La0.75Sr0.25Cr0.5Mn0.5O3−δ + Cu composite anode running on H2 and CH4 fuels

La_1−xSr_xCr_1−xM_xO_3−δ (M = Cr, Fe, V) system has been studied as anode materials for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The perovskite La_0.75Sr_0.25Cr_0.5Mn_0.5O_3−δ (LSCM) is stable in both H₂ and CH₄ atmospheres at temperatures up to 1000°C. However, in the reducing atmospheres of H₂ and CH₄, its electronic conductivity is greatly reduced from its value in air. We have characterized LSCM as the anode of a SOFC having 250 μm-thick La_0.8Sr_0.2Ga_0.83Mg_0.17O_2.815 (LSGM) as the electrolyte and SrCo_0.8Fe_0.2O_3−δ (SCF) as the cathode. We report a comparison of the overpotentials at the following anodes: (1) La_0.4Ce_0.6O_1.8 (LDC) + NiO composite in H₂, (2) porous LSCM in H₂ and CH₄, (3) porous LSCM impregnated with CuO in H₂ and CH₄ and (4) porous LSCM impregnated with CuO and sputtered with Pt in H₂ and CH₄. An LSCM + CuO + Pt anode gave a maximum power output at 850 °C of 850 mW/cm² and 520 mW/cm², respectively, with H₂ and CH₄ as fuel whereas anode (1) gave 1.4 W/cm² at 800 °C in H₂. There was no noticeable coke formation in CH₄ with anodes (2), (3) and (4), which demonstrates that the perovskite oxide is a plausible option for the anode of a SOFC operating with hydrocarbon fuels. We also report the moisture effect in the H₂ and CH₄ fuel-oxidation process.     

Synthesis and characterization of (Pr0.75Sr0.25)1 − xCr0.5Mn0.5O3 − δ as anode for SOFCs

The complex perovskite (Pr_0.75Sr_0.25)_1 − xCr_0.5Mn_0.5O_3 − δ (PSCM) has been prepared and studied as possible anode material for high-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). PSCM exhibits GdFeO₃-type structure and is both physically and chemically compatible with the conventional YSZ electrolyte. The reduction of PSCM resulted in structural change from orthorhombic Pbnm to cubic Pm-3m. Selected area electron diffraction (SAED) analysis on the reduced phases indicated the presence of a √2 × √2 × 2 superlattice. The total conductivity values of ∼ 75% dense Pr_0.75Sr_0.25Cr_0.5Mn_0.5O_3 − δ at 900 °C in air and 5% H₂/Ar are 9.6 and 0.14 S cm^− 1 respectively. The conductivity of PSCM drops with decreasing Po₂ and is a p-type conductor at all studied Po₂. The average TEC of Pr_0.75Sr_0.25Cr_0.5Mn_0.5O_3 − δ is 9.3 × 10^− 6 K^− 1, in the temperature range of 100–900 °C and is close to that of YSZ electrolyte. The anode polarization resistance of PSCM in wet 5%H₂ is 1.31 Ω cm² at 910 °C and in wet CH₄ at 930 °C; the polarization resistance is 1.29 Ω cm². PSCM was unstable at 900 °C in unhumidified hydrogen. Cell performance measurements carried out using graded PSCM and La_0.8Sr_0.2MnO₃ as anode and cathode respectively yielded a maximum power density of 0.18 W cm^− 2 in wet 5%H₂/Ar at 910 °C and the corresponding current density was 0.44 A cm^− 2 at 0.4 V. The activation energy for the electrochemical cell operating in wet (3% H₂O) 5%H₂/Ar fuel is 85 kJ mol^− 1.     

Electrochemical characterization of mixed conducting and composite SOFC cathodes

The electrochemical performance of La_0.58Sr_0.4Co_0.2Fe_0.8O_3−δ (L58SCF), La_0.9Sr_1.1FeO_4−δ (LS2F) and LSM (La_0.65Sr_0.3MnO_3−δ)/LSM–YSZ (50 wt.% LSM–50 wt.% ZrO₂ (8 mol% Y₂O₃)) cathode electrodes interfaced to a double layer Ce_0.8Gd_0.2O_2−δ (CGO)/YSZ electrolyte was studied in the temperature range of 600 to 850 °C and under flow of 21% O₂/He mixture, using impedance spectroscopy and current density–overpotential measurements. The L58SCF cathode exhibited the highest electrocatalytic activity for oxygen reduction, according to the order: LS2F/CGO/YSZ ≤ LSM/LSM–YSZ/CGO/YSZ < L58SCF/CGO/YSZ.     

