Effects of single electrodes of Ni(OH)2 and activated carbon on electrochemical performance of Ni(OH)2–activated carbon asymmetric supercapacitor

Nickel hydroxide consisting of loosely packed nanospheres was synthesized as positive electrode material for an asymmetric capacitor based on Ni(OH)₂ and activated carbon (AC). Two series of supercapacitors were fabricated to investigate the effects of the single electrodes of Ni(OH)₂ and AC on the electrochemical performance of asymmetric Ni(OH)₂–AC capacitor. Parameters including cell voltage window, specific capacitance and cyclic stability were assessed. In one series of supercapacitors, mass of Ni(OH)₂ was excessive while mass of AC was varied, the AC electrode thus constrained both the capacitance and the upper limit of cell voltage. Deficiency of AC resulted in lower specific capacitance and narrower cell voltage window but benefited to cyclic stability. In the other series of supercapacitors, the mass of AC was excessive whereas the mass of Ni(OH)₂ was changeable in each cell, Ni(OH)₂ electrode thus dominated both the capacitance and the lower limit of cell voltage. As a consequence, deficiency of Ni(OH)₂ led to higher specific capacity and wider cell voltage window as well as lower cyclic stability. These results can contribute to improving understanding of and optimizing performance of asymmetric Ni(OH)₂–AC capacitor.     

Crystal structure of uranyl μ3-oxoacetate [(UO2)3(μ3-O)2(OOCCH3)2(H2O)2]

The crystal structure of [(UO₂)₃(₃-O)₂(OOCCH₃)₂(H₂O)₂] consists of uranium coordination polyhedra (CPs) combined via common equatorial edges into ribbons, with ₃-O atoms being common for three CPs. The structure was compared with that of known complexes with ₃-oxo atoms.Translated from Radiokhimiya, Vol. 46, No. 5, 2004, pp. 396–400.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by Charushnikova, Krot, Starikova.     

Magnetic torque of κ-(BEDT-TTF)2Cu(NCS)2 single crystals

The magnetic torque of-(BEDT-TFF)₂Cu(NCS)₂ was measured as a function of field direction with respect to thea ^*-axis under constant magnetic fields,H, up to 8 kOe in the temperature range from 1.3 to 8 K. A sharp cusp, C₁, in the irreversible region was found at _c1 near theHbc-plane between 1.3 and 7 K. In addition, extra cusps, C₂ and C₃, were observed at _c2 and _c3, respectively, between 2.5 and 6 K. At each temperature, the perpendicular component ofH giving each cusp is kept constant as i.e., cusps C₁, C₂, and C₃ are ruled by the characteristic field perpendicular to thebc-planeH _cp1,H _cp2, andH _cp3, respectively. These behaviors are almost the same as those we found in the oxide superconductor Bi₂Sr₂CaCu₂O₈. These results suggest that the cusps are intrinsic for irreversible vortex states of these layered superconductors.     

Evidence for High T C Superconducting Transitions in Isolated Al 45? and Al 47? Nanoclusters

Heat capacities measured for Al₄₅⁻ and Al₄₇⁻ nanoclusters have reproducible jumps at ∼200 K. These jumps are consistent with theoretical predictions that some clusters with highly degenerate electronic states near the Fermi level will undergo a transition into a high T _C superconducting state. An analysis based on a theoretical treatment of pairing in Al₄₅⁻ and Al₄₇⁻ agrees well with the experimental data in both the value of the critical temperature and in the size and width of the jumps in the heat capacity.     

Influence of conditions on the potential of the couple of nonoxygenated U5+/U4+ ions bound in complexes with the P2W17O 6110? and SiW11O 398? anions

