Studies of the hydrogen evolution reaction on smooth Co and electrodeposited Ni–Co ultramicroelectrodes

The hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) was studied on smooth Co and on electrodeposited Ni–Co ultramicroelectrodes (UMEs) in alkaline solutions at several temperatures by steady-state polarisation curves. The real electrochemical area was previously estimated by cyclic voltammetry to account for the large difference in roughness factor of the two surfaces. The values obtained for the Tafel slopes were very close to 2.303RT/βnF while the ‘apparent’ energies of activation were 59 and 41 kJ mol⁻¹ for Co and Ni–Co, respectively. A common Volmer–Heyrovsky mechanism with Heyrovsky as the rate-determining step (RDS) was initially proposed. This was confirmed when the experimental results were mathematically treated by a non-linear fitting procedure using the kinetic equations derived for that mechanism. The calculations revealed that Ni–Co is a more efficient catalyst for the HER then pure Co, with a rate constant value of 0.16×10⁻¹⁰ mol s⁻¹ cm⁻² at 25°C for the slow step. Although this value is more than one order of magnitude smaller than that already reported for deposited Ni, it is considerably larger than the one measured here (0.02×10⁻¹⁰ mol s⁻¹ cm⁻²) for pure Co at 25°C.     

Pt–Co nanocluster in hollow carbon nanospheres

Recently, it has been reported that small Pt/Co bimetallic nanoclusters into hollow carbon spheres (HCS) show outstanding catalytic performances in deriving biomass fuels due to the small particle size and the homogeneous alloying. Thus, the knowledge about the thermal evolution and stability of the nanoclusters into the HCS has a great importance. We have simulated the heating process beyond the melting point for the bare and encapsulated Pt/Co clusters into the HCS with the different sizes of 55, 147, and 309. The different thermodynamic and structural properties of the nanoclusters have also been investigated in this work. Our results show that the nanoclusters are more stable into the HCS than the bare clusters. The melting points of the supported clusters are also higher than the unsupported clusters. The confined nanoclusters have also lower excess energy values than the bare clusters which means that the encapsulation of Pt/Co nanoclusters into the HCS is favorable. The structural investigations show that a core–shell structure cannot be observed for the different supported and unsupported clusters and the initial mixed structure of the different nanoclusters remains also at the melting points. To more investigate this claim, the radial chemical distribution function (RCDF) and radial distribution function (RDF) of the bare and encapsulated clusters have also been calculated and discussed. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Fiber‐in‐Tube Design of Co9S8‐Carbon/Co9S8: Enabling Efficient Sodium Storage

The sodium‐ion battery is a promising battery technology owing to its low price and high abundance of sodium. However, the sluggish kinetics of sodium ion makes it hard to achieve high‐rate performance, therefore impairing the power density. In this work, a fiber‐in‐tube Co₉S₈‐carbon(C)/Co₉S₈ is designed with fast sodiation kinetics. The experimental and simulation analysis show that the dominating capacitance mechanism for the high Na‐ion storage performance is due to abundant grain boundaries, three exposed layer interfaces, and carbon wiring in the design. As a result, the fiber‐in‐tube hybrid anode shows a high specific capacity of 616 mAh g^?1 after 150 cycles at 0.5 A g^?1. At 1 A g^?1, a capacity of ca. 451 mAh g^?1 can be achieved after 500 cycles. More importantly, a high energy density of 779 Wh kg^?1 and power density of 7793 W kg^?1 can be obtained simultaneously.     

The Reconstructive Phase Transformation β‐Co2P → α‐Co2P and the Structure of the High‐Temperature Phosphide β‐Co2P

Metallographical and differential thermoanalytical (DTA) investigatitons indicate that the well known phosphide Co₂P (Pearson code oP12, space group Pnma, Co₂Si type) is not stable up to the melting point, T = 1659 K; it is therefore designated as the low‐temperature phase α‐Co₂P. In the temperature range from 1428 to 1659 K, another, high‐temperature phase, designated as β‐Co₂P, exists. X‐ray powder diffraction investigation of liquid quenched alloys in the composition range x_P = 0.25 to 0.335, with x_P as the mole fraction, show that the high‐temperature phase β‐Co₂P is isotypic with Fe₂P (hP9, P 6 2m). For the ideal composition Co₂P, the unit cell parameters are: a = 5.742(2) Å, c = 3.457(5) Å, c/a = 0.621. Among the binary transition metal‐containing phosphides and arsenides isotypic with Fe₂P, β‐Co₂P is the only known high‐temperature phase and it shows (i) the highest axial ratio c/a and (ii) the “smallest” distortion of the hcp substructure formed by the transition metals atoms in the Fe₂P structure type.     

