Significant hydrogen isotopes permeation resistance via nitride nano-multilayer coating

This work demonstrated a significant hydrogen isotopes permeation resistance in nitride nano-multilayer coatings. Dense and homogeneous CrN/AlTiN nano-multilayer coatings with different period-thicknesses were fabricated as hydrogen isotopes permeation barriers (HIPB) to highlight the effect of interface on hydrogen isotopes permeation resistance. Deuterium permeation measurement found that the nano-multilayer coatings had much higher permeation reduction factors (PRF) than the corresponding monolayer coatings, and more importantly there was an interface-number-dependent deuterium permeation resistance where the nano-multilayer coating containing more interfaces had higher PRF. Interfaces in the nano-multilayer coatings play a key role in the significant improved deuterium permeation resistance which was explained from three aspects. Ceramic nano-multilayer coatings offer a promising alternative for the design and preparation of HIPB in the hydrogen related fields.     

PrBaCo2-xTaxO5+δ based composite materials as cathodes for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells with high CO2 resistance

PrBaCo₂O_5+δ (PBC) with high catalytic activity is identified as a prospective cathode material for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). However, its poor chemical stability hinders its application. To address this problem, a Ta-doping strategy was presented in this study. The cathode with Ta-doping PBC was applied in proton conducting SOFCs. And the influence of Ta-doping on the crystal structure, electrochemical performance, structure stability and electrical conductivity of PBC was investigated. The resistance to CO₂ of PBC at elevated temperature is significantly improved with Ta-doping. The electrochemical performance measurements indicated that a low Ta-doping concentration did not change the performance of the cells obviously, while large Ta-doping concentration could lower the fuel cell performance.     

Three-dimensional Ni2P–MoP2 mesoporous nanorods array as self-standing electrocatalyst for highly efficient hydrogen evolution

Electrochemical hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) via the splitting of water has required electrocatalysts with cost-effectiveness, environmentally friendliness, high catalytic activity, and superior stability to meet the hydrogen economy in future. In this context, we report the successful synthesis of self-standing mesoporous Ni₂P–MoP₂ nanorod arrays on nickel foam (Ni₂P–MoP₂ NRs/3D-NF) through an effective phosphidization of the corresponding NiMoO₄ NRs/3D-NF. The as-synthesis Ni₂P–MoP₂ NRs/3D-NF, as an efficient HER electrocatalyst, exhibits small overpotential of 82.2 and 124.7 mV to reach current density of 10 and 50 mA cm⁻², a low Tafel slope of 52.9 mV dec⁻¹ and it retains its catalytic performance for at least 20 h in alkaline condition. Our work also offers a new strategy in designing and using transition metal phosphide-based 3D nanoarrays catalysts with enhanced catalytic efficiency for mass production of hydrogen fuels.     

Double layers glaze analysis of the Fujian export blue-and-white porcelain from the Witte Leeuw shipwreck (1613)

Witte Leeuw was a cargo ship owned and operated by the Dutch East Indian Company. The wreck of this vessel is known for yielding a comprehensive range of Jingdezhen manufactured, blue-and-white export porcelains, particularly kraak wares; together with Fujian blue-and-white export porcelains, known as Swatow wares. A large number of ceramic fragments have been recovered from this wreck and currently reside in collections at the Rijksmuseum. For this study nine ceramic specimens were selected for further investigation, with the aim of determining the structure, composition and manufacturing process of the double-layer glazes. Both digital optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy were used to examine the glaze morphology and microstructure; whilst energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy was utilised to measure the spatial distribution of chemical elements and to determine bulk elemental compositions. Raman spectroscopy was also trialled, with the technique being applied to the measurement of molecular vibrations within the silicon-oxygen network and associated alkali metal oxides, with the aim of identifying potential differences in the glaze layers. Examining the ceramic specimens, the blue decorations were applied between two layers of glaze, and the majority of the blue colour extends into the outermost layer, often exhibiting dissolution in the outer layer glaze. The two layers of the glaze appear to be formulated from different compositional recipes. Some export Swatow blue-and-white wares made in the Wanli Period (1573–1620) were glazed twice and fired twice.     

Synthesis of lignosulfonate-acrylamide-dimethyldiallylammonium chloride copolymer and its flocculation performance

In this work, lignosulfonate-acrylamide-dimethyldiallylammonium chloride (LAD) terpolymer was designed and synthesized by microwave-assisted graft polymerization. The optimal synthetic process was obtained as follows: the monomer ratio was 1:4:4, the amount of initiator was 0.9% (w/w), the monomer solid content was 21 wt %, and the reaction time was 14 min with the microwave power of 280 W. Furthermore, the flocculation performance of LAD was verified by removing acid black-172 dye wastewater. At the LAD dosage of 350 mg L⁻¹, the maximum color removal ratio reached 99.8% in 100 mg L⁻¹ of dye wastewater. The dynamics of dye removal reached higher than 90% after 20 s. The flocculant can maintain color removal ratio more than 98% in a wide flocculant dosage and environmental pH. The flocculation mechanism was mainly electrical neutralization and bridging effect. In general, it is a promising candidate in wastewater treatment in terms of cost, synthetic method, and effectiveness. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48560.     

