Zinc Oxide Nanostructures: From Chestnut Husk-Like Structures to Hollow Nanocages, Synthesis and Structure

Abstract

Tailor-made nanostructured ZnO cages have been catalytically grown on Au and Pt films covering silicon substrates, by a controlled evaporation process, which means an accurate choice of temperatures, times, gas flows (He in the heating, He/air during the synthesis), and Au/Pt film thickness. The effect of the process parameters affecting the morphology and the structure of the obtained materials has been investigated by XRD analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) microscopies, and FTIR spectroscopies. In particular, the role of the synthesis temperature in affecting the size and shape of the obtained ZnO cages has been highlighted. It will be shown that by adopting higher temperatures, the protruding nanowhiskers several microns in length, covering the cages and exhibiting both basal and prismatic faces, change into very thin and narrow structures, with extended prismatic faces, prevailing with respect to the basal ones. At an even higher process temperature, the building up of Au particles aggregates inside and/or anchored to the walls of the hollow cages, without any evidence of elongated ZnO nanostructures will be highlighted. From FTIR spectra information on lattice modes of the investigated ZnO, materials have been obtained.

ZnO Nanostructures Application in Electrochemistry: Influence of Morphology

“…The ZnO multifunctionality is interesting for various applications, such as catalysts, photovoltaics, , sensors, − mixed oxide varistors, rubber, and concrete additives, , serving to large-scale industry needs. ZnO nanostructures can be manufactured by using miscellaneous synthesis methods that, according to the processes used, can be divided into chemical synthesis methodshydrothermal synthesis, − combustion, − electrochemical deposition, chemical vapor deposition, − spray pyrolysis, and so onand physical methodsarc discharge method, , radio-frequency magnetron sputtering, , molecular beam epitaxy, pulsed laser deposition, and so on.…”

Novel Chain and Ribbon ZnO Nanoporous Crystalline Phases in Cubic Lattice

“…The stable atomic cluster has been attracted great interest recently not only as an ultimate particle with properties controlled by its shape and even size but also as the promoting possibility to reassembling it into a novel class of material structure—nanoporous crystalline polymorph—while it serves as primary building blocks. [ 7,8,41,42 ] Phases formed by this approach maybe potentially applied in atomic transports, [ 43 ] in possible forming superconducting states, [ 44,45 ] or in thermoelectric by double bubble nesting cages, [ 45,46 ] or in enhanced magnetic and optical absorption by doping with transition metal, [ 47,48 ] in photovoltaic by enhancing the separation of electron–hole pair, [ 17 ] and so on. The trend of the “magic” clusters assembling motif has continued to form the low‐dimensional phases toward tailoring properties or functionalities [ 24-26,42 ] using various structure prediction.…”

“…[ 7,8,41,42 ] Phases formed by this approach maybe potentially applied in atomic transports, [ 43 ] in possible forming superconducting states, [ 44,45 ] or in thermoelectric by double bubble nesting cages, [ 45,46 ] or in enhanced magnetic and optical absorption by doping with transition metal, [ 47,48 ] in photovoltaic by enhancing the separation of electron–hole pair, [ 17 ] and so on. The trend of the “magic” clusters assembling motif has continued to form the low‐dimensional phases toward tailoring properties or functionalities [ 24-26,42 ] using various structure prediction. [ 17,19,49 ] We have proposed a structural design scheme based on a bottom‐up cluster assembling and have found a novel nanoporous crystalline phase—the AST phase, [ 15 ] which was then confirmed by another structural search.…”

Impact of vanadium‐, sulfur‐, and dysprosium‐doped zinc oxide nanoparticles on various properties of PVDF/functionalized‐PMMA blend nanocomposites: Structural, optical, and morphological studies

“…The presence of bands at 510, 840 cm −1 at higher intensity in samples JNH3, JNH4, and JNH5 show the enhancement of β‐phase which attributed that modification in electronic properties of nanofiller through doping might be a good way to transform the phases of PVDF and other polymers. The bands for Zn‐O str., V‐O, S‐O, and Dy‐O were also discussed which further confirm the doping of ZnO nanoparticles. This data were found with strong agreement to the results of SEM, TEM, and fluorescence studies.…”