Immunological properties of <Superscript>60</Superscript>Co gamma-rays irradiated bothropstoxin-I

We investigated the immunological behavior of BTHX-1, before and after irradiation. SDS-PAGE showed that BTHX-1 irradiated in the presence of NaNO₃, had its structure preserved. Animals’ plasma immunized with native BTHX-1 had high IgG1 titers. The irradiated protein induced high titers of IgG2b. When the toxin was irradiated with t-butanol, there was a slight decrease in the production of IgG2b. Real-time PCR showed that both the IL-2 as for IL4 was more expression from the cells of the animals immunized with BTHX-1 irradiated. These results indicate that irradiation of proteins leads to significant structural modifications.     

The series of spinels Co3−sAlsO4 (0 < s < 2): Study of Co2AlO4

Co(III) of Co₃O₄ can be gradually replaced by Al to produce the series of spinels Co_3?sAl_sO₄ (0 < s < 2), S.G. Fd3m (No. 227), Z = 8. For Co₂AlO₄ (s = 1), a = 8.086(1)Å, U = 528.7(2)ų, D_x = 5.25 Mgm^?3, u = 0.264, and 27% of Al in 8(a) positions, R = 0.031. The frequencies of the observed ir absorption bands of Co₂AlO₄ are also presented.     

Hollow Zn/Co Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework (ZIF) and Yolk–Shell Metal@Zn/Co ZIF Nanostructures

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) feature a great possibility for a broad spectrum of applications. Hollow MOF structures with tunable porosity and multifunctionality at the nanoscale with beneficial properties are desired as hosts for catalytically active species. Herein, we demonstrate the formation of well‐defined hollow Zn/Co‐based zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) by use of epitaxial growth of Zn‐MOF (ZIF‐8) on preformed Co‐MOF (ZIF‐67) nanocrystals that involve in situ self‐sacrifice/excavation of the Co‐MOF. Moreover, any type of metal nanoparticles can be accommodated in Zn/Co‐ZIF shells to generate yolk–shell metal@ZIF structures. Transmission electron microscopy and tomography studies revealed the inclusion of these nanoparticles within hollow Zn/Co‐ZIF with dominance of the Zn‐MOF as shell. Our findings lead to a generalization of such hollow systems that are working effectively to other types of ZIFs.     

The influence of the temperature of calcining on Co particle-size distribution in the Co/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalyst for the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

The mean size of Co particles and the variance of distribution were shown to increase as the temperature of calcining grew. The size was maximum at a 400°C temperature of calcining and decreased somewhat at 500°C. The mean Co particle size decreased in the presence of Pt, and the particle-size distribution narrowed. A decrease in the mean particle size in the Co/Pt/Al₂O₃ catalyst increased selectivity with respect to methane and decreased selectivity with respect to C₅₊.     

X‐ray absorption spectroscopy study of buried Co layers in the Co/Mo2C multilayer mirrors

X‐ray absorption spectroscopy at the Co K edge was applied to investigate the chemical environment of Co atoms inside Co/Mo₂C periodic multilayers. The results show a mixing between Co and Mo₂C layers prior to any annealing process, whereas following annealing from 300 °C pure Co layers are observed. X‐ray absorption spectroscopy results are in agreement with previous nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy results. They indicate that the pure Co content increases upon annealing, while it is absent in the as‐deposited samples. The comparison of the results, based on the analysis of the data obtained on the multilayer samples and some reference materials, reveals that the ordering of Co atoms inside the Co layers increases upon annealing. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Co0.50VOPO4·2H2O

The crystal structure of cobalt vanadophosphate dihydrate {systematic name: poly[diaqua‐μ‐oxido‐μ‐phosphato‐hemicobalt(II)vanadium(II)]}, Co_0.50VOPO₄·2H₂O, shows a three‐dimensional framework assembled from VO₅ square pyramids, PO₄ tetrahedra and Co[O₂(H₂O)₄] octahedra. The Co^II ions have local 4/m symmetry, with the equatorial water molecules in the mirror plane, while the V and apical O atom of the vanadyl group are located on the fourfold rotation axis and the P atoms reside on sites. The PO₄ tetrahedra connect the VO₅ polyhedra to form a planar P–V–O layer. The [Co(H₂O)₄]²⁺ cations link adjacent P–V–O layers via vanadyl O atoms to generate an unprecedented three‐dimensional open framework. Powder diffraction measurements reveal that the framework collapses on removal of the water molecules.     

Designed synthesis of Co salen‐based metalated crystalline polymers

In this contribution, we for the first time propose the targeted synthesis of Co‐metalated salen‐based crystalline polymer, starting from corner and square building units in the presence of cobalt metal ions. On the basis of structural characterizations, this kind of salen‐based crystalline polymer is proved to be the long hollow tube. Due to its covalent connected unique structure, the obtained Co‐salen polymer possesses high crystallinity and excellent stability. The experimental and theoretical studies show that this kind of material holds paramagnetism, unique electronic structure, and remarkable catalytic activity with high selectivity for the coupling of CO₂ and epoxides to form cyclic carbonates. And specifically, it shows favorable recyclability with only a slight drop in yield after six catalytic cycles. We hope that the results reported here will greatly inspire the design and synthesis of different metalated salen‐based polymer and enlarge their interesting applications in the future. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019 , 57, 641–647