Iron (III) nanocomposites for enzyme-less biomimetic cathode: A promising material for use in biofuel cells

In this paper, we discuss the synthesis and electrochemical properties of a new material based on iron oxide nanoparticles stabilized with poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDAC); this material can be used as a biomimetic cathode material for the reduction of H₂O₂ in biofuel cells. A metastable phase of iron oxide and iron hydroxide nanoparticles (PDAC–FeOOH/Fe₂O₃-NPs) was synthesized through a single procedure. On the basis of the Stokes–Einstein equation, colloidal particles (diameter: 20 nm) diffused at a considerably slow rate (D = 0.9 × 10^? 11 m s^? 1) as compared to conventional molecular redox systems. The quasi-reversible electrochemical process was attributed to the oxidation and reduction of Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ from PDAC–FeOOH/Fe₂O₃-NPs; in a manner similar to redox enzymes, it acted as a pseudo-prosthetic group. Further, PDAC–FeOOH/Fe₂O₃-NPs was observed to have high electrocatalytic activity for H₂O₂ reduction along with a significant overpotential shift, ΔE = 0.68 V from ? 0.29 to 0.39 V, in the presence and absence of PDAC–FeOOH/Fe₂O₃-NPs. The abovementioned iron oxide nanoparticles are very promising as candidates for further research on biomimetic biofuel cells, suggesting two applications: the preparation of modified electrodes for direct use as cathodes and use as a supporting electrolyte together with H₂O₂.     

Degradation of n-butylparaben and 4-tert-octylphenol in H2O2/UV system

The degradation of two endocrine disrupting compounds: n-butylparaben (BP) and 4-tert-octylphenol (OP) in the H₂O₂/UV system was studied. The effect of operating variables: initial hydrogen peroxide concentration, initial substrate concentration, pH of the reaction solution and photon fluency rate of radiation at 254 nm on reaction rate was investigated. The influence of hydroxyl radical scavengers, humic acid and nitrate anion on reaction course was also studied. A very weak scavenging effect during BP degradation was observed indicating reactions different from hydroxyl radical oxidation. The second-order rate constants of BP and OP with OH radicals were estimated to be 4.8×10⁹ and 4.2×10⁹ M^?1 s^?1, respectively. For BP the rate constant equal to 2.0×10¹⁰ M^?1 s^?1was also determined using water radiolysis as a source of hydroxyl radicals.     

Microbial fuel cells using natural pyrrhotite as the cathodic heterogeneous Fenton catalyst towards the degradation of biorefractory organics in landfill leachate

An investigation aimed at checking the integration of cathodic pyrrhotite Fenton's reaction with anodic microbial respiration for the enhancement of MFC performance and treatment of a real landfill leachate was carried out. The MFC equipped with a pyrrhotite-coated graphite-cathode generated the maximum power density of 4.2 W/m³ that was 133% higher than graphite-cathode. Concomitantly, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) showed that the polarization resistance of pyrrhotite-cathode (92 Ω) was much lower than the graphite-cathode (1057 Ω), indicating that the cathodic overpotential was significantly lowered, probably due to the occurrence of pyrrhotite Fenton's reaction. The in situ generation of Fenton's reagents (Fe²⁺ and H₂O₂) at the pyrrhotite-cathode was demonstrated by the cyclic voltammetry measurement. Besides, reactive oxygen species produced from the pyrrhotite Fenton's reaction were detected and demonstrated to be vital to the enhancement of MFC power output. Further, the effectiveness of this system was examined by treating an old-aged landfill leachate. 77% of color and 78% of COD were removed from the original leachate, indicating that the pyrrhotite not only acted as a cost-effective cathodic catalyst for MFCs in power generation, but also extended the practical merits of traditional MFCs towards advanced oxidation of biorefractory pollutants.     

Assembling of a novel 3D Ag(I)-MOFs with mixed ligands tactics: Syntheses,crystal structure and catalytic degradation of nitrophenol

A novel 3D Ag(I)-MOFs, [Ag₂(H₃ddcba)(dpp)₂] (1), which features pcu (4¹²·6³) topology were successfully synthesized. Complex 1 exhibits predominant catalytic activity towards the degradation of o-nitrophenol (2-NP), m-nitrophenol (3-NP) and p-nitrophenol (4-NP) in aqueous solution.     

