Thermal Diffusivity and Adsorption Kinetics of Silica-Gel/Water

There have been performed experimental measurements of effective thermal conductivity of silica-gel for a stagnant cylindrical fixed bed under transient and steady state conditions in the presence of dry air at different pressures and for different amounts of adsorbed water. The Bauer-Schlünder and Kunii-Smith models have been used to identify the thermal solid conductivity of silica gel pellets from measurements of the conductivity in an adsorbent bed. Sorption rates of water vapor in silica gel were measured using a single-step thermal method by monitoring the sample surface temperature by infrared detection. In order to obtain the mass diffusivity it is necessary to match the numerical solution of the mathematical model to the experimental data.     

Nanocomposite ion gels based on silica nanoparticles and an ionic liquid: ionic transport, viscoelastic properties, and microstructure

The dispersion of silica nanoparticles made an ionic liquid, 1-ethyl-3-methyl imidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide ([C(2)mim][NTf(2)]), gelled even by the addition of 2-3 wt %, due to the formation of interconnected particulate silica networks in [C(2)mim][NTf(2)]. The ionic transport and viscoelastic properties of these nanocomposite ion gels were investigated in relation to the microstructure. Despite their solid-like behavior, the nanocomposite ion gels exhibited a high ionic conductivity of approximately 10(-2) S cm(-1) at 30 degrees C, which is comparable to that of neat [C(2)mim][NTf(2)]. Intriguing viscoelastic responses, such as shear-thinning and shear-induced sol-gel transitions, were found in all of the nanocomposite ion gels. By adjusting the silica concentration, the elastic modulus ( G') could be precisely controlled in a range of more than 3 orders of magnitude and reached approximately 10(6) Pa without a considerable decrease in the ionic conductivity; the characteristic viscoelastic response was also maintained. For the aggregation mechanism in [C 2 mim][NTf(2)], the reaction-limited cluster aggregation (RLCA) model was proposed by rheology and light scattering measurements.     

Enhanced thermal conductivity of epoxy–matrix composites with hybrid fillers

The results of thermal conductivity study of epoxy–matrix composites filled with different type of powders are reported. Boron nitride and aluminum nitride micro‐powders with different size distribution and surface modification were used. A representative set of samples has been prepared with different contents of the fillers. The microstructure was investigated by SEM observations. Thermal conductivity measurements have been performed at room temperature and for selected samples it was also measured as a function of temperature from 300 K down to liquid helium temperatures. The most spectacular enhancement of the thermal conductivity was obtained for composites filled with hybrid fillers of boron nitride–silica and aluminum nitride–silica. In the case of sample with 31 vol.% of boron nitride–silica hybrid filler it amounts to 114% and for the sample with 45 vol.% of hybrid filler by 65% as compared with the reference composite with silica filler. However, in the case of small aluminum nitride grains application, large interfacial areas were introduced, promoting creation of thermal resistance barriers and causing phonon scattering more effective. As a result, no thermal conductivity improvement was obtained. Different characters of temperature dependencies are observed for hybrid filler composites which allowed identifying the component filler of the dominant contribution to the thermal conductivity in each case. The data show a good agreement with predictions of Agari‐Uno model, indicating the importance of conductive paths forming effect already at low filler contents. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Electrorheological Response and Structure Growth of Colloidal Silica Suspensions

The electrorheological response and structure growth of colloidal silica suspension was studied with in situ measurements of the shear stress, electric conductivity, and dielectric permittivity of the suspension. The measurements were carried out under steady and sweep shears after the application of an electric field of alternative current (100 Hz) using silica particles with a diameter of 630 nm and a water content of 4.5 wt%. The measurements of the conductivity enabled the detection of structure growth formed by particle aggregation and clarified that the development of the particle aggregation enlarged the dielectric permittivity and the shear stress. Hysteretic behavior observed in the electrorheological response was explained by considering structure growth of the particle aggregation. The correlation equation for the shear stress and the dielectric permittivity obtained in our previous work (1) was found to be applicable to the present results. Copyright 2001 Academic Press.     