The formal potential of the couple of nonoxygenated U⁵⁺/U⁴⁺ ions bound in complexes with unsaturated heteropoly anions (HPAs) P₂W₁₇O₆₁¹⁰⁻ (I) and SiW_{11 O39}⁸⁻ (II) in 0–1 M NaNO₃ and 1 M (NaCl + HCl) in the range of pH 0.7–4.7 was measured. In 1 M NaNO₃ solutions at pH 4.7–3.0 for I and 4.3–3.9 for II, the formal potentials are constant: 0.820 and 0.730 V, respectively. They preserve approximately the same value with a decrease in pH to 0.7 in 1 M (NaCl + HCl). The potential noticeably decreases with a decrease in the NaNO₃ or NaCl concentration from 1 M to 0 (pH 4.1–4.7): to 0.09 and 0.05–0.06 V for I and II, respectively. Approximate constancy of the potential of the U⁵⁺/U⁴⁺ couple with a decrease in pH to 1 and lower distinguishes this couple from the M⁴⁺/M³⁺ couples (M = Ce, Am, Bk) whose potential appreciably grows with increasing acidity. This is due to the fact that the U⁵⁺ and M⁴⁺ ions in acid solutions remain in the form of complexes with the ratio M: HPA = 1: 2, whereas the M³⁺ ions pass into the form of 1: 1 complexes. Thus, variation of the formal potentials of all the M ^{n + 1}/M ⁿ⁺ couples in the presence of H⁺ and Na⁺ ions is associated with variation of the stability constants of the complexes M(HPA)₂, which, in turn, is caused by interaction of single-charged ions with HPA. However, the H⁺ and Na⁺ ions interact with HPA by different mechanisms and therefore affect the potential of the U⁵⁺/U⁴⁺ couple differently. Original Russian Text ? V.P. Shilov, A.B. Yusov, A.M. Fedoseev, Ph. Moisy, 2008, published in Radiokhimiya, 2008, Vol. 50, No. 5, pp. 393–396.     

Elastic and inelastic properties of (Co0.45Fe0.45Zr0.1) x (Al2O3)1 ? x nanocomposites

The elastic (Young’s modulus) and inelastic (internal friction) properties of amorphous (Co₄₅Fe₄₅Zr₁₀) _x (Al₂O₃)_{100 − x} nanocomposites with various relative contents of the metallic and dielectric phases have been studied. In the region of low temperatures, the composites exhibit a peak of the internal friction (at ∼240 K), the intensity of which increases with the content of the metallic phase. For compositions above the percolation threshold, the temperature dependence of the internal friction exhibits exponential growth above 300°C, which is related to the migration of vacancy-like defects in the amorphous structure of the metallic phase.     

Crystal structure of a double Np(V) and Co(NH3)63+ maleate, Co(NH3)6[NpO2(HL)2(H2O)3](HL)2?H2O [L = OOC(HC)2COO]

Crystal structure of a double Np(V) and Co(NH₃) ₆ ³⁺ maleate Co(NH₃)₆[NpO₂(HL)₂(H₂O)₃](HL)₂H₂O [L = OOC(HC)₂COO] was studied. The crystal structure consists of complex anions [NpO₂(HL)₂(H₂O)₃]^–, HL^– anions, [Co(NH₃)₆]³⁺ cations, and water molecules of crystallization. Hydrogen bonds in which proton donors are water molecules and hexaamminecobalt cations link structural fragments to form a 3D network. The coordination polyhedra of the Np(V) atoms are pentagonal bipyramids whose equatorial planes are formed by oxygen atoms of two HL^– anions and three water molecules. Four crystallographically independent maleate anions were identified in the structure. Two of these anions enter into the Np(V) surrounding, and their coordination capacity is 1.Translated from Radiokhimiya, Vol. 46, No. 6, 2004, pp. 521–523.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by Charushnikova, Krot, Starikova.     

Ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of [(Bi0.98La0.02Na1?xLix)0.5]0.94Ba0.06TiO3 lead-free ceramics

Lead-free ceramics [(Bi_0.98La_0.02Na_1−x Li _x )_0.5]_0.94Ba_0.06TiO₃ have been prepared by an ordinary sintering technique and their ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties have been studied. The results of X-ray diffraction reveal that Li⁺, Ba²⁺, and La³⁺ diffuse into the Bi_0.5Na_0.5TiO₃ lattices to form a new solid solution with a pure perovskite structure. The partial substitution of Li⁺ lowers the coercive field E _c and improves the remanent polarization P _r. Because of the larger P _r and lower E _c, the ceramic with x = 0.10 exhibits optimum piezoelectric properties: d ₃₃ = 212 pC/N and k _P = 36.1%. The partial substitution of Li⁺ for Na⁺ shifts the depolarization temperature T _d toward low temperature. The ceramics exhibit relaxor characteristic, which is probably resulted from the cation disordering in the 12-fold coordination sites. The temperature dependences of the ferroelectric and dielectric properties suggest that the ceramics contain both the polar and non-polar regions near/above T _d, which cause the polarization hysteresis loop become deformed and the ceramics become depolarized.     

