Microstructured layered-kagome BaCo(VO)(OH) with variable crystallite size: alternative synthetic route and comparison with nanostructured samples.

Microplatelets of the layered-kagome compound BaCo(VO)(OH), which is the Co analogue of mineral vesignieite BaCu(VO)(OH), have been prepared with very high yield by hydrothermal reaction using synthetic karpenkoite CoVO(OH)·2HO as starting reagent. The Rietveld refinement of X-ray diffraction data indicates that CoVO(OH)·2HO is isostructural with martyite ZnVO(OH)·2HO. Two single-phased samples of microstructured BaCo(VO)(OH) have been characterized using powder X-ray diffraction, FT-IR and Raman spectroscopies, thermal analyses, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and magnetisation measurements.

Shape-selective synthesis of nanoceria for degradation of paraoxon as a chemical warfare simulant.

Repeated attacks using organophosphorus compounds, in military conflicts or terrorist acts, necessitate developing inexpensive and readily available decontamination systems. Nanosized cerium oxide is a suitable candidate, acting as a heterogeneous catalyst for the degradation of organophosphorus compounds such as VX agent or sarin. However, the reaction mechanism of the phosphatase mimetic activity of CeO2 nanoparticles is not fully described.

New insights into crystallite size and cell parameters correlation for ZnO nanoparticles obtained from polyol-mediated synthesis.

ZnO nanocrystals were prepared from polyol-mediated synthesis. Two key parameters, that is, the zinc precursor concentration and the alcohol mixture chosen as synthesis medium, were varied. The increase of the precursor concentration and the decrease of the permittivity of the alcohol mixture were shown to favor the crystallite growth, leading to crystallite sizes ranging from 5 to 35 nm.