Metal Oxide Nanostructures formed using a Hot Water Treatment Coupled with Oxidizing Agents

Metal oxide nanoparticles are diverse form of nanomaterials, with applications in gas sensors, anode materials for fuel cells and dielectrics for energy storage. Many metallic elements tend to react with oxygen to form metal oxides with various structural forms (Garcia and Rodriguez, 2007). Metal oxides have also used for gas sensors (Ahmad et al., 2020) and anode materials for fuel cells (Abdalla et al., 2018).

The research on metal oxide nanostructures formed using a hot water treatment coupled with an oxidizing agent encompasses a multidisciplinary approach involving materials science, chemistry, and nanotechnology. This area of study focuses on the synthesis, characterization, and potential applications of nanostructured metal oxides produced through a relatively simple and cost-effective method compared to the traditional method of hot water treatment (HWT). Oxidizers on metals cause reactions to occur more quickly affecting the formation of metal oxide nanostructures.

Standard Hot Water Treatment:

Metal samples were cleaned to remove contaminants on the surface. The prepared metal strips are immersed in hot DI water maintained at constant temperature for various times to accelerate the oxidation. After this HWT process, nanostructures on the samples are characterized.

Synthesis with Oxidizers:

Oxidizer solutions decomposes in the presence of heat and are catalyzed by metals, releasing oxygen (such as in Hydrogen Peroxide):

2H₂O₂ → 2O₂ + 2H₂O



In addition to the reactions forming metal oxides in the standard treatment, the additional oxygen released by this decomposition will increase metal oxidation:

Metals + O₂ → Metal Oxides



Research on metal oxide nanostructures holds significant promise for advancing fundamental understanding and practical utilization of nanomaterials in various scientific and technological domains.