Crosslinking of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) activated by electrogenerated hydroxyl radicals: A first step towards a simple and cheap synthetic route of nanogel vectors

A facile electrosynthesis route for the preparation of polymer nanogels based on the in situ production of hydroxyl radicals is reported for the first time. Electro-Fenton process with continuous H₂O₂ electrogeneration and Fe^2 + regeneration performs better than electro-oxidation with a boron-doped diamond or dimensionally stable anode for promoting crosslinking of poly(vinylpyrrolidone).     

A novel single phase cathode material for a proton-conducting SOFC

A novel single phase BaCe_0.5Bi_0.5O_3 ? δ (BCB) was employed as a cathode material for a proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC). The single cell, consisting of a BaZr_0.1Ce_0.7Y_0.2O_3 ? δ (BZCY7)-NiO anode substrate, a BZCY7 anode functional layer, a BZCY7 electrolyte membrane and a BCB cathode layer, was assembled and tested from 600 to 700 °C with humidified hydrogen (～3% H₂O) as the fuel and the static air as the oxidant. An open-circuit potential of 0.96 V and a maximum power density of 321 mW cm^?2 were obtained for the single cell. A relatively low interfacial polarization resistance of 0.28Ω cm² at 700 °C indicated that the BCB was a promising cathode material for proton-conducting SOFCs.     

Fabrication of a large area cathode-supported thin electrolyte film for solid oxide fuel cells via tape casting and co-sintering techniques

A large area cathode-supported electrolyte film, comprising porous (La_0.8Sr_0.2)_0.95MnO₃ (LSM95) cathode substrate, LSM95/Zr_0.89Sc_0.1Ce_0.01O_2?x (SSZ) cathode active layer, and SSZ electrolyte, has been successfully fabricated by tape casting and co-sintering techniques. The interface reaction between cathode and electrolyte was inhibited by using A-site deficient LSM. A dense enough SSZ thin film with a thickness of ～26 μm was obtained at 1250 °C. By using Pt as anode, the obtained single cell reached the maximum power density of 0.54 W cm^?2 at 800 °C in O₂/humidified H₂, with open circuit voltage (OCV) value of 1.08 V.     

High-energy ionising radiation initiated decomposition of acetovanillone

Hydroxyl radical, hydrated electron and hydrogen atom intermediates of water radiolysis react with acetovanillone with rate coefficients of (1.05±0.1)×10¹⁰, (3.5±0.5)×10⁹ and (1.7±0.2)×10¹⁰mol^?1 dm³ s^?1. Hydroxyl radical and hydrogen atom attach to the ring forming cyclohexadienyl type radicals. The hydroxyl–cyclohexadienyl radical formed in hydroxyl radical reaction in dissolved oxygen free solution partly transforms to phenoxyl radical. In the presence of O₂ phenoxyl radical formation and ring destruction are observed. Hydrated electron in O₂ free solution attaches to the carbonyl oxygen and undergoes protonation yielding benzyl type radical. In air saturated 0.5 mmol dm^?3 solution using 15 kGy dose most part of acetovanillone is degraded, for complete mineralisation five times higher dose is required. The experiments clearly show that acetovanillone can be efficiently removed from water by applying irradiation technology.     

Novel BaCo0.7Fe0.3−yNbyO3−δ (y = 0–0.12) as a cathode for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell

The BaCo_0.7Fe_0.3?yNb_yO_3?δ oxides (BCFNy, y = 0.00–0.12) were synthesized by the conventional solid state reaction process and investigated as a novel cathode for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells(IT-SOFCs). Cubic perovskite, with enhanced phase stability at higher Nb concentration, was obtained at y ? 0.04. The unit cell volumes increased with y, reached a maximum at y = 0.10, and then decreased. The niobium doping concentration also had a significant effect on the electrochemical performance of BCFNy materials. Among the various BCFNy oxides tested, BCFN0.10 possessed the smallest interfacial polarization resistance (R_p). The R_p was as low as 0.9406, 0.1300, 0.0211, and 0.0082 Ω cm² at 500, 600, 700, and 800 °C, respectively. With a 220 μm-thick Sm_0.2Ce_0.1O_1.9 (SDC) as electrolyte and BCFN0.10 as the cathode, a fuel cell provides maximum power densities of 202, 350, 569, 820, and 1006 mW cm^?2 at 600, 650, 700, 750, and 800 °C, respectively. The encouraging results suggested that BCFN0.10 was a very promising cathode material for IT-SOFCs.     

