Experimental investigation of the conduction mechanism of hydrogenated PEG thin films at high relative humidities

The electrical properties of pure, hydrogenated and hydrophobically modified polyethylene glycole (PEG) thin films under changing relative humidity conditions are investigated by dc measurements. Perfluoroalkylethylalcohol is used as the hydrophobic additive. The conductivity of all samples increases gradually up to around 70% relative humidity, beyond which there exists a steep increase. For the pure PEG samples, after 75%, the conductivity shows irregularities with respect to the increase in the relative humidity. The irregularities subside in the hydrogenated as well as the hydrophobically modified PEG samples, while in the latter the steep increase in conductivity shifts to higher values of relative humidity with the increase of perfluoroalkylethylalcohol concentration in the film.     

探空湿度测量太阳辐射误差修正流体动力学研究

针对太阳辐射加热导致的误差显著限制了相对湿度测量的准确度,提出一种新颖的相对湿度误差修正方法—–基于流体动力学的数值分析法.在流体-固体耦合传热数值模拟分析中考虑探空湿度传感器的外部热环境情况,施加对流-太阳辐射耦合热边界条件,建立了地面到32 km高空不同气压和温度条件下探空湿度传感器的温度误差分析模型.结合Goff-Gratch饱和水汽压逼近公式,进而提出了相应的相对湿度误差流体动力学数值分析模型,并且着重研究了太阳辐射方向、传感器尺寸、反射率和衬底材料热导率等物理参数对相对湿度误差的影响.分析数值仿真结果表明:随着海拨的升高,其与太阳辐射加热引起的相对湿度误差之间存在非线性的单调递增关系;太阳辐射方向对于湿度测量精度的影响显著,当太阳辐射方向垂直于传感器正面时误差最大、传感器顶部时次之、侧面时误差最小;虽然通过减小探空湿度传感器的尺寸、降低衬底材料的热导率以及提高反射率均可以一定程度地降低太阳辐射加热引起的相对湿度误差,但是在低气压高空条件下,太阳辐射加热误差对于湿度准确性的影响仍然十分明显,需加以修正.与实验结果对比表明,基于流体动力学模拟仿真的相对湿度误差数值分析法为辐射误差修正提供了一种新的途径.     

The study of hydronium NASICON conductivity with deuterium

The ionic conductivity of the bulk phase of bonded hydronium NASICON (Hyceram^TM) was measured at equilibrium with an H₂O/N₂ and then a D₂O/N₂ atmosphere, each at 100% relative humidity and 75% relative humidity over the temperature range 25°C to 50°C. At 100% relative humidity and 25°C, the protonic system had a bulk conductivity of 5.0×10⁻⁴ S/cm and an activation energy of 17.3kJ/mole; the same sample, when deuterated, had a bulk conductivity of 2.2×10⁻⁴ S/cm and an activation energy of 19.3kJ/mole. At 75% relative humidity and 25°C, the conductivity of the protonated system decreased to 1.4×10⁻⁴S/cm with an activation energy of 24.1 kJ/mole. The deuterated sample at 75% relative humidity had a bulk conductivity of 5.4×10⁻⁵ S/cm with an activation energy of 26.0 kJ/mole. The isotope effect suggested a proton hopping (Grotthus) mechanism as the means by which the protons pass through the lattice.     

Proton conductivity of phosphoric acid derivative of fullerene

The proton conductive property of methano [60] fullerene diphosphoric acid has been investigated under various humidity conditions at the temperature range between 15 and 45 °C. It shows proton conductivity as high as 10⁻² S cm⁻¹ at 25 °C under relative humidity of 95%. Thermal analyses including TG–DTA and thermal desorption mass spectroscopy (TDS) confirm that the compound is thermally stable up to 200 °C. Proton conduction of the compound depends very much on humidity or water content. The logarithmic conductivity at 25 °C is increased linearly with increasing relative humidity. The activation energy (E_a) estimated from the slope of log(σT) vs. 1/T is decreased from 1.08 to 0.52 eV, as the relative humidity is increased from 40% to 75%. The humidity dependence of conductivity is discussed in the light of the observed hydration isotherm.     

The influence of water content on the 23Na and 31P NMR spectral parameters in solid Na-DNA

23Na and 31P MAS NMR spectra and spin-lattice relaxation times in a solid sample of Na-DNA were measured under very carefully controlled conditions of relative ambient humidity. The observed substantial changes of the NMR parameters are related to the water-induced transitions between the different molecular configurations of DNA, with the transition between A- and B-DNA occurring in the 30-60% range of relative humidity. Our work demonstrates that the previously measured NMR parameters are in error because the relative humidity of the system had not been controlled, rendering the results irreproducible.     

Faujasite zeolites as solid electrolyte for low temperature fuel cells

In this work, the potential use of faujasite zeolites as a solid electrolyte material was evaluated with a particular focus on their endurance in acid environment, and on the influence played by the zeolites' chemical and textural properties on the degree of hydration and proton conductivity. Three faujasites with different initial Si/Al ratio were exposed to 6 mol dm⁻³ HCl solution and the exposure time was varied up to 7000 h for selected samples. Faujasite dealumination is a very fast process occurring mainly within 24 h of exposure. X-ray diffraction patterns show the faujasite structure was preserved, although N₂ sorption measurements indicate a possible partial collapse of the pore structure for samples dealuminated for 4500 and 7000 h.The proton conductivity of the faujasites is in the order of 10⁻⁸ S cm^-1 at 10% relative humidity, 10⁻⁶ S cm^-1 at 90% relative humidity, and 10⁻⁴ S cm^-1 for samples immersed in liquid water. The correlation between the proton conductivity and the zeolites' properties shows the predominant influence of the Al content at low relative humidity, and of the water content and micropore and mesopore volumes at high relative humidity. In particular, the expected increase of the proton conductivity with the mesopore volume at high relative humidity and for samples saturated with water was not observed.     

Effect of humidity on the a.c. impedance of CH3NH3SnCl3 hybrid films

Impedance spectroscopy measurements show that complex conductivity of thermally ablated CH₃NH₃SnCl₃ films is strongly enhanced when humidity increases. Coplanar two-electrode test devices are modeled through an equivalent circuit comprising one resistance and two constant phase elements. It is shown that the influence of ambient humidity is mainly resistive. The dynamic responses of the devices to humidification/dehumidification cycles point out that the a.c. current varies by more than three orders of magnitude when humidity is varied between dry air and 80% relative humidity. The rise times are few hundred seconds while fall times are as short as few tens of seconds. This observation suggests that impedance variations are determined by mechanisms involving loosely bound water molecules physisorbed at the surface of the hybrid film. The results obtained are discussed in terms of protonic conduction.     

硅衬底的SrTiO3淀积膜的湿敏特性与机理研究

对无定形多孔SrTiO₃膜电导率随相对湿度的变化进行了理论模型分析.该模型也适用于其他多孔半导体陶瓷材料.实验样品用氩离子束镀膜技术在SiO₂/Si衬底上淀积SrTiO₃膜并制成平面型电阻结构.结果表明，在室温下，当相对湿度从12%变化至53%时，电流缓慢下降；而当相对湿度从53%变化至92%时，电流又显著上升，即在高湿度条件下具有良好的湿敏特性.电流及其在高湿条件下的上升率随测试频率而增大.吸附响应时间明显长于脱附时间. 关键词：     

Fabrication of solid-state fuel cell based on DNA film

We have fabricated a fuel cell based on the DNA film (DNAFC) and examined its properties under various humidity conditions at room temperature. The open-circuit voltage of a DNAFC is generated by supplying H₂ gas to the anode. The open-circuit voltage strongly depends on the humidity conditions, and in a DNA film, the optimum condition in which the open-circuit voltage attains a value as high as 0.55 V is achieved under the relative humidity condition of 55%. Furthermore, the cell voltage of the DNAFC decreases with an increase in current density, as observed in fuel cells such as proton exchange membrane fuel cell, solid oxide fuel cell, and several others. These results indicate that DNA film can be used as the fuel cell electrolyte under approximately 55% humidity condition.     

Relative humidity influence on proton conduction of hydrated pellicular zirconium phosphate in hydrogen form

Admittance measurements have been carried out as a function of temperature (20/-20°C) and relative humidity (5–90%) on pellets made up of pressed sheets of hydrated α-zirconium phosphate (pellicular zirconium phosphate). Their dc conductivities have been calculated on the basis of a suitable equivalent circuit using a nonlinear least squares procedure: at 20°C and 90% relative humidity they lie in the range 3-0.9×10^-4 S cm^-1 when the sheets are oriented parallel to the electric field and are about seven times lower in the case of perpendicular orientation. Changes in relative humidity from 90 to 5% cause the conductivity to decrease by two orders of magnitude and the activation energy to rise from 6.7 to 12.2 kcal/mol. A comparison of the Arrhenius equation parameters with those previously determined for polycrystalline α-Zr(HPO₄)₂·H₂O reveals that the same transport mechanism is present in both materials, the higher conductivity of pellicular zirconium phosphate arising from a larger effective number of carriers.     

