KHCO_3 activated carbon microsphere as excellent electrocatalyst for VO^(2+)/VO_2^+ redox couple for vanadium redox flow battery

In this paper,carbon microsphere prepared by hydrothermal treatment was activated by KHCO_3 at high temperature,and employed as the catalyst for VO^(2+)/VO_2^+redox reaction for vanadium redox flow battery(VRFB).Carbon microsphere can be etched by KHCO_3 due to the reaction between the pyrolysis products of KHCO_3 and carbon atoms.Moreover,KHCO_3 activation can bring many oxygen functional groups on carbon microsphere,further improving the wettability of catalyst and increasing the active sites.The electrocatalytic properties of carbon microsphere from hydrothermal treatment are improved by high temperature carbonization,and can further be enhanced by KHCO_3 activation.Among carbon microsphere samples,the VO^(2+)/VO_2^+redox reaction exhibits the highest electrochemical kinetics on KHCO_3 activated sample.The cell using KHCO_3 activated carbon microsphere as the positive catalyst demonstrates higher energy efficiency and larger discharge capacity,especially at high current density.The results reveal that KHCO_3 activated carbon microsphere is an efficient,low-cost carbon-based catalyst for VO^(2+)/VO_2^+redox reaction for VRFB system.

Modified carbon cloth as positive electrode with high electrochemical performance for vanadium redox flow batteries

Carbon cloth modified by hydrothermal treatment in ammonia water is developed as the positive electrode with high electrochemical performance for vanadium redox flow batteries. The SEM shows that the treatment has no obvious influence on the morphology of carbon cloth. XPS measurements indicate that the nitrogenous functional groups can be introduced on the surface of carbon cloth successfully. The electrochemical performance of V(IV)/V(V) redox couple on the prepared electrode is evaluated with cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry measurements. The N-doped carbon cloth exhibits outstanding electrochemical activity and reversibility toward V(IV)/V(V) redox couple. The rate constant of V(IV)/V(V) redox reaction on carbon cloth can increase to 2.27 x 10(-4) cm/s from 1.47 x 10(-4) cm/s after nitrogen doping. The cell using N-doped carbon cloth as positive electrode has larger discharge capacity and higher energy efficiency compared with the cell using pristine carbon cloth. The average energy efficiency of the cell using N-doped carbon cloth for 50 cycles at 30 mA/cm(2) is 87.8%, 4.3% larger than that of the cell using pristine carbon cloth. It indicates that the N-doped carbon cloth has a promise application prospect in vanadium redox flow batteries. (C) 2016 Science Press and Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences. Published by Elsevier B.V. and Science Press. All rights reserved.

Carbon flow analysis of China＇s agro-ecosystem from 1980 to 2013： A perspective from substance flow analysis

Research on carbon cycling has attracted attention from both scientists and policy-makers. Based on material flow analysis, this study systematically budgets the carbon inputs, outputs and balance from 1980 to 2013 for China＇s agro-ecosystem and its sub-systems, including agricultural land use, livestock breeding and rural life. The results show that from 1980 to 2013, both the carbon input and output were growing gradually, with the carbon input doubling from 1.6 Pg C/year in 1980 to 3.4 Pg C/year in 2013, while carbon output grew from 2.2 Pg C/year in 1980 to 3.8 Pg C/year in 2013. From 1980 to 2013, the crop production system in China has remained a carbon source, and the agricultural land uses were also almost all carbon sources instead of carbon sinks. As soil carbon stock plays a very important role in deciding the function of China＇s agro-ecosystem as a carbon sink or source, practices that can promote carbon storage and sequestration will be an essential component of low carbon agriculture development in China.

CARBON WIRE AMPEROMETRIC FLOW THROUGH DETECTOR

A carbon wire amperometric flow through detector is described which is easily constructed at low cost for application to flow injection analysis,continuous stream analysis and liquid chromatography.The theoretical limiting current of the detector is 2.14×10~6nCD^(2/3)u_f^(1/3) with 36% actual current efficiency.By use of flow injection analysis,the detecting limits for Ag(I)and Cr(VI)had achieved 1 ppb and 0.4 ppb respectively with 1.2%(n=20)relative standard deviation after preliminary experiments.

