High energy density in ultra-thick and flexible electrodes enabled by designed conductive agent/binder composite

Thick electrodes can increase incorporation of active electrode materials by diminishing the proportion of inactive constituents,improving the overall energy density of batteries.However,thick electrodes fabricated using the conventional slurry casting approach frequently exhibit an exacerbated accumulation of carbon additives and binders on their surfaces,invariably leading to compromised electrochemical properties.In this study,we introduce a designed conductive agent/binder composite synthesized from carbon nanotube and polytetrafluoroethylene.This agent/binder composite facilitates production of dry-process-prepared ultra-thick electrodes endowed with a three-dimensional and uniformly distributed percolative architecture,ensuring superior electronic conductivity and remarkable mechanical resilience.Using this approach,ultra-thick LiCoO_(2)(LCO) electrodes demonstrated superior cycling performance and rate capabilities,registering an impressive loading capacity of up to 101.4 mg/cm^(2),signifying a 242% increase in battery energy density.In another analytical endeavor,time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy was used to clarify the distribution of cathode electrolyte interphase(CEI) in cycled LCO electrodes.The results provide unprecedented evidence explaining the intricate correlation between CEI generation and carbon distribution,highlighting the intrinsic advantages of the proposed dry-process approach in fine-tu ning the CEI,with excellent cycling performance in batteries equipped with ultra-thick electrodes.

Effect of Nucleating Agents and Heat Treatments on the Crystallization of Magnesium Aluminosilicate Transparent Glass-ceramics

The crystallization behavior and transparent property of MgO-A1203-SiO2 （MAS） glasses with TiO2 and TiO2＋ZrO2 as nucleating agents were discussed by differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, field emission-environment scanning electron microscope, energy dispersive spectrum and UV-VIS-NIR scanning spectrophotometer. It was found that the glass crystallized at 950 ℃ with ZrO2 less than 3% could obtain transparent glass ceramic, which presented purple to colorless. With the nucleating agent additives （5% TIO2＋3% ZrO2）, the colorless transparent glass-ceramics with spinel as the main crystal phase could be prepared, and the transmittance reached about 80%. As the crystallized temperature increase to 1 000 ℃, besides spinel（MgA1204）, sapphirine （Mg3.5A19Si1.5O20） and ZrTiO4 precipitated from matrix glass, and the transmitance of glass-ceramic decreased.

Effect of a Novel Nucleating Agent on Isothermal Crystallization of Poly（L-lactic acid）

The effect of a novel active nucleating agent(TBC8-eb) on the isothermal crystallization of poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) was studied by differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) . The analysis on kinetics demonstrates that TBC8-eb can not only accelerate the crystallization rate but also transform most of the original spherulite crystals of PLLA into sheaf-like crystals. Furthermore,the free energy of folding(σe) of PLLA and PLLA with TBC8-eb is 0.15 and 0.06 J·m-2,respectively,which suggests that the addition of TBC8-eb favors the regular folding of molecule chains in the crystallization of PLLA,improv-ing its crystallization rate. The FTIR results show that TBC8-eb can accelerate the conformational ordering of PLLA in the isothermal crystallization. The conformational ordering of PLLA nucleated with TBC8-eb begins with the interchain interaction of CH3,and then a short helix emerges where a couple of CH3 groups interact.

Effect of Application Rates of Assistant Agents on Properties of Nano SiO_2/NR Composites

Nano SiO2/NR composites were prepared through blending nano SiO2 emulsion with natural rubber latex and then concreting with acetic acid. The emulsion nano SiO2 was prepared with Na2SiO3-9H2O and hydrochloric acid under the reaction of the assistant agents. The was analyzed effect of the application rates of assistant agents such as silane coupling agent, surfactant, nucleating agent and dispersant on the properties and interface structure of the nano SiO2/NR composites with IR, TEM, SEM, DMA was analyzed. An orthogonal test was arranged to select optimum condition. The results show that the best combination for preparing nano SiO2/NR composites is as follows： the rate of the silane coupling agent （TESPT）, the surfactant（dodecyl benzene sulfonate natrium）, nucleating agent（AlCl3） and dispersant（ethylene diamine tetraacetie acid） in the course of preparing nano SiO2 are 15%, 2.0%, 2.5% and 0.4%, respectively. Several replications in the experiment had produced desirable nano SiO2 products and nano SiO2/NR composites with better properties.

