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.

Template-free synthesis of hierarchical spindle-like γ-Al2O3 materials and their adsorption affinity towards organic and inorganic pollutants in water

Abstract: Hierarchical spindle-like γ-Al2O3 materials were prepared in the form of fray ended bundles of twisted nanoflakes by a non-template hydrothermal synthesis and sequential calcination route using aluminium nitrate or aluminium chloride as precursors and urea as precipitating agent. The microstructures, morphologies and textural properties of the resulting materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and N2 adsorption–desorption techniques. It was found that the spindle-like γ-Al2O3 particles are composed of at least three levels of hierarchical organization: polycrystalline γ-Al2O3 at the nanoscale, oriented nanoflakes and uniform spindle-like assemblies. The hierarchical γ-Al2O3 particles prepared from aluminium nitrate show a slightly smaller size, fewer self-organized nanoplatelets and better textural properties than γ-Al2O3 prepared from aluminium chloride, due to the larger aqueous ionic radius of NO3− than that of Cl−. The reported experiments allowed us to propose the mechanism of formation of the spindle-like assemblies, which involves self-transformation of metastable amorphous aluminium hydroxide particles and their sequential cooperative assembly. The as-prepared γ-Al2O3 was found to be effective adsorbent for the removal of selective pollutants from wastewater as a result of its unique hierarchical structure and high specific surface area, indicating a promising potential of this material for environmental remediation.

Metal-Organic-Framework-Derived Dual Metal- and Nitrogen-Doped Carbon as Efficient and Robust Oxygen Reduction Reaction Catalysts for Microbial Fuel Cells.

Abstract: A new class of dual metal and N doped carbon catalysts with well-defined porous structure derived from metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has been developed as a high-performance electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Furthermore, the microbial fuel cell (MFC) device based on the as-prepared Ni/Co and N codoped carbon as air cathode catalyst achieves a maximum power density of 4335.6 mW m-2 and excellent durability.

One-step hydrothermal fabrication and photocatalytic activity of surface-fluorinated TiO2 hollow microspheres and tabular anatase single micro-crystals with high-energy facets

Abstract: Surface-fluorinated TiO2 hollow microspheres and tabular-shaped anatase single micro-crystals with highly energetic (001) facets exposed were prepared by a one-step hydrothermal strategy using ammonium bifluoride (NH4HF2) as a morphology controlling agent. The prepared samples were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms. Production of ˙OH radicals on the TiO2 surface was detected by a photoluminescence (PL) technique using terephthalic acid as a probe molecule. The photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared samples was evaluated by photocatalytic decolorization of Rhodamine B (RhB) aqueous solution at ambient temperature. The results indicate that the particle morphology, average crystallite size, specific surface areas, pore structures, and photocatalytic activity of the TiO2 samples can be readily controlled by changing the concentration of NH4HF2. With increasing NH4HF2 concentration, the average crystallite size and average pore size increase, whilst the specific surface area, pore volume and porosity steadily decrease. The photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared samples exceeds that of Degussa P25 (P25) when the molar ratios of fluorine to titanium (RF) are kept in the range of 0 to 1.

Amorphous vanadium oxide matrixes supporting hierarchical porous Fe3O4/graphene nanowires as a high-rate lithium storage anode.

Abstract: Developing electrode materials with both high energy and power densities holds the key for satisfying the urgent demand of energy storage worldwide. In order to realize the fast and efficient transport of ions/electrons and the stable structure during the charge/discharge process, hierarchical porous Fe3O4/graphene nanowires supported by amorphous vanadium oxide matrixes have been rationally synthesized through a facile phase separation process. The porous structure is directly in situ constructed from the FeVO4·1.1H2O@graphene nanowires along with the crystallization of Fe3O4 and the amorphization of vanadium oxide without using any hard templates. The hierarchical porous Fe3O4/VOx/graphene nanowires exhibit a high Coulombic efficiency and outstanding reversible specific capacity (1146 mAh g(-1)). Even at the high current density of 5 A g(-1), the porous nanowires maintain a reversible capacity of ∼500 mAh g(-1). Moreover, the amorphization and conversion reactions between Fe and Fe3O4 of the hierarchical porous Fe3O4/VOx/graphene nanowires were also investigated by in situ X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Our work demonstrates that the amorphous vanadium oxides matrixes supporting hierarchical porous Fe3O4/graphene nanowires are one of the most attractive anodes in energy storage applications.