Hydrogenation of CSC8 graphite intercalation compound by atomic hydrogen

A hydrogenated caesium-graphite intercalation compound, of which the Raman spectrum indicates its second-stage structure, is found to be formed by exposure of CsC₈ to atomic hydrogen generated on a hot tungsten filament.     

A localized surface plasmon resonance based immunosensor for the detection of casein in milk

In this research, a localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) immunosensor based on gold-capped nanoparticle substrate for detecting casein, one of the most potent allergens in milk, was developed. The fabrication of the gold-capped nanoparticle substrate involved a surface-modified silica nanoparticle layer (core) on the slide glass substrate between bottom and top gold layers (shell). The absorbance peak of the gold-capped nanoparticle substrate was observed at ∼520 nm. In addition, the atomic force microscopy (AFM) images demonstrated that the nanoparticles formed a monolayer on the slide glass. After immobilizing anti-casein antibody on the surface, our device, casein immunosensor, could be applied easily for the detection of casein in the raw milk sample without a difficult pretreatment. Under the optimum conditions, the detection limit of the casein immunosensor was determined as 10 ng/mL. Our device brings several advantages to the existing LSPR-based biosensors with its easy fabrication, simple handling, low-cost, and high sensitivity.     

Microscopic structure of athabasca oil sand

A refined structural model for in situ oil sands is proposed in terms of the mutual arrangement of sand grains, fines, water and bitumen. In the Athabasca deposit, the sand grains consist mainly of quartz and their packing is such that the porosity is about 35%. In rich oil sand, 10–15% of the pore space is occupied by connate water whereas the remainder is occupied by bitumen. For lower grade oil sands, a direct correlation exists between the water content and the amount of fines (particles smaller than 44 μm) and an inverse correlation exists between the bitumen content and the amount of fines. These relationships are successfully explained in terms of the irreducible water saturation in a porous medium and the double layer interaction between sand and bitumen surfaces.     

pH-controlled uphill transport of ammonium ions through polymer membranes with sulfonic acid groups

Uphill transport of ammonium ions through a membrane with sulfonic acid groups were investigated with pH-controllers which keep the solution at a constant pH. A membrane with sulfonic acid groups was prepared by casting an aqueous solution containing poly(styrenesulfonic acid) and poly(vinyl alcohol) on a glass plate. When a membrane with one side alkaline and the other acidic was fixed as a diaphragm in a cell, ammonium ions were transported from the alkaline side to the acidic side through the membrane against the concentration gradient of the adjacent solutions. Uphill transport of ammonium ions with pH-controllers was more efficient than without, thus keeping the pH difference between both sides of the membrane constant, which is a driving force for the uphill transport. Furthermore, the effect of pH of the acidic side on the uphill transport was investigated and the mechanism of the pH-controlled uphill transport is discussed.     

Electrochemical reaction of the SiMn/C composite for anode in lithium ion batteries

The SiMn-graphite composite powder was prepared by mechanical ball milling and its electrochemical performances were evaluated as the candidate anode materials for lithium ion batteries. It is found that the cyclic performance of the composite materials is improved significantly compared to SiMn alloy and pure silicon. The heat treatment of the electrodes is beneficial for enhancing the cyclic stabilities. The SiMn-20 wt.% graphite composite electrode after annealing at 200 °C has an initial reversible capacity of 463 mAh g⁻¹ and a charge-discharge efficiency of 70%. Moreover, the reversible capacity maintains 426 mAh g⁻¹ after 30 cycles with a coulomb efficiency of over 97%. The phase structure and morphology of the composite were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy. The lithiation/delithiation behavior was investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry. The composite materials appear to be promising candidates as negative electrodes for lithium rechargeable batteries.     

Reprint of “Suppressing propylene carbonate decomposition by coating graphite electrode foil with silver”

A method has been developed to suppress the decomposition of propylene carbonate (PC) by coating graphite electrode foil with a layer of silver. Results from electrochemical impedance measurements show that the Ag-coated graphite electrode presents lower charge transfer resistance and faster diffusion of lithium ions in comparison with the virginal one. Cyclic voltammograms and discharge-charge measurements suggest that the decomposition of propylene carbonate and co-intercalation of solvated lithium ions are prevented, and lithium ions can reversibly intercalate into and deintercalate from the Ag-coated graphite electrode. These results indicate that Ag-coating is a good way to improve the electrochemical performance of graphitic carbon in PC-based electrolyte solutions.     

