Oxygen reduction kinetics on graphite cathodes in sediment microbial fuel cells

Sediment microbial fuel cells (SMFCs) have been used as renewable power sources for sensors in fresh and ocean waters. Organic compounds at the anode drive anodic reactions, while oxygen drives cathodic reactions. An understanding of oxygen reduction kinetics and the factors that determine graphite cathode performance is needed to predict cathodic current and potential losses, and eventually to estimate the power production of SMFCs. Our goals were to (1) experimentally quantify the dependence of oxygen reduction kinetics on temperature, electrode potential, and dissolved oxygen concentration for the graphite cathodes of SMFCs and (2) develop a mechanistic model. To accomplish this, we monitored current on polarized cathodes in river and ocean SMFCs. We found that (1) after oxygen reduction is initiated, the current density is linearly dependent on polarization potential for both SMFC types; (2) current density magnitude increases linearly with temperature in river SMFCs but remains constant with temperature in ocean SMFCs; (3) the standard heterogeneous rate constant controls the current density temperature dependence; (4) river and ocean SMFC graphite cathodes have large potential losses, estimated by the model to be 470 mV and 614 mV, respectively; and (5) the electrochemical potential available at the cathode is the primary factor controlling reduction kinetic rates. The mechanistic model based on thermodynamic and electrochemical principles successfully fit and predicted the data. The data, experimental system, and model can be used in future studies to guide SMFC design and deployment, assess SMFC current production, test cathode material performance, and predict cathode contamination.     

Design of Clayware Separator-Electrode Assembly for Treatment of Wastewater in Microbial Fuel Cells

Performance of six different microbial fuel cells (MFCs) made from baked clayware, having 450 ml effective anodic chamber volume, was evaluated, with different configurations of separator electrode assemblies, to study the feasibility of bioelectricity generation and high-strength wastewater treatment in a single-chambered mediator-less air-cathode MFC. Superior performance of an air-cathode MFC (ACMFC) with carbon coating on both sides of the separator was observed over an aqueous cathode MFC, resulting in a maximum volumetric power of 4.38 W m^?3 and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency of more than 90 % in a batch cycle of 4 days. Hydrophilic polymer polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was successfully used as a binder. The problem of salt deposition and fouling of cathode could be minimized by using a sock net current collector, replacing the usual stainless steel wire. However, electrolyte loss due to evaporation is a problem that needs to be resolved for better performance of an ACMFC.     

不锈钢网阴极微生物燃料电池的产电性能研究

构建了一个以曝气池污泥为阳极接种微生物、碳毡为阳极、无任何修饰的不锈钢网为阴极的双室微生物燃料电池. 通过输出电压、功率密度以及电化学阻抗等考察了阴极面积对电池产电性能的影响,并对电池的长期运行稳定性进行评价. 研究结果表明,不锈钢网作为微生物燃料电池的阴极性能稳定. 当不锈钢网面积为2 × 2 cm²时,最大输出电压达到0.411 V,功率密度为0.303 W•m^-2,内阻841 Ω,极化内阻80 Ω. 增大阴极面积至2 × 4 cm²,最大输出电压能达到0.499 V,内阻减小至793 Ω. 不锈钢网价格便宜,具有长期运行稳定性,适宜做MFCs的阴极.     

Nanoporous gold electrode prepared from gold compact disk as the anode for the microbial fuel cell

The electrodes (anode and cathode) have an important role in the efficiency of a microbial fuel cell (MFC), as they can determine the rate of charge transfer in an electrochemical process. In this study, nanoporous gold electrode, prepared from commercially available gold-made compact disk, is utilized as the anode in a two-chamber MFC. The performance of nanoporous gold electrode in the MFC is compared with that of gold film, carbon felt and acid-heat-treated carbon felt electrodes which are usually employed as the anode in the MFCs. Electrochemical surface area of nanoporous gold electrode exhibits a 7.96-fold increase rather than gold film electrode. Scanning electron microscopy analysis also indicates the homogeneous biofilm is formed on the surface of nanoporous gold electrode, while the biofilm formed at the surface of acid-heat-treated carbon felt electrode shows rough structure. Electrochemical studies show although modifications applied on carbon felt electrodes improve its performance, nanoporous gold electrode, due to its structure and better electrochemical properties, acts more efficiently as the MFC’s anode. The maximum power density produced by nanoporous gold anode is 4.71 mW m^?2 at current density of 16.00 mA m^?2, while this value for acid-heat-treated carbon felt anode is 3.551 mW m^?2 at current density of 9.58 mA m^?2.     

