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.     

Proton transport in polybenzimidazole blended with H3PO4 or H2SO4

Proton transport in H₃PO₄‐ and H₂SO₄‐blended polybenzimidazoles (PBIs) has been studied with both temperature‐ and pressure‐dependent dielectric spectroscopy. The influences of the acid concentration and temperature on the relative conductance and activation volume are discussed. An Arrhenius relation is used to model the temperature‐dependent conductivity at a constant acid content. The logarithm of the relative conductance for PBI blended with H₃PO₄ decreases linearly with increasing pressure. As the temperature increases, the activation volume becomes smaller for PBI blended with H₃PO₄. It is proposed that proton transport in acid‐blended PBI is mainly controlled by proton hopping and diffusion rather than a mechanism mediated by the segmental motions in the polymer. The conductivities of PBIs blended with H₃PO₄ and H₂SO₄ are compared. At a 1.45 molar acid doping concentration, the former has the higher conductivity. With water, the conductivity of H₃PO₄‐blended PBI increases significantly. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 40: 663–669, 2002; DOI 10.1002/polb.10132     

A study of the solubility of yttrium,praseodymium, neodymium,and gadolinium sulfates in the presence of sodium and potassium in sulfuric-phosphoric acid solutions at 20°C

Solubility of yttrium, praseodymium, neodymium, and gadolinium sulfates in the presence of sodium and potassium ions and the composition of solid phases were studied at 20°C in relation to the concentration of acids in sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, and sulfuric-phosphoric acid solutions containing up to 36 wt % H₂SO₄ and 33.12 g 1^?1 H₃PO₄.     

Ion-Selective Electrodes Prepared with Polyaniline Membranes

Polyaniline is a conductive polymer that has electrochemical activity. For this reason, it has many different uses in electrochemical area. In this study, polyaniline was prepared by electrochemical oxidation of aniline in concentrated H₂SO₄ and HCl solutions. Then, membranes were obtained from a mixture of these polymers and paraffin at a weight ratio of 50%. Ion-selective electrodes were prepared with these membranes and AgCl/Ag electrodes. Properties of prepared membranes were investigated with potentiometric measurements made in HCl, KCl, H₂SO₄, and HClO₄ solutions of different concentrations. The E–logc plots obtained with these ion-selective electrodes were found to be linear in a distinct concentration range. Their slopes depend on the membrane type and the doping ion in the test solution. The difference between these membranes was explained according to the morphological structures of polyaniline membranes.     

Controlled self-assembly of nanoporous alumina for the self-templating synthesis of polyaniline nanowires

In this report, the self-templating synthesis of polyaniline nanowires on prestructured aluminum is described, emphasizing that anodization and electropolymerization can occur at the same time by a single electrochemical process. The method is based on the principle that the anodization of predefined aluminum in H₂SO₄ leads to the formation of highly ordered porous alumina and aniline monomer can be electrochemically polymerized in the formed porous alumina by the anodic reaction. XPS analysis reveals that polyaniline nanowires prepared in this work is protonated emeraldine.     

Solubility of Double Alkali Metal (Na, K) Rare-Earth (La, Ce) Sulfates in Sulfuric-Phosphoric Acid Solutions at 20°C

The dependence of the solubility of NaLa(SO₄)₂·H₂O, NaCe(SO₄)₂·H₂O, KLa(SO₄)₂·H₂O, and KCe(SO₄)₂·H₂O on the concentration of acids in sulfuric, phosphoric, and sulfuric-phosphoric acid solutions containing up to 36 wt % H₂SO₄ and 33.12 g l_-1 H₃PO₄ was studied at 20°C.     

The solubility of ozone in aqueous solutions of sulfuric, phosphoric, and perchloric acids

The solubility of ozone in pure water and aqueous solutions of sulfuric, phosphoric, and perchloric acids was determined at 20°C. An increase in the concentration of H₃PO₄ and HClO₄ (to 14.8 and 9.5 M, respectively) caused a monotonic decrease in the solubility of ozone. The solubility of ozone in sulfuric acid was minimum at a 12 M concentration; the solubility then increased and, in 17.9 M H₂SO₄, reached almost the same value as in pure water. The ratio between the concentrations of O₃ in solution and the gas phase was 0.276 in pure water, 0.122 in 12 M H₂SO₄, and 0.265 in 17.9 M H₂SO₄. The results obtained are compared with the available literature data.     

