Role of FTFSI Anion Asymmetry on Physical Properties of AFTFSI (A=Li,Na and K) Based Electrolytes and Consequences on Supercapacitor Application

This study compares the physicochemical properties of six electrolytes comprising of three salts: LiFTFSI, NaFTFSI and KFTFSI in two solvent mixtures, the binary (3EC/7EMC) and the ternary (EC/PC/3DMC). The transport properties (conductivity, viscosity) as a function of temperature and concentration were modeled using the extended Jones-Dole-Kaminsky equation, the Arrhenius model, and the Eyring theory of transition state for activated complexes. Results are discussed in terms of ionicity, solvation shell, and cross-interactions between electrolyte components. The application of the six formulated electrolytes in symmetrical activated carbon (AC)//AC supercapacitors (SCs) was characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), galvanostatic cycling with potential limitation (GCPL), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and accelerated aging. Results revealed that the geometrical flexibility of the FTFSI anion allows it to access and diffuse easily in AC whereas its counter ions (Li⁺, Na⁺ or K⁺) can remain trapped in porosity. However, this drawback was partially resolved by mixing LiFTFSI and KFTFSI salts in the electrolyte.     

Decay of neutron-rich Ga isotopes near N = 50 at PARRNe

The PARRNe facility has been used to produce neutron-rich isotopes ^83,84Gaby the ISOL method. Their decay has been studied, and β-γ coincidence and γ-γ coincidence data were collected as a function of time. The first two excited levels in ⁸³Ge and the first excited level in ⁸⁴Ge have been measured for the first time.     

Dynamics of molybdenum nano structure formation on the TiO2(1 1 0) surface: A kinetic Monte Carlo approach

The rutile TiO₂(1 1 0) surface is a highly anisotropic surface exhibiting “channels” delimited by oxygen rows. In previous experimental and theoretical DFT works we could identify the molybdenum adsorption sites. They are located inside the channels. Moreover, experimental studies have shown that during subsequent annealing after deposition, special molybdenum nano structures can be formed, especially two monolayer high pyramidal chains of atoms.In order to better understand the dynamics of nano structure formation, we present a kinetic Monte Carlo study on diffusion and adsorption of molybdenum atoms on a TiO₂(1 1 0) surface. A quasi one-dimensional lattice gas model has been used which describes the possible adsorption sites of a Mo atom in a single channel of the surface. The atomic positions of a 1.5 monolayer thick Mo film formed of pyramidal chains define the lattice sites of the model. Thereby the formation of three-dimensional clusters could be studied. Here we have studied the cluster formation as a function of parameters that can be controlled in a growth experiment by physical vapor deposition: deposition and annealing temperature, flux and total amount of deposited Mo. Good qualitative agreement with recent experiments is obtained.     

A photoemission study of molybdenum hexacarbonyl adsorption and decomposition on TiO2(1 1 0) surface

The adsorption and decomposition of molybdenum hexacarbonyl on (1 1 0) TiO₂ surfaces were studied using both core levels and valence band photoemission spectroscopies. It was found that after an adsorption at 140 K, when going back to room temperature, only a small part of molybdenum compounds, previously present at low temperature, remained on the TiO₂ surface. This indicates that the desorption temperature on such a surface is lower than the decomposition one. The use of photon irradiation to decompose the hexacarbonyl molecule was also studied. It was shown that during such a decomposition molecular fragments were chemisorbed on the surface allowing a higher amount of metal to remain on the surface. It was also shown that it was possible to get rid of adsorbed subcarbonyl groups and to organize the metal atoms by thermal treatments at temperatures as low as 400 K, i.e. much lower than the one needed to obtain the same structures using physical vapour deposition (PVD). Moreover, due to lower used temperatures, this chemical way of deposition allows a better control of the interface than during PVD growth.     

From the Boltzmann equation to the Stokes‐Fourier system in a bounded domain

We prove that the renormalized solutions of the Boltzmann equation considered in a bounded domain with different types of (kinetic) boundary conditions converge to the Stokes‐Fourier system with different types of (fluid) boundary conditions when the main free path goes to zero. This extends the work of F. Golse and D. Levermore [9] to the case of a bounded domain. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

From the BGK model to the Navier-Stokes equations

We give here a complete derivation of the Navier-Stokes-Fourier equations from a model collisional kinetic equation, the BGK model. Though physically unrealistic, this model shares some common features with more classical models such as the Boltzmann equation.Then the program developed by Bardos, Golse and Levermore [Fluid dynamic limits of kinetic equations II. Convergence proofs for the Boltzmann equation, Comm. Pure Appl. Math. 46 (5) (1993) 667-753] to study hydrodynamic limits of the steady Boltzmann equation, and extended by Lions and Masmoudi [From Boltzmann equations to Navier-Stokes equations I, Archive Rat. Mech. Anal. 158 (2001) 173-193] in the time-dependent case, can be adapted here, and gives the expected convergence result provided that the particle density f satisfies some integrability assumption.The originality of the present work is to remove this assumption by establishing refined a priori estimates. The crucial idea is to decompose f as (f−M_f)+M_f where M_f is the local Maxwellian associated with f. The first term is then estimated by means of the entropy dissipation, while the other is smooth in v. A mixing property of the operator (ε∂_t+v.∇_x) allows to transfer some of this extra-integrability on the variable x.     

Selective alterations of the antibody response to HIV-1

HIV infection leads to progressive alterations of humoral immune functions, including B-cell hyperplasia, hypergammaglobulinemia, elevated autoantibody titers, a poor response to neoantigens and mitogens, polyclonal B-cell activation, monoclonal gammopathies, and a significant deterioration of the antigen-specific humoral response. There is also an important isotypic imbalance of the antibody (Ab) response in the systemic compartment and a profound modification of mucosal immune functions. These abnormalities may contribute to disease progression and development of opportunistic infections, despite the presence of serum-neutralizing anti-HIV Abs. Equally important are the abnormal selection mechanisms of the Ab repertoire that seem to be responsible for B-cell clonal deletions. The V_H3 gene family, which encodes for approx 50% of immunoglobulins expressed by peripheral B-cells from normal adults, is underrepresented in human monoclonal antibodies to HIV-1 and in the peripheral B-cells of AIDS patients. These abnormalities, together with features of germinal center alteration, could be responsible for the clonal elimination of a subset of B-cells, and could contribute to HIV pathogenesis.