Formation Of Nanodendrites Research Articles

Electrochemical synthesis of 2D-silver nanodendrites functionalized with cyclodextrin for SERS-based detection of herbicide MCPA

Surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) is a powerful analytical technique that has found application in the trace detection of a wide range of contaminants. In this paper, we report on the fabrication of 2D silver nanodendrites, on silicon chips, synthesized by electrochemical reduction of AgNO3 at microelectrodes. The formation of nanodendrites is tentatively explained in terms of electromigration and diffusion of silver ions. Electrochemical characterization suggests that the nanodendrites do not stay electrically connected to the microelectrode. The substrates show SERS activity with an enhancement factor on the order of 106. Density functional theory simulations were carried out to investigate the suitability of the fabricated substrate for pesticide monitoring. These substrates can be functionalized with cyclodextrin macro molecules to help with the detection of molecules with low affinity with silver surfaces. A proof of concept is demonstrated with the detection of the herbicide 2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid (MCPA).

Synthesis of Palladium Nanodendrites Using a Mixture of Cationic and Anionic Surfactants.

Surfactants are used widely to control the synthesis of shaped noble-metal nanoparticles. In this work, a mixture of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), a cationic surfactant; sodium oleate (NaOL), an anionic surfactant; palladium chloride; and a reducing agent were used in the seed-mediated synthesis of palladium nanoparticles. By controlling the surfactant mixture ratio, we initially discovered that palladium nanodendrites with narrow size distribution were formed instead of the traditional nanocubes, synthesized with only CTAB. In order to investigate the optimal ratio to produce Pd nanodendrites with a high yield and narrow size distribution, samples synthesized with multiple molar ratios of the two surfactants were prepared and studied by transmission electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering, conductance, and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. We propose that the addition of NaOL alters the arrangement of surfactants on the Pd seed surface, leading to a new pattern of growth and aggregation. By studying the nanodendrite growth over time, we identified the reduction period of Pd2+ ions and the formation period of the nanodendrites. Our further experiments, including the replacement of CTAB with hexadecyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC) and the replacement of NaOL with sodium stearate, showed that CTA+ ions in CTAB and OL– ions in NaOL play the main roles in the formation of nanodendrites. The formation of palladium nanodendrites was robust and achieved with a range of temperatures, pH and mixing speeds.

Facile synthesis of flower-like PbO as a precursor to form nanodendritic PbO2 for positive active material (PAM) of lead-acid electrochemical storage devices

Nanodendritic PbO2 has been the attractive electrode material with unique morphology and enhanced electrochemical performance for lead-acid electrochemical storage devices. However, numerous studies have only investigated this unique material via electrodeposition technique. In this paper, flower-like PbO consisting three dimensional (3D) nanoflakes was successfully synthesized and used as a starting precursor to form nanodendritic PbO2 via electrochemical oxidation at constant voltage. The improved electrochemical results displayed by the formed nanodendritic PbO2 in cyclic voltammetry (CV) and initial discharge capacity, which is able to deliver 170mAhg−1 at 200mAg−1, is significantly suggesting that the formation of nanodendrites on the primary surface of agglomerated PbO2 provides larger crystallite network structures for better material utilization at high discharge rate.

Synthesis and Electrocatalytic Activity of Au−Pd Alloy Nanodendrites for Ethanol Oxidation

Dendritic Au−Pd alloy nanoparticles were synthesized in high yield through the coreduction of HAuCl4 and K2PdCl4 in aqueous solutions by using hydrazine as a reducing agent. Relative compositions between Au and Pd at the particle surfaces as well as in bulk phases could be modulated by controlling the molar ratios between metal precursors in the feeding solutions. The formation of nanodendrites may be the result of the fast reduction rate of metal ions and subsequent fast, kinetically controlled growth of particles. The prepared alloy nanoparticles exhibit efficient electrocatalytic activities and stabilities toward ethanol oxidation in alkaline media. The enhanced electrocatalytic properties of dendritic particles can be attributed to the presence of a large number of active sites on their surfaces.