Xi'an Jiaotong University

About: Xi'an Jiaotong University is a education organization based out in Xi'an, China. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Heat transfer & Dielectric. The organization has 85440 authors who have published 99682 publications receiving 1579683 citations. The organization is also known as: '''Xi'an Jiaotong University''' & Xi'an Jiao Tong University.

Ultrahigh–energy density lead-free dielectric films via polymorphic nanodomain design

Abstract: Dielectric capacitors with ultrahigh power densities are fundamental energy storage components in electrical and electronic systems. However, a long-standing challenge is improving their energy densities. We report dielectrics with ultrahigh energy densities designed with polymorphic nanodomains. Guided by phase-field simulations, we conceived and synthesized lead-free BiFeO3-BaTiO3-SrTiO3 solid-solution films to realize the coexistence of rhombohedral and tetragonal nanodomains embedded in a cubic matrix. We obtained minimized hysteresis while maintaining high polarization and achieved a high energy density of 112 joules per cubic centimeter with a high energy efficiency of ~80%. This approach should be generalizable for designing high-performance dielectrics and other functional materials that benefit from nanoscale domain structure manipulation.

Fatty acids as phase change materials: A review

Abstract: Fatty acids as phase change materials have attracted much attention for their various applications in building energy efficiency, solar heating systems and air-conditioning systems. After summarizing the basic characteristics of fatty acids, eutectic mixtures of fatty acids and fatty acid esters, as well as the preparation and characteristics of fatty acid composites as phase change materials (PCMs), this paper analyzes the thermal reliability and stability of fatty acids as PCMs and their heat transfer characteristics in a unit which is followed by an introduction to the energy storage systems of three kinds of fatty acids as PCMs. Besides, it also points out the future research direction of fatty acids as PCMs as a solution of the insufficiency and flaws of current researches.

Shape-Controlled Synthesis of Pd Nanocrystals and Their Catalytic Applications

Abstract: Palladium is a marvelous catalyst for a rich variety of reactions in industrial processes and commercial devices. Most Pd-catalyzed reactions exhibit structure sensitivity, meaning that the activity or selectivity depends on the arrangement of atoms on the surface. Previously, such reactions could only be studied in ultrahigh vacuum using Pd single crystals cut with a specific crystallographic plane. However, these model catalysts are far different from real catalytic systems owing to the absence of atoms at corners and edges and the extremely small specific surface areas for the model systems. Indeed, enhancing the performance of a Pd-based catalyst, in part to reduce the amount needed of this precious and rare metal for a given reaction, requires the use of Pd with the highest possible specific surface area. Recent advances in nanocrystal synthesis are offering a great opportunity to investigate and quantify the structural sensitivity of catalysts based on Pd and other metals. For a structure-sensitive reaction, the catalytic properties of Pd nanocrystals are strongly dependent on both the size and shape. The shape plays a more significant role in controlling activity and selectivity, because the shape controls not only the facets but also the proportions of surface atoms at corners, edges, and planes, which affect the outcomes of possible reactions. We expect catalysts based on Pd nanocrystals with optimized shapes to meet the increasing demands of industrial applications at reduced loadings and costs. In this Account, we discuss recent advances in the synthesis of Pd nanocrystals with controlled shapes and their resulting performance as catalysts for a large number of reactions. First, we review various synthetic strategies based on oxidative etching, surface capping, and kinetic control that have been used to direct the shapes of nanocrystals. When crystal growth is under thermodynamic control, the capping agent plays a pivotal role in determining the shape of a product by altering the order of surface energies for different facets through selective adsorption; the resulting product has the lowest possible total surface energy. In contrast, the product of a kinetically controlled synthesis often deviates from the thermodynamically favored structure, with notable examples including nanocrystals enclosed by high-index facets or concave surfaces. We then discuss the key parameters that control the nucleation and growth of Pd nanocrystals to decipher potential growth mechanisms and build a connection between the experimental conditions and the pathways to different shapes. Finally, we present a number of examples to highlight the use of these Pd nanocrystals as catalysts or electrocatalysts for various applications with structure-sensitive properties. We believe that a deep understanding of the shape-dependent catalytic properties, together with an ability to experimentally maneuver the shape of metal nanocrystals, will eventually lead to rational design of advanced catalysts with substantially enhanced performance.

Functional and Biomimetic Materials for Engineering of the Three-Dimensional Cell Microenvironment

Abstract: The cell microenvironment has emerged as a key determinant of cell behavior and function in development, physiology, and pathophysiology. The extracellular matrix (ECM) within the cell microenvironment serves not only as a structural foundation for cells but also as a source of three-dimensional (3D) biochemical and biophysical cues that trigger and regulate cell behaviors. Increasing evidence suggests that the 3D character of the microenvironment is required for development of many critical cell responses observed in vivo, fueling a surge in the development of functional and biomimetic materials for engineering the 3D cell microenvironment. Progress in the design of such materials has improved control of cell behaviors in 3D and advanced the fields of tissue regeneration, in vitro tissue models, large-scale cell differentiation, immunotherapy, and gene therapy. However, the field is still in its infancy, and discoveries about the nature of cell–microenvironment interactions continue to overturn much earl...