Yongsheng Fu

Bio: Yongsheng Fu is an academic researcher from Nanjing University of Science and Technology. The author has contributed to research in topics: Graphene & Catalysis. The author has an hindex of 34, co-authored 89 publications receiving 4326 citations.

Magnetically Separable ZnFe2O4–Graphene Catalyst and its High Photocatalytic Performance under Visible Light Irradiation

Abstract: A magnetically separable ZnFe2O4–graphene nanocomposite photocatalyst with different graphene content was prepared by a facile one-step hydrothermal method. The graphene sheets in this nanocomposite photocatalyst are exfoliated and decorated with ZnFe2O4 nanocrystals. It was found that in the presence of H2O2, the photodegradation rate of methylene blue (MB) was 88% after visible light irradiation for only 5 min and reached up to 99% after irradiation for 90 min. In comparison with pure ZnFe2O4 catalyst, ZnFe2O4–graphene serves a dual function as the catalyst for photoelectrochemical degradation of MB and the generator of a strong oxidant hydroxyl radical (·OH) via photoelectrochemical decomposition of H2O2 under visible light irradiation. ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles themselves have a magnetic property, which makes the ZnFe2O4–graphene composite magnetically separable in a suspension system, and therefore it does not require additional magnetic components as is the usual case.

Combination of cobalt ferrite and graphene: High-performance and recyclable visible-light photocatalysis

Abstract: A straightforward strategy was designed for the fabrication of magnetically separable CoFe2O4-graphene photocatalysts with differing graphene content. It is very interesting that the combination of CoFe2O4 nanoparticles with graphene results in a dramatic conversion of the inert CoFe2O4 into a highly active catalyst for the degradation of methylene blue (MB), Rhodamine B (RhB), methyl orange (MO), active black BL-G and active red RGB under visible-light irradiation. The significant enhancement in photoactivity under visible-light irradiation can be ascribed to reduction of graphene oxide, because the photogenerated electrons of CoFe2O4 can transfer easily from the conduction band to the reduced graphene oxide, effectively preventing a direct recombination of electrons and holes. Hydroxyl radicals play the role of main oxidant in the CoFe2O4-graphene system and the radicals’ oxidation reaction is obviously dominant. CoFe2O4 nanoparticles themselves have a strong magnetic property, which can be used for magnetic separation in a suspension system, and therefore the introduction of additional magnetic supports is no longer necessary.

Reduction of nitrophenols to aminophenols under concerted catalysis by Au/g-C3N4 contact system

Abstract: We report a facile one-step strategy to fabricate an Au/g-C 3 N 4 contact system with different Au contents. Morphology observation shows that Au nanoparticles with an average diameter of 2.6 nm are firmly anchored on the surface of two-dimensional g-C 3 N 4 sheets. It is found that the Au/g-C 3 N 4 contact system exhibits an unusual bi-functionality of catalytic and visible-light-driven photocatalytic activities, thus the hydrogenation reduction of nitrophenol to aminophenol can be rapidly achieved under concerted catalysis by the system. Among the Au/g-C 3 N 4 contact systems studied, the Au/g-C 3 N 4 -6 exhibits the highest rate constant of 5.9362 × 10 −3 s −1 in the dark and 7.9895 × 10 −3 s −1 under visible light irradiation for the reduction of p -nitrophenol to p -aminophenol, which is impressively higher than that pure Au nanoparticles or recently reported Au-based nanocatalysts. Such a concerted catalysis can be attributed to the negative shift in Fermi level of Au caused by the induced charge-transfer effect as a result of the strong interaction between Au nanoparticles and g-C 3 N 4 .

Ag/g-C3N4 catalyst with superior catalytic performance for the degradation of dyes: a borohydride-generated superoxide radical approach

Abstract: A straightforward approach is developed for fabrication of a visible-light-driven Ag/g-C3N4 catalyst. Morphological observation shows that the g-C3N4 sheets are decorated with highly dispersed Ag nanoparticles having an average size of 5.6 nm. The photocatalytic activity measurements demonstrate that the photocatalytic degradation rates of methyl orange (MO), methylene blue (MB), and neutral dark yellow GL (NDY-GL) over Ag/g-C3N4-4 can reach up to 98.2, 99.3 and 99.6% in the presence of borohydride ions (BH4−) only with 8, 45, and 16 min visible light irradiation, respectively. The significant enhancement in photoactivity of the catalyst is mainly attributed to the high dispersity and smaller size of Ag nanoparticles, the strong surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effect of metallic Ag nanoparticles, the efficient separation of photogenerated charge carriers, the additional superoxide radicals (O˙−2) generated from the reduction of dissolved oxygen in the presence of BH4− and the synergistic effect of Ag nanoparticles and g-C3N4.

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...

Graphene-based semiconductor photocatalysts

Abstract: Graphene, a single layer of graphite, possesses a unique two-dimensional structure, high conductivity, superior electron mobility and extremely high specific surface area, and can be produced on a large scale at low cost. Thus, it has been regarded as an important component for making various functional composite materials. Especially, graphene-based semiconductor photocatalysts have attracted extensive attention because of their usefulness in environmental and energy applications. This critical review summarizes the recent progress in the design and fabrication of graphene-based semiconductor photocatalysts via various strategies including in situ growth, solution mixing, hydrothermal and/or solvothermal methods. Furthermore, the photocatalytic properties of the resulting graphene-based composite systems are also discussed in relation to the environmental and energy applications such as photocatalytic degradation of pollutants, photocatalytic hydrogen generation and photocatalytic disinfection. This critical review ends with a summary and some perspectives on the challenges and new directions in this emerging area of research (158 references).

Mixed transition-metal oxides: design, synthesis, and energy-related applications.

Abstract: A promising family of mixed transition-metal oxides (MTMOs) (designated as Ax B3-x O4 ; A, B=Co, Ni, Zn, Mn, Fe, etc.) with stoichiometric or even non-stoichiometric compositions, typically in a spinel structure, has recently attracted increasing research interest worldwide. Benefiting from their remarkable electrochemical properties, these MTMOs will play significant roles for low-cost and environmentally friendly energy storage/conversion technologies. In this Review, we summarize recent research advances in the rational design and efficient synthesis of MTMOs with controlled shapes, sizes, compositions, and micro-/nanostructures, along with their applications as electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries and electrochemical capacitors, and efficient electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction in metal-air batteries and fuel cells. Some future trends and prospects to further develop advanced MTMOs for next-generation electrochemical energy storage/conversion systems are also presented.