Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kangkai Hu, E. Lei, Wei Li, Liuyuan Lai, Dan Zhao, Wei Zhao, Rui Xu
Summary: Highly exposed {001} surfaces of ITD-TiO2 and IDT-TiO2 microspheres were prepared through an intermittent two-step hydrothermal method, showing excellent photocatalytic activity compared to P25. IDT-TiO2 exhibited a significant increase in surface photovoltage, indicating more carriers can be generated during the photocatalytic process. The order of adding the titanium source and morphology control agent was found to be a key factor influencing the morphology of the sample in this research system.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Yi Ke, Qian Liang, Shuang Zhao, Zhihui Zhang, Xiazhang Li, Zhongyu Li
Summary: In this study, a p-n Co3O4/TiO2 heterojunction photocatalyst was synthesized and used for photocatalytic CO2 reduction for the first time. The obtained catalyst exhibited significantly enhanced CO evolution under simulated solar light, indicating its high photocatalytic performance.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Minsu Kim, Dabin Park, Jooheon Kim
Summary: Hydrothermal reactions and water-evaporation-induced self-assembly were used to synthesize Sb2Se3 and beta-Cu2Se nanowires with different electrical conductivities and Seebeck coefficients. Increasing the beta-Cu2Se content in the mixtures enhanced electrical conductivities while lowering the Seebeck coefficients. The optimal power factor and figure merit values were achieved in the nanowire sample with 30% beta-Cu2Se and 70% Sb2Se3.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xiaoyu Lv, Danrui Pan, Song Zheng, Malik Zeeshan Shahid, Guocan Jiang, Jin Wang, Zhengquan Li
Summary: This study successfully fabricated a cost-effective and highly active photocatalyst for simultaneous reduction of CO2 to CO and oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde. The CsPbBr3/TiO2-001 heterojunctions exhibited boosted charge carrier kinetics and efficient utilization, resulting in an excellent bifunctional activity without employing any sacrificial agents. The development of perovskite-based heterostructures and the harnessing of redox potentials and charge carriers towards combined photocatalytic systems were highlighted.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qi Wang, Yajie Chen, Xiu Liu, Longge Li, Lizhi Du, Guohui Tian
Summary: The novel sulfur-doped In2O3-CeO2 hollow hexagonal prism with a thin carbon coating (S-C/In2O3-CeO2 HHP) synthesized in this study demonstrated excellent photocatalytic efficiency in reducing CO2.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
B. P. Prajwal, Jen-Yu Huang, Meera Ramaswamy, Abraham D. Stroock, Tobias Hanrath, Itai Cohen, Fernando A. Escobedo
Summary: The study investigated the entropy-driven monolayer assembly of hexagonal prisms and cylinders under hard slit confinement, revealing distinct rotational states and a re-entrant melting transition. Both simulations and experiments showed the formation of phases with comparable fraction of flipped particles and structure.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Huimin Zhu, Jun Zhang
Summary: A Co-Al layered double hydroxide/titanium dioxide (Co-Al LDH/TiO2) nanocomposite was successfully fabricated by electrostatic assembly. This nanocomposite structure significantly improved the electrochemical performance, leading to enhanced specific capacitance and good cyclic stability. When used in a solid-state asymmetric supercapacitor, the Co-Al LDH/TiO2 nanocomposite served as the positive electrode and showed excellent capacitive behavior.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaofan Xiang, Laiyan Wu, Junjiang Zhu, Jiazhou Li, Xi Liao, Hongcheng Huang, Jiajie Fan, Kangle Lv
Summary: The study successfully degraded sulfadiazine (SDZ), a typical sulfonamides antibiotic, using photocatalytic oxidation technology. It was found that TiO2 nanosheets exhibited better photoreactivity towards SDZ degradation. The research also revealed the possible degradation pathways of SDZ and the promising application prospects of TiO2-NSs in removing SDZ.
