CdTe nanocrystals as fluorescent sensors for Hg2+ ions were synthesized. These nanocrystals were highly sensitive for Hg2+ ions and the selectivity was found to be Hg2+ > Cu2+ > other representative heavy metal ions. Moreover, they bear the following merits. First, they are easily synthesized; second, they have a narrow, tunable, symmetric emission spectrum.

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Free-standing Cu nanorod arrays on Cu foil have been fabricated by a template-assisted method. Cu nanorods were potentiostatically deposited on mechanically polished Cu foil using anodized aluminum oxide templates as the deposition mask. Three electrolyte systems were compared, including two acid copper sulfate based solutions and one alkaline solution. The most uniform nanorods were achieved in the alkaline electrolyte. The weight gain per unit area after electrodeposition has been used as a direct measure of average length of deposited Cu nanorods. It was found that our control over the uniformity in nanorod length across the array is important in reaching the maximized aspect ratio without aggregation. Through controlling the weight change it was possible to control the aspect ratio of nanorods and to avoid aggregation of nanorods. Our capability to fabricate free-standing Cu nanorod arrays of uniform height with maximized aspect ratio on Cu foil is especially important in applying this nanostructured Cu as a current collector in Li ion batteries.

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