Advanced energy conversion and storage (ECS) devices (including fuel cells, photoelectrochemical water splitting cells, solar cells, Li-ion batteries and supercapacitors) are expected to play a major role in the development of sustainable technologies that alleviate the energy and environmental challenges we are currently facing. The successful utilization of ECS devices depends critically on synthesizing new nanomaterials with merits of low cost, high efficiency, and outstanding properties. Recent progress has demonstrated that nanostructured metal chalcogenides (MCs) are very promising candidates for efficient ECS systems based on their unique physical and chemical properties, such as conductivity, mechanical and thermal stability and cyclability. In this review, we aim to provide a summary on the liquid-phase synthesis, modifications, and energy-related applications of nanostructured metal chalcogenide (MC) materials. The liquid-phase syntheses of various MC nanomaterials are primarily categorized with the preparation method (mainly 15 kinds of methods). To obtain optimized, enhanced or even new properties, the nanostructured MC materials can be modified by other functional nanomaterials such as carbon-based materials, noble metals, metal oxides, or MCs themselves. Thus, this review will then be focused on the recent strategies used to realize the modifications of MC nanomaterials. After that, the ECS applications of the MC/modified-MC nanomaterials have been systematically summarized based on a great number of successful cases. Moreover, remarks on the challenges and perspectives for future MC research are proposed (403 references).

Nanostructured metal chalcogenides: synthesis, modification, and applications in energy conversion and storage devices

One-dimensional (1D) ZnO nanostructures have been studied intensively and extensively over the last decade not only for their remarkable chemical and physical properties, but also for their current and future diverse technological applications. This article gives a comprehensive overview of the progress that has been made within the context of 1D ZnO nanostructures synthesized via wet chemical methods. We will cover the synthetic methodologies and corresponding growth mechanisms, different structures, doping and alloying, position-controlled growth on substrates, and finally, their functional properties as catalysts, hydrophobic surfaces, sensors, and in nanoelectronic, optical, optoelectronic, and energy harvesting devices.

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One-dimensional ZnO nanostructures: Solution growth and functional properties

2.3. Amorphous Minerals 4354 3. Biological Routes to Controlling Morphology 4354 3.1. General Mechanisms 4356 3.1.1. Soluble and Insoluble Organic Molecules 4356 3.1.2. Control over Crystal Polymorph 4357 3.1.3. Control over Crystal Orientation 4359 3.2. Single-Crystal Biominerals 4359 3.2.1. Organic and Inorganic Soluble Additives 4360 3.2.2. Templating of Single-Crystal Morphologies 4361 3.3. Polycrystalline Biominerals 4366 3.3.1. Nacre Formation in Mollusks 4366 3.3.2. ForaminiferasA Biogenic Mesocrystal 4368 3.4. Amorphous Biominerals 4370 3.4.1. Silicification in Diatoms 4370 3.4.2. In Vitro Studies of Silicification in Diatoms 4371 4. Bioinspired Routes to Controlling Crystal Morphologies 4371

Controlling Mineral Morphologies and Structures in Biological and Synthetic Systems

In this Review, we aim to provide an updated summary of the research related to hollow micro- and nanostructures, covering both their synthesis and their applications. After a brief introduction to the definition and classification of the hollow micro-/nanostructures, we discuss various synthetic strategies that can be grouped into three major categories, including hard templating, soft templating, and self-templating synthesis. For both hard and soft templating strategies, we focus on how different types of templates are generated and then used for creating hollow structures. At the end of each section, the structural and morphological control over the product is discussed. For the self-templating strategy, we survey a number of unconventional synthetic methods, such as surface-protected etching, Ostwald ripening, the Kirkendall effect, and galvanic replacement. We then discuss the unique properties and niche applications of the hollow structures in diverse fields, including micro-/nanocontainers and rea...

Synthesis, Properties, and Applications of Hollow Micro-/Nanostructures

Hollow micro-/nano-structured materials are now playing an important role in cutting edge innovations for energy conversion and storage technologies such as solar cells, fuel cells, lithium ion batteries and super capacitors. These materials show great promise in addressing growing environmental concerns for cleaner power sources at a time of increasing global demand for energy. In this perspective, we show that complex multi-shelled micro-/nano-materials show significant material advantages in many applications over conventional simple hollow structures. We also summarize the vast array of synthetic strategies used to create multi-shelled hollow structures, and discuss the possible application of these novel materials for power generation and storage. Finally, the emergent challenges and future developments of multi-shelled hollow structures are further discussed.

