Enhance cycling performance of LiMn2O4 cathode by Sr2+ and Cr3+ doping

Spinel LiSr_0·1Cr_0·1Mn_1·8O₄ was synthesised by high temperature solid state method in order to enhance the electrochemical performance. The LiSr_0·1Cr_0·1Mn_1·8O₄ (LSCMO) materials were characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and electrochemical tests. The XRD and SEM studies confirm that LSCMO had spinel crystal structure with a space group of Fd3m, and the particle of LSCMO shows irregular shape. The cyclic voltammetry data illustrated that the heavy current charge–discharge performance of LMO was improved by Sr²⁺ and Cr³⁺ doping. The galvanostatic charge–discharge of LSCMO cathode materials was measured at 1, 5, 10 and 20 C. The results indicated that LSCMO improved the capacity retention.     

Hydrogen from wet air and sunlight in a tandem photoelectrochemical cell

A solid-state photoelectrochemical (SSPEC) cell is an attractive approach for solar water splitting, especially when it comes to monolithic device design. In a SSPEC cell the electrodes distance is minimized, while the use of polymer-based membranes alleviates the need for liquid electrolytes, and at the same time they can separate the anode from the cathode. In this work, we have made and tested, firstly, a SSPEC cell with a Pt/C electrocatalyst as the cathode electrode, under purely gaseous conditions. The anode was supplied with air of 80% relative humidity (RH) and the cathode with argon. Secondly, we replaced the Pt/C cathode with a photocathode consisting of 2D photocatalytic g-C₃N₄, which was placed in tandem with the photoanode (tandem-SSPEC). The tandem configuration showed a three-fold enhancement in the obtained photovoltage and a steady-state photocurrent density. The mechanism of operation is discussed in view of recent advances in surface proton conduction in absorbed water layers. The presented SSPEC cell is based on earth-abundant materials and provides a way towards systems of artificial photosynthesis, especially for areas where water sources are scarce and electrical grid infrastructure is limited or nonexistent. The only requirements to make hydrogen are humidity and sunlight.     

The influence of volume fraction of amorphous phase on corrosion resistance of Mg67Zn 29Ca 4 alloy

The aim of this study was to investigate the structure and corrosion resistance of amorphous, amorphous‐crystalline, and crystalline Mg₆₇Zn₂₉Ca₄ alloy for biodegradable applications. This paper presents a preparation method and results of the structural characterization and corrosion resistance analysis of the material. Samples were prepared in the form of 3 mm diameter rods. The structure of the alloy was examined with the use of X‐ray diffractometry and scanning electron microscopy. The thermal properties of the samples were examined with differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Results of DSC analysis were used to determine heat treatment temperatures, allowing to obtain different fractures of crystalline phase in the material. Corrosion resistance of heat‐treated samples was investigated by immersion tests and electrochemical measurements performed in the simulated body fluid. The X‐ray diffraction results confirmed that the prepared Mg₆₇Zn₂₉Ca₄ alloy's structure is fully amorphous. After heat treatment, samples with different fractions of amorphous phase in the structure were obtained. Immersion tests of the samples showed that the structure significantly influenced corrosion resistance in examined materials. It should be pointed out, that certain amounts of crystalline phase in amorphous matrix can greatly improve the corrosion resistance of Mg₆₇Zn₂₉Ca₄ alloy.     

Residual learning rates in lead-acid batteries: Effects on emerging technologies

The low price of lead-acid, the most popular battery, is often used in setting cost targets for emerging energy storage technologies. Future cost reductions in lead acid batteries could increase investment and time scales needed for emerging storage technologies to reach cost-parity. In this paper the first documented model of cost reductions for lead-acid batteries is developed. Regression to a standard experience curve using 1989–2012 data yield a poor fit, with R² values of 0.17 for small batteries and 0.05 for larger systems. To address this problem, battery costs are separated into material and residual costs, and experience curves developed for residual costs. Depending on the year, residual costs account for 41–86% of total battery cost. Using running-time averages to address volatility in material costs, a 4-year time average experience curve for residual costs yield much higher R², 0.78 for small and 0.74 for large lead-acid batteries. The learning rate for residual costs in lead-acid batteries is 20%, a discovery with policy implications. Neglecting to consider cost reductions in lead-acid batteries could result in failure of energy storage start-ups and public policy programs. Generalizing this result, learning in incumbent technologies must be understood to assess the potential of emerging ones.     

