Corrosion behavior of magnesium and its alloy in NaCl solution

The electrochemical behavior of cast Mg, AZ91, and cast AZ91 in 0.1 M NaCl solution is investigated by measuring open-circuit potential (OCP), steady-state current-potential, and electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS). The similar electrochemical impedance behavior is found of three corrosion electrodes. There are two capacitances in high-and medium-frequency domains and one inductive loop or component in low-frequency domain. From equivalent circuit simulation, cast AZ91 has the worst corrosion resistance. The EIS results are in good agreement with those obtained by OCP and polarization curves. Based on the Cao theory, a simple corrosion mechanism is put forward, supplying a possible explanation for low-frequency inductive behavior for Mg and its alloy in NaCl solution at OCP. Published in Russian in Elektrokhimiya, 2007, Vol. 43, No. 7, pp. 878–885. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Preparation and Characterization of TiO2 Nanotube Arrays via Anodization of Titanium Films Deposited on FTO Conducting Glass at Room Temperature

Self-organized TiO₂ nanotube arrays with micro-scale length were prepared on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) conducting glass in NH₄F/glycerol electrolyte by electrochemical anodization of pure titanium films deposited by radio frequency magnetron sputtering (RFMS) at room temperature. The samples were characterized by means of field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and photoelectrochemistry methods. The results showed that Ti films prepared at the condition of Ar pressure 0.5 Pa, power 150 W, and 0.5 h at room temperature possessed the zone T model structure with good homogeneity and high denseness. When the anodization time was prolonged from 1 to 3 h at the voltage of 30 V, the pore diameter of TiO₂ nanotubes increased from 50 to 75 nm, and the length increased from 750 to 1100 nm and then gradually decreased to 800 nm, while their wall morphology changed from smooth to rough. Also with increasing the anodization voltage, the pore diameter became larger, and the remaining oxide layer reduced, which could be easily removed by ultrasonic-chemical cleaning in 0.05% (w, mass fraction) diluted HF solution. Moreover, the photocurrent response curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) results indicated that UV-illumination clearly enhanced the effective separation of the electron-hole pairs and the crystallized electrodes from the annealing treatment of as-anodized electrodes at 450 °C exhibited a better photoelectrochemical performance.     

TiO_2纳米管阵列光电极的电化学阻抗及动力学特性分析

采用声电化学阳极氧化法,在无机溶剂(H3PO4+NaF水溶液)和有机溶剂(NH4F+水+乙二醇)体系电解液中加20V直流电压制得TiO2纳米管(TNT)阵列,其中无机溶剂样品(记为TNT-A)的管长为650nm,有机溶剂样品(记为TNT-E)的管长为2μm.基于X射线衍射(XRD)图谱、场发射扫描电子显微镜图(FESEM)、紫外-可见漫反射光谱(UV-VisDRS)的表征和电流-时间(I-t)曲线、Mott-Schottky图和电化学阻抗谱(EIS)的分析可知,在空气中经500℃煅烧后,TNT-E的吸光性能明显好于TNT-A的吸光性能.在紫外光((365±15)nm)辐照下,测得TNT-E的平均光电流密度与TNT-A的仅差0.05mA·cm-2,这是由于管长的增长增大了电荷转移电阻,并使得传质路径增长,增大了反应所需克服的势垒,降低了电极的反应速率,两者的电荷载流子密度分别为5.31×1020与9.86×1020cm-3.     

Designing an epoxy composite coating having dual-barrier-active self-healing anti-corrosion functions using a multi-functional GO/PDA/MO nano-hybrid

The graphene oxide, functionalized with polydopamine (PDA) bio-polymers and molybdate (MO) ions, was incorporated into the epoxy coating. The FT-IR, Raman, UV-visible, XRD, and FE-SEM/EDS analyses were utilized for the GO/PDA/MO nanoparticle characterization. The sequence of inhibitors' release from the nano-hybrid and their effect on the electrochemical behavior of the steel sample was explored by the OCP, polarization, and, EIS analyses in the aquatic saline media. EIS analyses revealed inhibition efficiency of 88% for the sample immersed in the GO/PDA/MO-contained solution after 48 h immersion. The polarization results showed a 91% corrosion mitigation index for the sample submerged in the GO/PDA/MO extract-containing solution after 48 h immersion. An increase of the scratched coating Nyquist diameter, the lower corrosion product, and coating blister formation after exposure to the salt spray chamber, as well as the lower adhesion loss in the pull-off test (26%), revealed that the epoxy coating reinforced with GO/PDA/MO nano-hybrids could mitigate the mild steel corrosion by improving the barrier performance and active corrosion protection (self-healing mechanism) behavior.     

