Template Route to Chemically Engineering Cavities at Nanoscale: A Case Study of Zn(OH) 2 Template

Abstract

A size-controlled Zn(OH) 2 template is used as a case study to explain the chemical strategy that can be executed to chemically engineering various nanoscale cavities. Zn(OH) 2 octahedron with 8 vertices and 14 edges is fabricated via a low temperature solution route. The size can be tuned from 1 to 30 μm by changing the reaction conditions. Two methods can be selected for the hollow process without loss of the original shape of Zn(OH) 2 template. Ion-replacement reaction is suitable for fabrication of hollow sulfides based on the solubility difference between Zn(OH) 2 and products. Controlled chemical deposition is utilized to coat an oxide layer on the surface of Zn(OH) 2 template. The abundant hydroxyl groups on Zn(OH) 2 afford strong coordination ability with cations and help to the coating of a shell layer. The rudimental Zn(OH) 2 core is eliminated with ammonia solution. In addition, ZnO-based heterostructures possessing better chemical or physical properties can also be prepared via this unique templating process. Room-temperature photoluminescence spectra of the heterostructures and hollow structures are also shown to study their optical properties. © 2010 The Author(s).