Wet Chemical Synthesis of Functional Nanomaterials

A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Synthesis, Interfaces and Nanostructures".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 January 2021) | Viewed by 23667

Special Issue Editors

School of Science, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
Interests: nanomaterials; thin films; nanostructures; optoelectronic devices; semiconductor doping; transparent electrodes; metal oxides; nanofabrication
Australian National University, Research School of Engineering, Canberra, Australia
Interests: nanotechnology; self-assembly; sensors; nanomedicine; functional coatings; renewable energy production and chemical storage; aerosols; flame synthesis
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Wet chemical synthesis, also called solution processing, represents an accessible, versatile and powerful approach for synthesizing materials with excellent control of their structural, chemical and physical properties. This becomes of paramount importance when synthesizing functional nanomaterials, which require precise control and tunability of their properties, including size, shape, composition, surface chemistry, and crystal orientation, in order to achieve the desired performances. Remarkable advancements in the wet chemical synthesis of nanomaterials have been achieved in recent decades, however solution-based technologies still require improvements in order to fully compete with other processes (mostly utilizing high vacuum, such as sputtering, thermal evaporation, atomic layer deposition, plasma, etc.), which despite being generally expensive, are considered more effective in producing high-quality nanomaterials, especially for use in optics and electronics.

Given the strong industrial and academic interest in solution-processed nanomaterials, we invite authors to contribute either research articles or reviews to this Special Issue dedicated to the wet chemical synthesis of functional nanomaterials. We will consider manuscripts describing both the synthesis of novel nanomaterials, and/or their functional application.

A non-exhaustive selection of potential topics of interest is as follows:

  1. Synthesis of nanomaterials through sol–gel chemistry
  2. Design and synthesis of molecular precursors for nanomaterials
  3. Colloidal synthesis of nanoparticles (metal, oxides, semiconductors, dielectrics)
  4. Wet chemical synthesis of 2D materials
  5. Deposition of nanostructured thin film coatings from liquid precursors
  6. Fabrication of solution-processed devices (solar cells, LEDs, batteries, supercapacitors, gas and light sensors, transistors, etc.)
  7. Scale-up synthesis of nanomaterials (large batch reactions, flow chemistry, etc.)

We look forward to receiving your submissions to this exciting Special Issue of Nanomaterials!

Dr. Enrico Della Gaspera
Prof. Antonio Tricoli
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nanomaterials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • solution-processing
  • nanocrystals
  • colloids
  • nanostructures
  • sol–gel
  • nanoparticle inks
  • molecular precursors
  • printing
  • spray coating
  • thin films

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Editorial

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3 pages, 159 KiB  
Editorial
Special Issue “Wet Chemical Synthesis of Functional Nanomaterials”
by Enrico Della Gaspera
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(4), 1044; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano11041044 - 19 Apr 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1888
Abstract
“Wet chemical synthesis, also called solution processing, represents an accessible, versatile, and powerful approach for synthesizing materials with excellent control of their structural, chemical, and physical properties” [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wet Chemical Synthesis of Functional Nanomaterials)

