Effect of electrolytes on the sensitivity of thermal-lens measurements in aqueous media

The thermooptical properties of aqueous solutions of strong electrolytes (H₂SO₄, HCl, NaCl, Na₂SO₄, and NaOH) are considered. The thermal lens signal depends on the nature of the electrolyte. The effect of an electrolyte is not the sum of the effects of the constituent ions. The largest gain in the sensitivity of thermal-lens measurements is achieved with sulfuric acid (sensitivity enhancement factor of 2 for 0.6 M H₂SO₄ versus water) and sodium chloride (sensitivity enhancement factor of 1.5 for 3 M NaCl), while the effect of hydrochloric acid is negligible.     

Solubility in K+-Na+-Mg 4 2− aqueous solution at T = 298.15 K

In the salt solubility predictions for K⁺-Na⁺-Mg ₄ ^2? aqueous solution the treatment of thermodynamic data of three-component systems at T = 298.15 K involved the application of the Extended Pitzer’s ion-interaction model for the pure and mixed electrolyte solutions and criteria of phase equilibrium. Osmotic coefficients data of three-component systems were revised according to recently published parameters of the solutions NaCl(aq) and KCl(aq) that served as reference standards in isopiestic measurements. Parameters of the extended ion-interaction model of K₂SO₄(aq) are determined by treatment of experimental and predicted values of osmotic coefficient in supersaturated region obtained by the Zdanovskii-Stokes-Robinson rule. Results of salt solubility prediction were compared to experimental solubility data from literature. The agreement between calculated and experimental solubility data in the systems K₂SO₄ + MgSO₄ + H₂O, Na₂SO₄ + MgSO₄ + H₂O, and Na₂SO₄ + K₂SO₄ + H₂O at T = 298.15 K, was excellent.     

Activation and Stabilization of Olive Recombinant 13-Hydroperoxide Lyase Using Selected Additives

The stabilization of olive recombinant hydroperoxide lyases (rHPLs) was investigated using selected chemical additives. Two rHPLs were studied: HPL full-length and HPL with its chloroplast transit peptide deleted (matured HPL). Both olive rHPLs are relatively stable at 4 °C, and enzyme activity can be preserved (about 100% of the rHPL activities are maintained) during 5 weeks of storage at ?20 or at ?80 °C in the presence of glycerol (10%, v/v). Among the additives used in this study, glycine (2.5% w/v), NaCl (0.5 M), and Na₂SO₄ (0.25 M) provided the highest activation of HPL full-length activity, while the best matured HPL activity was obtained with Na₂SO₄ (0.25 M) and NaCl (1 M). Although the inactivation rate constants (k) showed that these additives inactivate both rHPLs, their use is still relevant as they strongly increase HPL activity. Results of C6-aldehyde production assays also showed that glycine, NaCl, and Na₂SO₄ are appropriate additives and that NaCl appears to be the best additive, at least for hexanal production.     

Platinum carbonyl derived catalysts on inorganic and organic supports: a comparative study

Fumed silica, silica gel, silica-alumina and cross-linked (5.5%) polystyrene have been functionalized with quaternary ammonium groups and the Chini cluster [Pt₁₂(CO)₂₄]²⁻ has been anchored onto these functionalized materials by ion pairing. A catalyst has also been prepared by the adsorption of Na₂[Pt₁₂(CO)₂₄] on unfunctionalized fumed silica. The catalytic activities of the resultant materials, and that of commercially purchased 5% platinum on alumina have been studied for the hydrogenation of a variety of unsaturated compounds. The substrates studied are: α-acetamidocinnamic acid, cyclohexanone, acetophenone, methyl pyruvate, ethyl acetoacetate, nitrobenzene and benzonitrile. Compared to the polystyrene supported catalyst, the inorganic oxide supported catalysts have higher surface areas and for most of the substrates have notably higher activities. The functionalized fumed silica-based catalyst gives higher conversions than functionalized silica gel and silica-alumina-based catalysts. In the hydrogenation of acetophenone and ethyl acetoacetate, the functionalized fumed silica-based catalyst show superior activity compared to the commercial platinum catalyst, and the catalyst made by conventional adsorption method. In benzonitrile hydrogenation with all the cluster-derived catalysts a hydrazine derivative is selectively formed, but when the commercial platinum catalyst is used benzyl amine is the main product.     

