Innovative Approaches for the Synthesis of Functional Nanomaterials

This talk will deliver the three main approaches employed for the synthesis of a variety of nanomaterials, characterization and the study of their fascinating properties. A non-conventional electro-spinning phenomenon is developed to facilitate the fabrication of continuous metallic conducting gold wires.1 Ultrasounds2 are implemented for the surface modification of various substrates followed by deposition of desired nanomaterials. Rapid production of 1D TiO2 fibers is carried out by implementing microwave superheating3 phenomena. The TiO2 based solar grass is grown for the swift electron transport4 in dye sensitized solar cells. The main spotlight will be on recently developed solvent-free, one-pot chemistry approach, RAPET (Reactions under Autogenic Pressure at Elevated Temperature). Using RAPET process, photo-luminescent5 [ZnO nanorods, Eu2O2CO3 flowers], superconducting6 [air-stable Sn-C, MgB2] nanoparticles, high surface area carbides7 [SiC nanorods, WC nanotubes] for H2 storage, Carbonaceous materials [carbon spheres, carbon nanotubes] and core-shell type [V2O5-C, LiFePO4-C] nanostructures for rechargeable Li ion batteries,8 and improved photocatalyst [TiO2-C] are synthesized.

Moreover, observed distinct properties, such as induced crystallization of silica, high intra-grain critical current density in MgB2 nanocrystals, ability to stabilize air sensitive or meta-stable materials, superior magnetization of Fe, finding of new phosphor and higher reversible capacity core-shell nanostructures for Li ion batteries, will be demonstrated. Finally, a brief summary on the invention for the remediation of waste/used plastics into ultra-strong carbon spheres or carbon nanotubes for their probable application in lubricants, toners, filtration and storage technology will be elaborated.

References

1. V. G. Pol, E. Koren, A. Zaban, Chem. Mater. 2008, 20, 3055
2. V. G. Pol et al., Langmuir, 2002, 18, 3352; Chem. Mater. 2002, 14, 3920; Chem. Mater. 2003, 15, 1111; J. Nanosci. & Nanotech. 2005, 5. 975; Chem. Mater, 2003, 15, 1378
3. V. G. Pol, A. Zaban, Langmuir, 2007, 23, 11211
4. V. G. Pol, A. Zaban J. Phys. Chem. C, 2007, 111, 14574
5. V. G. Pol, J. Calderon-Moreno, P. Thiyagarajan, Langmuir, 2008, 24, 13640; Inor. Chem. 2009, 48, 5569
6. V. G. Pol et al., Chem. Phy. Lett. 2006, 433, 115; Langmuir, 2009, 25, 2582; Adv. Mater. 2004, 16, 12
7. V. G. Pol et al., J. Phys. Chem. B, 2006, 110, 11237; Adv. Mater. 2006, 18, 2023
8. V. G. Pol et al., Chem. Eur. J. 2004, 10, 4467; Adv. Mater. 2006, 18, 1431