Dafeng Zhang

One-step combustion synthesis of NiFe2O4-reduced graphene oxide hybrid materials for photodegradation of methylene blue

NiFe2O4-reduced graphene oxide (RGO) hybrid materials (NFRGs) were synthesized by a simple one-step combustion method. The structures, morphologies and magnetic properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and vibrating sample magnetometer analysis. The results show that graphene oxide sheets are not oxidized, but reduced to RGO. The superparamagnetic behavior of NFRGs was observed. The as-synthesized magnetically separable NFRGs show improved photodegradation performance when compared to neat NiFe2O4, attributed to the narrowing band gap, the efficient transfer of photo-generated electron from NiFe2O4 to RGO sheets, and the improved adsorptive property of photocatalyst due to the high specific surface area of RGO sheets.

A novel method for the synthesis of BiOCl/Bi2Sn2O7 heterojunction photocatalysts with enhanced visible light photocatalytic properties.

A novel simple method was proposed to synthesize BiOCl/Bi2Sn2O7 heterojunction photocatalysts through the treatment of Bi2Sn2O7 with HCl solution of different concentrations. The as-synthesized photocatalysts were characterized by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, photoluminescence, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and ultraviolet-visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The experimental results show that sheet-like BiOCl particles were obtained after the HCl treatment. Bi2Sn2O7 nanoparticles were distributed on the BiOCl sheets, resulting in the low aggregation of the Bi2Sn2O7 nanoparticles. As compared to BiOCl and Bi2Sn2O7, BiOCl/Bi2Sn2O7 showed enhanced photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation, which can be attributed to the effective separation of photogenerated electrons and holes due to the formation of a BiOCl/Bi2Sn2O7 heterojunction. In addition, the dominant active species and the photocatalytic mechanism were discussed in detail.

Hydrothermal synthesis and luminescence properties of YW2O6(OH)3:Tb3+ green phosphors

Abstract YW 2 O 6 (OH) 3 :Tb 3+ green phosphors were synthesized at different pH values via a facile hydrothermal method. The structure and optical properties of as-synthesized samples were studied by X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), photoluminescence spectra and luminescence decay curve. The results showed that pure monoclinic YW 2 O 6 (OH) 3 :Tb 3+ green phosphors could be obtained at pH 2–5. Uniform spherical micro-phosphors of ∼5 μm in diameter with narrow size distribution could be prepared at pH 5. pH value had dramatic influence on morphologies, which could be ascribed to the various spatial configurations of different poly-tungstates existing at different pH values. The emission spectra under 261 nm excitation exhibited dominant green emission at 546 nm. The green emission intensity reached the maximum value at pH 5 due to the high packing density of the obtained phosphor.

Earth-abundant and environment friendly organic–inorganic hybrid tetrachloroferrate salt CH3NH3FeCl4: structure, adsorption properties and photoelectric behavior

Organic–inorganic hybrid-based lead perovskites show inherent and unavoidable problems such as structural instability and toxicity. Therefore, developing low-cost and environment-friendly organic–inorganic hybrid materials is extremely urgent. In this study, we prepared earth-abundant and environment-friendly organic–inorganic hybrid tetrachloroferrate salt CH3NH3FeCl4 (MAFeCl4) for optoelectronic applications. The single crystal diffraction data are assigned to the orthorhombic MAFeCl4 (Pnma space group), with parameters a = 11.453 (5) A, b = 7.332 (3) A, c = 10.107 (5) A, α = 90.000, β = 90.000, and γ = 90.000. The band gap of MAFeCl4 is approximately 2.15 eV. Moreover, three-emission luminescence (398, 432 and 664 nm) was observed. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study involving the investigation of the structure, adsorption properties and photoelectric behavior of MAFeCl4. A low cost photodetector based on the MAFeCl4 thin film is efficient under different monochromatic light from 330 nm to 410 nm with different chopping frequencies (1.33 Hz to 40 Hz). The photoelectric conversion efficiency based on FTO/TiO2/MAFeCl4/carbon electrode device reaches 0.054% (Voc = 319 mV, Jsc = 0.375 mA cm−2, and fill factor = 0.45) under AM1.5, 100 mW cm−2 simulated illumination. Our findings will attract attention from the magnetic, piezoelectric and photoelectronic research fields.

Tuning Ni-Foam into NiOOH/FeOOH Heterostructures toward Superior Water Oxidation Catalyst via Three-Step Strategy

Splitting of water into hydrogen and oxygen has become a strategic research topic. In the two semi-reactions of water splitting, water oxidation is preferred to the four-electron-transfer process with a higher overpotential (η) and is the decisive step in water splitting. Therefore, efficient water oxidation catalysts must be developed. IrOx and RuOx catalysts are currently the most efficient catalysts in water oxidation. However, the limited reserve and high prices of precious metals, such as Ir and Ru, limit future large-scale industrial production of water oxidation catalysts. In this study, we tune inert Ni-foam into highly active NiOOH/FeOOH heterostructures as water oxidation catalysts via three-step strategy (surface acid-treating, electroplating, and electrooxidation). NiOOH/FeOOH heterostructures as water oxidation catalysts only require η of 257 mV to reach a current density of 10 mA cm–2, which is superior to that of IrO2/Ni-foam (280 mV). The high electrochemically active surface area (72.50 cm2) and roughness factor demonstrate abundant interfaces in NiOOH/FeOOH heterostructures, thus accelerating water oxidation activity. The small value (4.8 Ω cm2) of charge transfer resistance (Rct) indicate that fast electronic exchange occurs between NiOOH/FeOOH heterostructures catalyst and reaction of water oxidation. Hydrogen-to-oxygen volume ratios (approximately 2:1) indicate an almost overall water splitting by the double-electrode system. Faraday efficiency of H2 or O2 is close to 90% at 2:1 hydrogen-to-oxygen volume ratio. NiOOH/FeOOH heterostructures exhibit good stability. The results provide significance in fundamental research and practical applications in solar water splitting, artificial photoelectrochemical cells, and electrocatalysts.