Issue 10, 2013

Architectural transformation of the nanoparticle superstructures induced by ultraviolet light irradiation and their application in photoelectrochemical switch devices

Abstract

The studies of the self-assembly processes of nanoparticles (NPs) will benefit the understanding of both the fundamental properties of nanomaterials and the bottom-up fabrication technologies at nanoscales. The NPs can self-assemble into complex microscale structures, which have been reported and attracted increasing attention in recent years. In this paper, a kind of bowknot-shaped structure formed from the individual (CdS)/CdTe NPs has been fabricated. Interestingly, the bowknot structure twists upon ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation. Special multiparticle assemblies of the double-flower-shaped structures are identified. The structural transformation process could be attributed to photocorrosion of CdS under the UV light. The bowknot-shaped topotactic structure is also important for the transformation of NP superstructures (NP-S). These results indicate that the photoetching technique could adjust the transformation among different NP superstructures, which offers a new method to fabricate novel NP-S. Both irradiated and unirradiated NP-S have been applied in photoelectrochemical devices to verify the photovoltaic effect.

Graphical abstract: Architectural transformation of the nanoparticle superstructures induced by ultraviolet light irradiation and their application in photoelectrochemical switch devices

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
18 Sep 2012
Accepted
18 Dec 2012
First published
21 Dec 2012

J. Mater. Chem. C, 2013,1, 1926-1932

Architectural transformation of the nanoparticle superstructures induced by ultraviolet light irradiation and their application in photoelectrochemical switch devices

Y. Shen, D. Lei and W. Feng, J. Mater. Chem. C, 2013, 1, 1926 DOI: 10.1039/C2TC00217E

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