Small-volume radial flow cell for all-solid-state ion-selective electrodes

A flow cell with a radial distribution of four all-solid-state ion selective electrodes (ISEs), or alternatively three ISEs and one reference electrode, was designed and optimized for mass production. The radial distribution of the electrodes reduces the cell volume and is expected to minimize cross-contamination between different electrodes. Two different cell prototypes were developed and tested for all-solid-state K⁺-ISEs based on a solvent polymeric ion-selective membrane (ISM) and a conducting polymer, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene), as solid internal contact. In the first prototype, PEDOT was electropolymerized from an aqueous solution of the monomer and the doping ion salt, sodium polystyrenesulfonate (NaPSS). The second prototype employed an aqueous dispersion of PEDOT(PSS) that is commercially available (Baytron P, Bayer AG). Compared to electrochemical synthesis, solution casting of the polymer dispersion was found to be a more advantageous method to deposit the conducting polymer layer aiming at mass production. The resulting prototypes of the flow cell had a small volume (ca. 17-37 μl), which makes them suitable for application in clinical analysis.     

疏水相互作用对阳离子聚电解质与染料键合的影响

用平衡渗析法研究了阳离子聚电解质PAm·MG 和P(St-Am·MG)与甲基橙(MO)及P(St-Am·MG)与MO的同系物乙基橙(EO)、橙武Ⅳ(O-Ⅳ)在25、35、45和55 ℃下相互作用的热力学. 由K1otz方程, 求得键合常数K_1和热力学参数ΔG、ΔH及ΔS. 含疏水基的P(St-Am·MG)与MO的键合能力比不含疏水基的PAm·MG 强. P(St-Am·MG)与不同染料作用时, 键合程度为O-Ⅳ>EO>MO, 即染料的疏水性越强, 与高聚物的作用程度越大.键合体系加入脲或甲醇, 疏水相互作用受到破坏, 导致高聚物与染料之间的键合受到削弱.     

Assessment of various carbon sources and nutrient feeding strategies for Panax ginseng cell culture

Ginseng (root of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer) cells were cultivated on medium supplemented with various carbohydrates including sucrose, glucose, and fructose, at initial concentrations ranging from 10 to 110 g/L. Sucrose was shown to be the superior carbon source to the monosaccharides for ginseng cell growth and the optimal concentration was between 30 and 50 g/L. An increase in the initial concentration within this range increased the maximum cell density and growth index significantly, whereas much higher concentrations inhibited cell growth. Feeding of sucrose and some other medium components during the growth (fed-batch mode) was more effective in enhancing the cell growth and biomass productivity, increasing the growth index by more than 60–70% and biomass productivity by more than 50%.     

Development of new glass composite membranes and their properties for low temperature H2/O2 fuel cells.

A new glass electrolyte formed by constant amounts of titanium oxide (TiO2) and various amount of phosphotungstic acid (PWA) doped P2O5-SiO2 is prepared using the sol-gel process. The structural formation is confirmed by Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and from thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA) measurements, the glasses display good thermal stability. Further characterisation is undertaken by N2 adsorption/desorption measurements, proton conductivity and hydrogen permeability analyses and a H2/O2 fuel cell test is also performed. The glass materials with large pores and specific surface area are suitable for use as the electrolyte in H2/O2 fuel cells. The effect of TiO2 processing with constant amount of PWA in phosphosilicate glasses, is investigated and discussed. The hydrogen permeability is 1.57x10(-11) mol cm(-1) s(-1) Pa(-1) at 110 degrees C for 0.8 mm thick glass; a power density of 46.3 mW cm(-2) at 125 mA cm(-2) and a current density of 175 mA cm(-2) is obtained (T=28 degrees C, relative humidity).     

Biofuel cell anode based on the Gluconobacter oxydans bacteria cells and 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol as an electron transport mediator

A basic scheme of the use of the Gluconobacter oxydans bacteria cells as a biocatalyst at an anode of a biofuel cell with air-based cathode is raised up. The anode and cathode of the cell are made of graphite; 2,6-dichlorophenolindophenol serves as an electron transport mediator; and glucose is the substrate to be oxidized. The open-circuit voltage is 55 mV, for the bacteria cell, the mediator, and glucose concentrations of 3 mg/ml (raw weight), 34 mM, and 10 mM, respectively. The voltage and current of the biofuel cell loaded with an external resistance of 10 kohm are 5.6 mV and 0.56 mA. The cell’s internal resistance is 88 kohm.     

Electrochemical Impedance Analysis of Thermogalvanic Cells

Thermogalvanic cells(also known as thermo-electrochemical cells) that convert waste heat energy to electricity are a new type of energy conversion device. However, the electron transfer kinetics and mass transfer of redox couples have not been thoroughly studied. Here, the ion reaction and charge transport in thermogalvanic cells are investigated by electrochemical impedance analysis. We first propose the detailed impedance model followed experimental verification on three types of electrode materials. Parameters including kinetic rate constants and ion diffusion coefficients for the electrodes are obtained by fitting the impedance data. Our study shows explicitly that impedance analysis can provide useful information on selecting suitable electrode materials for thermogalvanic cells.     

Cathode of a fuel cell with a solid polymer electrolyte: Calculating overall currents in the presence of a gas-diffusion layer

Mathematical apparatus, which makes it possible to perform calculations of the current-voltage characteristics of cathodes of fuel cells with a solid polymer electrolyte in conditions where there are present extraneous diffusion restrictions is proposed. In so doing, the partial pressure of oxygen and the absolute pressure of gas in the gas chamber may assume any values. First of all presented are the results of calculations of the current-voltage characteristics intrinsic to active layers of the air and oxygen cathodes, which are performed under the assumption that the extraneous diffusion restrictions are absent altogether. Thereafter, in the same conditions (at the same parameters that characterize the active layer of a cathode), obtained are results of a calculation of the current-voltage characteristics inherent in the air and oxygen cathodes in the presence of extraneous diffusion restrictions. Afterward there is performed an analysis of the way a gas-diffusion layer restricts the process of generation of current in a cathode and of what measures should be taken in order for the extraneous diffusion restrictions to become less significant.     

A stable carbonyl-pyrazine-metal(0) complex: Synthesis and characterization of cis-tetracarbonylpyrazinetrimethylphosphitetungsten(0)

Pentacarbonylpyrazinetungsten(0), (CO)₅W(pyz), is not stable in solution in polar solvents such as acetone or dichloromethane and undergoes conversion to a bimetallic complex, (CO)₅W(pyz)W(CO)₅ plus free pyrazine. These three species exist at equilibrium. Using the quantitative ¹H NMR spectroscopy, the equilibrium constant could be determined to be K_eq = (5.9 ± 0.8) × 10⁻² at 25 °C. Introducing a second pyrazine ligand into the molecule does not stabilize the complex, as cis-W(CO)₄(pyz)₂ was found to be less stable than W(CO)₅(pyz) and, therefore, could not be isolated. However, introducing trimethylphosphite as a donor ligand into the complex leads to the stabilization of the carbonyl-pyrazine-metal(0) complexes, as shown by the synthesis of cis-W(CO)₄[P(OCH₃)₃](pyz). This complex could be isolated from the reaction of the photogenerated W(CO)₄[P(OCH₃)₃](tetrahydrofuran) with trimethylphosphite upon mixing for 2 h at 10 °C in tetrahydrofuran and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, MS, ¹H, ¹³C, and ³¹P NMR spectroscopy.