Hollow structured Zn0.76Co0.24S–Co9S8 composite with two-phase synergistic effect as bifunctional catalysts

It is of great significance to develop efficient and inexpensive oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) bifunctional catalysts for the current energy crisis. But this is still a long-term and formidable challenge. In this work, a two-phase synergistic effect between transition metal sulfides is applied in the design of ORR/OER bifunctional catalysts. Co-based zeolite imidazolate framework (MOF) is used as a precursor to prepare the hollow Co₉S₈ through vulcanization and heat treatment. At the same time, the phase transformation occurs to form some Zn_0.76Co_0.24S on surface during the heat treatment due to the Zn-polydopamine coating. The hollow structure Zn_0.76Co_0.24S–Co₉S₈ composite has been verified and promotes the diffusion of reactants and products, and the interaction between two phases greatly promotes the catalytic reactions. The coating of Zn-polydopamine forms uniform carbon layer on surface, enhancing the conductivity of Zn_0.76Co_0.24S–Co₉S₈ composite. The Zn_0.76Co_0.24S–Co₉S₈ composite shows much better performance of ORR and OER compared to any of them. The overpotential of OER at a current density of 10 mA/cm² is 330 mV, and the half-wave potential of ORR is 0.83 V. Additionally, the Zn_0.76Co_0.24S–Co₉S₈ composite displays better cyclic stability. The synergistic effect of Zn_0.76Co_0.24S and Co₉S₈ can be considered as the foremost factor for the improvement of catalyst performance, which provides new possibilities for the development of non-precious metal bifunctional catalysts.     

Anti-tarnish property of sterling silver alloy with yttrium addition

It has been demonstrated that sterling silver alloy is a widely used material in the jewelry industry.The anti-tarnish property is one of the most important properties of this material.In this work,the effect of yttrium on the corrosion resistance,and tarnish resistance properties ofsterling silver alloy were investigated with the use of CIE-LAB uniform color scale,which gained acceptance as an effeetive way to assess color.To better understand the mechanism of the effect,the distribution of yttrium in the alloy was analyzed by mainly segregating in gaps among dendrite crystals and grain boundary.An increase in yttrium content in sterling silver alloy resulted in a decrease in the amount of eutectic structure.The tarnish and corrosion resistance of sterling silver were improved with yttrium content increase.However,too high yttrium conteut will lead to poor anti-tarnish properties.     

Solution-processed ytterbium oxide dielectrics for low-voltage thin-film transistors and inverters

High permittivity (high k) metal-oxide thin films fabricated via solution processes have recently received much attention for the construction of low-operating voltage and high-performance thin-film transistors (TFTs). In this report, amorphous ytterbium oxide (Yb₂O₃) thin films were fabricated by spin coating and their applications in TFTs were explored. The physical properties of the solution-processed Yb₂O₃ thin films processed at different annealing temperatures were systematically investigated using various characterization techniques. To explore the feasibility of the Yb₂O₃ thin films as gate dielectrics for oxide TFTs, In₂O₃ TFTs based on Yb₂O₃ dielectrics were integrated. All the devices could be operated at 3 V, which is critical for the applications in portable, battery-driven, and low-power electronic devices. The optimized In₂O₃/Yb₂O₃ TFT exhibits high electrical performances, including field-effect mobility of 4.98 cm²/V s, on/off current ratio of ~ 10⁶, turn-on voltage around 0 V, and subthreshold swing of 70 mV/decade, respectively. To demonstrate the potential of In₂O₃/Yb₂O₃ TFT toward more complex logic application, the unipolar inverter was further constructed.     

In situ two-step electrochemical preparation of fluoride-free nickel-based compound film on nickel plate for supercapacitors

A nickel-based compound layer was prepared on a nickel plate by anodization in a 75 wt% H_3PO_4 solution containing NH_4F. This layer was then treated by galvanostatic charge/discharge(GCD) until a black outer layer was detached, leaving behind a film on the nickel plate as a binder-free electrode material for supercapacitors. The microstructural characterization shows that the film consists of Ni(OH)_2and NiO, and no fluoride is found in the as-obtained film. Electrochemical tests demonstrate that this fluoride-free film electrode exhibits a high capacitance of 954 F g~(-1)at 7.5 Ag~(-1), excellent rate capability(a 19.5 % capacitance reduction with the current density increasing to 120 Ag~(-1)) and cycling stability.Within 3500 cycles, the specific capacitance does not decrease, but rather increases from 840 Fg~(-1)to approximately 1092 Fg~(-1)in the first 100 cycles at 60 Ag~(-1), and remains stable until the aforementioned layer is detached.     

