Advances in Studies of Boron Nitride Nanosheets and Nanocomposites for Thermal Transport and Related Applications

Hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) and exfoliated nanosheets (BNNs) not only resemble their carbon counterparts graphite and graphene nanosheets in structural configurations and many excellent materials characteristics, especially the ultra-high thermal conductivity, but also offer other unique properties such as being electrically insulating and extreme chemical stability and oxidation resistance even at elevated temperatures. In fact, BNNs as a special class of 2-D nanomaterials have been widely pursued for technological applications that are beyond the reach of their carbon counterparts. Highlighted in this article are significant recent advances in the development of more effective and efficient exfoliation techniques for high-quality BNNs, the understanding of their characteristic properties, and the use of BNNs in polymeric nanocomposites for thermally conductive yet electrically insulating materials and systems. Major challenges and opportunities for further advances in the relevant research field are also discussed.

Bright X-ray and up-conversion nanophosphors annealed using encapsulated sintering agents for bioimaging applications

Nanophosphors are promising contrast agents for deep tissue optical imaging applications because they can be excited by X-ray and near infrared light that penetrates deeply through tissue and generates almost no autofluorescence background in the tissue. For these bioimaging applications, the nanophosophors should ideally be small, monodispersed and brightly luminescent. However, most methods used to improve luminescence yield by annealing the particles to reduce crystal and surface defects (e.g. using flux or sintering agents) also cause particle fusion or require multiple component core-shell structures. Here, we report a novel method to prepare bright, uniformly sized X-ray nanophosphors (Gd2O2S:Eu or Tb) and upconversion nanophosphors (Y2O2S: Yb/Er, or Yb/Tm) with large crystal domain size without causing aggregation. A core-shell nanoparticle is formed, with NaF only in the core. We observe that increasing the NaF sintering agent concentration up to 7.6 mol% increases both crystal domain size and luminescence intensity (up to 40% of commercial microphosphors) without affecting the physical particticle diameter. Above 7.6 mol%, particle fusion is observed. The annealing is insensitive to the cation (Na+ or K+) but varies strongly with anion, with F->Cl->CO32->Br->I-. The luminescence depends strongly on crystal domain size. The data agree reasonably well with a simple domain surface quenching model, although the size-dependence suggests additional quenching mechanisms within small domains. The prepared bright nanophosphors were subsequently functionalized with PEG-folic acid to target MCF-7 breast cancer cells which overexpress folic acid receptors. Both X-ray and upconversion nanophosphors provided low background and bright luminescence which was imaged through 1 cm chicken breast tissue at a low dose of nanophosphors 200 µL (0.1 mg/mL). We anticipate these highly monodispersed and bright X-ray and upconversion nanophosphors will have significant potential for tumor targeted imaging.

Room-temperature catalytic oxidation of alcohols with the polyoxovanadate salt Cs5(V14As8O42Cl)

Herein we present some initial results demonstrating the room temperature oxidation of secondary alcohols catalyzed by the reduced salt-inclusion polyoxometalate, Cs₅(V₁₄As₈O₄₂Cl).

Multifunctional yolk-in-shell nanoparticles for pH-triggered drug release and imaging

Multifunctional nanoparticles are synthesized for both pH-triggered drug release and imaging with radioluminescence, upconversion luminescent, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The particles have a yolk-in-shell morphology, with a radioluminescent core, an upconverting shell, and a hollow region between the core and shell for loading drugs. They are synthesized by controlled encapsulation of a radioluminescent nanophosphor yolk in a silica shell, partial etching of the yolk in acid, and encapsulation of the silica with an upconverting luminescent shell. Metroxantrone, a chemotherapy drug, was loaded into the hollow space between X-ray phosphor yolk and up-conversion phosphor shell through pores in the shell. To encapsulate the drug and control the release rate, the nanoparticles are coated with pH-responsive biocompatible polyelectrolyte layers of charged hyaluronic acid sodium salt and chitosan. The nanophosphors display bright luminescence under X-ray, blue light (480 nm), and near infrared light (980 nm). They also served as T1 and T2 MRI contrast agents with relaxivities of 3.5 mM(-1) s(-1) (r1 ) and 64 mM(-1) s(-1) (r2 ). These multifunctional nanocapsules have applications in controlled drug delivery and multimodal imaging.

