Inhibition of Photoconversion Activity in Self-Assembled ZnO-Graphene Quantum Dots Aggregated by 4-Aminophenol Used as a Linker.

The aggregation of zinc oxide nanoparticles leads to an increased absorbance in the ultraviolet-visible region by an induced light scattering effect. Herein, we demonstrate the inhibition of photoconversion activity in ZnO-graphene core-shell quantum dots (QD) (ZGQDs) agglomerated by 4-aminophenol (4-AP) used as a linker. The ZnO-graphene quantum dots (QD) aggregates (ZGAs) were synthesized using a facile solvothermal process.

Five-minute synthesis of silver nanowires and their roll-to-roll processing for large-area organic light emitting diodes.

Silver (Ag) nanowires (NWs) are promising building blocks for flexible transparent electrodes, which are key components in fabricating soft electronic devices such as flexible organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). Typically, Ag NWs have been synthesized using a polyol method, but it still remains a challenge to produce high-aspect-ratio Ag NWs via a simple and rapid process. In this work, we developed a modified polyol method and newly found that the addition of propylene glycol to ethylene glycol-based polyol synthesis facilitated the growth of Ag NWs, allowing the rapid production of long Ag NWs with high aspect ratios of about 2000 in a high yield (∼90%) within 5 min.

Mechanically Robust Magnetic Carbon Nanotube Papers Prepared with CoFeO Nanoparticles for Electromagnetic Interference Shielding and Magnetomechanical Actuation.

The introduction of inorganic nanoparticles into carbon nanotube (CNT) papers can provide a versatile route to the fabrication of CNT papers with diverse functionalities, but it may lead to a reduction in their mechanical properties. Here, we describe a simple and effective strategy for the fabrication of mechanically robust magnetic CNT papers for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding and magnetomechanical actuation applications. The magnetic CNT papers were produced by vacuum filtration of an aqueous suspension of CNTs, CoFeO nanoparticles, and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA).

Curving silver nanowires using liquid droplets for highly stretchable and durable percolation networks.

Silver (Ag) nanowires (NWs) are promising building blocks for the fabrication of stretchable electrodes, but they may undergo mechanical fracture at low tensile strains, which leads to degradation in electrical performance of Ag NW-based stretchable electrodes. Here we report on a simple route to create the percolation networks of Ag NW rings via a conventional spray coating process. We discovered that Ag NWs can be bent into curved shapes within micrometer-sized liquid droplets generated during the spraying process due to elasto-capillary interaction.

Organic-Stabilizer-Free Polyol Synthesis of Silver Nanowires for Electrode Applications.

The polyol reduction of a Ag precursor in the presence of an organic stabilizer, such as poly(vinylpyrrolidone), is a widely used method for the production of Ag nanowires (NWs). However, organic capping molecules introduce insulating layers around each NW. Herein we demonstrate that Ag NWs can be produced in high yield without any organic stabilizers simply by introducing trace amounts of NaCl and Fe(NO3 )3 during low-temperature polyol synthesis.

Highly stretchable patterned gold electrodes made of Au nanosheets.

Multilayered Au nanosheets are suggested as a novel class of material for fabricating stretchable electrodes suitable for organic-based electronic devices. The electrodes show no difference in resistivity during repeated stretching cycles of up to ϵ = 40%.