Xihui Zhao

Structural Regulation of PdCu2 Nanoparticles and Their Electrocatalytic Performance for Ethanol Oxidation

Two types of PdCu2 nanoparticles were prepared through one-pot synthesis and a two-step reducing process, named as PdCu2-1 and PdCu2-2, respectively. The morphology and structure of as-prepared samples were investigated by transmission electron microscopy, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. Results showed that more Pd atoms were buried in the inside of PdCu2-1, whereas more available Pd sites were distributed on the surface of PdCu2-2. The electrochemical measurements indicated that both PdCu2-1 and PdCu2-2 nanoparticles showed a higher electrocatalytic activity than that for pure Pd nanoparticles. In particular, PdCu2-2 predictably exhibited a better stability and durability as well as a lower onset potential and a higher catalytic current density than that of PdCu2-1 toward ethanol oxidation in alkaline media. On the basis of these studies, the formation mechanisms of both the PdCu2 catalysts and the relationship between their structure and properties were discussed in this paper.

Highly Efficient Flame Retardant Hybrid Composites Based on Calcium Alginate/Nano-Calcium Borate

Hybrid composites with low flammability based on renewable calcium alginate and nano-calcium borate were fabricated using an in situ method through a simple, eco-friendly vacuum drying process. The composites were characterized by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The combustion behavior and flammability of the composites were assessed by using the limiting oxygen index (LOI) and cone calorimetry (CONE) tests. The composites showed excellent thermal stability and achieved nonflammability with an LOI higher than 60. Pyrolysis was investigated using pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) and the results showed that fewer sorts of cracking products were produced from the hybrid composites compared with the calcium alginate. A possible thermal degradation mechanism of composites was proposed based on the experimental data. The combined results indicate that the calcium borate had a nano-effect, accumulating more freely in the hybrid composites and contributing significantly to both the solid phase and gas phase, resulting in an efficient improvement in the flame retardancy of the composites. Our study provides a novel material with promising potentiality for flame retardant applications.

Electrospun γ-Fe 2 O 3 nanofibers as bioelectrochemical sensors for simultaneous determination of small biomolecules

Nanofibers of α-Fe2O3 and γ-Fe2O3 have been obtained after the controlled calcination of precursor nanofibers synthesized by electrospinning. α-Fe2O3 nanofibers showed an irregular toruloid structure due to the decomposition of poly (4-vinyl) pyridine in air while γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles decorated nanofibers were observed after the calcination under N2 atmosphere. Electrochemical measurements showed that different electrochemical behaviors were observed on the glassy carbon electrodes modified by α-Fe2O3 and γ-Fe2O3 nanofibers. The electrode modified by γ-Fe2O3 nanofibers exhibited high electrocatalytic activities toward oxidation of dopamine, uric acid and ascorbic acid while α-Fe2O3 nanofibers cannot. Furthermore, the γ-Fe2O3 modified electrode can realize the selective detection of biomolecules in ternary electrolyte solutions. The synthesis of nanofibers of α-Fe2O3 and γ-Fe2O3 and their electrochemical sensing properties relationship have been discussed and analyzed based on the experimental results.

Facile Synthesis of Gold Nanoparticles with Alginate and Its Catalytic Activity for Reduction of 4-Nitrophenol and H2O2 Detection

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were synthesized using a facile solvothermal method with alginate sodium as both reductant and stabilizer. Formation of AuNPs was confirmed by UV-vis spectroscopic analysis. The synthesized AuNPs showed a localized surface plasmon resonance at approximately 520–560 nm. The AuNPs were characterized using transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and dynamic light scattering. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the AuNPs were mostly nanometer-sized spherical particles. Powder X-ray diffraction analysis proved the formation of face-centered cubic structure of Au. Catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol was monitored via spectrophotometry using AuNPs as catalyst, and further a non-enzymatic sensor was fabricated. The results demonstrated that AuNPs presented excellent catalytic activity and provided a sensitive response to H2O2 detection.

