Growing a 1D nanostructure directly on metallic substrates avoids complex recycling processes. This has been achieved with Fe₂V₄O₁₃, which is often used to degrade organic pollutants.

Yong Zhou, Zhigang Zou, and co-workers, Nanjing University, China, report the synthesis of Fe₂V₄O₁₃ nanoribbons that are directly grown on stainless-steel mesh (SSM) by a simple and hydrothermal reaction. The SSM serves as both the Fe source and the substrate for the deposition of vanadium and oxide elements.

The supported Fe₂V₄O₁₃ nanoribbon, which can be easily recycled for photocatalytic application, shows great potential for the efficient photoreduction of CO₂ into a renewable hydrocarbon fuel (CH₄) and the removal of gaseous isopropyl alcohol from air under visible-light illumination.

• Direct Growth of Fe₂V₄O₁₃ Nanoribbons on a Stainless-Steel Mesh for Visible-Light Photoreduction of CO₂ into Renewable Hydrocarbon Fuel and Degradation of Gaseous Isopropyl Alcohol,
  Ping Li, Yong Zhou, Wenguang Tu, Qi Liu, Shicheng Yan, Zhigang Zou,
  ChemPlusChem 2013.
  DOI: 10.1002/cplu.201200289