Much attention has been focused on hybrid solar cells because of their low cost and high theoretical efficiencies. The photoactive layer of hybrid solar cells is composed of inorganic semiconductor and organic conjugated polymer. Excitons (electron-hole pairs) are formed upon the absorption of photons by the polymer. The excitons diffuse to the heterojunction interface between the organic donor and inorganic acceptor, and then dissociate to free electrons and holes. These electrons and holes then transfer to the inorganic and organic materials to realize charge separation and transportation. The exciton dissociation efficiency at the organic-inorganic heterojunction interface influences the photovoltaic performance of the cell. A small contact area and poor chemical compatibility between the organic and inorganic materials decrease the exciton dissociation efficiency, and thus the overall cell efficiency. This can be overcome by modifying the heterojunction interface. This paper reviews available interfacial modification methods, their function and significance, and explores prospects for the future development and application of hybrid solar cells.

The aggregate morphology of rod-coil-rod copolymers in a dilute solution was investigated by dissipative particle dynamics simulations. The influences of the mutual compatibility between rod and coil blocks, the solvent property, the coil length, and the copolymer concentration on the aggregate structure were studied in detail. The simulation results show that the increase of the mutual compatibility between rod and coil blocks induces transformation of the aggregate morphology from spherical, to onion-like, to cage-like, and ultimately to cylindrical. With the increase in the hydrophobicity of the coil block, the cagelike aggregate changes into an onion-like aggregate, then a patchy aggregate, and then an inverted onionlike aggregate. Finally, a phase diagram of the rod-coil-rod triblock copolymers as a function of the coil length and the copolymer concentration is presented. It shows that cage aggregates are easily formed when the coil length is long and the concentration is relatively low, whereas onion-like aggregates are preferred when the coil length is short and the concentration is moderately low.

The effects of the diffusive (D_s(γ)=D₀×s^γ) and sticking (P_ij(σ)=P₀×(i×j)^σ) models on the colloidal suspension evolution, cluster-size distribution and scaling, time dependence of weight-averaged cluster size, and the fractal dimensions of aggregates are investigated. Simulations of the aggregation kinetics are carried out for a wide range of diffusivity exponent γ and sticking-probability exponent σ values. γ<0 and σ >0 have similar effects on the colloidal aggregation kinetics. The mechanism of transition from slow to fast aggregation is quantitatively analyzed. The physical significance of a cluster-cluster aggregation model, leading to a diffusion-limited aggregation model, is proposed. γ >>0 corresponds to the directional movement of clusters or primary particles, rather than random Brownian motion. The driving force for this directional movement may be a strong long-range van der Waals force, electric force of the largest cluster, or external force from the boundary. σ<<0 decreases the aggregation velocity of colloidal particles, with the evolution of the colloidal suspension. This may correspond to the largest cluster being a repulsive center, and a repulsive force existing between clusters or primary particles. The simulation confirms particle aggregation involving the weight-averaged size growing exponentially at first, but obeying a power law later. The aggregation kinetics is a positive-feedback nonlinear process as σ >0, but a negative-feedback process as σ<0.

We have designed a family of novel molecules BX[(CH₂)_n]₃ and BX(CH₂)[CH(CH₂)_nCH] (X=N, P) with the [n.n.n]propellane configuration (n=1-6). The structures, stabilities, chemical bonds, and electronic spectra of these structures were investigated using density functional theory (DFT). The calculated results indicate that all of these compounds are situated at minima on the potential energy surfaces. The energy gaps between the highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) of BN[(CH₂)_n]₃ and BP[(CH₂)_n]₃ (n=1-6) were in the range of 5.24-7.07 eV and 5.47-7.33 eV, respectively, and the energy gap of BX[CH₂]₃ is close to that of C₅H₆. In addition, the energy gaps of BN(CH₂) [CH(CH₂)_nCH] and BP(CH₂) [CH(CH₂)_nCH] (n=1-6) are around 6.80 eV. To compare the relative stabilities of these compounds, we investigated the second-order differences of energies. The results indicate that BN[(CH₂)₃]₃, BP[(CH₂)₄]₃, and BX(CH₂)[CH(CH₂)₂CH] (X=N, P) are more stable than the other structures. Moreover, based on the bond lengths, Wiberg bond indices, and charges of the two"inverted"atoms, it can be concluded that the bridgehead B and N(P) atoms in BN[(CH₂)_n]₃ (n=2, 6) and BP[(CH₂)₂]₃ do not form chemical bonds, while the two bridgehead atoms in the other compounds studied formed chemical bonds. Additionally, topological analysis of the electron density using the theory of atoms-in-molecules shows that the inverted N―B bonds in BN[(CH₂)_n]₃ (n=3-5) are ionic bonds whereas the B―P bonds in BP[(CH₂)_n]₃ (n=3-6) have covalent character. The vertical transition energies of BN[(CH₂)_n]₃, BP[(CH₂)_n]₃, BN(CH₂) [CH(CH₂)_nCH], and BP(CH₂) [CH(CH₂)_nCH] (n=1-6) range from 191.1 to 284.8 nm, 191.8 to 270.1 nm, 190.5 to 199.7 nm, and 209.0 to 221.3 nm, respectively.