Ni-Yb二元系的热力学评估（英文）

基于文献报道的相平衡和热化学实验数据,利用相图计算(Calphad)方法对Ni-Yb二元系进行热力学评估。考虑到液相混合焓在25%Yb(摩尔分数)附近有急剧变化,液相采用缔合物模型,组份为Ni、Yb Ni3和Yb;端际固溶体相包括FCC_A1(Ni)、FCC_A1(Yb)和BCC_A2(Yb),均采用亚规则溶体模型,并按照Redlich-Kister多项式进行描述;中间化合物Yb_2Ni_(17)、YbNi_5、YbNi_3、YbNi_2、α-YbNi和β-YbNi都没有明显的固溶度实验数据,均按严格计量比处理。优化得到的Ni-Yb二元系热力学参数自洽合理,能够很好地再现该体系的热化学性质和相图数据。     

Effect of diisocyanate on pyridine containing shape memory polyurethanes based on N,N‐bis(2‐hydroxylethyl)isonicotinamide

This article demonstrates a comparative investigation about the effect of diisocyanate on pyridine containing shape memory polyurethanes (Py‐SMPUs), which are synthesized with N,N‐bis(2‐hydroxylethyl)isonicotinamide (BINA) and four different diisocyanates: 1,6‐hexanediisocyante (HDI), isophorone diisocyanate (IPDI), methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI), and tolylene diisocyanate (TDI). Results show that all BINA–SMPU systems have amorphous reversible phase. Comparatively, the MDI–BINA and TDI–BINA systems show higher T_g; and the HDI–BINA and IPDI–BINA systems show better thermal stability. In addition, the HDI–BINA and the IPDI–BINA systems exhibit good thermal‐induced shape memory effect and good moisture‐sensitive shape memory effect due to their better moisture absorption properties. Particularly, the HDI–BINA system has better response speed and better shape recovery. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40721.     

Tuning of dielectric and ferroelectric properties in single phase BiFeO3 ceramics with controlled Fe/Fe ratio

Single phase multiferroic BiFeO₃ (BFO) ceramics were synthesized with controllable amount of Fe²⁺ and oxygen vacancies in a very wide concentration range. Double ferroelectric hysteresis loops are observed in fresh BFO ceramics at room temperature without any aging processes. Detailed study shows that this is due to the defect dipoles which have preferential orientations antiparallel to the direction of spontaneous polarization, providing a driving force for domain back-switching. The dielectric constant of BFO could be enormously enhanced by 100 times by increasing the Fe²⁺ content, employing a polaronic relaxation process.     

负热膨胀材料的研究现状及展望

概述了负热膨胀材料的发展历程及国内外研究进展和发展方向,介绍目前所发现的负热膨胀材料的种类及结构特征,整理归纳国内外对负热膨胀的微观机理的认识,综述制备负热膨胀材料的传统工艺和新工艺方法,并主要介绍近年来对负热膨胀材料机理的新认识和主要研究成果,探讨负热膨胀材料研究所面临的问题和潜在的应用价值。     

电化学方法制备单一稀土金属钆薄膜

研究室温下在熔盐体系中用电沉积方法于铜基体上沉积单一金属钆,分析了沉积液中主盐的含量、电流密度、电沉积时间及沉积液的pH值选择等工艺参数对沉积薄膜的形貌和金属Gd含量的影响.经X射线能谱仪(EDS)测定,其中Gd的质量分数为93.56%;经扫描电子显微镜(SEM)观察所得沉积薄膜为均匀、光滑、致密的银白色沉积膜;经X射线衍射仪(XRD)分析,所得沉积薄膜的晶体结构为立方晶;通过X射线光电子能谱仪(XPS)对沉积薄膜表面价态分析,证明所得沉积薄膜为单一稀土金属钆.用聚乙烯醇保护膜涂覆可以使稀土沉积薄膜免于氧化.     

High-aligned carbon nanotube film with netlike bulges

High-aligned carbon nanotubes film with netlike bulges made of catalyst particles has been synthesized on a silica wafer by pyrolyzing ferrocene/melamine mixtures. The structure and composition of carbon nanotubes are investigated by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS). It is found that these nanotubes have uniform outer diameters of about 25 nm and lengths of about 40 μm. High-resolution TEM images show that each carbon nanotube is composed of graphite-like layers arranged in a stacked-cup-like structure. XPS spectrum shows that the crust covering the tops of the aligned carbon nanotube film consists of carbon, iron and ferric oxide. The EELS spectrum shows that these nanotubes are pure-carbon tubes. The formation mechanism of the netlike bulges has been provided.