Elecrodeposition of lustrous zinc coatings from sulfate electrolyte

Electrodeposition of lustrous zinc coatings from a sulfate electrolyte containing ZnSO₄, Na₂SO₄, buffer additives, and fixers (products of phenol-formaldehyde condensation) was studied.     

Enhancing Capacity Performance by Utilizing the Redox Chemistry of the Electrolyte in a Dual‐Electrolyte Sodium‐Ion Battery

A strategy is described to increase charge storage in a dual electrolyte Na‐ion battery (DESIB) by combining the redox chemistry of the electrolyte with a Na⁺ ion de‐insertion/insertion cathode. Conventional electrolytes do not contribute to charge storage in battery systems, but redox‐active electrolytes augment this property via charge transfer reactions at the electrode–electrolyte interface. The capacity of the cathode combined with that provided by the electrolyte redox reaction thus increases overall charge storage. An aqueous sodium hexacyanoferrate (Na₄Fe(CN)₆) solution is employed as the redox‐active electrolyte (Na‐FC) and sodium nickel Prussian blue (Na_x‐NiBP) as the Na⁺ ion insertion/de‐insertion cathode. The capacity of DESIB with Na‐FC electrolyte is twice that of a battery using a conventional (Na₂SO₄) electrolyte. The use of redox‐active electrolytes in batteries of any kind is an efficient and scalable approach to develop advanced high‐energy‐density storage systems.     

Electroresponsive Behavior of Sulfonated Benzal Poly(vinyl alcohol) Hydrogel Under Direct-Current Electric Field

A novel sulfonated benzal poly(vinyl alcohol) (S-B-PVA) hydrogel was prepared by sulfonating benzal poly(vinyl alcohol) hydrogel with concentrated sulfuric acid, and its swelling properties, mechanical properties, and electroresponsive behavior in Na₂SO₄ solutions were studied. The results indicated that the water take-up ability of the hydrogel decreased with the increasing ionic strength of Na₂SO₄ solution. The Young's modulus, elongation at break and tensile strength of the hydrogel swollen in deionized water is 8.38 MPa, 22.2% and 3.14 MPa, respectively. The hydrogel swollen in Na₂SO₄ solution bent toward the cathode under non-contact dc electric fields, and its bending speed and equilibrium strain increased with the increasing of applied voltage. The electroresponsive behavior of the hydrogel was also affected by the electrolyte concentration of external Na₂SO₄ solution, and there is a critical ionic strength of 0.1 at which the maximum equilibrium strain of the hydrogel occurs. Under a cyclically varying electric field, the hydrogel exhibited a good reversible bending behavior.     

Heat Storage Performance of Disodium Hydrogen Phosphate Dodecahydrate： Prevention of Phase Separation by Thickening and Gelling Methods

Disodium hydrogen phosphate dodecahydrate （Na2HPO4·12H2O） is an attractive candidate for phase change materials. The main problem for its practical use comes from incongruent melting character during thermal cycling. Experimentally, heat of fusion of the pure salt decreased from 200 to 25 jog 1 in a four-run freeze-thaw cycling. Additives such as thickening agent or in-situ synthesized polyacrylate sodium in the molten salt can prevent its phase separation to some extent. In the test, sodium alginate 3.0%-5.0% （w/w） thickened mixture containing Na2HPOn·12H2O and some water showed constant heat storage capacities. Polyacrylate sodium gelled salt was synthesized through polymerizing sodium acrylate in the melt of Na2HPOn·12H2O and some extra water at 50 ℃. Optimum conditions composed of sodium acrylate 3.0%-5.0% （w/w）, cross-linking agent N,N-methylenebis-acrylamide 0.10%-0.20% （w/w）, K2S208 and Na2SO3 （mass ratio 1 ; 1） 0.06%-0.12% （w/w）. As opposed to normal large crystals of pure Na2HPOn·12H2O in solid state, the gelled salt existed in a large number of tiny particles dispersed in the gel network at room temperature, commonly less than 2 mm. But only those sample particles with sizes less than 0.2 mm may have relatively stable thermal storage property. A problem encountered was the poor reproducibility of the synthesis method： heat storage capacity of the product was often very different even though the synthesis was carried out in the same conditions. An alternative gelling method by sodium alginate grafted sodium acrylate was tried and it showed a fairly good effect. Heat capacities and heat of fusion of Na2HPO4·12H2O were measured by an adiabatic calorimeter.     

Enthalpies of mixing of some aqueous electrolytes at 373.15 K

The enthalpies of mixing of a variety of aqueous electrolytes at an ionic strength of 1.000 mol·kg^?1 have been measured at 373.15 K. The mixtures studied were LiBr + KBr, NaBr + KBr, KBr + (C₄H₉)₄NBr, NaCl + Na₂SO₄, NaCl + MgCl₂, MgSO₄ + Na₂SO₄, MgCl₂ + MgSO₄, NaCl + MgSO₄, and MgCl₂ + Na₂SO₄. In contrast to most previous enthalpies of mixing of alkali halides, the mixtures with multivalent ions studied here often have large temperature dependences. The results for the mixtures involving MgSO₄ are consistent with a higher degree of ion pairing as the temperature increases. The present measurements, together with Gibbs energies of mixing at 298.15 K, allow the calculation of Gibbs energies of mixing at the higher temperature. This appears to be the most accurate and convenient method available for determining Gibbs energies of mixing at high temperatures.     

Effect of Nutrients on Fermentation of Pretreated Wheat Straw at very High Dry Matter Content by Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Wheat straw hydrolysate produced by enzymatic hydrolysis of hydrothermal pretreated wheat straw at a very high solids concentration of 30% dry matter (w/w) was used for testing the effect of nutrients on their ability to improve fermentation performance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The nutrients tested were MgSO₄ and nitrogen sources; (NH₄)₂SO₄, urea, yeast extract, peptone and corn steep liquor. The fermentation was tested in a separate hydrolysis and fermentation process using a low amount of inoculum (0.33 g kg^?1) and a non-adapted baker’s yeast strain. A factorial screening design revealed that yeast extract, peptone, corn steep liquor and MgSO₄ were the most significant factors in obtaining a high fermentation rate, high ethanol yield and low glycerol formation. The highest volumetric ethanol productivity was 1.16 g kg^?1 h^?1 and with an ethanol yield close to maximum theoretical. The use of urea or (NH₄)₂SO₄ separately, together or in combination with MgSO₄ or vitamins did not improve fermentation rate and resulted in increased glycerol formation compared to the use of yeast extract. Yeast extract was the single best component in improving fermentation performance and a concentration of 3.5 g kg^?1 resulted in high ethanol yield and a volumetric productivity of 0.6 g kg^?1 h^?1.     

Drawing Out the Structural Information About the First Hydration Layer of the Isolated Cl− Anion Through the FTIR-ATR Difference Spectra

The Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR) difference spectra of aqueous MgSO₄, Na₂SO₄, NaCl and MgCl₂ solutions against pure water were obtained at various concentrations. The difference spectra of the solutions showed distinct positive bands and negative bands in the O–H stretching region, indicating the influences of salts on structures of hydrogen-bonds between water molecules. Furthermore the difference spectra of MgCl₂ solutions against NaCl solutions and those of MgSO₄ solutions against Na₂SO₄ solutions with the same concentrations of anions (Cl^? or SO ₄ ^2? , respectively) allowed extracting the structural difference of the first hydration layer between Mg²⁺ and Na⁺. Using SO ₄ ^2? as a reference ion, structural information of the first hydration layer of the Cl^? anion was obtained according to the difference spectra of MgCl₂ solutions against MgSO₄ solutions and those of NaCl solutions against Na₂SO₄ solutions containing the same concentrations of cations (Mg²⁺ or Na⁺, respectively). The positive peak at ~3,407 cm^?1 and negative peak at ~3,168 cm^?1 in these spectra indicated that adding Cl^? decreased the strongest hydrogen-bond component and increased the relatively weaker one.     

