A vacuum directional solidification with high temperature gradient was performed to prepare low cost solar-grade multicrystalline silicon (mc-Si) directly from metallurgical-grade mc-Si. The microstructure character...A vacuum directional solidification with high temperature gradient was performed to prepare low cost solar-grade multicrystalline silicon (mc-Si) directly from metallurgical-grade mc-Si. The microstructure characteristic, grain size, boundary, solid-liquid growth interface, and dislocation structure under different growth conditions were studied. The results show that directionally solidified multicrystalline silicon rods with high density and orientation can be obtained when the solidification rate is below 60 μm/s. The grain size gradually decreases with increasing the solidification rate. The control of obtaining planar solid-liquid interface at high temperature gradient is effective to produce well-aligned columnar grains along the solidification direction. The growth step and twin boundaries are preferred to form in the microstructure due to the faceted growth characteristic of mc-Si. The dislocation distribution is inhomogeneous within crystals and the dislocation density increases with the increase of solidification rate. Furthermore, the crystal growth behavior and dislocation formation mechanism of mc-Si were discussed.展开更多
The removal of B and P consumes most of heat energy in Si metallurgical purification process for solar-grade Si. Metal-liquating purification of metallurgical grade silicon (MG-Si), also called Si-recrystallization ...The removal of B and P consumes most of heat energy in Si metallurgical purification process for solar-grade Si. Metal-liquating purification of metallurgical grade silicon (MG-Si), also called Si-recrystallization from metal liquid, was a potential energy-saving method for the removal of B and P efficiently, since Si could be melted at lower temperature by alloying with metal. The selection criteria of metal-liquating system was elaborated, and Al, Sn and In were selected out as the optimum metallic mediums. For Sn-Si system, the segregation coefficient of B decreased to 0.038 at 1 500 K, which was much less than 0.8 at the melting point of Si. The mass fraction of B was diminished from 15×10^-6 to 0.1×10^-6 as MG-Si was purified by twice, while that of most metallic elements could be decreased to 0.1×10^-6 by purifying just once. During the metal-liquating process, the formation of compounds between impurity elements and Si was also an important route of impurity removal. Finally, one low-temperature metallurgical process based on metal-liquating method was proposed.展开更多
To understand the geochemical characteristics of iron and sulfur and the extent of iron-sulfide minerals influencing heavy metal behaviour in metal-polluted sediments of Talhu Lake, two sites, in Meiliang Bay (ML) a...To understand the geochemical characteristics of iron and sulfur and the extent of iron-sulfide minerals influencing heavy metal behaviour in metal-polluted sediments of Talhu Lake, two sites, in Meiliang Bay (ML) and Wuli Lake (WL), were selected to study the fractionation of iron, sulfur and related heavy metals. There were relatively high concentrations of Fe^2+ and low concentrations of total S^2- in porewaters, indicating that conditions in these sediments favored iron reduction. The concentrations of acid volatile sulfides in sediments were 1.9-9.6 μmol g^-1 at ML and 1.0-11.7 μmool g^-1 at WL, both in the range of values detected in unpolluted lakes. Pyrite-S was 10.2-49.4 μmol g^-1 at ML and 10.3- 33.0 μmol g^-1 at WL, accounting for more than 69% of the reduced inorganic sulfur at both sites. The low degree of sulphidization (〈 14%) and pyritization (〈 10%) indicate that sulfate may be the limiting factor for pyrite formation. The extractability of Mn, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, and Cr in sediments all suggest that sulfides are not the major binding phase for these metals during early diagenesis. Sulfur may play a modest role in the geochemistry of iron and traced metals in the sediments.展开更多
In the United States, university buildings use 17% of total non-residential building energy per year. According to the NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory), the average lifecycle of a building in a university...In the United States, university buildings use 17% of total non-residential building energy per year. According to the NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory), the average lifecycle of a building in a university is 42 years with an EUI (energy use intensity) of 23 kWh/m^2/y. Current building and energy codes limit the EUI to 16 kWh/m^2/y for new school buildings; this benchmark can vary depending on climate, occupancy, and other contextual factors. Although the LEED (leadership in energy and environmental design) system provides a set of