Synthesis and characterization of Co5Cr2(P2O7)4 - New pyrophosphate as a colouring substance

A new pyrophosphate(V) of the formula Co₅Cr₂(P₂O₇)₄ was obtained in the system Co₂P₂O₇–Cr₄(P₂O₇)₃ as a result of solid-state reactions taking place between different reactants. The new compound crystallizes in the orthorhombic system and belongs to the family of pyrophosphates of the general formula M₅²⁺M₂³⁺(P₂O₇)₄ and is probably isostructural with Fe₅²⁺Fe₂³⁺(P₂O₇)₄. Powder diffraction pattern, infrared spectrum and SEM image of the new compound were presented. As a new potential inorganic pigment, Co₅Cr₂(P₂O₇)₄ was tested for its thermal stability, particle size distribution and colour properties, which were studied both for powder and after introduction into organic matrix and leadless ceramic glaze. The colour of Co₅Cr₂(P₂O₇)₄ powder was defined as deep grey with the colour coordinates L*/a*/b* = 60.63/-1.42/-3.41 and according to the hue angle (h° = 247.39°) it belongs to the blue region. Co₅Cr₂(P₂O₇)₄, with its relatively high thermal stability (t _m = 1230 ± 10 °C) and appropriate colour properties, is a good candidate to be used as inorganic pigment for colouring of acrylic paints. In the case of leadless glaze, the obtained compound acts as a dye.     

High-rate capability of carbon-coated micron-sized hexagonal TT-Nb2O5 composites for lithium-ion battery

With excellent specific capacity, superior cycle stability, safety and strong practical, Nb₂O₅ has been considered as one of the prospective anode materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, current study suggests that Nb₂O₅ electrode materials for LIBs still face the vital issues of low electrical conductivity and poor rate performance. Therefore, carbon-coated TT-Nb₂O₅ materials are designed and synthesized through solid state method in this work, which present high specific capacity (228 mA h g^?1 at 0.2C), satisfactory rate properties (107 mA h g^?1 at 20 C). The outstanding electrochemical property can not only give the credit to the pseudocapacitance effect of TT-Nb₂O₅, but also attribute to introduction of carbon. The homogeneous carbon-coated materials enhance the electrical conductivity, increase the electron transmission speed and alleviate particle crushing. This research not only offers a new method for preparing excellent electrode materials, but also provides a kind of excellent anode material with prospective application for LIBs.     

Fabrication and characterization of In doped Li13.9Sr0.1Zn(GeO4+δ)4 electrolytes for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells

Li_13.9Sr_0.1Zn(GeO_4+δ)₄ (LSZG) materials can exhibit proton conduction by Li⁺/H⁺ ion exchange in hydrogen atmosphere. It can be used in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) as an electrolyte. In this study, In³⁺ doped LSZG powders are synthesized by sol-gel method. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, thermal gravimetric analyzer, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy are used to investigate the effects of In doping on LSZG. All Li_13.9-xIn_xSr_0.1Zn(GeO_4+δ)₄ (LISZG, 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.3) ceramics exhibit the same phase with LSZG. The dopant of In promotes the sintering activity and Li⁺/H⁺ ion exchange rate of LSZG. The optimum doping of In is x = 0.2. At 600 °C, Li_13.7In_0.2Sr_0.1Zn(GeO_4+δ)₄ (0.2LISZG) shows a proton conductivity of 0.094 S/cm under 0.9 V direct current bias voltage. In addition, the single cell based on 0.2LISZG electrolyte is prepared, and it has been demonstrated that the practical utilization of 0.2LISZG in IT-SOFCs is feasible.     

A novel foam glass obtained from solid waste: A sustainable strategy for application in the degradation of an environmental pollutant

Foams glass were obtained from solid waste of flat glass and exhausted alkaline batteries. The physical, chemical, crystalline and morphological properties of the samples were obtained using the Archimedes principle, X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results revealed glass foams with apparent porosities in the range of 55–64% and apparent densities in the range of 0.40–0.79 g cm^?3. The manganese oxide and graphite contained within the cathode of alkaline batteries acted as both oxidizing agents and as foaming agents. The zinc contained in the anode acted as a pore stabilizing agent and the zinc oxide as a semiconductor material. The foam glass that was composed of flat glass with an anode of Zn and ZnO, and a cathode of Mn₂O₃ and Mn₃O₄ (named An8), showed the greatest potential for heterogeneous photocatalysis, with a maximum efficiency of 95.9% after 3 h of treatment of solution containing dye. These results suggest the feasibility of producing foam glass from waste, as well as its potential application in photocatalytic systems, such as in the low-cost treatment of water.     