Modification of the ultrasonication derived-g-C3N4 nanosheets/quantum dots by MoS2 nanostructures to improve electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction

In this work, graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) nanosheets/quantum dots (NS/QD) was prepared using a simple and low-cost procedure. By two steps exfoliation in a bath and tip sonicator, the g-C₃N₄ (NS/QD) was produced from bulk g-C₃N₄. To improve electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), the g-C₃N₄ (NS/QD) were modified by the MoS₂ nanostructures. Nanocomposite of the g-C₃N₄ (NS/QD) with MoS₂ nanostructures was deposited on a flexible, conductive and three dimensional carbon cloth by a facile and binder-free electrophoretic technique. This electrode exhibited a Tafel slope of 88 mV/dec and an overpotential of 0.28 V vs RHE at −2 mA/cm², lower than that of the g-C₃N₄, and good stability after 1000 cycles and 100 days for HER. The enhanced electrocatalytic performance was attributed to the MoS₂ and g-C₃N₄ nanostructures on three dimensional carbon cloth, leading to high surface area and more number of the exposed active sites for HER. This heterostructure improved charge transport, proton adsorption and hydrogen evolution on the electrode. This work proposes cost-effective, stable and three dimensional g-C₃N₄ based electrode for hydrogen evolution reaction.     

A novel anions and cations co-doped strategy for developing high-performance cobalt-free cathode for intermediate-temperature proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells

The sluggish activity of cathode at intermediate-temperature limits commercialization of proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells (H-SOFCs). In this investigation, a novel cathode of Ba_0.95Ca_0.05Fe_0.85Sn_0.05Y_0.1O_2.9−δF_0.1 was successfully developed by co-doping of anion F and cations Ca, Sn, Y. We studied the effect of F⁻-doping on phase structure, electrical conductivity and electrochemical properties of the cell. Compared with Ba_0.95Ca_0.05Fe_0.85Sn_0.05Y_0.1O_3−δ, F⁻-doped Ba_0.95Ca_0.05Fe_0.85Sn_0.05Y_0.1O_3−δ exhibited higher conductivity. Composite cathode consisting of Ba_0.95Ca_0.05Fe_0.85Sn_0.05Y_0.1O_2.9−δF_0.1 and Sm_0.2Ce_0.8O_2−δ was applied in H-SOFCs with BaZr_0.1Ce_0.7Y_0.2O_3−δ electrolyte which achieves an encouraging performance with the maximum power density of 1050 mW cm⁻² and polarization resistance of 0.04 Ω cm² at 700 °C. The result of First-principles calculations based on spin-polarized Density Functional Theory shows that doping of F⁻ reduces the activation energy required for migration of oxygen ions. These results demonstrate that the anions and cations co-doped strategy can provide a new horizon for the cathode in H-SOFCs.     

Direct measurement of electrocaloric effect in lead-free (Na0.5Bi0.5)TiO3-based multilayer ceramic capacitors

Multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs) of lead-free NBT-based ceramics are produced and their electrocaloric effect (ECE) is characterised for the first time. Dense MLCCs with 97μm-thick active layers are successfully produced by tape casting. Dielectric permittivity measurements reveal the MLCCs to have properties similar with that reported for the corresponding bulk ceramics, including T_d∼50°C and T_S∼100°C. Direct ECE measurements also reveal agreement and confirm the previously reported tendency of the high-field ECE peak to shift towards T_S. The highest value of ECE, ΔT_max∼1.7K is measured at 90°C under 90kV/cm. A low breakdown strength of 93kV/cm needs to be solved to realise stronger electric fields and achieve commercially viable ECE values.     

溶解氧变化对阴极极化下10Ni5CrMo钢氢脆敏感性的影响

摘要：为研究溶解氧质量浓度对10Ni5CrMo钢在阴极极化条件下氢脆敏感性影响规律，对10Ni5CrMo钢进行了阴极极化下的电化学交流阻抗谱测试﹑并采用慢应变速率拉伸实验和断口分析方法研究了海水中溶解氧质量浓度变化和不同阴极极化下10Ni5CrMo钢的氢脆敏感性。结果表明：溶解氧质量浓度变化对10Ni5CrMo钢强度几乎没有影响；同一溶解氧质量浓度下，随极化电位负移，断裂时间、伸长率、断面收缩率明显降低，氢脆系数增加，氢脆敏感性显著提高，极化电位达到-1000mV时，氢脆系数已超过安全区允许的最高值25%，进入危险区；同一极化电位下，随着海水中溶解氧质量浓度减少，材料塑性变差，断裂时间、伸长率和断面收缩率不断降低，氢脆系数增加，氢脆敏感性提高。