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Chong WK, Ng BJ, Lee YJ, Tan LL, Putri LK, Low J, Mohamed AR, Chai SP. Self-activated superhydrophilic green ZnIn 2S 4 realizing solar-driven overall water splitting: close-to-unity stability for a full daytime. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7676. [PMID: 37996415 PMCID: PMC10667227 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43331-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Engineering an efficient semiconductor to sustainably produce green hydrogen via solar-driven water splitting is one of the cutting-edge strategies for carbon-neutral energy ecosystem. Herein, a superhydrophilic green hollow ZnIn2S4 (gZIS) was fabricated to realize unassisted photocatalytic overall water splitting. The hollow hierarchical framework benefits exposure of intrinsically active facets and activates inert basal planes. The superhydrophilic nature of gZIS promotes intense surface water molecule interactions. The presence of vacancies within gZIS facilitates photon energy utilization and charge transfer. Systematic theoretical computations signify the defect-induced charge redistribution of gZIS enhancing water activation and reducing surface kinetic barriers. Ultimately, the gZIS could drive photocatalytic pure water splitting by retaining close-to-unity stability for a full daytime reaction with performance comparable to other complex sulfide-based materials. This work reports a self-activated, single-component cocatalyst-free gZIS with great exploration value, potentially providing a state-of-the-art design and innovative aperture for efficient solar-driven hydrogen production to achieve carbon-neutrality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Kean Chong
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Boon-Junn Ng
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Yong Jieh Lee
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Lling-Lling Tan
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Lutfi Kurnianditia Putri
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Jingxiang Low
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Applied Chemistry, University of Science and Technology of China (USTC), 96 Jinzhai Road, Hefei, Anhui, 230026, PR China
| | - Abdul Rahman Mohamed
- School of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, 14300, Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | - Siang-Piao Chai
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia.
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Dahlan NAN, Putri LK, Er CC, Ng BJ, Ooi CW, Tan LL, Chai SP. Effective Low-Powered Photocatalytic Disinfection via Synchronous Introduction of Oxygen Dopants and Carbon Defects in Carbon Nitride. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2023; 15:53371-53381. [PMID: 37935594 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.3c10243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Establishing an effective metal-free photocatalyst for sustainable applications remains a huge challenge. Herein, we developed ultrathin oxygen-doped g-C3N4 nanosheets with carbon defects (OCvN) photocatalyst via a facile gas bubble template-assisted thermal copolymerization method. A series of OCvN with different dopant amounts ranging from 0 to 10% were synthesized and used as photocatalysts under illumination of low-power (2 × 18 W, 0.18 mW/cm2) and commercially available energy-saving light bulbs. Upon testing for photocatalytic Escherichia coli inactivation, the best-performing sample, OCvN-3, demonstrated an astonishing disinfection activity of over 7-log reduction after 3 h of illumination, boasting an 18-fold improvement in its antibacterial activity compared to that of pristine g-C3N4. The enhanced performance was attributed to the synergistic effects of increased surface area, extended visible light harvesting, improved electronic conductivity, and ultralow resistance to charge transfer. This study successfully introduced a green photocatalyst that demonstrates the most effective disinfection performance ever recorded among metal-free g-C3N4 materials. Its disinfection capabilities are comparable to those of metal-based photocatalysts when they are exposed to low-power light.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nur Atika Nikma Dahlan
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Lutfi Kurnianditia Putri
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Chen-Chen Er
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Boon-Junn Ng
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Chien Wei Ooi
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Lling-Lling Tan
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Siang-Piao Chai
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
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3
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Tan Z, Kong XY, Ng BJ, Soo HS, Mohamed AR, Chai SP. Recent Advances in Defect-Engineered Transition Metal Dichalcogenides for Enhanced Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution: Perfecting Imperfections. ACS Omega 2023; 8:1851-1863. [PMID: 36687105 PMCID: PMC9850467 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c06524] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Switching to renewable, carbon-neutral sources of energy is urgent and critical for climate change mitigation. Despite how hydrogen production by electrolyzing water can enable renewable energy storage, current technologies unfortunately require rare and expensive platinum group metal electrocatalysts, which limit their economic viability. Transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) are low-cost, earth-abundant materials that possess the potential to replace platinum as the hydrogen evolution catalyst for water electrolysis, but so far, pristine TMDs are plagued by poor catalytic performances. Defect engineering is an attractive approach to enhance the catalytic efficiency of TMDs and is not subjected to the limitations of other approaches like phase engineering and surface structure engineering. In this minireview, we discuss the recent progress made in defect-engineered TMDs as efficient, robust, and low-cost catalysts for water splitting. The roles of chalcogen atomic defects in engineering TMDs for improvements to the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) are summarized. Finally, we highlight our perspectives on the challenges and opportunities of defect engineering in TMDs for electrocatalytic water splitting. We hope to provide inspirations for designing the state-of-the-art catalysts for future breakthroughs in the electrocatalytic HER.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zheng
Hao Tan
- School
of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 21 Nanyang Link, 637371Singapore
| | - Xin Ying Kong
- School
of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 21 Nanyang Link, 637371Singapore
| | - Boon-Junn Ng
- Multidisciplinary
Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline,
School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Han Sen Soo
- School
of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, 21 Nanyang Link, 637371Singapore
| | - Abdul Rahman Mohamed
- Low
Carbon Economy (LCE) Group, School of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Engineering Campus, Seri Ampangan, 14300Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | - Siang-Piao Chai
- Multidisciplinary
Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline,
School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500Selangor, Malaysia
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4
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Wang J, Wang Z, Zhang J, Chai SP, Dai K, Low J. Surface-active site modulation of the S-scheme heterojunction toward exceptional photocatalytic performance. Nanoscale 2022; 14:18087-18093. [PMID: 36448604 DOI: 10.1039/d2nr05341a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Heterojunction photocatalysts have shown their immense capability in enhancing photogenerated charge carrier separation. Yet, the intrinsic scarcity of active sites in semiconductor components of heterojunction photocatalysts limits their potential for photocatalysis being used in practical applications. Herein, we employ a non-noble metal cocatalyst (i.e., NiS) for modulating a S-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst consisting of Cd3(C3N3S3)2 (CdCNS) and CdS. It is revealed that the formation of the CdCNS/CdS S-scheme heterojunction can enable optimal photogenerated charge carrier utilization efficiency and optimized redox capability. More importantly, the meticulous loading of NiS can play multiple roles in enhancing the photocatalytic performance of the CdCNS/CdS photocatalyst, including endowing it with abundant surface-active sites and acting as a photogenerated electron acceptor. As a result, the optimized NiS-loaded CdCNS/CdS attains an excellent hydrogen production rate of 38.17 mmol g-1 h-1, to reach a quantum efficiency of 29.02% at 420 nm. The results reported in this work provide an interesting insight into the important roles of surface-active site modulation in optimizing photocatalytic performances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Green and Precise Synthetic Chemistry and Applications, Ministry of Education, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, 235000, P. R. China.
| | - Zhongliao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Green and Precise Synthetic Chemistry and Applications, Ministry of Education, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, 235000, P. R. China.
| | - Jinfeng Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Green and Precise Synthetic Chemistry and Applications, Ministry of Education, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, 235000, P. R. China.
| | - Siang-Piao Chai
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Bandar Sunway 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Kai Dai
- Key Laboratory of Green and Precise Synthetic Chemistry and Applications, Ministry of Education, Huaibei Normal University, Huaibei, 235000, P. R. China.
| | - Jingxiang Low
- Hefei National Laboratory for Physical Sciences at the Microscale, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui 230026, P. R. China.
