Preparation and characterization of activated carbon produced from pomegranate seeds by ZnCl2 activation

In this study, pomegranate seeds, a by-product of fruit juice industry, were used as precursor for the preparation of activated carbon by chemical activation with ZnCl₂. The influence of process variables such as the carbonization temperature and the impregnation ratio on textural and chemical-surface properties of the activated carbons was studied. When using the 2.0 impregnation ratio at the carbonization temperature of 600 °C, the specific surface area of the resultant carbon is as high as 978.8 m² g⁻¹. The results showed that the surface area and total pore volume of the activated carbons at the lowest impregnation ratio and the carbonization temperature were achieved as high as 709.4 m² g⁻¹ and 0.329 cm³ g⁻¹. The surface area was strongly influenced by the impregnation ratio of activation reagent and the subsequent carbonization temperature.     

Effect of ZnCl<Subscript>2</Subscript> impregnation concentration on the microstructure and electrical performance of ramie-based activated carbon hollow fiber

Activated carbon hollow fibers (ACHFs) with high surface area were prepared from natural ramie fibers (RFs) by one-step activation under different ZnCl₂ impregnation concentrations. The results showed that the morphology and pore structure development of ACHFs depend greatly on ZnCl₂ concentration because ZnCl₂ not only can swell and dissolve cellulose but also can serve as skeleton of newborn pores. It obtained granular activated carbons (ACs) instead of ACHFs when ZnCl₂ concentration was over a suitable range. As supercapacitor electrode, the ACHFs possessed the maximum capacity of 287 F g^?1 and showed excellent stability with more than 93 % efficiency after 1000 cycles. Besides, ACHFs showed higher electrochemical performance than granular ACs even if their microstructure was similar, indicating the morphology of material is also important to the electrochemical properties. Therefore, supercapacitors using ramie-based ACHFs as electrodes possess high comprehensive properties to serve for the need of backup energy storage and high pulse power applications.     

Preparation of activated carbon from cherry stones by chemical activation with ZnCl2

Cherry stones (CS), an industrial product generated abundantly in the Valle del Jerte (Cáceres province, Spain), were used as precursor in the preparation of activated carbon by chemical activation with ZnCl₂. The influence of process variables such as the carbonisation temperature and the ZnCl₂:CS ratio (impregnation ratio) on textural and chemical-surface properties of the products obtained was studied. Such products were characterised texturally by adsorption of N₂ at −196 °C, mercury porosimetry and density measurements. Information on the surface functional groups and structures of the carbons was provided by FT-IR spectroscopy. Activated carbon with a high development of surface area and porosity is prepared. When using the 4:1 impregnation ratio, the specific surface area (BET) of the resultant carbon is as high as 1971 m² g⁻¹. The effect of the increase in the impregnation ratio on the porous structure of activated carbon is stronger than that of the rise in the carbonisation temperature, whereas the opposite applies to the effect on the surface functional groups and structures.     

Vibrational spectra of (NH4)3ZnCl5

IR and Raman spectra of (NH₄)₃ZnCl₅ have been recorded. The observed spectra have been analysed on the basis of the vibrations of ZnCl ₄ ²⁻ and NH ₄ ⁺ ions. The appearance of multiple Raman bands indicates the presence of two different types of ammonium ions. The effect of anisotropic crystalline field over the ZnCl₄ and NH₄ tetrahedra is also discussed. The assignment of internal modes has been verified by the potential energy distribution calculations.     

A low-temperature tilter system and its application to the measurement of the anisotropy of optical rotation in K2Zncl4 in the vicinity of the phase transition at 145 k

The ferroelectric/ferroelastic phase transition of K₂ZnCl₄ at 145 K has been investigated employing the tilter method (Kaminsky and Glazer (1996) Ferroelectrics 183, 133) which was adapted to low-temperature experiments. We were able to observe the anisotropy of optical rotation in K₂ZnCl₄ which shows a distinct discontinuity at the transition temperature. A precursor-optical rotation in the ferroelectric phase is discussed in connection with a cluster ordering scheme suggested in an earlier X-ray study. The rotation of the optical indicatrix which accompanies the transition from the orthorhombic to the monoclinic system shows a Landau-type temperature dependence. Model calculations based on the dipole-dipole interaction between the atoms of the structures at different temperatures are in qualitative agreement with the experimental results.     

