Theoretical estimation of dielectric loss of oxide glasses using nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations

To theoretically explore amorphous materials with a sufficiently low dielectric loss, which are essential for next-generation communication devices, the applicability of a nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulation employing an external alternating electric field was examined using alkaline silicate glass models. In this method, the dielectric loss is directly evaluated as the phase shift of the dipole moment from the applied electric field. This method enabled us to evaluate the dielectric loss in a wide frequency range from 1 GHz to 10 THz. It was observed that the dielectric loss reaches its maximum at a few THz. The simulation method was found to qualitatively reproduce the effects of alkaline content and alkaline type on the dielectric loss. Furthermore, it reasonably reproduced the effect of mixed alkalines on the dielectric loss, which was observed in our experiments on sodium and/or potassium silicate glasses. Alkaline mixing was thus found to reduce the dielectric loss.     

Achieving Rich and Active Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution Heterostructures via Interface Engineering on 2D 1T‐MoS2 Quantum Sheets

Large‐scale production of hydrogen from water‐alkali electrolyzers is impeded by the sluggish kinetics of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) electrocatalysts. The hybridization of an acid‐active HER catalyst with a cocatalyst at the nanoscale helps boost HER kinetics in alkaline media. Here, it is demonstrated that 1T–MoS₂ nanosheet edges (instead of basal planes) decorated by metal hydroxides form highly active ${\text{edge}}_{{\text{1T‐MoS}}_{\text{2}}}$/ ${\text{edge}}_{\text{Ni}{(\text{OH})}_{\text{2}}}$ heterostructures, which significantly enhance HER performance in alkaline media. Featured with rich ${\text{edge}}_{{\text{1T‐MoS}}_{\text{2}}}$/ ${\text{edge}}_{\text{Ni}{(\text{OH})}_{\text{2}}}$ sites, the fabricated 1T–MoS₂ QS/Ni(OH)₂ hybrid (quantum sized 1T–MoS₂ sheets decorated with Ni(OH)₂ via interface engineering) only requires overpotentials of 57 and 112 mV to drive HER current densities of 10 and 100 mA cm^?2, respectively, and has a low Tafel slope of 30 mV dec^?1 in 1 m KOH. So far, this is the best performance for MoS₂‐based electrocatalysts and the 1T–MoS₂ QS/Ni(OH)₂ hybrid is among the best‐performing non‐Pt alkaline HER electrocatalysts known. The HER process is durable for 100 h at current densities up to 500 mA cm^?2. This work not only provides an active, cost‐effective, and robust alkaline HER electrocatalyst, but also demonstrates a design strategy for preparing high‐performance catalysts based on edge‐rich 2D quantum sheets for other catalytic reactions.     

Rational Designs for Lithium-Sulfur Batteries with Low Electrolyte/Sulfur Ratio

Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) are considered a promising next-generation energy storage device owing to their high theoretical energy density. However, their overall performance is limited by several critical issues such as lithium polysulfide (PS) shuttles, low sulfur utilization, and unstable Li metal anodes. Despite recent huge progress, the electrolyte/sulfur ratio (E/S) used is usually very high (≥20 µL mg⁻¹), which greatly reduces the practical energy density of devices. To push forward LSBs from the lab to the industry, considerable attention is devoted to reducing E/S while ensuring the electrochemical performance. To date, however, few reviews have comprehensively elucidated the possible strategies to achieve that purpose. In this review, recent advances in low E/S cathodes and anodes based on the issues resulting from low E/S and the corresponding solutions are summarized. These will be beneficial for a systematic understanding of the rational design ideas and research trends of low E/S LSBs. In particular, three strategies are proposed for cathodes: preventing PS formation/aggregation to avoid inadequate dissolution, designing multifunctional macroporous networks to address incomplete infiltration, and utilizing an imprison strategy to relieve the adsorption dependence on specific surface area. Finally, the challenges and future prospects for low E/S LSBs are discussed.     

