Synthesis and properties of sulfonated poly(arylene ether ketone sulfone) containing amino groups/functional titania inorganic particles hybrid membranes for fuel cells

In this work, the organic-inorganic hybrid membranes were prepared. The synthesis and properties of the hybrid membranes were investigated. The sulfonated poly(arylene ether ketone sulfone) containing amino groups (Am-SPAEKS) was synthesized by nucleophilic polycondensation. The sol-gel method was used to prepared functional titania inorganic particles (L-TiO₂). The ¹H NMR and FT-IR were performed to verified the structure of Am-SPAEKS and L-TiO₂. The organic-inorganic hybrid membranes showed both good thermal stabilities and mechanical properties than that of Am-SPAEKS. The L-Am-15% membrane exhibited the highest Young's modulus (2262.71 MPa) and Yield stress (62.09 MPa). The distribution of L-TiO₂ particles was revealed by SEM. Compared to Am-SPAEKS, the hybrid membranes showed higher proton conductivities. The L-Am-15% exhibited the highest proton conductivity of 0.0879 S cm⁻¹ at 90 °C. The results indicate that the organic-inorganic hybrid membranes have potential for application in proton exchange membrane fuel cells.     

DNA-CTMA/a-Si:H bio-hybrid photodiode: A light-sensitive photosensor

Recently, considerable interest have occurred in the development of an organic-inorganic-based bio-hybrid photodiodes (Bio-HPDs) with metal-free, eco-friendly, and cost-competitive features for light-sensitive devices. This paper reports a bio-inspired optical absorber material for the fabrication of Bio-HPDs using n-type hydrogenated amorphous silicon (a-Si:H) and a natural deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)-cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTMA) biomaterial. a-Si:H is inexpensive and abundant, and DNA-CTMA is metal-free and eco-friendly. A DNA-CTMA coating on n-type a-Si:H leads to a chemically stable material with increased absorption and effective ties of dangling bonds and interface state density. Analysis results showed that the rectification ratio (RR) of the Bio-HPD is found to be 4 times higher than reference PD. This indicates that the effective RR is improved by the DNA-CTMA layer since it creates molecular charge interactions between DNA-CTMA layer and a-Si:H substrate. Moreover, Bio-HPD shows a light photosensitivity (I_photo/I_dark) of 474 with more reliable and has longer life time. In addition, the formation and feasible charge transport mechanisms are discussed. This biomaterial can be used for the development of commercially viable and environmentally safe large-scale Bio-HPDs applications.     

A mixed phase lanthanum vanadate in situ induced by graphene oxide/graphite carbon nitride for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen generation

A mixed phase LaVO₄ with high dispersion was in situ induced and implanted in graphene oxide-graphite carbon nitride composite. The obtained nanocomposite (GO–C₃N₄–LaVO₄) showed high and stable photocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution, which significantly benefited from the improved charge separation and light absorption in the special composite photocatalyst as evidenced by UV–vis spectra, fluorescence spectrum, photocurrent response and electrochemical impedance. The fabrication strategy of mixed phase LaVO₄ in the GO-C₃N₄ provides a new idea for constructing cheap and active organic-inorganic semiconductor photocatalysts for hydrogen generation.     

Real-time characterization of aerosol particle composition,sources and influences of increased ventilation and humidity in an office

Most of human exposure to atmospheric pollutants occurs indoors, and the components of outdoor aerosols may have been changed in the way before reaching indoor spaces. Here we conducted real-time online measurements of mass concentrations and chemical composition of black carbon and the non-refractory species in PM_2.5 in an occupied office for approximately one month. The open-close windows and controlled dampness experiments were also performed. Our results show that indoor aerosol species primarily originate from outdoors with indoor/outdoor ratio of these species typically less than unity except for certain organic aerosol (OA) factors. All aerosol species went through filtration upon transport indoors. Ammonium nitrate and fossil fuel OA underwent evaporation or particle-to-gas partitioning, while less oxidized secondary OA (SOA) underwent secondary formation and cooking OA might have indoor sources. With higher particulate matter (PM) mass concentration outdoors than in the office, elevated natural ventilation increased PM exposure indoors and this increased exposure was prolonged when outdoor PM was scavenged. We found that increasing humidity in the office led to higher indoor PM mass concentration particularly more oxidized SOA. Overall, our results highlight that indoor exposure of occupants is substantially different from outdoor in terms of mass concentrations and chemical species.     

Facile synthesis of polyoxometalate-based composite with doped ternary NiCoFe cations as electrocatalyst for oxygen evolution reaction

The construction of efficient and low-cost electrocatalysts for oxygen evolution reactions (OER) to replace precious catalysts is a necessity to achieve economic production of hydrogen. Herein, we report an efficient tri-metallic electrocatalysts for the OER that is prepared by incorporate nickel, cobalt and iron cations on Triton X-100/phosphotungstic acid organic-inorganic composite without utilize any binders or energy consumer procedure. Considering to the synergy effect of simultaneous absorption of NiCoFe cations on composite substrate, the as-made tri-metallic catalyst exhibits excellent OER activity with a small overpotential of 210 and 330 mV at a current density of 10 and 100 mA cm^?2, respectively. Moreover, remarkable trends in electrocatalytic activity of mono-, bi- and tri-metallic electrocatalysts at low (10 mA) and high (100 mA) current density are observed. In addition, this new families of non-precious metal catalyst shows long-term durability in 1 M KOH.     

Particulate matter emitted from ultrasonic humidifiers—Chemical composition and implication to indoor air

Household humidification is widely practiced to combat dry indoor air. While the benefits of household humidification are widely perceived, its implications to the indoor air have not been critically appraised. In particular, ultrasonic humidifiers are known to generate fine particulate matter (PM). In this study, we first conducted laboratory experiments to investigate the size, quantity, and chemical composition of PM generated by an ultrasonic humidifier. The mass of PM generated showed a correlation with the total alkalinity of charge water, suggesting that CaCO₃ is likely making a major contribution to PM. Ion chromatography analysis revealed a large amount of SO₄²⁻ in PM, representing a previously unrecognized indoor source. Preliminary results of organic compounds being present in humidifier PM are also presented. A whole-house experiment was further conducted at an actual residential house, with five low-cost sensors (AirBeam) monitoring PM in real time. Operation of a single ultrasonic humidifier resulted in PM_2.5 concentrations up to hundreds of μg m⁻³, and its influence extended across the entire household. The transport and loss of PM_2.5 depended on the rate of air circulation and ventilation. This study emphasizes the need to further investigate the impact of humidifier operation, both on human health and on the indoor atmospheric chemistry, for example, partitioning of acidic and basic compounds.     

Petroleum substitution, greenhouse gas emissions reduction and environmental benefits from the development of natural gas vehicles in China

This study develops a bottom-up model to quantitatively assess the comprehensive effects of replacing traditional petroleum-powered vehicles with natural gas vehicles (NGVs) in China based on an investigation of the direct energy consumption and critical air pollutant (CAP) emission intensity, life-cycle energy use and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensity of NGV fleets. The results indicate that, on average, there are no net energy savings from replacing a traditional fuel vehicle with an NGV. Interestingly, an NGV results in significant reductions in direct CAP and life-cycle GHG emissions compared to those of a traditional fuel vehicle, ranging from 61% to 76% and 12% to 29%, respectively. Due to the increasing use of natural gas as a vehicle fuel in China (i.e. approximately 28.2 billion cubic metres of natural gas in 2015), the total petroleum substituted with natural gas was approximately 23.8 million tonnes (Mt), which generated a GHG emission reduction of 16.9 Mt of CO₂ equivalent and a CAP emission reduction of 1.8 Mt in 2015. Given the significant contribution of NGVs, growing the NGV population in 2020 will further increase the petroleum substitution benefits and CAP and GHG emission reduction benefits by approximately 42.5 Mt of petroleum-based fuel, 3.1 Mt of CAPs and 28.0 Mt of GHGs. By 2030, these benefits will reach 81.5 Mt of traditional petroleum fuel, 5.6 Mt of CAPs and 50.5 Mt of GHGs, respectively.     

家具优先监测污染物综合评价

在参考大量文献的基础上,建立主要污染物危害性评价数学模型,结合主客观评价方法,研究利用模糊数学中的模糊变换来综合评价我国家具典型污染物的水平,并将该方法成功应用于甲醛、苯、TVOCs(以甲苯计)、4-氨基偶氮苯、苯并[α]芘、五溴二苯醚、邻苯二甲酸酯(DEPH)、五氯苯酚、狄氏剂、有机锡(三丁基锡)、铅、乙酸丁酯、氡、大肠杆菌等14种典型污染物的综合评价,得出这些污染物水平的排序。     

The role of the electrode configuration on the electrical properties of small-molecule semiconductor thin-films

This paper presents a systematic analysis of the electrode configuration influence on the electrical properties of organic semiconductor (OSC) thin-film devices. We have fabricated and electrically characterized a set of planar two-terminal devices. The differences in I-V characteristics between the top and bottom contact structures are presented and analyzed. Top-contact configurations have a linear current vs. electric field behavior, while the bottom-electrode devices display a transition from ohmic to space-charge-limited conduction regime. The transition is temperature- and thickness-dependent. Finite-element calculations show that when the OSC film is connected using top electrodes, the current flows through the OSC bulk region. On the other hand, the bottom-electrode configuration allows most of the current to flow near the OSC/substrate interface. The current probes interfacial states resulting in a space-charge conduction regime. The results shed some light on the so-called “contact effects” commonly observed in organic thin-film transistors. The findings presented here have implications for both the understanding of the charge transport in OSC films and the design of organic semiconductor devices.