A cathode for solid polymer electrolyte fuel cells: Designing the optimal structure of the active layer

The complete computer simulation of the cathodic active layer with solid polymer electrolyte (Nafion) is carried out. The active layer structure can be described by 8 parameters. In designing the optimal structure, it is shown that to provide the high overall characteristics of the cathode and save the catalyst, 0.5 of the active layer volume should be set aside for the support grains (agglomerates of carbon particles covered with platinum and containing Nafion incorporations and microvoids). Protons and oxygen molecules must be supplied to the active layer by means of peculiar combined percolation clusters. The latter consist of a combination of support grains with either Nafion grains (to produce “protonic” clusters) or grains-voids (to afford “gas” clusters). The volume fractions of Nafion grains and grain-voids are assumed to be 0.25 and 0.25. The computer simulation of the support grain structure is also carried out. Their composition, i.e., the volume fractions of the carbon component (g _e), Nafion (g _ii), and microvoids (g _gg), is varied. The support grains play the key role in the active layer functioning. It is impossible to organize three full-value percolation clusters (electronic, protonic, and gas); hence, one has to have one or two combined clusters in the active layer. Thus the double load fells on the support grains. Their optimal structure should not only sustain the transport of protons and electrons in the active layer but also create the best conditions for the electrochemical process in each grain. The maximum current I _max (realized upon reaching the optimal active layer thicknesses Δ*) is calculated. The dependences of I _max and Δ* on the main parameters characterizing the support grains (g _e and g _ii) are analyzed. Here, two goals are sought: (1) to obtain the high currents, (2) to provide the low consumption of platinum per power unit. To solve the first problem, one has to work with high values of g _e. The second problem requires the opposite: the values of g _e must be minimal possible.     

Active layer of fuel cell electrode with polymer electrolyte: Modeling of support grains, calculation of overall cathode characteristics

The active layer of the cathode of a fuel cell with polymer electrolyte (Nafion) is considered. The optimum carbon support structure is constructed using computer simulation: its carbon “skeleton” possesses the maximum outer surface area and provides electronic conductivity of the grains, support cubes, along the three coordinate axes. Nafion is absent in the support grain, so that the grain is capable of participating only in the transport of oxygen molecules, it possesses no proton conductivity. An estimate of all parameters of an optimum support grain is provided; in particular, the value of the effective Knudsen diffusion coefficient of oxygen is established. After this, effective proton conductivity and effective Knudsen diffusion coefficient are calculated already on the whole active layer scale, according to the model of equally sized cube grains of three types. In conclusion, the overall current in the active layer of a cathode with a polymer electrolyte was calculated for the percolation cluster consisting only of Nafion grains and the Knudsen diffusion of oxygen created only by a combined gas percolation cluster consisting of void grains and all support grains. The overall current value for t = 80°C and pressure of p* = 101 kPa proved to be low, hundreds of mA/cm². The current value can apparently be increased to several A/cm² if the support grains are developed that would simultaneously possess both proton conductivity and ability to sustain oxygen diffusion.     

Spectrophotometric study of complexes of mercury(II) with mono- and dithiosemicarbazones

The formation of complexes at pH 4.7 of the Hg(II) with five monothiosemicarbazone and two dithiosemicarbazone has been studied. The mercury(II) reacts with monothiosemicarbazones of salicylaldehyde (λ_max = 363 nm, E = 1.69 × 10⁴liters · mol^?1cm^?1), pi-colinadehyde (λ_max = 363 nm, E = 2.38 × 10⁴liters · mol^?1cm^?1), 6-methyl-picolinaldehyde (λ_max = 363 nm, E = 2.28 × 10⁴liters · mol^?1cm^?1), di-2-pyridylketone (λ_max = 380 nm, E = 2.08 × 10⁴liters · mol^?1cm^?1), and o-naphthoquinone (λ_max = 540 nm, E = 1.03 × 10⁴liters · mol^?1cm^?1) and with dithiosemicarbazones of 1,4-dihydroxyphthalimide (λ_max = 430 nm, E = 2.56 × 10⁴liters · mol^?1cm^?1) and dipyridylglyoxal (λ_max = 363 nm, E = 2.37 × 10⁴liters · mol^?1cm^?1). A critical comparison of the stoichiometry and apparent stability constant of complexes with mono- and dithiosemicarbazones is given.     

Temperature effects on the phosphorescence spectra and lifetimes of 2,4-, 2,5-, and 3,4-dimethylbenzaldehydes dispersed in durene single crystals

The phosphorescence spectra and lifetimes of 2,4-, 2,5-, and 3,4-dimethylbenzaldehydes dispersed in durene single crystals have been measured as a function of temperature between 10 and 200 K. For all the guests involved, the vibrational structures of the spectra are found to be temperature dependent. This is interpreted in terms of two emissions that proceed from a triplet state having predominantly a ππ* character at low temperatures and from a thermally populated triplet state having essentially a nπ* character at higher temperatures. The energy gaps ΔE_T between ³ππ* and ³nπ* states evaluated spectroscopically are found to be 100, 70, and 340 cm^?1, respectively for 2,4-, 2,5- and 3,4-dimethylbenzaldehydes.Activation energies ΔE* determined from the Arrhenius plots of the phosphorescence decay rate constants are in good agreement with the ΔE_T for the first two guests. In contrast, the ΔE* are higher than the ΔE_T for 3,4-dimethylbenzaldehydes as well as for 2,4,5-trimethylbenzaldehyde (where ΔE_T ≈ 400 cm^?1) because of the rapid increase of radiationless transitions in the temperature range where thermal population of the upper ³nπ* state is efficient. In the low and high temperature ranges, the phosphorescence decays for all these guests are exponential. In the intermediate range, these decays are non-exponential. The origin of these non-exponential decays is discussed.     

A biofuel cell based on pyrroloquinoline quinone and microperoxidase-11 monolayer-functionalized electrodes

A pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) monolayer-functionalized-Au-electrode and a microperoxidase-11 (MP-11)-modified Au-electrode are used as catalytic anode and cathode in a biofuel cell element, respectively. The cathodic oxidizer is H₂O₂ whereas the anodic fuel-substrate is 1,4-dihydronicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, NADH. The PQQ-monolayer electrode catalyzes the oxidation of NADH in the presence of Ca²⁺ ions. The MP-11-functionalized electrode catalyzes the reduction of H₂O₂. The biofuel cell generates an open-circuit voltage, V_oc, of ca. 320 mV and a short-circuit current density, I_sc, of ca. 30 μA·cm⁻². The maximum electrical power, W_max, extracted from the cell is 8 μW at an external load of 3 kΩ. The fill factor of the biofuel cell, f=W_max·I_sc⁻¹·V_oc⁻¹, is ca. 25%.     

Structure and properties of 2-[(E)-2-(4-dipropylaminophenyl)-1-ethenyl]-1,3,3-trimethyl-3H-indolium chloride

The structure of styryl dye, 2-[(E)-2-(4-dipropylaminophenyl)-1-ethenyl]-1,3,3-trimethyl-3H-indolium chloride (I), was investigated using methods such as UV-VIS, fluorescence spectroscopy, and NMR (¹H, ¹³C, APT, HMQC, COSY) and also by examining its electrochemical properties. A study of the acid-base properties revealed the existence of three different forms of the dye. The mechanisms of protolysis and hydrolysis are discussed. The reagent exists in a reactive single-charged form I ⁺ over a wide range of acidity (pH 4–11). The optimum analytical wavelength of the singlecharged form is 550 nm, where the molar absorptivity is 5.51 × 10⁴ L mol^?1 cm^?1. The values of the optimum analytical wavelength and molar absorptivity of the protolysed and hydrolysed forms are: λ _max(I-H²⁺) = 380 nm, ?(I-H²⁺) = 2.01 × 10⁴ L mol^?1 cm^?1; λ _max(I-OH) = 320 nm, ?(I-OH) = 1.12 × 10⁴ L mol^?1 cm^?1. A theoretical study of the spectral and chemical properties of I was carried out by performing quantum chemical calculations.     

Computer-aided simulation of the cathodic active layer in fuel cells with solid polymer electrolyte: the nature of overall current transient

Total computer-aided simulation of the structure and current-generation processes in the cathodic active layer of a fuel cell with solid polymer electrolyte is carried out. Not only the transport structure of the active layer but also the structure of support grains (agglomerates of carbon particles with platinum-covered surface) are modeled. The process of active layer functioning under potentiostatic conditions is studied. It is demonstrated for the first time how the moisture exchange in the pores of support grains affects the cathode overall characteristics. The time variations of the overall current, the average temperature of the active layer, and the total degree of water-flooding of support-grain pores within the active layer are calculated by numerical methods. It is shown that for the fuel cell voltage of 0.6 V and its working temperature of 80°C, the flooding process dominates over the process of drying of pores in support grains. In 10–15 s, all support-grain pores turn out to be entirely filled with water. Then they begin functioning not in the kinetic mode (in the moment of switching-on the current, the Knudsen diffusion of oxygen in the support grains is observed) but in the inner-diffusion mode. As a result, the overall cathodic current decreases from its initial value of 4.323 A/cm² to its final value of 0.526 A/cm² and the active layer temperature decreases from the initial value of 102°C to the final value of 82.5°C. The overall current transient is studied also experimentally, the qualitative coincidence of theoretical and experimental data is demonstrated.     

The assignment of signals in the EPR spectra of axially symmetrical quintet dinitrenes

Fine structure levels in an external magnetic field and angular dependences of resonance magnetic fields on the direction of an external magnetic field were calculated for two axially symmetrical quintet dinitrenes with the zero-field splitting parameters D _q = 0.260 cm^?1, E _q = 0.000 and D _q = 0.243 cm^?1, E _q = 0.003 cm^?1. The EPR spectra of such dinitrenes contained lines of only three xy transitions (xy ₁, xy ₂, and xy ₄), two Δm _s = ±2 transition lines between the W _?2 and W ₀ sublevels, and three additional lines from noncanonically oriented molecules whose magnetic axis Z made an angle of 12°–16° or 52°–54° with an external magnetic field.     

CH3 + Cl = CH3Cl: RRKM/master equation modeling

Data for the title reaction have been fitted using an RRKM/master equation approach. Energy transfer was modeled using an exponential decay with downward step sizes, ΔE_d, as a fitting parameter. The low temperature (200 < T (K) < 300) combination of CH₃ with Cl atoms in He can be accommodated with ΔE_d (cm^?1) = 400. Higher temperature (1600 < T (K) < 2100) decomposition in Ar required ΔE_d(T) (cm^?1) = 694(T/300)^0.46. Previous analysis of the analogous system CH₄ = CH₃ + H required ΔE_d(T) (cm^?1) = 100(T/300) for He and ΔE_d(T) (cm^?1) = 150(T/300) for Ar. Understanding of the magnitudes and temperature dependence of ΔE_d remains the greatest detriment to quantitative calculation, extrapolation, and prediction of unimolecular rate constants. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 41: 245–254, 2009     

Computer Simulation of the Cathode Active Layer in Hydrogen–Oxygen Fuel Cell with Polymer Electrolyte: The Nature of the Overall Current Variations

Full computer simulation of the cathode structure in hydrogen–oxygen fuel cell with polymer electrolyte is performed. Both transport, support grains (agglomerates of carbon particles onto whose surface Pt-catalyst is deposited), and the current generation in active layer are simulated. The active layer operation in potentiostatic mode is studied. The effect of variations of the active layer and the fuel cell temperature (T_s and Т, respectively) on the cathode overall current I and the support grain flooding with water is calculated. The changes in the temperature difference T_s–Т was shown for the first time, experimentally and by the simulation, to generate variations of I and the degree of the support grain flooding with water. In particular, with the increasing of T_s–Т the current I increased, whereas the support grain flooding with water decreased; and vice versa, with the decreasing of T_s–Т the current I drops down, while, the support grain flooding with water grows. An explanation of the phenomena is presented, which takes account of structure of the support grains in which О₂ reduction and Н₂О generation occur. There exist intrinsic channels for protons and О₂ molecules transportation to the catalyst. Water releasing in the support grains is able to fill partially or even entirely the gas pores through which oxygen is supplied to the platinum. As a result, the current generated in the support grains can drop down significantly; at the same time, the value of I also drops down. The degree of the support grainfilling with water is determined by two processes, namely, the flooding and draining. The source of flooding is the current generation; that of draining, the water saturated vapor diffusion and water filtration in nanopores. The lower cathode potential, the higher the flooding rate, whereas the water removal rate grows or drops down with the increasing of decreasing of the temperature difference Т_s–Т, respectively. Thus, the temperature difference variations naturally lead to those of the quantity I.     

Absolute detection of metastable rare gas atoms by a cw laser photoionization method

A novel, accurate method for the absolute detection of metastable rare gas atoms is described and demonstrated. It involves a direct in situ determination of the electron emission coefficient γ for impact of the respective metastable atom on a conducting surface. γ is reliably obtained by a cw two-photon ionization — depletion technique: the reduction ΔI _S in electron current from the detector surface due to efficient photoionization removal of the metastable flux is compared with the photoelectron current ΔI _P (γ = ΔI _S/ΔI _P). The principle of the method, possible realization schemes for the different metastable rare gas atoms and the apparatus are described in detail. The method has been applied so far to metastable Ne* (3s ³ P ₂), Ar* (4s ³ P ₂), and Kr* (5s ³ P ₂) atoms, and corresponding results for γ, obtained with five different chemically clean, polycrystalline surface materials and at two surface temperatures (300 K, 360 K) are reported. Whereas for Ne*, the value of γ (≈0.35) showed only a rather weak dependence on the surface material and temperature (as also found for a mixed He* (2³ S, 2¹ S) beam), strong variations in γ, especially at 300 K, were detected for Ar* and Kr* (values between 0.25 and 0.003). Some applications of the described method, especially with regard to the determination of absolute reaction cross sections involving metastable rare gas atoms, are discussed.     

CS(lav) and computational study of degeneracy averaged differerential cross sections and Δm-integral cross sections: Hez.sbndCO,HDz.sbnd

CC and l-average CS calculations of degeneracy averaged differential cross sections and Δm-integral cross sections have been performed for Hez.sbndCO at E = 60 cm^?1 and E = 80 cm^?1, for HDz.sbndNe at E = 254 cm^?1, and for Hez.sbndH₂ at E = 1520 cm^?1. The l_avz.sbndCS degeneracy averaged differential cross sections are generally in good agreement with the CC cross sections. The previously observed shifts in the diffraction oscillations for odd rotationally inelastic transitions for Hez.sbndCO and HDz.sbndNe do not occur due to proper phase choice and l? = l_av choice rather than l? = 1 or l′. The l_avz.sbndCS approximation gives reliable results for most Δm-integral cross sections except for those σ_cs(jm, jm′) cross sections for which the CC cross sections σ(jm;jm′) and σ(jm′;jm) differ by a large amount.     

Vibrational energy exchange of the DF (ν=2) state with DF (ν=0)

The energy transfer rate for the reaction DF (ν=1) + DF (ν=1)^k_νν→ DF (ν=0) + DF (ν=2) + ΔE=91.6 cm^?1 has been studied in a combined shock-tube laser-induced fluorescence experiment at temperatures from 295 to 720°K. The rate coefficient k_νν for the exothermic reaction was found to vary as T^?1 when expressed in units of cm³/mole sec. At T=295°K, the probability of the reaction is approximately 0.2 per collision.     

Anion induced regulation of the absorption maximum of the twenty two carbon analog of the N-retinylidene-n-butylammonium cation.

Abstract— This study was undertaken to further investigate the way in which the counter anion controls the Λ_max of the absorption spectrum of compounds similar to N-retinylidene-n-butylammonium salts (NRBA). The following relationship had been found: ΔE =ΔE^o -F d₀e²/εd²; here ΔE is the observed excitation energy, e the charge on the electron, ε the dielectric constant, d₀ a constant and d the distance between centers of opposite charge as estimated from crystallographic radii. Resonance theory implies that ΔE^o should be of the same numerical value as the corresponding carbonium ion which can be generated readily from the corresponding alcohol. The C₂₂SB analog of NRBA was prepared and then converted to the halide salts. The Δ_max of these salts was determined in several halohydrocar-bon solvents, and ΔE^o was determined by least squares for each solvent. The average value of ΔE^o was found to be 653 nm, while the Λ_max, for the carbonium ion was previously found to be 644 nm. The results are supportive of previous work.     

Computer simulation of positive electrode operation in lithium-ion battery: Optimization of active mass composition

The work of the positive electrode (cathode) of a lithium-ion battery is simulated. The model of equally sized grains of three types: the intercalating agent grains with a volume fraction g, the electrolyte grains with a volume fraction g _i, and the carbon black grains with a volume fraction g _e is studied. The optimal composition of cathode active mass providing maximum specific capacity of cathode is determined. It is shown that a fraction of carbon black grains should be as small as possible: g _e = 0.35. The variation in the fraction of intercalating agent grains within the allowable limits (0 ?? g ?? 0.3) changes the main parameters of cathode active mass: a fraction of electrochemically active intercalating agent grains g* (g* < g); a specific surface area S, on which the electrochemical process proceeds; and the conductivity k* by lithium ions in the ionic percolation cluster, which forms in the cathode active mass. The parameters g* and S decrease and parameter k* steeply increases with decreasing g. Therefore, in the range of possible values of g, specific capacity of cathode reaches the maximum value at g = g _opt. The value of g _opt is determined under the galvanostatic mode of cathode discharge. The cathode working parameters: the active layer thickness, discharge time, specific capacity, and potential at the cathode active layer/interelectrode space interface at the instant of discharge completion are calculated in relation to a fraction of intercalating agent grains g.     

A Janus Separator based on Cation Exchange Resin and Fe Nanoparticles-decorated Single-wall Carbon Nanotubes with Triply Synergistic Effects for High-areal Capacity Zn−I2 Batteries

Zn−I₂ batteries stand out in the family of aqueous Zn-metal batteries (AZMBs) due to their low-cost and immanent safety. However, Zn dendrite growth, polyiodide shuttle effect and sluggish I₂ redox kinetics result in dramatically capacity decay of Zn−I₂ batteries. Herein, a Janus separator composed of functional layers on anode/cathode sides is designed to resolve these issues simultaneously. The cathode layer of Fe nanoparticles-decorated single-wall carbon nanotubes can effectively anchor polyiodide and catalyze the redox kinetics of iodine species, while the anode layer of cation exchange resin rich in −SO₃⁻ groups is beneficial to attract Zn²⁺ ions and repel detrimental SO₄²⁻/polyiodide, improving the stability of cathode/anode interfaces synergistically. Consequently, the Janus separator endows outstanding cycling stability of symmetrical cells and high-areal-capacity Zn−I₂ batteries with a lifespan over 2500 h and a high-areal capacity of 3.6 mAh cm⁻².     