Thermal expansion behavior and chemical compatibility of BaxSr1−xCo1−yFeyO3−δ with 8YSZ and 20GDC

Perovskite oxides of the composition Ba_xSr_1−xCo_1−yFe_yO_3−δ(BSCF) were synthesized via a modified Pechini method and characterized by X-ray diffraction, dilatometry and thermogravimetry. Investigations revealed that single-phase perovskites with cubic structure can be obtained for x ≤ 0.6 and 0.2 ≤ y ≤ 1.0. The as-synthesized BSCF powders can be sintered in several hours to nearly full density at temperatures of over 1180 °C. Thermal expansion curves of dense BSCF samples show nonlinear behavior with sudden increase in thermal expansion rate between about 500 °C and 650 °C, due mainly to the loss of lattice oxygen caused by the reduction of Co⁴⁺ and Fe⁴⁺ to lower valence states. Thermal expansion coefficients (TECs) of BSCF were measured to be 19.2–22.9 × 10^− 6 K^− 1 between 25 °C and 850 °C. Investigations showed further that Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3−δ is chemically compatible with 8YSZ and 20GDC for temperatures up to 800 °C, above which severe reactions were detected. After being heat-treated with 8YSZ or 20GDC for 5 h above 1000 °C, Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3−δ was completely converted to phases like SrCoO_3−δ, BaCeO₃, BaZrO₃, etc.     

Performance of a tubular solid oxide fuel cell with model kerosene reformate gas

A performance of an anode-supported tubular Ni–8YSZ/Ni–ScSZ/ScSZ/GDC/LSC cell was investigated at 650–750 °C by feeding model kerosene reformate gas (H₂, H₂O, CO, CO₂, and CH₄) to a Ni–8YSZ/Ni–ScSZ anode. Variations of gas composition were observed not only between inlet and outlet of anode to estimate the degree of internal reforming, but also during current input by online quadrupole mass spectrometry and Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry.The electrochemical performance of the cell was independent of reforming temperature of kerosene, i.e. gas composition (in particular CH₄ concentration) at moderate anode gas flow rates. At open-circuit states, 10% or less methane in the kerosene-reformed gas was readily converted by steam or CO₂ over the Ni–8YSZ/Ni–ScSZ electrode so that gas compositions could almost follow the thermodynamic equilibrium at 650–750 °C. This suggests that the internal reforming should proceed almost completely over the Ni anode. Consumption of H₂ and CO and production of CO₂ were observed during current input. I–V characteristics remained constant at 650 °C as long as anodic W/F was more than 0.2 kg mmol^− 1 s. It was demonstrated that a catalytic activity of an anode electrode for hydrocarbons will be important for SOFCs with liquid fuels such as kerosene in order not to deteriorate cell performance.     

Characterization of doped La0.7A0.3Cr0.5Mn0.5O3 − δ (A = Ca,Sr, Ba) electrodes for solid oxide fuel cells

Doped lanthanum manganese chromite based perovskite, La_0.7A_0.3Cr_0.5Mn_0.5O_3 ? δ (LACM, A = Ca, Sr, Ba), on yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte is investigated as potential electrode materials for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The electrical conductivity and electrochemical activity of LACM depend on the A-site dopant. The best electrochemical activity is obtained on the La_0.7Ca_0.3Cr_0.5Mn_0.5O_3 ? δ/YSZ (LCCM/YSZ) composite electrodes. The conductivity of LCCM is 29.9 S cm^? 1 at 800 °C in air, and the electrode polarization resistance (R_E) of the LCCM/YSZ composite cathode for the O₂ reduction reaction is 0.5 Ω cm² at 900 °C. The effect of Gd-doped ceria (GDC) impregnation on the LCCM cathode polarization resistances is also studied. GDC impregnation significantly enhances the electrochemical activity of the LCCM cathode. In the case of the 6.02 mg cm^? 2 GDC-impregnated LCCM cathode, R_E is 0.4 Ω cm² at 800 °C, ~ 60 times smaller than 24.4 Ω cm² measured on a LCCM cathode without the GDC impregnation. Finally the electrochemical activities of the doped lanthanum manganese chromites for the H₂ oxidation reaction are also investigated.     

