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In this work, we describe an aqueous synthetic strategy for producing bone-shaped Au − Ag2S metal-semiconductor hybrid nanorods. Specifically, Au nanorods were first synthesized and used as seeds to synthesize bone-shaped Au − Ag nanorods by selectively overgrowing Ag shells at both ends of Au nanorods. Through the site-selective sulfidation strategy using Na2S aqueous solution, the Au − Ag bimetallic nanorods were transformed into Au–Ag2S metal–semiconductor hybrid nanorods. When used as photocatalysts for the photooxidative degradation of methylene blue (MB) under sunlight irradiation, the Au–Ag2S hybrid nanorods showed excellent photocatalytic performance due to the synergistic action of metal and semiconductor components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an alternative to the graphite-based anode in lithium-ion battery (LIBs), the TiO2-based anode has continuously drawn attention due to its high stability and long operating life, especially in the field of electric vehicles (EVs). Although a spinel structure lithium titanate (LTO, Li4Ti5O12) anode is commercially available, there has been a constant need to improve the anode capacity with TiO2-based materials because they have much higher theoretical capacity compared to LTO. In this regard, nanostructured TiO2-based materials with high surface area are thought to be ideal for LIB anode application. In this study, a lotus-root shaped meso-/macroporous TiO2 (LR-700) material was prepared and employed as an anode material for LIB with expectancy to have large channels for easy Li+ insertion and thus show better electrical property. Coin cell tests were carried out with the anodes prepared from LR-700, LTO, and nano-sized TiO2 powder (known as P25) for comparison by charging and discharging at 0.5 C. Despite the presence of large macroporous channels and mesopores in the walls for LR-700, the capacity of 158 mAh/g for LR-700 anode was found to be slightly lower than the LTO's theoretical discharge capacity of 175mAh/g. We envision that less thicker walls would enhance the performance through effective ion diffusion and electronic conduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MoO2 was produced by mixing MoS2 and MoO3 via a solid-state reaction in a fluidized bed reactor. The basic fluidization data were acquired by monitoring the minimum fluidization velocity of MoS2 and MoO3. The conversion rate of MoS2 and MoO3 to MoO2 was derived based on the solid-state reactions carried out for 1 h at various stoichiometric ratios. This study confirmed that the optimal stoichiometric ratio of MoS2 and MoO3 was 1.0: 6. The conversion rate at the optimum stoichiometric ratio was studied by varying the reaction temperature. A conversion rate of 99% was achieved when the reaction temperature and superficial gas velocity were 973 K and 0.3 m/s, respectively. Detailed analysis of the final product after the solid-state reaction was by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), to determine the shape, structure, and diffraction patterns. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]