Search

In the photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting for the hydrogen production, the fabrication of a stable and efficient photocatalyst semiconductor remains a challenge. CdS, which is one of most used chalcogenide materials, coupled with metal oxide semiconductor exhibit a generally low durability. TiO2 nanorods arrays (TNR) sensitized with CdS were synthesized via hydrothermal method and denoted as TNR-CdS. CdS deposition on TNR surface was controlled by regulating the hydrothermal reaction time. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electronmicroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and UV-visible absorption. A high PEC performance as well as a great CdS sensitized TNR photoanodes stability were exhibited. These results could be due to the intimate contact between CdS and TNR, favoring a fast separation of photogenerated charge carriers. The optimal PEC performance was achieved when CdS was deposited on TNR for 10 h. Under AM 1.5G illumination at applied potential of 0 V vs Ag/AgCl, TNR-CdS (10 h) is found to have a photocurrent density of 6.5 mA/cm2 against 2.25 mA/cm2 for TNR. Additionally, TNR-CdS (10 h) presented a photoconversion efficiency of 2.5% at −0.4 V vs Ag/AgCl, while that of TNR was 0.9% at-0.35 V vs Ag/AgCl. TNR-CdS showed great stability with and without sacrificial reagent. These results were confirmed by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements, where the rapid transfer/transport and separation of photogenerated charge carriers were highlighted.

Mn3O4 is viewed as an attractive candidate for rechargeable aqueous zinc-ion battery cathode materials due to the advantages of low cost, eco-friendly nature as well as high capacity. However, it faces inherently poor electronic conductivity and poor cyclability during battery cycling. To improve the electrochemical performance, Mn3O4 nanoparticles anchored on carbon nanotubes (CNTs@Mn3O4) were fabricated by a facile one-step solution process at low temperature. Benefiting from the synergistic effect of nanoscale Mn3O4 and 1D CNTs, the conductivity and electrochemical performance of Mn3O4 are significantly improved. The prepared CNTs@Mn3O4 nanocomposites deliver a discharge capacity of 310 mAh g-1 at 100 mA g-1, and maintain 123 mAh g-1 at 1000 mA g−1 after 500 cycles, demonstrating good rate capability and cycling performance as a promising cathode material for low-cost neutral zinc-ion battery.

We reported on the effect of an external magnetic field on the photovoltaic performance of Ru-bipyridyl dye N719 or CdS-sensitized ZnO nanorods-based solar cells (DSCs). At the short circuit, increases in photocurrent of ∼25% and ∼34% can be obtained at an external magnetic fields of less than 10 mT for N719 and CdS-DSCs, respectively, which in turn increase the energy conversion efficiency of ∼31% and ∼46%. This increase in photocurrent is attributed to an increase in the efficient separation of electron–hole pairs and a decrease in electron transport resistance in ZnO nanorods film under applied magnetic field. These interesting magnetic-field effects can lead to new potential applications in enhanced DSCs efficiency.

Two novel methacrylate derivatives containing nucleic acid bases (uracil, thymine) were synthesized, and the copolymers of styrene and the new monomers were also prepared. The new monomers are more reactive than styrene. The synthesized copolymers were characterized by fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer, GPC and elementary analysis, and the result testifies the existence of the nucleic acid bases in the copolymers. The adsorption of phenol and 2-aminopyridine to copolymers in hexane was performed, and the result shows that much higher adsorption efficiency is achieved for 2-aminopyridine than that for phenol, suggesting that much stronger interaction between the copolymer and 2-aminopyridine than that between the copolymer and phenol. The interaction between the copolymers and phenol, 2-aminopyridine was studied by FTIR and the result shows that hydrogen bonding is taken place between the copolymers and phenol, 2-animopyridine.