Efficient hydrogen production for industry and electricity storage via high-temperature electrolysis

The paper describes the development status of Sunfire's reversible solid oxide cell (RSOC) technology. Here, Sunfire is a pioneer in the field of high-temperature electrolysers (HTE) for renewable hydrogen production which can be operated as a fuel cell for power generation in a reverse mode. The maturity of the technology is improved stepwise so that first applications in the field of hydrogen production for industry and electricity storage can be tackled. Three application examples where larger scale prototype has been installed will be discussed: 1) A power-to-power electricity storage based on hydrogen, 2) a RSOC unit that is installed in an iron and steel works, and 3) a pressurized SOEC prototype which will be integrated with a methanation unit. Results show the potentials of the technology in connection with fluctuating renewable energy sources.     

Effect of humidity on La0.4Sr0.6Co0.2Fe0.7Nb0.1O3−δ cathode of solid oxide fuel cells

Solid oxide fuel cells cathode often suffers from degradation caused by water vapor in air. Here, we report a cathode material, La_0.4Sr_0.6Co_0.2Fe_0.7Nb_0.1O_3−δ (LSCFN), and evaluate its humidity tolerance by the characterization of the materials in wet air with different water vapor concentration at different temperature. The X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that the crystal structure of LSCFN is relatively stable in wet air with no observable impurity. However, a crystalline contraction is observed. Exposure of wet air to LSCFN causes the decrease of electrical conductivity and increase of polarization resistance because H₂O might occupy the active sites for oxygen reduction reaction. For long-term operation, higher H₂O concentration in air accelerates the degradation of LSCFN cathode.     

基于(火用)效率目标的环冷机余热回收系统操作参数优化

摘要：针对烧结环冷机余热回收利用率不高的难题，采用分析法建立了评价某钢铁厂烧结环冷机余热回收系统运行效率的效率模型。基于多孔介质模型、局部非热平衡方程、真实气体SRK方程建立环冷机内气固两相换热模型。通过CFD仿真模拟，探究料层高度、循环风机输入烟气温度、烧结矿底部入口风速三项可控环冷机运行工艺参数对系统效率的影响规律。结果表明，料层厚度在1～1.5 m区间每增加0.1 m，效率增加0.8%～1.1%；循环风温在100～140℃之间每增加10℃，效率增加1.4%～1.5%；烧结矿底部入口风速在0.9～1.9 m/s之间每增加0.1 m/s，效率降低0.18%～0.24%。在此基础上，基于工业运行数据建立效率正交试验优化模型，提高了该余热回收系统3.42%的效率。     

Effect of storage time and temperature on hydrogen fermentation of food waste

Practically, before being fed to the treatment plant, food waste (FW) is stored for up to a week in a storage tank under ambient temperature condition, which would have an impact on the bioenergy yield. In the present work, FW was stored at different temperatures (5 °C, 20 °C, and 35 °C) for 0 d, 1 d, and 2 d, and it was used as a feedstock for mesophilic H₂ fermentation. H₂ production curves were divided by three groups, finally attaining 1.7–1.8 mol H₂/mol hexose_added, 1.4–1.5 mol H₂/mol hexose_added, and 1.2 mol H₂/mol hexose_added, achieved from the (fresh, FW stored at 5 °C), (FW stored at 20 °C, and 35 °C for 1 d), and (FW stored at 35 °C for 2 d), respectively. The different performance was attributed to the growth of indigenous lactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus and Weissella during storage under high temperature condition. In addition, it was found that the activity of homoacetogenic reaction (R17, 4H₂ + CO₂ → Acetate) calculated by establishing metabolic flux balance was different depending on the H₂ production performance. The flux of R17 ranged 0.03–0.06 under low H₂ yield achieved conditions, while it increased to 0.10–0.17 those showing low H₂ yields.