Carbon nanotube assisted synthesis of CeO2 nanotubes

CeO₂ nanotubes have been synthesized facilely using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as templates by a liquid phase deposition method. The properties of the CeO₂ nanotubes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectrum (XPS) as well as thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA). The obtained CeO₂ nanotubes with a polycrystalline face-centered cubic phase have a uniform diameter ranging from 40 to 50 nm. The CeO₂ nanotubes are composed of many tiny interconnected nanocrystallites of about 10 nm in size. The pretreatment of CNTs and calcination temperature were confirmed to be the crucial factors determining the formation of CeO₂ nanotubes. A possible formation mechanism has been suggested to explain the formation of CeO₂ nanotubes.     

Application of Thermogravimetry and Differential Thermal Analysis in Catalytic CVD Synthesis of Carbon Nanotubes

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MW-CNTs) were prepared by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method with the decomposition of acetylene over Co/SiO2 catalyst. TG-DTA technique was used together with TEM and XRD to study the effect of reaction temperature on the composition, graphitized extent, and diameter distribution of the produced raw CNTs based on their oxidization resistance. During the decomposition, the micro-crystallite of the active constituent (Co/SiO2) were growing up as the reaction temperature rising. This in turn resulted in an increase of the diameter distribution range of produced MW-CNTs. The average diameter increased from 20~30 nm (650℃) to 30~50 nm (750℃). XRD results also showed the graphitized extent of MW-CNTs was enhanced meanwhile the spacing between the layers (d002) decreased from 3.45 (650℃) to 3.32 (850℃) with the reaction temperature raised. TG-DTA data showed that the exothermic peak of the amorphous carbon was below 380℃and its content would decrease as temperature increasing. In summary, for CVD production of CNTs using acetylene gas on Co/SiO2 catalyst, low temperature (about 650℃) favored producing thinner MW-CNTs with the diameter from 20 to 30 nm while higher temperature (about 850℃) is favored thicker MW-CNTs (diameter from 70 to 100 nm).     

Low-temperature catalytic preparation of multi-wall MoS<Subscript>2</Subscript> nanotubes

In the catalytic reduction atmosphere of H₂+CH₄+C₄H₄S, the ball-milled precursor (NH₄)₂MoS₄ is heated to 300°C for decomposition. The as-synthesized product is characterized by XRD, SEM, HRTEM, EDX, and BET. The results show that multi-wall MoS₂ nanotubes are obtained. The length of the nanotubes is around 3–5 μm. The diameters of the nanotubes are homogeneous, with an inner diameter of ∼15 nm, an outer diameter of ∼30 nm, and an interlayer (002) d-spacing of 0.63 nm. This catalytic thermal reaction occurring at low temperatures is important for the large-scale preparation of similar transition-metal disulfide nanotubes.     

Confinement Effect of Organic Nanotubes Toward Green Fluorescent Protein (GFP) Depending on the Inner Diameter Size

Transportation, release behavior, and stability of a green fluorescent protein (GFP, 3×4 nm) in self‐assembled organic nanotubes with three different inner diameters (10, 20, and 80 nm) have been studied in terms of novel nanocontainers. Selective immobilization of a fluorescent acceptor dye on the inner surface enabled us to not only visualize the transportation of GFP in the nanochannels but to also detect release of the encapsulated GFP to the bulk solution in real time, based on fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET). Obtained diffusion constants and release rates of GFP markedly decreased as the inner diameter of the nanotubes was decreased. An endo‐sensing procedure also clarified the dependence of the thermal and chemical stabilities of the GFP on the inner diameters. The GFP encapsulated in the 10 nm nanochannel showed strong resistance to heat and to a denaturant. On the other hand, the 20 nm nanochannel accelerated the denaturation of the encapsulated GFP compared with the rate of denaturation of the free GFP in bulk and the encapsulated GFP in the 80 nm nanochannels. The confinement effect based on rational fitting of the inner diameter to the size of GFP allowed us to store it stably and without denaturation under high temperatures and high denaturant concentrations.     

