Direct acceleration of solid-density plasma bunch by ultraintense laser

The interaction of a petawatt laser with a small solid-density plasma bunch is studied by particle-in-cell simulation. It is shown that when irradiated by a laser of intensity >10(21) W/cm(2), a dense plasma bunch of micrometer size can be efficiently accelerated. The kinetic energy of the ions in the high-density region of the plasma bunch can exceed ten MeV at a density in the 10(23)-cm(-3) level. Having a flux density orders of magnitude higher than that of the traditional charged-particle pulses, the laser-accelerated plasma bunch can have a wide range of applications. In particular, such a dense energetic plasma bunch impinging on the compressed fuel in inertial fusion can significantly enhance the nuclear-reaction cross section and is thus a promising alternative for fast ignition.

A solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell based on a novel ionic liquid gel and ZnO nanoparticles on a flexible polymer substrate

This paper describes a new strategy to make a full solid-state, flexible, dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC) based on novel ionic liquid gel, organic dye, ZnO nanoparticles and carbon nanotube (CNT) thin film stamped onto a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate. The CNTs serve both as the charge collector and as scaffolds for the growth of ZnO nanoparticles, where the black dye molecules are anchored.

Organic photovoltaic cell employing organic heterojunction as buffer layer

Hexadecafluorophthalocyaninatocopper (F16CuPc)/zine phthalocyanine (ZnPc) heterojunction layer has been used as buffer layer in organic photovoltaic (OPV) cells based on ZnPc and C-60. The F16CuPc/ZnPc heterojunction with highly conductive property decreased the contact resistance between the indium-tin-oxide anode and the organic layer. As a result, the short-circuit current density and fill factor were increased, and the power-conversion efficiency was improved by over 60%. Therefore, the method provides an effective path to improve the performance of OPV cells.

PtCeOx/C as a novel methanol-tolerant electrocatalyst of oxygen reduction for direct methanol fuel cells

A prominent methanol-tolerant characteristic of the PtCeOx/C electrocatalyst was found during oxygen reduction reaction process. The carbon-supported platinum modified with cerium oxide (PtCeOx/C) as cathode electrocatalyst for direct methanol fuel cells was prepared via a simple and effective route. The synthesized electrocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. It was found that the cerium oxide within PtCeOx/C present in an amorphous form on the carbon support surface and the PtCeOx/C possesses almost similar disordered morphological structure and slightly smaller particle size compared with the unmodified Pt/C catalyst.

Synthesis and electrical properties of new solid state. Electrolyte materials Ce5.2RE0.8MoO15-delta

A series of solid state electrolytes, Ce-5.2 RE0.8 MoO15-delta (RE = Y, La, Sm, Gd, Dy, Ho, Er), were synthesized by sol-gel method. Their structures and electrical conductivities were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Raman and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) and AC impedance spectroscopy, respectively. The results show that the concentrations of oxygen vacancy increased with increasing x and their conductivity were improved. And the cell parameters increase as the radius of RE3+ increases. Because the ionic radius of doped Dy3+ (0.0908 nm) is closed to that of Ce4+ (0.0920 nm), their oxide has minimal cell elastic straining between RE3+ and oxygen vacancy, and the system has the least association enthalpy, thus the oxide Ce-5.2 Dy-0.8 MoO15-delta exhibits a higher conductivity (7.02 x 10(-3) S/cm) and lower activation energy (1.056 eV) compared to the other doped compounds.

Grain boundary conductivity of high purity neodymium-doped ceria nanosystem with and without the doping of molybdenum oxide

Solid solutions of Ce1-xNdxO2-x/2 (0.05 <= x <= 0.2) and (Ce1-xNdx)(0.95)MO0.05O2-delta (0.05 <= x <= 0.2) have been synthesized by a modified sol-gel method. Both materials have very low content of SiO2 (similar to 27 ppm). Their structures and ionic conductivities were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (M). The XRD patterns indicate that these materials are single phases with a cubic fluorite structure. The powders calcined at 300 degrees C with a crystal size of 5.7 nm have good sinterability, and the relative density could reach above 96% after being sintered at 1450 degrees C. With the addition Of MoO3, the sintering temperature could be decreased to 1250 degrees C. Impedance spectroscopy measurement in the temperature range of 250-800 degrees C indicates that a sharp increase of conductivity is observed when a small amount of Nd2O3 is added into ceria, of which Ce0.85Nd0.15O1.925 (15NDC) shows the highest conductivity. With the addition of a small amount Of MoO3, the grain boundary conductivity of 15NDC at 600 degrees C increases from 2.56 S m(-1) to 5.62 S m(-1).

Preparation, structure and oxide ion conductivity in Ce6-xYxMoO15-delta (x=0.1-1.4) solid solutions

The Ce6-xYxMoO15-delta solid solution with fluorite-related structure have been characterized by differential thermal analysis/thermogravimetry (DTA/TG), X-ray diffraction (XRD), IR, Raman, scanning electric microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) methods. The electric conductivity of samples is investigated by Ac impedance spectroscopy. An essentially pure oxide-ion conductivity of the oxygen-deficiency was observed in pure argon, oxygen and air. The highest oxygen-ion conductivity was found in Ce5.5Y0.5MoO15-delta ranging from 5.9 X 10(-5)(S cm(-1)) at 300 degrees C to 1.3 X 10(-2)(S cm(-1)) at 650 degrees C, respectively. The oxide-ion conductivities remained stable over 80 h-long test at 800 degrees C. These properties suggested that significant oxide-ionic conductivity exists in these materials at moderately elevated temperatures.

On improving the phase stability and thermal expansion coefficients of lanthanum cerium oxide solid solutions

The phase stability of lanthanum cerium oxide (La2Ce2O7), which is stable up to 1400 degrees C, and the thermal expansion coefficient of La2Ce2O7 doped with Ta2O5 or WO3 were studied. The thermal expansion coefficient of La2Ce2O7 below 400 degrees C was increased by adding more CeO2 or doping with either Ta2O5 or WO3.

Synthesis, structural characterization and electrical property of new oxide ion conductors: La3MMo2O12 (M = In, Ga and Al)

New series of oxides, La3MMo2O12 (M = In, Ga and Al), have been prepared by the solid-state reaction. The composition and elemental distribution were analyzed by the energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. As determined by the X-ray diffraction (XRD), these compounds have similar crystal structures that can be indexed on a monoclinic cell at room temperature. AC impedance spectra and the DC electrical conductivity measurements in various atmospheres indicate that they are oxide ion conductors with ionic conductivities between 10(-2) and 10(-3) S/cm at 800 degrees C. The conductivity decreases in the order of La3GaMo2O12 > La3AlMo2O12 > La3InMo2O12, implying that the effect of cell volume and polarization associated with In3+, Ga3+ and Al3+ play an important role in the anion transport of these materials. The reversible phase transition was observed in all these compounds as confirmed by the differential thermal analysis (DTA) and dilatometric measurements.

A new oxide ion conductor: La3GaMo2O12

A new oxide ion conductor, La3GaMo2O12, with a bulk conductivity of 2.7 X 10(-2) S.cm(-1) at 800 degrees C in air atmosphere was prepared by the traditional solid-state reaction. The room temperature X-ray diffraction data could be indexed on a monoclinic cell with lattice parameters of a=0.5602(2) nm, b=0.3224(1) nm, c= 1.5741(1) nm, beta= 102.555(0)degrees, V=0.2775(2) nm(3) and space group Pc(7). Ac impedance measurements in various atmospheres further support that it is an oxide ion conductor. This material was stable in various atmospheres with oxygen partial pressure P(O-2) ranging from 1.0 X 10(5) to 1.0 X 10(-7) Pa at 800 degrees C. A reversible polymorphic phase transition occurred at elevated temperatures as confirmed by the differential thermal analysis and dilatometric measurement.

Sol-gel synthesis and electrical properties of ceria-based solid electrolytes

A series of solid electrolytes (Ce0.8RE0.2)(1-x)MxO2-delta(RE: Rare earth, M: Alkali earth) were prepared by sol-gel methods. XRD indicated that a pure fluorite phase was formed at 800 degrees C. The synthesis temperature by the sol-gel methods was about 700 degrees C lower than by the traditional ceramic method. The electrical conductivity and impedance spectra were measured. XPS showed that the oxygen vacancy increased obviously by doping MO, thus, resulting in the increase of the oxygen ionic transport number and conductivity. The performance of ceria-based solid electrolyte was improved. The effects of RE2O3 and MO on the electrical properties were discussed. The conductivity and the oxygen ionic transport number of (Ce0.8Sm0.2)(1-0.05)Ca0.05O2-delta is 0.126 S.cm(-1) and 0.99 at 800 degrees C, respectively.

A HIGH-RESOLUTION SOLID-STATE NMR-STUDY OF THE MISCIBILITY, MORPHOLOGY, AND TOUGHENING MECHANISM OF POLYSTYRENE WITH POLY(2,6-DIMETHYL-1,4-PHENYLENE OXIDE) BLENDS

An extended Goldman-Shen pulse sequence was used to observe indirectly the proton spin diffusion in the blends of polystyrene (PS) with poly(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene oxides) (PPO). The results indicate that the average distance between PS and PPO is less than 5 angstrom in the intimately mixed phase, but there are heterogeneous domains on a 100-angstrom scale. The data of spin relaxation of carbons, T1(C), for homopolymers and their blends suggest that there is a strong pi-pi electron conjugation interaction between the aromatic rings of PS and those of PPO, while the aromatic rings of PPO drive the aromatic rings of PS to move cooperatively. It is the cooperative motion that markedly improves the impact strength of PS.