Preparation and tribological properties of surface modified Cu nanoparticles

Cu nanoparticles surface-modified by dioctylamine dithiocarbamate （DTC8） were synthesized using a two-phase extraction route. The size, morphology and structure of resultant surface-capped Cu nanoparticles （coded as DTC8-Cu） were analyzed by means of X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and infrared spectrometry. The tribological behavior of DTC8-Cu as an additive in liquid paraffin was evaluated with a four-ball machine, and the surface topography of the wear scar was also examined by means of scanning electron microscopy. Results show that Cu nanoparticles modified by DTC8 have a small particle size and a narrow size distribution. Besides, DTC8-Cu as an additive in liquid paraffin has excellent antiwear ability, due to the deposition of nano-Cu with low melting point on worn steel surface leading to the formation of a self-repairing protective layer thereon.

Lubricant Biodegradation Enhancers: Designed Chemistry and Engineered Technology

In recent decades, a growing worldwide trend of developing the biodegradable lubricants has been prevailing to form a specific field of green chemistry and green engineering. Enhancement of biodegradability of unreadily biodegradable petroleum-based lubricants has as such become an urgent must. For over a decade the authors have been focusing on the improvement of biodegradability of unreadily biodegradable lubricants such as petroleum-based lubricating oils and greases. A new idea of lubricant biodegradation enhancer was put forward by the authors with the aim to stimulate the biodegradation of unreadily biodegradable lubricants by incorporating the enhancer into the lubricants in order to turn the lubricants into greener biodegradable ones and to help in situ bioremediation of lubricant-contaminated environment. This manuscript summarizes our recent efforts relating to the chemistry and technology of biodegradation enhancers for lubricants. Firstly, the chemistry of lubricant biodegradation enhancers was designed based on the principles of bioremediation for the treatment of hydrocarbon contaminated environment. Secondly, the ability of the designed biodegradation enhancers for increasing the biodegradability of unreadily biodegradable industrial lubricants was investigated through biodegradability evaluation tests, microbial population analysis, and biodegradation kinetics modeling. Finally, the impact of biodegradation enhancers on some crucial performance characteristics of lubricants such as lubricity and oxidation stability was tested via tribological evaluation and oxidation determinations. Our results have shown that the designed chemistry of nitrogenous and/or phosphorous compounds such as lauroyl glutamine, oleoyl glycine, oleic diethanolamide phosphate and lauric diethanolamide borate was outstanding in boosting biodegradation of petroleum-based lubricants which was ascribed to increase the microbial population and decrease the oil-water interfacial tension during the biodegradation process. Lubricants doped with the biodegradation enhancers exhibited much better biodegradability and higher biodegradation rate in the surrounding soils which could be well modeled by the exponential biodegradation kinetics. Furthermore, as lubricant dopants, the biodegradation enhancers also provided excellent capability in reducing friction and wear and in retarding oxidation of lubricants. In the nature of things, lubricant biodegradation enhancers, which are multi-functional not only in the improvement of biodegradability, but also in the fortification of lubricity and in the inhibition of oxidation of lubricants, are expected to be promising as a new category of lubricant additives.

慕陵拟建方城明楼史实探赜

道光帝的慕陵是清代最特殊的帝陵,先前曾因东陵宝华峪地宫浸水而废弃,后又于西陵龙泉峪重建,规制并“概从撙节”,自出机杼。本文探究道光帝对传统帝陵规制大加裁削的原由,指出咸丰帝即位后曾拟建慕陵明楼方城,并详加规划,最终却在各种因素掣肘下偃旗息鼓。

Natural ^(15)N Abundance in Winter Wheat Amended with Urea and Compost: A Long-Term Experiment

We investigated 15N abundance （δ15N） of winter wheat （Triticum aestivum cv. Jinmai 1） plants and soil at different growth stages in a field with a 13-year fertilization history of urea and compost, to determine whether or not the δ15N of plant parts can be used as an indicator of organic amendment with compost. Plant parts （roots, leaves, stems and grains） and soil were sampled at re-greening, jointing, grain filling and mature growth stages of winter wheat. There were significant differences between the urea and compost treatments in 815N of whole plants, plant parts and soil over the whole growing season. Determination of the δ15N of plant parts was more convenient than that of whole plant to distinguish between the application of organic amendment and synthetic N fertilizer.

Comprehensive study of efficient dye-sensitized solar cells based on the binary ionic liquid electrolyte by modifying with additives and iodine

The photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized solar cells （DSSCs） is enhanced by modifying the binary room tem- perature ionic liquid （RTIL） electrolyte with additives and iodine. The average photoelectric conversion efficiency （PCE） of 6.39% is achieved. Through electrochemical impedance spectroscopy （EIS）, cyclic voltammetry scans and incident photon-to-current conversion efficiency （1PCE） data, the working principles are analyzed. The enhancement is mainly attributed to the improvement of short circuit current which is caused by the reduction of overall internal resistance of the devices. Durability tests are measured at room temperature, and the long-term stability performance can be maintained.