Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Xin Zhang, Shaodong Sun, Jie Cui, Man Yang, Qiao Zhang, Peng Xiao, Jiandong Li, Qing Yang, Shuhua Liang
Summary: Surface heterojunction engineering with high-index facets is crucial for enhancing the photocatalytic activity. In this study, a polyhedral 30-faceted Cu2O microcrystal type-II surface heterojunction was prepared, exhibiting significantly improved photodegradation activity. This work highlights the importance of spatial charge separation and high-index facet dependence in polyhedral Cu2O surface heterojunctions for enhancing photocatalytic activity.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY FRONTIERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Xueyan Huang, Zhi-Bin Fang, Wenhui Feng, Qinfen Tian, Zhiqiang Li, Ping Liu
Summary: Loading cocatalysts on the host photocatalyst surface is an effective strategy for charge separation, but suffers from a large Schottky barrier at the interface. In this study, a series of Pt/PbTiO3 compounds were constructed to modulate the interfacial Schottky barrier height using the piezoelectric field of PbTiO3 under acoustic vibrations, achieving highly efficient piezo-photocatalytic H2 evolution. The manipulation of the Schottky barrier height was validated by conductive AFM measurements, and the enhanced H2 evolution was attributed to the increased electron flow and spatial separation of charge carriers induced by the acoustic-wave-induced piezoelectric field. These findings will contribute to the understanding of the synergistic piezo-photocatalysis mechanism and the rational design of clean energy conversion materials.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lisha Jiang, Deyi Wang, Yi Hu, Ting Guo, Chengyin Liu, Chao Liang, Wei Du, Xiaoqiang Li, Wei Liu
Summary: Surface iodinated Bi2O2S materials show efficient photocatalytic CO2 reduction performance and enhanced adsorption and activation ability towards CO2.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xiaolei Zhang, Yingge Zhang, Hongfen Li, Yinghui Wang, Maobi Xiang, Wenying Yu, Hongwei Huang, Hongling Ou
Summary: This study prepared Bi2WO6 with surface tungsten vacancies (WVs) and oxygen vacancies (OVs) by a facile alkali etching method and controlled the concentration of vacancies. The simultaneous introduction of WVs and OVs enhanced the separation of photogenerated carriers and decreased charge transfer resistance, significantly boosting photocatalytic pollutant degradation and antibacterial performance.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xiaogang Liu, Wenjie Chen, Wei Wang, Yong Jiang, Kangzhe Cao, Zhengbo Jiao
Summary: The selective exposure of high-index facets at the surface of nanocrystals can enhance the photocatalytic activity and photoelectrochemical properties. Utilizing fluorinion-mediated method can be a useful guideline for designing novel high-index faceted micro-/nanostructures to overcome energy and environmental problems.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mahmoud Mohamed Emara, Shrouq Hossam Ali, Abdelhamied Ahmed Hassan, Taher Salah Edin Kassem, P. Gregory Van Patten
Summary: Co3O4, NiO, and CuO nanocomposites as photocatalysts under visible light for degradation of Congo Red dye were studied. Adsorption capacity inversely correlated with zeta potential, and band gap variation did not affect visible-light PCA.
COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wenbin Jiang, Hongyi Loh, Beverly Qian Ling Low, Houjuan Zhu, Jingxiang Low, Jerry Zhi Xiong Heng, Karen Yuanting Tang, Zibiao Li, Xian Jun Loh, Enyi Ye, Yujie Xiong
Summary: This article reviews the progress in oxygen vacancy engineering for photocatalytic CO2 reduction, including synthesis, characterization, and recent advancements. The roles of oxygen vacancy in light absorption, charge separation, and surface CO2 conversion are discussed in detail. The challenges and opportunities of engineering oxygen vacancy in metal oxide-based photocatalysts for efficient CO2 reduction are also addressed.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Zhong-Qiu Li, Guan-Long Zhu, Ri-Jian Mo, Ming-Yang Wu, Xin-Lei Ding, Li-Qiu Huang, Xing-Hua Xia
Summary: This review highlights the importance and potential of nanochannel-based energy harvesting technology in alleviating the energy crisis. The selectivity, permeability, and differences between single-pore and multi-pore systems are discussed. Three energy harvesting modes are introduced, and the challenges are briefly summarized.
