Engineering Colloidal Metal-Semiconductor Nanorods Hybrid Nanostructures for Photocatalysis

Emerging engineering strategies of colloidal metal-semiconductor nanorod hybrid nanostructures spanning from type,size,dimension,and location of both metal nanoparticles and semiconductors,co-catalyst,band gap structure,surface ligand to hole scavenger are elaborated symmetrically to rationalize the design of this type of intriguing materials for efficient photocatalytic applications.

Aqueous-Phase Synthesis ofAg-TiO2-Reduced Graphene Oxide and Pt-TiO2-Reduced Graphene Oxide Hybrid Nanostructures and Their Catalytic Properties

We demonstrate an aqueous solution method for the synthesis of a Ag-TiO2-reduced graphene oxide （rGO） hybrid nanostructure （NS） in which the Ag and TiO2 particles are well dispersed on the rGO sheet. The Ag-TiO2-rGO NS was then used as a template to synthesize Pt-TiO2-rGO NS. The resulting hybrid NSs were characterized by transmission electron microscopy （TEM）, high-resolution TEM （HRTEM）, energy-dispersive X-ray （EDX） spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy （XPS）, Fourier transform infrared （FTIR） spectroscopy, UV-vis spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry （ICP-MS）, and catalytic studies. It was found that TiO2-rGO, Ag-TiO2-rGO and Pt-TiO2-rGO NSs all show catalytic activity for the reduction of p-nitrophenol to p-aminophenol by NaBH4, and that Pt-TiO2-rGO NS exhibits the highest catalytic activity as well as excellent stability and easy recyclability.

Phase-Controlled 1T Transition-Metal Dichalcogenide-Based Multidimensional Hybrid Nanostructures

Metallic-phase transition-metal dichalcogenides(TMDCs)exhibit unusual physicochemical properties compared with their semiconducting counterparts.However,they are thermodynamically unstable to access and it is even more challenging to construct their metastable-phase heterostructures.Herein,we demonstrate a general solution protocol for phase-controlled synthesis of distorted octahedral 1T WS2-based(1T structure denotes an octahedral coordination for W atom)multidimensional hybrid nanostructures from two-dimensional(2D),one-dimensional(1D),and zero-dimensional(0D)templates.This is realized by tuning the reactivity of tungsten precursor and the interaction between crystal surface and ligands.As a conceptual study on crystal phase-and dimensionality-dependent applications,we find that the three-dimensional(3D)hierarchical architectures achieved,comprising 1T WS2 and 2D Ni3S4,are very active and stable for catalyzing hydrogen evolution.Our results open up a new way to rationally design phase-controlled nanostructures with increased complexity and more elaborate functionalities.

Cerium vanadate/carbon nanotube hybrid composite nanostructures as a high-performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries

The pristine CeVO_(4) and CeVO_(4)/CNT hybrid composite nanostructured samples were facilely synthesized using a simple silicone oil-bath method.From the X-ray diffraction results,the formation of tetragonal CeVO_(4) with an additional minor phase of V_(2)O_(5) was identified.When investigated as an anode material for lithium(Li)-ion batteries,the CeVO_(4)/CNT hybrid composite nanostructure(HCNS) electrode demonstrated improved Li storage performance over the pristine CeVO_(4).The Li insertion/de-insertion electrochemical reaction with the CeVO_(4) was analyzed on the basis of cyclic voltammetry study.The cyclic voltammetry analysis revealed that the three-step reduction of V^(5+) to V^(3+), V^(3+) to V^(2+), and V^(2+) to V+ processes is involved and among them,only V^(5+) to V^(3+) is reversible during the Li-ion insertion into CeVO_(4).The CeVO_(4)/CNT HCNS electrode exhibited a discharge capacity as high as 443 mA h g^(-1)(capacity retention of 96.3%) over 200 cycles at 100 mA g^(-1), whereas the pristine CeVO_(4) is limited to 138 mA h g^(-1)(capacity retention of 48%).Even at a high current density of 500 mA g^(-1), the CeVO_(4)/CNT HCNS electrode delivered an excellent reversible capacity of 586.82 mA h g^(-1) after 1200 cycles.

