Immobilization and Kinetics of Catalase on Calcium Carbonate Nanoparticles Attached Epoxy Support

A novel hybrid epoxy/nano CaCO₃ composite matrix for catalase immobilization was prepared by polymerizing epoxy resin in the presence of CaCO₃ nanoparticles. The hybrid support was characterized using scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Catalase was successfully immobilized onto epoxy/nano CaCO₃ support with a conjugation yield of 0.67?±?0.01 mg/cm² and 92.63?±?0.80 % retention of activity. Optimum pH and optimum temperature of free and immobilized catalases were found to be 7.0 and 35 °C. The value of K _m for H₂O₂ was higher for immobilized enzyme (31.42 mM) than native enzyme (27.73 mM). A decrease in V _max value from 1,500 to 421.10 μmol (min mg protein)^?1 was observed after immobilization. Thermal and storage stabilities of catalase improved immensely after immobilization. Immobilized enzyme retained three times than the activity of free enzyme when kept at 75 °C for 1 h and the half-life of enzyme increased five times when stored in phosphate buffer (0.01 M, pH 7.0) at 5 °C. The enzyme could be reused 30 times without any significant loss of its initial activity. Desorption of catalase from the hybrid support was minimum at pH 7.0.     

pH- and temperature-responsive hydrogels of acrylic acid,N-isopropylacrylamide and a non-ionic surfmer: phase behaviour,swelling properties and drug release

Copolymer hydrogels composed of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM), acrylic acid (AA) and the non-ionic surfactant monomer (surfmer) ω-methoxy poly(ethylene oxide)₄₀undecyl-α-methacrylate (PEO-R-MA-40) were prepared and studied with regard to swelling behaviour and drug release behaviour. The gels were prepared upon γ-irradiation of the corresponding aqueous comonomer solution in a one-step reaction. Transparent, stable hydrogels were obtained. Studies of light transmission indicate a dual pH- and T-responsive behaviour, which originates from the AA and NIPAM content of the gels, respectively. Presence of large amounts of surfmer increases the phase transition temperature, but also increases the network density, which lowers the permeability of the gels. Swelling properties and release of ibuprofen (Ibu) were studied in simulated gastric fluid (SGF, pH 1) and phosphate buffer solution (PBS, pH 6.8). It was found that swelling and release are controlled by the nature and quantity of comonomers, pH, temperature and ionic strength of the aqueous phase. Swollen gels shrink in SGF and PBS, whereas dry gels exhibit a strong swelling both in SGF and PBS. Copolymer gels of AA and surfmer exhibit a strong, linear release of Ibu in SGF and PBS. If NIPAM is copolymerized in the gel, the drug release is decelerated in SGF probably due to formation of hydrogen bonds between NIPAM and Ibu at low pH. For example, a gel composed of 10 % (w/w) NIPAM, 1 % (w/w) AA and 1.5 % (w/w) surfmer exhibits a release of 10 % within 2 h in SGF and 58 % within 20 h in PBS.     

Facile synthesis of calcium carbonate/polyacrylic acid hydrogels for pH-responsive delivery of cytarabine

Cytarabine (Cyt) encapsulated calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) nanospheres were facilely synthesized through a simple co-precipitation method, and the Cyt encapsulated CaCO₃ nanospheres (CaCO₃/Cyt) were modified by polyacrylic acid (PAA) hydrogels through in situ polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) monomer on the surface of the CaCO₃/Cyt. Successful preparation of the Cyt loaded CaCO₃/PAA hydrogels were confirmed by the characterization of SEM, TEM and FT-IR. Premature release of Cyt in acidic medium (pH = 1.2) could be effectively circumvented by the introduction of the PAA hydrogels. More importantly, pH-responsive delivery of Cyt from the as-prepared CaCO₃/PAA hydrogels could be achieved due to the pH-sensitivity of the PAA. Although the highest swelling ratio of PAA was obtained at pH 7.3 (27.7), the highest cumulative release of Cyt from the carrier was achieved at pH 5.3 (86.75%), which might be attributed to the high stability of CaCO₃ at pH 7.3. That is to say, the highest cumulative release of Cyt at pH 5.3 was a compromise by considering the relatively high swelling ratio of PAA and the relatively low stability of CaCO₃.     

