Synthesis of hierarchical metal nanostructures with high electrocatalytic surface areas

3D interconnected structures can be made with molecular precision or with micrometer size. However, there is no strategy to synthesize 3D structures with dimensions on the scale of tens of nanometers, where many unique properties exist. Here, we bridge this gap by building up nanosized gold cores and nickel branches that are directly connected to create hierarchical nanostructures. The key to this approach is combining cubic crystal–structured cores with hexagonal crystal–structured branches in multiple steps. The dimensions and 3D morphology can be controlled by tuning at each synthetic step. These materials have high surface area, high conductivity, and surfaces that can be chemically modified, which are properties that make them ideal electrocatalyst supports. We illustrate the effectiveness of the 3D nanostructures as electrocatalyst supports by coating with nickel-iron oxyhydroxide to achieve high activity and stability for oxygen evolution reaction. This work introduces a synthetic concept to produce a new type of high-performing electrocatalyst support

Atomistic origin of high-concentration Ce³⁺ in {100}-faceted Cr- substituted CeO₂ nanocrystals

Improving the potential of promising CeO2-based nanocatalysts in practical applications requires an atomic-scale analysis of the effects of active dopants on the distribution of Ce valence states and the formation of oxygen vacancies (VOs). In this study, a Cr dopant is introduced into the cubic {100}-faceted CeO2 nanocrystals (NCs) with an average size of 7.8 nm via supercritical water. The Cr dopants substitute Ce sites in the amount of approximately 3 mol%. Based on the aberration-corrected STEM-EELS, the effects of Cr dopant on the distribution of cation valence states in the Cr-doped CeO2 NCs are investigated layer by layer across the ultrafine Cr-substituted CeO2 NC perpendicular to the {100} exposed facet. It is found that an increased amount of Ce3+ cations is present in Cr-substituted CeO2 NCs, particularly in the internal atomic layers, compared to the pristine CeO2 NCs. The atomic-scale analysis of the local structure combined with theoretical calculations demonstrates that Cr dopant reduces the formation energy of VOs and increases mobility of oxygen atoms for the nano-sized CeO2. These effects, in principle, result in an improved oxygen storage capacity and provide a fundamental understanding of role of the dopant in the formation and distribution of VOs in the doped CeO2 NCs

Catechol-TiO₂ hybrids for photocatalytic H₂ production and photocathode assembly

Visible-light driven H₂ evolution in water is achieved using catechol-photosensitised TiO₂ nanoparticles with a molecular nickel catalyst. Layer-by-layer immobilisation of catechol-TiO₂ onto tin-doped indium oxide electrodes generates photocathodic currents in the presence of an electron acceptor. This approach represents a new strategy for controlling photocurrent direction in dye-sensitised photoelectrochemical applications.We gratefully acknowledge financial support by the EPSRC and World Premier International Research Center Initiative, MEXT, Japan

Understanding bottom-up continuous hydrothermal synthesis of nanoparticles using empirical measurement and computational simulation

Continuous hydrothermal synthesis was highlighted in a recent review as an enabling technology for the production of nanoparticles. In recent years, it has been shown to be a suitable reaction medium for the synthesis of a wide range of nanomaterials. Many single and complex nanomaterials such as metals, metal oxides, doped oxides, carbonates, sulfides, hydroxides, phosphates, and metal organic frameworks can be formed using continuous hydrothermal synthesis techniques. This work presents a methodology to characterize continuous hydrothermal flow systems both experimentally and numerically, and to determine the scalability of a counter current supercritical water reactor for the large scale production (>1,000 T·year–1) of nanomaterials. Experiments were performed using a purpose-built continuous flow rig, featuring an injection loop on a metal salt feed line, which allowed the injection of a chromophoric tracer. At the system outlet, the tracer was detected using UV/Vis absorption, which could be used to measure the residence time distribution within the reactor volume. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) calculations were also conducted using a modeled geometry to represent the experimental apparatus. The performance of the CFD model was tested against experimental data, verifying that the CFD model accurately predicted the nucleation and growth of the nanomaterials inside the reactor

Assessing the life cycle environmental impacts of titania nanoparticle production by continuous flow solvo/hydrothermal synthesis

