High-Yield Synthesis and Structure of Double-Walled Bismuth-Nanotubes

Abstract

A new convenient room-temperature template-free route for high-yield synthesis of double-walled bismuth nanotubes through the treatment of solid bismuth monoiodide with n-butyllithium is presented. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy observations of the product show uniform one-dimensional nanoparticles with high aspect ratios and lengths up to several hundred nanometers. Investigations of the cross sections of the bismuth nanotubes reveal an inner diameter of about 4.5 nm and an outer diameter of 6 nm. The tube walls consist of two coaxial cylinders, and the estimated thickness of the double-wall of about 0.75 nm matches quite properly two layers in the rhombohedral bismuth bulk structure.

Significant improvement of thermoelectric performance in nanostructured bismuth networks

“…In addition the post synthesis NaBH 4 treatment greatly improves the nanotube yield as demonstrated previously [23]. The inset confirms the double wall structure of Bi nanotubes with wall thickness of 0.75 nm and uniform diameter of $5 nm which is consistent with the earlier results for double wall Bi nanotubes [26]. The SAED pattern of an individual Bi nanotube exhibits diffraction spots characteristic of single crystalline Bi with [123] as the proposed growth direction however the polycrystalline rings are observed for the large arrays of selfassembled Bi nanotubes grown in different orientations (Supporting information Figures S2 and S3).…”

BiOX (X=Cl, Br, I) nanostructures: Mannitol-mediated microwave synthesis, visible light photocatalytic performance, and Cr(VI) removal capacity

“…Bismuth-based nanostructures, in particular, have attracted considerable attention by virtue of their improved properties and extensive applications in removing organic dyes and heavy metal ions [3][4][5][6][7]. During the past few years, an increasing interest has been focused on the fabrication of bismuth-related nanomaterials with tailored morphology and pattern, owing to the strong correlation between the property and performance and their sizes, shapes, and structures [8][9][10][11][12][13][14]. For instance, BiOCl nanosheets have been reported to display facetdependent photoreactivity [15].…”

Highly efficient photocatalytic reduction of Cr(VI) by bismuth hollow nanospheres

“…[11][12][13] In the past decades, bismuth nanostructures with different morphologies and specific electronic band structures such as nanotubes [14], micro/ nanospheres [15][16][17], nanoparticles [18], nanocubes [19] and nanowires [20] were successfully synthesized. In our previous study, bismuth hollow nanospheres were also successfully synthesized and exhibited high efficient Cr(VI) adsorption characteristics [21].…”

“…To better understand the outstanding photocatalytic ability of bismuth hollow nanospheres, the diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were carried Catalysis Communications 42 (2013) [14][15][16][17][18][19] out. To the best of our knowledge, there is no report involving the photocatalytic activities of Bi nanomaterials in wastewater treatment.…”