Cellulose-precursor synthesis of nanocrystalline Ce<Subscript>0.8</Subscript>Gd<Subscript>0.2</Subscript>O<Subscript>2−δ</Subscript> for SOFC anodes

Developments of intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT SOFCs) require novel anode materials with a high electrochemical activity at 800–1070 K. The polarization of cermet anodes, made of nickel, ceria and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) and applied onto a YSZ solid electrolyte, can be significantly reduced by catalytically active ceria additions, the relative role of which increases with decreasing temperature. Further improvement is observed when using Ce_0.8Gd_0.2O_2– (CGO) having a high oxygen ionic conductivity instead of undoped ceria, owing to enlargement of the electrochemical reaction zone. Nanocrystalline CGO powders with grain sizes of 8–35 nm were thus synthesized via the cellulose-precursor technique and introduced into Ni–CGO–YSZ cermets, and tested in contact with a (La_0.9Sr_0.1)_0.98Ga_0.8Mg_0.2O_3– (LSGM) electrolyte at 873–1073 K. The results showed that the anode performance can be enhanced by additional surface activation, in particular by impregnation with a Ce-containing solution, and also by incorporation of YSZ, which probably acts as a cermet-stabilizing component. The overpotential of the surface-modified Ni–CGO (25 wt%–75 wt%) anode in a 10% H₂/90% N₂ atmosphere was approximately 110 mV at 1073 K with a current density of 200 mA/cm².Presented at the OSSEP Workshop Ionic and Mixed Conductors: Methods and Processes, Aveiro, Portugal, 10–12 April 2003     

DIPOLE POLARIZATION RELAXATION AND MOLECULAR STRUCTURE OF MAIN-AND SIDE-CHAIN LIQUID-CRYSTALLINE POLYMERS

Molecular mobility in thermotropic polyesters and side-chain polymers with different struc-ture of mesogens and spacers has been studied by dielectrical method in dilutesolutions. The results made it possible to establish the multiplicity of dielectric relaxationtransitions which reflects the small- and large-scale types of molecular motion. It was shownthat dielectric relaxation processes occurring in accordance with local mechanism (relaxationtimes 10~(-9)--10~(-7)s. and the activation energy 10--50kJ/mol) are due to the mobility of kineticchain elements of different length within a monomer units. It was found that the dielectricrelaxation process connected with a large-scale form of molecular motion (relaxation times10~(-5)--10~(-6)s. and the activation energy 100kJ/mol) did not depend on the molecular massbut was infiuenced by factors changing the conformational state of the macromolecule. It isestablished tha the cooperative reorientation mobility of associated mesogenic fragments isthe source of the large-scale process.     

四氢呋喃-水-乙醇三元溶液体系制备高合金化Pt-Ru/CMK-3催化剂

提出了在四氢呋喃(THF)、H2O和乙醇三元体系中用一般的化学还原法在室温下制备高合金化Pt-Ru/CMK-3催化剂的新方法. 与在纯水中制得的商品化ETEK催化剂相比, 其Pt-Ru粒子的合金化程度高、平均粒径较小且相对结晶度低, 因此, 该催化剂对甲醇氧化的电催化活性远高于在纯水中制得的Pt-Ru催化剂. 高合金化程度的原因是H2PtCl6和RuCl3在THF、H2O和乙醇三元溶液体系中的起始还原电位相近. 此外, CMK-3以其规整的二维有序孔道结构, 为直接甲醇燃烧电池(DMFC)中电子和物质的传输提供了方便的路径, 其巨大的比表面积也为Pt-Ru 纳米粒子的均匀分散提供了良好的载体.     

Polarization Dependent Photoinduced Supramolecular Chirality in High-Performance Azo Materials

Here, we will show photo-induced supramolecular chirality in thin films of achiral amorphous polymers with azo groups in their side-chain. A matter of particular interest is the effect of various film thicknesses on azimuthal rotation and ellipticity of incident/transmitted polarized light. Furthermore, we investigated the temporal stability of inscribed chirality. By polarimetric measurements, we found out that the azimuthal rotation gets higher with layer thickness. In this scope, we were able to measure a very high azimuthal rotation of Δψ/d=112.5∘/μm. The inscribed chirality was stable for several days. Furthermore, we investigated the time-resolved behavior of incident and transmitted polarization ellipticities for various thicknesses. The time dependency may be explained by a two-step process: (1) fast trans-cis-isomerization resulting in photo-orientation and (2) slow photo-induced mass flow.     

