Crystal structures, anisotropic growth, and optical properties: controlled synthesis of lanthanide orthophosphate one-dimensional nanomaterials.

The fundamental understanding of the relationship between crystal structure and the dynamic processes of anisotropic growth on the nanoscale, and exploration of the key factors governing the evolution of physical properties in functional nanomaterials, have become two of the most urgent and challenging issues in the fabrication and exploitation of functional nanomaterials with designed properties and the development of nanoscale devices. Herein, we show how structural and kinetic factors govern the tendency for anisotropic growth of such materials under hydrothermal conditions, and how the crystal structure and morphology influence the optical properties of Ln3+-doped nanocrystals. The synthesis of phase-pure and single-crystalline monoclinic, hexagonal, and tetragonal one-dimensional LnPO4 nanostructures of different aspect ratios by means of kinetically controlled hydrothermal growth processes is demonstrated.

Orthogonal PbS nanowire arrays and networks and their Raman scattering behavior.

Three-dimensional, orthogonal lead sulfide (PbS) nanowire arrays and networks have been prepared by using a simple, atmospheric pressure chemical vapor deposition (APCVD) method. These uniform nanowires (average diameter 30 nm) grow epitaxially from the surface of the initial PbS crystal seeds and form orthogonal arrays and networks in space. The growth mechanism has been explored, and the process was classified as homogeneous, epitaxial growth in the 200 directions.

Synthesis and characterization of bismuth single-crystalline nanowires and nanospheres.

A facile solution-phase process has been demonstrated for the selective preparation of single-crystalline bismuth nanowires and nanospheres by reducing sodium bismuthate with ethylene glycol in the presence of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) or acetone. Bismuth nanobelts and Bi/Bi(2)O(3) nanocables could be also obtained by changing some reaction parameters. Various techniques such as XRD, EDXA, SEM, TEM, HRTEM, and FT-IR have been used to investigate the physical characteristics of these low-dimensional bismuth nanostructures.

Synthesis of uniform CoTe and NiTe semiconductor nanocluster wires through a novel coreduction method.

A novel coreduction method was developed to synthesize uniform one-dimensional CoTe and NiTe nanocluster wires. In the synthesis, soluble Na(2)TeO(3) was used to supply a highly reactive Te source and N(2)H(4).H(2)O was used both as reducing agent and as complexing agent.

Synthesis and characterization of an open framework ballium selenide: Ga4Se7(en)2 x (enH)2.

An open framework gallium selenide, Ga(4)Se(7)(en)(2).(enH)(2), has been prepared by the direct reaction of gallium (Ga) and selenium (Se) in ethylenediamine (en), in which both covalent and hydrogen bonds have been employed to combine the inorganic structures and organic spacers to build layers with micropores. Its structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction.

Selective synthesis and characterization of CdSe nanorods and fractal nanocrystals.

CdSe nanorods and dendritic fractals were synthesized through a novel controllable solution-phase hydrothermal method. Soluble selenite was employed to provide a highly reactive Se source in the synthesis. Both morphologies and phases of the CdSe products could be successfully controlled by choosing appropriate complexing agents to adjust the dynamics of the reaction process.