guidelines to rate sustainable buildings, studies have shown that 28%-35% of the educational LEED-rated buildings use more energy than their conventional counterparts. This paper examines the issues specific to a LEED-rated design addition to an existing university building. The forum, a lecture hall expansion of to an existing building at the University of Kansas, has been proposed as environmentally friendly and energy-efficient building addition. Comfort and health aspects have been considered in the design in order to obtain LEED platinum certificate. The forum's energy performance strategies include a double-skin facade to reduce energy consumption and PV (photovoltaic) panels to generate onsite energy. This study considers various scenarios to meet NZEB (net-zero energy building) criteria and maximize energy savings. The feasibility of NZE criteria is evaluated for: (a) seasonal comparison; (b) facility occupancy; (c) PV panels' addition in relation to double skin facade. The results of NZEB approach are compared to LEED platinum requirements, based on Rol (return on investment) and PV panel's efficiency for this specific educational building.展开更多
The leaders of the Meiji Restoration believed in their master, Yoshida Shoin (吉田松陰), who claimed that in order for the islands of Japan not to be a colony of the powerful Western states, Japan had to conquer nea...The leaders of the Meiji Restoration believed in their master, Yoshida Shoin (吉田松陰), who claimed that in order for the islands of Japan not to be a colony of the powerful Western states, Japan had to conquer nearby countries. This led to Japan’s invasion of the Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan, Korea, and Manchuria, which ultimately led to the Manchurian Incident of 1931, the Sino-Japanese War, and the Pacific War. Surprisingly, the subject and the timing of each and every one of these acts of war were in the same order of Yoshida Shoin’s proposal on preoccupancy. The Sino-Japanese war of 1894 was romanticized as clearing the barbaric culture by civilization, and the Russo-Japanese war of 1904 was romanticized as the realization of Eastern Peace. However, Japanese policies of aggressions were first deemed illegal by international law during the 1931 Manchurian Incident by the investigations of the League of Nations. The Japanese Empire received the recommendation by the League of Nations to restore to original state, but declined and exited from the League of Nations. Following their exit, they started the Sino-Japanese War and the Pacific War and eventually lost in 1945. The goal of the San Francisco Peace Treaty of 1951 was to punish Japan’s aggressions. However, as the Cold War between the East and the West started to arise in 1948, the punishment was eased, and their punishment for the aggressions on the Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan, and Korea was nearly unasked for. This paper examines the issues of the San Francisco Peace Treaty in the views of the international law of the League of Nations, established by Manley O. Hudson of Harvard University and others in U.S. academia and judiciary.展开更多
Solar‐to‐chemical energy conversion is perceived as one of the most potential solutions to the current energy and environmental crisis,yet requires major scientific endeavors on the development of efficient and sust...Solar‐to‐chemical energy conversion is perceived as one of the most potential solutions to the current energy and environmental crisis,yet requires major scientific endeavors on the development of efficient and sustainable photocatalysts.Remolding the composition and morphology of a semiconductor jointly for the purpose of improving photocatalysis efficiency remains challenging.Herein,we rationally fabricated Cu‐doped ZnS nanoframes via a simple conjunct strategy of substitutional doping,chemical acidic etching,and sulfidation,aiming at enhancing the light utilization and charge separation/transfer efficiency for solar‐light‐driven hydrogen generation.Cu‐doped zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8(ZIF‐8)rhombic dodecahedrons are transformed to hollow Cu‐ZIF‐8 nanoframes converted to Cu‐ZnS nanoframes with three‐dimensional photocatalytic active surfaces via anisotropic chemical etching,which is further converted to Cu‐ZnS nanoframes.By combining the merits of optimal heteroatom doping and frame‐like open architecture,the obtained 1%Cu‐doped ZnS nanoframe exhibits high photocatalytic activity under solar light irradiation with improved hydrogen production rate up to 8.30 mmol h^(–1) g^(–1) and excellent stability in the absence of cocatalysts,which is significantly improved in comparison with those of the bare ZnS and Cu‐ZnS with different morphologies.This work inspired by merging the merits of metal doping and anisotropic chemical etching may shed light on the rational design and fabrication of advanced photocatalysts.展开更多