Enhanced Xylose Recovery from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch by Efficient Acid Hydrolysis

Oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) is abundantly available in Malaysia and it is a potential source of xylose for the production of high-value added products. This study aimed to optimize the hydrolysis of EFB using dilute sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) and phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) via response surface methodology for maximum xylose recovery. Hydrolysis was carried out in an autoclave. An optimum xylose yield of 91.2 % was obtained at 116 °C using 2.0 % (v/v) H₂SO₄, a solid/liquid ratio of 1:5 and a hydrolysis time of 20 min. A lower optimum xylose yield of 24.0 % was observed for dilute H₃PO₄ hydrolysis at 116 °C using 2.4 % (v/v) H₃PO₄, a solid/liquid ratio of 1:5 and a hydrolysis time of 20 min. The optimized hydrolysis conditions suggested that EFB hydrolysis by H₂SO₄ resulted in a higher xylose yield at a lower acid concentration as compared to H₃PO₄.     

Fluorimetric estimation of U(VI) in the presence of a large excess of Th(IV)

A fluorescence based method has been developed for the determination of trace amounts of uranium in thorium matrix using a mixture of phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) and sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄), as fluorescence enhancing reagent for uranyl (UO₂ ²⁺) ion fluorescence. Synthetic samples mimicking the composition of ThO₂ fuel were prepared and the concentration of U(VI) was estimated. Satisfactory results are obtained when uranium is present at a concentration of 10 ppm in solid thorium samples with good precision.     

Sorption and conducting properties of perfluorinated MF-4SC membranes in aqueous solutions containing phenylammonium ions

A comparative study of the sorption effect is performed for nitrogen-containing ammonium, phenylammonium (PhA⁺), and tetrabutylammonium (TBA⁺) cations on conducting and hydrophilic properties of protonic form of perfluorinated sulfocationite MF-4SC membrane. Conductometric method was used to study thermodynamic equilibria in the systems of perfluorinated MF-4SC membrane—aniline in the acid solutions of variable composition (PhA⁺/HCl and PhA⁺/H₂SO₄). Concentration constants of ion-exchange equilibrium are calculated for a MF-4SC membrane on the basis of these data. These constants in the solutions of aniline with HCl and H₂SO₄ are 10.3 and 27.0, accordingly. The choice of sulfuric acid as background electrolyte for matrix polyaniline synthesis is substantiated.     

Study on the Impedance Characteristic and Electrocatalytic Activity of Platinum‐Modified Polyaniline Film

The composite electrode of platinum‐modified polyaniline film is formed in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ + 3 mM H₂PtCl₆ solution by cyclic potential or constant potential deposition of platinum particles in polyaniline film. To make a comparison, the polyaniline film with the same initial thickness and structure is also treated with the cyclic potential or constant potential polarization in 0.5 M H₂SO₄ solution. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of the composite electrode of platinum‐modified polyaniline film is studied in sulfuric acid solution and compared with the EIS of the polyaniline film without platinum dispersion. The results show that the different modes of potential polarization affect greatly the nature and distribution of the platinum particles, instead of the structure of the polyaniline film (matrix). The electrode reaction kinetics and mass transport process parameters involving charge transfer resistance (R_ct), double layer capacitance (C_dl), constant phase elements (CPE) and Warburg impedance in platinum substrate/platinum‐modified polyaniline film/solution interface are discussed on the basis of the interpretation of the characteristic impedance spectra and connected to the electrocatalytic activity on the oxidation of methanol molecules.     

