Synergistic enhancement of vinyltriethoxysilane and layered Mg–Al double hydroxide on the tracking and erosion resistance of silicone rubber

It is of great significance and challenge to efficiently improve the tracking and erosion resistance of silicone rubber along with the growing requirements in the field of outdoor high voltage insulation. In this work, we herein proposed an effective way to address this issue by incorporating vinyltriethoxysilane (ViTES) and layered Mg–Al double hydroxide (LDH) into high temperature vulcanized silicone rubber (HTVSR). ViTES/LDH notably enhanced the tracking and erosion resistance of HTVSR. With addition of 3.33 phr ViTES and 5.00 phr LDH, the anti-tracking performance of HTVSR reached the 1A 4.5 level, and the eroded mass was merely 0.3%. The results of scanning electron microscopy and equilibrium swelling showed that ViTES substantially improved the interfacial interaction between HTVSR and LDH and the crosslinking density of HTVSR, and enhanced the dispersion of LDH sheets in the HTVSR matrix. The possible synergistic suppression mechanism of ViTES/LDH on the tracking and erosion of HTVSR was further studied and demonstrated by the plasma irradiation analysis, thermogravimetry and thermogravimetry-Fourier transform infrared spectrometry. It was indicated that under the high voltage arcing discharge, LDH facilitated the formation of a dense barrier layer consisting of bimetal mixed oxides on the HTVSR surface, exerting outstanding lamellar barrier effect. The further degradation and the generation as well as development of electrical tracking were efficiently suppressed. Our findings provided a new approach to fabricate silicone rubber with excellent tracking and erosion resistance.     

Plasma torch with liquid metal electrodes

In order to eliminate the negative effect of erosion processes on electrodes in arc plasma generators, a new scheme of arc discharge was proposed in which the surface of a molten metal acts as electrodes. A plasma reactor was designed on the basis of this concept. The electrophysical characteristics of such a discharge in steam and air as plasma gases were studied. Experiments on destruction of toxic polychlorinated biphenyls and steam coal gasification were performed.     

Effect of the surrounding aeration on microcapillary electrochemical cell experiments

In the microelectrochemical capillary cell technique a silicone rubber gasket is used to avoid any electrolyte leakage between the pulled glass capillary and the working electrode (the metallic tested material). In this study, it is demonstrated that the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is strongly affected by the use of the silicone rubber. Experiments under a surrounding argon gas shielding of the pulled capillary in contact with the metallic surface have been performed showing a large effect on the ORR. Considering the high permeation rate of oxygen through silicone, the decrease of the reaction rate observed experimentally was validated by FEM modelling assuming that the air/silicone/water interface at the tip can be described as an air/water interface.     

PVA-CMC-KOH-H_2O碱性聚合物电解质研究

由聚乙烯醇(PVA)与羧甲基纤维素钠(CMC)制备PVA-CMC-KOH-H2O碱性聚合物电解质膜,应用交流阻抗、循环伏安、差热分析和红外光谱等实验方法表征、研究其性能.结果表明,该碱性聚合物电解质的室温电导率可达到10-2S.cm-1数量级,在不锈钢惰性电极上的电化学稳定窗口约为1.6 V.另外,还研究了聚合物电解质膜中KOH、H2O和CMC对体系电导率的影响以及PVA-CMC-KOH-H2O碱性聚合物电解质在N i/MH电池中的初步应用.初步结果表明,由PVA-CMC-KOH-H2O聚合物电解质组装的N i/MH电池,其低倍率放电性能较好.     

加成型液体硅橡胶的研究进展

结合加成型液体硅橡胶的硫化原理,综述了加成型液体硅橡胶导热性能、耐高温性能及粘结性能的最新研究进展,发现加入金属氮化物导热填料是提高加成型液体硅橡胶导热性能的有效途径;改善分子结构是提高加成型液体硅橡胶耐高温性能的主要途径;共混粘结促进剂是提高加成型液体硅橡胶粘结性能的重要途径。介绍了加成型液体硅橡胶的最新应用领域,提出功能化加成型液体硅橡胶,如3D个性化打印硅橡胶、人体器官硅橡胶、高折光封装硅橡胶等功能材料是未来加成型液体硅橡胶的发展方向。     

Impedance spectroscopy studies of changes in the properties of lithium-sulfur cells in the course of cycling

Changes in the properties of lithium-sulfur cells during cycling were studied by impedance spectroscopy. The electric conductivity of the electrolyte changed during the charging and discharging of the lithium-sulfur cells as a result of the dissolution of lithium polysulfides formed in electrochemical reactions. The maximum resistance of the electrolyte and the surface layers on the sulfur and lithium electrodes was achieved in the region of the transition between the low- and high-voltage areas on the charge and discharge curves of the cells. This region corresponded to the highest concentration of lithium polysulfides in the electrolyte. For nearly charged or discharged lithium-sulfur cells, the impedance spectra contained linear segments which could be attributed to diffusion limitations at low frequencies. An analysis of the results of impedance studies suggested that the electrochemical processes in lithium-sulfur cells were controlled by diffusion in the surface layer on the sulfur electrode at high degrees of charge or discharge and by the transport properties of the electrolytic system at moderate degrees of charging.     

Physikalische und emissionsspektroskopische Untersuchungen am Lichtbogen unter Helium-Drücken bis zu 50 at

This study deals with the application of the d.c. arc as a spectrochemical source of light at high helium pressures, viz. power reactor conditions, for identifying spherical graphitic fuel elements which had been deliberately contaminated with defined impurities. Tipped tungsten tacks and graphite electrodes of cylindrical or spherical shape were used: the tacks served as cathodes, the graphite electrodes as anodes. The He-gas pressure during discharge was varied between 1 atm and 50 atm. The runs at high He-pressure show that the arc changes at pressures > 30 atm into a form of discharge governed by convection. At 10 atm however the arc was still found stabilised by the electrodes. At pressures > 30 atm we got distinct evidence for vaporisation. The change in characteristics of the gas type arc into a vapour arc is marked by an increase in operating voltage at currents greater than 20 amps. Not unexpectedly the operating voltage increases rapidly with increasing gas pressure during discharge. The lines of the spectrum are broadening proportionally to the gas pressure. A homogeneous magnetic field, simultaneously applied along the axis of the arc, centralises and stabilises the arc discharge and reduces the material transport from the anode. With increasing magnetical induction the line broadening reduces. The good thermal conductivity of the He and the increasing heat convection with rising pressure both result in rapid increase of power and radiation density with the consequence of higher temperature. Temperature measurements with two pairs of Mg II lines using a 20 amps arc discharge at He pressure of 40 atm yielded about 13000 K. In an example for a pair of ion lines in the Co/Ni element combination a satisfactory spectral-analytical calibration curve was obtained at helium pressure. It is possible to increase the reproducibility and narrow down the lines of the spectrum with the consequence of greater accuracy of the resulting analytical curve if a homogeneous magnetic field is applied.     

K2FeO4-Zn碱性固态电解质电池电化学性能研究

应用溶液铸膜法制备出了交联聚乙烯醇(PVA)/聚丙烯酸(PAA)-KOH-H2O复合碱性固态电解质膜, 其厚度为150 µm左右, SEM测试结果表明其表面呈均相的非晶态结构, 交流阻抗(EIS)测试表明室温离子电导率可达3.5×10－2 S• cm－1, 循环伏安(CV)测试表明其电化学稳定窗口为3.5 V左右, 将其应用于一次碱性K2FeO4-Zn电池, 通过研究固态电解质膜在不同浓度KOH碱液中预处理和其在不同放电倍率下的放电性能, 结果表明, 9 mol•L－1为最佳固态电解质膜预处理碱液浓度, 0.4 C为最佳放电倍率, 1.0 V以上容量最高可达222.6 mAh•g－1, 并表现出良好的放电平台特性.     

交流电晕对高温硫化硅橡胶性能的影响

采用针-板电极交流电晕放电试验装置研究了电晕放电对高温硫化硅橡胶憎水性、不同温度下憎水恢复性、力学性能和电气性能的影响,结果表明电晕放电作用不同时间后高温硫化硅橡胶材料憎水性丧失是一个渐进的过程,严重时硅橡胶材料憎水性会暂时性丧失,硅橡胶材料在不同温度下憎水性恢复速度不同,电晕放电作用后硅橡胶材料憎水接触角不能恢复至新试样初始水平.电晕放电不同时间后硅橡胶材料表面受电晕放电影响的范围逐渐扩大,表面产生了黑色粉末状电晕环,前期发展较快,然后逐渐由表层损坏转为纵深方向发展,材料表面和内层均可能遭到不同程度电蚀损,硅橡胶主链基团Si—O—Si、侧链基团Si—CH3和甲基中C—H键相对强度均随着电晕放电作用时间的增加呈下降趋势,材料拉伸强度和硬度有所下降,介电性能明显下降.     

Quasi in situ XPS study of anion intercalation into HOPG from the ionic liquid [EMIM][BF4]

Highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) electrodes were electrochemically oxidized in the ionic liquid [EMIM][BF₄]. Both, the electrolyte and the electrode surface were investigated using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) after electrochemical treatment. For that purpose an electrochemical preparation chamber was attached to the ultra high vacuum system allowing for preparation of electrodes in non-aqueous electrolyte and subsequent sample transfer under inert nitrogen atmosphere. The XP-spectra of all species detected on the oxidized HOPG surface show core level shifts towards lower binding energies referring to a Fermi level shift and proving that a graphite intercalation compound was formed. Anion intercalation occurs together with co-intercalation of cations at 2 V vs. carbon quasi-reference electrode and is found to be irreversible. XPS analysis of the ionic liquid prior to and after electrochemical treatment indicates a change in electrolyte composition.     

