Zhihui Dong

Bio: Zhihui Dong is an academic researcher from Chinese Academy of Sciences. The author has contributed to research in topics: Adsorption & Metal ions in aqueous solution. The author has an hindex of 5, co-authored 6 publications receiving 674 citations.

Interface chemistry engineering for stable cycling of reduced GO/SnO2 nanocomposites for lithium ion battery.

Abstract: From the whole anode electrode of view, we report in this work a system-level strategy of fabrication of reduced graphene oxide (RGO)/SnO2 composite-based anode for lithium ion battery (LIB) to enhance the capacity and cyclic performance of SnO2-based electrode materials. RGO/SnO2 composite was first coated by a nanothick polydopamine (PD) layer and the PD-coated RGO/SnO2 composite was then cross-linked with poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) that was used as a binder to accomplish a whole anode electrode. The cross-link reaction between PAA and PD produced a robust network in the anode system to stabilize the whole anode during cycling. As a result, the designed anode exhibits an outstanding energy capacity up to 718 mAh/g at current density of 100 mA/g after 200 cycles and a good rate performance of 811, 700, 641, and 512 mAh/g at current density of 100, 250, 500, and 1000 mA/g, respectively. Fourier transform IR spectra confirm the formation of cross-link reaction and the stability of the robust network after long-term cycling. Our results indicate the importance of designing interfaces in anode system on achieving improved performance of electrode of LIBs.

Bio-inspired surface-functionalization of graphene oxide for the adsorption of organic dyes and heavy metal ions with a superhigh capacity

Abstract: By utilizing the synergistic effect of poly-dopamine (PD) with functional groups and graphene oxide (GO) with a high surface area, a series of sub-nano thick PD layer coated GO (PD/GO) composites were fabricated by a well-controlled self-polymerization of dopamine via catechol chemistry and used for effectively decontaminating wastewater. The obtained PD/GO could selectively adsorb the dyes containing an Eschenmoser structure and showed an extremely high adsorption capacity up to 2.1 g g−1, which represents the highest value among dye adsorptions reported so far. The adsorption mechanism was investigated by FTIR analysis, solution pH effect, and some control experiments. It was concluded that the adsorption process was based on the Eschenmoser salt assisted 1,4-Michael addition reaction between the ortho position of the catechol phenolic hydroxyl group of PD and Eschenmoser groups in the dyes. The adsorption isotherms were explored according to the Langmuir and Freundlich models respectively, and matched well with the Langmuir model. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔH, ΔG, ΔS, and E) were also calculated, which suggested an exothermic and spontaneous adsorption process. In addition, PD/GO exhibited an improved adsorption capacity for heavy metal ions (53.6 mg g−1 for Pb2+, 24.4 mg g−1 for Cu2+, 33.3 mg g−1 for Cd2+, and 15.2 mg g−1 for Hg2+, respectively) than pure PD and GO. Our results indicate the effectiveness of the synergistic effect of individual components on designing new functional composites with high performance.

Covalent bond glued sulfur nanosheet-based cathode integration for long-cycle-life Li-S batteries.

Abstract: High-capacity electrochemical active material-based electrodes for lithium ion batteries (LIBs), such as sulfur (S), always face the collapse of the electrode due to the big volume change during insertion of the lithium (Li) ion and therefore shorten the cycle life of the cells. Herein, a series of design from the viewpoint of both individual components and the entire cathode in lithium–sulfur (Li–S) cell was introduced aiming at addressing the issues of poor conductivity, leakage of intermediate polysulphides, and large volumetric expansion upon insertion of the Li ion. In the designed electrode, polydopamine (PD)-coated S nanosheets (NSs) were used as active materials, carboxylic acid functionalized multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT-COOH) as conductive additives, and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) as binders. Far different from the traditional hydrogen bond and/or van der Waals force linked electrodes, stronger covalent bonds formed by cross-linking of PD/MWCNT-COOH and PD/PAA into amide bonds, respectively, w...

Interface chemistry engineering of protein-directed SnO₂ nanocrystal-based anode for lithium-ion batteries with improved performance.