Complex impedance spectroscopic studies of Ba(Pr1/2Ta1/2)O3 ceramic

The polycrystalline sample of Ba(Pr_1/2Ta_1/2)O₃ was prepared by a high-temperature solid-state reaction technique. The crystal symmetry, space group and unit cell dimensions were derived from the experimental results using FullProf software. XRD analysis of the compound indicated the formation of a single-phase tetragonal structure with the space group P4/mmm (1 2 3). Impedance and electric modulus analysis were used as tools to analyze the electrical behavior of the sample as a function of frequency at different temperatures. The impedance analysis of the compound indicated a typical negative temperature coefficient of resistance behavior, and dielectric relaxation was found to be of non-Debye type. The frequency dependent maximum of the imaginary part of the electric modulus follows the Arrhenius law with activation energy of 0.15 eV. The ac conductivity data obeys double power law.     

Mn-doped activated carbon aerogel as electrode material for pseudo-capacitive supercapacitor: Effect of activation agent

Carbon aerogel (CA) was prepared by a sol-gel polymerization of resorcinol and formaldehyde, and a series of activated carbon aerogels (ACA-X, X = H₃PO₄, K₂CO₃, KOH, and ZnCl₂) were then prepared by a chemical activation using different activation agent (X represented an activation agent). Specific capacitances of activated carbon aerogels were measured by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge methods in 6 M KOH electrolyte. Among the samples prepared, ACA-K₂CO₃ showed the highest specific capacitance (152 F/g). In order to combine excellent electrochemical performance of activated carbon aerogel with pseudo-capacitive property of manganese oxide, 7 wt% manganese oxide was doped on activated carbon aerogels (Mn/ACA-X) by an incipient wetness impregnation method. Capacitance measurements revealed that Mn/ACA-K₂CO₃ showed the highest specific capacitance (189 F/g). The enhanced capacitance of Mn/ACA-K₂CO₃ was attributed to the fine pore structure and outstanding electric properties of activated carbon aerogel as well as the faradaic redox reactions of manganese oxide.     

Temperatur and γ-Radiation Effects on the Electrical Conductivity of ZnCl2 Treated Polyvinylalcohol

Polyvinylalcohol (PVA) was treated by different weights of ZnCl₂ ranging from 5 to 30%, wt., and then hydrolysed with KOH where KOH/ZnCl₂ equals to 1 or 2 molar. The electrical conductivity and activation energy δE of the treated films were determined at different temperatures and dosages of γ-radiation. The obtained results were discussed on the basis of ion conduction mechanisms. The electrical conductivity behaviour of γ-irradiated samples was attributed to degradation and dissociation of macromolecular polymer due to the effect of γ-irradiation.

Polyvinylalcohol (PVA) wurde mil unterschiedlichen Gewichtsanteilen von ZnCl₂ im Bereich von 5 … 30% Gew.-% behandelt und anschlieβend mit KOH hydralisiert, wobei das KOH/ZnCl₂ Verhältnis bis 1 oder 2 molar war. Die elektrische Leitfähigkeit und die Aktivierungsenergie δE der so behandelten Filme wurde bei unterschiedlichen Temperaturen und γ-Strahlendosen ermittelt. Die erhaltenen Ergebnisse wurden auf der Grundlage des Ionnenleitungsmechanismus diskutiert. Das Verhalten der elektrischen Leitfähigkeit der mit γ-bestrahlten proben wurde dem Abbau und der Dissoziation des makromolekularen Polymers zurückgeführt.     

蓝宝石衬底上Gd2O3掺杂CeO2氧离子导体电解质薄膜的生长及电学性能

采用反应磁控溅射方法,在(0001)蓝宝石单晶衬底上,制备了纳米多晶Gd₂O₃掺杂CeO₂(GDC)氧离子导体电解质薄膜,采用X射线衍射仪(XRD)、原子力显微镜(AFM)对薄膜物相、结构、粗糙度、表面形貌等生长特性进行了表征,利用交流阻抗谱仪测试了GDC薄膜不同温度下的电学性能;实验结果表明,GDC薄膜为面心立方结构,在所研究的衬底温度范围内,均呈强(111)织构生长;薄膜表面形貌随衬底温度发生阶段性变化：衬底温度由室温升高到300℃时, 关键词： 2O₃掺杂CeO₂电解质薄膜')" href="#">Gd₂O₃掺杂CeO₂电解质薄膜 反应磁控溅射 生长特性 电学性能     

Commensurate and incommensurate modulated structures of Rb2ZnCl4

The commensurate and incommensurate structures of Rb₂ZnCl₄ have been refined using the four-dimensional formalism for modulated structures. They are characterized by a rigid body modulated rotation of the ZnCl₄ tetrahedra and by a translation motion of the Rb atoms.     

