A single-step synthesized cobalt-free barium ferrites-based composite cathode for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Cobalt-free perovskite cathode with excellent oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) properties below 800 °C is a key material toward wide implementation of intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells. This work reports the phase structure, microstructure and performance of such cathode based on the composite phases of triclinic Ba0.9Bi0.1FeO3-δ, cubic BaFeO3 and orthorhombic BaFe2O4 prepared by sol–gel route. The resultant barium ferrites composite cathode exhibits uniform particles, pores and elements distribution. In particular, favorable ORR properties of this cathode is demonstrated by very low interfacial resistance of only 0.036 and 0.072 Ω cm2 at 750 and 700 °C and maximum power density of 1295 and 840 mW cm−2 at 750 and 700 °C.

High performance cobalt-free perovskite cathode for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

Bi doping of SrFeO3d results in the formation of a structure with high symmetry and extraordinary electrochemical performance for Bi0.5Sr0.5FeO3-d, which is capable of competing effectively with the current Co-based cathode benchmark with additional advantages of lower thermal expansion and cost.

Biocompatibility of transition metal-substituted cobalt ferrite nanoparticles

Transition metals of copper, zinc, manganese, and nickel were substituted into cobalt ferrite nanoparticles via a sol-gel route using citric acid as a chelating agent. The microstructure and elemental compositions of the nanoparticles were characterized using scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The particle size of the nanoparticles was investigated using particle size analyzer, and the zeta potentials were measured using zeta potential analyzer. The phase components of the synthesized transition metal-substituted cobalt ferrite nanoparticles were studied using Raman spectroscopy. The biocompatibility of the nanoparticles was assessed using osteoblast-like cells. Results indicated that the substitution of transition metals strongly influences the physical, chemical properties, and biocompatibility of the cobalt ferrite nanoparticles. © 2014 Springer Science+Business Media.

Spin-crossover, mesomorphic and thermoelectrical properties of cobalt(II) complexes with alkylated N3-Schiff bases

Three new cobalt(ii) complexes, [Co(L12)2](BF4)2 (1), [Co(L14)2](BF4)2·H2O (2) and [Co(L16)2](BF4)2·H2O (3), where L12-16 are N3-Schiff bases appended with linear C12-16 carbon chains at the nitrogen atoms, were obtained in good yields by facile one-pot reactions. The single crystal X-ray structure of complex 1 shows a tetragonally compressed CoN6 coordination geometry. The melting temperatures of 1-3 were lower than 373 K, while their decomposition temperatures were above 473 K. All complexes have high-spin Co(ii) centres at 300 K and exhibit a columnar mesophase above 383 K. Complexes 1 and 3 showed normal thermal spin-crossover behaviour with weak hysteresis loops at about 320 K. Hence, these complexes showed uncoupled phase transitions (class iiia). The values for the Seebeck coefficient (Se) of the cobalt redox couples formed from 1 and 2 were 1.89 ± 0.02 mV K-1 and 1.92 ± 0.08 mV K-1, respectively, identifying them as potential thermoelectrochemical materials.

Electrochemistry of tris(2,2′-bipyridyl) cobalt(II) in ionic liquids and aprotic molecular solvents on glassy carbon and platinum electrodes

The tris(2,2′-bipyridyl) complexes of cobalt(II) and (III) ([Co(bpy)3]^2+/3+) produce a redox couple of great interest in thermoelectrochemical cells and dye sensitized solar cells including both types of devices based on ionic liquid electrolytes. We present a systematic study of the electrochemistry of [Co(bpy)3]²⁺ [NTf2]^-2 in two ionic liquids (ILs) based on the 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium (C2mim) cation and two ILs based on the 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium cation (C4mpyr), as well as three aprotic molecular solvents. Platinum (Pt) and glassy carbon (GC) working electrodes were compared. In all solvents better electrochemical responses were observed on GC, which yielded higher currents in the cyclic voltammograms and lower rate constants for the redox reaction. The [Co(bpy)3]^1+/2+ couple is also readily observed, but this redox reaction is chemically irreversible, possibly because the [Co(bpy)3]¹⁺ complex dissociates. However, the [Co(bpy)3]^1+/2+ reaction is chemically reversible in all of the solvents studied, except 3-methoxypropionitrile, if excess of 2,2′-bipyridyl is added to the solution.

Enhanced thermal energy harvesting performance of a cobalt redox couple in ionic liquid-solvent mixtures

Thermoelectrochemical cells are increasingly promising devices for harvesting waste heat, offering an alternative to the traditional semiconductor-based design. Advancement of these devices relies on new redox couple/electrolyte systems and an understanding of the interplay between the different factors that dictate device performance. The Seebeck coefficient (Se) of the redox couple in the electrolyte gives the potential difference achievable for a given temperature gradient across the device. Prior work has shown that a cobalt bipyridyl redox couple in ionic liquids (ILs) displays high Seebeck coefficients, but the thermoelectrochemical cell performance was limited by mass transport. Here we present the Se and thermoelectrochemical power generation performance of the cobalt couple in novel mixed IL/molecular solvent electrolyte systems. The highest power density of 880 mW m-2, at a ΔT of 70 °C, was achieved with a 31 (v/v) MPN-[C2mim][B(CN)4] electrolyte combination. The significant power enhancement compared to the single solvent or IL systems results from a combination of superior ionic conductivity and higher diffusion coefficients, shown by electrochemical analysis of the different electrolytes. This is the highest power output achieved to-date for a thermoelectrochemical cell utilising a high boiling point redox electrolyte.

Cobalt carbonate hydroxide nanowire array on ti mesh: an efficient and robust 3D catalyst for on-demand hydrogen generation from alkaline naBH4 solution.

In this work, for the first time, a cobalt carbonate hydroxide (Co(CO3 )0.5 (OH)⋅0.11 H2 O) nanowire array on Ti mesh (CHNA/Ti) was applied to drive the dehydrogenation of alkaline NaBH4 solution for on-demand hydrogen production. Compared with other nanostructured Co-based catalyst systems, CHNA/Ti can be activated more quickly and separated easily from fuel solutions. This self-supported cobalt salt nanowire array catalyst works as an efficient and robust 3D catalyst for the hydrolysis reaction of NaBH4 with a hydrogen generation rate of 4000 mL min(-1)  gCo (-1) and a low apparent activation energy of 39.78 kJ mol(-1) and offers an attractive system for on-demand hydrogen generation.

Temperature dependence of the electrode potential of a cobalt-based redox couple in ionic liquid electrolytes for thermal energy harvesting

Increasing the application of technologies for harvesting waste heat could make a significant contribution to sustainable energy production. Thermoelectrochemical cells are one such emerging technology, where the thermal response of a redox couple in an electrolyte is used to generate a potential difference across a cell when a temperature gradient exists. The unique physical properties of ionic liquids make them ideal for application as electrolytes in these devices. One of the keys to utilizing these media in efficient thermoelectrochemical cells is achieving high Seebeck coefficients, Se: the thermodynamic quantity that determines the magnitude of the voltage achieved per unit temperature difference. Here, we report the Se and cell performance of a cobalt-based redox couple in a range of different ionic liquids, to investigate the influence of the nature of the IL on the thermodynamics and cell performance of the redox system. The results reported include the highest Se to-date for an IL-based electrolyte. The effect of diluting the different ILs with propylene carbonate is also reported, which results in a significant increase in the output powers and current densities of the device.

The emitting species formed by the oxidation of hydrazides with hypohalites or N-halosuccinimides

The chemiluminescence accompanying the oxidation of salicylic hydrazide (2-hydroxybenzoic acid hydrazide) with hypochlorite, hypobromite, N-chlorosuccinimide, N-bromosuccinimide or hydrogen peroxide with cobalt(II) matched the photoluminescence emission of salicylic acid. In a related reaction, the oxidation of a mixture of isoniazid and ammonia, a synergistic effect was observed. The chemiluminescence spectrum for this reaction matches that accompanying the oxidation of the hydrazide, rather than the oxidation of ammonia. These results were used to assess mechanisms proposed by previous authors.

Lactation in Australian women : the effect of oral contraceptives on the vitamin and trace element content of breast milk

The aim of this project was to investigate the effects of oral contraceptives on the nutrient composition of breast milk. The design of the study also allowed the effects of stage of lactation and maternal diet on milk composition to be observed. A prospective study was designed to measure maternal dietary intake and vitamin and trace element concentration in milk and plasma. Vitamin A, ascorbic acid and iron, copper, zinc, manganese, selenium, cobalt, chromium, rubidium and caesium were measured. Two groups of women participated, oral contraceptive users and controls. Fasting milk and blood samples and 24-hour food records were collected from the women once a week for 20 weeks commencing 3-8 weeks post-partum, and 1-2 weeks before they began to take oral contraceptives. Fifteen women participated in the study; 5 took progestogen-only oral contraceptives, 1 took an oestrogen-progestogen oral contraceptive and 9 acted as controls. Progestogen-only oral contraceptives did not affect the milk or plasma concentration of the vitamins and trace elements measured. As only 1 subject took an oestrogen-progestogen preparation no conclusion could be drawn as to its effect. The mean milk and plasma concentration of all nutrients studied did not change significantly with the progression of lactation, with the exception of iron and zinc. The mean milk iron concentration was significantly higher at 16 weeks post-partum than at 8 and 23 weeks post-partum. The mean milk zinc concentration was significantly lower at 23 weeks post-partum than at 8 and 16 weeks post-partum. The infants1 mean estimated daily intakes of ascorbic acid and vitamin A from breast milk were above the U.S. and British Recommended Dietary Allowance for those vitamins. However, their mean estimated intakes of iron, zinc, copper, manganese and selenium were well below the U.S. recommendations. Effects of the maternal dietary intake on milk and plasma composition were variable. Implications of these findings have been discussed.