New α,ω-dicarboxylate coordination polymers with 4,4′-bipyridine: Cu(bpy)(C5H6O4), Zn(bpy)(C5H6O4), Zn(bpy)(C6H8O4) and Mn(bpy)(C8H12O4) · H2O

Four 4,4′-bipyridine α,ω-dicarboxylate coordination polymers Cu(bpy)(C₅H₆O₄) (1), Zn(bpy)(C₅H₆O₄) (2), Zn(bpy)(C₆H₈O₄) (3) and Mn(bpy)(C₈H₁₂O₄) · H₂O (4) have been synthesized and structurally characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods (bpy = 4,4-bipyridine, (C₅H₆O₄)²⁻ = glutarate anion, (C₆H₈O₄)²⁻ = adipate anion, (C₈H₁₂O₄)²⁻ = suberate anion). Their crystal structures are featured by dimeric metal units, which are co-bridged by 4,4′-bipyridine ligands and dicarboxylate anions such as glutarate, adipate and suberate anions to generate 2D layers with a (4,4) topology in 1, 2 and 4 as well as to form 3D frameworks in 3. Two 3D frameworks in 3 interpenetrate with each other to form a topology identical to the well-known Nb₆F₁₅ cluster compound. Over 5–300 K, the paramagnetic behavior of 4 follows the Curie–Weiss law χ_m(T − Θ) = 4.265(5) cm³ mol⁻¹ with the Weiss constant Θ = −6.3(2) K. Furthermore, the thermal behavior of 3 and 4 is also discussed.     

Amperometric sensor for hydrogen peroxide based on direct electron transfer of spinach ferredoxin on Au electrode

A protein-based electrochemical sensor for hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) was developed by an easy and effective film fabrication method where spinach ferredoxin (Fdx) containing [2Fe–2S] metal center was cross linked with 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) on a gold (Au) surface. The surface morphology of Fdx molecules on Au electrodes was investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) were employed to study the electrochemical behavior of adsorbed Fdx on Au. The interfacial properties of the modified electrode were evaluated in the presence of Fe(CN)₆^3?/4? redox couple as a probe. From CV, a pair of well-defined and quasi-reversible redox peaks of Fdx was obtained in 10 mM, pH 7.0 Tris–HCl buffer solution at ?170 and ?120 mV respectively. One electron reduction of the [2Fe-2S]²⁺ cluster occurs at one of the iron atoms to give the reduced [2Fe-2S]⁺. The formal reduction potential of Fdx ca. ?150 mV (vs. Ag/AgCl electrode) at pH 7.0. The electron-transfer rate constant, k_s, for electron transfer between the Au electrode and Fdx was estimated to be 0.12 s^?1. From the electrochemical experiments, it is observed that Fdx/MUA/Au promoted direct electron transfer between Fdx and electrode and it catalyzes the reduction of H₂O₂. The Fdx/MUA/Au electrode displays a linear increase in amperometric current for increasing concentration of H₂O₂.The sensor calibration plot was linear with r² = 0.998 with sensitivity approximately 68.24 μAm M^?1 cm^?2. Further, the effect of nitrite on the developed sensor was examined which does not interfere with the detection of H₂O₂. Finally, the addition of H₂O₂ on MUA/Au electrode was observed which has no effect on amperometric current.     

Pulse radiolysis of aqueous diphenyloxide

Pulse radiolysis of aqueous diphenyloxide (DPO) has been performed under various experimental conditions. The OH radicals react with DPO on various positions of the molecule with a rate constant, k=2.1×10¹⁰ l mol⁻¹ s⁻¹. The major reaction step appears to be a cleavage of the C–O bond of DPO resulting into C₆H₄OH (λ=285 nm) and C₆H₅O(λ=325 nm) radicals in addition to DPO–OH adducts. They disappear according to a second-order reaction. In the presence of air or in a gas mixture of N₂O:O₂=4:1 the DPO–OH adducts are scavenged by oxygen, resulting into peroxyl radicals, which are long-lived species. For the reaction of e_aq⁻ with DPO a rate constant, k=2×10¹⁰ l mol⁻¹ s⁻¹ was found.     

