Synthesis of Flexible Graphene/Polymer Composites for Supercapacitor Applications

In this paper, the graphene was synthesized using biocompatible cellulosic component from onions. Onion epidermal cells were chosen as raw material. During heating at high temperature, the bonding among atoms in material was rearranged and forms two-dimensional hexagonal carbon layer (graphene). The characterization of synthesized graphene was done by x-ray diffractometer, Raman spectrometer and field emission scanning electron microscopy, respectively. An attempt has been taken to form the capacitors with two different current collector electrodes, anticipating the performance of the supercapacitors. The observed capacitance values as-obtained for Al and Au current collector were 1.3 μF and 6.08 μF, respectively. However, when thermally exfoliated graphene was used as an electrode on Al and Au current collector, the capacitance value was drastically increased and found to be 1.6 and 41.25 μF, respectively.     

Preparation and characterization of graphene and Ni-decorated graphene using flower petals as the precursor material

A simple method is reported for preparing graphene and nickel-decorated graphene from the petals of lotus and hibiscus flowers by heating the original petals and petals soaked in a nickel(II) chloride solution ranging 800–1600 °C under a flowing argon atmosphere for 0.5 h. The products have been characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Graphene prepared at high temperature (>1200 °C) is purer than that obtained at a lower temperature (800 °C). The presence of nickel has been found to have improved the quality of the graphene and electron density near the Fermi energy level.     

Seven Coordinated Metal Complexes derived from (3-Carboxymethoxy-Naphthalen-2-yloxy)-Acetic Acid and Coordination Polymers

A design principle for seven coordinated metal carboxylate complexes and coordination polymers of Mn(II), Cd(II) and Na(I) derived from (3-carboxymethoxy-naphthalen-2-yloxy)-acetic acid (LH2) is presented. The complexes/coordination polymer [Mn(L)(H₂O)₃]·3H₂O (1), [{Cd(L)(H₂O)₂}·H₂O]_n (2); [Cd(L)(py)₃]·3H₂O (3) have metal ions in pentagonal bipyramid environments (py = pyridine). The coordination polymer [{Cd(L)(H₂O)₂}·H₂O]_n (2) may be considered to be the self-assembly of hexacoordinated [Cd(L)(H₂O)₂] units; it reacts with pyridine to form mono-nuclear complex 3. Depending on the reaction conditions, Ni-coordination polymers of L adopt different compositions. From the reaction carried out with NiCl₂ and NaOH in quinoline and water, a hetero bimetallic coordination polymer; namely, [[NaL(H₂O)]₂Ni(H₂O)₄]_n (4) is obtained. A similar reaction in pyridine-water solvent led to [{Ni(L)(py)₃}.py]_n (5). The coordination polymer 5 has pyridine in its interstices held by C–H···π interactions.     

Thermodynamic modeling of equilibrium conditions of CH4/CO2/N2 clathrate hydrate in presence of aqueous solution of sodium chloride inhibitor

In this work, the effect of sodium chloride (NaCl) on thermodynamic properties of CH₄+CO₂+N₂ hydrate formation and equilibrium condition has been studied. The three-phase (hydrate–liquid–gas) equilibrium calculation has been carried out using the Peng–Robinson equation of state (PR EoS) and Universal Quasi Chemical (UNIQUAC) activity coefficient models. The PR EoS coupled with classic mixing rule is applied for the vapor phase. The calculations of the gas hydrate formation pressures are performed in the absence and presence of sodium chloride inhibitor for the gas hydrate systems. The Chen–Guo model has been used for the hydrate phase and the UNIQUAC activity coefficient is applied for non-ideality of the liquid phase. To obtain higher accuracy, the solubility of the gases in the aqueous phase is also taken into account using pressure corrected Henry's law. Finally, the stepwise procedure has been followed to obtain the results and compared with the experimental results. The addition of 2% (by volume) sodium chloride to water results in large shifts in phase equilibrium boundary to increase pressure for the same temperature condition.     

Experimental and modeling study of kinetics for methane hydrate formation in a crude oil-in-water emulsion

A low-viscosity emulsion of crude oil in water can be believed to be the bulk of a flow regime in a pipeline. To differentiate which crude oil would and which would not counter the blockage of flow due to gas hydrate formation in flow channels, varying amount of crude oil in water emulsion without any other extraneous additives has undergone methane gas hydrate formation in an autoclave cell. Crude oil was able to thermodynamically inhibit the gas hydrate formation as observed from its hydrate stability zone. The normalized rate of hydrate formation in the emulsion has been calculated from an illustrative chemical affinity model, which showed a decrease in the methane consumption (decreased normalized rate constant) with an increase in the oil content in the emulsion. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) of the emulsion and characteristic properties of the crude oil have been used to find the chemical component that could be pivotal in selfinhibitory characteristic of the crude oil collected from Ankleshwar, India, against a situation of clogged flow due to formation of gas hydrate and establish flow assurance.     

Prospect of wind–PV-battery hybrid power system as an alternative to grid extension in Bangladesh

A pre-feasibility of wind-PV-battery hybrid system has been performed for a small community in the east-southern part of Bangladesh. Solar radiation resources have been assessed from other meteorological parameters like sunshine duration and cloud cover as measured radiation data were not available at the site. The predicted monthly averaged daily global radiation over Chittagong is 4.36 kWh/m²/day. Measured wind speed at the site varies from 3 m/s to 5 m/s. For few months and hours the speed is below the cut in speeds of the available turbines in market. The hybrid system analysis has showed that for a small community consuming 53,317 kWh/year the cost energy is 0.47USD/kWh with 10% annual capacity of shortage and produces 89,151 kWh/year in which 53% electricity comes from wind and the remaining from solar energy. The sensitivity analysis showed that the hybrid system for the community is compatible with the 8 km–12 km grid extension depending on small variation of solar radiation and wind speed over the district whereas the proposed site is more away from the upper limit. Such a hybrid system will reduce about 25 tCO₂/yr green house gases (GHG) emission in the local atmosphere.     

Techno-economical analysis of off-grid hybrid systems at Kutubdia Island,Bangladesh

Kutubdia is an island in the southern coast of Bangladesh where mainland grid electricity is not present or would not feasible in near future. Presently, electricity is generated using a diesel generator by Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) for a limited time and location. Due to its remote location, the fuel cost in Kutubdia is very expensive. In the present study one-year recorded wind by Bangladesh Centre of Advanced Studies (BCAS) location and other three potential locations for hybrid system analysis is discussed. The system configuration of the hybrid is achieved based on a theoretical domestic load at the island. The sizing of the hybrid power systems is discussed with 0% and 5% annual capacity of shortage. This feasibility study indicates that wind–PV–diesel system is feasible with 0% capacity of shortage and wind–diesel system is feasible with 5% annual capacity of shortage at all locations. As 5% annual capacity of shortage can be considered, the wind–diesel hybrid system will reduce net present cost as well as cost of energy to about 20% and the diesel consumption on the island can be reduced to about 50% of its present annual consumption. Such a hybrid system will reduce about 44% green house gases (GHG) from the local atmosphere.