Effect of particle size distribution on the collection efficiency of Brownian particles

The main purpose of the present paper is to investigate the effect of the normal Gaussian size distribution on the deposition of Brownian particles onto a spherical collector, by applying the Brownian dynamic simulation method and the Kuwabara flow field model with different types of DLVO interaction energy curves and the shadow effect. The simulation results show that the collection efficiency of Brownian particles always increases with a wider particle size distribution region. The same increased tendencies are also observed for the case of increasing Reynolds number and for the case of increasing the particle size to the collector size ratio. When compared to the available experimental data, the present simulation method fits well with the experimental data when the specific deposit per collector is not large.     

A direct method for studying particle deposition onto solid surfaces

An experimental technique has been developed to study the deposition of colloidal particles under well controlled hydrodynamic conditions. The deposition process is observed under a microscope and recorded on video tape for further analysis. Fluid flow conditions in the experimental set-up were determined by numerical solution of the Navier-Stokes equations. Mass transfer equations were solved numerically (taking into account hydrodynamic, gravitational, electric double layer, and dispersion forces) for the stagnation point region. Also, some analytical solutions are presented. Deposition has been studied of 0.5m polystyrene latex particles on cover glass slides used as collectors. From an analysis of the shape of the coating density vs. time curves and independently from the distribution of the particles on collector surfaces, it was found that one particle is able to block an area of about 20 to 30 times its geometrical cross-section. The initial flux of particles to the collector for a given salt concentration was found to depend strongly on the method of cleaning the collector surface. In general the flux and the escape of particles to and from the collector surface are sensitive to the interaction energy at small separations. The direct method of observing particle deposition and detachment could lead to important insights into the nature of particle-wall interactions at near contact.On leave from Jagiellonian University, Cracow, Poland.     

Prediction of Brownian particle deposition in porous media using the constricted tube model

The deposition of colloidal particles onto the collector surfaces of porous media is investigated using the Brownian dynamics simulation method. The pore structure in a filter bed was characterized by the constricted tube model. The effects of various shapes of the total interaction energy curves of DLVO theory and the effects of different particle diameters on the collection efficiencies of particles are examined. The simulation results show that the particle collection efficiency is strongly dependent on the geometry of the tube and on the shape of the total interaction energy curve. In a comparison with the available experimental measurements of the filter coefficient, it is found that the present model can give a smaller discrepancy than that of the convective diffusion model in the unfavorable deposition region.     

Particle deposition onto Janus and patchy spherical collectors

An Eulerian model (convection-diffusion-migration equation) is presented to study colloid deposition behavior on Janus and patchy spherical collectors using Happel cell geometry. The model aims to capture the effect of the collector surface charge heterogeneity on the particle deposition rate. Two separate cases of surface charge distribution are presented. In the first case, the surface heterogeneity is modeled as half the collector favoring deposition and the other half hindering it (Janus collectors). For the second case, the surface heterogeneity is modeled as alternate stripes of attractive and repulsive regions on the collector (patchy collectors). The model also considers fluid flow approaching the collector at different angles in addition to the standard gravity assisted and gravity hindered flow conditions to analyze the effect of the collector orientation on the deposition. It was observed that particles tend to deposit at the edges of the favorable stripes and the extent of this preferential accumulation varies along the tangential position of the collector due to the nonuniform nature of the collector. The predicted deposition behavior is compared to the patchwise heterogeneity model. The study brings to fore how recent developments in synthesis of chemically heterogeneous particles and beads can be used for improved particle capture in porous media and for designing filter beds with enhanced life.     

Structural characteristics of modified activated carbons and adsorption of explosives

Several series of activated carbons prepared by catalytic and noncatalytic gasification and subsequent deposition of pyrocarbon by pyrolysis of methylene chloride or n-amyl alcohol were studied by FTIR, chromatography, and adsorption methods using nitrogen and probe organics (explosives). The relationships between the textural characteristics of carbon samples and the recovery rates (eta) of explosives on solid-phase extraction (SPE) using different solvents for their elution after adsorption were analyzed using experimental and quantum chemical calculation results. The eta values for nitrate esters, cyclic nitroamines, and nitroaromatics only partially correlate with different adsorbent parameters (characterizing microporosity, mesoporosity, pore size distributions, etc.), polarity of eluting solvents, or characteristics of probe molecules, since there are many factors strongly affecting the recovery rates. Some of the synthesized carbons provide higher eta values than those for such commercial adsorbents as Hypercarb and Envicarb.     

