3D printing of poly(ethyleneimine)-functionalized Mg-Al mixed metal oxide monoliths for direct air capture of CO_(2)

Direct air capture(DAC)of CO_(2)plays an indispensable role in achieving carbon-neutral goals as one of the key negative emission technologies.Since large air flows are required to capture the ultradilute CO_(2)from the air,lab-synthesized adsorbents in powder form may cause unacceptable gas pressure drops and poor heat and mass transfer efficiencies.A structured adsorbent is essential for the implementation of gas-solid contactors for cost-and energy-efficient DAC systems.In this study,efficient adsorbent poly(ethyleneimine)(PEI)-functionalized Mg-Al-CO_(3)layered double hydroxide(LDH)-derived mixed metal oxides(MMOs)are three-dimensional(3D)printed into monoliths for the first time with more than 90%adsorbent loadings.The printing process has been optimized by initially printing the LDH powder into monoliths followed by calcination into MMO monoliths.This structure exhibits a 32.7%higher specific surface area and a 46.1%higher pore volume,as compared to the direct printing of the MMO powder into a monolith.After impregnation of PEI,the monolith demonstrates a large adsorption capacity(1.82 mmol/g)and fast kinetics(0.7 mmol/g/h)using a CO_(2)feed gas at 400 ppm at 25℃,one of the highest values among the shaped DAC adsorbents.Smearing of the amino-polymers during the post-printing process affects the diffusion of CO_(2),resulting in slower adsorption kinetics of pre-impregnation monoliths compared to post-impregnation monoliths.The optimal PEI/MeOH ratio for the post-impregnation solution prevents pores clogging that would affect both adsorption capacity and kinetics.

Highly dispersed MgInCe-mixed metal oxides catalyzed direct carbonylation of glycerol and CO_(2)into glycerol carbonate

Glycerol carbonate,an important glycerol value-added product,has been widely used as an active intermediate and inert solvent in the synthesis of cosmetics,detergents,chemical intermediates,polymers,and so on.The direct carbonylation from glycerol with CO_(2)is considered a promising route,but still tough work due to the thermodynamic stability and the kinetic inertness of CO_(2).In this work,highlyselective direct carbonylation of glycerol and CO_(2)into glycerol carbonate has been achieved over highly dispersed MgInCe-mixed metal oxides(MgInCe-MMO),which were prepared through the topological transformation derived from the MgInCe-layered double hydroxides(MgInCe-LDHs).By precisely modulating the surface basic-acidic properties and the oxygen vacancies,an efficient carbonylation of glycerol with CO_(2)has been achieved with a selectivity of up to>99%to glycerol carbonate.Deep investigation into the synergistic catalysis of base-acid sites and oxygen vacancies has been clarified.

Molybdenum tailored Co^(0)/Co^(2+)active pairs on a perovskite-type oxide for direct ethanol synthesis from syngas

Selective synthesis of ethanol from syngas under the Co-based catalysts is still challenging due to the hard of regulating the active site Co^(0) and Co^(2+)ratio.In this work,a series of CaTi_(0.9-x)Co_(x)Mo_(0.1)O_(3)(x=0,0.1-0.4)and CaTi_(0.7)Co_(0.3)O_(3) catalysts were prepared by using citric acid complexation method to promote the synthesis of ethanol.It was found that Mo species in the perovskite lattice can regulate the Co^(0) and Co^(2+)ratio through the domain-limiting effect of perovskite and the degree of Co reduction could be adjusted by changing the Co/Mo molar ratio.Among these investigated catalysts,the total selectivity of alcohols over the catalyst with the optimal Co/Mo ratio CaTi_(0.6)Co_(0.3)Mo_(0.1)O_(3) reached 39.1%,with ethanol accounting for 74.7%,which was ascribed to the moderate and tightly bound ratio of dissociative to non-dissociative adsorption sites on the surface and the balance of CH_(x)-CH_(y) coupling and C^(O) insertion.

