Energy-savvy solid-state and sonochemical synthesis of lithium sodium titanate as an anode active material for Li-ion batteries

Lithium sodium titanate insertion-type anode has been synthesized by classical solid-state (dry) and an alternate solution-assisted (wet) sonochemical synthesis routes. Successful synthesis of the target compound has been realized using simple Na- and Li-hydroxide salts along with titania. In contrast to the previous reports, these energy-savvy synthesis routes can yield the final product by calcination at 650 -750 degrees C for limited duration of 1-10 h. Owing to the restricted calcination duration (dry route for 1-2 h and wet route for 1-5 h), they yield homogeneous nanoscale lithium sodium titanate particles. Sono-chemical synthesis reduces the lithium sodium titanate particle size down to 80-100 nm vis-a-vis solid-state method delivering larger (200-500 nm) particles. Independent of the synthetic methods, the end products deliver reversible electrochemical performance with reversible capacity exceeding 80 mAh.g(-1) acting as a 1.3 V anode for Li-ion batteries. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Ascorbate Protects Neurons against Oxidative Stress: A Raman Microspectroscopic Study

Oxidative stress due to excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen or nitrogen species in the brain as seen in certain neurodegenerative diseases can have deleterious effects on neurons. Hydrogen peroxide, endogenously generated in neurons under normal physiological conditions, can produce an excess of hydroxyl radical via a Fenton mediated mechanism. This may induce acute oxidative injury if not scavenged or removed effectively by antioxidants. There are several biochemical assay methods to estimate oxidative injury in cells; however, they do not provide information on the biochemical changes as the cells get damaged progressively under oxidative stress. Raman microspectroscopy offers the possibility of real time monitoring of the chemical composition of live cells undergoing oxidative stress under physiological conditions. In the present study, a hippocampal neuron coculture was used to observe the acute impact of hydroxyl radicals generated by hydrogen peroxide in the presence of Fe2+ (Fenton reaction). Raman peaks related to nucleic acids (725, 782, 1092, 1320, 1340, 1420, and 1576 cm(-1)) showed time-dependent changes over the experimental period (60 mm), indicating the breakdown of the phosphodiester backbone as well as nuclear bases. Interestingly, ascorbic acid (a potent antioxidant) when cotreated with Fenton reactants showed protection of cells as inferred from the Raman spectra, presumably by scavenging hydroxyl radicals. Little or no change in the Raman spectra was observed for untreated control cells and for cells exposed to Fe2+ only, H2O2 only, and ascorbate only. A live dead assay study also supported the current observations. Hence, Raman microspectroscopy has the potential to be an excellent noninvasive tool for early detection of oxidative stress that is seen in neurodegenerative diseases.

Synthesis, and crystal and electronic structure of sodium metal phosphate for use as a hybrid capacitor in non-aqueous electrolyte

Energy storage devices based on sodium have been considered as an alternative to traditional lithium based systems because of the natural abundance, cost effectiveness and low environmental impact of sodium. Their synthesis, and crystal and electronic properties have been discussed, because of the importance of electronic conductivity in supercapacitors for high rate applications. The density of states of a mixed sodium transition metal phosphate (maricite, NaMn1/3Co1/3Ni1/3PO4) has been determined with the ab initio generalized gradient approximation (GGA)+Hubbard term (U) method. The computed results for the mixed maricite are compared with the band gap of the parent NaFePO4 and the electrochemical experimental results are in good agreement. A mixed sodium transition metal phosphate served as an active electrode material for a hybrid supercapacitor. The hybrid device (maricite versus carbon) in a nonaqueous electrolyte shows redox peaks in the cyclic voltammograms and asymmetric profiles in the charge-discharge curves while exhibiting a specific capacitance of 40 F g(-1) and these processes are found to be quasi-reversible. After long term cycling, the device exhibits excellent capacity retention (95%) and coulombic efficiency (92%). The presence of carbon and the nanocomposite morphology, identified through X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) studies, ensures the high rate capability while offering possibilities to develop new cathode materials for sodium hybrid devices.

Pursuit of Sustainable Iron-Based Sodium Battery Cathodes: Two Case Studies

Rechargeable batteries have been the torchbearer electrochemical energy storage devices empowering small-scale electronic gadgets to large-scale grid storage. Complementing the lithium-ion technology, sodium-ion batteries have emerged as viable economic alternatives in applications unrestricted by volume/weight. What is the best performance limit for new-age Na-ion batteries? This mission has unravelled suites of oxides and polyanionic positive insertion (cathode) compounds in the quest to realize high energy density. Economically and ecologically, iron-based cathodes are ideal for mass-scale dissemination of sodium batteries. This Perspective captures the progress of Fe-containing earth-abundant sodium battery cathodes with two best examples: (i) an oxide system delivering the highest capacity (similar to 200 mA h/g) and (ii) a polyanionic system showing the highest redox potential (3.8 V). Both develop very high energy density with commercial promise for large-scale applications. Here, the structural and electrochemical properties of these two cathodes are compared and contrasted to describe two alternate strategies to achieve the same goal, i.e., improved energy density in Fe-based sodium battery cathodes.

Ionothermal Synthesis of High-Voltage Alluaudite Na2+2xFe2-x(SO4)(3) Sodium Insertion Compound: Structural, Electronic, and Magnetic Insights

Exploring future cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries, alluaudite class of Na2Fe2II(SO4)(3) has been recently unveiled as a 3.8 V positive insertion candidate (Barpanda et al. Nat. Commun. 2014, 5, 4358). It forms an Fe-based polyanionic compound delivering the highest Fe-redox potential along with excellent rate kinetics and reversibility. However, like all known SO4-based insertion materials, its synthesis is cumbersome that warrants careful processing avoiding any aqueous exposure. Here, an alternate low temperature ionothermal synthesis has been described to produce the alluaudite Na2+2xFe2-xII(SO4)(3). It marks the first demonstration of solvothermal synthesis of alluaudite Na2+2xM2-xII(SO4)(3) (M = 3d metals) family of cathodes. Unlike classical solid-state route, this solvothermal route favors sustainable synthesis of homogeneous nanostructured alluaudite products at only 300 degrees C, the lowest temperature value until date. The current work reports the synthetic aspects of pristine and modified ionothermal synthesis of Na2+2xFe2-xII(SO4)(3) having tunable size (300 nm similar to 5 mu m) and morphology. It shows antiferromagnetic ordering below 12 K. A reversible capacity in excess of 80 mAh/g was obtained with good rate kinetics and cycling stability over 50 cycles. Using a synergistic approach combining experimental and ab initio DFT analysis, the structural, magnetic, electronic, and electrochemical properties and the structural limitation to extract full capacity have been described.

Na2M2(SO4)(3) (M = Fe, Mn, Co and Ni): towards high-voltage sodium battery applications

Sodium-ion-based batteries have evolved as excellent alternatives to their lithium-ion-based counterparts due to the abundance, uniform geographical distribution and low price of Na resources. In the pursuit of sodium chemistry, recently the alluaudite framework Na2M2(SO4)(3) has been unveiled as a high-voltage sodium insertion system. In this context, the framework of density functional theory has been applied to systematically investigate the crystal structure evolution, density of states and charge transfer with sodium ions insertion, and the corresponding average redox potential, for Na2M2(SO4)(3) (M = Fe, Mn, Co and Ni). It is shown that full removal of sodium atoms from the Fe-based device is not a favorable process due to the 8% volume shrinkage. The imaginary frequencies obtained in the phonon dispersion also reflect this instability and the possible phase transition. This high volume change has not been observed in the cases of the Co- and Ni-based compounds. This is because the redox reaction assumes a different mechanism for each of the compounds investigated. For the polyanion with Fe, the removal of sodium ions induces a charge reorganization at the Fe centers. For the Mn case, the redox process induces a charge reorganization of the Mn centers with a small participation of the oxygen atoms. The Co and Ni compounds present a distinct trend with the redox reaction occurring with a strong participation of the oxygen sublattice, resulting in a very small volume change upon desodiation. Moreover, the average deintercalation potential for each of the compounds has been computed. The implications of our findings have been discussed both from the scientific perspective and in terms of technological aspects.

Shock Tube Studies on Recombination Kinetics of Sodium Ion with Electron

The ionization kinetics of sodium diluted in argon is studied in a shock tube, in which the test gas mixture is ionized by a reflected shock wave and subsequently quenched by a strong rarefaction wave. A Langmuir electrostatic probe is used to monitor the variation of the ion number density at the reflection shock wave region. The working state of the probe is in the near fi-ee fall region and a correction for reduction of the probe current due to elastic scattering in the probe sheath is introduced. At the temperature range of 800 to 2600 K and in the ambience of argon gas, the three-body recombination rate coefficient of the sodium ion with electron is determined: 3.43 x 10(-14)T(-3.77) cm(6).s(-1).

Optical Diagnostic and Modeling Solution Growth Process of Sodium Chlorate Crystals

Both a real time optical interferometric experiment and a numerical simulation of two-dimension non-steady state model were employed to study the growth process of aqueous sodium chlorate crystals. The parameters such as solution concentration distribution, crystal dimensions, growth rate and velocity field were obtained by both experiment and numerical simulation. The influence of earth gravity during crystal growth process was analyzed. A reasonable theory model corresponding to the present experiment is advanced. The thickness of concentration boundary layer was investigated especially. The results from the experiment and numerical simulation match well.

Accurate sodium bisulfite sequencing in plants.

DNA cytosine methylation is a conserved epigenetic modification frequently correlating with transcriptional silencing in a wide variety of eukaryotic organisms. Sodium bisulfite treatment of DNA converts unmethylated cytosine to uracil, while 5-methylated cytosine is protected. We describe techniques that ensure reliable sequencing data following sodium bisulfite conversion and to avoid common pitfalls such as amplification of unconverted DNA and inclusion of sibling clones.

Proximate composition, energy, fatty acid, sodium, and cholesterol content of finfish, shellfish, and their products

This document contains data concerning the proximate composition and energy, fatty acid, sodium, and cholesterol content of finfish, shellfish, and their products as listed in 228 articles published between the years of 1976 and 1984. Also included is a systematic index of the species as referenced in this document listed alphabetically by scientific name. (PDF file contains 60 pages.)

The Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel Na(v)1.8 Is Expressed in Human Sperm

The role of Na+ fluxes through voltage-gated sodium channels in the regulation of sperm cell function remains poorly understood. Previously, we reported that several genes encoding voltage-gated Na+ channels were expressed in human testis and mature spermatozoa. In this study, we analyzed the presence and function of the TTX-resistant VGSC a subunit Na(v)1.8 in human capacitated sperm cells. Using an RT-PCR assay, we found that the mRNA of the gene SCN10A, that encode Na-v1.8, was abundantly and specifically expressed in human testis and ejaculated spermatozoa. The Na-v1.8 protein was detected in capacitated sperm cells using three different specific antibodies against this channel. Positive immunoreactivity was mainly located in the neck and the principal piece of the flagellum. The presence of Na-v1.8 in sperm cells was confirmed by Western blot. Functional studies demonstrated that the increases in progressive motility produced by veratridine, a voltage-gated sodium channel activator, were reduced in sperm cells preincubated with TTX (10 mu M), the Na-v1.8 antagonist A-803467, or a specific Na-v1.8 antibody. Veratridine elicited similar percentage increases in progressive motility in sperm cells maintained in Ca2+-containing or Ca2+-free solution and did not induce hyperactivation or the acrosome reaction. Veratridine caused a rise in sperm intracellular Na+, [Na+](i), and the sustained phase of the response was inhibited in the presence of A-803467. These results verify that the Na+ channel Na-v1.8 is present in human sperm cells and demonstrate that this channel participates in the regulation of sperm function.

Effect of lithium-sodium mixed-alkali on phase transformation kinetics in Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped aluminophosphate glasses

Er3+ doped aluminophosphate glasses with various Na2O/Li2O ratios were prepared at 1250 degrees C using a silica crucible to study mixed alkali effect (MAE). The effect of relative alkali content on glass transition temperature, crystallization temperature and thermal stability were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). In addition, apparent activation energies for crystallization, E, were determined employing the Kissinger equation. The effect of Al2O3 content on the magnitude of MAE was also discussed. No mixed-alkali effect is observed on crystallization temperature. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Influence of phosphate precursors on the structures of sodium aluminophosphate sols, gels and glasses

Transparent and homogeneous aluminophosphate gels and glasses have been widely synthesized through an aqueous sol-gel route, extending significantly the glass-forming range compared to that accessible via the melt-cooling route. Different phosphorus precursors, sodium polyphosphate (NaPO3) and orthophosphate species (NaH2PO4 and/or H3PO4) were compared with regard to the macroscopic properties and the microscopic structure of the resultant gels and glasses as characterized by extensive high-resolution liquid- and solid-state NMR. Sodium polyphosphate solution results in a substantially wider composition range of homogenous gel formation than orthophosphate solutions, and the two routes produce significant structural differences in the sol and xerogel states. Nevertheless, the structures of the glasses obtained upon gel annealing above 400 degrees C are independent of the P-precursors used. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Broadband near-infrared emission from transparent Ni2+-doped sodium aluminosilicate glass ceramics

Broadband neat-infrared emission from transparent Ni2+-doped sodium aluminosilicate glass-cermaics is observed. The broad emission is centered at 1290 nm and covers the whole telecommunication wavelength region (1100-1700 nm) with full width at half maximum of about 340 nm. The observed infrared emission could be attributed to the T-3(2)(F) -> (3)A(2)(F) transition of octahedral Ni2+ ions that occupy high-field sites in nanocrystals. The product of the lifetime and the stimulated emission cross section is 2.15 x 10(-24) cm(2)s. It is suggested that Ni2+-doped sodium aluminosilicate glass ceramics have potential applications in tunable broadband light sources and broadband amplifiers.

The effect of low solubility organic acids on the hygroscopicity of sodium halide aerosols

In order to accurately assess the influence of fatty acids on the hygroscopic and other physicochemical properties of sea salt aerosols, hexanoic, octanoic or lauric acid together with sodium halide salts (NaCl, NaBr and NaI) have been chosen to be investigated in this study. The hygroscopic properties of sodium halide sub-micrometre particles covered with organic acids have been examined by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy in an aerosol flow cell. Covered particles were generated by flowing atomized sodium halide particles (either dry or aqueous) through a heated oven containing the gaseous acid. The obtained results indicate that gaseous organic acids easily nucleate onto dry and aqueous sodium halide particles. On the other hand, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images indicate that lauric acid coating on NaCl particles makes them to aggregate in small clusters. The hygroscopic behaviour of covered sodium halide particles in deliquescence mode shows different features with the exchange of the halide ion, whereas the organic surfactant has little effect in NaBr particles, NaCl and NaI covered particles experience appreciable shifts in their deliquescence relative humidities, with different trends observed for each of the acids studied. In efflorescence mode, the overall effect of the organic covering is to retard the loss of water in the particles. It has been observed that the presence of gaseous water in heterogeneously nucleated particles tends to displace the cover of hexanoic acid to energetically stabilize the system.