Solid–liquid metastable equilibria in the quaternary system Li2SO4 + MgSO4 + Na2SO4 + H2O at T = 263.15 K

Solubility in the liquid–solid metastable system Li₂SO₄ + MgSO₄ + Na₂SO₄ + H₂O at T = 263.15 K was studied using the isothermal evaporation method. Based on experimental data, dry-salt phase and water-phase diagrams of the system were plotted. The dry-salt phase diagram of the system includes one three-salt co-saturation point, three metastable solubility isotherm curves, and three crystallization regions corresponding to lithium sulphate monohydrate (Li₂SO₄·H₂O), epsomite (MgSO₄·7H₂O), and mirabilite (Na₂SO₄·10H₂O). Neither a solid solution nor double salts were found. Based on the extended Harvie–Weare (HW) model and its temperature-dependent equation, the values of the Pitzer parameters β⁽⁰⁾, β⁽¹⁾, β⁽²⁾, and C^Φ for Li₂SO₄, MgSO₄, and Na₂SO₄, the mixed ion-interaction parameters θ_Li,Na, θ_Li,Mg, θ_Na,Mg, ΨLi,Na,SO₄${\Psi }_{\text{Li,Na,S}{\text{O}}_4}$, ΨLi,Mg,SO₄${\Psi }_{\text{Li,Mg,S}{\text{O}}_4}$, and ΨNa,Mg,SO₄${\Psi }_{\text{Na,Mg,S}{\text{O}}_4}$, and the Debye–Hückel parameter A^Φ in the quaternary system at 263.15 K were obtained. The solubility of the quaternary system Li₂SO₄ + MgSO₄ + Na₂SO₄ + H₂O at T = 263.15 K was also calculated. A comparison between the calculated and experimental results shows that the predicted solubility agrees well with experimental data.     

Study on a single flow acid Cd–chloranil battery

This paper describes a novel redox flow battery–single flow acid Cd–chloranil battery. The electrolyte of this battery for both negative electrode and positive electrode is the aqueous intermixture of H₂SO₄–(NH₄)₂SO₄–CdSO₄, the negative electrode is inert metal such as copper foil, and the positive electrode is an insoluble organic material, tetrachloro-p-benzoquinone (chloranil). Typically, the electrolyte is continuously circulated to pass though the cells by means of a single pump as the battery is on duty. There is no requirement for a membrane. Tetrachloro-p-benzo-hydroquinone is oxidized to chloranil at positive electrode and the cadmium ions is reduced to cadmium and electroplated onto the negative electrode during charge. The reverse occurs during discharge. Results obtained with a small laboratory cell show that high efficiencies can be achieved with an average coulombic efficiency of 99% and energy efficiency of 82% over 100 cycles at the current density of 10 mA cm^?2.     

Ion association and departure from additivity of equivalent conductance as a function of pressure

The equivalent conductance of mixtures of 0.01 equivalent/liter solutions of MgCl₂ and Na₂SO₄ were measured as a function of pressure at 25°C. Departures from additivity are used to infer the pressure dependence of the concentration of MgSO₄ ion pairs. The results are consistent with the pressure dependence of the molal dissociation constant of MgSO₄ obtained from pressure conductance studies on aqueous solutions of MgSO₄.     

Electrodeposition of lustrous zinc coatings from sulfate electrolyte

The electrodeposition of lustrous zinc coatings from a sulfate electrolyte containing ZnSO₄, Na₂SO₄, buffer additives, and 2-butyne-1,4 diol was studied.Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Khimii, Vol. 77, No. 8, 2004, pp. 1284–1288.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2004 by Medvedev, Makrushin.     

Thermodynamics of the system H2O−NaCl−Na2SO4−MgSO4 to the saturation limit of NaCl at 25°C

Isopiestic results are reported for the quaternary system H₂O–NaCl–Na₂SO₄–MgSO₄. The excess free energies for mixing the double salt Na₂ Mg(SO₄)₂ with NaCl are fairly large and negative, as also are the free energies for mixing the three salts to form the quaternary aqueous system.     

Composite Water Sorbents of the Salt in Silica Gel Pores Type: The Effect of the Interaction between the Salt and the Silica Gel Surface on the Chemical and Phase Compositions and Sorption Properties

The influence of the inorganic salt-silica gel surface interaction on the chemical and phase compositions and sorption properties of composites of the salt in silica gel pores type is studied. Two possible interaction mechanisms are considered: (1) the ion-exchange adsorption of metal cations on the silica gel surface from a solution of a salt (CaCl₂, CuSO₄, MgSO₄, Na₂SO₄, and LiBr) and (2) the solid-phase spreading of a salt (CaCl₂) over the silica gel surface. The adsorption of metal cations on the silica gel surface in the impregnation step affords ≡Si-OM ⁿ⁺¹ surface complexes in the composites. As a result, two salt phases are formed in silica gel pores at the composite drying stage, namely, an amorphous phase on the surface and a crystalline phase in the bulk. The sorption equilibrium between the CaCl₂/SiO₂ system and water vapor depends on the ratio of the crystalline phase to the amorphous phase in the composite.     

