Hierarchical nanomaterials are of great interest due to their unique surface properties such as large surface area and high reactivity. In the present research, super-hierarchical (porous-) nickel hosted vanadium oxide… Click to show full abstract
Hierarchical nanomaterials are of great interest due to their unique surface properties such as large surface area and high reactivity. In the present research, super-hierarchical (porous-) nickel hosted vanadium oxide (Ni/porous-Ni/V2O5) nanocomposite was fabricated using a simple, low-cost, and environmentally-friendly method. A nickel substrate was electrodeposited with vertical pores of ∼10 μm in diameter through hydrogen bubbles as “dynamic templates”. Two-dimensional V2O5 nanosheets were subsequently synthesized directly on the Ni/porous-Ni substrate surface using a hydrothermal method followed by annealing. Peony-like micro-configuration of V2O5 was found and crystallography was confirmed using high-resolution characterization. Further analysis indicated that the interface was formed between Ni (111) and V2O5 (100). The small lattice mismatch of 1.2% at the interface facilitated the 2D directional growth of V2O5 nanosheets on the Ni surface. The specific surface area and porosity of annealed Ni/porous-Ni/V2O5 nanocomposite was as high as 15.3 m2 g−1 and 55.1%. The advantage of the structure was found in the heat dissipation. Such super-hierarchical structure is anticipated to be used in applications such as coatings to improve cooling of macro- and micro-devices.
               
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