Research

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12 pages, 13719 KiB  
Article
Loading Effect of Sol-Gel Derived Barium Hexaferrite on Magnetic Polymer Composites
by Thanida Charoensuk, Wannisa Thongsamrit, Chesta Ruttanapun, Pongsakorn Jantaratana and Chitnarong Sirisathitkul
Nanomaterials 2021, 11(3), 558; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano11030558 - 24 Feb 2021
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 2318
Abstract
Solution–processing methods were investigated as viable alternatives to produce the polymer-bonded barium hexaferrite (BaM). BaM powders were first synthesized by using the sol-gel auto-combustion method. While the ignition period in two synthesis batches varied, the morphology of hexagonal microplates and nanorods, as well [...] Read more.
Solution–processing methods were investigated as viable alternatives to produce the polymer-bonded barium hexaferrite (BaM). BaM powders were first synthesized by using the sol-gel auto-combustion method. While the ignition period in two synthesis batches varied, the morphology of hexagonal microplates and nanorods, as well as magnetic properties, were reproduced. To prepare magnetic polymer composites, these BaM powders were then incorporated into the acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) matrix with a weight ratio of 80:20, 70:30, and 60:40 by using the solution casting method. Magnetizations were linearly decreased with a reduction in ferrite loading. Compared to the BaM loose powders and pressed pellet, both remanent and saturation magnetizations were lower and gave rise to comparable values of the squareness. The squareness around 0.5 of BaM samples and their composites revealed the isotropic alignment. Interestingly, the coercivity was significantly increased from 1727–1776 Oe in loose BaM powders to 1874–2052 Oe for the BaM-ABS composites. These composites have potential to be implemented in the additive manufacturing of rare-earth-free magnets. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wet Chemical Synthesis of Functional Nanomaterials)
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15 pages, 2849 KiB  
Article
Nanocrystalline TiO2 Sensitive Layer for Plasmonic Hydrogen Sensing
by Enrico Gazzola, Michela Cittadini, Marco Angiola, Laura Brigo, Massimo Guglielmi, Filippo Romanato and Alessandro Martucci
Nanomaterials 2020, 10(8), 1490; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano10081490 - 29 Jul 2020
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 2420
Abstract
Solution processed TiO2 anatase film was used as sensitive layer for H2 detection for two plasmonic sensor configurations: A grating-coupled surface plasmon resonance sensor and a localized surface plasmon resonance sensor with gold nanoparticles. The main purpose of this paper is [...] Read more.
Solution processed TiO2 anatase film was used as sensitive layer for H2 detection for two plasmonic sensor configurations: A grating-coupled surface plasmon resonance sensor and a localized surface plasmon resonance sensor with gold nanoparticles. The main purpose of this paper is to elucidate the different H2 response observed for the two types of sensors which can be explained considering the hydrogen dissociation taking place on TiO2 at high temperature and the photocatalytic activity of the gold nanoparticles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wet Chemical Synthesis of Functional Nanomaterials)
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13 pages, 4424 KiB  
Article
Synthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles Doped with Cobalt Using Bimetallic ZIFs as Sacrificial Agents
by Vera V. Butova, Vladimir A. Polyakov, Elena A. Erofeeva, Sofia A. Efimova, Mikhail A. Soldatov, Alexander L. Trigub, Yury V. Rusalev and Alexander V. Soldatov
Nanomaterials 2020, 10(7), 1275; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano10071275 - 30 Jun 2020
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2973
Abstract
We report here a simple two-stage synthesis of zinc–cobalt oxide nanoparticles. We used Zn/Co-zeolite imidazolate framework (ZIF)-8 materials as precursors for annealing and optional impregnation with a silicon source for the formation of a protective layer on the surface of oxide nanoparticles. Using [...] Read more.
We report here a simple two-stage synthesis of zinc–cobalt oxide nanoparticles. We used Zn/Co-zeolite imidazolate framework (ZIF)-8 materials as precursors for annealing and optional impregnation with a silicon source for the formation of a protective layer on the surface of oxide nanoparticles. Using bimetallic ZIFs allowed us to trace the phase transition of the obtained oxide nanoparticles from wurtzite ZnO to spinel Co3O4 structures. Using (X-ray diffraction) XRD and (X-ray Absorption Near Edge Structure) XANES techniques, we confirmed the incorporation of cobalt ions into the ZnO structure up to 5 mol.% of Co. Simple annealing of Zn/Co-ZIF-8 materials in the air led to the formation of oxide nanoparticles of about 20–30 nm, while additional treatment of ZIFs with silicon source resulted in nanoparticles of about 5–10 nm covered with protective silica layer. We revealed the incorporation of oxygen vacancies in the obtained ZnO nanoparticles using FTIR analysis. All obtained samples were comprehensively characterized, including analysis with a synchrotron radiation source. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wet Chemical Synthesis of Functional Nanomaterials)
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8 pages, 1508 KiB  
Communication
Fluorine-Doped Tin Oxide Colloidal Nanocrystals
by Owen Kendall, Pierce Wainer, Steven Barrow, Joel van Embden and Enrico Della Gaspera
Nanomaterials 2020, 10(5), 863; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano10050863 - 30 Apr 2020
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 4643
Abstract
Fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) is one of the most studied and established materials for transparent electrode applications. However, the syntheses for FTO nanocrystals are currently very limited, especially for stable and well-dispersed colloids. Here, we present the synthesis and detailed characterization of FTO [...] Read more.
Fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) is one of the most studied and established materials for transparent electrode applications. However, the syntheses for FTO nanocrystals are currently very limited, especially for stable and well-dispersed colloids. Here, we present the synthesis and detailed characterization of FTO nanocrystals using a colloidal heat-up reaction. High-quality SnO2 quantum dots are synthesized with a tuneable fluorine amount up to ~10% atomic, and their structural, morphological and optical properties are fully characterized. These colloids show composition-dependent optical properties, including the rise of a dopant-induced surface plasmon resonance in the near infrared. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wet Chemical Synthesis of Functional Nanomaterials)
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14 pages, 4641 KiB  
Article
Effect of Solution Conditions on the Properties of Sol–Gel Derived Potassium Sodium Niobate Thin Films on Platinized Sapphire Substrates
by Alexander Tkach, André Santos, Sebastian Zlotnik, Ricardo Serrazina, Olena Okhay, Igor Bdikin, Maria Elisabete Costa and Paula M. Vilarinho
Nanomaterials 2019, 9(11), 1600; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano9111600 - 11 Nov 2019
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 2446
Abstract
If piezoelectric micro-devices based on K0.5Na0.5NbO3 (KNN) thin films are to achieve commercialization, it is critical to optimize the films’ performance using low-cost scalable processing conditions. Here, sol–gel derived KNN thin films are deposited using 0.2 and 0.4 [...] Read more.
If piezoelectric micro-devices based on K0.5Na0.5NbO3 (KNN) thin films are to achieve commercialization, it is critical to optimize the films’ performance using low-cost scalable processing conditions. Here, sol–gel derived KNN thin films are deposited using 0.2 and 0.4 M precursor solutions with 5% solely potassium excess and 20% alkali (both potassium and sodium) excess on platinized sapphire substrates with reduced thermal expansion mismatch in relation to KNN. Being then rapid thermal annealed at 750 °C for 5 min, the films revealed an identical thickness of ~340 nm but different properties. An average grain size of ~100 nm and nearly stoichiometric KNN films are obtained when using 5% potassium excess solution, while 20% alkali excess solutions give the grain size of 500–600 nm and (Na + K)/Nb ratio of 1.07–1.08 in the prepared films. Moreover, the 5% potassium excess solution films have a perovskite structure without clear preferential orientation, whereas a (100) texture appears for 20% alkali excess solutions, being particularly strong for the 0.4 M solution concentration. As a result of the grain size and (100) texturing competition, the highest room-temperature dielectric permittivity and lowest dissipation factor measured in the parallel-plate-capacitor geometry were obtained for KNN films using 0.2 M precursor solutions with 20% alkali excess. These films were also shown to possess more quadratic-like and less coercive local piezoelectric loops, compared to those from 5% potassium excess solution. Furthermore, KNN films with large (100)-textured grains prepared from 0.4 M precursor solution with 20% alkali excess were found to possess superior local piezoresponse attributed to multiscale domain microstructures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wet Chemical Synthesis of Functional Nanomaterials)
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Review

