Highly Active Interfacial Sites in SFT-SnO_(2) Heterojunction Electrolyte for Enhanced Fuel Cell Performance via Engineered Energy Bands:Envisioned Theoretically and Experimentally

Extending the ionic conductivity is the pre-requisite of electrolytes in fuel cell technology for high-electrochemical performance.In this regard,the introduction of semiconductor-oxide materials and the approach of heterostructure formation by modulating energy bands to enhance ionic conduction acting as an electrolyte in fuel cell-device.Semiconductor(n-type;SnO_(2))plays a key role by introducing into p-type SrFe_(0.2)Ti_(0.8)O_(3-δ)(SFT)semiconductor perovskite materials to construct p-n heterojunction for high ionic conductivity.Therefore,two different composites of SFT and SnO_(2)are constructed by gluing p-and n-type SFT-SnO_(2),where the optimal composition of SFT-SnO_(2)(6∶4)heterostructure electrolyte-based fuel cell achieved excellent ionic conductivity 0.24 S cm^(-1)with power-output of 1004 mW cm^(-2)and high OCV 1.12 V at a low operational temperature of 500℃.The high power-output and significant ionic conductivity with durable operation of 54 h are accredited to SFT-SnO_(2)heterojunction formation including interfacial conduction assisted by a built-in electric field in fuel cell device.Moreover,the fuel conversion efficiency and considerable Faradaic efficiency reveal the compatibility of SFT-SnO_(2)heterostructure electrolyte and ruled-out short-circuiting issue.Further,the first principle calculation provides sufficient information on structure optimization and energy-band structure modulation of SFT-SnO_(2).This strategy will provide new insight into semiconductor-based fuel cell technology to design novel electrolytes.

Small duct primary sclerosing cholangitis: A discrete variant or a bridge to large duct disease, a practical review

The natural history,associations with inflammatory bowel disease(IBD),and long-term outcomes of large duct primary sclerosing cholangitis(ldPSC)have been well documented.Small duct primary sclerosing cholangitis(sdPSC)is a much less common and relatively more benign variant.The natural history of sdPSC has been difficult to characterize given the limited number of studies in the literature especially with regards to the subset of patients who progress to large duct involvement.It has been unclear whether sdPSC represented a subset of ldPSC,an earlier staging of ldPSC,or a completely separate and distinct entity of its own.Strong associations between sdPSC and IBD have been established with suspicion that concurrent sdPSC-IBD may be a key prognostic factor in determining which patients are at risk of progression to ldPSC.Little is known regarding the discrete circumstances that predisposes some patients with sdPSC to progress to ldPSC.It has been suspected that progression to large biliary duct involvement subjects this subset of patients to potentially developing lifethreatening complications.Here the authors conducted a thorough review of the published sdPSC literature using Pubmed searches and cross-referencing to compile all accessible studies regarding cohorts of sdPSC patients in order better characterize the subset of sdPSC patients who progress to ldPSC and the associated outcomes.

Phosphorus Solubility from Rock Phosphate Mixed Compost with Sulphur Application and Its Effect on Yield and Phosphorus Uptake of Wheat Crop

A field experiment was conducted to determine the effect of sulphur application with Rock phosphate mixed compost on phosphorus (P) solubility and its effect on yield and P uptake of wheat crop. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications at the research farm of The University of Agriculture Peshawar. The experiment was conducted during rabi 2015-16 with plot size of 3 m × 5 m. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium were applied at the rate of 120, 90 and 60 kg&#183ha-1 in the form of urea, compost, or single super phosphate and potassium sulphate, respectively. Elemental sulphur was applied at the rate of 10, 20 and 30 kg&#183ha-1 at the time of sowing. Results showed that sulphur applied with compost significantly improved wheat yield and yield components, soil organic matter, soil total N and AB-DTPA extractable P contents, plant N and P concentrations and their uptake, plant micronutrients concentration and their uptakes. No significant changes were noted in soil pH, ECe and lime contents. Maximum grain yield of 4076 kg&#183ha-1, total dry matter yield 9721 kg&#183ha-1, straw yield 5644 kg&#183ha-1, plant height 98.3 cm, spike length 11.2 cm, grain per spike 61.0, thousand grain weight 50.2 g were recorded on the application of S at the rate 20 kg&#183ha-1 with compost. The highest soil organic matter content of 1.41% was found for the application of S at the rate of 10 kg&#183ha-1 with compost. Maximum soil total N content of 1756 mg&#183kg-1 and P 5.7 mg&#183kg-1 were observed by the application of double recommended S with compost. Plant N uptakes of 125.7 kg&#183ha-1, and P uptake of 17.5 kg&#183ha-1, were maximum with application of compost and S @ 20 kg&#183ha-1. Highest plant uptake of Fe 0.56 kg&#183ha-1, Zn 0.41 kg&#183ha-1, Cu 0.16 kg&#183ha-1 and Mn 0.93 kg&#183ha-1 were found by the application of full recommended S with compost. Results suggested that S at the rate of 20 kg&#183ha-1 application with compost prepared from farm yard manure and rock phosphate proved better combination to enhance wheat yield, yield components and nutrients uptakes of wheat crop.

Co-doping strategy enhanced the ionic conductivity and excellent lithium stability of garnet-type Li_(7)La_(3)Zr_(2)O_(12)electrolyte in all solidstate lithium batteries

Garnet-type Li_(7)La_(3)Zr_(2)O_(12)(LLZO)is one of the most promising solid-state electrolytes(SSEs).However,the application of LLZO is limited by structural instability,low ionic conductivity,and poor lithium stability.To obtain a garnet-type solid electrolyte with a stable structure and high ionic conductivity,a series of TaeCe co-doping cubic Li_(6.4)La_(3)Zr_(1.4-x)Ta_(0.6)Ce_(x)O_(12)(LLZTCO,x=,0.02,0.04,0.06,0.08,0.10,0.20,0.30)electrolytes were successfully synthesized through conventional solid-phase method.The Ta^(5+)doping can introduce more lithium vacancies and effectively maintain the stability of the cubic phase.The Ce^(4+)with a larger ionic radius is introduced into the lattice to widen the Lit migration bottleneck size,which significantly increased the ionic conductivity to 1.05×10^(-3)S/cm.It also shows excellent stability to lithium metal by the optimization of Lit transport channel.Li||LLZTCO||Li symmetric cells can cycle stably for more than 6000 h at a current density of 0.1 mA/cm^(2)without any surface modifications.The commercialization potential of LLZTCO samples in all solid-state lithium batteries(ASSLBs)is confirmed by the prepared LiFePO_(4)||LLZTCO||Li cells with a capacity retention rate of 98%after 100 cycles at 0.5C.This new co-doping method presents a practical solution for the realization of high-performance ASSLBs.