A Fine-Structure Constant Can Be Explained Using the Electrochemical Method

We proposed an empirical equation for a fine-structure constant: . Then, . where mp and me are the rest mass of a proton and the rest mass of an electron, respectively. In this report, using the electrochemical method, we proposed an equivalent circuit. Then, we proposed a refined version of our own old empirical equations about the electromagnetic force and gravity. Regarding the factors of 9/2 and π, we used 3.132011447 and 4.488519503, respectively. The calculated values of Tc and G are 2.726312 K and 6.673778 × 10-11 (m3⋅kg-1⋅s-2).

Synthesis of Al2S3/MoS2 Nanocomposite by Electrochemical Method: Correlation for Photodegradation of Trichloroacetic Acid, Chloroacetic Acid, Acetic Acid and Study of Antibacterial Efficiency

Al2S3/MoS2 nanocomposite has been synthesized through electrochemical method and characterized by UV-Visible spectroscopy, XRD, SEM and EDAX data. UV-Visible spectroscopy measurements reveal that the Al2S3/MoS2 nanocomposite has maximum absorption at 353.04 nm and this peak position reflects the band gap of particles and it is found to be 2.51 eV which was calculated using Tauc plot. X-Ray diffraction (XRD) reveals crystaline size to be 49.85 nm which was calculated using Williamson-Hall (W-H) plot method. Photocatalytic degradation of acetic acid, chloroacetic acid and trichloroacetic acid has been studied by volumetric method using NaOH solution. Photocatalytic degradation of chloroacetic acid and acetic acid follows first order kinetics. The photodegradation efficiency for Al2S3/MoS2 nanocomposite was found to be ≈97.8%. A Taft linear free energy relationship is noted for the catalysed reaction with ρ* = 0.233 and indicating electron withdrawing groups enhance the rate. An isokinetic relation is observed with β = 358 K indicating that enthalpy factor controls the reaction rate. The result of this paper suggests the possibility of degradation of organic compounds, industrial effluants and toxic organic compounds by photodegradation process by ecofriendly Al2S3/ MoS2. The antibacterial activity of Al2S3/MoS2 nanocomposite was investigated. These particles were shown to have an effective bactericide.

Direct conversion of methane to methanol by electrochemical methods

A convenient method for methane(CH_(4))direct conversion to methanol(CH_(3)OH)is of great significance to use methane-rich resources,especially clathrates and stranded shale gas resources located in remote regions.Theoretically,the activation of CH_(4) and the selectivity to the CH_(3)OH product are challenging due to the extreme stability of CH_(4) and relatively high reactivity of CH_(3)OH.The state-of-the-art‘methane reforming-methanol synthesis’process adopts a two-step strategy to avoid the further reaction of CH_(3)OH under the harsh conditions required for CH_(4) activation.In the electrochemical field,researchers are trying to develop conversion pathways under mild conditions.They have found suitable catalysts to activate the C–H bonds in methane with the help of external charge and have designed the electrode reactions to continuously generate certain active oxygen species.These active oxygen species attack the activated methane and convert it to CH_(3)OH,with the benefit of avoiding over-oxidation of CH_(3)OH,and thus obtain a high conversion efficiency of CH_(4) to CH_(3)OH.This mini-review focuses on the advantages and challenges of electrochemical conversion of CH4 to CH_(3)OH,especially the strategies for supplying electro-generated active oxygen species in-situ to react with the activated methane.

New Inclusion Assessment Method in Aluminum Alloys——Electrochemical Method for Inclusion Assessment