Rotating-disc electrode studies of the anodic oxidation of iodide in concentrated iodine + iodide solutions

The anodic oxidation of iodide on platinum in concentrated iodine + iodide solutions has been investigated using a rotating disc electrode. The conventional limiting diffusion current, which is produced by the diffusion of iodide ions towards the electrode, was not observed due to the formation of an iodine film on the electrode. On the other hand, the steady-state anodic current after a current/time transient is the genuine limiting diffusion current in the anodic oxidation due to diffusion of iodine species from the electrode surface towards the bulk solution. Thus, the dissolution-diffusion control mechanism of the iodine film is confirmed. This is interesting as a typical example of an anodic process in a redox system governed by diffusion of the anodic product species from the electrode surface towards the bulk solution. When an iodine film is formed on the electrode, the maximum driving force of the iodine species is Δm_I2,max, which is defined as the extent of unsaturation of the iodine, and the limiting current of the anodic oxidation of iodide is always directly proportional to Δm_I2,max, regardless of the forms of iodine species in the solution, which may be I₂, I⁻₃, i₅⁻, etc. δm_I2,max is clearly determined by the solution composition and temperature, and it is different in definition and value from the usual degree of unsaturation of iodine.     

Vibrational deactivation of HF(υ = 1) in the H2O + HF dimer: HF(υ = 1) + H2O(000) → HF(υ = 0) + H2O(001) + ΔE

The vibration-vibration energy transfer in the near-resonant collision HF(υ = 1) + H₂O(000) → HF(υ = 0) + H₂O(001) + ΔE = 205 cm^?1 has been investigated on the basis of the model of the nonrigid H₂O-HF dimer formation for temperatures not greatly higher than room temperature. The energy mismatch ΔE is considered to be removed by the slow translational motion of two molecules in the complex about their equilibrium separation. A strong negative temperature dependence of the energy exchange rate is shown between 300 and 500 K.     

Photoelectric and photorefractive properties of polyvinylcarbazole composites with graphene in the visible spectral range

The photoelectric and photorefractive characteristics of polyvinylcarbazole (PVK) composites with 0.15 wt % graphene at a wavelength of 532 nm have been measured. The dependence of the quantum efficiency of generation of mobile charge carriers as determined from the photocurrent is well approximated by the Onsager equation calculated accurate to E ₀ ³ for the quantum yield of thermalized electron-hole pairs of φ₀ = 1 and their initial separation radius of r ₀ = 10.9 Å. The long-wavelength edge of optical absorption for PVK lies at 365 nm. Thus, the photogeneration of mobile carriers during illumination of the composite at 532 nm is due to photoexcitation of graphene. The measurement of the photorefractive properties has revealed that the two-beam coupling gain coefficient is Γ = 50 cm^?1 at E ₀ = 150 V/μm and equal intensities of incident beams. It has been found that at E ₀ = 83.3 V/μm, the two-beam coupling gain coefficient increases from 8 to 14 cm^?1 as the ratio of incident beam intensities I ₁(0)/I ₂(0) increases from 1 to 2.4.     

Solvation effects in the electrochemistry of diphenylpicrylhydrazyl

The electrochemistry of diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) was studied in nitromethane, nitrobenzene, benzonitrile, acetonitrile, acetone, methanol, ethanol, propanol-2,N,N-dimethylformamide,N,N-dimethylacetamide, and dimethylsulfoxide employing cyclic voltammetric technique. Reversible behaviour was observed for the systemsDPPH/DPPH ⁺ andDPPH/DPPH ^? in all solvents on the platinum microelectrode. The variation of ΔE ^form=(E _oxidation ^form ?E _reduction ^form ) upon solvent can be well described by a complementaryLewis acid—base model for solvent—solute interactions: ΔE ^form=?3.685DN?4.537An+651.84 with a correlation coefficient ofr=0.991 (E ^form stands for formal potential whereasDN andAN are the donor number and the acceptor number). The solvent effect on the position of the spectral absorption ofDPPH is also discussed;v _max values show good linear regression with the π*-parameter introduced byKamlet andTaft.