A Simple Deposition Method for Self-Assembling Single Crystalline Hybrid Perovskite Nanostructures

A sequential deposition method is developed, where the hybrid organic-inorganic halide perovskite （CH3NH3Pb （I1-xBrx）3 ） is synthesized using precursor solutions containing CH3NH3I and PbBr2 with different mole ratios and reaction times. The perovskite achieved here is quite stable in the atmosphere for a relatively long time without noticeable degradation, and the perovskite nanowires are proved to be single crystalline structure, based on transmission electron microscopy.Furthermore, strong red photoluminescence from perovskite is observed in the wavelength range from 746nm to 770nm with the increase of the reaction time, on account of the exchanges between I- ions and Br- ions in the perovskite crystal. Lastly, the influences of concentration and reaction time of the precursor solutions are discussed, which are important for evolution of hybrid perovskite from nanocuboid to nanowire and nanosheet.

Novel Hybrid SiO2/ZnS Coated CdTe/CdS Quantum Dots and Their Bioapplications

Novel CdTe/CdS quantum dots(QDs)coated with a hybrid of SiO_2 and ZnS were fabricated through a simple two-step approach.The hybrid SiO_2/ZnS coated CdTe/CdS quantum dots was characterized by transmission electron microscopy(TEM),UV and fluorescence spectrometer.Results indicated that the core-shell structure gave the QDs outstanding photoluminescence properties,includinganarrowphotoluminescencespectrum,high photoluminescence(PL)quantum yield and long emission lifetime(average PL lifetime of increased from 26.4 ns to 49.1 ns).Cellular studies showed the QDs had good cytocompatibility with Hela cells as determined by the 3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide(MTT)assay after coating SiO_2/ZnS,and also proved the feasibility of using the hybrid SiO_2/ZnS coated QDs as optical probes for in vitro cell imaging.The synthesis method of QDs is highly promising for the production of robust and functional optical probes for bio-imaging and sensing applications.

Preparation and Characterization of Hydroxyapatite/γ-Fe_2O_3 Hybrid Nanostructure

The hybrid particles composed of hydroxyapatite （HAp） and ferrite （ γ-Fe203） were synthesized by two-step precipitation method. The effect of reaction temperature on the morphology of the hybrids was also studied. The resultant hybrids were characterized by transmission electron microscopy （TEM） and X-ray diffraction analysis（XRD）. It was found that γ-Fe203 nanoparticles dispersed within the HAp matrix and these hybrids had a feather-like or spherical morphology when synthesized at 90 ℃ or room temperature, respectively. The magnetic properties of the hybrid showed good superparamagnetic feature, and they could be controlled by the external magnetic field.

Nature of the band gap of halide perovskites ABX_3(A=CH_3NH_3,Cs;B=Sn,Pb;X=Cl,Br,I):First-principles calculations

The electronic structures of cubic structure of ABX3（A=CH3NH3, Cs; B=Sn, Pb; X=Cl, Br, I） are analyzed by den- sity functional theory using the Perdew-Burke-Ernzerhof exchange-correlation functional and using the Heyd-Scuseria- Ernzerhof hybrid functional. The valence band maximum （VBM） is found to be made up by an antibonding hybridization of B s and X p states, whereas bands made up by the π antibonding of B p and X p states dominates the conduction band minimum （CBM）. The changes of VBM, CBM, and band gap with ion B and X are then systematically summarized. The natural band offsets of ABX3 are partly given. We also found for all the ABX3 perovskite materials in this study, the bandgap increases with an increasing lattice parameter. This phenomenon has good consistency with the experimental results.

Brightening single-photon emitters by combining an ultrathin metallic antenna and a silicon quasi-BIC antenna

