CONTROLLING THE 3D NANOSCALE ORGANIZATION OF BULK HETEROJUNCTION POLYMER SOLAR CELLS

In this study,the three dimensional nanoscale organization in the photoactive layers of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and a methanofullerene derivative (PCBM) is revealed by transmission electron tomography.After annealing treatment,either at elevated temperature or during slow solvent evaporation,nanoscale interpenetrating networks are formed with high crystalline order and favorable concentration gradients of both components through the thickness of the photoactive layer.Such a tailored morphology acco...     

Separation of europium from aqueous solutions using Al3+- and Fe3+-doped zirconium and titanium phosphates

Summary The sorption of europium from aqueous solutions (Eu-concentration: 10 to 250 mg/l) by Fe³⁺- and Al³⁺-doped zirconium- and titanium-phosphates was investigated using a batch technique and ¹⁵²Eu tracer. The initial pH of the solutions was adjusted to 3, 4, 5 and 6. All investigations were performed under constant ionic strength, I=0.15 established by NaCl.<span lang=EN-GB style='font-size:12.0pt;mso-ansi-language:EN-GB'>Although zirconium phosphates generally showed a higher Eu-uptake capacity than the titanium ones, all investigated materials possessed the ability to remove considerable amounts of europium from aqueous solutions. The Eu-sorption properties of the studied phosphate materials<span style='font-size:12.0pt'>seem to be not especially affected by the type of trivalent cations used for the doping (i.e., Al³⁺or Fe³⁺).     

Uranium sorption on amorphous titanium and zirconium phosphates modified by Al3+ or Fe3+ ions

The sorption of uranium from aqueous solutions on titanium and zirconium phosphates in H⁺ and K⁺ forms modified by iron or aluminum ions has been investigated. The modified pattern of porosity is much better, than for none modified analogous, owing to their increased sorption capacity and kinetics of uranium absorption. The modified sorbents display selectivity towards uranium, that allows to purify solutions up to the content of uranium below the limit of its analytical definition.     

Adsorption of fluoride, chloride, bromide, and bromate ions on a novel ion exchanger

A novel ion exchanger based on double hydrous oxide (Fe2O3Al2O3xH2O) was obtained by the original sol-gel method from easily available and cheap raw materials and employed for adsorption of F-, Cl-, Br-, and BrO-3 from simultaneous solutions. Adsorbent was characterized by potentiometric titration, zeta-potential, and poremetrical characteristics. A technologically attractive pH effect of F-, Br-, and BrO-3 sorption on the investigated double hydroxide of Fe and Al, which is capable of working in the pH range 3 to 8.5, was observed. Kinetic data on fluoride and bromide sorption fit well the pseudo-second-order model. Isotherms of fluoride, bromide, chlorine, and bromate ion sorption on Fe2O3Al2O3xH2O were obtained at pH 4. The isotherm of F- sorption fit well the Langmuir model; sorption affinity (K=0.52 L/mg) and sorption capacity (90 mg F/g) were high. In the competitive adsorption of bromide and bromate, bromide dominated at equilibrium concentrations of the ions >40 mg/L. The mechanism of fluoride adsorption to the surface of the model cluster of the sorbent synthesized and the geometry of the cluster itself were modeled with the HyperChem7 program using the PM3 method.