Iron-Loaded Magnetic Nanocapsules for pH-Triggered Drug Release and MRI Imaging

Magnetic nanocapsules were synthesized for controlled drug release, magnetically assisted delivery, and MRI imaging. These magnetic nanocapsules, consisting of a stable iron nanocore and a mesoporous silica shell, were synthesized by controlled encapsulation of ellipsoidal hematite in silica, partial etching of the hematite core in acid, and reduction of the core by hydrogen. The iron core provided a high saturation magnetization and was stable against oxidation for at least 6 months in air and 1 month in aqueous solution. The hollow space between the iron core and mesoporous silica shell was used to load anticancer drug and a T1-weighted MRI contrast agent (Gd-DTPA). These multifunctional monodispersed magnetic "nanoeyes" were coated by multiple polyelectrolyte layers of biocompatible poly-l-lysine and sodium alginate to control the drug release as a function of pH. We studied pH-controlled release, magnetic hysteresis curves, and T1/T2 MRI contrast of the magnetic nanoeyes. They also served as MRI contrast agents with relaxivities of 8.6 mM-1 s-1 (r1) and 285 mM-1 s-1 (r2).

Synthesis and structure of bismuth(III)-containing noncentrosymmetric phosphates, Cs3KBi2M4(PO4)6Cl (M = Mn, Fe). Monoclinic (Cc) and tetragonal (P43) polymorphs templated by chlorine-centered Cl(Bi2Cs) acentric units

Single crystals of three new noncentrosymmetric (NCS) phosphates, α (1) and β (2) forms of Cs(3)KBi(2)Mn(4)(PO(4))(6)Cl and α-Cs(3)KBi(2)Fe(4)(PO(4))(6)Cl (3), were grown in a reactive CsCl/KCl molten-salt media. Their structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods showing that the α form crystallizes in the space group Cc (No. 9), which is in one of the 10 NCS polar crystal classes, m (2/m) while the β form crystallizes in P4(3) (No. 78) of another polar class, 4 (4/m). The unit cell parameters of the α form can be approximately correlated with that of the β form via the 3 × 3 orientation matrix [0.5, 0.5, 0; -0.5, 0.5, 0; 0, 0, 2 sin β]. The structures of these otherwise complicated phosphates exhibit two types of channels with circular and elliptical windows where the Cl-centered Cl(Bi(2)Cs) acentric unit is located. The neighboring acentric units are arranged in a parallel fashion in the α form, resulting in the monoclinic (Cc) lattice, but "antiparallel" in the β form, thus giving the tetragonal (P4(3)) unit cell. 1-3 feature the compatible M-O-P unit that contains four crystallographically independent MO(x) (x = 4, 5) polyhedra, which are connected to the Cl(Bi(2)Cs) acentric unit through one short and one long M(II)···Cl bond. The compositions of 1 and 2 consist of three Mn(2+) (d(5)) and one Mn(3+) (d(4)) per formula unit and that of 3 has three Fe(2+) (d(6)) and one Fe(3+) (d(5)). Bond valence sums reveal that, in the α phase, the trivalent site adopts distorted tetrahedral M(1)(3+)O(4) coordination and, in the β phase, distorted trigonal-bipyramidal M(4)(3+)O(5). Thus far, the iron phase has only been isolated in the α form presumably because of little extra stabilization energy gain if the Fe(2+) d(6) ion were to occupy the M(1)O(4) site. The possible origins pertaining to the structural differences in the α and β forms are discussed.

Evidence for surface states in pristine and Co-doped ZnO nanostructures: magnetization and nonlinear optical studies

An unexpected presence of ferromagnetic (FM) ordering in nanostructured ZnO has been reported previously. Recently, from our detailed magnetization studies and ab initio calculations, we attributed this FM ordering in nanostructured ZnO to the presence of surface states, and a direct correlation between the magnetic properties and crystallinity of ZnO was observed. In this study, through a systematic sample preparation of both pristine and Co-doped ZnO nanostructures, and detailed magnetization and nonlinear optical (NLO) measurements, we confirm that the observed FM ordering is due to the presence of surface states.