In this work, we investigate the low-lying states of PbS, PbSe, and PbTe cations based on a recently developed equation-of-motion coupled-cluster approach for ionization potentials (EOMIP-CC) with spin-orbit coupling (SOC) at the CCSD level. Equilibrium bond lengths, harmonic frequencies as well as vertical and adiabatic ionization energies are calculated with EOMIP-SOC-CCSD and reasonable agreement with available experimental data is achieved. The contribution of triples is estimated by comparing results at the CCSD(T) level with those from EOMIP-CCSD when SOC is neglected. Better agreement with experimental data can be obtained if the contribution of triples is included. According to our results, the splitting between ²Π state is larger in PbTe⁺ than that in PbS⁺ and PbSe⁺, while coupling between ²Π_1/2 and ²Σ_1/2 owing to SOC is more significant in PbS⁺ and PbSe⁺. This is because the energy difference between ²Π and ²Σ⁺ states of PbTe⁺ is larger than that in PbS⁺ and PbSe⁺ and the SOC matrix element between ²Π_1/2 and ²Σ_1/2 states in PbTe⁺ is only half those in PbS⁺ and PbSe⁺. The present work presents new estimates on properties of these low-lying states and could serve as new references for future experiments.

We investigated the ground and excited state electronic properties of finite length zigzag graphene nanoribbons, using time-dependent density functional theory. The ground state of short graphene nanoribbons with eight Hatoms on their armchair edges (8-ZGNR) is diamagnetic, and antiferromagnetismcan be exhibited with increasing the length of nanoribbons. The antiferromagnetismand half-metallicity can also be shown when a static field is added. When a laser pulse is applied in the excited state, the induced electrons can move and change with the laser pulse. There exist some differences between α- and β-spin electrons. α-Spin electrons can be induced, and showinduced charge density more readily. β-Spin electrons can escape the external field control, and show non-adiabatic properties more readily.

An efficient front-illuminated dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) based on ordered TiO₂ nanotube (TNT) arrays was prepared. Sintering at 450 ℃ avoided damage of the ordered TNTs during HF treatment. Fast electron transport channels were maintained in the membrane, for efficient charge transportat in the DSSC. The sintered TNT membranes were subsequently treated with HF, TiCl₄, and HF combined with TiCl₄. This formed a rougher surface, and allowed increased dye loadings. The increased dye loading improved the light harvesting efficiency of the photoanode at 300-570 nm wavelength range, which is the main absorption region of the adsorbed dye. The adsorbed dye had a low absorption at 570-800 nm wavelength range. The enhanced light harvesting efficiency of the photoanode originated from its increased diffuse reflectance. The incident-photon-to-current and absorbed-photon-to-current conversion efficiencies were increased over the entire 300-800 nm wavelength range. This resulted in an increased short-circuit current density of the DSSC. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy indicated that electron transport and related parameters including charge transport resistance, interfacial charge recombination resistance, distributed chemical capacitance, electron lifetime, effective electron diffusion length, and collection efficiency were significantly improved in the DSSC containing the treated TNT photoanode. This also resulted in an enhanced photovoltaic performance. The maximum power conversion efficiency from combining HF and TiCl₄ treatments was 7.30%, which was a 35.69% enhancement compared with the nontreated DSSC (5.38%).

The efficiency of bulk heterojunction solar cells was enhanced by incorporating CdSe/ZnS core-shell colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) into copolymers of poly(3-hexylthiophene (P3HT) and [6,6]-phenyl-C₆₁-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) as the active layer, as result of the increased absorption in the visible region. The doping of CdSe/ZnS CQDs in the active layer and the influence of CQD surface ligands on device performance were investigated. A maximum power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 3.99% was obtained from the optimized solar cell ITO/PEDOT:PSS/P3HT:PCBM:(CdSe/ZnS)/Al (ITO: indium-tin oxide; PEDOT: poly(3,4-ethylendioxythiophene; PSS: poly(styrenesulfonate)) under AM1.5 illumination. This was 45.1% improvement on the PCE of the control device ITO/PEDOT:PSS/P3HT:PCBM/Al.

