Investigation of the interaction between Co sulfide coatings and Cu(I) ions by cyclic voltammetry and XPS

The interaction between the Co sulfide coating formed on a glassy carbon electrode and Cu(I)-ammonia complexes solution was investigated by cyclic voltammetry in 0.1 M KClO₄, 0.1 M NaOH and 0.05 M H₂SO₄ solutions. It was determined that, after treating the cobalt sulfide coating formed by two deposition cycles with Cu(I)-ammonia complexes (0.4 M, pH 8.8–9.0, τ=180 s, T=25±1°C), an exchange occurs between the coating components and Cu(I). Copper(I) substitutes 75% of the Co(III) compounds present in the coating (~1.81×10^–7 mol cm^–2) because of Cu₂O (1.36×10^–7 mol cm^–2) formation. The rest of the Co(II) and Co(III) sulfide compounds are also replaced by copper with formation of Cu_{2– x} S with a stoichiometric coefficient close to 2 (~1.9). After modifying the cobalt sulfide coatings with Cu(I) ions, the total amount of metal (Co+Cu) increases, owing to the sorption of Cu(I) compounds. In addition, the number of deposition cycles decreases from 3 to 1.5 [1 cycle involves cobalt sulfide layer formation and 0.5 cycle is attributed to modifying by Cu(I) ions]. The coatings modified in the above-mentioned manner may be successfully used for plastic electrochemical metallization as Cu_{2– x} S coatings formed by three deposition cycles. Electronic Publication     

A Spectroscopic Study of Electrochemical Nitrogen and Nitrate Reduction on Rhodium Surfaces

Rh is a promising electrocatalyst for the nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) given its suitable nitrogen‐adsorption energy and low overpotential. However, the NRR pathway on Rh surfaces remains unknown. In this study, we employ surface‐enhanced infrared‐absorption spectroscopy (SEIRAS) and differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) to study the reaction mechanism of NRR on Rh. N₂H_x (0≤x≤2) is detected with a N=N stretching mode at ≈2020 cm^?1 by SEIRAS and a signal at m/z=29 by DEMS. A new two‐step reaction pathway on Rh surfaces is proposed that involves an electrochemical process with a two‐electron transfer to form N₂H₂ and its subsequent decomposition in the electrolyte producing NH₃. Our results also indicate that nitrate reduction and the NRR share the same reaction intermediate N₂H_x.     

Ni添加对0.4Zr0.1V1.1Mn0.5Cr0.1合金的相结构和电化学性能的影响

本文通过XRD、SEM、EDS研究了Ti_0.4Zr_0.1V_1.1Mn_0.5Cr_0.1Ni_x(x=0，0.2，0.4，0.6，0.8)合金的相结构和电化学性能。该合金系由BCC结构的V基固溶体主相和六方结构的C14 Laves第二相组成，Ni能够促进第二相的生成，Ni含量的增加导致了各相中的化学组成和晶格参数的变化，并通过电化学方法研究了Ni含量对_0.4Zr_0.1V_1.1Mn_0.5Cr_0.1合金电极的最大放电容量、自放电性能、高倍率放电性能、循环稳定性能等的影响。     

Electrode System Ni/Na y Al x V12O30/Al3+: An Impedance Spectroscopy Study

The impedance of electrochemical cells Ni/VOB/Al³⁺, Ni/VOB/Na⁺, and Ni/VOB/Ni (where VOB stands for vanadium oxide bronzes of the general formula Na _y Al _x V₁₂O₃₀, with 0 < x 1.7) is studied both at equilibrium and a constant-current polarization. Variations in the VOB composition and aqueous electrolytic solutions in contact with the bronze as a result of the passing of the current are monitored. The results of these measurements are employed to substantiate a model that describes the occurrence of processes of current production in the Ni/VOB/Al³⁺ electrode system. The overvoltage is defined to a substantial degree by the aluminum diffusion. The diffusion coefficients for aluminum, its partial conductivity, and transport number are estimated.     

