Effect of nanoscale CeO<Subscript>2</Subscript> on PVDF-HFP-based nanocomposite porous polymer electrolytes for Li-ion batteries

New poly (vinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoro propylene) (PVDF-HFP)/CeO₂-based microcomposite porous polymer membranes (MCPPM) and nanocomposite porous polymer membranes (NCPPM) were prepared by phase inversion technique using N-methyl 2-pyrrolidone (NMP) as a solvent and deionized water as a nonsolvent. Phase inversion occurred on the MCPPM/NCPPM when it is treated by deionized water (nonsolvent). Microcomposite porous polymer electrolytes (MCPPE) and nanocomposite porous polymer electrolytes (NCPPE) were obtained from their composite porous polymer membranes when immersed in 1.0 M LiClO₄ in a mixture of ethylene carbonate/dimethyl carbonate (EC/DMC) (v/v = 1:1) electrolyte solution. The structure and porous morphology of both composite porous polymer membranes was examined by scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. Thermal behavior of both MCPPM/NCPPM was investigated from DSC analysis. Optimized filler (8 wt% CeO₂) added to the NCPPM increases the porosity (72%) than MCPPM (59%). The results showed that the NCPPE has high electrolyte solution uptake (150%) and maximum ionic conductivity value of 2.47 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ at room temperature. The NCPPE (8 wt% CeO₂) between the lithium metal electrodes were found to have low interfacial resistance (760 Ω cm²) and wide electrochemical stability up to 4.7 V (vs Li/Li⁺) investigated by impedance spectra and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), respectively. A prototype battery, which consists of NCPPE between the graphite anode and LiCoO₂ cathode, proves good cycling performance at a discharge rate of C/2 for Li-ion polymer batteries.     

Mid-temperature solid oxide fuel cells with thin film ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>: Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> electrolyte

Data on the mid-temperature solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFC) with thin-film ZrO₂-Y₂O₃ (YSZ) electrolyte are shown. Such a fuel cell comprises a carrying Ni-YSZ anode, a YSZ electrolyte 3–5 μm thick formed by vacuum ion-plasma methods, and a LaSrMnO₃ cathode. It is shown that the use of a combined method of YSZ electrolyte deposition, which involves the magnetron deposition of a 0.5–1.5-μm thick sublayer and its pulse electron-beam processing allows a dense nanostructured electrolyte film to be formed and the SOFC working temperature to be lowered down as the result of a decrease in both the solid electrolyte Ohmic resistance and the Faradaic resistance to charge transfer. SOFC are studied by the methods of voltammentry and impedance spectroscopy. The maximum power density of the SOFC under study is 250 and 600 mW/cm⁻² at temperatures of 650 and 800°C, respectively.     

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.     

Electrochemical behavior of composite cathodes in contact with solid electrolyte La<Subscript>10</Subscript>Ge<Subscript>6</Subscript>O<Subscript>27</Subscript>

The cathodic overvoltage of composite cathodes 50 wt % La_0.8Sr_0.2MnO₃ (LSM) + 50 wt % La₁₀Ge₆O₂₇ (LGO) (further on, LSM-LGO), LSM-SSZ (Zr_0.835Sc_0.165O_2?δ), Ag-Pd-LGO, and Ag-Pd-SSZ in contact with the LGO electrolyte is measured. The temperature dependences of the polarization conductivity and the working-current densities of the same composite cathodes are investigated. The study is performed at 700–900°C. A comparison with the SSZ electrolyte is conducted. The chemical interaction in the LSM-LGO composition is studied. It is demonstrated that the interaction of lanthanum-strontium manganite with lanthanum germanate occurs with the dissolution of the initial phases in one another and with the formation of fresh phases at elevated temperatures. Coefficients of linear thermal expansion of the LGO and SSZ electrolytes and the LSM, LSM-LGO, and LSM-SSZ electrode materials are compared at 40–900°C. Most of the studied electrodes in contact with the LGO electrolyte demonstrate thermomechanical stability and high electrochemical activity.     

Temperature dependence of the polarization resistance of the O<Subscript>2</Subscript>,Au/La<Subscript>0.88</Subscript>Sr<Subscript>0.12</Subscript>Ga<Subscript>0.82</Subscript>Mg<Subscript>0.18</Subscript>O<Subscript>2.85</Subscript> electrode system

The impedance of a porous gold electrode in contact with solid electrolyte La_0.88Sr_0.12Ga_0.82Mg_0.18O_2.85 and the effect of the manufacture conditions on its polarization resistance are studied at 600–800°C in air. The overall oxygen reaction rate on a gold electrode is described as the sum of two partial constituents, namely, the oxygen exchange at the gas/electrolyte interface at the gold/gas/electrolyte triple-phased boundary.Translated from Elektrokhimiya, Vol. 41, No. 2, 2005, pp. 190–197.Original Russian Text Copyright © 2005 by Shkerin, Sokolova, Khlupin, Beresnev.This revised version was published online in April 2005 with corrections to the article note and article title and cover date.     

Direct electrochemistry of myoglobin in a room temperature ionic liquid aqueous solution and its catalysis to H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Using 1-ethyl-2-methylimidazolium trifluoroacetate (EMImTfa) as the supporting electrolyte, a couple of well-defined and reversible redox peaks of Myb could be observed at the basal plane graphite (BPG) electrode through direct electron transfer between the protein and the BPG electrode, whose anodic and cathodic peak potentials were at −0.098 V and −0.144 V vs. Ag | AgCl, respectively. Both anodic and cathodic peak currents increased linearly with the potential scan rates. Compared with the supporting electrolyte of phosphate buffer solution, EMImTfa played an important role for the direct electron transfer between Myb and the BPG electrode. Further investigation suggested that Myb was adsorbed tightly on the surface of the BPG electrode in the presence of EMImTfa to form a stable, approximate monolayer Myb film. Myb adsorbed on the BPG electrode surface could retain its biological activity and showed a remarkable electrocatalytic activity for the reduction of H₂O₂ in an EMImTfa aqueous solution. Based on these, a third-generation biosensor could be constructed to directly detect the concentration of H₂O₂ in EMImTfa aqueous solution with a limit of detection of 3.24 × 10⁻⁸ M. Published in Russian in Elektrokhimiya, 2008, Vol. 44, No. 3, pp. 363–368. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Calculations of chemical equilibria in heparin-arginine-H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O-NaCl and MCl<Subscript>2</Subscript>-heparin-arginine-H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O-NaCl systems (M = Ca<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Mg<Superscript>2+</Superscript>) in a physiological solution

Chemical equilibria in the high-molecular-weight heparin (Na₄hep)-arginine (HArg)-H₂O-NaCl and MCl₂-Na₄hep-HArg-H₂O-NaCl systems of electrolytes (M = Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺) were calculated by the method of mathematical simulation of chemical equilibria from representative planned pH-metric titration experiment at 2.30 ≤ pH ≤ 10.50 in a physiological solution medium in the presence of 0.154 M NaCl as a background electrolyte at 37°C. The initial concentrations of the basic components were n × 10⁻³ M (n ≤ 4).     

Hyperbranched epoxy resins prepared by proton transfer polymerization from an A<Subscript>2</Subscript> + B<Subscript>3</Subscript> system

Epoxy-terminated hyperbranched polymers(EHBPs)were prepared by proton transfer polymerization and characterized by FT-IR,~1H-NMR and GPC.The solution and thermal properties of the uncured samples and mechanical properties of cured samples were examined.The thermo-stable products had good solubility in polar solvents,low solution viscosity and T_gs ranging from 15℃to 33℃depending on their molecular weights.The mechanical properties of cured films were studied and compared with those of a bisphenol-A type epoxy resin.The films of EHBPs had good impact resistance and high gloss values without sacrificing hardness and adhesion.     

Volumetric and Viscometric Studies on Sodium Nitrate and Potassium Nitrate in Aqueous and H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O-urea Solutions

Summary.  Density and viscosity of NaNO₃ and KNO₃ in aqueous and in H₂O-urea solutions were determined as a function of electrolyte concentrations at 308, 313, 318, 323, and 328 K, respectively. The apparent molal volume (φ _v ) of the electrolytes were found to be linear functions of the square root of the solute molality (b). The φ _v and data were fitted to the Masson equation [1] by the least square method to obtain the apparent molar volume at infinite dilution (φ _v ^{^}), which is practically equal to the partial molar volume . The viscosity coefficients A and B were calculated on the basis of the viscosity of the solutions and the solvent concerned using the Jones–Dole [2] equation. The activation parameters for viscous flow (ΔG ^≠, ΔS ^≠, and ΔH ^≠) were calculated according to Eyring [3]. The values of for the two systems were also calculated from B-coefficient data. The results were found to be of opposite nature in the two electrolyte systems. Where sodium nitrate showed structure making behaviour both in aqueous and in H₂O-urea solutions, KNO₃ showed structure breaking behaviour in aqueous solutions and structure making behaviour in 5 molal H₂O-urea solutions in the studied temperature range. The behaviour of these two electrolytes in aqueous binary and in aqueous-urea ternary systems are discussed in terms of charge, size, and hydrogen bonding effects. Corresponding author. E-mail: chemistry_ru@yahoo.com Received January 24, 2002; accepted (revised) April 5, 2002     

Determination of molar extinction coefficients for endohedral metallofullerene Dy@C<Subscript>82</Subscript>(C<Subscript>2v</Subscript>)

Isomerically pure endohedral metallofullerene Dy@C₈₂(C _2v) was synthesized by the electric arc method, extracted from the soot with o-dichlorobenzene, isolated from the extract by HPLC, and characterized by mass spectrometry and spectrophotometry. The spectrophotometric titration of a solution of endohedral metallofullerene Dy@C₈₂(C _2v) was conducted with potassium perchlorotriphenylmethide. The concentration of Dy@C82(C _2v) in o-dichlorobenzene was determined, and the molar absorption coefficients for its neutral and anionic forms were calculated (3.0?10³ (at 927 nm) and 4.0?10³ mol^–1 L cm^–1 (at 884 nm), respectively.     

Cycling Performance at Li<Subscript>7</Subscript>La<Subscript>3</Subscript>Zr<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>|Li Interface

Cyclability of the Li|Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂ interface was tested by voltammetry under externally applied potential difference. It was found that the solid electrolyte synthesized in the study contains a minor amount of an impurity in the form of lithium carbonate. This impurity forms, when brought in contact with metallic lithium, carbon that pierces the whole volume of the ceramic separator and produces a channel for a flow of electrons through the material, which leads to a poor cyclability of the solid electrolyte. A possible way to solve the given problem is via a purposeful replacement of the carbonate in the intergrain space of Li₇La₃Zr₂O₁₂ with another crystalline or glassy plasticizer that possesses an acceptable unipolar lithium conductivity (no less than 10^–6 S cm^–1) and forms, when brought in contact with metallic lithium, no electrically conducting compound or a compound capable of reversibly intercalating/deintercalating lithium.     

Electron transfer through single-crystal silver electrode/<Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-decanthiol monolayer/NaNO<Subscript>3</Subscript> solution interfaces

The kinetics of Ru[(NH₃)₆]³⁺ reduction in 1 M NaNO₃ solution at Ag(210) and Ag(111) singlecrystal electrodes modified by n-decanthiol monolayer is studied by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. By using these two methods, standard rate constants of the redox reaction involving Ru[(NH₃)₆]^3+/2+ redox couple in the absence and in the presence of the n-decanthiol film were estimated. The equivalent circuit describing the experimental data in the presence of the self-assembled organic monolayer and in the absence of redox reaction is an electrical circuit comprising a large resistance (∼10⁶ Ω) connected in parallel with a capacitance (∼10⁻⁸ F). Analysis of kinetic data and extrapolation of Tafel lines resulted in the determination of the rate constant at unmodified Ag-electrode, which is characteristic of very fast heterogeneous electron transfer. The calculated rate constants for n-decanthiol-modified silver singlecrystal faces (210) and (111) in 1 M NaNO₃ solution (pH 6.3) equal 4.63 × 10⁻⁵ and 3.05 × 10⁻⁵ cm/s, respectively. The results are compared with the data at hand reported by different authors for gold electrodes in indifferent electrolyte solution in the absence and in the presence of self-assembled monolayer.     

