Hokkaido University · Engineering
Professor Mai Thanh Nguyen's research lab specializes in the green synthesis and advanced characterization of metal and metal oxide nanoparticles, with a focus on innovative physical methods such as sputtering onto liquid matrices. The lab develops novel, environmentally friendly approaches to produce size-, shape-, and composition-controlled nanomaterials, including hexagonal zinc nanoplates and bimetallic Au/Cu alloy nanoparticles, using techniques like double-target sputtering. Emphasis is placed on understanding the role of liquid matrices, surface ligands, and sputtering parameters in controlling nucleation, growth, and stability of nanomaterials. The lab's work bridges materials synthesis with applications in catalysis, biomedicine, and functional nanomaterials.
Figures are computed from collected data and may differ slightly.
We report a new ligand directed chemical synthesis of hexagonal shaped zinc nanoplates. The produced nano-hexagons (NHexs) display a thickness of about 20–40 nm and diameter ranging from about 200–350 nm, exhibiting a high aspect ratio. While zinc is traditionally highly susceptible to oxidation, these high surface area NHexs possess a remarkable resistance to atmospheric oxidation, owing to their unique surface crystalline faces and the fact that these particles are protected by organic surface
The young history of sputtering onto a liquid features great achievements in the green production of various metal and metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs) and nanoclusters (NCs). Studies on how the sputtering parameters affect the properties of NPs and NCs have elucidated their formation mechanism and marked a crucial role of liquid matrix in the nucleation and growth of particles, controlling their various properties. Current research has been devoted to making alloy bi- and trimetallic NPs with a
Alloy nanoparticles (NPs) of a bimetal system, Au/Cu, that form intermetallic compounds in a bulk state have been successfully produced using a double-target sputtering technique onto a low-cost and biocompatible liquid polymer (polyethylene glycol, PEG). The formation of an Au/Cu solid solution alloy in individual NPs was revealed by scanning transmission electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray elemental mapping analysis. Altering the sputter currents for Au and Cu targets resulted in a tai
Sputter deposition onto a low volatile liquid matrix is a recently developed green synthesis method for metal/metal oxide nanoparticles (NPs). In this review, we introduce the synthesis method and highlight its unique features emerging from the combination of the sputter deposition and the ability of the liquid matrix to regulate particle growth. Then, manipulating the synthesis parameters to control the particle size, composition, morphology, and crystal structure of NPs is presented. Subsequen
Open papers in the app to read, cite, and organize with AI.
