Submit to Nanomaterials Review for Nanomaterials Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Chemical-Physical Properties and Applications of Nano-Scaled Oxides

Print Special Issue Flyer
Special Issue Editors
Special Issue Information
Keywords
Published Papers

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2023) | Viewed by 15443

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Roberto Giannuzzi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

1. National Research Council, Institute of Nanotechnology (CNR-NANOTEC), Via Monteroni, 73100 Lecce, Italy
2. Department of Mathematics and Physics “Ennio De Giorgi”, University of Salento, 73100 Lecce, Italy
Interests: electrochemistry; spectroelectrochemistry; electrochromism; energy storage; nanostructured semiconductor
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Oxide materials are of paramount importance in materials science and technology, owing to their multiple functional properties, chemical robustness, and versatility. They exhibit a wide range of compositional and structural characteristics, which translate into a wide range of physical and chemical properties. The potential applications of these materials in fields such as solar cells, electrochromism, energy storage, gas sensors, medicine, optoelectronic devices, catalysis, and corrosion protection has stimulated considerable interest in developing synthetic pathways for the fabrication of metal oxide with tailored properties.

The optical, electrical, chemical, and mechanical properties of metal oxides are greatly influenced by their nanostructure, composition, native defects, and doping, among other factors. Recent developments in metal oxide synthesis and defects engineering have received much attention as a way to improve material properties or achieve new functionalities.

This Special Issue of Nanomaterials aims to publish original research and reviews focusing on the modeling, synthesis, characterization, and applications of nanoscale metal oxides. Recent advances in synthetic approaches for the preparation of metal oxides of differing sizes, shapes, and compositions will be covered as well as innovative or improved applications in devices. Potential topics include but are not limited to:

Synthesis
Thin film deposition
Surface functionalization
Electrochemical investigations
Solar cells
Optoelectronic devices
Transparent conductive oxides
Plasmonics
Photonics integrated circuits
Chemical sensors
Catalysis
Corrosion protection
Thermal protection
Energy conversion and storage

Dr. Roberto Giannuzzi
Guest Editor

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

metal oxide semiconductors
oxide nanostructures and hybrids
protective coatings
transparent electrodes
photovoltaics
plasmonics
energy generation
energy storage materials
catalysts
sensors
nanocrystals
nanostructured electrodes
thin films

Published Papers (11 papers)

Download All Papers

Order results

Result details

Show export options Show export options

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

Jump to: Review

16 pages, 4225 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Exploring the Influence of P3HT on PTCA Crystallization and Phase Behavior in Thin Films

by Pallavi Kumari, Barbara Hajduk, Henryk Bednarski, Paweł Jarka, Henryk Janeczek and Mieczysław Łapkowski

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(22), 2918; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13222918 - 08 Nov 2023

Viewed by 894

Abstract

The thermal properties and alignment of crystallinity of materials in thin films play crucial roles in the performance and reliability of various devices, especially in the fields of electronics, materials science, and engineering. The slight variations in the molecular packing of the active layer can make considerable differences in the optical and thermal properties. Herein, we aim to investigate the tuning of the physical properties of a blended thin film of n-type small organic molecules of perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic acid (PTCA-SMs) with the mixing of the p-type polymer poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT). The resulting thin films exhibit an enhanced surface crystallinity compared to the pristine material, leading to the formation of long crystallites, and these crystallites are thermally stable in the solid state, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and thermal analysis using variable-temperature spectroscopic ellipsometry (VTSE) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). We believe that the crystalline structure of the obtained P3HT/PTCA-SMs blends is a combination of edge-on and face-on orientations, which enable the potential use of this material as an active layer in organic electronics. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical-Physical Properties and Applications of Nano-Scaled Oxides)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 10633 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Au- or Ag-Decorated ZnO-Rod/rGO Nanocomposite with Enhanced Room-Temperature NO₂-Sensing Performance

by Ke Huang, Junfeng Lu, Donglin Li, Xianjia Chen, Dingfeng Jin and Hongxiao Jin

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(16), 2370; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13162370 - 18 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1270

