Sol-gel template synthesis of semiconductor nanostructures

Journal Article · Sat Mar 01 00:00:00 EST 1997 · Chemistry of Materials

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/cm9605577· OSTI ID:569184

Lakshmi, B B; Dorhout, P K; Martin, C R ^[1]

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1. Colorado State Univ., Fort Collins, CO (United States)

The template method for preparing nanostructures entails synthesis of the desired material within the pores of a nanoporous membrane or other solid. A nonofibril or tubule of the desired material is obtained within each pore. Methods used previously to deposit materials within the pores of such membranes include electrochemical and electroless deposition and in situ polymerization. This paper describes the first use of sol-gel chemistry to prepare semiconductor nanofibrils and tubules within the pores of an alumina template membrane. TiO{sub 2}, WO{sub 3}, and ZnO nanostructures have been prepared. TiO{sub 2} nanofibrils with diameters of 22 nm were found to be single crystals of anatase with the c-axis oriented along the fibril axis. Bundles of these fibrils were also found to be single crystalline, suggesting that the individual fibrils are arranged in a highly organized fashion within the bundle. Finally, 200 nm diameter TiO{sub 2} fibrils were used as photocatalysts for the decomposition of salicylic acid. 30 refs., 8 figs.

• DOE Contract Number: FG03-95ER14576
• OSTI ID: 569184
• Journal Information: Chemistry of Materials, Vol. 9, Issue 3; Other Information: PBD: Mar 1997
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
40 CHEMISTRY
CRYSTALS
DECOMPOSITION
DEPOSITION
MEMBRANES
POLYMERIZATION
SALICYLIC ACID
SYNTHESIS
SOL-GEL PROCESS
SEMICONDUCTOR MATERIALS
STRUCTURAL CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
PORE STRUCTURE
CRYSTAL STRUCTURE
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
CATALYSIS
PHOTOCHEMICAL REACTIONS
ULTRAVIOLET SPECTRA
TRANSMISSION ELECTRON MICROSCOPY