Adsorption of uranyl species onto the rutile (110) surface: a periodic DFT study

To model the structures of dissolved uranium contaminants adsorbed on mineral surfaces and further understand their interaction with geological surfaces in nature, we have performed periodic density funtional theory (DFT) calculations on the sorption of uranyl species onto the TiO₂ rutile (110) surface. Two kinds of surfaces, an ideal dry surface and a partially hydrated surface, were considered in this study. The uranyl dication was simulated as penta‐ or hexa‐coordinated in the equatorial plane. Two bonds are contributed by surface bridging oxygen atoms and the remaining equatorial coordination is satisfied by H₂O, OH^?, and CO₃^2? ligands; this is known to be the most stable sorption structure. Experimental structural parameters of the surface–[UO₂(H₂O)₃]²⁺ system were well reproduced by our calculations. With respect to adsorbates, [UO₂(L1)_x(L2)_y(L3)_z]ⁿ (L1=H₂O, L2=OH^?, L3=CO₃^2?, x≤3, y≤3, z≤2, x+y+2z≤4), on the ideal surface, the variation of ligands from H₂O to OH^? and CO₃^2? lengthens the U? O_surf and U? Ti distances. As a result, the uranyl–surface interaction decreases, as is evident from the calculated sorption energies. Our calculations support the experimental observation that the sorptive capacity of TiO₂ decreases in the presence of carbonate ions. The stronger equatorial hydroxide and carbonate ligands around uranyl also result in U?O distances that are longer than those of aquouranyl species by 0.1–0.3 Å. Compared with the ideal surface, the hydrated surface introduces greater hydrogen bonding. This results in longer U?O bond lengths, shorter uranyl–surface separations in most cases, and stronger sorption interactions.     

Facile Synthesis of Pd‐Ni Nanoparticles on Reduced Graphene Oxide under Microwave Irradiation for Formic Acid Oxidation

Pd and Pd_x Ni nanoparticles have been supported on reduced graphene oxide (Pd/rGO and Pd_x Ni/rGO ) by using the microwave‐assisted heating method in glycol. The morphology, composition and electrochemical performance have been characterized by TEM , XRD , XPS and electrochemical methods. The XRD and XPS results show that there are no PdNi alloy particles formed in Pd_x Ni/rGO and the composites exist mostly in the form of Pd⁰ and NiOOH species. The electrochemical results reveal that Pd_x Ni/rGO synthesized from the feeding source of Pd and Ni with an atomic ratio of 4∶1 exhibits higher activity, better stability and smaller electron transfer resistance toward formic acid electro‐oxidation compared with commercial Pd/C, Pd/rGO and other Pd_x Ni/rGO samples. The excellent electrocatalytic performance indicates that the addition of appropriate amount of Ni can greatly enhance the activity and stability of Pd catalysts for formic acid oxidation.     

Synthesis of Li3Ni x V2−x (PO4)3/C cathode materials and their electrochemical performance for lithium ion batteries

Li₃Ni _x V_2?x (PO₄)₃/C (x?=?0, 0.02, 0.04 and 0.06) samples have been synthesized via an improved sol–gel method. X-ray diffraction patterns indicate that the structure of the prepared samples retains monoclinic, and the single phase has not been changed with Ni doping. From the analysis of electrochemical performance, the Li₃Ni_0.04?V_1.96(PO₄)₃/C sample exhibits the best electrochemical property. It delivers a discharge capacity of 112.1 mAh?g^?1 with capacity retention of 95.2 % over 300 cycles at 10 C rate in the range of 3.0–4.8 V; cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectra testing further prove that the electrochemical reversibility and lithium ion diffusion behavior of Li₃V₂(PO₄)₃ have also been effectively improved through Ni doping.     

Reactivity Control of C?H Bond Activation over Vanadium–Silver Bimetallic Oxide Cluster Cations

Vanadium–silver bimetallic oxide cluster ions (V_xAg_yO_z⁺; x=1–4, y=1–4, z=3–11) are produced by laser ablation and reacted with ethane in a fast‐flow reactor. A reflectron time of flight (Re‐TOF) mass spectrometer is used to detect the cluster distribution before and after the reactions. Hydrogen atom abstraction (HAA) reactions are identified over VAgO₃⁺, V₂Ag₂O₆⁺, V₂Ag₄O₇⁺, V₃AgO₈⁺, V₃Ag₃O₉⁺, and V₄Ag₂O₁₁⁺ ions, in which the oxygen‐centered radicals terminally bonded on V atoms are active sites for the facile HAA reactions. DFT calculations are performed to study the structures, bonding, and reactivity. The reaction mechanisms of V₂Ag₂O₆⁺+C₂H₆ are also given. The doped Ag atoms with a valence state of +1 are highly dispersed at the periphery of the V_xAg_yO_z⁺ cluster ions. The reactivity can be well‐tuned gradually by controlling the number of Ag atoms. The steric protection due to the peripherally bonded Ag atoms greatly enhances the selectivity of the V–Ag bimetallic oxide clusters with respect to the corresponding pure vanadium oxide systems.     

