The effect of ZnO addition on the electrochemical properties of the LaNi3.55Mn0.4Al0.3Co0.2Fe0.55 electrode used in nickel–metal hydride batteries

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - The studied electrochemical properties of the LaNi3.55Mn0.4Al0.3Co0.2Fe0.55 alloy showed a rather poor performance. To improve them, ZnO, a doping agent at...     

Phase structure and electrochemical characteristics of CaNi4.7Mn0.3 hydrogen storage alloy by mechanical alloying

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - In this paper, we study systematically the effect of ball/powder weight ratio on the morphological, structural, and electrochemical properties of...     

Kinetic and thermodynamic studies of hydrogen storage alloys as negative electrode materials for Ni/MH batteries: a review

This paper reviews the present performances of intermetallic compound families as materials for negative electrodes of rechargeable Ni/MH batteries. The performance of the metal-hydride electrode is determined by both the kinetics of the processes occurring at the metal/solution interface and the rate of hydrogen diffusion within the bulk of the alloy. Thermodynamic and electrochemical properties for each hydride compound family will be reported. The steps of hydrogen absorption/desorption such as charge-transfer and hydrogen diffusion for evaluating the electrochemical properties of hydrogen storage alloys are discussed. Exchange current density (I ₀) and hydrogen diffusion coefficient (D _H) are the two most important parameters for evaluating the electrochemical properties of metal hydride electrode. The values of the two parameters for a number of hydrogen storage alloys are compared. The relationship between alloy composition and electrochemical properties is noted and evaluated.     

Ternary CoPtAu Nanoparticles as a General Catalyst for Highly Efficient Electro‐oxidation of Liquid Fuels

Efficient electro‐oxidation of formic acid, methanol, and ethanol is challenging owing to the multiple chemical reaction steps required to accomplish full oxidation to CO₂. Herein, a ternary CoPtAu nanoparticle catalyst system is reported in which Co and Pt form an intermetallic L1₀‐structure and Au segregates on the surface to alloy with Pt. The L1₀‐structure stabilizes Co and significantly enhances the catalysis of the PtAu surface towards electro‐oxidation of ethanol, methanol, and formic acid, with mass activities of 1.55 A/mg_Pt, 1.49 A/mg_Pt, and 11.97 A/mg_Pt, respectively in 0.1 m HClO₄. The L1₀‐CoPtAu catalyst is also stable, with negligible degradation in mass activities and no obvious Co/Pt/Au composition changes after 10 000 potential cycles. The in situ surface‐enhanced infrared absorption spectroscopy study indicates that the ternary catalyst activates the C?C bond more efficiently for ethanol oxidation.     

Synthesis and In-Vivo Evaluation of Benzoxazole Derivatives as Promising Anti-Psoriatic Drugs for Clinical Use

2-(4-Chlorophenyl)-5-benzoxazoleacetic acid (CBA) and its ester, methyl-2-(4-chloro-phenyl)-5-benzoxazoleacetate (MCBA), were synthesized, and their structures were confirmed by ¹HNMR, IR, and mass spectrophotometry. The anti-psoriatic activities of CBA and MCBA were tested using an imiquimod (IMQ)-induced psoriatic mouse model, in which mice were treated both topically (1% w/w) and orally (125 mg/kg) for 14 days. The erythema intensity, thickness, and desquamation of psoriasis were scored by calculating the psoriasis area severity index (PASI). The study also included the determination of histopathological alterations in the skin tissues of treated mice. Topical and oral administration of CBA and MCBA led to a reduction in erythema intensity, thickness, and desquamation, which was demonstrated by a significant decrease in the PASI value. In addition, skin tissues of mice treated with CBA and MCBA showed less evidence of psoriatic alterations, such as hyperkeratosis, parakeratosis, scale crust, edema, psoriasiform, and hyperplasia. After administration of either topical or oral dosing, the anti-psoriatic effects were found to be stronger in MCBA-treated than in CBA-treated mice. These effects were comparable to those produced by Clobetasol propionate, the reference drug. This drug discovery could be translated into a potential new drug for future clinical use in psoriasis treatment.     