Synthesis of Porous PEG Microgels Using CaCO3 Microspheres as Hard Templates

Porous poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) microgels of both 17.6 and 8.3 μm in diameter are synthesized via hard templating with calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) microparticles. The synthesis is performed in three steps: loading of PEG macromonomers into CaCO₃ microparticles, crosslinking via photopolymerization, and removal of the CaCO₃ template under acidic conditions. The resulting porous PEG microgels are inverse replicates of their templates as indicated by light microscopy, cryo‐scanning electron microscopy (cryo‐SEM), and permeability studies. Thus this process allows for the straightforward and highly reproducible synthesis of porous hydrogel particles of two different diameters and porosities that show great potential as carriers for drugs or nanomaterials.     

Improved Covalent Immobilization of Horseradish Peroxidase on Macroporous Glycidyl Methacrylate-Based Copolymers

A macroporous copolymer of glycidyl methacrylate and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, poly(GMA-co-EGDMA), with various surface characteristics and mean pore size diameters ranging from 44 to 200 nm was synthesized, modified with 1,2-diaminoethane, and tested as a carrier for immobilization of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) by two covalent methods, glutaraldehyde and periodate. The highest specific activity of around 35 U g^?1 dry weight of carrier was achieved on poly(GMA-co-EGDMA) copolymers with mean pore diameters of 200 and 120 nm by the periodate method. A study of deactivation kinetics at 65 °C and in 80 % dioxane revealed that periodate immobilization also produced an appreciable stabilization of the biocatalyst, while stabilization factor depended strongly on the surface characteristics of the copolymers. HRP immobilized on copolymer with a mean pore diameter of 120 nm by periodate method showing not only the highest specific activity but also good stability was further characterized. It appeared that the immobilization resulted in the stabilization of enzyme over a broader pH range while the Michaelis constant value (K _m) of the immobilized HRP was 10.8 mM, approximately 5.6 times higher than that of the free enzyme. After 6 cycles of repeated use in a batch reactor for pyrogallol oxidation, the immobilized HRP retained 45 % of its original activity.     

Immobilization of Inulinase on Concanavalin A-Attached Super Macroporous Cryogel for Production of High-Fructose Syrup

In this study, concanavalin A (Con A)-attached poly(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) [poly(EGDMA)] cryogels were used for immobilization of Aspergillus niger inulinase. For this purposes, the monolithic cryogel column was prepared by radical cryocopolymerization of EGDMA as a monomer and N,N′-methylene bisacrylamide as a crosslinker. Then, Con A was attached by covalent binding onto amino-activated poly(EGDMA) cryogel via glutaraldehyde activation. Characterization of cryogels was performed by FTIR, EDX, and SEM studies. Poly(EGDMA) cryogels were highly porous and pore size was found to be approximately 50–100 μm. Con A-attached poly(EGDMA) cryogels was used in the adsorption of inulinase from aqueous solutions. Adsorption of inulinase on the Con A-attached poly(EGDMA) cryogel was performed in continuous system and the effects of pH, inulinase concentration, and flow rate on adsorption were investigated. The maximum amount of inulinase adsorption was calculated to be 27.85 mg/g cryogel at 1.0 mg/mL inulinase concentration and in acetate buffer at pH 4.0. Immobilized inulinase was effectively used in continuous preparation of high-fructose syrup. Inulin was converted to fructose in a continuous system and released fructose concentration was found to be 0.23 mg/mL at the end of 5 min of hydrolysis. High-fructose content of the syrup was demonstrated by thin layer chromatography.     

Crystal growth of CaCO3 induced by monomethylitaconate grafted polymethylsiloxane

We report the preparation of a new monomethylitaconate grafted polymethylsiloxane (CO₂H-PMS) copolymer and its effect as template for crystal growth of CaCO₃. The in vitro crystallization of CaCO₃ was carried out using the gas diffusion method at different pH values at room temperature for 24 h. The CO₂H-PMS was prepared using polydimethylsiloxane-co-methylhydrogensiloxane (PDMS-co-PHMS), obtained through cationic ring opening polymerization, from cyclic monomers and monomethyltaconate (MMI) via hydrosilylation reactions with platinum complex as catalyst. FTIR results are in an agreement with the proposed template structure and confirmed that the hydrosilylation was complete. Experimental results from pH values and SEM analysis showed that the carboxylate groups of CO₂H-PMS alter the nucleation, growth and morphology of CaCO₃ crystals. SEM revealed single-truncated (ca. 5 μm) modified at pH 7-9, aggregated-modified (ca. 20 μm) at pH 10-11, and donut-shaped crystals at pH 12. These morphologies reflect the electrostatic interaction of carboxylic moieties with Ca²⁺ modulated by CO₂H-PMS adsorbed onto the CaCO₃ particles. EDS confirmed the presence of Si atoms on the crystals surface. XRD analysis showed the existence of only two polymorphs: calcite and vaterite revealing a selective control of CaCO₃ polymorphisms. In summary, the use of grafted polymethylsiloxane template offer a good alternative for polymer controlled crystallization and a convenient approach for understanding the biomineralization process useful for the design of novel materials.     