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Bandar Sunway 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
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5
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Chee MKT, Ng BJ, Chew YH, Chang WS, Chai SP. Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution from Artificial Seawater Splitting over Amorphous Carbon Nitride: Optimization and Process Parameters Study via Response Surface Modeling. Materials 2022; 15:ma15144894. [PMID: 35888364 PMCID: PMC9316301 DOI: 10.3390/ma15144894] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Photocatalytic water splitting has garnered tremendous attention for its capability to produce clean and renewable H2 fuel from inexhaustible solar energy. Until now, most research has focused on scarce pure water as the source of H2, which is not consistent with the concept of sustainable energy. Hence, the importance of photocatalytic splitting of abundant seawater in alleviating the issue of pure water shortages. However, seawater contains a wide variety of ionic components which have unknown effects on photocatalytic H2 production. This work investigates photocatalytic seawater splitting conditions using environmentally friendly amorphous carbon nitride (ACN) as the photocatalyst. The individual effects of catalyst loading (X1), sacrificial reagent concentration (X2), salinity (X3), and their interactive effects were studied via the Box–Behnken design in response surface modeling towards the H2 evolution reaction (HER) from photocatalytic artificial seawater splitting. A second-order polynomial regression model is predicted from experimental data where the variance analysis of the regressions shows that the linear term (X1, X2), the two-way interaction term X1X2, and all the quadratic terms (X12, X22, X23) pose significant effects towards the response of the HER rate. Numerical optimization suggests that the highest HER rate is 7.16 µmol/h, achievable by dosing 2.55 g/L of ACN in 45.06 g sea salt/L aqueous solution containing 17.46 vol% of triethanolamine. Based on the outcome of our findings, an apparent effect of salt ions on the adsorption behavior of the photocatalyst in seawater splitting with a sacrificial reagent has been postulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michell K. T. Chee
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway 47500, Selangor, Malaysia; (M.K.T.C.); (B.-J.N.); (Y.-H.C.)
| | - Boon-Junn Ng
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway 47500, Selangor, Malaysia; (M.K.T.C.); (B.-J.N.); (Y.-H.C.)
| | - Yi-Hao Chew
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway 47500, Selangor, Malaysia; (M.K.T.C.); (B.-J.N.); (Y.-H.C.)
| | - Wei Sea Chang
- Mechanical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway 47500, Selangor, Malaysia;
| | - Siang-Piao Chai
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway 47500, Selangor, Malaysia; (M.K.T.C.); (B.-J.N.); (Y.-H.C.)
- Correspondence:
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6
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Phang SJ, Lee J, Wong VL, Tan LL, Chai SP. Synergistic effects of the hybridization between boron-doped carbon quantum dots and n/n-type g-C 3N 4 homojunction for boosted visible-light photocatalytic activity. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2022; 29:41272-41292. [PMID: 35088270 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-18253-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Dye wastewater has raised a prevalent environmental concern due to its ability to prevent the penetration of sunlight through water, thereby causing a disruption to the aquatic ecosystem. Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are particularly sought after for their highly tailorable photoelectrochemical and optical properties. Simultaneously, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has gained widespread attention due to its suitable band gap energy as well as excellent chemical and thermal stabilities. Herein, a novel boron-doped CQD (BCQD)-hybridized g-C3N4 homojunction (CN) nanocomposite was fabricated via a facile hydrothermal route. The optimal photocatalyst sample, 1-BCQD/CN (with a 1:3 mass ratio of boron to CQD) accomplished a Rhodamine B (RhB, 10 mg/L) degradation efficiency of 96.8% within 4 h under an 18 W LED light irradiation. The kinetic rate constant of 1.39 × 10-2 min-1 achieved by the optimum sample was found to be 3.6- and 2.8-folds higher than that of pristine CN and un-doped CQD/CN, respectively. The surface morphology, crystalline structure, chemical composition and optical properties of photocatalyst samples were characterized via TEM, FESEM-EDX, XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis DRS and FL spectrometer. Based on the scavenging tests, it was revealed that the photogenerated holes (h+), superoxide anions (∙O2-) and hydroxyl radicals (∙OH) were the primary reactive species responsible for the photodegradation process. Overall, the highly efficient 1-BCQD/CN composite with excellent photocatalytic activity could provide a cost-effective and robust means to address the increasing concerns over global environmental pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sue Jiun Phang
- School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, Jalan Venna P5/2, Precinct 5, 62200, Putrajaya, Malaysia
| | - Jiale Lee
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Voon-Loong Wong
- School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, Jalan Venna P5/2, Precinct 5, 62200, Putrajaya, Malaysia
| | - Lling-Lling Tan
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Siang-Piao Chai
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
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7
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Tang JY, Er CC, Tan LL, Chew YH, Mohamed AR, Chai SP. Uncovering the multifaceted roles of nitrogen defects in graphitic carbon nitride for selective photocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction: a density functional theory study. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:11124-11130. [PMID: 35474006 DOI: 10.1039/d2cp00466f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Surface defect engineering on the nanoscale has attracted extensive research attention lately; however, its role in modulating the properties and catalytic performance of a semiconducting material has not been comprehensively covered. Here, we systematically unraveled the effect of defect engineering towards textural, electronic and optical properties of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4), as well as its photocatalytic mechanism of CO2 reduction using first-principle calculations by density functional theory through the introduction of various defect sites. Among the five unique atoms in g-C3N4, the vacancy site was found to be the most feasible at the two-coordinated nitrogen, N2. By initiating N2 point defects, an asymmetric electron density distribution was engendered around the vacancy region, which resulted in an evolution of semiconducting properties. We also discovered an improved charge separation efficiency and CO2 adsorption affinity in g-C3N4, which rendered a more thermodynamically feasible pathway for CO2 reduction to CO, CH3OH and CH4 fuels. This theoretical finding is hoped to shed light on the importance of the defect engineering strategy towards photocatalytic enhancement in g-C3N4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie-Yinn Tang
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Chen-Chen Er
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Lling-Lling Tan
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Yi-Hao Chew
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Abdul Rahman Mohamed
- Low Carbon Economy (LCE) Group, School of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Engineering Campus, Seri Ampangan, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | - Siang-Piao Chai
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
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Lee YJ, Putri LK, Ng BJ, Tan LL, Wu TY, Chai SP. Elucidating the enhanced decomposition of alkyl hydroperoxides on oxygen vacancy rich TiO 2−x surfaces using DFT for polyethylene decomposition. Phys Chem Chem Phys 2022; 24:25735-25739. [DOI: 10.1039/d2cp03768h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Oxygen vacancies in TiO2 enhance the polyethylene degradation by accelerating the decomposition of alkyl hydroperoxide decomposition rate limiting step.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Jieh Lee
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Lutfi Kurnianditia Putri
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Boon-Junn Ng
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Lling-Lling Tan
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Ta Yeong Wu
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Siang-Piao Chai
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
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Fung CM, Er CC, Tan LL, Mohamed AR, Chai SP. Red Phosphorus: An Up-and-Coming Photocatalyst on the Horizon for Sustainable Energy Development and Environmental Remediation. Chem Rev 2021; 122:3879-3965. [PMID: 34968051 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.1c00068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Photocatalysis is a perennial solution that promises to resolve deep-rooted challenges related to environmental pollution and energy deficit through harvesting the inexhaustible and renewable solar energy. To date, a cornucopia of photocatalytic materials has been investigated with the research wave presently steered by the development of novel, affordable, and effective metal-free semiconductors with fascinating physicochemical and semiconducting characteristics. Coincidentally, the recently emerged red phosphorus (RP) semiconductor finds itself fitting perfectly into this category ascribed to its earth abundant, low-cost, and metal-free nature. More notably, the renowned red allotrope of the phosphorus family is spectacularly bestowed with strengthened optical absorption features, propitious electronic band configuration, and ease of functionalization and modification as well as high stability. Comprehensively detailing RP's roles and implications in photocatalysis, this review article will first include information on different RP allotropes and their chemical structures, followed by the meticulous scrutiny of their physicochemical and semiconducting properties such as electronic band structure, optical absorption features, and charge carrier dynamics. Besides that, state-of-the-art synthesis strategies for developing various RP allotropes and RP-based photocatalytic systems will also be outlined. In addition, modification or functionalization of RP with other semiconductors for promoting effective photocatalytic applications will be discussed to assess its versatility and feasibility as a high-performing photocatalytic system. Lastly, the challenges facing RP photocatalysts and future research directions will be included to propel the feasible development of RP-based systems with considerably augmented photocatalytic efficiency. This review article aspires to facilitate the rational development of multifunctional RP-based photocatalytic systems by widening the cognizance of rational engineering as well as to fine-tune the electronic, optical, and charge carrier properties of RP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cheng-May Fung
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Selangor 47500, Malaysia
| | - Chen-Chen Er
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Selangor 47500, Malaysia
| | - Lling-Lling Tan
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Selangor 47500, Malaysia
| | - Abdul Rahman Mohamed
- School of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Engineering Campus, Seri Ampangan, Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang 14300, Malaysia
| | - Siang-Piao Chai
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Selangor 47500, Malaysia
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Gui MM, Lee WC, Putri LK, Kong XY, Tan LL, Chai SP. Photo-Driven Reduction of Carbon Dioxide: A Sustainable Approach Towards Achieving Carbon Neutrality Goal. Front Chem Eng 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fceng.2021.744911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The photo-driven reduction of carbon dioxide (CO2) into green and valuable solar fuels could be a promising solution to simultaneously address energy- and environmental-related problems. This approach could play an integral role in achieving a sustainable energy economy by closing the carbon cycle and allowing the storage and transportation of intermittent solar energy within the chemical bonds of hydrocarbon molecules. This Perspective discusses the latest technological advancements in photo-driven CO2 conversion via various pathways, namely photocatalysis, photoelectrocatalysis and photovoltaic-integrated systems. In addition to providing an outlook on unresolved issues concerning the said technologies, this Perspective also spotlights new trends and strategies in the structural engineering of materials to meet the demands for prominent CO2 photoreduction activity as well as spearhead the ground-breaking advances in the field that lead to the translation of CO2 photo-driven technologies from the laboratory to industrial-scale applications.
