Lithium-iodine solid electrolyte galvanic cells using iodine adducts of nylon-6 as active materials of positive electrodes

Iodine and nylon-6 form adducts containing 70–90 wt-% of iodine on heating at 115–145°C. The adducts have electrical conductivities ranging from 10^?7 to 10^?3 S cm^?1 at 25°C, and the electrical conductivity increases with increasing content of iodine of the adduct. The activation energies of the electrical conduction for the adducts prepared at 115°C and containing 69.2, 81.8, 87.1, and 90.0 wt-% of iodine are 94.6, 67.0, 52.9, and 46.1 kJ/mol, respectively. Polyamides other than nylon-6 also form similar semiconducting adducts with iodine. IR and NMR spectroscopic analyses of the iodine—nylon-6 adducts indicate profound changes in the structure of nylon-6 on adduct formation and suggest the formation of a ?CN⁺H species. The iodine-nylon-6 adducts prepared at 115°C and containing more than 82 wt-% of iodine serve as good active materials of positive electrodes in lithium-iodine solid electrolyte galvanic cells (outer diameter = 11.6 mm; outer thickness = 2.0 mm). The current efficiencies of the galvanic cells at 500 kΩ load are about 50% based on the iodine added. Discharge at 100 kΩ load gives lower current efficiencies. The galvanic cell has an internal resistance of about 5 kΩ at 25°C before discharge, and the internal resistance increases to about 100 kΩ at about 40% discharge. The dependence of the internal resistance during discharge have been determined.     

Recombination of iodine atoms in an unsteady expansion

Recombination of iodine atoms generated by shock heating I₂ in Ar is studied in an unsteady expansion. The three-body recombination rate coefficient has been measured as 3 × 10¹⁵ (T/298)^?1.56 cm⁶ mol^?2 s^?1 between 500 and 1450 K. Coupling of vibrational and chemical relaxation is found to occur in the expansion.     

Structure of iodide ion arrays in iodinated nylon 6 and the chain orientation induced by iodine in nylon 6 films

Two species of iodide ions (I₃^? and I₅^?) are found in iodine—nylon 6 complexes. Orientation of I₅^? arrays (most likely I₂/I₃^? complex) along the polymer chain and I₃^? ions perpendicular to the chain axis in uniaxially drawn films and in films with planar orientation suggests that there is and intrinsic relation between the direction of iodide ion arrays and nylon 6 chains. When an unoriented film of nylon 6 in the amorphous or the α crystalline form is treated with an aqueous solution of iodine—potassium iodide, the I₃^? species in the resulting iodine—nylon complex lie in planes parallel to the surface of the film, and I₂/I₃^? units are oriented normal to the surface of the film. The γ form obtained by desorbing the iodine from this complex shows considerable uniaxial rientation with the nylon chains oriented perpendicular to the plane of the film; this orientation is maintained during the γ to α transition. It is proposed that the iodine-induced orientation of the nylon 6 chains is due to the nucleating effects of the iodide ion species as the iodine diffuses unidirectionally into the film.     

Two-photon absorption spectroscopy of iodine monochloride in the 5 eV region

Two-photon high resolution sequential spectroscopy has been used to excite iodine monochloride from X¹Σ⁺ ground state to the intermediate A³Π₁ state and thence to a final electronic state at 4.82 eV. Vibrational and rotational analyses of this state have been carried out for both isotopic species. For I³⁵Cl, T_e = 38916.0 cm^?1 ω_e = 168.99 cm^?1, ω_ex_e = 0.357 cm^?1 and B_e = 0.05685 cm^?1. The state probably has Ω = 1 in case (c) coupling approximation. It is also shown how to two-photon technique enables rotational line structure of the A ← X transition to be selectively excited for either isotopic species at a resolution of 500000, from an absorption mixture containing natural iodine monochloride plus its iodine dissociation product at equilibrium vapour pressure.     

Electrochemical studies of iodine in an aluminium chloride-butylpyridinium chloride ionic liquid part II. Neutral and basic solvent composition

The electrochemical behavior of iodine in an ambient temperature molten salt system, aluminum chloride-N-(1-butyl)pyridinium chloride (BuPyCl), have been studied in basic (excess BuPyCl) and neutral (1.0:1.0 AlCl₃: BuPyCI mole ratio) melt compositions. Acid-base interactions of iodine in different oxidation states with the ionic solvent are observed. High stability of triiodide ion in neutral butylpyridinium tetrachloroaluminate indicates relatively weak intermolecular interactions in this solvent. In basic solutions polyhalogen equilibria involving iodine in different oxidation states and chloride ions are established. In iodine and tetraethylammonium triiodide solutions a mixture of ICI₂^?, I₂Cl^?, I₃^? and I^? ions forms. The formation constants of I₂Cl^? and I₃^? and the equilibrium constant for I₂Cl^? disproportionation are estimated.     

Electrochemistry of iodine and iodide in chloroaluminate melts

The electrochemical behavior of iodine and iodide has been studied in AlCl₃+NaCl mixtures with compositions ranging from NaCl saturated melts to AlCl₃+NaCl (63+37 mol %) at platinum and tungsten electrodes. Iodide is oxidized in two steps to iodine and I(I); a reduction wave to iodide and an oxidation wave to I(I) are obtained in iodine solutions. The equilibrium constant for the reaction, I^?+I(I)=I₂, is 6×10⁸ l mol^?1 in molten chloroaluminate melts at 175°C.     

Properties of iodine complexes of monosubstituted polyacetylenes

Iodine complexes of six monosubstituted polyacetylenes with methyl, ethyl, propyl, pentyl, t-butyl, and phenyl substituents have been characterized by electronic spectroscopy. UV spectra allow the determination of the nature and the amount of active species, and photoelectronic spectra confirm the nature of these species. These measurements indicate the presence of iodine in the I and I₂ forms. The concentration of I is low (0.12–4.0 mol%), and it depends on the nature of the substitutent, but this amount does not decrease when the films are left under vacuum. On the other hand, the adsorption of ε high concentration of iodine is possible; this adsorption is governed by a diffusion mechanism and is reversible. Iodine doping leads to a cis-to-trans isomerization of the polymers, except for poly(3-3-dimethyl-1-butyne), which can be isomerized to the cis or to the trans form, depending on the solvent employed. Electrical properties of polymer I complexes are also reported. Conductivities of about 10^?4 Ω^?1 cm^?1 are obtained for all polymers in the presence of an excess of iodine.     

Studies on propagating species in cationic polymerization of styrene derivatives by acetyl perchlorate or iodine. I. Bimodal molecular weight distribution of polymers produced by acetyl perchlorate or iodine

To investigate the nature of the propagating species in cationic polymerization of para-substituted styrenes, p-chlorostyrene (pCIS), p-methylstyrene (pMS), and p-methoxystyrene (pMOS), were polymerized with acetyl perchlorate or iodine in various solvents at 0°C, and the molecular weight distribution (MWD) of the polymers was measured by means of gel-permeation chromatography. When ClO_4? was a counterion, poly(pCIS) having a bimodal MWD was produced, while polymers of pMOS and pMS possessed a unimodal MWD, regardless of the solvent polarity. When more nucleophilic I^? (or I₃^?) was a counterion, however, polymers having a bimodal MWD were produced from pMOS and pMS. These results showed that either dissociated or nondissociated propagating species existed in the cationic polymerization of styrene derivatives with acetyl perchlorate or iodine, and that the type of MWD was strongly dependent on the stability of the growing cation and the nucleophilicity of the counterion.     

Rotating-disc electrode studies of the anodic oxidation of iodide in concentrated iodine + iodide solutions

The anodic oxidation of iodide on platinum in concentrated iodine + iodide solutions has been investigated using a rotating disc electrode. The conventional limiting diffusion current, which is produced by the diffusion of iodide ions towards the electrode, was not observed due to the formation of an iodine film on the electrode. On the other hand, the steady-state anodic current after a current/time transient is the genuine limiting diffusion current in the anodic oxidation due to diffusion of iodine species from the electrode surface towards the bulk solution. Thus, the dissolution-diffusion control mechanism of the iodine film is confirmed. This is interesting as a typical example of an anodic process in a redox system governed by diffusion of the anodic product species from the electrode surface towards the bulk solution. When an iodine film is formed on the electrode, the maximum driving force of the iodine species is Δm_I2,max, which is defined as the extent of unsaturation of the iodine, and the limiting current of the anodic oxidation of iodide is always directly proportional to Δm_I2,max, regardless of the forms of iodine species in the solution, which may be I₂, I⁻₃, i₅⁻, etc. δm_I2,max is clearly determined by the solution composition and temperature, and it is different in definition and value from the usual degree of unsaturation of iodine.     

Ring-disk electrode studies of the open-circuit dissolution of iodine films formed during the anodic oxidation of iodide on platinum

The open-circuit behavior of iodine films formed on platinum by electrooxidation of iodide was studied at rotating disk and rotating ring-disk electrodes. The potential transient and ring current transient at open circuit for c_I^?>0.012 M can be explained by assuming: (1) convective-diffusion controlled dissolution of the film; (2) establishment of the I₂+I^?→ I₃^? equilibrium; (3) establishment of the I₂ (solid) →I₂ (solution) equilibrium. The behavior at lower concentrations of c_I^? suggests that convective-diffusion control is absent.     

