High performance asymmetric supercapacitor based on 3D microsphere-like 1T-MoS2 with high 1T phase content

1T phase molybdenum disulfide (1T-MoS₂) has aroused extensive concern in energy storage devices such as supercapacitors due to its large interlayer spacing, high conductivity and good hydrophilicity. However, it is struggle to synthesize 1T-MoS₂ with stable 1T phase with high content. Herein, Ammonium ion intercalation molybdenum disulfide (A-MoS₂) with high 1T content and stable 3D microsphere structure was successfully synthesized using a facile hydrothermal method. We explained the feasibility of ammonium ion (NH₄⁺) intercalation through density functional theory (DFT) calculations and proved the successful intercalation of NH₄⁺ by XRD and XPS. Through XPS fitting, the 1T phase content is calculated as high as 83.1%. The as-prepared A-MoS₂ presents a stable 3D microsphere structure with the interlayer spacing expanded to 0.93 nm, which provides a wide ion diffusion channel that allows ions to pass through quickly. Moreover, the high 1T content increases the hydrophilicity of MoS₂, thereby improving the wettability of the electrode, which contributes to the interaction between the electrolyte and electrode. In 1 M Na₂SO₄, A-MoS₂ electrode material displays high specific capacitance of 228 F g^?1 at 5 mV s^?1 and retains 127 F g^?1 at 80 mV s^?1, which proves the good rate capability. Furthermore, the assembled α-MnO₂//A-MoS₂ asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) displayed a wide operating voltage of 2.1 V. The assembled ASC displays a high energy density of 35.8 Wh?kg^?1 at a power density of 525.0 W kg^?1, which indicates excellent energy storage performance.     

Stress-deformable state of isotropic double curved shell with internal cracks and a circular hole

This work is devoted to the stress–strain state of isotropic double curved shell with defect system. The construction is weakened by two non-through thickness (internal) cracks of different length and by a circular hole located between cracks. In this study we use the line-spring model. Within the framework of this model cracks are modeled as mathematical cuts of shell’s middle surface. This leads to a two-dimensional problem. The problem is reduced to a system of eight boundary integral equations. To ensure the uniqueness of solution an additional equation is added. In the numerical solution of the problem special quadrature formulas for singular integrals of Cauchy type and the finite difference method are applied. The influence of defects on each other for double curved shell has been investigated. The given theoretical results can be used for the calculation of structural elements with holes, cracks on the strength and fracture toughness in various branches of engineering.     

Interface engineering of copper-cobalt based heterostructure as bifunctional electrocatalysts for overall water splitting

It is of great significance to develop highly active and cost-effective electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline solution. Herein, we report an interface engineering strategy to fabricate 3D hierarchical CuCo₂O₄@CuCo₂S₄ heterostructure catalysts with efficient synergistic effects for water splitting. Owing to the special nano-architectures with abundant active interfaces, the as-prepared CuCo₂O₄@CuCo₂S₄ catalysts exhibit superior electrochemical activity and prominent electrochemical stability, with a small overpotential of 240 and 101 mV for oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions to deliver a current density of 10 mA cm⁻², respectively. Remarkably, the CuCo₂O₄@CuCo₂S₄ materials directly applied as both anode and cathode electrode demonstrate excellent water splitting performance, achieving 10 mA cm⁻² at a low cell voltage of only 1.53 V, outperforming the integrated state-of-the-art RuO₂||Pt/C couple (1.56 V). Moreover, density functional theory calculations suggest that the excellent overall water splitting property of CuCo₂O₄@CuCo₂S₄ is attributed to a large amount of hierarchical hetero-interfaces, giving rise to effective adsorption and cleavage of H₂O molecules on the catalyst surface. This work represents a general strategy to exploit efficient and stable hybrid electrocatalysts for renewable energy applications by rational catalyst interface engineering.     