Performance of La-doped strontium titanate (LST) anode on LaGaO3-based SOFC

Ni-containing anode is currently used with many electrolytes of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). However, Ni is easily oxidized and deteriorates the LaGaO₃-based electrolyte. A La-doped SrTiO₃ (LST, La_0.2Sr_0.8TiO₃) is a candidate as an anode material to solve the Ni poisoning problem in LaGaO₃-based SOFC. In this study, a single-phase LST and an LST-Gd_0.2Ce_0.8O_2 ? δ (GDC) composite were tested as the possible anodes on La_0.9Sr_0.1Ga_0.8Mg_0.2O_3 ? δ (LSGM) electrolyte. In order to further improve the anodic performance, Ni was impregnated into the LST-GDC composite anode. The performance was examined from 600 °C to 800 °C by measuring impedance of the electrolyte-supported, symmetric (anode/electrolyte/anode) cells. A polarization resistance (R_p) of LST-GDC anode was much reduced from that of LST anode. When Ni was impregnated into LST-GDC composite, the R_p value was further reduced to ~ 10% of the single-phase LST anode, and it was 1 Ωcm² at 800 °C in 97% H₂ + 3% H₂O atmosphere. A single cell with Ni-impregnated LST-GDC as an anode, Ba_0.5Sr_0.5Co_0.8Fe_0.2O_3 ? δ (BSCF) as a cathode and LSGM as an electrolyte exhibited the maximum power density of 275 mW/cm² at 800 °C, increased from ~ 60 mW/cm² for the cell using the LST-GDC as an anode. Thus, LST-GDC composite is promising as a component of anode.     

Fe alloying effect on the performance of the Ni anode in hydrogen fuel

Composite materials of YSZ (yttria-stabilized zirconia) with various Ni–Fe alloys were synthesized and evaluated as the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) anode using a 200-µm thick YSZ electrolyte as support and YSZ +La_0.8Sr_0.2MnO₃ (LSM) as cathode. The single cell with the YSZ + Ni_0.75Fe_0.25 anode exhibited the highest performance among all the investigated cells, e.g. a peak power density of 403, 337, 218 and 112 mW/cm² was achieved with H₂ fuel at 900, 850, 800 and 750 °C, respectively. The composite anode with the Ni_0.75Fe_0.25 alloy also had the lowest polarization resistance of 0.55 Ω·cm² at 800 °C among all the alloy compositions, indicating that this specific alloy offered a better anode composition than pure Ni. The possible mechanism for the improved performance of Ni with the Fe alloying addition towards H₂ oxidation was discussed.     

Redox behaviour,chemical compatibility and electrochemical performance of Sr2MgMoO6 − δ as SOFC anode

The double perovskite Sr₂MgMoO_6 − δ (SMM) has been proposed as a potential anode material for direct hydrocarbon oxidation in solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). The oxygen nonstoichiometry and electrical conductivity dependence of Sr₂MgMoO_6 − δ have been determined as a function of the oxygen partial pressure by coulometric titration and impedance spectroscopy techniques. The chemical compatibility of Sr₂MgMoO_6 − δ with most of the typical electrolytes commonly used in SOFCs i.e. La_0.8Sr_0.2Ga_0.8Mg_0.2O_3 − δ (LSGM), Ce_0.8Gd_0.2O_2 − δ (CGO) and Zr_0.84Y_0.16O_2 − δ (YSZ), was investigated. Reactivity between SMM and all these electrolytes has been found above 1000 °C, although the reaction is most severe with ZrO₂-based electrolytes. Area-specific polarisation resistance of the SMM/LSGM/SMM symmetrical cells indicates that the polarisation resistance increases with the firing temperature of the electrodes due to chemical interaction between LSGM and SMM layers. A CGO buffer layer between the anode and electrolyte was also used to prevent an excessive interdiffusion of ionic species between these components, resulting in better performance. Power densities of 330 and 270 mW cm^− 2 were reached at 800 °C for SMM/CGO/LSGM/LSCF and SMM/LSGM/LSCF electrolyte-supported cells, respectively; with 600-μm-thick LSGM electrolyte, using humidified H₂ as fuel and air as oxidant. XPS and XRPD studies on SMM powders annealed in air and diluted CH₄ atmospheres showed that the surface of SMM powders is mainly formed by SrMoO₄ and metal carbonates.     