The existence of inclusion influences the properties of aluminum alloy castings,from which the castings will face scrapping under severe condition.Great efforts on the inclusions in aluminum alloy were made and many inclusion assessment methods were put forward.However,most of the current methods are characterized by time consuming and expensive equipment cost,which limits the application in aluminum industry.Since the aluminum properties are sensitive to the inclusion,this paper tries to establish a new kind of inclusion assessment method.The inclusions were introduced to aluminum melts by adding aluminum scraps.The samples with different inclusion contents were prepared.The microstructure contained inclusions was observed.The inclusion was automatically identified with an image analyzer by setting different grey threshold value,and the inclusion content was obtained.The image analysis shows that inclusions wreck the continuity of the alloy matrix seriously,and the inclusion area percentage increases with the increasing of aluminum scraps.The high and low polarization measurements were conducted in 3.5 wt% NaCl aqueous solution at the temperature of 25 ℃.The electrochemical parameters of the testing materials,such as corrosion potential E k,corrosion current density I k and the linear polarization resistance R p,were obtained.The polarization measurement results show that the linear polarization resistances decrease,the corrosion potentials move towards more negative direction,and the corrosion current densities increase with the increasing of inclusion content.The theoretical analysis of the inclusion content and the corrosion current density was performed.The existence of inclusions makes the microstructure form corrosion microcells between the alloy matrix and inclusions.The impressed current can accelerate the current velocity or corrosion current density.The regression model of the inclusion contents vs.the corrosion current density was obtained.This model can be used to quantitatively analyze the inclusion content in aluminum alloys on the basis of inclusion sensitivity to the inclusion content.It is confirmed that the electrochemical method for inclusion assessment （EcMIA） is simple and reliable,which can provide a new solution for inclusion assessment in aluminum alloy.

Technology of black coloring for stainless steel by electrochemical method

The technology of black coloring for stainless steel by electrochemical method was studied. The optimum bath compositions and operating conditions were obtained as follows: 4050g/L K2Cr2O7 , 1520g/L MnSO4, 1520g/L （NH4）2SO4, 2040g/L H3BO3, 2030 g/L additive A, 2 g/L （NH4）6Mo7O 24 ; time 920 min; temperature 1530℃; potential 3V and current density 12mA/cm 2 . The effects of the compositions of the bath on the quality of black colored film were discussed. The influences of passivation process on the black coloring velocity and performances of black colored film layer were investigated. The results show that the passivation process can improve the corrosion resistance and the stability to bear color-change; （NH4）2SO4 can control the black coloring velocity and prolong black coloring bath life remarkably; and additive A can improve the evenness and compactness of black colored film layer. The results of scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectra show that the microstructure is of cylindrical lump, the filling process can decrease the crackles, and the main elements of black colored film are Fe, Cr, Mn and Ni.

Magnetic behaviors of cerium oxide-based thin films deposited using electrochemical method

Zn and Co multi-doped CeO2 thin films have been prepared using an anodic electrochemical method. The structures and magnetic behaviors are characterized by several techniques, in which the oxygen states in the lattice and the absorptive oxygen bonds at the surface are carefully examined. The absorptive oxygen bond is about 50% of the total oxygen bond by using a semi-quantitative method. The value of actual stoichiometry δ′ is close to 2. The experimental results indicate that the thin films are of a cerium oxide-based solid solution with few oxygen vacancies in the lattice and many absorptive oxygen bonds at the surface. Week ferromagnetic behaviors were evidenced by observed M-H hysteresis loops at room temperature. Furthermore, an evidence of relative ferromagnetic contributions was revealed by the temperature dependence of magnetization. It is believed that the ferromagnetic contributions exhibited in the M-H loops originate from the absorptive oxygen on the surface rather than the oxygen vacancies in the lattice.

Stablility and Size Control of Silver Nanoparticles by Electrochemical Method

Silver nanoparticles （Ag-NPs） were prepared using an electrochemical technique. The optical properties were measured by absorption spectroscopy. The dimension of the prepared nanoparticles as estimated by the Atomic Force Microscope （AFM）, was 91.57 nm. This reaserch effort proposes a mechanism for reducing the size of silver nanoparticles by adding the hydrogen peroxide （H202）, and protecting the silver nanoparticle to inhibit agglomeration by adding PVP polymer.

Electrochemical Study of the Corrosion Inhibitory Capacity of Calcined Attapulgite in Reinforced Concrete Medium

The durability of reinforced concrete structures is greatly influenced by the corrosion of the reinforcement. In addition to air pollution related to the repair of corroded structures, chloride ions are the main factors of corrosion of reinforced concrete structures. This study aims to valorize a clay inhibitor against reinforcement corrosion in reinforced concrete. This clay (Attapulgite) was incorporated into reinforced concretes at different percentages of substitution of calcined attapulgite (0%, 5% and 10%) to cement in the formulation. The corrosion inhibitory power of attapulgite is evaluated in reinforced concretes subjected to the action of chloride ions at different intervals in the NaCl solution (1 day, 21 days and 45 days) by electrochemical methods (zero current chronopotentiometry, polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy). This study showed that in the presence of chloride ions, the composition based on 10% attapulgite has an appreciable inhibitory effect with an average inhibitory efficiency of 82%.

Determination of real-time oxygen transfer rate based on an electrochemical method

The interfacial oxygen transfer rate is one of the main factors to control the composition of alloys.The commonly employed method of studying the interfacial oxygen transfer rate is the chemical composition analysis;however,it is difficult to be studied in situ.Here,a new method of measuring the oxygen transfer rate at the gas-slag and slag-metal interfaces was reported based on electrochemical analyses.The interfacial oxygen transfer rate in the smelting process of Inconel 718 superalloy was investigated at 1723,1773,1823,and 1873 K.The experimental results show that the electrochemical method can measure the real-time oxygen content;hence,this method is promising in controlling the oxygen content in alloys.As the temperature increased,both the equilibrium oxygen content and the rate of oxygen absorption increased significantly,and the increase was the most obvious when the temperature was 1873 K.The possible reason is that the increase in temperature weakens the mass transfer resistance of the electric double layer at the interface,thus accelerating the oxygen transfer rate.

Electrochemical methods for the characterization and interfacial study of dye-sensitized solar cell

Dye-sensitized solar cell （DSSC） is one of the most rapidly developed solar cells in the past 20 years. Many characterization methods have been employed for further understanding the operational details of the photo- electric conversion in DSSC as well as the evaluation of cell performance. Electrochemical methods have become pow- erful tools for studying the charge transfer and interfacial process. In this review, we introduce and explain the various electrochemical methods used to characterize and analyze DSSC, including current-voltage （I-V） scan measurement, cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spec- troscopy, intensity-modulated photocurrent spectroscopy, and intensity-modulated photovoltage spectroscopy. In ad- dition, some applications were provided as samples to elucidate electron transfer kinetics, energy levels and electrocatalytic activity of the materials used in DSSC.

Best practices for electrochemical characterization of supercapacitors

We discuss here essential aspects of the experimental supercapacitors characterization by a series of well-known electrochemical methods.We are motivated by a considerable number of publications that misreport procedures and results.Authors often conceal or neglect essential information about the electrochemical analytical apparatus used and its configuration.The lack of such information may lead researchers,especially inexperienced ones,to misunderstand the procedures and results.Eventually,the misled electrochemical equipment configuration favors misinterpretation of data and low reproducibility rates.This paper aims to highlight these issues and clarify them.We explain fundamental concepts of some electrochemical analytical methods,such as cyclic voltammetry,galvanostatic charge-discharge,single potential step chronoamperometry,and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy,focusing on the supercapacitor field.Distinct configurations of electrical parameters are presented and discussed to highlight the effects of incorrect setup and uncover misleading results.We discuss how the electrochemical setup and data analyses matter in reliable data results for the supercapacitor.

Application of the Electrochemical Method for Stripping Eu^（3＋） after Extraction with Benzo－15－crown－5 in Dichloromethane

Eu3+ is extracted at pH 6 with 5. 0×10-2 mol/L benzo-15-crown-5 in dichloromethane from 5. 0×10-2 mol/L aqueous solution of lithium picrate. The enriched extractability has been investigated. In a concentration range from 2. 4 ×10-4 to 1. 8 ×10-3 mol/L solution of europium nitrates, the enrichment coefficients are calculated with the phasc ratio (organic/aqueous) of 1: 5 or 4: 25. The ability of 0. 5 mol/L HNO3 as a back-extractant is discussed with the volume ratio [organic/(0. 5 mol/L HNO3)] of 1 : 3. Crown ether and picric acid exist in the back-extractivephase. Eu3+ is effectively separated from the organic phase by the electrochemical method. The separation efficiency is more than 84%. The optimum electrolysis time or cell voltage is obtained from the relation between the electrolysis current and the time or the voltage.