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Auckloo SAB, Palaniandy K, Hung YM, Lazzara G, Chai SP, Pasbakhsh P. Nonporous, Strong, Stretchable, and Transparent Electrospun Aromatic Polyurea Nanocomposites as Potential Anticorrosion Coating Films. Nanomaterials (Basel) 2021; 11:nano11112998. [PMID: 34835761 PMCID: PMC8618329 DOI: 10.3390/nano11112998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
This study, for the first time, focused on the fabrication of nonporous polyurea thin films (~200 microns) using the electrospinning method as a novel approach for coating applications. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and hydrophilic-fumed nanosilica (HFNS) were added separately into electrospun polyurea films as nano-reinforcing fillers for the enhancement of properties. Neat polyurea films demonstrated a tensile strength of 14 MPa with an elongation of 360%. At a loading of 0.2% of MWCNTs, the highest tensile strength of 21 MPa and elongation of 402% were obtained, while the water contact angle remained almost unchanged (89°). Surface morphology analysis indicated that the production of polyurea fibers during electrospinning bonded together upon curing, leading to a nonporous film. Neat polyurea exhibited high thermal resistance with a degradation temperature of 380 °C. Upon reinforcement with 0.2% of MWCNTs and 0.4% of HFNS, it increased by ~7 °C. The storage modulus increased by 42 MPa with the addition of 0.2% of MWCNTs, implying a superior viscoelasticity of polyurea nanocomposite films. The results were benchmarked with anti-corrosive polymer coatings from the literature, revealing that the production of nonporous polyurea coatings with robust strength, elasticity, and thermal properties was achieved. Electrospun polyurea coatings are promising candidates as flexible anti-corrosive coatings for heat exchanges and electrical wires.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sheik Ambarine Banon Auckloo
- Mechanical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia; (S.A.B.A.); (K.P.); (Y.M.H.)
| | - Khanisya Palaniandy
- Mechanical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia; (S.A.B.A.); (K.P.); (Y.M.H.)
| | - Yew Mun Hung
- Mechanical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia; (S.A.B.A.); (K.P.); (Y.M.H.)
| | - Giuseppe Lazzara
- Department of Physics and Chemistry, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, pad. 17, 90128 Palermo, Italy;
| | - Siang-Piao Chai
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia;
| | - Pooria Pasbakhsh
- Mechanical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, Subang Jaya 47500, Malaysia; (S.A.B.A.); (K.P.); (Y.M.H.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +60-3551-46211; Fax: +60-3551-46207
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12
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Lee J, Tan LL, Chai SP. Heterojunction photocatalysts for artificial nitrogen fixation: fundamentals, latest advances and future perspectives. Nanoscale 2021; 13:7011-7033. [PMID: 33889914 DOI: 10.1039/d1nr00783a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
As an indispensable energy source, ammonia plays an essential role in agriculture and various industries. Given that the current ammonia production is still dominated by the energy-intensive and high carbon footprint Haber-Bosch process, photocatalytic nitrogen fixation represents a low-energy consuming and sustainable approach to generate ammonia. Heterostructured photocatalysts are hybrid materials composed of semiconductor materials containing interfaces that make full use of the unique superiorities of the constituents and synergistic effects between them. These promising photocatalysts have superior performances and substantial potential in photocatalytic reduction of nitrogen. In this review, a wide spectrum of recently developed heterostructured photocatalysts for nitrogen fixation to ammonia are evaluated. The fundamentals of solar-to-ammonia conversion, basic principles of various heterojunction photocatalysts and modification strategies are systematically reviewed. Finally, a brief summary and perspectives on the ongoing challenges and directions for future development of nitrogen photofixation catalysts are also provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiale Lee
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor, Malaysia.
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13
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Wu H, Kong XY, Wen X, Chai SP, Lovell EC, Tang J, Ng YH. Metal-Organic Framework Decorated Cuprous Oxide Nanowires for Long-lived Charges Applied in Selective Photocatalytic CO 2 Reduction to CH 4. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2021; 60:8455-8459. [PMID: 33368920 DOI: 10.1002/anie.202015735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Revised: 12/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
Improving the stability of cuprous oxide (Cu2 O) is imperative to its practical applications in artificial photosynthesis. In this work, Cu2 O nanowires are encapsulated by metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) of Cu3 (BTC)2 (BTC=1,3,5-benzene tricarboxylate) using a surfactant-free method. Such MOFs not only suppress the water vapor-induced corrosion of Cu2 O but also facilitate charge separation and CO2 uptake, thus resulting in a nanocomposite representing 1.9 times improved activity and stability for selective photocatalytic CO2 reduction into CH4 under mild reaction conditions. Furthermore, direct transfer of photogenerated electrons from the conduction band of Cu2 O to the LUMO level of non-excited Cu3 (BTC)2 has been evidenced by time-resolved photoluminescence. This work proposes an effective strategy for CO2 conversion by a synergy of charge separation and CO2 adsorption, leading to the enhanced photocatalytic reaction when MOFs are integrated with metal oxide photocatalyst.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Wu
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.,Particles and Catalysis Research Group, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Xin Ying Kong
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Xiaoming Wen
- Centre for Translational Atomaterials, Faculty of Science Engineering and Technology, Swinburne University of Technology, John Street, Hawthorn, VIC, 3122, Australia
| | - Siang-Piao Chai
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Emma C Lovell
- Particles and Catalysis Research Group, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
| | - Junwang Tang
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University College London, Torrington Place, London, WC1E 7JE, UK
| | - Yun Hau Ng
- School of Energy and Environment, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China.,Particles and Catalysis Research Group, School of Chemical Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia
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14
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Ng BJ, Musyaffa MK, Er CC, Packiam KAR, Lee WPC, Tan LL, Lee HW, Ooi CW, Chai SP. Proton-Functionalized Graphitic Carbon Nitride for Efficient Metal-Free Destruction of Escherichia coli under Low-Power Light Irradiation. Chemistry 2021; 27:3085-3090. [PMID: 33263935 DOI: 10.1002/chem.202004238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Universal access to clean water has been a global ambition over the years. Photocatalytic water disinfection through advanced oxidation processes has been regarded as one of the promising methods for breaking down microbials. The forefront of this research focuses on the application of metal-free photocatalysts for disinfection to prevent secondary pollution. Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3 N4 ) has achieved instant attention as a metal-free and visible-light-responsive photocatalyst for various energy and environmental applications. However, the photocatalytic efficiency of g-C3 N4 is still affected by its rapid charge recombination and sluggish electron-transfer kinetics. In this contribution, two-dimensionally protonated g-C3 N4 was employed as metal-free photocatalyst for water treatment and demonstrated 100 % of Escherichia coli within 4 h under irradiation with a 23 W light bulb. The introduction of protonation can modulate the surface charge of g-C3 N4 ; this enhances its conductivity and provides a "highway" for the delocalization of electrons. This work highlights the potential of conjugated polymers in antibacterial application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boon-Junn Ng
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Khosyi Musyaffa
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Chen-Chen Er
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Kulandai Arockia Rajesh Packiam
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - W P Cathie Lee
- Entropic Interface Group, Engineering Product Development, Singapore University of Technology and Design, 487372, Singapore, Singapore
| | - Lling-Lling Tan
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Hing Wah Lee
- Nanoelectronics Lab, Mimos Berhad, Technology Park Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 57000, Malaysia
| | - Chien Wei Ooi
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Siang-Piao Chai
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
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15