Abstract

To improve the gas sensitivity of reduced oxide graphene (rGO)-based NO₂ room-temperature sensors, different contents (0–3 wt%) of rGO, ZnO rods, and noble metal nanoparticles (Au or Ag NPs) were synthesized to construct ternary hybrids that combine the advantages of each component. The prepared ZnO rods had a diameter of around 200 nm and a length of about 2 μm. Au or Ag NPs with diameters of 20–30 nm were loaded on the ZnO-rod/rGO hybrid. It was found that rGO simply connects the monodispersed ZnO rods and does not change the morphology of ZnO rods. In addition, the rod-like ZnO prevents rGO stacking and makes nanocomposite-based ZnO/rGO achieve a porous structure, which facilitates the diffusion of gas molecules. The sensors’ gas-sensing properties for NO₂ were evaluated. The results reveal that Ag@ZnO rods-2% rGO and Au@ZnO rods-2% rGO perform better in low concentrations of NO₂ gas, with greater response and shorter recovery time at the ambient temperature. The response and recovery times with 15 ppm NO₂ were 132 s, 139 s and 108 s, 120 s, and the sensitivity values were 2.26 and 2.87, respectively. The synergistic impact of ZnO and Au (Ag) doping was proposed to explain the improved gas sensing. The p-n junction formed on the ZnO and rGO interface and the catalytic effects of Au (Ag) NPs are the main reasons for the enhanced sensitivity of Au (Ag)@ZnO rods-2% rGO. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical-Physical Properties and Applications of Nano-Scaled Oxides)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 5165 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Boosting the Capacitive Performance of Supercapacitors by Hybridizing N, P-Codoped Carbon Polycrystalline with Mn₃O₄-Based Flexible Electrodes

by Yu-Min Kang and Wein-Duo Yang

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(14), 2060; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13142060 - 12 Jul 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1008

Abstract

Chitosan, a biomass raw material, was utilized as a carbon skeleton source and served as a nitrogen (N) atom dopant in this study. By co-doping phosphorus (P) atoms from H₃PO₄ and nitrogen (N) atoms with a carbon (C) skeleton and hybridizing them with Mn₃O₄ on a carbon fiber cloth (CC), an Mn₃O₄@NPC/CC electrode was fabricated, which exhibited an excellent capacitive performance. The N, P-codoped carbon polycrystalline material was hybridized with Mn₃O₄ during the chitosan carbonization process. This carbon polycrystalline structure exhibited an enhanced conductivity and increased mesopore content, thereby optimizing the micropore/mesopore ratio in the electrode material. This optimization contributed to the improved storage, transmission, and diffusion of electrolyte ions within the Mn₃O₄@NPC electrode. The electrochemical behavior was evaluated via cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge–discharge tests using a 1 M Na₂SO₄ electrolyte. The capacitance significantly increased to 256.8 F g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹, and the capacitance retention rate reached 97.3% after 5000 charge/discharge cycles, owing to the higher concentration of the P-dopant in the Mn₃O₄@NPC/CC electrode. These findings highlight the tremendous potential of flexible supercapacitor electrodes in various applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical-Physical Properties and Applications of Nano-Scaled Oxides)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

9 pages, 3390 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Lead Detection in a Gig-Lox TiO₂ Sponge by X-ray Reflectivity

by Valentina Arena, Emanuele Smecca, Salvatore Valastro, Corrado Bongiorno, Giuseppe Fisicaro, Ioannis Deretzis, Carlo Spampinato, Giovanni Mannino, Sandro Dattilo, Andrea Antonino Scamporrino, Sabrina Carola Carroccio, Antonino La Magna and Alessandra Alberti

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(8), 1397; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13081397 - 18 Apr 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 817

Abstract

The importance of lead analysis in environmental matrices becomes increasingly relevant due to the anthropogenic spread of toxic species in nature. Alongside the existing analytical methods to detect lead in a liquid environment, we propose a new dry approach for lead detection and measurement based on its capture from a liquid solution by a solid sponge and subsequent quantification based on X-ray analyses. The detection method exploits the relationship between the electronic density of the solid sponge, which depends on the captured lead, and the critical angle for total reflection of the X-rays. For this purpose, gig-lox TiO₂ layers, grown by modified sputtering physical deposition, were implemented for their branched multi-porosity spongy structure that is ideal for capturing lead atoms or other metallic ionic species in a liquid environment. The gig-lox TiO₂ layers grown on glass substrates were soaked into aqueous solutions containing different concentrations of Pb, dried after soaking, and finally probed through X-ray reflectivity analyses. It has been found that lead atoms are chemisorbed onto the many available surfaces within the gig-lox TiO₂ sponge by establishing stable oxygen bonding. The infiltration of lead into the structure causes an increase in the overall electronic density of the layer and, thus, an increment of its critical angle. Based on the established linear relationship between the amount of lead adsorbed and the augmented critical angle, a standardized quantitative procedure to detect Pb is proposed. The method can be, in principle, applied to other capturing spongy oxides and toxic species. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical-Physical Properties and Applications of Nano-Scaled Oxides)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