Effect of hydrophobicity on the water flow in carbon nanotube-A molecular dynamics study

This work focuses on the study of the effect of hydrophobicity on the water flow in carbon nanotubes(CNTs)using a molecular dynamics(MD)approach for a wide range of potential applications such as water purification and high efficiency of nanofluid energy absorption systems(NEAS).The hydrophobicity between liquid water and surface of CNTs was characterized by interaction-energy-coefficient(IEC)—a parameter describing the energy interaction strength between water molecules and carbon atoms.It is shown that the static contact angles between water and carbon surface decrease from 155° to 44°when the values of IEC increase from 0.042 kJ/mol to 2.196 kJ/mol.In addition,the pressure drops in CNT became independent of IEC when the IEC value was higher than 1.192 kJ/mol for a given flow rate.It was found that the hydrophobicity of CNT surface has a significant impact on the pressure drop of water flow in the CNTs and MD method provides a quantitative evaluation of the impact.

Flow Field Induced Steady Alignment of Oxidized Multi-walled Carbon Nanotubes

The steady ordered micro-ribbons of oxidized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were obtained through micro-aperture PTFE membrane by vacuum filtration. After treatment by mixture of concentrated nitric acid and sulfuric acid, the surface functional groups modified MWNTs can be easily dispersed to form a homogeneous suspension. It is found that the steady micro-ribbons existed in the films obtained by vacuum filtration of the suspension. The filtration formed steady flow field and induced steady alignment of oxidized MWNTs. The chemical treatment of MWNTs forming strong interaction between MWNTs is necessity to keep steady of the micro-ribbons microstructure.

Evaluation of Carbon and Electron Flow in Lactobacillus brevis as a Potential Host for Heterologous 1-Butanol Biosynthesis

Heterofermentative lactic acid bacterium Lactobacillus brevis may be considered as a promising host for heterologous butanol synthesis because of tolerance to butanol and ability to ferment pentose and hexose sugars from wood hydrolysates that are cheap and renewable carbohydrate source. Carbon and electron flow was evaluated in two L. brevis strains in order to assess metabolic potential of these bacteria for heterologous butanol synthesis. Conditions required for generation of acetyl-CoA and NADH which are necessary for butanol biosynthesis have been determined. Key enzymes controlling direction of metabolic fluxes in L. brevis in various redox conditions were defined. In anaerobic glucose fermentation, the carbon flow through acetyl-CoA is regulated by aldehyde dehydrogenase ALDH possessing low affinity to NADH and activity (KmNADH= 200 μM, Vmax= 0.03 U/mg of total cell protein). Aerobically, the NADH-oxidase NOX (KmNADH= 25 μM, Vmax = 1.7 U/mg) efficiently competes with ALDH for NADH that results in formation of acetate instead of acetyl-CoA. In general, external electron acceptors (oxygen, fructose) and pentoses decrease NADH availability for native ethanol and recombinant butanol enzymes and therefore reduce carbon flux through acetyl-CoA. Pyruvate metabolism was studied in order to reveal redirection possibilities of competitive carbon fluxes towards butanol synthesis. The study provides a basis for the rational development of L. brevis strains producing butanol from wood hydrolysate.

Sucrose pyrolysis assembling carbon nanotubes on graphite felt using for vanadium redox flow battery positive electrode

In the present paper, multi-walled carbon nanotubes（MWCNTs） are successfully assembled on graphite felt（GF） using sucrose pyrolysis method for the first time. The in situ formed pyrolytic carbon is chosen as the binder because it is essentially carbon materials as well as CNTs and GF which has a natural tendency to achieve high bonding strength and low contact resistance. The MWCNTs/GF electrode is demonstrated to increase surface area, reduce polarization, lower charge transfer resistance and improve energy conversion efficiency comparing with GF. This excellent electrochemical performance is mainly ascribed to the high electro-catalytic activity of MWCNTs and increasing surface area.

