Junfang Li

Synthesis of Multiple-Shell WO3 Hollow Spheres by a Binary Carbonaceous Template Route and Their Applications in Visible-Light Photocatalysis

Hollow go lightly: well-defined multiple-shell WO(3) hollow spheres were synthesized by a facile binary carbonaceous spheres template route. Compared with single-shell WO(3) hollow spheres, the unusual porous multiple-shell structure of the WO(3) hollow spheres proves to greatly enhance photocatalytic activity toward degradation of organic pollutants under visible-light irradiation.

Large-scale, ultrathin and (001) facet exposed TiO2 nanosheet superstructures and their applications in photocatalysis

Large-scale, ultrathin, and (001) facet exposed anatase TiO2 nanosheet superstructures were synthesized by a facile one-step solvothermal method. The length and width of the nanosheets was as high as 1.5–2 μm, while the thickness of the nanosheets was only about 2–4 nm. The anatase TiO2 nanosheet superstructures have superior photocatalytic performance.

Large-Scale, Three–Dimensional, Free–Standing, and Mesoporous Metal Oxide Networks for High–Performance Photocatalysis

Mesoporous nanostructures represent a unique class of photocatalysts with many applications, including splitting of water, degradation of organic contaminants, and reduction of carbon dioxide. In this work, we report a general Lewis acid catalytic template route for the high–yield producing single– and multi–component large–scale three–dimensional (3D) mesoporous metal oxide networks. The large-scale 3D mesoporous metal oxide networks possess large macroscopic scale (millimeter–sized) and mesoporous nanostructure with huge pore volume and large surface exposure area. This method also can be used for the synthesis of large–scale 3D macro/mesoporous hierarchical porous materials and noble metal nanoparticles loaded 3D mesoporous networks. Photocatalytic degradation of Azo dyes demonstrated that the large–scale 3D mesoporous metal oxide networks enable high photocatalytic activity. The present synthetic method can serve as the new design concept for functional 3D mesoporous nanomaterials.

Release behavior of nano-silver textiles in simulated perspiration fluids

For the purpose of evaluating the possible exposure risks of nano-silver coating textiles, the release behaviors of silver from nano-modified textiles are studied under three simulated perspiration fluids. The characterization and quantification of the released nano-ingredients were carried out under these conditions, and the results show that nano-silver could leave the fabric surface and be released into the environment under the simulated perspiration conditions with various pH values and compositions. The release amounts of silver are increased by extending the treatment time, while the release rates show great difference under different pH values. Moreover, we demonstrate that the release performances and existing forms of the nano-silver are different in the three simulated environments, which was suggested as a possible mechanism. In the acid perspiration solution, the released silver is proved to be sub-micrometer particles and ionic forms. In the alkaline perspiration solution, the final state of silver is mostly silver ions. Meanwhile, in the salt perspiration solution, despite partial aggregation, the majority of the released silver is maintained in the presence of nanoparticles. These results further indicate that the exposure risks of nano-silver is much higher in high ionic intensity conditions than the others, which would have important implications for the risk assessment of nano-silver textiles and also for environmental studies of nano-silver dispersion.

Direct growth of defect-rich MoO3−x ultrathin nanobelts for efficiently catalyzed conversion of isopropyl alcohol to propylene under visible light

We report a robust and highly active photocatalyst for the C3H6 evolution reaction that is constructed by surfactant-free growth of oxygen vacancy-rich MoO3−x ultrathin nanobelts. Under visible-light irradiation, the new catalyst can selectively (95% selectivity) dehydrate isopropyl alcohol into C3H6 with yields above 98%.

Construction of Self-Supported Three-Dimensional TiO2 Sheeted Networks with Enhanced Photocatalytic Activity

The degradation of toxic gases and liquids using a catalyst and solar energy is an ideal method, compared with landfill and combustion methods. The search for active semiconductor photocatalysts that efficiently decompose contaminations under light irradiation remains one of the most challenging tasks for solar-energy utilization. In this work, free–supporting three-dimensional (3D) nanosheeted hierarchical porous tungsten, titanium, and tin oxide networks were obtained by a facile Lewis acid catalytic binary template route. These networks possess large macroscopic scale (millimeter–sized) and hierarchical macro/mesoporous nanostructure with high surface area and large pore volume. Photocatalytic degradation of Azo dyes demonstrated that the nanosheets-constructed hierarchical porous networks have high photocatalytic activity and stability. The present synthetic route can serve as the new design concept for functional 3D layered porous nanostructures.

Large-scale synthesis of Au–WO3 porous hollow spheres and their photocatalytic properties

Uniform Au–WO3 porous hollow spheres have been synthesized on a large-scale by a general in situ reaction between weakly reductive carbonaceous microspheres and oxidative noble-metal precursors without foreign reducing agents and stabilizing agents. The hybrid materials exhibit excellent activity for visible-light photocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants.

Synthesis and facet-dependent photocatalytic activity of strontium titanate polyhedron nanocrystals

Cubic-perovskite (SrTiO3) has a great potential to be utilized in a wide range of applications. However, currently very little is known about the shape and facet effects of SrTiO3 on their physicochemical properties. This is largely owing to the difficulties in controlling the morphology of facets during synthesis. Herein, we describe a facile route for the facet- and size-controlled fabrication of singlecrystalline SrTiO3 triangular prisms with highly exposed {101} side faces and {111} end faces. Theoretical and experimental studies of their photocatalytic performance have shown that triangular prisms exhibit superior photocatalytic activities than nanocubes with exposed (001) faces for the degradation of organic contaminants, which may be primarily attributed to the much higher surface energy of {101} facets (2.97 J/m2) and {111} facets (2.80 J/m2) than of that of {001} facets (0.98 J/m2).

Plasmonic W18O49-photosensitized TiO2 nanosheets with wide-range solar light harvesting

The search for photocatalytic materials that can harvest a wide spectrum of solar light, from ultraviolet (UV) to near infrared (NIR) regions remains one of the most challenging missions. Here, by in situ growing plasmonic W18O49 nanocrystals on TiO2 nanosheets with exposed {001} facets, a hybrid photocatalyst with broad spectrum photocatalytic properties has been fabricated, which can harvest UV, visible, and NIR light to decompose organic contaminants. The results present a new concept that plasmonic transition-metal oxides with a high concentration of oxygen vacancies can be used as non-noble metal photosensitizers to design efficient photocatalysts with high activity.

An in situ and general preparation strategy for hybrid metal/semiconductor nanostructures with enhanced solar energy utilization efficiency

Hybrid metal/semiconductor nanostructures have been synthesized by a general in situ reaction between weakly reductive metal oxides and oxidative metal precursors without foreign reducing agents and stabilizing agents. These hybrid materials exhibit excellent activity for photocatalytic generation of benzyl compounds.