Open AccessSynthesis and formation mechanism of Zn 2 SiO 4 nanorods
Author(s) -
Zhang Shaoyan,
Kang Haiyan,
Gao Yanlei
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
micro and nano letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.25
H-Index - 31
ISSN - 1750-0443
DOI - 10.1049/mnl.2014.0250
Subject(s) - nanorod , ostwald ripening , scanning electron microscope , transmission electron microscopy , hydrothermal circulation , materials science , chemical engineering , zinc , electrochemistry , diffraction , nanotechnology , hydrothermal synthesis , analytical chemistry (journal) , chemistry , electrode , metallurgy , optics , composite material , environmental chemistry , physics , engineering
Zinc silicate (Zn 2 SiO 4 ) nanorods with diameters of 90–100 nm and lengths of up to 600–700 nm have been successfully prepared by a simple hydrothermal route without the assistance of any templates or surfactants. The characterisations of the products were carried out by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), field‐emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy technology. On the basis of XRD and scanning electron microscopy analyses of the products at different reaction time periods, an Ostwald ripening mechanism is proposed to elucidate the formation mechanism of the nanorod structure. The electrochemical performance of the as‐prepared Zn 2 SiO 4 nanorods was investigated by a galvanostatic charge–discharge method. The results have shown that the Zn 2 SiO 4 nanorods exhibited a higher discharge capacity and better cyclability than the Zn 2 SiO 4 bulk materials.