCNTs has a nanostructure. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) results show that the $$\hbox {Fe}_{2}\hbox {O}_{3}$$ /MWCNTs-modified GCE presents excellent electrochemical activity in the presence of 1 mM nitrite in a 0.1 M phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) to compare the $$\hbox {Fe}_{2}\hbox {O}_{3}$$ and MWCNTs-modified GCE. Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) results also show that the $$\hbox {Fe}_{2}\hbox {O}_{3}$$ /MWCNTs has excellent electrocatalytic performance to nitrite in a pH 7.0 PBS. The amperometric response result shows that the $$\hbox {Fe}_{2}\hbox {O}_{3}$$ /MWCNTs-modified GCE can be used to detect nitrite concentration in a wide linear range of $$10\textendash 1000\, \upmu \hbox {M}$$ with a detection limit of $$0.1\, \upmu \hbox {M}$$ .

In this study, BiOCl doped with different contents of zinc were successfully prepared via a facile ethylene glycol (EG)-assisted solvothermal process at 160 °C for 12 h. The as-synthesized samples were characterized in details by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM (HRTEM), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV–vis DRS) and Brunauer Emmet Teller (BET) measurement. The photocatalytic performances were evaluated by the photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under visible light irradiation. The results showed that Zn doping did not change the morphologies and particle sizes of BiOCl. However, it had an obvious effect on the photocurrent and BET surface area of BiOCl and accordingly the photocatalytic performance of BiOCl was greatly improved. The Zn-doped BiOCl with RZn = 0.07 showed the highest photocatalytic activities with almost all of the RhB decomposed in 8 min. Moreover, repetitive tests imply the good recyclability and stability of the catalysts. The enhanced photocatalytic activity was largely ascribed to the efficient separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs and high BET surface area of the catalysts. In addition, a possible mechanism on basis of the experimental results was discussed.

In this study, Bi2WO6 doped with different barium contents were successfully prepared by a simple hydrothermal route at 180 °C for 12 h. The as-synthesized samples were characterized in detailed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV–vis diffusere flectance spectroscopy (UV–vis DRS) and Brunauer–Emmet–Teller (BET) theory. Their photocatalytic activities were evaluated by photodegradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) under simulated solar light. As a result, the photocatalytic properties were enhanced after Ba doping and the Ba-doped Bi2WO6 with RBa = 0.15 showed the highest photocatalytic activities of 96.3% RhB was decomposed in 50 min. Close investigation revealed that the proper Ba doped into Bi2WO6 could not only increases its BET surface area, decrease its crystalline size, but also act as electron traps and facilitate the separation of photogenerated electron–hole pairs. The mechanism of enhanced photocatalytic activities of Ba-doped Bi2WO6 were further investigated.

In the present paper, the Co-doped Fe3O4 nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized by the co-precipitation process. The morphologies size of the Co-doped Fe3O4 nanoparticles were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The structure of the products were characterized by Xray diffraction (XRD). The composition of the product was analyzed by energy dispersive X-ray detector (EDS). The results show that the phase structure of the Co-doped Fe3O4 nanoparticles is spinel Fe3O4 with the particle size ranging from 40 to 50 nm. The prepared Co-doped Fe3O4 nanoparticles electrode was then applied to detect hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in 0.01 M pH 7.0 phosphate buffer medium.

Co3O4/NiO nanocomposite films were electrochemically synthesized on a ITO surface. The Co3O4/NiO nanocomposite films were characterized by energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The electrochromic properties of Co3O4/NiO nanocomposite films are investigated in an aqueous alkaline electrolyte (0.1M KOH) by means of transmittance, cyclic voltammetry (CV) and chronoamperometry (CA) measurements. The Co3O4/NiO nanocomposite films exhibit a noticeable electrochromism with reversible color changes, and fast switching speed (4.1 s and 3.6 s).

In the present paper, the γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles have been successfully synthesized by the co-precipitation process and followed by calcination. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used to characterize the as prepared nanoparticles. The results show that the phase structure of the nanoparticles is γ-Fe2O3 with the particle size ranging from 40 to 50 nm. The catalytic activity of the γ-Fe2O3 was investigated by decomposing the phenol in liquid phase. The results showed that γ-Fe2O3 has the highest catlytic activity.