Excess thermodynamic properties of binary mixtures of N,N-dimethylacetamide with water or water-d2 at temperatures from 277.13 K to 318.15 K

Densities of binary mixtures of N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA) with water (H₂O) or water-d₂ (D₂O) were measured at the temperatures from T=277.13 K to T=318.15 K by means of a vibrating-tube densimeter. The excess molar volumes V_m^E, calculated from the density data, are negative for the (H₂O + DMA) and (D₂O + DMA) mixtures over the entire range of composition and temperature. The V_m^E curves exhibit a minimum at x(DMA)≅0.4. At each temperature, this minimum is slightly deeper for the (D₂O + DMA) mixtures than for the corresponding (H₂O + DMA) mixtures. The difference between D₂O and H₂O systems becomes smaller when the temperature increases. The V_m^E results were correlated using a modified Redlich–Kister expansion. The partial molar volume of DMA plotted against x(DMA) goes through a sharp minimum in the water-rich region around x(DMA)≅0.08. This minimum is more pronounced the lower the temperature and is deeper in D₂O than in H₂O at each temperature. Again, the difference becomes smaller as the temperature increases. The excess expansion factor α^E plotted against x(DMA) exhibit a maximum in the water rich region of the mole fraction scale. At each temperature, this maximum is higher for the (D₂O + DMA) mixtures than for the corresponding (H₂O + DMA) mixtures, and the difference becomes smaller as the temperature increases. At its maximum, α^E can be even more than 25 per cent of total value of the cubic expansion coefficient α in the (H₂O + DMA) and (D₂O + DMA) mixtures.     

Cobalt-free cathode material SrFe0.9Nb0.1O3−δ for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells

A cobalt-free cubic perovskite oxide, SrFe_0.9Nb_0.1O_3?δ (SFN) was investigated as a cathode for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). XRD results showed that SFN cathode was chemically compatible with the electrolyte Sm_0.2Ce_0.8O_1.9 (SDC) for temperatures up to 1050 °C. The electrical conductivity of SFN sample reached 34–70 S cm^?1 in the commonly operated temperatures of IT-SOFCs (600–800 °C). The area specific resistance was 0.138 Ω cm² for SFN cathode on SDC electrolyte at 750 °C. A maximum power density of 407 mW cm^?2 was obtained at 800 °C for single-cell with 300 μm thick SDC electrolyte and SFN cathode.     

Direct determination of the equilibrium constant and thermodynamic parameters in the reaction of pentadienyl radicals with O2

Reaction of pentadienyl radicals (C₅H₇) with O₂ has been studied by a combination of pulsed laser photolysis and photoionization mass spectrometry. These radicals could be generated either by the photolysis of 1,3-pentadiene or by the two-step reaction of carbon tetrachloride photolysis followed by the H-atom abstraction reaction of Cl atom with 1,4-pentadiene. The equilibrium between pentadienyl radicals, O₂ and pentadienylperoxy radicals could be observed over the range 268–308 K. An analysis of the temporal signal of pentadienyl radicals was used to evaluate the equilibrium constant. Third-law analysis was used to evaluate the enthalpy change for the reaction C₅H₇ + O₂ ⇌ C₅H₇O₂. The observed CO bond energy in the C₅H₇O₂ adduct was found to be 56.0 ± 2.2 kJ·mol^–1, which is lower than the values of peroxy radicals formed with allyl and cyclohexenyl radicals which have an allylic resonance structure.     

Phase equilibrium for ozone-containing hydrates formed from an (ozone + oxygen) gas mixture coexisting with gaseous carbon dioxide and liquid water

The paper reports the three-phase (gas + aqueous liquid + hydrate) equilibrium pressure (p) versus temperature (T) data for a (O₃ + O₂ + CO₂ + H₂O) system and, for comparison, corresponding data for a (O₂ + CO₂ + H₂O) system for the first time. These data cover the temperature range from (272 to 279) K, corresponding to pressures up to 4 MPa, for each of the three different (O₃ + O₂)-to-CO₂ or O₂-to-CO₂ mole ratios in the gas phase, which are approximately 1:9, 2:8, and 3:7, respectively. The mole fraction of ozone in the gas phase of the (O₃ + O₂ + CO₂ + H₂O) system was from ∼0.004 to ∼0.02. The modified pressure-search method, developed in our previous study [S. Muromachi, T. Nakajima, R. Ohmura, Y.H. Mori, Fluid Phase Equilib. 305 (2011) 145–151] for p–T measurements in the presence of chemically unstable ozone, was applied, having been further modified for dealing with highly water-soluble CO₂, for the (O₃ + O₂ + CO₂ + H₂O) system, while the conventional temperature-search method was used for the (O₂ + CO₂ + H₂O) system. The measurement uncertainties (with 95% coverage) were ±0.11 K for T, ±6.0 kPa for p, and ±0.0015 for the mole fraction of each species in the gas phase. It was confirmed that, at a given CO₂ fraction in the gas phase, p for the (O₃ + O₂ + CO₂ + H₂O) system was consistently lower than that for the (O₂ + CO₂ + H₂O) system over the entire T range of the present measurements, indicating a preference of O₃ to O₂ in the uptake of guest-gas molecules into the cages of a structure I hydrate.     