Laser Raman study of phase transformations in [N(CH3)4]2ZnCI4 single crystals

We report temperature-dependent Raman studies on single crystals of [N(CH₃)₄]₂ZnCI₄ from 300 to 10 K. The observed spectral features suggest that both the N(CH₃)₄ ⁺ and ZnCl^2- ₄ ions are distorted from their regular tetrahedral structure and occupy sites of C_s symmetry in the lattice at room temperature. From the variation of line width of some selected Raman bands and other spectral changes as a function of temperature, it is inferred that both the ZnCl^2- ₄ and—CH₃ groups have high motional freedom at room temperature and the different phase transitions up to 160 K are triggered by the gradual freezing-in of orientational freedom of these groups, while the N—C₄ tetrahedra do not play any significant role in these phase transitions. The monoclinic to orthorhombic superlattice phase transitions at 159 K is triggered by freezing-in of the orientational motions of both the ZnCl^2- ₄ and N(CH₃)⁺ ₄ groups in the lattice.     

The influence of pressure on the electrical conductivity of molten zinc chloride and its Mixtures with potassium chloride

Abstract

The electrical conductivities of molten ZnCl₂ and its mixtures with KCl were measured as functions of pressure, temperature, and composition. The measuremkents were performed in an internally heated pressure vessel in which the melts were contained in open quartz glass cells. The addition of KCl to molten ZnCl₂ causes a large increase of the conductivity at all pressures and temperatures. With increasing pressure the conductivity increases in pure molten ZnCl₂ and in mixtures rich in ZnCl₂ and decreases in mixtures with more than 30 mol% of KCl.     

Three-dimensionally ordered composite electrode between LiMn2O4 and Li1.5Al0.5Ti1.5(PO4)3

A novel electrode system composed of three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) Li_1.5Al_0.5Ti_1.5(PO₄)₃ (LATP) and LiMn₂O₄ was fabricated by the colloidal crystal templating method and sol–gel process. A LATP nanoparticle for the fabrication of 3DOM-LATP was prepared by a sol–gel process. A suspension containing polystyrene (PS) beads and the LATP nanoparticles was filtrated by using a polycarbonate filter to accumulate PS beads and LATP. The accumulated PS beads had a close-packing structure, and the void between PS beads was filled with LATP nanoparticles. 3DOM-LATP was obtained by heat treatment of the accumulated composite. Li–Mn–O sol was injected by a vacuum impregnation process into the macropores of 3DOM-LATP and then was heated to form three-dimensionally ordered composite materials consisting of LiMn₂O₄ and LATP. The formation of the composite between 3DOM-LATP and LiMn₂O₄ were confirmed with scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction method. The prepared composite electrode system exhibited a good electrochemical performance. Paper presented at the 11th EuroConference on the Science and Technology of Ionics, Batz-sur-Mer, Sept. 9–15, 2007.     

γ-irradiation effect on the spectroscopic and electrical properties of K2SO4—Na2SO4 mixed system

Abstract

Measurements of electron paramagnetic resonance, infrared and electrical properties were carried out for the K₂SO₄—Na₂SO₄ mixed system before and after γ-irradiation. EPR measurements revealed the presence of a quartet of lines characterized by an isotropic g-value of 2.0034. These lines are mainly attributed to the formation of a SO^? ₃ center which results from the interaction of γ-rays with the sulfate ion. A decrease in the absorption intensity of the Infrared radiation was observed after γ-irradiation due to radiation damage in the sulfate group. The electrical conductivity, σ, was measured for the K₂SO₄—Na₂SO₄ system before and after γ-irradiation in the temperature range from 30 up to 430°C. A considerable decrease in the conductivity value accompanied by an increase in the activation energy was observed after γ-irradiation. The energy of formation of Frenkel defects was estimated to be 2.94eV. The current-voltage characteristics were measured at different temperatures in order to estimate the type of conduction in the samples. Isothermal annealing kinetics was investigated at different temperatures before and after γ-irradiation. The electrical conductivity decreases with increasing time of annealing and the annealing process is dominated by a unique rate process.     

Removal of recalcitrant pollutants from wastewater

Triton X-100 was oxidized in aqueous solutions with the presence of O₂ using photocatalysis and H₂O₂ addition alone or coupled. New supported TiO₂/Al₂O₃ catalysts modified with vanadium and cobalt were used. Catalysts were prepared using the classical impregnation method (CIM) and the double impregnation method (DIM). The effect of the physico-chemical properties of the catalysts on its activity were studied. The research on the interactions between the metal precursor and the titania-alumina surface by means of FT-IR/PAS (Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy) were also conducted.     

