Development of three-dimensional nano-architectures on current collectors has emerged as an effective strategy for enhancing rate capability and cycling stability of the electrodes. Herein, a novel type of Ni₃V₂O₈ nanowires, organized by ultrathin hierarchical nanosheets (less than 5 nm) on Ti foil, has been obtained by a two-step hydrothermal synthesis method. Studies on structural and thermal properties of the as-prepared Ni₃V₂O₈ nanowire arrays are carried out and their morphology has changed obviously in the following heat treatment at 300 and 500 °C. As an electrode material for lithium ion batteries, the unique configuration of Ni₃V₂O₈ nanowires presents enhanced capacitance, satisfying rate capability and good cycling stability. The reversible capacity of the as-prepared Ni₃V₂O₈ nanowire arrays reaches 969.72 mAh·g⁻¹ with a coulombic efficiency over 99% at 500 mA·g⁻¹ after 500 cycles.

A high-performance and novel photocatalyst of BiVO₄-reduced Graphene Oxide (BiVO₄-rGO) nanocomposite was prepared by a facile hydrothermal method. The photocatalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electronic microscopy, UV-Vis diffusion reflectance spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy and UV-Vis adsorption spectroscopy, respectively. The visible-light photocatalytic activity was evaluated by oxidation of methyl orange (MO) under simulated sunlight irradiation. The results show that the BiVO₄-rGO nanocomposites exhibit enhanced photocatalytic performance for the degradation of MO with a maximum removal rate of 98.95% under visible light irradiation as compared with pure BiVO₄ (57.55%) due to the increased light absorption intensity and the degradation of electron-hole pair recombination in BiVO₄ with the introduction of the rGO.

Nanostructured Co₃O₄ in a novel hairy ball-like morphology is successfully synthesized from self-assembled hierarchical Co(CO₃)_0.35Cl_0.2(OH)_1.10·1.74H₂O precursors via a facile hydrothermal method and subsequent annealing in air. The morphological evolution of the Co(CO₃)_0.35Cl_0.2(OH)_1.10·1.74H₂O precursors is investigated by examining the different reaction times during the synthesis. First, fan-shaped microplates are formed, followed by nanowires grown on the surface of the plates. Subsequently, with an extended growth reaction time, the nanowires grow longer to form the hairy ball-like structures. The Co₃O₄, obtained from thermal decomposition of the Co(CO₃)_0.35Cl_0.2(OH)_1.10·1.74H₂O precursor in air at 400 °C, exhibits highly reversible capacities as an anode material in lithium ion batteries, which retains 860 mA h g⁻¹ at 100 mA g⁻¹ after 50 cycles, with good cycling stabilities and rate capabilities.

An array of vertically aligned titanium oxide nanotubes was successfully grown on the surface of a titanium substrate by the anodization technique. The nanotubes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), powder X-ray diffractometry (XRD), Raman spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). The results indicate that the size of the titanium oxide nanotube is greatly dependent on the applied voltage, and its photoluminescence properties are strongly influenced by the crystal structure. In addition, it is shown that quantum size effects are present in the optical properties of TiO2 nanotubes.

An integrated freestanding zirconia (ZrO₂) membrane was fabricated via a two-step electrochemical anodization with a zirconium (Zr) foil, followed by a simple and safe detachment of the formed ZrO₂ membrane. The resulting membrane consists of highly ordered, vertically aligned, and one-side open ZrO₂ nanotube arrays. The effect of heat treatment on the morphology and crystalline structure of the integrated freestanding ZrO₂ membranes was studied using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. These results showed that the nanotubes were stable to annealing at 500 °C and then gradually transformed to wires along their long axis from 600 to 900 °C. The as-prepared samples possessed amorphous structures, while both monoclinic and tetragonal phases were found after annealing at a temperature between 400 °C and 900 °C. The present study not only demonstrates a facile approach to produce high quality ZrO₂ membranes in a simple manner, but also provides valuable insights into the temperature dependent morphology and crystalline transformations in anodic ZrO₂ nanotube arrays.