Effect of multivalent cation substitution on the capacity fading of lithium manganese spinel cathodes

The introduction of Co, Al, and Ti into LiMn₂O₄ cathode powders has been studied in this work. The substitution of 25% Mn with either of these metals is expected to improve the cycle ability of the cathode, while the Jahn–Teller effect is suppressed. The solid-state reaction method is used in order to produce the cathode materials, which are prepared at 750 or 800 °C. The materials are characterized by X-ray data and, electrochemically, by galvanostatic cycling at the 4-V range. Their capacity fading behavior is evaluated, and a further investigation into cycling at a higher voltage range is also presented.     

Aspects of multistation quantum information broadcasting

We study quantum information transmission over multiparty quantum channel. In particular, we show an equivalence of different capacity notions and provide a multiletter characterization of a capacity region for a general quantum channel with k senders and m receivers. We point out natural generalizations to the case of two-way classical communication capacity.     

Erosion of efficiency in non-uniform linear chromatography

In linear chromatography (i.e. chromatography performed in the absence of sample overloading), when the plate height of a column is roughly uniform along its length, variations in the velocities of solutes are the only possible causes of erosion of efficiency. The sources of these variations (variations in capacity ratio and in the density of the mobile phase, etc.) play no direct role in the erosion of efficiency except through their effect on solute velocities. In other words, what eventually causes the erosion of efficiency is merely variation in the time required for solutes to traverse equally small segments of a column. Significant erosion can only arise from abrupt and deep deceleration of solutes in one or several relatively small segments of a column. If erosion of efficiency caused by pressure gradients in linear SFC is to be large, the depth and the sharpness of the deceleration of a solute must go beyond that hitherto confirmed experimentally. Many relevant examples are analyzed graphically.     

A limit to alternate column recycle chromatography

Summary It was found experimentally that the potential for routine, rapid high-efficiency separations by alternate column, recycle, reversed-phase chromatography is limited by the increase of capacity factors with pressure.     

Retention behavior and solvent optimization of organochlorine pesticides in solid-phase extraction

Summary Plots of capacity factor and retention time vs. elution solvent composition were proved to be useful to interpret the retention behavior of Kepone and its metabolites in a reversed-phase solid-phase extraction and to optimize the elution solvent. The percent recovery of Kepone was largely improved when the solvent was optimized. The standard deviations of the results of extractions were also improved upon the optimization of the solvent.     

Li3V2（PO4）3/C正极材料在不同电压区间的电化学行为及容量衰减原因

采用溶胶-凝胶法制备锂离子电池正极材料Li3V2(PO4)3/C.通过恒电流充放电测试、循环伏安(CV)、电化学阻抗谱(EIS)等方法,研究了Li3V2(PO4)3/C在不同电压区间的电化学行为(3.0-4.5 V和3.0-4.8 V).结果表明,3.0-4.8 V电压区间的循环性能和倍率性能均不及3.0-4.5 V电压区间的.3.0-4.5 V区间0.1C (1C=150 mA?g-1)倍率首次放电比容量为127.0 mAh?g-1,循环50次后容量保持率为99.5%,而3.0-4.8 V区间的分别为168.2 mAh?g-1和78.5%.经过高倍率测试后再回到0.1C倍率充放电,3.0-4.5 V和3.0-4.8 V的放电比容量分别为初始0.1C倍率的99.0%和80.7%.经过3.0-4.8 V电压区间测试后,少部分第三个锂离子能够在低于4.5 V的电压脱出,使3.0-4.5 V电压区间的放电比容量提升了7.4%. CV结果表明3.0-4.8 V区间的容量损失主要表现为第一个锂离子的不可逆损失.极片的X射线衍射(XRD)和X射线光电子能谱(XPS)分析测试结果表明经过3.0-4.8 V测试后, Li3V2(PO4)3的结构发生了轻微的改变.电感耦合等离子体(ICP)测试结果表明循环后的电解液中含有少量的V.结构变形和V溶解可能是Li3V2(PO4)3在3.0-4.8 V区间容量衰减的主要原因.     

Structural originations of irreversible capacity loss from highly lithiated copper oxides

We use electrochemistry, high-energy X-ray diffraction (XRD) with pair-distribution function analysis (PDF), and density functional theory (DFT) to study the instabilities of Li₂CuO₂ at varying state of charge. Rietveld refinement of XRD patterns revealed phase evolution from pure Li₂CuO₂ body-centered orthorhombic (Immm) space group to multiphase compositions after cycling. The PDF showed CuO₄ square chains with varying packing during electrochemical cycling. Peaks in the G(r) at the Cu-O distance for delithiated, LiCuO₂, showed CuO₄ square chains with reduced ionic radius for Cu in the 3+ state. At full depth of discharge to 1.5 V, CuO was observed in fractions greater than the initial impurity level which strongly affects the reversibility of the lithiation reactions contributing to capacity loss. DFT calculations showed electron removal from Cu and O during delithiation of Li₂CuO₂.     

Graphene/activated carbon supercapacitors with sulfonated-polyetheretherketone as solid-state electrolyte and multifunctional binder

Sulfonated polyetheretherketone (SPEEK) has been synthesised by sulphonation process and used as the solid-state electrolyte, binder and surfactant for supercapacitors. Reduced graphene dispersed by SPEEK is used as a high-efficiency conducting additive in solid-state supercapacitors. It is found that SPEEK can improve the stability of the reduced graphene dispersion significantly, and therefore, the solid-state supercapacitors show a large decrease in IR drop and charge-transfer resistance (R_ct), resulting in a higher rate capability. The solid-state supercapacitors with the activated carbon/reduced graphene/SPEEK/electrode can be operated from 1 to 8 A/g and exhibit capacity retention of 93%. The noteworthy is more than twice higher value for capacity retention by comparison with the solid-state supercapacitors using activated carbon/reduced graphene/PVDF electrode (capacity retention is 36%). The cell of reduced graphene with SPEEK can be cycled over 5000 times at 5 A/g with no capacitance fading.     

The acquisition of new technology and its impact on a firm's competitive position

The strategic decision concerning the optimal and dynamic acquisition of new technology is examined. The model focuses on a profit maximizing firm that optimally derives its price, level of output, and its level and composition of productive capacity over time. The acquisition of new technology and reduction of existing capacity may occur simultaneously, so that the composition of the firm's productive resources may be upgraded over time. It is assumed that the acquisition of new technology causes a reduction in production costs and a direct increase in the firm's demand. The demand experienced by the firm may be directly increased as a result of acquiring new technology due to benefits such as expanded product-mix or volume capabilities, improved quality of output, or improved customer service (shorter production lead time). In addition, it is shown that demand is indirectly increased due to the reduced production costs that enable the firm to charge a lower price. Therefore, the strategic impact of acquiring new technology is captured, since its effect on future demand and the firm's ability to meet the demand are considered. The importance of capturing the increased demand potential offered by the new technology is demonstrated through the analysis of numerical examples. In addition, the effect on the optimal solution caused by a variety of environmental conditions is examined. For example, the impact of technological innovation is observed by defining (i) the cost of acquiring technology as a decreasing function of time, and (ii) the effectiveness of new technology on reducing operating costs as an increasing function of time.