Facet- and Gas-Dependent Reshaping of Au Nanoplates by Plasma Treatment.

The reshaping of metal nanocrystals on substrates is usually realized by pulsed laser irradiation or ion-beam milling with complex procedures. In this work, we demonstrate a simple method for reshaping immobilized Au nanoplates through plasma treatment. Au nanoplates can be reshaped gradually with nearly periodic right pyramid arrays formed on the surface of the nanoplates. The gaseous environment in the plasma-treatment system plays a significant role in the reshaping process with only nitrogen-containing environments leading to reshaping. The reshaping phenomenon is facet-dependent, with right pyramids formed only on the exposed {111} facets of the Au nanoplates. The morphological change of the Au nanoplates induced by the plasma treatment leads to large plasmon peak redshifts. The reshaped Au nanoplates possess slightly higher refractive index sensitivities and largely increased surface-enhanced Raman scattering intensities compared to the flat, untreated nanoplates. Our results offer insights for studying the interaction mechanism between plasma and the different facets of noble metal nanocrystals and an approach for reshaping light-interacting noble metal nanocrystals

Valuing ecosystem services under grassland restoration scenarios in the Three-River Headwaters Region Nature Reserve, China

Change in ecosystem service values was considered as a crucial indicator of ecosystem quality change. This study assessed the effectiveness of ecological programs in the Three-River Headwaters Region Nature Reserve of China by monetizing and comparing ecosystem service values under different restoration scenarios (including the passive restoration scenario, the planned scenario, and the active restoration scenario). A fast method was applied to evaluate five focal services, including water conservation, gas regulation, climate regulation, waste treatment, and erosion control. The results found that, with the assumption of vegetation fraction increasing from 15% to 40%, the net benefit would reach from 3.01 billion CNY to 5.09 billion CNY, and current restoration measures could recover grassland to its former level in 1950s. The results offered good information to policy makers on regional sustainable management and payment for ecosystem service policies. 2014 WIT Press

Facet- and Gas-Dependent Reshaping of Au Nanoplates by Plasma Treatment.

The reshaping of metal nanocrystals on substrates is usually realized by pulsed laser irradiation or ion-beam milling with complex procedures. In this work, we demonstrate a simple method for reshaping immobilized Au nanoplates through plasma treatment. Au nanoplates can be reshaped gradually with nearly periodic right pyramid arrays formed on the surface of the nanoplates. The gaseous environment in the plasma-treatment system plays a significant role in the reshaping process with only nitrogen-containing environments leading to reshaping. The reshaping phenomenon is facet-dependent, with right pyramids formed only on the exposed {111} facets of the Au nanoplates. The morphological change of the Au nanoplates induced by the plasma treatment leads to large plasmon peak redshifts. The reshaped Au nanoplates possess slightly higher refractive index sensitivities and largely increased surface-enhanced Raman scattering intensities compared to the flat, untreated nanoplates. Our results offer insights for studying the interaction mechanism between plasma and the different facets of noble metal nanocrystals and an approach for reshaping light-interacting noble metal nanocrystals.This project has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme (Grant agreement No. 804523). C.B. is thankful for funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC, Standard Research Studentship (DTP), EP/R513180/1), and G.L. is thankful for support from the EPSRC NanoDTC Cambridge (EP/L015978/1)