Modified g-C3N4 derived from ionic liquid and urea for promoting visible-light photodegradation of organic pollutants

In this work, modified g-C₃N₄ was fabricated successfully by calcination of ionic liquid (IL) and urea. The addition of IL changed the polymerization mode of urea, induced the self-assembly of urea molecules, modified the morphological structure of the tightly packed g-C₃N₄, and extended the electron conjugation system. When using 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([Bmim]Cl) as a modifier, the heteroatom Cl could be inserted into the g-C₃N₄ to optimize the electronic structure. The results of characterizations indicate that the unique structure of modified g-C₃N₄ has an expanded electron delocalization range, introduces an interlayer charge transmission channel, promotes the charge transmission, reduces the band gap, enhances the absorption of visible light, and inhibits electron-hole recombination. Modified g-C₃N₄ showed excellent photocatalytic performance for the degradation of rhodamine B and tetracycline. Furthermore, the effect of different anions in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium salts ([Bmim]Cl, [Bmim]Br, [Bmim][BF₄], and [Bmim][PF₆]) on the structure and function of g-C₃N₄ are discussed.     

Application of sequential quadratic programming based on active set method in cleaner production

Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy - On the platform of general chemical process simulation software (it was named Optimization Engineer, OPEN), a general optimization algorithm for...     

Enhanced solar-driven water splitting by ZnO/CdTe heterostructure thin films-based photocatalysts

Solar-driven hydrogen production by water splitting using a photocatalyst is considered the most effective approach to produce hydrogen. Hydrogen is the most suitable renewable energy source. The efficiency of hydrogen production is still low. The efficiency of hydrogen production through photocatalysis can be enhanced by preparing a suitable and efficient photocatalyst. In this work, ZnO thin films were deposited on CdTe thin films at 600 °C, 650 °C, and 700 °C temperatures to form ZnO/CdTe heterostructure thin films by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) as photoelectrodes for water splitting. The photoelectrochemical properties showed that ZnO/CdTe heterostructure thin films have better photocurrent response compared to pristine ZnO and CdTe thin films. EIS results showed that the charge transfer at the electrode-electrolyte interface for ZnO/CdTe heterostructure thin films is much better than that of the pristine ZnO film. The ZnO/CdTe-700 °C heterostructure thin film has a 112-fold higher rate of photocatalytic hydrogen generation than pure ZnO.     

ZnBi38O60/Bi2O3 photocathode for hydrogen production from water splitting

Hydrogen production from water splitting into photoelectrochemical cells is a promising alternative for reducing the use of fossil fuels. Here, we synthesize by spray pyrolysis a porous ZnBi₃₈O₆₀/γ-Bi₂O₃ film with a surface area of 744 m² g⁻¹ for use as a photocathode in water-splitting cells. The film of ZnBi₃₈O₆₀ with 3 wt% Bi₂O₃ has 2.3 eV bandgap energy and a conduction band energy of −2.14 V vs. RHE at pH 6.99, which is thermodynamically suitable for reducing H⁺ to H₂. Under illumination, the film produces a current density of −1.55 mA cm⁻² at 0 V vs. RHE with an onset potential of 0.84 V vs. RHE. HC-STH efficiency is 0.09% at 0.17 V vs. RHE and IPCE at 0 V vs. RHE is 3.8% at 480 nm. Under continuous operation, the ZnBi₃₈O₆₀/γ-Bi₂O₃ film shows a stable photocurrent of −0.4 mA cm⁻² at 0 V vs. RHE for 1800 s with 100% Faradaic efficiency.     

Systematic approach of blue-light-emitting copolymers by introducing various naphthalene linkages into fluorene containing PPV derivatives