Mesoporous carbon material as cathode for high performance lithium-ion capacitor

The mesoporous carbon material with large pore volume and high surface area by a simple situ MgO template method is synthesized, which is utilized as cathode to assemble a high performance lithium ion capacitor.     

Construction and Operation of Microbial Fuel Cell with Chlorella vulgaris Biocathode for Electricity Generation

In this study, a modified microbial fuel cell (MFC) with a tubular photobioreactor (PHB) configuration as a cathode compartment was constructed by introducing Chlorella vulgaris to the cathode chamber used to generate oxygen in situ. Two types of cathode materials and light/dark cycles were used to test the effect on MFC with algae biocathode. Results showed that the use of algae is an effective approach because these organisms can act as efficient in situ oxygenators, thereby facilitating the cathodic reaction. Dissolved oxygen and voltage output displayed a clear light positive response and were drastically enhanced compared with the abiotic cathode. In particular, carbon paper-coated Pt used as a cathode electrode increased voltage output at a higher extent than carbon felt used as an electrode. The maximum power density of 24.4 mW/m² was obtained from the MFC with algae biocathode which utilized the carbon paper-coated Pt as the cathode electrode under intermittent illumination. This density was 2.8 times higher than that of the abiotic cathode. Continuous illumination shortened the algal lifetime. These results demonstrated that intermittent illumination and cathode material-coated catalyst are beneficial to a more efficient and prolonged operation of MFC with C. vulgaris biocathode.     

脉冲激光沉积非晶态Ni-V2O5 复合薄膜及其电化学性能研究

首次报道了用355 nm脉冲激光沉积非晶态Ni-V2O5复合薄膜电极的电化学性能.采用不同摩尔比的NixV2O5 靶(x=0.1,0.3,0.5),在不同的基片温度(Ts)和O2气压力下制备了Ni-V2O5复合薄膜.XRD 和SEM测定表明, 在不锈钢基片上, Ts=300℃和氧气压力为14 Pa沉积0.5 h得到的是非晶态的Ni-V2O5薄膜.将此非晶态的Ni0.3V2O5薄膜电极用于锂电池的正极,与纯V2O5薄膜相比,不仅具有良好的放电速率性能和高的比容量,而且其充放电循环稳定性优异.该薄膜电极在放电速率为20 C时测得的比容量达200 mAh/g,并经1000次以上的充放电循环无明显的衰减.     

电化学方法固定CO2用于2-羟基-2-(4-甲氧基苯基)-丙酸甲酯的合成

在一室型电解池中, 以饱和CO₂的N,N-二甲基甲酰胺(DMF)为溶液, Mg为牺牲阳极, 不锈钢、钛、铜、镍和银为工作电极, 通过电化学方法固定CO₂, 在恒电流电解的条件下研究了对甲氧基苯乙酮的电羧化反应, 得到了重要的有机合成中间体2-羟基-2-(4-甲氧基苯基)-丙酸甲酯. 电羧化产率受支持电解质种类、电极材料、电流密度、电解电量和反应温度等影响. 经过反应条件的优化, 目标产物在恒定电流密度为5.0 mA/cm²的条件下产率达到63%. 同时, 以玻碳电极-Pt丝螺旋电极-Ag/AgI/I^-为三电极体系, 研究了对甲氧基苯乙酮的电化学行为, 根据底物在通入CO₂前后循环伏安图的变化推测了对甲氧基苯乙酮的电羧化反应机理.     

Copper nucleation and growth patterns on stainless steel cathode blanks in copper electrorefining

Surface properties of stainless steel on nucleation and growth of copper under electrorefining conditions were studied using AISI 316L type stainless steel in rotating disc electrodes (RDE), stationary electrodes and Hull cell, and also worn industrial cathode blanks. The aim was to find correlations between surface topography and nucleation and growth using deposition tests, microscopy, and image analysis. Deposition tests were done galvanostatically using synthetic copper electrorefining electrolyte and current density 330?A/m² typical in electrorefining. On the as-received stainless steel with 2B finish, nucleation happened at grain boundaries. Wet grinding resulted in deposition on the ridges and valleys of rough surface and ridges of smooth surface. The nucleation density was in the order of 10⁶?nuclei/cm² in RDE and Hull cell tests, and 10⁵ nuclei/cm² in stationary electrode tests. Used industrial blanks did not show the same deposition patterns on grain boundaries and scratch marks, and copper deposited on edges of larger damages. The nucleation density on industrial blanks was in the order of 10³?nuclei/cm².     