YBCO films buffered by pyrochlore Nd2Mo2O7 layer on YSZ substrates by chemical solution deposition

A chemical solution deposition process was used to grow epitaxial Nd₂Mo₂O₇ (NMO) buffer layers on YSZ substrates to produce YBa₂Cu₃O_7?δ (YBCO) coated conductors. The NMO precursor solution prepared using metal acetylacetonates was spin-coated onto single crystal YSZ substrate of 10 mm × 10 mm in size at 3000 rpm for 30 s and heat-treated at 1000 °C for 2 h in Ar after calcinated at 550 °C for 1 h. The YBCO film was deposited by TFA-MOD route on top of the NMO/YSZ architecture. The phase purity and the crystalline orientation of NMO and YBCO films were evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to observe their microstructure and their surface roughness. The critical current density (J_c) of YBCO film on NMO/YSZ is 1.8 MA/cm² at 77 K in self-field, which indicates that the Nd₂Mo₂O₇ is a potential buffer for YBCO coated conductor.     

Structural stability and oxygen permeability of cerium lightly doped BaFeO3−δ ceramic membranes

The structural stability under reducing environment and oxygen permeation fluxes of perovskite-type BaCe_xFe_1−xO_3−δ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.15) ceramic membranes were investigated. The XRD results showed that 5% of cerium doping into the perovskite B-site can make the BaFeO_3−δ transform from the hexagonal structure to the cubic structure, and make the structure stable under 10% H₂–Ar mixed gas at 900 °C for 1 h, but breaks down after 5 h. Lattice parameters and oxygen non-stoichiometry of the as-prepared and reduced samples were measured. Oxygen permeation fluxes of the membranes were measured between 700 and 950 °C. Oxygen permeation during the cooling and heating circles showed that 5% of cerium doping into the perovskite B-site can avoid the phase transformation. The optimum cerium-doped amount on the B-sites was found to be 10%.     

Kinetics for the reactions of phenyl with methanol and ethanol: Comparison of theory and experiment

The kinetics of the C₆H₅ reactions with CH₃OH and C₂H₅OH has been measured by pulsed-laser photolysis/mass-spectrometry (PLP/MS) employing acetophenone as the radical source. Kinetic modeling of the benzene formed in the reactions over the temperature range 306–771 K allows us to reliably determine the total rate constants for H-abstraction reactions. In order to improve our low temperature measurements down to 304 K we have also applied the cavity ring-down spectrometric technique using nitrosobenzene as the radical source. Both sets of data agree closely. A weighted least-squares analysis of the two complementary sets of data for the two reactions gave the total rate constants k(CH₃OH) = (7.82 ± 0.44) × 10¹¹ exp [?(853 ± 30)/T] and k(C₂H₅OH) = (5.73 ± 0.58) × 10¹¹ exp [?(1103 ± 44)/T] cm³ mol^?1 s^?1 for the temperature range studied. Theoretically, four possible product channels of the C₆H₅ + CH₃OH reaction producing C₆H₆ + CH₃O, C₆H₆ + CH₂OH, C₆H₅OH + CH₃ and C₆H₅OCH₃ + H and five possible product channels of the C₆H₅ + C₂H₅OH reaction producing C₆H₆ + C₂H₅O, C₆H₆ + CH₂CH₂OH, C₆H₆ + CH₃CHOH, C₆H₅OH + CH₃CH₂ and C₆H₅OCH₂CH₃ + H have been computed at the G2M//B3LYP/6?311+G(d, p) level of theory. The hydrogen abstraction channels were predicted to have lower energy barriers than those for the substitution reactions and their rate constants were calculated by the microcanonical variational transition state theory at 200–3000 K. The predicted rate constants are in good agreement with the experimental values. Significantly, the rate constant for the CH₃OH reaction with C₆H₅ was found to be greater than that for the C₂H₅OH reaction and both reactions were found computationally to be dominated by H-abstraction from the hydroxyl group attributable to the affinity of the phenyl toward the OH group and the predicted lower energy barriers for the OH attack.     

