Inverted organic photovoltaic device with a new electron transport layer

We demonstrate that there is a new solution-processed electron transport layer, lithium-doped zinc oxide (LZO), with high-performance inverted organic photovoltaic device. The device exhibits a fill factor of 68.58%, an open circuit voltage of 0.86 V, a short-circuit current density of −9.35 cm/mA² along with 5.49% power conversion efficiency. In addition, we studied the performance of blend ratio dependence on inverted organic photovoltaics. Our device also demonstrates a long stability shelf life over 4 weeks in air.     

Anticonvulsant Profiles of Certain New 6-Aryl-9-substituted-6,9-diazaspiro-[4.5]decane-8,10-diones and 1-Aryl-4-substituted-1,4-diazaspiro[5.5]undecane-3,5-diones

Synthesis and anticonvulsant potential of certain new 6-aryl-9-substituted-6,9-diazaspiro[4.5]decane-8,10-diones (6a–l) and 1-aryl-4-substituted-1,4-diazaspiro[5.5]undecane-3,5-diones (6m–x) are reported. The intermediates 1-[(aryl)(cyanomethyl)amino]cycloalkanecarboxamides (3a–f) were prepared via adopting Strecker synthesis on the proper cycloalkanone followed by partial hydrolysis of the obtained nitrile functionality and subsequent N-cyanomethylation. Compounds 3a–f were subjected to complete nitrile hydrolysis to give the respective carboxylic acid derivatives 4a–f which were cyclized under mild conditions to give the spiro compounds 5a–f. Ultimately, compounds 5a–f were alkylated or aralkylated to give the target compounds 6a–i and 6m–u. On the other hand, compounds 6j–l and 6v–x were synthesized from the intermediates 5a–f through alkylation, dehydration and finally tetrazole ring formation. Anticonvulsant screening of the target compounds 6a–x revealed that compound 6g showed an ED₅₀ of 0.0043 mmol/kg in the scPTZ screen, being about 14 and 214 fold more potent than the reference drugs, Phenobarbital (ED₅₀ = 0.06 mmol/kg) and Ethosuximide (ED₅₀ = 0.92 mmol/kg), respectively. Compound 6e exhibited an ED₅₀ of 0.019 mmol/kg, being about 1.8 fold more potent than that of the reference drug, Diphenylhydantoin (ED₅₀ = 0.034 mmol/kg) in the MES screen. Interestingly, all the test compounds 6a–x did not show any minimal motor impairment at the maximum administered dose in the neurotoxicity screen.     

Synthesis of a novolac‐based 3‐aminopropylsiloxane resin and its application for the removal of Cu2+, Cr3+, and Ni2+ from electroplating wastewater

Novolac resin was modified with 3‐aminopropyltrimthoxysilane to obtain phenol‐formaldehyde‐aminopropylsiloxane resin (PF‐APS). Fourier transformation infra‐red spectra, thermogravimetric analysis, elemental analysis, and pH‐metric titration were used to characterize PF‐APS. Its chemical formula was suggested to be C₁₄H_12.49N_0.1O₂Si_0.1. The resin shows high experimental metal ions uptake capacity within short time of equilibration. The metal capacity was determined by atomic absorption spectrometry to be 0.787 mEq Cu/g. Maximum separation efficiencies of Cu²⁺, Cr³⁺, and Ni²⁺ from aqueous solutions on PF‐APS were at pH 8.0 and time of stirring 60 min; 94.0%, 90.8%, 83.2%, respectively. No significant interference from the background ions Na⁺, Cl^?, and was observed on the separation process. The heavy metal ions were eluted using 0.01 mol L^?1 EDTA at 65°C releasing >94% of the separated metal ions. The method of separation was applied successfully to remove the heavy metal ions Cu²⁺, Cr³⁺, and Ni²⁺ from electroplating wastewater from Dekirnis, Dakahlia Governorate, Egypt. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 40993.     

Improvement of the production of poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate‐co‐4‐hydroxybutyrate) terpolyester by manipulating the culture condition

BACKGROUND: The aim of this work is to enhance the production of terpolyester poly(3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyvalerate‐co‐4‐hydroxybutyrate) (P(3HB‐co‐3HV‐co‐4HB)) produced by a locally isolated bacterium, Cupriavidus sp. USMAA2‐4. The monomer composition was varied by supplementing different carbon precursors and by manipulating the culture condition through one‐stage cultivation. The effect of C/N ratio and different concentrations of carbon source and precursors were investigated in order to produce higher content of this terpolyester. Although research on this biodegradable polyester is abundant, studies on terpolyester P(3HB‐co‐3HV‐co‐4HB) are still limited. RESULTS: Supplementation of oleic acid in accumulation medium increased the bacterial growth and polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) accumulation. It was also shown that medium consisting of assorted carbon precursors at C/N 20 gave relatively high dry cell weight and P(3HB‐co‐3HV‐co‐4HB) content. Various compositions of terpolyester were obtained when the concentration of oleic acid and 4HB precursors were manipulated. The combination of oleic acid with γ‐butyrolactone and 1‐pentanol was found to be the best combination to produce high PHA content (81 wt%). The composition of monomer in P(3HB‐co‐3HV‐co‐4HB) was produced in the range 8–13 mol% for 3HV and 9–24 mol% for 4HB, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The production of P(3HB‐co‐3HV‐co‐4HB) in shake‐flasks successfully produced 81 wt% of PHA content. This manipulated culture condition can be used at larger scale to provide modeling for the production of terpolyester in a bioreactor. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of Nepheline Syenite Additives on the Technological Behavior of Ceramics and Porcelain Stoneware Tiles

