Dongfang Hou

Flexible Membranes of MoS2/C Nanofibers by Electrospinning as Binder-Free Anodes for High-Performance Sodium-Ion Batteries

A flexible membrane consisting of MoS2/carbon nanofibers has been fabricated by a simple electrospinning method. MoS2 nanosheets are uniformly encapsulated in the inter-connected carbon nanofibers with diameters of ~150 nm. When evaluated as a binder-free electrode for sodium-ion batteries, the as-obtained electrode demonstrates high performances, including high reversible capacity of 381.7 mA h g−1 at 100 mA g−1 and superior rate capability (283.3, 246.5 and 186.3 mA h g−1 at 0.5, 1 and 2 A g−1, respectively). Most importantly, the binder-free electrode made of MoS2 and carbon nanofibers can still deliver a charge capacity of 283.9 mA h g−1 after 600 cycles at a current density of 100 m A g−1, indicating a very promising anode for long-life SIBs.

Conformal N-doped carbon on nanoporous TiO2 spheres as a high-performance anode material for lithium-ion batteries

Conformal N-doped carbon (NC) on nanoporous TiO2 spheres has been successfully synthesized via a facile solution-phase process and subsequent heat treatment. The highly conductive and uniform NC layer coated on the surface of nanoporous TiO2 spheres facilitates lithium ion diffusion and electronic transport. The resulting TiO2@NC nanohybrid not only delivers a high capacity of ∼170 mA h g−1 at a current density of 0.1 A g−1, but also exhibits excellent rate capability (∼102 mA h g−1 at a current density of 2.0 A g−1). The as-formed porous TiO2@NC electrode is promising for secondary battery applications with high power and energy densities.

Electrospun sillenite Bi12MO20 (M = Ti, Ge, Si) nanofibers: general synthesis, band structure, and photocatalytic activity.

Sillenite Bi12MO20 (M = Ti, Ge, Si) nanofibers have been fabricated through a facile electrospinning route for photocatalytic applications. Uniform Bi12MO20 (M = Ti, Ge, Si) nanofibers with diameters of 100-200 nm and lengths of up to several millimeters can be readily obtained by thermally treating the electrospun precursors. The photocatalytic activities of these nanofibers for degradation of rhodamine B (RhB) were explored under UV-visible light. The band structure and the degradation mechanisms were also discussed. The fibrous photocatalysts of Bi12TiO20, Bi12SiO20 and Bi12GeO20 exhibit different photocatalytic behaviours, which are attributed to the microstructure, band gap, and electronic structures.

Facile fabrication of porous Cr-doped SrTiO3 nanotubes by electrospinning and their enhanced visible-light-driven photocatalytic properties

Novel porous Cr-doped SrTiO3 nanotubes were fabricated using a simple and economical electrospinning technique with subsequent calcination. The average outer diameter of the nanotube was approximately 100 nm, and the multimodal porous netlike framework with high specific surface area was favorable for light harvesting and matter diffusion. Photocatalytic activity was evaluated by degradation of azo dye acid orange 7 and removal of NO under visible light irradiation. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of porous Cr-doped SrTiO3 nanotubes was attributed to the one-dimensional tube-like architecture, high specific surface area, multimodal pore size distribution, and proper Cr doping.

Biomaterial-assisted synthesis of AgCl@Ag concave cubes with efficient visible-light-driven photocatalytic activity

A facile biomaterial-assisted method has been developed to fabricate AgCl@Ag concave cubes. The biomaterial agar gel was used to moderate the reaction process by providing a reaction matrix to mediate the diffusion of reactants and confine the growth of AgCl@Ag concave cubes. The whole reaction process was performed under mild conditions without heat treatment or organic additives. The as-formed AgCl@Ag concave cubes as a photocatalyst exhibit effective activity for photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO) under visible-light irradiation, which is mainly attributed to the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) of Ag nanoparticles.