Article
Engineering, Chemical
Hui Guo, Zhongfang Li, Hongchang Pei, Peng Sun, Lei Zhang, Ping Li, Xiaoyan Yin
Summary: By crosslinking and doping strategies, the performance of branched polybenzimidazole derivatives in high temperature proton exchange membranes (HTPEMs) is effectively improved. The prepared tqPBI-dBPEI/CePMP membranes exhibit excellent mechanical properties, chemical stability, and dimensional stability, with significantly lower permeability for gas and liquid phase fuel compared to Nafion membranes.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Jie Yang, Yanyan Guo, Lei Liu, Li Guo, Zhihua Sun, Chao Wang
Summary: The development of high conductivity proton exchange membranes (PEM) is focused on in fuel cell research. In this work, PEMs based on sulfonated polyimide are prepared and shown to have nanoscale cavities and ion channels for rapid proton transport. The polymer's conformational change and microphase separation channels contribute to its excellent electrochemical performance, with a proton conductivity of 0.146 S cm-1 at 80 degrees C and a power density of 869 mW cm-2.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Adisak Pokprasert, Patrick Theato, Suwabun Chirachanchai
Summary: Proton transfer in polymer electrolyte membrane is a crucial mechanism in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells. This study proposes a method to enhance proton conductivity by aligning proton donor and acceptor polymer chains on the membrane surface through surface-initiated polymerization.
Review
Energy & Fuels
Nur Ain Masleeza Harun, Norazuwana Shaari, Nik Farah Hanis Nik Zaiman
Summary: SPEEK is recognized as a promising alternative PEM in fuel cell applications due to its advantageous properties, but its proton conductivity is influenced by the degree of sulfonation. While high DS of SPEEK can produce high proton conductivity, excessive production of DS may have side effects on membrane stability. Therefore, finding the optimal DS of SPEEK is crucial for fabricating PEM alternatives.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Polymer Science
Geng Cheng, Zhen Li, Shan Ren, Dongmei Han, Min Xiao, Shuanjin Wang, Yuezhong Meng
Summary: The study focused on a novel SPFEK composite membrane with excellent mechanical properties and antioxidant stability in a hydrated state, suitable for direct methanol fuel cells. The performance of the composite membrane was thoroughly evaluated, demonstrating its potential applications in fuel cell technology.
Article
Electrochemistry
Yaping Jin, Xuefu Che, Yixin Xu, Jianhao Dong, Chao Pan, David Aili, Qingfeng Li, Jingshuai Yang
Summary: Development of high temperature polymer electrolyte membranes is crucial for advanced energy conversion and storage technologies. In this study, a new imidazolium type ionic liquid was synthesized and used to modify a polymer membrane, resulting in improved solubility and proton conductivity. The modified membrane exhibited excellent performance at high temperature, achieving a high power density.
JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kuan Shiong Khoo, Wen Yi Chia, Kexin Wang, Chih-Kai Chang, Hui Yi Leong, Muhammad Nasrulhazim Bin Maaris, Pau Loke Show
Summary: This review summarizes the application of ionic liquids in high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells, discusses their advantages when combined with polybenzimidazole, and evaluates and discusses the research development and issues of ILs.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Khadijeh Hooshyari, Hamidreza Rezania, Vahid Vatanpour, Mohadese Rastgoo-Deylami, Hamid Reza Rajabi
Summary: This study focused on the synthesis of SPEKIS and preparation of new nanocomposite blend membranes using ZnS FQDs to enhance the proton conductivity and fuel cell performance of PBI membranes. The interactions between thiazole rings and functional groups of SPEKIS and ZnS FQDs, along with PBI groups, were shown to improve the proton conductivity. The best fuel cell performance was achieved with the SPEKIS/PBI/ZnS FQDs nanocomposite blend membranes, demonstrating promising potential for high-temperature fuel cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Erli Qu, Xiaofeng Hao, Min Xiao, Dongmei Han, Sheng Huang, Zhiheng Huang, Shuanjin Wang, Yuezhong Meng
Summary: This review summarizes the recent progress in high temperature proton exchange membranes (HT-PEMs), focusing on phosphoric acid doped polybenzimidazoles (PBIs) and non-PBI based proton conducting polymers as promising materials. The challenges and future directions for further development of HT-PEMs are also addressed.
