Z.G. Wu

Nanoparticles and 3D sponge-like porous networks of manganese oxides and their microwave absorption properties.

Hydrohausmannite nanoparticles (approximately 10 nm) were prepared by the hydrothermal method at 100 degrees C for 72 h. Subsequent annealing was done in air at 400 degrees C and 800 degrees C for 10 h, Mn(3)O(4) nanoparticles (approximately 25 nm) and 3D Mn(2)O(3) porous networks were obtained, respectively. The products were characterized by XRD, TEM, SAED and FESEM. Time-dependent experiments were carried out to exhibit the formation process of the Mn(2)O(3) networks. Their microwave absorption properties were investigated by mixing the product and paraffin wax with 50 vol%. The Mn(3)O(4) nanoparticles possess excellent microwave absorbing properties with the minimum reflection loss of -27.1 dB at 3.1 GHz. In contrast, the Mn(2)O(3) networks show the weakest absorption of all samples. The absorption becomes weaker with the annealing time increasing at 800 degrees C. The attenuation of microwave can be attributed to dielectric loss and their absorption mechanism was discussed in detail.

Microwave absorption properties and the isotropic antenna mechanism of ZnO nanotrees

In this paper, ZnO nanowires and ZnO nanotrees have been prepared and their microwave absorption properties have been investigated in detail. Complex permittivity and permeability of the ZnO nanostructures and paraffin composites have been measured in a frequency of 0.1–18 GHz. Excellent microwave absorption performances have been observed in ZnO nanotree composite compared to ZnO nanowire composite, and the maximum absorption is enhanced as the concentration of the nanotrees increases in the composite. The value of minimum reflection loss for the composites with 60 vol % ZnO nanotrees is −58 dB at 4.2 GHz with a thickness of 4.0 mm. Such strong absorption is attributed to the unique isotropic antenna morphology of the ZnO nanotrees in the composite.

Morphology-controlled synthesis, growth mechanism, optical and microwave absorption properties of ZnO nanocombs

ZnO nanocombs and nanorods with different morphologies have been successfully synthesized through a simple metal vapour deposition route at 600-750 degrees C using pure zinc powder or zinc and graphite powders as source materials. The structures and morphologies of the products were characterized in detail by using x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and laser Raman spectrometer. The morphologies of the products can be easily controlled by tuning the following four factors: reaction temperature, the distance between the source and the substrates, the kinds of substrates and the kinds of precursors. Possible growth mechanisms for the formation of ZnO nanostructures with different morphologies are discussed. Photoluminescence studies show that there are sharp UV and broad defect-related green emissions for all products. Relative intensity of the UV to defect-related green emissions decreases from ZnO nanorods to nanocombs. Microwave absorption properties of these nanocombs are also investigated. The value of the minimum reflection loss is -12 dB at 11 GHz for the ZnO nanocomb composite with a thickness of 2.5 mm.

Synthesis, Characterization, and Microwave Absorption Property of the SnO2Nanowire/Paraffin Composites

In this article, SnO2nanowires (NWs) have been prepared and their microwave absorption properties have been investigated in detail. Complex permittivity and permeability of the SnO2NWs/paraffin composites have been measured in a frequency range of 0.1–18 GHz, and the measured results are compared with that calculated from effective medium theory. The value of maximum reflection loss for the composites with 20 vol.% SnO2NWs is approximately −32.5 dB at 14 GHz with a thickness of 5.0 mm.In this article, SnO2nanowires (NWs) have been prepared and their microwave absorption properties have been investigated in detail. Complex permittivity and permeability of the SnO2NWs/paraffin composites have been measured in a frequency range of 0.1-18 GHz, and the measured results are compared with that calculated from effective medium theory. The value of maximum reflection loss for the composites with 20 vol.% SnO2NWs is approximately -32.5 dB at 14 GHz with a thickness of 5.0 mm.

Overgrowing single crystalline ZnB2O4 on multiwall carbon nanotubes: Straightening the curly tubes

Single crystals of ZnB2O4 have been grown from a supercooled molten ZnO-B2O3 system on multiwall carbon nanotubes. Transmission electron microscopy investigations indicated that the originally curly carbon nanotubes were well straightened after the single-crystal coating. The coating and straightening mechanism are discussed.

Study on the structure, morphology and properties of Fe-doped Cu3N films

Fe-doped Cu3N films were prepared by cylindrical magnetron sputtering equipment at room temperature. The doping of Fe with the proper concentration results in a change in the preferred growth orientation from the Cu-rich plane (1 1 1) to the N-rich plane (1 0 0), which relates to the evolution of the surface grain shape from pyramid to sphere. Excessive doping of Fe is not favourable for the crystallization of Cu3N films. The cross-sections of the doped films with preferred growth orientations of [1 0 0] exhibit regular columnar grains. The variation between the lattice constant and the XPS results reveals that Fe probably replaces the position of Cu atoms in the lattice or is segregated in the grain boundaries. Weaker bonding of Cu–N results in a reduction of thermal stability for Fe-doped Cu3N films. And the incorporation of Fe can effectively modify the energy gap. According to the variations in the mean grain size, the peak of N1s and the energy gap, it is inferred that a doping limitation exists around 2.0 at%.

Structural and Optical Properties of Dy Doped ZnO Film Grown by RF Magnetic Sputter

Zinc oxide (ZnO) and Dysprosium (Dy) doped ZnO nano films have been successfully prepared by radio frequency (RF) magnetron sputter. Then the crystal structure, morphology and optical of the films were investigated. All the samples have a preferred orientation with the (0 0 2) orientation perpendicular to the substrates. The surface morphology of the films changes greatly with the increasing of doping content. Agglomeration appears when the doping content is excess, which may result from the recrystallization of the small crystalline grain. The average transmittance in the visible range all exceeds 80% for the different doping content films and the band gap increases from 3.26eV to 3.34eV.

Low-Temperature Hydrothermal Synthesis and Electrochemical Properties of Birnessit-Type Manganese Dioxide Nanosheets

Birnessite MnO2 nanosheets were synthesized by self-limiting deposition of KMnO4 in a facile low-temperature hydrothermal process. The MnO2 electrode exhibits a high specific capacitance of 169 F g-1 at a current density of 0.1 A g-1, good rate capability with a capacitance of 96 F g-1 even at a high current density of 5 A g-1, as well as excellent cycle stability with capacitance retention of 94% at 1 A g-1 after 1,000 cycles.

Temperature-induced structure and Morphological transformation in SnS prepared by a chemical vapor deposition method

SnS thin films were deposited at different temperatures on silicon and quartz plates through directly elementary reaction via a simple chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. The as-prepared products have a transformation of morphology from plate-like to granule-like when the temperature increased. A mechanism involving two competitive factors, surface energy and binding energy, was proposed to understand their growth. The products prepared at low temperature were single crystal while the films made in high temperature are polycrystal, the optical band gap (1.2~2.1ev) and the Sn:S atom ratios increases as the deposited temperature increases.

Growth Mechanism and Morphology Control of Porous Hexagonal Plates of Hydrohausmannite Prepared by Hydrothermal Method

Porous hexagonal plates of hydrohausmannite were prepared by a simple hydrothermal method. Morphology control of the product was easily achieved by adjusting the experimental parameters. The selected area electron diffraction (SAED) patterns show obvious evidence that these hexagonal plates were formed by oriented aggregation-based growth of subunits, which is discussed in details. Intriguing well-shaped hexagonal pores were obtained when the hexagonal plates were exposed to high intensity electron beam irradiation. These hexagonal plates of manganese oxide may have wide applications as components and/or interconnect in nanodevices and/or as nanotools.