Graphene is an interesting two-dimensional carbon allotrope that has attracted considerable research interest because of its unique structure and physicochemical properties. Studies have been conducted on graphene-based nanomaterials including modified graphene, graphene/semiconductor hybrids, graphene/metal nanoparticle composites, and graphene-complex oxide composites. These nanomaterials inherit the unique properties of graphene, and the addition of functional groups or the nanoparticle composites on their surfaces improves their performance. Applications of these materials in pollutant removal and environmental remediation have been explored. From the viewpoint of environmental chemistry and materials, this paper reviews recent important advances in synthesis of graphene-related materials and their application in treatment of environmental pollution. The roles of graphene-based materials in pollutant removal and potential research are discussed.
Prof.Liu Jinhuai’s group at Hefei Institute of Intelligent Machines,Chinese Academy of Sciences,reported the effect of nanocrystal facets on the electrochemical sensing of metal ions at the atomic level,which was published in Chem Commun（2014,50:5011—3）.Three types ofα-Fe2O3 nanostructures,including nanocubes,nanoplates,and nanorods with crystal-
Metal oxide-based gas sensors have been widely used in portable systems for conventional gas or volatile organic compound(VOC)vapor detection because of their fascinating advantages such as low cost,easy production,compact size and convenient measuring integration.For improving gas sensing properties including sensitivity,selectivity and response speed,many novel nanostructured metal oxides have been investigated as the sensitive materials.Among them,hierarchical structures are promising because of their sufficient inter-spaces which enable gases diffusion through the inner position of the entire sensing film.Here,we provide a summary focusing on the synthesis,gas sensing properties to VOCs and sensing mechanisms of the meso-macroporous SnO_2 hierarchical structures,and a flower-like hierarchical ZnO structure consisting of porous single-crystalline nanosheets.Our review would be able to provide an understanding on the evolution and the challenges of hierarchically structured metal oxide-based gas sensors,and create some new opportunities for the development of gas-sensing techniques.
Prof.Wang Xiangke’s Team at the Plasma Application Division,ACSIPP,in collaboration with Prof.Xu Jinzhang from HeFei University of Technology（HFUT）,developed fluorescent g-C3N4（F-g-C3 N4）,a new type of polymer nanodot that can detect Fe3+and Cu2+ions,via hydrothermal treatment of bulk g-C3N4.This result was published in Nanoscale（2014,6:4157—4162）.