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Phang SJ, Goh JM, Tan LL, Lee WPC, Ong WJ, Chai SP. Metal-free n/n-junctioned graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3N 4): a study to elucidate its charge transfer mechanism and application for environmental remediation. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2021; 28:4388-4403. [PMID: 32940840 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-020-10814-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2020] [Accepted: 09/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) has been regarded as a promising visible light-driven photocatalyst ascribable to its tailorable structures, thermal stability and chemical inertness. Enhanced photocatalytic activity is achievable by the construction of homojunction nanocomposites to reduce the undesired recombination of photogenerated charge carriers. In the present work, a novel g-C3N4/g-C3N4 metal-free homojunction photocatalyst was synthesized via hydrothermal polymerization. The g-C3N4/g-C3N4 derived from urea and thiourea demonstrated admirable photocatalytic activity towards rhodamine B (RhB) degradation upon irradiation of an 18 W LED light. The viability of the photoreaction with a low-powered excitation source highlighted the economic and environmental benefits of the process. The optimal g-C3N4/g-C3N4 homojunction photocatalyst exhibited a 2- and 1.8-fold increase in efficiency in relative to pristine g-C3N4 derived from urea and thiourea respectively. The enhanced photocatalytic performance is credited to the improved interfacial transfer and separation of electron-hole pairs across the homojunction interface. Furthermore, an excellent photochemical stability and durability is displayed by g-C3N4/g-C3N4 after three consecutive cycles. In addition, a plausible photocatalytic mechanism was proposed based on various scavenging tests. Overall, experimental results generated from this study is expected to intrigue novel research inspirations in developing metal-free homojunction photocatalysts to be feasible for large-scale wastewater treatment without compromising economically. Graphical abstract.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sue Jiun Phang
- School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, Jalan Venna P5/2, Precinct 5, 62200, Putrajaya, Malaysia
| | - Jin Mei Goh
- School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, Jalan Venna P5/2, Precinct 5, 62200, Putrajaya, Malaysia
| | - Lling-Lling Tan
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Wuen Pei Cathie Lee
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
- Entropic Interface Group, Engineering Product Development, Singapore University of Technology and Design, Singapore, 487372, Singapore
| | - Wee-Jun Ong
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Malaysia, 43900, Sunsuria City, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Siang-Piao Chai
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
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16
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Kong XY, Tong T, Ng BJ, Low J, Zeng TH, Mohamed AR, Yu J, Chai SP. Topotactic Transformation of Bismuth Oxybromide into Bismuth Tungstate: Bandgap Modulation of Single-Crystalline {001}-Faceted Nanosheets for Enhanced Photocatalytic CO 2 Reduction. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2020; 12:26991-27000. [PMID: 32433865 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b15950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The photocatalytic conversion of CO2 to energy-rich CH4 solar fuel is an ideal strategy for future energy generation as it can resolve global warming and the imminent energy crisis concurrently. However, the efficiency of this technology is unavoidably hampered by the ineffective generation and utilization of photoinduced charge carriers. In this contribution, we report a facile in situ topotactic transformation approach where {001}-faceted BiOBr nanosheets (BOB-NS) were employed as the starting material for the formation of single-crystalline ultrathin Bi2WO6 nanosheets (BWO-NS). The as-obtained BWO-NS not only preserved the advantageous properties of the 2D nanostructure and predominantly exposed {001} facets but also possessed enlarged specific surface areas as a result of sample thickness reduction. As opposed to the commonly observed bandgap broadening when the particle sizes decrease to an ultrathin nanoscale owing to the quantum size effect, the developed BWO-NS exhibited a fascinating bandgap narrowing compared to those of pristine Bi2WO6 nanoplates (BWO-P) synthesized from a conventional one-step hydrothermal approach. Moreover, the electronic band positions of BWO-NS were modulated as a result of ion exchange for the reconstruction of the energy bands, where BWO-NS demonstrated significant upshifting of CB and VB levels; these are beneficial for photocatalytic reduction applications. This propitious design of BWO-NS through integrating the merits of BOB-NS caused BWO-NS to exhibit substantial 2.6 and 9.3-fold enhancements of CH4 production over BOB-NS and BWO-P, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Ying Kong
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Tong Tong
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Material Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology, Luoshi Road 122, Wuhan 430070, P. R. China
| | - Boon-Junn Ng
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Jingxiang Low
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Material Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology, Luoshi Road 122, Wuhan 430070, P. R. China
| | - Tingying Helen Zeng
- Academy for Advanced Research and Development, Cambridge Innovation Centre, One Broadway, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142, United States
| | - Abdul Rahman Mohamed
- Low Carbon Economy (LCE) Group, School of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Engineering Campus, Seri Ampangan, 14300 Nibong Tebal, Pulau Pinang, Malaysia
| | - Jiaguo Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Technology for Material Synthesis and Processing, Wuhan University of Technology, Luoshi Road 122, Wuhan 430070, P. R. China
| | - Siang-Piao Chai
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor, Malaysia
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17
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Lee WC, Perix TL, Packiam KAR, Gui MM, Ooi CW, Chai SP. Highly-efficient photocatalytic disinfection of Escherichia coli by copper-doped molybdenum disulfide/bismuth sulfide under low-powered visible light irradiation. CATAL COMMUN 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.catcom.2020.106003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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18
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Seng RX, Tan LL, Lee WPC, Ong WJ, Chai SP. Nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots-decorated 2D graphitic carbon nitride as a promising photocatalyst for environmental remediation: A study on the importance of hybridization approach. J Environ Manage 2020; 255:109936. [PMID: 32063312 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.109936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2019] [Revised: 11/15/2019] [Accepted: 11/25/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Growing concerns of water pollution by dye pollutants from the textile industry has led to vast research interest to find green solutions to address this issue. In recent years, heterogeneous photocatalysis has harvested tremendous attention from researchers due to its powerful potential applications in tackling many important energy and environmental challenges at a global level. To fully utilise the broad spectrum of solar energy has been a common aim in the photocatalyst industry. This study focuses on the development of an efficient, highly thermal and chemical stable, environmentally friendly and metal-free graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) to overcome the problem of fast charge recombination which hinders photocatalytic performances. Nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (NCQDs) known for its high electronic and optical functionality properties is believed to achieve photocatalytic enhancement by efficient charge separation through forming heterogeneous interfaces. Hence, the current work focuses on the hybridisation of NCQDs and g-C3N4 to produce a composite photocatalyst for methylene blue (MB) degradation under LED light irradiation. The optimal hybridisation method and the mass loading required for maximum attainable MB degradation were systematically investigated. The optimum photocatalyst, 1 wt% NCQD/g-C3N4 composite was shown to exhibit a 2.6-fold increase in photocatalytic activity over bare g-C3N4. Moreover, the optimum sample displayed excellent stability and durability after three consecutive degradation cycles, retaining 91.2% of its original efficiency. Scavenging tests were also performed where reactive species, photon-hole (h+) was identified as the primary active species initiating the pollutant degradation mechanism. The findings of this study successfully shed light on the hybridisation methods of NCQDs which improve existing g-C3N4 photocatalyst systems for environmental remediation by utilising solar energy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ru Xuan Seng
- School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, Jalan Venna P5/2, Precinct 5, 62200, Putrajaya, Malaysia
| | - Lling-Lling Tan
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - W P Cathie Lee
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia; Entropic Interface Group, Engineering Product Development, Singapore University of Technology and Design, 487372, Singapore
| | - Wee-Jun Ong
- School of Energy and Chemical Engineering, Xiamen University Malaysia, Selangor Darul Ehsan, 43900, Malaysia
| | - Siang-Piao Chai
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
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19
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Yang Y, Wu M, Zhu X, Xu H, Ma S, Zhi Y, Xia H, Liu X, Pan J, Tang JY, Chai SP, Palmisano L, Parrino F, Liu J, Ma J, Wang ZL, Tan L, Zhao YF, Song YF, Singh P, Raizada P, Jiang D, Li D, Geioushy R, Ma J, Zhang J, Hu S, Feng R, Liu G, Liu M, Li Z, Shao M, Li N, Peng J, Ong WJ, Kornienko N, Xing Z, Fan X, Ma J. 2020 Roadmap on two-dimensional nanomaterials for environmental catalysis. CHINESE CHEM LETT 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cclet.2019.11.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
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20
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Tan KH, Chen YW, Van CN, Wang H, Chen JW, Lim FS, Chew KH, Zhan Q, Wu CL, Chai SP, Chu YH, Chang WS. Energy Band Gap Modulation in Nd-Doped BiFeO 3/SrRuO 3 Heteroepitaxy for Visible Light Photoelectrochemical Activity. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2019; 11:1655-1664. [PMID: 30561192 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.8b17758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