Effect of Inorganic Ions on Oleate Adsorption at a Nigerian Hematite–Water Interface

Using “pure” natural hematite selected from a high silica Nigerian hematitic ore, oleate adsorption densities at the hematite–water interface were determined in the presence of various inorganic ions (anions and cations) of different charges and at varying concentrations. Adsorption density was determined using electrical conductivity measurements. The specific surface area of the hematite particles was determined using the method of adsorption of paranitrophenol in aqueous solution. Inorganic ions in solution depressed oleate adsorption at the aqueous hematite surface. The charge of the ion proved to be the dominant factor determining the depression of oleate adsorption. Ionic strength also was an influence, up to a limiting value at which monolayer oleate coverage of the hematite surface occurred. The inorganic ions in solution are considered to function through nonspecific adsorption in the diffuse region of the electric double layer.     

Ionic liquid‐based organic–inorganic hybrid electrolytes: Impact of in situ obtained and dispersed silica

Organic–inorganic hybrid electrolytes based on PEO‐NaTFSI‐ionic liquid (HMIMTFSI)‐silica (in situ production via sol gel process) are being reported in this article. The variation in conductivity with ionic liquid (IL) addition has been explained on the basis of number of free TFSI anions evaluated using ATR‐IR data. The deconvolution of the IR spectra of these hybrid electrolytes has given evidence of ion‐pair formation which has been compared vis‐á‐vis the conductivity variation. The hybrid electrolyte with maximum conductivity comprises the highest number of free imide ions and has lowest glass transition temperature. FESEM has displayed a porous and layered surface morphology with dispersed silica nanoparticles. In addition, the optimized hybrid electrolyte has been compared with 5 wt% (limit of mechanical stability) ex situ silica added composite where the temperature cycling of conductivity has shown that the ex situ dispersed hybrid electrolytes do not retrace their conductivity path contrary to the in situ prepared hybrid electrolytes. This behavior has been explained to be due to the hindrance offered by the ex situ added silica in the recrystallization kinetics of PEO. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2018 , 56, 207–218     

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes coated by multi-layer silica for improving thermal conductivity of polymer composites

Silica has been non-covalently coated on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) using the sol–gel chemistry, where tetraethoxy silane (TEOS) was used to form an inorganic silica layer immediately next to surface of MWCNTs and octyl triethoxy silane was coated over the TEOS. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) measurements show that the diameter of MWCNTs increases with increasing the number of coating layer, indicating that the silica has been coated on MWCNTs. Quantitative analysis from thermogravimetric analysis (TG) also indicates that the inorganic and organic silica has been successfully coated on MWCNTs. Further, quantitative analysis found that the amount of silica measured by TG agrees well with the increase of thickness of coated MWCNTs obtained from TEM, indicating that little or no free silica exists in the system. The thermal conductivity of epoxy/MWCNTs composite was studied and the results show that the thermal conductivity of the composite is improved by coating MWCNTs in this manner and increases with increasing the number of coatings.     

Precipitated silica as filler for polymer electrolyte based on poly(acrylonitrile)/sulfolane

The aim of the present work was to perform a preliminary study of the physicochemical properties of hybrid organic–inorganic gel electrolytes for Li-ion batteries based on the PAN/TMS - poly(acrylonitrile)/sulfolane - polymeric matrix and surface-modified precipitated silicas. Modifications were done by means of the so-called dry method using silane U-511 3-methacryloxypropyltrimetoxysilane. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), noninvasive back scattering method (NIBS), specific surface area (BET), the degree of modification of the silica fillers—Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), impedance analysis, and charging/discharging were carried out. It is found that the silica fillers were homogeneously dispersed in the polymeric matrix, which enhanced conductivity and electrochemical stability of porous polymer electrolytes. Applicability of the prepared gel electrolytes for the Li-ion technology was estimated on the basis of specific conductivity measurements. It was shown that modification of the silica surface by the silane causes an increase in the gel-specific conductivity by about 2 orders of magnitude as compared to gel with unmodified silica.     