Excellent Performance of Few‐Layer Borocarbonitrides as Anode Materials in Lithium‐Ion Batteries

Borocarbonitrides (B_xC_yN_z) with a graphene‐like structure exhibit a remarkable high lithium cyclability and current rate capability. The electrochemical performance of the B_xC_yN_z materials, synthesized by using a simple solid‐state synthesis route based on urea, was strongly dependent on the composition and surface area. Among the three compositions studied, the carbon‐rich compound B_0.15C_0.73N_0.12 with the highest surface area showed an exceptional stability (over 100 cycles) and rate capability over widely varying current density values (0.05–1 A g^?1). B_0.15C_0.73N_0.12 has a very high specific capacity of 710 mA h g^?1 at 0.05 A g^?1. With the inclusion of a suitable additive in the electrolyte, the specific capacity improved drastically, recording an impressive value of nearly 900 mA h g^?1 at 0.05 A g^?1. It is believed that the solid–electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer at the interface of B_xC_yN_z and electrolyte also plays a crucial role in the performance of the B_xC_yN_z .     

Electrochemical modification of Bi2S3 coatings in a nickel plating electrolyte

The electrochemical behavior of Bi₂S₃ coatings in Watts nickel plating electrolyte was investigated using the cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance, X-ray diffraction, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis methods. During the bismuth sulfide coating reduction in Watts background electrolyte in the potential region from −0.4 to −0.6 V, the Bi₂S₃ and Bi(III) oxygen compounds are reduced to metallic Bi, and the decrease in coating mass is related to the transfer of S²⁻ ions from the electrode surface. When the bismuth sulfide coating is reduced in Watts nickel plating electrolyte, the observed increase in coating mass in the potential region −0.1 to −0.4 V is conditioned by Ni²⁺ ions reduction before the bulk deposition of Ni, initiated by Bi₂S₃. In this potential region, the reduction of Bi(III) oxygen compounds can occur. After the treatment of as-deposited bismuth sulfide coating in nickel plating electrolyte at E = −0.3 V, the sheet resistance of the layer decreases from 10¹³ to 500–700 Ω cm. A metal-rich mixed sulfide Ni₃Bi₂S₂–parkerite is obtained when as-deposited bismuth sulfide coating is treated in Watts nickel plating electrolyte at a potential close to the equilibrium potential of the Ni/Ni²⁺ system and then annealed at temperatures higher than 120 °C.     

Preparation of Ultrathin Two-Dimensional TixTa1−xSyOz Nanosheets as Highly Efficient Photothermal Agents

Although two-dimensional (2D) metal oxide/sulfide hybrid nanostructures have been synthesized, the facile preparation of ultrathin 2D nanosheets in high yield still remains a challenge. Herein, we report the first high-yield preparation of solution-processed ultrathin 2D metal oxide/sulfide hybrid nanosheets, that is, Ti_xTa_1−xS_yO_z (x=0.71, 0.49, and 0.30), from Ti_xTa_1−xS₂ precursors. The nanosheet exhibits strong absorbance in the near-infrared region, giving a large extinction coefficient of 54.1 L g⁻¹ cm⁻¹ at 808 nm, and a high photothermal conversion efficiency of 39.2 %. After modification with lipoic acid-conjugated polyethylene glycol, the nanosheet is a suitable photothermal agent for treatment of cancer cells under 808 nm laser irradiation. This work provides a facile and general method for the preparation of 2D metal oxide/sulfide hybrid nanosheets.     

Application of the inner product technique to double-well potentials in three-dimensional quantum systems by expanding the potential functions around their minima

Energy eigenvalues of double-well potentials for three-dimensional systems are calculated by means of an expansion of the potential function V(x,y,z;Z²,λ,a_IJ)=-Z²[x²+y²+z²] +λ{x⁴+y⁴+z⁴+2a_IJ[x²y²+x²z²+y²z²]} around its minimum, using the inner product technique, for various values of perturbation parameters Z²,λ and a_IJ. Some of the results calculated by this technique are compared with results obtained by other methods. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A Titanium‐Doped SiOx Passivation Layer for Greatly Enhanced Performance of a Hematite‐Based Photoelectrochemical System

This study introduces an in situ fabrication of nanoporous hematite with a Ti‐doped SiO_x passivation layer for a high‐performance water‐splitting system. The nanoporous hematite with a Ti‐doped SiO_x layer (Ti‐(SiO_x/np‐Fe₂O₃)) has a photocurrent density of 2.44 mA cm^?2 at 1.23 V_RHE and 3.70 mA cm^?2 at 1.50 V_RHE. When a cobalt phosphate co‐catalyst was applied to Ti‐(SiO_x/np‐Fe₂O₃), the photocurrent density reached 3.19 mA cm^?2 at 1.23 V_RHE with stability, which shows great potential of the use of the Ti‐doped SiO_x layer with a synergistic effect of decreased charge recombination, the increased number of active sites, and the reduced hole‐diffusion pathway from the hematite to the electrolyte.     