Immobilization of multicopper oxidase from Pyrobaculum aerophilum onto an electrospun-aligned single-walled carbon nanotube surface via a carbon-nanotube-binding peptide for biocathode

Biofuel cells (BFCs) that produce electrical energy from organic resources through enzymatic reactions have been attracting significant attention. Owing to the high electrical conductivity of carbon nanotubes (CNTs), their modification on the electrode surface of a BFC is expected to increase the current, and their high specific surface area may be useful in increasing the power output. Previously, we constructed a biocathode by immobilizing multicopper oxidase from Pyrobaculum aerophilum (McoP) with a carbon nanotube binding peptide (CBP) sequence on the CNTs. This resulted in higher current densities than when using enzymes without CBP sequences. However, owing to the randomly stacked CNTs on the surface of the electrodes, their conductive properties were impaired and performance as biocathodes was poor. Herein, we constructed a biocathode in which single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs) were oriented one-dimensionally and McoP is immobilized on the surface of an SWNCT via CBP. The current density was successfully increased by two-fold by orienting the CNTs and orienting and immobilizing McoP on their surfaces. This technology provides insights into the development of biodevices with controlled orientation of both the SWCNTs and enzymes immobilized on their surfaces.     

Control of secondary flow in concentrically traveling flow on centrifugal microfluidics

This paper reports a fundamental study of the stripe laminar flow pattern on a centrifugal microfluidic device with the goal of realizing a sedimentation-based, continuous mode particle separation technique. Microfluidic channels were designed with a concentrically integrated microchannel, and the patterning of the flow in the channel was investigated. A significant secondary flow was observed as a preliminary result. We conclude that the origin of this secondary flow was not the Dean force, because it was observed in a straight microchannel, but was not observed in curved channel during the spinning of the system at rest. The transition of the pattern was investigated using a simulation and experiment, and the flow pattern’s dependence on the rotational speed was determined, which suggested that the origin of the secondary flow was the Coriolis force. The significance of the secondary flow was controlled by adjusting the rotational speed of the disk, and the flow rate and laminar flow patterns were controlled by the stripe flow pattern.     

Oxygen permeation properties and surface modification of acceptor-doped CeO2/MnFe2O4 composites

The preparation and oxygen permeation properties of the (Ce_0.8Pr_0.2)O_2−δ − x vol% MnFe₂O₄ composites, where x = 0 to 35, have been investigated. The samples were prepared by the Pechini method. In the case of Ce_0.8Pr_0.2O_2−δ, an oxygen flux density of 6 μmol⋅cm⁻²⋅s⁻¹ (L = 0.0247 cm) and the maximum methane conversion of 50% were attained at 1000^∘C. Unlike composites consisting of Gd-doped CeO₂ and MnFe₂O₄, the oxygen permeability of the (Ce_0.8Pr_0.2)O_2−δ – x vol% MnFe₂O₄ composites was almost constant regardless of the volume fraction of MnFe₂O₄; however, the optimum volume fraction of MnFe₂O₄ was determined to be 5 to 25 in the context of the chemical and mechanical stabilities under methane conversion atmosphere. In addition, the surface modification of the (Ce_0.8Gd_0.2)O_2−δ – 15 vol% MnFe₂O₄ composite was performed by using the FePt nanoparticles. The catalyst loading of 2.8 mg/cm² on the both side of the 0.3 mm-thick (Ce_0.8Gd_0.2)O_2−δ – 15vol% MnFe₂O₄ composite increased the oxygen flux density from 0.30 to 0.76 μmol⋅cm⁻²⋅s⁻¹ in the case of He/air gradients; however, the effect seems to be reduced in the case of high oxygen flux density caused by a large pO₂ gradient. Moreover, the Langmuir-Blodgett film of the FePt nanoparticles were successfully prepared on the tape-cast (Ce_0.8Gd_0.2)O_2−δ – 15vol% MnFe₂O₄ composite. Hydrophobic treatments for the surface of the composite were crucial to achieve high transfer ratio for the deposition of the LB film.