CURRENT OPINION IN ELECTROCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shengyu Zhang, Gongxin Zhang, Shuangzhi Wu, Zhongjie Guan, Qiuye Li, Jianjun Yang
Summary: Integration of photothermal materials and photocatalysts can effectively improve photocatalytic hydrogen production. This study constructed a Co3O4@ZnIn2S4 (ZIS) core-shell heterojunction as a photothermal/photocatalytic integrated system for photocatalytic hydrogen production. The synergy of photothermal effect and heterojunction significantly enhanced the photocatalytic performance of Co3O4@ZIS, achieving a highest hydrogen evolution rate of 4515 μmol.g(-1).h (-1), which is about 3.5 times higher than that of pure ZIS. This work provides a comprehensive perspective on the integrated concept of photothermal/photocatalysis for solar hydrogen production.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Edan Bainglass, Muhammad N. Huda
Summary: The novel quaternary metal oxide, CuBiW2O8 (CBTO), is identified as a promising solar light absorber. This paper studies the surface properties of CBTO to examine its applicability for solar energy applications. The research explores the emergence of electronic properties from the interplay of cations in bulk CBTO and proposes a systematic approach to identifying stable surfaces and predicting the equilibrium crystal shape based on surface energies.
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Cheng Hu, Hongwei Huang
Summary: Semiconductor-based photocatalysis is an efficient technology for reducing energy consumption and environmental pollution, but charge recombination limits its efficiency. Piezo-photocatalysis, by coupling the piezoelectric effect with photoexcitation, can modulate charge carrier dynamics and improve catalytic energy conversion efficiency. This study introduces the mechanism and enhancement strategies of piezo-photocatalysis and reviews recent advances in energy applications. It also analyzes the challenges in the development of piezo-photocatalysis.
ACTA PHYSICO-CHIMICA SINICA
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jihoon Chung, Deokjae Heo, Gunsub Shin, Seh-Hoon Chung, Jinkee Hong, Sangmin Lee
Summary: Recent studies have explored the generation of electricity using water droplets, with a substantial power output of 50.1 Wm-2. The mechanism behind this high output is attributed to charge separation in water caused by movement and impact, leading to accumulation of electrical charge which generates high electric power output when coming in contact with a metal surface. These findings provide a basis for understanding the correlation between charge separation and electricity generation using water.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Gaomin Ning, Yan Zhang, Chunjing Shi, Chen Zhao, Mengmeng Liu, Fangfang Chang, Wenlong Gao, Sheng Ye, Jian Liu, Jing Zhang
Summary: Engineering the surface structure of semiconductor is a promising strategy for improving charge separation and transfer efficiency in photocatalysis. In this study, C decorated hollow TiO2 photocatalysts (C-TiO2) were designed and fabricated. The optimal C content and Ti-O-C bonds in C-TiO2 were found to enhance light absorption and promote charge separation and transfer, leading to a 5.5-fold higher activity in H2 evolution compared to TiO2. This work provides a feasible strategy for rational design and construction of surface-engineered hollow photocatalysts to enhance photocatalytic performance.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Anqi Wang, Gerald H. Pollack
Summary: The investigation showed that infrared light irradiation can cause the expansion of the negatively charged exclusion zone (EZ) and positively charged proton zone (PZ) formed in the vicinity of Nafion, promoting the buildup of interfacial water and charge separation.
COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Qiqi Zhang, Min Liu, Wei Zhou, Yajun Zhang, Weichang Hao, Yongbo Kuang, Huimin Liu, Defa Wang, Lequan Liu, Jinhua Ye
Summary: Chlorine surface modification dramatically enhances the photocatalytic water oxidation activity of BiVO4 and WO3, with the optimal modified BiVO4 achieving a 4.2-fold enhancement in activity and an apparent quantum efficiency of 34.6% at 420 nm. The modification accelerates surface reactions involving photogenerated holes and enhances charge carrier separation.