Synthesis and electrochemical characterization of sol–gel-derived RuO2/carbon nanotube composites

Ruthenium oxide was coated on multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to obtain nanocomposite electrode which has a good response to the pH. To synthesize this electrode, gold and cobalt were coated on a stainless steel 304 substrates, respectively, and then, vertically aligned carbon nanotubes were grown on the prepared substrates by chemical vapor deposition. Gold reduced activity of the stainless steel, while cobalt served as a catalyst for growth of the carbon nanotube. Ruthenium oxide was then coated on MWCNTs via sol–gel method. At last, different techniques were used to characterize the properties of synthesized electrode including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and cyclic voltammetry. SEM results showed that the length of the carbon nanotubes varied with reaction time, and in this research, it was maintained around 9 μm with a diameter about 100 nm. Electrochemical analysis revealed that optimum sol concentration and heat treatment temperature to meet the best pH sensing response were 0.1 M RuCl₃ sol and 200 °C, respectively. Moreover, the obtained electrode represented a linear and near-Nernstian response (about ?63 mV/pH) throughout the whole pH range (2–12) of Britton–Robinson buffer solutions.     

电解-电化学混合电容器的制备与性能

为解决电化学电容器工作电压过低的问题, 本文以钽电解电容器的烧结型钽块为阳极, 聚苯胺(PANI)/TiO₂电化学电容器复合电极为阴极, 成功制备了高能量密度、高工作电压的电解-电化学混合电容器. PANI/TiO₂复合电极是通过在多孔阳极氧化钛纳米管阵列中电化学聚合PANI 制得. 该阴极具有优良的倍率特性, 当平均功率密度为0.55 mW·cm^-2时, 对应的比容量仍达到10.0 mF·cm^-2. 由于与电解电容器复合, 该混合电容器的单元工作电压可高达100 V. 而且电化学电容器阴极的比容量远大于阳极, 故阴极所需尺寸远小于阳极, 节省的空间可用于增大阳极尺寸, 从而使混合电容器的比容量极大提高. 所制备的混合电容器体积能量密度和质量能量密度分别是钽电解电容器的4 倍和3 倍. 将该混合电容器在100 V下进行短路充放电实验, 循环10000 次后发现容量未衰减, 等效串联电阻未增加, 显示出极好的循环稳定性和功率特性. 计算表明其最大功率密度高达847.5 W·g^-1. 电化学阻抗谱显示其具有优良的阻抗特性和频率特性.     

Enhanced stability of symmetrical polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell single cells based on novel hierarchical microporous-mesoporous carbon supports

Fuel cell electrodes were prepared from Pt nanocluster activated hierarchical microporous-mesoporous carbon powders. The carbon supports were synthesized from molybdenum carbide applying the high-temperature chlorination method. Six different synthesis temperatures within the range from 600 to 1000 °C were used for preparation of carbon supports. Thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction, low-temperature nitrogen sorption, and high-resolution scanning electron microscopy methods were used to characterize the structure of the electrode materials and symmetrical membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs). The MEAs prepared were used to conduct the proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC)single-cell measurements. The polarization and power density curves for single cells were calculated to evaluate the activity of the catalyst materials synthesized. The electrochemically active surface area (from 2.4 to 11.9 m² g^?1) was obtained in order to estimate the contact surface areas of platinum and Nafion® electrolyte. The values of the electrolyte resistance, polarization resistance, and cell degradation rate were calculated from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy data. The carbon materials synthesized within temperature range from 600 to 850 °C were found to be the most suitable supports for PEMFCs, having higher maximum power density values and better stability (cell potential degradation 240 μV h^?1) than commercial carbon-based (Vulcan XC72; 670 μV h^?1) single cells.     