Synthesis of alumina supported nickel nanoparticle catalysts and evaluation of nickel metal dispersions by temperature programmed desorption

The purpose of this study was to synthesize highly dispersed Ni/Al₂O₃ catalysts and to develop a suitable hydrogen-temperature programmed desorption (H₂-TPD) method for the determination of nickel metal surface area, dispersion, and crystallite sizes. Several highly dispersed Ni/Al₂O₃ catalysts with a Ni loading between 15 and 25 wt.% were synthesized. The reducibility of catalysts was determined by temperature programmed reduction (TPR) experiments. All catalysts exhibited a single reduction peak with a maximum rate of H₂ consumption (T_max in TPR) occurring below 450 °C. Three different H₂-TPD methods were employed to determine the amount of H₂ chemisorbed. In TPD-1, a 10% H₂/Ar mixture was used for catalyst pre-reduction and surface saturation by cooling down from T_max in TPR to room temperature. In TPD-2, the catalyst surface after pre-reduction was flushed with Ar at T_max in TPR + 10 °C. The TPD-3 was similar to the TPD-2, but used 100% H₂ instead of 10% H₂/Ar mixture. In all three TPD methods, the profiles exhibited 2 domains of H₂ desorption peaks, one below 450 °C, referred to as type-1 peaks, and attributed to H₂ desorbed from exposed fraction of Ni atoms, and the other above 450 °C, denoted as type-2 peaks, and assigned to the desorption of H₂ located in the subsurface layers and/or to spillover H₂. Flushing the reduced catalyst surface in Ar at T_max in TPR + 10 °C in TPD-2 and TPD-3 removed most of the H₂ located in the subsurface layers/ spillover H₂. The amount of H₂ chemisorbed to form a monolayer on the reduced Ni/Al₂O₃ catalysts was determined quantitatively from the TPD peak areas of type-1 peaks in TPD-1, and from both type-1 and type-2 peaks in TPD-2 and TPD-3. The Ni metal surface area, dispersions and crystallite sizes were calculated from the chemisorption data and the values were compared with those obtained using the static chemisorption method. Both TPD-2 and TPD-3 gave chemisorption results similar to that obtained from the static method.     

Nanostructured Cu-CGO anodes fabricated using a microwave-assisted glycine–nitrate process

This work reports a study of nanostructured copper-doped gadolinium cermet (Cu-CGO) composite anodes prepared via conventional synthesis (CS) and microwave-synthesis (MS) involving the glycine–nitrate process (GNP). A detailed investigation on the mechanical properties, electrical conductivity and electrochemical performance of prepared Cu_0.5(Ce_0.9Gd_0.1)_0.5O_2−δ anodes is included. The prepared samples were characterized by techniques, such as XRD, EDX, SEM and electrical characterizations. After reduction in 10% H₂ and 90% N₂, the DC conductivities of the Cu-CGO anodes prepared via CS-GNP and MS-GNP are found to be 5.43×10³ and 1.09×10⁴ S cm⁻¹ at 700 °C, respectively. The electrochemical performances of the spin-coated anode symmetrical cells sintered at 700 °C are evaluated at cell operating temperatures of 600, 700 and 800 °C. The lowest area specific resistance (ASR) values for the Cu-CGO/CGO/Cu-CGO symmetrical cells prepared via the MS-GNP route at operating temperatures of 600, 700 and 800 °C are found to be 0.34, 0.71 and 1.10 Ω cm², respectively. The as-prepared (via MS-GNP) Cu-CGO anode exhibits excellent electrical and electrochemical performance consistent with the uniform nanostructured morphology compared with the anode prepared via CS-GNP.     