Bulk heterojunction solar cells based on self-assembling disc-shaped liquid crystalline material

In this article, effect of addition of disc-shaped liquid crystalline material, namely 2, 3, 6, 7, 10, 11-hexabutyloxytriphenylene, in poly (3-hexylthiophene): [6, 6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester containing bulk heterojunction (BHJ) solar cells has been investigated. These disc-shaped molecules organise into ordered columnar hexagonal structures through intermolecular π ? π interactions as monitored by polarised light optical microscopy. Current–voltage characteristics of the device prepared with liquid crystal layer exhibited a short-circuit current of 10.5 mA cm^?2 and a fill factor of 35%. The resultant power conversion efficiency (PCE) was 1.54%. The influence of varying the thickness of liquid crystal layer and annealing on these solar cells was also studied. The short circuit current and PCE of 12.9 mA cm^?2 and 2.3% was achieved for these BHJ solar cells containing self-organised discotic liquid crystals in the active layer under one sun condition after annealing.     

Kinetics and mechanism of the iodine oxidation of hydroxylamine

Studies of the stoichiometry and kinetics of the reaction between hydroxylamine and iodine, previously studied in media below pH 3, have been extended to pH 5.5. The stoichiometry over the pH range 3.4–5.5 is 2NH₂OH + 2I₂ = N₂O + 4I^? + H₂O + 4H⁺. Since the reaction is first-order in [I₂] + [I₃^?], the specific rate law, k₀, is k₀ = (k₁ + k₂/[H⁺]) {[NH₃OH⁺]₀/(1 + K_p[H⁺])} {1/(1 + K_I[I^?])}, where [NH₃OH⁺]₀ is total initial hydroxylamine concentration, and k₁, k₂, K_p, and K_I are (6.5 ± 0.6) × 10⁵ M^?1 s^?1, (5.0 ± 0.5) s^?1, 1 × 10⁶ M^?1, and 725 M^?1, respectively. A mechanism taking into account unprotonated hydroxylamine (NH₂OH) and molecular iodine (I₂) as reactive species, with intermediates NH₂OI₂^?, HNO, NH₂O, and I₂^?, is proposed.     

Coulometric titration of iodide and iodine with electrolytically generated hypobromite

Conditions for the quantitative coulometric titration of iodide and iodine with electrolytically generated hypobromite in the presence of borax buffer have been established. Iodide and iodine are oxidized to iodate. The method, with biamperometric indication of the equivalence point, was successfully applied for a wide range of iodide concentrations (6.21–2115μg with reliability intervals of ±0.21–±11μg) and iodine concentrations (24.26–3311μg with reliability intervals of ±0.36–±11.7μg). The determinations are accurate and sensitive even in the presence of large amounts of bromides and chlorides ($\text{Br}{}^{\mathrm{?}}\text{I}{}^{\mathrm{?}}$= 1.2·10⁶ and $\text{C}\text{l}$^?I^?=4.0·10^{3), as well as in the presence of oxidizing agents such as IO₃?, BrO₃? and CrO₄2? ($\text{I}\text{O}$₃?/I₂)=3.2·105, $\text{I}\text{O}$₃?/I₂=3.1·103, $\text{Br}\text{O}$-₃/I₂}=1.1·10⁴ and $\text{Cr}\text{O}$^2-₄/I₂=1.0·10⁴, as was confirmed by statistical tests. The oxidation mechanism under the conditions of coulometric titrations is discussed.     

Enhanced photoresponse of poly(3-methylthiophene) supported on TiO2

We have investigated the photoelectrochemical behavior of poly(3-methylthiophene) supported on nanostructured n-TiO₂ in a solid-state photoelectrochemical device. As electrolyte we employed the elastomer poly(epichlorohydrin-co-ethylene oxide) filled with NaI/I₂. Under polychromatic light irradiation (60 mW cm⁻²) the device exhibits an open circuit voltage, a short-circuit current and fill factor of 10 μA cm⁻², 0.048 V and 0.29, respectively. The overall efficiency of the cell is 2.3×10⁻²%.     

Sorption of iodine on Beishan granite: effect of speciation and humic acid

Sorption of iodine on Beishan granite was studied by batch method. Great difference exists in the sorption behaviors of I^? and IO₃^?. Under acidic condition, the sorption of IO₃^? improves dramatically, and IO₃^? could partly convert to I^?. However, the sorption of I^? is close to zero at all studied pH. Humic acid can slight improve the sorption of IO₃^?, but greatly improve the sorption of I^? in acidic condition. The postulated sorption mechanisms of IO₃^? are electrical interaction and followed by reduction.     