The Bi2WO6 three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical microspheres from nanoplates have been synthesized by a hydrothermal route. The products were characterized in detail by multiform techniques: X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UVVis absorption spectrum. XRD patterns indicated that the Bi2WO6 three-dimensional hierarchical microspheres were orthorhombic phase. Furthermore, SEM revealed that Bi2WO6 three-dimensional hierarchical microspheres consisted of Bi2WO6 nanoplates.

Electrochemical synthesis in a room temperature ionic liquid, 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium tetrafluoroborate ([BMIBF4), has been used to prepare electrochromic poly (3-bromothiophene) (PBrT). The PBrT films were characterized by fourier-transform infrared spectroscopies (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Electrochemistry properties of the prepared film was characterized by cyclic voltammetry. Spectroelectrochemistry and electrochromic properties of the PBrT films were characterized using various experiment techniques in [BMIBF4. The thin films were red at its neutral state. After oxidization of the PBrT films, the films underwent reversible change to the blue.

In the present paper, the tungsten oxide nanoparticles were fabricated via a hydrothermal treatment of the H2WO4 precursors. The H2WO4 precursors were prepared by method of precipitation reaction between aqueous Na2WO4 and HCl solution. The products are characterized in detail by multiform techniques: scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. The results show that products are WO3 nanoparticles with diameter of about 100-150 nm.

The nanoporous Co3O4 film was prepared by an electrodeposition method. The surface morphology and composition of the nanoporous Co3O4 film were characterised by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The electrochromic properties of Co3O4 film are investigated in an aqueous alkaline electrolyte (0.1 M KOH) by means of transmittance, cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry measurements. The as-prepared nanoporous Co3O4 film exhibits a noticeable electrochromism with reversible colour changes from pale yellow to dark blue and fast switching speed (3.0 and 2.6 s).

Carbonaceous microspheres adsorbents prepared by hydrothermal process have been studied for RhB removal from aqueous solutions. Carbonaceous microspheres were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). It was found that there were abundant oxygen-containing functional groups on the surface of the carbonaceous microspheres. The equilibrium data of the adsorption and the effect of pH, initial pollutant concentration and temperature of solution on the adsorption of RhB by carbonaceous microspheres were studied. The carbonaceous microspheres exhibited excellent adsorption capacity for RhB.

Stable poly(3-methylthiophene)/WO3 (PMeT/WO3) nanocomposite films have been prepared by a two-step electrochemical method. At first the WO3 film was grown by a potentiostatic method in tungsten electrolytes, and then PMeT was deposited on the WO3 film by a potentiodynamic polymerisation method in 2 M solutions of 3-methylthiophene in 1-butyl-3-metyllimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM]PF6). The products are characterised in detail by multiform techniques: scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopies (FTIR). The obtained PMeT/WO3 film displays a significant enhancement of electrochemical activity and a higher stability than that of pure PMeT films.

Poly(3-chlorothiophene) (PCT) was electrochemically polymerized on the surface of tungsten oxide (WO3) in the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-metyllimidazolium hexafluorophosphate by a potentiodynamic method. The PCT/WO3 films were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. Cyclic voltammetric experiment results showed that the electrochemical activity of the PCT/WO3 composite film was significantly improved due to the contribution of unique structure and interactions between PCT and WO3.

The β-Ni(OH)2 nanosheets are fabricated by a hydrothermal method. The products are characterized in detail by multiform techniques: X-ray diffraction(XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis(EDS), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), and transmission electron microscopy(TEM). The results show that the obtained products are nanosheets with diameters of 100-200 nm, and thickness ranging from 10nm to 15 nm . The prepared β-Ni(OH)2 nanosheets are used as electrode materials to study the electrocatalytic reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in 0.5 M NaOH solution.

In this article, the Ag nanoparticles were synthesized on indium tin oxide conducting glass (ITO) substrate using the electrochemical deposition method. The morphology analysis of the deposits using scanning electron microscope (SEM) reveals that the sizes and densities of the Ag nanoparticles were tuned by varying the time of electrodeposition. The structure of the deposits was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The prepared Ag nanoparticles electrode was then applied to detect hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in 0.01 M pH 7.0 phosphate buffer medium. The present electrochemical sensing platform exhibited good electrocatalytic activity towards the reduction of H2O2. The detection sensitivity of the sensor was 0.237 mA mM−1. This method is very simple, inexpensive, and undemanding, thus it should be extensively applied in many fields for the detection of H2O2.