Oxygen non-stoichiometry and electrical conductivity of Pr2−xSrxNiO4±δ with x = 0–0.5

Oxygen non-stoichiometry and electrical conductivity of the Pr_2−xSr_xNiO_4±δ series with x = 0.0–0.5 were investigated in Ar/O₂ (pO₂ = 2.5 to 21 000 Pa) within a temperature range of 20–1000 °C. The equilibrium values of oxygen non-stoichiometry and electrical conductivity of these nickelates were determined as functions of temperature and oxygen partial pressure (pO₂). The nickelates with x = 0–0.5 appear to be p-type semiconductors in the investigated temperature and pO₂ ranges. The nickelates with x = 0.3–0.5 show very feebly marked pO₂ dependencies of the conductivity. Pr_1.7Sr_0.3NiO_4±δ shows the anomalies of the conductivity versus oxygen partial pressure which can be related to the orthorhombic–tetragonal crystal structure transformations. The conductivity of the Pr_2−xSr_xNiO_4±δ samples correlates with the average oxidation state of the nickel cations. The samples with x = 0.5 have the highest nickel oxidation state (≈ 2.5+), the highest [Ni³⁺]/[Ni²⁺] ratio close to 1 and show the highest conductivity (≈ 120 S/cm) in the whole pO₂ and temperature ranges investigated.     

Preparation,thermal expansion,chemical compatibility,electrical conductivity and polarization of A2−αA′αMO4 (A = Pr,Sm; A′ = Sr; M = Mn,Ni; α = 0.3, 0.6) as a new cathode for SOFC

A_2−αA′_αMO₄ (A = Pr, Sm, A′ = Sr, M = Ni, Mn) with K₂NiF₄-type structure were synthesized by solid reaction. Their chemical stability, electrical conductivity and thermal expansion behavior as well as cathodic polarization were investigated in relation to the cathode of SOFC. The results showed that A_2−αA′_αMO₄ exhibited a low reactivity with yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrolyte. The thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) values were changed with the ionic radius of A. The specific conductivities of the nickelates were higher than those of manganites. While the nickelates showed a lower cathodic polarization in comparison with manganites.     

Ionic conductivity of polymer electrolyte membranes based on polyphosphazene with oligo(propylene oxide) side chains

A polyphosphazene [NP(NHR)₂]_n with oligo[propylene oxide] side chains − R = –[CH(CH₃)–CH₂O]_m–CH₃ (m = 6 – 10) was synthesized by living cationic polymerisation and polymer-analogue substitution of chlorine from the intermediate precursor [NPCl₂]_n using the corresponding primary amine RNH₂. The polymer had an average molecular weight of 3.3 × 10⁵ D. Polymer electrolytes with different concentrations of dissolved lithium triflate (LiCF₃SO₃) were prepared. Mechanically stable polymer electrolyte membranes were formed using UV radiation induced crosslinking of the polymer salt mixture in the presence of benzophenone as photoinitiator. The glass transition temperature of the parent polymer was found to be − 75 °C before cross linking. It increases after crosslinking and with increasing amounts of salt to a maximum of − 55 °C for 20 wt.% LiCF₃SO₃. The ionic conductivity was determined by impedance spectroscopy in the temperature range 0–80 °C. The highest conductivity was found for a salt concentration of 20 wt.% LiCF₃SO₃: 6.5 × 10^− 6 S·cm^− 1 at 20 °C and 2.8 × 10^− 4 S cm^− 1 at 80 °C. The temperature dependence of the conductivities was well described by the MIGRATION concept.     