Nano-LiMnPO₄ samples were synthesized via a two-step heating polyol method. The role of the first thermal plateau temperature T₁ (T₁=100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150 ℃) on the physical and electrochemical properties of the samples was investigated. Their structures and morphologies were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and N₂ sorption measurements. All samples at different plateau temperatures exhibited a sheet structure. At T₁=100-120 ℃, samples contained some impurities, and their specific surface areas were <15 m²·g^-1. Pure nano-LiMnPO₄ was obtained at T₁=130 ℃, and exhibited the largest specific surface area (46.3 m²·g^-1). The specific surface areas of samples remained at 35-37 m²·g^-1 with further increase in T₁. The electrochemical performance of the nano-LiMnPO₄ samples followed the same trend as their specific surface areas. Nano-LiMnPO₄ at T₁=130 ℃ exhibited the best electrochemical performance, with a discharge capacity of 129 mAh·g^-1 at 0.1C rate and 81 mAh·g^-1 at 5C rate. This indicated that the specific surface area is one of the key factors in determining the electrochemical performance of LiMnPO₄.

A series of lithium-rich cathode materials, xLi₂MnO₃·(1-x)LiNi_0.5Mn_0.5O₂ (x=0.1-0.8), were successfully synthesized by a sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and electrochemical tests were used to investigate the crystal structure, morphology, and electrochemical performance of the as-synthesized materials, respectively. The results showed that the materials with higher Li₂MnO₃ content had higher initial discharge capacity but poorer cycle stability, while the materials with lower Li₂MnO₃ content showed lower discharge capacity but better cycle stability, and the spinel impurity phase was also found. Based on the data, the optimal electrochemical properties were obtained when x=0.5 in xLi₂MnO₃·(1-x)LiNi_0.5Mn_0.5O₂. Moreover, the electrochemical properties were also worthy of attention when x=0.4, 0.6.

WO₃ nanorods/graphene nanocomposites (WO₃/R ) were prepared by the solvothermal treatment of tungsten hexachloride and graphene oxide in alcohol. The electrochemical performance of WO₃/R as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries was investigated by galvanostatic charge-discharge tests, cyclic voltammetry (CV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The discharge capacity of the composite at the first cycle was 761.4 mAh·g^-1, and about 635 mAh·g^-1 of reversible capacity remained after 100 cycles at a rate of 0.1C (1C=638 mA·g^-1). The corresponding retention rate was 83.4%. The reversible capacity remained lager than 460 mAh·g^-1 at a rate of 5C. WO₃/R exhibited excellent cycling stability and rate performance, and has potential in advanced lithium-ion batteries.

Separators are important components in electrochemical energy storage devices such as electrical double layer capacitors (EDLCs) and hybrid battery-supercapacitors. We prepared activated carbon-based EDLCs using an electrolyte of 1 mol ·L^-1 tetraethyl ammonium tetrafluoroborate (Et₄NBF₄) in propylene carbonate (PC), and (LiNi_0.5Co_0.2Mn_0.3O₂+activated carbon)/graphite hybrid battery-supercapacitors using a 1 mol·L^-1 lithium hexafluorophate (LiPF₆) Li-ion electrolyte. The physicochemical properties and effect of various separators on the electrochemical properties of the EDLC and hybrid battery-supercapacitor were studied. The four separators were nonwoven polypropylene (PP) mat, porous PP membrane, Al₂O₃-coated PP membrane, and cellulose paper. The surface morphology, differential scanning calorimetry, electrolyte uptake, and apparent contact angle were investigated. The electrochemical characterizations of coin cells indicated that the EDLC with cellulose separator had the highest specific capacitance and rate capability. Differences in the selfdischarge of the four cells were not obvious. The specific capacities of the hybrid battery-supercapacitors with PP membrane and nonwoven PP mat separators were approximately 20% higher than the others. The capacitor with the cellulose paper separator had the highest self-discharge rate.