The ability of band offsets at multiferroic/metal and multiferroic/electrolyte interfaces in controlling charge transfer and thus altering the photoactivity performance has sparked significant attention in solar energy conversion applications. Here, we demonstrate that the band offsets of the two interfaces play the key role in determining charge transport direction in a downward self-polarized BFO film. Electrons tend to move to BFO/electrolyte interface for water reduction. Our experimental and first-principle calculations reveal that the presence of neodymium (Nd) dopants in BFO enhances the photoelectrochemical performance by reduction of the local electron-hole pair recombination sites and modulation of the band gap to improve the visible light absorption. This opens a promising route to the heterostructure design by modulating the band gap to promote efficient charge transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yun-Wen Chen
- Institute of Atomic and Molecular Sciences , Academia Sinica , Taipei 10617 , Taiwan
| | - Chien Nguyen Van
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering , National Chiao Tung University , Hsinchu 30010 , Taiwan
| | - Hongliang Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering , University of Science and Technology Beijing , Beijing 100083 , China
| | - Jhih-Wei Chen
- Department of Physics , National Cheng Kung University , Tainan 70101 , Taiwan
| | | | - Khian-Hooi Chew
- Center for Theoretical Physics, Department of Physics, Faculty of Science , University of Malaya , Kuala Lumpur 50603 , Malaysia
| | - Qian Zhan
- School of Materials Science and Engineering , University of Science and Technology Beijing , Beijing 100083 , China
| | - Chung-Lin Wu
- Department of Physics , National Cheng Kung University , Tainan 70101 , Taiwan
| | | | - Ying-Hao Chu
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering , National Chiao Tung University , Hsinchu 30010 , Taiwan
| | - Wei Sea Chang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering , Ming Chi University of Technology , New Taipei City 24301 , Taiwan
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Tang JY, Kong XY, Ng BJ, Chew YH, Mohamed AR, Chai SP. Midgap-state-mediated two-step photoexcitation in nitrogen defect-modified g-C3N4 atomic layers for superior photocatalytic CO2 reduction. Catal Sci Technol 2019. [DOI: 10.1039/c9cy00449a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
This study unravels the prominent role of midgap states in boosting the performance of nitrogen defect-modified g-C3N4 atomic layers in a single-catalyst CO2 photoreduction system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie-Yinn Tang
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering
- Chemical Engineering Discipline
- School of Engineering
- Monash University
- Bandar Sunway
| | - Xin Ying Kong
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering
- Chemical Engineering Discipline
- School of Engineering
- Monash University
- Bandar Sunway
| | - Boon-Junn Ng
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering
- Chemical Engineering Discipline
- School of Engineering
- Monash University
- Bandar Sunway
| | - Yi-Hao Chew
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering
- Chemical Engineering Discipline
- School of Engineering
- Monash University
- Bandar Sunway
| | - Abdul Rahman Mohamed
- Low Carbon Economy (LCE) Group
- School of Chemical Engineering
- Universiti Sains Malaysia
- 14300 Nibong Tebal
- Malaysia
| | - Siang-Piao Chai
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering
- Chemical Engineering Discipline
- School of Engineering
- Monash University
- Bandar Sunway
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22
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Chew YH, Tang JY, Tan LJ, Choi BWJ, Tan LL, Chai SP. Engineering surface oxygen defects on tungsten oxide to boost photocatalytic oxygen evolution from water splitting. Chem Commun (Camb) 2019; 55:6265-6268. [DOI: 10.1039/c9cc01449g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
This study showcases a facile approach for tuning the degree of surface oxygen vacancies in WO3 and its prominent role in enhancing the performance of WO3 in photocatalytic O2 evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Hao Chew
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering
- Chemical Engineering Discipline
- School of Engineering, Monash University
- 47500 Selangor
- Malaysia
| | - Jie-Yinn Tang
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering
- Chemical Engineering Discipline
- School of Engineering, Monash University
- 47500 Selangor
- Malaysia
| | - Li-Jie Tan
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering
- Chemical Engineering Discipline
- School of Engineering, Monash University
- 47500 Selangor
- Malaysia
| | - Bryan Wei Jian Choi
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering
- Chemical Engineering Discipline
- School of Engineering, Monash University
- 47500 Selangor
- Malaysia
| | - Lling-Lling Tan
- School of Engineering and Physical Sciences
- Heriot-Watt University Malaysia
- 62200 Putrajaya
- Malaysia
| | - Siang-Piao Chai
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering
- Chemical Engineering Discipline
- School of Engineering, Monash University
- 47500 Selangor
- Malaysia
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23
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Putri LK, Ng BJ, Tan KH, Lim FS, Ong WJ, Chang WS, Chai SP. Tailoring the properties of oxygenated graphene with different oxidation degrees for noble-metal-free photocatalytic hydrogen evolution. Catal Today 2018. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cattod.2018.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/17/2022]
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24
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Tan KH, Lim FS, Toh AZY, Zheng XX, Dee CF, Majlis BY, Chai SP, Chang WS. Tunable Spectrum Selectivity for Multiphoton Absorption with Enhanced Visible Light Trapping in ZnO Nanorods. Small 2018; 14:e1704053. [PMID: 29665226 DOI: 10.1002/smll.201704053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2017] [Revised: 02/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Observation of visible light trapping in zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods (NRs) correlated to the optical and photoelectrochemical properties is reported. In this study, ZnO NR diameter and c-axis length respond primarily at two different regions, UV and visible light, respectively. ZnO NR diameter exhibits UV absorption where large ZnO NR diameter area increases light absorption ability leading to high efficient electron-hole pair separation. On the other hand, ZnO NR c-axis length has a dominant effect in visible light resulting from a multiphoton absorption mechanism due to light reflection and trapping behavior in the free space between adjacent ZnO NRs. Furthermore, oxygen vacancies and defects in ZnO NRs are associated with the broad visible emission band of different energy levels also highlighting the possibility of the multiphoton absorption mechanism. It is demonstrated that the minimum average of ZnO NR c-axis length must satisfy the linear regression model of Z p,min = 6.31d to initiate the multiphoton absorption mechanism under visible light. This work indicates the broadening of absorption spectrum from UV to visible light region by incorporating a controllable diameter and c-axis length on vertically aligned ZnO NRs, which is important in optimizing the design and functionality of electronic devices based on light absorption mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kok Hong Tan
- Advanced Engineering Platform, Mechanical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, 47500, Malaysia
| | - Fang Sheng Lim
- Advanced Engineering Platform, Mechanical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, 47500, Malaysia
| | - Alfred Zhen Yang Toh
- Advanced Engineering Platform, Mechanical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, 47500, Malaysia
| | - Xia-Xi Zheng
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu, 30010, Taiwan
| | - Chang Fu Dee
- Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, 43600, Malaysia
| | - Burhanuddin Yeop Majlis
- Institute of Microengineering and Nanoelectronics, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor, 43600, Malaysia
| | - Siang-Piao Chai
- Advanced Engineering Platform, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, 47500, Malaysia
| | - Wei Sea Chang
- Advanced Engineering Platform, Mechanical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, 47500, Malaysia
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25
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Lee WPC, Wong FH, Attenborough NK, Kong XY, Tan LL, Sumathi S, Chai SP. Two-dimensional bismuth oxybromide coupled with molybdenum disulphide for enhanced dye degradation using low power energy-saving light bulb. J Environ Manage 2017; 197:63-69. [PMID: 28324782 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2017.03.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2017] [Revised: 03/09/2017] [Accepted: 03/10/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
In the present work, two-dimensional bismuth oxybromide (BiOBr) was synthesized and coupled with co-catalyst molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) via a simple hydrothermal process. The photoactivity of the resulting hybrid photocatalyst (MoS2/BiOBr) was evaluated under the irradiation of 15 W energy-saving light bulb at ambient condition using Reactive Black 5 (RB5) as model dye solution. The photo-degradation of RB5 by BiOBr loaded with 0.2 wt% MoS2 (MoBi-2) exhibited more than 1.4 and 5.0 folds of enhancement over pristine BiOBr and titanium dioxide (Degussa, P25), respectively. The increased photocatalytic performance was a result of an efficient migration of excited electrons from BiOBr to MoS2, prolonging the electron-hole pairs recombination rate. A possible charge transfer diagram of this hybrid composite photocatalyst, and the reaction mechanism for the photodegradation of RB5 were proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- W P Cathie Lee
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Fhu-Hin Wong
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Nicole K Attenborough
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Xin Ying Kong
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Lling-Lling Tan
- School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia, Jalan Venna P5/2, Precinct 5, 62200, Putrajaya, Malaysia
| | - S Sumathi
- Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman Kampar Campus, Jalan Universiti, Bandar Barat, 31900, Kampar Perak, Malaysia
| | - Siang-Piao Chai
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia.
