Novel design of hollow carbon nanocage modified with nanotubes as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for high performance Zn-air batteries.

Microcavities play a crucial role as microreactors in the transport of molecular/ionic guests and the exposure of active sites, thus significantly influencing the electrocatalytic performance. This study prepares Co/N-codoped hollow carbon (HT-CoN/C) with surface-distributed carbon nanotubes by pyrolysis of PDA-coated Zn/Co bimetallic ZIF (BM-ZIF@PDA). Benefiting from the hierarchical porous structure, high specific surface area (307.

Sulfur-Defect-Induced TiS as a High-Capacity and Long-Life Anode Material for Zinc-Ion Batteries.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are competitive among the elective candidates for electrochemical energy storage systems, but the intrinsic drawbacks of zinc metal anodes such as dendrites and corrosion severely hinder their large-scale application. Developing alternative anode materials capable of high reversibility and stability for storing Zn ions is a feasible approach to circumvent the challenge. Herein, a sulfur-defect-induced TiS (D-TiS) as a promising intercalation anode material for ZIBs is designed.

Multifunctional droplet handling on surface-charge-graphic-decorated porous papers.

Developing a fluidic platform that combines high-throughput with reconfigurability is essential for a wide range of cutting-edge applications, but achieving both capabilities simultaneously remains a significant challenge. Herein, we propose a novel and unique method for droplet manipulation drawing surface charge graphics on electrode-free papers in a contactless way. We find that opposite charge graphics can be written and retained on the surface layer of porous insulating paper by a controlled charge depositing method.

δ-VOPO as a high-voltage cathode material for aqueous zinc-ion batteries.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) with excellent safety, low-cost and environmental friendliness have great application potential in large-scale energy storage systems and thus have received extensive research interest. Layered oxovanadium phosphate dihydrate (VOPO·2HO) is an appealing cathode for AZIBs due to the unique layered framework and desirable discharge plateau, but bottlenecked by low operation voltage and unstable cycling. Herein, we propose delta-oxovanadium phosphate (δ-VOPO) without conventional pre-embedding of metal elements or organics into the structure and paired it into AZIBs for the first time.

Ordered porous nitrogen-vacancy carbon nitride for efficient visible-light hydrogen evolution.

Photocatalytic H evolution is a promising technology which could be instrumental in producing clean hydrogen energy. In regard to the photocatalyst, its band structure, morphology and light utilization have a significant influence on the H evolution rate and stability. Herein, a three-dimensional ordered macroporous nitrogen-vacancy carbon nitride (3DOM V-CN) photocatalyst was developed by combining vacancies with 3DOM structure for visible-light photocatalytic H evolution.

Synthesis of Sulfur-Doped 2D Graphitic Carbon Nitride Nanosheets for Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Phenol and Hydrogen Evolution.

Sulfur-doped two-dimensional (2D) graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (2D-SCN) with efficient photocatalytic activity were synthesized via (1) polycondensation of thiourea to form bulk sulfur-doped graphitic carbon nitride (SCN) and (2) followed by thermal oxidative treatment of the prepared SCN via an etching strategy to form 2D-SCN. Sulfur was doped in situ into SCN by using thiourea as the precursor, and the 2D nanosheet structure was obtained during the thermal oxidative etching process. The structural, morphological, and optical properties of the 2D-SCN sample were investigated in detail.

Rapid mineralization of methyl orange by nanocrystalline-assembled mesoporous CuO microspheres.

In this study, nanocrystalline-assembled mesoporous CuO microspheres (MCMs) with enhanced visible-light driven photocatalytic activity were synthesized by a facile one-step hydrothermal method. MCMs exhibit excellent visible-light driven photocatalytic activity with 85% removal of methyl orange (MO) (60% removal of total organic carbon (TOC)) in 40 min. The excellent photocatalytic performance is dependent on the specific morphology and excellent visible-light absorption ability.

Voids padding induced further enhancement in photocatalytic performance of porous graphene-like carbon nitride.

Design of 2-Dimensional nanostructured photocatalyst is an effective way to improve the photocatalytic activity of its bulk counterpart. However, the remaining (or newborn) drawbacks, such as enlarged band gap and the surface recombination of photogenerated charge carries, extremely limited the practical application of nanosheeted photocatalysts in solar energy conversion. In this study, we demonstrated that the voids padding with NHCl can eliminate part of quantum size effect to reduce the band gap of nanosheeted carbon nitride.

Reduction of nitrate by NaY zeolite supported Fe, Cu/Fe and Mn/Fe nanoparticles.

Nano particles Fe, Cu/Fe and Mn/Fe supported on NaY zeolite (F@Y, CF@Y, and MF@Y) were prepared by two-step processes consisting of ion exchange and liquid-phase reduction. The characterization by XRD, SEM-EDX and BET-N adsorption demonstrated that Fe, Cu/Fe and Mn/Fe nano particles were successfully loaded onto NaY zeolite and exhibited larger BET surface area compared to nano-Fe (nZVI). Laboratory experiments showed that nitrate removal by metals@Y in unbuffered conditions reached nearly 100% at a dosage of 4g/L after 6h of reaction.

Hydrothermal synthesis and photoluminescent properties of rod-shape assemblies of LaBO3:Eu3+ nanocrystals.

Uniform and assembled LaBO3 nanocrystals have been successfully synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method. These assemblies exhibit a rod-shape morphology and each of them consists of small LaBO3 nanocrystals which are tightly attached together. The phase, surface and morphology of these assemblies have been characterized.

A general approach to spindle-assembled lanthanide borate nanocrystals and their photoluminescence upon Eu3+/Tb3+ doping.

Uniform-assembled lanthanide borate nanocrystals have been synthesized via a facile self-assembly process under hydrothermal conditions. All of the prepared lanthanide borate assemblies exhibit a spindle-like profile despite the fact that they belong to different crystal systems and have different formulas for composition. Each assembly is composed of small nanocrystals that are tightly attached along with their lateral surfaces.

Feasibility investigation of oily wastewater treatment by combination of zinc and PAM in coagulation/flocculation.

Poly-zinc silicate (PZSS) is a new type of coagulant with cationic polymer synthesized by polysilicic acid and zinc sulfate. It has been used in several sorts of wastewaters treatment, but not used in oily wastewater treatment. In this study, we investigated the coagulation/flocculation of oil and suspended solids in heavy oil wastewater (HOW) by PZSS and anion polyacrylamide (A-PAM).