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Liu D, Kuang Y. Particle-Based Photoelectrodes for PEC Water Splitting: Concepts and Perspectives. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2024:e2311692. [PMID: 38619834 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202311692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
This comprehensive review delves into the intricacies of the photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting process, specifically focusing on the design, fabrication, and optimization of particle-based photoelectrodes for efficient green hydrogen production. These photoelectrodes, composed of semiconductor materials, potentially harness light energy and generate charge carriers, driving water oxidation and reduction reactions. The versatility of particle-based photoelectrodes as a platform for investigating and enhancing various semiconductor candidates is explored, particularly the emerging complex oxides with compelling charge transfer properties. However, the challenges presented by many factors influencing the performance and stability of these photoelectrodes, including particle size, shape, composition, morphology, surface modification, and electrode configuration, are highlighted. The review introduces the fundamental principles of semiconductor photoelectrodes for PEC water splitting, presents an exhaustive overview of different synthesis methods for semiconductor powders and their assembly into photoelectrodes, and discusses recent advances and challenges in photoelectrode material development. It concludes by offering promising strategies for improving photoelectrode performance and stability, such as the adoption of novel architectures and heterojunctions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deyu Liu
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Fuel Cells and Electrolyzers Technology of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1219 Zhongguan West Road, Ningbo, 315201, China
| | - Yongbo Kuang
- Key Laboratory of Advanced Fuel Cells and Electrolyzers Technology of Zhejiang Province, Ningbo Institute of Materials Technology and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, 1219 Zhongguan West Road, Ningbo, 315201, China
- Center of Materials Science and Optoelectronics Engineering, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, 19(A)Yuquan Road, Beijing, 100049, China
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Chaves NO, Lima LS, Monteiro MDS, Sobrinho RAL, Ferreira NS, Ramos GQ, da Fonseca Filho HD, Oliveira RMPB, Matos RS. Associating Physical and Photocatalytic Properties of Recyclable and Reusable Blast Furnace Dust Waste. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 17:818. [PMID: 38399069 PMCID: PMC10889973 DOI: 10.3390/ma17040818] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024]
Abstract
Blast furnace dust waste (BFDW) proved efficient as a photocatalyst for the decolorization of methylene blue (MB) dye in water. Structural analysis unequivocally identified α-Fe2O3 as the predominant phase, constituting approximately 92%, with a porous surface showcasing unique 10-30 nm agglomerated nanoparticles. Chemical and thermal analyses indicated surface-bound water and carbonate molecules, with the main phase's thermal stability up to 900 °C. Electrical conductivity analysis revealed charge transfer resistance values of 616.4 Ω and electrode resistance of 47.8 Ω. The Mott-Schottky analysis identified α-Fe2O3 as an n-type semiconductor with a flat band potential of 0.181 V vs. Ag/AgCl and a donor density of 1.45 × 1015 cm-3. The 2.2 eV optical bandgap and luminescence stem from α-Fe2O3 and weak ferromagnetism arises from structural defects and surface effects. With a 74% photocatalytic efficiency, stable through three photodegradation cycles, BFDW outperforms comparable waste materials in MB degradation mediated by visible light. The elemental trapping experiment exposed hydroxyl radicals (OH•) and superoxide anions (O2-•) as the primary species in the photodegradation process. Consequently, iron oxide-based BFDW emerges as an environmentally friendly alternative for wastewater treatment, underscoring the pivotal role of its unique physical properties in the photocatalytic process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nayane O. Chaves
- Postgraduate Program in Materials Science and Engineering (P2CEM), Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristovão 49100-000, SE, Brazil; (N.O.C.); (R.M.P.B.O.)
| | - Lucas S. Lima
- Laboratory of Corrosion and Nanotechnology (LCNT), Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristovão 49100-000, SE, Brazil; (L.S.L.); (M.D.S.M.)
| | - Michael D. S. Monteiro
- Laboratory of Corrosion and Nanotechnology (LCNT), Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristovão 49100-000, SE, Brazil; (L.S.L.); (M.D.S.M.)
