Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were successfully functionalized by the hydrothermal treatment of wet CNFs containing concentrated HNO 3 . The method of synthesis was facile and eco-friendly. With the use of oxidized CNFs as substance, Ni(OH) 2 /oxidized CNFs hybrid materials were prepared by taking a two-step solution phase reaction. The XRD pattern and TEM image suggested a well crystalline Ni(OH) 2 nanoplate with β-phase structure growth on the surface of CNFs. Electrochemistry test results displayed high specific capacitances and long cycle life of the composites. With the use of Ni(OH) 2 / CNFs as cathode and Zn foil as anode, assembled NiZn pouch cells could achieve ∼1.75 V discharge voltage plateau, with a specific capacity ranging from 184 mAh•g −1 at a discharging current density of 5 mA•cm −2 to 91 mAh•g −1 at a discharging current density of 50 mA•cm −2 . Its cycle stability was up to 1200 cycles with a capacity retention of >96% at attaining an energy density of 150 Wh•kg −1 . Compared with a 6 mol•L −1 KOH solution electrolyte battery, the sodium polyacrylate gel electrolyte battery displayed better cycle performance. The function of the gel electrolyte was discussed. The facile method could be extended to the oxidization of the other carbon materials and synthesis of the others carbon composites.

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Two porphyrin chromophores, P1 and P2, were prepared and used as antenna units to coordinate with a metal-free organic dye, JH1, containing pyridine groups. This supramolecular self-assembly strategy can not only effectively improve the light-harvesting ability of the devices but also effectively reduces electron recombination by preventing I of the electrolyte from penetrating into the TiO surface. The DSSC based on JH1 showed a PCE of 2.46%, with a V of 615 mV, J of 6.54 mA cm, and FF of 61.18%. After supramolecular self-assembly, the J and V of the device were greatly improved. Specifically for the device based on JH1 + P2, the PCE reached 4.39%, which is about 78% greater than the PCE of the device based on JH1; this is mainly due to the J increase of 2.85 mA cm and the V increase of 93 mV. Compared to co-sensitization, supramolecular self-assembly does not require tedious optimization steps; thus, this may be a promising and convenient way to improve the overall performance of DSSCs.

This paper reports the phase‐ and morphology‐controlled synthesis of zinc molybdate using a hydrothermal route. With increasing monomer concentrations, the morphology and phase of the products transfer from ZnMoO4 plates (monoclinic phase) to ZnMoO4·0.8H2O rod bundles (triclinic phase). The morphology and phase conversions of the products are monitored with the help of SEM, TEM, and XRD. A possible mechanism for the formation of the products is proposed. The optical properties of zinc molybdate are characterized. The band‐gap values of zinc molybdate are in the range of approximately 2.71–3.05 eV. With the use of the photocatalytic degradation of RhB as a probe reaction, the photocatalytic performance of α‐ and β‐zinc molybdate is investigated. The degradation efficiency of RhB over calcined α‐ZnMoO4·0.8H2O is up to 89 %. The calcined β‐ZnMoO4 plate exhibits the highest activity for the degradation of RhB, up to 98 %. The radical‐trapping experiments evidence ·O2– and H+ as being the main reactive species. Some possible factors influencing the photocatalytic activity of the products are discussed.

Colloidal photoluminescence BiPO4:Ln (Eu,Tb) nanoparticles well-dispersed in polar solvents have been prepared, which exhibit organic-red and green colours under UV irradiation.