We developed two-step solution-phase reactions to form hybrid materials of Mn3O4 nanoparticles on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) sheets for lithium ion battery applications. Mn3O4 nanoparticles grown selectively on RGO sheets over free particle growth in solution allowed for the electrically insulating Mn3O4 nanoparticles wired up to a current collector through the underlying conducting graphene network. The Mn3O4 nanoparticles formed on RGO show a high specific capacity up to ~900mAh/g near its theoretical capacity with good rate capability and cycling stability, owing to the intimate interactions between the graphene substrates and the Mn3O4 nanoparticles grown atop. The Mn3O4/RGO hybrid could be a promising candidate material for high-capacity, low-cost, and environmentally friendly anode for lithium ion batteries. Our growth-on-graphene approach should offer a new technique for design and synthesis of battery electrodes based on highly insulating materials.

Mn3O4-Graphene Hybrid as a High Capacity Anode Material for Lithium Ion Batteries

Mobile and stationary energy storage by rechargeable batteries is a topic of broad societal and economical relevance. Lithium-ion battery (LIB) technology is at the forefront of the development, but a massively growing market will likely put severe pressure on resources and supply chains. Recently, sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have been reconsidered with the aim of providing a lower-cost alternative that is less susceptible to resource and supply risks. On paper, the replacement of lithium by sodium in a battery seems straightforward at first, but unpredictable surprises are often found in practice. What happens when replacing lithium by sodium in electrode reactions? This review provides a state-of-the art overview on the redox behavior of materials when used as electrodes in lithium-ion and sodium-ion batteries, respectively. Advantages and challenges related to the use of sodium instead of lithium are discussed.

From Lithium-Ion to Sodium-Ion Batteries: Advantages, Challenges, and Surprises.

To solve the problem of the global energy shortage and the pollution of the environment, in recent years, semiconductor photocatalytic technology that converts solar energy into chemical fuel has been widely studied. Regarding semiconductor-based photocatalysts, CdS has attracted extensive attention due to its relatively narrow bandgap for visible-light response and sufficiently negative potential of the conduction band edge for the reduction of protons. Studies have shown that CdS-based photocatalysts possess excellent photocatalytic performance in terms of solar-fuel generation and environmental purification. This critical review presents the recent advances and progress in the design and synthesis of various CdS and CdS-based photocatalysts. The basic physical and chemical properties of CdS and the related growth mechanism have been briefly summarized. Moreover, the applications of CdS-based photocatalysts have been discussed such as in photocatalytic hydrogen production, reduction of CO2 to hydrocarbon fuels and degradation of pollutants. Finally, a brief perspective on the challenges and future directions for the development of CdS and CdS-based photocatalysts are also presented.

CdS-Based photocatalysts

Over the last decade, significant effort has been devoted to the applications of hierarchically structured porous materials owing to their outstanding properties such as high surface area, excellent accessibility to active sites, and enhanced mass transport and diffusion. The hierarchy of porosity, structural, morphological and component levels in these materials is key for their high performance in all kinds of applications. The introduction of hierarchical porosity into materials has led to a significant improvement in the performance of materials. Herein, recent progress in the applications of hierarchically structured porous materials from energy conversion and storage, catalysis, photocatalysis, adsorption, separation, and sensing to biomedicine is reviewed. Their potential future applications are also highlighted. We particularly dwell on the relationship between hierarchically porous structures and properties, with examples of each type of hierarchically structured porous material according to its chemical composition and physical characteristics. The present review aims to open up a new avenue to guide the readers to quickly obtain in-depth knowledge of applications of hierarchically porous materials and to have a good idea about selecting and designing suitable hierarchically porous materials for a specific application. In addition to focusing on the applications of hierarchically porous materials, this comprehensive review could stimulate researchers to synthesize new advanced hierarchically porous solids.

