Search Results (14)

Urea shows promise as an alternative substrate to water oxidation in electrolyzers, and replacing OER with the Urea Oxidation Reaction (UOR, theoretical potential of 0.37 V vs. RHE) can significantly increase hydrogen production efficiency. Additionally, the decomposition of urea can help reduce environmental pollution. This paper improves the inherent activity of catalytic materials through morphology and electronic modulation by incorporating tungsten (W), which accelerates electron transfer, enhances the electronic structure of neighboring atoms to create a synergistic effect, and regulates the adsorption process of active sites and intermediates. NiCoW catalytic materials with an ultra-thin nanosheet structure were prepared using an ultrasonic-assisted NaBH₄ reduction method. The results show that during the OER process, NiCoW catalytic materials have a potential of only 1.53 V at a current density of 10 mA/cm², while the UOR process under the same conditions requires a lower potential of 1.31 V, demonstrating superior catalytic performance. In a mixed electrolyte of 1 M KOH and 0.5 M urea, overall water splitting also shows excellent performance. Therefore, the designed NiCoW electrocatalyst, with its high catalytic activity, provides valuable insights for enhancing the efficiency of water electrolysis for hydrogen production and holds practical research significance. Full article

Recently, polymers have been attracted great attention because of their thermoelectric materials’ excellent mechanical properties, specifically their cost-effectiveness and scalability at the industrial level. In this study, the electropolymerization conditions (applied potential and deposition time) of PEDOT films were investigated to improve their thermoelectric properties. The morphology and Raman spectroscopy of the PEDOT films were analyzed according to their applied potential and deposition time. The best thermoelectric properties were found in films grown at 1.3 V for 10 min, with an electrical conductivity of 158 ± 8 S/cm, a Seebeck coefficient of 33 ± 1 µV/K, and a power factor of 17 ± 2 µW/K·m². This power factor value is three times higher than the value reported in the literature for electropolymerized PEDOT films in acetonitrile using lithium perchlorate as a counter-ion. The thermal conductivity was found to be (1.3 ± 0.3) × 10⁻¹ W/m·K. The highest figure of merit obtained at room temperature was (3.9 ± 1.0) × 10⁻² using lithium perchlorate as a counter-ion. In addition, three-dimensional (3D) PEDOT nanonetworks were electropolymerized inside 3D anodic aluminum oxide (3D AAO), obtaining lower values in their thermoelectric properties. Full article

With the advantages of benign mechanical property, electrochemical stability, and low cost, graphite fibers (GFs) have been widely used as electrodes for vanadium redox flow batteries (VRFBs). However, GFs usually possess inferior electrochemical activity and ion diffusion kinetics for electrode reaction, vastly limiting their application in VRFBs. Here, a 3D carbon nanonetwork coated GFs with multi-heteroatom doping was constructed for application in VRFBs via low temperature polymerization between linear polymer monomer and phytic acid, and subsequent carbonization (900 °C) on the GFs (GF@PCNs-900). Benefiting from the 3D structural features and multi-heteroatom doping (O, N and P), the composite electrode displayed sufficient diffusion of vanadium ions, rapid electron conduction, and highly enhanced electrochemical activity of reactive site on the electrodes. As a result, the GF@PCNs-900 delivered a high discharge capacity of 21 Ah L⁻¹ and energy efficiency of above 70% with extraordinary stability during 200 cycles at 200 mA cm⁻². Even at a huge current density of 400 mA cm⁻², the GF@PCNs-900 still maintained a discharge capacity of 5.0 Ah L⁻¹, indicating an excellent rate of performance for VRFBs. Such design strategy opens up a clear view for further development of energy storage field. Full article

Silicon is one of the most used semiconductor materials around the world. This research was conducted on silicon to improve its opto-electrical properties including bandgap and optical conductivity using direct ultrafast pulsed nanostructure formation (DUPNF). The power and frequency of high-intensity picosecond laser pulses were varied, and nanostructures were formed. The optical properties were examined using optical spectroscopy in both VIS and NIR. The structural characteristics were examined using EDX and SEM imaging. It was found that varying the power and frequency of the laser processing caused a change in the bandgap, as well as the structural characteristics of the silicon semiconductor. Increasing the frequency and power showed the formation of nanostructures of silicon and their variation in the properties of the formed nanostructures. The critical breakdown field of the silicon nanostructures was higher than the bulk silicon. Full article

