Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering - Research Publications
Permanent URI for this collection
Search Results
1 - 10 of 431
-
ItemNo Preview AvailableEmerging Strategies for CO2 Photoreduction to CH4: From Experimental to Data-Driven Design (Adv. Energy Mater. 20/2022)(Wiley, 2022-05)Through experimental strategies (human brain) and data-driven strategies (machine brain) that have been reported, high-performance photocatalysts are gradually being explored and developed under the huge data flow (transmitted by neurons). In article number 2200389, Gang Kevin Li, Zongyou Yin, Sibudjing Kawi and co-workers show that the combination of experimentation and data-driven design (brain ensemble) is a powerful solution for the future design of novel catalysts for selective photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide to methane.
-
ItemNo Preview AvailableLocalized Electron Density Redistribution in Fluorophosphate Cathode: Dangling Anion Regulation and Enhanced Na‐Ion Diffusivity for Sodium‐Ion Batteries (Adv. Funct. Mater. 4/2022)(Wiley, 2022-01)In article number 2109694, Hong Yu, Cheng-Feng Du, Xing-Long Wu, and co-workers develop Cl-doped Na3V2(PO4)2O2F (NVPO2−xClxF) as superior cathode material for sodium-ion batteries. In NVPO2−xClxF, Cl doping tunes the electronic structure and causes the electron redistribution on vanadium center/dangling anions. As a result, a revised redox behavior of vanadium and increased Na+- diffusivity/electrochemical properties are achieved.
-
Item
-
ItemMaterial Design and Energy Storage Mechanism of Mn-Based Cathodes for Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries(WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH, 2022-10)Mn-based cathodes have been widely explored for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs), by virtue of their high theoretical capacity and low cost. However, Mn-based cathodes suffer from poor rate capability and cycling performance. Researchers have presented various approaches to address these issues. Therefore, these endeavors scattered in various directions (e. g., designing electrode structures, defect engineering and optimizing electrolytes) are necessary to be connected through a systematic review. Hence, we comprehensively overview Mn-based cathode materials for ZIBs from the aspects of phase compositions, electrochemical behaviors and energy storage mechanisms, and try to build internal relations between these factors. Modification strategies of Mn-based cathodes are then introduced. Furthermore, this review also provides some new perspectives on future efforts toward high-energy and long-life Mn-based cathodes for ZIBs.
-
ItemThe Passive Effect of MXene on Electrocatalysis: A Case of Ti3C2Tx/CoNi-MOF nanosheets for Oxygen Evolution Reaction(WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH, 2021-05)Abstract Herein, CoNi bimetallic metal‐organic framework nanosheets (CoNi−MOFNs) in‐situ grown on Ti3C2Tx MXene (CoNi−MOFNs@MX) were explored as a typical nanocomposite to study the impact of MXene on the electrocatalytic activity of MOF for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). In contrast to previous reports, we observed a passive effect of Ti3C2Tx MXene on the OER performance of CoNi−MOFNs although the electronic conductivity of the nanocomposites was improved. The combined analysis of electrochemical results and atomic valence state characterization demonstrates that the decreased OER activity is likely ascribed to the unfavorable electron donation from Ti3C2Tx MXene, which suppresses the formation of active species for OER from the oxidation of Co2+ and Ni2+ to higher valence states in the nanocomposite. Consequently, more attention needs to be paid to the rational design of nanocomposites with MXenes for electrocatalytic applications.
-
Item
-
ItemAn Atom-Economic Enzymatic Cascade Catalysis for High-Throughput RAFT Synthesis of Ultrahigh Molecular Weight Polymers(WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH, 2022-11-14)High-throughput synthesis of well-defined, ultrahigh molecular weight (UHMW) polymers by green approaches is highly desirable but remains unexplored. We report the creation of an atom-economic enzymatic cascade catalysis, consisting of formate oxidase (FOx) and horseradish peroxidase (HRP), that enables high-throughput reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) synthesis of UHMW polymers at volumes down to 50 μL. FOx transforms formic acid, a C1 substrate, and oxygen to CO2 and H2 O2 , respectively. CO2 can escape from solution while H2 O2 is harnessed in situ by HRP to generate radicals from acetylacetone for RAFT polymerization, leaving no waste accumulation in solution. Oxygen-tolerant RAFT polymerization using enzymatic cascade redox cycles was successfully performed in vials and 96-well plates to produce libraries of well-defined UHMW polymers, and represents the first example of high-throughput synthesis method of such materials at extremely low volumes.