Applications of hierarchically structured porous materials from energy storage and conversion, catalysis, photocatalysis, adsorption, separation, and sensing to biomedicine

CuO nanostructures: Synthesis, characterization, growth mechanisms, fundamental properties, and applications

Biomass, a naturally abundant, sustainable and clean resource has great potential as an alternative to replace the limited fossil feedstock for value‐added chemicals and fuels. Biomass with abundant reductive functional groups could theoretically act as electron donor to consume photogenerated holes and/or active free radicals. Biomass photoreforming over semiconductor photocatalysts using solar light as energy input attracts much attention in this context. However, biomass photoreforming still suffers low conversion efficiency and product selectivity due to its structural complexity, poor solubility and unclear reaction mechanism. Owing to the advanced features of mass diffusion of biomass derivatives and adjustable surface properties, hierarchically porous photocatalysts with desired active sites at each length scale of porosity have shown their superiority in boosting the conversion efficiency and selectivity of biomass photoreforming. Herein, a critical review is presented on selective biomass photoreforming for simultaneous H2 and value‐added chemicals co‐production on hierarchically porous photocatalysts. The fundamentals of biomass photoreforming and current bottleneck of biomass valorization by photocatalytic process are presented and analyzed. The rational photocatalyst design with hierarchically porous structure to improve the biomass conversion and product selectivity by boosting mass transfer is highlighted. Finally the challenges and opportunities for photocatalytic biomass valorization are presented in the perspective ssection.

Biomass Photoreforming for Hydrogen and Value‐Added Chemicals Co‐Production on Hierarchically Porous Photocatalysts

The invention discloses an explosion resisting and releasing linkage system used for a combustible gas and dust conveying pipeline. A flame detector, an explosion releasing device, an explosion restraining device, an explosion resisting device and a control system are included, the flame detector, the explosion releasing device, the explosion restraining device and the explosion resisting device are sequentially arranged in the explosion spreading direction in the pipeline, and the control system is connected with the flame detector, the explosion releasing device, the explosion restraining device and the explosion resisting device. The pipeline is blocked, meanwhile, an explosion resisting agent is sprayed in time, explosion flames are extinguished, pressure releasing is conducted throughthe explosion releasing device, explosion shock waves are weakened to the maximum degree, the effect is reliable, multiple protection measures are formed, and safety is improved.

Explosion resisting and releasing linkage system used for combustible gas and dust conveying pipeline

Spatial Charge Separation on (110)/(102) Facets of Cocatalyst-Free ZnIn2S4 for Selective Conversion of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-Diformylfuran

Ti3C2 MXene has been extensively studied in the field of photocatalytic hydrogen production since its discovery due to the large specific surface area and adjustable surface groups. However, the weak interaction at the interface of Ti3C2-based composites leads to a high energy barrier, which is not conducive to carrier transport. Herein, we propose the construction of a sandwich Ti3C2/R-TiO2 composite photocatalyst by in situ growing rutile TiO2 (R-TiO2) nanoneedles in Ti3C2 MXene through NaOH oxidation treatment and the microwave hydrothermal method. This in situ synthesis can make Ti3C2 MXene and TiO2 nanoneedles closely link together, which is conducive to carrier transport and material stability. The best Ti3C2/R-TiO2 composite achieves an excellent hydrogen production rate of 1.62 mmol g–1 h–1, as endowed by the 2D nanosheet-constructed sandwich structure, an increased specific surface area, and improved charge carrier separation and transport. 

Jing Liu

Papers

Biomass Photoreforming for Hydrogen and Value‐Added Chemicals Co‐Production on Hierarchically Porous Photocatalysts

Explosion resisting and releasing linkage system used for combustible gas and dust conveying pipeline

Spatial Charge Separation on (110)/(102) Facets of Cocatalyst-Free ZnIn2S4 for Selective Conversion of 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural to 2,5-Diformylfuran

In Situ Conversion of Ti3C2 MXene to Sandwich Ti3C2/R-TiO2 for Promoted Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production

Zn0.1cd0.9s/Nis Heterojunction Photocatalysts for Enhanced H2 Production and Glucose Conversion