Determination of the Apparent Activation Energy of Concrete Carbonation

Accelerated carbonation experiments about the development of carbonation rates of ordinary Portland cement concrete under different artificial climates were carried out. Six water cement ratios and six climate condition combinations of temperature and relative humidity were used. Results indicate that changes of concrete carbonation rate with environmental temperature agree the Arrhenius law well, which suggests concrete carbonation rate has obvious dependence on temperature. The higher the temperature is, the more quickly the concrete carbonates, and at the same time it is also affected by environmental relative humidity. Thereafter, the apparent activation energy Ea of concrete carbonation reaction was obtained, ranging from 16.8 to 20.6 kJ/mol corresponding 0.35-0.74 water cement ratio, and lower water cement ratio will cause the apparent activation energy increase. Concrete carbonation rates will increase 1.1-1.69 times as temperature increase every 10 ℃ at the temperature range of 10 to 60 ℃.

Influence of Absolute Basicity and Capillary Porosity on Carbonation of Concrete

The single influence of capillary porosity and coupling effects of absolute basicity and capillary porosity on concrete carbonation were investigated. The experimental results showed that carbonation rate of concrete at a given absolute basicity （AB） increased moderately with the increase of the porosity ranging from 6.2% to 9.25%, and increased rapidly with porosity from 9.25% to 12.8%.The coupling effect mainly embodied in disappeared mutation point of capillary porosity, and the distributing regions of carbonation depth were clearly partitioned in the coupling influence of absolute basicity and capillary porosity. A design method on carbonation related durability of concrete based on the coupling effects was proposed.

Aboveground carbon sequestration of Cunninghamia lanceolata forests:Magnitude and drivers

Understanding the spatial variation,temporal changes,and their underlying driving forces of carbon sequestration in various forests is of great importance for understanding the carbon cycle and carbon management options.How carbon density and sequestration in various Cunninghamia lanceolata forests,extensively cultivated for timber production in subtropical China,vary with biodiversity,forest structure,environment,and cultural factors remain poorly explored,presenting a critical knowledge gap for realizing carbon sequestration supply potential through management.Based on a large-scale database of 449 permanent forest inventory plots,we quantified the spatial-temporal heterogeneity of aboveground carbon densities and carbon accumulation rates in Cunninghamia lanceolate forests in Hunan Province,China,and attributed the contributions of stand structure,environmental,and management factors to the heterogeneity using quantile age-sequence analysis,partial least squares path modeling(PLS-PM),and hot-spot analysis.The results showed lower values of carbon density and sequestration on average,in comparison with other forests in the same climate zone(i.e.,subtropics),with pronounced spatial and temporal variability.Specifically,quantile regression analysis using carbon accumulation rates along an age sequence showed large differences in carbon sequestration rates among underperformed and outperformed forests(0.50 and 1.80 Mg·ha^(-1)·yr^(-1)).PLS-PM demonstrated that maximum DBH and stand density were the main crucial drivers of aboveground carbon density from young to mature forests.Furthermore,species diversity and geotopographic factors were the significant factors causing the large discrepancy in aboveground carbon density change between low-and high-carbon-bearing forests.Hotspot analysis revealed the importance of culture attributes in shaping the geospatial patterns of carbon sequestration.Our work highlighted that retaining largesized DBH trees and increasing shade-tolerant tree species were important to enhance carbon sequestration in C.lanceolate forests.

