High Performance Lithium‐Ion Batteries Using Layered 2H‐MoTe2 as Anode

The major challenges faced by candidate electrode materials in lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) include their low electronic and ionic conductivities. 2D van der Waals materials with good electronic conductivity and weak interlayer interaction have been intensively studied in the electrochemical processes involving ion migrations. In particular, molybdenum ditelluride (MoTe₂) has emerged as a new material for energy storage applications. Though 2H‐MoTe₂ with hexagonal semiconducting phase is expected to facilitate more efficient ion insertion/deinsertion than the monoclinic semi‐metallic phase, its application as an anode in LIB has been elusive. Here, 2H‐MoTe₂, prepared by a solid‐state synthesis route, has been employed as an efficient anode with remarkable Li⁺ storage capacity. The as‐prepared 2H‐MoTe₂ electrodes exhibit an initial specific capacity of 432 mAh g^?1 and retain a high reversible specific capacity of 291 mAh g^?1 after 260 cycles at 1.0 A g^?1. Further, a full‐cell prototype is demonstrated by using 2H‐MoTe₂ anode with lithium cobalt oxide cathode, showing a high energy density of 454 Wh kg^?1 (based on the MoTe₂ mass) and capacity retention of 80% over 100 cycles. Synchrotron‐based in situ X‐ray absorption near‐edge structures have revealed the unique lithium reaction pathway and storage mechanism, which is supported by density functional theory based calculations.     

Investigation on gradient dielectric characteristics of bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus)

Dielectric constant (ε′) and tan δ dependence on distance from the outer most skin to the center of bamboo has been determined. Dielectric measurements have been done in the temperature range from 24 to 120°C and in the frequency range from 4 to 100 kHz. Gradient behavior in dielectric constant (ε′) and tan δ has been found in bamboo. It has also been observed that the dielectric constant (ε′) and tan δ increase with the increasing temperature and decrease with the increasing frequency. Relaxation times have been calculated for the four samples at 80, 90, and 100°C temperatures, which show that relaxation time decreases with the increase of temperature due to the increased molecular mobility. A continuous increase in the hardness from the center 48 to the outer surface 70 and density from 0.45 to 0.80 g/cc has been observed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 3489–3494, 2006     

Investigation on gradient dielectric characteristics of bamboo (Dentroclamus strictus)

Dependence of dielectric constant (ε′) and dielectric dissipation factor (tan δ) on distance from outermost skin to the center of bamboo has been determined. Dielectric measurements have been done in the temperature range of 24–120°C and in the frequency range, 4–100 kHz. Gradient behavior in ε′ and tan δ has been found in bamboo. It has also been observed that ε′ and tan δ increase with increasing temperature and decrease with increasing frequency. Relaxation times have been calculated for the four samples at 80, 90, and 100°C temperatures, which show that relaxation time decreases with the increase of temperature because of the increased molecular mobility. A continuous increase in the hardness from center (48) to outer surface (70) and density from 0.45 to 0.80 g/cc has been observed. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 102: 380–386, 2006     

Effect of Temperature on Electrical and Thermal Properties on Carbon Soot Filled Polyester Graded Composites

This article reports the development, DC conductivity behavior of carbon soot filled polyester graded composites. Carbon soot filled polyester composites having 3 wt% of carbon soot powder and polyester resin were prepared. DC conductivity measurements were conducted on the graded composites by using an electrometer in the temperature range of 28°C to 150°C. DC conductivity increased with increase in carbon soot concentration in the composites; DC conductivity increased with the increase in temperature. Activation energy was calculated by using Arrhenius equation for graded samples exhibited electronic conduction. Linear dependence of pre-exponential factors on activation energy for carbon soot filled polyester graded composites reveals semi-conducting behavior of the composites.     

Investigations on d.c. conductivity behaviour of milled carbon fibre reinforced epoxy graded composites

This paper reports the d.c. conductivity behaviour of milled carbon fibre reinforced polysulphide modified epoxy gradient composites. Milled carbon fibre reinforced composites having 3 vol. % of milled carbon fibre and poly sulphide modified epoxy resin have been developed. D.C. conductivity measurements are conducted on the graded composites by using an Electrometer in the temperature range from 26°C to 150°C. D.C. conductivity increases with the increase of distance in the direction of centrifugal force, which shows the formation of graded structure with the composites. D.C. conductivity increases on increase of milled carbon fibre content from 0·45 to 1·66 vol.%. At 50°C, d.c. conductivity values were 1·85 × 10⁻¹¹, 1·08 × 10⁻¹¹ and 2·16 × 10⁻¹² for samples 1, 2 and 3, respectively. The activation energy values for different composite samples 1, 2 and 3 are 0·489, 0·565 and 0·654 eV, respectively which shows decrease in activation energy with increase of fibre content.     