一种新型聚合物电解质的研制

合成了聚 (甲基丙烯酸甲酯 丙烯腈 甲基丙烯酸锂 ) (简记为PMAML)新型聚合物电解质基质材料 ,把它与聚偏氟乙烯 (PVDF)共混制备了凝胶化的聚合物电解质 .通过核磁共振波谱确定了PMAML的组份含量 ,并用扫描电镜观察了该聚合物基质膜的表面形貌 .利用交流阻抗技术测试了其电导率 ,室温下电导率可达2 5× 10 - 3S·cm- 1 .采用线性伏安扫描方法研究了该聚合物电解质的电化学稳定性 ,其电化学稳定窗口为4 5V .通过受限扩散实验测得电解质中离子的扩散系数为 8 12× 10 - 7cm2 ·s- 1 .组装的聚合物电解质锂离子电池首次充放电效率为 89% ,前 5次循环容量基本稳定 .     

Thermal characterization of Al2O3 and ZnO reinforced silicone rubber as thermal pads for heat dissipation purposes

Silicone rubber filled with thermally conductive, but electrically insulating Al₂O₃ or ZnO fillers were investigated to be used as elastomeric thermal pads, a class of thermal interface materials. The effect of Al₂O₃ or ZnO fillers on the thermal conductivity and coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) of the silicone rubber were investigated, and it was found that with increasing Al₂O₃ or ZnO fillers, the thermal conductivity of the thermal pads increases, while the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) decreases. The thermal conductivity results obtained were also analyzed using the Agari model to explain the effect of Al₂O₃ or ZnO fillers on the formation of thermal conductive networks. Thermal gravimetry analysis (TGA) showed that the addition of either Al₂O₃ or ZnO fillers increases the thermal stability of the silicone rubber, while the scanning electron microscope (SEM) showed that at 10 vol.% filler loading percolation threshold has yet to be reached.     

Effects of electrode size and surface morphology on electrode polarization in physiological buffers

Electrode polarization (EP) is inevitable in high conductivity buffers at low AC frequencies due to the accumulation of free charges at the electrode/electrolyte interface. Electrode miniaturization increases EP effect on impedance measurements. In this paper, six gold planar (GP) electrodes having different diameters () were used to investigate the size effect on EP with parallel plate electrode geometry. GP electrode surface was electrochemically deposited with gold nanostructures (GNs) to minimize the EP effect. Equivalent circuit model was used to attain electrode/electrolyte interfacial impedance. Constant phase element model was used to analyze the relation between the size and morphology of electrodes on EP. The surface morphology of gold nanostructured electrodes was examined using SEM, and the influence of different applied potential on the growth of GNs was elucidated with Nernst equilibrium condition. Surface roughness and wettability characteristics were examined performing surface roughness and contact angle measurements, respectively. The improvement of GNs deposited electrode performance was investigated by analytically generated Jurkat cell suspension spectra. The results show that the error in estimating the subcellular properties can be drastically reduced by using GNs deposited electrodes.     

辉光放电低温等离子体分解乙醇水溶液制氢

在辉光放电分解乙醇制氢过程中, 高能电子在反应中起到了最为关键的作用, 非法拉第效应使得电流效率获得大幅度提升, 产物产量远远高于理论产量. 本文研究了乙醇水溶液辉光放电等离子体电解制氢的过程. 实验研究发现, 辉光放电分解乙醇水溶液的产物主要以H₂和CO为主, 还有少量的C₂H₄、CH₄、O₂和C₂H₆. H₂体积分数能达到59%以上, CO为20%左右. 通过对影响辉光放电的因素进行实验后发现: 乙醇体积分数的大小不会影响辉光放电的伏安特性参数; 电导率的提高会使‘Kellogg 区’收窄, 同时使放电尽快进入辉光放电. 此外, 乙醇体积分数越高H₂体积分数越低, 产气速率在乙醇体积分数为30%和80%附近时达到极大值; 提高放电电压和电导率对辉光放电的影响规律是相类似的, 其实质都是增大了辉光放电加载在等离子鞘层两端的电压,H₂体积分数基本不随二者的变化而变化, 但提高溶液的电导率更有利于减少辉光放电引起的焦耳热.     

