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.

Preparation, characterization and visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity of Fe-doped titania nanorods and first-principles study for electronic structures

Abstract: Fe-doped TiO 2 (Fe-TiO 2 ) nanorods were prepared by an impregnating-calcination method using the hydrothermally prepared titanate nanotubes as precursors and Fe(NO 3 ) 3 as dopant. The as-prepared samples were characterized by scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, N 2 adsorption–desorption isotherms and UV–vis spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activity was evaluated by the photocatalytic oxidation of acetone in air under visible-light irradiation. The results show that Fe-doping greatly enhance the visible-light photocatalytic activity of mesoporous TiO 2 nanorods, and when the atomic ratio of Fe/Ti ( R Fe ) is in the range of 0.1–1.0%, the photocatalytic activity of the samples is higher than that of Degussa P25 and pure TiO 2 nanorods. At R Fe = 0.5%, the photocatalytic activity of Fe-TiO 2 nanorods exceeds that of Degussa P25 by a factor of more than two times. This is ascribed to the fact that the one-dimensional nanostructure can enhance the transfer and transport of charge carrier, the Fe-doping induces the shift of the absorption edge into the visible-light range with the narrowing of the band gap and reduces the recombination of photo-generated electrons and holes. Furthermore, the first-principle density functional theory (DFT) calculation further confirms the red shift of absorption edges and the narrowing of band gap of Fe-TiO 2 nanorods.

Unique S-scheme heterojunctions in self-assembled TiO2/CsPbBr3 hybrids for CO2 photoreduction.

Abstract: Exploring photocatalysts to promote CO2 photoreduction into solar fuels is of great significance. We develop TiO2/perovskite (CsPbBr3) S-scheme heterojunctions synthesized by a facile electrostatic-driven self-assembling approach. Density functional theory calculation combined with experimental studies proves the electron transfer from CsPbBr3 quantum dots (QDs) to TiO2, resulting in the construction of internal electric field (IEF) directing from CsPbBr3 to TiO2 upon hybridization. The IEF drives the photoexcited electrons in TiO2 to CsPbBr3 upon light irradiation as revealed by in-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis, suggesting the formation of an S-scheme heterojunction in the TiO2/CsPbBr3 nanohybrids which greatly promotes the separation of electron-hole pairs to foster efficient CO2 photoreduction. The hybrid nanofibers unveil a higher CO2-reduction rate (9.02 μmol g–1 h–1) comparing with pristine TiO2 nanofibers (4.68 μmol g–1 h–1). Isotope (13CO2) tracer results confirm that the reduction products originate from CO2 source. Rational design and fabrication of high-performance photocatalyst is of great importance for CO2 reduction into solar fuel. Here, the authors demonstrate that S-scheme heterojunction TiO2/CsPbBr3 photocatalyst exhibits enhanced CO2 photoreduction activity.

Metal-free 2D/2D phosphorene/g-C₃N₄ van der Waals heterojunction for highly enhanced visible-light photocatalytic H₂ production

Abstract: The generation of green hydrogen (H2 ) energy using sunlight is of great significance to solve the worldwide energy and environmental issues. Particularly, photocatalytic H2 production is a highly promising strategy for solar-to-H2 conversion. Recently, various heterostructured photocatalysts with high efficiency and good stability have been fabricated. Among them, 2D/2D van der Waals (VDW) heterojunctions have received tremendous attention, since this architecture can promote the interfacial charge separation and transfer and provide massive reactive centers. On the other hand, currently, most photocatalysts are composed of metal elements with high cost, limited reserves, and hazardous environmental impact. Hence, the development of metal-free photocatalysts is desirable. Here, a novel 2D/2D VDW heterostructure of metal-free phosphorene/graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3 N4 ) is fabricated. The phosphorene/g-C3 N4 nanocomposite shows an enhanced visible-light photocatalytic H2 production activity of 571 µmol h-1 g-1 in 18 v% lactic acid aqueous solution. This improved performance arises from the intimate electronic coupling at the 2D/2D interface, corroborated by the advanced characterizations techniques, e.g., synchrotron-based X-ray absorption near-edge structure, and theoretical calculations. This work not only reports a new metal-free phosphorene/g-C3 N4 photocatalyst but also sheds lights on the design and fabrication of 2D/2D VDW heterojunction for applications in catalysis, electronics, and optoelectronics.

From 3D ZIF Nanocrystals to Co-N x /C Nanorod Array Electrocatalysts for ORR, OER, and Zn-Air Batteries

Abstract: Designing a highly active electrocatalyst with optimal stability at low cost is must and non-negotiable if large-scale implementations of fuel cells are to be fully realized. Zeolitic-imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) offer rich platforms to design multifunctional materials due to their flexibility and ultrahigh surface area. Herein, an advanced Co–Nx/C nanorod array derived from 3D ZIF nanocrystals with superior electrocatalytic activity and stability toward oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) compared to commercial Pt/C and IrO2, respectively, is synthesized. Remarkably, as a bifunctional catalyst (Ej = 10 (OER) − E1/2 (ORR) ≈ 0.65 V), it further displays high performance of Zn–air batteries with high cycling stability even at a high current density. Such supercatalytic properties are largely attributed to the synergistic effect of the chemical composition, high surface area, and abundant active sites of the nanorods. The activity origin is clarified through post oxygen reduction X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis and density functional theory studies. Undoubtedly, this approach opens a new avenue to strategically design highly active and performance-oriented electrocatalytic materials for wider electrochemical energy applications.