The study of carbon nanotubes as conductive additives of cathode in lithium ion batteries

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs), including multi-walled CNTs (MWCNTs) and single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs), are employed as conductive additives in lithium ion batteries. The effects of MWCNTs’ carbon precursors, diameter, and weight fraction on the electrochemical behavior of MWCNTs/LiCoO₂ composite cathode are investigated. Meanwhile, a comparison is made between SWCNTs /LiCoO₂ and MWCNTs/LiCoO₂. Among the three kinds of carbon precursors: CH₄, natural gas, and C₂H₂, MWCNTs prepared from CH₄ are very fit for acting as conductive additives due to their better crystallinity and lower electrical resistance. MWCNTs with smaller diameter favor improving the electrochemical behavior of MWCNTs/LiCoO₂ composite cathode at higher charge/discharge rate owing to their advantage in primary particle number in unit mass. To make full use of LiCoO₂ at higher rate, it is necessary to add at least 5 wt.% of MWCNTs with a diameter 10~30 nm. However, SWCNTs are not expected to be added into LiCoO₂ composite cathode since they tend to form bundles.     

磺化碳纳米管改性聚苯胺复合材料的合成与超级电容特性

运用重氮化技术制备了水溶性磺化碳纳米管,在此基础上,以不同直径的磺化碳纳米管(1～2 nm,<8 nm,10～20 nm,30～50 nm)为载体,采用原位氧化聚合方法合成了一系列磺化碳纳米管改性聚苯胺复合材料.红外和紫外-可见光谱分析表明,聚苯胺与磺化碳纳米管之间存在π-π相互作用,并形成了电荷转移复合物;且随着碳纳...     

导电玻璃上室温沉积钛膜及TiO2纳米管阵列的制备与表征

在掺氟的杂nO2(FTO)导电玻璃衬底上采用射频磁控溅射的方法室温沉积纯Ti薄膜, 以NH4F/甘油为电解液, 经电化学阳极氧化得到结构有序、微米级的TiO2纳米管阵列/FTO复合结构, 并通过场发射扫描电子显微镜(FESEM)、X射线衍射(XRD)以及光电化学的方法对纳米管阵列进行了表征. 研究表明, 在氩气气压为0.5 Pa, 功率为150 W, 时间为0.5 h条件下在导电玻璃上室温沉积获得钛膜的结构为晶带T型组织, 表面均匀性好且致密度较高; 在电压为30 V下, 随着阳极氧化时间从1 h延长至3 h, 纳米管的管径从50 nm增加到75 nm, 纳米管的长度从750 nm增至1100 nm后减至800 nm, 管壁由平滑变为波纹状; 随氧化电压的升高, 纳米管管径逐渐增大, 而表面覆盖物逐渐减少, 可通过在稀的HF溶液(0.05%(w, 质量分数))中超声清洗去除; 此外, 瞬态光电流测试表明结晶的电极表现出更好的光电转换性能, 紫外光照射下能促进TiO2光生载流子有效分离, 在热处理温度为450 ℃时, 具有较高的光电化学性能.     

Self-assembled monolayers on Au microelectrodes

Long chain alkanethiols self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) formed on Au microelectrodes showed higher sensitivity towards defects than the same monolayers on macroelectrodes. The analysis of cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) experiments performed on covered microelectrodes were consistent with the formation of pinholes of about 10 nm in diameter. Moreover, the EIS data exhibited a specific behavior that was interpreted invoking the short circuiting of the pinholes impedance by the surrounding surface of the microelectrode in the high frequency domain, whereas in the low frequencies, the surface covered by the SAM was assume to act as an insulator.     

