A data-model fusion approach for upscaling gross ecosystem productivity to the landscape scale based on remote sensing and flux footprint modelling

Chinese Academy of Sciences ; National Science Foundation of China [41071059]; National Key Technology R&D Program of China [2008BAK50B06-02]; National Basic Research Program of China [2010CB950900, 2010CB950704]; Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada

The research of rheology and thermodynamics of organic-inorganic hybrid membrane during the membrane formation

To clarify the mechanism of organic-inorganic hybrid membrane formation by phase-inversion method, the thermodynamical and theological properties of PSF/TiO2 casting solution were investigated by the viscosity measurement and the triangle phase diagram, respectively. TiO2 introduction decreased the non-solvent tolerance of casting solution with non-solvent 20% ethanol aqueous solution, which caused thermodynamic enhancement of phase separation, and also resulted in the change of theological properties from Newtonian fluid to non-Newtonian fluid and the viscosity increase of casting solution, which induced rheological hindrance in demixing process

Sulfonated poly(arylene-co-imide)s as water stable proton exchange membrane materials for fuel cells

A novel sulfonated poly(arylene-co-imide)s were synthesized by Ni(0) catalytic copolymerization of sodium 3-(2,5-dichlorobenzoyl)benzenesulfonate and naphthalimide dichloride monomer. The synthesized copolymers with the - SO3H group on the side-chain of polymers possessed high molecular weights revealed by their high viscosity and the formation of tough and flexible membranes. Because of the introduction of electron donating phenoxy groups into naphthalimide moieties, the hydrolysis of the imide rings was depressed. The resulting copolymers exhibited excellent water stability. The copolymer membranes display no apparently change in appearance, flexibility, and toughness after a soaking treatment in pressurized water at 140 degrees C for 250 h.

Effects of divalent metal ions on electrochemiluminescence sensor with Ru(bPY)(3)(2+) immobilized in Eastman-AQ membrane

Different effects of divalent metal ions on electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensor with Ru(bPY)(3)(2+) immobilized in Eastman-AQ membrane were investigated. Mg2+,Ca2+ and Fe2+ can elevate the ECL of Ru(bpY)(3)(2+)/proline; while metal ions that underwent redox reactions on the electrode such as Mn2+ and Co2+ presented intensive quenching effects on Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) ECL. Also, the quenching effect of Mn2+ on the ECL sensor with Ru(bpY)(3)(2+) immobilized in Eastman-AQ membrane enhanced to about 30-folds compared with the case that Ru(bpy)(3)(2+) was dissolved in phosphate buffer, and the enhanced quenching effects of Mn2+ were studied.

Preparation and characterization of poly(piperazineamide) composite nanofiltration membrane by interfacial polymerization of 3,3 ',5,5 '-biphenyl tetraacyl chloride and piperazine

Most nanofiltration (NF) membranes are composite and have a polyamide thin film prepared by interfacial polymerization. Their performances mainly correlate the structure of the thin film and monomers used for its preparation. In this work, a novel thin-film composite (TFC) nanofiltration membrane was successfully prepared from 3,3',5,5'-biphenyl tetraacyl chloride (mm-BTEC) and piperazine (PIP) through interfacial polymerization. Attenuated reflectance infrared (ATR-IR) and X-ray photoelectronic spectroscopy (XPS) were used to characterize the chemical composition of the membrane surface. The membrane performance was optimized by studying preparation parameters including monomer concentration, reaction time, and pH of aqueous phase.

Blends based on sulfonated poly[bis(benzimidazobenzisoquinolinones)] and poly(vinylidene fluoride) for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell

A new blend system consisting of an amorphous sulfonated poly[bis(benzimidazobenzisoquinolinones)] (SPBIBI) and the semi-crystalline poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) was prepared for proton exchange membranes. The miscibility behavior of a series of blends of SPBIBI with PVDF at various weight ratios was studied by WXRD, DSC and FTIR. The properties of the blend membranes were investigated, and it was found that the introduction of PVDF in the SPBIBI matrix altered the morphological structure of the blend membranes, which led to the formation of improved connectivity channels. For instance, the conductivity of the blend membrane containing 10 wt% PVDF displayed the highest proton conductivity (i.e., 0.086 S cm(-1)) at room temperature, a value almost twofold that of the pristine SPBIBI membranes (i.e., 0.054S cm(-1)) under identical conditions.

High proton conductive advanced hybrid membrane based on sulfonated Si-SBA-15

Composite membranes based on Sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) (SPEEK) and sulfonated organically modified Si-SBA-15 (S-SBA-15) were investigated with the purpose of increasing the proton conductivity. The novelty of the composite membranes was attributed to two special structures and different ion exchange capacities (IEC) of S-SBA-15 fillers, which were embedded in membranes. The typical hexagonal channels array of S-SBA-15 was confirmed by XRD and TEM. The regular vermiculate and amorphous structures of the inorganic fillers were proved by SEM. Composite membranes were prepared through common solvent casting method. SEM images indicated that the inorganic filler with regular structure dispersed homogeneously in the composite membranes, but the amorphous filler caused an agglomeration phenomenon at the same loading content.

Pore-filling membrane for direct methanol fuel cells based on sulfonated poly(styrene-ran-ethylene) and porous polyimide matrix

We have synthesized a porous co-polyimide film by coagulating a polyimide precursor in the non-solvent and thermal imidization. Factors affecting the morphology, pore size, porosity, and mechanical strength of the film were discussed. The porous polyimide matrix consists of a porous top layer and a spongy sub-structure with micropores. It is used as a porous matrix to construct sulfonated poly(styrene-ran-ethylene) (SPSE) infiltrated composite membrane for direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) application. Due to the complete inertness to methanol and the very high mechanical strength of the polyimide matrix, the swelling of the composite membrane is greatly suppressed and the methanol crossover is also significantly reduced, while high proton conductivity is still maintained. Because of its higher proton conductivity and less methanol permeability, single fuel cell performance test demonstrated that this composite membrane outperformed Nafion membrane.

Interaction between alpha-actinin and negatively charged lipids membrane investigated by surface plasmon resonance and electrochemical methods

alpha-Actinin has been shown to be capable of interacting with some special membrane phospholipids directly, which is important for its function. In this study, hybrid bilayer membranes composed of negatively charged lipids are constructed on the surface plasmon resonance gold substrate and on the gold electrode, respectively, and the interaction between alpha-actinin and negatively charged lipids membrane is investigated by surface plasmon resonance, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy methods. alpha-Actinin is proved to be able to interact with the negatively charged lipids membrane directly. It can also insert at least partly into the membrane or lead to some defect or lesion in the membrane, which increase the permeability of the membrane. This study would bring some insight on the interaction between the alpha-actinin and the cell membranes in vivo.

Preparation and evaluation of a proton exchange membrane based on oxidation and water stable sulfonated polyimides

A series of novel oxidation and water stable sulfonated polyimides (SPIs) were synthesized from 4,4'-binaphthyl-1,1',8,8'-tetracarboxylic dianhydride (BTDA), and wholly aromatic diamine 2,2'-bis(3-sulfobenzoyl) benzidine (2,2'-BSBB) for proton exchange membrane fuel cells. These polyimides could be cast into flexible and tough membranes from m-cresol solutions. The copolymer membranes exhibited excellent oxidative stability and mechanical properties due to their fully aromatic structure extending through the backbone and pendant groups. Moreover, all BTDA-based SPI membranes exhibited much better water stability than those based on the conventional 1,4,5,8-naphthalenecarboxylic dianhydride. The improved water stability of BTDA-based polyimides was attributed to its unique binaphthalimide structure. The SPI membranes with ion exchange capacity (IEC) of 1.36-1.90 mequiv g(-1) had proton conductivity in the range of 0.41 x 10(-1) to 1. 12 x 10(-1) S cm(-1) at 20 degrees C. The membrane with IEC value of 1.90 mequiv g(-1) displayed reasonably higher proton conductivity than Nafion((R)) 117 (0.9 x 10(-1) S cm(-1)) under the same test condition and the high conductivity of 0.184 S cm(-1) was obtained at 80 degrees C. Microscopic analyses revealed that well-dispersed hydrophilic domains contribute to better proton conducting properties. These results showed that the synthesized materials might have the potential to be applied as the proton exchange membranes for PEMFCs.

Synthesis and characterization of soluble poly(amideimide)s bearing triethylamine sulfonate groups as gas dehumidification membrane material

A series of soluble poly(amide-imide)s (PAIs) bearing triethylammonium sulfonate groups were synthesized directly using trimellitic anhydride chloride (TMAC) polycondensation with sulfonated diamine such as 2,2'-benzidinedisulfonic acid (BDSA), 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl ether-2,2'-disulfonic acid (ODADS), and nonsulfonated diamine 4,4-diaminodiphenyl methane in the presence of triethylamine. The resulting copolymers exhibited high molecular weights (high inherent viscosity), and a combination of desirable properties such as good solubility in dipolar aprotic solvents, film-forming capability, and good mechanical properties. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction revealed that the polymers were amorphous. These copolymers showed high permeability coefficients of water vapor because of the presence of the hydrophilic triethylammonium sulfonate groups. The water vapor permeability coefficients (P-w) and permselectivity coefficients of water vapor to nitrogen and methane [alpha(H2O/N-2) and (alpha(H2O/CH4)] Of the films increased with increasing the amount of the triethylammonium sulfonated groups.

Surface-modified Nafion (R) membrane by casting proton-conducting polyelectrolyte complexes for direct methanol fuel cells

Surface-modified Nafion (R) membrane was prepared by casting proton-conducting polyelectrolyte complexes on the surface of Nafion (R). The casting layer is homogeneous and its thickness is about 900 nm. The proton conductivity of modified Nafion (R) is slightly lower than that of plain Nafion (R); however, its methanol permeability is 41% lower than that of plain Nafion (R). The single cells with modified Nafion (R) exhibit higher open circuit voltage (OCV = 0.73 V) and maximal power density (P-max = 58 mW cm(-2)) than the single cells with plain Nafion (R) (OCV = 0.67 V, P x = 49 mW cm-2). It is a simple, efficient, cost-effective approach to modifying Nafion (R) by casting proton-conducting materials on the surface of Nafion (R).

Loosely packed self-assembled monolayer of N-hexadecyl-3,6-di(p-mercaptophenylacetylene)carbazole on gold and its application in biomimetic membrane research

Dithiols of N-hexadecyl-3,6-di(p-mercaptophenylacetylene)carbazole (HDMC) have been synthesized and employed to form self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold. One characteristic of the HDMC molecule is its peculiar molecular structure consisting of a large and rigid headgroup and a small and flexible alkyl-chain tail. HDMC adsorbates can attach to gold substrates by a strong Au-S bond with weak van der Waals interactions between the alkyl-chain tails, leading to a loosely packed hydrophobic SAM. In this way we can couple hybrid bilayer membranes (HBMs) to gold surfaces with more likeness to a cell bilayer than the conventional HBMs based on densely packed long-chain alkanethiol SAMs. The insulating properties and stability of the HDMC monolayer as well as the HDMC/lipid bilayer on gold have been investigated by electrochemical techniques including cyclic voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy. To test whether the quality of the bilayer is sufficiently high for biomimetic research, we incorporated the pore-forming protein a-hemolysin) and the horseradish peroxidase into the bilayers, respectively.

Phenolphthalein immobilized membrane for an optical pH sensor

A phenolphthalein immobilized cellulose membrane for an optical pH sensor was described. The phenolphthalein was first reacted with the formaldehyde to produce a series of prepolymers with many hydroxymethyl groups. In this paper, the prepolymers was abbreviated to phenolphthalein-formaldehyde (PPF). Then the PPF was covalently immobilized to the diacetylcellulose membrane via hydroxymethyl groups. Finally the membrane was hydrolyzed in the 0.1 M NaOH solution for 24 h to reduce the response time. Advantageous features of the pH-sensitive membrane include (a) a large dynamic range from pH 8.0 to 12.50, or even broader, (b) rapid response time (2-30 s), (c) easy of fabrication, and (d) a promising material for determination of high pH values. The immobilized PPF has a broader dynamic range from 8.0 to 12.50 than the free phenolphthalein from pH 8.0 to 11.0, and this was due to the newly produced methylenes in our investigation.