ZnS nanoparticles embedded in porous honeycomb-like carbon nanosheets as high performance anode material for lithium ion batteries

ZnS nanoparticles coated with honeycomb-like carbon nanosheets (ZnS@HPC) were synthesized via freeze drying and carbonization methods, using NaCl crystals as hard template. The ZnS@HPC composite possessed a novel three-dimensional network structure and high specific surface area of 128.9?m² g^?1. In this composite, ZnS nanoparticles with small diameter of 20–40?nm were embedded in carbon nanosheet matrix. Moreover, nitrogen-doped carbon formed successfully during the carbonization process. The porous carbon matrix provided a conductive network and also worked as a buffer to confine ZnS nanoparticle expansion during lithiation and delithiation process. So, the electrochemical performance of ZnS@HPC composite electrode was much better than that of ZnS and ZnS/C electrodes. As a novel anode material, ZnS@HPC composite exhibited the initial cycle discharge and charge capacities of 1359 and 889?mAh?g^?1 at 100?mA?g^?1; and showed excellent cycle performance, the discharge capacity achieved 408?mAh?g^?1 after cycling at 1?A?g^?1 for 200 cycles.     

ZnS nanoparticles prepared via simple reflux and hydrothermal method: Optical and photocatalytic properties

In this research, zinc sulfide nanoparticles (NPs) with various morphologies such as spherical, flower-like, microspheres decorated with nanoparticles and nanorods were synthesized by two distinct, simple and efficient methods. These approaches include reflux and hydrothermal methods. Zinc nitrate hexahydrate (${\mathrm{Zn}({\mathrm{NO}}_3)}_2$).6H₂O were used as Zn source and thioacetamide (TAA) was used as S source. The effects of TAA to zinc ion mole ratio were investigated on the morphology, particle size, optical and photocatalytic properties of ZnS nanocrystals. In hydrothermal synthesis with increasing Zn²⁺:TAA mole ratio from 1:1 to 1:2 dendrite-like nanocrystals changed to semi-spherical nanoparticles with average particle size 50–60?nm, with different effect as photocatalysts. But any change at morphology were didn’t observed with changing Zn²⁺:TAA mole ratio from 1:1 to 1:30 in the reflux method. In the reflux method with increasing in Zn²⁺:TAA mole ratio, dispersed semi-sphere nanoparticles were observed. The synthesized nanocrystals were characterized by infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. XRD analysis and FESEM images show that the size of synthesized ZnS NPs is in the range of 15–25?nm. UV–vis spectra showed that by increasing the amount of sulfur source and increasing the reaction time, ${\lambda }_{\mathit{max}}$ shifted towards lower wavelengths, and the band gap was in the range of ~ 3.9–4.8?eV for all of the samples. Also, photoluminescence (PL) analysis showed by increasing particle size and degree of agglomeration, emission intensity (${\mathrm{\lambda }}_{\mathrm{em}}$) decreased. The photocatalytic activity of the as-prepared samples has been compared for the photocatalyst degradation of reactive blue 21. The sample with low Pl intensity has higher photocatalyst efficiency.     

Surface‐enhanced fluorescence of in situ synthesized polysilanesilver nanoparticles

To produce surface plasmons, silver nanoparticles are synthesized in situ in a pseudo‐template system based on polyhydrosilanes. Adsorption on the silver nanoparticle surface produces a thin layer of polymer with properties different from those of bulk polysilane. The metal‐adsorbed polymer layer serves as a spacer between the polysilane fluorophore and the plasmonic nanoparticle. This prevents quenching of the polysilane emission and leads to a strong surface‐enhanced fluorescence through coupling of surface plasmons having a resonance frequency that matches the emission frequency of the polymeric emitter. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of silica on the ZnS nanoparticles for stable and sustainable antibacterial application

Silica-capped Zinc Sulfide (ZnS) nanoparticles were synthesized for the use as stable and long-term antibacterial agents because silica is a very important component in food packaging applications for moisture absorption in tune with its property of biocompatibility and water solubility. The variation in morphological and optical properties of core-shell nanostructures was studied by changing the concentration of silica in a core-shell combination. The structural and morphological properties of silica-capped ZnS have been observed by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) studies, respectively. Uncapped ZnS nanoparticles with particle size of 2-4 nm in a highly agglomerated state have been observed from TEM, which shows that they can be used only for short-term antibacterial action despite its excellent zone of inhibition (antibiotic sensitivity). However, ZnS/SiO₂ core-shell nanostructures are highly monodisperse in nature and the particle size increases up to 5-8 nm with increase in silica concentration. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis confirms the formation of silica capping on the ZnS surface. The inhibition of defect-related emission by silica capping in energy-resolved photoluminescence studies also shows the formation of very stable ZnS nanoparticles. To study the antibacterial properties of the pure and silica-capped ZnS nanostructure the agar-well diffusion method was employed against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. The obtained results indicate that pure ZnS shows excellent antibacterial action but it can last only for few days.     