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12 pages, 2511 KiB  
Review
Recent Advances of Solution-Processed Heterojunction Oxide Thin-Film Transistors
by Yanwei Li, Chun Zhao, Deliang Zhu, Peijiang Cao, Shun Han, Youming Lu, Ming Fang, Wenjun Liu and Wangying Xu
Nanomaterials 2020, 10(5), 965; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano10050965 - 18 May 2020
Cited by 19 | Viewed by 4662
Abstract
Thin-film transistors (TFTs) made of metal oxide semiconductors are now increasingly used in flat-panel displays. Metal oxides are mainly fabricated via vacuum-based technologies, but solution approaches are of great interest due to the advantages of low-cost and high-throughput manufacturing. Unfortunately, solution-processed oxide TFTs [...] Read more.
Thin-film transistors (TFTs) made of metal oxide semiconductors are now increasingly used in flat-panel displays. Metal oxides are mainly fabricated via vacuum-based technologies, but solution approaches are of great interest due to the advantages of low-cost and high-throughput manufacturing. Unfortunately, solution-processed oxide TFTs suffer from relatively poor electrical performance, hindering further development. Recent studies suggest that this issue could be solved by introducing a novel heterojunction strategy. This article reviews the recent advances in solution-processed heterojunction oxide TFTs, with a specific focus on the latest developments over the past five years. Two of the most prominent advantages of heterostructure oxide TFTs are discussed, namely electrical-property modulation and mobility enhancement by forming 2D electron gas. It is expected that this review will manifest the strong potential of solution-based heterojunction oxide TFTs towards high performance and large-scale electronics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Wet Chemical Synthesis of Functional Nanomaterials)
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