Effects of low hydrocarbons on the solid oxide fuel cell anode

In this work, the effects of ethylene on the solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) anode were investigated both for an SOFC single cell and an SOFC stack. Two fuels were used to observe the effects that low hydrocarbons (over C1-hydrocarbons) in the reformate gas stream have on the SOFC anode. Methane or ethylene was supplied to the electrolyte-supported SOFC anode. Using ethylene as a fuel, catastrophic degradation of SOFC performance was observed due to ethylene-induced carbon deposition onto the SOFC anode. Thus, a new methodology, termed “post-reforming,” is introduced for the removal of low hydrocarbons (over C1-hydrocarbons) from the reformate gas stream. The CGO-Ru catalyst was selected as the post-reforming catalyst because of its high selectivity for removing low hydrocarbons (over C1-hydrocarbons) and for its long-term stability. The diesel reformer and post-reformer were continuously operated for ∼250 h in coupled-operation mode. The reforming performance was not degraded, and low hydrocarbons (over C1-hydrocarbons) in the diesel reformate were completely removed.     

Li-ion batteries from LiFePO4 cathode and anatase/graphene composite anode for stationary energy storage

Li-ion batteries made from LiFePO₄ cathode and anatase TiO₂/graphene composite anode were investigated for potential application in stationary energy storage. Fine-structured LiFePO₄ was synthesized by a novel molten surfactant approach whereas anatase TiO₂/graphene nanocomposite was prepared via self-assembly method. The full cell that operated at 1.6 V demonstrated negligible fade even after more than 700 cycles at measured 1 C rate. While with relative lower energy density than traditional Li-ion chemistries interested for vehicle applications, the Li-ion batteries based on LiFePO₄/TiO₂ combination potentially offers long life and low cost, along with safety, all which are critical to the stationary applications.     

Electrospinning fabrication and characterization of poly(vinyl alcohol)/montmorillonite/silver hybrid nanofibers for antibacterial applications

Poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/montmorillonite clay (MMT)/silver (Ag) nanoparticles have been electrospun for fabricating PVA/MMT/Ag nanofiber in aqueous solutions. Since PVA is a water-soluble and biocompatible polymer, it is one of the best materials for preparation of antibacterial nanofiber. MMT has been used as an inorganic filler to enhance properties of homopolymeric nanofiber. The PVA/MMT/Ag nanofiber diameter increases with increasing contents of MMT clay and Ag nanoparticles. In preservation test, the PVA/MMT/Ag nanofiber confirms an excellent antibacterial performance, elucidating for practical uses as a new preservative. Moreover, the PVA/MMT/Ag nanofiber shows improved thermal properties.     

Kinetics of the degradation of polystyrene in supercritical acetone

The kinetic analysis of the degradation of polystyrene (PS) in supercritical acetone has been studied using the nonisothermal weight loss technique with heating rates of 3, 5 and 7 °C/min. The weight loss data according to degradation temperature have been analyzed using the integral method based on Arrhenius form to obtain the kinetic parameters such as apparent activation energy and overall reaction order. The kinetic parameters obtained from this work were also compared with those of the thermal degradation of PS in nitrogen atmosphere. From this work, it was found that the activation energies of PS degradation in supercritical acetone were 73.3-200.7 kJ/mol and lower than those of the thermal degradation in nitrogen atmosphere.     

Direct Catalytic Asymmetric Mannich Reaction with Dithiomalonates as Excellent Mannich Donors: Organocatalytic Synthesis of (R)‐Sitagliptin

In this study, dithiomalonates (DTMs) were demonstrated to be exceptionally efficient Mannich donors in terms of reactivity and stereoselectivity in cinchona‐based‐squaramide‐catalyzed enantioselective Mannich reactions of diverse imines or α‐amidosulfones as imine surrogates. Owing to the superior reactivity of DTMs as compared to conventional malonates, the catalyst loading could be reduced to 0.1 mol % without the erosion of enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee). Furthermore, by the use of a DTM, even some highly challenging primary alkyl α‐amidosulfones were smoothly converted into the desired adducts with excellent enantioselectivity (up to 97 % ee), whereas the use of a malonate or monothiomalonate resulted in no reaction under identical conditions. The synthetic utility of the chiral Mannich adducts obtained from primary alkyl substrates was highlighted by the organocatalytic, coupling‐reagent‐free synthesis of the antidiabetic drug (?)‐(R)‐sitagliptin.     

Dispersion of silica nano-particles in sol-gel hybrid resins for fabrication of multi-scale hybrid nanocomposite

Multi-scale hybrid nanocomposites containing both ∼15 nm silica colloids and ∼2 nm oligosiloxanes in a methacryl polymer matrix were newly designed and fabricated. Colloidal silica sols were dispersed in methacryl oligosiloxanes nano-hybrid resins synthesized by sol-gel reaction of methacryloxypropylmethoxysilane and diphenylsilanediol. On the basis of TEM and SANS analyses, it was confirmed that the silica colloids were compatibly dispersed and different sizes of colloidal silica and oligosiloxanes co-exist in the solutions. Multi-scale hybrid nanocomposites fabricated by UV and thermal curing with incorporation of silica colloids in the nano-hybrid materials show enhanced mechanical and thermal characteristics.     

Synthesis and phase relations in the system with garnet-type composition: [Ca1.5GdCe0.5]VIII[ZrFe]VI[Fe x Al3? x ]IVO12

This study was aimed at the synthesis, study of phase relations and characterization of the garnet ([Ca_1.5GdCe_0.5]^VIII[ZrFe]^VI[Fe _x Al_3−x ]^IVO₁₂, x = 0−2) intended as promising matrix for actinides (Pu) immobilization. The optimum temperatures of the fabrication of the garnets ceramics are 1400 °C at x = 2 and 1500 °C at x = 0−1. The garnets lattice parameters and the content of Ce, as an imitator of Pu, increased with the content of iron. It was suggested that the ability of the garnet for incorporation of Pu was closely related to the ionic radii of the elements occupied the four-and six-coordinated sites of the structure.     

Langmuir monolayers of Co nanoparticles and their patterning by microcontact printing

In this paper, we describe an easy and reliable method for the production of patterned monolayers of Co nanoparticles. A two-dimensional monolayer of Co nanoparticles is fabricated by spreading a nanoparticle solution over an air-water interface and then transferring it to a hydrophobic substrate by using the Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) method. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was used to show that, with increasing surface pressure, the Co nanoparticles become well-organized into a Langmuir monolayer with a hexagonal close-packed structure. By controlling the pH of the subphase, it was found that a monolayer of Co nanoparticles with long-range order could be obtained. Further, by transferring the Langmuir monolayer onto a poly(dimethoxysilane) (PDMS) mold, the selective micropatterning of the Co nanoparticles could be achieved on a patterned electronic circuit. The electronic transport properties of the Co nanoparticles showed the ohmic I-V curve.