The aggregation and the rapid restructuring of the photoinduced electron−hole pairs restructuring in the process of photoelectric response remains a great challenge. In this study, a kind of Multi-walled carbon nanotubes loaded Alpha-Fe2O3 (CNTs/α-Fe2O3) heterostructure composite is successfully prepared via the one-step method. Due to the synergistic effect in the as-prepared CNTs/α-Fe2O3, the defect sites and oxygen-containing functional groups of CNTs can dramatically improve the interface charge separation efficiency and prevent the aggregation of α-Fe2O3. The improved photocurrent and enhanced hole–electron separation rate in the CNTs/α-Fe2O3 is obtained, and the narrower band gap is measured to be 2.8 ev with intensive visible-light absorption performance. Thus, the CNTs/α-Fe2O3 composite serves as an excellent visible light photocatalyst and exhibits an outstanding photocatalytic activity for the cationic dye degradation of rhodamine B (RhB). This research supplies a fresh application area forα-Fe2O3 photocatalyst and initiates a new approach for design of high efficiency photocatalytic materials.
13 September 2022 in Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Electronics
Against the backdrop of accelerating global energy transition, developing high-performance energy-storage systems is crucial for achieving carbon neutrality. Traditional electrode materials are limited by a single densification storage mechanism and low conductivity, struggling to meet demands for high energy/power density and a long cycle life. Carbon/high-entropy alloy nanocomposites provide an innovative solution through multi-component synergistic effects and cross-scale structural design: the “cocktail effect” of high-entropy alloys confers excellent redox activity and structural stability, while the three-dimensional conductive network of the carbon skeleton enhances charge transfer efficiency. Together, they achieve synergistic enhancement via interfacial electron coupling, stress buffering, and dual storage mechanisms. This review systematically analyzes the charge storage/attenuation mechanisms and performance advantages of this composite material in diverse energy-storage devices (lithium-ion batteries, lithium-sulfur batteries, etc.), evaluates the characteristics and limitations of preparation techniques such as mechanical alloying and chemical vapor deposition, identifies five major challenges (including complex and costly synthesis, ambiguous interfacial interaction mechanisms, lagging theoretical research, performance-cost trade-offs, and slow industrialization processes), and prospectively proposes eight research directions (including multi-scale structural regulation and sustainable preparation technologies, etc.). Through interdisciplinary perspectives, this review aims to provide a theoretical foundation for deepening the understanding of carbon/high-entropy alloy composite energy-storage mechanisms and guiding industrial applications, thereby advancing breakthroughs in electrochemical energy-storage technology under the energy transition.