Cover Picture: Light‐Emitting Organic Solar Cells Based on a 3D Conjugated System with Internal Charge Transfer (Adv. Mater. 22/2006)

The cover image illustrates the dual photovoltaic and electroluminescence function of a single‐layer device based on a thienylenevinylene–triphenylamine with internal charge transfer (ICT), as reported by Cravino, Roncali, and co‐workers on p. 3033. The material forms an organic glass with isotropic electronic properties while ICT leads simultaneously to an extension of the photoresponse to the red and to an increase of the open circuit voltage. The use of an additional layer of C₆₀ further improves the photovoltaic. Images of the sun and moon courtesy NASA/JPL–Caltech.     

Growth and morphology of nanometer LiMn2O4 powder

The growth of Li_1+xMn₂O₄ via detonation reaction was investigated with respect to the presence of an energetic precursor, such as the metallic nitrate and the degree of confinement of the explosive charge. The detonation products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy. Powder X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy were used to characterize the products. Li_1+xMn₂O₄ with 1-2 μm spherical morphology and more uniform secondary particles, but with smaller primary particles of diameters from 20 to 60 nm and a variety of morphologies were found. The oxides produced by this cheap method affirmed the validity of detonation synthesis of nano-size powders.     

Emission Of Volatile And Semivolatile Organic Compounds From Waterborne Paints – The Effect Of The Film Thickness

A waterborne paint was applied to tin plated steel sheets with three different film thicknesses. The emission of volatile and semivolaile organic compounds ((S) VOCs) from the samples was measured in small climatic chambers under standard conditions over a two-week period. The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of the film thickness on the emission rate decay. First order decay models, including sink effects for the high boiling (S) VOCs, were fitted to the concentration versus time data. The results showed that the first order rate constants decrease with increasing film thickness. In uddition, the results indicated that the emissions of the (S)VOCs in the waterborne paint film seemed to be controlled by evaporation. The thicknesses of paint films used in climatic chamber tests to estimate emission rates for product compurison or emission prediction must be known in order to prevent erroneous conclusions     

Anaerobic digestion of alkaline black liquor using an up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor

The anaerobic digestion of alkaline black liquor from a cereal straw pulping mill was studied in batch (serum bottles) and continuous systems (up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket reactor—UASB). The batch digestion studies confirmed that lignin and related compounds (LRC) in the alkaline black liquor were the main inhibitory substances and could not be decomposed by anaerobic bacteria. At organic loading rates of 5–10 kg COD m^?3 day^?1, the UASB reactor achieved 50–60% COD removal efficiencies. Gas production was 2–3 dm³ per dm³ of alkaline black liquor. Two different sludge types were examined in the reactor: granular and cluster-like sludges. Sludge in a cluster, which involved many small granules and flocs, tended to form larger aggregates and possessed good settling ability.     

Degree of crosslinking and mechanical properties of crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol) beads for use in solid-phase organic synthesis

The limited swellability in polar media of the commonly used polystyrene/divinylbenzene (PS-DVB) support materials for solid-phase organic synthesis has led to the development of novel, highly swellable hydrophilic gels designed for use in aqueous or polar media. Poly(vinyl alcohol) beads crosslinked with epichlorohydrin (PVA-EP) were prepared by a two-step inverse-suspension polymerization method. While it is known that the morphology of the resulting beads can be controlled by the ratio of EP versus PVA as well as by the pre-crosslinking time, the actual degree of crosslinking of the beads and their mechanical properties remain unknown. It is therefore the purpose of this study to evaluate the actual degree of crosslinking of beads prepared with different quantities of crosslinker in the feed by spectroscopic (Raman, nuclear magnetic resonance) and chemical (functional group loading) methods. The mechanical properties of these swollen PVA-EP beads will be evaluated by single-bead unconfined compression in solvents such as water, N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), and tetrahydrofuran (THF) and compared to model PS-DVB beads commonly used for solid phase synthesis.     

Effect of catalysts in the quality of syngas and by-products obtained by co-gasification of coal and wastes. 1. Tars and nitrogen compounds abatement

The aim of this work is to analyse the possibility of using co-gasification technology to process coal mixed with wastes to take profit of its energy content and at the same time to minimize the environmental impact associated with the use of wastes and to diminish the costs of flue gas treatment. The addition to coal of different types of materials, like: pine based waste, petcoke and polyethylene (PE), was not found to give rise to any operational problems, regarding both the feeding system and gasification process and led to higher energy conversions, however, the gas presented higher tars and hydrocarbons content. Several catalysts were tested, such as, dolomite, olivine, nickel and magnesium oxides, zinc oxides and cobalt and molybdenum oxides. Catalyst action was analysed in tars release and also in ammonia compounds reduction. The presence of catalysts allowed increasing hydrogen release, whilst there was a decrease in hydrocarbons and tars contents. A nickel-magnesium oxide was the catalyst that led to the highest reduction in hydrocarbons and tars. This catalyst also led to the lowest NH₃ content in the fuel gas produced, due to the catalyst efficiency in NH₃ destruction.     

2003年上半年我国染料、有机颜料生产及进出口情况浅析（一）

20 0 2年我国染料及有机颜料生产和进出口数量达到历史最好水平 ,2 0 0 3年上半年虽然经受了SARS的影响 ,但我国染料及有机颜料工业仍然取得了稳定增长的成绩。上半年染料产量总计 19 5 9万t,同比增长 2 4 7%;颜料产量为 4 30万t,同比增长 2 1 6 9%。上半年出口增长幅度减缓 ,染料出口总量为 9 92万t,同比增长 3 1%;有机颜料出口为 4 2万t,同比增长 3 1%。进口基本稳定 ,上半年染料进口量为 3 2 5万t,同比增长 9 1%;有机颜料进口为1 6 9万t,同比增长为 11 5 %。总之 ,上半年主要经济指标完成情况良好 ,进出口数量和经济效益继续保持稳定增长。但染料和纺织品的生产与出口都遇到一定的困难 ,纺织品出口又直接影响染料的内销市场 ,由于内外市场的变化 ,使染料生产和进出口的增长幅度减缓。     

Infrared heat treatment of Ti-6Al-4V with electroplated Cu

The objective of this study is to investigate an innovative infrared (IR) technique to enhance adhesion of electroplated copper (Cu) on Ti-6Al-4V without dichromate dipping. The ultimate goal is to develop a Cu coating process on Ti-6Al-4V without hazardous hexavalent chromium (Cr) solution treatments. Cu coatings of around 50 μm were electroplated on Ti-6Al-4V specimens at a current density of 0.03 A/cm² in an acidic Cu solution. To improve adhesion of coatings, IR heat treatments were performed on the Cu-coated samples at different temperatures and durations: 860 °C for 600 s and 875 °C for 20–120 s. This process was accomplished in an attempt to replace the use of dichromate dipping before electroplating. For samples heat treated at 860 °C, no bonding existed, even after 600 s. It is believed that solid-state diffusion prevailed at 860 °C and that 600 s was not enough for sufficient diffusion to occur. Adhesion was poor when samples were heat treated at 875 °C for 20 s. Excellent adhesion was observed when the heat treatment holding time was increased to 40 s. For 90 s, the surface appearance of coatings partially changed from Cu-colored to a grayish color. There was no Cu left on the surface after a 120 s heat treatment. From optical microscopic observations on sample cross sections, an interlayer between the Cu and Ti-6Al-4V formed when heat treated at 875 °C for 40 s and longer. The interlayer thickness increased as the holding time increased, until depletion of Cu. The sheet resistivity of coated specimens was on the order of pure Cu for samples heat treated at 875 °C and less than 90 s. During the 875 °C heat treatment, the following occurred: solid-state diffusion of Cu in Ti-6Al-4V, formation of eutectic solutions, dissolution of Cu and Ti-6Al-4V into the liquid phase, and the formation of intermetallic compounds. The lowest eutectic temperature of 875 °C played a key role in this innovative process of Cu coating on Ti-6Al-4V. This paper was presented at the 2nd International Surface Engineering Congress sponsored by ASM International, on September 15–17, 2003, in Indianapolis, Indiana and appears on pp. 403–10 of the Proceedings.