CHINESE CHEMICAL LETTERS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Fangya Qi, Lianyi Shao, Xiaoyi Lu, Guoping Liu, Xiaoyan Shi, Zhipeng Sun
Summary: A novel MXene derivative consisting of TiSe2/TiO2/C heterostructured hexagonal prism was prepared by a simple solid phase sintering method, showing excellent performance as an anode material for Na/K ion batteries with good cycling and rate capabilities. This work provides a simple approach to design metal oxide/selenide heterostructures toward Na/K ion batteries with superior performance and promotes the application of MXene derivatives in energy storage.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Abhijit Biswas, Rui Xu, Joyce Christiansen-Salameh, Eugene Jeong, Gustavo A. Alvarez, Chenxi Li, Anand B. Puthirath, Bin Gao, Arushi Garg, Tia Gray, Harikishan Kannan, Xiang Zhang, Jacob Elkins, Tymofii S. Pieshkov, Robert Vajtai, A. Glen Birdwell, Mahesh R. Neupane, Bradford B. Pate, Tony Ivanov, Elias J. Garratt, Pengcheng Dai, Hanyu Zhu, Zhiting Tian, Pulickel M. Ajayan
Summary: In this research, the phase stability of 2D/3D h-BN/c-BN nanocomposites is investigated, showing that the coexistence of the two phases can result in strong nonlinear optical properties and low thermal conductivity at room temperature. Spark-plasma sintering of the nanocomposites demonstrates complete phase transformation to 2D h-BN with improved crystalline quality, where the nucleation and growth kinetics are possibly governed by 3D c-BN. These findings provide insights into phase engineering of BN polymorph-based nanocomposites with desirable properties for optoelectronics and thermal energy management applications.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Munawar Khalil, Fadlinatin Naumi, Uji Pratomo, Tribidasari A. Ivandini, Grandprix T. M. Kadja, Jacob Y. Mulyana
Summary: This study found that the coexposure of TiO2 nano-truncated octahedra and (001) and (101) facets plays a crucial role in enhancing the performance of TiO2/BiVO4 photoanodes, leading to the highest photoelectrochemical response and electric power generation. The efficiency in removing RhB varied depending on the morphology of TiO2 crystals, with nanospindles showing higher effectiveness due to their larger surface area.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Quan Cheng, Yong-Jun Yuan, Rui Tang, Qing-Yu Liu, Liang Bao, Pei Wang, Jiasong Zhong, Zongyan Zhao, Zhen-Tao Yu, Zhigang Zou
Summary: In this study, ultrathin anatase TiO2 nanosheets with exposed (001) facets were used as highly active photocatalysts for photocatalytic lignocellulose-to-H-2 conversion. The ultrathin structure provided abundant active sites and facilitated photogenerated charge transfer. The generation of ·OH radicals on the (001) facets was proven to be feasible. The findings demonstrated the potential of rapid ·OH generation to enhance lignocellulose oxidation and hydrogen production.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Andrea Luigi Sorrentino, Giulia Serrano, Lorenzo Poggini, Brunetto Cortigiani, Khaled E. El-Kelany, Maddalena D'Amore, Anna Maria Ferrari, Andrea Atrei, Andrea Caneschi, Roberta Sessoli, Matteo Mannini
Summary: Experimental and theoretical studies were conducted to investigate the structure and growth mechanism of TiO2 ultrathin films on Cu(001). It was found that a complete and flat TiO2 bilayer with a lepidocrocite-like structure is observed at the earliest stages of growth on the Cu(001) surface. Ab initio calculations confirmed that the lepidocrocite-like structure is thermodynamically more stable on Cu(001) than the quasi-hexagonal structure, leading to the observed transition.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lulu An, Nan Zhang, Xiaoliang Zeng, Bo Zhong, Yuanlie Yu
