On June 4, the School of Chemistry and Materials Science at SCMU achieved a new milestone in educational research. An educational research paper by Associate Professor He Jie and Professor Zhang Zehui, titled “Development and Implementation of a Hands‑On Laboratory Experiment:Preparing Fe/TiO₂ Catalysts for Photocatalytic Ammoxidation of Alcohols to Nitriles”, was officially published in theJournal of Chemical Education(J. Chem. Educ. 2026, DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.6c00007),a top‑tier international journal in the field of chemistry education.
This educational research translates cutting‑edge photocatalytic research into a project‑based laboratory teaching module for senior undergraduates majoring in Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering and Technology. Students work in clearly defined teams to simulate the complete research process, which includes the preparation of iron‑doped titanium dioxide photocatalysts and their application in the photocatalytic ammoxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzonitrile. The experimental content covers catalyst preparation, UV‑Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy measurements, photocatalytic reaction operations, and gas chromatography product analysis. Students conduct structure‑performance correlation analysis and mechanistic discussions based on shared data, effectively achieving an in‑depth integration of theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and scientific thinking abilities.
Illustration from the Paper. (Photo provided by He Jie)
This achievement exemplifies the School of Chemistry and Materials Science’s sustained commitment to the philosophy of using research to enrich and enhance instruction. The School consistently supports faculty in transforming cutting‑edge research outcomes into high‑quality teaching resources. Through project‑based and inquiry‑based laboratory teaching models, it stimulates students’ academic interest, cultivates systematic research thinking, and develops innovative practical abilities, providing strong support for the development of first‑class programs in chemistry, materials science, and related disciplines, as well as for the cultivation of high‑caliber talent at SCMU.
South‑Central Minzu University is the primary affiliation for this paper. Associate Professor He Jie is the first author, and Professor Zhang Zehui is the corresponding author. The research was supported by the Educational Reform Research Project of Hubei Province, the Educational Reform Research Project of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, and the Teaching Reform Research Project of South‑Central Minzu University. Founded in 1924, theJournal of Chemical Educationis the world’s flagship SCI journal in the field of chemistry education, enjoying exceptional authority and extensive influence in the international chemistry education community.