Discussion of Direct Numerical Simulation Method for Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Jet Flow

A kind of direct numerical simulation method suitable for supercritical carbon dioxide jet flow has been discussed in this paper. The form of dimensionless nonconservative compressible Navier-Stokes equations in a two-dimensional cartesian coordinate system is derived in detail. High accurate finite difference compact schemes based on non-uniform grid system are introduced to solve the equations. The simulation results of the three vortex pairing phenomenon of plane mixing layer and a compressible axisymmetric jet flow field show that the discussed numerical simulation method is feasible to calculate the supercritical carbon dioxide jet fluid. And it is found that the difficulties of splitting the convective terms in conservation Navier-Stokes equations, which are brought by the supercritical carbon dioxide fluid pressure state equation, can be avoided by solving the nonconservative compressible Navier-Stokes equations.

Ultrathin free-standing electrospun carbon nanofibers web as the electrode of the vanadium flow batteries

Ultrathin free-standing electrospun carbon nanofiber web（ECNFW） used for the electrodes of the vanadium flow battery（VFB） has been fabricated by the electrospinning technique followed by the carbonization process in this study to reduce the ohmic polarization of the VFB. The microstructure, surface chemistry and electrochemical performance of ECNFW carbonized at various temperatures from 800 to 1400 °C have been investigated. The results show that ECNFW carbonized at 1100 °C exhibits the highest electrocatalytic activity toward the V;/V;redox reaction, and its electrocatalytic activity decreases along with the increase of carbonization temperature due to the drooping of the surface functional groups.While for the VO;/VO;redox couple, the electrocatalytic activity of ECNFW carbonized above 1100 °C barely changes as the carbonization temperature rises. It indicates that the surface functional groups could function as the reaction sites for the V;/V;redox couple, but have not any catalytic effect for the VO;/VO;redox couple. And the single cell test result suggests that ECNFW carbonized at 1100 °C is a promising material as the VFB electrode and the VFB with ECNFW electrodes obtains a super low internal resistance of 250 mΩ cm;.

Flow Injection Amperometric Determination of Phenol and Chlorophenols at Single Wall Carbon Nanotube Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode

Single wall carbon nanotube modified glassy carbon electrode (SWCNT/GCE) was used for flow-injection analysis (FIA) for phenolic compounds (phenol (P), 4-chlorophenol (CP), 2,4-dichlorophenol (DCP), 2,4,6-trichlorphenol (TCP) and pentachlorophenol (PCP)). Experimental variables such as the detection potential, flow rate and pH of the carrier solution, 0.1 M sodium acetate, were optimized. Under these conditions, the designed electrode showed a very good performance for the amperometric measurements, with no need to apply a cleaning or pre-treatment procedure. The operational stability was tested with 20 repetitive injections of each analyte and was found to be good. The analytical performance of the SWCNT/GCE electrode under flow through conditions was tested and was found to be impressive. When it is compared with other enzymatic and non-enzymatic sensors, it shows wider dynamic range for the detection of phenolic compounds with low limits of detection. These results suggest that the method is quite useful for monitoring and analyzing phenols and chlorophenols.

Effect of carbon, silicon, and manganese content on mean flow stress at elevated temperature

Ten studied steels including different carbon content, silicon content, and manganese content were deformed in compression over a temperature range of 600 ?C to 1 000 ?C at the strain rate of 1 s-1. The curves of the mean flow stressdeformation temperature were drawn up. The mean flow stresses of higher carbon content steels decreased continuously as the applied deformation temperature increased in the whole temperature range, while the mean flow stress of lowest carbon steel displayed an abrupt drop near the two phases region. The reason for the abrupt drop phenomena was explained as the result of phase transformation. The mean flow stresses of steels with high silicon content and low manganese content also have this phenomena.