Development and electrical conductivity behavior of copper‐powder‐filled‐epoxy graded composites

This article reports the development and direct‐current (dc) conductivity behavior of copper‐powder‐filled‐epoxy graded composite. Copper‐powder‐filled‐epoxy composites with 10 wt % copper powder and epoxy resin were developed. dc conductivity measurements were performed on the graded composites with an electrometer in the temperature range of 28–146°C. The dc conductivity decreased with an increase in the distance in the direction of the centrifugal force, and this showed the formation of a graded structure. The dc conductivity increased as the copper powder content increased. Two‐phase conduction occurred in all the copper‐filled‐epoxy graded samples. The activation energy calculated with an Arrhenius equation for one sample was 0.88 eV, and this was mainly due to conduction electronic. Another sample had an activation energy of 1.33 eV. Three samples exhibited ionic conduction. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2008     

Studies on Dielectric and a.c. Conductivity Behavior of Activated Carbon-Filled Epoxy-Graded Composites

In this study, an activated carbon-filled epoxy resin gradient composite was developed. The dielectric constant increased gradually with the increase of activated carbon content in the direction of centrifugal force, due to gradual increase in carbon concentration. Dielectric constant and a.c. conductivity increased with increase in temperature. Increase of a.c. conductivity with temperature was due to the formation of the polycondensed rings, which allowed charge transport in the composite. By using the power law σ_a.c. = A ω^s, values of constant A and frequency exponent s were calculated. It has been found that a decrease from sample 1 to 4 due to the increased concentration of activated carbon in the composite. Small values of activation energy obtained at higher frequencies suggest that the conduction in the composite is mainly due to hopping of charge carriers.     

Yield and soil nutrient balance of a sugarcane plant–ratoon system with conventional and organic nutrient management in sub-tropical India

A 3-year field trial of sugarcane, comprising 11 treatment combinations of different organic manures with and without Gluconacetobacter diazotrophicus (Gd), NPK and an absolute control, on an inceptisol was conducted to assess the effect of these treatments on sugarcane total and economic yield, the benefit:cost ratio, nutrient balance and soil quality in a sugarcane plant–ratoon system. The highest cane yield (78.6 t ha⁻¹) was recorded in the plant crop given vermicompost + Gd, whereas ratoon yields (first and second) were highest (80.8 and 74.9 t/ha⁻¹, respectively) with sulphitation press mud cake (SPMC) + Gd. In both plant and ratoon crops, a number of different organic manures produced the highest cane yield that was also statistically similar to those obtained with using the recommended NPK levels (76.1, 78.2 and 71.7 t/ha for plant crop and subsequent two ratoons, respectively). The highest benefit:cost (B:C) ratio in the plant and two ratoon crops (1.28, 2.36, 2.03 respectively) were obtained with the addition of SPMC + Gd. The nutrient balance for NPK in the soil was highest in the SPMC + Gd treatment. The highest increase in organic C (94%) and total N (87%), in comparison to the initial level, and soil microbial biomass C (113%) and soil microbial biomass N (229%), in comparison to the control treatment, was recorded with the addition of SPMC + Gd. The maximum decrease in soil bulk density (BD) (12%) with an increase in soil aggregate (17%) and water infiltration rate (35%) was obtained with the addition of SPMC. Overall, the sugarcane crop responded well to different organic manures in a multiple ratooning system with a better economic output and improved soil quality. Strategic planning in terms of an integrated application of these manures with inorganic chemicals will not only sustain our soils but will also be beneficial for our farmers in terms of reducing their dependence and expenditure on chemical fertilizers.     

Investigations on gradient a.c. conductivity characteristics of bamboo (Dendrocalamus strictus)

Effect of temperature and frequency variation on a.c. conductivity of bamboo was determined by using a 4274 A Multi-Frequencies LCR meter. Electrical measurements were carried out in the temperature range 24–120°C and in the frequency range 4–100 kHz. It was observed that the a.c. conductivity increased initially and then decreased with increase of temperature and frequencies. The increase of distance from outer surface to the inner surface side increased the a.c. conductivity values and showed the grading in a.c. conductivity behaviour. Two phases of a.c. conductivity behaviour with temperature exist in bamboo. At 10 mm distance a.c. conductivity suddenly increases which is the critical depth from skin for this bamboo. Increase of temperature, at all the frequencies increases the a.c. conductivity initially and then decreases. Downward peaks in a.c. conductivities are observed at all the frequencies due to the presence of moisture in bamboo, which liberated on heating. Sharp peak is observed in case of sample 4, which is inner most strip. Maximum sharp peak is observed at lowest 4 kHz frequency.