The preparation of nanometer-sized structures of zinc oxide (ZnO) from zinc acetate and urea as raw materials was performed using conventional water bath heating and a microwave hydrothermal (MH) method in an aqueous solution. The oxide formation is controlled by decomposition of the added urea in the sealed autoclave. The influence of urea and the synthesis method on the final product formation are discussed. Broadband photoluminescence (PL) behavior in visible-range spectra was observed with a maximum peak centered in the green region which was attributed to different defects and the structural changes involved with ZnO crystals which were produced during the nucleation process.

Rapid synthesis of CO, NI CO-doped ZnO nanoparticles: Optical and electrochemical properties, Journal of Solid State Chemistry, http://dx. AbstractWe report for the first time a rapid preparation of Zn 1-2x Co x Ni x O nanoparticles via a versatile and environmentally friendly route, microwave-assisted hydrothermal (MAH) method. The Co, Ni co-doped ZnO nanoparticles present an effect on photoluminescence and electrochemical properties, exhibiting excellent electrocatalytic performance compared to undoped ZnO sample. Photoluminescence spectroscopy measurements indicated the reduction of the green-orange-red visible emission region after adding Co and Ni ions, revealing the formation of alternative pathways for the generated recombination. The presence of these metallic ions into ZnO creates different defects, contributing to a local structural disorder, as revealed by Raman spectra.Electrochemical experiments revealed that the electrocatalytic oxidation of dopamine on ZnO attached to multi-walled carbon nanotubes improved significantly in the Co, Ni codoped ZnO samples when compared to pure ZnO.

The first general heterogeneous hydrogenation of amides to amines and alcohols is performed under additive-free conditions and without product de-aromatization by applying a Pd-doped In2O3 catalyst.

A B S T R A C TRegular sized nanostructures of indium oxide (In 2 O 3 ) were homogeneously grown using a facile route, i.e. a microwave-hydrothermal method combined with rapid thermal treatment in a microwave oven. The presence of Er 3+ doping plays an important role in controlling the formation of cubic (bcc) and rhombohedral (rh) In 2 O 3 phases. The samples presented broad photoluminescent emission bands in the green-orange region, which were attributed to the recombination of electrons at oxygen vacancies. The photocatalytic activities of pure bcc-In 2 O 3 and a bcc-rh-In 2 O 3 mixture towards the UVA degradation of methylene blue (MB) were also evaluated. The results showed that Er +3 doped In 2 O 3 exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity with a photonic efficiency three times higher than the pure oxide. The improved performance was attributed to the higher surface area, the greater concentration of electron traps due the presence of the dopant and the possible formation of heterojunctions between the cubic and rhombohedral phases.

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