Anhui Normal University

About: Anhui Normal University is a education organization based out in Wuhu, China. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Catalysis & Population. The organization has 7955 authors who have published 7309 publications receiving 117443 citations.

Copper atom-pair catalyst anchored on alloy nanowires for selective and efficient electrochemical reduction of CO 2

Abstract: The electrochemical reduction of CO2 could play an important role in addressing climate-change issues and global energy demands as part of a carbon-neutral energy cycle. Single-atom catalysts can display outstanding electrocatalytic performance; however, given their single-site nature they are usually only amenable to reactions that involve single molecules. For processes that involve multiple molecules, improved catalytic properties could be achieved through the development of atomically dispersed catalysts with higher complexities. Here we report a catalyst that features two adjacent copper atoms, which we call an ‘atom-pair catalyst’, that work together to carry out the critical bimolecular step in CO2 reduction. The atom-pair catalyst features stable Cu10–Cu1x+ pair structures, with Cu1x+ adsorbing H2O and the neighbouring Cu10 adsorbing CO2, which thereby promotes CO2 activation. This results in a Faradaic efficiency for CO generation above 92%, with the competing hydrogen evolution reaction almost completely suppressed. Experimental characterization and density functional theory revealed that the adsorption configuration reduces the activation energy, which generates high selectivity, activity and stability under relatively low potentials. Anchored single-atom catalysts have recently been shown to be very active for various processes, however, a catalyst that features two adjacent copper atoms—which we call an atom-pair catalyst—is now reported. The Cu10–Cu1x+ pair structures work together to carry out the critical bimolecular step in CO2 reduction.

Synthesis-Modification Integration: One-Step Fabrication of Boronic Acid Functionalized Carbon Dots for Fluorescent Blood Sugar Sensing

Abstract: In this paper, we have presented a novel strategy to fabricate fluorescent boronic acid modified carbon dots (C-dots) for nonenzymatic blood glucose sensing applications. The functionalized C-dots are obtained by one-step hydrothermal carbonization, using phenylboronic acid as the sole precursor. Compared with conventional two-step fabrication of nanoparticle-based sensors, the present “synthesis-modification integration” strategy is simpler and more efficient. The added glucose selectively leads to the assembly and fluorescence quenching of the C-dots. Such fluorescence responses can be used for well quantifying glucose in the range of 9–900 μM, which is 10–250 times more sensitive than that of previous boronic acid based fluorescent nanosensing systems. Due to “inert” surface, the C-dots can well resist the interferences from various biomolecules and exhibit excellent selectivity. The proposed sensing system has been successfully used for the assay of glucose in human serum. Due to simplicity and effect...

One-pot synthesis and bioapplication of amine-functionalized magnetite nanoparticles and hollow nanospheres

Abstract: To demonstrate their applications in biological and medical fields such as in immunoassays, magnetic separation of cells or proteins, drug or gene delivery, and magnetic resonance imaging, the template-free syntheses of water-soluble and surface functionalized magnetic nanomaterials have become essential and are challenging. Herein, we developed a facile one-pot template-free method for the preparation of amine-functionalized magnetite nanoparticles and hollow nanospheres by using FeCl(3)6 H(2)O as single iron source. These magnetic nanomaterials were characterized by TEM, SEM, XRD, and FTIR technologies. Their magnetic properties were also studied by using a superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) magnetometer at room temperature. Then the amine-functionalized magnetite nanoparticles were applied to immunoassays and magnetic resonance imaging in live mice.

Utilization of powdered peanut hull as biosorbent for removal of anionic dyes from aqueous solution

Abstract: An untried, low cost, locally available biosorbent for its anionic dye removal capacity from aqueous solution was investigated. Powder prepared from peanut hull had been used for biosorption of three anionic dyes, amaranth (Am), sunset yellow (SY) and fast green FCF (FG). The effects of various experimental parameters (e.g. initial pH and dye concentration, sorbent dosage, particle size, ion strength, contact time etc.) were examined and optimal experimental conditions were decided. At initial pH 2.0, three dyes studied could be removed effectively. When the dye concentration was 50 mg x L(-1), the percentages of dyes sorbed was 95.5% in Am, 91.3% in SY and 94.98% in FG, respectively. The ratios of dyes sorbed had neared maximum values in all three dyes when sorbent dose of 5.0 g x L(-1) and the sorbent particle size in 80-100 mesh was used. The increasing the ion strength of solution caused the decrease in biosorption percentages of dyes. The equilibrium values arrived at about 36 hour for all three dyes. The isothermal data of biosorption followed the Langmuir and Freundlich models. The biosorption processes conformed the pseudo-first-order rate kinetics. The results indicated that powdered peanut hull was an attractive candidate for removing anionic dyes from dye wastewater.

A Bimetallic Zn/Fe Polyphthalocyanine-Derived Single-Atom Fe-N-4 Catalytic Site:A Superior Trifunctional Catalyst for Overall Water Splitting and Zn-Air Batteries

Abstract: Developing an efficient single-atom material (SAM) synthesis and exploring the energy-related catalytic reaction are important but still challenging. A polymerization-pyrolysis-evaporation (PPE) strategy was developed to synthesize N-doped porous carbon (NPC) with anchored atomically dispersed Fe-N4 catalytic sites. This material was derived from predesigned bimetallic Zn/Fe polyphthalocyanine. Experiments and calculations demonstrate the formed Fe-N4 site exhibits superior trifunctional electrocatalytic performance for oxygen reduction, oxygen evolution, and hydrogen evolution reactions. In overall water splitting and rechargeable Zn-air battery devices containing the Fe-N4 SAs/NPC catalyst, it exhibits high efficiency and extraordinary stability. This current PPE method is a general strategy for preparing M SAs/NPC (M=Co, Ni, Mn), bringing new perspectives for designing various SAMs for catalytic application.