Solar thermochemical CO_(2)-splitting(STCS)is a promising solution for solar energy harvesting and storage.However,practical solar fuel production by utilizing earth-abundant iron/iron oxides remains a great challenge...Solar thermochemical CO_(2)-splitting(STCS)is a promising solution for solar energy harvesting and storage.However,practical solar fuel production by utilizing earth-abundant iron/iron oxides remains a great challenge because of the formation of passivation layers,resulting in slow reaction kinetics and limited CO_(2)conversion.Here,we report a novel material consisting of an iron-nickel alloy embedded in a perovskite substrate for intensified CO production via a two-step STCS process.The novel material achieved an unprecedented CO production rate of 381 mL g^(-1)min^(-1)with 99%CO_(2)conversion at 850℃,outperforming state-of-the-art materials.In situ structural analyses and density functional theory calculations show that the alloy/substrate interface is the main active site for CO_(2)splitting.Preferential oxidation of the FeNi alloy at the interface(as opposed to forming an FeO_(x)passivation shell encapsulating bare metallic iron)and rapid stabilization of the iron oxide species by the robust perovskite matrix significantly promoted the conversion of CO_(2)to CO.Facile regeneration of the alloy/perovskite interfaces was realized by isothermal methane reduction with simultaneous production of syngas(H_(2)/CO=2,syngas yield>96%).Overall,the novel perovskite-mediated dealloying-exsolution redox system facilitates highly efficient solar fuel production,with a theoretical solar-to-fuel efficiency of up to 58%,in the absence of any heat integration.展开更多
Fine measurements have been conducted to temperatures and their gradients of six wells of the Jinsha River Groundwater Observational Network.The results show that the influence depths of sun radiation heat are 50m to ...Fine measurements have been conducted to temperatures and their gradients of six wells of the Jinsha River Groundwater Observational Network.The results show that the influence depths of sun radiation heat are 50m to 125m,average temperature gradients in the wells range from 0.11 to 2.81℃/hm and most are 1~2℃/hm,and the temperature gradients on varied depth sections of one well are highly changeable.Lithology of strata and their integrity,particularly high-angle crashed fault zones,have imposed major effects on the influence depths of sun radiation heat and temperature gradients of the wells.The micro dynamic characteristics of water temperature,such as coseismic effects,tidal effects and anomalies of the wells prior to earthquakes,probably depend,to a large degree,on the temperature gradients of the depths at which the water temperature sensors are settled.展开更多
Metal-free indoline dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells were studied by employing quantum chemistry methods. Comparative study of the properties of both ground and excited states of metal-free indoline dyes for dye-se...Metal-free indoline dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells were studied by employing quantum chemistry methods. Comparative study of the properties of both ground and excited states of metal-free indoline dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells revealed: (i) as the number of rhodanine rings increases, the energy difference between HOMO and LUMO decreases and there is a red shift in the absorption spectrum with the binding energy increased, and the transition dipole moment decreased; (ii) Based on an analysis of charge differential density, we observed that the charge and energy are transfered from the phenylethenyl to the indoline and rhodanine rings; (iii) The electron-hole coherences are mainly on the indoline and rhodanine rings, and the exciton sizes are 30 and 40 atoms for indoline dyes with one and two rhodanline rings, respectively. These results serve as a good example of computer-aided design in metal-free indoline dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells.展开更多
Metal atoms atomically dispersed on an inorganic metal‐based support compose a unique category of single atom catalysts(SACs)and have important applications in catalytic photoreduction reactions,including H_(2) evolu...Metal atoms atomically dispersed on an inorganic metal‐based support compose a unique category of single atom catalysts(SACs)and have important applications in catalytic photoreduction reactions,including H_(2) evolution reaction,CO_(2) reduction reaction,and N_(2) reduction reaction.In this minreview,we summarized the typical metal‐support interaction(M‐SI)patterns for successful anchoring of single‐atom metals on metallic compound supports.Subsequently,the contribution of the dispersed single metal atoms and M‐SI to photocatalytic reactions with improved activity,selectivity,and stability are highlighted,such as by accelerating charge transfer,regulating band structure of the support,acting as the reductive sites,and/or increasing catalytic selectivity.Finally,some challenges and perspectives of future development are proposed.We anticipate that this minireview will be a beneficial supplement for a comprehensive perception of metal‐based material supported SACs and their application in heterogeneous photo‐reductive catalysis.展开更多