Summary: By utilizing Pebax functionalized h-BNNSs, researchers were able to improve the thermal conductivity and antiwear performance of epoxy resin by achieving a hierarchical assembly of P-BNNSs in the EP matrix. This unique multi-network structure not only enhanced the thermal conductivity, but also improved the mechanical and electrical properties of the EP composite, making it suitable for high-density integration and high-frequency applications.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Hanzhuo Zhang, Jinxun Han, Jingzheng Xu, Yihan Ling, Xuemei Ou
Summary: Hierarchical NiCo2O4 microspheres with self-assembled nanostructures including nanorods, nanosheets, and nanoparticles were prepared through hydrothermal and calcination processes. The nanosheets-assembled NiCo2O4 microspheres (NCO-S) exhibited the highest specific capacitance and good cycling stability due to their hierarchical nanostructures, high specific surface area, and improved electric conductivity. Furthermore, a hybrid supercapacitor using NCO-S as the positive electrode showed a prominent energy density and excellent capacity retention.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Shasha Liu, Chen Shen, Yuhui Wang, Yong Huang, Xun Hu, Bin Li, Karnowo, Jianbin Zhou, Shu Zhang, Hong Zhang
Summary: The study showed that activated biochar prepared using CO2 activation had better adsorption capacity for methylene blue, mainly by enhancing the adsorption capacity through the interaction of surface oxygen-containing functional groups with the π-π interaction of aromatic rings.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Qingyin Li, Xiangzhou Yuan, Xun Hu, Erik Meers, Hwai Chyuan Ong, Wei-Hsin Chen, Peigao Duan, Shicheng Zhang, Ki Bong Lee, Yong Sik Ok
Summary: Liquefaction is an attractive technology for converting biomass into bio-oil without drying the feedstock, and is conducted at relatively low temperatures. Co-liquefaction of different biomass feedstocks can enhance the liquefaction degree and chemical properties of the resulting bio-oil. Understanding the interaction during co-liquefaction process is important for tuning the chemical species and yield of the bio-oil. Operational parameters and mixing ratios of different biomasses also play a significant role in the co-liquefaction behavior.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tao Ding, Yishuang Wu, Xun Zhu, Guiying Lin, Xun Hu, Hongqi Sun, Yong Huang, Shu Zhang, Hong Zhang
Summary: The codoping of N,P into the support of metal-supported catalysts significantly improves catalytic performance by promoting the production of phenolic monomers and increasing lignin yield, achieving full delignification during the depolymerization process.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Hui Li, Shanshan Yan, Bing Song, Peter Hall, Karnowo Karnowo, Wenran Gao, Hong Zhang, Xun Hu, Shu Zhang
Summary: Densification of rice husk using heavy bio-oils as binders improves fuel quality and durability. The optimal parameters are 130 degrees C temperature, 200 MPa pressure, 8% bio-binder content, 0.4-0.6 mm particle size, and using HBO-HT as the binder. The pellets obtained show high drop resistance and the binding mechanism is governed by solid bridges between particles. Co-densification of rice husk with HBO-HT results in lower activation energy for pyrolysis, lower ignition temperature, and higher heating value.
BIOFUELS BIOPRODUCTS & BIOREFINING-BIOFPR
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Yuewen Shao, Junzhe Wang, Kai Sun, Guoming Gao, Mengjiao Fan, Chao Li, Cong Ming, Lijun Zhang, Shu Zhang, Xun Hu
Summary: Cu-based nanocatalysts derived from Mg-Al layered double hydroxides were used to catalyze the conversion of HMF to 1,2-HDO. The introduction of Mg species facilitated the formation of Cu nanoparticles with a smaller size, mesoporous structures, abundant basic sites, and more surface area of metallic Cu sites, resulting in superior catalytic behavior and reusability.
ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuewen Shao, Kai Sun, Mengjiao Fan, Guoming Gao, Junzhe Wang, Lijun Zhang, Shu Zhang, Xun Hu
Summary: This study adopted alloying Cu with Ni and Zn to suppress sintering of copper species in aqueous phase reactions. The CuNiZn alloy and Bronsted acidic sites exhibited synergy, leading to enhanced activity and catalytic stability for the production of cyclopentanone and cyclopentanol from furfural. The formation of the ternary CuNiZn alloy weakened the adsorption of C=C bond in furfural, while enhancing the activation of C=O and C-O-C bonds, avoiding deep hydrogenation of the furan ring and facilitating the rearrangement of furfuryl alcohol to cyclopentanone.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Felix Merime Bkangmo Kontchouo, Lijun Zhang, Shu Zhang, Guangzhi Hu, Xun Hu
Summary: In steam reforming of oxygen-containing organics and hydrocarbons in a fixed-bed reactor, the distribution of coke formation in different sections of the catalyst bed varied. The intermediates from oxygen-containing organics could only form coke in the upper-layer catalyst, while the hydrocarbon intermediates could easily penetrate and form more coke in the lower-layer catalyst. Insufficient gasification of certain hydrocarbon species resulted in the formation of aromatic coke, while aromatic-ring containing intermediates tended to form less aromatic coke. Steam reforming of oxygen-containing organics also produced coke with higher aliphatic nature, lower C/H ratio, lower crystallinity, and lower thermal stability.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Haisheng Lin, Yuchen Jiang, Zijun Yi, Lijun Zhang, Shu Zhang, Kuan Ding, Bin Li, Shuang Wang, Xun Hu
Summary: This study investigates the potential involvement of fatty esters in cooking oil in the hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) of food waste. Cooked cabbage and rice were used as feedstock, and their HTC was conducted with vegetable oil and lard. The results show that the presence of cooking oil increases the hydrochar yield and alters its composition, reducing oxygen content and improving combustion performance.
ACS FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hua Zhang, Zenghui Bi, Pengliang Sun, Anran Chen, Thomas Wagberg, Xun Hu, Xijun Liu, Laiming Jiang, Guangzhi Hu
Summary: We designed a heterophase electrocatalyst with dense heterogeneous interfacial sites to enhance the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance. The synergistic effect of high-density crystalline and amorphous heterogeneous interfaces effectively promotes charge redistribution and optimizes the adsorbed oxygen intermediates, leading to increased OER catalytic activity.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jingbo Qi, Yanbiao Ren, Lincai Zhang, Xun Hu
Summary: In this study, five types of nano metal oxide supported Ni catalysts were prepared and evaluated for liquid-phase furfural hydrogenation. Among them, Ni/MgO catalyst exhibited superior performance with a high conversion rate of furfural and a high selectivity of furfuryl alcohol. The catalytic characterization results indicated that when MgO was used as the support, a solid solution of NiO-MgO was formed, resulting in highly dispersed amorphous Ni on the support surface, which contributed to the high selectivity of furfuryl alcohol. Additionally, a slight decrease in catalytic activity of Ni/MgO may be attributed to the formation of Mg(OH)2 during cyclic utilization.
NEW JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jie Zheng, Shuaitao Li, Yuanrong Zhang, Peng Zheng, Xun Hu, Yanfen Fang, Ran Duan, Qifeng Chen
Summary: The conversion of CO2 into high-value-added chemicals through photocatalysis is significant. Ceria (CeO2) has been extensively studied for this purpose, but its surface oxygen vacancies (V(O)s) are unstable. This study found that the coordination of highly dispersed Ag species can stabilize the V(O)s of CeO2, allowing for selective photocatalytic CO2 conversion. The synergy between Ag species and V(O)s promotes the adsorption, activation, and selectivity of CO2 molecules, leading to enhanced photocatalytic activity.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chao Li, Yuannian Li, Yuewen Shao, Lijun Zhang, Shu Zhang, Shuang Wang, Bin Li, Zhenhua Cui, Yonggui Tang, Xun Hu
Summary: In the chemical activation of biomass, directly mixing an activating agent and feedstock leads to poor activation efficiency. This study proposed the use of volatilized KOH to activate biomass by placing them in separate beds. The results showed that this method resulted in higher yield and better quality of activated carbon compared to direct activation. It also reduced environmental impact and improved material efficiency.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuewen Shao, Mengjiao Fan, Kai Sun, Guoming Gao, Chao Li, Dianqiang Li, Yuchen Jiang, Lijun Zhang, Shu Zhang, Xun Hu