Bright single-photon emitters(SPEs)are fundamental components in many quantum applications.However,it is difficult to simultaneously get large Purcell enhancements and quantum yields in metallic nanostructures because of the huge losses in the metallic nanostructures.Herein,we propose to combine an ultrathin metallic bowtie antenna with a silicon antenna above a metallic substrate to simultaneously get large Purcell enhancements,quantum yields,and collection efficiencies.As a result,the brightness of SPEs in the hybrid nanostructure is greatly increased.Due to the deep subwavelength field confinement(mode size<10 nm)of surface plasmons in the ultrathin metallic film(thickness<4 nm),the Purcell enhancement of the metallic bowtie antenna improves by more than 25 times when the metal thickness decreases from 20 nm to 2 nm.In the hybrid nanostructures by combining an ultrathin metallic bowtie antenna with a silicon antenna,the Purcell enhancement(Fp≈2.6×10^(6))in the hybrid nanostructures is 63 times greater than those(≤4.1×10^(4))in the previous metallic and hybrid nanostructures.Because of the reduced ratio of electromagnetic fields in the ultrathin metallic bowtie antenna when the high-index silicon antenna is under the quasi-BIC state,a high quantum yield(QY≈0.70)is obtained.Moreover,the good radiation directivity of the quasi-BIC(bound state in the continuum)mode of the silicon antenna and the reflection of the metallic substrate result in a high collection efficiency(CE≈0.71).Consequently,the overall enhancement factor of brightness of a SPE in the hybrid nanostructure is EF∗≈Fp×QY×CE≈1.3×10^(6),which is 5.6×10^(2) times greater than those(EF∗≤2.2×103)in the previous metallic and hybrid nanostructures.

Ga/GaSb nanostructures:Solution-phase growth for highperformance infrared photodetection

Gallium antimonide(GaSb)-based nanostructures have been reported via various vapor-phase synthetic routes while there is not a report on the growth of GaSb nanostructures via a complete one-step solution-phase synthetic strategy.Herein we report the design and synthesis of tadpole-like Ga/GaSb nanostructures by a one-step solution-phase synthetic route typically from the precursors of commercial triphenyl antimony(Sb(Ph)_(3))and trimethylaminogallium(Ga(NMe_(2))_(3))at 260°C in 1-octadecene.The GaSb nanocrystals are grown based on a solution–liquid–solid(SLS)mechanism with zinc blende phase,and their size and shape can be controlled in the procedures via manipulating the reaction conditions.Meanwhile,the tadpole-like Ga/GaSb nanostructures can be applied for the fabrication of a GaSb/Si nanostructured heterojunction-like photodetector over silicon wafer,which demonstrates excellent photoresponse and detection performances from wavelength of 405 to 1,064 nm with high photoresponding rate.Typically,the photodetector exhibits a high responsivity of 18.9 A·W^(−1),a superior detectivity of 1.1×10^(13)Jones,and an ultrafast response speed of 44 ns.The present work provides a new strategy to group III–V antimonide-based semiconducting nanostructures that are capable for the fabrication of photodetector with broadband,high-detectivity,and high-speed photodetecting performances.

Hybrid molecular nanostructures with donor-acceptor chains

We have fabricated hybrid molecular chain structures formed by electron acceptor compound 1 and electron donor molecules 2 and 3 at the liquid/solid interface of graphite surface.The structural details of the mono-component and the binary assemblies are revealed by high resolution scanning tunneling microscopy (STM).Compound 1 can form two well-ordered lamellar patterns at different concentrations.In the co-adsorption structures,compounds 2 and 3 can insert into the space between molecular chains of compound 1 and form large area well-ordered nanoscale phase separated lamellar structures.The unit cell parameters for the coassemblies can be "flexibly" adjusted to make the electron donors and acceptors perfectly match along the molecular chains.Scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS) results indicate that the electronic properties of individual molecular donors and acceptors are preserved in the binary self-assembly.These results provide molecular insight into the nanoscale phase separation of organic electron acceptors and donors on surfaces and are helpful for the fabrication of surface supramolecular structures and molecular devices.

Hybrid Silicon-Carbon Nanostructured Composites as Superior Anodes for Lithium Ion Batteries

We have successfully fabricated a hybrid silicon-carbon nanostructured composite with large area （about 25.5 in^2） in a simple fashion using a conventional sputtering system. When used as the anode in lithium ion batteries, the uniformly deposited amorphous silicon （a-Si） works as the active material to store electrical energy, and the pre-coated carbon nanofibers （CNFs） serve as both the electron conducting pathway and a strain/stress relaxation layer for the sputtered a-Si layers during the intercalation process of lithium ions. As a result, the as-fabricated lithium ion batteries, with deposited a-Si thicknesses of 200 nm or 300 nm, not only exhibit a high specific capacity of 〉2000 mA.h/g, but also show a good capacity retention of over 80% and Coulombic efficiency of 〉98% after a large number of charge/discharge experiments. Our approach offers an efficient and scalable method to obtain silicon-carbon nanostructured composites for application in lithium ion batteries.

