Metal oxide nanomaterials have received intensive attention in optoelectronic, medical, and biological applications by their unique physicochemical properties. Two-dimensional (2D) or low dimensional nanomaterials have interesting thermal, optical, electrical, and catalytic properties due to their characteristic dimensions in the nanoscale regime. Although several synthesized methods have been employed for 2D nanomaterials including hydrothermal, colloidal, and template methods, we explored a template-free molten salt synthesis (MSS) method for generation of luminescent 2D metal oxide nanosheets. Specifically, we synthesized 2D ZnGa2O4 nanosheet with a spinel structure, which is stabilized by high ionic environment of molten salt reaction medium. Moreover, as analyzed by SEM, XRD and fluorescence spectroscopy, Cr doped ZnGa2O4 nanosheet exhibited high luminescence intensity due to relatively high synthetic temperature under the molten salt conditions leading to rigid structure of the ZnGa2O4 host material. The formation mechanism of these 2D nanomaterials is currently under further investigation. The successful synthesis of these luminescent 2D mental oxide nanosheets and uncovering their formation pathways are expected to provide opportunities for the synthesis of other 2D metal oxide nanomaterials by the template-free MSS method and for further exploration of their applications in optoelectrical area.

Template-free synthesis of two-dimensional metal oxide nanosheets

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