Tetrathiafulvalene esters with high redox potentials and improved solubilities for non-aqueous redox flow battery applications

The exploitation of high performance redox-active substances is critically important for the development of non-aqueous redoxflow batteries.Herein,three tetrathiofulvalene(TTF)derivatives with different substitution groups,namely TTF diethyl ester(TTFDE),TTF tetramethyl ester(TTFTM),and TTF tetraethyl ester(TTFTE),are prepared and their energy storage properties are evaluated.It has been found that the redox potential and solubility of these TTF derivatives in conventional carbonate electrolytes increases with the number of ester groups.The battery with a catholyte of 0.2 mol L^(-1) of TTFTE delivers a specific capacity of more than 10 Ah L^(-1) at the current density of 0.5 C with two discharge voltage platforms locating at as high as 3.85 and 3.60 V vs.Li/Liþ.Its capacity retention can be improved from 2.34 Ah L^(-1) to 3.60 Ah L^(-1) after 100 cycles by the use of an anion exchange membrane to block the crossover of TTF species.The excellent cycling stability of the TIF esters is supported by their well-delocalized electrons,as revealed by the density function theory calculations.Therefore,the introduction of more and larger electron-withdrawing groups is a promising strategy to simultaneously increase the redox-potential and solubility of redox-active ma-terials for non-aqueous redoxflow batteries.

Design of the reactive dyes containing large planar multi-conjugated systems and their application in non-aqueous dyeing

The development of pollution-free dyeing technology, including anhydrous dyeing and non-aqueous dyeing technologies, has always been an important way and research hot in energy conservation and emission reduction. Designing new structural dye molecules is the key to water-saving dyeing processes.Herein, three reactive dyes were designed and synthesized, which contained large planar multiconjugated systems and multi-reactive groups. The designed reactive dyes are expected to have high affinity and high fixations in non-aqueous or small bath dyeing processes. The reactive dyes were applied in the decamethylcyclopentasiloxane(DMCS) reverse micelle dyeing for cotton fabric. High exhaustion rate of 99.35%, 98.10% and 98.80%, and fixation rate of 95.15%, 96.34% and 94.40% for three dyes, R1,R2 and R3, could be respectively obtained. The dyes can be fully utilized and had excellent dyeing performance, fastness and levelling properties under the revere micelle dyeing. The cotton fabric is like an oil-water separator in the dyeing process, where the dye micelles rapidly absorb and permeate into the cotton fibers. DMCS circulates around the fabric to transfer mass and energy. After dyeing, the solvent can be separated quickly and reused. The new reactive dyes containing large planar and multi-conjugated systems have potential application in green and sustainable dyeing technology with less wastewater and higher utilization.

Analyses of non-aqueous reactive polymer insulation layer in high geothermal tunnel

The scenario of geothermal tunnel is commonly observed around the world,and increases with the new constructions in the long and deep tunnels,for example in China.Tunnel insulation is generally divided into active and passive insulation.In passive insulation,it is an effective way to set low thermal con-ductivity materials as the thermal insulation layer as the choice of insulation material mainly depends on the thermal conductivity.Polymer is a kind of material with good geothermal performance,but there are relatively few studies.In this context,the transient plane source(TPS)method was used to measure the thermal conductivity of the developed polymer.Then,the temperature field of the high geothermal tunnel insulated by the non-aqueous reactive polymer layer was simulated.With the parametric analysis results,the suggestions for the tunnel layers were proposed accordingly.It revealed that the thermal conductivity of polymer first increases and then decreases with temperature.There are two rising sec-tions(?40e10?C and 20e90?C),one flat section(10e20?C)and one descending section(>90?C).It is observed the thermal conductivity of polymer increases with increase of the density of insulation layer and the density,and the thermal conductivity decreases when exposed to high temperatures.The temperature of the surrounding rocks increases with increase of the thermal conductivity and the thickness of polymer.Finally,a more economical thickness(5 cm)was proposed.Based on the parametric study,a thermal insulation layer with thermal conductivity less than 0.045 W/(m K),thickness of 5 cm and a density less than 0.12 g/cm 3 is suggested for practice.

