One-dimensional (1D) MoO2 nanorods in the form of a large-area array and nanobranched structure were prepared by hot-filament metal–oxide vapour deposition at low and high pressures in atmospheric argon flows respectively. The x-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of both as-synthesized samples show that the 1D MoO2 nanorods are monoclinic crystals in space group P 21/c. The Raman spectrum of the large-area array of 1D MoO2 nanorods appears to be the same as that of a two-dimensional (2D) MoO2 thin film. The Raman spectrum of the nanobranched structure of 1D MoO2 nanorods showed a downshift and asymmetric broadening of the Raman first-order TO peak when compared with the bulk (q = 0) mode. The Raman shift and broadening were attributed to phonon confinement effect in the 1D nanorods. The in situ Raman spectra of laser-induced oxidation of the nanobranched structure of 1D MoO2 nanorods demonstrate that they can be oxidized easily and more strongly than the 3D bulk MoO2 powder.

Room-temperature confocal Raman scattering was used to probe the antiferromagnetic exchange energy J 2 between the next-nearest-neighboring Ni ions in different sized NiO nanoparticles. NiO nanoparticles were synthesized using the sol−gel method and annealed at various temperatures ranging from 300 to 800 °C. The morphology and crystal structure of the prepared samples were characterized using SEM and XRD, revealing the uniformity and development of short-range crystallinity of NiO nanoparticles. This study shows that short spin correlation leads to an exponential dependency of particle size and the existence of Ni vacancies in two-magnon excitation. The Ni vacancy concentration plays an important role in lattice expansion, along with the size reduction effect. A direct comparison between short-range magnon excitation related to the Ni vacancy concentration and NiO nonstoichiometry has been made.

The proliferation of computer-aided design and additive manufacturing enables on-demand fabrication of complex, three-dimensional structures. However, combining the versatility of cell-laden hydrogels within the 3D printing process remains a challenge. Herein, we describe a facile and versatile method that integrates polymer networks (including hydrogels) with 3D-printed mechanical supports to fabricate multicomponent (bio)materials. The approach exploits surface tension to coat fenestrated surfaces with suspended liquid films that can be transformed into solid films. The operating parameters for the process are determined using a physical model, and complex geometric structures are successfully fabricated. We engineer, by tailoring the window geometry, scaffolds with anisotropic mechanical properties that compress longitudinally (~30% strain) without damaging the hydrogel coating. Finally, the process is amenable to high cell density encapsulation and co-culture. Viability (>95%) was maintained 28 days after encapsulation. This general approach can generate biocompatible, macroscale devices with structural integrity and anisotropic mechanical properties.

Nickel oxide is one of the highly promising semiconducting materials, but its large band gap (3.7 to 4 eV) limits its use in practical applications. Here we report the effect of nickel/oxygen vacancies and interstitial defects on the near-band-edge (NBE) and deep-level-emission (DLE) in various sizes of nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticles. The ultraviolet (UV) emission originated from excitonic recombination corresponding near-band-edge (NBE) transition of NiO, while deep-level-emission (DLE) in the visible region due to various structural defects such as oxygen vacancies and interstitial defects. We found that the NiO nanoparticles exhibit a strong green band emission around ~2.37 eV in all samples, covering 80% integrated intensity of PL spectra. This apparently anomalous phenomenon is attributed to photogenerated holes trapped in the deep level oxygen vacancy recombining with the electrons trapped in a shallow level located just below the conducting band.

We report the phonon and magnetic properties of various well-stabilized Co3O4 nanoparticles. The net valence in cobalt (II)/(III) cation can be obtained by subtracting the Co2+ ions in tetrahedral interstices and Co3+ ions in the octahedral interstices, respectively, which will possess spatial inhomogeneity of its magnetic moment via Co2+ in tetrahedra and Co3+ in octahedral configurations in the normal spinel structure. Furthermore, the distribution of Co2+/Co3+ governed by various external (magnetic field and temperature) and internal (particle size and slightly distorted CoO6 octahedra) sources, have led to phenomena such as a large redshift of phonon-phonon interaction and short-range magnetic correlation in the inverse spinel structure. The outcome of our study is important in terms of the future development of magnetic semiconductor spintronic devices of Co3O4.