diameters, namely, ultrasmall (ø = 1–3 nm) and larger
SiC NPs (ø = 4–6 nm), were synthesized in our laboratory,
and the synthesis and properties, as a function of size, can be found
in our previous reports.23 (link),38 (link),39 (link)We used nitrates, namely, Zn(NO3)2·6H2O (Sigma, reagent grade, 98%), Ga(NO3)3·xH2O (Sigma, trace metals basis,
99.9%), and Cr(NO3)3·9H2O (Sigma,
trace metals basis, 99%) as cation sources for ZGO synthesis. Aqueous
ammonia solution (32%, VWR, HiPerSolv, CHROMANORM) and HCl (37%, VWR,
Anal-R Normapur) were used for pH adjustment and cleaning. High-purity
18 MΩ cm Millipore type 1 water (hereafter, DI water) was used
for solvent preparation, dilution, and cleaning. 2-Propanol (IPA)
(VWR, 99.8% HiPerSolv, CHROMANORM) was used for particle precipitation.