Direct production of hydrogen peroxide over bimetallic CoPd catalysts:Investigation of the effect of Co addition and calcination temperature

A series of CoPd/KIT-6 bimetallic catalysts with various Co:Pd molar ratios at different calcination temperatures were prepared and used for the direct synthesis of H_(2)O_(2) from H_(2) and O_(2).These catalysts were characterized by nitrogen adsorption-desorption,low and wide-angle X-ray diffraction(XRD),X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),elemental mapping and energy-dispersive X-ray(EDX)methods.It was found that the particle size,electronic interactions,morphology,and textural properties of these catalysts as well as their catalytic activity in the reaction of H_(2) with O_(2) were affected by Co addition and different calcination temperatures.Also,the results showed that while the H_(2)O_(2) selectivity depends on Pd^(2+) species,the H_(2) conversion is related to Pd0 active sites.Among these catalysts,CoPd/KIT-6 calcined at 350℃(CoPd/KIT-350 catalyst)showed the best catalytic activity with 50%of H_(2)O_(2) selectivity and 51%conversion of H_(2).

High temperature oxidation behavior of directionally solidified NiAl-31Cr-2.9Mo-0.1Hf-0.05Ho eutectic alloy

The isothermal oxidation behavior of NiAl-31Cr-2.9Mo-0.1Hf-0.05Ho directional eutectic alloy was investigated with the help of scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction.The results revealed that a continuous Al2O3 scale was formed and owned excellent oxidation resistance in the temperature range of 900-1100°C.When the temperature was up to 1150°C,the continuous Al2O3 oxide film ruptured.Trace rare earth element Ho distributed uniformly in the alloy and relatively high level of Al in Cr（Mo）phase are beneficial to the formation of continuous and compact Al2O3 scale.During the oxidation,a phase transformation fromθ-Al2O3 toα-Al2O3 existed on the surface of oxidation film.It resulted in the abnormal oxidation mass gain happening when the alloy was oxidized at 1000°C or 1050°C.

Ligand Size Effect on PdLn Oxidative Addition with Aryl Bromide： A DFT Study

The process and mechanism of the ligand volume controlled Pd（PR3）2 （PR3=PH3, PMe3, and PtBu3） oxidative addition with aryl bromide were investigated, using density functional theory method with the conductor-like screening model. Association pathway and dissocia-tion pathway were investigated by the comparison of several energies. The cleavage energy of Pd（PR3）2 complex was calculated, as well as the oxidative addition reaction barrier energy of Pd（PR3）n （n=1,2） with aryl bromide in N,N-dimethylformamide solvent. This study proved that the ligands volume possessed a great impact on the mechanism of oxidative addition： less bulky ligand palladium associated with aryl bromide via two donor ligands,but larger bulky ligand palladium coordinated via monoligand.

A review of the direct oxidation of methane to methanol

This article briefly reviewed the advances in the process of the direct oxidation of methane to methanol （DMTM） with both heterogeneous and homogeneous oxidation. Attention was paid to the conversion of methane by the heterogeneous oxidation process with various transition metal ox‐ides. The most widely studied catalysts are based on molybdenum and iron. For the homogeneous gas phase oxidation, several process control parameters were discussed. Reactor design has the most crucial role in determining its commercialization. Compared to the above two systems, aque‐ous homogenous oxidation is an efficient route to get a higher yield of methanol. However, the cor‐rosive medium in this method and its serious environmental pollution hinder its widespread use. The key challenge to the industrial application is to find a green medium and highly efficient cata‐lysts.

Staged reaction kinetics and characteristics of iron oxide direct reduction by carbon

Staged reduction kinetics and characteristics of iron oxide direct reduction by carbon were studied in this work. The characteristics were investigated by simultaneous thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffraction（XRD）, and quadrupole mass spectrometry. The kinetics parameters of the reduction stages were obtained by isoconversional（model-free） methods. Three stages in the reduction are Fe2O3→Fe3O4, Fe3O4→Fe O, and Fe O→Fe, which start at 912 K, 1255 K, and 1397 K, respectively. The CO content in the evolved gas is lower than the CO2content in the Fe2O3→Fe3O4stage but is substantially greater than the CO2 contents in the Fe3O4→Fe O and Fe O→Fe stages, where gasification starts at approximately 1205 K. The activation energy（E） of the three stages are 126–309 k J/mol, 628 k J/mol, and 648 k J/mol, respectively. The restrictive step of the total reduction is Fe O→Fe. If the rate of the total reduction is to be improved, the rate of the Fe O→Fe reduction should be improved first. The activation energy of the first stage is much lower than those of the latter two stages because of carbon gasification. Carbon gasification and FexOy reduction by CO, which are the restrictive step in the last two stages, require further study.