Effects of cooling rate and Al on MnS formation in medium-carbon non-quenched and tempered steels

The effect of Al on the morphology of MnS in medium-carbon non-quenched and tempered steel was investigated at three different cooling rates of 0.24, 0.43, and 200°C·s^-1. The formation mechanisms of three types of MnS were elucidated based on phase diagram information combined with crystal growth models. The morphology of MnS is governed by the precipitation mode and the growth conditions. A monotectic reaction and subsequent fast solidification lead to globular Type I MnS. Type II MnS inclusions with different morphological characteristics form as a result of a eutectic reaction followed by the growth in the Fe matrix. Type III MnS presents a divorced eutectic morphology. At the cooling rate of 0.24°C·s^-1, the precipitation of dispersed Type III MnS is significantly enhanced by the addition of 0.044wt% acid-soluble Al（Als）, while Type II MnS clusters prefer to form in steels with either 0.034wt% or 0.052wt% Als. At the relatively higher cooling rates of 200°C·s^-1 and 0.43°C·s^-1, the formation of Type I and Type II MnS inclusions is promoted, and the influence of Al is negligible. The results of this work are expected to be employed in practice to improve the mechanical properties of non-quenched and tempered steels.

Effects of soil nitrate:ammonium ratio on plant carbon:nitrogen ratio and growth rate of Artemisia sphaerocephala seedlings

Can soil nitrate： ammonium ratios influence plant carbon： nitrogen ratios of the early succession plant？ Can plant carbon： nitrogen ratios limit the plant growth in early succession？ To address these two questions, we performed a two-factor （soil nitrate： ammonium ratio and plant density） randomized block design and a uniform-precision rotatable central composite design pot experiments to examine the relationships between soil nitrate： ammonium ratios, the carbon： nitrogen ratios and growth rate of Artemisia sphaerocephala seedlings. Under adequate nutrient status, both soil nitrate： ammonium ratios and plant density influenced the carbon： nitrogen ratios and growth rate of A. sphaerocephala seedlings. Under the lower soil nitrate： ammonium ratios, with the increase of soil nitrate： ammonium ratios, the growth rates of plant height and shoot biomass of A. sphaerocephala seedlings decreased significantly; with the increase of plant carbon： nitrogen ratios, the growth rates of shoot biomass of A. sphaerocephala seedlings decreased significantly. Soil nitrate： ammonium ratios affected the carbon： nitrogen ratios of A. sphaerocephala seedlings by plant nitrogen but not by plant carbon. Thus, soil nitrate： ammonium ratios influenced the carbon： nitrogen ratios of A. sphaerocephala seedlings, and hence influenced its growth rates. Our results suggest that under adequate nutrient environment, soil nitrate： ammonium ratios can be a limiting factor for the growth of the early succession plant.

Spatiotemporal variations in the organic carbon accumulation rate in mangrove sediments from the Yingluo Bay,China,since 1900

Mangroves can not only provide multiple ecosystem service functions,but are also efficient carbon producers,capturers,and sinks.The estimation of the organic carbon accumulation rate(OCAR)in mangrove sediments is fundamental for elucidating the role of mangroves in the global carbon budget.In particular,understanding the past changes in the OCAR in mangrove sediments is vital for predicting the future role of mangroves in the rapidly changing environment.In this study,three dated sediment cores from interior and fringe of mangroves in the Yingluo Bay,China,were used to reconstruct the spatiotemporal variations of the calculated OCAR since 1900 in this area.The increasing OCAR in the mangrove interior was attributed to mangrove flourishment induced by climate change characterized by the rising temperature.However,in the mangrove fringe,the strengthening hydrodynamic conditions under the sea level rise were responsible for the decreasing OCAR,particularly after the1940 s.Furthermore,the duration of inundation by seawater was the primary factors controlling the spatial variability of the OCAR from the mangrove fringe to interior,while the strengthened hydrodynamic conditions after the 1940 s broke this original pattern.

A low-outgassing-rate carbon fiber array cathode

In this paper, a new carbon fiber based cathode — a low-outgassing-rate carbon fiber array cathode — is investigated experimentally, and the experimental results are compared with those of a polymer velvet cathode. The carbon fiber array cathode is constructed by inserting bunches of carbon fibers into the cylindrical surface of the cathode. In experiment, the diode base pressure is maintained at 1×10^（-2） Pa–2×10^（-2） Pa, and the diode is driven by a compact pulsed power system which can provide a diode voltage of about 100 kV and pulse duration of about 30 ns at a repetition rate of tens of Hz.Real-time pressure data are measured by a magnetron gauge. Under the similar conditions, the experimental results show that the outgassing rate of the carbon fiber array cathode is an order smaller than that of the velvet cathode and that this carbon fiber array cathode has better shot-to-shot stability than the velvet cathode. Hence, this carbon fiber array cathode is demonstrated to be a promising cathode for the radial diode, which can be used in magnetically insulated transmission line oscillator（MILO） and relativistic magnetron（RM）.

Improvement of CO2 capture performance of calcium-based absorbent modified with palygorskite

Limestone can be used for CO_2 capture and sequestration(CCS) in flue gas effectively. However, its CCS capability will dramatically decline after several cycles due to the surface "sintering". In this work, the limestone was modified with palygorskite to reduce sintering phenomenon between the absorbent particles during the CCS process and the carbonation rate of the limestone can be enhanced effectively. Palygorskite is a natural mineral with nano-fibrous structure which can reduce the mutual contact of limestone particles during the CCS process. The results were detected by TGA, SEM, MIP, FTIR and particle size analyzer respectively. The best CO_2 capture performance of modified absorbent was 13.11% improvement with only 5 wt% palygorskite added during the CCS process after 15 cycles compared with natural absorbent. It was found that excellent microscopic structures of absorbent modified with palygorskite was created, and the surface sintering was postponed leading to CO_2 capture performance enhanced under the same conditions.

Assessment on Redox Conditions and Organic Burial of Siliciferous Sediments at the Latest Permian Dalong Formation in Shangsi,Sichuan,South China

The redox sensitive elements, molybdenum （Mo） and uranium （U）, in marine sediments from the latest Permian Dalong （大隆） Formation at the Shangsi （上寺） Section, Northeast Sichnan （四川）, South China, were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry （ICP-MS） to determine their response to a range of redox conditions, and to estimate the organic carbon burial rate. On the basis of the correlation between anthigenic Mo abundance and organic carbon content in modern oceans, the organic carbon burial rates were calculated for the rocks at Dalong Formation, ranging from 0.48-125.83 mmol/（m^2.d）, which shows a larger range than the mineralization rate of organic carbon at the continental margins （1.6-4.23 mmol/（m^2-d））. The Zr-normalized Mo and U abundances show large fluctuations in the entire section. The maxima of Zr-normalized Mo abundance and thus the maxima of the organic carbon burial rates were observed at the interval between the 155th and 156th beds （404-407 m above the base of Middle Permian）. A decrease （the minimum） in U/Mo ratios is present in this interval. It is speculated that the oxygen-limited conditions and ultimately anoxia or euxinia may develop within this depth interval. In contrast, an enhanced enrichment of Zr-normalized U abundance is found, in association with less enrichment in Zr-normalized Mo abundance in the interval from the 151st to 154th beds （395-404 m above the base of Middle Permian）, inferring the dominance of a suboxic/anoxic depositional condition （denitrifying condition）, or without free H2S. The presence of small quantities of dissolved oxygen may have caused the solubilization and loss of Mo from sediments. It is proposed that the multiple cycles of abrupt oxidation and reduction due to the upwelling at this interval lead to the enhanced accumulation of authigenic U, but less enrichment of Mo. A decrease in the contents of U, Mo, and TOC is found above the 157th bed （407 m above the base of Middle Permian）, in association with the enhanced U/Mo ratio, suggesting the overall oxic conditions at the end of the Dalong Formation.

