Abstract: <script type='text/javascript'>document.write(unpmarked('The colloidal synthesis and assembly of semiconductor nanowires continues to attract a great deal of interest. Herein, we describe the single-step ligand-mediated synthesis of single-crystalline CsPbBr3 perovskite nanowires (NWs) directly from the precursor powders. Studies of the reaction process and the morphological evolution revealed that the initially formed CsPbBr3 nanocubes are transformed into NWs through an oriented-attachment mechanism. The optical properties of the NWs can be tuned across the entire visible range by varying the halide (Cl, Br, and I) composition through subsequent halide ion exchange. Single-particle studies showed that these NWs exhibit strongly polarized emission with a polarization anisotropy of 0.36. More importantly, the NWs can self-assemble in a quasi-oriented fashion at an air/liquid interface. This process should also be easily applicable to perovskite nanocrystals of different morphologies for their integration into nanoscale optoelectronic devices.'));

Abstract: Post-synthetic shape-transformation processes provide access to colloidal nanocrystal morphologies that are unattainable by direct synthetic routes. Herein, we report our finding about the ligand-induced fragmentation of CsPbBr3 perovskite nanowires (NWs) into low aspect-ratio CsPbX3 (X = Cl, Br and I) nanorods (NRs) during halide ion exchange reaction with PbX2-ligand solution. The shape transformation of NWs-to-NRs resulted in an increase of photoluminescence efficiency owing to a decrease of nonradiative decay rates. Importantly, we found that the perovskite NRs exhibit single photon emission as revealed by photon antibunching measurements, while it is not detected in parent NWs. This work not only reports on the quantum light emission of low aspect ratio perovskite NRs, but also expands our current understanding of shape-dependent optical properties of perovskite nanocrystals.

Abstract: Branched plasmonic nanocrystals (NCs) have attracted much attention due to electric field enhancements at their tips. Seeded growth provides routes to NCs with defined branching patterns and, in turn, near-field distributions with defined symmetries. Here, a systematic analysis was undertaken in which seeds containing different distributions of planar defects were used to grow branched NCs in order to understand how their distributions direct the branching. Characterization of the products by multimode electron tomography and analysis of the NC morphologies at different overgrowth stages indicate that the branching patterns are directed by the seed defects, with the emergence of branches from the seed faces consistent with minimizing volumetric strain energy at the expense of surface energy. These results contrast with growth of branched NCs from single-crystalline seeds and provide a new platform for the synthesis of symmetrically branched plasmonic NCs.

Abstract: We report here fast A-site cation cross-exchange between APbX(3) perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) made of different A-cations (Cs (cesium), FA (formamidinium), and MA (methylammonium)) at room temperature. Surprisingly, the A-cation cross-exchange proceeds as fast as the halide (X=Cl, Br, or I) exchange with the help of free A-oleate complexes present in the freshly prepared colloidal perovskite NC solutions. This enabled the preparation of double (MACs, MAFA, CsFA)- and triple (MACsFA)-cation perovskite NCs with an optical band gap that is finely tunable by their A-site composition. The optical spectroscopy together with structural analysis using XRD and atomically resolved high-angle annular dark-field scanning transmission electron microscopy (HAADF-STEM) and integrated differential phase contrast (iDPC) STEM indicates the homogeneous distribution of different cations in the mixed perovskite NC lattice. Unlike halide ions, the A-cations do not phase-segregate under light illumination.

Abstract: The chromium-based metal organic framework MIL-101(Cr) served as a host for the in situ synthesis of Fe3O4 nano particles. This hybrid nanomaterial was tested as an adsorbent for arsenite and arsenate species in groundwater and surface water and showed excellent affinity towards As-III and As-V species. The adsorption capacities of 121.5 and 80.0 mg g(-1) for arsenite and arsenate species, respectively, are unprecedented. The presence of Ca2+, Mg2+, and phosphate ions and natural organic matter does not affect the removal efficiency or the selectivity. The structural integrity of the hybrid nanomaterial was maintained during the adsorption process and even after desorption through phosphate elution. Additionally, no significant leaching of Cr or Fe species was observed.

Abstract: Co-containing fluoride-phosphates are of interest in sense of delivering high electrode potentials and attractive specific energy values as positive electrode materials for rechargeable batteries. In this paper we report on a new Co-based fluoride-phosphate, LiNaCoPO4F, with a layered structure (2D), which was Rietveld-refined based on X-ray powder diffraction data [P2(1)/c, a = 6.83881(4) angstrom, b = 11.23323(5) angstrom, c = 5.07654(2) angstrom, beta = 90.3517(5) degrees, V = 389.982(3) angstrom(3)] and validated by electron diffraction and high-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy. The differential scanning calorimetry measurements revealed that 2D-LiNaCoPO4F forms in a narrow temperature range of 520-530 degrees C and irreversibly converts to the known 3D-LiNaCoPO4F modification (Pnma) above 530 degrees C. The non-carbon-coated 2D-LiNaCoPO4F shows reversible electrochemical activity in Li-ion cell in the potential range of 3.0-4.9 V vs. Li/Li+ with an average potential of approximate to 4.5 V and in Na-ion cell in the range of 3.0-4.5 V vs. Na/Na+ exhibiting a plateau profile centered around 4.2 V, in agreement with the calculated potentials by density functional theory. The energy barriers for both Li+ and Na+ migration in 2D-LiNaCoPO4F amount to 0.15 eV along the [001] direction rendering 2D-LiNaCoPO4F as a viable electrode material for high-power Li- and Na-ion rechargeable batteries. The discovery and stabilization of the 2D-LiNaCoPO4F polymorph indicates that temperature influence on the synthesis of A(2)MPO(4)F fluoride-phosphates needs more careful examination with perspective to unveil new structures.