Advances in Application of Non-aqueous Phase Enzymatic Catalysis in Food Additive Production

Non-aqueous phase enzymatic catalysis technology has been widely ap- plied in the area of food additives production. This paper reviewed the types of re- action medium of non-aqueous phase enzymatic catalysis reaction, introduced the application of non-aqueous phase enzymatic catalysis technology in catalysis of L-ascorbic （isoascorbic） acid esters, short-chain acid esters, sugar esters, vitamin A esters, vi- tamin E esters, and other food additives, and finally predicted the prospects of non- aqueous phase enzymatic catalysis technology.

Modeling Non-aqueous Phase Liquid Displacement Process

A pore-network model physically based on pore level multiphase flow was used to study the water-non-aqueous phase liquid （NAPL） displacement process, especially the effects of wettability, water-NAPL interracial tension, the fraction of NAPL-wet pores, and initial water saturation on the displacement. The computed data show that with the wettability of the mineral surfaces changing from strongly water-wet to NAPL-wet, capillary pressure and the NAPL relative permeability gradually decrease, while water-NAPL interfacial tension has little effect on water relative permeability, but initial water saturation has a strong effect on water and NAPL relative permeabilities. The analytical results may help to understand the micro-structure displacement process of non-aqueous phase liquid and to provide the theoretical basis for controlling NAPL migration.

Intense up-conversion emissions of yb3＋/Dy3＋ co-doped A12O3 nanopowders prepared by non-aqueous sol-gel method＊

yb3＋/Dy3＋ co-doped A1203 nanopowders have been prepared by the non-aqueous sol-gel method and their up- conversion photoluminescence spectra are measured under excitation by a 980-nm semiconductor laser. The results show that there are comparatively abundant spectra of up-conversion emissions centered at 378, 408, 527 and 543, and 663 nm, corresponding to 4C9/2→ 6H13/2, 4C9/2→ 6Hll/2, 4115/2 → 6H13/2, and 4F9/2 →6Hll/2 transitions of Dy3＋, respectively. Two-photon and three-photon processes are involved in ultraviolet, violet, green, and red up-conversion emissions. The energy transition between Yb3＋ and Dy3＋ is discussed.

Non-aqueous lithium bromine battery of high energy density with carbon coated membrane

Flow batteries with high energy density and long cycle life have been pursued to advance the progress of energy storage and grid application. Non-aqueous batteries with wide voltage windows represent a promising technology without the limitation of water electrolysis, but they suffer from low electrolyte concentration and unsatisfactory battery performance. Here, a non-aqueous lithium bromine rechargeable battery is proposed, which is based on Br;/Br;and Li;/Li as active redox pairs, with fast redox kinetics and good stability. The Li/Br battery combines the advantages of high output voltage（;.1 V）,electrolyte concentration（3.0 mol/L）, maximum power density（29.1 m W/cm;） and practical energy density（232.6 Wh/kg）. Additionally, the battery displays a columbic efficiency（CE） of 90.0%, a voltage efficiency（VE） of 88.0% and an energy efficiency（EE） of 80.0% at 1.0 m A/cm;after continuously running for more than 1000 cycles, which is by far the longest cycle life reported for non-aqueous flow batteries.

Systematic approaches to improving the performance of polyoxometalates in non-aqueous redox flow batteries

