Yuxin Zhao

Bio: Yuxin Zhao is an academic researcher from Xi'an Jiaotong University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Catalysis & Nanowire. The author has an hindex of 17, co-authored 34 publications receiving 1006 citations. Previous affiliations of Yuxin Zhao include Chinese Academy of Sciences & Griffith University.

Construction of novel three dimensionally ordered macroporous carbon nitride for highly efficient photocatalytic activity

Abstract: The construction of multi-porous nanostructured g-C 3 N 4 photocatalyst is an efficient strategy to separate charge carriers and enhance the photocatalytic activity in the visible light region Here we utilized a simply thermal condensation-assisted colloidal crystal template method to construct the novel and highly efficient three dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) g-C 3 N 4 photocatalyst for the photocatalytic oxidation of pollutants The effects of microstructure, crystallinity, textural properties and optical absorption ability on the photocatalytic activity of 3DOM g-C 3 N 4 have been systematically probed Characterization and photocatalytic test results showed that the 3DOM architecture has the unique structure sensitive property to light trapping, reactant transfer and photoreaction, and this property leads 3DOM g-C 3 N 4 to produce a narrowed electronic band gap (265 eV) and own superior photocatalytic performance for the degradation of organic dye Compared to pure g-C 3 N 4 (lamellar structure), 3DOM g-C 3 N 4 shows approximately 53 times higher catalytic activity A possible mechanism of the photoactivity enhancement was proposed based on the photocurrent measurement, photoluminescence analysis and the quenching experiments This work highlights that the construction of 3DOM architecture could provide a useful strategy to design and fabricate highly efficient g-C 3 N 4 photocatalysts

Cation exchanged MOF-derived nitrogen-doped porous carbons for CO2 capture and supercapacitor electrode materials

Abstract: A new strategy was developed to introduce active site K+ into the pores of MOF precursors, and various N-doped hierarchical porous carbons were prepared in a one-step synthetic route. The effect of K+in situ activation on the textural properties of the derived porous carbons was studied systematically, and the CO2 capture properties and electrochemical performance of these porous carbons were enhanced for their application in supercapacitors. The KBM-700 sample derived from K@bio-MOF-1 (potassium-ion-exchanged bio-MOF-1), which had high nitrogen content (10.16%) and micropore volume (73%), exhibited good CO2 uptakes (4.75 mmol g−1), and high adsorption selectivity for CO2/N2 at 298 K and 1 bar (Sads = 99.1) as well as high specific capacitance (230 F g−1) and excellent electrochemical cycling stability (97% retention after cycling 10 000 times).

Highly efficient charge transfer at 2D/2D layered P-La2Ti2O7/Bi2WO6 contact heterojunctions for upgraded visible-light-driven photocatalysis

Abstract: Two-dimensional (2D) layered Perovskite-type La2Ti2O7 has emerged as the most exciting photovoltaic material in the next generation clean energy technologies. This study presents a facile strategy to improve the photocatalytic performance of La2Ti2O7 by energy level engineering via phosphor doping and well-controlled layer-by-layer assembly of stacked P-La2Ti2O7/Bi2WO6 heterojunctions. The non-metal P-type element doping optimizes the electronic configuration and modulates valence states of ions, resulting in enhanced activities of perovskite photocatalyst. Additionally, the integration of 2D Bi2WO6 generates abundant intimate heterogeneous interfacial contacts, which is beneficial for expediting charge separation and effectively suppressing electron–hole pair recombination across the heterojunction, eventually contributing to enhanced photocatalytic efficiency of the system. As a result of synergies, the 2D/2D layered P-La2Ti2O7/Bi2WO6 contact heterojunctions exhibited excellent visible-light-driven photocatalytic activities and sustained cycling performance. An RhB degradation efficiency of up to 99.02% was achieved under visible-light irradiation within 80 min.

UiO-66-Coated Mesh Membrane with Underwater Superoleophobicity for High-Efficiency Oil-Water Separation.