Use of contactless conductivity detection for non-invasive characterisation of monolithic stationary-phase coatings for application in capillary ion chromatography

A capacitively-coupled contactless conductivity detector (C4D) has been utilised as an on-capillary detector within a capillary ion chromatograph, incorporating a reversed-phase monolithic silica capillary column semi-permanently modified with a suitable ionic surfactant. The monolithic capillary column (150 x 0.1 mm i.d.) was modified using sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate (DOSS), an anionic surfactant, for the separation of small inorganic and organic cations. With the use of the on-capillary conductivity detector, the longitudinal homogeneity and temporal stability of the coating were investigated. The approach allowed a detailed non-invasive observation of the nature of the ion-exchange coating over time, and an example of an application of the technique to produce a longitudinal stationary-phase charge gradient is shown. An investigation of the basis of the measured on-capillary conductivity was carried out with a counter ion study, clearly showing the on-capillary detection technique could also distinguish between chemical forms of the immobilised ion exchanger. The above method was used to produce a stable and homogeneously-modified monolithic ion-exchange capillary column, for application to the separation of inorganic alkaline earth cations and amino acids.     

The water-amorphous silica interface: analysis of the Stern layer and surface conduction

To explain why dynamical properties of an aqueous electrolyte near a charged surface seem to be governed by a surface charge less than the actual one, the canonical Stern model supposes an interfacial layer of ions and immobile fluid. However, large ion mobilities within the Stern layer are needed to reconcile the Stern model with surface conduction measurements. Modeling the aqueous electrolyte-amorphous silica interface at typical charge densities, a prototypical double layer system, the flow velocity does not vanish until right at the surface. The Stern model is a good effective model away from the surface, but cannot be taken literally near the surface. Indeed, simulations show no ion mobility where water is immobile, nor is such mobility necessary since the surface conductivity in the simulations is comparable to experimental values.     

离子液体限域于硅胶纳米孔道中的电化学行为研究(英文)

通过溶胶-凝胶法制备了硅胶包载咪唑类离子液体修饰电极,研究其与体相离子液体不同的伏安行为;另一方面,制备不同离子液体含量为15% ~ 28%的包载离子液体硅胶和涂覆离子液体硅胶,用电化学阻抗研究其在20 ^oC到80 ^oC下电导率的变化情况. 异常的电化学行为主要表现在：1)硅胶包载离子液体导致Fc/Fc⁺电对的半波电位正移63.5 ~ 200 mV;2)当离子液体限域于硅胶纳米孔道中时,离子液体的电化学稳定性变差;3)包载离子液体硅胶的电导率要比涂覆离子液体的电导率高29.6% ~ 136%. 由此推断,可能是由于离子液体充满硅胶孔腔和孔道从而形成了纳米网状的离子液体导电介质. 这些结果表明,硅胶包载离子液体不仅可以作为修饰电极的优良载体,而且也有助于理解离子液体限域于硅胶纳米孔道中的限域效应.     