Dielectric behaviour of spray dried Pb0.98(La1?x/3Nax)0.02(Zr0.53Ti0.47)0.9950O3 system

Sodium modified PLZT, Pb_0.98(La_{1 – x/3}Na_x)_0.02(Zr_0.53Ti_0.47)_0.9950O₃ (PLNZT) with x = 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, ceramics have been synthesized by spray drying technique. Rhombohedral phases of PLNZT ceramics were confirmed by XRD. Pellets prepared from the calcined powders were sintered at 1100°C. Micro-structural studies show the grains were spherical and homogeneous. Dielectric behaviour of these compounds has been studied as a function of temperature at 10 KHz frequency. Diffusivity of these compounds calculated from -T plots were found to lie between 1 and 2, which suggests that the compounds have diffuse phase transition (DPT). The dielectric constant () as found to increase initially upto x = 1.5 and then to decrease with increasing Na—concentrations.     

Preparation and application of novel magnetically separable γ-Fe2O3/activated carbon sphere adsorbent

Magnetic γ-Fe₂O₃/activated carbon microspheres have been synthesized by an activation process of carbon microspheres containing iron oxides, which were prepared by hydrothermal method. The structure and morphology of the magnetic porous carbon microspheres were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA) and N₂ adsorption-desorption technique. The results showed that the as-prepared activated carbon spheres were the composite of single-phase γ-Fe₂O₃ and activated carbon material, and the content of carbon was about 3.87%. Using methyl orange as model pollutant, the magnetic porous carbon microspheres showed good adsorption capacities of 44.65 mg/g. The isotherm evaluations revealed that the Langmuir model attained better fits to the experimental equilibrium data than the Freundlich model. These magnetic porous carbon microspheres could potentially be applied in separation processes.     

Synthesis and photoluminescence properties of Eu-doped γ-Ca3(PO4)2

Eu³⁺-doped (1% and 3%) γ-Ca₃(PO₄)₂ was synthesized by high-pressure and high-temperature experimental method and the samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction. The luminescence properties of samples were investigated by emission and excitation spectra. The excitation spectra of Eu³⁺-doped γ-Ca₃(PO₄)₂ showed that samples were mainly attributed to Eu³⁺–O²⁻ charge-transfer band at 270 nm, and some sharp lines were also attributed to Eu³⁺ f–f transitions in near-UV regions with the strongest peaks at 395 nm. Under the 395 nm excitation, the intense red emission peak at 611 nm was observed. The strongest line (395 nm) in excitation spectra of those phosphors matched well with the output wavelength of UV InGaN-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) chip. The luminescent properties suggested that Eu³⁺-doped γ-Ca₃(PO₄)₂ might be regarded as a potential red phosphor candidate for near-UV LEDs.     

Microwave-assisted preparation of Ca6Si6O17(OH)2 and β-CaSiO3 nanobelts

Xonotlite (Ca₆Si₆O₁₇(OH)₂) nanobelts were synthesized by a microwave-assisted hydrothermal method at 180 °C for 90 min independent of the feeding molar ratio of Ca(NO₃)₂·4H₂O to Na₂SiO₃·9H₂O in the range of 0.8-3.0. Crystalline wollastonite (β-CaSiO₃) nanobelts were obtained by microwave thermal transformation of Ca₆Si₆O₁₇(OH)₂ nanobelts at 800 °C for 2 h. Ca₆Si₆O₁₇(OH)₂ nanobelts were used as both the precursor and the template for the preparation of β-CaSiO₃ nanobelts. The morphology and size of Ca₆Si₆O₁₇(OH)₂ nanobelts could be well preserved during the microwave thermal transformation process. The products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED).     

Development of titanium-doped carbon–carbon composites

The development of titanium-doped carbon matrix–carbon fibre reinforced composites (CCCs) via liquid impregnation of carbon fibre preforms using mesophase pitch is studied. Two different approaches for introducing the dopant into the carbon material are investigated. One consists of doping the matrix precursor followed by the densification of the preform with the doped precursor. The second approach consists of doping the porous preform prior to densification with the undoped mesophase pitch. Titanium-doped CCCs with a very fine distribution of dopant (in the nanometric scale) are obtained by adding TiC nanoparticles to the matrix precursor. Thermal decomposition of titanium butoxide on the carbon preform prior to densification yields doped CCCs with higher titanium content, although with larger dopant size. The combination of these two methods shows the best results in terms of dopant content.     

Structure and electrical properties of (Bi0.5Na0.5)0.94Ba0.06TiO3–Bi0.5(Na0.82K0.18)0.5TiO3–BiAlO3 lead free piezoelectric ceramics

0.09(Bi_0.5Na_0.5)_0.94Ba_0.06TiO₃–(0.01 − x) Bi_0.5(Na_0.82K_0.18)_0.5TiO₃–x BiAlO₃ (BNBKT–xBA) lead-free piezoelectric ceramics were synthesized by conventional solid-state reaction processes. Structure, ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties of BNBKT–xBA ceramics were investigated. X-ray diffraction data shows that BNBKT–xBA ceramics form the pure perovskite phases and the ceramics have the morphotropic phase boundary when x ≤ 0.030. At room temperature, the BNBKT–xBA ceramics at x = 0.030 have better electrical properties, the piezoelectric constant d₃₃ and planar coupling factor k_p of BNBKT–xBA ceramics reaches peak values at x = 0.030: d₃₃ = 217 pC N⁻¹, k_p = 0.308. The remnant polarization P_r, mechanical quality factor Q_m and relative dielectric constant ?_r of BNBKT–xBA ceramics at x = 0.030 attains 33.8 μC cm⁻², 133 and 928 (100 KHz), respectively. As BA content increase, the depolarization temperature T_d shift toward lower temperature, and T_d of BNBKT–xBA ceramics with x = 0.030 decreased to 55 °C.     

Preparation and Characteristics of CoreeShell Structure Eu（DBM）3Phen@SiO2 Micro-Sphere

Sphere-shape Eu(DBM)3Phen@SiO2 nanoparticles were fabricated by employing a modified alkaline catalyzed hydrolysis and precipitation method.The silica coated on the particles surface was obtained by means of hydrolysis and condensation of tetraethyl orthosilicate(TEOS).In this study,the particles morphology was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and the surface composition of samples was characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR).It is confirmed that the SiO2 shell has been coated on the rare earth complexes successfully.Moreover,the near-infrared photoluminescence emission analysis on the nanoparticles showed that the SiO2 shell would increase the luminescence intensity of Eu(DBM)3Phen.This is primarily due to the reason that SiO2 shell with chemical inertness can effectively reduce the ion Eu3+ non-radiation transition probabilities,as well as the probability of rare earth luminescence quenching caused by the external medium.     

Effect of SiO 32? /OH? on plasma electrolytic oxidation of Ti-5Mo-4V-3Al

Plasma electrolyte oxidation (PEO) was utilized to produce thick films on titanium and Ti-5Mo-4V-3Al alloys by immersing them in various solutions of Na₂SiO₃ and KOH with different concentrations to investigate the effect of SiO₃²⁻/OH⁻ relations on the morphology and formed phases by utilizing SEM and XRD. Corrosion resistance is evaluated by open circuit potential (OCP) variation of samples in NaCl 3.5% and potentiodynamic polarization. The results show that the unstable film is formed by using more aggressive PEO electrolyte. By increasing this ratio, pore size varied from fine to coarse and the rate of corrosion decreased and OCP became more positive. The best protective film was formed in SiO₃²⁻/OH⁻ ratio of 1.     

Vibrating reed study of the flux line dynamics of κ-(ET)2Cu[N(CN)2]Br

Vibrating reed measurements were performed on single-crystal samples of-(ET)₂- Cu[N(CN)₂]Br in an applied magnetic fieldH oriented either parallel (longitudinal) or perpendicular (transverse) to the highly conducting ac-plane. Field-cooling data taken for the longitudinal orientation andH<0.7 T revealed a peak with a low-temperature shoulder in the reed dissipation 1/Q located at temperatureT _Q below the superconducting transition temperatureT _c (11.6 forH=0). The shoulder disappeared nearH0.7 T, accompanied by an abrupt change in the slope ofT _Q (H), corresponding to a similar change in the slope of the upper critical magnetic fieldH _c2 measured by Kwoket al. The existence of the shoulder in the dissipation peak bears on a number of current explanations for the exotic superconducting properties of-(ET)₂Cu[N(CN)₂]Br.T _Q data taken for the transverse orientation fell far below estimates ofH _c2., indicating the existence of a substantial region of flux line (FL) mobility belowH _c2(T). The location of a peak in NMR relaxation observed by De Sotoet al. lies close toT _Q for the transverse orientation.     