Direct Nitrous Oxide Emissions Related to Fertilizer-Nitrogen, Precipitation, and Soil Clay Fraction: Empirical Models

Direct nitrous oxide(N2O) emissions(DNEs) from croplands are required in national inventories of greenhouse gases. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change(IPCC) guidelines provide an approach using direct emission factors(EFds) to estimate DNEs, which are constants for large regions. The goal of this paper is to establish empirical models to account for the temporal and spatial variations of EFds, which, apart from the nitrogen addition rate, also vary with a range of environmental factors, so as to enhance the accuracy of regional/national DNE estimates. Therefore, the seasonal/annual DNEs(n = 71) from upland croplands, which are the differences in N2 O emissions between fields with and without fertilizer-nitrogen addition, were used to statistically relate DNEs to regulating factors including the fertilizer-nitrogen addition rate(FN), and environmental(climate and soil) factors. The multivariate stepwise linear regression results showed positive combined effects of FN and clay fraction on DNEs(R2 = 0.61, p < 0.001). Furthermore, the nonlinear regression of FN, precipitation, and clay fraction was also adopted for prediction(R2 = 0.50, p < 0.001). Validation with an independent dataset(n = 31) suggested that both models were better predictors of DNEs than the IPCC model, which only depends on FN. These empirical models may provide simple but reliable approaches for compiling regional/national, and even global inventories of DNEs from croplands. However, both models were restricted to a limited sample size. Understandably, more field observations are still required to further validate the global applicability of these simple approaches.

Preparing low-oxygen Ti-6Al-4V alloy powder through direct reduction of oxides and its synergistic reaction mechanism

Ti-6Al-4V alloy powder was prepared through a two-step reduction of a mixture of TiO_(2),V_(2)O_(5) and Al_(2)O_(3) in this study.The oxide mixture was first reduced by Mg in MgCl_(2) at 750℃ in argon,where oxygen was reduced to 2.47 wt%from 40.02 wt%.The oxygen content in the final powder was eventually reduced to an extremely low level(0.055 wt%)using calcium at 900℃ in argon,and the final powder had the composition of 90.12 wt%Ti,5.57 wt%Al,and 3.87 wt%V,which meets the standard specification of Ti-6Al-4V(ASTM F1108-09).Between the two reductions,a heat treatment step was designed to help controlling the specific surface area and particle size.The effect of the heat treatment temperature on the morphology,and composition uniformity of the powder was investigated in detail.Heat treatment above 1300℃ attributed to a dense powder with a controlled specific surface area.Thermodynamic modeling and experimental results indicated that onlyα-Ti enriched with Al andβ-Ti enriched with V exist in the final powder,and other possible phases including Al-Mg and Al-V were excluded.This study also offers a triple-step thermochemical process for producing high-purity Ti-based alloy powder.

Hydrogen-based direct reduction of iron oxide at 700℃:Heterogeneity at pellet and microstructure scales

Steel production causes a third of all industrial CO_(2) emissions due to the use of carbon-based substances as reductants for iron ores,making it a key driver of global warming.Therefore,research efforts aim to replace these reductants with sustainably produced hydrogen.Hydrogen-based direct reduction(HyDR)is an attractive processing technology,given that direct reduction(DR)furnaces are routinely operated in the steel industry but with CH_(4) or CO as reductants.Hydrogen diffuses considerably faster through shaft-furnace pellet agglomerates than carbon-based reductants.However,the net reduction kinetics in HyDR remains extremely sluggish for high-quantity steel production,and the hydrogen consumption exceeds the stoichiometrically required amount substantially.Thus,the present study focused on the improved understanding of the influence of spatial gradients,morphology,and internal microstructures of ore pellets on reduction efficiency and metallization during HyDR.For this purpose,commercial DR pellets were investigated using synchrotron high-energy X-ray diffraction and electron microscopy in conjunction with electron backscatter diffraction and chemical probing.Revealing the interplay of different phases with internal interfaces,free surfaces,and associated nucleation and growth mechanisms provides a basis for developing tailored ore pellets that are highly suited for a fast and efficient HyDR.

