Characterization of Pt-Ru/C catalysts by X-ray absorption spectroscopy and temperature-programmed surface reaction

X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) was employed to characterize carbon black supported Pt-Ru catalysts, which are commercially available to be utilized as the anode of polymeric-electrolyte-membrane fuel cells. Both Pt and Ru were found partially oxidized in the as-received form. Upon exposure to hydrogen at room temperature, the catalysts were completely reduced to the metallic state. The bimetallic nanoparticles on the Pt-Ru/C catalysts possess an inner core enriched in Pt, which is surrounded by a Ru-rich outer shell. Such a core–shell structure retained even at an elevated reduction temperature of 623 K. Temperature-programmed surface reaction (TPSR) was carried out to explore the reactivity of adsorbed CO toward hydrogen on various catalysts. Both the peak temperature of the TPSR profile and the amount of methane generated during the course of TPSR were sensitive to the surface composition of Pt–Ru nanoparticles. In combination of XAS and TPSR results, a slight difference in the nanostructure between two Pt-Ru/C catalysts was manifested.     

Complex lanthanide chromate(VI)-phosphates K2R(CrO4)(PO4) (R = Dy-Lu, Y)

The conditions of formation of complex lanthanide chromate(VI)-phosphates K₂R(CrO₄)(PO₄) were found and these compounds were synthesized by solid-state synthesis with variation of the starting compounds, the temperature of synthesis (500–800 °C), and the annealing time (6–200 h). These salts are typical of late lanthanides, R = Dy-Lu, Y. Using lutetium derivatives as examples, it was shown that no similar compounds with lithium or sodium are formed. All the complex chromate(VI)-phosphates obtained decompose under static conditions at temperatures above 550 °C. They are isostructural and crystallize in the monoclinic system. The unit cell parameters for thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium compounds were calculated. It is shown by IR spectroscopy that PO₄ tetrahedra in the crystal lattice of potassium lanthanide chromate(VI)-phosphates are substantially distorted, whereas the CrO₄ tetrahedra retain the regular tetrahedron symmetry (T _d ). Published in Russian in Izvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 4, pp. 622–626, April, 2006.     

Analysis of phosphorus herbicides by ion-pairing reversed-phase liquid chromatography coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with octapole reaction cell

A reversed phase ion-pairing high performance liquid chromatographic (RPIP-HPLC) method is developed for the separation of two phosphorus herbicides, Glufosinate and Glyphosate as well as Aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA), the major metabolite of Glyphosate. Tetrabutylammonium hydroxide is used as the ion-pairing reagent in conjunction with an ammonium acetate/acetic acid buffering system at pH 4.7. An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) is coupled to the chromatographic system to detect the herbicides at m/z = 31P. Historically, phosphorus has been recognized as one of the elements difficult to analyze in argon plasma. This is due to its relatively high ionization potential (10.5 eV) as well as the inherent presence of the polyatomic interferences 14N16O1H+ and 15N16O+ overlapping its only isotope at m/z = 31. An octapole reaction cell is utilized to minimize the isobaric polyatomic interferences and to obtain the highest signal-to-background ratio. Detection limits were found to be in the low ppt range (25-32 ng/l). The developed method is successfully applied to the analysis of water samples collected from the Ohio River and spiked with a standard compounds at a level of 20 microg/l.     

Direct Electrochemistry of Multi‐Copper Oxidases at Carbon Nanotubes Noncovalently Functionalized with Cellulose Derivatives

This study describes the direct electron transfer of multi‐copper oxidases, i.e., laccase (from Trametes versicolor) and bilirubin oxidase (BOD, from Myrothecium verrucaria) at multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) noncovalently functionalized with biopolymers of cellulose derivatives, i.e., hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), methyl cellulose (MC), and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). The functionalization of the MWNTs with the cellulose derivatives is found to substantially solubilize the MWNTs into aqueous media and to avoid their aggregation on electrode surface. Under anaerobic conditions, the redox properties of laccase and BOD are difficult to be defined with cyclic voltammetry at either laccase/MWNT‐modified or BOD/MWNT‐modified electrodes. The direct electron transfer properties of laccase and BOD are thus studied in terms of the bioelectrocatalytic activities of the laccase/MWNT‐modified and BOD/MWNT‐modified electrodes toward the reduction of oxygen and found to be facilitated at the functionalized MWNTs. The possible application of the laccase‐catalyzed O₂ reduction at the laccase/MWNT‐modified electrode is illustrated by constructing a CNT‐based ascorbate/O₂ biofuel cell with the MWNT‐modified electrode as the anode for the oxidation of ascorbate biofuel.     