Antimicrobial Activity of Electrospun Poly(butylenes succinate) Fiber Mats Containing PVP-Capped Silver Nanoparticles

In this study, biodegradable poly(butylenes succinate) (PBS) fiber mats containing silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) were prepared by the electrospinning process. Small AgNPs (<10 nm) were simply synthesized using polyvinylpyrrolidone as the capping agent as well as the reductant. The morphology of the PBS-AgNPs fiber mats and the distribution of the AgNPs were well characterized by TEM and SEM. The release of Ag from the PBS fiber mats was quantitively determined by ICP. The PBS fiber mats with 0.29 % AgNPs content showed strong antimicrobial activity against both gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus and gram-negative Escherichia coli with the efficacy as high as 99 %. The effective bactericidal activity on E. coli was demonstrated for a short contacting time with the PBS-AgNPs fiber mats. In addition, the long-term release performance of Ag from the fiber mats can keep inhibiting the bacterial growth in the mats over a long period of time.     

Thermokinetics simulation for multi-walled carbon nanotubes with sodium alginate by advanced kinetics and technology solutions

To accomplish an effective analysis of adsorption, the strong acid dye from aqueous solution of sodium alginate (SA) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) composite gel beads were used as important parameters. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was used to measure the heat of breakdown reaction. The experimental conditions were set at 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8 °C min^?1, and the temperature range was 30–300 °C. The heating rates and the temperature range were set as follows: Four kinds of proportion in this experiment contained 2 SA % w/v (SA), 0.03, 0.09, 0.18, 0.36 % w/v (MWCNTs), and 10 % w/v calcium chloride, respectively. Four samples, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 mg, were used to detect the experimental data. It contributed to understanding the reaction for the distinctive MWCNTs. With the thermokinetic data by isoconversional approach obtained from advanced kinetics and technology solutions (AKTS), the related thermal safety information can be obtained from the thermal reaction of MWCNTs. Valuable parameters, such as activation energy (E _a) and heat of decomposition, can be applied in operation, including adsorption and desorption processes. After DSC tests, and under the four compositions of SA/MWCNTs, at different heating rates of 0.5, 1, 2, 4, and 8 °C min^?1, primarily we found that when the heating rate was increased, exothermic onset temperature would increase gradually. After analyzing E _a value by isoconversional kinetics, we learned that in four different adsorption compositions, SA/MWCNTs_0.03 (161.20 kJ mol^?1) was the minimum. Among them, the highest value was SA/MWCNTs_0.18 (220.48 kJ mol^?1). However, in this study, for SA/MWCNTs compositions we found that E _a value will drop in the final material SA/MWCNTs_0.36. Accordingly, if the ratio of SA and calcium chloride was fixed, then different compositions of the MWCNTs would affect adsorption efficiency of SA/MWCNTs and E _a variation.     

Impact of the Type of Crosslinking Agents on the Properties of Modified Sodium Alginate/Poly(vinyl Alcohol) Hydrogels

Here, we report on studies on the influence of different crosslinking methods (ionic and chemical) on the physicochemical (swelling ability and degradation in simulated body fluids), structural (FT-IR spectra analysis) and morphological (SEM analysis) properties of SA/PVA hydrogels containing active substances of natural origin. First, an aqueous extract of Echinacea purpurea was prepared using a Soxhlet apparatus. Next, a series of modified SA/PVA-based hydrogels were obtained through the chemical crosslinking method using poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA, M_n = 700 g/mol) as a crosslinking agent and, additionally, the ionic reaction in the presence of a 5% w/v calcium chloride solution. The compositions of SA/PVA/E. purpurea-based hydrogels contained a polymer of natural origin—sodium alginate (SA, 1.5% solution)—and a synthetic polymer—poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA, M_n = 72,000 g/mol, 10% solution)—in the ratio 2:1, and different amounts of the aqueous extract of E. purpurea—5, 10, 15 or 20% (v/v). Additionally, the release behavior of echinacoside from the polymeric matrix was evaluated in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) at 37 °C. The results indicate that the type of the crosslinking method has a direct impact on the release profile. Consequently, it is possible to design a system that delivers an active substance in a way that depends on the application.     