Electrochemical and surface science investigations of PtCr alloy electrodes

Electrodes of supported Pt, modified with Cr, have shown an increase in electrochemical activity for oxygen reduction in phosphoric acid fuel cells over supported Pt only electrodes. To clarify the role of chromium and its chemical nature at the electrode surface, we have characterized a series of Pt_xCr(_1-x) bulk alloys (x = 0.9, 0.65, 0.5, 0.2) by electrochemical and ex-situ surface science methods. In this paper we report the surface characterization of native and post-electrochemical electrodes by XPS, cyclic voltammetry in 0.05 M H₂SO₄ and 85% H₃PO₄, and analysis of 0.05 M H₂SO₄ electrolyte following electrochemical treatment. The surface Cr(1 to 2 nm) was oxidized to Cr³⁺ oxide for surfaces at open circuit and those exposed to potentials < + 1.3 V vs DHE in 0.05 M H₂SO₄ and < + 1.55 V vs. DHE in 85% H₂PO₄. In 0.05 M H₂SO₄ the Cr component was electrooxidized to solube Cr⁶⁺ species at potentials > +1.3 V with the extent of Cr dissolution dependent on initial alloy stoichiometry. Alloys with Cr content 0.5 are capable of producing (dependent on time spent at potentials above +1.3 V in 0.05 M H₂SO₄) very porous Pt-rich surfaces. Loss of Cr was also observed in 85% H₃PO₄ for the alloys with Cr content 0.5, although at the more positive potential limit of +1.55 V. For the Pt_0.2Cr_0.8, treatment in 85% H₃PO₄ at +1.4 V and above led to the appearance of Pt⁴⁺ and Cr⁶⁺ species, apparently stabilized in a porous phosphate overlayer up to 5 nm thick (dependent on time spent at potentials above this limit). The enhancement reported for supported Pt+Cr oxygen cathodes is discussed in the light of these results.     

Surface characteristics of anodic oxide films fabricated in acid and neutral electrolytes on Ti–10V–2Fe–3Al alloy

Anodic oxide films were fabricated on Ti–10V–2Fe–3Al alloy in acid (H₂SO₄/H₃PO₄) and neutral environmental friendly (C₄H₄O₆Na₂) electrolytes. The morphology, roughness, crystalline structure of the anodic oxide film were characterized by using scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The results showed that the oxide film fabricated in H₂SO₄/H₃PO₄ electrolyte had a porous structure and the thickness of the film was 3.5 µm. The oxide film fabricated in C₄H₄O₆Na₂ electrolyte presented a nonporous structure that sustained the evident microstructure of the substrate, and the thickness of the film was 6.0 µm. The surface average roughness values of the two types of films were 245 nm and 166 nm, respectively. The phase of the anodic oxide films consisted mainly of anatase and rutile. EIS results showed that the film fabricated in C₄H₄O₆Na₂ electrolyte had higher impedance of the outer layer, while the film fabricated in H₂SO₄/H₃PO₄ electrolyte had higher impedance of the inner layer. Moreover, we attempt to explain the differences in the anodizing kinetics, structure and electrochemical impedance of anodic oxide films by the different films growth processes in the two types of electrolytes. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Solubility of YF<Subscript>3</Subscript>, CeF<Subscript>3</Subscript>, PrF<Subscript>3</Subscript>, NdF<Subscript>3</Subscript>, and DyF<Subscript>3</Subscript> in solutions containing sulfuric and phosphoric acids

The solubility of YF₃, CeF₃, PrF₃, NdF₃, and DyF₃ in solutions containing 0–4.496% mol/L (0–35 wt %) of H₂SO₄ and 0–27.6 g/L of H₃PO₄ (0–20 g/L of P₂O₅) at 20 °C was determined. Higher solubility in sulfuric acid solutions compared to that in hydrochloric and phosphoric acid solutions was attributed to the formation of fluorosulfate complexes M₂(SO₄)F₄(M = Y, Ce, Pr, Nd, Dy). The effect of minor concentrations of the phosphate ions on the solubility of YF₃, CeF₃, PrF₃, NdF₃, and DyF₃ in sulfuric acid solutions and the effect of fluoride ions on the recovery of lanthanides during sulfuric acid leaching from the phosphohemihydrate were discussed.     

Electropolymerization,characterization and corrosion protection evolution of poly(4-aminomethyl-5-hydroxymethyl-2-methylpyridine-3-ol) on steel and copper

The electrochemical synthesis of poly(4-aminomethyl-5-hydroxymethyl-2-methyl pyridine-3-ol) on steel and copper electrodes was achieved in both sulfuric acid and oxalic acid by cyclic voltammetry technique. Characterization of the polymer films were achieved by Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy technique (FTIR) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Corrosion performance of coatings was investigated in 0.1 M H₂SO₄ by potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance (EIS) spectroscopy techniques.     