Polyoxometalates have been explored as multi-electron active species in both aqueous and non-aqueous redox flow batteries. Although non-aqueous systems in principle offer a wider voltage window for redox flow battery operation, realization of this potential requires a judicious choice of solvent as well as polyoxometalate properties. We demonstrate here the superior performance of N,N-dimethylformamide(DMF)compared to acetonitrile as a solvent for redox flow batteries based on Li3PMo12O40. This compound displays two 1-electron transfers in acetonitrile but can access an extra quasi-reversible 2-electron redox process in DMF. A cell containing 10 mM solution of Li3PMo12O40 in DMF produced a cell voltage of 0.7 V with 2-electron transfers(State of Charge = 60%) and showed a good cyclability. As a means to boost energy density, operation of the redox flow battery at a higher concentration of 0.1 M Li3PMo12O40 produced cells with cell voltage of 0.6 V in acetonitrile and a cell voltage of 1.0 V in DMF;both showed excellent coulombic efficiencies of more than 90% over the course of 30 cycles. Energy density was also increased by employing an asymmetric cell with different polyoxometalates on each side to extend cell voltage.Li6P2W18O62 exhibited 3 quasi-reversible 2-electron transfers in the potential range between-2.05 V and-0.5 V vs. Ag/Ag+. 10 mM Li6P2W18O62/Li3PMo12O40 in DMF produced a cell with cell voltage of 1.3 V involving 4-electron transfers(State of Charge = 50%) with coulombic efficiency of nearly 100% and energy efficiency of nearly 70% throughout the test with more than 20 cycles. These promising results demonstrate proof-of-concept approaches to improving the performance of polyoxometalates in non-aqueous redox flow batteries.

Kinetic Mass Transfer Between Non-aqueous Phase Liquid and Gas During Soil Vapor Extraction

The mass transfer between non-aqueous phase liquid(NAPL) phase and soil gas phase in soil vapor extraction(SVE) process has been investigated by one-dimensional venting experiments. During quasi-steady volatilization of three single-component NAPLs in a sandy soil, constant initial lumped mass transfer coefficient (λgN,0) canbe obtained if the relative saturation (ξ) between NAPL phase and gas phase is higher than a critical value (ξc), andthe lumped mass transfer coefficient decreases with ξ when ξ＜ξc. It is also shown that the lumped mass transfercoefficient can be increased by blending porous micro-particles into the sandy soil because of the increasing of theinterfacial area.

Organic Electrode Materials for Non-aqueous K-Ion Batteries

The demands for high-performance and low-cost batteries make K-ion batteries(KIBs) considered as promising supplements or alternatives for Li-ion batteries(LIBs). Nevertheless, there are only a small amount of conventional inorganic electrode materials that can be used in KIBs, due to the large radius of K^+ ions. Diff erently, organic electrode materials(OEMs) generally own sufficiently interstitial space and good structure flexibility, which can maintain superior performance in K-ion systems. Therefore, in recent years, more and more investigations have been focused on OEMs for KIBs. This review will comprehensively cover the researches on OEMs in KIBs in order to accelerate the research and development of KIBs. The reaction mechanism, electrochemical behavior, etc., of OEMs will all be summarized in detail and deeply. Emphasis is placed to overview the performance improvement strategies of OEMs and the characteristic superiority of OEMs in KIBs compared with LIBs and Na-ion batteries.

Vesicle Formation from Equimolar Cationic-anionic Surfactant Mixture in Non-aqueous Media

Unilamellar vesicles from the mixtures of 1:1 sodium 10-undecenoate and trimethyl[2-(10-undecenoyloxy)ethyl]ammonium iodide in the mixed solvents of ethanol and heptane can be formed spontaneously or by sonication. They can exist in the variation of concentrations and volume ratios of ethanol to heptane, which indicates to some extent the high capability of vesicle formation in such mixed systems.

In-situ Characterization of Non-aqueous Nano-dispersion Systems by Freeze-etching TEM and Comparative Study with Laser Scattering Method

In-situ characterization of non-aqueous nano-dispersion systems（NANDS） by freeze-etching transmission electron microscope（FETEM） was reported.To improve just-for-once successive rate of specimen preparation and get good characterization results,an improving specimen preparation method of freezing etching was developed.Size,distribution and morphology of NANDS were directly visualized.Some information of particle dispersion feature and particle density can also be obtained.Reproductivity of the FETEM characterization is excellent.Comparing with laser scattering method,which is liable to give positive error especially for small size particle anchoring disperser,FETEM characterization can give more accurate measurement of particle size.Moreover,FETEM can give dispersion feature of nanoparticle in non-aqueous medium.