15 pages, 4063 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Rationalizing the Dependence of Poly (Vinylidene Difluoride) (PVDF) Rheological Performance on the Nano-Silica

by Yi Cui, Yang Sui, Peng Wei, Yinan Lv, Chuanbo Cong, Xiaoyu Meng, Hai-Mu Ye and Qiong Zhou

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(6), 1096; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13061096 - 18 Mar 2023

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1649

Abstract

Research on the rheological performance and mechanism of polymer nanocomposites (PNCs), mainly focuses on non-polar polymer matrices, but rarely on strongly polar ones. To fill this gap, this paper explores the influence of nanofillers on the rheological properties of poly (vinylidene difluoride) (PVDF). The effects of particle diameter and content on the microstructure, rheology, crystallization, and mechanical properties of PVDF/SiO₂ were analyzed, by TEM, DLS, DMA, and DSC. The results show that nanoparticles can greatly reduce the entanglement degree and viscosity of PVDF (up to 76%), without affecting the hydrogen bonds of the matrix, which can be explained by selective adsorption theory. Moreover, uniformly dispersed nanoparticles can promote the crystallization and mechanical properties of PVDF. In summary, the viscosity regulation mechanism of nanoparticles for non-polar polymers, is also applicable to PVDF, with strong polarity, which is of great value for exploring the rheological behavior of PNCs and guiding the process of polymers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical-Physical Properties and Applications of Nano-Scaled Oxides)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

19 pages, 13598 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Rhodium-Based Catalysts: An Impact of the Support Nature on the Catalytic Cyclohexane Ring Opening

by Kristina E. Kartavova, Mikhail Yu. Mashkin, Mikhail Yu. Kostin, Elena D. Finashina, Konstantin B. Kalmykov, Gennady I. Kapustin, Petr V. Pribytkov, Olga P. Tkachenko, Igor V. Mishin, Leonid M. Kustov and Alexander L. Kustov

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(5), 936; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13050936 - 04 Mar 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1166

Abstract

Because of the growing demand for high-quality fuels, the light cycle oil fraction improvement including cetane number improvement is important. The main way to reach this improvement is the ring opening of cyclic hydrocarbons, and a highly effective catalyst should be found. Cyclohexane ring openings are a possible option to investigate the catalyst activity. In this work, we investigated rhodium-loaded catalysts prepared using the commercially available industrial supports: single-component ones, SiO₂ and Al₂O₃; and mixed oxides CaO + MgO + Al₂O₃ and Na₂O + SiO₂ + Al₂O₃. The catalysts were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation and investigated by N₂ low-temperature adsorption-desorption, XRD, XPS, DRS UV-Vis and DRIFT spectroscopy, SEM, and TEM with EDX. The catalytic tests were performed in cyclohexane ring opening in the range of 275–325 °C. The best result was demonstrated by the sample 1Rh/CaMgAlO: the selectivity to n-hexane was about 75% while the cyclohexane conversion was about 25% at 275 °C. The space-time yield was up to 12 mmol_n_-hexane g_cat⁻¹h⁻¹. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical-Physical Properties and Applications of Nano-Scaled Oxides)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 2773 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Post-UV/Ozone Treatment on Electrical Characteristics of Solution-Processed Copper Oxide Thin-Film Transistors

by Hyeonju Lee, Dongwook Kim, Hyunji Shin, Jin-Hyuk Bae and Jaehoon Park

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(5), 854; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13050854 - 24 Feb 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1709