Continuous-flow hydrothermal and solvothermal syntheses offer substantial advantages over conventional processes, producing high quality materials from a wide range of precursors. In this study, we evaluate the “cradle-to-gate” life cycle environmental impacts of alternative titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticle production parameters, considering a range of operational conditions, precursors, material properties and production capacities. A detailed characterisation of the nano-TiO₂ products allows us, for the first time, to link key nanoparticle characteristics to production parameters and environmental impacts, providing a useful foundation for future studies evaluating nano-TiO₂ applications. Five different titanium precursors are considered, ranging from simple inorganic precursors, like titanium oxysulphate (TiOS), to complex organic precursors such as titanium bis(ammonium-lactato)dihydroxide (TiBALD). Synthesis at the laboratory scale is used to determine the yield, size distribution, crystallinity and phase of the nanoparticles. The specifications and operating experience of a full scale plant (>1000 t per year) are used to estimate the mass and energy inputs of industrial scale production for the life cycle assessment. Overall, higher process temperatures are linked to larger, more crystalline nanoparticles and higher conversion rates. Precursor selection also influences nano-TiO₂ properties: production from TiOS results in the largest particle sizes, while TiBALD achieves the smallest particles and narrowest size distribution. Precursor selection is the main factor in determining cradle-to-gate environmental impacts (>80% in some cases), due to the production impact of complex organic precursors. Nano-TiO2 production from TiOS shows the lowest global warming potential (GWP) (<12 kg CO₂-eq. per kg TiO₂) and cumulative energy demand (CED) (<149 MJ kg¯¹ TiO₂) due to the low environmental impact of the precursor, the use of water as a solvent and its high yield even at lower temperatures. Conversely, the TiBALD precursor shows the highest impact (86 kg CO₂-eq. per kg TiO₂ and 1952 MJ kg¯¹ TiO₂) due to the need for additional post-synthesis steps and complexity of precursor manufacturing. The main purpose of this study is not a direct comparison of the environmental impacts of TiO₂ nanoparticles manufactured utilizing various precursors under different conditions, but to provide an essential foundation for future work evaluating potential applications of nano-TiO₂ and their life cycle environmental impacts

Hydrothermal technology for nanotechnology

The importance of hydrothermal technology in the preparation of nanomaterials has been discussed in detail with reference to the processing of advanced materials for nanotechnology. Hydrothermal technology in the 21st century is not just confined to the crystal growth or leaching of metals, but it is going to take a very broad shape covering several interdisciplinary branches of science. The role of supercritical water and supercritical fluids has been discussed with appropriate examples. The physical chemistry of hydrothermal processing of advanced materials and the instrumentation used in their preparation with respect to nanomaterials have been discussed. The synthesis of monodispersed nanoparticles of various metal oxides, metal sulphides, carbon nanoforms (including the carbon nanotubes), biomaterials, and some selected composites has been discussed. Recycling, waste treatment and alteration under hydrothermal supercritical conditions have been highlighted. The authors have discussed the perspectives of hydrothermal technology for the processing of advanced nanomaterials and composites

Nanoparticles synthesis using supercritical fluid technology – towards biomedical applications

Supercritical fluid (SCF) technology has become an important tool of materials processing in the last two decades. Supercritical CO2 and H2O are extensively being used in the preparation of a great variety of nanomaterials. The greatest requirement in the application of nanomaterials is its size and morphology control, which determine the application potential of the nanoparticles, as their properties vary significantly with size. Although significance of SCF technology has been described earlier by various authors, the importance of this technology for the fabrication of inorganic and hybrid nanomaterials in biomedical applications has not been discussed thoroughly. This review presents the nanomaterial preparation systematically using SCF technology with reference to the processing of biomedical materials. The basic principles of each one of the processes have been described in detail giving their merits and perspectives. The actual experimental data and results have been discussed in detail with respect to the selected nanomaterials for biomedical applications. The SCF synthesis of nanoparticles like phosphors, magnetic materials, carbon nanotubes, etc. have been discussed as they have potential applications in bio-imaging, hyperthermia, cancer therapy, neutron capture therapy, targeted drug delivery systems and so on. The more recent approach towards the in situ surface modification, dispersibility, single nanocrystal formation, and morphology control of the nanoparticles has been discussed in detail