Effect of N-doped carbon coatings on the durability of highly loaded platinum and alloy catalysts with different carbon supports for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

An ideal oxygen reduction catalyst for use in fuel cells should exhibit both long-term durability and high activity. In this study, to increase the durability of highly loaded platinum- and platinum-nickel alloy catalysts possessing different types of carbon supports, a nitrogen-doped carbon shell was introduced on the catalyst surface through dopamine coating. As the catalyst surfaces were altered following shell formation, the ionomer contents of the catalyst inks were adjusted to optimise the three-phase boundary formation. Single cell tests were then conducted on these inks by applying them in a membrane electrolyte assembly. Furthermore, to confirm the durability of the catalysts under accelerated conditions, the operation was continued for 200 h at 70 °C and at a relative humidity of 100%. Transmission electron microscopy and electrochemical analysis were conducted before and after the durability tests, and the observed phenomena were discussed for catalysts bearing different types of carbon supports.     

Thermal-stability of electric field-induced strain and energy storage density in Nb-doped BNKT-ST piezoceramics

In this work, the relationship between the structural mechanisms and macroscopic electrical properties of the Nb-modified 0.96(Bi_0.5Na_0.84K_0.16TiO₃)–0.04SrTiO₃ (BNKT–ST) system were elucidated by using temperature dependent and in situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) techniques. For the composition x?=?0.0175, a large-signal piezoelectric coefficient (S_max/E_max?=?d₃₃*) of 735 pm?V^?1 at 6?kV mm^?1 was observed at room temperature. Interestingly, at a higher temperature of 110?°C, the sample still showed a large d₃₃* of 570 pm V^?1. Furthermore, the temperature-invariant electrostrictive coefficient for this sample was found to be 0.0285?m⁴?C^?2 over the temperature range of 25–170?°C. Moreover, the energy density for x?=?0.030 sample was ～1.0?J?cm^?3 with an energy storage efficiency of ?70% in the temperature range of 25–135?°C. These results suggest that the synthesized Nb-modified BNKT–ST system is promising for the design of ceramic actuators as well as capacitor applications.     

Effect of texture on oxidation resistance of Ti3AlC2

Oxidation resistance of textured Ti₃AlC₂ ceramics was measured in the temperature range 1273–1573?K. It was found that the oxidation was markedly anisotropic and the samples exhibited a better oxidation resistance when tested along a direction transverse to the c-axis. This behavior was attributed to the rapid diffusion of Al within its basal planes to form a passivating Al₂O₃ scale and it respected Ellingham diagrams. The scales formed had different compositions depending on the testing direction; this response was clearly resulting from the crystallographic orientation. Even at 1473?K after 20?h exposure, the samples tested in a direction transverse to the c-axis showed a reduced weight gain which was 45 times lower than one seen on a basal plane.     

Optical and thermo-mechanical properties of fine-grained transparent yttria ceramics fabricated by hot-press sintering for infrared window applications

In this work, highly transparent yttria ceramics Φ?=?55?mm in size were fabricated by a hot-pressing method with 1 at.% ZrO₂ or 12 at.% La₂O₃ as a sintering additive. For a 4-mm-thick specimen doped with ZrO₂, the in-line transmittance reaches 71.1% at 400?nm and 80.9% at 1100?nm, and the transmittance of the La₂O₃-doped specimen is comparable to that of the ZrO₂-doped specimen. By means of the relatively low sintering temperature of 1600?°C, the present samples exhibited very fine microstructures (<2?μm), giving rise to excellent mechanical strength levels (～200?MPa). With regard to the 1 at.% ZrO₂-doped specimen, the combination of high strength and high thermal conductivity (～10 W/m?K) substantially improved parameters related to the thermal shock resistance. The results of this study indicate that the hot-pressed transparent yttria ceramic doped with 1 at.% ZrO₂ is optically, mechanically, and thermally suitable for high-temperature IR window applications.     

Structure,stability and permeation properties of NaA zeolite membranes for H2O/H2 and CH3OH/H2 separations

NaA zeolite membranes were synthesised in the secondary growth hydrothermal method based on the seeding of the inner surface of a ceramic α-alumina tube. The impacts of crystallisation time and zeolite precursor concentration (in H₂O) were investigated. The structure and stability of the prepared NaA zeolite membranes were also investigated with operating temperatures, times and pressures. The results indicate that the optimal synthesis gel molar composition was 3Na₂O: 2SiO₂: Al₂O₃: 200H₂O. This led to cubic-shaped NaA zeolite which showed good stability. The optimal NaA zeolite membrane had H₂O and CH₃OH fluxes of 2.77 and 0.19 kg/m²h, with H₂O/H₂ and CH₃OH/H₂ separation factors of ∞ and 0.09 at a temperature of 30 °C. The NaA zeolite membrane had high thermal stability, but poor separation performance at high temperature (240 °C). The results suggested that the H₂ permeation flux is significantly influenced by preferential adsorption of vapour in the NaA zeolite membrane.     