Anodic layers and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) of Pb-Ag and Pb-Ag-Nd anodes were investigated by cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM). Alloying with Nd promoted the formation of Pb/PbO_n/PbSO₄ (1≤n<2). Nd facilitated the transformation of PbO_n and PbSO₄ to α-PbO₂ and β-PbO₂, at potential above 1.2 V vs Hg/Hg₂SO₄ (saturated K₂SO₄ solution). ESEM and LSV indicated that the anodic layer formed on the Pb-Ag-Nd anode was thicker and more compact than that formed on the Pb-Ag anode. Consequently, the anodic layer on the Pb-Ag-Nd anode could provide better protection for metallic substrates. EIS indicated that the OER was determined by the formation and adsorption of intermediates. Nd enhanced the OER reactivity, because of a smaller adsorption resistance and larger coverage of intermediates at the anodic layer/electrolyte interface. In summary, alloying with Nd can enhance the corrosion resistance and reduce the energy consumption of Pb-Ag anode due to lower anodic potential.

Antimony-doped tin oxide (ATO) aerogels were prepared from inorganic salts via epoxide additional method, CO₂ supercritical fluid drying and thermal treatment. ATO samples were dark blue monoliths with average density of about 600 mg·cm^-3 and Sb concentrations of 5%-20%(x). Electron microscopy showed that the skeleton of the ATO aerogels consisted of particles of size of dozens of nanometers, which further consisted of primary particles of size about several nanometers. X-ray diffraction spectra showed that the main crystal structure within the ATO aerogels was tetra nal tin dioxide, while Sb doping only resulted in minor lattice distortion. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that the valence state of tin was +4, while antimony was mixed with +3 and +5 valences. Four-point probe resistivity analysis exhibited that the electrical resistivity of theATO aerogels changed from 2.7 to 40 Ω·cm, among which the aerogel with 12%Sb had the lowest resistivity.

Bi₂WO₆ is reportedly active for the photocatalytic degradation of organic compounds in aerated aqueous solution, but factors influencing the photocatalytic activity of pristine Bi₂WO₆ have received little attention. In this study, the effect of sintering temperature on the physical properties of flower-like Bi₂WO₆ was investigated. The catalyst was synthesized through the hydrothermal reaction of Na₂WO₄ and Bi(NO₃)₃ at 160 ℃ for 20 h, followed by sintering in air at different temperatures for 3 h. Bi₂WO₆ samples were characterized with X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Raman, ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance, and photoluminescence spectroscopies. All samples had similar phase compositions and electronic structures. Samples exhibited different activities for the photocatalytic degradation of phenol in aerated aqueous solution, under ultraviolet light. With increasing Bi₂WO₆ sintering temperature, the rate of phenol degradation first increased and then decreased. The maximum rate of phenol degradation was observed from the catalyst sintered at 350 ℃. Similar results were obtained when the rate of phenol degradation was normalized with the specific surface area of the catalyst, as determined by N2 adsorption. The observed sintering temperature-dependent photoactivity of Bi₂WO₆ was attributed to a combination of its crystallinity, light absorption, and surface defects.

An In-doped TiO₂ thin film with a three-dimensional (3D) ordered structure (IO-TiO₂-In) was prepared by the self-assembly template method of polystyrene colloidal crystal growth and sol-gel method. The visible light photocatalytic activity of the IO-TiO₂-In thin film for the degradation of formaldehyde is five times that of TiO₂ and undoped IO-TiO₂. The crystal structure, surface microstructure, and energy band structure of the catalyst were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The IO-TiO₂-In thin film is an ordered anatase structure, which increases the specific surface area and photo efficiency, compared with those of pure TiO₂. Doped In ions form In₂O₃ and O-In-Cl_x (x=1, 2) species on the surface of the thin film. This increases the absorption of visible light, and promotes the separation of photogenerated charge carriers. It improves the efficiency of photogenerated charge carriers in the photocatalytic reaction at the solid/gas interface, and significantly increases the visible light photocatalytic activity.

Porous Cu₂O micro-spheres were synthesized without additives, using a homogeneous reactor. The effects of synthesis time and reactor rolling speed on the Cu₂O micro-spheres structure were investigated. Increasing the use of polyvinylpyrrolidone, the porous Cu₂O micro-spheres transformed into cubic twined crystals, and then into cubic-octahedral twined crystals. Cu₂O micro-crystals with different structures were used to catalyze the thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP). The catalytic activity of porous Cu₂O micro-spheres was better than those of the cubic twined and cubic-octahedral twined crystals. The low temperature of AP decomposition decreased for 37.4 ℃ when catalyzed by the porous Cu₂O micro-spheres, and amount of AP decomposed at low temperature increased from 8.7% to 49.0%.

