Donghua University

About: Donghua University is a education organization based out in Shanghai, China. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Fiber & Nanofiber. The organization has 21155 authors who have published 21841 publications receiving 393091 citations. The organization is also known as: Dōnghuá Dàxué & China Textile University.

Polyacrylonitrile/polybenzoxazine-based Fe3O4@carbon nanofibers: hierarchical porous structure and magnetic adsorption property

Abstract: Hierarchical porous, magnetic Fe3O4@carbon nanofibers (Fe3O4@CNFs) comprising graphitic nanofibers and embedded Fe3O4 nanocrystals were prepared by using electrospun polyacrylonitrile/polybenzoxazine (PBZ) nanofibers as composite carbon precursor. By the combination of precursor design and activation process, a series of Fe3O4@CNFs with a tunable porous structure including the surface area, pore volume and micro/mesopore ratio were obtained, and could achieve an extremely high surface area of 1623 m2 g−1 and a pore volume of 1.635 cm3 g−1. Quantitative pore size distribution and fractal analysis were employed to investigate the hierarchical porous structure using N2 adsorption methods and synchrotron radiation small-angle X-ray scattering measurements. The role of the precursor structure and activation treatment for the tuning of the porous structure and surface fractal dimension is discussed, and the relative fraction of closed and open pores in CNFs is confirmed. Furthermore, the as-prepared Fe3O4@CNFs exhibit efficient adsorption for organic dyes in water and excellent magnetic separation performance, which would make them a promising adsorbent for water treatment, and a new insight was also provided into the design and development of functional carbon nanomaterials based on PBZ precursor.

Critical insight: Challenges and requirements of fibre electrodes for wearable electrochemical energy storage

Abstract: This perspective seeks to provide some critical insights on the challenges facing the development and adoption of fibre (yarn)-based energy storage electrodes in possible future applications of smart textiles. Attention has been given to five major points, viz. the property requirements, the associated characterization techniques, the metrics of quantifying performance, the associated materials and the goals of innovation. Beyond these points, concise conclusions consisting of recommendations have been drawn in each section. The work is intended to guide and stimulate researchers towards an effective and efficient roadmap to obtain the right and best product on the new prospective and exciting market.