Identification of Milankovitch Cycles and Calculation of Net Primary Productivity of Paleo-peatlands using Geophysical Logs of Coal Seams

Individual coal seams formed in paleo-peatlands represent sustained periods of terrestrial carbon accumulation and a key environmental indicator attributed to this record is the rate of carbon accumulation.Determining the rate of carbon accumulation requires a measure of time contained within the coal.This study aimed to determine this rate via the identification of Milankovitch orbital cycles in the coals.The geophysical log is an ideal paleoclimate proxy and has been widely used in the study of sedimentary records using spectral analysis.Spectral analyses of geophysical log from thick coal seams can be used to identify the Milankovitch cycles and to calculate the period of the coal deposition.By considering the carbon loss during coalification,the long-term average carbon accumulation rate and net primary productivity(NPP)of paleo-peatlands in coal seams can be obtained.This review paper presents the procedures of analysis,assessment of results and interpretation of geophysical logs in determining the NPP of paleo-peatlands.

Effects of Caragana microphylla plantations on organic carbon sequestration in total and labile soil organic carbon fractions in the Horqin Sandy Land, northern China

Afforestation is conducive to soil carbon（C） sequestration in semi-arid regions. However, little is known about the effects of afforestation on sequestrations of total and labile soil organic carbon（SOC） fractions in semi-arid sandy lands. In the present study, we examined the effects of Caragana microphylla Lam. plantations with different ages（12-and 25-year-old） on sequestrations of total SOC as well as labile SOC fractions such as light fraction organic carbon（LFOC） and microbial biomass carbon（MBC）. The analyzed samples were taken from soil depths of 0–5 and 5–15 cm under two shrub-related scenarios： under shrubs and between shrubs with moving sand dunes as control sites in the Horqin Sandy Land of northern China. The results showed that the concentrations and storages of total SOC at soil depths of 0–5 and 5–15 cm were higher in 12-and 25-year-old C. microphylla plantations than in moving sand dunes（i.e., control sites）, with the highest value observed under shrubs in 25-year-old C. microphylla plantations. Furthermore, the concentrations and storages of LFOC and MBC showed similar patterns with those of total SOC at the same soil depth. The 12-year-old C. microphylla plantations had higher percentages of LFOC concentration to SOC concentration and MBC concentration to SOC concentration than the 25-year-old C. microphylla plantations and moving sand dunes at both soil depths. A significant positive correlation existed among SOC, LFOC, and MBC, implying that restoring the total and labile SOC fractions is possible by afforestation with C. microphylla shrubs in the Horqin Sandy Land. At soil depth of 0–15 cm, the accumulation rate of total SOC under shrubs was higher in young C. microphylla plantations（18.53 g C/（m^2·a）; 0–12 years） than in old C. microphylla plantations（16.24 g C/（m^2·a）; 12–25 years）, and the accumulation rates of LFOC and MBC under shrubs and between shrubs were also higher in young C. microphylla plantations than in old C. microphylla plantations. It can be concluded that the establishment of C. microphylla in the Horqin Sandy Land may be a good mitigation strategy for SOC sequestration in the surface soils.

The Effect of Wide-Range Photosynthetic Active Radiations on Photosynthesis,Growth and Flowering of Rosa sp.and Kalanchoe blossfeldiana