Recent advances in micro-/nano-structured hollow spheres for energy applications: From simple to complex systems

A simple hydrothermal method has been developed for the systematic synthesis of lanthanide orthophosphate crystals with different crystalline phases and morphologies. It has been shown that pure LnPO4 compounds change structure with decreasing Ln ionic radius:  i.e., the orthophosphates from Ho to Lu as well as Y exist only in the tetragonal zircon (xenotime) structure, while the orthophosphates from La to Dy exist in the hexagonal structure under hydrothermal treatment. The obtained hexagonal structured lanthanide orthophosphate LnPO4 (Ln = La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, and Dy) products have a wirelike morphology. In contrast, tetragonal LnPO4 (Ln = Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, Y) samples prepared under the same experimental conditions consist of nanoparticles. The obtained hexagonal LnPO4 (Ln = La → Tb) can convert to the monoclinic monazite structured products, and their morphologies remained the same after calcination at 900 °C in air (Hexagonal DyPO4 is an exceptional case, it transformed to tetragonal DyPO...

Systematic synthesis and characterization of single-crystal lanthanide orthophosphate nanowires.

Surfactant‐Assisted Growth of Novel PbS Dendritic Nanostructures via Facile Hydrothermal Process

In this paper, Tb(OH)3 and Y(OH)3 single-crystalline nanotubes with outer diameters of 30–260 nm, inner diameters of 15–120 nm, and lengths of up to several micrometers were synthesized on a large scale by hydrothermal treatment of the corresponding oxides in the presence of alkali. In addition, Tb4O7 and Y2O3 nanotubes can be obtained by calcination of Tb(OH)3 and Y(OH)3 nanotubes at 450 °C. X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), electron diffraction (ED), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), thermogravimetry, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) have been employed to characterize these nanotube materials. The growth mechanism of rare earth hydroxide nanotubes can be explained well by the highly anisotropic crystal structure of rare earth hydroxides. These new types of rare earth compound nanotubes with open ends have uses in a variety of promising applications such as luminescent devices, magnets, catalysts, and other functional materials. Advantages of this method for easily realizing large-scale production include that it is a simple and unique one-pot synthetic process without the need for a catalysts or template, is low cost, has high yield, and the raw materials are readily available. The present study has enlarged the family of nanotubes available, and offers a possible new, general route to one-dimensional single-crystalline nanotubes of other materials.

Hydrothermal Synthesis of Rare Earth (Tb, Y) Hydroxide and Oxide Nanotubes†

The tubular form of crystalline boehmite AlOOH was fabricated using AlCl3·6H2O as the alumina precursor in the presence of N-cetyl-N,N,N-trimethylammonium bromide surfactant, and tubular γ-Al2O3 was obtained by calcination of boehmite AlOOH at 520 °C.

Fabrication of boehmite AlOOH and γ-Al2O3 nanotubes via a soft solution route

In situ growth of ZnO nanobelt arrays from and on zinc substrates (foils and microparticles) has been accomplished by controlled thermal oxidation in the presence of oxygen. The nanobelts grow approximately perpendicular to the Zn substrate surface along the 〈1120〉 direction of ZnO, which has a thickness of ∼3−4 nm, a width tapering from about 50 to 300 nm, and a length of ∼10−20 μm. On the basis of the structural analysis and kinetic studies, a tip-growth mechanism is proposed, which underlines the transport of Zn from the substrate to the growing tip. The ratio of UV to green photoluminescent emissions of the as-synthesized ZnO nanobelt arrays could be controlled by varying the reaction conditions. Sharp UV stimulated emission peak is also observed at moderate threshold excitation intensity (∼0.7 mJ/cm2) showing the high quality of the ZnO nanobelts. The ZnO nanobelts array has also been tested for sensing NH3 gas, and high sensitivity, reversibility, and rapid response have been demonstrated.

Yueping Fang

Papers

Systematic synthesis and characterization of single-crystal lanthanide orthophosphate nanowires.

Surfactant‐Assisted Growth of Novel PbS Dendritic Nanostructures via Facile Hydrothermal Process

Hydrothermal Synthesis of Rare Earth (Tb, Y) Hydroxide and Oxide Nanotubes†

Fabrication of boehmite AlOOH and γ-Al2O3 nanotubes via a soft solution route

ZnO nanobelt arrays grown directly from and on zinc substrates : Synthesis, characterization, and applications