水热法制备高老化比表面积铈锆复合氧化物及其性质表征

以碳酸铈,碳酸锆作为原料,柠檬酸,硝酸作为添加剂,通过水热法制备出前驱物后,将其在600°C下煅烧得到铈锆复合氧化物Ce0.75Zr0.25O2和Ce0.4Zr0.6O2。将上述制备的复合氧化物经过980°C老化后即得到高老化比表面积铈锆复合氧化物,其比表面积为17.6 m2/g和19.0 m2/g。并对其性质进行了表征。     

Microstructures,magnetic, and dielectric properties of Ba-doped BiFeO3 nanoparticles synthesized via molten salt route

As the paradigm of magnetoelectric multiferroic materials, BiFeO₃ (BFO) has potential applications in spintronics, memory devices, sensors, and actuators. However, its large leakage current and small magnetism at room temperature restrict its practical applications. It is demonstrated that the substitutions of Bi by alkali earth elements at A-site of BFO can significantly reduce the leakage current and enhance the remanent magnetization of BFO. In this work, Ba-doped BFO nanoparticles Bi_1-xBa_xFeO₃ (x = 0, 0.05, 0.10, 0.15 and 0.20) were synthesized via molten salt route. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed that with increasing the Ba-doped content the formation of the impurity phase was depressed and the rhombohedral distortions of these nanoparticles were suppressed, as confirmed by Raman spectra. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements reveal that the Fe element in the nanoparticles exists in the dual valence states of Fe³⁺ and Fe²⁺, and two kinds of oxygen atoms (lattice oxygen atoms and the adsorbed oxygen atoms) exist in the nanoparticles. With increasing the Ba-doped content, the content ratios of Fe³⁺ to Fe²⁺ ions were generally increased, whereas the oxygen vacancy concentrations were decreased. The average particle sizes of the Ba-doped BFO nanoparticles were decreased as compared with that of nondoped BFO nanoparticles. In contrast, the room temperature magnetization of the Ba-doped BFO nanoparticles was greatly enhanced by Ba-substitution, as confirmed by the M-H loops. At room temperature, the remanent magnetization and coercive field of the Bi_0.8Ba_0.2FeO₃ nanoparticles were 0.51 emu/g and 1130 Oe, respectively. Furthermore, the leakage current density was reduced by one order of magnitude at x = 0.2 and the dielectric properties are also improved by Ba-substitution. The improvements on the remanent magnetization, leakage current density as well as dielectric properties of the Ba-doped BFO nanoparticles make them promising candidates for spintronics and dielectric energy storages.     

Ag nanoparticles anchored NiO/GO composites for enhanced capacitive performance

Hierarchical nickel oxide/graphene oxide (NiO/GO) and nickel oxide/graphene oxide/silver (NiO/GO/Ag) heterostructures were sucessfully fabricated as high-performance supercapacitors electrode materials by using a hydrothermal process and a photoreduction process. The experimental results showed that the NiO/GO/Ag heterostructure electrodes showed better electrochemical performance than those of NiO/GO and bare NiO nanosheets. The NiO/GO/Ag electrode exhibited a higher specific capacitance of 229 F g⁻¹ at a current density of 1 A g⁻¹, higher than that of 161 F g⁻¹ for NiO/GO composites. Furthermore, NiO/GO/Ag electrode also showed good rate capability (still 200 F g⁻¹ at 6 A g⁻¹) and cycling stability (24% loss after 2000 repetitive cycles at a scan rate of 20 mV s⁻¹). The enhanced capacitive performance of the NiO/GO/Ag composites was mainly attributed to the introduction of Ag nanoparticles, which increased the electrical conductivities of the composites, and promoted the electron transfer between the active components. This study suggested that NiO/GO/Ag composites were a promising class of electrode materials for high performance energy storage applications.     

