Bo Tu

Bio: Bo Tu is an academic researcher from Fudan University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Mesoporous material & Mesoporous silica. The author has an hindex of 56, co-authored 115 publications receiving 12198 citations. Previous affiliations of Bo Tu include University of St Andrews & Chinese Ministry of Education.

Ordered Mesoporous Polymers and Homologous Carbon Frameworks: Amphiphilic Surfactant Templating and Direct Transformation

Abstract: Organic porous materials—a class of advanced materials— possess enormous potential for many high-tech applications, such as bioreactors, dielectrics, sensors, microelectrophoresis, thermal insulation, and catalysts. In general, they can be prepared by phase separation, and a hard templating approach, such as those employing colloidal particles. Phase separation can be derived from organic– organic phases, while the pore structures can be formed after etching, or by dissolving one block (A) from the assembled block copolymer (A–B). However, most of the resulting porous polymer structures are disordered with wide pore size distributions because of the contraction and swelling from changes in volume, as well as the structured defects formed during template removal. Large porosities have rarely been reported. Furthermore, the resistance of the pore structure to heat and solvents is rather low because the materials are formed by weak van der Waals forces and physical twists between polymer chains, which means that the framework is not connected by covalent bonds. Recently, a procedure for cross-linking lyotropic liquid crystals (LLC) in water was introduced to prepare periodic porous organic mesostructures. Unfortunately, polymerization only occurs between nearest neighboring head groups, and the mesostructured channels are fully occupied with solution. Therefore, it is not surprising that porosity has yet to be reported. Carbon materials, including nanotubes and fullerenes, have attracted considerable attention because of their remarkable properties. The traditional carbonization process for active carbon and related materials can only generate

A Facile Aqueous Route to Synthesize Highly Ordered Mesoporous Polymers and Carbon Frameworks with Ia3̄d Bicontinuous Cubic Structure

Abstract: By employing an organic-organic self-assembly in a dilute aqueous solution, novel ordered bicontinuous cubic mesoporous polymers and carbons with Iad symmetry are directly synthesized.

Self-adjusted synthesis of ordered stable mesoporous minerals by acid–base pairs

Abstract: Although the chemical diversity of ordered composite mesoporous materials has been expanding during the past decade, progress has been limited by the need for a general synthetic approach that is predictive and makes use of well developed fundamental chemical principles. Researchers have previously used the interaction of organic-inorganic (OI) species that are present during the nucleation of the composite phase, and several synthesis pathways, such as direct surfactant-inorganic interaction (S+I-, S-I+, S0I0) and mediated interaction (S+X-I+, S-X+I-), have been proposed. Here we describe a new perspective in which the self-adjusted inorganic-inorganic (II) interplay between two or more inorganic precursors is guided by acid-base chemistry considerations, and in this simple way we produce an overall 'framework' for the sophisticated combination of synergic inorganic acid-base precursor pairs. We propose several new routes and demonstrate their versatility and validity through the successful syntheses of a wide variety of highly ordered, large-pore, homogeneous, stable and multicomponent mesostructured minerals, including metal phosphates and metal borates, as well as various metal oxides and mixed metal oxides. We show that the highly ordered mesostructured metal phosphates can be moulded into morphologies of choice, and that they show interesting physicochemical properties.

A highly ordered nanostructured carbon–sulphur cathode for lithium–sulphur batteries

Abstract: The Li-S battery has been under intense scrutiny for over two decades, as it offers the possibility of high gravimetric capacities and theoretical energy densities ranging up to a factor of five beyond conventional Li-ion systems. Herein, we report the feasibility to approach such capacities by creating highly ordered interwoven composites. The conductive mesoporous carbon framework precisely constrains sulphur nanofiller growth within its channels and generates essential electrical contact to the insulating sulphur. The structure provides access to Li+ ingress/egress for reactivity with the sulphur, and we speculate that the kinetic inhibition to diffusion within the framework and the sorption properties of the carbon aid in trapping the polysulphides formed during redox. Polymer modification of the carbon surface further provides a chemical gradient that retards diffusion of these large anions out of the electrode, thus facilitating more complete reaction. Reversible capacities up to 1,320 mA h g(-1) are attained. The assembly process is simple and broadly applicable, conceptually providing new opportunities for materials scientists for tailored design that can be extended to many different electrode materials.

Advanced Materials for Energy Storage

Abstract: [Liu, Chang; Li, Feng; Ma, Lai-Peng; Cheng, Hui-Ming] Chinese Acad Sci, Inst Met Res, Shenyang Natl Lab Mat Sci, Shenyang 110016, Peoples R China.;Cheng, HM (reprint author), Chinese Acad Sci, Inst Met Res, Shenyang Natl Lab Mat Sci, 72 Wenhua Rd, Shenyang 110016, Peoples R China;cheng@imr.ac.cn

Polymeric Graphitic Carbon Nitride as a Heterogeneous Organocatalyst: From Photochemistry to Multipurpose Catalysis to Sustainable Chemistry

Abstract: Polymeric graphitic carbon nitride materials (for simplicity: g-C(3)N(4)) have attracted much attention in recent years because of their similarity to graphene. They are composed of C, N, and some minor H content only. In contrast to graphenes, g-C(3)N(4) is a medium-bandgap semiconductor and in that role an effective photocatalyst and chemical catalyst for a broad variety of reactions. In this Review, we describe the "polymer chemistry" of this structure, how band positions and bandgap can be varied by doping and copolymerization, and how the organic solid can be textured to make it an effective heterogenous catalyst. g-C(3)N(4) and its modifications have a high thermal and chemical stability and can catalyze a number of "dream reactions", such as photochemical splitting of water, mild and selective oxidation reactions, and--as a coactive catalytic support--superactive hydrogenation reactions. As carbon nitride is metal-free as such, it also tolerates functional groups and is therefore suited for multipurpose applications in biomass conversion and sustainable chemistry.

Electrochemical capacitors: mechanism, materials, systems, characterization and applications

Abstract: Electrochemical capacitors (i.e. supercapacitors) include electrochemical double-layer capacitors that depend on the charge storage of ion adsorption and pseudo-capacitors that are based on charge storage involving fast surface redox reactions. The energy storage capacities of supercapacitors are several orders of magnitude higher than those of conventional dielectric capacitors, but are much lower than those of secondary batteries. They typically have high power density, long cyclic stability and high safety, and thus can be considered as an alternative or complement to rechargeable batteries in applications that require high power delivery or fast energy harvesting. This article reviews the latest progress in supercapacitors in charge storage mechanisms, electrode materials, electrolyte materials, systems, characterization methods, and applications. In particular, the newly developed charge storage mechanism for intercalative pseudocapacitive behaviour, which bridges the gap between battery behaviour and conventional pseudocapacitive behaviour, is also clarified for comparison. Finally, the prospects and challenges associated with supercapacitors in practical applications are also discussed.