ZnO/(La, Sr) CoO 3 (ZnO/LSCO) core-shell composite nanorod arrays have been successfully synthesized by a sequential combination process of a hydrothermal synthesis followed by a pulsed laser deposition (PLD) process (or a colloidal deposition process). Compared to the colloidal deposition process, PLD produces a more uniform and efficient deposition of continuous and mesoporous LSCO thin films onto ZnO nanorod arrays. During the PLD process, the deposited film uniformity was found to be dependent on the nanorod diameter, array density, and thus specific surface area of the nanorod arrays, in addition to the PLD deposition parameters. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to investigate the surface morphologies and orientations of the composite nanorod arrays. With densely packed ZnO nanorod arrays as a unique support structure, the mesoporous LSCO thin film coated on top exhibited better photocatalytic properties than ZnO nanorod arrays and LSCO thin films deposited on flat Si substrates. With optimization of the structure, dimensionality, packing density, as well as the composition and interface structure, these unique composite nanoarchitectures could be a promising class of photocatalyst candidates for organic molecule degradation. Experimental ZnO nanorod array growthThe films of ZnO nanorod arrays were grown on substrates using the hydrothermal method. The substrates used in our experiments included (100) silicon wafer and glass solid substrates. Acetone was used to clean the substrates in an ultrasonic bath. Deposition of ZnO nanorod thin films was achieved using aqueous solutions of zinc acetate (ZnAc 2 , 0.025 mol dm À3 ) and

Composite nanoarchitectures represent a class of nanostructured entities that integrates various dissimilar nanoscale building blocks including nanoparticles, nanowires, and nanofilms toward realizing multifunctional characteristics. A broad array of composite nanoarchitectures can be designed and fabricated, involving generic materials such as metal, ceramics, and polymers in nanoscale form. In this review, we will highlight the latest progress on composite nanostructures in our research group, particularly on various metal oxides including binary semiconductors, ABO3-type perovskites, A2BO4 spinels and quaternary dielectric hydroxyl metal oxides (AB(OH)6) with diverse application potential. Through a generic template strategy in conjunction with various synthetic approaches— such as hydrothermal decomposition, colloidal deposition, physical sputtering, thermal decomposition and thermal oxidation, semiconductor oxide alloy nanowires, metal oxide/perovskite (spinel) composite nanowires, stannate based nanocompostes, as well as semiconductor heterojunction—arrays and networks have been self-assembled in large scale and are being developed as promising classes of composite nanoarchitectures, which may open a new array of advanced nanotechnologies in solid state lighting, solar absorption, photocatalysis and battery, auto-emission control, and chemical sensing.

Three-dimensional (3D) cubic perovskite (La,Sr)MnO3 (LSMO) nanofilms have been deposited on ZnO nanorod arrays with controlled dimensionality and crystallinity by radio frequency (rf) magnetron sputtering and post thermal annealing. Compared to the two-dimensional (2D) LSMO nanofilm on flat Si, the structure and magnetic properties of 3D LSMO nanofilms on ZnO nanorod arrays have a strong anisotropic morphology and thickness dependence. Ferromagnetic property has been observed in both 2D and 3D LSMO nanofilms while a ferromagnetic–superparamagnetic transition was revaled in 3D LSMO nanofilms on ZnO nanorod array with decreasing nanofilm thickness, due to a large surface dispersion effect. The LSMO/ZnO nanofilm/nanorod structures could open up new avenues for intriguing magnetic properties studies and applications of nanoscale perovskites.

Large scale (La,Sr)CoO3 (LSCO)/ZnO nanofilm–nanorod diode arrays have been successfully fabricated using a combination of hydrothermal synthesis and colloidal deposition. With well-controlled dimensionality, crystallinity, crystal structures and device structures, LSCO/ZnO nanofilm–nanorod diode arrays display an excellent rectifying current–voltage (I–V) characteristic under ±1 V bias with negligible leakage current upon reverse bias. These nanostructured diode arrays have been found to be sensitive to UV illumination and different relative humidities at room temperature upon forward bias. A negative photoconductivity response is revealed upon UV illumination on the diode arrays as a result of the desorption process of nanofilm–nanorod surface moisture. The forward current of LSCO/ZnO nanofilm–nanorod diodes increases significantly with increasing relative humidity. These unique nanostructured diode arrays could be useful as photo-responsive moisture and humidity detectors.

No abstract

No abstract

We investigated the material properties of Cremonese soundboards using a wide range of spectroscopic, microscopic, and chemical techniques. We found similar types of spruce in Cremonese soundboards as in modern instruments, but Cremonese spruces exhibit unnatural elemental compositions and oxidation patterns that suggest artificial manipulation. Combining analytical data and historical information, we may deduce the minerals being added and their potential functions—borax and metal sulfates for fungal suppression, table salt for moisture control, alum for molecular crosslinking, and potash or quicklime for alkaline treatment. The overall purpose may have been wood preservation or acoustic tuning. Hemicellulose fragmentation and altered cellulose nanostructures are observed in heavily treated Stradivari specimens, which show diminished second‐harmonic generation signals. Guarneri's practice of crosslinking wood fibers via aluminum coordination may also affect mechanical and acoustic properties. Our data suggest that old masters undertook materials engineering experiments to produce soundboards with unique properties.

No abstract