Miniature roses (Rosa sp.) and Kalanchoe blossfeldiana were grown at photon flux densities (PFD) ranging from 60 to 670 μmol·m-2·s-1 (associated with a temperature gradient from 20.0°C to 24.0°C [TEMP1]) and from 50 to 370μmol·m-2-s-1 (associated with a temperature gradient from 22.5°C to 26.5°C [TEMP2]). The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse compartment at latitude 59° north in mid-winter. The daily photosynthetic active radiations (PAR) ranged from 4.3 to 48.2 and 3.6 to 26.6 mol·m-2·day-1 in the TEMP1 and TEMP2 treatments, respectively. Time until flowering in miniature roses decreased from about 50 to 35 days in the TEMP1 treatment and from 50 to 25 days in the TEMP2 treatment, when the PFD increased from 50 to 370μmol·m-2·s-1. In Kalanchoe time until flowering was decreased to the same extent (about 15 days) in both temperature treatments when PFD increased from 50 to 370 μmol·m-2·s-1. The number of flowers and the plant dry weight in miniature roses increased up to 300 – 400 μmol·m-2·s-1 PFD (21.6 - 28.8 mol·m-2 day-1 PAR), while flower stem fresh weight and plant dry weight in Kalanchoe increased up to 200 – 300 μmol·m-2·s-1 at TEMP1. Measurements of the diurnal carbon dioxide exchange rates (CER) in daylight in small plant stands of roses in summertime showed that CER was saturated at about 300 μmol·m-2·s-1 PFD at 370 μmol·mol-1 CO2 and at 400 – 500 μmol·m-2·s-1 PFD at 800 μmol·mol-1 CO2. For Kalanchoe similar results were obtained. Increasing the CO2 concentration from 370 to 800 μmol·mol-1 increased the CER in roses (48%) as well in Kalanchoe (69%). It was concluded that 15 to 20 mol·m-2·day-1 combined with about 24°C air temperature and high CO2 concentration will give a very good growth with lot of flowers within a short production time in miniature roses. For Kalanchoe 10 to 15 mol·m-2·day-1 combined with about 20°C and high CO2 produced a similar result.

Carbon accumulations by stock change approach in tropical highland forests of Chiapas, Mexico

Changes in forest biomass and soil organic carbon reserves have strong links to atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration.Human activities such as livestock grazing,forest fires,selective logging and firewood extraction are the common disturbances that affect the carbon dynamics of the forest ecosystems.Here,we hypothesized that such anthropogenic activities significantly reduce the carbon stocks and accumulation rates in the tropical highland forests of the Sierra Madre de Chiapas in Southern Mexico.We sampled the Pinus oocarpa Scheide dominated forests within the elevation range of 900 to 1100 m above sea level in 2010,2014 and 2017.We measured the stand structural properties and used the reported allometric equations to calculate the tree carbon stocks.Stock change approach was used to calculate carbon accumulation rates.The results showed a gradual increase in carbon storage over the 7-year period from 2010 to 2017,but the rate of increase varied significantly between the study sites.The aboveground carbon stock was 107.25±11.77 Mg ha-1 for the site with lower anthropogenic intensity,compared to 74.29±16.85 Mg ha-1 for the site with higher intensity.The current annual increment for the forest with lower anthropogenic intensity was 7.81±0.65 Mg ha-1 a-1,compared to 3.87±1.03 Mg ha-1 a-1 in the site with high anthropogenic intensity.Although at varying rates,these forests are functioning as important carbon sinks.The results on carbon accumulation rates have important implications in greenhouse gas mitigations and forest change modelling in the context of changing global climate.

Optimization of C/N ratio preparation of protein-rich and multi-enzymes feed thallus through synergic fermentation of mixed distillers'grains

A new procedure of determining optimal C/N (the rate of carbon source to nitrogen source) of mixed distillers' grains for combined bacteria synergic fermentation is established. At the same time an improved method evaluating bacteria growth, called method of dry cell weighing by filtering is developed. For each combination of C and N, their initial and residual contents before and after fermentation respectively are determined. Then followed the calculation of utilization of C and N sources by the compound bacteria. The optimal C/N is finally located from among the utilization of C and N of several combinations and the weight of produced mass of oven dried thallus. The conditions of fermentation are: inoculum size 10%, temperature 30 0℃, rotational speed 170 r/min, shake culture time 48h. The best results obtained from orthogonal experiments are: maximum mass of oven dried thallus is 14 693g in a liter liquid medium, maximum utilization rate of carbon source is 98 13% and maximum utilization rate of nitrogen is 78 14%. Optimal C/N is 5 1.

