Junyan Gong

Preparation of polyaniline modified BiOBr with enhanced photocatalytic activities

The polyaniline/bismuth oxybromide (PANI/BiOBr) hybrids materials have been synthesized hydrothermally in the presence of PANI. The PANI/BiOBr hybrids materials were confirmed by X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopies. Among the hybrid photocatalysts, PANI/BiOBr-0.2 showed the highest photocatalytic properties for the degradation of rhodamine B (RhB), and the increased photocatalytic properties could be due to photosensitization and the inhibited electron–hole recombination.

SOLVOTHERMAL PREPARATION OF CeO2 NANOCUBES AND THEIR CATALYTIC PROPERTIES

Cubic-like CeO2 nanocrystals about 11 nm long were successfully synthesized via an ethanolamine-assisted hydrothermal route using (NH4)Ce(NO3)4 as a precursor at 180°C for 24 h. The CeO2 nanocubes were modified onto the glassy carbon electrode by adsorption to fabricate the modified electrode. The reliability and stability of the CeO2 NC/GC electrode offer a good possibility for applying the technique on routine analysis of ascorbic acid (AA) in clinical use. In addition, the catalytic effect of the CeO2 nanocubes for thermal decomposition of ammonium perchlorate (AP) was investigated by DTA and TG. The catalytic performance of CeO2 nanocubes is superior to that of commercial CeO2 powder.

Preparation and Electrochemical Behavior of Methylene Blue Intercalated into Layered Triniobate Potassium

Intercalation compound of methylene blue (MB) into layered triniobic potassium KNb3O8 was synthesized through a unique guest-guest exchange method using n-propylammine-HNb3O8 (PrNH3 +-Nb3O8) intercalation compound as the intermediate. The inetrcalation compound (MB+-Nb3O8) had been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectrometer (IR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), elemental analysis, and electrochemical measurements. MB+ cations were arranged in the interlayer spaces obliquely to the layer surface. The cyclic voltammogram of the MB+-Nb3O8 hybrid thin film represented a fine diffusion-controlled anodic process. The electrochemical activity of the MB+-Nb3O8 nanocomposite exemplified a potential of intercalation compounds for applications as an electrode modifying material.

Facile one-step synthesis of Fe5(PO4)4(OH)3 · 2H2O hollow octahedra and their application for DNA separation

ABSTRACT A simple one-step process has been used to synthesize novel Fe5(PO4)4(OH)3 · 2H2O hollow octahedra in a mixed solvent of diethylene glycol (DEG) and H2O. The x-1ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) have been provided for the characterizations of the nanostructures. The shape of the as-obtained products could be controlled by adjusting the volume ratio of DEG and H2O in the solvothermal process. The possible formation mechanism was proposed based2 on nucleation and the Ostwald ripening process as well as the soft-template function of DEG. In addition, the study herein demonstrated that the hollow octahedra exhibit excellent capability for the adsorption of salmon sperm DNA and would have great application potentials in DNA separation.