Analysis and proposition of limiting current density measurement protocol

Limiting current density at different temperatures, backpressures, and balance gases can be used to separate molecular diffusion resistance, Knudsen diffusion resistance and local transport resistance of membrane electrode assembly (MEA). However, the measurement of limiting current density has no unified protocol. The diverse choices in the literature, either in the control of current or voltage or in the atmosphere like relative humidity and O₂ concentrations, make it difficult to compare the results and identify the true bottleneck hindering the mass transport. In this work, the current-voltage curves obtained by current scanning/stepping and voltage scanning/stepping methods under dilute O₂ of different concentrations and a wide range of relative humidity were measured and analyzed systematically. It is found that the voltage stepping method is superior to the other three ways of control for the reliable determination of the limiting current density. Aided with simultaneous electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurement, the limiting current density can be determined with pinpoint accuracy. When the limiting current density is just used to qualitatively evaluate different MEA, the voltage scanning method can be used instead for its high time efficiency. The selection of the atmosphere also plays an important role in suppressing the distortion from excessive water and reducing the spurious contribution from proton conduction resistance. It is found that O₂ concentrations at 0.5 vol% and relative humidity at 90% can give the best estimation of O₂ transport resistance in membrane electrode assembly.     

Impact behavior and fractographic study of carbon nanotubes grafted carbon fiber-reinforced epoxy matrix multi-scale hybrid composites

Carbon nanotubes are the most promising reinforcement for high performance composites. Multiwall carbon nanotubes were directly grown onto the carbon fiber surface by catalytic thermal chemical vapor deposition technique. Multi-scale hybrid composites were fabricated using the carbon nanotubes grown fibers with epoxy matrix. Morphology of the grown carbon nanotubes was investigated using field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The fabricated composites were subjected to impact tests which showed 48.7% and 42.2% higher energy absorption in Charpy and Izod impact tests respectively. Fractographic analysis of the impact tested specimens revealed the presence of carbon nanotubes both at the fiber surface and within the matrix which explained the reason for improved energy absorption capability of these composites. Carbon nanotubes presence at various cracks formed during loading provided a direct evidence of micro crack bridging. Thus the enhanced fracture strength of these composites is attributed to stronger fiber–matrix interfacial bonding and simultaneous matrix strengthening due to the grown carbon nanotubes.     

基于α-FeOOH催化H2O2蒸气的低温烟气脱硝实验

针铁矿是分布广泛、储量丰富的铁氧化物，其主要成分为α-羟基氧化铁（α-FeOOH）。为了探究针铁矿在催化H₂O₂烟气脱硝反应中的性能，本文通过沉淀-水解法制备了α-FeOOH，并在自行搭建的实验台上开展了α-FeOOH催化H₂O₂的低温烟气脱硝实验研究，深入分析了H₂O₂流量、H₂O₂浓度、汽化温度、反应温度和共存气体浓度等工况参数对脱硝性能的影响。采用离子色谱（IC）分析了单独脱硝反应和同时脱硫脱硝反应后的含氧酸成分，结合各项表征分析技术考察了催化剂反应前后的理化特性和稳定性。实验结果显示，随着汽化温度和反应温度的升高，NO的脱除效率先增加后降低；增加H₂O₂浓度对脱硝效率有明显的促进作用。当汽化温度为140℃、反应温度为160℃时，以2.5mL/h注入10mol/L的H₂O₂脱硝效率达到80%。当SO₂浓度为1000μL/L时，脱硝效率提高至86.4%。离子色谱分析结果显示，单独脱硝反应和同时脱硫脱硝反应后含氧酸产物为HNO₃和H₂SO₄。反应前后催化剂的表征结果显示，α-FeOOH在脱硝反应后依然具有良好的稳定性，显示出针铁矿在低温烟气脱硝工艺中的潜在应用前景。     

Contribution of metal vapor mass at periphery part of pulsed arc to electromagnetic force in weld pool

The arc welding has been used in various welding methods because it is inexpensive and high in strength after welding. However, it is a problem that accidents such as collapse of the bridge occur because of the welding defects. The welding of low cost and high productivity is required without the welding defects. The pulsed TIG welding is inexpensive and capable of high‐quality welding. The electromagnetic force contributing to penetration changes because the transient response of arc temperature and iron vapor generated from anode occurs. However, the analysis of pulsed TIG welding with metal vapor has been elucidated only metal vapor concentration near anode with transient phenomenon and heat flux. Thus, the theoretical elucidation of penetration depth with control factor has not been researched. In this paper, the contribution of metal vapor mass at the periphery part of pulsed arc to the electromagnetic force in the weld pool is elucidated. As a result, the iron vapor mass at periphery part decreased with increasing the frequency. The iron vapor was stagnated at axial center within one cycle. The electromagnetic force to the penetration depth direction in weld pool increased at axial center. Therefore, the metal vapor mass at periphery part plays an important role for the electromagnetic force increment at axial center.     

