posted on 2021-11-24, 13:35authored byNoa Afik, Karam Shreteh, Helena Fridman, Michael Volokh, Vladimir Ezersky, Taleb Mokari
The
solution–liquid–solid (SLS) mechanism is a well-established
method for forming one-dimensional (1D) nanostructures in a solution.
Herein, an SLS mechanism is explored for the formation of metal oxides
for the first time. Two key synthetic achievements allow this synthesis:
(i) the design of a tailored catalyst with a low melting point and
high stability and (ii) control over the reactivity and the oxidation
of the precursors. Once these conditions are achieved, the SLS growth
of indium and tin oxides ensues. Structural characterization of the
products at various stages of the growth confirms the formation of
1D In2O3 and SnO2 nanoscale heterostructures
using AuIn2 and Au7Sn3 as catalysts.
Furthermore, SLS growth was easily adopted to insert SnO2 rods selectively between two domains of an Au/ZnO heterodimer, demonstrating
the potential of achieving highly complex multicomponent metal-oxide
nanostructures.