Fractal-like gold nanonetworks formed by templated electrodeposition through 3D-mesoporous silica films.

Fractal-like networks of gold nanoparticles created by templated electrodeposition are described. Templated electrodeposition is a powerful and efficient technique for the bottom-up fabrication of nanostructures which can effectively control the size and shape of the electrodeposits. In this work, mesoporous silica films with highly ordered mesopores and three-dimensional mesostructure are synthesised and are used as templates for the electrodeposition of gold nanoparticles.

Effects of surfactant head group modification on vertically oriented mesoporous silica produced by the electrochemically assisted surfactant assembly method.

Production of mesoporous silica films with vertically oriented pores has been a challenge since interest in such systems developed in the 1990s. Vertical orientation can be achieved by the electrochemically assisted surfactant assembly (EASA) method using cationic surfactants such as cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). The synthesis of porous silicas using a series of surfactants with increasing head sizes is described, from octadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) to octadecyltriethylammonium bromide (CTEAB).

Mesoporous silica films as hard templates for electrodeposition of nanostructured gold.

Metallic nanostructures have widespread applications in fields including materials science, electronics and catalysis. Mesoporous silica films synthesised by evaporation induced self-assembly and electrochemically assisted self-assembly with pores below 10 nm were used as hard templates for the electrodeposition of Au nanostructures. Electrodeposition conditions were optimised based on pore orientation and size.

Solvothermal water-diethylene glycol synthesis of LiCoPO and effects of surface treatments on lithium battery performance.

Olivine-structured LiCoPO is prepared a facile solvothermal synthesis, using various ratios of water/diethylene glycol co-solvent, followed by thermal treatment under Ar, air, 5%H/N or NH. The diethylene glycol plays an important role in tailoring the particle size of LiCoPO. It is found that using a ratio of water/diethylene glycol of 1 : 6 (v/v), LiCoPO is obtained with a homogenous particle size of ∼150 nm.

Electrodeposition of tin nanowires from a dichloromethane based electrolyte.

Tin was electrodeposited from a dichloromethane-based electrolyte at ambient temperature into gold coated anodic alumina membranes with nanoscale pores. The tin nanowires are mainly 〈200〉 aligned, together with some 〈101〉 and 〈301〉 wires. Partial filling of the structure and a distribution of wire lengths was found.