Molybdenum Carbamate Nanosheets as a New Class of Potential Phase Change Materials.

We report for the first time the synthesis of large, free-standing, MoO(μ-S)(Etdtc) (MoDTC) nanosheets (NSs), which exhibit an electron-beam induced crystalline-to-amorphous phase transition. Both electron beam ionization and femtosecond (fs) optical excitation induce the phase transition, which is size-, morphology-, and composition-preserving. Resulting NSs are the largest, free-standing regularly shaped two-dimensional amorphous nanostructures made to date.

Progress, challenges, and opportunities in two-dimensional materials beyond graphene.

Graphene's success has shown that it is possible to create stable, single and few-atom-thick layers of van der Waals materials, and also that these materials can exhibit fascinating and technologically useful properties. Here we review the state-of-the-art of 2D materials beyond graphene. Initially, we will outline the different chemical classes of 2D materials and discuss the various strategies to prepare single-layer, few-layer, and multilayer assembly materials in solution, on substrates, and on the wafer scale.

Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation Efficiencies in One-Dimensional CdSe Heterostructures.

To better understand the role nanoscale heterojunctions play in the photocatalytic generation of hydrogen, we have designed several model one-dimensional (1D) heterostructures based on CdSe nanowires (NWs). Specifically, CdSe/CdS core/shell NWs and Au nanoparticle (NP)-decorated core and core/shell NWs have been produced using facile solution chemistries. These systems enable us to explore sources for efficient charge separation and enhanced carrier lifetimes important to photocatalytic processes.

Synthetic Strategy and Structural and Optical Characterization of Thin Highly Crystalline Titanium Disulfide Nanosheets.

Two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials have recently received significant attention because of their attractiveness for use in many nanostructured devices. Layered transition-metal dichalcogenides are of particular interest because reducing their dimensionality causes changes in their already anisotropic physical and chemical properties. The present study describes the first bottom-up solution-phase synthesis of thin highly crystalline titanium disulfide (TiS2) nanosheets (NSs) using abundant low-cost molecular precursors.

Construction of sensitive and selective zirconia-based CO sensors using ZnCr2O(4)-based sensing electrodes.

The carbon monoxide (CO) sensitivity of a mixed-potential-type yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ)-based tubular-type sensor utilizing a ZnCr(2)O(4) sensing electrode (SE) was tuned by the addition of different precious metal nanoparticles (Ag, Au, Ir, Pd, Pt, Ru and Rh; 1 wt % each) into the sensing layer. After measuring the electromotive force (emf) response of the fabricated SEs to 100 ppm of CO against a Pt/air-reference electrode (RE), the ZnCr(2)O(4)-Au nanoparticle composite electrode (ZnCr(2)O(4)(+Au)-SE) was found to give the highest response to CO. A linear dependence on the logarithm of CO concentration in the range of 20-800 ppm at an operational temperature of 550 °C under humid conditions (5 vol % water vapor) was observed.

Stabilization of sensing performance for mixed-potential-type zirconia-based hydrocarbon sensor.

The recently reported sensing characteristics of the mixed-potential-type yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ)-based hydrocarbon (HC) sensor attached with ZnCr(2)O(4)-sensing electrode (SE) were found to be changed after the 10-day operation at 550°C under the wet condition (5 vol.% water vapor). To improve the stability of the present sensor, the several modifications of the SE material by adding YSZ powder were examined.

Spontaneous gradual accumulation of hexagonally-aligned nano-silica on gold nanoparticles embedded in stabilized zirconia: a pathway from catalytic to NH3-sensing performance.

The present study highlights the influence of nano-impurities on the catalytic/sensing performance of nano-structured Au sensing-electrodes (SEs) housed in a quartz reactor and operated at high temperature over a long period of time. The planar sensor, made from a nano-structured Au-SE on a polished-polycrystalline (pp) yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) substrate exhibited initially negligible electromotive force (emf) response to each of the examined gases (CO, CH(4), C(3)H(8), C(3)H(6), NO(x) and NH(3); 400 ppm each) at 700 °C in the presence of 5 vol.% oxygen and 5 vol.