Abstract

To realize oxide semiconductor-based complementary circuits and better transparent display applications, the electrical properties of p-type oxide semiconductors and the performance improvement of p-type oxide thin-film transistors (TFTs) are required. In this study, we report the effects of post-UV/ozone (O₃) treatment on the structural and electrical characteristics of copper oxide (CuO) semiconductor films and the TFT performance. The CuO semiconductor films were fabricated using copper (II) acetate hydrate as a precursor material to solution processing and the UV/O₃ treatment was performed as a post-treatment after the CuO film was fabricated. During the post-UV/O₃ treatment for up to 13 min, the solution-processed CuO films exhibited no meaningful change in the surface morphology. On the other hand, analysis of the Raman and X-ray photoemission spectra of solution-processed CuO films revealed that the post-UV/O₃ treatment induced compressive stress in the film and increased the composition concentration of Cu–O lattice bonding. In the post-UV/O₃-treated CuO semiconductor layer, the Hall mobility increased significantly to approximately 280 cm² V⁻¹ s⁻¹, and the conductivity increased to approximately 4.57 × 10⁻² Ω⁻¹ cm⁻¹. Post-UV/O₃-treated CuO TFTs also showed improved electrical properties compared to those of untreated CuO TFTs. The field-effect mobility of the post-UV/O₃-treated CuO TFT increased to approximately 6.61 × 10⁻³ cm⁻² V⁻¹ s⁻¹, and the on-off current ratio increased to approximately 3.51 × 10³. These improvements in the electrical characteristics of CuO films and CuO TFTs can be understood through the suppression of weak bonding and structural defects between Cu and O bonds after post-UV/O₃ treatment. The result demonstrates that the post-UV/O₃ treatment can be a viable method to improve the performance of p-type oxide TFTs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical-Physical Properties and Applications of Nano-Scaled Oxides)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

9 pages, 2464 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Microwave Heating of the Catalyst Bed as a Way of Energy-Saving Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Ethane on a Mo-V-Te-Nb-O_x Catalyst

by Alexei V. Kucherov, Nikolai A Davshan, Elena D. Finashina and Leonid Kustov

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(24), 4459; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12244459 - 15 Dec 2022

Viewed by 1139

Abstract

In search of a more effective process of ethane oxidative hydrogenation, different operation modes (thermal and microwave heating) are compared. The catalyst Mo₁-V_0.3-Te_0.13-Nb_0.11-O_x was prepared by hydrothermal synthesis and characterized by a set of physicochemical methods (XRD, N₂ adsorption, SEM, EDX). The direct microwave heating of the catalyst layer is proposed as an alternative way of energy-saving ethane-to-ethylene oxidation by a Mo-V-Te-Nb-O_x system. A substantial decrease in the reactor temperature upon the microwave-assisted process is accompanied by extremely high catalyst selectivity, which remains at a very high level of 98+%. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical-Physical Properties and Applications of Nano-Scaled Oxides)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

11 pages, 2116 KiB

Open AccessArticle

MOF-Derived MnO/C Nanocomposites for High-Performance Supercapacitors

by Yuqing Qiao, Na Li, Mingwei Dong, Peng Jia, Chongchong Ma, Tong Zhang and Tifeng Jiao

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(23), 4257; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12234257 - 30 Nov 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1587

Abstract

As ordered porous materials, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted tremendous attention in the field of energy conversion and storage due to their high specific surface area, permanent porosity, and tunable pore sizes. Here, MOF-derived MnO/C nanocomposites with regular octahedral shape were synthesized using a Mn-based analogue of the MIL-100 framework (Mn-MIL-100, MIL: Matérial Institut Lavoisier) as the precursor. Using aberration-corrected environmental transmission electron microscopy (ETEM), MnO nanocages with a diameter of approximately 20 nm were recognized in the MnO/C nanocomposites fabricated, dispersed in a microporous carbon matrix homogeneously. The nanocages are composed of MnO nanoparticles with a diameter of approximately 2 nm and with a single crystal structure. The specific surface area of the as-prepared MnO/C octahedra decreases to 256 m² g⁻¹ from 507 m² g⁻¹ of the Mn-MIL-100 precursor, whereas the total pore volume increases to 0.245 cm³ g⁻¹, which is approximately 29% higher than that of the precursor (0.190 cm³ g⁻¹). Additionally, when utilized as an electrode for supercapacitors, the MOF-derived MnO/C nanocomposite demonstrates a towering specific capacitance of 421 F g⁻¹ at 0.5 A g⁻¹ and good cycle stability (94%) after 5000 cycles. Our work reveals that the MnO nanoparticles in MOF-derived MnO/C nanocomposites exhibit nanocage structure characteristics, which might be inherited from the Mn-MIL-100 precursor with analogous supertetrahedron units. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical-Physical Properties and Applications of Nano-Scaled Oxides)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 5094 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Composite Coating for the Food Industry Based on Fluoroplast and ZnO-NPs: Physical and Chemical Properties, Antibacterial and Antibiofilm Activity, Cytotoxicity

