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A Generalizable Top‐Down Nanostructuring Method of Bulk Oxides: Sequential Oxygen–Nitrogen Exchange Reaction
Author(s) -
Lee Lanlee,
Kang Byungwuk,
Han Suyoung,
Kim Heeeun,
Lee Moo Dong,
Bang Jin Ho
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
small
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.785
H-Index - 236
eISSN - 1613-6829
pISSN - 1613-6810
DOI - 10.1002/smll.201801124
Subject(s) - materials science , nitride , oxygen evolution , oxygen , nitrogen , nanotechnology , chemical engineering , grain size , ion exchange , electrochemistry , inorganic chemistry , electrode , ion , composite material , chemistry , layer (electronics) , organic chemistry , engineering
A thermal reaction route that induces grain fracture instead of grain growth is devised and developed as a top‐down approach to prepare nanostructured oxides from bulk solids. This novel synthesis approach, referred to as the sequential oxygen–nitrogen exchange (SONE) reaction, exploits the reversible anion exchange between oxygen and nitrogen in oxides that is driven by a simple two‐step thermal treatment in ammonia and air. Internal stress developed by significant structural rearrangement via the formation of (oxy)nitride and the creation of oxygen vacancies and their subsequent combination into nanopores transforms bulk solid oxides into nanostructured oxides. The SONE reaction can be applicable to most transition metal oxides, and when utilized in a lithium‐ion battery, the produced nanostructured materials are superior to their bulk counterparts and even comparable to those produced by conventional bottom‐up approaches. Given its simplicity and scalability, this synthesis method could open a new avenue to the development of high‐performance nanostructured electrode materials that can meet the industrial demand of cost‐effectiveness for mass production.