Table of Contents
List of contributing authors ix
1 Synthesis and characterization of size controlled bimetallic nanosponges Dong Wang Peter Schaaf 1
1.1 Introduction 1
1.2 Preparation methods 3
1.2.1 Preparation methods of nanoporous metals 3
1.2.2 Preparation methods of size controlled metallic nanosponges 5
1.3 Characterization methods and instrumentation 14
1.3.1 Structural characterization via topographical reconstruction 14
1.3.2 Optical characterizations and applications 19
1.4 Critical safety considerations 24
1.5 Conclusions and future perspective 25
References 26
2 Controllable design, synthesis and characterization of nanostructured rare earth metal oxides Yunyun Zhou 35
2.1 Introduction 36
2.2 Preparation methods 39
2.2.1 Hydrothermal synthesis 39
2.2.2 Solvothermat synthesis 45
2.2.3 Co-precipitation synthesis 46
2.2.4 Sol-gel process 48
2.2.5 Thermal decomposition synthesis 51
2.2.6 Microemulsion method 54
2.2.7 Combustion method 56
2.2.8 Microwave assisted synthesis 59
2.2.9 Sonochemical method 61
2.2.10 Electrochemical method 63
2.2.11 Other methods 65
2.3 Characterization methodologies and instrumentation techniques 66
2.3.1 Electron microscopy 66
2.3.2 Scanning tunneling microscopy 78
2.3.3 Atomic force microscopy 81
2.3.4 X-ray diffraction 82
2.3.5 X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy 87
2.3.6 X-ray absorption spectroscopy 91
2.3.7 Raman spectroscopy 94
2.3.8 Other characterization methods 98
2.4 Critical safety considerations 100
2.5 Conclusions and future perspectives 101
References 103
3 Synthesis and characterization of size controlled alloy nanoparticles Jingfang Zhang Yifu Yu Bin Zhang 115
3.1 Introduction 115
3.2 Preparation methods 117
3.2.1 Chemical reduction 117
3.2.2 Thermal decomposition of metal complex precursors 129
3.2.3 Electrochemical deposition 130
3.3 Characterization methodologies and instrumentation techniques 132
3.3.1 Microscopy 132
3.3.2 X-ray spectroscopy 133
3.3.3 Other characterization techniques 134
3.4 Critical safety considerations 135
3.5 Conclusions and future perspective 136
References 138
4 On the minimum reactant concentration required to prepare Au/M core-shell nanoparticles by the one-pot microemulsion route Concha Tojo David Buceta M. Arturo López-Quintela 145
4.1 Introduction 146
4.2 Preparation methods and computational model 148
4.2.1 One-pot method to prepare bimetallic nanoparticles in microemulsions 148
4.2.2 Computational model to simulate the synthesis of bimetallic nanoparticles in microemulsions by a one-pot method 149
4.3 Characterization methodologies and instrumentation techniques 152
4.4 General remarks about factors affecting metals distribution 152
4.5 How to prepare Au/M (M = Ag, Pt, Pd) in a core-shell structure 154
4.6 Conclusions and future perspective 163
References 163
5 Synthesis and characterization of graphene quantum dots Sumana Kundu Vijayamohanan K. Pillai 169
5.1 Introduction 170
5.1.1 The background of graphene 170
5.1.2 Emergence of graphene quantum dots (GQDs) 171
5.2 Structure, defects and properties of GQDs 174
5.2.1 Structure of graphene and GQDs 174
5.2.2 Defects in graphene-based nanomaterials 180
5.2.3 Properties of GQDs 182
5.3 Preparation strategies 186
5.3.1 Top-down methods 186
5.3.2 Bottom-up methods 193
5.3.3 Mechanism of oxidation of carbon skeleton 202
5.3.4 Effect of functionalization and doping of GQDs 203
5.4 Characterization methodologies 204
5.4.1 X-ray diffraction (XRD) 204
5.4.2 Raman spectroscopy 205
5.4.3 Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-VIS) 206
5.4.4 Fluorescence spectroscopy 208
5.4.5 Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) 208
5.4.6 TEM and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) 209
5.4.7 Atomic force microscopy (AFM) 210
5.4.8 X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) 211
5.5 Applications of GQDs 212
5.5.1 Energy-related applications of GQDs 213
5.5.2 Bio-medical applications of GQDs 214
5.5.3 GQDs for sensor applications 214
5.5.4 Miscellaneous applications of GQDs 215
5.6 Critical safety and environmental considerations 215
5.7 Conclusion and future perspectives 216
References 217
Index 227