Structural evaluation and photocatalytic properties of Pt-supported titanate nanotubes

Pt nanocrystal-supported titanate nanotubes as a photocatalyst were prepared by hydrothermal treatment and subsequent heat-treatment in H₂ atmosphere (H₂ reduction) of a mixture of these titanate nanotubes and H₂PtCl₆. TEM results showed that Pt nanoparticles (a few nm in diameter and 5 to 10 nm in length) with good crystallinity were entrapped inside titanate naotubes and were closely precipitated on the surface of titanate nanotubes. These Pt nanocrystal-supported titanate nanotubes possessed the high ability for HCHO decomposition.     

Surface spin glass behavior in sol-gel derived La0.7Ca0.3MnO3 nanotubes

We report the fabrication of La(0.7)Ca(0.3)MnO(3) nanotubes (LCMONTs) with a diameter of about 200 nm, by a modified sol-gel method utilizing nanochannel alumina templates. High resolution transmission electron microscopy confirmed that the obtained LCMONTs are made up of nanoparticles (8-12 nm), which are randomly aligned in the wall of the nanotubes. The strong irreversibility between zero field cooling (ZFC) and field cooling (FC) magnetization curves as well as a cusplike peak in the ZFC curve gives strong support for surface spin glass behavior.     

Multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)-doped polypyrrole DNA biosensor for label-free detection of genetically modified organisms by QCM and EIS

In this paper, we describe DNA electrochemical detection for genetically modified organism (GMO) based on multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)-doped polypyrrole (PPy). DNA hybridization is studied by quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). An increase in DNA complementary target concentration results in a decrease in the faradic charge transfer resistance (R_ct) and signifying “signal-on” behavior of MWCNTs-PPy-DNA system. QCM and EIS data indicated that the electroanalytical MWCNTs-PPy films were highly sensitive (as low as 4 pM of target can be detected with QCM technique). In principle, this system can be suitable not only for DNA but also for protein biosensor construction.     

Protein nanotubes comprised of an alternate layer-by-layer assembly using a polycation as an electrostatic glue

We present the synthesis and structure of various protein nanotubes comprised of an alternate layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly using a polycation as an electrostatic glue. The nanotubes were fabricated by sequential LbL depositions of positively charged polycations and negatively charged proteins into a porous polycarbonate (PC) membrane, followed by release of the cylindrical core by quick dissolution of the template with CH(2)Cl(2). This procedure provides a variety of protein nanotubes without interlayer cross-linking. The three-cycle depositions of poly-L-arginine (PLA) and human serum albumin (HSA, M(w)=66.5 kDa) into the porous PC template (pore diameter, D(p)=400 nm) yielded well-defined (PLA/HSA)(3) nanotubes with an outer diameter of 419+/-29 nm and a wall thickness of 46+/-8 nm, revealed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observations. The outer diameter of the tubules can be controlled by the pore size of the template (200-800 nm), whereas the wall thickness is always constant, independent of the D(p) value. The (PEI/HSA)(3) (PEI: polyethylenimine) nanotubes showed a slightly thin wall of 39+/-5 nm. CD spectra of the multilayered (PEI/HSA)(n) film on a flat quartz plate suggested that the secondary structure of HSA between the polycations was almost the same as that in aqueous solution. The three-cycle LbL depositions of PLA and ferritin (M(w)=460 kDa) or myoglobin (Mb, M(w)=1.7 kDa) into the porous PC membrane also gave cylindrical hollow structures. The wall thickness of the (PLA/ferritin)(3) and (PLA/Mb)(3) nanotubes were 55+/-5 nm and 31+/-4 nm; it depends on the globular size of the protein (ferritin>HSA>Mb). The individual ferritin molecule was clearly seen in the tubular walls by SEM and TEM measurements.     

