GuiQuan Han

SOLVOTHERMAL PREPARATION OF CeO2 NANOCUBES AND THEIR CATALYTIC PROPERTIES

Cubic-like CeO2 nanocrystals about 11 nm long were successfully synthesized via an ethanolamine-assisted hydrothermal route using (NH4)Ce(NO3)4 as a precursor at 180°C for 24 h. The CeO2 nanocubes were modified onto the glassy carbon electrode by adsorption to fabricate the modified electrode. The reliability and stability of the CeO2 NC/GC electrode offer a good possibility for applying the technique on routine analysis of ascorbic acid (AA) in clinical use. In addition, the catalytic effect of the CeO2 nanocubes for thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) was investigated by DTA and TG. The catalytic performance of CeO2 nanocubes is superior to that of commercial CeO2 powder.

Fabrication and characterisation of MnOOH and β-MnO2 nanorods with rectangular cross-sections

MnOOH nanorods with rectangular cross-sections have been successfully prepared in high yield via a hydrothermal reduction process at a low temperature. After the subsequent heat treatment of the as-prepared MnOOH nanorods at 350°C for 6 h in air, β-MnO2 nanorods with rectangular cross-section that retained the similar morphologies of MnOOH nanorods were obtained. The products were characterised by powder X-ray diffraction and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. The influences of different degrees of pH on the morphology and phase of the final products under hydrothermal conditions are discussed.

Hierarchical growth and shape evolution of iron hydroxyl phosphate dendrites obtained without surfactants for highly efficient adsorption of DNA

ABSTRACT In the current study, novel hierarchical Fe5(PO4)4(OH)3·2H2O dendrites were synthesized via a simple hydrothermal system in the absence of surfactants employing FeCl3·7H2O and NaH2PO4 as the starting materials. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed that the product is comprised of particles having long central trunks with secondary branches, preferentially grown in a parallel direction with a definite angle to the trunks. The effects of the experimental parameters on the morphology of the resultant materials were investigated. Ostwald ripening and the self-assembly process were proposed as a possible formation mechanism. Adsorption tests of macromolecular salmon sperm DNA demonstrated high adsorption efficiency, revealing the promising applicability of the synthesized dendrites to enhanced DNA separation or drug/gene delivery.