A State-of-the-Art Review of Electrochemical Chloride Extraction for Concrete Structures

Electrochemical chloride extraction is a promising technique for the rehabilitation of concrete structures under chloride induced corrosion. This study consists of an extensive literature review of this treatment including application cases. It is found that the rate of chlorides removed is affected by the total charge passed, whereas increasing charge in a range between 1500 to 2000 Ah/m2 increases the amount of chlorides removed and this can be more effective by increasing current density instead of duration of treatment. Bound chlorides are extracted during treatment and, water works better than Ca(OH)2 as an electrolyte, possibly due to modifications on the concrete pore structure. Moreover, ECE is not efficient in repassivate structures but is efficient in its purpose of removing chlorides if treatment setup is well planned, which justifies the need for better international standards on the topic.

Experimental Study of the Anti-Corrosion Performance of Montmorillonite K-10 on Rebar in HCl Environment: Application in Mortar for the Rehabilitation of Reinforced Concrete Degraded by Corrosion

This work first investigates the corrosion-inhibiting behavior of montmorillonite K-10 on reinforcing steel. The corrosion-inhibiting power of the clay (Montmorillonite) is determined in a medium HCl (C = 1N) using free corrosion potential monitoring, Tafel potentiodynamic polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results of this study showed a satisfactory corrosion-inhibiting efficiency of around 72.665% for the optimum content of 1%. This is due to the presence of a stable oxide layer that protects the metal against corrosion. To validate the concept of montmorillonite as a corrosion inhibitor in repair mortar, we now turn to the influence of montmorillonite on the mechanical properties of mortars in the hardened state. In this part, montmorillonite K-10 is added to the mortar by partial substitution of the cement by 5% and 10% of the cement mass. The aim of this study is to ensure that the addition of this clay to the mortar composition will not have a negative effect on its compressive and flexural strengths. The results of the compression and flexural tests showed that the presence of montmorillonite in the mortar improved flexural and compressive strengths for the different compositions studied.

Evaluation of the Inhibitory Gel Aloe vera against Corrosion of Reinforcement Concrete in NaCl Medium

Most reinforced concrete structures in seaside locations suffer from corrosion damage to the reinforcement, limiting their durability and necessitating costly repairs. To improve their performance and durability, we have investigated in this paper Aloe vera extracts as a green corrosion inhibitor for reinforcing steel in NaCl environments. Using electrochemical methods (zero-intensity chronopotentiometry, Tafel lines and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy), this experimental work investigated the effect of these Aloe vera (AV) extracts on corrosion inhibition of concrete reinforcing bar (HA, diameter 12mm) immersed in a 0.5M NaCl solution. The results show that Aloe vera extracts have an average corrosion-inhibiting efficacy of around 86% at an optimum concentration of 20%.

Shape control technology during electrochemical synthesis of gold nanoparticles

Gold nanoparticles with different shapes and sizes were prepared by adding gold precursor （HAuC14） to an electrolyzed aqueous solution of poly（N-vinylpyrrolidone） （PVP） and KN03, which indicates the good reducing capacity of the PVP-containing solution after being treated by electrolysis. Using a catholyte and an anolyte as the reducing agents for HAuC14,＇ respectively, most gold nanoparticles were spherical particles in the former case but plate-like particles in the latter case. The change in the pH value of electrolytes caused by the electrolysis of water would be the origin of the differences in shape and morphology of gold nanoparticles. A hypothesis of the H＋ or OH- catalyzed PVP degradation mechanism was proposed to interpret why the pH value played a key role in determining the shape or morphology of gold nanoparticles. These experiments open up a new method for effectively controlling the shape and morphology of metal nanoparticles by using electrochemical methods.

