Centrifugally spun carbon fibers prepared from aqueous poly(vinylpyrrolidone) solutions as binder-free anodes in lithium-ion batteries

Aqueous solutions of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) of various concentrations (20, 25, and 28 wt%) were successfully spun into fibers by centrifugal spinning. The pristine PVP fibers were annealed and carbonized to produce flexible carbon fibers for use as binder-free anodes in lithium-ion batteries. These flexible carbon fibers were prepared by developing a novel three-step heat treatment to reduce the residual stresses in the pristine PVP precursor fibers, and to prevent fiber degradation during carbonization. The thermogravimetric analysis data showed that the annealed fibers yielded a residual mass percentage of 36.0% while the pristine PVP fibers suffered a higher mass loss and only retained 26.5% of original mass above 450 °C (under nitrogen). The electrochemical performance of the carbon-fiber anodes was evaluated by conducting galvanostatic charge/discharge, rate performance, and cycle voltammetry experiments. The 20, 25, and 28 wt% derived binder-free anodes delivered specific charge capacities of 205, 189, and 275 mAh g⁻¹, respectively, after the first cycle at a current density of 100 mA g⁻¹. The results obtained in this work indicate that a feasible pathway towards a large-scale production of carbon-fiber anodes from a 100% aqueous solution can be achieved via centrifugal spinning and subsequent heat treatment.     

The kinetics of copper corrosion in nitric acid

The strategy for the permanent disposal of high-level nuclear waste in Canada involves sealing it in a copper-coated steel container and burying it in a deep geologic repository. During the early emplacement period, the container could be exposed to warm humid air, which could result in the condensation of nitric acid, produced by the radiolysis of the humid air, on the copper surface. Previous studies have suggested that both nitrate and oxygen reduction will drive copper corrosion, with the nitrate reduction kinetics being dependent on the concentration of soluble copper(I) produced by the anodic dissolution of copper in the reaction with oxygen. This study focused on determining the kinetics of nitrate and oxygen reduction and elucidating the synergistic relationship between the two processes. This was investigated using corrosion potential and polarization measurements in conjunction with scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Oxygen reduction was shown to be the dominant cathodic reaction with the oxidation of copper(I) to copper(II) by nitrate, promoting the catalytic cycle involving the reaction of copper(II) with copper to reproduce copper(I).     

Piezoelectric properties of PVDF-conjugated polymer nanofibers

This study presents the development and characterization of PVDF-conjugated polymer nanofiber-based systems. Five different conducting polymers (CPs) were synthesized successfully and used to create the nanofiber systems. The CPs used are polyaniline (PANI), polypyrrole (PPY), polyindole (PIN), polyanthranilic acid (PANA), and polycarbazole (PCZ). Nanofiber systems were produced utilizing the Forcespinning® technique. The nanofiber systems were developed by mechanical stretching. No electrical field or post-process poling was used in the nanofiber systems. The morphology, structure, electrochemical and piezoelectric performance was characterized. All of the nanofiber PVDF/CP systems displayed higher piezoelectric performance than the fine fiber PVDF systems. The PVDF/PPY nanofiber system displays the highest piezoelectric performance of 15.56 V. The piezoelectric performance of the PVDF/CP nanofiber systems favors potential for an attractive source of energy where highly flexible membranes could be used in power actuators, sensors and portable, and wireless devices to mention some.     

High power density and flexible self-powered piezoelectric nanogenerator based on solution crystallization

A flexible self-powered piezoelectric nanogenerator (FSPN) of high power density was constructed using a poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) polymer matrix based on solution crystallization. Since the solubility parameter of the N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) was closed to that of the PVDF, the FSPNs fabricated by PVDF and NMP showed a high concentrations of β-phase and a high power density of 6.6 W/m³ together with excellent mechanical properties and transparent. In addition, the FSPN retained its excellent performance even after 2000 cycles of cantilever vibration, which hold a great potential for harvesting mechanical energy for self-powered systems and provide a simpler solution for energy collection and utilization in our actual lives.     