Study of the effect of rutile/anatase TiO2 nanoparticles synthesized by hydrothermal route in electrospun PVA/TiO2 nanocomposites

Mixed rutile–anatase TiO₂ nanoparticles were synthesized by hydrothermal treatment under acidic conditions and incorporated into poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA). These nanocomposites were electrospun to produce nanofibers of PVA/TiO₂, which were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction (XRD), UV–vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry. The photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B and degradation of the polymer by UV‐C lamps were also investigated. The results showed that TiO₂ nanoparticles did not change the morphology and thermal behavior of the nanofiber polymer, but were effective in modifying the UV absorption of PVA without reducing its stability. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

Highly dispersed platinum nanoparticles on carbon nanocoils and their electrocatalytic performance for fuel cell reactions

Highly graphitic carbon nanocoils (GCNC) were synthesized through the catalytic graphitization of carbon microspheres obtained by the hydrothermal carbonization of different saccharides (sucrose, glucose and starch) and were used as a support for Pt nanoparticles. The Pt nanoparticles were deposited by means of a polymer mediated-polyol method. The Pt catalysts were characterized both physically (XRD, TEM, HRTEM and XPS) and electrochemically (electrooxidation of methanol in an acid medium). The electrocatalysts thus prepared show a high dispersion of Pt nanoparticles, with diameters in the 3.0-3.3 nm range and a very narrow particle size distribution. These catalytic systems possess high electroactive Pt surface areas (up to 85 m² g⁻¹ Pt) and they exhibit large catalytic activities towards methanol electrooxidation (up to 201 A g⁻¹ Pt). Moreover, they have a high resistance against oxidation, which is considerably greater than that of the Pt/Vulcan system.     

Platinum and platinum-ruthenium nanoparticles supported on ordered mesoporous carbon and their electrocatalytic performance for fuel cell reactions

Highly ordered meso-porous carbon, denoted CMK-3 was synthesized by using mesoporous silicates, SBA-15 as the starting templating materials. The ordered mesoporous carbon was loaded with platinum and platinum-ruthenium nanoparticles using alternative synthesis techniques. The metal loaded ordered mesoporous carbon powders were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), X-ray diffraction, and nitrogen adsorption isotherm experiments. Micrometer-scale and centimeter-scale electrodes containing the mesocarbon/nanometal electrocatalysts were tested for some typical fuel cell reactions. While the nanometal/mesocarbon catalysts have well-defined and uniform properties in the nanometer scale, they have mixed electrocatalytic performance. A synthesized Pt/mesocarbon electrocatalyst outperformed a commercial electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction on a gas-diffusion electrode. The Pt-Ru/mesocarbon electrocatalyst synthesized, however, was not as effective for methanol oxidation.     

二维石墨相氮化碳纳米片的制备及其光催化性能

摘要：利用水热反应法,将三聚氰胺悬浊液在200 ℃下反应生成中间产物,然后煅烧中间产物直接制成了二维石墨相氮化碳g-C3N4纳米片（WCN）,并与本体g-C3N4(CN)、传统热氧剥离法得到的g-C3N4纳米片（OCN）进行了比较。采用SEM、XRD、FTIR、Raman、AFM、PL仪等对催化剂进行了表征,探讨了催化剂的光电化学性能和光催化性能。结果表明：两种方法均实现了对CN的剥离,WCN和OCN二维纳米片与CN 晶体结构和组成相同,WCN和OCN的比表面积分别是CN的4倍和3倍。光电化学分析显示WCN有更好的载流子的迁移与分离效率,具有较好的光催化活性。在可见光条件下,WCN对亚甲基蓝（MB）的光催化降解率达到82％,分别是OCN和CN的2.4 倍和6.7 倍,光催化降解过程符合一级动力学方程。WCN具有优良的稳定性和可重复利用性能。     

二维石墨相氮化碳纳米片的制备及其光催化性能

利用水热反应法将三聚氰胺悬浊液在200℃下反应生成中间产物,中间产物经煅烧直接制成了二维石墨相氮化碳(g-C3N4)纳米片(WCN),并与本体g-C3N4(CN)、传统热氧剥离法得到的g-C3N4纳米片(OCN)进行了比较.采用SEM、XRD、FTIR、Raman、AFM、PL对样品进行了表征,探讨了其光电化学性能和光催化性能.结果表明,两种方法均实现了对CN的剥离,WCN和OCN与CN的晶体结构和组成相同,WCN和OCN比表面积分别是CN的3.6倍和3.1倍.光电化学分析显示,WCN具有更好的载流子迁移与分离效率,具有较好的光催化活性.可见光照射下,WCN对亚甲基蓝(MB)的光催化降解率达到82.0％,分别是OCN和CN的2.4倍和6.7倍,光催化降解过程符合一级动力学方程.WCN具有优良的稳定性和可重复利用性能.     