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26
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Putri LK, Ng BJ, Ong WJ, Lee HW, Chang WS, Chai SP. Heteroatom Nitrogen- and Boron-Doping as a Facile Strategy to Improve Photocatalytic Activity of Standalone Reduced Graphene Oxide in Hydrogen Evolution. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2017; 9:4558-4569. [PMID: 28068056 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b12060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Owing to its superior properties and versatility, graphene has been proliferating the energy research scene in the past decade. In this contribution, nitrogen (N-) and boron (B-) doped reduced graphene oxide (rGO) variants were investigated as a sole photocatalyst for the green production of H2 and their properties with respect to photocatalysis were elucidated for the first time. N- and B-rGOs were facilely prepared via the pyrolysis of graphene oxide with urea and boron anhydride as their respective dopant source. The pyrolysis temperature was varied (600-800 °C for N-rGO and 800-1000 °C for B-rGO) in order to modify dopant loading percentage (%) which was found to be influential to photocatalytic activity. N-rGO600 (8.26 N at%) and B-rGO1000 (3.59 B at%), which holds the highest at% from each of their party, exhibited the highest H2 activity. Additionally, the effects of the nature of N and B bonding configuration in H2 photoactivity were also examined. This study demonstrates the importance of dopant atoms in graphene, rendering doping as an effective strategy to bolster photocatalytic activity for standalone graphene derivative photocatalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lutfi K Putri
- Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University , Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor Malaysia
| | - Boon-Junn Ng
- Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University , Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor Malaysia
| | - Wee-Jun Ong
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE), Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR) , 2 Fusionopolis Way, Innovis, 138634, Singapore
| | - Hing Wah Lee
- Nanoelectronics Lab, MIMOS Berhad , Technology Park Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur 57000, Malaysia
| | - Wei Sea Chang
- Mechanical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University , Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor Malaysia
| | - Siang-Piao Chai
- Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University , Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor Malaysia
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27
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Subramonian W, Wu TY, Chai SP. Photocatalytic degradation of industrial pulp and paper mill effluent using synthesized magnetic Fe 2O 3-TiO 2: Treatment efficiency and characterizations of reused photocatalyst. J Environ Manage 2017; 187:298-310. [PMID: 27914351 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.10.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2016] [Revised: 09/20/2016] [Accepted: 10/15/2016] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
In this work, heterogeneous photocatalysis was used to treat pulp and paper mill effluent (PPME). Magnetically retrievable Fe2O3-TiO2 was fabricated by employing a solvent-free mechanochemical process under ambient conditions. Findings elucidated the successful incorporation of Fe2O3 into the TiO2 lattice. Fe2O3-TiO2 was found to be an irregular and slightly agglomerated surface morphology. In comparison to commercial P25, Fe2O3-TiO2 exhibited higher ferromagnetism and better catalyst properties with improvements in surface area (58.40 m2/g), pore volume (0.29 cm3/g), pore size (18.52 nm), and band gap (2.95 eV). Besides, reusability study revealed that Fe2O3-TiO2 was chemically stable and could be reused successively (five cycles) without significant changes in its photoactivity and intrinsic properties. Additionally, this study demonstrated the potential recovery of Fe2O3-TiO2 from an aqueous suspension by using an applied magnetic field or sedimentation. Interactive effects of photocatalytic conditions (initial effluent pH, Fe2O3-TiO2 dosage, and air flow-rate), reaction mechanism, and the presence of chemical oxidants (H2O2, BrO3-, and HOCl) during the treatment process of PPME were also investigated. Under optimal conditions (initial effluent pH = 3.88, [Fe2O3-TiO2] = 1.3 g/L, and air flow-rate = 2.28 L/min), the treatment efficiency of Fe2O3-TiO2 was 98.5% higher than the P25. Based on Langmuir-Hinshelwood kinetic model, apparent rate constants of Fe2O3-TiO2 and P25 were 9.2 × 10-3 and 2.7 × 10-3 min-1, respectively. The present study revealed not only the potential of using magnetic Fe2O3-TiO2 in PPME treatment but also demonstrated high reusability and easy separation of Fe2O3-TiO2 from the wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wennie Subramonian
- Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Ta Yeong Wu
- Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia.
| | - Siang-Piao Chai
- Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
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28
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Lee HC, Liu WW, Chai SP, Mohamed AR, Aziz A, Khe CS, Hidayah NS, Hashim U. Review of the synthesis, transfer, characterization and growth mechanisms of single and multilayer graphene. RSC Adv 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ra00392g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 214] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Graphene has emerged as the most popular topic in the active research field since graphene's discovery in 2004 by Andrei Geim and Kostya Novoselov.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. Cheun Lee
- Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering
- Universiti Malaysia Perlis
- 01000 Kangar
- Malaysia
| | - Wei-Wen Liu
- Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering
- Universiti Malaysia Perlis
- 01000 Kangar
- Malaysia
| | | | - Abdul Rahman Mohamed
- School of Chemical Engineering
- Engineering Campus
- Universiti Sains Malaysia
- 14300 Nibong Tebal
- Malaysia
| | - Azizan Aziz
- School of Material and Mineral Resources Engineering
- Engineering Campus
- Universiti Sains Malaysia
- 14300 Nibong Tebal
- Malaysia
| | - Cheng-Seong Khe
- Department of Fundamental and Applied Sciences
- Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
- Bandar Seri Iskandar
- Malaysia
| | - N. M. S. Hidayah
- Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering
- Universiti Malaysia Perlis
- 01000 Kangar
- Malaysia
| | - U. Hashim
- Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering
- Universiti Malaysia Perlis
- 01000 Kangar
- Malaysia
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29
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Lee HC, Liu WW, Chai SP, Mohamed AR, Aziz A, Khe CS, Hidayah NMS, Hashim U. Correction: Review of the synthesis, transfer, characterization and growth mechanisms of single and multilayer graphene. RSC Adv 2017. [DOI: 10.1039/c7ra90066j] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Correction for ‘Review of the synthesis, transfer, characterization and growth mechanisms of single and multilayer graphene’ by H. Cheun Lee et al., RSC Adv., 2017, 7, 15644–15693.
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Affiliation(s)
- H. Cheun Lee
- Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering
- Universiti Malaysia Perlis
- Malaysia
| | - Wei-Wen Liu
- Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering
- Universiti Malaysia Perlis
- Malaysia
| | | | - Abdul Rahman Mohamed
- School of Chemical Engineering
- Engineering Campus
- Universiti Sains Malaysia
- Malaysia
| | - Azizan Aziz
- School of Material and Mineral Resources Engineering
- Engineering Campus
- Universiti Sains Malaysia
- Malaysia
| | - Cheng-Seong Khe
- Department of Fundamental and Applied Sciences
- Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS
- Malaysia
| | - N. M. S. Hidayah
- Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering
- Universiti Malaysia Perlis
- Malaysia
| | - U. Hashim
- Institute of Nano Electronic Engineering
- Universiti Malaysia Perlis
- Malaysia
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30
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Hia IL, Pasbakhsh P, Chan ES, Chai SP. Electrosprayed Multi-Core Alginate Microcapsules as Novel Self-Healing Containers. Sci Rep 2016; 6:34674. [PMID: 27694922 PMCID: PMC5046150 DOI: 10.1038/srep34674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2016] [Accepted: 09/16/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Alginate microcapsules containing epoxy resin were developed through electrospraying method and embedded into epoxy matrix to produce a capsule-based self-healing composite system. These formaldehyde free alginate/epoxy microcapsules were characterized via light microscope, field emission scanning electron microscope, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Results showed that epoxy resin was successfully encapsulated within alginate matrix to form porous (multi-core) microcapsules with pore size ranged from 5–100 μm. The microcapsules had an average size of 320 ± 20 μm with decomposition temperature at 220 °C. The loading capacity of these capsules was estimated to be 79%. Under in situ healing test, impact specimens showed healing efficiency as high as 86% and the ability to heal up to 3 times due to the multi-core capsule structure and the high impact energy test that triggered the released of epoxy especially in the second and third healings. TDCB specimens showed one-time healing only with the highest healing efficiency of 76%. The single healing event was attributed by the constant crack propagation rate of TDCB fracture test. For the first time, a cost effective, environmentally benign and sustainable capsule-based self-healing system with multiple healing capabilities and high healing performance was developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iee Lee Hia
- Advanced Engineering Platform, Mechanical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Pooria Pasbakhsh
- Advanced Engineering Platform, Mechanical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Eng-Seng Chan
- Advanced Engineering Platform, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Siang-Piao Chai
- Advanced Engineering Platform, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University Malaysia, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
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31
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Kong XY, Lee WPC, Ong WJ, Chai SP, Mohamed AR. Oxygen-Deficient BiOBr as a Highly Stable Photocatalyst for Efficient CO2Reduction into Renewable Carbon-Neutral Fuels. ChemCatChem 2016. [DOI: 10.1002/cctc.201600782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 97] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Xin Ying Kong
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering; Monash University; Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway 47500 Selangor Malaysia
| | - W. P. Cathie Lee
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering; Monash University; Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway 47500 Selangor Malaysia
| | - Wee-Jun Ong
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering; Monash University; Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway 47500 Selangor Malaysia
- Institute of Materials Research and Engineering (IMRE); Agency for Science, Technology and Research (A*STAR); 2 Fusionopolis Way Innovis 138634 Singapore
| | - Siang-Piao Chai
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering; Monash University; Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway 47500 Selangor Malaysia
| | - Abdul Rahman Mohamed