Gold nanoparticles propulsion from surface fueled by absorption of femtosecond laser pulse at their surface plasmon resonance

Femtosecond laser irradiation of assembled nanoprisms on a quartz substrate at their strong absorbing surface plasmon resonance frequency causes their propulsion from the substrate. SEM and AFM show that the particles fly while keeping their prismatic shape, but they decrease in size by an amount that can be calculated assuming atomic sublimation. Several mechanisms are mentioned, but the sublimation mechanism, which rapidly builds up pressure under the particle and propels it away from substrate, is discussed in detail. From the kinetic energy given to the flying nanoparticle, an initial velocity of approximately 160 m/s ( approximately 360 miles/h) is calculated. The dependence of the observed flying mechanism on the rate of energy deposition (i.e., with nanosecond vs femtosecond laser pulses) is discussed.     

Colloid particle and protein deposition - electrokinetic studies

Recent developments in the electrokinetic determination of particle, polyelectrolyte and protein deposition at solid/electrolyte interfaces, are reviewed. In the first section basic theoretical results are discussed enabling a quantitative interpretation of the streaming current/potential and microelectrophoretic measurements. Experimental results are presented, pertinent to electrokinetic characteristics of simple (homogeneous) surfaces such as mica, silica and various polymeric surfaces used in protein studies. The influence of the ionic strength, background electrolyte composition and pH is discussed, and the effective (electrokientic) charge of these interfaces is evaluated. In the next section, experimental data obtained by streaming potential measurements for colloid particle mono- and bilayers are presented and interpreted successfully in terms of available theoretical approaches. These results, obtained for model systems of monodisperse colloid particles are used as reference data for discussion of more complicated experiments performed for polyelectrolyte and protein covered surfaces. Results are discussed, obtained for cationic polyelectrolytes (PEI, PAH) and fibrinogen adsorbing on mica, interpreted quantitatively in terms of the theoretical approach postulating a heterogeneous 3D charge distribution. The Gouy-Chapman model, based on the continuous charge distribution proved inadequate. Interesting experimental data are also discussed, obtained by electrophoretic methods in the case of protein adsorption on colloid latex particles. In the last section, supplementary results on particle deposition on heterogeneous surfaces produced by controlled protein adsorption are discussed. Quantitative relationships between the amount of adsorbed protein, zeta potential of the interface and the particle coverage are specified. Possibility of evaluating the heterogeneity of protein charge distribution is pointed out. The anomalous deposition of colloid particles on protein molecules bearing the same sign of zeta potential, which contradicts classical DLVO theory, is interpreted in terms of the fluctuation theory. It is concluded that theoretical and experimental results obtained for model colloid systems and flat interfaces can be effectively used for interpretation of protein adsorption phenomena, studied by electrophoresis. In this way the universality of electrokinetic phenomena is underlined.     

Adhesion of nonmotile Pseudomonas aeruginosa on "soft" polyelectrolyte layer in a radial stagnation point flow system: measurements and model predictions

Prediction of bacterial deposition rates onto substrates in natural aquatic systems is quite challenging because of the inherent complexity of such systems. In this study, we compare experimental deposition kinetics of nonmotile bacteria (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) on an alginate-coated substrate in a radial stagnation point flow (RSPF) system to predictions based on DLVO theory. The "softness" of the surface layer of the bacteria and alginate-coated substrate was considered in the calculations of their electrokinetic surface properties, and the relevance of both the classical zeta potential and the outer surface potential as surrogates for surface potential was investigated. Independent of the used electrical potentials, we showed that significant discrepancies exist between theory and experiments. Analysis of microscopic images in the RSPF system has demonstrated, for the first time, that irreversible deposition of particles or cells entrapped in the secondary energy minimum can occur on the alginate layer, despite the hydrodynamic forces resulting from the radial flow in the RSPF system. It is suggested that polymeric structures associated with the surface of the particle/cell and the alginate-coated substrate are responsible for the transition between the secondary minimum and primary energy well. This mode of deposition is likely to be important in the deposition of microorganisms in complex aquatic systems.     

Staircase pulse voltammetry

The faradaic current of interest can often be obscured by some extraneous current. A new method called staircase pulse voltammetry (SPV), with which involving a potential pulse is superimposed on a staircase, is used for removing the double-layer charging current. This paper presents the theoretical consideration and the experimental evidence of this method for a simple reversible system and a catalytic process. The parameters affecting currents are also discussed. Experimental verifications are in agreement with the theories.     