JOURNAL OF POWER SOURCES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Asif Jamil, Sikander Rafiq, Tanveer Iqbal, Hafiza Aroosa Aslam Khan, Haris Mahmood Khan, Babar Azeem, M. Z. Mustafa, Abdulkader S. Hanbazazah
Summary: Fuel cells are environmentally friendly technology with high efficiency and economic advantages. Proton exchange membranes, especially for hydrogen fuel cells, have great potential but face challenges in terms of cost and degradation of proton exchange capacity over time.
Article
Electrochemistry
Jinyi He, Tianhui Li, Yingying Liu, Ao Wang, Wenxing Jiang, Chengwei Deng, Junbo Hou, Xiaodong Zhuang, Junliang Zhang, Changchun Ke
Summary: This study investigates the influence of impurities in industrial 3,3'-diaminobenzidine (DAB) on the synthesis of polybenzimidazole (PBI) and explores the possibility of synthesizing PBI using purified low cost & high impurity industrial DAB. The results show that impurities adversely affect the properties of PBI, but the performance can be improved using a purification method. The application performance of PBI synthesized using purified industrial DAB in HT-PEMFC is evaluated.
JOURNAL OF THE ELECTROCHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Theerthagiri Senthil, Peethambaram Prabukanthan, Deivanayagam Paradesi, Kannaiyan Dinakaran
Summary: A novel hyperbranched sulfonated poly(arylene aliphatic ketones) (HB-SPAAK) loaded with titania nanoparticles was synthesized for thermally stable proton-conducting electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) applications. The HB-SPAAKs were synthesized through polycondensation reaction using different acids and trifluromethane sulfonic acid as catalyst. The TiO2-loaded nanocomposites showed improved proton conductivity and oxidative stability compared to unmodified HB-SPAAK.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED POLYMER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jierui Song, Yiming Xiao, Lei Zhang, Jun Xiang, Na Tang, Penggao Cheng, Jianping Zhang, Songbo Wang, Wei Du
Summary: By covalently crosslinking polymers, the performance of proton exchange membranes was optimized to achieve high proton conductivity at both high and low temperatures. Compared with conventional membranes, crosslinked membranes demonstrated better fuel cell performance across the entire temperature range.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Ping-Yen Chen, Tse-Han Chiu, Fan-Jie Lin, Jyh-Chien Chen
Summary: Two novel tetraamines have been synthesized, and polybenzimidazoles with outstanding thermal stability, solubility, and oxidative stability have been prepared. The resulting membranes exhibit excellent tensile strength, proton conductivity, and peak power density, making them promising candidates for high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cell (HT-PEMFC) applications.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Farid Wijaya, Seunghee Woo, Hyejin Lee, Adam F. Nugraha, Dongwon Shin, Byungchan Bae
Summary: In this study, sulfonated multiblock poly(phenylene-co-arylene ether sulfone) (SmPPES) membranes were prepared via Colon's Nickel catalyzed cross-coupling reaction. The membranes showed well-defined phase separation and proton conductivities comparable to or exceeding that of a reference Nafion membrane. The control over sulfonated phenylene and ether sulfone hydrophobic blocks provides new insight into designing high-performance polymer electrolyte membranes.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Wai-Hong Yu, Sze-Chun Yiu, Mei-Tung Lau, Po-Yu Ho, Pik-Ling Lam, Chung-Hin Chui, Wai-Yeung Wong
Summary: In this study, a series of neutral cyclometalated platinum(II) complexes were synthesized and their structural, photophysical, electrochemical, and aggregation induced emission (AIE) properties were systematically studied. One of the complexes showed bactericidal activity against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) without noticeable cytotoxicity to human skin cells, suggesting its potential use for antibacterial therapy against S. aureus and MRSA-infected skin diseases.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Peng Tao, Zhuang Lv, Fang-Qing Zhao, Xiao-Kang Zheng, He Jiang, Wentao Li, Yongjing Deng, Shujuan Liu, Guohua Xie, Wai-Yeung Wong, Qiang Zhao
Summary: The excited-state manipulation of phosphorescent iridium(III) complexes is important for their photofunctional applications. A new molecular design strategy called random cyclometalation is proposed for the effective excited-state manipulation of these complexes. By using this strategy, two series of new and separable methoxyl-functionalized isomeric iridium(III) complexes are synthesized, resulting in a dramatic tuning of their phosphorescence properties. These complexes exhibit intense phosphorescence ranging from yellow to deep-red colors and high photoluminescence quantum yields.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Mei-Tung Lau, Zikang Li, Wai-Yeung Wong
Summary: Radical-containing metallopolymers (RCMPs) are synthesized and investigated for their thermoelectric properties. The composites of RCMPs and single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are studied, and it is found that the composite R3/SWCNT exhibits the highest electrical conductivity and power factor compared to R1 and R2. Incorporation of the ferrocenyl unit into the polymer backbone leads to better thermoelectric performance than having the unit at the periphery.
MACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Jibiao Jin, Chunbo Duan, He Jiang, Peng Tao, Hui Xu, Wai-Yeung Wong
Summary: Developing deep-blue TADF emitters with high efficiency and color purity is challenging. A design strategy integrating asymmetric O-B-N MR unit into traditional N-B-N MR molecules was proposed. Three deep-blue MR-TADF emitters with different MR units were synthesized, and the proof-of-concept emitter ODBN showed respectable deep-blue emission. The OLED using ODBN as emitter achieved a high external quantum efficiency of 24.15% with deep-blue emission.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaokun Fan, Zhen Mu, Zhao Chen, Yunfeng Zhan, Fanyuan Meng, Yang Li, Guichuan Xing, Wai-Yeung Wong
Summary: An alloyed quantum dot with a core/shell structure of Cd0.194Zn0.806Se0.406S0.594/ZnS was synthesized, which exhibited efficient green emission with high photoluminescence quantum yield (PL QY) and ultra-fast radiative transition rate. The quantum dot also showed potential for applications in light-emitting diodes (LEDs).
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Tao Li, Chuang Feng, Biquan Xiong, Xuhui Zhu, Zhicai He, Wai-Yeung Wong
Summary: In this study, we demonstrate a charge transfer photosystem driven by an electric dipole moment using amine-containing polyfluorene polyelectrolyte (PFN) and inorganic semiconductor matrices (WO3) as building blocks. The interfacial dipoles formed between PFN and WO3 promote a nonuniform charge distribution and enhance the efficiency of photoactivity, providing insights into the design of advanced heterojunction photocatalysts.
SCIENCE CHINA-CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
He Jiang, Jibiao Jin, Wai-Yeung Wong
Summary: Multi-resonance thermally activated delayed fluorescence (MR-TADF) emitters have received significant attention for their high emission efficiency and narrow emission profile, making them a hot topic in organic electroluminescence (EL) research. However, the slow reverse intersystem crossing (RISC) rate of MR-TADF emitters due to the large energy gap (ΔE-ST) and small spin-orbit coupling (SOC) matrix elements between singlet and triplet excited states hinders their further development in organic EL devices. Innovative molecular design strategies, including heavy atom integration, π-extended MR frameworks, and metal perturbation, have been developed to enhance the RISC process of MR-TADF emitters for high-performance EL devices. This article provides an overview of the recent progress in MR-TADF emitters with fast RISC rates (> 10(-5) s(-1)), focusing on molecular design, optoelectronic properties, and device performance of organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), with the aim of systematizing knowledge in this field for the thriving development of highly efficient MR-TADF emitters. Finally, the challenges and future prospects of MR-TADF materials are comprehensively discussed.
