Self-assembled cubic-hexagonal perovskite nanocomposite as intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cell cathode

Self-assembly is an emerging strategy for preparing composite cathodes with good oxygen electrochemical reduction activity and congenital chemical compatibility for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cell (IT-SOFC). Here we report that a self-assembled BaCo_0.6Zr_0.4O_3-δ (BZC-BC) nanocomposite is prepared through one-pot glycine-nitrate process and exhibits high cathode performance. The BZC-BC nanocomposite is composed of 62 mol% cubic perovskite BaZr_0.82Co_0.18O_3-δ (BZC) as an ionic conductor and 38 mol% hexagonal perovskite BaCo_0.96Zr_0.04O_2.6+δ (12H-BC) as a mixed ionic and electronic conductor. The BZC-BC nanocomposite has the pomegranate-like particles aggregated with a larger number of nanoparticles (50-100 nm) which greatly enlarge the three-phase boundary sites. The BZC-BC nanocomposite exhibits a thermal expansion coefficient of 12.89 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹ well-matched with that of Ce_0.8Gd_0.2O_3-δ (12.84 × 10⁻⁶ K⁻¹) electrolyte. The high electro-catalytic activity of BZC-BC nanocomposite cathode for oxygen reduction is reflected by the low polarization resistances of oxygen ions incorporation at cathode/electrolyte interface (0.02823 Ω cm²), oxygen species diffusion (0.03702 Ω cm²) and oxygen adsorptive dissociation (0.07609 Ω cm²) at 700 °C. The single cell with BZC-BC nanocomposite cathode achieves the maximum power density of 1094 mW cm⁻² at 650 °C and shows good stability under 25 h run.     

Ion beam induced evolution of surface morphology and optical properties of SnO2–ZnO nanocomposite thin films

SnO₂–ZnO nanocomposite thin films, prepared by a simple carbothermal reduction based vapor deposition method, were irradiated with 8 MeV Si³⁺ ions for engineering the morphological and optical properties. The surface morphology of the nanocomposites was studied by atomic force microscopy (AFM), while the optical properties were investigated by photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL) and Raman spectroscopy. AFM studies on the irradiated samples revealed growth of nanoparticles at lower fluence and a significant change in surface morphology leading to the formation of nanosheets and their aggregates at higher fluences. A tentative mechanism underlying the observed ion induced evolution of surface morphology of SnO₂–ZnO nanocomposite is proposed. PL studies revealed strong enhancement in the UV emissions from the nanocomposite thin film at lower fluence, while a drastic decrease in the UV emissions along with a significant enhancement in the defect emissions has been observed at higher fluences.     

Performance improvement of conventional and inverted polymer solar cells with hydrophobic fluoropolymer as nonvolatile processing additive

The morphology of the photoactive layer critically affects the performance of the bulk heterojunction polymer solar cells (PSCs). To control the morphology, we introduced a hydrophobic fluoropolymer polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) as nonvolatile additive into the P3HT:PCBM active layer. The effect of PVDF on the surface and the bulk morphology were investigated by atomic force microscope and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. Through the repulsive interactions between the hydrophilic PCBM and the hydrophobic PVDF, much more uniform phase separation with good P3HT crystallinity is formed within the active layer, resulting enhanced light harvesting and improved photovoltaic performance in conventional devices. The PCE of the conventional device can improve from 2.40% to 3.07% with PVDF additive. The PVDF distribution within the active layer was investigated by secondary ion mass spectroscopy, confirming a bottom distribution of PVDF. Therefore, inverted device structure was designed, and the PCE can improve from 2.81% to 3.45% with PVDF additive. Our findings suggest that PVDF is a promising nonvolatile processing additive for high performance polymer solar cells.     

Sanitary legislation governing Food Services in Brazil

The Technical Regulation of Good Practices for Brazilian Food Services (Regulamento Técnico de Boas Práticas para Serviços de Alimentação do Brasil) can be complemented by sanitary surveillance agencies at the state, district and municipal levels by tailoring it to location-specific requirements. The purpose of the present study was to survey sanitary legislation governing Brazilian Food Services. During the period from November 2011 to November 2012, a survey was conducted with the sanitary surveillance agencies from the various states, capitals and the Federal District. A previously prepared and tested tool was used for data collection, comprising 10 questions. Only 10 (19.2%) of the sanitary codes had been established prior to RDC Resolution n° 216/2004 and were not complementary. Of the legislation cited as complementary, only the states of Santa Catarina, Rio Grande do Sul and São Paulo and the capital of the state of São Paulo truly presented additional and location-specific aspects. No legislation that was specific to hospital kitchens was found. The majority of participating coordination, including the Evaluation List for Good Practices in Food Services, was also verified; however, it had not been published. In conclusion, a gap in sanitary surveillance services exists, which was caused by the lack of location-specific food service regulations.     