Contracted polarization functions for B to Ar

Using optimal exponents for B through Ne given by Dunning and those for Al through Ar by Woon and Dunning, d-type contracted polarization functions (2d/1d), (3d/1d), and (3d/2d) are generated from natural orbitals of atomic single and double excitation configuration interaction (SDCI) calculations, where the numbers before and after the slash are those of the primitive and contracted Gaussian type functions. The resulting contracted functions are tested on N₂ and P₂ molecules by self-consistent field and SDCI calculations, which clarify characteristics of the present polarization functions. Received: 5 June 1997 / Accepted: 20 August 1997     

Nuclear‐Spin Polarization in Electron‐Transfer Reactions of Amines

Chemically induced dynamic nuclear polarization (CIDNP) observed during electron transfer (ET) reactions of tertiary amines such as DABCO ( 1 ) or Et₃N ( 2 ) with a wide range of electron acceptors support the involvement of amine radical‐cations (e.g., 1^{. +} or 2^{. +} ) as key intermediates. Radical ions such as 2^{. +} may be deprotonated, generating neutral aminoalkyl radicals (e.g., 2^. ). When generated by reaction with an electron acceptor of energetically low triplet state such as naphthalene (¹Naph*), the resulting pair 2^{. +} /Naph^.? reacts mostly by reverse electron transfer (RET) from triplet pairs populating the naphthalene triplet state.     

Use of intermittent jets to enhance flux in crossflow filtration

This paper deals with the influence of a new flow unsteadiness on the permeate fluxes in crossflow filtration. A pneumatically controlled valve generates intermittent jets from the main flow, causing the formation of large vortices moving downstream along the tubular membrane. The main results of the numerical calculation of such flows are given. The experimental study was carried out by filtering a bentonite suspension through an ultrafiltration mineral membrane. Time evolutions of flux were achieved in steady and unsteady operating conditions. Results concerning the influence and limits of the nozzle to tube diameter ratio and the jet velocities are discussed. The applicability of such an unsteady flow is examined with a view to effects on energy consumption and possible viscosity effects.     

Correction for the Concentration Polarization for Simultaneous Reduction of Several Reactants: Platinum(II) Aquachloride Complexes

The reaction of electroreduction of platinum(II) aquachloride complexes on a negatively charged dropping mercury electrode is used to determine specific features of interpretation of experimental data in the case of parallel conversion of several forms of a reactant, connected with the manner of introducing a correction for the concentration polarization. The difference in the charges of species undergoing simultaneous reduction gives rise to ambiguity when analyzing kinetic data on the dependence of current on the supporting-electrolyte concentration at constant electrode charge. A new self-consistent technique for deducing model parameters (ratio between reactant discharge rate constants) is proposed.     

Polarization Dependence of a Hydrophobized Electrode for Electrosynthesis of a Soluble Product

An equation for a polarization curve of a hydrophobized electrode is proposed for electrosynthesis of a soluble electroactive product in an inner-kinetic mode. The equation contains the concentration of the target product (TP) in an explicit form. The shape of the curve depends on the biquadratic root of the TP concentration and the square root of the ratio between exchange currents of the side and target reactions.     

Express detection of nonylphenol in water samples by fluorescence polarization immunoassay

The development of express method for detection of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC) such as alkylphenols is required for ecological monitoring. Several attempts have been made to produce antibodies against 4-nonylphenol (NP) in recent years. This work describes the production of new antibodies against NP and also summarizes the characterization of antibodies obtained earlier. Three approaches used to produce alkylphenol-specific antibodies are compared; these are based on: 1. omega-(4-hydroxyphenyl)nonanoic or omega-(4-hydroxyphenyl)heptanoic acid NP derivatives designed to mimic the linear NP isomer; 2. 4-aminophenol, which potentially mimics various substituted phenolic compounds with different side-chain structures at position 4 of the benzene ring; and 3. a mixture of branched NP isomers, conjugated to the carrier protein via a benzene ring by the Mannich reaction, and expected to be the closest mimic of NP structure by preserving its natural alkyl moiety.Fluorescence polarization immunoassays based on different combinations of antibody and labeled antigen for screening detection of NP were developed and structural aspects of assay sensitivity and specificity were investigated. The assays based on the antisera raised against omega-(4-hydroxyphenyl)nonanoic acid and NP conjugate via Mannich reaction are capable of express detection of NP with detection limit of 7 microg mL(-1 )and assay dynamic range of 18-300 microg mL(-1).