Yingzhou Lu

Synthesis and Supercapacitor Application of Alkynyl Carbon Materials Derived from CaC2 and Polyhalogenated Hydrocarbons by Interfacial Mechanochemical Reactions

The discovery of new carbon materials and the reactive activation of CaC2 are challenging subjects. In this study, a series of alkynyl carbon materials (ACMs) were synthesized by the interfacial mechanochemical reaction of CaC2 with four typical polyhalogenated hydrocarbons. Their properties and structures were characterized, and their electrochemical performances were examined. The reaction was rapid and efficient arising from the intense mechanical activation of CaC2. The ACMs are micro-mesoporous materials with distinct layered structure, specific graphitization degree, and clear existence of sp-C. In addition, the ACMs exhibit high specific capacitance in the range of 57-133 F g-1 and thus can be ideal candidates for active materials used in supercapacitors. The results may imply an alternative synthesis of carbon allotropes, as well as an efficient approach for the activation of CaC2.

Alkynyl carbon materials as novel and efficient sorbents for the adsorption of mercury(II) from wastewater

For the first time, a series of alkynyl carbon materials (ACMs) were prepared via the mechanochemical reaction of CaC2 with six polyhalogenated precursors, namely CCl4, C2Cl6, C2Cl4, C6Cl6, C6Br6, and C14H4Br10 (ACM-1, ACM-2, ACM-3, ACM-4, ACM-5, and ACM-6, respectively) and used for the adsorptive removal of mercury from aqueous solutions. Based on preliminary investigations, the adsorption of mercury on ACM-5 was studied in depth. Specifically, the effect of pH on mercury adsorptivity, adsorption kinetics, thermodynamics, isotherms, and recyclability was studied. The adsorptivity of mercury on ACMs was found to be closely related to the hydrocarbon precursor, specific surface area of sorbent, and the alkynyl content. ACM-5 showed the best performance and is among the best raw carbonaceous sorbents reported so far, with a Langmuir saturated adsorption capacity of 191.9mgg-1. The promising mercury adsorption performance mainly arises from the strong Lewis soft acid-soft base interactions between the alkynyl groups and mercury ions. The adsorption isotherms could be satisfactorily correlated with the Langmuir equation. The results show that the ACMs can be used as efficient sorbents for the removal of mercury and may also be useful for the adsorption of other heavy metals.

Reductive removal of gaseous nitrous oxide by activated carbon with metal oxide catalysts

The efficient reductive decomposition of gaseous nitrous oxide (N2O) from industrial effluents is of practical importance in abating greenhouse gas emissions. In the present study, active carbon (AC) has been chosen as both a reductive agent and a catalyst support. Dozens of AC-based catalysts with different kinds and amounts of metal oxide have been prepared under various conditions and characterized. The performances of Cu-containing AC have been studied at varying gas flow rates, Cu contents, and calcination temperatures. N2O in a gas mixture (42% N2O, 58% N2) was found to be completely removed by Cu-loaded AC (9 wt% Cu, calcined at 400 °C) at 325 °C with a GHSV of 2293 h−1. This process is viable by virtue of the low cost of AC and easier manipulation and process control in comparison with alternative methods employing reductive gases such as hydrogen and ammonia.

Density Measurement for the Binary Mixtures of Ionic Liquid 1-ethyl- 3-methylimidazolium Diethylphosphate and Water (Methanol or Ethanol) at 1atm and (293.15 to 333.15) K

The density data for the binary mixtures of an ionic liquid (IL), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium diethylphosphate [EMIM][DEP], and water (methanol or ethanol) were measured at 1 atm as a function of composition in the temperature range of (293.15 to 333.15) K using a vibrating-tube densimeter. The excess molar volumes ( V E ) and other thermodynamic properties were derived from the density data. All V E values are negative for the binary mixtures in the whole composition range, and reach to the maximum at the mole fraction of IL of ca. 0.3. The V E values decrease with increasing temperature for the aqueous solution of ILs, but increase with the increasing temperature for the IL solutions of methanol or ethanol. The excess molar volumes were correlated successfully by an empirical equation with the maximum average absolute relative deviation within 0.02%.