Mixed conductivity and electrocatalytic performance of SrFeO3-δ–SrAl2O4 composite membranes

Oxygen-ionic and electronic transport in dense (SrFe)_1−x(SrAl₂)_xO_z composites, consisting of strontium-deficient Sr(Fe,Al)O_3-δ and SrAl₂O₄ phases, is determined by the properties of perovskite-like solid solution. Increasing the content of SrAl₂O₄, with a total conductivity as low as 5 × 10^− 7 −  10^− 5 S × cm^− 1 at 973–1273 K in air, results in the gradual decrease of the partial conductivities, but also enables the suppression of thermal expansion. Compared to single-phase SrFe_1−xAl_xO_3-δ, (SrFe)_1−x(SrAl₂)_xO_z composites exhibit enhanced thermomechanical properties, while the oxygen permeability of these materials has similar values. The composite membranes exhibit stable performance under air/(H₂–H₂O–N₂) and air/(CH₄–He) gradients at 973–1173 K. The oxidation of dry methane by oxygen permeating through (SrFe)_0.7(SrAl₂)_0.3O_z results in dominant total oxidation, suggesting the necessity to incorporate a reforming catalyst into the ceramic reactors for natural gas conversion.     

Synthesis and characterization of layered Li1−x(Ni0.5Co0.5)1−yFeyO2(0 ≤ (1 − x) ≤ 1 and 0 ≤ y ≤ 0.2) cathodes

Layered Li(Ni_0.5Co_0.5)_1−yFe_yO₂ cathodes with 0 ≤ y ≤ 0.2 have been synthesized by firing the coprecipitated hydroxides of the transition metals and lithium hydroxide at 700 °C and characterized as cathode materials for lithium ion batteries to various cutoff charge voltages (up to 4.5 V). While the y = 0.05 sample shows an improvement in capacity, cyclability, and rate capability, those with y = 0.1 and 0.2 exhibit a decline in electrochemical performance compared to the y = 0 sample. Structural characterization of the chemically delithiated Li_1−x(Ni_0.5Co_0.5)_1−yFe_yO₂ samples indicates that the initial O3 structure is maintained down to a lithium content (1 − x) ≈ 0.3. For (1 − x) < 0.3, while a P3 type phase is formed for the y = 0 sample, an O1 type phase is formed for the y = 0.05, 0.1 and 0.2 samples. Monitoring the average oxidation state of the transition metal ions with lithium contents (1 − x) reveals that the system is chemically more stable down to a lower lithium content (1 − x) ≈ 0.3 compared to the Li_1−xCoO₂ system. The improved structural and chemical stabilities appear to lead to better cyclability to higher cutoff charge voltages compared to that found before with the LiCoO₂ system.     

Internal evaluation of impregnation treatment of waterlogged wood; relation between concentration of internal materials and relaxation time using magnetic resonance imaging

The purpose of this study is to clarify the degree of impregnation resulting from treatment of internal waterlogged wood samples using MRI. On a 1.5 T MR scanner, T₁ and T₂ measurements were performed using inversion recovery and spin-echo sequences, respectively. The samples were cut waterlogged pieces of wood treated with various impregnation techniques which were divided into different concentrations of trehalose (C₁₂H₂₂O₁₁) and polyethylene glycol (PEG; HO-(C₂H₄O)_n-H) solutions. Then these samples underwent impregnation treatment every two weeks. From the results, we found that the slope of the T₁-concentration curve using linear fitting showed the value of the internal area for PEG to be higher than the external area; internal, − 2.73 ms/wt% (R² = 0.880); external, − 1.50 ms/wt% (R² = 0.887). Furthermore, the slope of the T₁-concentration curve using linear fitting showed the values for trehalose to have almost no difference when comparing the internal and the external areas; internal, − 2.79 ms/wt% (R² = 0.759); external, − 3.02 ms/wt% (R² = 0.795). However, the slope of the T₂-concentration curve using linear fitting for PEG showed that there was only a slight change between the internal and the external areas; internal, 0.26 ms/wt% (R² = 0.642); external, 0.18 ms/wt% (R² = 0.920). The slope of the T₂-concentration curve did not show a change in linear relationship between the internal and the external areas; internal, 0.06 ms/wt% (R² = 0.175); external, − 0.14 ms/wt% (R² = 0.043). In conclusion, using visualization of relaxation time T₁, it is possible to obtain more detail information noninvasively concerning the state of impregnation treatment of internal waterlogged wood.