A novel combustion fuel for the synthesis of nanocrystalline ZnAl2O4 particles based on the thermodynamic correlations and their structural and optical studies

ZnAl₂O₄ nanocrystalline particles were prepared using the solution combustion method using a new combustion fuel, Leucine. The prepared samples' structural, microstructural–elemental composition, and optical characteristics were investigated using XRD, SEM-EDS, and UV–Visible spectroscopy. As-synthesized ZnAl₂O₄ nanoparticles are polycrystalline, with no secondary phases, and crystallized in a cubic - spinel structure. The polycrystalline nature of the prepared sample is due to the exothermicity of fuel and oxidizer, which demonstrate that the fuel utilized (Leucine) provided adequate energy for the production of nanoparticles in their as-synthesized form, as supported by adiabatic temperature through thermodynamic calculations. The thermodynamic calculations also include a universal method to estimate the specific heat capacity at constant pressure. Furthermore, even after 2 h of calcination at 600 °C, ZnAl₂O₄ exhibits a single phase with no secondary phases, indicating the material stability and single-phase nature. The crystallinity of ZnAl₂O₄ nanoparticles was observed to increase with increasing annealing temperature. SEM micrographs of as-synthesized samples exhibit the formation of dense particles, voids, and pores in the as-synthesized sample. In addition, tiny aggregates were detected on the surface of more prominent clusters, which reduced as the calcination progressed. In addition, calcined samples exhibit a greater optical reflectance than as-synthesized samples. Tauc's graphs were used to compute the optical energy bandgap. The calculated energy band gap is redshifted to that of the bulk material. The bandgap energy decreases upon calcination, suggesting that the prepared materials have a larger crystallite size or more crystallinity. Correlations were found between the T_ad, and the structural and optical properties of the prepared samples. The findings suggest that Leucine could be used as a novel combustion fuel to produce crystalline ZnAl₂O₄ nanoparticles in their as-synthesis form.     

Impact of urban development on residents’ public transportation travel energy consumption in China: An analysis of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles alternatives

Urban development has an important influence on the energy consumption of transportation. To develop public transportation is one of the important ways to decrease the energy consumption of urban transportation. It is very urgent to upgrade technology to reduce the energy consumption and emissions of the vehicles constantly. The popularization of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles is the trend of the future automobile industry, which can effectively reduce traffic energy consumption and alleviate urban pollution. This article analyzes the impact of urban development on public transport and private transportation energy consumption from 2013 to 2015; and uses hydrogen fuel cell vehicles alternatives in urban public transport as a scenario. It shows that urban economic development can effectively reduce public transport. Population growth will increase greatly energy consumption of public transport, while larger cities with reasonable spatial density can reduce traffic energy consumption. Moreover, hydrogen fuel cell vehicles can effectively reduce the energy consumption and pollution emissions of urban transportation during operating. Based on the above conclusions, this article will eventually provide targeted recommendations for the development of Chinese cities, public transport, and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles.     

Oil Demand and Stocks

Current data of world oil demand. This includes international bunkers and refinery fuel. Updated on a monthly basis. Current data of oil demand from counties such as Canada, the United States of America, Japan, OECD Europe, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, Australia, Mexico, Republic of Korea, and Turkey. Updated on a monthly basis. Current data for crude oil and refined product stocks in Canada, Chile, Mexico, the United States (Western Hemisphere), France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Spain, the United Kingdom and Other Europe (Europe), Japan, Republic of Korea, Other Pacific (Asia-Pacific), and Total OECD (Table 12.1) Current data for refined product stocks in the OECD Western Hemisphere, OECD Europe, OECD Asia-Pacific and Total OECD. Products include gasoline, diesel and gasoil, and heavy fuel oil. Updated on a monthly basis (Table 12.2).     

Maximization of quadruple phase boundary for alkaline membrane fuel cell using non-stoichiometric α-MnO2 as cathode catalyst

Oxygen can only be reduced at the quadruple phase boundary (catalyst, carbon support, ionomer and oxygen) of the cathode catalyst layer with non-conducting electrocatalyst. To maximize the quadruple phase boundary sites is crucial to increase the peak power density of each membrane electrode assembly. The quadruple phase boundary is depending on the ratio of catalyst, carbon support and ionomer. The loading of catalyst layer is also crucial to the fuel cell performance. In this study, non-stoichiometric α-MnO₂ manganese dioxide nanorod material has been synthesized and the ratios of carbon, ionomer and catalyst loadings were optimized in alkaline membrane fuel cell. In total, ten membrane electrode assemblies have been manufactured and tested. Taguchi design method has been applied in order to understand the effect of each parameter. The conclusion finds out the ionomer has more influence on the alkaline membrane fuel cell peak power performance than carbon and loading.     

Formation of radioactive cesium microparticles originating from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident: characteristics and perspectives

ABSTRACT

Following identification of radioactive Cs microparticles (CsMPs) in aerosol samples from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP), numerous reports on CsMPs have been published. This paper reviews recent progress in the measurement and characterization of CsMPs by advanced analytical techniques, including advanced transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and synchrotron X-ray analysis. These analyses revealed that the CsMPs contained Si, Fe, Zn, Cs, and minor quantities of U together with some fission products. Uranium in the CsMPs was identified as being in the form of uraninite and (U,Zr)O₂. Detailed advanced TEM analysis has clarified some of the processes resulting in the alteration of constituents of the nuclear fuels and containment vessel materials during this severe accident. In addition, a detailed report on the elemental compositions and structures of the fuel debris fragments collected inside and outside of the primary containment vessel²⁵ highlighted the fact that the fuel debris fragments contained nanoparticles with the U and Zr components having similar structures to that of the CsMPs. This similarity in structures has stimulated further research on the structure and elemental constituents, especially for U and Zr in the CsMPs, and has opened up new avenues for studying the chemical characteristics of the fuel debris.     

