Jianxiong Wang

Growth mechanism of silver nanowires synthesized by polyvinylpyrrolidone-assisted polyol reduction

Silver (Ag) nanowires with a pentagonal cross section have been synthesized by polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-assisted polyol reduction in the presence of Pt nanoparticle seeds. The UV–visible absorption spectra and scanning electron microscopy have been used to trace the growth process of the Ag nanowires. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy investigation further shows that the PVP molecules are adsorbed on the surface of the Ag nanowires through Ag : O coordination. Comparing with the growth process of Ag nanoparticles, a possible growth mechanism of the Ag nanowires has been proposed. It is implied that the PVP molecules are used as both a protecting agent and a structure-directing agent for the growth of Ag nanowires. It is concluded that the five-fold twinning Ag nanoparticles are formed through heterogenous nucleation after the introduction of Pt nanoparticle seeds and then grow anisotropically along the 110 direction, while the growth along 100 is relatively depressed.

Temperature dependence of resonant Raman scattering in double-wall carbon nanotubes

The temperature-dependent frequency shift of resonant Raman spectra of double-wall carbon nanotubes is investigated in the range of 78–650 K. We show here that different radial breathing mode (RBM) peaks, which are relative to different tube diameters, have a different temperature coefficient of frequency shift, and the larger diameter carbon nanotubes have more RBM frequency downshift with increasing temperature. We attribute the RBM frequency variation to the temperature dependence of the stretching force constant of C–C bond.

Nonenzymatic Glucose Sensor Using Freestanding Single-Wall Carbon Nanotube Films

Freestanding single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNT) films with large area were synthesized by the floating chemical vapor deposition technique. A glucose sensor was constructed using the SWNT films for direct oxidation of glucose in alkaline solution. The SWNT film electrode showed a high and reproducible sensitivity of 248.6 μA/cm 2 mM to glucose with a response time of less than 10 s in 0.1 M alkaline solution, even in the presence of 0.2 M chloride ions. These results demonstrate that the SWNT films have potential applications in constructing highly sensitive, stable, and fast response glucose sensors without enzyme loading.

Large-scale synthesis and optical behaviors of ZnO tetrapods

Zinc oxide tetrapods were synthesized on a large scale through thermal evaporation of zinc powder with a vapor transportation deposition method. Scanning electron microscope images gave clear evidences of twin planes at the junction of the tetrapods. Photoluminescence and waveguide behaviors of a single tetrapod were demonstrated with a near-field scanning optical microscope.

Template-free synthesis of helical hexagonal microtubes of indium nitride

Single crystalline indium nitride (InN) helical microtubes with a hexagonal hollow cross section have been synthesized in bulk quantities by nitriding indium oxide powder in ammonia flux. As-prepared InN microtubes grow along the [0001] direction with typical outer diameters of 1–3μm, wall thickness of 50–80nm and lengths up to hundreds of microns. The InN microtubes exhibit both right-handed and left-handed helicities with helical angles ranging from zero to about 30°. Variation of helicity can be observed in a single tube. A number of observations demonstrate that the growth of the tubular structure occurs by the spiraling of the warped InN nanobelts. Photoluminescence spectrum of the microtubes presents a strong emission peak centered at 700nm at room temperature.

Producing cleaner double-walled carbon nanotubes in a floating catalyst system

We demonstrate that Fe impurities in double-walled carbon nantoubes (DWNTs) may be greatly depressed by improving the experimental setup in a floating catalyst CVD method. In the paper, the effect of different experimental parameters on sample purity has been systematically studied. The possible reasons for the decrease of impurity in the DWNT samples prepared with the improved apparatus are discussed. The process should be helpful for preparing high quality single- or double-walled carbon nanotubes in scale-up applications.

Electrochemical fabrication and structure of NixZn1−x alloy nanowires

NixZn1?x alloy nanowires were successfully prepared by the templated electrodeposition technique. The morphology and the microstructures of as-deposited nanowires were examined by scanning electron microscope, x-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscope and electron diffraction. It is demonstrated that the content of magnetic element Ni in the nanowires can be easily adjusted by changing the ingredients of the electrolyte, the deposited current density and the deposited voltage, which is critical to tune the magnetic property of the nanowires. X-ray diffraction and electron diffraction analysis indicate that the NixZn1?x nanowires exhibit different structures with the variation in the quantity of nickel in the nanowires. It is expected that these heterogeneous alloy nanowires will have a potential application in nanoscale giant-magnetoresistance devices.

Resonant Raman scattering of double wall carbon nanotubes prepared by chemical vapor deposition method

Resonant Raman spectra of double wall carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs), with diameters from 0.4 to 3.0 nm, were investigated with several laser excitations. The peak position and line shape of Raman bands were shown to be strongly dependent on the laser energies. With different excitations, the diameter and chirality of the DWCNTs can be discussed in detail. We show that tubes (the inner or outer layers of DWCNTs) with all kinds of chiralities could be synthesized, and a DWCNT can have any combination of chiralities of the inner and outer tubes.

Anodizing behavior of aluminum foil patterned with SiO2 mask

SiO 2 -Patterned anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) is fabricated on the surface of aluminum (Al) foil by combining both photolithography and anodizing technique. Tilted pores and ridge-like features on the Al surface are observed under the SiO 2 mask by scanning electron microscopy characterization. A mechanism based on the deflection of electric field due to the existence of SiO 2 barrier on Al surface has been proposed to explain the observed anodizing behavior. Moreover, large-scale ordered metallic Al patterns are also revealed by removing the AAO film and SiO 2 mask.

Patterned anodic aluminium oxide fabricated with a Ta mask

Electrochemical anodization was applied to an aluminium (Al) sheet patterned with a metallic tantalum (Ta) mask, which gave rise to the formation of patterned anodic aluminium oxide (AAO). The morphological evolution of the AAO porous structure with anodizing time was characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Lateral anodizing of the Al sheet gradually developed underneath the metallic Ta mask with the increase of anodizing time. This has given us further understanding of the Al anodizing behaviour compared with our previous work with a SiO2 masked Al sheet. By controlling the anodizing time and the size of the metal mask, deep lithography of the Al substrate can be realized, and a mushroom-like Ta–Al microstructure with a high aspect ratio was created on the Al surface after removal of the AAO film. This Ta–Al microstructure has been studied in detail, and it was found to exhibit pronounced hydrophobic properties.