Explosion limits estimation and process optimization of direct propylene epoxidation with H2 and O2

Direct propylene epoxidation with H2 and O2,an attractive process to produce propylene oxide(PO),has a potential explosion danger due to the coexistence of flammable gases(i.e.,C3 H6 and H2)and oxidizer(i.e.,O2).The unknown explosion limits of the multi-component feed gas mixture make it difficult to optimize the reaction process under safe operation conditions.In this work,a distribution method is proposed and verified to be effective by comparing estimated and experimental explosion limits of more than 200 kinds of flammable gas mixture.Then,it is employed to estimate the explosion limits of the feed gas mixture,some results of which are also validated by the classic Le Chatelier’s Rule and flammable resistance method.Based on the estimated explosion limits,process optimization is carried out using commercially high and inherently safe reactant concentrations to enhance reaction performance.The promising results are directly obtained through the interface called gOPT in gPROMS only by using a simple,easy-constructed and mature packed-bed reactor,such as the PO yield of 13.3%,PO selectivity of 85.1%and outlet PO fraction of 1.8%.These results can be rationalized by indepth analyses and discussion about the effects of the decision variables on the operation safety and reaction performance.The insights revealed here could shed new light on the process development of the PO production based on the estimation of the explosion limits of the multi-component feed gas mixture containing flammable gase s,inert gas and O2,followed by process optimization.

Fabrication of Ceramic Composites by Directed Metal Oxidation

To explain the growth mechanism of Al 2O 3/Al Lanxide composites,the dynamics of the directed oxidation of Al-Mg-Si alloys are analyzed.The experimental methods to produce Lanxide composites by directed oxidation of metal melts at high temperatures are presented.The effect of the processing factors on the microstructures and properties of Al 2O 3/Al composites and enforced Al 2O 3/Al composites is also analyzed.Compared with sintering ceramic composites,the advantages of Lanxide process and Lanxide materials are as following:it is a near net shaped process;the process is very simple;the microstructures and properties of Lanxide materials can be adjusted;and this process can be used to infiltrate ceramic fiber or particle preforms.

One-dimensional Dynamic Modeling and Simulation of a Planar Direct Internal Reforming Solid Oxide Fuel Cell

This article aims to investigate the transient behavior of a planar direct internal reforming solid oxide fuel cell （DIR-SOFC） comprehensively. A one-dimensional dynamic model of a planar D1R-SOFC is first developed based on mass and energy balances, and electrochemical principles. Further, a solution strategy is presented to solve the model, and the International Energy Agency （IEA） benchmark test is used to validate the model. Then, through model-based simulations, the steady-state performance of a co-flow planar DIR-SOFC under specified initial operating conditions and its dynamic response to introduced operating parameter disturbances are studied. The dynamic responses of important SOFC variables, such as cell temperature, current density, and cell voltage are all investigated when the SOFC is subjected to the step-changes in various operating parameters including both the load current and the inlet fuel and air flow rates. The results indicate that the rapid dynamics of the current density and the cell voltage are mainly influenced by the gas composition, particularly the H2 molar fraction in anode gas channels, while their slow dynamics are both dominated by the SOLID （including the PEN and interconnects） temperature. As the load current increases, the SOLID temperature and the maximum SOLID temperature gradient both increase, and thereby, the cell breakdown is apt to occur because of excessive thermal stresses. Changing the inlet fuel flow rate might lead to the change in the anode gas composition and the consequent change in the current density distribution and cell voltage. The inlet air flow rate has a great impact on the cell temperature distribution along the cell, and thus, is a suitable manipulated variable to control the cell temperature.

The Catalysis of NAD^+ on Methanol Anode Oxidation Electrode for Direct Methanol Fuel Cell

A tentative idea of developing a liquid-catalytic system on methanol anode oxidation was proposed by analyzing the characteristics of methanol anode oxidation in direct methanol fuel cell. The kinetics of methanol oxidation at a glassy carbon electrode in the presence of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD +) was investigated. It is found that the current density of methanol oxidation increases greatly and the electrochemical reaction impedance reduces obviously in the presence of NAD + compared with those in the absence of NAD +. The catalytic activity of NAD + is sensitive to temperature. When the temperature preponderates over 45℃, NAD + is out of function of catalysis for methanol oxidation, which is probably due to the denaturation of NAD + at a relatively high temperature.