Summary: The selective depolymerization of PET plastics to p-xylene is challenging, but in this study, the modification of Co-Al catalysts by introducing a second metal has successfully achieved high yields of p-xylene. Co-Fe-Al catalyst suppressed the hydrogenation of the benzene ring, while Co-Al and Co-Ni-Al catalyzed the hydrogenation and cleavage of the C-C bond in intermediates. Co-Fe-Al showed better adsorption and activation of oxygen-containing functionalities for deoxygenation reactions.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Yuewen Shao, Mingzhu Guo, Mengjiao Fan, Kai Sun, Guoming Gao, Chao Li, Felix Merime Bkangmo Kontchouo, Lijun Zhang, Shu Zhang, Xun Hu
Summary: This study proposes a method of alloying Ni and Co with Fe over a ZSM-5 support to tackle the excessive activity of the catalyst for hydrogenation. The results show that the formation of binary NiFe and CoFe alloys enhances the dispersion of metallic species and reduces the adsorption/activation capability of H-2 and the adsorption of the CC= group in the furan ring. This leads to reduced activity for the hydrogenation of the furan ring in furfural, but enhanced hydrogenation of the C=O in ethyl levulinate (EL), resulting in the selective one-pot conversion of furfural to GVL with a high yield of 85.7%.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2022)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Mortaza Gholizadeh, Xun Hu
Summary: Catalytic pyrolysis is a promising method to upgrade bio-oil fuel properties by deoxygenating volatiles, but coke formation remains a major obstacle for the development of robust catalysts. Various catalysts have been developed for biomass pyrolysis, each showing different tendencies towards coke formation. Further fundamental studies are needed to develop efficient catalysts with low coke formation.
SUSTAINABLE ENERGY & FUELS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Abu Talha Aqueel Ahmed, Sankar Sekar, Shubhangi S. Khadtare, Nurul Taufiqu Rochman, Bathula Chinna, Abu Saad Ansari
Summary: In this study, MnCo2S4 nanosheet catalyst was successfully synthesized and found to exhibit superior performance in hydrogen evolution. Compared to MnCo2S4, MnCo2S4 showed low overpotentials, moderate Tafel slope, and excellent sustainability. The outstanding performance can be attributed to the increased number of electrochemically active sites and enhanced electronic conductivity on the catalyst surface.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Victor V. Maltsev, Elena A. Volkova, Elizaveta V. Koporulina, Diana D. Mitina, Vladimir L. Kosorukov, Anna I. Jiliaeva, Daniil A. Naprasnikov, Konstantin N. Gorbachenya, Viktor E. Kisel
Summary: The phase relationships, crystal properties and luminescence kinetics of two complex systems were studied, including unit cell parameters, segregation coefficients of impurities, and lifetimes of energy levels.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiaoman Zhang, Wangwang Xu, W. J. Meng, Andrew C. Meng
Summary: This study successfully grew high-quality single crystal AlScN nanowires through ultra-high vacuum reactive sputtering technique and characterized their structure and properties. The nanowires exhibit significantly reduced mosaic spread and predominantly single ferroelectric domains, as well as a high piezoelectric constant.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tom E. de Vries, Elias Vlieg, Rene de Gelder
Summary: Networks are important for describing relationships between people, roads between cities, reactions between chemicals, and other interactions. Bipartiteness, dividing the network into two groups, can facilitate the study of the network's structure. We have developed an algorithm that can find a near-optimal bipartisation within a reasonable time frame and used it to uncover the hidden structure of the CSD cocrystal network.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Chuchu Han, Jing Yang, Xin Zhang, Aisen Li, Jiang Peng
Summary: An elastic crystal based on a photo-reactive acylhydrazone derivative is reported, which exhibits reversible bending behavior under UV irradiation and heating. The crystal undergoes reversible E<->Z isomerization under light and heating conditions. The crystal demonstrates excellent elastic properties and the bending can be controlled to control the output direction of red light.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lingfeng Zhang, Yu Wang, Yefeng Wang, Shuai Liu, Na Zhang, Mingmin Yang, Haixia Ma, Zhaoqi Guo
Summary: This study designs and synthesizes a series of high-energy salts compounds without heavy metal ions and azide groups. The molecular structures and stability of the compounds are confirmed through single-crystal X-ray diffraction and intermolecular interaction analysis. Furthermore, the thermal stability, energetic properties, and electrical initiation properties of the compounds are investigated, suggesting their potential as primary explosives.
