Publication Date:
2011-04-05
Description:
Large ZnO mesocrystals of hexagonal columnar morphology have been successfully synthesized by using liquid crystals (LCs) of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB, CH 3 (CH 2 ) 15 N + (CH 3 ) 3 Br − ) as templates. The LC-templated growth process is established by monitoring the crystal morphology, phase evolution at various temperature stages for both ZnO building blocks and CTAB templates, where there is a phase transition and interaction between the two involved. In contrast to the well-studied mesocrystals derived from solutions, we propose a new formation scheme for the large mesocrystals, on the basis of our experimental observations using X-ray diffraction phase analysis, Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy conducted at various stages of mesocrystal growth. The resultant mesocrystals are characterized by a level of mesoporosity and internal surfaces, where there is a large population of oxygen vacancies, as confirmed by their photoluminescence behavior.
Print ISSN:
0002-7820
Electronic ISSN:
1551-2916
Topics:
Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science, Production Engineering, Mining and Metallurgy, Traffic Engineering, Precision Mechanics
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