Every year, a large amount of tobacco waste liquid (TWL) is discharged into the environment, resulting in serious pollution for the environment. In this work, a TWL-based particle (OACT) was fabricated by CaO, attapulgite (ATP), and TWL, and, then, OACT was coated by amino silicon oil (ASO) to form OACT@ASO. Therein, OACT@ASO had high controlled-release ability for fulvic acid (FA), because of the nanonetworks structure for ATP and the high content of FA in TWL. The release ratio (RR) of FA from OACT@ASO reached 94% at 75 h in deionized water, and 23% at 32 d in silica sand. Furthermore, the release mechanism of FA from OACT@ASO was consistent with the First-order law. Additionally, OACT@ASO also possessed high immobilization capacity for Cu(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) (CCP) in soil. Notably, a pot experiment indicated that OACT@ASO could facilitate the growth of pakchoi seedlings and decrease the absorption of CCP by pakchoi seedlings. Thus, this study provides a new kind of organic fertilizer which could not only release FA, but also immobilize CCP in soil. Full article

Pulse ionized titania 3D-nanonetworks (T3DN) are emerging materials for fabricating binder-free and carbon-free electrodes for electrochemical energy storage devices. In this article, we investigate the effect of the one of the most important fabrication parameters, pulse frequency, for optimizing supercapacitor efficiency. A series of coin cell batteries with laser-induced electrodes was fabricated; the effect of pulse frequency on oxidation levels and material properties was studied using both experimental and theoretical analysis. Also, detailed electrochemical tests including cyclic voltammetry (CV), charge/discharge, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were conducted to better understand the effect of pulse frequency on the electrochemical performance of the fabricated devices. The results show that at a frequency of 600 kHz, more T3DN were observed due to the higher temperature and stabler formation of the plasma plume, which resulted in better performance of the fabricated supercapacitors; specific capacitances of samples fabricated at 600 kHz and 1200 kHz were calculated to be 59.85 and 54.39 mF/g at 500 mV/s, respectively. Full article

Nanogels represent an innovative platform for tunable drug release and targeted therapy in several biomedical applications, ranging from cancer to neurological disorders. The design of these nanocarriers is a pivotal topic investigated by the researchers over the years, with the aim to optimize the procedures and provide advanced nanomaterials. Chemical reactions, physical interactions and the developments of engineered devices are the three main areas explored to overcome the shortcomings of the traditional nanofabrication approaches. This review proposes a focus on the current techniques used in nanogel design, highlighting the upgrades in physico-chemical methodologies, microfluidics and 3D printing. Polymers and biomolecules can be combined to produce ad hoc nanonetworks according to the final curative aims, preserving the criteria of biocompatibility and biodegradability. Controlled polymerization, interfacial reactions, sol-gel transition, manipulation of the fluids at the nanoscale, lab-on-a-chip technology and 3D printing are the leading strategies to lean on in the next future and offer new solutions to the critical healthcare scenarios. Full article

We developed a liquid-phase synthesis method for Pd-based nanostructure, in which Pd dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) solutions was precipitated using acid aqueous solution. In the development of the method, in situ monitoring using atmospheric scanning electron microscopy (ASEM) revealed that three-dimensional (3D) Pd-based nanonetworks were deformed to micrometer-size particles possibly by the surface tension of the solutions during the drying process. To avoid surface tension, critical point drying was employed to dry the Pd-based precipitates. By combining ASEM monitoring with critical point drying, the synthesis parameters were optimized, resulting in the formation of lacelike delicate nanonetworks using citric acid aqueous solutions. Precipitation using HCl acid aqueous solutions allowed formation of 500-nm diameter nanorings connected by nanowires. The 3D nanostructure formation was controllable and modifiable into various shapes using different concentrations of the Pd and Cl ions as the parameters. Full article

Novel N-doped carbon nanonet flakes (NCNFs), consisting of three-dimensional interconnected carbon nanotube and penetrable mesopore channels were synthesized in the assistance of a hybrid catalytic template of silica-coated-linear polyethyleneimine (PEI). Resorcinol-formaldehyde resin and melamine were used as precursors for carbon and nitrogen, respectively, which were spontaneously formed on the silica-coated-PEI template and then annealed at 700 °C in a N₂ atmosphere to be transformed into the hierarchical 3D N-doped carbon nanonetworks. The obtained NCNFs possess high surface area (946 m² g⁻¹), uniform pore size (2–5 nm), and excellent electron and ion conductivity, which were quite beneficial for electrochemical double-layered supercapacitors (EDLSs). The supercapacitor synthesized from NCNFs electrodes exhibited both extremely high capacitance (up to 613 F g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹) and excellent long-term capacitance retention performance (96% capacitive retention after 20,000 cycles), which established the current processing among the most competitive strategies for the synthesis of high performance supercapacitors. Full article