by Dmitriy A. Serov, Dmitriy E. Burmistrov, Alexander V. Simakin, Maxim E. Astashev, Oleg V. Uvarov, Eteri R. Tolordava, Anastasia A. Semenova, Andrey B. Lisitsyn and Sergey V. Gudkov

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(23), 4158; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12234158 - 24 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1505

Abstract

Bacterial contamination of meat products during its preparation at the enterprise is an important problem for the global food industry. Cutting boards are one of the main sources of infection. In order to solve this problem, the creation of mechanically stable coatings with antibacterial activity is one of the most promising strategies. For such a coating, we developed a composite material based on “liquid” Teflon and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs). The nanoparticles obtained with laser ablation had a rod-like morphology, an average size of ~60 nm, and a ζ-potential of +30 mV. The polymer composite material was obtained by adding the ZnO-NPs to the polymer matrix at a concentration of 0.001–0.1% using the low-temperature technology developed by the research team. When applying a composite material to a surface with damage, the elimination of defects on a micrometer scale was observed. The effect of the composite material on the generation of reactive oxygen species (H₂O₂, •OH), 8-oxoguanine in DNA in vitro, and long-lived reactive protein species (LRPS) was evaluated. The composite coating increased the generation of all of the studied compounds by 50–200%. The effect depended on the concentration of added ZnO-NPs. The antibacterial and antibiofilm effects of the Teflon/ZnO NP coating against L. monocytogenes, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, and S. typhimurium, as well as cytotoxicity against the primary culture of mouse fibroblasts, were studied. The conducted microbiological study showed that the fluoroplast/ZnO-NPs coating has a strong bacteriostatic effect against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In addition, the fluoroplast/ZnO-NPs composite material only showed potential cytotoxicity against primary mammalian cell culture at a concentration of 0.1%. Thus, a composite material has been obtained, the use of which may be promising for the creation of antibacterial coatings in the meat processing industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical-Physical Properties and Applications of Nano-Scaled Oxides)

► Show Figures

Figure 1

Review

Jump to: Research

32 pages, 3826 KiB

Open AccessReview

Antibacterial and Photodegradation of Organic Dyes Using Lamiaceae-Mediated ZnO Nanoparticles: A Review

by Dorcas Mutukwa, Raymond T. Taziwa and Lindiwe Khotseng

Nanomaterials 2022, 12(24), 4469; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano12244469 - 16 Dec 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2031

Abstract

The green synthesis of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using plant extracts has been receiving tremendous attention as an alternative to conventional physical and chemical methods. The Lamiaceae plant family is one of the largest herbal families in the world and is famous for its aromatic and polyphenolic biomolecules that can be utilised as reducing and stabilising agents during the synthesis of ZnO NPs. This review will go over the synthesis and how synthesis parameters affect the Lamiaceae-derived ZnO NPs. The Lamiaceae-mediated ZnO NPs have been utilised in a variety of applications, including photocatalysis, antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant, solar cells, and so on. Owing to their optical properties, ZnO NPs have emerged as potential catalysts for the photodegradation of organic dyes from wastewater. Furthermore, the low toxicity, biocompatibility, and antibacterial activity of ZnO against various bacteria have led to the application of ZnO NPs as antibacterial agents. Thus, this review will focus on the application of Lamiaceae-mediated ZnO NPs for the photodegradation of organic dyes and antibacterial applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical-Physical Properties and Applications of Nano-Scaled Oxides)

► Show Figures

Journal Menu

Journal Browser

Chemical-Physical Properties and Applications of Nano-Scaled Oxides

Share This Special Issue

Special Issue Editor

Special Issue Information

Keywords

Published Papers (11 papers)

Research

Review

Further Information

Guidelines

MDPI Initiatives

Follow MDPI