Synthesis and characterization of P2O5–SiO2–X (X = phosphotungstic acid) glasses as electrolyte for low temperature H2/O2 fuel cell application

A new class of proton conducting glass membranes for hydrogen fuel cell applications are being developed using phosphotungstic acid. These glasses are being design to yield high proton conductivities could be potential substitutes for electrolytes in H₂/O₂ fuel cell. P₂O₅–SiO₂–PWA glasses have been non-crystalline phases confirmed by structural studies. The glass materials showed good mechanical and thermal stability, and also found a maximum proton conductivity of 9.1 × 10⁻² S/cm at 90 °C and 30% RH. The average pore size less than 5 nm was determined by Barrett–Joyner–Halenda (BJH) desorption method. The electrochemical activity was investigated by polarization curves and current–voltage profiles. A maximum power density value of 10.2 mW/cm² was obtained using 0.15 mg/cm² of Pt/C loaded on electrode and 5P₂O₅–87SiO₂–8PWA glasses at 30 °C and 30% humidity.     

SYNTHESIS AND PROPERTIES OF SULFONATED POLY（ARYLENE ETHER） CONTAINING TRIPHENYL METHANE MOIETIES FROM ISOCYNATE MASKED BISPHENOL

A novel sulfonated poly（arylene ether） containing triphenylmethane moieties was synthesized by the sulfonation of a designed parent polymer using chlorosulfonic acid as sulfonation agent. The sulfonation took place at the para position of the pendant phenyl rings because of the specially designed parent polymer. The position and degree of sulfonation were characterized by ^1H-NMR and elemental analysis. The sulfonated polymers are highly soluble in common organic solvents, such as dimethylsulfoxide, N,N＇-dimethylacetamide, dimethylformamide, ethylene glycol monomethyl ether, and can be readily cast into tough and smooth films from solutions. The films showed good thermal and hydrolysis stabilities. Moreover, Fenton＇s reagent test revealed that the films exhibited superior stability to oxidation. The proton conductivities of the films were comparable with Nation 117 under same conditions. The membrane electrode assembly （MEA） prepared with the asmade film （706 EW, 100 μm dry thickness） shows better cell performance than Nation 115-MEA in the whole current density range.     

染料敏化太阳能电池中大孔TiO2薄膜电极的制备及应用

采用溶胶-凝胶水热法制备了TiO₂纳晶薄膜电极，晶型为锐钛矿型。为了提高电极的光电性能，利用聚苯乙烯小球做造孔剂，制备了含有大孔隙的TiO₂纳晶薄膜电极，孔径约为200 nm，该电极具有较好的光漫反射性能，更重要的是球形大孔的存在，提高了凝胶电解质在TiO₂薄膜电极中的渗透和I₃^-离子的扩散性能，与不含大孔的TiO₂电极相比，电池的短路光电流提高约2 mA·cm^-2，光电转换效率提高0.6%。     

CSE-MECC two-dimensional capillary electrophoresis analysis of proteins in the mouse tumor cell (AtT-20) homogenate

Two-dimensional capillary electrophoresis was used for the separation of proteins and biogenic amines from the mouse AtT-20 cell line. The first-dimension capillary contained a TRIS–CHES–SDS–dextran buffer to perform capillary sieving electrophoresis, which is based on molecular weight of proteins. The second-dimension capillary contained a TRIS–CHES–SDS buffer for micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography. After a 61-s preliminary separation, fractions from the first-dimension capillary were successively transferred to the second-dimension capillary, where they further separated by MECC. The two-dimensional separation required 60 min.     

New Amphiphilic Polypyridyl Ruthenium（Ⅱ） Sensitizer and Its Application in Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Amphiphilic polypyridyl mthenium（Ⅱ） complex cis-di（isothiocyanato）（4,4＇-di-tert-butyl-2,2＇-bipyridyl）（4,4＇- dicarboxy-2,2＇-bipyridyl）ruthenium（Ⅱ）（K005） has been synthesized and characterized by cyclic voltammetry, ^1H NMR, UV-Vis, and FT-IR spectroscopies. The sensitizer sensitizes TiO2 over a notably broad spectral range due to its intense metal-to-ligand charge-transfer （MLCT） bands at 537 and 418 nm. The photophysical and photochemical studies of K005 were contrasted with those of cis-Ru（dcbpy）2（NCS）2, known as the N3 dye, and the amphiphilic ruthenium（Ⅱ） dye Z907. A reversible couple at E1/2=0.725 V vs. saturated calomel electrode （SCE） with a separation of 0.08 V between the anodic and cathodic peaks, was observed due to the Ru^Ⅱ/Ⅲ couple by cyclic voltammetry. Furthermore, this amphiphilic ruthenium complex was successfully used as sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells with the efficiency of 3.72% at the 100 mW·cm^-2 irradiance of air mass 1.5 simulated sunlight without optimization of TiO2 films and the electrolyte.     

Continuous determination of carbon dioxide evolved during thermal decomposition reactions

A simple device suitable for continuous monitoring of carbon dioxide evolved during thermal decomposition reactions is described. Carbon dioxide is transported by a carrier gas through the device connected to thermoanalytical equipment and absorbed by soda lime reagent. The reaction heat released is linearly proportional to the amount of carbon dioxide absorbed.