Solution synthesis of one-dimensional ZnO nanomaterials and their applications.

Recently, one-dimensional (1D) ZnO nanomaterials (NMs) have been extensively studied because both their functional properties and highly controllable morphology make them important building blocks for understanding nanoscale phenomena and realizing nanoscale devices. Compared with high temperature (>450 degrees C) vapor phase methods, solution-based synthesis methods can be conducted at low temperatures (25-200 degrees C) allowing for compatibility with many organic substrate materials and offer additional advantages such as straightforward processing, low cost, and ease of scale up. Although there exist several review articles in the literature regarding the synthesis and applications of 1D ZnO NMs, those focusing on solution-based synthesis methods are lacking.

Solution synthesis of magnesium hydroxide sulfate hydrate nanobelts using sparingly soluble carbonate salts as supersaturation control agents.

Magnesium hydroxide sulfate hydrate (MHSH, 5Mg(OH)(2)MgSO(4)3H(2)O) nanobelts were synthesized under the conditions of ambient pressure and boiling temperature (approximately 101 degrees C). Several sparingly soluble carbonate salts were selected based on the hypothesis that the sparingly soluble carbonate salts in aqueous solution can provide OH(-) ion in a slow and continual manner, which is important to maintain a low supersaturation environment for one-dimensional MHSH nanobelt growth. The results indicated that the concentration of the reaction ions in the solution is one of the critical parameters for nanobelt growth.

Nanobelt formation of magnesium hydroxide sulfate hydrate via a soft chemistry process.

The nanobelt formation of magnesium hydroxide sulfate hydrate (MHSH) via a soft chemistry approach using carbonate salt and magnesium sulfate as reactants was successfully demonstrated. X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersion X-ray spectra (EDS), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed that the MHSH nanobelts possessed a thin belt structure (approximately 50 nm in thickness) and a rectangular cross profile (approximately 200 nm in width). The MHSH nanobelts suffered decomposition under electron beam irradiation during TEM observation and formed MgO with the pristine nanobelt morphology preserved.