A simple one-pot hydrothermal approach that allowed the selective synthesis of complex ZnO architectures with varying configurations without using any surfactants and/or solid templates is proposed in this paper. The ZnO configurations include spherical aggregates, nanosheet-based flowers, microrod-composed flowers, and nanopetal-built flowers. Kinetic factors (i.e., the base type and base/Zn2+ molar ratio) can be easily utilized to control the oriented attachment and growth of [Zn(OH)]2− on the (001) polar planes, thereby regulating the morphology of ZnO architectures. The ZnO architectures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, selected-area electron diffraction, x-ray diffraction, and specific surface area. The relationships between the structures and microwave electromagnetic properties were established. Enhanced dielectric and absorption properties were exhibited by ZnO flowers composed of large-aspect-ratio microrods. Such properties could be attributed to the improved microcurrent attenuation and interface scattering rather than the dielectric relaxation and microantenna radiation. This study provides a guide for creating and synthesizing highly efficient microwave absorbing materials.

The mesoporous and nanorods SnO2 are synthesized by controlling the state of SnCl2·2H2O precursor with SBA-15 as hard template, and the possible formation mechanisms at different assembling modes inside the ordered mesoporous silica templates are proposed. In addition, SnO2 nanoparticles are synthesized by hydrolysis depositing method. The electrochemical tests of as-prepared samples indicate that the reticular stacking structure of the nanorods would limit the Li+ ions to intercalate, but the effect of volume expansion in this case upon cycling is insignificant. The mesostructure SnO2 tends to be stable after partial structural collapse at first few cycles. And the Li+ ions can readily intercalate and de-intercalate into/from its ordered channels structure, which provides a high capacity and an improved cycle property. Although SnO2 nanoparticles deliver high capacity at an early stage, the agglomeration may induce the capacity to drop rapidly after a certain number of cycles.

Multiferroic CoFe2O4–BiFeO3 (CFO–BFO) core–shell nanofibers were synthesized by coaxial electrospinning. The spinel structure of CFO and perovskite structure of BFO were confirmed by x-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The core–shell configuration of nanofibers was verified by scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy images. The macroscopic ferromagnetic property of core–shell nanofibers was demonstrated by magnetic hysteresis loop. The local magnetoelectric (ME) coupling was confirmed by using dual frequency piezoresponse force microscopy (PFM) under an external magnetic field, showing magnetically induced evolution of piezoresponse and domain structure. The ferroelectric characteristics are demonstrated by the switching spectroscopy PFM. From PFM hysteresis and butterfly loops, it is observed that the piezoresponse amplitude is reduced while coercive voltage increased under external in-plane magnetic field, induced through the mechanical interactions between magnetostrictive CFO and piezoelectric BFO, from which the lateral ME coupling can be estimated quantitatively. The nanofibers thus can find a variety of applications as a one-dimensional multiferroic material.

New organic/inorganic mesoporous luminescent hybrid materials containing lanthanide (Eu, Tb) complexes chemically bonded to mesoporous SBA-15 [a kind of mesoporous silica with two-dimensional hexagonal (P6mm) structure] have been successfully synthesized by co-condensation of the modified hexafluoroacetylacetone (HFAASi) and tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) in the presence of Pluronic P123 surfactant as a template. The luminescent properties of these resulting mesoporous hybrid materials [denoted as Ln(HFAASi-SBA-15)3phen, Ln = Eu, Tb; phen = 1,10-phenanthroline] were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, small-angle powder x-ray diffraction, N2 adsorption measurements, transmission electron microscope, ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflection absorption spectra, and photoluminescent spectra, and the results exhibit that they all have uniformity in mesostructure and high surface area. Moreover, the mesoporous hybrid materials Eu(HFAASi-SBA-15)3phen and Tb(HFAASi-SBA-15)3phen exhibit the characteristic luminescence of Eu3+ and Tb3+, respectively, indicating that the effective intramolecular energy transfer between HFAASi and the lanthanide ions has been achieved.

Research in nanotechnology-based molecular imaging and targeted drug delivery has resulted in a noticeable progress in cancer theranosis, the simultaneous application of cancer therapy and diagnosis. Theranostic nanoparticles (NPs) have been developed using diverse base materials, and organic materials are of major interest in the synthesis and preparation of these NPs. A variety of organic NPs have their own advantages, depending on the physiochemical and biological properties of the base materials. This article reviews recent developments in organic NPs, which are grouped into four major kinds of base materials: lipids, polysaccharides, peptides/proteins, and synthetic polymers. The advantageous properties of frequently used base materials and practical performance of the various organic NPs in vivo are discussed. These theranostic NPs offer new opportunities for effective cancer treatment.

This article highlights recent trends and challenges in the area of multicompartmental nanoparticles and focuses on the use of electrohydrodynamic co-jetting for preparing multicompartmental particles, fibers, and cylinders. There are many excellent reviews that have focused on various methods for the fabrication of anisotropic multifunctional particles and fibers and their respective advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we highlight recent developments in the electrohydrodynamic co-jetting approach used for the fabrication of nano- and microparticles and fibers with multifunctional characteristics. A particular focus is given to the use of this technology to control particle size and shape.