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 & Catalysis. The organization has 40384 authors who have published 36724 publications receiving 575695 citations. The organization is also known as: WUT.

Effect of Carbon Matrix Dimensions on the Electrochemical Properties of Na3V2(PO4)3 Nanograins for High‐Performance Symmetric Sodium‐Ion Batteries

Abstract: Na3V2(PO4)3 nanograins dispersed in different carbon matrices are rationally synthesized and systematically characterized. The acetylene carbon matrix provides the best conductive networks for electrons and sodium ions, which endows Na3V2(PO4)3 stable cyclability and high rate performance. The Na3V2 (PO4)3 -based symmetric sodium-ion batteries show outstanding electrochemical performance, which is promising for large-scale and low-cost energy storage applications.

Characterization and properties of Zn/Co zeolitic imidazolate frameworks vs. ZIF-8 and ZIF-67

Abstract: A novel Zn/Co zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF) has been constructed by an easy and straightforward room temperature technique Several characterization techniques such as SEM, TEM-EDX, single-crystal XRD and ICP have been applied to confirm that the structure formed is a sodalite (SOD) cage type structure The Zn/Co-ZIF possesses a high nano-crystallinity and porosity with a large surface area By tuning the amount of Co and Zn in the Zn/Co zeolitic imidazolate framework, the physical and chemical properties have been improved compared with those of the single metal frameworks (ZIF-8 and ZIF-67) Consequently, the Zn/Co-ZIF was investigated for two different applications; gas adsorption (CO2, CH4 and N2) and catalysis (CO2 conversion to cyclic carbonates) and the obtained results were compared with the performance of previously reported single metal frameworks (ZIF-8 and ZIF-67) Additionally, hydrolytic stability tests under ambient conditions and immersed in water at 75 °C were performed and pointed out that Zn/Co-ZIF exhibits a higher stability Moreover, based on these results, the Zn/Co-ZIF demonstrates better properties compared with ZIF-8 and ZIF-67

Hydrothermal Preparation and Photocatalytic Activity of Hierarchically Sponge-like Macro-/Mesoporous Titania

Abstract: Trimodally sponge-like macro-/mesoporous titania was prepared by hydrothermal treatment of precipitates of tetrabutyl titanate (Ti(OC4H9)4) in pure water. Effects of hydrothermal time on the phase composition, porosity, and photocatalytic activity of hierarchically porous titania were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and N2 adsorption−desorption measurements. All TiO2 powders prepared at 180 °C showed trimodal pore-size distributions in the macro-/mesoporous region: fine intraparticle mesopores with peak pore diameters of ca. 3.7−6.9 nm, larger interparticle mesopores with peak pore diameters of ca. 23−39 nm, and macropore with pore diameter of ca. 0.5−3 μm. With increasing hydrothermal time, crystallinity, and average anatase crystallite size, pore size and pore volume increased, while specific surface area decreased. The hierarchically porous titania prepared ...

Enhancement of photocatalytic activity of mesoporous TiO2 by using carbon nanotubes

Abstract: Titanium dioxide/carbon nanotubes (TiO 2 /CNTs) composites were prepared with the aid of ultrasonic irradiation. Products of different TiO 2 :CNTs molar ratio were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) adsorption analysis, thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TGA–DSC), photoluminescence (PL) and UV–vis spectroscopy measurements (UV–vis). The photocatalytic activity was evaluated by the degradation of acetone and by the detection of the hydroxyl radical (·OH) signals using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). It is found that the crystalline TiO 2 is composed of both anatase and brookite phases. The agglomerated morphology and the particle size of TiO 2 in the composites change in the presence of CNTs. The CNTs in the composites are virtually all covered by TiO 2 . Other than an increase of the surface area, the addition of CNTs does not affect the mesoporous nature of the TiO 2 . Meanwhile, more hydroxyl groups are available on the surface of the composite than in the case of the pure TiO 2 . The higher the content of CNTs, there is more effective in the suppression of the recombination of photo-generated e − /h + pairs. However, excessive CNTs also shield the TiO 2 from absorbing UV light. The optimal amount of TiO 2 and CNTs is in the range of 1:0.1 and 1:0.2 (feedstock molar ratio). These samples have much more highly photocatalytic activity than P25 and TiO 2 /activated carbon (AC) composite. The mechanism for the enhanced photocatalytic activity of TiO 2 by CNTs is proposed.

New insight into the enhanced photocatalytic activity of N-, C- and S-doped ZnO photocatalysts

Abstract: In general, N-, C- and S-doped ZnO exhibit much higher phototcatalytic activity than the pure ZnO. However, the essential factors and underlying mechanism regarding the enhancement of photocatalytic activity are still unclear. In this work, the electronic structures, optical properties and effective masses of charge carriers are investigated by first-principle density functional theory calculation. Due to the nature of p-type doping, N and C doping can generate vacant states above the Fermi level and shift the conduction band into lower energy region, resulting in narrowing of band gap. Thus, N- and C-doped ZnO demonstrate much stronger light absorption in both visible and ultraviolet region. In contrast, because of the absence of vacant states, only limited enhancement of light absorption is observed for S-doped ZnO whose improved photocatalytic performance can only be attributed to the direct reduction of band gap. The calculation of the effective masses show that ZnO typically possess light electrons and heavy holes, confirming its intrinsic character of n-type semiconductor, while N, C and S doping can generally render electrons lighter and holes heavier, resulting in slower recombination rate of photogenerated electron–hole pairs. Noticeably, C doping can discourage such recombination to the greatest extent and separate electron–hole pairs most efficiently compared with N and S doping, serving as a potentially promising pathway to increase the quantum efficiency of ZnO-based photocatalysts. This work will provide some new insights into the understanding of doping effect over the enhancement of photocatalytic activity of N-, C- and S-doped ZnO.