Hollow-Fiber-Based LPME as a Reliable Sampling Method for Gas-Chromatographic Determination of Pharmacokinetic Parameters of Valproic Acid in Rat Plasma

A sensitive and simple method based on two-phase liquid-phase microextraction in porous hollow fiber followed by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection was developed for quantification and pharmacokinetic study of valproic acid (VPA, an antiepileptic drug) in rat plasma after oral administration of pure sodium valproate (25 mg kg^?1). Some parameters such as type of organic solvent, pH of sample solution, stirring speed, salt addition, extraction time, and volume of sample that affected extraction efficiency of VPA were optimized. Under optimized microextraction conditions, VPA was extracted with 10 μL 1-octanol from 0.5 mL rat plasma previously diluted with 4.5 mL acidified and salinated water (pH 2) using 1-octanoic acid as internal standard. The limit of detection was 17 ng mL^?1 with linear response over the concentration range of 50–10,000 ng mL^?1 with correlation coefficient higher than 0.998. The developed method was successfully applied to determination of pharmacokinetic parameters such as t _max (peak time in concentration–time profile), C _max (peak concentration in concentration–time profile), t _1/2 (elimination half-life), AUC_0–t (area under the curve for concentration versus time), clearance, and apparent distribution volume in rats following oral administration of VPA.     

Softening Hard Water Using High Frequency Spark Plasma Discharge

Effects of high frequency spark plasma discharge as a time efficiency method in order to softening the natural hard water has been investigated experimentally. A very hard water sample with 331 ± 19 mg/l of CaCO₃ hardness was used. The current and voltage of each spike was about 9.6 A and 3.5 kV respectively at 16 kHz frequency with 35 μs pulse width. Hard water was treated for 2, 4, 6, and 8 min. The concentration of CaCO₃, Ca²⁺ ions, Mg²⁺ ions and pH as well as water conductivity was controlled before and after treatment. The concentration of CaCO₃ dropped by 70%, after 8 min treatment. During the treatment, the pH had a fluctuation about 1.5 and finally remained in neutral state. Also the elemental composition, crystalline structure and morphology of the precipitates were identified. Molecular dynamics simulation revealed that the ozone and hydroxyl play important roles in the softening of the hard water.     

Photo-Oxidative Degradation of Poly(vinyl Chloride) Based Nanocomposites Under Ultraviolet Irradiation

The poly(vinyl chloride) based nanocomposites with 3.0% weight content of the photo-active zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles or the photo-inert calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) nanoparticles was prepared by the solution mixing method, respectively. Their photo-oxidative degradation under ultraviolet irradiation (365 nm) at room temperature were compared with the pure poly(vinyl chloride) via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Thermogravimetric analysis and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analyses. The results showed that the photo-inert calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) nanoparticles hampered the photo-degradation of poly(vinyl chloride), whereas the photoactive zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles accelerated the photodegradation of poly(vinyl chloride). Furthermore, the ZnO nanoparticles also favored the crosslinking reaction of the dehydrochlorinated poly(vinyl chloride).     

Electrochemical synthesis,characterisation and comparative study of new conducting polymers from amino-substituted naphthalene sulfonic acids

Conducting polymers have been synthesised electrochemically from 4-amino-3-hydroxynaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid (4A3HN1SA), 4-aminonaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid (4AN1SA) and 7-amino-4-hydroxynaphthalene-2-sulfonic acid (7A4HN2SA) on glassy carbon electrodes. The influence of the positive potential limit on the potential cycling polymerisation of 4A3HN1SA was studied, and a sufficiently high potential limit allowed better film growth. Under similar polymerisation conditions, the three monomers showed different radical formation potentials and different voltammetric peak profiles. The effects of scan rate and solution pH on the electrochemical properties of the polymers were investigated, in the range between 10 and 200 mV s^?1, all the modified electrodes showing a surface-confined electrode process. In the pH range from 2.0 to 9.0, the anodic peak potentials decreased linearly with increasing pH for all the three modified electrodes. The modified electrodes were characterised by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in pH 4.0 and 7.0 buffer solutions. The results showed a more porous poly(7A4HN2SA) film, which is less affected by pH change than the other two films. Scanning electron microscopy of the polymer films also showed significant differences in their morphologies.     