Adsorption and desorption of colloidal particles on glass in a parallel plate flow chamber—Influence of ionic strength and shear rate

The adsorption and desorption rates of 736 nm diameter polystyrene particles on glass were studiedin situ using a parallel plate flow chamber and automated image analysis. Adsorption and desorption rates were measured simultaneously during deposition, enabling the determination of initial deposition rates, blocked areas per particle, desorption rate coefficients, and the number of adhering particles in the stationary state. Deposition experiments were done from suspensions with different potassium nitrate concentrations (1, 10 and 50 mM) and at varying shear rates (15 to 200 s^–1). The initial deposition rate, the desorption rate, the blocked area per particle and the number of adhering particles in the stationary state showed major variations with the shear rate and the ionic strength of the suspension. At low ionic strength, the number of adhering particles showed an oscillatory behavior in time, presumably due to a varying interaction between particle and collector surface. Blocked areas, determined from deposition kinetics, ranged 705 to 2374 cross-sections at low ionic strength, and from 10 to 564 at high ionic strength and corresponded well with those estimated from local pair distribution functions which were obtained from an analysis of the spatial arrangement of the adhering particles.     

细菌纤维素衍生的三维碳集流体用于无枝晶的锂金属负极

锂金属是下一代高能量密度电池的关键负极,然而其实用化面临着一系列问题,主要包括循环过程中体积变化大、枝晶生长等。使用三维集流体是解决这些问题的有效方法,然而现有大多数三维集流体存在重量大、体积大、表面亲锂性差、成本高等问题。针对上述问题,本文以低成本的细菌纤维素为前驱体,通过直接碳化制备出具有连通网络的轻质三维碳集流体,其表面均匀分布的含氧官能团可以促进锂离子的均匀成核和沉积,有效抑制了枝晶生长。值得注意的是,该集流体的面密度仅为0.32 mg·cm^?2,在3 mAh·cm^?2比容量的锂金属负极中质量占比仅为28.8%。电化学测试结果表明,该集流体在3 mA·cm^?2的高电流密度或4 mAh·cm^?2的高循环容量的工作条件下,稳定循环超过150次,并且在对称电池或与LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05匹配的全电池中也表现出良好的电化学性能。     

Recent Advances in Graphene-Based Materials for Zinc-Ion Batteries

Zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are a promising alternative for large-scale energy storage due to their advantages of environmental protection, low cost, and intrinsic safety. However, the utilization of their full potential is still hindered by the sluggish electrode reaction kinetics, poor structural stability, severe Zn dendrite growth, and narrow electrochemical stability window of the whole battery. Graphene-based materials with excellent physicochemical properties hold great promise for addressing the above challenges foe ZIBs. In this review, the energy storage mechanisms and challenges faced by ZIBs are first discussed. Key issues and recent progress in design strategies for graphene-based materials in optimizing the electrochemical performance of ZIBs (anode, cathode, electrolyte, separator and current collector) are then discussed. Finally, some potential challenges and future research directions of graphene-based materials in high-performance ZIBs are proposed for practical applications.     

Particle adsorption and deposition: role of electrostatic interactions

This work demonstrates how electrostatic interactions, described in terms of the classical DLVO theory, influence colloid particle deposition phenomena at solid/liquid interfaces. Electrostatic interactions governing particle adsorption in both non-polar and polar media (screened interactions) are discussed. Exact and approximate methods for calculating the interaction energy of spherical and non-spherical (anisotropic) particles are presented, including the Derjaguin method. Phenomenological transport equations governing particle deposition under the linear regime are discussed with the limiting analytical expressions for calculating initial flux. Non-linear adsorption regimes appearing for higher coverage of adsorbed particles are analysed. Various theoretical approaches are exposed, aimed at calculating blocking effects appearing due to the presence of adsorbed particles. The significant role of coupling between bulk transport and surface blocking is demonstrated. Experimental data obtained under well-defined transport conditions, such as diffusion and forced convection (impinging-jet cells), are reviewed. Various experimental techniques for detecting particles at interfaces are discussed, such as reflectometry, ellipsometry, streaming potential, atomic force microscopy, electron and optical microscopy, etc. The influence of ionic strength and flow rate on the initial particle deposition rate (limiting flux) is presented. The essential role of electrostatic interactions in particle deposition on heterogeneous surfaces is demonstrated. Experimental data pertinent to the high-coverage adsorption regime are also presented, especially the dependence of the maximum coverage of particles and proteins on the ionic strength. The influence of lateral electrostatic interactions on the structure of particle monolayers is elucidated, and the links between colloid and molecular systems are pointed out.     