Electrochemical synthesis of a ferrocenecarboxylic acid–C60 composite and its electrocatalysis to hydrogen peroxide

A new ferrocenecarboxylic acid–C₆₀ composite (Fc–C₆₀) has been synthesized by controlled potential electrolysis. A composite modified glassy carbon electrode has been prepared based on its good electrochemical activity. The modified electrode in 0.1 M NaClO₄ solution shows a reversible oxidation wave at E_1/2 = 0.32 V (vs. SCE) attributed to the oxidation of the ferrocene entity and a quasi-reversible reduction wave of C₆₀ entity at E_1/2 = ?0.54 V (vs. SCE). Electrocatalytic studies show that Fc–C₆₀ at the modified electrode can mediate the reduction of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and a broad linear range from 1.2 μM to 21.9 mM for H₂O₂ were obtained with a determination limit of 2.5 × 10^?7 M by amperometry.     

Enhanced formation of quercetin by combined use of gamma ray and H2O2 from cyanidin-3-O-xylosylrutinoside

Cyanidin-3-O-xylosylrutinoside (cya-3-O-xylrut), a major pigment in Schizandra chinensis Baillon, was effectively removed by gamma irradiation of greater than 2 kGy, whereas quercetin, the most abundant of the flavonoids and has anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects, could be generated by degradation of cya-3-O-xylrut. In the present study, we investigated the effect of combination treatment of gamma irradiation and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) on the formation of quercetin through the degradation of cya-3-O-xylrut. Cya-3-O-xylrut was significantly degraded (～93%) by gamma irradiation at 2 kGy and it was completely removed by a combination treatment (0.2% H₂O₂ and 2 kGy gamma ray). The formation of quercetin was significantly appeared at 2 kGy of gamma ray, together with disappearance of cya-3-O-xylrut. The quercetin formation by gamma ray is 3.2 μg/ml and combination treatment is 7.7 μg/ml. Therefore, the combination treatment of H₂O₂ and gamma ray is more effective to convert cya-3-O-xylrut into quercetin than gamma irradiation only. In conclusion, gamma ray combined with H₂O₂ would be a promising tool for bio-conversion of organic compounds.     

Hydrogen peroxide-photofuel cell using TiO2 photoanode

Hydrogen peroxide-fuel cell (H₂O₂-FC) possesses a theoretical power generating efficiency of 119% much larger than hydrogen/oxygen (H₂/O₂)-FC (82.9%) with a thermodynamic electromotive force of 1.09 V. This communication presents the prototype of H₂O₂-photofuel cell (PFC) without using noble metal catalyst. The H₂O₂-PFC is comprised of mesoporous anatase TiO₂ nanocrystalline film coated on fluorine-doped tin oxide electorode (mp-TiO₂/FTO, photoanode), glassy carbon (cathode), and an aqueous electrolyte solution containing 0.1 M NaClO₄ and 0.1 M H₂O₂. Under UV-light irradiation, the H₂O₂-PFC stably works, providing a short-circuit current of 0.24 mA cm^− 2 and an open-circuit voltage of 0.72 V at ambient temperature and pressure, while current hardly flows in the dark. Further, the PFC responds to visible-light due to the charge-transfer complex formation of H₂O₂ on the TiO₂ surface.     

About the OH yield in the radiolysis of an aqueous/H2O2 system. Its optimisation for water treatment

Unless the radiolytic reducing species are neutralised or converted into oxidising species, an EB remediation system cannot be considered a true Advanced Oxidation Processes (AOP). A water/H₂O₂ system irradiated by UVC mercury lamps constitutes a widely used OH production method. Employing H₂O₂ in radiolysis as well, an enhancement of the oxidative efficiency of an EB treatment can be obtained. Pulse radiolysis measurements of an aerated aqueous/H₂O₂/KSCN system have been systematically undertaken to assess the optimal H₂O₂ concentration. By linearly fitting a competition kinetics relationship, it is found that the scavengeable extra-yield of OH is ΔG(OH)=0.24 μmol J^?1 (R=0,9958), while the maximum experimental yield is measured G(OH)_max=(0.52±0.02) μmol J^?1 when [H₂O₂]=5–10 mM. Exceeding these concentrations the OH yield drops off.