Chemical fractionation tests on South African coal sources to obtain species-specific information on ash fusion temperatures (AFT)

Coals from the different sources used by Sasol vary substantially in terms of chemical and physical properties and directly relates to gasifier behavior. Due to the large variation in coal properties from various sources, detailed coal and feedstock characteristics are essential to predict gasification performance when a specific coal source is to be gasified. One property that specifically gives detail information on the suitability of a coal source [Alpern B, Nahuys J, Martinez L. Mineral matter in ashy and non-washable coals—its influence on chemical properties. Commun Serv Geol Portugal 1984; 299–317.] for gasification purposes is the ash fusion temperature (AFT). The AFT of a coal source indicates the extent to which ash agglomeration and ash clinkering are likely to occur within the gasifier. Ash clinkering inside the gasifier can cause channel burning, pressure drop problems and unstable gasifier operation. The principle aim of this paper is to obtain mineral species-specific information on ash properties and the specific affect on AFT. Chemical fractionation treatment resulted in coals having different mineral properties that can be used to explain the affect of specific minerals on the AFT of coal. The highest concentration and species of minerals were removed from the coal by acid leaching (HCl and HNO₃) where Al, Ca, Mg, Na and Fe were removed in high concentrations from the coal. An interesting finding in the ash composition of the coal after leaching was that the SO₃ concentration decreased from >2 mass % in the original coal sources to <0.3 mass % after the acid leaching. The AFT of coal after leaching increased to >1600 °C. Based on the 95% confidence intervals depicted the following components can be highlighted as having a statistical significant effect on the AFT: Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, CaO, MgO, P₂O₅ and SiO₂–Al₂O₃ combination. When mineral ratio was used, the best correlation coefficient (R) with AFT was obtained with the dolomite ratio. This is in agreement with the results obtained from the correlations between the AFT and the ash composition where CaO and MgO resulted in the best correlation with AFT. Although the correlation (R) of 0.81 is fairly similar to that of the individual correlations with CaO and MgO, the dolomite ratio also includes Fe, Na and K, which can have mineral interaction with the Ca and Mg and thus may be included in the ratio. Results presented in this paper again highlights the fact and confirmed work from other researchers [Slegeir WA, Singletary JH, Kohut JF. Application of a microcomputor to the determination of coal ash fusibility characteristics. J Coal Quality 7: 248–54.] that ash composition (elemental analyses) on its own does not explain AFT behavior or commercial performance of coal accurately.     

Models relating mixture composition to the density and strength of foam concrete using response surface methodology

There have been several investigations in the past on the influence of mixture composition on the properties of foam concrete. Conventionally strength is related to density alone and few models have been developed relating strength with density, porosity, gel–space ratio, etc. Very little work has been reported in the literature in predicting the properties of foam concrete from the knowledge of its mixture proportions. This paper discusses the development of empirical models for compressive strength and density of foam concrete through statistically designed experiments. The response surface plots helps in visually analysing the influence of factors on the responses. The relative influence of fly ash replacement on strength and density of foam concrete is studied by comparing it with mixes without fly ash and brought out that replacement of fine aggregate with fly ash will help in increase in the strength of foam concrete at lower densities allowing high strength to density ratio. Confirmatory tests have shown that the relation developed by statistical treatment of experimental results can act as a guideline in the mixture proportion of foam concrete.     

Long-range migration behavior of rare earth additives in WC–Co cemented carbides

Research on cemented carbides with rare earth (RE) additives started in the 1960s. Nevertheless, since then the instability in the quality control has troubled the industry. Our research reveals that a strong long-range migration ability of RE exhibited during the sintering process is the reason behind the instability. It is well established that there is a huge difference (more than 29%) in the atomic radius between La/Ce/Pr/Nd and W and La/Ce/Pr/Nd and Co. For this reason, it is an amazing phenomenon to observe the long-range migration of RE in WC–Co alloys. In the present work, we report the long-range migration phenomena of RE towards the sinter skins (surfaces) during the sintering process, the in situ formation of a layer-structured RE₂O₂S phase with self-lubricating and high heat-resistance functions on the working surfaces of WC–Co inserts, the mechanism for the formation of the RE containing dispersed phase(s) on the surfaces and the measures on how to promote and get control over the long-range migration behavior to develop self-lubricated function oriented cemented carbides.     