Abstract: A novel uniform amorphous carbon-coated SnO2 nanocrystal (NCs) for use in lithium-ion batteries is formed by utilizing bovine serum albumin (BSA) as both the ligand and carbon source. The SnO2 -carbon composite is then coated by a controlled thickness of polydopamine (PD) layer through in situ polymerization of dopamine. The PD-coated SnO2 -carbon composite is finally mixed with polyacrylic acid (PAA) which is used as binder to accomplish a whole anode system. A crosslink reaction is built between PAA and PD through formation of amide bonds to produce a robust network in the anode system. As a result, the designed electrode exhibits improved reversible capacity of 648 mAh/g at a current density of 100 mA/g after 100 cycles, and an enhanced rate performance of 875, 745, 639, and 523 mAh/g at current densities of 50, 100, 250, and 500 mA/g, respectively. FTIR spectra confirm the formation of crosslink reaction and the stability of the robust network during long-term cycling. The great improvement of capacity and rate performance achieved in this anode system is attributed to two stable interfaces built between the active material (SnO2 -carbon composite) and the buffer layer (PD) and between the buffer layer and the binder (PAA), which effectively diminish the volume change of SnO2 during charge/discharge process and provide a stable matrix for active materials.

Noncovalent Functionalization of Graphene and Graphene Oxide for Energy Materials, Biosensing, Catalytic, and Biomedical Applications

Abstract: This Review focuses on noncovalent functionalization of graphene and graphene oxide with various species involving biomolecules, polymers, drugs, metals and metal oxide-based nanoparticles, quantum dots, magnetic nanostructures, other carbon allotropes (fullerenes, nanodiamonds, and carbon nanotubes), and graphene analogues (MoS2, WS2). A brief description of π–π interactions, van der Waals forces, ionic interactions, and hydrogen bonding allowing noncovalent modification of graphene and graphene oxide is first given. The main part of this Review is devoted to tailored functionalization for applications in drug delivery, energy materials, solar cells, water splitting, biosensing, bioimaging, environmental, catalytic, photocatalytic, and biomedical technologies. A significant part of this Review explores the possibilities of graphene/graphene oxide-based 3D superstructures and their use in lithium-ion batteries. This Review ends with a look at challenges and future prospects of noncovalently modified graph...

Review on High-Loading and High-Energy Lithium–Sulfur Batteries

Abstract: Owing to high specific energy, low cost, and environmental friendliness, lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries hold great promise to meet the increasing demand for advanced energy storage beyond portable electronics, and to mitigate environmental problems. However, the application of Li–S batteries is challenged by several obstacles, including their short life and low sulfur utilization, which become more serious when sulfur loading is increased to the practically accepted level above 3–5 mg cm−2. More and more efforts have been made recently to overcome the barriers toward commercially viable Li–S batteries with a high sulfur loading. This review highlights the recent progress in high-sulfur-loading Li–S batteries enabled by hierarchical design principles at multiscale. Particularly, basic insights into the interfacial reactions, strategies for mesoscale assembly, unique architectures, and configurational innovation in the cathode, anode, and separator are under specific concerns. Hierarchy in the multiscale design is proposed to guide the future development of high-sulfur-loading Li–S batteries.

Metal–organic framework-based materials: superior adsorbents for the capture of toxic and radioactive metal ions

Abstract: Highly efficient removal of metal ion pollutants, such as toxic and nuclear waste-related metal ions, remains a serious task from the biological and environmental standpoint because of their harmful effects on human health and the environment. Recently, highly porous metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), with excellent chemical stability and abundant functional groups, have represented a new addition to the area of capturing various types of hazardous metal ion pollutants. This review focuses on recent progress in reported MOFs and MOF-based composites as superior adsorbents for the efficient removal of toxic and nuclear waste-related metal ions. Aspects related to the interaction mechanisms between metal ions and MOF-based materials are systematically summarized, including macroscopic batch experiments, microscopic spectroscopy analysis, and theoretical calculations. The adsorption properties of various MOF-based materials are assessed and compared with those of other widely used adsorbents. Finally, we propose our personal insights into future research opportunities and challenges in the hope of stimulating more researchers to engage in this new field of MOF-based materials for environmental pollution management.

High-Power Lithium Batteries from Functionalized Carbon Nanotube Electrodes

Abstract: Energy storage devices that can deliver high powers have many applications, including hybrid vehicles and renewable energy. Much research has focused on increasing the power output of lithium batteries by reducing lithium-ion diffusion distances, but outputs remain far below those of electrochemical capacitors and below the levels required for many applications. Here, we report an alternative approach based on the redox reactions of functional groups on the surfaces of carbon nanotubes. Layer-by-layer techniques are used to assemble an electrode that consists of additive-free, densely packed and functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes. The electrode, which is several micrometres thick, can store lithium up to a reversible gravimetric capacity of approximately 200 mA h g(-1)(electrode) while also delivering 100 kW kg(electrode)(-1) of power and providing lifetimes in excess of thousands of cycles, both of which are comparable to electrochemical capacitor electrodes. A device using the nanotube electrode as the positive electrode and lithium titanium oxide as a negative electrode had a gravimetric energy approximately 5 times higher than conventional electrochemical capacitors and power delivery approximately 10 times higher than conventional lithium-ion batteries.