We newly synthesized a series of naphthalene and fluorene containing alternating copolymers, poly[9,9-n-dihexyl-2,7-fluorenediylvinylene-alt-1,4-naphthalenevinylene] (1,4-PNFPV), poly[9,9-n-dihexyl-2,7-fluorenediylvinylene-alt-2,6-naphthalenevinylene] (2,6-PNFPV), and poly[9,9-n-dihexyl-2,7-fluorenediylvinylene-alt-2,3-naphthalene-vinylene] (2,3-PNFPV) through the well known Wittig polycondensation reaction. The conjugation lengths of the polymers were controlled by differently linked naphthalenes in the polymer main chain. The resulting polymers were completely soluble in common organic solvents and exhibited good thermal stability up to 400 °C. The synthesized polymers showed UV–visible absorbance and photoluminescence (PL) in the ranges 352–379 and 465–512 nm, respectively. The maximum emission peak of 1,4-PNFPV was found at 512 nm with green light. But, 2,6- and 2,3-PNFPV showed more blueshifted blue PL emission than that of 1,4-PNFPV at 477 and 465 nm, respectively. This result showed that 2,3- and 2,6-naphthalene linkage of the 2,3- and 2,6-PNFPV reduced π-conjugation length compared to 1,4-naphthalene linkage of the 1,4-PNFPV. The single-layer light-emitting device was fabricated which has a simple ITO (indium–tin oxide)/polymer/Al configuration. Electroluminescence (EL) maxima of 1,4-PNFPV and 2,6-PNFPV were shown at 523 and 484 nm, respectively. The measurement of current vs. electric field showed the threshold voltages of 1,4-PNFPV and 2,6-PNFPV to be about 1.7×10⁸ and 2.1×10⁸ V/m. The EL powers of 1,4-PNFPV and 2,6-PNFPV were reached 36 and 24 cd/m² at 2.3×10⁸ V/m (206 mA/cm²) and 2.8×10⁸ V/m (190 mA/cm²), respectively.     

Efficient photothermal conversion of Fe2O3–RGO guided from ultrafast quenching effect of photoexcited state

In solar thermal utilization, effective photo capture and photothermal conversion are crucial. Improving the nonradiative transition rate of photoexcited electrons is important to enhance the photothermal conversion efficiency and develop efficient solar thermal utilization. Herein, we designed a new kind of light absorption-enhanced and efficient photothermal conversion material, namely, Fe₂O₃-functionalized reduced graphene oxide (Fe₂O₃–RGO). On the basis of the selective absorption (350–560 nm) of Fe₂O₃ and the synergistic effect of RGO on the quenching energy transfer of the excited state of Fe₂O₃ and ultrafast nonradiative thermal decay of RGO, the optical absorption capacity, and photothermal conversion efficiency of the composites were effectively improved. Fe₂O₃–RGO can be successfully applied to photothermal conversion phase change materials and seawater solar desalination, showing excellent photothermal conversion ability and application prospect.     

Non-noble metal ultrathin MoS2 nanosheets modified Mn0.2Cd0.8S heterostructures for efficient photocatalytic H2 evolution with visible light irradiation

A series of non-noble metal ultrathin MoS₂ nanosheets modified Mn_0.2Cd_0.8S heterostructured composites were prepared by an ultrasonic assisted hydrothermal synthesis process. Comparing with the pristine Mn_0.2Cd_0.8S composite, the obtained ultrathin MoS₂/Mn_0.2Cd_0.8S composites exhibited a significantly improved photocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution from water with visible light response. The optimized photocatalytic activity toward MoS₂/Mn_0.2Cd_0.8S composite is around 8 times of the pristine Mn_0.2Cd_0.8S composite. Moreover, the ultrathin MoS₂/Mn_0.2Cd_0.8S composites displayed good photocatalytic stability in the course of photochemical reaction. The excellent photocatalytic activity of the ultrathin MoS₂/Mn_0.2Cd_0.8S composites might be attributed to the formed heterojunctions in composites itself and the sufficient active edge sites in MoS₂ phase. A possible photocatalytic mechanism was tentatively proposed. Considering its excellent photocatalytic activity and good photochemical stability, the obtained ultrathin MoS₂/Mn_0.2Cd_0.8S composite has potential application in photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from water by using solar energy.     

Study and optimization of flow field in a novel cyclone separator with inner cylinder

This paper presents a study of gas-solid flow in a novel cyclone separator with inner cylinder, compared with that in a conventional cyclone. The Reynolds stress model (RSM) is used to simulate fluid flow, and the discrete phase model (DPM) is selected to describe the motion behavior of particles. The experimental data measured by particle image velocimetry (PIV) is used to verify the reliability of the numerical model. The results show that in the novel cyclone, the cleaned gas can be quickly discharged from the vortex finder, the movement distance and residence time of fine particles are prolonged, the short-circuit flow and vertical vortex under the vortex finder are eliminated, the mutual interference between upflow and downflow in the cylinder is eliminated, and the region of quasi-free vortex in the cone is enlarged. Compared with the conventional cyclone, the novel cyclone has higher collection efficiency and lower pressure drop.     

Electrode optimisation for carbon power supercapacitors

The purpose of this work was to economically prepare large electrodes (32 cm²) in order to assemble mono-cell supercapacitors (100 cm³) of 250 F and to reach powers in the range of 120–130 W (2 V/cell) with the structure selected. We have reached more than 20 F/cm³ of electrode, with a time constant of a few seconds (close to 2 s) and reached powers compatible with starting applications.