基于三维集流体的无枝晶锂金属负极

随着电化学储能市场的迅猛发展, 当前商用锂离子电池难以满足人们对高能量密度储能器件的需求. 锂金属具有高比容量和低氧化还原电位等优点, 被认为是下一代二次电池的理想负极材料. 然而, 锂金属负极在充放电过程中会出现体积变化大、 枝晶生长、 界面不稳定等问题, 严重阻碍了其在二次电池中的实际应用. 三维多孔材料具有骨架/空间互穿网络结构、 比表面积大、 孔隙发达和机械性能好等物理特性, 用作金属锂负极的集流体, 在锂沉积/溶解过程中可以起到降低局部有效电流密度、 均匀电场分布和降低锂离子浓度梯度的作用, 有望实现锂的均匀成核和无枝晶沉积, 同时抑制了电极的体积膨胀. 尽管有关三维集流体的研究报道不断出现, 但综合系统评价现有各种三维集流体体系的工作鲜见报道. 本文聚焦锂金属负极三维集流体的构建及应用研究进展, 首先分析了三维集流体抑制锂枝晶生长的基本原理及局限性, 继而重点关注了三维集流体的结构调控、 表面改性和功能化等应对策略对锂成核、 沉积过程的影响, 并对不同材质三维集流体的优缺点进行了归纳总结. 最后, 面向实用化, 分析并展望了三维集流体应用于锂金属电池的发展前景.     

Extended photon counting histogram and fluorescence intensity distribution analysis approaches for optically biased photon counting statistics

A gradient potential induced by a strongly focused laser beam can perturb the diffusion dynamics of particles in solutions and result in biased photon counting statistics in fluorescence fluctuation spectroscopy (FFS). In this paper, the theories of the photon counting histogram (PCH) and fluorescence intensity distribution analysis (FIDA) approaches are extended independently to fit the biased experimental data and retrieve the unbiased parameters, i.e., the average number of the sample particles in the focal volume N, their brightness epsilon, and polarizability alpha. The extended theories are tested using Monte Carlo simulations for single- and double-component systems. It is also proved numerically and analytically that the extended PCH and FIDA approaches are completely equivalent. Practical implementations and possible applications of extended PCH and FIDA are discussed.     

等离子体聚合成膜中的活性粒子模拟分析

针对等离子体聚合成膜实验中的活性粒子的能量及空间分布问题,运用电磁场理论和Ｍｏｎｔｅ Ｃａｒｌｏ方法模拟分析氢、氧、氮直流辉光放电等离子体中的活性粒子的运动,得出其能量分布图和空间密度分布图,并与离子活性能量范围相比较,从而得出结论：在氢、氧等离子体中有足够多的活性离子可以参与和单体分子的物理化学反应,成膜较快;在氮等离子体中,达到活性粒子能量范围的离子相当少,成膜较慢。     

Reliability of background current subtraction in anodic stripping voltammetry at mercury film electrodes

The effectiveness and accuracy of the correction for background current in subtractive anodic stripping voltammetry at rotating mercury film electrodes are discussed. The effects of different experimental parameters on the subtracted baseline are examined. Long deposition periods, at extreme potentials, result in large errors in the background correction. The incomplete background correction is attributed mainly to changes in the morphology of the working electrode. Different approaches for obtaining the subtractive stripping response are compared. Errors are reduced when subtractive differential pulse stripping is used at different convection rates, resulting in a detection limit of 2 × 10^-9 M cadmium with 1-min deposition. Cadmium, lead, and zinc ions at nano molar concentrations were used as test ions.     

Separations based on the mechanical forces of light

A photon as a particle has an energy and a momentum. In a matter-photon interaction, the matter and photons may exchange their momenta observing the momentum conservation law. The consequence of the momentum transfer from a photon to a matter particle is a mechanical force exerted on the particle. Several separation methods based on this force of light are reviewed. Photophoresis separations for micron-sized particles and optical force chromatography for chemical-sized molecules are discussed.     

Selection of surfactants for stable paraffin-in-water dispersions, undergoing solid-liquid transition of the dispersed particles

A new experimental procedure is proposed for express evaluation of the coalescence stability of dispersions, in which the dispersed particles undergo solid-liquid phase transition. The procedure includes centrifugation of the dispersion concurrently with the phase transition of the particles and allows precise quantification of dispersion stability in terms of a critical pressure, at which the coalescence between the dispersed particles/drops takes place. The method is applied for studying the effects of surfactant type and concentration on the stability of paraffin-in-water dispersions, which have potential application in energy storage and transportation systems. Several types of water-soluble surfactants (anionic, nonionic, and polymeric) are compared, whereas hexadecane or tetradecane is used as a dispersed phase. Most of the studied individual surfactants are found to be inefficient stabilizers (except for the nonionic Tween 40 and Tween 60). However, the dispersion stability increases significantly after the addition of appropriate cosurfactants, such as hexadecanol, Brij 52, or cocoamidopropyl betaine. Surfactants and cosurfactants with longer hydrophobic tails are better stabilizers than those with shorter tails. The obtained results are discussed from the viewpoint of the mechanisms of particle/drop coalescence during the solid-liquid-phase transition. The consistency and the undercooling temperatures of the studied dispersions are also discussed, because these properties are important for their practical applications. The proposed procedure for evaluation of dispersion stability and some of the conclusions could be relevant to food emulsions, in which dispersed fat particles undergo solid-liquid-phase transition of similar type.