Tight binding of poly(carboxylate) ligand to calcium carbonate with intramolecular NH…O hydrogen bond

Novel poly(carboxylates), partially amidated poly(acry late), poly{[1-carboxylate-2-(N-t-butyl)carbamoyl)]ethylene-alt-ethylene}, poly[1-(N-oxysuccinyl-aminomethenyl)ethylene], poly[1-(N-oxymalenyl-aminomethnyl)ethylene] and poly[1-(N-oxyphthalyl-aminomethnyl)ethylene] with intramolecular NH…O hydrogen bond between amide NH and coordinating oxygen were synthesized as model ligands for CaCO₃ biominerallization. The FE/SEM and its backscatter of the CaCO₃ composite of gold colloid-conjugated poly{[1-carboxylate-2-(N-p-methylthiophenyl)carbamoyl]ethylene-alt-ethylene} indicate that the polymer ligand is located at the surface of vaterite crystals and the oriented carboxylate ligands control the CaCO₃ polymorph.     

Electrochemical sensor for determination of aflatoxin B1 based on multiwalled carbon nanotubes-supported Au/Pt bimetallic nanoparticles

A sensitive and selective imprinted electrochemical sensor for the determination of aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁) was constructed on a glassy carbon electrode by stepwise modification of functional multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MCNTs), Au/Pt bimetallic nanoparticles (Au/PtNPs), and a thin imprinted film. The fabrication of a homogeneous porous poly o-phenylenediamine (POPD)-grafted Au/Pt bimetallic multiwalled carbon nanotubes nanocomposite film was conducted by controllable electrodepositing technology. The sensitivity of the sensor was improved greatly because of the nanocomposite functional layer; the proposed sensor exhibited excellent selectivity toward AFB₁ owing to the porous molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) film. The surface morphologies of the modified electrodes were characterized using a scanning electron microscope. The performance of the imprinted sensor was investigated by cyclic voltammetry, differential pulse voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in detail. A linear relationship between the sensor response signal and the logarithm of AFB₁ concentrations ranging from 1?×?10^?10 to 1?×?10^?5 mol L^?1 was obtained with a detection limit of 0.03 nmol L^?1. It was applied to detect AFB₁ in hogwash oil successfully.     

Preparation and characterization of blended solid polymer electrolyte 49% poly(methyl methacrylate)-grafted natural rubber:poly(methyl methacrylate)–lithium tetrafluoroborate

The preparation and characterization of blended solid polymer electrolyte 49% poly(methyl methacrylate)-grafted natural rubber (MG49):poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) (30:70) were carried out. The effect of lithium tetrafluoroborate (LiBF₄) concentration on the chemical interaction, structure, morphology, and room temperature conductivity of the electrolyte were investigated. The electrolyte samples with various weight percentages (wt.%) of LiBF₄ salt were prepared by solution casting technique and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Infrared analysis demonstrated that the interaction between lithium ions and oxygen atoms occurred at symmetrical stretching of carbonyl (C=O) (1,735 cm^?1) and asymmetric deformation of (O–CH₃) (1,456 cm^?1) via the formation of coordinate bond on MMA structure in MG49 and PMMA. The reduction of MMA peaks intensity at the diffraction angle, 2θ of 29.5° and 39.5° was due to the increase in weight percent of LiBF₄. The complexation occurred between the salt and polymer host had been confirmed by the XRD analysis. The semi-crystalline phase of polymer host was found to reduce with the increase in salt content and confirmed by XRD analysis. Morphological studies by SEM showed that MG49 blended with PMMA was compatible. The addition of salt into the blend has changed the topological order of the polymer host from dark surface to brighter surface. The SEM analyses supported the enhancement of conductivity with the addition of salt. The conductivity increased drastically from 2.0 to 3.4?×?10^?5 S cm^?1 with the addition of 25 wt.% of salt. The increase in the conductivity was due to the increasing of the number of charge carriers in the electrolyte. The conductivity obeys Arrhenius equation in higher temperature region from 333 to 373 K with the pre-exponential factor σ _o of 1.21?×?10^?7 S cm^?1 and the activation energy E _a of 0.46 eV. The conductivity is not Arrhenian in lower temperature region from 303 to 323 K.     

