Electrochemical Study of Hypophosphite

Electrochemical behavior of hypophosphite was studied with cyclic voltammogram in acidic solution(pH = 4.6) at 80℃. Two anodic peaks were observed on gold electrode at - 0.44V and - 0.59 V (SCE),respectively, and no corresponding cathodic peaks were obtained. The one at - 0.44 V wits ascribed to the oxidation oftautomeric form of hypophosphite, the other at - 0.59 V was due to the oxidation of absorbed form of hypophosphite. The two oxidation reactions were believed to be the electron source of nickel ion reduction in electrolessnickel processes.

Potassium tantalate niobate crystals:Efficient quadratic electro-optic materials and their laser modulation technology

Electro-optic(EO)crystals are important material for all-solid-state laser technology,which can be used to fabricate various laser modulators,such as EO switches,laser deflectors,and optical waveguide.The improvements in new high-efficiency EO crystal materials have held great significance to the development of laser technology.Potassium tantalate niobate(KTN)is a popular multifunctional crystal because of its remarkable and excellent quadratic EO effect.KTN EO modulation technology offers numerous advantages,such as high efficiency,good stability,a quick response time,and inertia-free characteristics.In this paper,we summarize the research progress of KTN series crystals systemically,including the theoretical exploration on quadratic EO effect,solid-melt crystal growth technique,comprehensive physical characterization,new physical effect and mechanisms exploration,new EO devices development and design.The EO modulation technique based on the Kerr effect of KTN series crystal offers obvious advantages in reducing the drive voltage and device size,which could better meet the developmental needs of future lasers with a wide wavelength,miniaturization,and integration.This may provide theoretical guidance and an experimental basis for the design and development of new EO crystal devices and promote the development of laser technology.

In situ transformation of Cu2O@MnO2 to Cu@Mn（OH）2 nanosheet-on-nanowire arrays for efficient hydrogen evolution

The development of new non-precious metal catalysts and understanding the origin of their activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction （HER） are essential for rationally designing highly active low-cost catalysts as alternatives to state-of-the-art precious metal catalysts. Herein, manganese oxide/hydroxide was demonstrated as a highly active electrocatalysts for the HER by fabricating MnO2 nanosheets coated with Cu2O nanowire arrays （Cu2O@MnO2 NW@NS） on Cu foam followed by an in situ chronopotentiometry （CP） treatment. It was discovered that the in situ transformation of Cu2O@MnO2 into Cu@Mn（OH）2 NW@NS by the CP treatment drastically boosted the catalytic activity for the HER due to an enhancement of its intrinsic activity. Together with the benefits from such （3D） core-sheU arrays for exposing more accessible active sites and efficient mass and electron transfers, the resulting Cu@Mn（OH）2 NW@NS exhibited excellent HER activity and outstanding durability in terms of a low overpotential of 132 mV vs. RHE at 10 mA/cm2, Overall, we expect these findings to generate new opportunities for the exploration of other Mn-based nanomaterials as efficient electrocatalysts and enable further understanding of their catalytic processes.