Wuhan University of Technology

About: Wuhan University of Technology is a education organization based out in Wuhan, China. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Microstructure & Photocatalysis. The organization has 40384 authors who have published 36724 publications receiving 575695 citations. The organization is also known as: WUT.

Thermodynamic and kinetic analysis of heterogeneous photocatalysis for semiconductor systems.

Abstract: Since the report of the Honda–Fujishima effect, heterogeneous photocatalysis has attracted much attention around the world because of its potential energy and environmental applications. Although great progresses have been made in recent years, most were focused on preparing highly-active photocatalysts and investigating visible light utilization. In fact, we are still unclear on the thermodynamic and kinetic nature of photocatalysis to date, which sometimes leads to misunderstandings for experimental results. It is timely to give a review and discussion on the thermodynamics and kinetics of photocatalysis, so as to direct future researches. However, there is an absence of a detailed review on this topic until now. In this article, we tried to review and discuss the thermodynamics and kinetics of photocatalysis. We explained the thermodynamic driving force of photocatalysis, and distinguished the functions of light and heat in photocatalysis. The Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetic model, the ˙OH oxidation mechanism, and the direct–indirect (D–I) kinetic model were reviewed and compared. Some applications of the D–I model to study photocatalytic kinetics were also discussed. The electron transport mode and its importance in photocatalysis were investigated. Finally, the intrinsic relation between the kinetics and the thermodynamics of photocatalytic reactions was discussed.

Effect of calcination temperature on morphology and photocatalytic activity of anatase TiO2 nanosheets with exposed {001} facets

Abstract: Exploring anatase TiO 2 with superior thermal stability and photocatalytic activity is of great importance and challenging. In the present work, surface-fluorinated anatase TiO 2 nanosheets with dominant high reactive {0 0 1} facets were fabricated by hydrothermal treatment of tetrabutyl titanate in hydrofluoric acid solution at 200 °C for 24 h. The as-prepared anatase TiO 2 nanosheets show a remarkable thermal stability against phase transition up to 1100 °C, which is associated with the surface fluorination. Calcination treatment accelerates the desorption of surface-bounded fluorine from the {0 0 1} facets, which results in the formation of oxygen vacancy first, and then the fusion of neighbor TiO 2 nanosheets along the [0 0 1] direction ( c -axis) to minimize the surface energy. High crystallization (low impurity) and oxygen vacancy are responsible for the high thermal stability of the as-prepared TiO 2 nanosheets. On the other hand, heat treatment influences the photocatalytic activity as a result of the change of the textural characteristics, crystallinity degree and surface chemical states. Surprisingly, high photocatalytic activity is still remained up to 1100 °C for photocatalytic oxidation decomposition of acetone in air under UV light illumination.

Bismuth oxide: a versatile high-capacity electrode material for rechargeable aqueous metal-ion batteries

Abstract: Rechargeable aqueous metal-ion (such as Li+, Na+, Mg2+, Al3+) batteries are of great importance to enrich safer, cheaper and sustainable electrochemical energy storage technologies. One of the major challenges in developing such batteries is that few electrode material systems are available to achieve prominent, reversible and stable redox reactions in aqueous electrolytes. Here we systematically report that a versatile Bi2O3 electrode material is able to electrochemically store charges in more than ten types of aqueous monovalent, divalent and trivalent metal ion electrolytes. A remarkably high specific capacity (∼357 mA h g−1 at 0.72C), outstanding rate capability (217C; 75 000 mA g−1) and good cycle life (>200 cycles) are demonstrated in a neutral mixed Li+ electrolyte. A unique “quasi-conversion reaction” charge storage mechanism that differs from a conventional intercalation-type mechanism is further unveiled (Bi2O3 ↔ Bi0). By pairing with a Li+ intercalation electrode, an aqueous LiMn2O4//Bi2O3 full cell is fabricated, which exhibits stable cycling with a low self-discharge rate and delivers a high energy density of ∼78 W h kg−1, far superior to typical aqueous lithium ion batteries (≤50 W h kg−1). Moreover, even with a relatively high mass loading of 5 mg cm−2 by slurry casting, the Bi2O3 electrode still manifests excellent performance. We anticipate that our work will stimulate the development of diverse electrode materials for aqueous rechargeable batteries.