Verhalten von Magnesiumlegierungen für Anwendungen im Fahrzeugbau bei mechanisch‐elektrochemischer Komplexbeanspruchung: Einfluss passivierender Deckschichten und Mechanismen der lokalen Schädigung

Behavior of Magnesium‐Alloys for Automotive Applications under Mechanical and Environmental Loading: Influence of Passivating Films and Mechanisms of Local Breakdown To assure an efficient design of components under cyclic loading, all available data concerning fatigue have to be observed. Therefore the influences of manufacturing on the material condition, the mechanical loads and environmental effects have to be analysed. Magnesium‐alloys are of special interest for lightweight applications because of their excellent strength‐density ratio. The corrosion resistance of magnesium‐alloys depends on the same factors that are critical to other metals. The alloys have a good stability to atmospheric exposure and a good resistance to attack by alkali, chromic and hydrofluoric acids. However, because of the electrochemical activity of magnesium, the relative importance of some factors is greatly amplified. The nature and composition of passive films formed on magnesium‐alloys depend on the prevailing conditions, viz. alloy‐composition, passivation potential, pH, electrolyte composition and temperature. Passive films may be damaged by local breakdown. Because of this, magnesium‐alloys suffer a degradation of their properties when exposed to an aqueous environment. The main topic of the present investigations is the verification of mechanisms of the local breakdown of the protecting film. At least two mechanisms are possible for this localization: mechanical breakdown by slip steps and electrochemical breakdown (for e.g. by the effects of chloride ions). Corrosion and passivation of different high purity alloys have been studied in different solutions (neutral, alkaline with specific anions and cations) using electrochemical techniques. The diecasted alloys were tested as produced and machined. The results clarified that depending on alloy/material and surface condition/corrosion environment different mechanisms for electrochemical breakdown of the protecting films are possible. Hence fatigue life under environmental loading is influenced by surface and testing conditions.     

“锲而不舍 金石可镂”——上海秀派公司2．45GHz有源RFID标签技术的成功之路

上海秀派公司坚持自己的技术长项——2．45GHz有源RFID,充分发扬该种RFID的特长,记者采访该公司时了解到了开发方面的很多细节、成功案例和实施经验。我们不但非常推崇该公司的“锲而不舍”的意志,而且还意识到如果秀派公司的成功经验一旦辐射到中国的RFID行业中,一定会把这项在国外诞生的技术更好地植根于中国的土壤,使之更加适合中国的实用环境。     

锂离子电池用聚合物电解质的最新进展II.含液聚合物电解质

由于干态聚合物电解质目前还不能满足聚合物锂离子电池的应用要求,人们致力于开发含液体增塑剂的聚合物电解质,包括凝胶型和微孔型两类体系。本文综述了含液聚合物电解质的最新进展,重点论述了各种新体系和新方法。     

Effect of oxygenation on electrocatalysis of La0.6Ca0.4CoO3−x in bifunctional air electrode

A vacuum-annealed La_0.6Ca_0.4CoO_3−x was consecutively oxygenated in air at temperatures decreasing from 800 to 100 °C, and its electrocatalytic activities for oxygen reduction and evolution were then measured as a function of the oxygenation temperature. The valence of Co cation, changing between +2 and +3, was found susceptible to annealing either in vacuum or air. The catalytic activities initially decrease monotonically as the oxygenation temperature was decreased from 800 to 300 °C, as a result of increasing oxygen content, and then rise abruptly with the oxygen reduction activity reaching a maximum at 200 °C and the oxidation activity at 150 °C. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis indicated that the enhancements by the low-temperature oxygenation involved increased OH coverage and less charged cations at surface. The results clearly reveal the importance of the post-calcination annealing process for optimizing the performance of La_0.6Ca_0.4CoO_3−x in air electrode applications.     

Ca掺杂钨镁酸铅陶瓷材料的制备及其介电性能

研究了Ca掺杂钨镁酸铅(PMW)陶瓷材料的合成、结构、烧结以及介电性能。结果发现：在Ca^2 摩尔分数小于15％时，能形成单相的PCMW钙铁矿相，结构由原来的斜方相向立方相转变。用二步合成法制备的样品容易致密烧结，气孔率比一步法制备的样品小。Ca的加入降低了材料的介电损耗，在频率为1MHz时，介质损耗达到了10^-4。当Ca^2 摩尔分数大于10％时，材料的Curie峰宽化显著，介电常数温度系数降低。