Copper sulfide nanoneedles on CNT backbone composite electrodes for high-performance supercapacitors and Li-S batteries

Hierarchical-structured copper sulfide nanoneedles were grown on multi-walled carbon nanotube backbone (denoted as CuS@CNT) as electrodes for supercapacitors via a facile template-based hydrothermal conversion approach and further by simply impregnating sulfur into CuS@CNT (S@CuS@CNT) as electrodes for Li-S batteries. The electrochemical measurements showed that the resultant CuS@CNT composite electrodes deliver outstanding electrochemical performance with a specific capacitance up to 566.4 F g^?1 and cyclic stability of 94.5 % of its initial capacitance after 5000 cycles at a current density of 1 A g^?1. A synergistic effect arising from the unique hierarchical structure was responsible for the electrode performance, including a large surface area of 49.3 m² g^?1 and active CuS ultrafine nanoneedles firmly bonded to the highly conductive carbon nanotube (CNT) backbone. When used as an electrode material for Li-S batteries, the S@CuS@CNT (S content 59 wt%) exhibited satisfying electrochemical performance. The S@CuS@CNT electrode showed that coulombic efficiency was close to 100 % and capacity maintained more than 500 mA h g^?1 with progressive cycling up to more than 100 cycles even at a high current density. This strategy of stabilizing S with a small amount of copper sulfide nanoneedles can be a very promising method to prepare free-standing cathode material for high-performance Li-S batteries. The fabrication strategy presented here is low cost, facile, and scalable, which can be considered as a promising material for large-scale energy storage device. In particular, the use of CNT as backbone for the growth of active materials presents many potential merits owing to its lightweight, biodegradable, and stretchable characteristics.     

Electrochemical selective oxidation of aromatic alcohols with sodium nitrate mediator in biphasic medium at ambient temperature

Sodium nitrate was used as an effective redox mediator in the electrochemical oxidation of primary and secondary aromatic alcohols in biphase electrolysis at ambient temperature. The oxidation reactions were carried out in an undivided cell equipped with carbon anode and stainless steel cathode in which upper aqueous phase contained 0.83% sodium nitrate with minimum amount of HCl whereas, the lower organic phase consisted of aromatic alcohols in chloroform. A variety of aromatic alcohols were efficiently oxidized to aldehydes and ketones in good yields with maximum selectivity (>99%).     

表面改性SUS316L不锈钢的电化学行为研究

分别以表面镀Rh,表面离子束增强沉积Ta2O5膜及溶胶凝胶法沉积TiO2膜对冠状动脉支架用材料SUS316L不锈钢进行表面改性.采用电化学方法研究了该表面改性试样在Tyrode's模拟人工体液中的电化学行为.结果表明,上述3种表面改性方法均可提高SUS316L不锈钢在模拟人工体液中的阳极极化性能.其中对于采用离子束增强法沉积的Ta2O5膜和溶胶凝胶法沉积的TiO2膜,因Ta和Ti上的d轨道空位已被氧的电子占据,不利于氢吸附,从而抑制了阴极的析氢过程.X射线衍射分析发现,3种改性方法在SUS316L不锈钢表面依次形成均匀而致密的Rh金属层,Ta2O5的无序膜层和TiO2晶态膜层,阻止了合金元素的溶解,改善不锈钢的电化学性能.     

Synthesis and electrochemical performance of sulfur–carbon composite cathode for lithium–sulfur batteries

In this paper, porous carbon was synthesized by an activation method, with phenolic resin as carbon source and nanometer calcium carbonate as activating agent. Sulfur–porous carbon composite material was prepared by thermally treating a mixture of sublimed sulfur and porous carbon. Morphology and electrochemical performance of the carbon and sulfur–carbon composite cathode were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS), and galvanostatic charge–discharge test. The composite containing 39 wt.% sulfur obtained an initial discharge capacity of about 1,130 mA?h g^?1 under the current density of 80 mA?g^?1 and presented a long electrochemical stability up to 100 cycles.     