NON-AQUEOUS REVERSED PHASE HPLC WITH LOW-WAVELENGTH UV DETECTION FOR TRIGLYCERIDE ANALYSIS

Glycerides are first separated to classes of triglycerides(TGs), diglycerides(DGs) and monoglycerides(MGs) by normal phase HPLC on silica gel column. Individual triglyceride separation is then achieved by non-aqueous reversed phase(NARP) HPLC on C_(18) column with UV detection at 215nm.

Determination of Roxithromycin Tablets by Capillary Electrophoresis Employing Non-aqueous Media with Square-wave Amperometric Detection

A new method of determination for roxithromycin tablets by non-aqueous capillary electrophoresis (NACE) with square-wave amperometric detection was carried out. Several parameters affecting the NACE-AD determination were studied. The data was modified by spline wavelet least square (SWLS). The method is simple, rapid and highly reliable for routine analysis.

Preparation and characterization of alumina nanoparticles in non-aqueous solution

Nanometer Al2O3powder is prepared by sol-gel method.Trans mission electron microscope(TEM),X-ray diffrac-tion(XRD),ther mal analysis,IR and the grain-testing instructure are used to characterize the particle shape and phase,chemical bonds of hydrous cassiterite andsize distribution after being heated.XRDand TEMshowthat the powder is fibrous γ-Al2O3at800 ℃andsphericalα-Al2O3at1 200℃.The grain-testinginstructure shows that the average particle diameter of γ-Al2O3is36.2nm while that ofα-Al2O3is125.6nm.The IRshows that aluminumstearate is synthesizedin the process of sol-gel.

Thermodynamic solvation of a series of homologous α-amino acids in non-aqueous mixture of ethylene-glycol and N,N-dimethyl formamide

Standard free energies (ΔG0t(i) ) and entropies (ΔS0t(i)) of transfer of some homologous α-amino acids viz. glycine (gly), dl-alanine (ala), dl-α-amino butyric acid (aba) and dl-nor-valine (nor-val) from protic ethylene glycol (EG) to dipolar aprotic N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF) have been evaluated from solubility measure-ments at five equidistant temperatures i.e from 15 to 350C. The observed ΔG0t(i) and TΔS0t(i) Vs composition profiles are complicated because of the various interaction effects. The chemical effects of the transfer Gibbs energies (ΔG0t.ch(i)) and entropies of transfer (ΔS0t.ch(i)) have been obtained after elimination of cavity effect, estimated by the scaled particle theory and dipole-dipole interaction effects, estimated by the use of Keesom-orientation expression. The chemical contributions of transfer energetics of homologous α-amino acids are guided by the composite effects of increased dispersion interaction, basicity and decreased acidity, hydrogen bonding effects and solvophobic solvation of ethylene glycol and N, N-dimethyl formamide mixed solvent as compared to that of reference solvent (ethylene glycol).

Enhancing CO_(2)capture of an aminoethylethanolamine-based non-aqueous absorbent by using tertiary amine as a proton-transfer mediator:From performance to mechanism

Non-aqueous absorbents(NAAs)have attracted increasing attention for CO_(2)capture because of their great energy-saving potential.Primary diamines which can provide high CO_(2)absorption loading are promising candidates for formulating NAAs but suffer disadvantages in regenerability.In this study,a promising strategy that using tertiary amines(TAs)as proton-transfer mediators was proposed to enhance the regenerability of an aminoethylethanolamine(AEEA,diamine)/dimethyl sulfoxide(DMSO)(A/D)NAA.Surprisingly,some employed TAs such as N,N-diethylaminoethanol(DEEA),N,N,N’,N’’,N’’-pentamethyldiethylenetriamine(PMDETA),3-dimethylamino-1-propanol(3DMA1P),and N,N-dimethylethanolamine(DMEA)enhanced not only the regenerability of the A/D NAA but also the CO_(2)absorption performance.Specifically,the CO_(2)absorption loading and cyclic loading were increased by about 12.7%and 15.5%-22.7%,respectively.The TA-enhanced CO_(2)capture mechanism was comprehensively explored via nuclear magnetic resonance technique and quantum chemical calculations.During CO_(2)absorption,the TA acted as an ultimate proton acceptor for AEEA-zwitterion and enabled more AEEA to form carbamate species(AEEACOO-)to store CO_(2),thus enhancing CO_(2)absorption.For CO_(2)desorption,the TA first provided protons directly to AEEACOO-as a proton donor;moreover,it functioned as a proton carrier and facilitated the low-energy step-wise proton transfer from protonated AEEA to AEEACOO-.Consequently,the presence of TA made it easier for AEEACOO-to obtain protons to decompose,resulting in enhanced CO_(2)desorption.In a word,introducing the TA as a proton-transfer mediator into the A/D NAA enhanced both the CO_(2)absorption performance and the regenerability,which was an efficient way to“kill two birds with one stone”.

