We predict that there is a critical value of Al₂O₃/ZnO nano thin interface thickness based on two assumptions according to an interesting phenomenon, which the thermal conductivity (TC) trend of Al₂O₃/ZnO nano thin interface is consistent with that of relevant single nano thin interface when the nano thin interface thickness is > 300 nm; however, TC of Al₂O₃/ZnO nano thin interface is higher than that of relevant single nano thin interface when the thin films thickness is < 10 nm. This prediction may build a basis for the understanding of interface between two different oxide materials. It implies an idea for new generation of semiconductor devices manufacturing.

Through simple ions exchange and hydrothermal reaction, the porous structure of MnO$_2$-pillared KTiNbO$_5$ composites were synthesized. The fabricated porous structure makes KTiNbO$_5$ as good absorbance property for methylthionine chloride (MB). Furthermore, the as-synthesized porous KTiNbO$_5$ can perform photocatalytic degradation of MB with good effectivity. What’s more, after loading Au nanoparticles into it, a novel catalyst for catalytic hydrogenation of p-nitrophenolwas obtained. The possible ‘layer-by-layer quilt expose’ mode of Au-MnO$_2$-KTiNbO$_5$ composites for catalytichydrogenation of p-nitrophenol was proposed.

Sn$^{4+}$-doped TiO$_2$ nanorod array film (NAF) on the fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) conducting glass was successfully synthesized using the facile hydrothermal method. The NAF photocatalysts were characterized by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS). The SEM images showed that both doped and pure TiO2 NAFs exhibited a good nanorod array structure. Sn$^{4+}$-doped TiO$_2$ NAF still maintains rutile crystal structure, which was identical to that of pure TiO$_2$ sample. By means of the DRS measurement, it was found thatthe Sn$^{4+}$ doping in TiO$_2$ nanorod could induce an obvious enhancement of visible light absorption owing to the introduction of doping energy level in the band gap of TiO$_2$. The degradation of methyl orange (MO) demonstrated that the Sn$^{4+}$-doped TiO$_2$ NAF exhibited an enhanced photocatalytic activity than pure TiO$_2$ NAF under the visible light ($\lambda > 400$ nm) irradiation,which should be attributed to the enhanced visible light response and improved separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers of Sn$^{4+}$-doped TiO$_2$.