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A versatile solution-phase, precursor route to surface-mazelike hierarchical structures

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Abstract

In this work, surface-mazelike ZnO, Cu, and Ni hierarchical structures were synthesized via a versatile ethylene glycol-mediated solvothermal method. The structure evolution of these materials bore striking similarities, including (1) initial formation of metal alkoxides precursors and (2) subsequent structural evolution of products from tiered plates to jigsaw puzzles; then to extrusion ridges, nests and spindles; and thereafter to final mazelike structures driven by persistent thermal decomposition of preformed precursors. Based on their unique surface morphologies in sinuous asymmetry, it is anticipated that such mazelike hierarchical structures may shed new light on the development of morphology-controlled adsorption and heterogeneous catalysts.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lab of Functional and Biomedical Nanomaterials; College of Materials Science and Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266042, China

    Ji Ma, Lianchao Han & Kezheng Chen

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  1. Ji Ma
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  2. Lianchao Han
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  3. Kezheng Chen
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Correspondence to Kezheng Chen.

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Ma, J., Han, L. & Chen, K. A versatile solution-phase, precursor route to surface-mazelike hierarchical structures. Sci. China Chem. 58, 620–626 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11426-014-5298-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11426-014-5298-1

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