Yi-Tao Xu

Urchin-like Pd@CuO–Pd yolk–shell nanostructures: synthesis, characterization and electrocatalysis

Novel urchin-like Pd@CuO–Pd yolk–shell nanostructures are synthesized through subsequent oxidation of Pd@Cu2O truncated octahedron core–shell precursors with a PdCl42− aqueous solution. The permeable hierarchical CuO shells are constructed by a radially standing 1D single-crystalline nanothorn with Pd nanoparticles. The Pd nanocube cores are encapsulated and confined in the void space of the urchin-like shells. The urchin-like yolk–shell Pd@CuO–Pd nanostructures demonstrate excellent electrocatalytic activity and selectivity for glucose oxidation. Enzyme-free glucose biosensors based on the urchin-like yolk–shell Pd@CuO–Pd electrocatalysts display a higher sensitivity (665.9 μA cm−2 mM−1) than those of the CuO nanoparticles (455.8 μA cm−2 mM−1), Cu2O nanoparticles (220.4 μA cm−2 mM−1), Pd@Cu2O truncated octahedra (179.1 μA cm−2 mM−1), Pd mixtures (65.5 μA cm−2 mM−1) and Pd nanocubes (1.42 μA cm−2 mM−1). The outstanding electrocatalytic performance of the urchin-like Pd@CuO–Pd yolk–shell nanostructures might be ascribed to two reasons: the unique hierarchical yolk–shell structures provide highly exposed active sites and act as an individualized nanoreactor to enhance the mass diffusion and transport of reactants at the electrode/electrolyte interface. Moreover, the nanocomposite of metal oxide semiconductor CuO and noble metal Pd would result in a synergetic effect to improve the electrocatalysis.

Facile fabrication of reduced graphene oxide encapsulated copper spherical particles with 3D architecture and high oxidation resistance

Reduced graphene oxide nano-sheets encapsulated copper spherical particles (Cu@rGO) were obtained through a simple electrostatic self-assembly process followed by chemical reduction. The oxidation resistance of Cu spherical particles was considerably enhanced by the coating of rGO nano-sheets. XRD results show that the core–shell structured Cu@rGO did not exhibit any sign of oxidation in air after storage at room temperature for 70 days or after heat treatment at 130 °C for 1.5 h. Furthermore, the rGO wrapped on the surface of Cu particles could transfer the two-dimensional rGO nano-sheets into three-dimensional (3D) networks. The Cu@rGO particles with 3D structure might have promising potential applications in thermal management, electrically conductive interconnection, electrodes, etc.

Packaging of graphite/epoxy composite film as electric heating devices

Graphite/epoxy composite conducting adhensive was prepared by mixed flake graphite and epoxy resin. Electric heating devices were fabricated and packaging by silk-screen printing of the graphite/epoxy conductive adhensive and electrodes as heating film as well as epoxy films as protection layers. The electric heating performance was tested by infrared thermal imager, which shows that the heating film devices were stable, well-distributed heating and with a high heating rate.