A Chemically Fuelled Molecular Automaton Displaying Programmed Migration of Zn2+ Between Alternative Binding Sites

A molecular system comprising a cationic zinc complex and an amino acid-derived ambident ligand having phosphate and carboxylate binding sites undergoes a series of rearrangements in which the metal cation migrates autonomously from one site to another. The location of the metal is identified by the circular dichroism spectrum of a ligated bis(2-quinolylmethyl)-(2-pyridylmethyl)amine (BQPA) chromophore, which takes a characteristic shape at each binding site. Migration is fuelled by the decomposition of trichloroacetic acid to CO₂ and CHCl₃, which progressively neutralises the acidity of the system as a function of time, revealing in sequence binding sites of increasing basicity. The migration rate responds to control by variation of the temperature, water content and triethylamine concentration, while an excess of fuel controls the duration of an induction period before the migration event.     

分散溶剂对PEMFC催化层中超薄Nafion离聚物质子传导的影响

质子交换膜燃料电池(PEMFC)商业化应用的瓶颈仍然是贵金属催化剂导致的成本问题。然而,目前对于催化层中纳米尺度全氟磺酸离聚物(以Nafion为代表)薄膜中质子传导的问题研究不足,无法完善三相界面的成型规律,进而指导催化层设计。在催化层浆料制备过程中,分散溶剂对Nafion的分散形态有直接影响,可能对催化层成型后附着在催化剂颗粒表面Nafion薄膜的微观结构有潜在影响,进而影响Nafion薄膜的质子传导能力。因此,在本文中利用分子自组装技术模拟催化层离聚物薄膜的聚集过程,于模型基底上制备厚度精确可控的纳米尺度Nafion薄膜,并通过微观测试表征技术探索并建立纳米尺度Nafion离聚物的微观结构模型,阐明分散溶剂对Nafion薄膜微观结构及质子传导的影响。研究发现Nafion薄膜在纳米尺度下的质子电导率比体相膜的质子电导率低一个数量级,使用介电常数较小的醇类溶剂可以使Nafion薄膜形成更有利于质子传导的微观结构,使Nafion薄膜的质子电导率得到提高。相关研究结果为优化PEMFC催化层结构,改善PEMFC催化层中质子传导问题提供给了依据。     

Machine learning as an online diagnostic tool for proton exchange membrane fuel cells

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells are considered a promising power supply system with high efficiency and zero emissions. They typically work within a relatively narrow range of temperature and humidity to achieve optimal performance; however, this makes the system difficult to control, leading to faults and accelerated degradation. Two main approaches can be used for diagnosis, limited data input which provides an unintrusive, rapid but limited analysis, or advanced characterisation that provides a more accurate diagnosis but often requires invasive or slow measurements. To provide an accurate diagnosis with rapid data acquisition, machine learning methods have shown great potential. However, there is a broad approach to the diagnostic algorithms and signals used in the field. This article provides a critical view of the current approaches and suggests recommendations for future methodologies of machine learning in fuel cell diagnostic applications.     

Recent advances in microbial fuel cell-based toxicity biosensors: Strategies for enhanced toxicity response

Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) have been extensively studied as self-powered toxicity biosensors; however, their applications are limited by the relatively poor toxicity responses. The toxicity responses are known to be related to the factors such as the resistance of species to toxicants, the bioavailability of toxicants and the type of sensing elements. Accordingly, some strategies have already been proposed to enhance the toxicity responses in the past several years, including the external resistance tuning, quorum sensing effect, shear stress control, nutrient level control, electrode material choice, sensing element choice, and cell configuration design. This work introduces and discusses these strategies, and the suggestion for future work is also provided finally.     

Metal-Free B,N co-Doped Hierarchical Porous Carbon Electrocatalyst with an Excellent O2 Reduction Performance

Fuel cells have attracted increasing attention due to their low cost, high energy density, low environmental pollution, and abundant raw materials. Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a core technology of fuel cells, and the development of new electrocatalysts with high ORR performance is highly desirable. Herein, we synthesize a series of B, N co-doped hierarchical porous carbons using a soft template method with the integration of self-assembly, calcination and etching. The obtained materials exhibit hierarchical porous structures, controllable pore distribution, partial graphite structures, and B, N co-doping. They can function as the cost-effective and metal-free electrocatalysts, facilitating the diffusion of electrolyte ions and the improvement of ORR performance. Especially, the B, N co-doped porous carbon with the B-to-N molar ratio of 5 (BNC-5) displays a high ORR activity with a half-wave potential (E_1/2) of 0.73 V, an onset potential (E_onset) of 0.94 V, and a high limiting current density (J_L) of 5.98 mA cm⁻², superior to the N-doped C (NC) and BNC-1 (the B-to-N molar ratio=1), BNC-3 (the B-to-N molar ratio=3) and BNC-7 (the B-to-N molar ratio=7) under the identical conditions. Moreover, the BNC-5 exhibits good cycling stability after 5000 cyclic voltammetry (CV) cycles and excellent tolerance toward even 3 M methanol. This research provides a new approach for the facile synthesis of dual element-doped carbon electrocatalysts with high ORR performance.     

