Guangwei She

Bio: Guangwei She is an academic researcher from Chinese Academy of Sciences. The author has contributed to research in topics: Nanowire & Nanotube. The author has an hindex of 22, co-authored 73 publications receiving 1905 citations. Previous affiliations of Guangwei She include Hong Kong University of Science and Technology.

Controlled synthesis of oriented single-crystal ZnO nanotube arrays on transparent conductive substrates

Abstract: Large-scale arrays of highly oriented single-crystal ZnO nanotubes (ZNTs) are successfully fabricated on transparent conductive substrates by a simple method from an aqueous solution at a low temperature (typically 85°C). The tubular morphology of the ZnO nanostructures is formed by a defect-selective chemical etching of the electrodeposited ZnO nanorods. The size of the ZNT arrays is determined by that of ZnO nanorod arrays which can be readily controlled by tuning several electrodeposition parameters. The present method can be employed to prepare ZNT arrays on flexible, conductive substrates, as well as on patterned conductive substrates.

Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) on transition metal and semiconductor nanostructures.

Abstract: Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS) spectroscopy has experienced a rapid growth over the past 30 years, and has become a valuable tool in various research areas. In conjunction with recent explosive development of nanoscience and nanotechnology, the SERS-active substrates have also expanded from traditional Group 11 metals (Au, Ag, Cu) to non-Group 11 nanostructures. This paper gives an overview of historical advances in the use of non-Group 11 nanostructures as substrates for SERS. Several possible mechanisms and important factors for SERS from non-Group 11 nanostructures are discussed in detail. The SERS from non-Group 11 nanostructures provides many significant applications in surface, interface analysis and biochemical detection. It is reasonable to believe that the advancement in the non-Group 11 nanostructures-based SERS-active substrates will lead to a more promising future for the SERS technology in surface science, spectroscopy and biomedicine.

Using Si and Ge nanostructures as substrates for surface-enhanced Raman scattering based on photoinduced charge transfer mechanism.

Abstract: The possibility of utilizing the Si and Ge nanostructures to promote surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is discussed. The vibronic coupling of the conduction band and valence band states of Si or Ge with the excited and ground states of the target molecule during the charge transfer (CT) process could enhance the molecular polarizability tensor. Using H-terminated silicon nanowire (H-SiNW) and germanium nanotube (H-GeNT) arrays as substrates, significant Raman enhancement of the standard probes, Rodamine 6G (R6G), dye (Bu4N)2[Ru(dcbpyH)2-(NCS)2] (N719), and 4-aminothiophenol (PATP), are demonstrated. The abundant hydrogen atoms terminated on the surface of SiNW and GeNT arrays play a critical role in promoting efficient CT and enable the SERS effect.

High-performance surface-enhanced Raman scattering sensors based on Ag nanoparticles-coated Si nanowire arrays for quantitative detection of pesticides

Abstract: A surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) sensor made of Ag nanoparticles-coated Si nanowire (SiNW) arrays was fabricated for the quantitative detection of Carbaryl (an important nitrogen pesticide). H-terminated SiNWs were capable of reducing silver ions, leading to uniform deposition of silver nanoparticles on SiNW arrays. Such wire arrays exhibited a superior detection sensitivity of 10−17 M Rodamine 6G with high reproducibility. The sensor also enabled high sensitivity, reproducibility, and stability detection of Carbaryl. Significantly, the linear relation between the logarithmic concentrations and Raman peak intensities provided quantitative detection of Carbaryl.

Noble metal-free hydrogen evolution catalysts for water splitting

Abstract: Sustainable hydrogen production is an essential prerequisite of a future hydrogen economy. Water electrolysis driven by renewable resource-derived electricity and direct solar-to-hydrogen conversion based on photochemical and photoelectrochemical water splitting are promising pathways for sustainable hydrogen production. All these techniques require, among many things, highly active noble metal-free hydrogen evolution catalysts to make the water splitting process more energy-efficient and economical. In this review, we highlight the recent research efforts toward the synthesis of noble metal-free electrocatalysts, especially at the nanoscale, and their catalytic properties for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). We review several important kinds of heterogeneous non-precious metal electrocatalysts, including metal sulfides, metal selenides, metal carbides, metal nitrides, metal phosphides, and heteroatom-doped nanocarbons. In the discussion, emphasis is given to the synthetic methods of these HER electrocatalysts, the strategies of performance improvement, and the structure/composition-catalytic activity relationship. We also summarize some important examples showing that non-Pt HER electrocatalysts could serve as efficient cocatalysts for promoting direct solar-to-hydrogen conversion in both photochemical and photoelectrochemical water splitting systems, when combined with suitable semiconductor photocatalysts.

Nanostructured metal chalcogenides: synthesis, modification, and applications in energy conversion and storage devices

Abstract: Advanced energy conversion and storage (ECS) devices (including fuel cells, photoelectrochemical water splitting cells, solar cells, Li-ion batteries and supercapacitors) are expected to play a major role in the development of sustainable technologies that alleviate the energy and environmental challenges we are currently facing. The successful utilization of ECS devices depends critically on synthesizing new nanomaterials with merits of low cost, high efficiency, and outstanding properties. Recent progress has demonstrated that nanostructured metal chalcogenides (MCs) are very promising candidates for efficient ECS systems based on their unique physical and chemical properties, such as conductivity, mechanical and thermal stability and cyclability. In this review, we aim to provide a summary on the liquid-phase synthesis, modifications, and energy-related applications of nanostructured metal chalcogenide (MC) materials. The liquid-phase syntheses of various MC nanomaterials are primarily categorized with the preparation method (mainly 15 kinds of methods). To obtain optimized, enhanced or even new properties, the nanostructured MC materials can be modified by other functional nanomaterials such as carbon-based materials, noble metals, metal oxides, or MCs themselves. Thus, this review will then be focused on the recent strategies used to realize the modifications of MC nanomaterials. After that, the ECS applications of the MC/modified-MC nanomaterials have been systematically summarized based on a great number of successful cases. Moreover, remarks on the challenges and perspectives for future MC research are proposed (403 references).

Catalyzing the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) with Molybdenum Sulfide Nanomaterials

Abstract: We discuss recent developments in nanostructured molybdenum sulfide catalysts for the electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction. To develop a framework for performing consistent and meaningful comparisons between catalysts, we review standard experimental methodologies for measuring catalyst performance and define two metrics used in this perspective for comparing catalyst activity: the turnover frequency, an intrinsic activity metric, and the total electrode activity, a device-oriented activity metric. We discuss general strategies for synthesizing catalysts with improved activity, namely, increasing the number of electrically accessible active sites or increasing the turnover frequency of each site. Then we consider a number of state-of-the-art molybdenum sulfide catalysts, including crystalline MoS2, amorphous MoSx, and molecular cluster materials, to highlight these strategies in practice. Comparing these catalysts reveals that most of the molybdenum sulfide catalysts have similar active site turnov...

One-dimensional ZnO nanostructures: Solution growth and functional properties

Abstract: One-dimensional (1D) ZnO nanostructures have been studied intensively and extensively over the last decade not only for their remarkable chemical and physical properties, but also for their current and future diverse technological applications. This article gives a comprehensive overview of the progress that has been made within the context of 1D ZnO nanostructures synthesized via wet chemical methods. We will cover the synthetic methodologies and corresponding growth mechanisms, different structures, doping and alloying, position-controlled growth on substrates, and finally, their functional properties as catalysts, hydrophobic surfaces, sensors, and in nanoelectronic, optical, optoelectronic, and energy harvesting devices.