Role of particle stimulated nucleation in recrystallization of hot extruded Al 6061/SiC_p composites

Studies on texture and microstructure evolution in hot extruded Al 6061 aluminium alloy reinforced with uncoated and nickel coated SiC p were carried out by electron backscattered diffraction technique.Textures of both the alloy and its composite with nickel coated SiC p do exhibit strong β fiber with its axis parallel to the direction of extrusion.In addition to the dominant cube texture（001） 100,fully recrystallized grains with partially equiaxed structure have been observed in the alloy reinforced with uncoated SiC p.The recrystallization texture of this composite can be attributed to the particle stimulated nucleation（PSN） due to the presence of SiC p with size less than 5 μm.Under these conditions,the low value of Zener-Hollomon,Z（～1012s-1） confirms that PSN is one of the dominant mechanisms for recrystallization and is governed by formation of deformation zone rather than stored energy.

THERMODYNAMIC STUDY OF NUCLEATION PROPERTY OF NUCLEATING AGENT

It is deduced from thermodynamic relations and confirmed by experiment results that the nucleation rate and nucleation temperature of nucleating agents in the glass are dependent upon their melting entropy Delta S//m melting temperature T//m and crystal - type transition in terms of some mathematical expressions. (Author abstract) 10 Refs.

Experimental determination of grain density function of AZ91/SiC composite with different mass fractions of SiC and undercoolings using heterogeneous nucleation model

The grain density,Nv,in the solid state after solidification of AZ91/SiC composite is a function of maximum undercooling,ΔT,of a liquid alloy.This type of function depends on the characteristics of heterogeneous nucleation sites and number of SiC present in the alloy.The aim of this paper was selection of parameters for the model describing the relationship between the grain density of primary phase and undercooling.This model in connection with model of crystallisation,which is based on chemical elements diffusion and grain interface kinetics,can be used to predict casting quality and its microstructure.Nucleation models have parameters,which exact values are usually not known and sometimes even their physical meaning is under discussion.Those parameters can be obtained after mathematical analysis of the experimental data.The composites with 0,1,2,3 and 4wt.% of SiC particles were prepared.The AZ91 alloy was a matrix of the composite reinforcement SiC particles.This composite was cast to prepare four different thickness plates.They were taken from the region near to the thermocouple,to analyze the undercooling for different composites and thickness plates and its influence on the grain size.The microstructure and thermal analysis gave set of values that connect mass fraction of SiC particles,and undercooling with grain size.These values were used to approximate nucleation model adjustment parameters.Obtained model can be very useful in modelling composites microstructure.

ON PHENYLSILANE TYPE COUPLING AGENTS AND THEIR APPLICATION IN COMPOSITE

In this paper, unsaturated polyester type GFRP composite was treated with phenylsilane type coupling agents by migration technology, then the mechanical properties were measured. The results show that the mechanical properties of GFRP composite are greatly improved but the other properties are little affected after being treated by phenylsilane type coupling agents (named as WGD type coupling agents).

Preliminary study of the effects of EVA coupling agents on properties of wood-plastic composites

As a hot-melt adhesive, ethylene-vinyl-acetate （EVA） has been used in many industrial applications. But studies of the application of EVA in wood-plastic composites （WPC） are relatively few, so we have investigated the proposition of whether EVA is a suitable coupling agent for WPC or not. The results show that EVA with 8% VA is not a suitable coupling agent, because it reduces the mechanical properties of WPC without any significant effect on its physical properties. With an increase in the amount of wood powder, the mechanical properties of WPC decrease and the ability of water absorption of WPC increases.

MELTING BEHAVIOR OF LOW ETHYLENE CONTENT POLYPROPYLENE COPOLYMERS WITH AND WITHOUT NUCLEATING AGENTS

The melting behavior of polypropylene (PP) and low ethylene content polypropylenecopolymer with and without nucleating agent samples crystallized under both isothermal and non-isothermal conditions were studied by Differential Scanning Calorimeter (DSC) and X-raydiffraction. Multiple melting behavior were observed depending on the existence of nucleatingagent and crystallization conditions. The observed phenomena have been discussed by the effect ofnucleating agent on perfection of crystal and the melting and recrystallization of imperfect crystalto a more perfect crystal during the heating process of samples.

