Here we demonstrate how monodisperse iron oxide nanocubes and nanospheres with average sizes between 5 and 27 nm can be synthesized by thermal decomposition. The relative importance of the purity of the reactants, the ratio of oleic acid and sodium oleate, the maximum temperature, and the rate of temperature increase, on robust and reproducible size and shape-selective iron oxide nanoparticle synthesis are identified and discussed. The synthesis conditions that generate highly monodisperse iron oxide nanocubes suitable for producing large ordered arrays, or mesocrystals are described in detail.

Hexagonal mesocrystals formed by tungsten oxide nanowires have been synthesized using a solvothermal method without any template. The selected area electron diffraction (SAED) analysis of the regular hexagonal mesocrystal demonstrates that the nanowires are highly ordered. Electrochemical behaviour of the mesocrystals has been evaluated by cyclic voltammograms.

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Due to its promising potential applications in seawater desalination and purification, solar steam conversion has attracted tremendous attention recently. The light‐to‐heat conversion capacity of solar absorbers directly affects the rate at which freshwater is produced by the evaporation system. Herein, an efficient double‐layer evaporator is developed using MoS2/LaF3/PDMS ink as an absorber that is printed onto a commercial PTFE membrane by the controlled ink‐spray method. The LaF3 nanoparticles‐decorated MoS2 nanoflowers nanocomposite exhibits enhanced adsorption of sunlight due to semiconductor/solid electrolyte interface synergetic effect‐induced broadband absorption ability. Combining the advantages of local heating and rapid vapor emission, the water evaporation rate of the evaporator with spray ink in sunlight is 1.76 kg m−2 h−1 and the corresponding high light‐to‐heat conversion efficiency is 91%. Also, the membrane module has good operability, certain mechanical strength, and good long‐term stability. The synergistic effect of a rare‐earth solid electrolyte and semiconductor provides new ideas for the design and development of materials with high light‐to‐heat conversion efficiency and good thermal stability.