Template Route to Chemically Engineering Cavities at Nanoscale: A Case Study of Zn(OH)₂ Template

• Main Authors: Wu Junshu, Xue Dongfeng, Wu Dapeng, Jiang Yi, Liu Junli, Yuan Yafei, Jiang Kai
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SpringerOpen 2010-01-01
• Series: Nanoscale Research Letters
• Subjects: Template; Zn(OH)₂ octahedron; Ion-replacement reaction; Chemical deposition
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11671-010-9711-1
• ISSN: 1931-7573; 1556-276X

<p>Abstract</p> <p>A size-controlled Zn(OH)₂ template is used as a case study to explain the chemical strategy that can be executed to chemically engineering various nanoscale cavities. Zn(OH)₂ octahedron with 8 vertices and 14 edges is fabricated via a low temperature solution route. The size can be tuned from 1 to 30 &#956;m by changing the reaction conditions. Two methods can be selected for the hollow process without loss of the original shape of Zn(OH)₂ template. Ion-replacement reaction is suitable for fabrication of hollow sulfides based on the solubility difference between Zn(OH)₂ and products. Controlled chemical deposition is utilized to coat an oxide layer on the surface of Zn(OH)₂ template. The abundant hydroxyl groups on Zn(OH)₂ afford strong coordination ability with cations and help to the coating of a shell layer. The rudimental Zn(OH)₂ core is eliminated with ammonia solution. In addition, ZnO-based heterostructures possessing better chemical or physical properties can also be prepared via this unique templating process. Room-temperature photoluminescence spectra of the heterostructures and hollow structures are also shown to study their optical properties.</p>