Yunling Li

Room temperature synthesis of 2D CuO nanoleaves in aqueous solution

A simple room temperature method was reported for the synthesis of CuO nanocrystals in aqueous solution through the sequence of Cu(2+) → Cu(OA)2 → Cu(OH)2 → Cu(OH)(2-)4 → CuO. Sodium oleate (SOA) was used as the surfactant and shape controller. The as-prepared samples were characterized by x-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), UV-visible absorption spectroscopy (UV-vis) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). It can be seen that 1D Cu(OH)(2) nanowires were first obtained from Cu(OA)(2) and, at room temperature, converted into 2D CuO nanoleaves (CuO NLs) in a short time under a weakly basic environment. On prolonging the reaction time, the top part of these 2D nanoleaves branched and separated along the long axis to form 1D rod-like nano-CuO because of the assistance of SOA. A possible transformation mechanism of Cu(OH)(2) to CuO nanostructures at room temperature in aqueous solution is discussed. The transformation velocity can be controlled by changing the pH value of the system. The prepared CuO NLs were used to construct an enzyme-free glucose sensor. The detecting results showed that the designed sensor exhibited good amperometric responses towards glucose with good anti-interferent ability.

A study on the consecutive preparation of d-xylose and pure superfine silica from rice husk.

Rice husk is an abundant agricultural byproduct. In the present paper, research on consecutive preparation of d-xylose and superfine silica from rice husk is carried out. The optimum hydrolysis conditions of xylan in rice husk to d-xylose are as follows: the concentration of H(2)SO(4) is 4% (wt.%), the temperature is 130 degrees C, the ratio of rice husk mass (g) to H(2)SO(4) solution volume (ml) is 1:4 and the time is 2 h. The hydrolysis degree of xylan reaches 96.22% (wt.%). High purity (98.5%, wt.%) d-xylose is obtained from acid hydrolysis solution with the purification yield of 71.63% (wt.%). At the same time, the metal oxides in rice husk are efficiently dissolved by H(2)SO(4). Residuals from H(2)SO(4) pre-treatment are incinerated under 750 degrees C in stationary air for 15 min. Silica is obtained with the purity of 99.87% (wt.%). The superfine silica powder is obtained after ground and ultrasonic dispersion, with the diameter of 30-200 nm and specific surface 287.86 m(2)/g.