For the development process in the rapidly growing economies, knowledge transfer and technology cooperation are becoming important issues. Research and technological competences are key indicators for the absorptive c...For the development process in the rapidly growing economies, knowledge transfer and technology cooperation are becoming important issues. Research and technological competences are key indicators for the absorptive capacity of sustainability technologies and for the ability to export them. These issues are analyzed empirically for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS). Sustainability related research in BRICS is mostly carried out within broader, more sector oriented programmes. Specialization patterns of international patents and in foreign trade indicate various strengths and weaknesses of the BRICS countries. The differences within the countries imply that the analysis must proceed at a technology specific level. China has considerable capabilities in technologies such as photovoltaics, solar thermal or buildings. There is a strong need for strategic positioning of the countries and for coordination of the various policy fields involved.展开更多
The effect of transition metal ions(M^(2+)=Mn^(2+),Ni^(2+),Co^(2+),Cu^(2+)) on the chemical synthesis of polyaniline(PANI) used as a platinum-free counter electrode(CE) in dye-sensitized solar cells(DSSCs) was investi...The effect of transition metal ions(M^(2+)=Mn^(2+),Ni^(2+),Co^(2+),Cu^(2+)) on the chemical synthesis of polyaniline(PANI) used as a platinum-free counter electrode(CE) in dye-sensitized solar cells(DSSCs) was investigated.PANI was synthesized by co-polymerization of aniline in the presence of different transition metal ions by using potassium dichromate in acidic medium. It was found that the ion doping of PANI showed a certain catalytic activity for the regeneration of traditional iodide/triiodide(I^-/I_3^-) redox couples. The power conversion efficiency(η) of PANI CEs doped with Mn^(2+),Ni^(2+),Co^(2+) (4.41%, 2.36% and 2.10%, respectively) were higher than 1.94%, the value measured for PANI CE without doping. Doping with Cu^(2+)decreased the power conversion efficiency of PANI CE(PANI-Cu^(2+) η = 1.41%). The electrical properties of the PANI, PANI-Ni^(2+), PANI-Co^(2+),PANI-Mn^(2+) and PANI-Cu^(2+) were studied by cyclic voltammetry(CV), impedance(EIS), and Tafel polarization curve. The experimental results confirmed that PANI was affected by the doping of different transition metal ions(M^(2+)=Mn^(2+),Ni^(2+),Co^(2+),Cu^(2+)). These results indicate a potential application of ion doped PANI as counter electrode in cost-effective DSSCs.展开更多
Hong Kong has undergone substantial economic transformations and developed into a sophisticated busi- ness and financial center in the Asia-Pacific region, since the return of sovereignty to China as a Special Adminis...Hong Kong has undergone substantial economic transformations and developed into a sophisticated busi- ness and financial center in the Asia-Pacific region, since the return of sovereignty to China as a Special Administrative Region under the One Country Two Systems (OCTS) in 1997. This paper discusses and analyzes the industrial struc- tural changes of Hong Kong in recent decades as well as its future challenges and opportunities, The data and finding reveal that even though Hong Kong will face fierce competition from the Mainland's cities as the rise of China, the important role as a bridge between China and the rest of the world wilt brace Hong Kong itself under the OCTS for developing into a service hub for business and trade in the Asia-Pacific region.展开更多
Mesoporous TiO2 (m-TiO2) nanoparticles were used to prepare the porous film electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells, and a second metal oxide (MgO, ZnO, A1203, or NiO) modifi- cation was carried out by dipping t...Mesoporous TiO2 (m-TiO2) nanoparticles were used to prepare the porous film electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells, and a second metal oxide (MgO, ZnO, A1203, or NiO) modifi- cation was carried out by dipping the m-TiO2 electrode into their respective nitrate solution followed by annealing at 500 ℃. Experimental results indicated that the above second metal oxide modifications on m-TiO2 electrode are shown in all cases to act as barrier layer for the interracial charge transfer processes, but film electron transport and interfacial charge recombination characteristics under applied bias voltage were dependent significantly on the existing states and kinds of these second metal oxides. Those changes based on sec- ond metal oxide modifications showed good correlation with the current-voltage analyses of dye-sensitized solar cell, and all modifications were found to increase the open-circuit photo- voltage in various degrees, while the MgO, ZnO, and NiO modifications result in 23%, 13%, and 6% improvement in cell conversion efficiency, respectively. The above observations indi- cate that controlling the charge transport and recombination is very important to improve the photovoltaic performance of TiO2-based solar cell.展开更多