Synthesis of Co/SiO2 hybrid nanocatalyst via twisted Co3Si2O5（OH）4 nanosheets for high-temperature Fischer- Tropsch reaction

A cobalt-silica hybrid nanocatalyst bearing small cobalt particles of diameter -5 nm was prepared through a hydrothermal reaction and hydrogen reduction. The resulting material showed very high CO conversion （〉82%） and high hydrocarbon productivity （-1.0gHC·gcat^-1·h^-1 ） with high activity （-8.5 × 10^-5 molco.gco^-1.s-1） in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis reaction.

Preparation and Li-storage properties of SnSb/graphene hybrid nanostructure by a facile one-step solvothermal route

A SnSb nanocrystal/graphene hybrid nanocomposite was synthesized by a facile one-step solvothermal route using graphite oxide,SnCl_(2).2H_(2)O and SbCl_(3) as the starting materials,absolute ethanol as the solvent,and NaBH4 as the reductant.The formation of SnSb alloy and the reduction of the graphene oxide occur simultaneously.SnSb nanoparticles with a size of 30–40 nm were uniformly anchored and confined by the graphene sheets,forming a unique SnSb/graphene hybrid nanostructure.The electrostatic attraction between the positively charged ions(Sn^(2+) and Sb^(3+))and the negatively charged graphene oxide plays an important role in the uniform distribution of the SnSb particles on the graphene sheets.The electrochemical Li-storage properties of the nanocomposite were investigated as a potential high-capacity anode material for Li-ion batteries.The results show that the nanocomposite exhibits an obvious enhanced Li-storage performance compared with bare SnSb.The improvement of the electrochemical performance could be attributed to the formation of two-dimensional conductive networks,homogeneous dispersion and confinement of SnSb nanoparticles and the enhanced wetting of active material with the electrolyte for increased specific surface area by the introduction of graphene into SnSb nanoparticles.Li-ion chemical diffusion coefficient and ac impedance were measured to understand the underlying mechanism for the improved electrochemical performance.

Synthesis and Raman Performance Enhancement of Multilayer AuAg Heterostructures with Magnetic Resonance

Significant amplification of surface enhanced Raman scattering(SERS)signals can be achieved mainly by the electric field enhancement in metal core-shell nanostructures,and the enhanced magnetic field is rarely studied.In this study,we prepared multi-gap Au/AgAu core-shell hybrid nanostructures by using gold nanocup as the core.The overgrowth processes to grow one,two,and three layers of AgAu hybrid nanoshells can produce Au/AgAu^(1),Au/AgAu^(2),and Au/AgAu^(3) heteronanostructures.The strong plasmon coupling between the core and shell leads to significant electromagnetic field enhancement.Under the synergistic effect of electromagnetic plasmon resonance and plasmon coupling,Au/AgAu core-shell hybrid nanostructures exhibit excellent SERS signals.We also investigate the effect of the interstitial position of the rhodamine B(RhB)molecule on Raman enhancement in Au/AgAu~3 heteronanostructures.This study can provide new ideas for the synthesis of multi-gap Raman signal amplifiers based on magnetic plasmon coupling.

Formation of Laser-Induced Periodic Surface Structures on Reaction-Bonded Silicon Carbide by Femtosecond Pulsed Laser Irradiation

Reaction-bonded silicon carbide(RB-SiC)is an excellent engineering material with high hardness,stiffness,and resistance to chemical wear.However,its widespread use is hindered due to the properties mentioned above,making it difficult to machine functional surface structures through mechanical and chemical methods.This study investigated the fundamental characteristics of laser-induced periodic surface structures(LIPSSs)on RB-SiC via femtosecond pulsed laser irradiation at a wavelength of 1028 nm.Low-spatial-frequency LIPSS(LSFL)and high-spatial-frequency LIPSS(HSFL)formed on the surface along directions perpendicular to the laser polarization.SiC grains surrounded by a large amount of Si show a reduced threshold for LIPSS formation.By varying laser fluence and scanning speed,HSFL-LSFL hybrid structures were generated on the SiC grains.Transmission electron microscopy observations and Raman spectroscopy were carried out to understand the formation mechanism of the hybrid LIPSS.A possible mechanism based on the generation of multiple surface electromagnetic waves due to the nonlinear response of SiC was proposed to explain the hybrid structure formation.Furthermore,the direction of laser scanning with respect to laser polarization affects the uniformity of the generated LIPSS.