Sm^(2+)ions boost ammonia electrooxidation reaction on samarium oxide anode for hydrogen generation in non-aqueous electrolyte

Ammonia has garnered recognition as a zero-carbon fuel due to its high-density hydrogen storage capacity and its convenience for storage and transportation.To address the challenges associated with the direct usage of ammonia,the development of NH_(3)-to-H_(2)conversion technologies has emerged as a promising and effective approach.Herein,we present for the first time that crystallized Sm_(2)O_(3−x)electrodes demonstrate high and stable electrocatalytic activities,including N_(2)evolution rate and Faradaic efficiency,for ammonia electrolysis in a non-aqueous electrolyte.It was observed that Sm^(2+)ions in samarium oxide play an indispensable role in the ammonia electrooxidation reaction on the anodes.Furthermore,the mechanism of ammonia electrooxidation has also been elucidated,laying the foundation for a better understanding of the relationship between local structure and electrochemical properties in order to facilitate research on Pt-free electrocatalysts for the electrolysis of ammonia into H_(2).

Enhancing kinetics of Li-S batteries by graphene-like N,S-codoped biochar fabricated in NaCl non-aqueous ionic liquid

Graphene-like N,S-codoped bio-carbon nanosheets(GNSCS) were prepared by a facile and environment-friendly NaCl non-aqueous ionic liquid route to house sulfur for lithium-sulfur battery. The natural nori powder was calcined at 900°C for 3 h under Ar, in which NaCl non-aqueous ionic liquid can exfoliate carbon aggregates into nanosheets. The structural characterization of GNSCS by a series of techniques demonstrates the graphene-like feature.When evaluated as the matrix for sulfur cathode, GNSCS/S exhibits more prominent cycling stability and rate capability.A discharge capacity of 548 mA h g-1 at a current density of 1.6 A g-1 after 400 cycles was delivered with a capacity fade rate of only 0.13% per cycle and an initial Coulombic efficiency(CE) as high as 99.7%. When increasing the areal sulfur loading up to 3 mg cm-2, the discharge capacity can still be retained at 647 mA h g-1 after more than 100 cycles with a low capacity degradation of only ~0.30% per cycle. The features of N/S dual-doping and the graphene-like structure are propitious to the electron transportation, lithium-ion diffusion and more active sites for chemically adsorbing polysulfides. It is anticipated that other functional biochar carbon can also be attained via the low-cost, sustainable and green method.

A method for observing tridimensional morphology of sulfide inclusions by non-aqueous solution electrolytic etching

Three-dimensional investigation of sulfides is required in order to improve the mechanical properties of steel by controlling the sulfides in the steel.A method including its principles and device is introduced for the investigation of threedimensional morphology of sulfides.The method is suitable for gear steel,free cutting steel,non-quenched steel,tempered steel(ws≥0.02 wt.%),etc.The influences of current density,time,and temperature on the exposure degree of sulfide inclusions were investigated by using 16MnCrS5 steel.The best parameters of electrolytic etching of sulfur steel,as found by experimentation,are as follows:current density,37.5-52.5 mA/cm2;time,30-35 min;and temperature,—10 to 0℃.Under these conditions,the three-dimensional morphology of sulfide inclusions in sulfur-bearing steel can be exposed effectively.