Supporting hydrogen technologies deployment in EU regions and Member States: The Smart Specialisation Platform on Energy (S3PEnergy)

In order to maximise European, national and regional research and innovation potential the European Union is investing in these fields through different funding mechanisms such as the ESIF or H2020 programme. This investment plan is part of the European 2020 strategy, where the concept of Smart Specialisation is also included.Smart Specialisation is an innovation policy concept designed to promote the efficient and effective use of public investment in regional innovation in order to achieve economic growth. The Smart Specialisation Platform was created to support this concept by assisting regions and Member States in developing, implementing and reviewing their research and innovation Smart Specialisation strategies.The Smart Specialisation Platform comprises several thematic platforms. The thematic Smart Specialisation Platform on energy (S3PEnergy) is a joint initiative of three European Commission services: DG REGIO, DG ENER, and the Joint Research Centre (JRC). The main objective of the S3PEnergy is to support the optimal and effective uptake of the Cohesion Policy funds for energy, and to better align energy innovation activities at national, local and regional level through the identification of the technologies and innovative solutions that support in the most cost-effective way the EU energy policy priorities.In the particular case of hydrogen technologies, the activities of the platform are mainly focused on supporting the new Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking (FCH JU) initiative involving regions and cities. To date, more than 80 European cities and regions have committed to participate in this initiative through the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding, and more participants are expected to join. S3PEnergy is helping in the identification of potential combination of H2020 funding (provided through FCH JU) and ESIF.To identify potential synergies among these two funding sources, a mapping of the different ESIF opportunities has been performed. In order to map these opportunities, Operational Programmes (OPs) and research and innovation strategies for Smart Specialisation (RIS3) of the different European regions and Member States were analysed. The results of this mapping and analysis are presented in this paper.     

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.     

基于镧锶锰氧化物基阴极的中温固体氧化物燃料电池的性能优化研究

为了提高基于镧锶锰氧化物(LaxSr1-xMnO3,LSM)阴极的中温固体氧化物燃料电池(Solid Oxide Fuel Cell,SOFC)的电化学性能,文章利用CuO清扫Ce0.85Sm0.15O2-δ(SDC)晶界的SiO2杂质以提高SDC的离子电导率,制备了复合电解质材料SDC-CuO,并将SDC-CuO和LSM结合成复合阴极材料,随后分别制备了以LSM和LSM/SDC-CuO作为阴极的SOFC,并研究了这两种SOFC的电化学性能。研究结果表明:在开路电压和工作温度为800℃的条件下,LSM/SDC-CuO基阴极的SOFC的极化电阻为0.14Ω·cm2,明显低于LSM基阴极SOFC的极化电阻(0.36Ω·cm2);LSM/SDC-CuO基阴极的SOFC的最大输出功率密度为237 mW/cm2,显著高于LSM基阴极的SOFC的最大输出功率密度(132 mW/cm2)。     

电化学反应器隔膜材料的分子设计与介尺度策略

电化学反应器中隔膜材料是将正极和负极在电子通路上隔开但在离子传输通路上保持畅通的特殊材料。作为电化学反应器三个关键材料之一，隔膜材料还需耐强酸/强碱和高电压等环境。围绕电化学反应器中隔膜材料，从分子设计的角度针对材料电化学性能与化学稳定性的调控、电化学装置的介观传质性能的促进和改善等研究思路与进展进行了综述，为相关研究提供性能导向的分子设计参考。     

Imidazolium functionalized poly(vinyl alcohol) membranes for direct methanol alkaline fuel cell applications

In this study, imidazolium functionalized poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) was synthesized by acetalization and direct quaternization reaction. Afterwards, composite anion exchange membranes based on imidazolium‐ and quaternary ammonium‐ functionalized PVA were used for direct methanol alkaline fuel cell applications. ¹H NMR and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy data indicated that imidazole functionalized PVA was successfully synthesized. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry data demonstrated that the imidazolium structure was efficiently obtained by direct quaternization of the imidazole group. Composite anion exchange membranes were fabricated by application of the functionalized PVA solution on the surface of porous polycarbonate (PC) membranes. Fuel cell related properties of all prepared membranes were investigated systematically. The imidazolium functionalized composite membrane (PVA‐Im/PC) exhibited higher ionic conductivity (7.8 mS cm^?1 at 30 °C) despite a lower water uptake and ion exchange capacity value compared to that of quaternary ammonium. In addition, PVA‐Im/PC showed the lowest methanol permeation rate and the highest membrane selectivity as well as high alkaline and oxidative stability. Dynamic mechanical analysis results reveal that both composite membranes were mechanically resistant up to 10⁷ Pa at 140 °C. The superior performance of imidazolium functionalized PVA composite membrane compared to quaternary ammonium functionalized membrane makes it a promising candidate for direct methanol alkaline fuel cell applications. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry