Effect of transition metal doping on the sintering and electrochemical properties of GDC buffer layer in SOFCs

A dense Ce_0.9Gd_0.1O_2−d (GDC) interlayer is an essential component of the SOFCs to inhibit interfacial elemental diffusion between zirconia-based electrolytes (eg YSZ) and cathodes. However, the characteristic high sintering temperature of GDC (>1400°C) makes it challenging to fabricate an effective highly dense interlayer owing to the formation of more resistive (Zr,Ce)O₂ interfacial solid solutions with YSZ at those temperatures. To fabricate a useful GDC interlayer, we studied the influence of transition metal (TM) (Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, & Zn) doping on the sintering and electrochemical properties of GDC. Dilatometry data showed dramatic drops in the necking and final sintering temperatures for the TM-doped GDCs, improving the densification of the GDC in the order of Fe > Co > Mn > Cu > Zn. However, the electrochemical impedance data showed that among various transition metal dopants, Mn doping resulted in the best electrochemical properties. Anode supported SOFCs with Mn-doped, nano, and commercial-micron GDC interlayers were compared with regard to their performance and stability levels. Although all of the SOFCs showed stable performance, the SOFC with the Mn-doped GDC interlayer showed the highest power density of 1.14 W cm⁻² at 750°C. Hence, Mn-doped GDC is suggested for application as an effective diffusion barrier layer in SOFCs.     

Effects of different agro-industrial waste as substrates on proximate composition,metals, and mineral contents of oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)

The use of agro-industrial waste as substrates for mushroom cultivation is considered a promising management strategy for reducing and valorising these wastes, simultaneously reducing the cost of mushroom cultivation. In this study, oyster mushroom Pleurotus ostreatus were cultivated on twelve substrates composed of either tea waste, lime sawdust, alder sawdust, hornbeam sawdust/shaving, wheat stalk-straw, wheat bran or their composite to determine the proximate composition and accumulation of thirteen elements in their fruiting bodies. The proximate composition of P. ostreatus did not show a significant difference, regardless of the employed substrate. (one-way manova ; F_{(66, 107)} = 1.329, Wilk’s λ = 0.041, P > 0.05). However, their chemical element contents show a statistically significant difference (one-way manova ; F_{(132, 418)} = 32.163, Wilk’s λ = 0.000, P < 0.05). These results were supported by discriminant function and principal component analyses. The highest mean concentrations of six of twelve elements (i.e., Ca, Mg, Na, Zn, Cd and Cr) were recorded in P. ostreatus cultivated on the lime-sawdust substrate. Three health indices viz., estimated daily intake, target hazard quotient (THQ) and total THQ were applied to determine the risk to human health via the consumption of P. ostreatus, suggesting that they are safe for human consumption.     

Chitosan coatings enriched with active shrimp waste for shrimp preservation

An active coating solution composed of chitosan (Ch) and a shrimp protein-lipid concentrate (PCc), both obtained from Litopenaeus vannamei processing wastes, was applied to preserve shrimp during chilled storage. The addition of PCc increased the antioxidant capacity of the Ch coating, yielding a lower-viscosity mixture which, however, was viscous enough to adhere to the shrimp while maintaining its activity. The shrimp storage trial showed that the Ch coatings, especially when enriched with PCc (Ch-PCc), delayed microbial growth, mainly by extending the lag phase. Pseudomonas spp. appeared to be the predominant bacteria in the microbiota. H₂S-producing organisms and luminescent colonies were especially sensitive to this active coating, with inhibition greater than 4 and 2 log cycle respectively, while the growth of lactic acid bacteria was not favored. The Ch-PCc coating delayed the onset of melanosis and did not confer any sensorially detectable color, taste or odor. It therefore shows promise as a means to improve the quality of shrimp during cold storage.     

Recycling photovoltaic silicon waste for fabricating porous mullite ceramics by low-temperature reaction sintering

In this study, porous mullite ceramics with coral-like structures were fabricated at a low temperature of 900 °C by using photovoltaic silicon waste (PSW) as the silicon source directly. The effects of additive content and sintering temperature on the mullitization reaction of green bodies were studied. The results showed that ammonium molybdate tetrahydrate molybdenum (H₂₄Mo₇N₆O₂₄·4H₂O) as an additive could reduce the reaction temperature for mullitization from 1100 °C to 900 °C. The research on the influence of catalyst on material properties showed that porous mullite ceramics with a flexural strength of 52.83 MPa, a 41.78 % porosity, a sintering expansion rate of 0.49 % and an average pore size of 0.23 μm could be fabricated by introducing 7.5 % H₂₄Mo₇N₆O₂₄·4H₂O at the sintering temperature of 1000 °C. This study develops an environment-friendly recycling method of PSW and provides a new idea for the low-cost preparation of porous mullite ceramics with high purity.     

Multi-criteria decision-making approach assisting to select materials for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cell: Electrolyte,cathode& anode

Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFCs) have been emerged as a viable technology to convert chemical energy of fuels to electrical energy efficiently and environmentally friendly. However, some issues hinder the successful implementation of SOFC in industrial scales, such as elevated operating temperature, electrochemical stability, high costs associated with materials and interconnectors. To facilitate SOFCs commercialization, Low Temperature-SOFC (LT-SOFC) technology has been introduced. Various materials for core components of the LT-SOFC have been suggested and their performances are investigated. However, operating LT-SOFC faces challenges such as low ionic conductivity of electrolytes and slow rate of the oxygen reduction reaction. These obstacles can be overcome by selecting appropriate alternative materials that can conduct tasks preferably. Since assessing choices demands multiple measures, conducting a multi-criteria decision-making approach is inevitable. In this study, the Analytical Hierarchy Process is used to evaluate criteria and different options as alternatives for the main constituents of an LT-SOFC.     

大粒径磨料作用下高铝砖气固冲蚀磨损的"粒径效应"

以平均粒径分别为0.28 mm、0.40 mm、0.52 mm、0.80 mm的棕刚玉为磨料对I等高铝砖进行常温垂直气固冲蚀磨损试验,对磨料和靶材冲后表面进行扫描电镜显微结构分析,在宽粒径范围内研究磨料粒径对靶材耐磨性与冲蚀机制的影响.借助ANSYS/LS-NYNA软件建立多粒子冲蚀模型,分析不同磨料粒径下的冲蚀行为.结果表明:I等高铝砖出现"粒径效应",临界粒径0.40 mm;靶材最大等效应力随磨料粒径的增加而增加;平均粒径≥0.40 mm时磨料发生破碎,0.28 mm、0.40 mm、0.80 mm磨料冲蚀下靶材的主要冲蚀机制分别是基质和骨料微切削、基质和骨料断裂、缺陷处断裂.     

Asymptotic Properties of a Probabilistic‐Statistical Model of Particle Classification in Hydrocyclones

The peculiarities of practical implementation of a probabilistic‐statistical model for a hydrodynamic stage of particle classification process of liquid‐solid polydisperse systems in cylinder‐conic hydrocyclones of small size have been investigated. Within reasonable assumptions, stationary solutions of the Fokker‐Planck‐Kolmogorov kinetic equation were obtained for the considered separation process. In order to describe changes in characteristics of suspension separation in hydrocyclones it was proposed to use stationary distributions, which parameters depend not only on hydraulic and dynamic features of flows inside an apparatus, but also are determined by relative magnitudes of the impact of particle classification and centrifugal forces in comparison with the intensity of random perturbations.     

Numerical study of strain development in high-density polyethylene geomembrane liner system in landfills using a new constitutive model for municipal solid waste

Tensile strain development in high-density polyethylene (HDPE) geomembrane (GMB) liner systems in landfills was numerically investigated. A new constitutive model for municipal solid waste (MSW) that incorporates both mechanical creep and biodegradation was employed in the analyses. The MSW constitutive model is a Cam-Clay type of plasticity model and was implemented in the finite difference computer program FLAC?. The influence of the friction angle of the liner system interfaces, the biodegradation of MSW, and the MSW filling rate on tensile strains were investigated. Several design alternatives to reduce the maximum tensile strain under both short- and long-term waste settlement were evaluated. Results of the analyses indicate that landfill geometry, interface friction angles, and short- and long-term waste settlement are key factors in the development of tensile strains. The results show that long-term waste settlement can induce additional tensile strains after waste placement is complete. Using a HDPE GMB with a friction angle on its upper interface that is lower than the friction angle on the underlying interface, increasing the number of benches, and reducing the slope inclination are shown to mitigate the maximum tensile strain caused by waste placement and waste settlement.     

Integrated study of experiment and first‐principles computation for the characterization of a corium type ZrO8 complex in a Zr‐doped fluorite UO2

We, for the first time, observe ZrO₈ complex in Zr‐doped UO₂, which is a corium structure, using experimental characterization integrated with first‐principle computational validation. Atomic level structure of U_1?yZr_yO₂ pellets (y = 0.01, 0.03, 0.05, and 0.1) is identified using Raman spectroscopy measurement and X‐ray diffraction pattern analysis. The lattice constants shrink with increasing Zr doping levels, which consistently represents in the positive shift of T_2g Raman vibration peak around 445 cm^?1. More interestingly, conventionally unknown new Raman peak appears around 598 cm^?1, which has not been observed in neither a pure ZrO₂ nor UO₂ doped with tetravalent elements other than Zr. We unveil that the new peak originates from ZrO₈‐type complex formed on the fluorite UO₂. Our study provides precise understanding on the formation mechanisms and material properties of the corium in the hypervalent oxide.