The efficiency of long-term straw return to sequester organic carbon in Northeast China＇s cropland

Black soil is one of the most precious soil resources on earth because it has abundant carbon stocks and a relatively high production capacity. However, decreasing organic matter after land reclamation, and the effects of long-term inputs of organic carbon have made it less fertile black soil in Northeast China. Straw return could be an effective method for improving soil organic carbon（SOC） sequestration in black soils. The objective of this study was to evaluate whether straw return effectively increases SOC sequestration. Long-term field experiments were conducted at three sites in Northeast China with varying latitudes and SOC densities. Study plots were subjected to three treatments： no fertilization（CK）; inorganic fertilization（NPK）; and NPK plus straw return（NPKS）. The results showed that the SOC stocks resulting from NPKS treatment were 4.0 and 5.7% higher than those from NPK treatment at two sites, but straw return did not significantly affect the SOC stocks at the third site. Furthermore, at higher SOC densities, the NPKS treatment resulted in significantly higher soil carbon sequestration rates（CSR） than the NPK treatment. The equilibrium value of the CSR for the NPKS treatment equated to cultivation times of 17, 11, and 8 years at the different sites. Straw return did not significantly increase the SOC stocks in regions with low SOC densities, but did enhance the C pool in regions with high SOC densities. These results show that there is strong regional variation in the effects of straw return on the SOC stocks in black soil in Northeast China. Additional cultivations and fertilization practices should be used when straw return is considered as an approach for the long-term improvement of the soil organic carbon pool.

The development process of a temperate montane peatland and its controlling factors since the middle Holocene

Peatlands are some of the largest carbon reservoirs in terrestrial ecosystems and play a key role in the global carbon cycle.Understanding peatland development,carbon accumulation processes,and the peatland response to varying forcing factors over different temporal and spatial scales helps reveal the underlying processes and general patterns of these ecosystems.To assess the role of climate and local conditions in peatland development,the basal samples from 23 peat cores and three well dated long peat cores were used to explore peatland initiation,lateral expansion,and carbon accumulation rate in the Baijianghe peatland located in the Changbai Mountains,Northeast China.Our results reveal that the Baijianghe peatland was initiated from forest conditions at 7.9 cal.kyr BP and then expanded laterally by paludification.The rapid expansion between 5 and4 cal.kyr BP likely resulted from high precipitation and gentle topography.The mean carbon accumulation rates of the three long peat cores were 36.3,39.1 and 48.4 g C m^(-2)yr^(-1),respectively,which are higher than rates from the northern peatlands.Both climate and local conditions have exerted an important influence on carbon accumulation rates in the Baijianghe peatland since the middle Holocene.The carbon accumulation patterns between 5 and 1.5 cal.kyr BP were probably linked to local conditions rather than climatic settings,including topography,hydrological conditions,and plant composition.The consistently decreasing carbon accumulation rate values at all locations within the BJH peatland over the last 1.5 cal.kyr BP suggests that climate is the primary control.This study highlights the varying primary controls on the process of peatland development and reveals the important role of local conditions in carbon accumulation.

The Effect of Low Night and High Day Temperatures on Photosynthesis in Tomato

If low night temperatures can be combined with high day temperatures, providing optimal growth conditions for plants, a significant energy saving can be achieved in greenhouses. Lowering the night temperature from 18°C to 10°C-11°C for 8 h had no negative effect on the CO2 exchange rate (CER) during the following light period in tomato. This was found both in plants grown in artificial light only or in combination with daylight. Allowing the temperature to increase from 20°C to about 40°C, in parallel with an increasing solar photon flux density (PFD) from 0 up to about 800 μmol·m-2·s-1 in the greenhouse during summer, progressively increased CER when the CO2 concentration was maintained at 900 μmol·mol-1. At 400 μmol·mol-1 CO2, maximum CER was reached at about 600 μmol·m-2·s-1 PFD combined with a temperature of 32°C, and leveled out with a further increase in PFD and temperature. Maximum CER at high CO2 concentration was around 100% higher than at low CO2 level. Under early autumn conditions, CER increased up to about 500 μmol·m-2·s-1 PFD/32°C at low CO2 and up to about 600 μmol·m-2·s-1 PFD/35°C at high CO2. An elevated CO2 level doubled the CER in this experiment as well. Measurements of chlorophyll fluorescence showed no effect of low night temperature, high day temperature or CO2 concentration on the quantum yield of photosynthesis, indicating that no treatment negatively affected the efficiency of the photosynthetic apparatus. The results showed that low night temperatures may be combined with very high day temperatures without any loss of daily photosynthesis particularly in a CO2 enriched atmosphere. If this can be combined with normal plant development and no negative effects on the yield, significant energy savings can be achieved in greenhouses.