Distribution of carbon contamination in MgAl2O4 spinel occurring during spark-plasma-sintering (SPS) processing: I – Effect of heating rate and post-annealing

Carbon contamination from the carbon paper/dies during spark-plasma-sintering (SPS) processing was examined in the MgAl₂O₄ spinel. The carbon contamination sensitively changes with the heating rate during the SPS processing. At the high heating rate of 100 °C/min, the carbon contamination having organized structures occurred over almost the entire area from the surface to deep inside the SPSed spinel disk. In contrast, at the slow heating rate of 10 °C/min, the carbon contamination having disordered structures occurred only around the surface area. The carbon phases transform into high pressure CO/CO₂ gases by post-annealing in air and lead to pore formation along the grain junctions. The pore formation significantly occurs at the high heating rate due to the large amount of the contaminant carbon phases. This suggests that if once the carbon contamination was formed in the materials, it is very difficult to remove the carbon phases from the materials.     

Determination and identification of titanium dioxide nanoparticles in confectionery foods,marketed in South Korea,using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and transmission electron microscopy

Food-grade titanium dioxide (TiO₂) is a common and widespread food additive in many processed foods, personal care products, and other industrial categories as it boosts the brightness and whiteness of colours. Although it is generally recognised as safe for humans, there is a growing interest in the health risks associated with its oral intake. This study quantified and identified TiO₂ nanoparticles present in confectionery foods, which are children’s favourite foods, with inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). A reliable digestion method using hot sulphuric acid and a digestion catalyst (K₂SO₄:CuSO₄ = 9:1) was suggested for titanium analysis. Validations of the experimental method were quite acceptable in terms of linearity, recoveries, detection limits, and quantification limits. Of all the 88 analysed foods, TiO₂ was detected in 19 products, all except three declared TiO₂ in their labelling. The mean TiO₂ content of candies, chewing gums, and chocolates were 0.36 mg g^?1, 0.04 mg g^?1, and 0.81 mg g^?1, respectively. Whitish particles isolated from the confectionery foods were confirmed as TiO₂ nanoparticles via TEM and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), in which nanosized particles (<100 nm) were identified.     

Branched poly(biphenylene-co-sulfone)ether ion exchange membranes containing perfluorocyclobutane groups for fuel cell applications

A series of branched poly(biphenylene-co-sulfone) ion exchange membranes containing perfluorocyclobutane groups were prepared for fuel cells. Two bifunctional trifluorovinyloxy-terminated monomers (sulfonable 4,4′-bis(trifluorovinyloxy)biphenyl and insulfonable 4,4′-sulfonyl-bis(trifluorovinyloxy)biphenyl) and a trifunctional trifluorovinyloxy-terminated branching agent (1,1,1-tris(4′-trifluorovinyloxyphenyl)ethane) were synthesized and terpolymerized via thermal [2π + 2π] cyclodimerization to obtain partially fluorinated and branched polymers containing 0–5 mol% of the branching agent. They were then postsulfonated by chlorosulfonic acid at room temperature, cast as membranes, and characterized to evaluate their electrochemical properties for fuel cell applications. As the branching agent content was increased, their polydispersity values highly increased, indicating they became highly branched. It was confirmed that higher branching agent content also increased the ion exchange capacity, water uptake, and proton conductivity of the branched ion exchange membranes containing perfluorocyclobutane groups. This indicates that their electrochemical properties can be easily controlled by the degree of branching. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48373.     

Experimental Animal Model Systems for Understanding Salivary Secretory Disorders

Salivary secretory disorders are life-disrupting pathologic conditions with a high prevalence, especially in the geriatric population. Both patients and clinicians frequently feel helpless and get frustrated by the currently available therapeutic strategies, which consist mainly of palliative managements. Accordingly, to unravel the underlying mechanisms and to develop effective and curative strategies, several animal models have been developed and introduced. Experimental findings from these models have contributed to answer biological and biomedical questions. This review aims to provide various methodological considerations used for the examination of pathological fundamentals in salivary disorders using animal models and to summarize the obtained findings. The information provided in this review could provide plausible solutions for overcoming salivary disorders and also suggest purpose-specific experimental animal systems.