Attachment of noble metal nanoparticles to conducting polymers containing sulphur – preparation conditions for enhanced electrocatalytic activity

Taking advantage of the spontaneous deposition of noble metals on polymers containing sulphur, the inclusion of gold and platinum in poly(3-methylthiophene) and poly(3,4-ehylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOTh) layers, achieved by immersion of the polymer into the metal nanoparticles suspension, is reported in the present work.Platinum and gold nanoparticles (NPs), with diameters between 3 and 17 nm, have been prepared from colloidal methods (citrate or borohydride reduction in the presence of citrate capping agent) and characterized by transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The electropolymerization was carried out under potentiostatic and potentiodynamic conditions, imparting distinct morphologies, as revealed by atomic force microscopy. After polymer films immersion in the colloidal solutions, evidence of the NPs confinement and distribution was provided by XRD analysis and scanning electron microscopy. For thin layers, the quantity of attached metal NPs could be estimated from quartz crystal microbalance data collected throughout the films immersion.The influence of the polymer type and morphology, NPs nature, size and incorporated amount on the electrocatalytic activity of the so-prepared modified electrodes towards the hydrazine oxidation, in phosphate buffer solution, has been investigated by cyclic voltammetry. The results clearly show the superior properties of potentiodynamically prepared PEDOTh films attaching very small (3 nm) freshly prepared Pt-NPs.     

High-throughput fabrication of carbonized electrospun polyacrylonitrile/poly(acrylic acid) nanofibers with additives for enhanced electrochemical sensing

Lightweight, polyacrylonitrile-derived electrodes with different additives were fabricated using high-throughput nozzle-free electrospinning. The electrospun precursor nanofibers (PNFs) containing iron oxide, gold nanoparticles, or reduced graphene oxide (rGO) were subjected to oxidative stabilization and carbonization to obtain a carbon-rich conductive nanofiber structure. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the carbon nanofibers contracted between 11 and 55% while the Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed that the carbon nanofibers were thermally stable. Thermogravimetric and differential scanning calorimetry results revealed that the cross-linking of the chain molecules and cyclization were completed. Next, cyclic voltammetry results indicated that the electroactivity of the modified screen-printed carbon electrodes was decreased by 85% due to the presence of carbon glue. The modified device presented significant enhanced electrochemical responses with the inclusions of nanoparticles, with rGO showing a 2.13 times higher electroactive surface area, followed by iron oxide (two times) and gold nanoparticles (1.37 times) than the equivalent PNFs.     

化学吸附制冷用氯化锶复合吸附剂的制冷性能

对以SrCl₂、活性炭为吸附剂,NH₃为制冷剂所组成的吸附式制冷工质对的吸附性能进行了研究。拟解决SrCl₂吸附剂颗粒强度不高、长期使用后易出现膨胀粉化、吸附床传热传质性能下降等问题,将SrCl₂分别与活性炭、CaSO₄按质量比4∶1复配,进行吸附制冷性能实验。并对SrCl₂的吸附机理及CaSO₄的胶凝作用进行了探讨。实验结果表明：温度是过程的控制因素,在100℃时,SrCl₂/活性炭、SrCl₂/CaSO₄复合吸附剂的单位脱胶凝剂基吸附剂制冷量分别是SrCl₂的2.1倍和1.4倍。对吸附剂比表面积及孔结构进行表征,结果显示：SrCl₂/CaSO₄复合吸附剂的比表面积和孔结构保持良好;SrCl₂/活性炭复合吸附剂的比表面积和孔容明显增大,孔结构得到了改善。     

A novel route for the synthesis of poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) grafted TiO2 nanoparticles via surface thiol‐lactam initiated radical polymerization

Hybrid nanocomposites of poly(2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) and TiO₂ nanoparticles were synthesized via surface thiol‐lactam initiated radical polymerization by following the grafting from strategy. Initially, TiO₂ nanoparticles were modified by 3‐mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane to prepare thiol functionalized TiO₂ nanoparticles (TiO₂? SH). Subsequently, surface initiated polymerization of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate was conducted by using TiO₂? SH and butyrolactam as an initiating system. The anchoring of PHEMA onto the surface of TiO₂ nanoparticles was investigated by FTIR, ¹H‐NMR, XPS, TGA, and XRD analyses. The experimental results indicated a strong interaction between PHEMA and TiO₂ nanoparticles owing to covalent bonding. The TEM and SEM images of PHEMA‐g‐TiO₂ showed that the agglomeration propensity of TiO₂ nanoparticles was significantly reduced upon the PHEMA functionalization. The molecular weight and polydispersity index of the cleaved PHEMA from the surface of TiO₂ nanocomposites were estimated by GPC analysis. An improved thermal property of the nanocomposites was observed from TGA analysis. PHEMA‐g‐TiO₂ nanocomposites were found to be highly dispersible in organic solvents. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013     

蒽醌法双氧水钯催化剂的制备及工业应用

以铝溶胶、丙烯酸-丙烯酰胺共聚物（AC-1）、六亚甲基四胺为原料,采用油柱成型法制备氧化铝球形颗粒,并使用浸渍法得到Pd/Al2O3催化剂,用于2-乙基蒽醌催化加氢反应。使用N2吸附、XRD、TEM、CO脉冲滴定等手段对催化剂进行表征,考察了添加AC-1对催化剂结构的影响。结果表明,加入AC-1不改变催化剂的晶体结构,但会增加比表面积和孔径,同时使催化剂表面Pd颗粒的尺寸减小,Pd的分散度增大。催化剂在实验室反应器中的活性由12.5 g/L增加至14.5g/L,在过氧化氢产能为10kg/天的模型实验装置和7000吨/年的工业生产装置中时空产率分别提升77%和70.0%,在过氧化氢产能为20万吨/年的工业生产装置中,时空产率可达8.35 kg 过氧化氢/(kg 催化剂•d),显著高于现有工业用催化剂（ 6.14 kg 过氧化氢/(kg 催化剂•d)）。     

Activation of ultra‐thin activated carbon fibers as electrodes for high performance electrochemical double layer capacitors

Activated carbon fibers (ACFs) contain pores with a weak resistance to electrolyte migration but with high electrical resistance between the fibers. The ACFs used herein were prepared from ultra‐thin polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibers, to be used as electrodes in electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLCs), by varying the activation temperatures and the holding times during steam activation. As the activation temperature and holding time were increased, the specific surface area increased along with the specific capacitance (F g^?1). A maximum specific capacitance as high as 283 F g^?1 can be obtained using the ultra‐thin ACFs fabricated at 1000°C for 10 min with a specific surface area of 1408 m² g^?1. This investigation demonstrates that the surface area, pore structure, and surface functional groups of ACFs were all significant factors in determining the capacitive characteristics of ACFs. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Functionalization of carbon nanomaterials for advanced polymer nanocomposites: A comparison study between CNT and graphene

The allotropes of carbon nanomaterials (carbon nanotubes, graphene) are the most unique and promising substances of the last decade. Due to their nanoscale diameter and high aspect ratio, a small amount of these nanomaterials can produce a dramatic improvement in the properties of their composite materials. Although carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene exhibit numerous extraordinary properties, their reported commercialization is still limited due to their bundle and layer forming behavior. Functionalization of CNTs and graphene is essential for achieving their outstanding mechanical, electrical and biological functions and enhancing their dispersion in polymer matrices. A considerable portion of the recent publications on CNTs and graphene have focused on enhancing their dispersion and solubilization using covalent and non-covalent functionalization methods. This review article collectively introduces a variety of reactions (e.g. click chemistry, radical polymerization, electrochemical polymerization, dendritic polymers, block copolymers, etc.) for functionalization of CNTs and graphene and fabrication of their polymer nanocomposites. A critical comparison between CNTs and graphene has focused on the significance of different functionalization approaches on their composite properties. In particular, the mechanical, electrical, and thermal behaviors of functionalized nanomaterials as well as their importance in the preparation of advanced hybrid materials for structures, solar cells, fuel cells, supercapacitors, drug delivery, etc. have been discussed thoroughly.