Effects of Curing Condition on the Carbonation of Shrinkage-compensated Concrete

Shrinkage-compensating concrete can enhance the permeability and strength. In addition,expansive admixture can densify concrete to advance the carbonation resistance ability. Due to special quality of ettringite,the relative humidity of curing environment has significant effect on the carbonation rate of concrete. This paper discusses the influence of environmental humidity on carbonation rate of shrinkage-compensating concrete. Four different curing conditions were set up,namely the natural environment (RH 60%),standard environment (RH 90%),early age water curing environment for 3 d and 7 d. After curing in these four environments for 28 d,an accelerated carbonation test was performed. Micro-hardness analysis was used to evaluate surface hardness,which depends on,to a great degree,the carbonation depth. TG-DSC analysis was used to study Ca(OH)2 content gradient in the surface layer of concrete in different environment. The results show that natural condition lead to a relatively worse carbonation degree,curing in water for 3 d is harmful to the carbonation resistance,while curing in water for 7 d lead to an equivalent carbonation degree with standard condition,which show the most improvement to carbonation resistance ability.

Hollow carbon nanofibers with dynamic adjustable pore sizes and closed ends as hosts for high-rate lithiumsulfur battery cathodes

Designing a better carbon framework is critical for harnessing the high theoretical capacity of Li-S batteries and avoiding their drawbacks, such as the insulating nature of sulfur, active material loss, and the polysulfide shuttle reaction. Here, we report an ingenious design of hollow carbon nanofibers with closed ends and protogenetic mesopores in the shell that can be retracted to micropores after sulfur infusion. Such dynamic adjustable pore sizes ensure a high sulfur loading, and more importantly, eliminate excessive contact of sulfur species with the electrolyte. Together, the high aspect ratio and thin carbon shells of the carbon nanofibers facilitate rapid transport of Li^＋ ions and electrons, and the closed-end structure of the carbon nanofibers further blocks polysulfide dissolution from both ends, which is remarkably different from that for carbon nanotubes with open ends. The obtained sulfur-carbon cathodes exhibit excellent performance marked by high sulfur utilization, superior rate capability （1,170, 1,050, and 860 mA.h.g-1 at 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 C （1 C = 1.675 A·g^-1）, respectively）, and a stable reversible capacity of 847 mA·h·g^-1 after 300 cycles at a high rate of 2.0 C.

Midinfrared optical frequency comb based on difference frequency generation using high repetition rate Er-doped fiber laser with single wall carbon nanotube film

We demonstrated stable midinfrared(MIR) optical frequency comb at the 3.0 μm region with difference frequency generation pumped by a high power, Er-doped, ultrashort pulse fiber laser system. A soliton mode-locked161 MHz high repetition rate fiber laser using a single wall carbon nanotube was fabricated. The output pulse was amplified in an Er-doped single mode fiber amplifier, and a 1.1–2.2 μm wideband supercontinuum(SC) with an average power of 205 m W was generated in highly nonlinear fiber. The spectrogram of the generated SC was examined both experimentally and numerically. The generated SC was focused into a nonlinear crystal, and stable generation of MIR comb around the 3 μm wavelength region was realized.