Preparation and characterization of carbon xerogel (CX) and CX–SiO composite as anode material for lithium-ion battery

Carbon xerogel (CX), a kind of novel carbon material with low-density and continuous nano-porous structure that can be controlled and tailored on nanometer scale, has been prepared through the sol–gel polycondensation of resorcinol (R) with formaldehyde (F) followed by drying at ambient pressure and carbonization in inert atmosphere, and CX–SiO composite has been synthesized by high energy mechanical ball-milling of the obtained CX and commercial SiO at room temperature and atmosphere. The characteristics of CX and CX–SiO as anode material for lithium-ion battery have been systematically investigated on basis of field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), electrochemical and charge–discharge tests. The results showed that, CX–SiO is composed of active carbon, graphite, SiO and dispersed Si crystal while CX consists of active carbon and graphite, CX–SiO has smaller and much more uniform particles than CX. SiO can greatly improve discharge capacity of CX with an acceptable sacrifice of cycling stability, and the charge–discharge capacity of CX–SiO comes mainly from lithium insertion–extraction in Si–SiO in the sample.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">L</Emphasis><Subscript>1</Subscript> linear interpolator for missing values in time series

We propose a minimum mean absolute error linear interpolator (MMAELI), based on theL ₁ approach. A linear functional of the observed time series due to non-normal innovations is derived. The solution equation for the coefficients of this linear functional is established in terms of the innovation series. It is found that information implied in the innovation series is useful for the interpolation of missing values. The MMAELIs of the AR(1) model with innovations following mixed normal andt distributions are studied in detail. The MMAELI also approximates the minimum mean squared error linear interpolator (MMSELI) well in mean squared error but outperforms the MMSELI in mean absolute error. An application to a real series is presented. Extensions to the general ARMA model and other time series models are discussed. This research was supported by a CityU Research Grant and Natural Science Foundation of China.     

Mechanical properties of BPDA-ODA polyimide fibers

An aromatic polyimide was synthesized via a one-step polycondensation reaction between biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride (BPDA) and 4,4′-oxydianiline (ODA) in p-chlorophenol. The polyimide (BPDA-ODA) solution dopes were spun into fibers by means of dry-jet wet spinning. The as-spun fibers were drawn and treated in heating tubes for improving the mechanical properties. The thermal treatment on the fibers resulted in a relatively high tensile strength and modulus. Thermal mechanical analysis (TMA) was employed to study the linear coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE). Thermal gravimetry analysis (TGA) spectra showed that the BPDA-ODA fibers possessed an excellent property of thermo-oxidative degradation resistance. The sonic modulus E_s of the polyimide fibers was measured.     

Time-dependent interaction across two conducting spheres in an applied electrostatic field

Charged particles exist widely in variety of technological areas as well as in nature. Even a weak charge on the particles can significantly influence their electric interaction. We investigated the phenomenon of time-dependent electric interaction between two conducting spheres in an electrostatic field. A mirror-image method was developed to analyze this system, and the fundamental role of the charges on the spheres was studied. We concluded that charges conducted to the lower sphere through the alumina tube used in our system play a main role in determining the time-dependent interaction, whereas the influence from air ions is negligible.     

硼的添加对Ti0.26Zr0.07V0.24Mn0.1Ni0.33贮氢合金结构和电化学性能的影响

Ti0.26Zr0.07V0.24Mn0.1Ni0.33Bx(x=0~0.10)系列合金均有V基固溶体相和C14型Laves相两相组成。添加B可提高Ti0.26Zr0.07V0.24Mn0.1Ni0.33合金的放电容量,Ti0.26Zr0.07V0.24Mn0.1Ni0.33B0.1合金电极在60 mA·g-1电流放电时的放电容量达到476.7 mAh·g-1。B的添加不同程度地降低了合金的高倍率放电性能,使合金电极表面上电化学反应的电荷转移电阻(R ct)显著增加,交换电流密度(I0)显著降低。添加B可显著改善Ti0.26Zr0.07V0.24Mn0.1Ni0.33合金电极的高温放电性能,Ti0.26Zr0.07V0.24Mn0.1Ni0.33B0.025合金电极在343 K高温下其放电容量达到525.6 mAh·g-1。     