Investigation of Electrode Phenomena in an Innovative Thermal Plasma Process for Glass Melting

A multi-phase alternating current (AC) arc has been applied to glass melting technology. The large volume discharge produced by a stable multi-phase AC arc is preferable to melt the granulated glass materials. The discharge behavior and the high-temperature region of the plasma can be controlled by the electrode configurations. In this study, the spatial characteristics of the arc discharge were examined by image analysis of high-speed camera. Results show arc existence area is related with electrode configuration. This study provides the useful information of efficient particle treatment in the preferred electrode configuration. However, the electrode erosion is one of the most considerable issues to be solved. The combination of high-speed video camera and band-pass filters was introduced to measure the electrode temperature to investigate the erosion mechanism of the multi-phase AC arc. The dynamic behavior of the electrode vapors in the arc was investigated by using the same high-speed camera system. Results show the tungsten electrode mainly evaporates at the anodic period during AC cycle.     

Effects of functional graphene oxide on the properties of phenyl silicone rubber composites

Graphene oxide (GO) was treated with two types of surfactants, i.e., silane coupling agent (KH550) and 4,4’-diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI), incorporated into phenyl silicone rubber at a low concentration (≤0.2 wt%), and cured by the room temperature vulcanized method. The effects of functional graphene oxide on the dielectric behaviour, thermal conductivity, optical transmittance and mechanical properties of the composites were investigated. The results showed that the particle size changed after modification and that the modified GO dispersed well in the phenyl silicone rubber. The composites with MDI modified GO exhibited better electrical insulation and lower light loss in the ultraviolet–visible region than the composites with KH550 modified GO. However, composites filled with KH550 modified GO present better thermal conductivity.     

Enhanced electrical conductivity in chemically modified carbon nanotube/methylvinyl silicone rubber nanocomposite

Chemically modified multiwalled carbon nanotubes/methlyvinyl silicone rubber (m-MWNT/VMQ) nanocomposites with relatively good dispersion of nanotubes were prepared by treating the surface of MWNT using γ-aminopropyltriethoxy silane (KH550). Significant enhanced electrical conductivity was discovered in the m-MWNT/VMQ nanocomposites. The results could be attributed a strong interaction between m-MWNT and VMQ which was from the chemically modification of the surface for MWNT. The electrical property was also discussed in order to understand the percolation and electrical transport mechanism. The m-MWNT/VMQ nanocomposites with high conductivity in this study are promising application as one of novel functional materials.     

Potentiometric Determination of Acids and Bases using Silicone Rubber Based Graphite Electrode

Abstract

A silicone rubber based graphite electrode has been used as an indicator electrode for potentiometric acid-base titrations. The electrode potential changes an average of 30 mV per pH-unit. If the electrodes are pretreated with a solution of an oxidant before use, the pH-sensitivity is increased. The electrode can be used in both aqueous and non-aqueous solutions. A measuring cell, composed of a silicone rubber based graphite electrode of small surface area and a chloride-selective reference electrode, can be used for acid-base titrations in the micro range.     

A quantitative model for the surface restructuring of repeatedly plasma treated silicone rubber

Surface restructuring in ambient air of medical grade silicone rubber surfaces modified by repeated RF plasma treatments using various discharge gases including oxygen, argon, carbon dioxide and ammonia, was studied quantitatively. From advancing and receding water contact angle data, the fraction of the surface covered by mobile and immobile polar groups, and a characteristic time constant of the restructuring process were calculated. For argon plasma treated surfaces, the fraction of immobile polar groups increased with repeated plasma treatments, but remained relatively constant for samples repeatedly treated by an ammonia plasma. The use of an oxygen plasma only yielded incorporation of mobile polar groups but not of immobile polar groups. The increase in the restructuring time constants of argon and ammonia plasma treated silicone rubber with the number of plasma treatments suggested enhanced crosslinking of the silicone rubber by these plasmas. In contrast, when an oxygen plasma was repeatedly used, the restructuring time constant decreased suggesting chain cleavage by an oxygen plasma. Tentatively, the carbon dioxide plasma treatment of silicone rubber may initially (up to 3–4 repeated treatments) yield chain cleavage, while the occurrence of crosslinking is indicated after more repetitions.     

A graphite foil electrode covered with electrochemically exfoliated graphene nanosheets

We demonstrate a highly efficient and large area synthesis of 2-D graphene nanosheets on the surface of flexible graphite foils by electrochemical exfoliation of graphite in an effective electrolyte, poly(sodium-4-styrenesulfonate) solution.A constant current of 150 mA/cm was applied to the vertically aligned graphite (anode) and copper (cathode) sheet in the PSS electrolyte solution during a preset time for electrolytic surface exfoliation of the graphite sheet; uniform expansion of the graphite foil was observed. This expanded foil was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, confocal laser scanning microscopy, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Furthermore, we demonstrate the ability of this high surface area foil, covered with uniform graphene, to enable improved electrolyte permeability and Li ion transfer, thereby enhancing electrochemical performance of Li ion battery electrodes.