Online dynamic pH junction–sweeping for the determination of benzoic and sorbic acids in food products by capillary electrophoresis

A simple, low-cost, and efficient online focusing method that combines a dynamic pH junction and sweeping by capillary electrophoresis with polymer solutions was developed and optimized for the simultaneous determination of benzoic acid (BA) and sorbic acid (SA). A sample solution consisting of 2.5 mM phosphate at pH 3.0 and a buffer solution containing 15 mM tetraborate (pH 9.2), 40 mM sodium dodecyl sulfate, and 0.100 % (w/v) poly(ethylene oxide) were utilized to realize dynamic pH junction–sweeping for BA and SA. Under the optimized conditions, the entire analysis process was completed in 7 min, and a 900-fold sensitivity enhancement was achieved with limits of detection (S/N?=?3) as low as 8.2 and 6.1 nM for BA and SA, respectively. The linear ranges were between 20 nM and 20 μM for BA and 20 nM and 10 μM for SA, with correlation coefficients greater than 0.992. The recoveries of the proposed method ranged from 90 to 113 %. These satisfactory results indicate that this method has the potential to be an effective analytical tool for the rapid screening of BA and SA in different food products.

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Figure An online focusing strategy combining dynamic pH junction and sweeping for sensitive determination of benzoic and sorbic acid in food products using capillary electrophoresis wit polymer solutions

     

Nanocomposite blend gel polymer electrolyte for proton battery application

A proton-conducting nanocomposite gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) system, [35{(25 poly(methylmethacrylate) (PMMA) + 75 poly(vinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-HFP))?+?xSiO₂}?+?65{1 M NH₄SCN in ethylene carbonate (EC) + propylene carbonate (PC)}], where x?=?0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12, has been reported. The free standing films of the gel electrolyte are obtained by solution cast technique. Films exhibit an amorphous and porous structure as observed from X-ray diffractometry (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies. Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry (FTIR) studies indicate ion–filler–polymer interactions in the nanocomposite blend GPE. The room temperature ionic conductivity of the gel electrolyte has been measured with different silica concentrations. The maximum ionic conductivity at room temperature has been observed as 4.3?×?10^?3?S?cm^?1 with 2 wt.% of SiO₂ dispersion. The temperature dependence of ionic conductivity shows a typical Vogel-Tamman-Fulcher (VTF) behavior. The electrochemical potential window of the nanocomposite GPE film has been observed between ?1.6 V and 1.6 V. The optimized composition of the gel electrolyte has been used to fabricate a proton battery with Zn/ZnSO₄·7H₂O anode and PbO₂/V₂O₅ cathode. The open circuit voltage (OCV) of the battery has been obtained as 1.55 V. The highest energy density of the cell has been obtained as 6.11 Wh?kg^?1 for low current drain. The battery shows rechargeability up to 3 cycles and thereafter, its discharge capacity fades away substantially.     

The adaptability of Cu/Zr oxides as oxygen carrier used for chemical looping air separation (CLAS)

Chemical looping air separation (CLAS), based on the chemical looping principle, is a novel and energy-efficient method to separate oxygen from air. The oxygen carriers used capture oxygen from air in an oxidation reactor and release oxygen in a reduction reactor. In this work, the adaptability of Cu/Zr oxygen carrier used for CLAS was investigated through thermodynamic analysis and experimental methods. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to measure the phases and surface morphology of oxygen carriers before and after experiments. The results show that CuO has the capability of releasing oxygen when the temperature is higher than 725 °C in the nitrogen atmosphere, and the minimum oxygen reduction temperatures increase with the increasing of oxygen concentrations. The Cu/Zr oxygen carrier has high oxygen reduction and oxidation rates when temperature is higher than a certain values. For reduction, the value is about 860 °C. For oxidation, the value is about 500 °C. The reactivity of oxygen carrier increases significantly with the temperature increasing. On overall, reactivity of oxygen carrier has little difference under different particle sizes. The oxygen carrier exhibits a stable oxygen reduction and oxidation behavior during reduction–oxidation cycles. XRD patterns show that the main phases in reduced samples are Cu₂O and ZrO₂. The main phases in fresh and oxidized samples are CuO and ZrO₂. SEM images show that the fresh and reacted oxygen carriers are porous. The surface of reacted samples is smoother than fresh samples and no agglomeration has been found.