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Lei Yu, Yiping Sun, Yusheng Niu, Pengfei Zhang, Jun Hu, Zhong Chen, Gong Zhang, Yuanhong Xu
Summary: An atomic-dispersion Fe-doped oxygen-deficient molybdenum oxide nanozyme (ADFM) with peroxidase-like and enhanced catalase-like activity is developed for prevention of bacterial infection and promotion of wound healing. ADFM exhibits high aqueous dispersity and pH-adaptive ROS regulation, allowing it to fully exert enzyme-like activity in the wound microenvironment. In vivo experiments show that ADFM achieves efficient healing of drug-resistant bacteria-infected wounds with a wound-healing efficiency of approximately 10 mm(2) per day.
ADVANCED HEALTHCARE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Wei-Feng Sun, Wen Kwang Chern, John Chok You Chan, Zhong Chen
Summary: In this study, reactive molecular dynamics simulations were used to investigate the decomposition process of crosslinked epoxy resin under high electric field and thermal degradation conditions. The effect of active molecular species, such as nitric acid and ozone, generated by electrical partial discharges on the synergetic thermal-electrical degradation of epoxy resin was analyzed. It was found that these active products oxidize hydroxyl groups and carbon-nitrogen bridge bonds in the epoxy molecular chains, leading to accelerated decomposition and increased decomposition products.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Zhiqiang Li, Vincent Gill, Alexis Lambourne, Zhili Dong, Maxim Avdeev, Joo Tien Oh, Zhong Chen
Summary: The effect of heat treatment on the mechanical properties of FeCo-2V alloy was investigated. The study found that the yield strength decreases with increasing heating temperature and holding time, and decreasing cooling rate. Fast cooling improves the mechanical strength and ductility. The microstructural characteristics of the fracture surface differ between quenched and slow-cooled samples.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY-JMR&T
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yucheng Zhu, Xiaofei Cao, Yuan Tan, Yao Wang, Jun Hu, Baotong Li, Zhong Chen
Summary: In this study, a two-dimensional material (space group R3 over bar m) with a negative Poisson's ratio (NPR) and a maximum NPR of -0.0846 in-plane was discovered using first-principles calculations. The NPR is mainly attributed to its unique zigzag structure and the strong interaction between Mo's 4d orbital and S's 3p orbital. Molecular dynamics simulations indicate the thermodynamic stability of this material. This research reveals the potential of layered MoS2 as a promising 2D NPR material for nanodevice applications.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yuexing Chen, Ming Ma, Jun Hu, Zhong Chen, Peng Jiang, Lilac Amirav, Shihe Yang, Zheng Xing
Summary: A coherent CdS(010)|CoS(010) interface was achieved by growing CoS nanoflakes onto CdS nanowires, resulting in efficient photoexcited charge carrier separation and photochemical solar-to-hydrogen conversion. This discovery provides a feasible design strategy for nanojunctions with atomic level coherency, offering great application prospects in catalysis, nanoelectronics, and more.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xinghua Wu, Minghao Xiao, Junting Zhang, Guohuang Tan, Yutong Pan, Yuekun Lai, Zhong Chen
Summary: In this study, a stable superhydrophobic surface with pressure resistance, chemical stability, biocompatibility, and biofouling resistance was demonstrated. The surface maintained superhydrophobicity under a water pressure of 13.72 kPa for 27 days and could withstand water flush and biological attacks for over 35 days. The mechanical stability of the surface was superior to state-of-the-art coatings. The stable long-lasting underwater superhydrophobic surface is of great importance to marine applications.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
M. Muralles, J. T. Oh, Z. Chen
Summary: Interatomic potentials for Fe-Co and Fe-V binary systems are developed to describe the mechanical behaviors of FeCo and FeCo-2V alloys. The results show that disordering inside grains greatly affects the ductility of FeCo, with antiphase domains (APD) mobility inside the grains delaying the ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and fracture point. Adding 2 at.% V to the FeCo alloy decreases the UTS and ductility at room temperature, but introducing V exclusively to the antiphase boundaries (APBs) increases the alloy's ductility.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yuyu Guo, Shuting Li, Dianyu Xu, Jinxi Han, Zhengqiang Xia, Sanping Chen, Jun Hu, Liping Wei, Zhong Chen, Gang Xie, Shengli Gao, Qi Yang