LiCoO<Subscript>2</Subscript> electrode/electrolyte interface of Li-ion batteries investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

The storage behavior and the first delithiation of LiCoO₂ electrode in 1 mol/L LiPF₆-EC:DMC:DEC electrolyte were investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). It has found that, along with the increase of storage time, the thickness of SEI film increases, and some organic carbonate lithium compounds are formed due to spontaneous reactions occurring between the LiCoO₂ electrode and the electrolyte. When electrode potential is changed from 3.8 to 3.95 V, the reversible breakdown of the resistive SEI film occurs, which is attributed to the reversible dissolution of the SEI film component. With the increase of electrode potential, the thickness of SEI film increases rapidly above 4.2 V, due to overcharge reactions. The inductive loop observed in impedance spectra of the LiCoO₂ electrode in Li/LiCoO₂ cells is attributed to the formation of a Li_1−x CoO₂/LiCoO₂ concentration cell. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that the lithium-ion insertion-deinsertion in LiCoO₂ hosts can be well described by both Langmuir and Frumkin insertion isotherms, and the symmetry factor of charge transfer has been evaluated at 0.5. Supported by the Special Funds for Major State Basic Research Project of China (Grant No. 2002CB211804)     

Effect of heat treatment on electrochromic properties of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> thin films

Electrochromic titanium oxide (TiO₂) films were deposited on ITO/glass substrates by chemical solution deposition (CSD). The stock solutions were spin-coated onto substrates and then heated at various temperatures (200–500 °C) in various oxygen concentrations (0–80%) for 10 min. The effects of the processing parameters on the electrochromic properties of TiO₂ films were investigated. X-ray diffraction measurements demonstrated that the amorphous TiO₂ films were crystallized to form anatase films above 400 °C. The electrochromic properties and transmittance of TiO₂ films were measured in 1 M LiClO₄–propylene carbonate (PC) non-aqueous electrolyte. An amorphous 350 nm-thick TiO₂ film that was heated at 300°C in 60% ambient oxygen exhibited the maximum transmittance variation (ΔT%), 14.2%, between the bleached state and the colored state, with a ΔOD of 0.087, Q of 10.9 mC/cm², η of 7.98 cm²/C and x in Li _x ClO₄ of 0.076 at a wavelength (λ) of 550 nm.     

Rate‐Based Modeling of CO2 Absorption into Piperazine‐Activated Aqueous N‐Methyldiethanolamine Solution: Kinetic and Mass Transfer Analysis

A comprehensive two‐dimensional mathematical model based on surface renewal theory has been developed to analyze the CO₂ absorption into piperazine (PZ)‐activated aqueous N‐methyldiethanolamine (MDEA) solvent by taking into account the structured packed bed column hydraulics, mass transfer resistances, and chemical reactions. The modeling results have been validated with the experimental data reported in the literature, and they have been found to be in good agreement with the experimental results. The effects of amine concentration, liquid temperature, initial CO₂ partial pressure, liquid flow rate, and CO₂ loading on the mass transfer performance have been evaluated in terms of overall mass transfer coefficient (K _Ga_v). The overall mass transfer coefficient and absorption flux of CO₂ into aqueous MDEA+PZ blended solution have been calculated over the CO₂ partial pressure range of 4–16 kPa, temperature range of 298–333 K, and solvent concentration of 1–3 M. To evaluate the performance of different solvents on separation process, some common industrial chemical absorbents including monoethanolamine (MEA), diethanolamine (DEA), triethylamine (TEA), MDEA and PZ were compared with a MDEA+PZ blended solution. The results indicate that CO₂ absorption reaction with PZ is faster than that with MDEA, but also adding small amounts of PZ as a promoter to MDEA solvents improves significantly the absorption rate. The results show that CO₂ absorption reaction with the MDEA+PZ blended solution is faster than that with TEA and MDEA, also comparable with DEA, but slower than those with MEA and PZ. The modeling results illustrate that the K _Ga_v enhances with increasing the solvent concentration, liquid temperature, and liquid flow rate, but reduces with increasing the CO₂ loading and initial CO₂ partial pressure. In addition, the reaction kinetics in terms of enhancement factor was found to decrease as the CO₂ loading enhances and increase as the operating temperature rises.     

The electronic and spin properties of excited Se-O<Subscript>2</Subscript> intermediates

Nonempirical calculations performed by various methods were used to estimate the structure and stability of Se-O₂ intermediates containing active oxygen forms and reveal possible channels of their formation. The electronic and spin properties of ground and excited states of the SeOO (C _s ) superoxocomplex, Se(O₂) (C _2v) peroxocomplex, and SeO₂ (C _2v) selenium dioxide were analyzed. Calculations revealed rules that governed changes in the spectral and spin properties of oxygen in the formation of such systems.     