ADVANCED FUNCTIONAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Shujie Liang, Xiaohui Zhong, Zuqi Zhong, Hong Deng, Wai-Yeung Wong
Summary: Photoconversion of CO2 into value-added fuels has attracted significant attention, but is hindered by inefficient thermodynamics and reaction dynamics in diluted CO2. In this study, a bipyridine-based polyimide polymer was designed to anchor a single Ni site for diluted CO2 photoreduction. The resulting Ni single atomic catalysts exhibited superior activity and selectivity, achieving high generation activity and CO selectivity over water splitting. Mechanistic analyses revealed the role of highly dispersed Ni atoms in effective CO2 binding and activation, leading to efficient solar-driven CO2 reduction.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
He Jiang, Hanlin Li, Jiahao Qiu, Jibiao Jin, Chunying Xi, Peng Tao, Baohua Zhang, Dongge Ma, Wai-Yeung Wong
Summary: A molecular design strategy of excited state manipulation from charge-transfer (CT) to hybridized local and charge-transfer (HLCT) was proposed by adjusting the cyano position on the pyridine acceptor. The HLCT material exhibited high-efficiency blue electroluminescence with external quantum efficiency (EQE) up to 6.49% in vacuum-evaporated OLEDs.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xinghao Sheng, Mingpan Yan, Bo Zhang, Wai-Yeung Wong, Nobuaki Kambe, Renhua Qiu
Summary: In this study, a mild and versatile nickel-catalyzed method for selectively functionalizing the C3 position of quinolines with various electrophiles was developed. Unactivated quinolines can be directly modified without the need for directing groups at room temperature. The reaction mechanism involves 1,4-addition of quinolines with nickel hydride species generated from β-H elimination of alkyl nickel intermediates, followed by subsequent nucleophilic attack and oxidative aromatization.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Peng Tao, Xiao-Kang Zheng, He Jiang, Xinghao Sheng, Yongjing Deng, Yuk Yin Ian Chan, Qiang Zhao, Wai-Yeung Wong
Summary: A pair of high-efficiency deep-red emissive ionic iridophosphors (Ira and Irb) with high photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) are designed by using 1-(thiophen-2-yl)isoquinoline as the cyclometalating ligand. Tetraarylborate anions are selected to improve their PLQYs in both solution and aggregated states, enabling efficient electroluminescence via a solution-processed approach. The iridophosphors emit intense deep-red room-temperature phosphorescence, exhibit high PLQYs in solution and neat films, and show potential for high-performance electroluminescence.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
He Jiang, Hanlin Li, Jibiao Jin, Govardhana Babu Bodedla, Peng Tao, Dongge Ma, Wai-Yeung Wong
Summary: We designed and synthesized two novel deep-blue emitters based on anthracene and pyrene moieties for highly efficient TTA-based OLEDs. The twisted conformation of the molecules effectively interrupted p-conjugation, resulting in intense deep-blue emission with high photoluminescence quantum yields. The deep-blue OLEDs using these emitters achieved maximum external quantum efficiencies of 4.78% and 5.48% with excellent color purity.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yingying Qin, Linli Xu, Zhi Zhu, Wai-Yeung Wong
Summary: By coating polydopamine (pDA) shell on the surface of CdS nanorods, the absorption capacity of visible light is improved and the charge transfer dynamics is enhanced. The Schottky junction facilitates the electron transfer from CdS to NiS, while suppressing electron backflow. The optimized CdS@pDA/NiS composite demonstrates an apparent quantum efficiency (AQE) of 25.7% and a photocatalytic H-2 evolution rate of 9.31 mmol h(-1) g(-1), which is significantly higher than pristine CdS and CdS@pDA. This work provides a valid case for producing clean energy.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Xianhong Chen, Xiaodong Shi, Pengchao Ruan, Yan Tang, Yanyan Sun, Wai-Yeung Wong, Bingan Lu, Jiang Zhou
Summary: An in situ etching strategy is proposed to construct an interfacial layer with porous structure on the surface of zinc foil, which can improve the utilization efficiency and service life of zinc-metal anodes in aqueous zinc-ion batteries.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Shuxin Wang, Hanlin Li, Zhen Song, He Jiang, Xiandi Zhang, Chui-Shan Tsang, Quanlin Liu, Lawrence Yoon Suk Lee, Dongge Ma, Wai-Yeung Wong
Summary: By constructing D-pi-A molecules and introducing pi-conjugated anthracene unit as part of an appropriate donor-acceptor structure, efficient HLCT emitters can be finely regulated and versatilely constructed. The blue OLEDs using TAP1 and TAP2 as emitters exhibit good color purity, high efficiency, and extremely low efficiency roll-offs. This study provides inspiration for the rational design of promising materials for high-performance blue OLEDs.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