基金Projects (51002122, 51272211) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaProject (2010ZF53064) supported by the Aeronautical Science Foundation of China+3 种基金Project (2012M51028) supported by the Postdoctoral Science Foundation of ChinaProject (2010JQ6005) supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Shaanxi Province, ChinaProject (76-QP-2011) supported by the Research Fund of State Key Laboratory of Solidification Processing in NWPU, ChinaProject (B08040) supported by the 111Project, China
文摘A vacuum directional solidification with high temperature gradient was performed to prepare low cost solar-grade multicrystalline silicon (mc-Si) directly from metallurgical-grade mc-Si. The microstructure characteristic, grain size, boundary, solid-liquid growth interface, and dislocation structure under different growth conditions were studied. The results show that directionally solidified multicrystalline silicon rods with high density and orientation can be obtained when the solidification rate is below 60 μm/s. The grain size gradually decreases with increasing the solidification rate. The control of obtaining planar solid-liquid interface at high temperature gradient is effective to produce well-aligned columnar grains along the solidification direction. The growth step and twin boundaries are preferred to form in the microstructure due to the faceted growth characteristic of mc-Si. The dislocation distribution is inhomogeneous within crystals and the dislocation density increases with the increase of solidification rate. Furthermore, the crystal growth behavior and dislocation formation mechanism of mc-Si were discussed.
基金Project (2009BAB49B04) supported by National Key Technologies R&D Program, China
文摘The removal of B and P consumes most of heat energy in Si metallurgical purification process for solar-grade Si. Metal-liquating purification of metallurgical grade silicon (MG-Si), also called Si-recrystallization from metal liquid, was a potential energy-saving method for the removal of B and P efficiently, since Si could be melted at lower temperature by alloying with metal. The selection criteria of metal-liquating system was elaborated, and Al, Sn and In were selected out as the optimum metallic mediums. For Sn-Si system, the segregation coefficient of B decreased to 0.038 at 1 500 K, which was much less than 0.8 at the melting point of Si. The mass fraction of B was diminished from 15×10^-6 to 0.1×10^-6 as MG-Si was purified by twice, while that of most metallic elements could be decreased to 0.1×10^-6 by purifying just once. During the metal-liquating process, the formation of compounds between impurity elements and Si was also an important route of impurity removal. Finally, one low-temperature metallurgical process based on metal-liquating method was proposed.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.40730528)the National High Technology Research and Development Program (863 Program) of China (No.2007AA06Z411)the Social Development Plan of Jiangsu Province (No.BS2007161).
文摘To understand the geochemical characteristics of iron and sulfur and the extent of iron-sulfide minerals influencing heavy metal behaviour in metal-polluted sediments of Talhu Lake, two sites, in Meiliang Bay (ML) and Wuli Lake (WL), were selected to study the fractionation of iron, sulfur and related heavy metals. There were relatively high concentrations of Fe^2+ and low concentrations of total S^2- in porewaters, indicating that conditions in these sediments favored iron reduction. The concentrations of acid volatile sulfides in sediments were 1.9-9.6 μmol g^-1 at ML and 1.0-11.7 μmool g^-1 at WL, both in the range of values detected in unpolluted lakes. Pyrite-S was 10.2-49.4 μmol g^-1 at ML and 10.3- 33.0 μmol g^-1 at WL, accounting for more than 69% of the reduced inorganic sulfur at both sites. The low degree of sulphidization (〈 14%) and pyritization (〈 10%) indicate that sulfate may be the limiting factor for pyrite formation. The extractability of Mn, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, and Cr in sediments all suggest that sulfides are not the major binding phase for these metals during early diagenesis. Sulfur may play a modest role in the geochemistry of iron and traced metals in the sediments.