Elastic behavior of single polymer chains adsorbed on rough surfaces

In this paper, elastic behaviors of single polymer chains adsorbed on the rough surfaces with a substrate and some periodically tactic pillars are investigated by the pruned-enriched-Rosenbluth method (PERM). In our simulation, a single polymer chain is firstly adsorbed on the substrate and then pulled along the z-axis direction, which is vertical to the substrate. We investigate the chain size and shape of polymer chains, such as mean-square radii of gyration per bond 〈S²〉_xy/N, 〈S²〉_z/N and shape factor 〈δ^∗〉 in order to show how the size and shape of adsorbed polymer chains change during the desorption process. Due to the occurrences of separation of the chains from the substrate, farther adsorption on the upper surfaces of pillars and complete separation from the whole rough surfaces in the elastic process, the changes of 〈S²〉_xy/N, 〈S²〉_z/N and 〈δ^∗〉 during the process are complicated. On the other hand, some thermodynamic properties such as average energy per bond, average Helmholtz free energy per bond, elastic force f are investigated, and our aim is to study the elastic behaviors of polymer chains adsorbed on the rough surface during the elasticity process. Elastic force f has some plateaus during the desorption process for strong adsorption interaction. If there is no adsorption interaction, the chains can get away from the rough surfaces spontaneously. These investigations can provide some insights into the elastic behaviors of polymer chains adsorbed on the rough surface.     

Regenerating Spent Solutions of Vanadium‐containing Heteropoly Acids in the Presence of Additives

Vanadium‐containing heteropoly acid solutions of Keggin H_3+xPMo_12–xV_xO₄₀ and modified H_aP_zMo_yV_xO_b types (P‐Mo‐V HPAs) are promising nanosized inorganic metal‐oxygen cluster compounds with the property of reversible oxidability (V^V ↔ V^IV). The oxidation of reduced P‐Mo‐V HPAs at a temperature of 130–170 °C and an oxygen pressure of 4 atm is a convenient method for their regeneration, but results in regeneration degree of only 75–88 %. Various materials with electron transfer or oxidative properties, such as nitrogen doped carbon nanofibers (N‐CNFs), Sibunit‐4, HNO₃, and MoO₂, were investigated as additives to facilitate and accelerate the regeneration of HPA solutions. Among the studied additives HNO₃ was found to show the best efficiency, resulting in regeneration degree of higher 95 %. Rapid and efficient regeneration of spent HPA catalysts is an important criterion for achieving high productivity and sustainability of oxidative processes on their basis.     

A Dissolution/Precipitation Equilibrium on the Surface of Iridium‐Based Perovskites Controls Their Activity as Oxygen Evolution Reaction Catalysts in Acidic Media

Recently, Ir^V‐based perovskite‐like materials were proposed as oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts in acidic media with promising performance. However, iridium dissolution and surface reconstruction were observed, questioning the real active sites on the surface of these catalysts. In this work, Sr₂MIr^(V)O₆ (M=Fe, Co) and Sr₂Fe_0.5Ir_0.5^(V)O₄ were explored as OER catalysts in acidic media. Their activities were observed to be roughly equal to those previously reported for La₂LiIrO₆ or Ba₂PrIrO₆. Coupling electrochemical measurements with iridium dissolution studies under chemical or electrochemical conditions, we show that the deposition of an IrO_x layer on the surface of these perovskites is responsible for their OER activity. Furthermore, we experimentally reconstruct the iridium Pourbaix diagram, which will help guide future research in controlling the dissolution/precipitation equilibrium of iridium species for the design of better Ir‐based OER catalysts.     