Facile,Noncovalent Decoration of Graphene Oxide Sheets with Nanocrystals

Facile dry decoration of graphene oxide sheets with aerosol Ag nanocrystals synthesized from an arc plasma source has been demonstrated using an electrostatic force directed assembly technique at room temperature.The Ag nanocrystal-graphene oxide hybrid structure was characterized by transmission electron microscopy(TEM)and selected area diffraction.The ripening of Ag nanocrystals on a graphene oxide sheet was studied by consecutive TEM imaging of the same region on a sample after heating in Ar at elevated temperatures of 100°C,200°C,and 300°C.The average size of Ag nanocrystals increased and the number density decreased after the annealing process.In particular,migration and coalescence of Ag nanocrystals were observed at a temperature as low as 100°C,suggesting a van der Waals interaction between the Ag nanocrystal and the graphene oxide sheet.The availability of affordable graphene-nanocrystal structures and their fundamental properties will open up new opportunities for nanoscience and nanotechnology and accelerate their applications.

Encapsulation of superparamagnetic Fe_3O_4@SiO_2 core/shell nanoparticles in MnO_2 microflowers with high surface areas

Microflowers made of interconnected MnO2 nanosheets have been successfully synthesized in a microwave reactor through a hydrothermal reduction of KMnO4 with aqueous HCI at elevated temperatures in the presence of superparamagnetic Fe3O4SiO2 core-shell nanoparticles.Due to the chemical compatibility between SiO2 and MnO2,the heterogeneous reaction leads to the spontaneous encapsulation of the Fe3O4@SiO2 core-shell nanoparticles in the MnO2 microflowers.The resulting hybrid particles exhibit multiple properties including high surface area associated with the MnO2nanosheets and superparamagnetism originated from the Fe3O4@SiO2 core-shell nanoparticles.which are beneficial for applications requiring both high surface area and magnetic separation.

Constructing monodispersed MoSe_2 anchored on graphene:a superior nanomaterial for sodium storage

We reported a facile and robust one-pot wet chemistry strategy to achieve the growth of uniform three dimensional（3D） MoSe_2 ultrathin nanostructures on graphene nanosheets to form high quality MoSe_2/rGO hybrid nanostructures.Owing to the graphene as a support,it can significantly prevent the aggregation of MoSe_2 and the distribution of MoSe_2 on graphene was highly uniform.Importantly,due to the unique structures,the as-harvested MoSe_2/rGO hybrid exhibited excellent electrochemical performance as anode materials for sodium-ion battery（SIB）.When evaluated in a half cell system,the MoSe_2/rGO hybrid nanostructures could deliver a capacity of 200.2 mA h g^（-1） at8 A g^（-1） and maintain a capacity of 230.1 mA h g^（-1） over 100 cycles at 5 A g^（-1）.When coupled with Na_3V_2（PO_4）_3 cathode in a full cell system,the material could deliver a discharge capacity of 363.1 mA h g^（-1） at the current density of 0.5 A g^（-1）.Moreover,a discharge capacity of 56.4 mA h g^（-1） could be achieved even at a high current density of 10 A g^（-1）,which clearly suggested the high power capability of MoSe_2/rGO hybrid nanostructures for sodium ion energy storage.

Enhanced optical absorption surface of titanium fabricated by a femtosecond laser assisted with airflow pressure

We propose an effective way to achieve an enhanced optical absorption surface of titanium alloy 7(Ti7) fabricated by a femtosecond(fs) laser assisted with airflow pressure. The effect of laser scanning speed and laser power on the surfaces’ morphology and average reflectivity was studied. In order to further reduce the surface’s reflectivity, different airflow pressure was introduced during the fabrication of Ti7 by a fs laser. Furthermore, the average reflectivity of samples fabricated under different laser parameters assisted with airflow was presented. In addition, the high and low temperature tests of all samples were performed to test the stability performance of the hybrid micro/nanostructures in extreme environments. It is demonstrated that the airflow pressure has an important influence on the micro/nanostructures for light trapping, the average reflectivity of which could be as low as 2.31% over a broad band of 250–2300 nm before high and low temperature tests, and the reflection for specific wavelengths can go below 1.5%.