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.

Singlet oxygen triggered by robust bimetallic MoFe/TiO2 nanospheres of highly efficacy in solar-light-driven peroxymonosulfate activation for organic pollutants removal

Abstract: Sulfate-radical (SO4 −) based Advanced Oxidation Process (SR-AOP), which is mainly generated from peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation, is an excellent route for water treatment. Bimetallic nanoparticles have been widely applied in electronic, chemical, biological, and mechanical fields, etc.; however, few researchers have attempted to adopt bimetallic nanoparticles in environmental remediation. Further, in recent years, element molybdenum (Mo) has addressed much more environmental field attention than ever. Although singlet oxygen (1O2) generated commonly in SR-AOPs, its generation mechanism remains controversial. Hence, in this work, bimetallic MoFe/TiO2 nanospheres were rationally constructed via a facile two-step methodology. Undoubtedly, it exhibited superior performance for the degradation of organic pollutants (e.g., rhodamine, phenol, 4-chlorophenol and sulfadiazine) irradiated by simulated solar light. Both photo-generated electrons and transition metallic redox couples (i.e., Mo6+/Mo4+, Fe3+/Fe2+ and Mo4+/Fe3+) play vital roles in the PMS activation. Distinct from conventional SR-AOPs, sulfate radicals (SO4 −), hydroxyl radicals ( OH) and peroxymonosulfate radicals (SO5 −) indeed participate in the transformation and generation of singlet oxygen (1O2). With the combination of DFT calculation, the Mo sites on the bimetallic MoFe (110) facet are more favorable to adsorb PMS molecules, then followed by the dissociation of PMS progressing on the Mo sites. Electrons transferring from the Mo atoms to the Fe atoms facilitated the adsorption of the negatively charged HSO5- anions, resulting in enhanced PMS activation efficiency. Considering its novelty and generation mechanism, this work highlights the mechanism of 1O2 generation from PMS reduction and oxidation simultaneously and furnishes theoretical support for further relevant studies.

Enantioselective synthesis of naphthopyran derivatives catalyzed by bifunctional thiourea-tertiary amines

Abstract: An efficient bifunctional thiourea catalyzed addition–cyclization reaction of 2-naphthol with α,α-dicyanoolefins is realized under mild conditions to afford the corresponding naphthopyran derivatives in high yields and moderate enantioselectivities. Additionally, the development of an asymmetric three-component one-pot procedure for the synthesis of naphthopyran derivatives is also reported.

Fabrication and gas-sensing properties of hierarchically porous ZnO architectures

Abstract: Hierarchically three-dimensional (3D) porous ZnO architectures are synthesized by a template-free, economical aqueous solution method combined with subsequent calcination. First, the precursors of interlaced and monodisperse basic zinc nitrate (BZN) nanosheets are prepared. Then calcination of the precursors produces hierarchically 3D porous ZnO architectures composed of interlaced ZnO nanosheets with high porosity resulting from the thermal decomposition of the precursors. The products are characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric–differential thermalgravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller N2 adsorption–desorption analyses. The BET surface area of the hierarchically porous ZnO nanostructures was calculated to be 12.8 m2 g−1. Compared with ZnO rods, the as-prepared porous ZnO nanosheets exhibit a good response and reversibility to some organic gases, such as ethanol and acetone. The responses to 100 ppm ethanol and acetone are 24.3 and 31.6, respectively, at a working temperature of 320 °C. These results show that the porous ZnO architectures are highly promising for gas sensor applications, as the gas diffusion and mass transportation in sensing materials are significantly enhanced by their unique structures. Moreover, it is believed that this solution-based approach can be extended to fabricate other porous metal oxide materials with a unique morphology or shape.