Biodiesel Production from Alkali-Catalyzed Transesterification of Tamarindus indica Seed Oil and Optimization of Process Conditions

Biodiesel is considered a sustainable alternative to petro-diesel owing to several favorable characteristics. However, higher production costs, primarily due to the use of costly edible oils as raw materials, are a chief impediment to its pecuniary feasibility. Exploring non-edible oils as raw material for biodiesel is an attractive strategy that would address the economic constraints associated with biodiesel production. This research aims to optimize the reaction conditions for the production of biodiesel through an alkali-catalyzed transesterification of Tamarindus indica seed oil. The Taguchi method was applied to optimize performance parameters such as alcohol-to-oil molar ratio, catalyst amount, and reaction time. The fatty acid content of both oil and biodiesel was determined using gas chromatography. The optimized conditions of alcohol-to-oil molar ratio (6:1), catalyst (1.5% w/w), and reaction time 1 h afforded biodiesel with 93.5% yield. The most considerable contribution came from the molar ratio of alcohol to oil (75.9%) followed by the amount of catalyst (20.7%). In another case, alcohol to oil molar ratio (9:1), catalyst (1.5% w/w) and reaction time 1.5 h afforded biodiesel 82.5% yield. The fuel properties of Tamarindus indica methyl esters produced under ideal conditions were within ASTM D6751 biodiesel specified limits. Findings of the study indicate that Tamarindus indica may be chosen as a prospective and viable option for large-scale production of biodiesel, making it a substitute for petro-diesel.     

A one-pot synthesis of 8-amino-1-methoxy-6<Emphasis Type="Italic">H</Emphasis>-dibenzo[<Emphasis Type="Italic">b,d</Emphasis>]pyran-6-one

8-Amino-1-methoxy-6H-dibenzo[b,d]pyran-6-one was synthesized in a one-pot reaction of 2′,6′-dimethoxy-4-nitro-1,1′-biphenyl-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester using hydroiodic acid as a reagent to effect O-demethylation, lactonization, and nitro reduction to amine. This new reaction represents an improved alternative to the previously reported three-step reactions for this transformation.     

Structural and electrochemical properties of TiFe alloys synthesized by ball milling for hydrogen storage

The binary TiFe alloy was synthesized by mechanical alloying (MA) under argon atmosphere at room temperature. The effect of ball to powder weight ratio on the microstructures was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The effect of milling time on the electrochemical and activation properties was investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM), galvanostatic charging and discharging, constant potential discharge, and potentiodynamic polarization techniques. Relationships between electrochemical properties, such as polarization, variation of electrochemical discharge capacity, \( \frac{D_{\mathrm{H}}}{a^2} \) ratio exchange current density, and Nernst potential and alloy compositions were evaluated. XRD results showed that with increasing ball to powder weight ratio, the amorphization process is accelerating and powders milled with a ratio of 1:8 have the highest conversion rate to TiFe. SEM observations reveal that particles show cleavage fracture morphology and size distribution is generally normalized. TiFe milled during 40 h was easily activated within 5 cycles and showed the best discharge capacity equal to 147 mAh g^?1. A good cycling was observed after 20 cycles at ambient temperature for the alloy milled for 30 h. A correlation between alloy composition, \( \frac{D_{\mathrm{H}}}{a^2} \) report, exchange current density, and Nernst potential on one hand and the variation of the electrochemical discharge capacity during cycling for different milling times on the other hand was observed.     

Electrochemical study of intermetallic metal hydride as an anode material for Ni–MH batteries

The electrochemical behavior of Cobalt-free LaNi_3.55Mn_0.4Al_0.3Co_0.4Fe_0.35 alloy electrode in alkaline solution was investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) at different number of charge/discharge cycles. A physicochemical model is developed in order to simulate impedance data. Kinetic parameters are obtained by fitting the electrochemical impedance spectrum performed at different number of cycles. The charge-transfer resistance decreases with increasing number of charge/discharge of cycles, whereas exchange current density and hydrogen diffusion coefficient parameters increase with increasing number of cycles. In addition, the specific surface area of LaNi_3.55Mn_0.4Al_0.3Co_0.4Fe_0.35 alloy electrode increases due to pulverization and the formation of new active sites during charge/discharge cycling. The results of EIS measurements indicate that the performance of the LaNi_3.55Mn_0.4Al_0.3Co_0.4Fe_0.35 metal hydride electrode was markedly improved with increasing number of cycles which is mainly attributed to the increase in the reaction surface area and the improvement in the electrode surface activation.