Carbonate cementation-dissolution in deep-seated sandstones near the overpressure top in central Junggar Basin, Xinjiang, NW China

Fluid/rock interaction occurs frequently in the sandstones near the overpressure top in central Junggar Basin, and carbonate cementation-dissolution is related closely to the formation of secondary pores in the reservoir sandstones. From petrological, hydrochemical and fluid-inclusion studies of the deep-seated sandstones near the overpressure top in central Junggar Basin and the carbon and oxygen isotopic characteristics of carbonate cements in those sandstones, the following conclusions can be drawn: (1) Carbonates are the major cements. Two-stage cementation was commonly developed, with late-stage ferroan carbonate cementation being dominant; several secondary porosity zones were developed vertically in the sandstones near the overpressure top, and there is a mutually compensatory relationship between the carbonate contents and the mean porosity; (2) the alkalescent formation-water chemical environments are in favor of carbonate precipitation; (3) there were two phases of thermal fluid activity which are related to the late-stage carbonate cementation-dissolution; (4) with the overpressure top as the boundary, carbonate cements in the sandstones have slightly negative δ13C and δ18O values, showing such a variation trend that the δ13C and δ18O values near the coal-bearing Jurassic strata are lighter, those in the overpressure top are heavier, and those at the upper part of the overpressure top are lighter, which is considered to be the result of kinetic isotope fractionation driven by episodically overpressured fluid flow; (5) carbonate cementation is closely associated with the decarboxylation of organic acids, and secondary porosity zones resultant from dissolution by organic acids and CO2 derived from Jurassic coal-bearing strata, are the most important reservoir space of hydrocarbon, Studies of the mechanisms of carbonate cementation-dissolution and formation of secondary pores in the deep-seated sandstones near the overpressure top are of great significance both in theory and in practice in further investigating the rules of overpressured fluid flow (especially oil/gas migration) and predicting the reservoir space of hydrocarbon.

Progress on the electrode materials towards vanadium flow batteries (VFBs) with improved power density

The vanadium flow battery （VFB） has been considered as one of the most promising large-scale energy storage technologies in terms of its design flexibility, long cycle life, high efficiency and high safety. How- ever, the high cost prevents the VFB technology from broader market penetration. Improving the power density of the VFB is an effective solution to reduce its cost due to the reduced material consumption and stack size. Electrode, as one of the main components in the VFB, providing the reactions sites for redox couples, has an important effect on the voltage loss of the VFB associated with electrochemical polariza- tion, ohmic polarization and concentration polarization. Extensive research has been carried out on the electrode modification to reduce polarizations and hence improve the power density of the VFB. In this review, state-of-the-art of various modification methods on the VFB electrode materials is overviewed and summarized, and the future research directions helpful to reduce polarization loss are presented.

Examining the Effects of Common Laboratory Methods on the Sensitivity of Carbon Fiber Electrodes in Amperometric Recordings of Dopamine

Carbon fiber microelectrodes (CFEs) are useful when combined with electrochemical techniques for measuring changes in neurotransmitter concentrations. We addressed conflicting details regarding the use of CFEs. Experimental groups consisted of CFEs at different ages (1 week, 1 month, or 2 months), cleaned in solvents (isopropanol or xylene), and exposed to in vitro use (flow cell calibrations) or in vivo use (in brain tissue). In order to determine if any of these factors affect CFE sensitivity, the present study utilized fixed potential amperometry and a flow injection system to calibrate CFEs for the measurement of dopamine. The sensitivity index (nA/μM per 100 μm of exposed carbon fiber) was not affected by the age of CFEs or pre-cleaning with xylene or isopropanol. CFE sensitivity of the in vitro exposure group also did not differ from untreated CFEs, indicating the calibration process did not alter sensitivity. However, in vivo use in brain tissue did reduce sensitivity. This effect was negated and sensitivity restored by cleaning CFEs in isopropanol or xylene following in vivo brain recordings. Given that variations in CFE sensitivity can skew results, our findings can help standardize CFE use and explain discrepancies between researchers.

