Shapes of copper and silver particles were successfully controlled by using a very simple,effective direct-current electrochemical approach without introducing any additives or templates. A diverse range of shapes and also different inner structures were thus accessible. The products prepared at relatively high potentials have flowerlike morphologies and exhibit flakes as building blocks. The uniformly thick flakes intersect mutually,have smooth surfaces and outwardly wavy edges. The particle diameter and the flake density can be easily controlled by changing potential and/or deposition time. With a decrease of potential,the particles' shapes changed from flower to bud,to sphere and to octahedron. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR) properties of the supported metal particles were investigated by UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectra (UV-Vis DRS) and surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS). It was found that the copper octahedra exhibited three characteristic bands,and SERS effect increases with the number of flakes within individual particles. Based on the experimental results,the mechanism for direct-current electrochemical growth of metal nanostructures was discussed.
An investigation into the properties of nanocrystalline(NC)materials with sample lengths less than 30 mm seems to be a challenge by using conventional mechanical spectroscopy(MS).We use a newly developed frequency modulation acoustic attenuation mechanical spectroscopy(FMAA-MS)to investigate phase transition in Ni68Fe32 NC alloy(22 nm)where the length of the sample is 10 mm.An internal friction peak accompanied by an abrupt increase in resonant frequency occurs at 641 K,which originates from order-disorder phase transition,confirmed by a vibrating sample magnetometer and differential scanning calorimetry.
This article reviews recent advances in the utilization of various water based synthesis routes towards the shape-controlled synthesis of silver nanoparticles and microstructures in a diverse range of shapes and sizes from several nanometers to micrometers.A variety of very simple one-pot methods,at times employing commercial microwave ovens,inexpensive low power ultrasound cleaners,or two-electrode electro-chemistry,can be surprisingly effective in the controlled synthesis of a wide range of nanostructured products,if only parameters are carefully chosen.Many approaches which are adopted include synthesis of Ag nanostructures with various shapes in solution,doping of Ag nanoparticles on unmodified silica and on/inside carbon spheres,kinetically controlled growth of Ag micro-particles with novel nanostructures on flat substrates,and galvanic replacement towards bimetallic Ag-Au dendrites and carbon composites.Characterizations of shape,composition and microstructure are carried out via scanning and transmission electron microscopy,various spectroscopy methods,N2 absorption measurements and suchlike.The involved growth mechanisms are investigated in order to discover new means towards better control.Size,location and shape control,including micro-and nanostructure features,allows tuning the products properties towards desired applications.We focus on the optical properties and catalytic activities,but also the stability of compounds can be an issue of interest.
We report the mechanical spectroscopy study of the cold-rolling induced dynamical behavior of crystalline defects in nanocrystalline (NC) nickel The results show that internal friction (IF) peaks in NC nickel can be induced by cold-rolling.An IF peak,originating from dislocation activity,occurs when the strain is in the range of 9.7- 32.8%.Two Bordoni peaks occur when the strain is 39.0% and an IF peak associated with deformation twinning appears when the strain is 42.6%.These results mean that deformation of NC nickel is mediated by different kinds of defects as the strain increases.
