Xun Sun

Bio: Xun Sun is an academic researcher from Shandong University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Cavitation & Chemistry. The author has an hindex of 13, co-authored 34 publications receiving 441 citations. Previous affiliations of Xun Sun include Hanyang University.

MXene-Copper/Cobalt Hybrids via Lewis Acidic Molten Salts Etching for High Performance Symmetric Supercapacitors.

Abstract: MXenes have attracted great interests as supercapacitors due to their metallic conductivity, high density, and hydrophilic nature. Herein we report Ti3 C2 -Cu/Co hybrids via molten salt etching in which the existence of metal atoms and their interactions with MXene via surficial O atoms were elucidated by XAFS for the first time. The electrochemical investigation of Ti3 C2 -Cu electrode demonstrated the pseudocapacitive contribution of Cu and a splendid specific capacitance of 885.0 F g-1 at 0.5 A g-1 in 1.0 M H2 SO4 . Symmetric supercapacitor Ti3 C2 -Cu//Ti3 C2 -Cu was demonstrated with operating voltage of 1.6 V, areal capacitance of 290.5 mF cm-2 at 1 mA cm-2 , and stability over 10 000 cycles. It delivered an areal energy density of 103.3 μWh cm-2 at power density of 0.8 mW cm-2 , based on which a supercapacitor pouch was fabricated. It provides deeper insights into the molten salt mechanism and strategies for designing MXene-based materials for electrochemical energy storage.

Nanoarchitectured metal–organic framework/polypyrrole hybrids for brackish water desalination using capacitive deionization

Abstract: New families of materials that may potentially replace dominant carbon electrodes have emerged as a major research hotspot in the field of capacitive deionization (CDI). Here, we report a metal–organic framework (MOF)/polypyrrole (PPy) hybrid, in which conductive PPy nanotubes that are running through each MOF particle have the potential to increase the overall bulk electrical conductivity, thus promoting such a system as a good CDI electrode material. Consequently, the MOF/PPy hybrid shows a high desalination capacity of 11.34 mg g−1, which is amongst those of state-of-the-art CDI electrodes. Moreover, the MOF/PPy hybrid also shows a superior desalination performance for brackish water and good cycling stability, far exceeding typical carbon-based benchmarks. This is the first example of CDI electrodes derived from direct MOF-based materials, highlighting the potential of these hybrid systems as promising materials beyond traditional carbon electrodes.

Solar-Powered Sustainable Water Production: State-of-the-Art Technologies for Sunlight-Energy-Water Nexus.

Abstract: Alternative water resources (seawater, brackish water, atmospheric water, sewage, etc.) can be converted into clean freshwater via high-efficiency, energy-saving, and cost-effective methods to cope with the global water crisis. Herein, we provide a comprehensive and systematic overview of various solar-powered technologies for alternative water utilization (i.e., "sunlight-energy-water nexus"), including solar-thermal interface desalination (STID), solar-thermal membrane desalination (STMD), solar-driven electrochemical desalination (SED), and solar-thermal atmospheric water harvesting (ST-AWH). Three strategies have been proposed for improving the evaporation rate of STID systems above the theoretical limit and designing all-weather or all-day operating STID systems by analyzing the energy transfer of the evaporation and condensation processes caused by solar-thermal conversion. This review also introduces the fundamental principles and current research hotspots of two other solar-driven seawater or brackish water desalination technologies (STMD and SED) in detail. In addition, we also cover ST-AWH and other solar-powered technologies in terms of technology design, materials evolution, device assembly, etc. Finally, we summarize the content of this comprehensive review and discuss the challenges and future outlook of different types of solar-powered alternative water utilization technologies.