纳米多孔金电化学传感器构建及其对饮品中抗坏血酸的检测

基于纳米多孔金（nanoporous gold，NPG）对抗坏血酸的强电催化氧化作用，通过酸腐蚀制备NPG，构建纳米多孔电极（NPG/GCE）检测饮料中的抗坏血酸。通过循环伏安法和差分脉冲伏安（differential pulse voltammetry，DPV）法对抗坏血酸检测条件进行优化，确定最佳检测条件为pH 4.0的柠檬酸缓冲液。在优化条件下，利用DPV法对抗坏血酸进行检测，结果表明：在6.652 8～160 μg/mL的范围内，峰电流密度与抗坏血酸质量浓度呈良好的线性关系；该电极制备简单、灵敏度高、稳定性和抗干扰能力强，对饮料中抗坏血酸的快速检测有良好的应用潜力。     

固溶处理对2205双相不锈钢组织及钝化膜特性的影响

用不同温度对2205双相不锈钢进行固溶处理,利用定量金相法及硬度法、电化学极化试验、电化学阻抗谱试验的方法研究固溶温度与2205双相不锈钢微观组织和钝化膜特性之间的关系。结果表明,当固溶温度为950 ℃时,有σ相存在,分布于铁素体/奥氏体晶界,当固溶温度为1000 ℃时,σ相消失,铁素体相比例随固溶温度的升高而升高,奥氏体相比例则呈相反规律;电化学试验和阻抗谱试验结果显示,材料在950 ℃时钝化膜稳定性和耐蚀性能最差,在1050 ℃时钝化膜稳定性和耐蚀性能最好。     

A minimalist approach to polarization resistance measurements in a reinforced concrete structure

In the curriculum of future civil engineers, electrochemical concepts are often neglected, even though this knowledge is essential to adequately maintain reinforced concrete structures in a chloride-exposed environment. Experiments are necessary to consolidate key theoretical concepts, but laboratory experience often involves complex and expensive electronic equipment that may obscure the basic procedures at work. This paper presents a simple minimalistic electrochemical test for polarization resistance measurements by which students can learn basic concepts of corrosion electrochemistry and estimate the corrosion rate as a key parameter for estimation of the remaining service life of concrete structures. The focus is on avoiding unnecessary complications and providing an experiment that can be readily implemented for a wider student reach.     

Influence of surfactants on rheological behaviors of polyacrylonitrile/dimethyl sulfoxide/silicon blending polymer solutions

KH550, KH560, CTAB, and F127 were adopted to modify silicon (Si) to improve the dispersity and stability of Si in the polyacrylonitrile/dimethyl sulfoxide (PAN/DMSO) polymer solutions. The influence of surfactants on rheological behaviors of PAN/DMSO/Si blending polymer solutions was investigated by an advanced solution and melt rotation rheometer. The homogeneity and stability were also studied. The results showed that the surfactants could change the viscosity dependence of blending polymer solutions on shear rate, temperature and storage time by increase the steric hindrance of Si. Among the four solutions, PAN/DMSO/Si blending polymer solution with F127 exhibited the lowest viscosity, activation energy and the smallest structural viscosity index and exhibited the trend close to the Newtonian fluids. Moreover, PAN/DMSO/Si blending polymer solution with F127 exhibited the best dispersity and stability, indicating its best physical properties and machinability.     

ZIF衍生多孔碳纳米纤维用于高效电容去离子的研究

作为一种环保节能的新兴脱盐技术，电容去离子技术正在成为替代反渗透脱盐和电渗析脱盐的一项重要的脱盐技术。各种碳基材料被广泛地应用于电容去离子电极材料的研究，然而大多数碳基材料为粉末状材料，需要添加黏结剂，这必将导致电极材料电吸附能力的下降。利用静电纺丝技术，将ZIF纳米颗粒和聚丙烯腈混纺，并通过分段高温热处理过程，成功合成了具有柔性结构的整体性多孔碳纳米纤维。由于其具有孔道结构的分级分布和较强的亲水性等优良特性，所制得的多孔碳纳米纤维在1.2 V电压下于500 mg/L NaCl溶液中表现出良好的电吸附性能，脱盐量达到了19.92 mg/g，比普通碳纳米纤维提高了一倍以上。     

Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopic Analysis of Sensitization-Based Solar Cells

Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) is a very powerful tool for elucidation of charge transfer and transport processes in sensitization-based solar cells (e.g., dye-sensitized solar cells [DSSCs], quantum dot-sensitized solar cells [QDSSCs], and perovskite solar cells [PSCs]). EIS measures the electrochemical response to small amplitude AC signals over a wide range of frequencies. Analysis of the EIS response provides information about the corresponding parameters of the cells. Here, we review the fundamentals of EIS, charge transport kinetic processes, and equivalent circuit models of sensitization-based solar cells and use these concepts to explain the EIS spectra of DSSCs, QDSSCs, and PSCs. This review will be very useful for understanding the fundamental charge transfer and transport processes in different sensitization-based solar cells and the use of an equivalent circuit model to interpret the observed charge transfer and reactions.