PEMFC阴极催化层结构分析

采用CCS法（catalyst coated substrate）构建铂纳米颗粒（Pt-NPs）和铂纳米线（Pt-NWs）双层催化层结构,分析其对单电池电化学性能的影响。对于富铂/贫铂双层铂纳米颗粒结构,靠近质子交换膜侧的富铂层中致密的铂颗粒结构能促进ORR速率,而靠近气体扩散层一侧的具有更高的孔隙率和平均孔尺寸的贫铂层,有利于反应气体的传输和扩散,当贫富铂层铂载量比为1:2时,单电池测试表现出最优性能,在0.6 V时的电流密度达到了1.05 A·cm^-2,峰值功率密度为0.69 W·cm^-2,较常规单层催化层结构提升了21%。在以Pt-NPs作为基底层时生长Pt-NWs时,得到了梯度分布的双层结构。铂颗粒的存在促进了铂前驱体的还原,并为新形成的铂原子提供了沉积位置。在Pt-NPs基底上生长的Pt-NWs具有更均匀的分布以及更致密的绒毛结构,并且自然形成了一种梯度分布。优化后的Pt-NWs催化层在0.6 V时的电流密度提高了21%。含有双层催化层结构的膜电极具有更高的催化剂利用率,对阴极催化层结构的优化和制备提供了新思路。     

基于Flowmaster的飞机燃油供油系统仿真研究

飞机燃油系统作为飞机不可或缺的功能和保障系统,对飞机的安全性有着重大的影响。针对飞机燃油供油系统的故障诊断问题,利用流体仿真软件Flowmaster建立了供油系统模型。仿真了飞机燃油系统增压泵供油、交输供油、重力供油的工作情况。分析了飞机燃油供油系统的故障模式,仿真了在几种典型故障模型下的工作情况,并对仿真结果进行了分析。结果表明利用Flowmaster所建立的供油系统模型能有效地仿真飞机燃油系统正常与故障工作情况,为飞机燃油系统的故障诊断打下了基础。     

氧化还原可逆Nb2TiO7复合阴极电解池高温水蒸气电解研究

系统地研究Nb₂TiO₇与Nb_1.33Ti_0.67O₄材料相互转变的氧化还原循环可逆性能,同时研究Nb2TiO7和Nb_1.33Ti_0.67O₄样品随温度和氧分压变化的电导率,并与复合电极对称电池和电解池的电化学性能相关联. 在830 oC下,对Nb_1.33Ti_0.67O₄复合电极电解池进行水蒸气的电解研究测试. 电流电压曲线和电解池短期性能测试表明在低电压下主要为电极的还原和活化过程;而在高电压下主要为水蒸气的电解. 当3%H₂O/Ar/4%H_{2气体通入阴极时电解池水蒸气电解的法拉第效率为98.9%;而当通入气体转换为3%H2O/Ar时效率为89%.}     

Progress in Developments of Inorganic Nanocatalysts for Application in Direct Methanol Fuel Cells

Significant progress has been made in the last few years toward synthesizing highly dispersible inorganic catalysts for application in the electrodes of direct methanol fuel cells. In addition, research toward achieving an efficient catalyst supporting matrix has also attracted much attention in recent years. Carbon black- (Vulcan XC-72) supported Platinum and Platinum-Ruthenium catalysts have for long served as the conventional choice as the cathode and the anode catalyst materials, respectively. Oxygen reduction reaction at the cathode and methanol oxidation reaction at the anode occur simultaneously during the operation of a direct methanol fuel cell. However, inefficiencies in these reactions result in a generation of mixed potential. This, in turn, gives rise to reduced cell voltage, increased oxygen stoichiometric ratio, and generation of additional water that is responsible for water flooding in the cathode chamber. In addition, the lack of long-term stability of Pt-Ru anode catalyst, coupled with the tendency of Ru to cross through the polymer electrolyte membrane and eventually get deposited on the cathode, is also a serious drawback. Another source of potential concern is the fact that the natural resource of Pt and the rare earth metal Ru is very limited, and has been predicted to become exhausted very soon. To overcome these problems, new catalyst systems with high methanol tolerance and higher catalytic activity than Pt need to be developed. In addition, the catalyst-supporting matrix is also witnessing a change from traditionally used carbon powder to transition metal carbides and other high-performance materials. This article surveys the recent literature based on the advancements made in the field of highly dispersible inorganic catalysts for application in direct methanol fuel cells, as well as the progress made in the area of catalyst-supporting matrices.     

A study of the gasification of carbon black with molten salt of Li2CO3 and K2CO3 for application in the external anode media of a direct carbon fuel cell

The characteristics of gasification reactions for carbon–carbonate mixtures were experimentally investigated at high temperatures up to 900 °C, considering the application of the mixtures to the external anode media of a direct carbon fuel cell. A thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) was conducted in either a nitrogen or carbon dioxide ambient environment for Li₂CO₃, K₂CO₃ and a mixture of these two substances with carbon black. Changes in the exit gas composition were also monitored during the heating process. It was shown that gasification in the mixture media occurs much more rapidly than carbonate decomposition at elevated temperatures, even for low concentrations of CO₂. It was also shown that the loading of carbonates to carbon significantly affects the global gasification reaction; it increased the reaction rate by an order of magnitude and decreased its activation energy. Based on the experimental observations, a simplified reaction model of gasification was suggested for the anode media of a DCFC, regarding carbonate-catalysed and metal-catalysed pathways of Boudouard reactions.