文摘In the United States, university buildings use 17% of total non-residential building energy per year. According to the NREL (National Renewable Energy Laboratory), the average lifecycle of a building in a university is 42 years with an EUI (energy use intensity) of 23 kWh/m^2/y. Current building and energy codes limit the EUI to 16 kWh/m^2/y for new school buildings; this benchmark can vary depending on climate, occupancy, and other contextual factors. Although the LEED (leadership in energy and environmental design) system provides a set of guidelines to rate sustainable buildings, studies have shown that 28%-35% of the educational LEED-rated buildings use more energy than their conventional counterparts. This paper examines the issues specific to a LEED-rated design addition to an existing university building. The forum, a lecture hall expansion of to an existing building at the University of Kansas, has been proposed as environmentally friendly and energy-efficient building addition. Comfort and health aspects have been considered in the design in order to obtain LEED platinum certificate. The forum's energy performance strategies include a double-skin facade to reduce energy consumption and PV (photovoltaic) panels to generate onsite energy. This study considers various scenarios to meet NZEB (net-zero energy building) criteria and maximize energy savings. The feasibility of NZE criteria is evaluated for: (a) seasonal comparison; (b) facility occupancy; (c) PV panels' addition in relation to double skin facade. The results of NZEB approach are compared to LEED platinum requirements, based on Rol (return on investment) and PV panel's efficiency for this specific educational building.
文摘The leaders of the Meiji Restoration believed in their master, Yoshida Shoin (吉田松陰), who claimed that in order for the islands of Japan not to be a colony of the powerful Western states, Japan had to conquer nearby countries. This led to Japan’s invasion of the Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan, Korea, and Manchuria, which ultimately led to the Manchurian Incident of 1931, the Sino-Japanese War, and the Pacific War. Surprisingly, the subject and the timing of each and every one of these acts of war were in the same order of Yoshida Shoin’s proposal on preoccupancy. The Sino-Japanese war of 1894 was romanticized as clearing the barbaric culture by civilization, and the Russo-Japanese war of 1904 was romanticized as the realization of Eastern Peace. However, Japanese policies of aggressions were first deemed illegal by international law during the 1931 Manchurian Incident by the investigations of the League of Nations. The Japanese Empire received the recommendation by the League of Nations to restore to original state, but declined and exited from the League of Nations. Following their exit, they started the Sino-Japanese War and the Pacific War and eventually lost in 1945. The goal of the San Francisco Peace Treaty of 1951 was to punish Japan’s aggressions. However, as the Cold War between the East and the West started to arise in 1948, the punishment was eased, and their punishment for the aggressions on the Ryukyu Islands, Taiwan, and Korea was nearly unasked for. This paper examines the issues of the San Francisco Peace Treaty in the views of the international law of the League of Nations, established by Manley O. Hudson of Harvard University and others in U.S. academia and judiciary.
文摘Solar‐to‐chemical energy conversion is perceived as one of the most potential solutions to the current energy and environmental crisis,yet requires major scientific endeavors on the development of efficient and sustainable photocatalysts.Remolding the composition and morphology of a semiconductor jointly for the purpose of improving photocatalysis efficiency remains challenging.Herein,we rationally fabricated Cu‐doped ZnS nanoframes via a simple conjunct strategy of substitutional doping,chemical acidic etching,and sulfidation,aiming at enhancing the light utilization and charge separation/transfer efficiency for solar‐light‐driven hydrogen generation.Cu‐doped zeolitic imidazolate framework‐8(ZIF‐8)rhombic dodecahedrons are transformed to hollow Cu‐ZIF‐8 nanoframes converted to Cu‐ZnS nanoframes with three‐dimensional photocatalytic active surfaces via anisotropic chemical etching,which is further converted to Cu‐ZnS nanoframes.By combining the merits of optimal heteroatom doping and frame‐like open architecture,the obtained 1%Cu‐doped ZnS nanoframe exhibits high photocatalytic activity under solar light irradiation with improved hydrogen production rate up to 8.30 mmol h^(–1) g^(–1) and excellent stability in the absence of cocatalysts,which is significantly improved in comparison with those of the bare ZnS and Cu‐ZnS with different morphologies.This work inspired by merging the merits of metal doping and anisotropic chemical etching may shed light on the rational design and fabrication of advanced photocatalysts.