Direct transformation of fossil carbon into chemicals: A review

Despite the long tradition of fossil carbon(coal,char,and related carbon-based materials)for fueling mankind,the science of transforming them into chemicals is still demandingly progressing in the current energy scenario,especially when considering its responsibilities to the global climate change.Traditionally,there are four routes of preparing chemicals directly from fossil carbon,including hydrogasification,gasification,direct liquefaction,and oxidation,in the macroscope of gas-solid reaction(hydrogasification and gasification)and liquid-solid reaction(direct liquefaction and oxidation).When the study goes to microscale,the gas-solid reaction can be considered as the reaction between the severe condensed radicals and gas,while the liquid-solid reaction is the direct reaction between the radical and the activated-molecule.To have a full overview of the area,this review systematically summarizes the main factors in these processes and shows our own perspectives as follows,(ⅰ)stabilizing the free radicals generated from coal and then directly converting them has the highest efficiency in coal utilization;(ⅱ)the research on the self-catalytic process of coal structure will have a profound impact on the direct preparation of chemicals from fossil carbon.Further discussions are also proposed to guide the future study of the area into a more sustainable direction.

La_(0.75)Sr_(0.25)Cr_(0.5)Mn_(0.5)O_(3)-δ−Ce_(0.8)Gd_(0.2)O_(1.9) composite electrodes as anodes in LaGaO_(3)-based direct carbon solid oxide fuel cells

Direct carbon solid oxide fuel cells(DC-SOFCs)are promising,green,and efficient power-generating devices that are fueled by solid carbons and comprise all-solid-state structures.Developing suitable anode materials for DC-SOFCs is a substantial scientific challenge.Herein we investigated the use of La_(0.75)Sr_(0.25)Cr_(0.5)Mn_(0.5)O_(3)-δ−Ce_(0.8)Gd_(0.2)O_(1.9)(LSCM−GDC)composite electrodes as anodes for La_(0.9)Sr_(0.1)Ga_(0.8)Mg_(0.2)O_(3)-δelectrolyte-based DC-SOFCs,with Camellia oleifera shell char as the carbon fuel.The LSCM−GDC-anode DC-SOFC delivered a maximum power density of 221 mW/cm^(2) at 800℃ and it significantly improved to 425 mW/cm^(2) after Ni nanoparticles were introduced into the LSCM−GDC anode through wet impregnation.The microstructures of the prepared anodes were characterized,and the stability of the anode in a DC-SOFC and the influence of catalytic activity on open circuit voltage were studied.The above results indicate that LSCM–GDC anode is promising to be applied in DC-SOFCs.

Preparation of SiC_p/Al_2O_3-Al Composites by Directed Metal Oxidation

SiCp/Al2O3-Al composites were synthesized by means of direct metal oxidation method. The composition and microstructures of the composites were investigated using X-ray diffraction （XRD）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM） and metallurgical microscope. The effects of technical parameters on the properties of the product were analyzed. The results indicate that the composite possesses a dense microstructure, composed of three interpenetrated phases. Of them, SiO2 layer prohibits the powdering of the composites; Mg promotes the wetting and infiltration of the system and Si restricts the interfacial reaction while improving the wetting ability between reinforcement and matrix.

Progress on direct assembly approach for in situ fabrication of electrodes of reversible solid oxide cells

Reversible solid oxide cells(SOCs)are very efficient and clean for storage and regeneration of renewable electrical energy by switching between electrolysis and fuel cell modes.One of the most critical factors governing the efficiency and durability of SOCs technology is the stability of the interface between oxygen electrode and electrolyte,which is conventionally formed by sintering at a high temperature of~1000–1250℃,and which suffers from delamination problem,particularly for reversibly operated SOCs.On the other hand,our recent studies have shown that the electrode/electrolyte interface can be in situ formed by a direct assembly approach under the electrochemical polarization conditions at 800℃and lower.The direct assembly approach provides opportunities for significantly simplifying the cell fabrication procedures without the doped ceria barrier layer,enabling the utilization of a variety of high-performance oxygen electrode materials on barrier layer–free yttria-stabilized zirconia(YSZ)electrolyte.Most importantly,the in situ polarization induced interface shows a promising potential as highly active and durable interface for reversible SOCs.The objective of this progress report is to take an overview of the origin and research progress of in situ fabrication of oxygen electrodes based on the direct assembly approach.The prospect of direct assembly approach in the development of effective SOCs and in the fundamental studies of electrode/electrolyte interface reactions is discussed.