Active carbons impregnated before activation of olive stones: catalytic activity to remove benzene from gaseous emissions

This work analyses the catalytic activity of impregnated active carbons prepared with olive stones to remove benzene from atmospheric emissions through catalytic complete oxidation. When the impregnation step is performed on the raw material or after activation, the influence of carbon texture on the catalyst dispersion and catalytic activity is already well studied. Nevertheless, when the impregnation step is performed before activation, the knowledge about catalytic activity is yet very scarce, being the main objective of the study here reported. Not expensive metal oxides were used as active species: CoO, Co₃O₄ and CrO₃. At 523 K, the kinetic constants are 2.3–2.6 times higher when impregnation is performed before activation, due to a better catalyst distribution associated with a better development of mesoporous texture. Co₃O₄ is the best catalyst for the activation step and for the complete oxidation of benzene, the kinetic constant being 2.1 times higher than when the impregnant is CrO₃, the worst of the catalyst studied. To reach 90% of benzene conversion using Co₃O₄ as catalyst, a reduction of 12% in temperature was possible, when compared with CrO₃. Nevertheless, all the catalysts allow good conversions at temperatures lower than 575 K, above which the carbon stability cannot be guaranteed.     

Structure formation and mechanisms of DC conduction in thermally evaporated nanocrystallite structure ZnIn2Se4 thin films

ZnIn₂Se₄ is of polycrystalline structure in as synthesized condition. It transforms to nanocrystallite structure of ZnIn₂Se₄ film upon thermal evaporation. Annealing temperatures influenced crystallite size, dislocation density and internal strain. The hot probe test showed that ZnIn₂Se₄ thin films are n-type semiconductor. The dark electrical resistivity versus reciprocal temperature for planar structure of Au/ZnIn₂Se₄/Au showed existence of two operating conduction mechanisms depending on temperature. At temperatures >365 K, intrinsic conduction operates with activation energy of 0.837 eV. At temperatures <365 K, extrinsic conduction takes place with activation energy of 0.18 eV. The operating conduction mechanism in extrinsic region is variable range hopping. The parameters such as density of states at Fermi level, hopping distance and average hopping energy have been determined and it was found that they depend on film thickness. The dark current–voltage characteristics of Au/n-ZnIn₂Se₄/p-Si/Al diode at different temperatures ranging from 293–353 K have been investigated. Results showed rectification behavior. At forward bias potential <0.2 V, thermionic emission of electrons from ZnIn₂Se₄ film over a potential barrier of 0.28 V takes place. At forward bias potential >0.2 V, single trap space charge limited current is operating. The trap concentration and trap energy level have been determined as 3.12×10¹⁹ cm⁻³ and 0.24 eV, respectively.     

Anisotropic domain-wall dynamics in proton-irradiated KH2PO4

KH₂PO₄ single crystals have been studied by employing complex impedance measurements in view of the domain freezing effect. As a result, distinct behaviors of the anisotropic domain-wall dynamics in the activation energy of domain freezing and the Vogel–Fulcher temperature before and after proton irradiation have been identified in the anisotropic crystal structure.     

Drying and Impregnation of Wood with Propiconazole Using Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

The process of wood drying is studied in supercritical (SC) CO₂ and SC-CO₂ containing 5 vol % ethanol at temperatures of 323, 343, and 353 K and pressures of 10, 20, and 30 MPa. It is established that 40–87% of moisture is removed from wood in the first cycle of drying. An increase in the duration of the decompression stage of the drying process decreases the number of cracks in the wood samples. The solubility of propiconazole is studied in SC-CO₂ at 323, 343, and 353 K in the pressure range of 10–30 MPa using a dynamic method. Rather high saturation concentrations of (3–5) × 10^–3 mol/mol CO₂ are obtained, which indicates the potential benefits of using SC-CO₂ as a solvent in wood impregnation with propiconazole. Continuous impregnation is achieved when impregnating wood with propiconazole from SC-CO₂. The impregnation efficiency increases with increasing pressure and duration of the process.     

Sb2Te3 纳米结构的制备与表征

以室温热电性能优异的传统热电材料Sb₂Te₃为研究对象,利用化学气相沉积法制备Sb₂Te₃单晶纳米结构,并研究其生长机理.实验结果表明,不加催化剂时Sb₂Te₃易生长成六方纳米盘,在金催化剂条件下定向生长成纳米线.Sb₂Te₃的形貌与其晶体结构和生长机理有关.Sb₂Te₃为三角结构,Sb和