Speciation analysis of iodine and bromine at picogram-per-gram levels in polar ice

Iodine and bromine species participate in key atmospheric reactions including the formation of cloud condensation nuclei and ozone depletion. We present a novel method coupling a high-performance liquid chromatography with ion chromatography and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, which allows the determination of iodine (I) and bromine (Br) species (IO ₃ ^? , I^?, Br^?, BrO ₃ ^? ) at the picogram-per-gram levels presents in Antarctic ice. Chromatographic separation was achieved using an IONPAC® AS16 Analytical Column with NaOH as eluent. Detection limits for I and Br species were 5 to 9 pg g^?1 with an uncertainty of less than 2.5% for all considered species. Inorganic iodine and bromine species have been determined in Antarctic ice core samples, with concentrations close to the detection limits for iodine species, and approximately 150 pg g^?1 for Br^?. Although iodate (IO ₃ ^? ) is the most abundant iodine species in the atmosphere, only the much rarer iodide (I^?) species was present in Antarctic Holocene ice. Bromine was found to be present in Antarctic ice as Br^?.     

Influence of Triarylamine and Indoline as Donor on Photovoltaic Performance of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells Employing Cobalt Redox Shuttle

Two organic dyes XS51 and XS52 derivated from triarylamine and indoline are synthesized for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs) employing cobalt and iodine redox shuttles. The effects of dye structure upon the photophysical, electro-chemical characteristics and cell performance are investigated. XS51 with four hexyloxyl groups on triarylamine performs better steric hindrance and an improvement of photovoltage. XS52 provides higher short-circuit photocurrent density due to the strong electron-donating capability of indoline unit. The results from the redox electrolyte on cell performances indicate that the synthesized dyes are more suitable for tris(1,10-phenanthroline)cobalt(II/III) redox couple than I^?/I₃^? redox couple in assembling DSCs. Application of XS52 in the cobalt electrolyte yields a DSC with an overall power conversion efficiency of 6.58% under AM 1.5 (100 mW/cm²) irradiation.     

Synthesis and redox activity of sulfurized poly(methylene polysulfides)

Redox-active sulfurized poly(methylene polysulfides) ?[CH₂S _y ] _n ? (y = 4–22) were prepared by deep sulfurization of poly(methylene di- and trisulfides) with elemental sulfur. The use of the substances obtained as an active cathode material of rechargeable lithium cells ensures their cycling with a specific discharge capacity of 418–550 mA h g^?1.     

Polyiodide composition in poly(vinyl acetate)-iodine-iodide complex

Polyiodide formed by complexation of poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) with iodine in the presence of iodide has been investigated by chemical analysis and resonance Raman spectrophotometry. When PVAc films were immersed in iodide-iodine aqueous solutions which had different ratios of iodide to iodine concentration [I^?]/[I₂], the complex films exhibited tremendous variations of swelling degree, despite the relatively small change in the amount of bound iodine. From a quantitative chemical analysis, the composition of polyiodide bound to PVAc was found to be 1.01 ± 0.035 in the molar ratio of iodide to iodine irrespective of the composition of the iodide-iodine aqueous solution ([I^?]/[I₂] = 2–500). The polyiodide formed in PVAc-iodine-iodide complex was therefore inferred to be (I₃^?)_n. Resonance Raman spectra obtained on PVAc-iodine-iodide complexes were also identical to those of the benzamide-iodine complex, in which the polyiodide consists of (I₃^?)_n, consistent with the result from chemical analysis.     

Poly(o-phenylenediamine)/MWNTs composite film as a hole conductor in solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells

All solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells were fabricated using in situ electrochemically polymerized poly(o-phenylenediamine)/MWNTs (PoPD/MWNTs) as a hole transport materiel. The electrochemical behaviors of PoPD/MWNTs indicated that the electron exchange efficiency improves obviously of PoPD after the addition of carbon nanotubes. The PoPD/MWNTs composite film was deposited on the dye anchored porous TiO₂ electrode and I–V characterization was performed under simulated AM 1.5 illumination. Fabricated devices for the PoPD/MWNT composites prepared in 0.1 g/L MWNTs showed a photoresponse with an open-circuit voltage V_OC of 479 mV and a short-circuit current density (I_SC) of 0.572 mA/cm² with the overall conversion efficiency of 0.13%, higher than those of the cell with only PoPD (i.e., I_SC = 0.275 mA/cm², V_OC = 462 mV, FF = 0.35, η = 0.04%). It is obvious that the introduction of MWNTs to PoPD composites could improve the cell performance.