To study the effect of the Egyptian nepheline syenite raw materials on the sinterability of the ceramic tiles, four batches with concentrations of nepheline syenite (0, 5, 10 and 15%) were prepared. The four batches were ground, mixed, shaped, pressed and fired at temperatures from 1160 °C to 1260 °C. Some technological behaviors of the samples were measured in dry, green state and after firing at 1260 °C; including densfication parameters. Phase composition and microstructural studies refered that mullite was the newly crystallized phase after firing set in a glassy matrix enriched in alkalis. Technological properties of the fired batches revealed that the higher firing temperature and higher nepheline syenite contents produced larger amounts of glassy phase, and consequently bulk density and linear shrinkage increased, while apparent porosity and water adsorption as well as whiteness of fired batches decreased. It is concluded that nepheline syenite could be successfully used as flux in ceramic tiles, while it is not accepted in the production of porcelain bodies because of their coloration.

     

Structure and thermal properties of La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ-SDC carbonate composite cathodes for intermediate- to low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

The structure and thermal properties of La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O_3−δ-SDC carbonate (LSCF-SDC carbonate) composite cathodes were investigated with respect to the calcination temperatures and the weight content of the samarium-doped ceria (SDC) carbonate electrolyte. The composite cathode powder has been prepared from La_0.6Sr_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O_3−δ and SDC carbonate powders using the high-energy ball milling technique in air at room temperature. Different powder mixtures at 30 wt%, 40 wt% and 50 wt% of SDC carbonate were calcined at 750-900 °C. The findings indicated that the structure and thermal properties of the composite cathodes were responsive to the calcination temperature and the content of SDC carbonate. The absence of any new phases as confirmed via XRD analysis demonstrated the excellent compatibility between the cathode and electrolyte materials. The particle size of the composite cathode powder was ∼0.3-0.9 μm having a surface area of 4-15 m² g⁻¹. SEM investigation revealed the presence of large particles in the resultant powders resulting from the increased calcination temperature. The composite cathode containing 50 wt% SDC carbonate was found to exhibit the best thermal expansion compatibility with the electrolyte.     

Enhanced Hydrogen Generation from Empty Fruit Bunches by Charcoal Addition into a Downdraft Gasifier

Hydrogen production by co-gasification of empty fruit bunches of palm oil could be enhanced by adding charcoal. Physiochemical characterization of raw feedstocks was performed to determine their exergy potentiality. The raw feedstocks, gasified charcoal, and the end product of produced gas were analyzed by different techniques. Gasification experiments were performed using a pilot-scale downdraft gasifier. The heating value, composition of product gas, yield of hydrogen, and exergy efficiency were used to verify the improvement of hydrogen production during the co-gasification process. Charcoal with empty fruit bunches of palm oil leads to a much higher yield of hydrogen than lower charcoal ratios or solely empty fruit bunches. This enhanced hydrogen fuel can contribute to future energy demand.     

Polymer electrolyte membrane modification in direct ethanol fuel cells: An update

Direct ethanol fuel cells (DEFCs) offer a high degree of design flexibility, ranging from a single cell to a massive multi-cell that can be used in various applications, including portable devices, transportation, and stationary applications. Unfortunately, the most significant barrier to the commercialization of DEFCs is getting low-cost and ethanol permeability, high conductivity performance, and extended durability of polymer electrolyte membranes, as key components that highly influence the overall performance. In this paper, the recent progress in developing the polymer electrolyte membrane for the application of DEFCs has been comprehensively reviewed. Focusing on an updated modification of polymeric materials in the last 5 years, including Nafion-based membrane, polyvinyl alcohol-based membrane, polybenzimidazoles-based membrane, chitosan-based membrane, and sodium alginate-based membrane, as well as factors and challenges that affected the performance of polymer electrolyte membranes have been discussed, including the main characterization, catalyst selection, cell design, and work in membrane and cell performance of DEFCs. All discussion addresses the strategy to improve the performance of polymer electrolyte membranes in DEFCs in order to penetrate the commercialization stages.     

Raman spectroscopic study of CdS,PVA composite films

A new material, which can be used in solar energy utilization, is obtained here by adding different weights of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) to the semiconducting material CdS. The effect of this addition was studied by using FT‐Raman spectrometer (based on 1500 mW Nd : YAG laser at 1064 nm), UV–Vis‐IR (190–800 nm) spectrophotometer, and X‐ray diffractometer. Our experimental results indicated the appearance of several new Raman bands, which have not existed in both CdS and PVA. Some of the bands which are already existing in the Raman spectra of PVA showed an unexpected systematic increase in their intensities after the addition of CdS to the matrix. On the other hand, some of the new Raman bands appeared in special concentrations of PVA only, whereas some of the Raman bands of CdS were found to disappear after adding PVA. Finally, shifts in some bands associated with random increase in their intensities after adding PVA to CdS was detected in the FT‐Raman analysis. The experimental evidence given here might be attributed to the occurrence of new bonds, indicating that the produced mixture is a new material. The assignment of the new bands as well as an interpretation of the obtained variations is given here. Our X‐ray diffraction data confirmed the interpretation introduced here. Moreover, the UV–Vis spectra confirmed the existence of new absorption bands in the Visible region. The I‐V characteristic curve was measured for a selected concentration of the new composite material, showing a remarkable increase in the values of the conduction current of about two orders of magnitude as compared with the pure PVA material. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 1984–1992, 2004