氮掺杂石墨烯量子点/MOF衍生多孔碳纳米片构筑高性能超级电容器

首先采用溶液法在碳布上生长Co-MOF二维纳米片,通过高温退火和刻蚀后得到MOF衍生多孔碳纳米片。以Co-MOF衍生的多孔碳纳米片/碳布(CNS/CC)作为碳基骨架,采用电化学沉积法负载高活性氮掺杂石墨烯量子点(N-GQDs),制备得到分级多孔结构的N-GQD/CNS/CC复合材料。组装成自支撑且无粘结剂的N-GQD/CNS/CC电极,当电流密度为1 A·g~(-1)时,其比电容高达423 F·g~(-1)。通过储能机制和电容贡献机制的研究表明,在碳纤维上原位生长的具有高双电层电容的CNS和表面负载具有高赝电容的N-GQDs之间相互协同作用,使得N-GQD/CNS/CC电极具有高电容性能,是一种理想的超级电容器电极材料。电极材料的高导电、分级多孔结构有利于电子的传输和电解质离子的扩散,具有良好的动力学性能,能快速充放电和具有优异的倍率特性。将电极组装成对称型超级电容器,功率密度为250 W·kg~(-1)时对应的能量密度达到7.9 Wh·kg~(-1),且经过10 000次循环后电容保持率为91.2%,说明氮掺杂石墨烯量子点/MOF衍生多孔碳纳米片复合材料是一种电化学性能稳定的具有高电容性能的全碳电极材料。     

链珠状氢氧化亚镍的准电容特性及其在复合型超电容器中的应用(英)

本文采用溶胶凝聚方法制备了超细氢氧化亚镍电极材料并通过在其中掺加适量碳纳米管的方法大大提高了电极的比容量并有效改善了电极材料的阻抗特性。掺有20%碳纳米管的氢氧化亚镍复合电极材料的单电极比容量可达到320 F·g^-1。本文分别采用氢氧化亚镍/碳纳米管复合电极作为正极，活性炭作为负极，6 mol·L^-1 KOH作为电解液制备了复合型电化学电容器。采用上述方法制备的复合型电容器工作电压达到1.6 V，电容器质量比容量达到60 F·g^-1。复合型电容器能量密度达到20.11 Wh·kg^-1，最大功率密度达到8.6 kW·kg^-1,兼具高能量特性和优良的大电流放电特性。     

CoMnO2-Decorated Polyimide-Based Carbon Fiber Electrodes for Wire-Type Asymmetric Supercapacitor Applications

In this work, we report the carbon fiber-based wire-type asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs). The highly conductive carbon fibers were prepared by the carbonized and graphitized process using the polyimide (PI) as a carbon fiber precursor. To assemble the ASC device, the CoMnO₂-coated and Fe₂O₃-coated carbon fibers were used as the cathode and the anode materials, respectively. Herein, the nanostructured CoMnO₂ were directly deposited onto carbon fibers by a chemical oxidation route without high temperature treatment in presence of ammonium persulfate (APS) as an oxidizing agent. FE-SEM analysis confirmed that the CoMnO₂-coated carbon fiber electrode exhibited the porous hierarchical interconnected nanosheet structures, depending on the added amount of APS, and Fe₂O₃-coated carbon fiber electrode showed a uniform distribution of porous Fe₂O₃ nanorods over the surface of carbon fibers. The electrochemical properties of the CoMnO₂-coated carbon fiber with the concentration of 6 mmol APS presented the enhanced electrochemical activity, probably due to its porous morphologies and good conductivity. Further, to reduce the interfacial contact resistance as well as improve the adhesion between transition metal nanostructures and carbon fibers, the carbon fibers were pre-coated with the Ni layer as a seed layer using an electrochemical deposition method. The fabricated ASC device delivered a specific capacitance of 221 F g⁻¹ at 0.7 A g⁻¹ and good rate capability of 34.8% at 4.9 A g⁻¹. Moreover, the wire-type device displayed the superior energy density of 60.2 Wh kg⁻¹ at a power density of 490 W kg⁻¹ and excellent capacitance retention of 95% up to 3000 charge/discharge cycles.     

混合超级电容器AC/LiMn2O4体系的电化学性能

对AC/LiMnO4体系混合电容器进行研究,以活性炭(AC)为负极材料,尖晶石结构的LiMn2O4为正极材料,Li2SO4为电解液。该体系的原理与锂离子电池很相似,从本质上说属于一种特殊的锂离子电池。改变正负极的质量配比,根据其电化学性能确定了该体系最佳的正负极质量配比。对不同电解液浓度的电容器进行不同电流密度充放电测试,发现电解液浓度增加,会使容量和大电流性能得到明显改善,极化电阻的增大会大大降低放电电压平台。实验表明该体系具有较高的能量密度和功率密度,同时保持了良好的循环性能。