- Low Carbon Economy (LCE) Group, School of Chemical Engineering; Universiti Sains Malaysia, Engineering Campus, Seri Ampangan; 14300 Nibong Tebal Pulau Pinang Malaysia
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32
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Ong WJ, Tan LL, Ng YH, Yong ST, Chai SP. Graphitic Carbon Nitride (g-C3N4)-Based Photocatalysts for Artificial Photosynthesis and Environmental Remediation: Are We a Step Closer To Achieving Sustainability? Chem Rev 2016; 116:7159-329. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.6b00075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4328] [Impact Index Per Article: 541.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wee-Jun Ong
- Multidisciplinary
Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline,
School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Lling-Lling Tan
- Multidisciplinary
Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline,
School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Yun Hau Ng
- Particles
and Catalysis Research Group (PARTCAT), School of Chemical Engineering, The University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
| | - Siek-Ting Yong
- Multidisciplinary
Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline,
School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Siang-Piao Chai
- Multidisciplinary
Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline,
School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor, Malaysia
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33
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Lee HC, Liu WW, Chai SP, Mohamed AR, Lai CW, Khe CS, Voon C, Hashim U, Hidayah N. Synthesis of Single-layer Graphene: A Review of Recent Development. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.proche.2016.03.135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
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34
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Seah CM, Vigolo B, Chai SP, Ichikawa S, Gleize J, Ghanbaja J, Mohamed AR. Simultaneous growth of monolayer graphene on Ni–Cu bimetallic catalyst by atmospheric pressure CVD process. RSC Adv 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ra04197c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
CVD is the most efficient way to produce wafer scale monolayer graphene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Choon-Ming Seah
- Institut Jean Lamour
- CNRS-Université de Lorraine
- 54506 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy
- France
- School of Chemical Engineering
| | - Brigitte Vigolo
- Institut Jean Lamour
- CNRS-Université de Lorraine
- 54506 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy
- France
| | - Siang-Piao Chai
- Chemical Engineering Discipline
- School of Engineering
- Monash University
- 46150 Bandar Sunway
- Malaysia
| | | | - Jérôme Gleize
- Laboratoire de Chimie Physique-Approche Multi-échelle de Milieux Complexes-Université de Lorraine
- 57078 Metz
- France
| | - Jaafar Ghanbaja
- Institut Jean Lamour
- CNRS-Université de Lorraine
- 54506 Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy
- France
| | - Abdul Rahman Mohamed
- School of Chemical Engineering
- Engineering Campus
- Universiti Sains Malaysia
- P. Pinang
- Malaysia
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35
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Putri LK, Ong WJ, Chang WS, Chai SP. Enhancement in the photocatalytic activity of carbon nitride through hybridization with light-sensitive AgCl for carbon dioxide reduction to methane. Catal Sci Technol 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c5cy00767d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Schematic illustration of the photocatalytic CO2 reduction mechanism on the Ag/AgCl/CN hybrid nanostructure and their respective band structure alignment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Wee-Jun Ong
- Chemical Engineering Discipline
- School of Engineering
- Monash University
- Malaysia
| | - Wei Sea Chang
- Mechanical Engineering Discipline
- School of Engineering
- Monash University
- Malaysia
| | - Siang-Piao Chai
- Chemical Engineering Discipline
- School of Engineering
- Monash University
- Malaysia
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36
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Kong XY, Choo YY, Chai SP, Soh AK, Mohamed AR. Oxygen vacancy induced Bi2WO6 for the realization of photocatalytic CO2 reduction over the full solar spectrum: from the UV to the NIR region. Chem Commun (Camb) 2016; 52:14242-14245. [DOI: 10.1039/c6cc07750a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 182] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Bi2WO6 with oxygen vacancies was demonstrated as an efficient photocatalyst for CO2 reduction into energy-rich CH4 over the UV-Vis-NIR full spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Ying Kong
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering
- Chemical Engineering Discipline
- School of Engineering
- Monash University
- 47500 Bandar Sunway
| | - Yen Yee Choo
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering
- Chemical Engineering Discipline
- School of Engineering
- Monash University
- 47500 Bandar Sunway
| | - Siang-Piao Chai
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering
- Chemical Engineering Discipline
- School of Engineering
- Monash University
- 47500 Bandar Sunway
| | - Ai Kah Soh
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering
- Mechanical Engineering Discipline
- School of Engineering, Monash University
- 47500 Bandar Sunway
- Malaysia
| | - Abdul Rahman Mohamed
- Low Carbon Economy (LCE) Group
- School of Chemical Engineering
- Universiti Sains Malaysia
- Engineering Campus
- 14300 Nibong Tebal
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37
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Tong WL, Ong WJ, Chai SP, Tan MK, Hung YM. Enhanced Evaporation Strength through Fast Water Permeation in Graphene-Oxide Deposition. Sci Rep 2015; 5:11896. [PMID: 26100977 PMCID: PMC4477327 DOI: 10.1038/srep11896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2015] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
The unique characteristic of fast water permeation in laminated graphene oxide (GO) sheets has facilitated the development of ultrathin and ultrafast nanofiltration membranes. Here we report the application of fast water permeation property of immersed GO deposition for enhancing the performance of a GO/water nanofluid charged two-phase closed thermosyphon (TPCT). By benchmarking its performance against a silver oxide/water nanofluid charged TPCT, the enhancement of evaporation strength is found to be essentially attributed to the fast water permeation property of GO deposition instead of the enhanced surface wettability of the deposited layer. The expansion of interlayer distance between the graphitic planes of GO deposited layer enables intercalation of bilayer water for fast water permeation. The capillary force attributed to the frictionless interaction between the atomically smooth, hydrophobic carbon structures and the well-ordered hydrogen bonds of water molecules is sufficiently strong to overcome the gravitational force. As a result, a thin water film is formed on the GO deposited layers, inducing filmwise evaporation which is more effective than its interfacial counterpart, appreciably enhanced the overall performance of TPCT. This study paves the way for a promising start of employing the fast water permeation property of GO in thermal applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li Tong
- Mechanical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Wee-Jun Ong
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Siang-Piao Chai
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Ming K Tan
- Mechanical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Yew Mun Hung
- Mechanical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, 47500 Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
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Ong WJ, Tan LL, Chai SP, Yong ST. Heterojunction engineering of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) via Pt loading with improved daylight-induced photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide to methane. Dalton Trans 2015; 44:1249-57. [DOI: 10.1039/c4dt02940b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 270] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
The Pt-loaded g-C3N4 demonstrated high visible-light photoactivity of CO2 reduction to CH4, which was attributed to the efficient interfacial electron transfer from g-C3N4 to Pt.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wee-Jun Ong
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering
- Chemical Engineering Discipline
- School of Engineering
- Monash University
- 47500 Selangor
| | - Lling-Lling Tan
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering
- Chemical Engineering Discipline
- School of Engineering
- Monash University
- 47500 Selangor
| | - Siang-Piao Chai
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering
- Chemical Engineering Discipline
- School of Engineering
- Monash University
- 47500 Selangor
| | - Siek-Ting Yong
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering
- Chemical Engineering Discipline
- School of Engineering
- Monash University
- 47500 Selangor
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Yeo ZY, Chai SP, Zhu PW, Mah SK, Mohamed AR. Preparation of self-supported crystalline merlinoite-type zeolite W membranes through vacuum filtration and crystallization for CO2/CH4 separations. NEW J CHEM 2015. [DOI: 10.1039/c5nj00008d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Zeolite W membranes were grown on their seed pellets prepared via a straightforward vacuum filtration method followed by crystallization, rendering them self-supported.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zee Ying Yeo
- Low Carbon Economy Group
- Chemical Engineering Discipline
- School of Engineering
- Monash University
- 46150 Bandar Sunway
| | - Siang-Piao Chai
- Low Carbon Economy Group
- Chemical Engineering Discipline
- School of Engineering
- Monash University
- 46150 Bandar Sunway
| | - Peng Wei Zhu
- Low Carbon Economy Group
- Chemical Engineering Discipline
- School of Engineering
- Monash University
- 46150 Bandar Sunway
| | - Shee-Keat Mah
- Department of Chemical Engineering
- Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science
- Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman
- 53300 Setapak
- Malaysia
| | - Abdul Rahman Mohamed
- Low Carbon Economy Group
- School of Chemical Engineering
- Engineering Campus
- Universiti Sains Malaysia
- 14300 Nibong Tebal
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Ong WJ, Tan LL, Chai SP, Yong ST. Graphene oxide as a structure-directing agent for the two-dimensional interface engineering of sandwich-like graphene-g-C3N4 hybrid nanostructures with enhanced visible-light photoreduction of CO2 to methane. Chem Commun (Camb) 2014; 51:858-61. [PMID: 25429376 DOI: 10.1039/c4cc08996k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 338] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
A facile one-pot impregnation-thermal reduction strategy was employed to fabricate sandwich-like graphene-g-C3N4 (GCN) nanocomposites using urea and graphene oxide as precursors. The GCN sample exhibited a slight red shift of the absorption band edge attributed to the formation of a C-O-C bond as a covalent cross linker between graphene and g-C3N4. The GCN sample demonstrated high visible-light photoactivity towards CO2 reduction under ambient conditions, exhibiting a 2.3-fold enhancement over pure g-C3N4. This was ascribed to the inhibition of electron-hole pair recombination by graphene, which increased the charge transfer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wee-Jun Ong
- Multidisciplinary Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor, Malaysia.
