Architectural Control Syntheses of CdS and CdSe Nanoflowers, Branched Nanowires, and Nanotrees via a Solvothermal Approach in a Mixed Solution and Their Photocatalytic Property

Abstract

Wurtzite CdS and CdSe nanostructures with complex morphologies such as urchin-like CdS nanoflowers, branched nanowires, and fractal nanotrees can be produced via a facile solvothermal approach in a mixed solution made of diethylenetriamine (DETA) and deionized water (DIW). The morphologies of CdS and CdSe nanocrystals can be easily controlled via tuning the volume ratio of DETA and DIW. Urchin-like CdS nanoflowers made of CdS nanorods are in a form of highly ordered hierarchical structures, while the nanowires are branched nanowires, and the fractal CdS nanotrees are a buildup of branched nanopines. The results demonstrated that solvothermal reaction in a mixed amine/water can access a variety of complex morphologies of semiconductor materials. The photocatalytic activity of CdS particles with different morphologies has been tested by the degradation of acid fuchsine under both UV and visible light, showing that the as-prepared branched CdS nanowires exhibit high photocatalytic activity for degradation of acid fuchsine.

Unipolar assembly of zinc oxide rods manifesting polarity-driven collective luminescence

“…Two oppositely polar assemblies prepared under identical conditions develop entirely distinct optoelectronic properties, due to the unique spatial organization of the individual rods. Such polarity control could be a general natural phenomenon and can occur in assemblies of others materials, too, such as those reported for ferroelectric, ferromagnetic, piezoelectric materials, etc., having an element of asymmetry (30,31).…”

Review of one-dimensional and two-dimensional nanostructured materials for hydrogen generation

“…NiO hollow microspheres showed greater catalytic activity than rods 6 A special class of 2D NSs self-assembled into a 3D architecture is another important research area in photocatalysis. [6][7][8][9][10][11] Layered titanates have been introduced for H 2 production as a result of their proton-exchange capability in the absence of co-catalysts. 223 …”

Controlled growth, properties, and application of CdS branched nanorod arrays on transparent conducting oxide substrate

“…[18][19][20]. A number of reports have described the growth of CdS branched nanostructures in colloidal systems [21][22][23][24][25][26]. In contrast, only a few studies on CdS straight nanorod arrays on substrates have been reported [27][28][29][30][31] [32], where CdS branched nanorod arrays were fabricated via a one-step hydrothermal approach employing cadmium sulfide and thiourea as starting agents.…”