Method of fabricating metal oxide nanomaterials using a thermally decomposable solid substrate

Abstract

The method of fabricating metal oxide nanomaterials using a thermally decomposable substrate can include combining an aqueous solution including a metal salt with a thermally decomposable solid substrate. In an embodiment, the aqueous solution can be nebulized and applied directly on the solid substrate. In an embodiment, the solid substrate can be macerated in the aqueous solution. The solid material, once combined with the aqueous solution, can then be calcined at a temperature ranging from about 400° C. to about 900° C. Calcination produces metal oxide nanoparticles and transforms the solid material into capping substrate molecules that are separated by the metal oxide ions. Thus, the metal oxide nanomaterials include capping substrate molecules separated by metal oxide nanoparticles. The present method reverses the conventional capping process by placing the metal oxide ions between the molecules of the capping substrate, which stay in place (keeping distance between ions), even during calcination.