RESUMEN
In the present work, mesoporous NiCo2O4 hollow nanocubes are synthesized using a "coordinating etching & precipitating" (CEP) route. The hollow nanocubes are characterized using SEM, TEM, XRD, XPS and BET methods. The hollow nanocubes have a uniform morphology of 300-500 nm, a high surface area of 134.52 m(2) g(-1) and a mesoporous structure of 2.4-6 nm. These mesoporous NiCo2O4 hollow nanocubes exhibit the specific capacitance of 795.6 F g(-1) at a constant discharge current density of 1 A g(-1). The high specific capacitance and the stability of the NiCo2O4 hollow nanocube electrode are attributed to its large specific surface area and mesoporous structure. The specific capacity retention is 97.5% at a current density of 1 A g(-1) and 96.1% at a current density of 2 A g(-1) over 2000 charge-discharge cycles. The high specific capacitance and excellent cyclic stability indicate that NiCo2O4 hollow nanocubes are excellent supercapacitor electrode materials.
RESUMEN
Bi nanoparticles deposited in situ in BiOBrxI1-x hierarchical microspheres (Bi/BiOBrxI1-x heterojunction) were synthesized by a facile one-step solvothermal method. The as-prepared samples were characterized via XRD, SEM, TEM, XPS, UV-vis absorption spectroscopy and N2 adsorption-desorption. The hierarchical microspheres were composed of numerous nanosheets aggregated together compactly to form a spherical geometry. Results indicated that Bi nanoparticles were generated on the surface of BiOBrxI1-x microspheres via the in situ reduction of Bi(3+) by ethylene glycol. BiOBrxI1-x microspheres with deposited Bi nanoparticles were employed for the degradation of RhB under visible-light irradiation and the samples exhibited exceptionally enhanced photocatalytic activity. This immense enhancement in photocatalytic activity was attributed to the contribution of Bi nanoparticles to the efficient separation of electron-hole pairs and prolongation of the lifetime of charge carriers. The behavior of Bi nanoparticles as a cocatalyst for enhancing photocatalytic activity is similar to that of noble metals in photocatalysis. The as-prepared Bi/BiOBr0.266I0.734 sample exhibited highest photocatalytic activity, which exceeded those of other types of visible-light photocatalysts such as N-TiO2, Eu(3+)-BiOI, BiOBr, BiOBr0.2I0.8/graphene and even Ag/AgBr/BiOBr. The Bi/BiOBr0.266I0.734 sample displayed high photochemical stability under repeated visible-light irradiation, which is especially important for its practical application. The active species produced from Bi/BiOBrxI1-x under visible light were hydroxyl radicals. Bi/BiOBrxI1-x could generate more hydroxyl radicals due to the Bi nanoparticles, contributing to the enhance oxidation ability. This study demonstrated the high feasibility of utilizing low-cost Bi nanoparticles as a substitute for noble metals to enhance visible-light photocatalysis.
RESUMEN
The upconversion luminescence properties of Ho3+/Yb3+-codoped SiO2-BaF2-ZnF2 glasses were investigated upon excitation with 980 nm diode laser. The visible emission bands centered at 546 and 661 nm correspond to 5F4, 5S2-->5I8 and 5F5-->5I8 transitions were observed. The effect of composition and temperature on the upconversion emission intensity was examined. It was found that the upconversion emission signals decrease with increasing ZnF2 content and temperature. The dependence of the upconversion emission intensity upon the excitation power was also examined, and the upconversion mechanisms were discussed.