Summary: This study reports a strategy to regulate the surface charge distribution in carbon-based electrocatalyst to enhance its activity and stability in oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). The sample synthesized, Co9S8@CNS-S, exhibited excellent ORR performance. The improved activity was attributed to the exposed positive charge of surface carbon atoms by N, S elements doping synergistic with Co9S8 nanoparticles (NPs), and the enhanced stability was due to the suppression of H2O2 generation by the combination of carbon layer and Co9S8 NPs.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shuai Dong, Jun Hu, Zhao Qin, Hui Li, Suhang Chen, Zhong Chen, Kangzhen Xu
Summary: A novel WO3-based composite (CuX-WO3/Biochar) was designed by doping and loading. Cu as a dopant has the advantages of producing multiple bands and inhibiting grain growth. Biochar, as a carrier, effectively inhibits the agglomeration of nanomaterials. The CuX-WO3/Biochar was applied to catalytic decomposition and laser ignition of energetic materials.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Mario Muralles, Joo Tien Oh, Zhong Chen
Summary: In this study, interatomic potentials for binary systems were developed using the second nearest-neighbor modified embedded-atom method (2NN MEAM) formalism. These potentials accurately reproduce essential physical properties and can be used to study multicomponent alloys and high entropy alloys, deepening our understanding of their unique properties at the atomic scale.
COMPUTATIONAL MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ling Chang, Yehui Zhou, Kai Wang, Yanxian Jin, Dan Chen, Yan Lin, Wei Chen, Ruiqiang Yan, Zhicai He, Guobo Huang, Haoqing Tang
Summary: A novel Ge12Ni19 @nitrogen-doped carbon microflowers (Ge12Ni19 @NCFs) composite with a subtle hierarchical structure was successfully fabricated. The nitrogen-doped carbon framework improved the cycle stability effectively, and alloying with Ni accelerated electron migration and Li+ diffusion of Ge anode. The Ge12Ni19 @NCFs composite exhibited remarkable lithium storage performance, delivering a high capacity of 541 mAh g-1 with a retention of 90% after 1000 cycles at 2 A g-1.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Ze-Cong Zhao, Kai Wang, Ling Chang, Rui-Qiang Yan, Jian Zhang, Min Zhang, Lu Wang, Wei Chen, Guo-Bo Huang
Summary: This study reported the construction and photocatalytic applications of S-scheme MIL-101(Fe)/Bi2MoO6 heterostructures via a solvothermal reaction. The heterostructures exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activities towards tetracycline hydrochloride photodegradation and nitrogen photofixation compared with the corresponding single components. The MIL-101(Fe)/Bi2MoO6(2:1) heterostructure at the optimized component ratio achieved a removal rate of approximately 96.2% for tetracycline hydrochloride.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Jian Zhang, Canhui Qian, Wei Chen, Huajie Huang
Summary: Unidimensional CuBi2O4@two-dimensional UiO-66-NH2 core-shell nanostructures were synthesized for efficient removal of tetracycline hydrochloride. The CuBi2O4@UiO-66-NH2(0.2) sample exhibited superior photodegradation activity and charge separation efficiency, making it suitable for the removal of other pharmacologically active compounds.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lu Wang, Jiayao Cao, Shuo Wang, Wei Chen
Summary: In this study, a novel nitrogen-doped Ti3C2/MnCo2S4 3D porous anode material was synthesized, which exhibits enhanced charge transfer rate and electrolyte mass through structure regulation and increased interlayer spacing. The electrode material demonstrates high energy density and outstanding cycling stability.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jiahao Ren, Siqi Huo, Guobo Huang, Tianle Wang, Jiabing Feng, Wei Chen, Shenwei Xiao, Pingan Song
Summary: The widespread use of highly flammable ABS resin poses a great fire threat to humans and the environment. However, current flame retardants often sacrifice mechanical and thermal properties while improving flame retardancy. In this study, a novel phosphorus and nickel co-doped graphitic carbon nitride nanoflakes were developed to address this trade-off. The addition of the new material significantly improved the thermal and mechanical properties of ABS composite, resulting in excellent anti-ignition, flame-retardant, and smoke-suppressive performances. This research provides a new design strategy for fabricating fire-safe polymer composites with superior properties.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)