Doping-free hybrid white organic light-emitting diodes with fluorescent blue,phosphorescent green and red emission layers

Industrialized white organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) currently require host-guest doping, a complicated process necessitating precise control of the guest concentration to get high efficiency and stability. Two doping-free, hybrid white OLEDs with fluorescent blue, and phosphorescent green and red emissive layers (EMLs) are reported in this work. An ultra-thin red phosphorescent EML was situated in a blue-emitting electron transport layer (ETL), while the ultra-thin green phosphorescent EML was placed either in the ETL (Device 1), or the hole transport layer (HTL) (Device 2). Device 2 exhibits higher efficiency and more stable spectrum due to the enhanced utilization of excitons by ultra-thin green EML at the exciton generation zone within the HTL. Values of current efficiency (CE), power efficiency (PE), and CRI obtained for the optimized hybrid white OLEDs fabricated through a doping-free process were of 23.2 cd/A, 20.5 lm/W and 82 at 1000 cd/m², respectively.     

Three Ln(III)-2,3,5-trichlorobenzoate coordination polymers (Ln = Tb,Ho and Er): Syntheses,structures and magnetic properties

Three novel lanthanide polymers, [Ln(III)(L)₃EtOH]_n (Ln = Tb(1), Ho(2), Er(3), HL = 2,3,5-trichlorobenzoic acid), have been solvothermal synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and element analyses. The three polymers crystallize in triclinic space group P-1. The Ln(III) ions are in turn bridged by double and quadruple carboxylate of L⁻ ligands to form one-dimensional (1D) chains. Magnetic studies reveal that polymer 1 demonstrates dominant ferromagnetic behavior, polymer 2 shows antiferromagnetic behavior, and polymer 3 present spin-canting behavior.     

Nickel foam-supported Fe,Ni-Polyporphyrin microparticles: Efficient bifunctional catalysts for overall water splitting in alkaline media

Developing highly active, stable and sustainable electrocatalysts for overall water splitting is of great importance to generate renewable H₂ for fuel cells. Herein, we report the synthesis of electrocatalytically active, nickel foam-supported, spherical core-shell Fe-poly(tetraphenylporphyrin)/Ni-poly(tetraphenylporphyrin) microparticles (FeTPP@NiTPP/NF). We also show that FeTPP@NiTPP/NF exhibits efficient bifunctional electrocatalytic properties toward both the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Electrochemical tests in KOH solution (1 M) reveal that FeTPP@NiTPP/NF electrocatalyzes the OER with 100 mA cm⁻² at an overpotential of 302 mV and the HER with 10 mA cm⁻² at an overpotential of 170 mV. Notably also, its catalytic performance for OER is better than that of RuO₂, the benchmark OER catalyst. Although its catalytic activity for HER is slightly lower than that of Pt/C (the benchmark HER electrocatalyst), it shows greater stability than the latter during the reaction. The material also exhibits electrocatalytic activity for overall water splitting reaction at a current density of 10 mA cm⁻² with a cell voltage of 1.58 V, along with a good recovery property. Additionally, the work demonstrates a new synthetic strategy to an efficient, noble metal-free-coordinated covalent organic framework (COF)-based, bifunctional electrocatalyst for water splitting.     

Fabrication and frequency response of a complex ultrasonic transducer for multilayer evaluation

To characterize the thickness of a corrosive fluid system's coated facilities, such as pipes, tubes, tanks, and structural members, a complex ultrasonic transducer capable of measuring multilayered parts was fabricated and the time and frequency responses were evaluated. The target transducer was constructed with two active dual elements made from tape-cast PbNb₂O₆ sheets and an additional thin-film active element made from sol–gel spin-coated Pb(Zr_0.52Ti_0.48)O₃ films. After adjusting the properties of each active element, a complex transducer was assembled after matching the impedance of each element and considering the minimal interference between the active layers. The impulse response of the assembled complex transducer shows excellent characteristics. Moreover, the assembled transducer's capability of accurately measuring the thickness assures that it can be directly applied to related industries.