Chapter 5
Synthesis of Three-Dimensional
Nanomaterials
Initially, the research for nanomaterial focuses on the methods of synthesis (Zhang
et al. 2017). As further development, new technology and method have been springing
up. Faced with various preparation methods, it is difficult to unify classification
especially for the synthesis of 3D nanomaterials. In this chapter, it is intended to
utilize some classic synthetic methods as examples to demonstrate the methodology
and regulation. Herein, we classify it as 7 sections such as Chemical Precipitation
Method, Sol-Gel Method, Hydrothermal Method, Solvothermal Method, Thermal
Decomposition Method, Microemulsion Method, and Chemical Vapor Deposition
Method.
5.1 Chemical Precipitation Method
Due to low cost, simplification and short synthesis cycle, Chemical Precipitation
Method, a widespread way, stands out in synthesis of nanomaterial. Hence, without
any surfactants and templates, Pang et al. successfully obtained NH 4 CoPO 4 · H 2 O
nano/micro-material (the sketch is shown in Fig. 5.1) (Pang et al. 2012). Ammonium
chloride or ammonium phosphate was used as ammonium ion, cobalt chloride, and
ammonium phosphate was used as cobalt ion and phosphate anion, respectively.
They concluded that viscosity of solvent exerts effects on the ion diffusion rate and
architecture growth or assemble. For instance, applying water-polyethylene glycol
mixture, they identified that the whole microflower was assembled by nanoplates
jointed at short rectangular edges. If compared to the common solvents (e.g., water
or ethanol), glycerine is more viscous. The glycerine solvent with high viscosity may
slow down the rate of ion diffusion, thus controlling the growth or assembling of
particles. When using a water-polyethylene glycol mixed solvent, the morphology
of NH 4 CoPO 4 · H 2 O (M4) is microflowers assembled by many nanoplates, with
relatively uniform diameters of 3–5 mm, joined at their short rectangular edges.
However, when we used pure water as solvent, hierarchical architecture morphology
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
H. Pang et al., Synthesis of Functional Nanomaterials for Electrochemical Energy Storage,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-7372-5_5
79
Synthesis of Three-Dimensional
Nanomaterials
Initially, the research for nanomaterial focuses on the methods of synthesis (Zhang
et al. 2017). As further development, new technology and method have been springing
up. Faced with various preparation methods, it is difficult to unify classification
especially for the synthesis of 3D nanomaterials. In this chapter, it is intended to
utilize some classic synthetic methods as examples to demonstrate the methodology
and regulation. Herein, we classify it as 7 sections such as Chemical Precipitation
Method, Sol-Gel Method, Hydrothermal Method, Solvothermal Method, Thermal
Decomposition Method, Microemulsion Method, and Chemical Vapor Deposition
Method.
5.1 Chemical Precipitation Method
Due to low cost, simplification and short synthesis cycle, Chemical Precipitation
Method, a widespread way, stands out in synthesis of nanomaterial. Hence, without
any surfactants and templates, Pang et al. successfully obtained NH 4 CoPO 4 · H 2 O
nano/micro-material (the sketch is shown in Fig. 5.1) (Pang et al. 2012). Ammonium
chloride or ammonium phosphate was used as ammonium ion, cobalt chloride, and
ammonium phosphate was used as cobalt ion and phosphate anion, respectively.
They concluded that viscosity of solvent exerts effects on the ion diffusion rate and
architecture growth or assemble. For instance, applying water-polyethylene glycol
mixture, they identified that the whole microflower was assembled by nanoplates
jointed at short rectangular edges. If compared to the common solvents (e.g., water
or ethanol), glycerine is more viscous. The glycerine solvent with high viscosity may
slow down the rate of ion diffusion, thus controlling the growth or assembling of
particles. When using a water-polyethylene glycol mixed solvent, the morphology
of NH 4 CoPO 4 · H 2 O (M4) is microflowers assembled by many nanoplates, with
relatively uniform diameters of 3–5 mm, joined at their short rectangular edges.
However, when we used pure water as solvent, hierarchical architecture morphology
© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2020
H. Pang et al., Synthesis of Functional Nanomaterials for Electrochemical Energy Storage,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-7372-5_5
79