UV-light-assisted synthesis of CeB_(6)@Ag nano-trees for SERS application

The conventional methods of using surfactants to synthesize noble metal nanoparticles usually introduce residues on the surface,which inevitably decreases nanoparticles’ surface enhanced Raman scattering(SERS) performance.Herein,we propose a surfactant-free and feasible approach of preparing cerium hexaboride-Ag nano-trees hybrids(CeB_(6)@Ag nano-trees) as the SERS substrate.First,the CeB_(6)was synthesized by a one-pot ionothermal method.Secondly,the CeB_(6)powder and silver nitrate were dispersed in an aqueous solution.Thereafter,the Ag+was reduced by the UV-light assisted photoreaction and deposited on the surface of the CeB_(6).The SERS performance of the CeB_(6)@Ag nano-trees was evaluated by using the Rhodamine 6 G as the Raman reporter.It shows that CeB_(6)@Ag nano-trees exhibit good SERS sensitivity with the enhancement factor of 2.45 × 10^(7) and detection limit of 10^(-10) mol/L.Moreover,uniformity evaluation of the SERS signal intensity on the substrate also shows that relatively good relative standard deviation values of 12.6%(Raman peak@612 cm^(-1)) and 14.1%(Raman peak@1652 cm^(-1))can be achieved.Finally,finite element simulation evidences that excellent SERS performance of the CeB_(6)@Ag nano-trees is produced by the strong coupled localized surface plasmon resonance generated under the Raman laser irradiation.

Constructed TiO_(2)/WO_(3)heterojunction with strengthened nano-trees structure for highly stable electrochromic energy storage device

Tungsten trioxide(WO_(3))has been widely regarded as a prospective bifunctional material due to its electrochromic and pseudocapacitive properties,while still facing the dilemma of inadequate cycle stability and trapping-induced degradation.Here,inspired by the trees-strengthening approach,a unique titanium dioxide(TiO_(2))nanorod arrays strengthened WO_(3)nano-trees(TWNTs)heterojunction was rationally designed and constructed.In sharp contrast to the transmittance modulation(ΔT)attenuation of primary WO_(3)nano-trees during cycling,the TWNTs film showed not only excellent electrochromic performance but also fascinating cycle stability(77.35%retention of the initialΔT after 10,000 cycles).Besides,the trapping-induced degradation could be easily rejuvenated by a potentiostatic de-trapping process.An electrochromic energy storage device(EESD)was further assembled based on the TWNTs film to deliver excellentΔT(up to 79.5%at 633 nm),fast switching speed(tc/tb=1.9 s/14.8 s),extremely high coloration efficiency value(443.4 cm^(2)·C^(−1)),and long-term cycle stability(over 10,000 charge/discharge cycles).This innovative study provided in-depth insights into the electrochromism nature and a significant step in the realization of stable electrochromic-energy storage application,paving the way for multifunctional smart windows as well as next-generation optoelectronic devices.