Abstract: A UiO-66-coated mesh membrane with micro- and nanostructures was designed and successfully fabricated on steel mesh through a simple solution immersion process, exhibiting hydrophilic and underwater superoleophobic properties. It displays an outstanding oil–water separation efficiency over 99.99% with a high water permeation flux of 12.7 × 104 L m–2 h–1, so high purity water (with the residual oil content less than 4 ppm) can be readily obtained from such a simple mesh membrane from various oil–water mixtures. Its large-scale membrane production will facilitate its practical usage for the industrial and environmental water purification.

Hyper-Branched Cu@Cu2O Coaxial Nanowires Mesh Electrode for Ultra-Sensitive Glucose Detection.

Abstract: Electrode design in nanoscale is expected to contribute significantly in constructing an enhanced electrochemical platform for a superb sensor. In this work, we present a facile synthesis of new fashioned heteronanostructure that is composed of one-dimensional Cu nanowires (NWs) and epitaxially grown two-dimensional Cu2O nanosheets (NSs). This hierarchical architecture is quite attractive in molecules detection for three unique characteristics: (1) the three-dimensional hierarchical architecture provides large specific surface areas for more active catalytic sites and easy accessibility for the target molecules; (2) the high-quality heterojunction with minimal lattice mismatch between the built-in current collector (Cu core) and active medium (Cu2O shell) considerably promotes the electron transport; (3) the adequate free space between branches and anisotropic NWs can accommodate a large volume change to avoid collapse or distortion during the reduplicative operation processes under applied potentials. Th...

Cu and Cu-Based Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Applications in Catalysis.

Abstract: The applications of copper (Cu) and Cu-based nanoparticles, which are based on the earth-abundant and inexpensive copper metal, have generated a great deal of interest in recent years, especially in the field of catalysis. The possible modification of the chemical and physical properties of these nanoparticles using different synthetic strategies and conditions and/or via postsynthetic chemical treatments has been largely responsible for the rapid growth of interest in these nanomaterials and their applications in catalysis. In addition, the design and development of novel support and/or multimetallic systems (e.g., alloys, etc.) has also made significant contributions to the field. In this comprehensive review, we report different synthetic approaches to Cu and Cu-based nanoparticles (metallic copper, copper oxides, and hybrid copper nanostructures) and copper nanoparticles immobilized into or supported on various support materials (SiO2, magnetic support materials, etc.), along with their applications i...

Defect-rich and ultrathin N doped carbon nanosheets as advanced trifunctional metal-free electrocatalysts for the ORR, OER and HER

Abstract: Rational design and facile preparation of non-noble trifunctional electrocatalysts with high performance, low cost and strong durability for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are highly demanded, but remain as a big challenge. Herein, we report a spontaneous gas-foaming method to prepare nitrogen doped ultrathin carbon nanosheets (NCNs) by simply pyrolysing a mixture of citric acid and NH4Cl. Under the optimized pyrolysis temperature (carbonized at 1000 °C) and mass ratio of precursors (1 : 1), the synthesized NCN-1000-5 sample possesses an ultrathin sheet structure, an ultrahigh specific surface area (1793 m2 g−1), and rich edge defects, and exhibits low overpotential and robust stability for the ORR, OER and HER. By means of density functional theory (DFT) computations, we revealed that the intrinsic active sites for the ORR, OER and HER are the carbon atoms located at the armchair edge and adjacent to the graphitic N dopants. When practically used as a catalyst in rechargeable Zn–air batteries, a high energy density (806 W h kg−1), a low charge/discharge voltage gap (0.77 V) and an ultralong cycle life (over 330 h) were obtained at 10 mA cm−2 for NCN-1000-5. This work not only presents a versatile strategy to develop advanced carbon materials with ultrahigh specific surface area and abundant edge defects, but also provides useful guidance for designing and developing multifunctional metal-free catalysts for various energy-related electrocatalytic reactions.