Synthesis of a New Class of Hybrid Solids via Salt Inclusion

Via salt inclusion methods, we have recently isolated a new class of transitionmetal-containing hybrid solids that consist of a composite structure of covalent and ionic lattices. These new solids can be synthesized by conventional high-temperature, solid-state methods employing reactive molten alkali and alkaline-earth metal halide salts. Single crystal structure studies have revealed fascinating extended salt lattices that exhibit structural directing effects that give rise to a variety of nano-structured covalent oxide frameworks. Depending upon the composition of incorporated salt and the coordination environment of halide anions, resulting covalent lattices range from sheets, clusters, to porous structures. Due to the weak interaction between the two chemically dissimilar lattices, the salt lattice, in some cases, is removable showing reversible salt-intercalation at room temperature. In this report, we will demonstrate the utilities of salt-inclusion reactions in the formation of metal-oxide nanostructures in the selected compound families. We will also give some highlights on the recent discoveries of non-centrosymmetric solids via newly exploited salt-inclusion methods.

Synthesis, structure, and magnetic properties of Cs(2-x)RbxCu3P4O14 (0.0 </= x </= 0.8): a new series of copper(II) phosphates containing periodic arrays of staggered square-planar CuO4 trimers

In our continued exploratory synthesis of compounds containing transition-metal oxide magnetic nanostructures, a new copper(II) phosphate phase, Cs2Cu3P4O14 (1), was isolated employing the mixed CsCl/2CsI molten flux. The X-ray single-crystal structural analysis shows that the Cs2Cu3P4O(14) phase crystallizes in a monoclinic space group with a = 7.920(2) A, b = 10.795(2) A, c = 7.796(2) A, beta = 103.90(3) degrees , and V = 646.9(2) A(3); P2(1)/c (No. 14); Z = 2. The structure has been refined by the full-matrix least-squares method to a final solution with R1 = 0.0248, wR2 = 0.0553, and GOF = 1.02. The three-dimensional Cu-O-P framework exhibits pseudo-one-dimensional channels where the Cs+ cations reside. The framework consists of trimeric CuO4 square-planar units stacked in a staggered configuration. These CuO4 trimers are interlinked by the P2O7 units via vertex-sharing O atoms. The stacked CuO4 units are slanted with respect to the Cu...Cu...Cu vector, resulting in additional Cu-O long bonds, 2.71(1) A, and a possibly shortened Cu...Cu distance, 3.38(3) A. 1 shows limited cation substitution with smaller alkali-metal cations; in fact, only a relatively small concentration of Cs+ can be substituted by Rb+ to form Cs(2-x)RbxCu3P4O14 (0.0 </= x </= 0.8). The temperature-dependent magnetic susceptibility studies of 1 and its Rb-substituted analogues (x = 0, 0.33, 0.50, and 0.80) reveal a weak ferromagnetic transition at Tc = approximately 14 K, which evidently is independent of the variation of x. In this paper, we report the synthesis, structure, and properties of the title compounds, as well as its brief comparison with the previously discovered Li2Cu3Si4O12 phase, which exhibits fused square-planar CuO4 trimers.

New Cuprates Featuring Ladderlike Periodic Arrays of [Cu3O8]10- Trimeric Magnetic Nanostructures

A new family of cuprates, Li2Cu3(SiO3)4 (1) and Na2Cu3(GeO3)4 (2), was isolated in molten salt media. The extended lattices contain ladderlike periodic arrays of [Cu3O8]10- magnetic nanostructures. Magnetic properties of the Na2Cu3Ge(4-x)SixO12 series, where x = 0, 0.86, and 1.72, were systematically studied. The geometrically induced magnetic couplings are tunable upon cation substitution.