Design of efficient methanol impermeable membranes for fuel cell applications

In this paper, the design of efficient composite membranes based on sulfonated polysulfone and acidic silica material with characteristics and properties such as methanol barrier, high proton conductivity and suitable fuel cells performance is presented. A positive influence of nanosized acidic silica powders, used as an additive filler in the preparation of composite membranes, due to an efficient hydrophilic inter-distribution inside the membrane when compared to pure silica, is found. A series of different techniques such as XRF, FT-IR, TGA, DSC, IEC and conductivity measurements are used to highlight the properties of acidic silica material and composite membranes. The composite membrane based on acidic silica (SPSf-SiO(2)-S) shows the lowest crossover current (only 8 mA cm(-2)), which is 43% lower than that of a pure SPSf membrane and 33% lower compared to a composite membrane based on bare silica (SPSf-SiO(2)). These significant differences are attributed to the increasing diffusion path length of MeOH/H(2)O clusters in the composite membranes. The maximum DMFC performance at 30 °C is achieved with the SPSf-SiO(2)-S membrane (23 mW cm(-2)), whereas the MEAs based on SPSf-SiO(2) and pure SPSf membranes reached 21 and 16 mW cm(-2), respectively. These significant results of the composite SPSf-SiO(2)-S membrane are ascribed at a good compromise among high proton conductivity, low swelling and low methanol crossover compared to pure SPSf and (unmodified silica)-SPSf membranes. A preliminary short durability test of 100 h performed in a cell with the composite SPSf-SiO(2)-S membrane shows remarkable performance stability during chrono-voltammetric measurements (60 mA cm(-2)) at 30 °C.     

全钒氧化还原液流电池用Nafion/有机硅复合膜

采用原位化学反应的方法制备了Nafion/有机硅复合膜, 并对所制备复合膜的离子交换容量(IEC)、电导率和水渗透率等进行了测试. 结果表明, 所制备复合膜具有优异的阻水性能. 以Nafion/有机硅复合膜作为离子交换膜的钒电池的库仑效率(CE)和能量效率(EE)都得到了大幅度提高. 此外, 以所制备复合膜为离子交换膜的VRB单电池充放电80次后性能几乎无衰减, 说明所制备Nafion/有机硅复合膜即使在强酸和强氧化性的钒电池体系中也可以稳定使用, 表明Nafion/有机硅复合膜是一种性能优异的适用于全钒氧化还原液流电池的新型质子交换膜.     

Transport properties of materials based on MF-4SC membranes and silica manufactured by a casting method

Composites based on MF-4SC perfluorinated cation-exchange membranes were manufactured by casting from a polymer solution with a precursor for subsequent use in the synthesis of hydrous silica. Their proton conductivity was studied as a function of composition, temperature, and relative humidity. Modification of MF-4SC with small dopant amounts increases the water content and ion conductivity, in a reduced humidity, too. Materials containing 3% SiO₂ by weight have a maximal conductivity.     

Synthesis and characterization of MF-4SK + SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> hybrid membranes modified with tungstophosphoric heteropolyacid

Composites based on MF-4K perfluorinated cation-exchange membranes doped with hydrous silica nanoparticles, which were precipitated under various conditions, and with tungstophosphoric heteropolyacid nanoparticles were synthesized. The proton conductivity of the composites was studied as a function of temperature and relative ambient humidity. As a result of modification, the water content and ion conductivity of the membranes in low humidities increase by 2.5 orders of magnitude compared to unmodified MF-4SK membranes and the material is rendered less water-dependent.     

A mechanistic study of the formation of mesoporous structures from in situ AC conductivity measurements

The purpose of this work is to study the kinetics of self-assembly in the formation mechanism of anionic templated mesoporous solids (AMS-n) during the first few seconds of the synthesis as well as to demonstrate the use of alternating ion current (AIC) conductivity measurements to follow the self-assembly in complex hybrid systems. The formation of different AMS-n caged-type mesostructures through the delayed addition of the silica source is demonstrated and explained in terms of the interaction between the co-structure-directing agent (CSDA) and the oppositely charged surfactant headgroup regions. Our findings, supported by transmission electron microscopy, 29Si magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR) spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements, and powder X-ray diffraction suggest that the interaction of the CSDA with the surfactant headgroup occurs within seconds after its addition to the synthesis gel leading to interaction between the polymerizing CSDAs and the oppositely charged micelle and to an increase in the micelle-CSDA aggregate size. Both DLS and AIC measurements agree that this process occurs within the first 1000 s after addition of the CSDA to the synthesis gel at room temperature. In addition to the mechanistic study it was found that the intermediate materials are comprised of a three-layer entity. Time-dependent 29Si MAS NMR studies reveal that an organo-silica layer forms around the micelles prior to a condensed outer inorganic shell of silica.     