Determination of Trace Non Rare Earth Elements in High Purity Rare Earth Oxides by ICP－AES with Microcolumn Preconcentration in a Flow Injection System

A new method for the determination of trace non-rare earth elements in high purity rare earth oxides by ICP-AES with preconcentration on an active carbon-silica gel microcolumn in a flow injection system is described in this paper. Experimental parameters such as pH, flow rate,reagent concentration,length of reaction coil,eluent acidity,etc. were optimized. In the buffer solution of NH3. H2O/NH4Cl at pH 4. 6,Al,Cr,Cu,Fe, Pb, V and Zn can be preconcentrated and then eluted with 4. 5 mol/L nitric acid utilizing stop-flow technique. The enrichment factors were in range of 8. 1￣12. 6 with detection limits of μg/m level ,and the RSD with metals at μg/g level were 2. 3￣5. 0% (n= 7). The method proposed can reduce the matrix interference effectively , and has been applied to the determination of non-rare earth metals atμg/g level in high purity Eu2O3 with satisfactory results.

考虑碳排放分摊的综合能源服务商交易策略

为寻求在满足用户用能需求的同时降低系统碳排放的有效途径,提出了一种考虑碳排放分摊的多综合能源服务商能源交易策略。基于网络流模型实现碳流追踪并联合Shapley理论建立了综合能源服务商碳排放成本计算模型。应用Nash议价理论构建了多综合能源服务商合作博弈运行模型,将综合能源服务商碳排放成本引入优化目标函数,并利用分布式算法求解最优能源交易量和交易费用。基于由修改的IEEE 39节点电网和12节点气网构成的多综合能源服务商系统进行仿真分析,验证了所提模型和方法的有效性。

基于节点碳势需求响应的电力系统双层优化调度

为实现电力系统低碳排放、助力经济提升,在建立碳势引导多元柔性负荷模型的基础上,提出一种基于节点碳势需求响应的双层优化调度策略。首先,利用比例共享原则追踪碳排放流,搭建碳排放流模型,从时空维度感知各节点的碳势变化规律。其次,将碳流分析纳入负荷侧需求响应机制中,利用节点碳势建立负荷聚合商需求响应碳排放模型,并厘清不同碳势强度下负荷聚合商调度差异,构建基于节点碳势需求响应的电力系统双层优化调度模型。模型上层为电网运营商最优经济调度,模型下层为负荷聚合商需求响应经济调度。最后,以改进IEEE 30节点系统为例,验证了所提方法的有效性。

Control water molecules across carbon-based nanochannels

It is important to know the mechanisms of water molecules across carbon-based nanochannels, which is not only beneficial for understanding biological activities but also for designing various smart devices. Here we review the recent progress of research tbr water transfer across carbon-based nanochannels. In this review, we summarize the recent methods which can affect water molecules across these nanochannels. The methods include exterior factors （i.e., dipolar molecules and gradient electric fields） and interior factors （namely, cone-shaped structures, nonstraight nanochannels, and channel defects）. These factors can control water permeation across nanochannels efficiently.

Groundwater Protection using Numerical Simulations Applied to the Carbonate Aquifer Resource in the Augusta's Industrial Area (Sicily, Italy)

Simulation of flow in fractured aquifers is a complex issue. The problem of mathematical modeling of highly heterogeneous porous media, typical of natural systems, couples with the needs making proper simplifying assumptions and approximations. In this kind of groundwater systems, studying contamination spreading and analyzing risk are challenging tasks. The main difficulty stems from determining both the travel times and the maximum distances covered by pollutants. In this context, the risk of contamination in the deep carbonate aquifer of the Augusta coastal area is presented. We used a geostatistical approach and numerical codes (MODFLOW-2000, MT3DMS) to reconstruct the complex geological framework of the study area where several contamination scenarios of hypothetical point source in a risk assessment framework were simulated. Results on the contaminant spreading are discussed and the effect of the geological structures characterizing the zone under study, namely horst and graben, are described.