| | - Raimundo A. L. Sobrinho
- Department of Chemical Engineering, State University of Santa Cruz, Rod. Jorge Amado, Km 16—Salobrinho, Ilhéus 45662-900, BA, Brazil;
| | - Nilson S. Ferreira
- Department of Physics, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristovão 49100-000, SE, Brazil;
| | - Glenda Q. Ramos
- Centro Multiusuário para Análise de Fenômenos Biomédicos, Universidade do Estado do Amazonas, Manaus 69410-000, AM, Brazil;
| | - Henrique D. da Fonseca Filho
- Laboratory of Synthesis of Nanomaterials and Nanoscopy (LSNN), Physics Department, Federal University of Amazonas-UFAM, Manaus 69077-000, AM, Brazil;
| | - Rosane M. P. B. Oliveira
- Postgraduate Program in Materials Science and Engineering (P2CEM), Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristovão 49100-000, SE, Brazil; (N.O.C.); (R.M.P.B.O.)
| | - Robert S. Matos
- Amazonian Materials Group, Federal University of Amapá (UNIFAP), Macapá 68911-477, AP, Brazil
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Zhou J, Cheng H, Cheng J, Wang L, Xu H. The Emergence of High-Performance Conjugated Polymer/Inorganic Semiconductor Hybrid Photoelectrodes for Solar-Driven Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting. SMALL METHODS 2024; 8:e2300418. [PMID: 37421184 DOI: 10.1002/smtd.202300418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 06/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
Solar-driven photoelectrochemical (PEC) energy conversion holds great potential in converting solar energy into storable and transportable chemicals or fuels, providing a viable route toward a carbon-neutral society. Conjugated polymers are rapidly emerging as a new class of materials for PEC water splitting. They exhibit many intriguing properties including tunable electronic structures through molecular engineering, excellent light harvesting capability with high absorption coefficients, and facile fabrication of large-area thin films via solution processing. Recent advances have indicated that integrating rationally designed conjugated polymers with inorganic semiconductors is a promising strategy for fabricating efficient and stable hybrid photoelectrodes for high-efficiency PEC water splitting. This review introduces the history of developing conjugated polymers for PEC water splitting. Notable examples of utilizing conjugated polymers to broaden the light absorption range, improve stability, and enhance the charge separation efficiency of hybrid photoelectrodes are highlighted. Furthermore, key challenges and future research opportunities for further improvements are also presented. This review provides an up-to-date overview of fabricating stable and high-efficiency PEC devices by integrating conjugated polymers with state-of-the-art semiconductors and would have significant implications for the broad solar-to-chemical energy conversion research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhou
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
| | - Hao Cheng
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
| | - Jun Cheng
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
| | - Lei Wang
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
| | - Hangxun Xu
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Chemistry for Energy Materials (iChEM), Key Laboratory of Precision and Intelligent Chemistry, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, China
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Zhang K, Wu Q, Ba K, Qiu Q, Yang Y, Lin Y, Wang D, Xie T. Investigation of charge dynamics in dinuclear cobalt phthalocyanine ammonium sulfonate (PDS) modified Ti-Fe 2O 3 photoanodes for photoelectrochemical water oxidation. J Colloid Interface Sci 2023; 650:1022-1031. [PMID: 37459726 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2023.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/17/2023]
Abstract
The kinetic competition between water oxidation/electron extraction processes and recombination behaviors is a key consideration in the development of efficient photoanodes for solar-driven water splitting. Investigating the photogenerated charge behaviors could guide the construction of high-efficiency photoanodes. In this study, the charge carrier kinetics involved in photoelectrochemical water oxidation of PDS/Ti-Fe2O3 were analyzed using surface photovoltage (SPV), transient photovoltage (TPV), short-pulse transient photocurrent (TPC) and photoelectrochemical impedance spectra (PEIS). The TPC results indicate the interfacial electric field introduced by the PDS loading increases the electron extraction and suppresses the bulk recombination, enhancing the spatial separation of photogenerated charges, which is consistent with the SPV and TPV results. Besides, the surface recombination of the back electron (BER) is also attenuated, which enhances the long-lived holes at the surface of PDS/Ti-Fe2O3 photoanode. Similarly, as obtained by PEIS fitting, the loading of PDS accelerates holes transfer at the photoanode/electrolyte interface, and increases the utilization of long-lived holes. In other word, the recombination behaviors of photogenerated charges are restrained both in the bulk and surface of the photoanode after the deposition of PDS, leading to enhanced PEC performance. These findings highlight the importance of understanding charge carrier dynamics in the design of high-efficient photoanodes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Zhang
- College of Chemistry, Jilin University, No. 2699, Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, PR China
| | - Qiannan Wu
- College of Chemistry, Jilin University, No. 2699, Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, PR China
| | - Kaikai Ba
- College of Chemistry, Jilin University, No. 2699, Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, PR China
| | - Qingqing Qiu
- College of Rare Earths, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, 86 Hong Qi Road, Ganzhou 341000, PR China
| | - Youzhi Yang
- College of Chemistry, Jilin University, No. 2699, Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, PR China
| | - Yanhong Lin
- College of Chemistry, Jilin University, No. 2699, Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, PR China
| | - Dejun Wang
- College of Chemistry, Jilin University, No. 2699, Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, PR China
| | - Tengfeng Xie
- College of Chemistry, Jilin University, No. 2699, Qianjin Street, Changchun 130012, PR China.
