Heterogeneous photocatalytic materials, titania–phosphotungstic acid nanocomposites in the mesopores of SBA-15 (TiO2-H4PW12O40/SBA15) were prepared by sol–gel method. Compositions and structures of the nanocomposites were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible absorption spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Uniform mesoporous SBA15 consisting of long-range channels provides the immobilization of titania-phosphotungstic acid nanocomposites. The photocatalytic activity of the prepared TiO2-H4PW12O40/SBA15 powders was evaluated from an analysis of the photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange. The results indicated that photocatalytic activity increased with the amount of H4PW12O40 from 0% to 10% and decreased when the amount of H4PW12O40 was above 10%. It is due to the synergetic reaction of H4PW12O40 and TiO2. However, much more H4PW12O40 can occupy the active center of TiO2. TiO2 can inhibit the decomposition of H4PW12O40 in the TiO2-H4PW12O40/SBA15 composites. On the other hand, H4PW12O40 repressed the TiO2 particle growth during calcination process. The composite catalyst also had the advantage of easily being recovered and reused.

Ordered nanostructure arrangement directly from solution onto surface is one of the important methods to synthesis advanced materials. In this paper, solvent-assisted self-assembly of ZnO nanoparticles on mica was investigated. Results showed ZnO nanoparticles were closely linked to each other and formed fork-like nanostructures on mica. ZnO nanostructures were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The possible mechanism of nanoparticle self-assembly was given. The decrease of solvent density led to the aggregation of nanoparticles. It may provide a simple and effective method to construct nanostructures.

The Ni(OH) 2 /NiOOH nanoparticles (NPs) electrodeposited on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) in Ni(NO 3) 2 and NH 3 •H 2 O aqueous solution for the electrode materials. Then the nickel hydroxide/oxyhydroxide acetate was formed in acetate solution. The effects of deposition conditions such as the concentration of Ni(NO 3) 2 solution, the number of sedimentary cycles, the concentration of acetate in the soaking liquid and the soaking time are discussed in detail. The electrochemical properties of the material have been investigated by cyclic voltammetry, Tafel curve, EIS and amperometric it curve techniques. The result displays excellent electrocatalytic activity towards the electrocatalytic oxidation of urea in alkaline solution. Furthermore, the modified electrode for oxidation reaction has the advantages of simple preparation, good electrochemical properties and stabilisation.