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Ong WJ, Yeong JJ, Tan LL, Goh BT, Yong ST, Chai SP. Synergistic effect of graphene as a co-catalyst for enhanced daylight-induced photocatalytic activity of Zn0.5Cd0.5S synthesized via an improved one-pot co-precipitation-hydrothermal strategy. RSC Adv 2014. [DOI: 10.1039/c4ra10467f] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
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Ong WJ, Voon SY, Tan LL, Goh BT, Yong ST, Chai SP. Enhanced Daylight-Induced Photocatalytic Activity of Solvent Exfoliated Graphene (SEG)/ZnO Hybrid Nanocomposites toward Degradation of Reactive Black 5. Ind Eng Chem Res 2014. [DOI: 10.1021/ie5027088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Wee-Jun Ong
- Multidisciplinary
Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline,
School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor Malaysia
| | - Seen-Yee Voon
- Multidisciplinary
Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline,
School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor Malaysia
| | - Lling-Lling Tan
- Multidisciplinary
Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline,
School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor Malaysia
| | - Boon Tong Goh
- Low
Dimensional Materials Research Centre, Department of Physics, Faculty
of Science, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Siek-Ting Yong
- Multidisciplinary
Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline,
School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor Malaysia
| | - Siang-Piao Chai
- Multidisciplinary
Platform of Advanced Engineering, Chemical Engineering Discipline,
School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 47500 Selangor Malaysia
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Liu WW, Chai SP, Mohamed AR, Hashim U. Synthesis and characterization of graphene and carbon nanotubes: A review on the past and recent developments. J IND ENG CHEM 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jiec.2013.08.028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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Cathie Lee W, Mah SK, Leo C, Wu TY, Chai SP. Phosphorus removal by NF90 membrane: Optimisation using central composite design. J Taiwan Inst Chem Eng 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jtice.2014.02.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Ong WJ, Tan LL, Chai SP, Yong ST, Mohamed AR. Facet-dependent photocatalytic properties of TiO(2) -based composites for energy conversion and environmental remediation. ChemSusChem 2014; 7:690-719. [PMID: 24532412 DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201300924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2013] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
Titanium dioxide (TiO2 ) is one of the most widely investigated metal oxides because of its extraordinary surface, electronic, and photocatalytic properties. However, the large band gap of TiO2 and the considerable recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs limit its photocatalytic efficiency. Therefore, research attention is being increasingly directed towards engineering the surface structure of TiO2 on the atomic level (namely morphological control of {001} facets on the micro- and nanoscale) to fine-tune its physicochemical properties; this could ultimately lead to the optimization of selectivity and reactivity. This Review encompasses the fundamental principles to enhance the photocatalytic activity by using highly reactive {001}-faceted TiO2 -based composites. The current progress of such composites, with particular emphasis on the photodegradation of pollutants and photocatalytic water splitting for hydrogen generation, is also discussed. The progresses made are thoroughly examined for achieving remarkable photocatalytic performances, with additional insights with regard to charge transfer. Finally, a summary and some perspectives on the challenges and new research directions for future exploitation in this emerging frontier are provided, which hopefully would allow for harnessing the outstanding structural and electronic properties of {001} facets for various energy- and environmental-related applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wee-Jun Ong
- Low Carbon Economy (LCE) Group, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 46150, Selangor (Malaysia), Fax: (+603) 55146234
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Ong WJ, Tan LL, Chai SP, Yong ST, Mohamed AR. Highly reactive {001} facets of TiO2-based composites: synthesis, formation mechanism and characterization. Nanoscale 2014; 6:1946-2008. [PMID: 24384624 DOI: 10.1039/c3nr04655a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 209] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is one of the most widely investigated metal oxides due to its extraordinary surface, electronic and catalytic properties. However, the large band gap of TiO2 and massive recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs limit its photocatalytic and photovoltaic efficiency. Therefore, increasing research attention is now being directed towards engineering the surface structure of TiO2 at the most fundamental and atomic level namely morphological control of {001} facets in the range of microscale and nanoscale to fine-tune its physicochemical properties, which could ultimately lead to the optimization of its selectivity and reactivity. The synthesis of {001}-faceted TiO2 is currently one of the most active interdisciplinary research areas and demonstrations of catalytic enhancement are abundant. Modifications such as metal and non-metal doping have also been extensively studied to extend its band gap to the visible light region. This steady progress has demonstrated that TiO2-based composites with {001} facets are playing and will continue to play an indispensable role in the environmental remediation and in the search for clean and renewable energy technologies. This review encompasses the state-of-the-art research activities and latest advancements in the design of highly reactive {001} facet-dominated TiO2via various strategies, including hydrothermal/solvothermal, high temperature gas phase reactions and non-hydrolytic alcoholysis methods. The stabilization of {001} facets using fluorine-containing species and fluorine-free capping agents is also critically discussed in this review. To overcome the large band gap of TiO2 and rapid recombination of photogenerated charge carriers, modifications are carried out to manipulate its electronic band structure, including transition metal doping, noble metal doping, non-metal doping and incorporating graphene as a two-dimensional (2D) catalyst support. The advancements made in these aspects are thoroughly examined, with additional insights related to the charge transfer events for each strategy of the modified-TiO2 composites. Finally, we offer a summary and some invigorating perspectives on the major challenges and new research directions for future exploitation in this emerging frontier, which we hope will advance us to rationally harness the outstanding structural and electronic properties of {001} facets for various environmental and energy-related applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wee-Jun Ong
- Low Carbon Economy (LCE) Group, Chemical Engineering Discipline, School of Engineering, Monash University, Jalan Lagoon Selatan, Bandar Sunway, 46150, Selangor, Malaysia.
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Lim MW, Yong ST, Chai SP. Combustion-synthesized Nickel-based Catalysts for the Production of Hydrogen from Steam Reforming of Methane. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2014. [DOI: 10.1016/j.egypro.2014.11.993] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/24/2022]
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Yeo ZY, Tan PY, Chai SP, Zhu PW, Mohamed AR. Continuous polycrystalline ZIF-8 membrane supported on CO2-selective mixed matrix supports for CO2/CH4 separation. RSC Adv 2014. [DOI: 10.1039/c4ra09547b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Thin and compact ZIF-8 membranes were successfully synthesized on PES-ZIF-8 mixed matrix supports. Incorporating both selective ZIF-8 layer and PES-ZIF-8 mixed matrix support in a membrane has enhanced the overall CO2/CH4 selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zee Ying Yeo
- Low Carbon Economy Group
- Chemical Engineering Discipline
- School of Engineering
- Monash University
- 46150 Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Pei Yee Tan
- Low Carbon Economy Group
- Chemical Engineering Discipline
- School of Engineering
- Monash University
- 46150 Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Siang-Piao Chai
- Low Carbon Economy Group
- Chemical Engineering Discipline
- School of Engineering
- Monash University
- 46150 Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Peng Wei Zhu
- Department of Materials Engineering
- Monash University
- Clayton, Australia
| | - Abdul Rahman Mohamed
- Low Carbon Economy Group
- School of Chemical Engineering
- Engineering Campus
- Universiti Sains Malaysia
- 14300 Nibong Tebal, Malaysia
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Abstract
Vacuum thermal seeding was performed to synthesize the ZIF-8 membrane, followed by fabrication of zeolite T on the ZIF-8 layer. The synergistic effect of both materials on the gas separation mechanism has resulted in high CO2/CH4 selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zee Ying Yeo
- Low Carbon Economy Group
- Chemical Engineering Discipline
- School of Engineering
- Monash University
- 46150 Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
| | - Peng Wei Zhu
- Department of Materials Engineering
- Monash University
- , Australia
| | - Abdul Rahman Mohamed
- Low Carbon Economy Group (LCE)
- School of Chemical Engineering
- Universiti Sains Malaysia
- Engineering Campus
- 14300 Nibong Tebal, Malaysia
| | - Siang-Piao Chai
- Low Carbon Economy Group
- Chemical Engineering Discipline
- School of Engineering
- Monash University
- 46150 Bandar Sunway, Malaysia
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