Abstract: Si(100)-supported Fe2O3 nanomaterials were developed by a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) approach. The syntheses, which were performed at temperatures between 400 and 550 °C, selectively yielded the scarcely studied β- and ϵ-Fe2O3 polymorphs under O2 or O2 + H2O reaction environments, respectively. Correspondingly, the observed morphology underwent a progressive evolution from interconnected nanopyramids to vertically aligned nanorods. The present study aims to provide novel insights into Fe2O3 nano-organization by a systematic investigation of the system structure/morphology and of their interrelations with growth conditions. In particular, for the first time, the β- and ϵ-Fe2O3 preparation process has been accompanied by a thorough multitechnique investigation, which, beyond X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), is carried out by X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS), atomic force microscopy (AFM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), electron diffraction (ED), scanning TEM electron energy-loss spectroscopy (STEM-EELS), and high-angle annular dark-field STEM (HAADF-STEM). Remarkably, the target materials showed a high structural and compositional homogeneity throughout the whole thickness of the nanodeposit. In particular, spatially resolved EELS chemical maps through the spectrum imaging (SI) technique enabled us to gain important information on the local Fe coordination, which is of crucial importance in determining the system reactivity. The described preparation method is in fact a powerful tool to simultaneously tailor phase composition and morphology of iron(III) oxide nanomaterials, the potential applications of which include photocatalysis, magnetic devices, gas sensors, and anodes for Li-ion batteries.

Abstract: Zeolitic growth is often absent or occurs in separate phases when synthetic strategies based on the combination of zeolite templates and mesopore templating agents are applied. In this work, zeolitic growth and mesopore formation have been investigated at different temperatures by applying a one-pot templating approach, based on a TS-1 zeolite synthesis whereby part of the microtemplate (tetrapropylammonium hydroxide, TPAOH) is replaced by a mesotemplate (hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, CTMABr). Moreover, the synthesis duration and the molar ratio of the microtemplate/mesotemplate have also been studied. The different syntheses clearly show the inherent competitive mechanism between zeolitic growth and mesopore formation. These insights have led to the conclusion that by following a one-pot templating strategy with standard, nonexotic commercial templates, i.e. CTMABr and TPAOH, it is not possible to develop a true hierarchical mesoporous zeolite, meaning a mesoporous siliceous material with highly crystalline zeolitic walls. The resultant materials are instead combined zeolitic/mesoporous composite structures with, however, highly tuneable and controllable porosity characteristics.

Abstract: The synthesis and structural characterisation of a new phase with nominal composition Bi4Mn1/3W2/3O8Cl is presented. Conventional and analytical transmission electron microscopy are used to determine the composition, unit-cell symmetry and space group of the compound, whereas a structural model is deducted by exit-wave reconstruction in the transmission electron microscope. This technique allows the microscope information limit of 1.1 angstrom to be reached and the (light) oxygen atoms in the presence of heavier atoms (Bi, W, Mn) to be imaged. The average structure is refined from Xray powder diffraction data using the Rietveld method yielding an orthorhombic unit cell with lattice parameters a 5.467(4) angstrom, b = 5.466(7) angstrom and c = 14.159(3) angstrom and space group Cm2m, which could be described as a Sillen-Aurivillius intergrowth. ((c) Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, 69451 Weinheim, Germany, 2006)

Abstract: We have studied granular films consisting of nanoscale Ga droplets formed on GaAs films via a method of vacuum annealing to promote As evaporation. For temperatures and magnetic fields below the bulk Ga critical parameters, the samples are very sensitive towards external microwave radiation when two point voltage measurements are performed. Together with the observation of an oscillating magnetic field dependence of the voltage, a scenario in which the samples consist of Josephson-coupled loops seems to be the most likely one for explaining the obtained results.

Abstract: The SiC/Al composites have been fabricated by a vacuum hot pressing (VHP) process in order to study the effect of interface evolution on the global thermal conductivity (TC). By optimizing the VHP parameters of sintering temperature and time, the three different kinds of SiC/Al interface configurations, that is, non-bonded, diffusion-bonded, and reaction-bonded interfaces, are formed and identified by measurement of relative density, X-ray diffraction, scanning and (high-resolution) transmission electron microscopy. The VHPed composite sintered at 655 °C for 60 min is fully dense and presents a tightly-adhered and clean SiC/Al interface at the nanoscale, the ideal diffusion-bonded interface being the most favorable for minimizing interfacial thermal resistance, which in turn results in the highest TC of around 270 W/mK.