Impact of non‐solvent on regeneration of cellulose dissolved in 1‐(carboxymethyl)pyridinium chloride ionic liquid

Cellulose dissolved in ionic liquid (1‐(carboxymethyl)pyridinium chloride)/water (60/40 w/w) mixture is regenerated in various non‐solvents, namely water, ethanol, methanol and acetone, to gain more insight into the contribution of non‐solvent medium to the morphology of regenerated cellulose. To this end, the initial and regenerated celluloses were characterized with respect to crystallinity, thermal stability, chemical structure and surface morphology using wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. According to the results, regardless of non‐solvent type, all regenerated samples have the same chemical structure and lower crystallinity in comparison to the initial cellulose, making them a promising candidate for efficient biofuel production based on enzymatic hydrolysis of cellulose. The reduction in crystallinity of regenerated samples is explained based on the potential of the non‐solvent to break the hydrogen bonds between cellulose chains and ionic liquid molecules as well as the affinity of water and non‐solvent which can be evaluated based on Hansen solubility parameter. The latter also determines the phase‐separation mechanism during the regeneration process, which in turn affects surface morphology of the regenerated cellulose. The pivotal effect of regenerated cellulose crystallinity on its thermal stability is also demonstrated. Regenerated cellulose with lower crystallinity is more susceptible to molecular rearrangement during heating and hence exhibits enhanced thermal stability. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

Inferring kinetic dissolution of NaCl in aqueous glycol solution using a low-cost apparatus and population balance model

An experimental methodology for inferring brine dissolution rate in monoethylene glycol (MEG) solutions at different temperatures using a webcam combined with a mathematical model is presented. The measurement system is designed to track the RGB (red, green, and blue) colour variations during the dissolution process. A dynamic model augmented with the population balance equation is applied to describe the dissolution process. Moreover, the dissolution rate is consistently related to the temperature and MEG concentration through the driving force based on the Gibbs energy and chemical affinity. The applied low-cost measurement apparatus proved to be a useful resource for tracking the dissolution dynamics in a wide range of undersaturation.     

基于萤石溶解/表面转化的含钙矿物表面定向调控浮选技术及机理研究

研究了萤石在白钨矿和方解石表面溶解和转化的可能性, 发现萤石可以在特定的捕收剂体系下作为抑制剂实现含钙矿物的浮选分离。浮选实验结果表明, 萤石作为抑制剂, 在白钨矿和方解石的浮选中, 用量小、作用效果明显; 动电位检测结果证实了萤石能明显降低方解石的动电位, 但对白钨矿基本没有影响; XPS检测结果证明了萤石对方解石的作用主要在于对Ca-O键能的减弱和Ca-F基团的生成, 即在方解石表面生成CaF2膜; AFM检测则可直观观察到方解石表面经过萤石处理之后出现明显的起伏, 印证了离子的侵蚀与CaF₂膜的生成。     

王庄油田粘土矿物转化对储层的影响

王庄油田是水敏性稠油油藏的典型代表，其水敏性在热采过程中的变化直接关系到油田开发方式的选择。针对这一问题，从直接影响水敏性变化的储层粘土矿物入手，在模拟地层环境的基础上通过室内高温高压静态和动态物模实验，并结合X衍射、扫描电镜、元素分析、粒度检测等多种分析测试手段，研究了粘土矿物在100-300℃之间的变化过程，从而找到水敏性的变化规律，进而从机理上解释了渗透率的变化原因，为数值模拟和开发方案制定提供室内研究依据。     

炼油厂碱性污水生物催化氧化预处理工艺研究

在对炼油厂碱性污水水质分析的基础上,提出采用生物催化氧化工艺对碱性污水进行预处理。试验结果表明,在水力停留时间为4 h,曝气量(标准状态)为8 m3／h的条件下,碱性污水的硫化物去除率可达90％以上,出水中的硫化物平均值为15．2 mg/L,CODCR、酚和油的去除率分别为47．5％,44．1％,50．8％,其中CODCR体积负荷为3．85 kg／(m3·d),是传统生化处理的10倍, 达到了污水预处理的目的。