Enhanced photoresponse of Ti02/MoS2heterostructure phototransistors by the coupling of interface charge transfer and photogating

Two-dimensional(2D)MoS₂with appealing physical properties is a promising candidate for next-generation electronic and optoelectronic devices,where the ultrathin MoS₂is usually laid on or gated by a dielectric oxide layer.The oxide/MoS₂interfaces widely existing in these devices have significant impacts on the carrier transport of the MoS₂channel by diverse interface interactions.Artificial design of the oxide/MoS₂interfaces would provide an effective way to break through the performance limit of the 2D devices but has yet been well explored.Here,we report a high-performance MoS₂-based phototransistor with an enhanced photoresponse by interfacing few-layer MoS₂with an ultrathin Ti0₂layer.The Ti0₂is deposited on MoS₂through the oxidation of an e-beam-evaporated ultrathin Ti layer.Upon a visible-light illumination,the fabricated Ti0₂/MoS₂phototransistor exhibits a responsivity of up to 2,199 A/W at a gate voltage of 60 V and a detectivity of up to 1.67×10¹³Jones at a zero-gate voltage under a power density of 23.2μW/mm².These values are 4.0 and 4.2 times those of the pure MoS₂phototransistor.The significantly enhanced photoresponse of Ti0₂/MoS₂device can be attributed to both interface charge transfer and photogating effects.Our results not only provide valuable insights into the interactions at Ti0₂/MoS₂interface,but also may inspire new approach to develop other novel optoelectronic devices based on 2D layered materials.     

Electrical properties of (K0.5Na0.5)1? x Ag x NbO3 lead-free piezoelectric ceramics

(K_0.5Na_0.5)_1−x Ag _x NbO₃ lead-free piezoelectric ceramics have been fabricated by an ordinary ceramic technique. The results of XRD reveal that Ag⁺ diffuses into the K_0.5Na_0.5NbO₃ lattices to form a new solid solution with an orthorhombic perovskite structure and the solubility of Ag⁺ into A-sites of K_0.5Na_0.5NbO₃ is about 0.20. The ceramics can be well-sintered at 1,100–1,110 °C. The partial substitution of Ag⁺ for A-site ion (K_0.5Na_0.5)⁺ decreases slightly both paraelectric cubic-ferroelectric tetragonal (T _C) and ferroelectric tetragonal-ferroelectric orthorhombic phase transition temperatures (T _O−T). The ferroelectricity of the ceramics becomes weak at high Ag⁺ concentration. The ceramic with x = 0.10 possesses optimum electrical properties: d ₃₃ = 135 pC/N, k _P = 0.43, k _t = 0.46, ε _r = 470, tanδ = 3.39%, and T _C = 394 °C.     

FeVO4/Cu3(BTC)2(H2O)3异质结制备及光催化性能

以Cu片和1, 3, 5-苯三甲酸为原料,电化学法制备经典Cu-MOF材料Cu₃(BTC)₂(H₂O)₃,即HKUST-1,作为基底金属有机框架材料(MOFs),采用室温沉积法制备FeVO₄/HKUST-1异质结复合材料,通过XRD、SEM、BET、UV-Vis DRS等对其晶体结构、形貌、比表面积、光吸收性能等进行了表征。结果表明:FeVO₄与HKUST-1复合形成异质结后,有利于光生电子-空穴的产生和转移,对目标染料污染物罗丹明B(RhB)的降解性能显著增强。可见光照射120 min后,异质结体系中RhB的降解率可达93%,而单一FeVO₄或HKUST-1体系中仅为12%和5%。此外,对材料的组成比例进行了优化,当FeVO₄与HKUST-1摩尔比为1∶1时,制备的FeVO₄/HKUST-1复合材料具有最佳的光催化性能。进一步,考察了其循环使用的稳定性,循环5次后对RhB的降解效率仍保持在90%以上,稳定性良好。