Protein nanotubes with an enzyme interior surface

This report describes the synthesis and enzyme activities of multilayered protein nanotubes with an α-glucosidase (αGluD) interior surface. The nanotubes were prepared by using an alternating layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly of human serum albumin (HSA) and oppositely charged poly-L-arginine (PLA) into a track-etched polycarbonate (PC) membrane (pore size=400 nm) followed by addition of αGluD as the last layer of the wall. Subsequent dissolution of the PC template yielded (PLA/HSA)(2)PLA/αGluD nanotubes. SEM measurements revealed the formation of uniform hollow cylinders with (413±17) nm outer diameter and (52±3) nm wall thickness. In aqueous media, the nanotubes captured a fluorogenic glucopyranoside, 4-methyl-umbelliferyl-α-D-glucopyranoside (MUGlc), into their one-dimensional pore space and hydrolyzed the substrate efficiently to form α-D-glucose. We determined the enzyme parameters (Michaelis constant, K(M), and catalytic constant, k(cat), values) of the protein nanotubes. The several-micrometers-long cylinders were of sufficient length to be spun down by centrifugation at 4000 g, so the product could therefore be easily separated. Similar biocatalysts were prepared by complexation of biotinylated-αGluD into HSA-based nanotubes bearing a single avidin layer as an internal surface. The obtained hybrid nanotubes also exhibited the same enzyme activity for the MUGlc hydrolysis.     

Corrosion behavior of the steel used as a huge storage tank in seawater

Open-circuit potential (OCP), polarization curve, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) measurement were used to investigate the corrosion behaviors of high-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steel and mild steel in seawater. Both steels were used in the construction of a huge oil storage tank. The OCP results show that the HSLA steel quickly reached more negative E _OCP values than the mild steel. Polarization curve results reveal that the HSLA steel exhibits higher corrosion currents and more negative corrosion potentials than the mild steel. EIS measurements reveal that both steels exhibit similar corrosion behaviors up to 144 h, one increased capacitance loop can be shown in EIS diagrams. The mild steel presents higher corrosion resistances than the HSLA steel at former stage, which is associated with the effect of the grain size. After 240 h of immersion, both steels present different corrosion behaviors. The EIS diagrams exhibit two capacitance arcs for the HSLA steel and one capacitance arc for the mild steel, which is due to the formation of intact corrosion scales on the electrode surface of the HSLA steel as to introduce a new reaction interface. The HSLA steel exhibits higher corrosion resistances than the mild steel at latter stage of experiment, which is ascribed to the synthetic actions of residual Fe₃C and the protective property of corrosion products.     

Simple Dip-Coating Process for the Synthesis of Small Diameter Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes-Effect of Catalyst Composition and Catalyst Particle Size on Chirality and Diameter

We report on a dip-coating method to prepare catalyst particles (mixture of iron and cobalt) with a controlled diameter distribution on silicon wafer substrates by changing the solution's concentration and withdrawal velocity. The size and distribution of the prepared catalyst particles were analyzed by atomic force microscopy. Carbon nanotubes were grown by chemical vapor deposition on the substrates with the prepared catalyst particles. By decreasing the catalyst particle size to below 10 nm, the growth of carbon nanotubes can be tuned from few-walled carbon nanotubes, with homogeneous diameter, to highly pure single-walled carbon nanotubes. Analysis of the Raman radial breathing modes, using three different Raman excitation wavelengths (488, 633, and 785 nm), showed a relatively broad diameter distribution (0.8-1.4 nm) of single-walled carbon nanotubes with different chiralities. However, by changing the composition of the catalyst particles while maintaining the growth parameters, the chiralities of single-walled carbon nanotubes were reduced to mainly four different types, (12, 1), (12, 0), (8, 5), and (7, 5), accounting for about 70% of all nanotubes.     

Photoelectrochemical oxidation behavior of organic substances on TiO2 thin-film electrodes

The photoelectrocatalytic oxidation characteristics of salicylic acid, formic acid and methanol on anodized nanoporous titanium dioxide (TiO₂) thin-films were investigated by using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and potentiodynamic polarization techniques. From dark to ultraviolet illumination, the open circuit potential (OCP) and film resistance of TiO₂ films decreased markedly. A general equivalent circuit model was proposed for the photoelectrochemical system anodic TiO₂ thin-film electrode/test solution. The photoelectrochemical oxidation process of the organic compounds showed similar impedance features at OCP and was controlled by the charge transfer step. According to the polarization curves of the base solution and organic solutions, the kinetic rate curves for the photoelectrocatalytic oxidation of pure organic species were obtained as a function of the potential bias. One photooxidation peak was first observed at a bias potential of ca. 0.26 V for these species with low concentrations.