Acta Phys. -Chim. Sin. ›› 2025, Vol. 41 ›› Issue (7): 100072.doi: 10.1016/j.actphy.2025.100072

Special Issue: Electrochemical Separation and Recycling

• ARTICLE • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Efficient capacitive desalination over NCQDs decorated FeOOH composite

Yihan Xue, Xue Han, Jie Zhang, Xiaoru Wen*()   

  1. College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Inner Mongolia University, Hohhot 010021, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, China
  • Received:2024-12-12 Revised:2025-01-26 Accepted:2025-02-24 Published:2025-05-22
  • Contact: Email: xiaoru-wen@imu.edu.cn; Tel.: +86-471-4994409 (Xiaoru Wen)
  • Supported by:
    the Natural Science Foundation of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China(2023MS02010); the Program for Young Talents of Science and Technology in Universities of Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region(NJYT23032)

Abstract:

Capacitive deionization (CDI) is emerging as a novel technology for seawater purification, with the electrode material playing a crucial role in desalination performance. In this study, we designed a nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots decorated iron oxide hydroxide (NCQDs/FeOOH) composite by a facile hydrothermal strategy and investigated as the CDI cathode for desalination application. Microstructural analyses reveal that the composite features a relatively uniform nanoparticle-assembled network, hierarchical pore alignment, and abundant porosity. Electrochemical tests confirm its outstanding capacitance property and conductivity. In an initial NaCl aqueous solution of 2000 mg∙L−1 at an applied potential of 1.4 V, the GACNaCl of NCQDs/FeOOH hybrid electrode reaches 56.52 mg∙g−1, along with remarkable cycling durability. Furthermore, the CV (cyclic voltammetry) and ex situ XPS (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) characterizations indicate the predominantly pseudocapacitive desalination mechanism.

Key words: Carbon quantum dots, FeOOH, Composite material, CDI desalination, Durability