Electrochemical investigation of the anode processes in LiF-NdF3 melt with low oxygen content

The oxidation of oxygen ions and the generation of an anode effect at a low oxygen content of 150 mg/kg were discussed in this paper.Cyclic voltammetry and square-wave voltammetry tests were conducted to explore the anodic processes of LiF-NdF_(3)melt after a lengthy period of pre-electrolysis purification at 1000℃(during which the oxygen content reduced from 413 to 150 mg/kg).The oxidation process of oxygen ions was found to have two stages:oxidation product adsorption and CO/CO_(2)gas evolution.The adsorption stage was controlled by diffusion,whereas the gas evolution was controlled by the electrochemical reaction.In comparison with oxygen content of 413 mg/kg,the decrease in the amplitude of the current at low oxygen content of 150 mg/kg was much gentler during the forward scanning process when the anode effect occurred.Fluorine-ion oxidation peaks that occurred at about 4.2 V vs.Li/Li+could be clearly observed in the reverse scanning processes,in which fluorine ions were oxidized and perfluorocarbons were produced,which resulted in an anode effect.

Surface Modification on Ti-30Ta Alloy for Biomedical Application

Titanium and titanium alloys are currently being used for clinical biomedical applications due to their high strength, corrosion resistance and elastic modulus. The Ti-30Ta alloy has gotten extensive application as the important biomedical materials. The substrate surface of the Ti-30Ta alloy was altered either by chemical or topographical surface modification. The biocompatibility of an implant is closely related to its surface properties. Thus surface modification is one of effective methods for improving the biocompatibility of implants. The development status of biomedical materials has been summarized firstly, the biomedical application. In this study Ti-30Ta alloy surface was investigate as-casting (Group 1) modified with alkaline and heat-treatments in NaOH with 1.5M at 60°C for 24 hrs (Group 2), alkaline and heat-treatments with SBF-coatings by immersion in NaOH and SBFX5 for 24hrs (Group 3), anodization process was performed in an electrolyte solution containing HF (48%) and H2SO4 (98%) with the addition of 5% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) 35V for 40 min (Group 4) and ion beam etching with 1200 eV ions with a beam current of 200 mA for a 3 hrs etch (Group 5). SEM was used to investigate the topography, EDS the chemical composition, and surface energy was evaluate with water contact angle measurement. SEM results show different structure on the surface for each group. EDS spectra identified similarity on Group 1, 4 and 5. The results indicate for group 2 an amorphous sodium tantalate hydrogel layer on the substrate surface and for group 3 the apatite nucleation on substrate surface. The Group 4 shows unorganized and vertically nanotubes and Group 5 shows a little alteration in the topography on the substrate surfaces. Overall the contact angle shows Group 5 the most hydrophobic and Group 4 the most hydrophilic. The study indicates Group 3 and 4 with potential for biomedical application. The next step the authors need to spend more time to study group 3 and 4 in the biomedical sciences.

Anodic behavior of neodymium in acidic AlCl_3-1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium chloride ionic liquid

The anodic behavior of neodymium in acidic AlCl3-1-ethyl-3-methyl-imidazolium chloride （AIC13-EMIC） ionic liquid was investigated by conducting linear sweep voltammeter and chonopotentiometry. The viscosity of Nd dissolved ionic liquid and the surface morphologies of Nd were characterized using an Ostwald viscometer and a scanning electron microscope, respectively. The chemical composition of Nd surface was indentified by Raman spectra. The results showed that dissolution of Nd under anodic polarization occurred after the breakdown of oxide films. A viscous layer formed at the interface of Nd/ionic liquid during the galvanostatic process of 5 and 20 mA/cm^2. The formation of viscous layer was attributed to the accumulation of Nd dissolved AlCl3-EMIC ionic liquid, which had high viscosity. The oxide films could be removed thoroughly and the surface of Nd was homogeneous without etching pits, when viscous layer formed in the anodic process. Otherwise, the surface showed a pitting morphology.

Effect of antimony on the reduction of anodic Pbo_2 film on Pb-Sb alloys in sulfuric acid solution

The reduction processes of anodic PbO2 films formed on Pb-Sb alloys in 4.5mol·dm-3 H2SO4 solution at 1.4 V(vs.Hg/Hg2SO4) for 1 h have been investigated by pho-tocurrent method,chronoamperometry,linear sweep voltammetry as well as X-ray diifractornetry.It was found that the reduction of most of the β-PbO2 and part of the α-PbO2 to PbSO4 can be completed within I s between 0.9 V and 1.0 V(vs.Hg/Hg2SO4) and proceeds much faster than that of the remaining a-PbO2 into photoactive α·PbOx (1<x<1.4).The presence of antimony in the alloy retards significantly the reduction of the remaining a-PbO2 and decreases slightly the band-gap energy of t-PbO.

A scalable sulfuration of WS2 to improve cyclability and capability of lithium-ion batteries

Two-dimensional transition-metal dichalcogenides （WS2 and SnS2） have recently joined the family of energy storage materials （for lithium-ion batteries and supercapacitors） as a result of their favorable ion intercalation. So far, challenges in the synthesis of phase-pure WS2, restacking between WS2 nanosheets, low electronic conductivity, and the brittle nature of WS2, severely limit its use Li-ion battery application. Herein, we develop a facile low temperature solution sulfuration process to improve battery performance dramatically. The sulfuration process is demonstrated to be effective in converting WO3 impurities to WS2, and in repairing the sulfur vacancies, to improve cyclability and rate capability. Lithium-ion battery measurements demonstrate that the stable capacity of the WS2 anode could be enhanced by 48.4% via sulfuration reprocessing, i.e., from 381.7 to 566.8 rnAh/g at a relatively high current density of 0.8 A/g after 50 cycles. We further show that the sulfuration process can be readily extended to other dichalcogenides, and may provide a class of versatile electrode materials for lithium-ion batteries with improved electrochemical characteristics.

Preparation and electrochemical characterization of ultrathin WO3-x/C nanosheets as anode materials in lithium ion batteries

Ultrathin two-dimensional （2D） nanomaterials offer unique advantages compared to their counterparts in other dimensionalities. O-vacancies in such materials allow rapid electron diffusion. Carbon doping often improves the electric conductivity. Considering these merits, the WO3-x/C ultrathin 2D nanomaterial is expected to exhibit excellent electrochemical performance in Li-ion batteries. Here, ultrathin WO3-xC nanosheets were prepared via an acid-assisted one-pot process. The as-prepared WO3-x/C ultrathin nanosheets showed good electrochemical performance, with an initial discharge capacity of 1,866 mA·h·g^-1 at a current density of 200 mA·g^-1 After 100 cycles, the discharge and charge capacities were 662 and 661 mA·h·g^-1, respectively. The reversible capacity of the WO3-x/C ultrathin nanosheets exceeded those of WO3 and WOg-x nanosheets. The electrochemical testing results demonstrated that WO3-x/C ultrathin nanosheets are promising alternative anode materials for Li-ion batteries.