Hydrothermal synthesis of nanocubes of sillenite type compounds for photovoltaic applications and solar energy conversion of carbon dioxide to fuels
The present invention relates to formation of nanocubes of sillenite type compounds, such as bismuth titanate, i.e., Bi.sub.12TiO.sub.20, nanocubes, via a hydrothermal synthesis process, with the resulting compound(s) having multifunctional properties such as being useful in solar energy conversion, environmental remediation, and/or energy storage, for example. In one embodiment, a hydrothermal method is disclosed that transforms nanoparticles of TiO.sub.2 to bismuth titanate, i.e., Bi.sub.12TiO.sub.20, nanocubes, optionally loaded with palladium nanoparticles. The method includes reacting titanium dioxide nanotubes with a bismuth salt in an acidic bath at a temperature sufficient and for a time sufficient to form bismuth titanate crystals, which are subsequently annealed to form bismuth titanate nanocubes. After annealing, the bismuth titanate nanocubes may be optionally loaded with nano-sized metal particles, e.g., nanosized palladium particles.
- Research Organization:
- Univ. of Nevada, Reno, NV (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE
- DOE Contract Number:
- EE0000272
- Assignee:
- Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on behalf of the University of Nevada (Reno, NV)
- Patent Number(s):
- 8,709,304
- Application Number:
- 12/967,922
- OSTI ID:
- 1130072
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 2010 Dec 14
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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