THE EPR SPECTRA OF TETRADENTATE SCHIFF BASE COMPLEXES OF COPPER (II) II. N,N'-bis(salicylidene)ethylenediimine and 7-methyl-N,N'-bis (salicylidene)ethylenediimine

Abstract

The EPR spectra of single crystals of ⁶³Cu(II) doped N, N'-bis(salicylidene)ethylenediimine Ni(II), [Ni(sal)₂en] and 7-methyl-N, N'-bis(salicylidene)ethylenediimine Ni(II), [Ni(7-me sal)₂en] have been studied. The usual doublet spin-Hamiltonian parameters for the complexes have been found to be: Cu(II)[(sal)₂en]; g _z =2.192 ± 0.002; g _x =2.046 ± 0.004; g _y =2.049 ± 0.004; A _z =201.0 × 10^?4 cm^?1; A _x =29.3 × 10^?4 cm^?1; A _y =31.3 × 10^?4 cm^?1; A^N _z =12.6 × 10^?4 cm^?1; A ^N _x =14.5 × 10^?4 cm^?1; A ^N _y =15.7 × 10^?4 cm^?1; A ^H _z =6.3 × 10^?4 cm^?1; A ^H _x =7.3 × 10^?4 cm^?1; A ^H _y =7.9 × 10^?4 cm^?1; Cu(II)[(7-me sal)₂en]; g _z =2.189 ± 0.002; g _x =2.037 ± 0.004; g _y =2.046 ± 0.004; A _z =203.0 × 10^?4 cm^?1; A _x =36.9 × 10^?4 cm^?1; A _y =22.7 × 10^?4 cm^?1; A ^N _z =12.6 × 10^?4 cm^?1; A ^N _x =13.3 × 10^?4 cm^?1; A ^N _y =14.0 × 10^?4 cm^?1. Values of molecular orbital coefficients calculated for these complexes show that their bonding properties are similar to those of other compounds of this type. There is considerable covalency in the metal-ligand [sgrave]-bonds, and significant in-plane pi-bonding is present.     

Alloyed transition‐metal complexes of tricyanomethide (tcm), [Mn1−xCox(tcm)2]

Alloying in the coordination polymer [Mn_1?xCo_x(tcm)₂], (tcm = [C(CN)₃]^?) has been attempted and the physical properties have been investigated. All compounds are isostructural, but the lattice parameters and the distance between manganese and the adjacent nitrogen atom decrease with increasing cobalt content x. Magnetic susceptibility measurements show a Curie–Weiss behavior, with decreasing Weiss temperature with increasing cobalt content. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and electrochemical properties of LiNi0.85 ? x Co x Mn0.15O2 as cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries

LiNi_0.85−x Co _x Mn_0.15O₂ cathode material was prepared by a rheological phase reaction method with LiNO₃, M(NO₃)₂ 6H₂O (M = Ni, Co, Mn), and citric acid as starting materials. The mixture of reactants and a proper amount of water reacted to form a rheological precursor. The rheological precursor was pretreated in autoclaves and then calcined at 750 °C under flowing oxygen. All the samples have a typical layered structure with space group R3-m and good electrochemical performances. The cobalt content has a significant effect on the electrochemical performance for the materials. LiNi_0.65Co_0.20Mn_0.15O₂ exhibits the best electrochemical properties in the five compounds. It gives an initial discharge capacity of 173.6mAhg⁻¹ (50mA g⁻¹, 3.0−4.3V), and the capacity rention after 50 cycles is 90.6%. This method is simple and effective for preparing cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries.     

Core‐Shell Structured Cobalt Sulfide/Cobalt Aluminum Hydroxide Nanosheet Arrays for Pseudocapacitor Application

The direct synthesis of nanostructured electrode materials on three‐dimensional substrates is important for their practical application in electrochemical cells without requiring the use of organic additives or binders. In this study, we present a simple two‐step process to synthesize a stable core–shell structured cobalt sulfide/cobalt aluminum hydroxide nanosheet (LDH‐S) for pseudocapacitor electrode application. The cobalt aluminum layered double hydroxide (CoAl‐LDH) nanoplates were synthesized in basic aqueous solution with a kinetically‐controlled thickness. Owing to the facile diffusion of electrolytes through the nanoplates, thin CoAl‐LDH nanoplates have higher specific capacitance values than thick nanoplates. The as‐grown CoAl‐LDH nanoplates were transformed into core–shell structured LDH‐S nanosheets by a surface modification process in Na₂S aqueous solution. The chemically robust cobalt sulfide (CoS) shell increased the electrochemical stability compared to the sulfide‐free CoAl‐LDH electrodes. The LDH‐S electrodes exhibited high electrochemical performance in terms of specific capacitance and rate capability with a galvanostatic discharge of 1503 F g^?1 at a current density of 2 A g^?1 and a specific capacitance of 91 % at 50 A g^?1.