Perovskite oxides applications in high temperature oxygen separation,solid oxide fuel cell and membrane reactor: A review

Perovskite oxides have substantial role in the sustainable energy delivery as reflected by their applicability as oxygen-transporting membranes (OTMs), as electrode/electrolyte components in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), and as OTM-based reactors. These applications represent three major directions that enable the membrane-based oxy-fuel combustion technology, the clean and efficient chemical to electrical energy conversion, and the production of higher value-added chemicals from lower value raw materials. The attractiveness of perovskite oxides arises from the possibility to incorporate different A-site and B-site metal elements into their ABO_3-δ lattice to form essentially A_1-xA’_xB_1-yB’_yO_3-δ compound which allows tailoring of the oxygen non-stoichiometry (and thus the oxygen ionic conductivity), the oxygen reduction reaction activity, and the electronic conductivity to fit a particular application. This paper reviews the basic aspects and progresses in these three directions. The advantages and limitations of perovskites in each application are highlighted and discussed as well as the pertaining aspects.     

Application of fluidization technology in productions of cemented carbides

The fluidization technique has advantages in rapid and high-efficiency heat transfer. Application of fluidization technology can significantly improve the productivity and product performance in the cemented carbide industries. This technique has become an attractive research topic within the issue of green and low-carbon technologies. Aiming at better understanding the principles of fluidization, in the present paper we demonstrate three typical cases of liquid–solid fluidized crystallization, bubbling bed combustion synthesis and reduction carbonization production. From these samples, we study the factors which play an important role in the fluid dynamics, fluidized state of materials and reaction thermodynamics during the process of cemented carbide production. The solutions and mechanisms of the practical problems such as the fluidized state of ultrafine particles, critical opening percentage of the distribution plate and adherent effect in multilayer bubbling bed are proposed. Moreover, the potential applications and prospects of the fluidization technology in the field of cemented carbides are presented.     

Wear model in turning of hardened steel with PCBN tool

In this study a mathematical–computational model of tool wear of PCBN (polycrystalline cubic boron nitride) was developed in turning of quenched and tempered AISI D6 steel (57 HRC) using experimental planning and statistic techniques. On the experimental trials many parameters are important such as: surface roughness, cutting force and tool wear. These parameters were evaluated according to their statistical significance using Statistica^® and Matlab^® softwares. Through a multiple-regression analysis, it was possible to establish a mathematical model for estimating tool wear as a function of the cutting parameters. This model enhanced estimation of the ideal cutting conditions for turning hardened steel, i.e., those that generate minimum damage on the PCBN tool without compromising productivity.     

Optical temperature sensing based on the luminescence from YAG:Pr transparent ceramics

The YAG:Pr transparent ceramic was fabricated using a conventional solid-state reactive method to explore its possible application in optical thermometry. Photoluminescence and temperature-dependent luminescence were elaborately investigated under 452 nm excitation. The ceramic showed two intrinsic emission bands at 488 and 594 nm, which were attributed to characteristic Pr³⁺: ³P₀ → ³H₄ and ³P₁ → ³H₆ transitions, respectively. Down-conversion emissions from the two thermally coupled excited states of Pr³⁺ were recorded in the temperature range of 293–593 K. The Boltzmann distribution theory was adopted to interpret the temperature-dependent luminescence of Pr³⁺. The temperature sensitivity exhibited an increasing trend with the increase of temperature, typically, 0.0025 K⁻¹ at 593 K. The results indicated that the present ceramic was a promising candidate for optical temperature sensor.