PVA-based activated carbon fibers with lotus root-like axially porous structure

A novel method was developed for the fabrication of activated carbon fiber (ACF) with wet spinning polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) fibers as the precursors. Through a combination of preoxidation, dehydration, carbonization and activation under a certain tension, PVA-based ACFs (PVA-ACFs) with high yields and good mechanical properties were obtained. The surface and cross-section morphologies, pore structures, surface geometries, surface functional groups and crystal structures of the PVA-ACFs were characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy, low temperature nitrogen adsorption, Fourier transformed infrared spectrophotometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray power diffraction. All the PVA-ACF samples prepared had lotus root-like axially meso- and macroporous structures with the domination of micropores. Fractal geometries of PVA-ACFs deduced from nitrogen adsorption isotherms indicates that capillary force dominated in the interactions between nitrogen and the PVA-ACFs. The surface functional groups of the PVA-ACFs depend on the activating agents. Graphitoidal crystal structures were observed for the PVA-ACFs. The small crystal size and short range ordering between the crystallites ensured a high specific surface area of the PVA-ACFs.     

Effect of Product Conductivity on Field-Activated Combustion Synthesis

Experimental and modeling results on the field-activated combustion synthesis (FACS) of Nb₅Si₃ are reported. In the absence of an electric field and without reactant preheating, Nb₅Si₃ cannot be prepared by self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS). Under the influence of a field a self-sustaining combustion wave is established whose rate of propagation decreases with traveled distance. For relatively low field values, the wave propagation mode changes from a continuous (smooth) to a spin mode. The product of synthesis depends on the mode of propagation. Synthesis during continuous wave propagation results in the formation of Nb₅Si₃, primarily in the α-modification. In contrast, when the wave propagates in a spin mode, the product is NbSi₂ with unreacted niobium. The present observations demonstrate a case where the field effect is not localized, as was the case in previous studies. The difference in behavior is attributed to differences in the electrical conductivities of the product phases.     

新型层状表面相锆基固体酸催化酯化反应研究

将所研制的层状表面相锆基固体酸催化剂用于一元、二元醇醋酸酯和其他羧酸酯类产品的合成 ,考察了其催化性能。研究发现 :层状表面相锆基固体酸催化剂对所考察的酯化反应具有很好的普遍适用性 ,但其酯化率与醇的性质和结构密切有关。催化反应动力学研究表明乙酸与丁醇、戊醇、己醇的酯化反应均为二级反应 ,且反应活化能均较低 ,分别为 47 4kJ/mol、2 3 3kJ/mol和 19 8kJ/mo     

Cu2O/Cu Cermet as a Candidate Inert Anode for Al Production

Cu₂O/ x Cu ( x =0–25 wt%) cermets were evaluated as a novel partially inert anode for aluminum (Al) production. The physical and mechanical properties, including the compressive strength, flexural strength, thermal expansion coefficient, thermal conductivity, and dc electrical conductivity were tested at room temperature and at temperatures up to 950°C. The coefficient of thermal expansion, compressive strength, flexural strength, thermal conductivity, and electrical conductivity of Cu₂O/Cu cermets increased with increasing Cu content. High-temperature electrical conductivity measurements showed that with increasing temperature, the electrical conductivity increased when the Cu content was below the percolation threshold, while it decreased when the Cu content was above the percolation threshold. A relatively stable CuAlO₂ layer formed on the cermet surface during electrochemical testing, and the corrosion rate of this anode was estimated to be about 1.8–1.9 cm/year in Al production.     

Use of mesoporous SBA-15 for nanostructuring titania for photocatalytic applications

SBA15–TiO₂ samples prepared by introducing titanium with a grafting method and having TiO₂ loadings below 15 wt.% have been characterized by XRF, XRD, IR, porosimetry, SEM, HRTEM, and UV–Visible diffuse reflectance. Differently from the samples reported in the literature characterized by a high TiO₂ loading, no evidences have been found for the presence of titania particles inside or outside the mesopores of SBA-15. Three different titanium species were instead evidenced to be present. The first two derive from the reaction of titanium with silanol groups in the corona area of inner SBA-15 walls leading to the formation of either TiO₄ tetrahedral sites (by reaction by hydroxyl nests of surface defect sites) and/or pseudo-octahedral surface sites anchored by two (or more) Si or Ti ions through bridging oxygens. The third species derives from the reaction of titanium in the regions with high sylanol density, e.g. in the micropores located in the corona of SBA-15 channels, leading to the formation of TiO₂-like nanoareas (probably Si-doped) with dimensions of around 1–2 nm maximum. The potential interest of these materials as photocatalysts, for the presence of a TiO₂-like nanoareas highly accessible by reactants, is discussed.     

Point-based online value iteration algorithm in large POMDP

Partially observable Markov decision process (POMDP) is an ideal framework for sequential decision-making under uncertainty in stochastic domains. However, it is notoriously computationally intractable to solving POMDP in real-time system. In order to address this problem, this paper proposes a point-based online value iteration (PBOVI) algorithm which involves performing value backup at specific reachable belief points, rather than over the entire belief simplex, to speed up computation processes, exploits branch-and-bound pruning approach to prune the AND/OR tree of belief states online, and proposes a novel idea to reuse the belief states that have been searched to avoid repeated computation. The experiment and simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can simultaneously satisfy the requirement of low errors and high timeliness in real-time system.     

Industrial TiO2 based nacreous pigments as functional building materials: Photocatalytic removal of NO

In this paper, the photocatalytic activity of industrial titanium dioxide (TiO₂) based nacreous pigments was researched as functional building materials for photocatalytic NO remove. Three industrial TiO₂ based nacreous pigments were selected to estimate the photocatalytic activity for NO remove. This study is a good proof that pearlescent pigments can eliminate NO, and its performance is positively correlated with its titanium dioxide content. And this research will widen the application of nacreous pigments in functional building materials, and provide a new way to eliminate in door nitric oxide pollution.     

Possible use of methylbenzenes as electrolyte additives for improving the overcharge tolerances of Li-ion batteries

Based on the voltammetric behaviour of a series of methyl-substituted benzenes in 1M LiPF₆/EC-DMC electrolyte, xylene was selected and tested as an electrolyte additive for overcharge protection of Li-ion batteries. From the overcharge curves, CV behaviour and SEM observations of the cells in the presence of xylene, it was found that the additive can polymerize at the overcharged voltage to form a dense layer of isolating polymer film at the cathode surface, which blocks off further oxidation of the electroactive material and electrolyte and, therefore, improves the overcharge tolerance of the Li-ion battery. In addition, the xylene additive has shown only a slight influence on the cycling behaviour.     

无水焦粉粉尘治理工艺改造及综合利用

简述了无水焦粉生产过程中的粉尘污染及其危害，分析了目前粉尘污染的现状、研究情况、环境监测及改造的必要性，提出了解决无水焦粉粉尘治理工艺改造的方案及粉尘的综合利用。