Synthesis of Hierarchically Porous FAU/γ-Al2O3 Composites with Different Morphologies via Directing Agent Induced Method

Zeolite FAU composites with a macro/meso-microporous hierarchical structure were hydrothermally synthesized using macro-mesoporous γ-Al_2O_3 monolith as the substrate by means of the liquid crystallization directing agent(LCDA) induced method. No template was needed throughout the synthesis processes. The structure and porosity of zeolite composites were analyzed by means of X-ray powder diffraction(XRD), scanning electron microscopy(SEM) and N_2adsorption-desorption isotherms. The results showed that the supported zeolite composites with varied zeolitic crystalline phases and different morphologies can be obtained by adjusting the crystallization parameters, such as the crystallization temperature, the composition and the alkalinity of the precursor solution. The presence of LCDA was defined as a determinant for synthesizing the zeolite composites. The mechanisms for formation of the hierarchically porous FAU zeolite composites in the LCDA induced synthesis process were discussed. The resulting monolithic zeolite with a trimodal-porous hierarchical structure shows potential applicability where facile diffusion is required.

Fluxing Agents on Ceramification of Composites of MgO-Al2O3-SiO2/Boron Phenolic Resin

Fluxing agents of zinc borate, antimony oxide, galss frit A and glass frit B, with different melting or softening point temperatures, were added into MgO-Al_2O_3-SiO_2/boron phenol formaldehyde resin（MAS/BPF） composites to lower the formation temperature of eutectic liquid phase and promote the ceramification of ceramifiable composites. The effects of fluxing agents on the thermogravimetric properties, phase evolution, and microstructure evolution of MAS/BPF composites were characterized by TG-DSC, XRD and SEM analyses. The results reveal that the addition of a fluxing agent highly reduces the decomposition rate of MAS/BPF composites. Fluxing agents lower the formation temperatures of liquid phases of ceramifiable MAS/BPF composites obviously, and then promote the ceramification and densification process. The final residues of composites are ceramic surrounded by large amount of glass phases.

Improvement of Water Sensitivity of Macro-defect-free Cement Based Composites with Cross Coupling Agent

The enhancement of interface bonding between cement and polymerand the structural reticula- tion of the water-soluble polymer areproposed to minimize the shortening of the mechanical properties ofmacro-de- fect-free(MDF)cement based composites at high relativehumidity. The MDF composites incorporated with vari- ouscross-coupling agents studied experimentally. The results show thatthe MDF composites modified with small amounts of cross-couplingagent had raised mechanical properties, but it is more important thatthe modified MDF composites had a significant increase in waterresistance compared to the original one.

Experimental Investigation on Promoting Effect of Composite Promoting Agents on Natural Gas Hydrate Formation

An experiment on effects of composite promoting agents composed of surfactants and liquid hydrocarbons on hydrate formation was conducted and the hydrate formation temperature,pressure,induction time and rate in the presence of different composite promoting agent packages were measured.The surfactants used covered sodium dodecyl sulfate(SDS),sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate(SDBS) and 2-octyl sodium dodecyl sulfate(GC20S),and the liquid hydrocarbon additives utilized included cyclopentane(CP) and methyl cyclohexane(MCH).It appeared that all these combinations of composite promoting agents could promote hydrate formation.The type II hydrate formation conditions using composite promoting agents composed of CP and GC20S were the mildest and the induction time was the shortest;whereas the type H hydrates formation conditions using composite promoting agents composed of MCH and GC20S were the mildest and the induction time was also the shortest.

Preliminary Study on the Characteristics of Isotactic Polypropylene with Nucleating Agent Swollen by Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

Impregnation of isotactic polypropylene (iPP) with nucleating agent (NA21) using supercritical carbon dioxide as the swelling agent at different temperature and pressure and its non-isothermal crystallization kinetics were investigated. The results showed that NA21 was dispersed at a nanometer-scale in the PP matrix, resulting in the formation of different typesof crystal phases of iPP and the enhancement of its mechanical properties.