Salt-Inclusion Synthesis of Two New Polar Solids, Ba6Mn4Si12O34Cl3 and Ba6Fe5Si11O34Cl3

A new family of salt-containing, mixed-metal silicates (CU-14), Ba6Mn4Si12O34Cl3 (1) and Ba6Fe5Si11O34Cl3 (2), was synthesized via the BaCl2 salt-inclusion reaction. These compounds crystallize in the noncentrosymmetric (NCS) space group Pmc2(1) (No. 26), adopting 1 of the 10 NCS polar, nonchiral crystal classes, mm2 (C2v). The cell dimensions are a = 6.821(1) A, b = 9.620(2) A, c = 13.172(3) A, and V = 864.4(3) A3 for 1 and a = 6.878(1) A, b = 9.664(2) A, c = 13.098(3) A, and V = 870.6(3) A3 for 2. The structures form a composite framework made of the (M(4+x)Si(12-x)O34)9- (M = Mn, x = 0; M = Fe, x = 1) covalent oxide and (Ba6Cl3)9+ ionic chloride sublattices. The covalent framework exhibits a pseudo-one-dimensional channel where the extended barium chloride lattice (Ba3Cl1.5)(infinity) resides, and it consists of fused eight-membered meta-silicate rings propagating along [100] via sharing two opposite [Si2O7]6- units to form an acentric lattice. Single-crystal structure studies also reveal the ClBa4 unit adopting an interesting seesaw configuration, in which the lone pair electrons of chlorine preferentially face the oxide anions of the transition metal silicate channel, thus forming the observed polar frameworks. Similar to the synthesis of organic-inorganic hybrid materials, the salt-inclusion method facilitates a promising approach for the directed synthesis of special framework solids, including NCS compounds, via composite lattices.

Salt-inclusion synthesis of Ba2MnSi2O7Cl. A fresnoite-type polar framework containing the acentric [Si2O7]6 - polyanion in the anti-ReO3 type [(Ba2Mn)Cl]6+) cage

A novel non-centrosymmetric (NCS) solid, Ba(2)Mn(Si(2)O(7))Cl (CU-13), was isolated via high-temperature, salt-inclusion reactions. This manganese(III) silicate chloride adopts the fresnoite structure exhibiting pseudo-one-dimensional channels in which the Ba(2+) cations reside. The framework can be viewed alternatively as made of a fascinating anti-ReO(3) type (Ba(2)Mn)Cl lattice centered on the acentric Si(2)O(7) unit. This new compound crystallizes in one of the 10 NCS polar crystal classes, 4mm (C(4)(v)()), which is cooperatively attributed to the MnO(4)Cl(2) tetragonal distortion and the oriented Si(2)O(7) polyhedral unit. This discovery once again demonstrates the utility of salt inclusion with the formation of NCS frameworks.

Nanostructured magnetic cuprate cluster: synthesis, structure, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and magnetic properties of a new copper(II) arsenate NaCuAsO4 containing discrete [Cu4O16]24- clusters

Crystals of copper(II) arsenate NaCuAsO(4) were grown by conventional high-temperature, solid-state methods in molten-salt media. The compounds were characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, UV-vis spectroscopy, and magnetic susceptibility measurements. NaCuAsO(4) crystallizes in a monoclinic lattice with a = 6.002 (1) A, b = 10.853 (2) A, c = 10.373 (2) A, beta = 91.50 (3) degrees, and V = 675.4(2) A(3); P2(1)/c (No. 14); Z = 8. The newly isolated sodium copper(II) arsenate reveals a pseudo-one-dimensional channel structure where the sodium cations reside. The extended framework contains nanostructured [Cu(4)O(16)](24-) magnetic clusters that are interlinked by closed-shell, nonmagnetic AsO(4)(3-) oxy anions via sharing vertex oxygen atoms of the CuO(5) and AsO(4) polyhedral units. Each [Cu(4)O(16)](24-) cluster consists of four CuO(5) square pyramidal units in a chair configuration centered by a center of inversion. The two crystallographically independent Cu(2+) cations adopt the [4 + 1] CuO(5) Jahn-Teller distortion giving rise to an intense d-d transition in UV-vis absorption spectra. The magnetic susceptibility measurements reveal that the title compound is antiferromagnetic. At high temperatures, the data follows a pure Curie law, suggesting noninteracting spins, but with a rapid suppression of the effective spin below T = 70 K. At low temperature, the susceptibility collapses, indicating spin gap formation as the magnetic-cluster material settles into the lowest energy magnetic singlet state. The current work in the exploratory synthesis of oxy compounds containing nanostructured transition-metal-oxide magnetic clusters leads to new materials for experimental and theoretical developments of magnetic models.