Antibacterial activity and in vitro cytotoxicity evaluation of alginate-AgNP fibers

Biopolymer nanocomposites containing metal nanoparticles have attracted much attention due to their excellent properties and broad applications. In this work, alginate fibers embedded with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were prepared. The as-obtained alginate-AgNP fibers exhibited antibacterial activity against both Gram microorganisms of model microbes Escherichia coli (Gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive). A growth kinetic study with S. aureus and E. coli displayed the inhibition of bacterial growth at the logarithmic phase. The cytotoxic effect of the fibers in human cervical cancer (HeLa) cells was assessed by cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay and flow cytometry. The as-prepared alginate-AgNP fibers, particularly with high amount and long treatment time, showed high cell-killing efficiency. These findings emphasize that such alginate-AgNP fibers with multifaceted biological activities are a promising material for applications in the textile or biomedical fields.

Green Preparation of Ag-Au Bimetallic Nanoparticles Supported on Graphene with Alginate for Non-Enzymatic Hydrogen Peroxide Detection

In this work, a facile, environmentally friendly method was demonstrated for the synthesis of Ag-Au bimetallic nanoparticles (Ag-AuNPs) supported on reduced graphene oxide (RGO) with alginate as reductant and stabilizer. The prepared Ag-AuNPs/RGO was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicated that uniform, spherical Ag-AuNPs was evenly dispersed on graphene surface and the average particle size is about 15 nm. Further, a non-enzymatic sensor was subsequently constructed through the modified electrode with the synthesized Ag-AuNPs/RGO. The sensor showed excellent performance toward H2O2 with a sensitivity of 112.05 μA·cm−2·mM−1, a linear range of 0.1–10 mM, and a low detection limit of 0.57 μM (S/N = 3). Additionally, the sensor displayed high sensitivity, selectivity, and stability for the detection of H2O2. The results demonstrated that Ag-AuNPs/RGO has potential applications as sensing material for quantitative determination of H2O2.

Surface Coating for Flame Retardancy and Pyrolysis Behavior of Polyester Fabric Based on Calcium Alginate Nanocomposites

A polyester fabric, coated with calcium alginate and nano-calcium borate composites (CAB-PL), was fabricated by a post-cross-linking method, with remarkable improvement of flame retardancy and thermal stability, as compared with the original polyester fabric (PL). The mechanical properties of CAB-PL and PL were studied, and characterizations and tests including Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), limiting oxygen index (LOI), cone calorimetry (CONE) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were employed to evaluate the flame retardancy and thermostability. The test results of CAB-PL showed excellent mechanical strength and anti-dripping properties. In comparison with PL, TGA results indicate that the presence of surface-coated composites produced more char residue and can effectively inhibit the heat transmission, and the LOI value of CAB-PL was improved from 25 to 33. Moreover, CONE results show that 88.65% reduction of total smoke release (TSR) values was induced by the presence of CAB. In addition, the possible pyrolysis mechanisms for CAB-PL have been proposed based on the results of pyrolysis-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) analysis. The combined results can provide useful information for understanding the flame retardant mechanisms of alginates as well. In summary, polyester fabric was upgraded by coating it with the calcium alginate/nano-calcium borate, thus achieving extraordinary flame retardancy and thermal stability for various applications within the textile industry.

Preparation and Antibacterial Properties of SA/Nano-Cu2O Gel by In-stitu Method

Preparation of gel of nano-Cu2O by in stiu reduction method in sodium alginate (SA) solution. The In-situ method is relation to the addition of nano-powder method, without dispersant, coupling agent can prepare SA/nano-Cu2O gel, it is a green preparation method. To explore the impact of various factors on the reaction, therefore the optimum condition of the preparation of Cu2O gel in usual atmospheric pressure is determined. The structure and morphology of the Cu2O in the gel was investigated by FT-IR and SEM and the bacterial-resistance properties were tested. The results of this study show that the Cu2O particles in the SA gel are essentially sphere and uniform grading. The gel had excellent bacteriostatic activity towards escherichia coli and staphylococcus aureus. Because gel SA/nano-Cu2O does not contain other dispersant and coupling agent, the composition is single, the security is higher, and the stability is good, so this gel in the medical antibacterial material and the antimicrobial textile domain will have a more broad application prospects.