| Nanomaterials have attracted extraordinary attention due to their unique size, shape-dependent physical properties (i.e., mechanical, optical, magnetic and electric properties). Although a tremendous amount of work has been accomplished in the field of nanoscience, there are still challenges including (i) the precise control of size, dimensionality, composition and assembly at the nanoscale, (ii) the development of an environmentally friendly, energy effective synthesis method, (iii) the rational design and fabrication of novel nanomaterials and nanocomposites, and (iv) a deep understanding of the relationship between size, shape and physical properties. In my graduate research, various classes of nanomaterials were synthesized by environmentally friendly methods and their unique properties were also explored. Specifically, the synthesis of Bi2Ti2O7 nanotubes by sol-gel technique were discussed in Chapter II. Shape control of submicron sized BaZrO3 cubes and spheres were achieved via molten salt synthesis (Chapter III). The effects of parameters selection in the molten salt synthesis of BaZrO 3 particles were also explored. A nontoxic, low temperature, and cost effective template method was applied to fabricating various one-dimensional nanomaterials, i.e., transition-metal oxides (ZnO, CuO, and alpha-Fe 2O3 in Chapter IV), ternary-metal oxides, multiferroic MnWO 4 (in Chapter V), and noble metals (Ag, Au, and Pt, in Chapter VI). Finally, a multifunctional nanostructure was fabricated by the self-assembly technique (in Chapter VII), involving building blocks such as silica nanotubes and functional nanoparticles (CdSe and Fe3O4). The ability to make various nanomaterials with control over uniformity, size and morphology is extremely important in the field nanoscience and will enable many research opportunities in this area. |