Electrochemical Synthesis of Co-intercalation Compounds in the Graphite-H<Subscript>2</Subscript>SO<Subscript>4</Subscript>-H<Subscript>3</Subscript>PO<Subscript>4</Subscript>System

Anodic oxidation of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite in an electrolyte containing concentrated sulfuric and anhydrous phosphoric acids is studied for the first time. The synthesis was carried out under galvanostatic conditions at a current I = 0.5 mA and an elevated temperature (t = 80°C). Intercalation compounds of graphite (ICG) are shown to form at all concentration ratios of H₂SO₄ and H³PO⁴ acids. The intercalation compound of step I forms in solutions containing more than 80 wt % H₂SO₄, a mixture of compounds of intercalation steps I and II forms in 60% H²SO⁴, intercalation step II is realized in the sulfuric acid concentration range from 10 to 40%, and a mixture of compounds of intercalation steps III and II is formed in 5% H₂SO₄ solutions. The threshold concentration of H₂SO₄ intercalation is ∼2%. With the decrease in active intercalate (H₂SO₄) concentration, the charging curves are gradually smoothed, the intercalation step number increases, and the potentials of ICG formation also increase. As the sulfuric acid concentration in the electrolyte changes from 96 to 40 wt %, the filled-layer thickness d _i in ICG monotonously increases from 0.803 to 0.820 nm, which apparently is associated with the greater size of phosphoric acid molecules. With further increase in H₃PO₄ concentration in solution, d _i remains unchanged. According to the results of chemical analysis, both acids are simultaneously incorporated into the graphite interplanar spacing and their ratio in ICG is determined by the electrolyte composition.__________Translated from Elektrokhimiya, Vol. 41, No. 5, 2005, pp. 651–655.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Leshin, Sorokina, Avdeev.     

Salt resistivity of poly (4-vinyl benzoic acid) gel

Salt resistivity of poly (4-vinyl benzoic acid) (P4VBA) gel was investigated to compare with the super salt-resistivity that was found for poly (4-vinyl phenol)(P4VPh) gel containing an acidic proton and π-electron system. Poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) gel was also prepared and used as a reference gel containing only an acidic proton. P4VBA gel showed a moderate salt resistivity, which was less significant than that for P4VPh gel, in many kinds of inorganic salt solutions (MgCl₂, LiCl, NaCl, KCl, CsCl, KI, KSCN, Na₂SO₄). On the other hand, PAA gel showed a drastic deswelling in the presence of concentrated MgCl₂, LiCl, Na₂SO₄, and (NH₄)₂SO₄ solutions, and a significant swelling for KSCN solution. These contrastive behaviors between P4VBA and PAA gels strongly suggest that the combination of acidic proton and π-electron system is essential and necessary for polymer gels to be endowed with the salt resistivity.     

Electrochemical polymerization of aniline in phosphoric acid

The electrochemical synthesis of common conductive polymers such as polyaniline in phosphoric acid is a little different from that in other acidic media such as sulfuric acid. Electropolymerization in phosphoric acid is difficult, and this electrolyte medium is not applicable for this purpose. However, it is possible to overcome this problem by the addition of a small amount of sulfuric acid. In this case, the electropolymerization process can be successfully performed when the phosphate ion is doped. For instance, polyaniline films electrodeposited from an electrolyte solution of phosphoric acid have good stabilities and useful morphologies. Interestingly, phosphate doping results in the formation of nanostructures, whereas the polymer surface is macroscopically smooth. In an appropriate ratio, a mixed electrolyte of H₃PO₄ and H₂SO₄ can be used for the electropolymerization of aniline; thus, H₂SO₄ acts as a required agent for successful polymer growth, and H₃PO₄ acts as a doping agent. In this case, a small amount of sulfate is incorporated into the polymer matrix, which does not participate in the electrochemical insertion/extraction process. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 3304–3311, 2006