Magnetic polyacrylonitrile/ZIF-8/Fe_(3)O_(4) nanocomposite bead as an efficient iodine adsorbent and antibacterial agent

The efficient adsorption of radioactive iodine(^(129)I and^(131)I)as nuclear waste is of great importance.Polymer nanocomposites consist of metal-organic frameworks(MOFs)developing for various pollutions sorption and separation have attracted much attention.This study reports the fabrication of magnetic polyacrylonitrile(PAN)/zeolitic imidazolate frameworks(ZIF-8)nanocomposites,PAN/ZIF-8(x%)/Fe_(3)O_(4),x=30 and 50,as iodine capture adsorbents.The PAN/ZIF-8(x%)/Fe_(3)O_(4)nanocomposite beads were fabricated via the phase inversion method,and their potential for iodine capture and separation in solution and vapor was investigated through UV-vis and weighing methods,respectively.Also,antibacterial activity of the as-prepared beads was assessed against E.coil and S.aureus.The as-fabricated compounds were studied by various techniques such as Fourier-transform infrared,X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscope,energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy mapping,transmission electron microscope,N_(2)adsorption isotherm,and vibrating sample magnetometer.The iodine capture results showed that the efficiency of nanocomposites is remarkably higher than the pure PAN beads.Additionally,the asprepared nanocomposite adsorbents displayed higher capture capacities for iodine vapor(1524-4345mg·g^(-1))than iodine solution(187-295 mg·g^(-1)).The as-obtained magnetic nanocomposites can be successfully separated from polluted media by simple filtration or an external magnet,regenerated through washing with ethanol,and reused.Fast capturing,high sorption capacity,rapid separation,and good reusability make the PAN/ZIF-8(x%)/Fe_(3)O_(4)nanocomposites highly effective adsorbents for the separation of iodine from wastewater.Additionally,PAN/ZIF-8(50%)/Fe_(3)O_(4)bead can be considered as a potential new antibacterial agent for water and wastewater treatment.

Improving the Combined State of Rubber-Clay CompositeInterface by Applying Coupling Agent

The surface modification of clay fines was carried out by using silanecoupling agent. By means of IR spectra etc, a study was made on the combined state ofcoupling agent and clay. A rubber--clay composite material with excellent performancehas been prepared.

Synthesis and study of MPNS/SMA nano-composite tanning agent

The radical polymerization of maleic anhydride（MA）,styrene（ST）with the vinyl groups introduced onto the surface of the nano-sized silica via solution polymerization method was developed.The methacryloxypropyl nano-sized silica（MPNS）was used as macromonomer and polymerized with maleic anhydride and styrene by initiating with BPO in toluene.The structure and properties of MPNS/SMA nano-composite were characterized by FT-IR spectra and TEM.Meanwhile,it was applied as tanning agent compared with the traditional styrene-maleic anhydride copolymer in leather.It was found that the applied leather had better quality characteristics with the addition of the nano-sized silica.

Effect of Nucleating Agent on the Crystallization of Tailings Glass Ceramics Prepared by One-time Sintering

Glass ceramics was made by the one-time sintering method using the main raw material of iron tailings. On the basis of quaternary system of CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2, using DTA, XRD and SEM, the effects of different nucleating agents and mixing amounts as well as heat treatment on the crystallization of railings glass ceramics were studied. The experimental results show that, nucleating agent and heat treatment are two necessary conditions for one-time sintering preparation of tailings glass ceramics namely, only adding nucleating agent or experiencing heat treatment, the quaternary system can not crystallize. The composite nucleating agent consisting of Cr2O3 and TiO2 can further lead to the crystallization of the CaO-MgO-A1203-SiO2 quaternary system at the lower temperature, with the major phase of diopside. In the range of mass content, 0%-4%, crystal intensity and crystal content grow. But when mass content is more than 4%, the crystal size will become coarser and the crystal distribution will be less regular. Different heat treatment regimes do not change the composition of the crystalline major phase in the glass ceramics crystallization of CaO-MgO-Al2O3-SiO2 system. In the range of 30-60 minutes, with the extension of nucleation and crystallization, crystallization degree enhanced, but if the holding time surpasses 60 minutes, the crystallization is worse.

Influence of Nucleating Agent on the Formation of C_4A_3S

The reference test methods are carried out parallelly, by means of chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry-thermogravimetry, scanning electron microscopy and polarized optical microscope to study the formation of C4A3S in the presence and absence of nucleating agent. The results show that nucleating agent with high calcium and low heat consumption as tricalcium silicate （C3S） promotes the formation of C4A3S and increases desulfurization degree obviously. During calcining raw meals doped with C3S, the grain sizes of C4A3S are larger compared with that without C3S. And at the same calcining level, the mass loss and the heat consumption belonged to CaCO3 decomposition is reduced.