Weiqiang Fan

Synthesis, characterization and assembly of BiOCl nanostructure and their photocatalytic properties

In this article, a two-dimensional (2D) nanoplate and a 3D hierarchical structure of BiOCl were synthesized through a simple sonochemical route. Compared with previous preparation methods, the 2D nanoplates can be prepared at a relatively short time (about 30 min) with low energy used. Additionally, these 2D nanoplates can easily assemble into a 3D hierarchical structure with the surfactant reagents. The obtained products were well crystallized and subsequently characterized by a range of methods, such as X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission microscopy (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and Raman spectroscopy. A possible mechanical growth route was also proposed based on the experiments. The photocatalytic properties of the prepared samples were further investigated by photocatalytic decomposition of Methene Orange (MO) dye, which indicated that the 3D hierarchical structure can effectively improve photocatalytic activity.

Novel Multifunctional Nanocomposites: Magnetic Mesoporous Silica Nanospheres Covalently Bonded with Near-Infrared Luminescent Lanthanide Complexes

In this paper, we report the fabrication and characterization of magnetic mesoporous silica nanospheres covalently bonded with near-infrared (NIR) luminescent lanthanide complexes [denoted as Ln(DBM)(3)phen-MMS (Ln = Nd, Yb)]. Ln(DBM)(3)phen-MMS (Ln = Nd, Yb) nanospheres with an average size of 80-130 nm were synthesized via incorporation of the chelate ligand 5-[N,N-bis-3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl]ureyl-1,10-phenanthroline (phen-Si) into the framework of magnetic mesoporous silica (denoted as phen-MMS), followed by introduction of the Ln(DBM)(3)(H(2)O)(2) (Ln = Nd, Yb) complexes into the nanocomposites via a ligand exchange reaction. The morphological, structural, textural, magnetic, and NIR luminescent properties were well-characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), N(2) adsorption-desorption, a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID), and photoluminescence spectra. These nanocomposites, which possess high surface area, high pore volume, and well-defined pore size, exhibit two-dimensional hexagonal (P6mm) mesostructures. After ligand-mediated excitation, Ln(DBM)(3)phen-MMS (Ln = Nd, Yb) nanocomposites exhibit the characteristic NIR emission of Nd(3+) and Yb(3+), respectively. Magnetic measurements reveal that these mulfunctional nanocomposites possess superparamagnetic properties at 300 K. The high magnetization values make the nanocomposites respond to the external magnetic field quickly. Additionally, the results indicate that Nd(DBM)(3)phen-MMS nanocomposites may have potential applications for laser systems or the optical amplifiers operating at 1.3 microm and Yb(DBM)(3)phen-MMS nanocomposites have several advantages for potential applications in drug delivery or optical imaging.

Synthesis and optical properties of europium-complex-doped inorganic/organic hybrid materials built from oxo-hydroxo organotin nano building blocks.

Hybrid materials doped with novel europium complexes were synthesized using PMMA-co-Sn(12)Clusters (copolymers from oxohydroxo-organotin dimethacrylate and methylmethacrylate) as the matrix material. Two types of hybrid materials were obtained: the physically doped product, PMMA-co-Sn(12)Cluster/Eu(TTA)(3)phen, and the grafted product, PMMA-co-Sn(12)Cluster-co-[EuAA(TTA)(2)phen] (TTA = 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone, phen = phenanthroline and AA = acrylic acid). The hybrid materials exhibited characteristic luminescence of the Eu(3+) ions, and also showed relative especial optical properties compared with samples just using PMMA as the matrix material. The PMMA-co-Sn(12)Cluster matrix exhibited a high physical doping quantity of [Eu(TTA)(3)phen], which can be attributed to the special structure of this kind of hybrid material. GPC (gel-permeation chromatography), TGA (thermogravimetric analysis), SEM, (1)H NMR, ICP (inductively coupled plasma), (119)Sn NMR, FTIR, and diffuse reflectance techniques were employed to characterize the structures and properties of these hybrid materials.

Near-infrared luminescent copolymerized hybrid materials built from tin nanoclusters and PMMA

Novel near-infrared (NIR) luminescent copolymerized hybrid materials were prepared by covalently grafting and physically doping Ln complexes (Ln = Er, Sm, Yb, and Nd) into a copolymer matrix built from nanobuilding blocks. The structures of the obtained hybrid materials were investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). In the photoluminescence studies, the hybrid materials showed characteristic NIR luminescence of corresponding Ln(3+) ions through intramolecular energy transfer from ligands to Ln(3+) ions. Transparent films of these materials can be easily prepared through spin-coating on indium tin oxide (ITO) glasses taking advantage of the matrix nature.

CuIn(WO4)(2) nanospindles and nanorods: controlled synthesis and host for lanthanide near-infrared luminescence properties

CuIn(WO4)2 porous nanospindles and nanorods were synthesized through a low-cost hydrothermal method without introducing any template or surfactants. An interesting formation mechanism, namely “oriented attachment”, was observed for the growth of nanorods based on the experimental process and the anisotropic intrinsic crystalline structure of CuIn(WO4)2, which is uncommon in such a system. The near-infrared luminescence of lanthanide ions (Er, Nd, Yb and Ho) doped CuIn(WO4)2nanostructures, especially in the 1300–1600 nm region, was discussed and of particular interest for telecommunications applications. X-Ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, electron diffraction and photoluminescence spectra were used to characterize these materials.

Rare-Earth-Doped Bifunctional Alkaline-Earth Metal Fluoride Nanocrystals via a Facile Microwave-Assisted Process

Rare-earth-doped magnetic-optic bifunctional alkaline-earth metal fluoride nanocrystals have been successfully synthesized via a facile microwave-assisted process. The as-prepared nanocrystals were monodisperse and could form stable colloidal solutions in polar solvents, such as water and ethanol. They show bright-green fluorescence emisson. Furthermore, Gd(3+)-doped ones exhibit paramagnetic behavior at room temperature and superparamagnetic behavior at 2 K.

Cubic spinel In4SnS8: electrical transport properties and electrochemical hydrogen storage properties

In this work, electrical transport properties and electrochemical hydrogen storage properties of a cubic spinel In(4)SnS(8) hierarchical nanostructure were investigated. A simple single layer device exhibits non-linear current-voltage (I-V) characteristics. The detailed electrical transport properties of the sample indicated that the conduction mechanism varied in different external voltage regions. Derived from the typical spinel system of the A[B(2)]X(4) (A: Zn, Cu, Sn, B: In, Ga, X: S, Se) ternary chalcogenides, this thiospinel compound also shows high electrochemical hydrogen storage of 127 mAh g(-1) and its mechanism is discussed.