The fascinating noncentrosymmetric copper(II) phosphates synthesized via CsCl salt-inclusion

Two new noncentrosymmetric (NCS) solids were isolated via high-temperature, salt-inclusion reactions, Cs(2)Cu(7)(P(2)O(7))(4).6CsCl (1, CU-9) and Cs(2)Cu(5)(P(2)O(7))(3).3CsCl (2, CU-11). These copper(II) phosphates exhibit novel open-framework structures conceptually templated by extended Cs-Cl salt. The latter resides cooperatively in the channels upon the formation of the NCS Cu-P-O frameworks, leading to the formation of fascinating salt lattices centered by the NaCl-type core. These new discoveries are significant for they may give rise to a new route for the templated synthesis of NCS solids. We are to show here the structural correlation of the newly discovered hybrid solids, and the role of the chlorine atoms in the "intergrowth" of covalent/ionic sublattices.

A new class of hybrid materials via salt inclusion: novel copper(II) arsenates Na(5)ACu(4)(AsO(4))(4)Cl(2) (A = Rb, Cs) composed of alternating covalent and ionic lattices

Two novel copper(II) arsenates Na5ACu4(AsO4)4Cl2 (A = Rb, Cs) were synthesized by conventional solid-state methods using reactive molten salt media. These compounds are isostructural and crystallize in an orthorhombic lattice (Fmmm, No. 69; Z = 8). The cell constants are a = 14.632(3) A, b = 18.872(2) A, c = 14.445(3) A, V = 3989(1) A3, for A = Rb; a = 14.638(3) A, b = 18.990(4) A, c = 14.418(3) A, V = 4008(1) A3, for A = Cs. Single-crystal structure studies reveal a new composite framework consisting of alternating covalent and ionic lattices. The covalent lattice contains highly oriented oligomeric mu-oxo [Cu4O12]16- tetrameric units with a cyclo-S8-like Cu4O4 magnetic core that resembles the building block of layered cuprates. The ionic slab consists of a novel framework of mixed alkali metal chloride lattice and rarely seen Na6O8 clusters. Similar to organic-inorganic hybrid materials, the title compounds present a new class of host-guest chemistry via salt inclusion reactions.

High-temperature synthesis of Rb2MnP2S6 in molten salt medium

Transparent yellow plates of rubidium manganese hexathiodiphosphate, Rb(2)MnP(2)S(6), were synthesized in molten RbBr. The compound is isotypic to other compounds of the type A(2)MP(2)Q(6) (A = K, Rb, Cs; M = Mn, Fe; Q = S, Se). Its structure can be viewed as columns of face-sharing S(6) polyhedra parallel to the a axis, interconnected by Rb(+). The S(6) polyhedra are centered alternately by Mn (in octahedral coordination) and P(2) units (in trigonal antiprisms). The Mn atom and P(2)S(6) group lie on centers of symmetry.

Electrochemical Synthesis of Ba(2)Ag(8)S(7), a Quasi-One-Dimensional Barium Silver(I) Sulfide Containing Mixed S(2-)/S(2)(2-) Ligands

A stingray pattern is adopted by Ba(2)Ag(8)S(7). Crystals of this compound were grown in a two-electrode chemical cell from a BaS(3)/ethylenediamine solution. In the pseudo-one-dimensional structure columns of (1)(infinity)[Ag(8)S(7)] (shown in the picture) are stacked head-to-tail to create voids where the barium atoms reside. The coexistence of S(2-) and S(2)(2-) indicates a reductive decomposition [Eq. (1)].