Synthesis,structure, and electric properties of oxygen-deficient perovskites Ba<Subscript>3</Subscript>In<Subscript>2</Subscript>ZrO<Subscript>8</Subscript> and Ba<Subscript>4</Subscript>In<Subscript>2</Subscript>Zr<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>11</Subscript>

Perovskite phases Ba₃In₂ZrO₈ and Ba₄In₂Zr₂O₁₁ with the nominal concentration of structural oxygen vacancies 1/9 and 1/12, respectively, were synthesized by solid-phase and solution methods. X-ray diffraction showed cubic symmetry of both phases with the unit cell parameter a = 0.4193(2) and 0.4204(3) nm, respectively. The absence of superstructural lines resulted in the conclusion on statistical arrangement of oxygen vacancies. Thermogravimetry and mass spectrometry proved that both phases can reversibly absorb water from gas phase (pH₂O = 2 × 10⁻² atm) with observed correlation between the concentration of oxygen vacancies and amount of absorbed water. The total water amount was up to 0.9 mol per formula unit or, if recalculated for perovskite unit ABO₃, 0.3 and 0.23 mol H₂O, respectively. The temperature curves of coductivity in the atmosphere with various partial water vapor pressures (pH₂O = 3 × 10⁻⁵ and 2 × 10⁻² atm) showed significantly higher conductivity and lower activation energy (0.52 eV) in humid atmosphere due to proton transfer. The proton conductivity is up to 5 × 10⁻⁴ Ohm⁻¹ cm⁻¹ at 300°C for Ba₃In₂ZrO₈ specimen. IR spectrometry showed that protons in the structure exist primarily in OH-groups.     

High-resolution photofragment translational spectroscopy for the UV photodissociation of C<Subscript>2</Subscript>H<Subscript>5</Subscript>I

The photodissociation of ethyl iodide at 279.71, 281.73, 304.02 and 304.67 nm has been studied on our new mini-photofragment translational spectrometer with a total flight path of only 5 cm. Some vibrational peaks are firstly resolved in the TOF spectra of I*(2P1/2) and I(2P3/2) channels. These vibrational peaks are assigned to the excitation states (v2 = 0, 1, 2,…) of the umbrella mode (v2, 540 cm-1) of the photofragment C2H5, and the distribution of the vibrational states is obtained. The dissociation energy has been determined to be D0(C-I)=2.314 ±0.03 eV. The energy partitioning of the available energy (Eavl=ET Eint=ET EV,R) calculated from our experimental data (-E)int/Eavl= 22.1% at 281.73 nm, 22.4% at 304.02 nm for the I* channel, and (-E)int/Eavl = 25.2% at 279.71 nm, 25.9% at 304.67 nm for the I channel, seem to be more reliable.     

Chemical durability of MoO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-P<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> and K<Subscript>2</Subscript>O-MoO<Subscript>3</Subscript>-P<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> glasses

Thermal and chemical durability studies of the phosphate glasses belonging to the binary MoO₃-P₂O₅ and the ternary K₂O-MoO₃-P₂O₅ systems are reported. The chemical resistant attack tests carried out on the free alkaline MoO₃-P₂O₅ glasses show that the glass associated with the P/Mo ratio 2 has the high chemical durability. It shows also a high glass transition temperature value. The above findings are interpreted in terms of the cross-link density of the glasses and the strength of the M-O bonds (M=P, Mo). The influence of K₂O addition on the properties (density, T _g, durability) of this binary high water resistant glass is studied. It is found that the chemical durability along with the other physical properties are reduced by the incroporation of K₂O in the glass matrix. The results were explained by assuming the formation of non-bridging oxygens and weak bonds. The mechanism of the dissolution of these glasses is proposed.     

The structure of fullerene C<Subscript>66</Subscript>, which does not obey the rule of isolated pentagons,and endohedral metallofullerene Sc<Subscript>2</Subscript>@C<Subscript>66</Subscript>: Quantum-chemical calculations

The molecular structure of the isomer 4348 (C _2v ) of fullerene C₆₆, which does not obey the rule of isolated pentagons, is analyzed. Data on the distribution of single, double, and delocalized bonds in this molecule were obtained for the first time. Quantum-chemical (DFT) calculations showed that the hypothetical C₆₆ molecule was a biradical, which was the reason for its instability. In metallofullerene Sc₂@C₆₆, the main changes in bond lengths and electron density transfer from scandium atoms to the carbon shell of fullerene occurred in pentalene substructures and conjugated π bond chains.