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) is a unique tool for conformally depositing inorganic thin films with precisely controlled thickness at nanoscale. Recently, ALD has been used in the manufacture of inorganic thin films using a three-dimensional (3D) nanonetwork structure made of polymer as a template, which is pre-formed by advanced 3D nanofabrication techniques such as electrospinning, block-copolymer (BCP) lithography, direct laser writing (DLW), multibeam interference lithography (MBIL), and phase-mask interference lithography (PMIL). The key technical requirement of this polymer template-assisted ALD is to perform the deposition process at a lower temperature, preserving the nanostructure of the polymer template during the deposition process. This review focuses on the successful cases of conformal deposition of inorganic thin films on 3D polymer nanonetworks using thermal ALD or plasma-enhanced ALD at temperatures below 200 °C. Recent applications and prospects of nanostructured polymer–inorganic composites or hollow inorganic materials are also discussed. Full article

Combining 1D metal nanotubes and nanowires into cross-linked 2D and 3D architectures represents an attractive design strategy for creating tailored unsupported catalysts. Such materials complement the functionality and high surface area of the nanoscale building blocks with the stability, continuous conduction pathways, efficient mass transfer, and convenient handling of a free-standing, interconnected, open-porous superstructure. This review summarizes synthetic approaches toward metal nano-networks of varying dimensionality, including the assembly of colloidal 1D nanostructures, the buildup of nanofibrous networks by electrospinning, and direct, template-assisted deposition methods. It is outlined how the nanostructure, porosity, network architecture, and composition of such materials can be tuned by the fabrication conditions and additional processing steps. Finally, it is shown how these synthetic tools can be employed for designing and optimizing self-supported metal nano-networks for application in electrocatalysis and related fields. Full article

Self-standing Bi₂Te₃ networks of interconnected nanowires were fabricated in three-dimensional porous anodic alumina templates (3D–AAO) with a porous structure spreading in all three spatial dimensions. Pulsed electrodeposition parameters were optimized to grow highly oriented Bi₂Te₃ interconnected nanowires with stoichiometric composition inside those 3D–AAO templates. The nanowire networks were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and Raman spectroscopy. The results are compared to those obtained in films and 1D nanowires grown under similar conditions. The crystalline structure and composition of the 3D Bi–Te nanowire network are finely tuned by controlling the applied voltage and the relaxation time off at zero current density during the deposition. With this fabrication method, and controlling the electrodeposition parameters, stoichiometric Bi₂Te₃ networks of interconnected nanowires have been obtained, with a preferential orientation along [1 1 0], which makes them optimal candidates for out-of-plane thermoelectric applications. Moreover, the templates in which they are grown can be dissolved and the network of interconnected nanowires is self-standing without affecting its composition and orientation properties. Full article

The three-dimensional (3D) SnS decorated carbon nano-networks (SnS@C) were synthesized via a facile two-step method of freeze-drying combined with post-heat treatment. The lithium and sodium storage performances of above composites acting as anode materials were investigated. As anode materials for lithium ion batteries, a high reversible capacity of 780 mAh·g⁻¹ for SnS@C composites can be obtained at 100 mA·g⁻¹ after 100 cycles. Even cycled at a high current density of 2 A·g⁻¹, the reversible capacity of this composite can be maintained at 610 mAh·g⁻¹ after 1000 cycles. The initial charge capacity for sodium ion batteries can reach 333 mAh·g⁻¹, and it retains a reversible capacity of 186 mAh·g⁻¹ at 100 mA·g⁻¹ after 100 cycles. The good lithium or sodium storage performances are likely attributed to the synergistic effects of the conductive carbon nano-networks and small SnS nanoparticles. Full article

Ultrasensitive room temperature real-time NO₂ sensors are highly desirable due to potential threats on environmental security and personal respiratory. Traditional NO₂ gas sensors with highly operated temperatures (200–600 °C) and limited reversibility are mainly constructed from semiconducting oxide-deposited ceramic tubes or inter-finger probes. Herein, we report the functionalized graphene network film sensors assembled on an electrospun three-dimensional (3D) nanonetwork skeleton for ultrasensitive NO₂ sensing. The functional 3D scaffold was prepared by electrospinning interconnected polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers onto a nylon window screen to provide a 3D nanonetwork skeleton. Then, the sulfophenyl-functionalized reduced graphene oxide (SFRGO) was assembled on the electrospun 3D nanonetwork skeleton to form SFRGO network films. The assembled functionalized graphene network film sensors exhibit excellent NO₂ sensing performance (10 ppb to 20 ppm) at room temperature, reliable reversibility, good selectivity, and better sensing cycle stability. These improvements can be ascribed to the functionalization of graphene with electron-withdrawing sulfophenyl groups, the high surface-to-volume ratio, and the effective sensing channels from SFRGO wrapping onto the interconnected 3D scaffold. The SFRGO network-sensing film has the advantages of simple preparation, low cost, good processability, and ultrasensitive NO₂ sensing, all advantages that can be utilized for potential integration into smart windows and wearable electronic devices for real-time household gas sensors. Full article