Complex α-MoO3 nanostructures with external bonding capacity for self-assembly

Abstract

Through manipulating crystal growth directions, we devised a versatile synthetic method to fabricate complex α-MoO3 nanostructures with external bonding capacity for self-organization. Using four-armed forklike α-MoO3 as nanobuilding blocks, we assembled more complex crystal morphologies, such as centrally holed nanorods, tridents, and paintbrushes. With prolonged ultrasonic treatments, pristine forklike α-MoO3 crystals can be turned into less armed nanostructures, giving away the secondary arms (width < 100 nm) at the same time. On the other hand, the resultant