Investigation of Uranium(VI) Extraction Mechanisms from Phosphoric and Sulfuric Media by 31P-NMR

Uranium extraction using DEHCNPB (butyl-1-[N,N-bis(2-ethylhexyl)carbamoyl]nonyl phosphonic acid, a bifunctional cationic extractant) has been studied to better understand mechanism differences depending on the original acidic solution (phosphoric or sulfuric). Solvent extraction batch experiments were carried out and the organic phases were probed using ³¹P-NMR. This technique enabled to demonstrate that phosphoric acid is poorly extracted by DEHCNPB ([H₃PO₄]_org < 2mM), using direct quantification in the organic phase by ³¹P-NMR spectra integration. Moreover, in the presence of uranium in the initial phosphoric acid solution, uranyl extraction by DEHCNPB competes with H₃PO₄ extraction.Average stoichiometries of U(VI)-DEHCNPB complexes in organic phases were also determined using slope analysis on uranium distribution data. Uranium seems to be extracted from a phosphoric medium by two extractant molecules, whereas more than three DEHCNPB on average would be necessary to extract uranium from a sulfuric medium. Thus, uranium is extracted according to different mechanisms depending on the nature of the initial solution.     

Voltammetric and electrochemical impedimetric behavior of silica-based gel electrolyte for valve-regulated lead-acid battery

The gel electrolyte is an important component of the valve-regulated lead-acid (VRLA) batteries. In this study, fumed silica-based gel electrolyte systems were prepared. In this concept, several important parameters controlling the performance of the GEL-VRLA battery, such as the sulfuric acid and fumed silica concentrations, gel formulation, gelling time and rate, and different additives (Na₂SO₄ and MgSO₄), were scientifically investigated. The gel formulations were characterized by cyclic voltammetric and electrochemical impedance spectroscopic methods. The optimum parameters were determined by using the results of anodic peak currents and redox capacities, R _s and R _ct values. Addition of 6 % (w/w) fumed silica to 30 % (w/w) sulfuric acid, for preparation of gelled electrolyte, increased the battery performance significantly. According to the results of the transmission electron and optic microscope images of the gel electrolytes, the three-dimensional gel structure was prepared successfully. The optimization of sulfuric acid concentration and amount of Na₂SO₄ and MgSO₄ additives were examined for the first time in detail by cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedimetry, and battery test. Na₂SO₄ and MgSO₄ additives make a good combination with a gelled-electrolyte system and improve the charge/discharge capacity according to sulfuric acid electrolytes. According to the experimental results, the fumed silica-based gel electrolyte system has a great potential for application in gelled electrolyte VRLA batteries.     

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.     

Anodic Doping of Electropolymerized Copper 2,9,16,23-Tetraaminophthalocyanine

Anodic polymerization of 2,9,16,23-tetraamino substituted copper phthalocyanine is studied in 0.1 M Bu₄NBF₄and Bu₄NClO₄in dimethylformamide (DMF). The electropolymerization rate in DMF is two to three times that in dimethyl sulfoxide, due to a lesser donor ability of DMF and a weaker blocking of radical cations formed during the oxidation of initial copper phthalocyanine. According to a study of the electrochemical behavior of polymerized copper phthalocyanine in neutral aqueous solutions, the anodic doping of the polymer is accompanied by one redox transition. The two redox transitions, observed in an aqueous solution of acid, are explained by two successive steps of oxidation of an aniline-like structure or by the involvement of two protonated systems in the doping process, specifically, a stacked system (phthalocyanine ligands collected in parallel stacks) and a polyaniline system.     

Electrochemical polymerization of aniline in the SDS/n‐C5H11OH/H2SO4(aq) lyotropic liquid crystal

Electrochemical polymerization of aniline was performed by the method of ultramicroelectrode cyclic voltammetry in the lamellar liquid crystal and hexagonal liquid crystal of SDS/n‐C₅H₁₁OH/H₂SO₄(aq) system. The results indicate that the electrochemical polymerization of aniline can be catalyzed by the SDS/n‐C₅H₁₁OH/H₂SO₄(aq) lyotropic liquid crystal. The polymerization potential of aniline is smaller in the lyotropic liquid crystal system than that in the 0.10 mol L?1 sulfuric acid solution. The catalytic efficiency and polymerization rate of aniline increase with the n‐pentanol content, but decrease with the increase of the SDS content or [PhNH₂/H₂SO₄(aq)] content. Moreover, the catalytic efficiency of the lamellar liquid crystal exceeds that of the hexagonal liquid crystal in the SDS/n‐C₅H₁₁OH/H₂SO₄(aq) system. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 44: 2388–2394, 2006