Poly(3-methylthiophene) (PMeT) was electrochemically synthesized on an ITO surface in the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-metyllimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM]PF6) by a potentiodynamic polymerization method. The poly(3-methylthiophene) was characterized by fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis(EDS). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to show the morphology of the PMeT film. Electrochemical properties of the prepared film were characterized by cyclic voltammetry.

Organic/inorganic nanocomposite films based on poly(3-methoxythiophene) (PMOT) and WO 3 were prepared by a consecutive two-step electrochemical method. The products were characterized in detail by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopies (FTIR). The results show that the PMOT/WO 3 nanocomposite films consist of two layers, the substrate WO 3 with 30 nm grains and superstratum PMOT, which average grain size is 60 nm. The obtained PMOT/WO 3 nanocomposite films were also characterized by cyclic voltammetry to investigate their electrochemistry properties which display significant enhancement of electrochemical activity than that of pure PMOT and WO 3 films.

Mo-doped WO3 nanowires were fabricated by a hydrothermal method in the presence of K2SO4. The physical properties of prepared nanowires were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results show that the obtained products are nanowires with diameters ranging between 10 and 20 nm, and lengths of about 600 nm. Its photoactivity was evaluated through the photodegradation of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous solution. Effects of the molybdenum concentration on the photoactivity of the obtained samples were investigated detailedly. The experimental results indicated that the Mo-doping enhanced the photoactivity of WO3 nanowires.

Dysprosium hydroxide and oxide nanorods were prepared directly from commercial bulk Dy{sub 2}O{sub 3} crystals by facile hydrothermal process at 130 and 210 deg. C, respectively. The as-synthesized dysprosium hydroxide and oxide nanorods were investigated by various techniques of XRD, TEM, SEM, and EDS. In the process, the temperature was found to play important roles in determining produce dysprosium hydroxide and oxide nanorods.

Se/C nanocables were first obtained through the reduction of Na2SeO3 with glucose in the presence of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) under hydrothermal conditions. In the process, glucose acts as a reducing agent and carbon source, and the final morphology of the product was determined by the CTAB concentration. The products are characterized in detail by multiform techniques: X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The results show that the obtained products are coaxial nanocables with lengths of 2−6 μm, about 300−500 nm in diameter, and a surrounding sheath about 20−30 nm in thickness. It is of great importance and wide application that the obtained Se/C coaxial nanocables could be tailored freely by irradiation by an electron beam of transmission electron microscopy.

CoWO4 nanorods were synthesized at 453 K for 12 h by a hydrothermal technology from Na2WO4 · 2H2O and CoCl2 · 6H2O in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS). The as-synthesized CoWO4 nanorods were characterized by various techniques of X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray detector. Luminescent properties of the samples were measured at room temperature. The results showed that CoWO4 products are nanorods with diameters of about 20 nm, and lengths ranging between 100 and 200 nm. CoWO4 nanorods display a very strong PL peak at 453 nm with the excitation wavelength 300 nm. The possible formation mechanism of CoWO4 nanorods was suggested.

MnO2 nanostructures with sea urchin shapes have been prepared by an sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-assisted hydrothermal treatment method. The products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). XRD patterns indicated that the sea urchin shaped MnO2 nanostructures were tetragonal phase. Furthermore, SEM and TEM revealed that MnO2 nanostructures with sea urchin shapes consisted of MnO2 nanorods 150−200 nm wide and several micrometers long. A growth mechanism of MnO2 nanostructures with sea urchin shapes was suggested and explained in detail.

The β-Ni(OH) 2 nanosheets and nanocones are fabricated by a hydrothermal method, respectively. The products are characterized in detail by multiform techniques: X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The prepared β-Ni(OH) 2 nanosheets and nanocones are used as electrode materials to study the electrocatalytic reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 ) in 0.5 M NaOH solution. The electrocatalytic activities of the β-Ni(OH) 2 for reduction of H 2 O 2 are enhanced by change of the morphology from nanocones to nanosheets. This demonstrates that β-Ni(OH) 2 nanosheets are promising cathode catalysts for fuel cells with H 2 O 2 as oxidant, which may be in place of precious metal materials.

