From gallium-based supramolecular square nanoplates to γ-Ga2O3 layer nanosheets

In this work, a facile grinding method for preparation of supramolecular square nanoplates formed by β-cyclodextrin and gallium acetylacetonate was developed. The nanoplates exhibited a highly monodispersed distribution nature at room temperature, and were self-assembled to form supramolecular layer nanosheets at 353 K. Heating to higher temperatures such as 673 K led to the decomposition of the layer nanosheets into γ-Ga2O3 layer nanosheets. The γ-Ga2O3 nanosheets (thickness of about 15 nm) with a very high specific surface area (93.9 m2 g−1) show an improved solar-blind detection performance (e.g., light–dark ratio, 1.64 × 104) compared to devices based on 3D structured γ-Ga2O3. We believe that the grinding-heating-strategy provides a convenient and efficient route to synthesize high-quality supramolecular nanocrystals and inorganic nanomaterials.