Yuelin Wei

Synthesis of hierarchically structured ZnO spheres by facile methods and their photocatalytic deNOx properties

This paper presents novel and facile methods for the fabrication of a series ZnO spheres by template-free, carbon template and hydrated-salt assisted solvothermal process, respectively. Phase purity and crystalline structure of the products were studied by X-ray diffraction analysis. SEM was employed to investigate the morphology and the fabrication of the monodisperse. BET analysis revealed that the as-prepared samples possessed huge specific surface area. UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy showed that these ZnO hollow spheres have a higher absorption. The as-prepared samples showed excellent photocatalytic activity for the decomposition of NOx gas under both visible-light and UV light irradiation (λ>510, 400, 290nm), being superior to that of commercial TiO2 powders.

Application of doped rare-earth oxide TiO2:(Tm3+, Yb3+) in dye-sensitized solar cells

Tm3+ and Yb3+ are codoped into TiO2 film in a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC). The emission and excitation spectra of TiO2:(Tm3+, Yb3+) power shows that the rare-earth ions possess up-conversion luminescence function, which results in harvesting more incident light and increasing photocurrent for the DSSC. On the other hand, owing to the p-type doping effect by Tm3+ and Yb3+, the photovoltage of the DSSC is enhanced. Under a simulated solar light irradiation of 100 mWcm−2, a DSSC containing Tm3+/Yb3+ achieves a conversion efficiency of 7.05 %, which is increased by 10.0% compared with a DSSC lacking Tm3+/Yb3+.

Fabrication and photocatalytic property of Pt-intercalated layered perovskite niobates H1−xLaNb2−xMoxO7 (x = 0–0.15)

H(1-x)LaNb(2-x)Mo(x)O(7) was prepared by solid-state reaction followed by an ion-exchange reaction. Pt was incorporated in the interlayer of H(1-x)LaNb(2-x)Mo(x)O(7) by the stepwise intercalation reaction. The H(1-x)LaNb(2-x)Mo(x)O(7) showed hydrogen production activity and the activities were greatly enhanced by Pt co-incorporating. The x value in H(1-x)LaNb(2-x)Mo(x)O(7) had an important effect on the photocatalytic activity of the catalyst. When the x=0.05, the H(1-x)LaNb(2-x)Mo(x)O(7)/Pt showed a photocatalytic activity of 80 cm(3)h(-1)g(-1) hydrogen evolution rate in 10 vol.% methanol solution under irradiation from a 100 W mercury lamp at 333K.

A conductive hydrogel by poly(sodium acrylate)/montmorillonite superabsorbent composite

Poly(sodium acrylate)/montmorillonite superabsorbent composite was synthesised by an inverse suspension polymerisation method. A novel hydrogel electrolyte with conductivity of 100 mS·cm−1 was prepared by immersing the superabsorbent composite in 1 M KCl aqueous solution. The conductivity of the hydrogel electrolyte was investigated, and it was found that the hydrogel electrolyte exhibits liquid-like ionic conductivity. The conductivity depends mainly on the ionic intensity of the solution in which it is immersed and on the water absorbency of the superabsorbent.

Synthesis and characterization of poly(sodium acrylate)/ bentonite superabsorbent composite

Poly(sodium acrylate)/bentonite superabsorbent composite with water absorbency 1562 g?g?1 was synthesized by inverse suspension polymerization. The introduction of bentonite improves the water absorbency and facilitates the particle size even distribution of the composite. The network structure in the superabsorbent hydrogel is confirmed.