Cs-substituted Ni-Cs_xH_3-xPW₁₂O₄₀/SiO₂ catalysts were prepared by two-step impregnation and in situ reaction on the support. The catalysts were characterized by N₂ adsorption measurements, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry, Raman spectroscopy, in situ X-ray diffraction, NH₃-temperature programmed desorption (TPD), H₂-temperature programmed reduction, H₂-TPD, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The hydrocracking of n-decane was used to study the catalytic performance of the Ni-Cs_xH_3-xPW₁₂O₄₀/SiO₂ catalysts. The highest C₅₊ yield obtained for 8%Ni-50%Cs_1.5H_1.5PW/SiO₂ was superior to those of 8%Ni-50% H₃PW/SiO₂ and an industrial catalyst. The conversion of n-decane slightly decreased and the C₅₊ selectivity increased with increasing Cs content in the Cs_xH_3-xPW catalysts. Ni-Cs_xH_3-xPW₁₂O₄₀/SiO₂ catalysts possessed relatively large pore sizes, so the improved selectivity might have been due to a weaker acidity of the catalysts. The reduced conversion might have been due to a weaker hydrogenation ability.

Nanosheets of HZSM-5 zeolite with different SiO₂/Al₂O₃ molar ratios were synthesized, and their catalytic behavior in the methanol-to-propylene (MTP) reaction was evaluated in a fixed bed reactor. The effect of reaction conditions on catalytic performance was studied in detail. The catalytic performance of nanosheets of HZSM-5 zeolites in the MTP reaction was compared with that of the nanosized HZSM-5 zeolite. The nanosheets of HZSM-5 zeolite had higher propylene selectivity, total three olefins' selectivity (ethylene, propylene, C₄ alkenes) , and a longer catalytic lifetime than the nanosized HZSM-5 zeolite. The nanosheets of HZSM-5 zeolite with a SiO₂/Al₂O₃ molar ratio of 213 yielded a propylene selectivity of 46.7%, total three olefins' selectivity of 78.7% at 470 ℃, and a methanol weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) of 3 h^-1. It also yielded a propylene/ethylene mass ratio of 6.5, which was double that of the nanosized HZSM-5 zeolite. The nanosheets of HZSM-5 zeolite had a lower aromatic selectivity than the nanosized HZSM-5 zeolite. The od MTP catalytic performance of the nanosheets of HZSM-5 zeolite was attributed to their wide (010) surface, high external surface area, and large mesoporous volume.

The effects of olefin and aromatic hydrocarbons, as well as the acidic catalytic reactions on the adsorption desulfurization performance of CeY zeolites prepared by liquid phase ion exchange (LPIE) technique were systemically investigated. The capacities of sulfur removal were measured by fixed-bed breakthrough experiments. It is shown that the desulfurization performance of the adsorbents is reduced by olefin and aromatic hydrocarbons in model gasoline with olefin having a more significant effect. In-situ Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to study the adsorption of thiophene, cyclohexene, and benzene on the zeolites. The effects of the olefin and aromatic hydrocarbons differed. For the olefins, the desulfurization capacity of the CeY adsorbents depends on the surface acidity of the zeolites, particularly on the Brönsted acidity. Protonation of olefin and thiophene compounds can be found at Brönsted acidic sites. It is the oli merization of the protonated species that decrease the adsorption of other thiophenes. It is, therefore, the acidic catalytic reactions caused by the strong Brönsted acidity on the adsorbent surface that could be the dominant factor for olefin hydrocarbons. While for the aromatic hydrocarbons, the decreased desulfurization capacity can be ascribed to the competitive adsorption on the active sites by π-complexation between the organic sulfur compounds and arenes.

Al alloys contain some secondary phases to improve their properties. These secondary phases have different potentials to the Al matrix, which greatly affect the localized corrosion of Al alloys. In order to reveal the physical nature of Al alloy corrosion, we use the first-principles method based upon density functional theory to calculate the work function of the main secondary phases (Al₂Cu, Al₃Ti, and Al₇Cu₂Fe). The difficulty of electrons escaping from various crystal planes was analyzed, and the potential difference between the secondary phases and Al matrix was obtained. We find that different crystal planes exposed to the outmost layer significantly impacted on the potential difference. Different atomic types at the outmost layer play different roles in Al alloy corrosion, even for the same crystal surface. The causes of galvanic corrosion were thus revealed.

