Enhanced robustness of zero-line modes in graphene via magnetic field

We systematically studied the influence of magnetic field on zero-line modes (ZLMs) in graphene and demonstrated the physical origin of their enhanced robustness by employing nonequilibrium Green’s functions and the Landauer–Büttiker formula. We found that a perpendicular magnetic field can separate the wavefunctions of the counter-propagating kink states into opposite directions. Specifically, the separation vanishes at the charge neutrality point and increases as the Fermi level deviates from the charge neutrality point and can reach a magnitude comparable to the wavefunction spread at a moderate field strength. Such spatial separation of oppositely propagating ZLMs effectively suppresses backscattering and is more significant under zigzag boundary condition than under armchair boundary condition. Moreover, the presence of magnetic field enlarges the bulk gap and suppresses the bound states, thereby further reducing the scattering. These mechanisms effectively increase the mean free paths of the ZLMs to approximately 1 μm in the presence of a disorder.     

Rectifying properties of a boron/nitrogen-doped C131-based molecular junction: A first-principles study

Using first-principles density functional theory and non-equilibrium Green′s function formalism for quantum transport calculation, we have investigated the electronic transport properties of the boron/nitrogen-doped C₁₃₁-based molecular junction. Our results show that an obvious rectifying behavior is observed. Moreover, the rectifying performance can be tuned by adjusting the doping sites. The mechanism for the rectifying phenomenon is suggested. The present findings could be helpful for the application of the C₁₃₁ molecule in the field of single molecular devices or nanometer electronics.     

Non-equilibrium Landauer transport model for Hawking radiation from a Reissner—Nordstrom black hole

The recent work of Nation et al., in which the Hawking radiation energy and entropy flow from a black hole is considered to be produced in a one-dimensional Landauer transport process, is extended to the case of a Reissner- Nordstrom black hole. The energy flow contains not only the contribution of the thermal flux but also that of the particle flux. It is found that the charge can also be transported via the one-dimensional quantum tunnel. Because of the existence of the electrostatic potential, the entropy production rate is shown to be smaller than that of the Schwarzschild black hole.     

Mathematical Modeling of Multicomponent Nonisothermal Adsorption in Sorbent Particles Under Pressure Swing Conditions

A detailed model for nonisothermal sorption of multicomponent mixtures in a single sorbent particle (monodisperse or bidisperse with negligible intracrystalline mass transport limitations) under pressure swing conditions is developed in this study. The dusty-gas model is used to describe the coupling of the molar fluxes, the temperature, the partial pressures and the partial pressure gradients of the components in the pore space of the particle. The variations of the temperature are described by an energy equation in which both convective and conductive modes of heat transport are accounted for. No limitations are imposed on the number of the components in the mixture and on the type of the adsorption isotherm. The model is applied in the investigation of the industrially important air-zeolite 5A system. Two cases with respect to the surrounding gas phase are examined: infinite environment, which is representative for single particle experiments, and finite environment, which is representative for the situation in packed bed adsorbers. It is found that in an infinite environment the external and internal temperature gradients are equally important while in a finite environment the external heat transport limitations are negligible. It is concluded that in modeling the nonisothermal operation of adsorption processes occurring in packed beds it is not necessary to allow for the temperature differences between the gas phase and the surface of the adsorbing particles. Furthermore, if the temperature gradients within the particles can be neglected, only a single temperature equation is needed to describe the energy transport in the bed.     

MXene: A two-dimensional material in selective water separation via pervaporation

MXene, well-identified as Ti₃C₂T_X, belongs to the family of two-dimensional (2D) materials, which have been currently explored in various applications. Very recently, such materials have been pointed out as potential nanomaterials for advanced solute separations when introduced in membranes, such as ion separation, gas separation, nanofiltration, chiral molecular separation, and solvent separation. This latter separation, generally named Pervaporation (PV), is identified as a highly selective technology for water separations. To date, few pieces of research have been released but providing interesting insights into several solvent (including water) separations. Hence, this brief review aims to analyze and discuss the latest advances for utilizing MXenes for PV membranes. Particular emphasis has been devoted to the relevant outcomes in the field, along with the strategies followed by researchers to tailor membranes. Based on the current findings, the perspectives in the field are also stated.     

Highly selective transport of silver ion through a supported liquid membrane using calix[4]pyrroles as suitable ion carriers

Facilitated transport of silver ion across a supported liquid membrane (SLM) by calix[4]pyrroles, as selective ion carriers, dissolved in kerosene has been investigated. The influences of fundamental parameters affecting the transport of silver ion including ion carrier concentration in the membrane phase, thiosulfate concentration in strip phase, picric acid concentration in the feed phase, stirring speed of aqueous phases, type of membrane solvent and time of transport have been studied. In the presence of thiosulfate as a suitable metal ion acceptor in the strip phase and picrate ion as ion pairing agent in the source phase, transport of silver occurs almost quantitatively after 75 min. The selectivity and efficiency of silver transport from aqueous solution containing Cu²⁺, Mg²⁺, Ni²⁺, Ca²⁺, Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Co²⁺, Al³⁺, Hg²⁺, Cd²⁺, Fe³⁺, Fe²⁺ and Cr³⁺ were investigated.     

New ion exchange membrane derived from sulfochlorated polyether sulfone for electrodialysis desalination of brackish water

The purpose of this work is to study the desalination of brackish water using a new ion exchange membrane, made from sulfochlorated polyethersulfone (Cl‐PES), and crosslinked using aminated polyethersulfone (NH2‐PES) as a crosslinking reagent. This membrane, named ClNH2 membrane, has been obtained by reaction between Cl‐PES with 1.3 SO₂Cl groups per monomer unit and 0.2 equivalent amount of NH2‐PES. ClNH2 membrane has been characterized in terms of contact angle, transport number, intrinsic conductivity, and water uptake (as a function of temperature). Electrodialysis performances of the newly synthetized membranes have been measured using an electrodialysis cell at a laboratory scale and compared to commercial membranes. All the experiments have been performed using synthetic brackish water solutions prepared from sodium chloride salts with different concentrations (varying from 0.5 to 5.0 g/L). The concentration of different water samples obtained has been found to be below the amount recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO) for drinking water.     

Properties and performance of BaxSr1−xCo0.8Fe0.2O3−δ materials for oxygen transport membranes

The present paper discusses the oxygen transport properties, oxygen stoichiometry, phase stability, and chemical and mechanical stability of the perovskites (BSCF) and (SCF) for air separation applications. The low oxygen conductive brownmillerite phase in SCF is characterized using in-situ neutron diffraction, thermographic analysis and temperature programmed desorption but this phase is not present for BSCF under the conditions studied. Although both materials show oxygen fluxes well above 10 ml/cm²·min at T=1,273 K and pO₂=1 bar for self-supporting, 200 μm-thick membranes, BSCF is preferred as a membrane material due to its phase stability. However, BSCF’s long-term stable performance remains to be confirmed. The deviation from ideal oxygen stoichiometry for both materials is high: δ>0.6. The thermal expansion coefficients of BSCF and SCF are 24×10⁻⁶ and 30×10⁻⁶ K⁻¹, respectively, as determined from neutron diffraction data. The phenomenon of kinetic demixing has been observed at pO₂<10⁻⁵ bar, resulting in roughening of the surface and enrichment with alkaline earth metals. Stress–strain curves were determined and indicated creep behavior that induces undesired ductility at T=1,073 K for SCF. Remedies for mechanical and chemical instabilities are discussed.     

Cyclic and acyclic S2O2 donor-type ionophores. Ion-pair extraction and transport of Ag(I) picrate, and X-ray confirmation of existence of the ion-pair complex

Extraction and transport behaviors of isomeric oxathia macrocycles (L₂, ortho-; L₃, meta- and L₄, para-isomer) and their structure related open-chain compound (L₁) towards Ag(I) picrate have been examined. From the plot of log (D_Ag(I)/[pic⁻]) vs. log [L]₀ for all of the ionophores were linear with slope near unity, thereby confirming the 1:1:1 complex formations of Ag(I)/ligand/picrate ion to be extracted into the dichloromethane phase. The extractability of an acyclic ionophore was superior to those of the corresponding cyclic ones. In membrane transport experiments, the slow rate of release of Ag(I) from the membrane into the receiving phase seems to be responsible for lower transport efficiency. Upon addition of sodium thiosulfate as a stripping reagent in receiving phase, the efficiency of transport is significantly enhanced in the order of L₁ (acyclic)>L₂ (ortho-)>L₃ (meta-)>L₄ (para-) in accordance with those of log K_ex values. It is hypothesized that the ion-pair complexation of L₁ in extraction step would be more favorable in extraction and transport of Ag(I). Its structure have been confirmed by X-ray diffraction analysis of [Ag(L₁)pic], where L₁=1,10-bis(mercaptobenzylyl)-4,7-dioxadecane.