Effect of PVA functionalization on hydrophilicity of Y-junction single wall carbon nanotubes

Hydrophilic surface of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are of great interest for various applications including chemical and biological sensing. Surface functionalization of single wall carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) mats with a biocompatible polymer polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was studied. PVA modification induced a drastic change in water wettability of the SWNT surface transforming it from hydrophobic to highly hydrophilic. These PVA modified SWNTs mats have also demonstrated increasing impedance variation in relative humidity compared to the pristine nanotubes. An appreciable change in conductivity of Y-junction SWNT mats as a function of relative humidity indicates its potential application as humidity sensor. This higher sensitivity for humidity variation shown in Y-junction SWNT mats could be attributed to the greater portion of semiconducting nanotubes in these mats revealed by Raman analysis. A possible conductance changing mechanism of surface modified SWNTs mats is discussed.     

Poly(ethylene oxide-co-epichlorohydrin)/NaI: a promising polymer electrolyte for photoelectrochemical cells

We have investigated the thermal and ionic conductivity properties of the elastomer poly(ethylene oxide-co-epichlorohydrin) filled with NaI and I₂. The reason for using this composition is its potential application as electrolyte in photoelectrochemical cells. This copolymer was characterized as a function of NaI concentration, temperature and relative humidity. According to the data obtained, the Na⁺ ion interacts with the ethylene oxide repeating units by means of Lewis type acid–base interactions. The empirical Vogel–Tamman–Fulcher equation was used to model the conductivity and temperature relationships, indicating that the conduction occurs in the amorphous phase of the copolymer. The sample with 9.0% (w/w) of NaI presents a conductivity of 1.5×10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ in a dry atmosphere (30°C, [H₂O]<1 ppm) and 2.0×10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at 86% relative humidity (22°C).     

Polymer electrolytes based on ethylene oxide–epichlorohydrin copolymers

In this work we studied the ionic conductivity for three copolymers of the title co-monomers as a function of LiClO₄ content, temperature and ambient relative humidity. We also investigated the interactions between the salt and the co-monomer blocks in the copolymers and its effect on the morphology and thermal properties of the copolymer/salt complexes. Our data indicate that the Li⁺ ion predominantly interacts with the ethylene oxide repeating units of the copolymers. The copolymer with the highest ionic conductivity was obtained with an ethylene oxide/epichlorohydrin ratio of 84/16 containing 5.5% (w/w) of LiClO₄. It showed a conductivity of 4.1×10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ (30°C, humidity< 1 ppm) and 2.6×10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ at 84% relative humidity (24°C). The potential stability window of the copolymer/salt complex is 4.0 V, as measured by cyclic voltammetry. For comparison, we also prepared a blend of the corresponding homopolymers containing LiClO₄; it showed higher crystallinity and lower ionic conductivity.     

A study on the triboelectric charging of display glass during the roller transfer process–modeling and characterization

Glass substrates for displays are insulating materials capable of generating and maintaining high levels of triboelectric charges posing a risk of electrostatic discharge (ESD) damage to electronic display components. In this work, an apparatus for triboelectric charging characterization of display glass during the roller transfer process was designed and fabricated. In order to establish the reliability of the characterization, the triboelectric charge and the electrostatic potential distribution measurement system was automated. The preconditioning process of the glass and the rollers was also addressed. In order to analyze the measurements' results, a multiphysics model that considered both electrical and mechanical properties was proposed. The test parameters that were expected to affect the triboelectric charging characteristics are defined and discussed, as well as some of the characterization results such as the effects of acceleration/deceleration and maximum velocity, relative humidity and moisture on the glass and the rollers, and the conductivity of the rollers. The peak-to-peak deviation of the de-embedded triboelectric charges, due to a steady-state velocity period with different combinations of acceleration/deceleration and maximum velocities, was 14.2%. The triboelectric charges increased as the relative humidity increased from 30% to 50% with the same temperature. They also increased when the insulating rollers were replaced with dissipative rollers.     

典型类型气溶胶吸收光学厚度的定标规律

利用云和气溶胶粒子的光学特性软件包(OPAC)对陆地型、海洋型、沙漠型和极地型四种典型类型气溶胶的吸收光学厚度进行了计算统计分析,根据每一种类型气溶胶成分的差异,分析了气溶胶吸收光学厚度随波长及相对湿度变化的规律,建立了四种典型类型气溶胶吸收光学厚度与波长、相对湿度的定标关系。气溶胶吸收光学厚度随波长的幂指数衰减规律并不是在所有波长范围内均满足,不同类型的气溶胶,其适用的范围不同;气溶胶吸收光学厚度随波长和相对湿度的变化主要受气溶胶成分影响,相对湿度的增大会导致气溶胶吸收特性的降低,并会对吸收Angstrom指数造成影响。根据建立的气溶胶吸收光学厚度的定标关系,可由气溶胶激光雷达等设备实测的某一波长的光学参量计算光电系统对应波长、不同相对湿度情况下的光学特性。     

典型类型气溶胶吸收光学厚度的定标规律

利用云和气溶胶粒子的光学特性软件包（OPAC）对陆地型、海洋型、沙漠型和极地型四种典型类型气溶胶的吸收光学厚度进行了计算统计分析,根据每一种类型气溶胶成分的差异,分析了气溶胶吸收光学厚度随波长及相对湿度变化的规律,建立了四种典型类型气溶胶吸收光学厚度与波长、相对湿度的定标关系。气溶胶吸收光学厚度随波长的幂指数衰减规律并不是在所有波长范围内均满足,不同类型的气溶胶,其适用的范围不同;气溶胶吸收光学厚度随波长和相对湿度的变化主要受气溶胶成分影响,相对湿度的增大会导致气溶胶吸收特性的降低,并会对吸收Angstrom指数造成影响。根据建立的气溶胶吸收光学厚度的定标关系,可由气溶胶激光雷达等设备实测的某一波长的光学参量计算光电系统对应波长、不同相对湿度情况下的光学特性。     

The effect of cell orientations and environmental conditions on the performance of a passive DMFC single cell

A single cell passive air-breathing liquid feed direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) is designed and fabricated. Furthermore, the effects of cell orientation and environmental conditions such as temperature and relative humidity on the performance of such passive DMFC are tested experimentally. The obtained results indicate that both environmental temperature and relative humidity have significant effects on the performance of fabricated fuel cell. The experimental data contained within this work shows that under lower relative humidity and higher temperature, the passive air-breathing direct methanol fuel cell has higher power output and better performance. According to experimental results, flooding has a vital role on the cell performance in various relative humidity and temperatures. The results also show that cell orientation has a strong effect on the performance of passive DMFC. The best power output and performance were achieved under vertical orientation.     

Frequency response of polycrystalline samples of α−Zr(HPO4)2·H2O at different relative humidities

Polycrystalline samples of α?Zr(HPO₄)₂H₂O, conditioned at various relative humidities, were investigated in the temperature range -20 to 20°C by admittance measurements. The frequency response was fitted by complex non-linear regression to an equivalent circuit consisting of a parallel combination of a resistance, a geometrical capacitance and a constant phase angle element. As a consequence of increasing surface hydration, the dc conductivity increases by about two orders of magnitude as the relative humidity goes from 5 to 90%. The parameterization of the dc conductivity shows that these increments are essentially due to a change in activation energy from 12 to 6 kcal/mol. A quantitative correlation between the dc conductivity and the parameters of the constant phase angle element is observed and discussed on the basis of different models.     

沙尘气溶胶粒子群的散射和偏振特性

根据Mie散射理论,以对数正态分布函数描述沙尘气溶胶粒子群的粒径尺度分布,计算了沙尘气溶胶粒子群在0.2～40μm波段间对太阳短波辐射和地球大气长波辐射的单次散射反照率、散射相矩阵函数,揭示了不同相对湿度时,沙尘粒子群对入射辐射的散射和偏振的特征。结果表明,沙尘粒子群的单次散射反照率随着入射波长的增加有较大起伏,不同相对湿度条件下,变化趋势基本一致;在可见光、近红外波段单次散射反照率随湿度增加而变大,湿度95%时非常接近于1;大于10μm的热红外波段单次散射反照率随相对湿度增加而减小,具有较强的吸收辐射能力。散射辐射强度受湿度影响较小,随散射角的增加呈现先减小后增大的趋势,且增大的趋势随着波长的增加而减弱;不同波段上,线偏振和圆偏振随散射角和相对湿度变化存在差异;在前向和后向仅对入射辐射为圆偏振辐射产生圆偏振散射;散射光的偏振特性及其湿度差异主要表现在后向散射区,多以拱形形式体现。拱顶峰值散射角位置存在差异,且峰值散射角随相对湿度的降低向后向漂移。     

Changes in surface recombination caused by sorption of water molecules

A study was made of the influence of the percentual content of humidity in the surrounding atmosphere on the surface recombination of germanium at room temperature. The surface conductivity and a-c field effect were measured as a function of the relative humidity at the same time as the effective lifetime was determined. The cyclically varying humidity was changed in the limits of 0·5 and 80%. A comparison between the results of the surface recombination and the field effect gave the values of the energies, concentration and cross-section for the trapping of holes and electrons of the fast states. Analysis was based on the assumption that all fast centres and not only of one kind contribute to recombination. It was proved that the hysteresis of the dependence ofs on? _s during the humidity cycle can be explained on the basis of changes in concentration of all fast states due to the sorption of water molecules in the oxide layer.