Structure and electrochemical properties of hypo-stoichiometric hydro-gen storage alloys prepared by twin-roller rapid quenching process

The stoichiometric alloy MlB5.0 and the hypo-stoichiometric alloy MlB4.85 were prepared by twin-roller rapid quenching process, and their structure and electrochemical properties were studied. The results of XRD show that both of the alloys have a typical single-phase hexagonal CaCus-type structure. The cell volume of the hylpo-stoichiometric alloy M1B4.85 is slightly larger than that of the stoichiometric alloy M1B5.0, although its lattice constant cla is smaller. Under 2 C discharging rate, i.e. 640 mA/g, the M1B4.85 has a discharge capacity of 320 mAh/g, which is higher than that of the M1Bs.o, 312 mAh/g. Nevertheless, the capacities of the M1B4.85 and the M1Bs.o decline 24.7% and 20.2% after 400 cycles, respectively. The relationship of electrochemical performances of the alloys with their structures is discussed.

Electrochemical behavior of Cu-Zn-Al shape memory alloy after surface modification by electroless plated Ni-P

The electrochemical behavior of Cu-Zn-Al shape memory alloy (SMA) with andwithout electroless plated Ni-P was investigated by electrochemical methods, in artificial Tyrode'ssolution. The results showed that Cu-Zn-Al SMA engendered dezincification corrosion in Tyrode'ssolution. The anodic active current densities as well as electrochemical dissolution sensitivity ofthe electroless plated Ni-P Cu-Zn-Al SMA increased with NaCl concentration rising, pH of solutiondecreasing and environmental temperature uprising. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that aftersurface modification by electroless plated Ni-P, an amorphous plated film formed on the surface ofCu-Zn-Al SMA. This film can effectively isolate matrix metal from corrosion media and significantlyimprove the electrochemical property of Cu-Zn-Al SMA in artificial Tyrode's solution.

Preparation and characterization of polyvinylchloride membrane embedded with Cu nanoparticles for electrochemical oxidation in direct methanol fuel cell

Copper nanoparticles were prepared by the chemical reduction method.These copper particles were embedded into the polyvinylchloride(PVC)matrix as support and used as an electrode(PVC/Cu)for the oxidation of methanol fuel for improving the current response.The PVC/Cu electrodes were characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis(TGA)for thermal stability of the electrode,X-ray diffraction(XRD)for identification of copper nanoparticles in the electrode,Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR)to identify the interaction between PVC and Cu and scan electron microscopy(SEM)with EDAX for the morphology of the electrode.The electrocatalytic activity of the electrode was characterized by the cyclic voltammetry,linear sweep voltammetry,and chronoamperometry techniques.An increase in the electrode activity was observed with the increase of copper quantity from 0.18 g(PVC/Cu-0.18 g)to 0.24 g(PVC/Cu-0.24 g)and the maximum was found at 0.24 g of copper in the electrode.Also,it was observed that the electrode achieved the maximum catalytic current in 0.5 mol/L CH3OH+1 mol/L Na OH solution.FTIR identified that water molecules,C—H group,copper nanoparticle and its oxide were available in the electrode.SEM images with EDAX showed that copper particles were properly embedded in the polyvinylchloride matrix.

Application of thermal electrochemical equation to metal-hydride half-cell system

Application of thermal electrochemical equation to metal-hydride half-cell system was investigated, and the influence of state of charge on the thermal electrochemical performance of hydrogen storage materials was studied. The results show that both the absolute value of the molar enthalpy change and the internal resistance of evolution hydrogen reaction are less than that of absorption hydrogen reaction at the same state of charge. The molar reaction enthalpy change of absorption and evolution of hydride electrode change contrarily with the enhancement of filling degree of hydrogen in hydride electrode. The relation curve of molar reaction enthslpy change to state of charge, both absorption and evolution hydrogen reaction, is close to a constant when the state of charge is 10%- 60%, and during state of charge below 10% or state of charge above 60%, the molar reaction enthalpy change varies sharply. Meanwhile, the internal resistance of electrode reaction has an ascending trend with the enhancement on filling degree of hydrogen in hydride electrode in both absorption and evolution hydrogen reaction.