Hydrogen from wet air and sunlight in a tandem photoelectrochemical cell

A solid-state photoelectrochemical (SSPEC) cell is an attractive approach for solar water splitting, especially when it comes to monolithic device design. In a SSPEC cell the electrodes distance is minimized, while the use of polymer-based membranes alleviates the need for liquid electrolytes, and at the same time they can separate the anode from the cathode. In this work, we have made and tested, firstly, a SSPEC cell with a Pt/C electrocatalyst as the cathode electrode, under purely gaseous conditions. The anode was supplied with air of 80% relative humidity (RH) and the cathode with argon. Secondly, we replaced the Pt/C cathode with a photocathode consisting of 2D photocatalytic g-C₃N₄, which was placed in tandem with the photoanode (tandem-SSPEC). The tandem configuration showed a three-fold enhancement in the obtained photovoltage and a steady-state photocurrent density. The mechanism of operation is discussed in view of recent advances in surface proton conduction in absorbed water layers. The presented SSPEC cell is based on earth-abundant materials and provides a way towards systems of artificial photosynthesis, especially for areas where water sources are scarce and electrical grid infrastructure is limited or nonexistent. The only requirements to make hydrogen are humidity and sunlight.     

New anti-ablation candidate for carbon/carbon composites: Preparation,composition and ablation behavior of Y2Hf2O7 coating under an oxyacetylene torch

Y₂Hf₂O₇ possesses low thermal conductivity and high melting point, which make it promising for a new anti-ablation material. For evaluating the thermal stability and the potential applications of Y₂Hf₂O₇ on anti-ablation protection of C/C composites, Y₂Hf₂O₇ ceramic powder was synthesized by solution combustion method and Y₂Hf₂O₇ coating was prepared on the surface of SiC coated C/C composites using SAPS. Results shown that the coating exhibits good ablation resistance under the heat flux of 2.4?MW/m² with the linear and mass ablation rates are 0.16?μm?s^?1 and ?0.028?mg?s^?1, respectively, after ablation for 40?s. With the prolonging of the ablation time, the increasing thermal stress causes the increase of cracks. Moreover, the chemical erosion from SiO₂ and the physical volatilization of low temperature molten products aggravate failure of the Y₂Hf₂O₇ coating.     

Elucidation of colour development and microstructural characteristics of Allium sativum fumigated with acetic acid

It has been well known that the greening of Allium sativum cloves could be formed after immersed in acetic acid solution. Nonetheless, no investigation was reported on colour development of A. sativum in response to acetic acid vapour until now. In this study, the brief exposure of A. sativum to acetic acid vapour (200–400 ppm) was combined with controlled atmosphere (5%, 20% and 80% CO₂) packaging storage to break cell membrane and green garlic. The garlic bulbs were fumigated with acetic acid before controlled CO₂ atmosphere packaging for 25 days at 4 °C. Fumigation with 200 ppm acetic acid followed by high CO₂ atmosphere packaging (80% CO₂) facilitated the garlic greening. It was also verified that γ‐glutamyl transpeptidase was involved in garlic greening in present study, and the compromise of glacial acetic acid vapour fumigation and CO₂ gas atmosphere in package stored at low temperature could result in garlic greening as well.     

Development of mobile miniature natural gas liquefiers

With increasing consumption of natural gas (NG), small NG reservoirs, such as coalbed methane and oil field associated gas, have recently drawn significant attention. Owing to their special characteristics (e.g., scattered distribution and small output), small-scale NG liquefiers are highly required. Similarly, the mixed refrigerant cycle (MRC) is suitable for small-scale liquefaction systems due to its moderate complexity and power consumption. In consideration of the above, this paper reviews the development of mobile miniature NG liquefiers in Technical Institute of Physics and Chemistry (TIPC), China. To effectively liquefy the scattered NG and overcome the drawbacks of existing technologies, three main improvements, i.e., low-pressure MRC process driven by oil-lubricated screw compressor, compact cold box with the new designed heat exchangers, and standardized equipment manufacturing and integrated process technology have been made. The development pattern of “rapid cluster application and flexible liquefaction center” has been eventually proposed. The small-scale NG liquefier developed by TIPC has reached a minimum liquefaction power consumption of about 0.35 kW·h/Nm³. It is suitable to exploit small remote gas reserves which can also be used in boil-off gas reliquefaction and distributed peak-shaving of pipe networks.