Sihui Zhan

Mesoporous Fe2O3-doped TiO2 nanostructured fibers with higher photocatalytic activity

Mesoporous Fe(2)O(3)-doped TiO(2) nanostructured fibers were fabricated through electrospinning the relevant gel precursor. The prepared fibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and surface analysis, respectively. The photocatalytic activity of these mesoporous composite fibers was evaluated by photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) in water under UV irradiation. Compared with different types of photocatalysts, the 1% Fe(2)O(3)-doped TiO(2) fibers exhibited super photocatalytic activity.

Simulated-sunlight-activated photocatalysis of Methylene Blue using cerium-doped SiO2/TiO2 nanostructured fibers

Cerium-doped SiO2/TiO2 nanostructured fibers were fabricated by electrospinning technology. The prepared fibers were characterized by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Using the fibers as catalysts, photocatalytic degradation of Methylene Blue (MB) aqueous solution was carried out under simulated sunlight. The 0.2% Ce doping proved to be the optimal concentration for the doping of TiO2/SiO2, compared to other Ce-doped molar concentrations. The 0.2% Ce-doped SiO2/TiO2 fibers exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than industrial Degussa P25 and the samples doped with only Ce or SiO2. The reasons for improving the photocatalytic activity were also discussed. Several operational parameters were studied, which showed that the photocatalytic efficiency of MB was influenced by parameters such as the initial dye concentration, the initial pH, inorganic anions, and so on. In addition, the influences of an electron acceptor and a radical scavenger suggested that OH was the dominant photooxidant during the photocatalytic process. The reuse evaluation of the fibers indicated that their photocatalytic activity had good stability.

LiCoO2 Hollow Nanofibers by Co‐Electrospinning Sol‐Gel Precursor

LiCoO2 xerogel hollow nanofibers were first prepared by co‐electrospinning the sol precursor, and the polycrystalline LiCoO2 hollow nanofibers were obtained after calcination of the xerogel fibers. The obtained hollow nanofibers made up of 20∼30 nm nanocrystals were about 100 nm to several micrometers in outer diameter. The hollow nanofibers were detected by means of SEM, TEM, TG, DSC, FTIR, and XRD techniques.

A Mini Review: Electrospun Hierarchical Nanofibers

Electrospinning is a technique that allows the fabrication of continuous fibers with diameters down to a few nanometers. This technique provides a convenient and versatile method for preparing hierarchical nanofibers from a rich variety of materials that include almost all soluble or fusible polymers. The polymers can be chemically modified and can also be tailored with additives. The method provides access to entirely new materials. Until now, electrospinning is also widely being applied in laboratory and industry.

Electrochemical Behaviors of Ascorbic Acid and Uric Acid in Ionic Liquid

Cyclic voltammetric measurements at platinum electrode have been carried out to investigate the electrochemical oxidation of ascorbic acid and uric acid in ionic liquid, [bmim][BF4]. It is important that a typical redox couple of ascorbic acid was obtained and it is oxidized to dehydroascorbic acid in [bmim][BF4]. However, there is no electron-transfer for uric acid and no electrochemical oxidation carried out in the same ionic liquid. It provides a new way to eliminate the interfering between ascorbic acid and uric acid in the study of the electrochemical behaviors for them.

Sol-Gel Co-Electrospun LiNiO2 Hollow Nanofibers

Using a coaxial capillary spinneret electrospinning technique combined with the sol-gel method, the nickelic xerogel hollow nanofibers first were prepared and the polycrystalline LiNiO2 hollow nanofibers were obtained after sintering. The obtained hollow nanofibers were about 500 nm to 4 µm in outer diameter, and were made up of 20 ∼ 30 nm nanocrystals. The xerogel hollow nanofibers and those calcined at different temperatures were characterized by thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrum, x-ray diffractometry (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).

Co-Electrospun BaTiO3 Hollow Fibers Combined with Sol-Gel Method

BaTiO3 xerogel hollow fibers have been prepared firstly by co-electrospinning the sol precursor, and the polycrystalline BaTiO3 ceramic hollow fibers were obtained after calcination at 1000°C. The obtained hollow fibers made up of well-crystallized nanocrystals were about 400 nm to several micrometers in outer diameter. The hollow BaTiO3 fibers have been detected by means of SEM, TG, DSC, FTIR, and XRD techniques.

Electrospun Nickel Oxide Hollow Nanostructured Fibers

The citric acid/nickel acetate composite hollow fibers were prepared by using sol-gel processing and co-electrospinning technique. The polycrystalline NiO hollow nanostructured fibers were prepared after calcination. The obtained hollow nanostructured fibers made up of 17∼25 nm nanocrystals were about 150 nm to several micrometers in outer diameter. The hollow NiO nanostructured fibers have been characterized by TG, DSC, SEM, FTIR, and XRD techniques. The results showed that the morphology of NiO hollow fibers was obviously influenced by the calcination temperature.

Noncovalent Functionalization of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes by Anionic Polymer Poly(Sodium 4‐Styrenesulfonate) in Water

We have found that polymer poly (sodium 4‐styrenesulfonate) (PSS) is a facile and effective polymer to assist in the dispersion of MWCNTs in aqueous solutions. With the increase of the concentration of PSS solutions, the dispersibility of MWCNTs in PSS solution increases. Cast films of MWCNTs/PSS (2 wt.%) on GC electrode show a typical redox couple at scan rate of 1 V/s in phosphate buffer solution, indicating good electrical conductivity.

High Yield of Supergiant Vesicles on Glyoxylic Acid Modified Aluminum Electrode

Supergiant vesicles are useful for investigating the interactions between lipid memebranes and collodial particles or macromolecules. Producing supergiant vesicles using the electroformation method lead to extraordinary findings in this work. The glyoxylic acid modified aluminum (GA-Al) electrode was prepared by the electro-reduction in an oxalic acid solution. High yield of supergiant vesicles with diameters >100 µm are successfully formed on a GA-Al electrode under an alternative current (AC) electric field. In contrast to platinum and indium tin oxide, which have been mainly used so far, this GA-Al electrode is preferable for the electroformation of egg phosphatidylcholine (EggPC) supergiant vesicles.