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Chandra D, Katsuki T, Tanahashi Y, Togashi T, Tsubonouchi Y, Hoshino N, Zahran ZN, Yagi M. Temperature-Controlled Transformation of WO 3 Nanowires into Active Facets-Exposed Hexagonal Prisms toward Efficient Visible-Light-Driven Water Oxidation. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2023; 15:20885-20896. [PMID: 37083342 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.2c22483] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
A unique transformation of WO3 nanowires (NW-WO3) into hexagonal prisms (HP-WO3) was demonstrated by tuning the temperature of the (N2H4)WO3 precursor suspension prepared from tungstic acid and hydrazine as a structure-directing agent. The precursor preparation at 20 °C followed by calcination at 550 °C produced NW-WO3 nanocrystals (ca. <100 nm width, 3-5 μm length) with anisotropic growth of monoclinic WO3 crystals to (002) and (200) planes and a polycrystalline character with randomly oriented crystallites in the lateral face of nanowires. The precursor preparation at 45 °C followed by calcination at 550 °C produced HP-WO3 nanocrystals (ca. 500-1000 nm diameter) with preferentially exposed (002) and (020) facets on the top-flat and side-rectangle surfaces, respectively, of hexagonal prismatic WO3 nanocrystals with a single-crystalline character. The HP-WO3 electrode exhibited the superior photoelectrochemical (PEC) performance for visible-light-driven water oxidation to that for the NW-WO3 electrode; the incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency (IPCE) of 47% at 420 nm and 1.23 V vs RHE for HP-WO3 was 3.1-fold higher than 15% for the NW-WO3 electrode. PEC impedance data revealed that the bulk electron transport through the NW-WO3 layer with the unidirectional nanowire structure is more efficient than that through the HP-WO3 layer with the hexagonal prismatic structure. However, the water oxidation reaction at the surface for the HP-WO3 electrode is more efficient than the NW-WO3 electrode, contributing significantly to the superior PEC water oxidation performance observed for the HP-WO3 electrode. The efficient water oxidation reaction at the surface for the HP-WO3 electrode was explained by the high surface fraction of the active (002) facet with fewer grain boundaries and defects on the surface of HP-WO3 to suppress the electron-hole recombination at the surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debraj Chandra
- Department of Materials Science and Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Niigata University, 8050 Ikarashi-2, Niigata 9050-2181, Japan
| | - Tomohiro Katsuki
- Department of Materials Science and Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Niigata University, 8050 Ikarashi-2, Niigata 9050-2181, Japan
| | - Yuki Tanahashi
- Department of Materials Science and Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Niigata University, 8050 Ikarashi-2, Niigata 9050-2181, Japan
| | - Takanari Togashi
- Faculty of Science, Yamagata University, 1-4-12 Kojirakawa-machi, Yamagata 990-8560, Japan
| | - Yuta Tsubonouchi
- Department of Materials Science and Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Niigata University, 8050 Ikarashi-2, Niigata 9050-2181, Japan
| | - Norihisa Hoshino
- Department of Materials Science and Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Niigata University, 8050 Ikarashi-2, Niigata 9050-2181, Japan
| | - Zaki N Zahran
- Department of Materials Science and Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Niigata University, 8050 Ikarashi-2, Niigata 9050-2181, Japan
| | - Masayuki Yagi
- Department of Materials Science and Technology, Faculty of Engineering, Niigata University, 8050 Ikarashi-2, Niigata 9050-2181, Japan
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Wu H, Xiong Y, Yu D, Yang P, Shi H, Huang L, Wu Y, Xi M, Xiao P, Yang L. Fe-Co controlled super-hygroscopic hydrogels toward efficient atmospheric water harvesting. NANOSCALE 2022; 14:18022-18032. [PMID: 36444669 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr04830b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Extracting atmospheric moisture for freshwater production is an appealing way to mitigate the global water crisis. However, the low moisture sorption capacity and high desorption temperature are the major bottlenecks for efficient atmospheric water harvesting. Herein, we develop a transition metal super-hygroscopic hydrogel by an economical strategy, which is constructed through a facile coordination between metal salts and ethanolamine. When the empty electron orbital of the metal ion is coordinated with the lone electron pair of nitrogen or oxygen atom, the water active sorption site is formed. A single water layer is bonded on the sites by a coordination effect, followed by physical interaction with water to form multi-layer structures. The Fe and Co ions in the hydrogel function as dual sorption sites to capture moisture, which can harvest additional water by the synergistic effect of bimetals. As a result, the bimetal hydrogel contributes to a high water uptake of 5.22 g g-1 at 95% RH, triggering the desorption process by one solar intensity due to its low desorption temperature (≤50 °C).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hangfei Wu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Smart Materials, College of Physics, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, P. R. China.