The impact of conformation of the active site loop, secondary structure, active site volume, and substrate (unsaturated acyl chain) channel as a function of simulation time caused by the FabI (enoyl-ACP reductase) inhibitor of triclosan were studied by molecular dynamics simulations, define secondary structure of proteins (DSSP), and pocket volume measurer (POVME). Triclosan restricted the changes of the active site and substrate channel of the FabI-NAD⁺-TCL (NAD⁺: nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, TCL: triclosan) ternary complex. The active site loop formed an ordered, closed, and stable conformation, and was commonly associated with a helical structure in front of the active site. This made the active site volume change little, the volume distribution concentrated and the substrate channel size narrowed and almost closed. However, the active site loop was disordered, open, and flexible in the FabI-NAD⁺ binary complex. The changes of active site volume and distribution in the binary system were larger and more disperse than those in the ternary system. The substrate channel size in the binary system widened and became unstable. Triclosan induced residues of the active site and active site loop of FabI and made the ternary system more closed, which blocked the unsaturated acyl chains from getting into the catalytic center of FabI through the substrate channel, interrupted the reduction reaction and the elongation cycle of fatty acid synthesis. These results aid our understanding of potent inhibitory activity of triclosan and related compounds.

Ag nanostructures with well-defined shapes and optical resonances have been masssynthesized by a hydrothermal method. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) polymers with average molecular weights (MW) of 8000, 40000, 160000, and 360000 denoted as K17, K30, K60, and K90, respectively, were chosen as surfactants (K is usually used to represent the characteristic value of relative viscosity of the PVP solution). It was found that the larger MW of PVP, the higher relative viscosity of the PVP solution. All of the reactants were transferred into a 60 mL stainless steel autoclave and heated at a certain temperature for hours. Five-fold twinned Ag nanodecahedrons with nearly uniform size were synthesized in the aqueous solution of K17. Ag nanowires were obtained with the presence of K30, K60, and K90 in ethylene glycol (EG) solution, and the aspect ratios of the Ag nanowires increased with increasing the MW of PVP. The morphology and microstructures of the obtained products were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) spectra of the Ag nanostructures were measured using an UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The results showed that the surface plasma resonance of the Ag nanostructures was dependent on their shape and size.

Zn_xCd_1-xS (0< x <1) nanowires with several different compositions were successfully synthesized on Si wafers by a simple vapor deposition method using Au as a catalyst. The morphology and composition of the nanowires were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The results show that the Zn/Cd ratio is controllable by adjusting the relative amount of the starting materials and the deposition temperature. The X- ray diffraction patterns show that the nanowires are single crystals with the wurtzite structure. The morphology character of the nanowires suggests that the growth of the nanowires can be explained by the base-growth mechanism. The optical characteristics of the nanowires were studied by Raman and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Raman shifts of the longitudinal optical (LO) phonon mode were observed in the Zn_xCd_1-xS nanowires. The LO peak frequency changed smoothly with changing composition, which approximately shows a one-mode behavior pattern in the ZnxCd1- xS nanowires. In the PL spectra, both band-gap and defect emission were observed. The PL results indicate that the emission frequency originating from the band-gap transition of the Zn_xCd_1-xS nanowires can be tuned through modulating of the composition. The band-gap of the nanowires can be tuned from 2.41 eV (CdS) to 3.63 eV (ZnS).

Superhydrophobic polyaniline (PANI)/sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS) composites were fabricated in one-step, by the oxidative polymerization of aniline in the presence of SDBS. The morphology and elemental composition of the PANI/SDBS composite were characterized by field-emission scanning electron microscopy. The chemical structure was confirmed by Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, and X-ray powder diffraction. The superhydrophilic and superhydrophobic properties of the PANI/SDBS composite were determined from water contact angle (WCA) measurements, and were dependent on SDBS concentration, pH, and composite morphology. The formation and superhydrophobic mechanism of the PANI/SDBS composite are discussed. The composite surface had a WCA of >150° at pH 1-9 and SDBS concentration more than 0.016 mol·L^-1. SDBS doping resulted in a 98% conversion of the aniline monomer. The superhydrophobic PANI/SDBS composite formed from electrostatic interaction, and sulfamic bonding between the hydrophilic ―SO₃^- groups of SDBS and ―NH⁺＝ of PANI chains. Hydrogen bonding existed between N and H atoms among PANI chains. The electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonding immobilized the hydrophilic ―SO₃^- head groups of SDBS around PANI chains, which resulted in the SDBS hydrophobic alkyl chain protruding. These results aid our understanding of the formation of superhydrophobic PANI/SDBS composites, and the design of superhydrophobic materials.