Formation of 1-D ZnTe nanocrystals by aerosol-assisted spray pyrolysis

Abstract

One-dimensional (1-D) ZnTe nanowires were prepared by aerosol-assisted spray pyrolysis using a mixture of ZnO (1 mmol)/OA (4 mL)/TOPO (0.8 g)/ODE (4 mL) as Zn precursor and Te/TOP (3 mL of 0.75 M) as Te precursor. The shape, size, and crystal structure of products were characterized by means of transmission electron microscope (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The shape evolution of ZnTe nanocrystals from nanodots to nanowires was achieved by controlling the reaction temperature. ZnTe nanodots with average diameter of 8.3 nm were synthesized at 300 o C. "Earthworm-like" shaped ZnTe (linear ZnTe aggregates) consisting of primary ZnTe nanodots of about 16 nm in diameter were obtained at 400 o C. In addition, 1-D ZnTe nanowires were prepared at reaction temperature higher than 450 o C. Those experimental results suggest that ZnTe nanowires with zinc blende structure are formed from ZnTe nanodots by the oriented attachment due to insufficient surface capping of surfactant molecules and by strong dipole-dipole interaction of nanodots, followed by self-organization of linear aggregates at higher reaction temperatures. The linear ZnTe aggregates consisting of primary ZnTe nanodots may be an intermediate stage in the formation process of nanowires from nanodots.

Developments in conducting polymer fibres: from established spinning methods toward advanced applications

“…126 Not surprisingly therefore PPy has already been applied in a wide variety of areas such as rechargeable lithium batteries, 16,127 low temperature fuel cell technology,128 medical applications, 129,130 and volatile organic compound detection. 131,132 It has also been investigated as a material for "artificial muscles" that would offer numerous advantages over traditional motor actuation.…”

Evidence of oriented attachment in the growth of functionalized ZnTe nanoparticles for potential applications in bio-imaging

“…[11][12][13][14][15][16][17] The miller indices attributed to peaks The zeta potential is used to measure the surface charge of nanoparticles. In addition it may be used to determine how efficiently the capping agent has passivated the nanoparticle surface and confirm the size of the nanoparticles.…”

“…10 It is a challenge to prepare ZnTe nanostructures with controllable size and shape because of the lack of suitable precursors for controlling the thermodynamics and kinetics of the nanocrystal nucleation stage. ZnTe in the form of nanodots, [11][12][13][14] nanoflowers, 14 nanowires and nanorods [14][15][16][17] has been reported using various colloidal and high temperature routes. In many cases the growth of the anisotropic structures is attributed to the oriented attachment growth mechanism.…”

Developing Novel Spinning Methods to Fabricate Continuous Multifunctional Fibres for Bioapplications

“…154,157 PPy exhibits a wide range of surface electrical conductivities (10 −3 Scm -1 < σ < 100 Scm -1 ) depending on the functionality and substitution pattern of the monomer and the nature of the counterion or dopant. 158 Not surprisingly therefore PPy has already been applied in a wide variety of areas such as rechargeable lithium batteries, 159,160 medical applications 113,114 and drug delivery. 122,161 It has also been investigated as a material for "artificial muscles" that would offer numerous advantages over traditional motor actuation.…”