稀土元素对Ti0.26Zr0.07V0.24Mn0.1Ni0.33贮氢合金微观结构和电化学性能的影响

本文研究了稀土元素对Ti0.26Zr0.07V0.24Mn0.1Ni0.33合金的微观结构和电化学性能的影响。结果表明,Ti0.26Zr0.07V0.24-xMn0.10Ni0.33REx(RE=Ce,Nd,Gd;x=0.01)合金均有V基固溶体相和C14型Laves相两相组成。合金中两相的晶格参数随加入稀土元素的不同而发生变化。稀土元素部分取代可改善合金电极的活化性能。然而,对合金电极的其他性能影响因元素种类不同而各异。Ce取代增大了合金电极的最大放电容量,Nd元素可以有效改善合金的高倍率放电性能。工作温度对合金电极的放电容量影响较大,Nd和Gd在333 K最大放电容量可达426和465 mAh.g-1。过高的温度使其循环容量衰减加剧。     

硼的添加对Ti0.26Zr0.07V0.24Mn0.1Ni0.33贮氢合金结构和电化学性能的影响

Ti_0.26Zr_0.07V_0.24Mn_0.1Ni_0.33Bx(x=0~0.10)系列合金均有V基固溶体相和C14型Laves相两相组成。添加B可提高Ti_0.26Zr_0.07V_0.24 Mn_0.1Ni_0.33合金的放电容量, Ti_0.26Zr_0.07V_0.24Mn_0.1Ni_0.33B0.1合金电极在60 mA·g^-1电流放电时的放电容量达到476.7 mAh·g^-1.B的添加不同程度地降低了合金的高倍率放电性能, 使合金电极表面上电化学反应的电荷转移电阻(R_ct)显着增加, 交换电流密度(I₀)显着降低。添加B可显着改善Ti_0.26Zr_0.07V_0.24Mn_0.1Ni_0.33合金电极的高温放电性能, Ti_0.26Zr_0.07V_0.24Mn_0.1Ni_0.33B_0.025合金电极在343 K高温下其放电容量达到525.6 mAh·g^-1.     

Phase-Selective Syntheses of Cobalt Telluride Nanofleeces for Efficient Oxygen Evolution Catalysts

Cobalt-based nanomaterials have been intensively explored as promising noble-metal-free oxygen evolution reaction (OER) electrocatalysts. Herein, we report phase-selective syntheses of novel hierarchical CoTe₂ and CoTe nanofleeces for efficient OER catalysts. The CoTe₂ nanofleeces exhibited excellent electrocatalytic activity and stablity for OER in alkaline media. The CoTe₂ catalyst exhibited superior OER activity compared to the CoTe catalyst, which is comparable to the state-of-the-art RuO₂ catalyst. Density functional theory calculations showed that the binding strength and lateral interaction of the reaction intermediates on CoTe₂ and CoTe are essential for determining the overpotential required under different conditions. This study provides valuable insights for the rational design of noble-metal-free OER catalysts with high performance and low cost by use of Co-based chalcogenides.     

Disappearing x: When solving does not mean finding the solution set

This study deals with preservice elementary teachers’ responses to linear equations and inequalities that had infinite solution sets. In particular, these tasks dealt with situations where the variable is eliminated during standard symbolic manipulation. The results reveal that infinite solution sets proved difficult for the participants, particularly when prompted to solve the linear equations and inequalities. When the direction prompt was changed, there was increased success in finding the correct solution set. The directional prompts changed the types of solution strategies as well as the nature of responses. In addition, participants stated the belief that different, mathematically equivalent prompts required different, non-equivalent, types of solutions and allowed for different solution strategies.     

Preparation of a new type of affinity materials combining metal coordination with molecular imprinting

A new approach, combining metal-coordination with molecular imprinting technology, was developed to prepare protein-affinity materials, which showed higher specific recognition ability towards the target protein than those prepared using either metal-coordination or molecular imprinting technology.