Qingzhou Cui

Joining and Interconnect Formation of Nanowires and Carbon Nanotubes for Nanoelectronics and Nanosystems

Interconnect formation is critical for the assembly and integration of nanocomponents to enable nanoelectronics- and nanosystems-related applications. Recent progress on joining and interconnect formation of key nanomaterials, especially nanowires and carbon nanotubes, into functional circuits and/or prototype devices is reviewed. The nanosoldering technique through nanoscale lead-free solders is discussed in more detail in this Review. Various strategies of fabricating lead-free nanosolders and the utilization of the nanosoldering technique to form functional solder joints are reviewed, and related challenges facing the nanosoldering technique are discussed. A perspective is given for using lead-free nanosolders and the nanosoldering technique for the construction of complex and/or hybrid nanoelectronics and nanosystems.

Rapid degradation of azo dye methyl orange using hollow cobalt nanoparticles.

A rapid and efficient method for methyl orange degradation using hollow cobalt (Co) nanoparticles is reported. Hollow Co nanoparticles were fabricated by a galvanic replacement reaction using aluminum (Al) nanoparticles as the template material. The methyl orange degradation characteristics were investigated by measuring the time dependent UV-Vis absorption of the dye solution, which showed a very fast degradation rate under acidic conditions. At an initial methyl orange concentration of 100 mg/L (pH = 2.5) and Co nanoparticle dosage of 0.5 g/L, the azo dye degradation efficiency reached up to 99% within 4 min, and the degradation constant rate was up to 2.444 min(-1), which is the highest value among other studies. A comparison of the decolorization rates at similar conditions with several other azo dyes, including Congo red, Amaranth, and Orange G, showed that the dye with a simpler structure and lower molecular mass decolorized considerably faster than the ones having a more complicated structure (higher molecular mass). The methyl orange degradation was also conducted using hollow nickel (Ni) nanoparticles and commercially available solid spherical Co and Ni nanoparticles. The results showed that Co-based nanoparticles outperformed Ni-based nanoparticles, with the hollow Co nanoparticles exhibiting the fastest degradation rate. Using the hollow Co nanoparticles is a very promising approach for the remediation of methyl orange dye containing wastewater due to the fast degradation rate and high degradation efficiency. In addition, these hollow Co nanoparticles are easily recycled because of their magnetic property.

Formation of PbSe/CdSe Core/Shell Nanocrystals for Stable Near-Infrared High Photoluminescence Emission

PbSe/CdSe core/shell nanocrystals with quantum yield of 70% were obtained by the “successive ion layer adsorption and reaction” technology in solution. The thickness of the CdSe shell was exactly controlled. A series of spectral red shifts with the CdSe shell growth were observed, which was attributed to the combined effect of the surface polarization and the expansion of carriers’ wavefunctions. The stability of PbSe nanocrystals was tremendously improved with CdSe shells.