Superelastic and Photothermal RGO/Zr-Doped TiO₂ Nanofibrous Aerogels Enable the Rapid Decomposition of Chemical Warfare Agents

Abstract

To date, the reckless use of deadly chemical warfare agents (CWAs) has posed serious risks to humanity, property, and ecological environment. Therefore, necessary materials able to rapidly adsorb and securely decompose these hazardous toxics are in urgent demand. Herein, three-dimensional (3D) reduced graphene oxide/Zr-doped TiO2 nanofibrous aerogels (RGO/ZT NAs) are synthesized by feasibly combining sol–gel electrospinning technology and a unidirectional freeze-drying approach. Benefiting from the synergetic coassembly of flexible ZT nanofibers and pliable RGO nanosheets, the hierarchically entangled fibrous frameworks feature ultralow density, superior elasticity, and robust fatigue resistance over 106 compressive cycles. In particular, the RGO incorporation is attributed to the achieved increased surface area, stronger light absorption, and decreased recombination of charge-carriers for photocatalysis. The highly porous 3D RGO/ZT NAs deliver enhanced photothermal catalytic activity for CWA degradation as well as excellent recyclability and good photostability. This work opens fresh horizons for developing advanced 3D aerogel-based photocatalysts in a controlled fashion.

A Cleaner Approach for Controllable Synthesis of Au/TiO2 Nanocomposite as an Efficient Catalyst for 4‐Nitrophenol Reduction

“…The specific surface area (SSA) and pore size of the mesoporous Au/TiO 2 samples were investigated by N 2 adsorption/desorption measurements (Figure 6). As shown in Figure 6a, the isotherms of bare TiO 2 NPs and Au/TiO 2 composites exhibited reverse S‐shape patterns, which are the characteristic isotherms of type IV mesoporous materials according to IUPAC classification [48] . The BET surface area of bare TiO 2 , TA2, TA20 and TA40 are about 53.7, 41.0, 47.5 and 49.0 m 2 g −1 , respectively.…”

Multifunctional and asymmetrically superwettable Janus membrane for all-day freshwater harvesting

“…3–6 However, photothermal membrane distillation also has an inherent limitation of low freshwater production, despite the use of 3-dimensional photothermal aerogel materials. 7,8 Besides, the effective working time is also limited, generally ranging from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. 9…”

Synthesis of graphene anchored with atomically isolated cobalt from a promising graphite-like supramolecule

“…Graphene-based materials are considered to be suitable catalysts for heterogeneous catalysis, such as in catalytic photochemical and electrochemical reactions. 1,2 In order to boost the catalytic activity of the inert graphene sheets, the heteroatoms (N, S, P, B etc.) and cost-effective transition metal atoms (Co, Fe, Ni, Mn, Cr etc.)…”