A dandelion-like Fe3O4@C@BiOCl magnetic nanocomposites have been successfully synthesized through a self-assembly solvothermal process. The as-prepared photocatalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated on the degradation of rhodamine B under simulated solar light irradiation. It was found that the catalyst exhibited excellent photocatalytic performance with superior stability and reusability in recycling, furthermore, it could be easily recovered by applying an external magnetic field, indicating highly potential applications to avoid secondary pollution in water treatment.

The Mo-doped Bi(2)WO(6) three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical microspheres from nanoplates have been synthesized by a hydrothermal route. The products were characterized in detail by multiform techniques: X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and UV-vis absorption spectrum. The results of the photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine-B (RhB) in aqueous solution showed that molybdenum ions doping greatly improved the photocatalytic efficiency of Bi(2)WO(6) 3D hierarchical microspheres. The Mo-doped Bi(2)WO(6) microspheres with atomic ratio of Mo-W of 0.05 had the best activity in photodegradation of RhB in aqueous solution under 500 W Xe lamp light irradiation.

In this paper, a green chemical synthetic route was developed to synthesize WO3 nanoparticles with an average size of 70 nm. The products were characterized in detail by multiform techniques: X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The photoluminescence of the obtained WO3 nanoparticles was also investigated. The effects of the hydrothermal temperature on the crystalline phase and morphology of the products have been studied systematically. The photocatalytic activity of the samples was evaluated by photocatalytic decolorization of methylene blue (MB) aqueous solution. The electrocatalytic activity was characterized using voltammetric techniques. The results showed that the obtained WO3 nanoparticles have an excellent photocatalytic and electrocatalytic performance for the MB.

In this paper, Ag/C nanocables were synthesized via a one-step simple hydrothermal route by using glucose as reducing agent and carbon source, AgNO3 as silver source. The products are characterized in detail by multiform techniques: X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy. The results show that the obtained products are coaxial nanocables with lengths of several micrometers, about 200-500 nm in diameter, and a surrounding sheath about 80-100 nm in thickness. Different products including carbonaceous nanotubes and nanocables with fragmentary Ag core were obtained by adjusting time of chemical etching.

The ZnWO(4) nanorods doped with cadmium ions have been successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal crystallization process. The products were characterized in detail by multiform techniques: X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results of the photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) in aqueous solution showed that cadmium ions doping greatly improved the photocatalytic efficiency of ZnWO(4) nanorods. The Cd-doped ZnWO(4) nanorods with atomic ratio of Cd to Zn being 0.06 had the best activity in photo-degradation of RhB in aqueous solution under UV light irradiation, when the nanorods have prepared at pH 8.

Carbonaceous microspheres adsorbents prepared from the carbonisation process of glucose during hydrothermal treatment have been studied for Cr (VI) and phenol removal from aqueous solutions. Carbonaceous microspheres were characterised by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies. It was found that there were abundant oxygen-containing functional groups on the surface of the carbonaceous microspheres. The equilibrium data of the adsorption and the effect of pH, initial concentration of pollutant and temperature of solution on the adsorption of Cr (VI) and phenol by carbonaceous microspheres were studied. The carbonaceous microspheres exhibited excellent adsorption capacity for Cr (VI) and phenol.

β-Ni(OH)2 nanoplates were prepared by hydrothermal process. The products are characterised in detail using multiform techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. The results show that the products are hexagonal β-Ni(OH)2 nanoplates with the thickness of 20–40 nm and side length of 100–200 nm. Electrocatalytic property of the prepared β-Ni(OH)2 nanoplates was characterised by cyclic voltammetry (CV). CV results indicate that β-Ni(OH)2 nanoplates exhibit a remarkable electrocatalytic activity for the H2O2 reduction. Furthermore, the obtained β-Ni(OH)2 nanoplates have been employed as electrode materials for electrochemical sensing of H2O2.

Poly(3-bromothiophene) (PBrT) was electrochemically synthesised on nano-WO 3 surface in the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-metyllimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([BMIM]PF 6 ) by potentiodynamic method. The PBrT/WO 3 films were characterised by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopies, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray analysis. Electrochemistry properties of the prepared PBrT/WO 3 films were characterised by cyclic voltammetry. The obtained PBrT/WO 3 nanocomposite films displayed a significant enhancement of electrochemical activity than that of pure WO 3 and PBrT films.