文摘Solar thermochemical CO_(2)-splitting(STCS)is a promising solution for solar energy harvesting and storage.However,practical solar fuel production by utilizing earth-abundant iron/iron oxides remains a great challenge because of the formation of passivation layers,resulting in slow reaction kinetics and limited CO_(2)conversion.Here,we report a novel material consisting of an iron-nickel alloy embedded in a perovskite substrate for intensified CO production via a two-step STCS process.The novel material achieved an unprecedented CO production rate of 381 mL g^(-1)min^(-1)with 99%CO_(2)conversion at 850℃,outperforming state-of-the-art materials.In situ structural analyses and density functional theory calculations show that the alloy/substrate interface is the main active site for CO_(2)splitting.Preferential oxidation of the FeNi alloy at the interface(as opposed to forming an FeO_(x)passivation shell encapsulating bare metallic iron)and rapid stabilization of the iron oxide species by the robust perovskite matrix significantly promoted the conversion of CO_(2)to CO.Facile regeneration of the alloy/perovskite interfaces was realized by isothermal methane reduction with simultaneous production of syngas(H_(2)/CO=2,syngas yield>96%).Overall,the novel perovskite-mediated dealloying-exsolution redox system facilitates highly efficient solar fuel production,with a theoretical solar-to-fuel efficiency of up to 58%,in the absence of any heat integration.
基金supported by the Jinsha River Development Corporation Limited,China Yangtze Three Gorge Engineering Development Group(JSJ(06)-007)
文摘Fine measurements have been conducted to temperatures and their gradients of six wells of the Jinsha River Groundwater Observational Network.The results show that the influence depths of sun radiation heat are 50m to 125m,average temperature gradients in the wells range from 0.11 to 2.81℃/hm and most are 1~2℃/hm,and the temperature gradients on varied depth sections of one well are highly changeable.Lithology of strata and their integrity,particularly high-angle crashed fault zones,have imposed major effects on the influence depths of sun radiation heat and temperature gradients of the wells.The micro dynamic characteristics of water temperature,such as coseismic effects,tidal effects and anomalies of the wells prior to earthquakes,probably depend,to a large degree,on the temperature gradients of the depths at which the water temperature sensors are settled.
基金ACKN0WLEDGMENT This work was supported by the National Nature Science Foundation of China (No.10374040).
文摘Metal-free indoline dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells were studied by employing quantum chemistry methods. Comparative study of the properties of both ground and excited states of metal-free indoline dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells revealed: (i) as the number of rhodanine rings increases, the energy difference between HOMO and LUMO decreases and there is a red shift in the absorption spectrum with the binding energy increased, and the transition dipole moment decreased; (ii) Based on an analysis of charge differential density, we observed that the charge and energy are transfered from the phenylethenyl to the indoline and rhodanine rings; (iii) The electron-hole coherences are mainly on the indoline and rhodanine rings, and the exciton sizes are 30 and 40 atoms for indoline dyes with one and two rhodanline rings, respectively. These results serve as a good example of computer-aided design in metal-free indoline dyes for dye-sensitized solar cells.
文摘Metal atoms atomically dispersed on an inorganic metal‐based support compose a unique category of single atom catalysts(SACs)and have important applications in catalytic photoreduction reactions,including H_(2) evolution reaction,CO_(2) reduction reaction,and N_(2) reduction reaction.In this minreview,we summarized the typical metal‐support interaction(M‐SI)patterns for successful anchoring of single‐atom metals on metallic compound supports.Subsequently,the contribution of the dispersed single metal atoms and M‐SI to photocatalytic reactions with improved activity,selectivity,and stability are highlighted,such as by accelerating charge transfer,regulating band structure of the support,acting as the reductive sites,and/or increasing catalytic selectivity.Finally,some challenges and perspectives of future development are proposed.We anticipate that this minireview will be a beneficial supplement for a comprehensive perception of metal‐based material supported SACs and their application in heterogeneous photo‐reductive catalysis.
