Nonlinear electrokinetics and "superfast" electrophoresis

Nonlinear and nonequilibrium electrophoresis of spherical particles of radius a is shown to be possible when the solid surface allows field or current penetration. At low particle Peclet numbers, transient capacitative charging occurs until the surface polarization completely screens the external field. For a DC applied field [see text], the resulting electrokinetic velocity reaches Dukhin's maximum value of [formula: see text], where [see text] and mu are the liquid permittivity and viscosity. At high Peclet numbers, electroosmotic convection of the electroneutral bulk stops the transient charging before complete field-line exclusion. For an ion-selective and conducting spherical granule, the polarization is then determined by the steady-state Ohmic current driven by the penetrated external field. The high-Peclet electrokinetic velocity is lower, diffusivity-dependent and scales as [see text].     

Synthesis of the enantiomeric forms of α- and γ-damascone starting from commercial racemic α-ionone

A straightforward synthesis of both enantiomers of α- and γ-damascone is described. The title compounds were prepared by a divergent pathway starting from the enantiomeric forms of (6RS,7SR,9RS)-7-hydroxy-7,8-dihydro-α-ionol and of (6RS,7SR,9RS)-7-hydroxy-7,8-dihydro-γ-ionol. These building blocks were obtained from racemic α-ionone in four and five steps, respectively. The 7-hydroxy group was introduced by regio- and diastereoselective epoxidation of the conjugated double bond followed by reductive opening of the oxirane ring. The hydroxy-ketone obtained was reduced diastereoselectively to trans-α-diol that could be converted to the trans-γ-diol by photochemical isomerization. Both diols were then resolved by lipase-mediated acetylation.     

Study on a novel manufacturing process of membrane electrode assemblies for solid polymer electrolyte water electrolysis

A novel manufacturing process for catalyst coated membrane (CCM) was utilized to fabricate the membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) for solid polymer electrolyte (SPE) water electrolysis. The properties and performance of the modified CCM were analyzed and evaluated by SEM, electrochemistry impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and I–V curves. The characterizations reveal that the sprayed Nafion layers are very effective for increasing the reaction interface between SPE and the electrode catalyst layer. The test experiments show that the SPE water electrolyzer with new MEA structure can lower about 0.1 V of water electrolysis voltage at atmosphere pressure and 2 A cm⁻².     

Development of chromium-free iron-based catalysts for high-temperature water-gas shift reaction

Chromium-free iron-based catalysts were prepared and studied in regard to their performance in the high-temperature water-gas shift reaction (HTS). The effects of various catalyst preparation variables (i.e., Fe/promoter ratio, pH of precipitation medium, calcination and reduction temperatures) and preparation methods were investigated. Aluminum is a potential chromium replacement in HTS catalysts. Further improvement in WGS activity of Fe–Al catalysts can be achieved by the addition of small amounts of copper or cobalt. Catalysts were characterized using BET surface area measurements, temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS). As a textural promoter, aluminum and chromium prevent the sintering of iron oxides and stabilize magnetite phase by retarding its further reduction to FeO and metallic Fe. The promotional effect of Cu is found to be strongly dependent on the preparation method.     

Reduction and reconstruction of Co3O4 nanocubes upon carbon deposition

We describe a synthetic investigation on the formation of carbon nanofibers using a preshaped free-standing metal-oxide catalyst (single-crystal cobalt oxide (Co(3)O(4)) nanocubes). In reacting with acetylene (C(2)H(2)) vapor, Co(3)O(4) nanocubes are reduced and reconstructed into metallic cobalt. The resultant metal catalyst with a 2-fold symmetry leads to a bilateral base growth for carbon nanofibers. Our findings indicate that an understanding of catalyst-assisted chemical vapor deposition (CVD) mechanisms can be acquired, when the shape, size, and crystal orientation of pristine metal catalysts are made known to the CVD process. By tracing their evolutional changes in structure and composition, the shape-designed model catalysts may offer new opportunities for mechanistic investigations on the chemical reactivity of nanoparticles, general catalyst-assisted material synthesis, and metal intercalation chemistry.     

Method for predicting the dissociation condition of a simple hydrate phase on an H–Lw–V line in isochoric operation

A method for predicting the location of a dissociation condition on an H–L_w–V line under isochoric operation was presented. To establish the method, the governing equations for the H–L_w–V coexistence under isochoric conditions were derived. Here, a liquid and a vapor phase were expressed by the PR EOS + MHV2 model and a hydrate phase by the van der Waals–Platteeuw model. The molar volume of the vapor phase was calculated from the equation of state, and a simple expression for the molar volume of the hydrate phase was derived. Then, to prove the validity of the proposed method, experimental studies about the dissociation process of the hydrates were performed. The temperature and pressure traces in the hydrate dissociation process, including the location of the dissociation condition, were successfully predicted by the proposed method. In addition, the thermodynamic consistency among the phase models was discussed. It was pointed out that agreement between the calculated and experimental results about the H–L_w–V equilibrium line did not ensure thermodynamic consistency among the phase models.     

New PIM-1 copolymers containing 2,3,6,7-anthracenetetrayl moiety and their use as gas separation membranes

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Evidence for a two-step mechanism in electronically selective single-walled carbon nanotube reactions

Covalent and noncovalent chemistries that are selective to single-walled carbon nanotubes of a particular electronic type have become increasingly important for electronic structure separation and on-chip modification of nanoelectronic devices. By monitoring transient Raman spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) during a reaction with 4-chlorobenzene diazonium in aqueous solution, evidence for a characteristic two-step mechanism with two distinct time constants is uncovered. A long-lived intermediate selectively and noncovalently binds and partially dopes the nanotube surface (tau = 2.4 min). A slower, covalent reaction is tracked using the time-dependent increase in the disorder mode in Raman (tau = 73 min). The transient Raman and PL data are well described using a series of two first-order reactions. The covalent bonding step can be deactivated by changing the structure of the surfactant adsorbed phase, further supporting the mechanism.     

Phase behavior and rheological properties of polyelectrolyte inks for direct-write assembly

Three-dimensional (3-D) structures with micron-sized features have been fabricated via the direct-write assembly of polyelectrolyte inks. By mixing oppositely charged species under solution conditions that promote polyelectrolyte exchange reactions, we have created concentrated fluids capable of flowing through microscale deposition nozzles. Ink deposition into an alcohol/water coagulation reservoir yielded polyelectrolyte filaments that rapidly solidify to enable three-dimensional patterning of microperiodic structures with self-supporting features. The influence of ink and reservoir chemistry on the phase behavior, rheological properties, and assembly of concentrated polyelectrolyte complexes is reported with an emphasis on the optimal conditions for 3-D writing.