Particle Placement and Sheet Topological Control in the Fabrication of Ag–Hexaniobate Nanocomposites

Abstract

Synthetic methods are demonstrated that allow for the fabrication of Ag-hexaniobate nanocomposites with directed nanoparticle (NP) placement and nanosheet morphological control. The solvothermal treatment of exfoliated nanosheets (NSs) in the presence of Ag NPs leads to a high yield of Ag nanocomposites. This approach is quite flexible and, with control of time and temperature, can be used to produce nanocomposites with specific architectures; Ag NPs can be attached to nanosheets, attached to the surfaces of nanoscrolls, or at higher temperatures, captured within nanoscrolls to form nanopeapod (NPP) structures. The decorated nanosheets and nanoscrolls show surface plasmon resonance (SPR) maxima similar to that of free Ag NPs, while the Ag NPPs exhibit a red shift of about 10 nm.

Microwave Synthetic Routes for Shape-Controlled Catalyst Nanoparticles and Nanocomposites

“…Nanopeapods (NPPs) are a unique type of composite nanoarchitecture in which nanoparticles are captured by scrolling layers of exfoliated nanosheets to form linear assemblies in the hollow inner core [61][62][63][64][65][66]. NPPs offer advanced, precise techniques for engineering the exfoliation, scrolling, and assembly processes, and represent a promising alternative for the placement of the catalytic, magnetic, or other types of NPs [63].…”

“…We have previously reported on the synthesis of hexaniobate-based NPPs incorporating nanoparticles such as Ag, Au, and CeO 2 , which showed interesting optical properties and feature materials that are relevant to catalytic applications [64][65][66]. Chen et al recently reported on the formation of Au@Nb@H x K 1−x NbO 3 NPPs that displayed high catalytic activity for photoelectrochemical water splitting over a broad spectral range under an applied external voltage.…”

“…Pt@HNB NPPs were selectively engineered as a heterogeneous hydrogen generation photocatalyst, and consist of linear Pt nanocube arrays within scrolled hexaniobate nanosheets. The MW synthetic route was adapted from the conventionally heated solvothermal method used by our group to produce Fe 3 O 4 , Ce, and Ag@HNB NPPs [61,65,66]. Crystalline hexaniobate was combined with the exfoliating agent tetrabutylammonium hydroxide (TBAOH) and surfactant OAm in toluene under magnetic stirring at room temperature.…”

Probing the Dielectric Effects on the Colloidal 2D Perovskite Oxides by Eu3+ Luminescence

“…14 Furthermore, the dispersion of Nb 6 O 17 NSs can be varied in various solvents with different pH values and nanopeapods could be formed by additionally mixing some metal nanoparticles via solvothermal treatment. 15,16 Different exfoliation agents like tetrabutylam-monium and water attached on the surface of exfoliated oxide NSs would lead to distinct optical response time to some vapors. 17 Despite all of these, it is still a challenge to investigate the layer structure of the NSs, the interaction between the NSs and the dielectric medium or the ligands in a dielectric solvent environment, which is of great significance for solutionprocessing fabrication.…”

“…It is also reported that the difference in surface atomic densities on both sides of single Nb 6 O 17 NSs creates a strain force, promoting NSs curl spontaneously . Furthermore, the dispersion of Nb 6 O 17 NSs can be varied in various solvents with different pH values and nanopeapods could be formed by additionally mixing some metal nanoparticles via solvothermal treatment. , Different exfoliation agents like tetrabutylammonium and water attached on the surface of exfoliated oxide NSs would lead to distinct optical response time to some vapors …”