The synthesis of graphene via decomposition of SiC has opened a promising route for large-scale p... more The synthesis of graphene via decomposition of SiC has opened a promising route for large-scale production of graphene. However, extremely high requirements for almost perfectly ordered crystal SiC and harsh process conditions such as high temperatures (>1200oC) and ultra-high vacuum are two significant challenges hindering its wide use to synthesize graphene by decomposition of SiC. Here, we show that the readily available precursor of carbides, amorphous TiC (a-Ti1-xCx), can be transformed into graphene nanosheets (GNS) with tunable layers by chlorination method at very low temperatures (200oC) and ambient pressures. Moreover, freestanding GNS can be achieved by stripping off GNS from the surface of resulting particles. Therefore, our strategy, the direct transformation of a-Ti1-xCx into graphene, is simple and expected to be easily scaled up.
A novel conductive ceramic/graphene nanocomposite is prepared to prohibit the re-stacking of redu... more A novel conductive ceramic/graphene nanocomposite is prepared to prohibit the re-stacking of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) by wedging zirconium diboride (ZrB2) nanoparticles (NPs) into multiple layer nanosheets using a simple solvothermal method. Surprisingly, the RGO/ZrB2 nanocomposite supported Pt NPs shows very excellent catalytic activity. Its electrochemical surface area (ECSA) is up to 148 m(2)g(-1) (very approaches the geometry surface area of 155 m(2)g(-1)), much greater than that of the previous report (usually less than 100 m(2)g(-1)). The mass activity is as high as 16.8 A/g(-1), which is almost 2 times and 5 times that of Pt/RGO (8.6 A/g(-1)) and Pt/C (3.2 A/g(-1)), respectively, as benchmarks. Moreover, after 4000 cycles the catalyst shows only 61% of ECSA loss, meaning a predominantly electrochemical stability. The remarkably improved electrochemical properties with much high Pt utilization of the new catalyst show a promising application in low temperature fuel cells and broader fields.
The sulfonated reduced graphene oxide (S-rGO) as supports and size-controlled Pt nanoparticles (N... more The sulfonated reduced graphene oxide (S-rGO) as supports and size-controlled Pt nanoparticles (NPs) for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) catalysts was investigated. The S-rGO was fabricated by a lyophilization-assisted method from a liquid mixture of GO and (NH4)2SO4 with a subsequent thermal treatment in inert gas. Sulfonic acid groups were grafted on GO and a reduction of GO was achieved simultaneously. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) results showed a uniform deposition of Pt NPs on S-rGO (Pt/S-rGO) with a narrow particle size distribution ranging from 2 to 5 nm in diameter. A higher catalytic activity of this novel Pt/S-rGO catalyst was revealed in comparison with that of Pt/GO, Pt/rGO and conventional Pt/C catalysts by cyclic voltammetry and oxygen reduction reaction measurements due to an enhanced triphase boundary. Significantly, the Pt/S-rGO catalyst also presented an excellent electrochemical stability. This new catalyst thus holds a great potential application in PEMFCs in terms of enhanced activity and durability.
The synthesis of graphene via decomposition of SiC has opened a promising route for large-scale p... more The synthesis of graphene via decomposition of SiC has opened a promising route for large-scale production of graphene. However, extremely high requirements for almost perfectly ordered crystal SiC and harsh process conditions such as high temperatures (>1200oC) and ultra-high vacuum are two significant challenges hindering its wide use to synthesize graphene by decomposition of SiC. Here, we show that the readily available precursor of carbides, amorphous TiC (a-Ti1-xCx), can be transformed into graphene nanosheets (GNS) with tunable layers by chlorination method at very low temperatures (200oC) and ambient pressures. Moreover, freestanding GNS can be achieved by stripping off GNS from the surface of resulting particles. Therefore, our strategy, the direct transformation of a-Ti1-xCx into graphene, is simple and expected to be easily scaled up.
A novel conductive ceramic/graphene nanocomposite is prepared to prohibit the re-stacking of redu... more A novel conductive ceramic/graphene nanocomposite is prepared to prohibit the re-stacking of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) by wedging zirconium diboride (ZrB2) nanoparticles (NPs) into multiple layer nanosheets using a simple solvothermal method. Surprisingly, the RGO/ZrB2 nanocomposite supported Pt NPs shows very excellent catalytic activity. Its electrochemical surface area (ECSA) is up to 148 m(2)g(-1) (very approaches the geometry surface area of 155 m(2)g(-1)), much greater than that of the previous report (usually less than 100 m(2)g(-1)). The mass activity is as high as 16.8 A/g(-1), which is almost 2 times and 5 times that of Pt/RGO (8.6 A/g(-1)) and Pt/C (3.2 A/g(-1)), respectively, as benchmarks. Moreover, after 4000 cycles the catalyst shows only 61% of ECSA loss, meaning a predominantly electrochemical stability. The remarkably improved electrochemical properties with much high Pt utilization of the new catalyst show a promising application in low temperature fuel cells and broader fields.
The sulfonated reduced graphene oxide (S-rGO) as supports and size-controlled Pt nanoparticles (N... more The sulfonated reduced graphene oxide (S-rGO) as supports and size-controlled Pt nanoparticles (NPs) for proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) catalysts was investigated. The S-rGO was fabricated by a lyophilization-assisted method from a liquid mixture of GO and (NH4)2SO4 with a subsequent thermal treatment in inert gas. Sulfonic acid groups were grafted on GO and a reduction of GO was achieved simultaneously. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) results showed a uniform deposition of Pt NPs on S-rGO (Pt/S-rGO) with a narrow particle size distribution ranging from 2 to 5 nm in diameter. A higher catalytic activity of this novel Pt/S-rGO catalyst was revealed in comparison with that of Pt/GO, Pt/rGO and conventional Pt/C catalysts by cyclic voltammetry and oxygen reduction reaction measurements due to an enhanced triphase boundary. Significantly, the Pt/S-rGO catalyst also presented an excellent electrochemical stability. This new catalyst thus holds a great potential application in PEMFCs in terms of enhanced activity and durability.
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Papers by shichun mu
nanosheets (GNS) with tunable layers by chlorination method at very low temperatures (200oC) and ambient pressures. Moreover, freestanding GNS can be achieved by stripping off GNS from the surface of resulting particles. Therefore, our strategy, the direct transformation of a-Ti1-xCx into graphene, is simple and expected to be easily scaled up.
nanosheets (GNS) with tunable layers by chlorination method at very low temperatures (200oC) and ambient pressures. Moreover, freestanding GNS can be achieved by stripping off GNS from the surface of resulting particles. Therefore, our strategy, the direct transformation of a-Ti1-xCx into graphene, is simple and expected to be easily scaled up.