Hui Huang

Bio: Hui Huang is an academic researcher from Soochow University (Suzhou). The author has contributed to research in topics: Materials science & Catalysis. The author has an hindex of 53, co-authored 235 publications receiving 12962 citations. Previous affiliations of Hui Huang include Northeast Normal University.

Metal-free efficient photocatalyst for stable visible water splitting via a two-electron pathway

Abstract: The use of solar energy to produce molecular hydrogen and oxygen (H2 and O2) from overall water splitting is a promising means of renewable energy storage. In the past 40 years, various inorganic and organic systems have been developed as photocatalysts for water splitting driven by visible light. These photocatalysts, however, still suffer from low quantum efficiency and/or poor stability. We report the design and fabrication of a metal-free carbon nanodot-carbon nitride (C3N4) nanocomposite and demonstrate its impressive performance for photocatalytic solar water splitting. We measured quantum efficiencies of 16% for wavelength λ = 420 ± 20 nanometers, 6.29% for λ = 580 ± 15 nanometers, and 4.42% for λ = 600 ± 10 nanometers, and determined an overall solar energy conversion efficiency of 2.0%. The catalyst comprises low-cost, Earth-abundant, environmentally friendly materials and shows excellent stability.

Carbon quantum dots/Ag3PO4 complex photocatalysts with enhanced photocatalytic activity and stability under visible light

Abstract: In this study, we report the facile fabrication of Ag3PO4, CQDs/Ag3PO4, Ag/Ag3PO4 and CQDs/Ag/Ag3PO4 photocatalysts (CQDs, carbon quantum dots). For CQDs/Ag3PO4 and CQDs/Ag/Ag3PO4, because of the insoluble, photoinduced electron transfer, upconversion luminescence and electron reservoir properties of CQDs, the complex photocatalysts exhibit enhanced photocatalytic activity and structural stability over the photodecomposition of organic compounds (methyl orange) under the irradiation of visible light. Furthermore, the synergistic effect of CQDs and the intense surface plasmon resonance of Ag lead to the highest photocatalytic activity of CQDs/Ag/Ag3PO4 among Ag3PO4 and the corresponding complex photocatalysts. Our results provide an invaluable methodology for designing high-performance photocatalysts based on CQDs and related functional materials, which is promising for catalytic and new energy applications.

Metal-Free Efficient Photocatalyst for Stable Visible Water Splitting via a Two-Electron Pathway.

Abstract: Nanocomposites of carbon nanodots embedded in a C3N4 matrix are prepared by heating a mixture of ammonia-treated carbon nanodots and urea powder at 550 °C for 3 h in an alumina crucible.

One-step ultrasonic synthesis of fluorescent N-doped carbon dots from glucose and their visible-light sensitive photocatalytic ability

Abstract: Water-soluble fluorescent N-doped carbon dots (NCDs) were synthesized by a facile one-pot ultrasonic reaction between glucose and ammonium hydroxide. Besides exhibiting strong luminescence in the visible-to-near infrared range, the obtained NCDs displayed clear upconversion photoluminescence properties. Moreover, the NCDs showed excellent photocatalytic property in the photodegradation of methyl orange under visible light.

Carbon Quantum Dot/NiFe Layered Double-Hydroxide Composite as a Highly Efficient Electrocatalyst for Water Oxidation

Abstract: The design of highly efficient, durable, and earth-abundant catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction is crucial to a variety of important energy conversion and storage processes. Here, we use carbon quantum dots (CQDs, ∼5 nm) to form hybrids with the ultrathin nickel-iron layered double-hydroxide (NiFe-LDH) nanoplates. The resulting CQD/NiFe-LDH complex exhibits high electrocatalytic activity (with an overpotential of ∼235 mV in 1 M KOH at a current density of 10 mA cm(-2)) and stability for oxygen evolution, which almost exceed the values of all previously reported Ni-Fe compounds and were comparable to those of the most active perovskite-based catalyst.

Graphitic Carbon Nitride (g-C3N4)-Based Photocatalysts for Artificial Photosynthesis and Environmental Remediation: Are We a Step Closer To Achieving Sustainability?

Abstract: As a fascinating conjugated polymer, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has become a new research hotspot and drawn broad interdisciplinary attention as a metal-free and visible-light-responsive photocatalyst in the arena of solar energy conversion and environmental remediation. This is due to its appealing electronic band structure, high physicochemical stability, and “earth-abundant” nature. This critical review summarizes a panorama of the latest progress related to the design and construction of pristine g-C3N4 and g-C3N4-based nanocomposites, including (1) nanoarchitecture design of bare g-C3N4, such as hard and soft templating approaches, supramolecular preorganization assembly, exfoliation, and template-free synthesis routes, (2) functionalization of g-C3N4 at an atomic level (elemental doping) and molecular level (copolymerization), and (3) modification of g-C3N4 with well-matched energy levels of another semiconductor or a metal as a cocatalyst to form heterojunction nanostructures. The constructi...

Recent Advances in Ultrathin Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials

Abstract: Since the discovery of mechanically exfoliated graphene in 2004, research on ultrathin two-dimensional (2D) nanomaterials has grown exponentially in the fields of condensed matter physics, material science, chemistry, and nanotechnology. Highlighting their compelling physical, chemical, electronic, and optical properties, as well as their various potential applications, in this Review, we summarize the state-of-art progress on the ultrathin 2D nanomaterials with a particular emphasis on their recent advances. First, we introduce the unique advances on ultrathin 2D nanomaterials, followed by the description of their composition and crystal structures. The assortments of their synthetic methods are then summarized, including insights on their advantages and limitations, alongside some recommendations on suitable characterization techniques. We also discuss in detail the utilization of these ultrathin 2D nanomaterials for wide ranges of potential applications among the electronics/optoelectronics, electrocat...

Metal-free efficient photocatalyst for stable visible water splitting via a two-electron pathway

Abstract: The use of solar energy to produce molecular hydrogen and oxygen (H2 and O2) from overall water splitting is a promising means of renewable energy storage. In the past 40 years, various inorganic and organic systems have been developed as photocatalysts for water splitting driven by visible light. These photocatalysts, however, still suffer from low quantum efficiency and/or poor stability. We report the design and fabrication of a metal-free carbon nanodot-carbon nitride (C3N4) nanocomposite and demonstrate its impressive performance for photocatalytic solar water splitting. We measured quantum efficiencies of 16% for wavelength λ = 420 ± 20 nanometers, 6.29% for λ = 580 ± 15 nanometers, and 4.42% for λ = 600 ± 10 nanometers, and determined an overall solar energy conversion efficiency of 2.0%. The catalyst comprises low-cost, Earth-abundant, environmentally friendly materials and shows excellent stability.

Carbon quantum dots and their applications

Abstract: Fluorescent carbon nanoparticles or carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are a new class of carbon nanomaterials that have emerged recently and have garnered much interest as potential competitors to conventional semiconductor quantum dots. In addition to their comparable optical properties, CQDs have the desired advantages of low toxicity, environmental friendliness low cost and simple synthetic routes. Moreover, surface passivation and functionalization of CQDs allow for the control of their physicochemical properties. Since their discovery, CQDs have found many applications in the fields of chemical sensing, biosensing, bioimaging, nanomedicine, photocatalysis and electrocatalysis. This article reviews the progress in the research and development of CQDs with an emphasis on their synthesis, functionalization and technical applications along with some discussion on challenges and perspectives in this exciting and promising field.