Preparation and Photodegradation Properties of Carbon-Nanofiber-Based Catalysts

In this study, an iron oxide/carbon nanofibers (Fe2O3/CNFs) composite was prepared by a combination of electrospinning and hydrothermal methods. The characterization of Fe2O3/CNFs was achieved via scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared spectroscopy (IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). It is shown that when the hydrothermal reaction time was 180 °C and the reaction time was 1 h, the Fe2O3 nanoparticle size was about 90 nm with uniform distribution. The photodegradation performance applied to decolorize methyl orange (MO) was investigated by forming a heterogeneous Fenton catalytic system with hydrogen peroxide. The reaction conditions for the degradation of MO were optimized with the decolorization rate up to more than 99% within 1 h, which can decompose the dyes in water effectively. The degradation process of MO by Fenton oxidation was analyzed by a UV-visible NIR spectrophotometer, and the reaction mechanism was speculated as well.

New Developments in Material Preparation Using a Combination of Ionic Liquids and Microwave Irradiation

During recent years, synthetic methods combining microwaves and ionic liquids became accepted as a promising methodology for various materials preparations because of their high efficiency and low energy consumption. Ionic liquids with high polarity are heated rapidly, volumetrically and simultaneously under microwave irradiation. Hence, combination of microwave irradiation as a heating source with ionic liquids with various roles (e.g., solvent, additive, template or reactant) opened a completely new technique in the last twenty years for nanomaterials and polymers preparation for applications in various materials science fields including polymer science. This review summarizes recent developments of some common materials syntheses using microwave-assisted ionic liquid method with a focus on inorganic nanomaterials, polymers, carbon-derived composites and biomass-based composites. After that, the mechanisms involved in microwave-assisted ionic-liquid (MAIL) are discussed briefly. This review also highlights the role of ionic liquids in the reaction and crucial issues that should be addressed in future research involving this synthesis technique.

Phase-Controlled Iron Oxide Nanobox Deposited on Hierarchically Structured Graphene Networks for Lithium Ion Storage and Photocatalysis

The phase control, hierarchical architecturing and hybridization of iron oxide is important for achieving multifunctional capability for many practical applications. Herein, hierarchically structured reduced graphene oxide (hrGO)/α-Fe2O3 and γ-Fe3O4 nanobox hybrids (hrGO/α-Fe and hrGO/γ-Fe NBhs) are synthesized via a one-pot, hydrothermal process and their functionality controlled by the crystalline phases is adapted for energy storage and photocatalysis. The three-dimensionally (3D) macroporous structure of hrGO/α-Fe NBhs is constructed, while α-Fe2O3 nanoboxes (NBs) in a proximate contact with the hrGO surface are simultaneously grown during a hydrothermal treatment. The discrete α-Fe2O3 NBs are uniformly distributed on the surface of the hrGO/α-Fe and confined in the 3D architecture, thereby inhibiting the restacking of rGO. After the subsequent phase transition into γ-Fe3O4, the hierarchical structure and the uniform distribution of NBs are preserved. Despite lower initial capacity, the hrGO/α-Fe NBhs show better rate and cyclic performances than those of commercial rGO/α-Fe due to the uniform distribution of discrete α-Fe2O3 NBs and electronic conductivity, macroporosity, and buffering effect of the hrGO for lithium ion battery anodes. Moreover, the catalytic activity and kinetics of hrGO/γ-Fe NBhs are enhanced for photo-Fenton reaction because of the uniform distribution of discrete γ-Fe3O4 NBs on the 3D hierarchical architecture.

Structure and compositional control of MoO3 hybrids assembled by nanoribbons for improved pseudocapacitor rate and cycle performance

Hierarchical structures of transition metal oxides with well-defined compositions are crucial for achieving advanced electrodes for energy storage devices. Herein, we first demonstrate the hierarchically structured MoO(3) assembled by twisted nanoribbons with a hybrid composition for improved rate capability and cycle stability of the pseudocapacitor. The hierarchical, flower-like structures of MoO(3) assembled by hybrid nanoribbons were induced by the specific interactions of MoO(3) interlayers with ionic liquids (ILs), as proven by spectroscopic and electrochemical analyses. Furthermore, the interlayer modification of MoO(3) crystallites through IL interaction enabled unique pseudocapacitive behaviors for fast and reversible proton intercalation/extraction that could not be observed by conventional MoO(3). In this research, we used control samples to prove our hypothesis that the capacitor performances of MoO(3) can be improved by a hierarchical structure and hybrid composition. These structural and compositional features of the hybrids greatly enhanced the rate capability by fast ion diffusion while improving cycle stability due to efficient stress release. More importantly, we observed the dramatic enhancement of ion diffusion coefficients of hybrids for good rate capability, because ion diffusion into the layered structure is very critical for maintaining specific capacitance at the high current density. The facilitated ion diffusion is attributed to the hierarchical nanostructure for a short diffusion length and ion accessibility, the high ion mobility in hybrids, and the interlayer modification of MoO(3) by IL coating. Therefore, this research offers new insight into the rational design of advanced electrode materials on the basis of the hierarchical complex structures of transition metal oxides with well-defined hybrid compositions for future applications in energy conversion and storage.

Ionic liquid-assisted direct synthesis of PdO nanoparticles immobilized on boehmite nanoparticles

We demonstrated a simple route to simultaneously synthesize PdO and boehmite nanoparticles, and to directly immobilize the former on the latter using an ionic liquid (IL)-assisted one-pot solution method. PdO nanoparticles were directly immobilized on boehmite nanoparticles, and their amount and distribution were controlled by the stoichiometry of the mixture. In particular, γ-alumina nanofibers, which were topochemically transformed from boehmites, exhibited lengths of ca. 40-70 nm and diameters of ca. 1.5-3 nm, while PdO nanoparticles had diameters of ca. 2-4 nm. The nanocrystalline structures of the PdO nanoparticles immobilized on the boehmite nanoparticles were characterized by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and (27)Al nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). The one-step synthetic method described herein allows for the design and fabrication of host-guest systems of inorganic or metallic nanomaterials with hetero-nanostructures.

Energy transfer in ionic-liquid-functionalized inorganic nanorods for highly efficient photocatalytic applications

Energy transfer in self-assembled ionic liquids (ILs) and iron oxyhydroxide nanocrystals and the controlled surface chemistry of functionalized nanomaterials for photocatalytic applications are reported. Self-assembled ILs play the role of multifunctional materials in terms of constructing a well-designed nanostructure, controlling the surface chemistry, and triggering the energy transfer of functionalized materials. IL-functionalized beta-FeOOH nanorods show approximately 10-fold higher performances than those of commercial materials due to the synergistic effect of well-defined nanomaterials in diffusion-controlled reactions, specific interactions with target pollutants, and energy transfers in hybrid materials. In particular, the energy transfer in C(4)MimCl-functionalized beta-FeOOH nanorods enhances photocatalytic activity due to the generation of Fe(2+). The strategy described herein provides new insight into the rational design of functionalized inorganic nanomaterials for applications in emerging technologies.