-
ItemUltrahigh-Content Co-P Cluster as a Dual-Atom-Site Electrocatalyst for Accelerating Polysulfides Conversion in Li-S Batteries(WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH, 2022-10)Abstract Single‐atom catalysts (SACs) show high catalytic efficiency in accelerating conversion of lithium polysulfides (LiPS), and are thus promising for suppressing the shuttle effect observed in lithium−sulfur batteries (LSBs); however, single‐atom catalytic sites with low content of catalysts largely restrict their catalytic effect. Herein, a CoP cluster supported by a N‐doped carbon matrix (CoP cluster/NC) with atomic‐level dispersion and an ultrahigh content (25.5 wt.%) of Co atoms is fabricated via an in situ low‐temperature phosphorization strategy and employed as a dual‐atom‐site catalyst for catalyzing LiPS conversion. The CoP cluster/NC with abundant unsaturated CoP coordination provides dual‐atom sites of Co and P to dynamically adsorb/desorb sulfur species and Li+ ions, respectively, synergistically promoting the conversion of LiPS. The dual‐atom‐site catalytic mechanism is evidenced by substantial characterizations including X‐ray absorption fine structure measurements and density functional theory calculations. Consequently, the S@CoP cluster/NC cathode shows superior cycling and rate performance. Even at a high sulfur loading of 6.2 mg cm−2, a high areal capacity of 6.5 mAh cm−2 that surpasses most commercial lithium–ion batteries can be achieved. This study opens a new avenue in the development of advanced catalysts with new catalytic mechanisms for high‐performance LSBs.
-
ItemThe effect of pH on the fat and protein within cream cheese and their influence on textural and rheological properties(Elsevier BV, 2020-12-01)The effect of variation in acid gel pH during cream cheese production was investigated. The gel microstructure was denser and cheese texture firmer, as the pH decreased from pH 5.0 to pH 4.3, despite the viscoelasticity of these gels remaining similar during heating. Protein hydration and secondary structure appeared to be key factors affecting both cheese microstructure and properties. Proteins within the matrix appeared to swell at pH 5.0, leading to a larger corpuscular structure; greater β-turn structure was also observed by synchrotron-Fourier transform infrared (S-FTIR) microspectroscopy and the cheese was softer. A decrease in pH led to a denser microstructure with increased aggregated β-sheet structure and a firmer cheese. The higher whey protein loss at low pH likely contributed to increased cheese hardness. In summary, controlling the pH of acid gel is important, as this parameter affects proteins in the cheese, their secondary structure and the resulting cream cheese.
-
ItemDesign and characterization of casein-whey protein suspensions via the pH-temperature-route for application in extrusion-based 3D-Printing(Elsevier BV, 2021-03)The current interest in individualized food through additive manufacturing has identified a need for more information on the formulation and printability of potential ingredients. Here, the effect of formulation parameters of casein–whey protein suspensions like the pH (4.8–5.4) as well as the casein content (8.0–12.0% (w/w)) mixed with whey protein (2.0–3.0% (w/w)) and the effect of pre-processing parameters including the denaturation of whey proteins (80 °C, 10 min; adjusted pH 6.55, 6.9 and 7.1) on the gel formation via the pH–temperature (T)-route was studied. Rheological measurements showed that the sol–gel transition temperature (G’ = 1 Pa) decreased and the aggregation rate of the casein–whey protein suspensions increased with increasing heating pH value. The aggregation rate was considered to be a key parameter predicting the printability of formulations. By exceeding a certain aggregation rate (250 Pa/10 K), casein–whey protein suspensions were found to be printable resulting in firm and stable gels.