White graphene based composite proton exchange membrane: Improved durability and proton conductivity

Boron nitride, which is also known as “white graphene” may be an attractive filler for composite proton exchange membrane. Application of polymer electrolyte membranes in fuel cell as an electrolyte is gaining attention due to the requirement of clean energy. However, despite its attractive features it requires more consideration for complete commercialization. Herein we demonstrate the preparation of novel functionalized WHITE GRAPHENE (hexagonal boron nitride) and sulfonated poly ether sulfone (SPES) based polymer electrolyte membranes (PEM). Composite membranes have been characterized through thermal, mechanical, structural analysis. Membranes have been subjected to measure methanol permeability and proton conductivity at different temperatures for its use in DMFC. Composite membranes exhibit good physicochemical properties as well as high methanol crossover resistance. 0.5 wt % of FBN (SP-FBN-05) membrane is found to be adequate to get the better performance in DMFC.     

Effective factors improving catalyst layers of PEM fuel cell

Cathode catalyst layer has an important role on water management across the membrane electrode assembly (MEA). Effect of Pt percentage in commercial catalyst and Pt loading from the viewpoint of activity and water management on performance was investigated. Physical and electrochemical characteristics of conventional and hydrophobic catalyst layers were compared. Performance results revealed that power density of conventional catalyst layers (CLs) increased from 0.28 to 0.64 W/cm² at 0.45 V with the increase in Pt amount in commercial catalyst from 20% to 70% Pt/C for H₂/Air feed. In the case of H₂/O₂ feed, power density of CLs increased from 0.64 to 1.29 W/cm² at 0.45 V for conventional catalyst layers prepared with Tanaka. Increasing Pt load from 0.4 to 1.2 mg/cm², improved kinetic activity at low current density region in both feeding conditions. Scattering electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed that thickness of the catalyst layers (CLs) increases by increasing Pt load. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results revealed that thinner CLs have lower charge transfer resistance than thicker CLs. Inclusion of 30 wt % Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) nanoparticles in catalyst ink enhanced cell performance for the electrodes manufactured with 20% Pt/C at higher current densities. However, in the case of 70% Pt/C, performance enhancement was not observed. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) results revealed that 20% Pt/C had higher (77 m²/g) electrochemical surface area (ESA) than 70% Pt/C (65 m²/g). In terms of hydrophobic powders, ESA of 30PTFE prepared with 70% Pt/C was higher than 30PTFE prepared with 20 %Pt/C. X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD) results showed that diameter of Pt particles of 20% Pt/C was 2.5 nm, whereas, it was 3.5 nm for 70% Pt/C, which confirms CV results. Nitrogen physisorption results revealed that primary pores of hydrophobic catalyst powder prepared with 70% Pt/C was almost filled (99%) with Nafion and PTFE.     

Experimental and physical approaches on a novel semiconducting-ionic membrane fuel cell

Semiconducting-ionic membranes (SIMs) have exhibited significant superiority to replace the conventional ionic electrolytes in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). One interesting phenomenon is that the SIMs can successfully avoid the underlying short-circuiting issue and power losses while bringing significantly enhanced power output. It is crucial to understand the physics in such devices as they show distinct electrochemical processes with conventional fuel cells. We first presented experimental studies of a SIM fuel cell based on a composite of semiconductor LiCo_0.8Fe_0.2O₂ (LCF) and ionic conductor Sm-doped CeO₂ (SDC), which achieved a remarkable power density of 1150 mW cm^?2 at 550 °C along with a high open circuit voltage (OCV) of 1.04 V. Then, for the first time we used a physical model via combining a semiconductor-ionic contact junction with a rectifying layer which blocks the electron leakage to describe such unique SIM device and excellent performance. Current and power are the most important characteristics for the device, by introducing the rectifying layer we described the SIM physical nature and new device process. This work presented a new view on advanced SIM SOFC science and technology from physics.     

相场法模拟GaAs衬底上InGaAs异质结表面形貌

本工作采用相场法模拟GaAs衬底上生长的In_(0.3)Ga_(0.7)As多层异质结构薄膜表面。通过引入多序参量,使用半隐性傅里叶谱方法求解Cahn-Hilliard方程可以求得带缓冲层结构的薄膜表面形貌。计算结果模拟了薄膜生长过程,研究显示,使用In0.15-Ga0.85As缓冲层,厚度从1nm增加到4nm,薄膜表面临界波长从34nm提升到80nm。随着缓冲层的厚度从1nm增加到10nm,使用正弦波表面的模拟结果显示,薄膜表面粗糙度从2.87nm下降到0.43nm,随机叠加波表面的模拟结果也类似,表面粗糙度从1.21nm下降到0.18nm。热力学分析和应变分布分析可以解释缓冲层对薄膜表面形貌演化的作用。该模拟计算方式对设计缓冲层结构有很大的帮助,模拟计算的结果可以与实验相比对。     

Effect of pickling process on removal of oxide layer on the surface of ferritic stainless steel

Oxide layer formed on stainless steel surface can result in a decrease in surface quality. Thus, it must be removed. In this paper, we investigated the effect of different pickling processes on removal of the oxide layer. Ferritic stainless steel was used as raw material. After it received annealing treatment, the components and structure of the oxide layer formed on its surface were studied. Then, the annealed stainless steel was pickled in hydrochloric acid solution system and mixed acid solution system, respectively. Results are as follows. The oxide layer on stainless steel surface has a thickness of 15–35?μm. With increase in hydrochloric acid concentration in hydrochloric acid pickling solution, the weight loss rate of stainless steel increases and is always greater than that in mixed acid pickling system. In addition, the surface of the stainless steel pickled in hydrochloric acid is smoother than that pickled in mixed acid. Furthermore, compared with channels in the oxide layer created during mixed acid pickling, those created during hydrochloric acid pickling are more, leading to shorter removal time. These results are important for increasing the pickling efficiency and improving the surface quality of stainless steel.     

Effect of processing parameters on electropolishing of commercially pure Ti in an alcohol-based electrolyte

Commercially pure titanium (Cp-Ti) foils were electropolished by using a DC power source in an alcohol-based electrolyte. The influences of applied voltage, processing time, electrolyte temperature and agitation on surface morphology and surface oxygen content were investigated and are reported. Results showed that optimum surface finish in this electrolyte can be achieved at applied voltages in the range of 35–75?V with shorter times at higher applied voltage. Also, increasing electrolyte temperature efficiently accelerates the electropolishing process and gives better surface finishes with respect to that achieved with lower electrolyte temperature at short processing times. Oxygen content of the surface varies with processing parameters and directly affects the surface morphology. The smoothest surface finish was always accompanied by the lowest oxygen content on the surface.     

冷拌冷铺超粘纤维磨耗层研究与应用

冷拌冷铺超粘纤维磨耗层作为一种新型技术,结合了微表处的材料特点和Novachip的施工工艺,具有优异的粘结性、防裂性、防水性、耐久性、环保性和经济性。本文从该项技术原理及性能要求、施工工艺及经济和社会效益进行了阐述。     

电火花强化工艺制造金刚石镀层实验研究

为实现金刚石工具的快速制造和在线快速修复,探索了一种简单快速的金刚石表面强化工艺方法的可行性。以金刚石颗粒和钴颗粒为主要成分,采用压制工艺制作电极,并用该电极在基体材料304不锈钢板上进行电火花强化实验,探究电极的压制压力、金刚石含量、加工电流和加工时间等参数对实验效果的影响规律。用镀钛金刚石电极加工5 min,可得到表面上金刚石颗粒的表面积分数为13.5%、厚度为400μm的强化层,且该强化层具有很好的磨削性能。