Nitrogen-doped hierarchically porous carbon obtained via single step method for high performance supercapacitors

In the present work, nitrogen doped hierarchically activated porous carbon (APC) samples have been synthesized via single step scalable method using ethylene di-amine tetra acetic acid (EDTA) as precursor and KOH as activating agent. Activated porous carbons with different pore sizes have been developed by varying the activation temperature. SEM, TEM and SAXS analysis suggest that with variation of activation temperature, a hierarchical porous structure with interconnected meso-pore and micro pores has been achieved. The sufficiently high surface area of the synthesized materials provides active sites to enhance the diffusion of ions between the electrolyte and the carbon electrodes. The electrode prepared at 800 °C activated sample exhibited highest specific capacitance of 274 Fg^-1 in two electrode setup, at a current density of 0.1 Ag^-1 in 1 M aqueous H₂SO₄. Along with this, it showed maximum energy density of 9.5 Whkg^?1 at a power density of 64.5 Wkg^-1. The remarkable electrochemical performance reveals that the synthesized nitrogen doped activated carbon electrodes derived from EDTA can be tuned to have optimum pore structure and pore size distribution for better electrochemical performance, so it can be considered as a potential electrode material for applications in electrochemical energy storage.     

In Silico Investigation of Potential Applications of Gamma Carbonic Anhydrases as Catalysts of CO2 Biomineralization Processes: A Visit to the Thermophilic Bacteria Persephonella hydrogeniphila,Persephonella marina,Thermosulfidibacter takaii,and Thermus thermophilus

Carbonic anhydrases (CAs) have been identified as ideal catalysts for CO₂ sequestration. Here, we report the sequence and structural analyses as well as the molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of four γ-CAs from thermophilic bacteria. Three of these, Persephonella marina, Persephonella hydrogeniphila, and Thermosulfidibacter takaii originate from hydrothermal vents and one, Thermus thermophilus HB8, from hot springs. Protein sequences were retrieved and aligned with previously characterized γ-CAs, revealing differences in the catalytic pocket residues. Further analysis of the structures following homology modeling revealed a hydrophobic patch in the catalytic pocket, presumed important for CO₂ binding. Monitoring of proton shuttling residue His69 (P. marina γ-CA numbering) during MD simulations of P. hydrogeniphila and P. marina’s γ-CAs (γ-PhCA and γ-PmCA), showed a different behavior to that observed in the γ-CA of Escherichia coli, which periodically coordinates Zn²⁺. This work also involved the search for hotspot residues that contribute to interface stability. Some of these residues were further identified as key in protein communication via betweenness centrality metric of dynamic residue network analysis. T. takaii’s γ-CA showed marginally lower thermostability compared to the other three γ-CA proteins with an increase in conformations visited at high temperatures being observed. Hydrogen bond analysis revealed important interactions, some unique and others common in all γ-CAs, which contribute to interface formation and thermostability. The seemingly thermostable γ-CA from T. thermophilus strangely showed increased unsynchronized residue motions at 423 K. γ-PhCA and γ-PmCA were, however, preliminarily considered suitable as prospective thermostable CO₂ sequestration agents.     

Iron(II) Sulfate(VI) from Titania Production as a Raw Material for Preparation of Hydrogen Sulfide Sorbents

A hybrid sorbent material for removal of hydrogen sulfide from air was developed. The material is based on activated carbon and iron compounds obtained from waste iron(II) sulfate(VI) heptahydrate. The iron salt is deposited on the carbonaceous support and subjected to oxidation (Fe²⁺ to Fe³⁺) using atmospheric oxygen under alkaline conditions. An effect of H₂O₂ addition to the process on the composition of the resultant material was also examined. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses confirmed easy conversion of waste FeSO₄·7H₂O to iron oxides Fe₃O₄ and FeOOH. The activated carbon supporting iron oxides revealed a higher efficiency in H₂S elimination from air compared to the commercial activated carbon, without any modification.     

Platinum nanoparticles decorated on graphitic carbon nitride-ZIF-67 composite support: An electrocatalyst for the oxidation of butanol in fuel cell applications

In the present study, we report an eco-friendly and simple route to design and synthesize novel nanocomposite catalyst based on platinum nanoparticles anchored on binary support of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) and cobalt-metal-organic framework (ZIF-67). For this purpose, ZIF-67 was prepared by precipitation method and g-C₃N₄ was prepared through thermal polymerization method. Later, ZIF-67 and g-C₃N₄ were hybridized through sonication to get homogeneous g–C₃N₄–ZIF-67 nanocomposite support material. Platinum nanoparticles (PtNPs) were uniformly deposited on g–C₃N₄–ZIF-67 by an electrochemical method. The as-developed nanocatalyst was characterized by morphological, structural and electrochemical techniques. The electrocatalytic activity of PtNPs@g–C₃N₄–ZIF-67 nanocatalyst towards butanol oxidation was evaluated via CV, CA, LSV and EIS in an alkaline medium. Results revealed that the proposed catalyst showed greatly enhanced electrooxidation of butanol in terms of high magnificent current density, lower oxidation potential, excellent long-term stability, large surface area, low charge transfer resistance and less toxic ability. Enhanced catalytic performance of the proposed catalyst could be ascribed to the synergistic effect of g–C₃N₄–ZIF-67 nanocomposite and PtNPs. The PtNPs@g–C₃N₄–ZIF-67 catalyst holds promising potential applications to be used as an anodic electrocatalyst for the development of high-performance alkaline fuel cells.     

碳脱氧在钢包顶渣改质中的应用

 为了进一步降低夹杂物缺陷并提高产品质量,基于碳脱氧进行了钢包顶渣改质的研究。冷轧产品的生产工艺为铁水预处理→转炉→RH精炼→连铸,为减少钢中夹杂物质量分数,需要进行钢包顶渣改质,同时降低钢包顶渣TFe质量分数。采用粒碳部分替代铝渣球的方法进行基于碳脱氧工艺的钢包顶渣改质,试验结果表明,顶渣改质效果良好,在顶渣TFe质量分数、中间包钢水游离氧明显降低的同时铸坯中Al₂O₃夹杂物得到优化;“30 kg粒渣+铝渣球”工艺降低生产成本5.16元/t(钢)。     

Carbon nanotube filter for heavy metal ion adsorption

This study investigated carbon nanotube filtration technology using catalyst particles supported on silicalite-1–biomorphic carbon materials (BCMs). Aqueous solutions of Mn(II), Cu(II), Cr(III), Cd(II), and Pb(II) were used to test the efficiency of heavy metal ions removal. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were synthesized and grown on BCMs by the chemical vapor deposition method catalyzed with the catalyst (Co, Fe, and Ni). The synthesized CNTs with Co– and Fe– nanoparticles were typically multi-walled carbon nanotubes, and they showed good crystallinity (I_D/I_G = 1.05) and yield of (11.10 and 8.86) %. The removal efficiency of Mn(II), Cu(II), Cr(III), Cd(II), and Pb(II) ions using Co-catalyzed CNT filter was 97.57%, 98.01%, 97.89%, 97.42%, and 99.99%, respectively.     

Polyethylene oxide-polypropylene oxide -polyethylene oxide derived porous carbon materials with different molecular weights as ORR catalyst in alkaline electrolytes

Polyethylene oxide (PEO)-polypropylene oxide (PPO)-polyethylene oxide block copolymer having different molecular weights are used as precursors of carbon materials to prepare Hollow -Derivatives carbon material as an electrocatalyst through block copolymer self-assembly. The composition and microstructure of the prepared catalysts are shown by Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Test of nitrogen adsorption and desorption curves, High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM). Oxygen was passed into alkaline electrolyte solution until the solution reached saturation state. With molecular weight increasing, the obtained sample gradually changed from block to hollow and spherical. When the molecular weight was 12600 g mol^?1, the evenly hollow carbon nanocages was acquired (C-12600). In O₂ saturated alkaline electrolyte (0.1 M KOH solution), C-12600's limited current density，half-wave potential and initial potential are 5.23 mA cm^?2@0.4 V, 0.72 V and 0.81 V, respectively. And most important is that half-wave potential and onset potential have barely change after 2000 cycles of cyclic voltammetry. As a result, the porous carbon materials exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity while maintaining high stability in alkaline KOH solution.     

Study of the synergistic effect of boron nitride and carbon nanotubes in the improvement of thermal conductivity of epoxy composites

The enhancement of the thermal conductivity, keeping the electrical insulation, of epoxy thermosets through the addition of pristine and oxidized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and microplatelets of boron nitride (BN) was studied. Two different epoxy resins were selected: a cycloaliphatic (ECC) epoxy resin and a glycidylic (DGEBA) epoxy resin. The characteristics of the composites prepared were evaluated and compared in terms of thermal, thermomechanical, rheological and electrical properties. Two different dispersion methods were used in the addition of pristine and oxidized CNTs depending on the type of epoxy resin used. Slight changes in the kinetics of the curing reaction were observed in the presence of the fillers. The addition of pristine CNTs led to a greater enhancement of the mechanical properties of the ECC composite whereas the oxidized CNTs presented a greater effect in the DGEBA matrix. The addition of CNTs alone led to a marked decrease of the electrical resistivity of the composites. Nevertheless, in the presence of BN, which is an electrically insulating material, it was possible to increase the proportion of pristine CNTs to 0.25 wt% in the formulation without deterioration of the electrical resistivity. A small but significant synergic effect was determined when both fillers were added together. Improvements of about 750% and 400% in thermal conductivity were obtained in comparison to the neat epoxy matrix for the ECC and DGEBA composites, respectively. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry