Investigation into the effect of molybdenum-site substitution on the performance of Sr2Fe1.5Mo0.5O6-δ for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

In this paper, niobium doping is evaluated as a means of enhancing the electrochemical performance of a Sr₂Fe_1.5Mo_0.5O_6-δ (SFM) perovskite structure cathode material for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs) applications. As the radius of Nb approximates that of Mo and exhibits +4/+5 mixed valences, its substitution is expected to improve material performance. A series of Sr₂Fe_1.5Mo_0.5-xNb_xO_6-δ (x = 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20) cathode materials are prepared and the phase structure, chemical compatibility, microstructure, electrical conductivity, polarization resistance and power generation are systematically characterized. Among the series of samples, Sr₂Fe_1.5Mo_0.4Nb_0.10O_6-δ (SFMNb_0.10) exhibits the highest conductivity value of 30 S cm^-1 at 550°C, and the lowest area specific resistance of 0.068 Ω cm² at 800°C. Furthermore, an anode-supported single cell incorporating a SFMNb_0.10 cathode presents a maximum power density of 1102 mW cm^-2 at 800°C. Furthermore no obvious performance degradation is observed over 15 h at 750°C with wet H₂(3% H₂O) as fuel and ambient air as the oxidant. These results demonstrate that SFMNb shows great promise as a novel cathode material for IT-SOFCs.

Investigation into the effect of Fe-site substitution on the performance of Sr2Fe1.5Mo0.5O6-δ anodes for SOFCs

Ni-substituted Sr₂Fe_1.5-xNi_xMo_0.5O_6-δ (SFNM) materials have been investigated as anode catalysts for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells. Reduced samples (x = 0.05 and 0.1) maintained the initial perovskite structure after reduction in H₂, while metallic nickel particles were detected on the grain surface for x = 0.2 and 0.3 using transmission electron microscopy. Temperature programmed reduction results indicate that the stable temperature for SFNM samples under reduction conditions decreases with Ni content. In addition, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis suggests that the incorporation of Ni affects the conductivity of SFNM through changing the ratios of Fe³⁺/Fe²⁺ and Mo⁶⁺/Mo⁵⁺. Sr₂Fe_1.4Ni_0.1Mo_0.5O_6-δ shows the highest electrical conductivity of 20.6 S cm^-1 at 800 °C in H₂. The performance of this anode was further tested with electrolyte-supported cells, giving 380 mW cm^-2 at 750 °C in H₂, hence demonstrating that Ni doping in the B-site is beneficial for Sr₂Fe_1.5Mo_0.5O_6-δ anode performance. 

Evaluation of strontium-site-deficient Sr2Fe1.4Co0.1Mo0.5O6-δ-based perovskite oxides as intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cell cathodes

In this paper strontium-site-deficient Sr₂Fe_1.4Co_0.1Mo_0.5O_6-δ-based perovskite oxides (S_xFCM) were prepared and evaluated as the cathode materials for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). All samples exhibited a cubic phase structure and the lattice shrinked with increasing the Sr-deficiency as shown in XRD patterns. XPS results determined that the transition elements (Co/Fe/Mo) in S_xFCM oxides were in a mixed valence state, demonstrating the small polaron hopping conductivity mechanism existed. Among the samples, S_1.950FCM presented the lowest coefficient of thermal expansion of 15.62 × 10^-6 K^-1, the highest conductivity value of 28 S cm^-1 at 500 °C, and the lowest interfacial polarization resistance of 0.093 Ω cm² at 800 °C, respectively. Furthermore, an anode-supported single cell with a S_1.950FCM cathode was prepared, demonstrating a maximum power density of 1.16 W cm^-2 at 800 °C by using wet H₂ (3% H₂O) as the fuel and ambient air as the oxidant. These results indicate that the introduction of Sr-deficiency can dramatically improve the electrochemical performance of Sr₂Fe_1.4Co_0.1Mo_0.5O_6-δ, showing great promise as a novel cathode candidate material for IT-SOFCs.

Improved electrochemical performance of Sr2Fe1.5Mo0.4Nb0.1O6-δ -Sm0.2Ce0.8O2-δ composite cathodes by a one-pot method for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells

In this paper, Sr₂Fe_1.5Mo_0.4Nb_0.1O_6-δ (SFMNb)-xSm_0.2Ce_0.8O_2-δ (SDC) (x = 0, 20, 30, 40, 50 wt%) composite cathode materials were synthesized by a one-pot combustion method to improve the electrochemical performance of SFMNb cathode for intermediate temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). The fabrication of composite cathodes by adding SDC to SFMNb is conducive to providing extended electrochemical reaction zones for oxygen reduction reactions (ORR). X-ray diffraction (XRD) demonstrates that SFMNb is chemically compatible with SDC electrolytes at temperature up to 1100 °C. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) indicates that the SFMNb-SDC composite cathodes have a porous network nanostructure as well as the single phase SFMNb. The conductivity and thermal expansion coefficient of the composite cathodes decrease with the increased content of SDC, while the electrochemical impedance spectra (EIS) exhibits that SFMNb-40SDC composite cathode has optimal electrochemical performance with low polarization resistance (R_p) on the La_0.9Sr_0.1Ga_0.8Mg_0.2O₃ electrolyte. The R_p of the SFMNb-40SDC composite cathode is about 0.047 Ω cm² at 800 °C in air. A single cell with SFMNb-40SDC cathode also displays favorable discharge performance, whose maximum power density is 1.22 W cm^-2 at 800 °C. All results indicate that SFMNb-40SDC composite material is a promising cathode candidate for IT-SOFCs.

Relation between high-tc superconductivity and structure - a study of la3-xba3+xcu6o14+delta and yba2cu3o7-delta systems

Superconductivity is found in tetragonal La3−x Ba3+x Cu6O14+δ and La, Ba)6−x Sr x Cu6O14+δ even though they do not possess Cu-O chains or the K2NiF4 structure. Resistivity measurements confirm the occurrence of a transformation from chain-superconductivity to sheet-superconductivity in YBa2Cu3O7−δ as δ is varied in the range 0.0–0.5.

Trends in the stability of ternary oxides: Systems M-Pb-O (M = Ca, Sr, Ba)

Recent experimental investigations of phase equilibria and thermodynamic properties of the systems M-Pb-O, where M = Ca, Sr or Ba, indicate a regular increase in thermodynamic stability of ternary oxides, MPbO3 and M2PbO4, with increasing basicity of the oxide of the alkaline-earth metal. Number of stable interoxide compounds at 1100 K in the systems M-Pb-O (M = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba) increases in unit increments from Mg to Ba. In this paper, experimentally determined standard Gibbs energies of formation of M2PbO4 (M = Ca, Sr, Ba) and MPbO3 (M = Sr, Ba) from their component binary monoxides and oxygen gas are combined with an estimated value for CaPbO3 to delineate systematic trends in thermodynamic stability of the ternary oxides. The trends are interpreted using concepts of tolerance factor and acid-base interactions. All the ternary oxides in these systems contain lead in the tetravalent state. The small Pb4+ ions polarize the surrounding oxygen ions and cause the formation of oxyanions which are acidic in character. Hence, the higher oxidation state of lead is stabilized in the presence of basic oxides of alkaline-earth group. A schematic subsolidus temperature-composition phase diagram is presented for the system BaO-PbO-O-2 to illustrate the change in oxidation states in binary and ternary oxides with temperature.

Electron microscopic investigation of high-temperature oxide superconductors

Electron microscopic investigations have been carried out on superconducting YBa2Cu3 O7−δ, NdBa2Cu3 O7−δ and related oxides. All these orthorhombic oxides exhibit twin domains. Based on high resolution electron microscopy, it is shown that there is no significant change in the structure across the twins. Oxides of the La2−x Sr x (Ba x )CuO4 system do not show twins, but exhibit other types of defects. Twins appear to be characteristic of only the orthorhombic 123 structures.

Isotopic and geochemical characterization of invader tilapia fishes from water bodies of West Bengal and Karnataka, India

The otoliths (N = 12) of freshwater invasive species tilapia (Tilapia mossambicus) collected from two water bodies located at Kolkata and Bangalore, India, were analyzed for stable isotopes (delta 18O, delta 14C) and major and trace elements in order to assess the suitability of using otoliths as a tracer of aquatic environmental changes. The stable isotope analysis was done using the dual inlet system of a Finnigan-MAT 253 isotope ratio mass spectrometer (Thermo-Fisher, Bremen, Germany). Concentrations of major and trace elements were determined using a Thermo X-Series II quadrupole mass spectrometer. The stable isotope composition in tilapia otolith samples from Bangalore and Kolkata water bodies are quite good agreeing with that of the respective lake/pond and rain water. Elemental composition revealed in a pattern of Ca > Fe > Na > Sr > K > Ba > Cr > Mg > As > Mn > Zn > Co > Cu > Cd > Pb. The otoliths from Kolkata pond water are more enriched in Ba, Zn, Pb, Mn, Se, Cu, Zn, Cd, and Ni whereas Cr and As were found to be higher in otolith samples from Bangalore lake. The enrichment factor (EF) values of Cr were higher for both the sampling location in comparison with other metals, although all the studied metals exhibited EF values >1. The PCA shows clustering of metals in the otolith which are related either with the metabolic and physiological attributes or waterborne source. The study demonstrated the potential of stable isotope techniques to distinguish otolith specimens from varied climatic zone, while elemental composition recorded the quality of water at both the locations. The role of climate driving the quality of water can be understood by detailed and continuous monitoring of otolith specimens in the future. Future method allows reconstruction of climate and water quality from old specimens from field exposures or museum collection.

某些钙钛矿型复合稀土氧化物的合成及其性质的研究

本文研究了具有钙钛矿结构的LnAlO_3:Re~(3+)发光材料和Y-Ba-Cu-O超导材料的合成、结构、组成、掺杂取代对其性能的影响。工作主要以Y-Ba-Cu-O超导体的研究为主，分以下几个方面：1、建立了一个准确测定Ba-Y-Cu-O体系中的Ba、Y、Cu组分的化学分析方法，并结合其工艺过程推测了一些结果。2、Y-Ba-Cu-O体系超导样较理的烧结工艺过程，通常需要预烧，高温烧结，低温退火三个步骤，低温退火能提高超导相的含量。3、作了Y、Ba、Cu的比例对超导性能的影响，具有抗磁性的Ba的范围为0.8-2.3; Y为0.4-3；Cu为2.5-5。由此得出Cu量的变化对超导相的形成及超导性能的影响最小。Y次之，Ba最大，此部分工作为以后的掺杂取代提供了量的依据。4、研究了Y_1Ba_(1.8)Mo_(0.2)Cu_3O_y (M = Sr, Na, K, Cs)体系中M对其结构和超导性能的影响。Sr~(2+)取代了Ba~(2+)格位，且随Sr量的增大，Tc降低，Na~+嵌于晶胞的原子间隙，K~+, Cs~+的引入对其结构没什么影响，在较小的范围内，Na~+, K~+, Cs~+的加入对Tc影响很小，在相同条件下制备的Y_1Ba_(1.8)M_(0.2)Cu_3O_y (M = Na~+, K~+, Cs~+)超导体随M~+离子半径的增大，电流密度增大。5、研究了Y_1Ba~(2-x)K_xCu_3O_y体系中K部分取代Ba格位时对其结构和超导性能的影响，实验结果表明，尽管K~+与Ba~(2+)的离子半径非常接近。但K~+并未取代Ba格位。与Sr相比，K量在较宽的范围内(0.1-0.5)不影响零电阻转变温度。6、Y_1Ba_2Cu_3O_y体系中掺入一定量的K后，使得工艺过程大大改进，从原来的十几个小时降到3小时左右，并且不需作退火处理。另外，研究了K在其中的作用：加快样品在冷却过程中Cu的氧化速度以及吸氧和分散氧的速度，即加快四方相－正交相的转化，形成超导相。通过对样品进行X－射线，拉曼、顺磁，电镜以及铜的价态，氧含量分析，K可能部分取代了Cu格位，从而导致在不同的制备条件下制出与Y_1Ba_2Cu_3O_(7-δ)超导体性能相近的超导材料。目前，对于掺钾的工作不未见任何报导。LnAlO_3中Ce~(3+), Tb~(3+), Dy~(3+)的发光及Ce-Tb, Ce-Dy的敏化发光本文采用BuF_2作为助焙剂和抑制剂经固相反应合成了一系列以LnAlO_3 (Ln = La, Gd, Y)为基质的磷光体，系统地研究了LnAlO_3中Ce~(3+), Tb~(3+), Dy~(3+)的发光及Ce-Tb, Ce-Dy的敏化发光。LnAlO_3属于钙钛矿结构，但随Ln~(3+)的不同，其晶型结构不同，LaAlO_3为负方晶系, GdAlO_3, YAlO_3为正交晶系，这样LnAlO_3作为基质对激活剂的发光性质影响不同，其影响不仅与晶型结构有关，而与其内部的共价程也有关系，本工作得到了一些规律性结果。

渗透蒸发法分离水-乙醇液体混合物

利用自由基聚合的方法分别合成了三种不同配比的醋酸乙烯酯（VA）与马来酸酐（MA）的共聚物（VA-MA），将所得共聚物水解后，配成丙酮溶液成膜，然后分别用无机盐水溶液（CaCl_2，SrCl_2，BaCl_2， CuSO_4）进行交联，便得到了用于水-乙醇液体混合物分离的渗透蒸发膜材料。用IR，NMR，X-ray，TG，力学性能等方法对水解前后的共聚物及交联后的膜材进行了表征，结果表明，每一过程都达到了我们预期的目的，且所得膜材料具有良好的力学性能和热学性能。比较详细地研究了三种不同组成的膜材用BaCl_2水溶液交联以后，在对水-乙醇混合物分离过程中所表现的渗透蒸发性能，结果表明，三种类型的膜材均能对水-乙醇混合物进行有效地分离，随着料液中水含量增加，透过速率随之升高，而分离系数却相应地减小，在操作温度升高过程中，透过透率随温度变化的规律均符合阿仑尼乌斯方程。但是，由于不同类型的共聚物膜材中两种单体的含量各不相同，便使它们在分离性能上也产生了一定的差异，共聚物中马来酸酐含量越高，即膜材中-COOH的含量越高，其分离性能越好，三种膜材中以（VA:MA = 1.1:1）组成的膜材其分离性能尤为突出。膜分离性能的好坏还同交联时间的长短有关，在研究了不同交联时间的膜对水-乙醇混合物的渗透蒸发性能以后得出结论，膜交联时间的长短对其透过速率影响不大，而对分离系数的影响则比较显著，分离系数在交联时间的变化过程中存在一个极大值，操作条件不同，膜要达到最大分离所需的最佳交联时间亦不相同。在上述结果的基础上，我们又分别研究了另外三种不同无机盐（CaCl_2，SrCl_2， CuSO_4）交联的共聚物膜材对水-乙醇混合物的分离性能，同BaCl_2交联膜的分离性能比较以后得出结论，不同交联剂交联的膜，其分离性能也存在着很大的差异，主要表现在对温度的依赖关系上。Ca~(2+)，Sr~(2+)，Ba~(2+)三种离子其交联膜的分离性能依次增强，膜分离系数对温度的稳定性也依次增强，这些性能上的差异同无相盐本身的性质密切相关。上述讨论的几种膜材中，以BaCl_2交联（1.1:1）组成的膜材其性能最佳，将此膜材用于水-乙醇混合物的分离时，不仅可以得到比较高的透过速率，还具有很可观的分离系数，且分离系数对温度还具有比较好的稳定性。因此，可以说它是一种性能良好的渗透蒸发膜材料。最后，我们还定性地分析了无机盐对共聚物膜的交联机理，认为膜的交联分为金属离子向膜中的扩散和它与组成膜材的共聚物分子链上悬垂-COOH的化学反应两个过程，其中扩散是交联的控制过程。

Persistent luminescence of SrAl2O4:Ce(III), Dy, Eu nanotubes, nanowires and core-shells for people with disabilities: nano-emergency

Este estudo transversal está focado na propriedade de luminescência persistente do aluminato de estrôncio co-dopado com cério (III), disprósio (III) e európio (II), SrAl2O4:Ce3+, Dy3+, Eu2+, em sistemas de sinalização de áreas de risco e emergências para pessoas com deficiências. Na área da ciência e engenharia dos materiais, foram desenvolvidos novos materiais com características nanométricas, nanotubos, nanoarames e nanobastões luminescentes de SrAl2O4:Ce3+, Dy3+, Eu2+ para aplicações na área da reabilitação e acessibilidade de pessoas com deficiências. Os nanotubos foram obtidos a partir de micro- e nano-partículas precursoras sintetizadas por reacção do estado-sólido e tratamento térmico de recozedura (1273-1473 K). Os nanoarames e nanobastões foram preparados por moagem, sonificação e recozedura (373 K). Novas nanocápsulas de aluminatos luminescentes dopados com cério (III) e encapsulados com TiO2 foram criadas de modo a obter-se materiais multifuncionais, designadamente com acção fotocatalítica antimicrobiana, antibacteriana e resistência à água. Tais aluminatos podem ser amplamente aplicados como superfícies higiénicas, auto-limpantes, em biomateriais, no domínio de medicamentos antibióticos, na formulação de vacinas, e com ênfase à aplicação em cerâmicas fotoluminescentes. As metodologias de obtenção de tais nanoestruturas de aluminato de estrôncio dopado com cério (III) e do seu encapsulamento, desenvolvidas no âmbito desta tese, são aplicáveis a diversos aluminatos dopados com outros iões lantanídeos (Ln consiste em La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Yb, Tm ou Lu) com a fórmula M(1-x-y)N2O4:Cex, Lny, onde M é Be, Mg, Ca, Sr ou Ba. Na área da oftalmologia, foi desenvolvido um equipamento médico para o diagnóstico de biofuncionalidade das células retinais fotoreceptoras, e como suporte à telemedicina oftalmológica. Este equipamento foi utilizado para realizar testes de visão cromática FM100HUE em fundo branco/preto para a personalização de materiais luminescentes. Os resultados demonstraram uma biofuncionalidade celular à visibilidade fotópica das cores em fundo preto superior no grupo de tratamento, composto por pessoas com retinopatia diabética (n=38), em comparação ao grupo de referência (n=38). Estes resultados sugerem a recomendação de materiais com fotoluminescência persistente (λem=485-555 nm), incluindo SrAl2O4:Ce3+, Dy3+, Eu2+, para o referido grupo de tratamento, em sinalização de emergência e em ambientes de baixa iluminação. Na área da arquitectura, foi proposta uma nova aplicação dos referidos nanomateriais luminescentes à base de SrAl2O4:Ce3+, Dy3+, Eu2+ em cerâmica de revestimento, tendo em vista a sua boa visibilidade e uso por pessoas com deficiências. Novos pavimentos, cerâmicos, fotoluminescentes, foram desenhados com propriedades multisensoriais (contraste táctil, sonoro e visual) e antimicrobianas, para pessoas portadoras de deficiências utilizarem, no escuro, com a prioridade de salvar vidas em emergências. Tais pisos, com relevos, podem ser combinados de modo a compor um sistema exclusivo de sinalização fotoluminescente multisensorial que possibilita a rápida evacuação mediante o uso de auxílios de mobilidade (e.g. bengala, cadeira de rodas, andadores, muletas). A solução integrada de tais inovações que potencializa a propriedade de luminescência persistente de SrAl2O4:Ce3+, Dy3+, Eu2+ de modo acessível para as pessoas com deficiências, pode contribuir para salvar vidas, no escuro, em emergências.

Thermoluminescence properties of natural zoisite mineral under gamma-irradiations and high temperature annealing

Natural silicate mineral of zoisite, Ca(2)Al(3)(SiO(4))(Si(2)O(7))O(OH), has been investigated concerning gamma-radiation, UV-radiation and high temperature annealing effects on thermoluminescence (TL). X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurement confirmed zoisite structure and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis revealed besides Si, Al and Ca that are the main crystal components, other oxides of Fe, Mg, Cr, Na, K, Sr, Ti, Ba and Mn which are present in more than 0.05 wt%. The TL glow curve of natural sample contains (130-150), (340-370) and (435-475)degrees C peaks. Their shapes indicated a possibility that they are result of composition of two or more peaks strongly superposed, a fact confirmed by deconvolution method. Once pre-annealed at 600 degrees C for 1 h, the shape of the glow curves change and the zoisite acquires high sensitivity. Several peaks between 100 and 400 degrees C appear superposed, and the high temperature peak around 435 degrees C cannot be seen. The ultraviolet radiation, on the other hand, produces one TL peak around 130 degrees C and the second one around 200 degrees C and no more. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

PREDICTION OF METAL CATION TOXICITY TO THE BIOLUMINESCENT FUNGUS GERRONEMA VIRIDILUCENS

A correlation between the physicochemical properties of mono- [Li(I), K(I), Na(I)] and divalent [Cd(II), Cu(II), Mn(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Zn(II), Mg(II), Ca(II)] metal cations and their toxicity (evaluated by the free ion median effective concentration. EC50(F)) to the naturally bioluminescent fungus Gerronema viridilucens has been studied using the quantitative ion character activity relationship (QICAR) approach. Among the 11 ionic parameters used in the current study, a univariate model based on the covalent index (X(m)(2)r) proved to be the most adequate for prediction of fungal metal toxicity evaluated by the logarithm of free ion median effective concentration (log EC50(F)): log EC50(F) = 4.243 (+/-0.243) -1.268 (+/-0.125).X(m)(2)r (adj-R(2) = 0.9113, Alkaike information criterion [AIC] = 60.42). Additional two- and three-variable models were also tested and proved less suitable to fit the experimental data. These results indicate that covalent bonding is a good indicator of metal inherent toxicity to bioluminescent fungi. Furthermore, the toxicity of additional metal ions [Ag(I), Cs(I), Sr(II), Ba(II), Fe(II), Hg(II), and Pb(II)] to G. viridilucens was predicted, and Pb was found to be the most toxic metal to this bioluminescent fungus (EC50(F)): Pb(II) > Ag(I) > Hg(I) > Cd(II) > Cu(II) > Co(II) Ni(II) > Mn(II) > Fe(II) approximate to Zn(II) > Mg(II) approximate to Ba(II) approximate to Cs(I) > Li(I) > K(I) approximate to Na(I) approximate to Sr(II)> Ca(II). Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2010;29:2177-2181. (C) 2010 SETAC

Effect of variations in annealing temperature and metallic cations on nanostructured molybdate thin films

Crystalline molybdate thin films were prepared by the complex polymerization method. The AMoO(4) (A = Ca, Sr, Ba) films were deposited onto Si wafers by the spinning technique. The Mo-O bond in the AMoO(4) structure was confirmed by FTIR spectra. X-ray diffraction revealed the presence of crystalline scheelite-type phase. The mass, size, and basicity of A(2+) cations was found to be dependent on the intrinsic characteristics of the materials. The grain size increased in the following order: CaMoO4 < SrMoO4 < BaMoO4. The emission band wavelength was detected at around 576 nm. Our findings suggest that the material's morphology and photoluminescence were both affected by the variations in cations (Ca, Sr, or Ba) and in the thermal treatment.

Preparation and thermal decomposition of solid state compounds of 4-methoxybenzylidenepyruvate with alkali earth metals, except beryllium and radium

Solid compounds of general formula ML(2) . nH(2)O [where M is Mg, Ca, Sr or Ba; L=4 methoxybenzylidenepyruvate (4-MeO-BP); n = 4, 1 or 0] have been synthetized. Thermogravimetry (TG), derivative thermogravimetry (DTG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), x-ray diffraction powder patterns and elemental analysis have been used to characterize the compounds. The thermal stability of these compounds as well as that of the decomposition products were studied using Pt or Al2O3 crucibles in an air or a CO2 atmosphere.