Dielectric properties and surface morphology of swift heavy ion beam irradiated polycarbonate films

Swift heavy ion beam irradiation induces modification in the dielectric properties and surface morphologies of polycarbonate (PC) films. The PC films were irradiated by 55 MeV energy of C⁵⁺ beam at various ions fluences ranging from 1 × 10¹¹ to 1 × 10¹³ ions cm^?2. The dielectric properties (i.e., dielectric constant, dielectric loss, and AC conductivity) and surface morphologies of pristine and SHI beam irradiated PC films were investigated by dielectric measurements, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and optical microscopy. The dielectric measurements show that the dielectric constant, dielectric loss, and AC conductivity increase with ion fluences and temperature, however, the dielectric constant and AC conductivity decrease while dielectric loss increases with frequency. AFM shows the increase in average roughness values with ion fluences. The change of color in PC films has been observed from colorless to yellowish and then dark brown with increases of ion fluence by using optical microscopy.     

Using a fuel cell to study fluoride-based electrolytes

Fluoride-based electrolytes in fuel cell applications show a high proton conductivity, and also oxygen ion conductivity in some cases, and a variable stoichiometry in different gas atmospheres/environments. Fuel cell (FC) devices using these fluoride-based materials as electrolytes were studied to characterise their electrical properties when run. The results obtained from the measurements correspond directly to proton and oxygen ion transport in the FC process. A high proton conductivity value, e.g., 10⁻² S cm⁻¹, for temperatures above 700°C, corresponds to a FC performance with a current density larger than several hundred mA cm⁻², and a peak power density of more than 100 mW cm⁻².     

Evolution of self-assembled silica-tetrapropylammonium nanoparticles at elevated temperatures

The time evolution of silica nanoparticles in solutions of tetrapropylammonium (TPA) has been studied using a combination of small-angle scattering, conductivity, and pH measurements to provide the first comprehensive analysis of nanoparticle structural and compositional changes at elevated temperatures. We have found that silica-TPA nanoparticles subjected to hydrothermal treatment (70-90 degrees C) grow via an Ostwald ripening mechanism with growth rates that depend on both pH and temperature. Small-angle X-ray (SAXS) and neutron (SANS) scattering confirm that the core-shell structure of the particles, initially present at room temperature, is maintained during heating, but an evolution toward sphericity is evidenced especially at high values of pH. SAXS absolute intensity calculations were utilized to calculate the changes in nanoparticle composition and concentration over time. These changes along with the conductivity and pH measurements and SANS contrast matching studies indicate that, upon heating, TPA becomes embedded in the core of nanoparticles giving rise to more zeolitic-looking nanomaterials.     

Electrochemical measurements of the ion conductivity, permselectivity and transference numbers of polypyrrole and polypyrrole derivatives

Electrochemical dc and ac measurements were carried out on free-standing polypyrrole (ppy) membranes to study the ion conductivity and permselectivity of the polymer as a function of the oxidation state. The membranes were prepared by electropolymerisation and mounted in a two-compartment cell, where the oxidation state of the ppy membrane could be adjusted by potentiostatic polarisation and the ion conductivity and permselectivity of the polymer could be measured in a symmetrical electrolyte/membrane/electrolyte configuration. Combining constant current permeation experiments with solution analysis using ion chromatography (IC) and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), it was demonstrated that ppy exhibits not only an appreciable ion conductivity but also a distinct permeability and selectivity for anions in the oxidised state. Incorporation of immobile anions like dodecylsulfate or copolymerization with a modified pyrrole monomer like N-sulfopropyl-pyrrole carrying a sulfonate group leads to modified membranes which exhibit distinct cation permselectivity in the reduced state. Such a membrane can be switched dynamically between anion and cation permeability through electrochemical oxidation and reduction of the polymer backbone. Received: 27 March 1997 / Accepted: 18 July 1997