| | - Yuli Xiong
- College of Physical and Electrical Engineering, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing, P. R. China
| | - Duohuan Yu
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Smart Materials, College of Physics, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, P. R. China.
| | - Peixin Yang
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Smart Materials, College of Physics, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, P. R. China.
| | - Huihui Shi
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, P. R. China
| | - Lu Huang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, P. R. China
| | - Yali Wu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, P. R. China
| | - Mufeng Xi
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Technology and System of Ministry of Education, College of Optoelectronic Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, P. R. China.
| | - Peng Xiao
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Soft Condensed Matter Physics and Smart Materials, College of Physics, Chongqing University, Chongqing 401331, P. R. China.
| | - Lin Yang
- Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Technology and System of Ministry of Education, College of Optoelectronic Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400044, P. R. China.
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Solution chemistry back-contact FTO/hematite interface engineering for efficient photocatalytic water oxidation. CHINESE JOURNAL OF CATALYSIS 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/s1872-2067(21)63973-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
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Yang M, Zhu H, Zheng Y, Zhang C, Luo G, Xu Q, Li Q, Zhang S, Goto T, Tu R. One-step chemical vapor deposition fabrication of Ni@NiO@graphite nanoparticles for the oxygen evolution reaction of water splitting. RSC Adv 2022; 12:10496-10503. [PMID: 35424973 PMCID: PMC8982024 DOI: 10.1039/d2ra00947a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
NiO combined with conductive materials is a practicable way to improve its catalytic property for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) by enhancing its electrical conductivity. Herein, Ni@NiO@graphite nanoparticles less than 20 nm in average diameter were synthesized by a one-step chemical vapor deposition process. Due to the deliberately controlled lack of oxygen, Ni particles and carbon clusters decomposed from NiCp2 precursors were oxidized incompletely and formed Ni@NiO core-shell nanoparticles coated by a graphite layer. The thickness of the graphite layer and the content of Ni were controlled by varying deposition temperature. The electrochemical activity towards the oxygen evolution reaction was assessed within alkaline media. Compared with commercial NiO powder, the Ni@NiO@graphite nanoparticles with the unique core-shell microstructure exhibit excellent OER performance, i.e., an overpotential of 330 mV (vs. RHE) at 10 mA cm-2 and a Tafel slope of 49 mV dec-1, due to the improved electrical conductivity and more active sites. This work provides a facile and rapid strategy to produce nanoparticles with unique microstructures as highly active electrocatalysts for the OER.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meijun Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology Wuhan 430070 China
| | - Hongyu Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology Wuhan 430070 China
| | - Yingqiu Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology Wuhan 430070 China
- Chaozhou Branch of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Guangdong Laboratory Chaozhou 521000 China
| | - Chitengfei Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology Wuhan 430070 China
- Chaozhou Branch of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Guangdong Laboratory Chaozhou 521000 China
| | - Guoqiang Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology Wuhan 430070 China
- Chaozhou Branch of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Guangdong Laboratory Chaozhou 521000 China
| | - Qingfang Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology Wuhan 430070 China
| | - Qizhong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology Wuhan 430070 China
| | - Song Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology Wuhan 430070 China
| | - Takashi Goto
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology Wuhan 430070 China
| | - Rong Tu
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Materials Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology Wuhan 430070 China
- Chaozhou Branch of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Guangdong Laboratory Chaozhou 521000 China
- Wuhan University of Technology Advanced Engineering Technology Research Institute of Zhongshan City Zhongshan 528400 China
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