Papers by Author: Xiao Long Zhou

Abstract: A smooth and flexible carbon film was prepared via liquid exfoliation method followed by liquid evaporation using the natural flake graphite as the starting material. The XRD and Raman results demonstrated that the obtained film is composed of chemically reduced graphene, graphene oxide and graphite. The thermal transport property of the as-obtained film was investigated by light flash measurements. It is found that the as-obtained graphene-containing composite film has a high in-plane thermal diffusivity (2157 m²/s), and the corresponding thermal conductivity (754 W/m K) is higher than the other metal and normal graphite materials, which is very promising for applications requiring 2D heat conduction.

Abstract: Pt/SO42--ZrO2 catalysts (PSZ) were prepared by using a series of hydrous zirconia as support synthesized via a hydrothermal method. The catalytic performances of these catalysts were evaluated in the n-hexane isomerization in a fixed bed reactor. The crystalline structure, acidity, reduction properties, textural texture, and sulfur content were characterized by XRD, NH3-TPD, H2-TPR, N2 adsorption and thermal analysis. The experimental results indicated that the hydrothermal ageing of zirconium hydroxide led to great changes in the crystalline structure of hydrous zirconia support, sulfur content, and the acidity of PSZ. The abundant strong acid sites and high sulfur content were essential but insufficient to achieve a PSZ catalyst with high isomerization activity. Too weak or too strong interaction between sulfur species and zirconia in the catalysts was unfavorable to the isomerization reaction. The presence of considerable sulfate species interacting moderately with zirconia was crucial to high isomerization activity.

Abstract: Effects of ytterbia for Pt-SO42-/ZrO2-Al2O3-Yb2O3 (PSZAY) catalysts in n-hexane hydroisomerization were investigated. It was elucidated that the introduction of ytterbia into Pt-SO42-/ZrO2-Al2O3 (PSZA) increased both the surface area and the number of active sites, resulting in a higher n-hexane isomerization activity. At the same time the catalyst stability has also been markedly increased by alleviating the sulfur loss and by stabilizing ZrO2 tetragonal crystalline structure.

Abstract: Transition metal-modified carbon-based adsorbents were prepared by impregnating activated carbon with solutions of copper, cobalt or nickel chloride or nitrate. The mixtures were dried and then calcined under nitrogen stream. The surface metal species were analyzed by XRD technique and the surface oxygen-containing groups were characterized by FTIR. Their adsorption capacities for dibenzothiophene (DBT) were measured by using DBT-containing n-octane solution as model oil. Experimental results show that the metal species on the carbon surface could be controlled by the calcination process under nitrogen atmosphere. Both the transition metal precursors and kinds of metal species on the carbon surface have significant effects on DBT adsorption capacity.

Abstract: Rice hull (designated with RH) was activated by phosphoric acid to prepare an adsorbent for the removal of sulfur-containing compounds from diesel fuel. Adsorption tests for both, a 300 µg.g-1 dibenzothiophene (DBT)-containing n-octane solution using as model oil and a commercial hydro-treated diesel fuel, were performed to elucidate the effect of varying phosphoric acid to RH ratio, treating temperature and the removal of silica from the adsorbent on the combination of the textural structure, surface chemical property and adsorption capacity. It was indicated that high surface area and micro-pore volume of the adsorbent favored the adsorption of DBT and its derivatives. Richening of oxygen-containing compounds on the adsorbent surface was advantageous to the adsorption and removal of DBTs. At a phosphoric acid and RH weight ratio of 3:1 by using a two-step treatment, a satisfactory adsorbent with an adsorption capacity of 28.89 mg S/g was successfully prepared. If the silica in the adsorbent was further removed, the product exhibited the highest performance, reaching 30.43 mg S/g for the model oil and 21.79 mg S/g for the commercial diesel fuel. Both the textural structure and the surface chemical property like acidic groups of a RH-based adsorbent play important roles in its adsorption behaviors, and the formation of donor-acceptor complexes between surface acidic groups and DBT may probably benefit DBT adsorption capacity.

Abstract: Phosphotungstic acid (HPW) supported on activated carbon (AC) combined with hydrogen peroxide formed an oxidative desulfurizaiton (ODS) system to oxidize sulfur-containing compounds in diesel fuel. Dibenzothiophene (DBT) dissolved in n-octane was selected as a model feedstock for studying this new ODS system. The HPW/AC catalysts were characterized with XRD, FTIR and N2 adsorption-desorption measurements. HPW was highly dispersed on the surface of carbon support. It was found that the DBT adsorption capacity decreased from 42 mg S/g to 33.13 mg S/g as HPW loading amount increased from 0 to 15 wt.%. Oxidative removal of DBT in the model oil significantly increased with increasing HPW loadings on the support from 0 to 10 wt.%. 100 % DBT was removed by using the catalysts with HPW content higher than 10 wt. %. At 80 °C, oxidative removal of DBT reached 100 % after 40 min of reaction when O/S molar ratio ranged from 4 to 10.

Abstract: Two types of mesoporous Si-MCM-41 materials were synthesized via a cationic surfactant template method using different Si-precursors. The materials obtained were characterized by FTIR, XRD, BET, TEM and 29Si MAS-NMR techniques. When fumed silica was used as Si precursor, a Si-MCM-41-I solid with wormhole-like pore topologies was obtained. However, when tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) was used as Si precursor, a mesoporous Si-MCM-41-II solid with hexagonal arranges and a long-range ordered structure could be obtained. These two kinds of mesoporous materials had a uniform pore size distribution with an average pore diameter within 2.3-2.8 nm. Rather weak Lewis acid sites were formed on both the Si-MCM-41 samples prepared by the two methods.

Abstract: Lanthanum (La) nano-films prepared by a self-assembled technique on a silicone-based material surface, was studied by using an all-round functional Turbiscan LAB stability analyzer and X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) as well as atomic force microscope (AFM). La content introduced in the assembled nano-film reached a maximum at pH value between 5 and 6. In the preparation of colloidal sol, no phase separation took place at 60 °C where the colloidal particles uniformly and stably dispersed in the solution. The optimum topographic feature was observed after 24 hours, whence self-assembled process was performed. The particle dispersion of the assembled film was uniform and compact at the optimum EDTA to La molar ratio 0.5.