文摘For the development process in the rapidly growing economies, knowledge transfer and technology cooperation are becoming important issues. Research and technological competences are key indicators for the absorptive capacity of sustainability technologies and for the ability to export them. These issues are analyzed empirically for Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (BRICS). Sustainability related research in BRICS is mostly carried out within broader, more sector oriented programmes. Specialization patterns of international patents and in foreign trade indicate various strengths and weaknesses of the BRICS countries. The differences within the countries imply that the analysis must proceed at a technology specific level. China has considerable capabilities in technologies such as photovoltaics, solar thermal or buildings. There is a strong need for strategic positioning of the countries and for coordination of the various policy fields involved.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(21473048,21303039)the Natural Science Foundation of Hebei Province(B2016205161,B2015205163)the 2015 Hebei Province Undergraduate Training Programs for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
文摘The effect of transition metal ions(M^(2+)=Mn^(2+),Ni^(2+),Co^(2+),Cu^(2+)) on the chemical synthesis of polyaniline(PANI) used as a platinum-free counter electrode(CE) in dye-sensitized solar cells(DSSCs) was investigated.PANI was synthesized by co-polymerization of aniline in the presence of different transition metal ions by using potassium dichromate in acidic medium. It was found that the ion doping of PANI showed a certain catalytic activity for the regeneration of traditional iodide/triiodide(I^-/I_3^-) redox couples. The power conversion efficiency(η) of PANI CEs doped with Mn^(2+),Ni^(2+),Co^(2+) (4.41%, 2.36% and 2.10%, respectively) were higher than 1.94%, the value measured for PANI CE without doping. Doping with Cu^(2+)decreased the power conversion efficiency of PANI CE(PANI-Cu^(2+) η = 1.41%). The electrical properties of the PANI, PANI-Ni^(2+), PANI-Co^(2+),PANI-Mn^(2+) and PANI-Cu^(2+) were studied by cyclic voltammetry(CV), impedance(EIS), and Tafel polarization curve. The experimental results confirmed that PANI was affected by the doping of different transition metal ions(M^(2+)=Mn^(2+),Ni^(2+),Co^(2+),Cu^(2+)). These results indicate a potential application of ion doped PANI as counter electrode in cost-effective DSSCs.
基金Under the auspices of Hui Oi Chow Trust Fund(No.200902172004)Mrs.Li Ka Shing Fund,Strategic Research Theme on Contemporary China,Seed Funding Programme for Basic Research(No.200911159173)Seed Funding Programme for Applied Research(No.201102160031)
文摘Hong Kong has undergone substantial economic transformations and developed into a sophisticated busi- ness and financial center in the Asia-Pacific region, since the return of sovereignty to China as a Special Administrative Region under the One Country Two Systems (OCTS) in 1997. This paper discusses and analyzes the industrial struc- tural changes of Hong Kong in recent decades as well as its future challenges and opportunities, The data and finding reveal that even though Hong Kong will face fierce competition from the Mainland's cities as the rise of China, the important role as a bridge between China and the rest of the world wilt brace Hong Kong itself under the OCTS for developing into a service hub for business and trade in the Asia-Pacific region.
文摘Mesoporous TiO2 (m-TiO2) nanoparticles were used to prepare the porous film electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells, and a second metal oxide (MgO, ZnO, A1203, or NiO) modifi- cation was carried out by dipping the m-TiO2 electrode into their respective nitrate solution followed by annealing at 500 ℃. Experimental results indicated that the above second metal oxide modifications on m-TiO2 electrode are shown in all cases to act as barrier layer for the interracial charge transfer processes, but film electron transport and interfacial charge recombination characteristics under applied bias voltage were dependent significantly on the existing states and kinds of these second metal oxides. Those changes based on sec- ond metal oxide modifications showed good correlation with the current-voltage analyses of dye-sensitized solar cell, and all modifications were found to increase the open-circuit photo- voltage in various degrees, while the MgO, ZnO, and NiO modifications result in 23%, 13%, and 6% improvement in cell conversion efficiency, respectively. The above observations indi- cate that controlling the charge transport and recombination is very important to improve the photovoltaic performance of TiO2-based solar cell.