The Correlation between Density and Low-Temperature Creep Property of Asphalt

The density of asphalt was measured with the pycnometer and densitometer. Creep properties of the asphalt were investigated with the bending beam rheometer at temperatures ranging from 0 ~C to -36 ~C. The asphalt density data used to correlate with the creep properties were calculated from the regression equation of density and temperature. The asphalt sample used to determine the creep property was aged by the standard RTFOT test and the PAV test. The test results showed that the asphalt density had a linear relationship with temperature changes. The logarithm of the creep stiffness and the slope of the logarithm of the stiffness at 60 seconds all demonstrated a linear relationship with the density, and the regression coefficient of these data was around 0.99. The creep stiffness and the slope of the creep stiffness can be calculated from the asphalt density at the same temperature.

Structural Engineering of Anode Materials for Low-Temperature Lithium-Ion Batteries:Mechanisms,Strategies,and Prospects

The severe degradation of electrochemical performance for lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)at low temperatures poses a significant challenge to their practical applications.Consequently,extensive efforts have been contributed to explore novel anode materials with high electronic conductivity and rapid Li^(+)diffusion kinetics for achieving favorable low-temperature performance of LIBs.Herein,we try to review the recent reports on the synthesis and characterizations of low-temperature anode materials.First,we summarize the underlying mechanisms responsible for the performance degradation of anode materials at subzero temperatures.Second,detailed discussions concerning the key pathways(boosting electronic conductivity,enhancing Li^(+)diffusion kinetics,and inhibiting lithium dendrite)for improving the low-temperature performance of anode materials are presented.Third,several commonly used low-temperature anode materials are briefly introduced.Fourth,recent progress in the engineering of these low-temperature anode materials is summarized in terms of structural design,morphology control,surface&interface modifications,and multiphase materials.Finally,the challenges that remain to be solved in the field of low-temperature anode materials are discussed.This review was organized to offer valuable insights and guidance for next-generation LIBs with excellent low-temperature electrochemical performance.

Low-temperature characteristicsof rubbers and performance testsof type 120 emergencyvalve diaphragms

Purpose–The type 120 emergency valve is an essential braking component of railway freight trains,butcorresponding diaphragms consisting of natural rubber(NR)and chloroprene rubber(CR)exhibit insufficientaging resistance and low-temperature resistance,respectively.In order to develop type 120 emergency valverubber diaphragms with long-life and high-performance,low-temperatureresistant CR and NR were processed.Design/methodology/approach–The physical properties of the low-temperature-resistant CR and NRwere tested by low-temperature stretching,dynamic mechanical analysis,differential scanning calorimetryand thermogravimetric analysis.Single-valve and single-vehicle tests of type 120 emergency valves werecarried out for emergency diaphragms consisting of NR and CR.Findings–The low-temperature-resistant CR and NR exhibited excellent physical properties.The elasticityand low-temperature resistance of NR were superior to those of CR,whereas the mechanical properties of thetwo rubbers were similar in the temperature range of 0℃–150℃.The NR and CR emergency diaphragms metthe requirements of the single-valve test.In the low-temperature single-vehicle test,only the low-temperaturesensitivity test of the NR emergency diaphragm met the requirements.Originality/value–The innovation of this study is that it provides valuable data and experience for futuredevelopment of type 120 valve rubber diaphragms.

Boosting oxygen reduction activity and CO_(2) resistance on bismuth ferrite-based perovskite cathode for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells below 600℃

Developing efficient and stable cathodes for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells(LT-SOFCs) is of great importance for the practical commercialization.Herein,we propose a series of Sm-modified Bi_(0.7-x)Sm_xSr_(0.3)FeO_(3-δ) perovskites as highly-active catalysts for LT-SOFCs.Sm doping can significantly enhance the electrocata lytic activity and chemical stability of cathode.At 600℃,Bi_(0.675)Sm_(0.025)Sr_(0.3)FeO_(3-δ)(BSSF25) cathode has been found to be the optimum composition with a polarization resistance of 0.098 Ω cm^2,which is only around 22.8% of Bi_(0.7)Sr_(0.3)FeO_(3-δ)(BSF).A full cell utilizing BSSF25 displays an exceptional output density of 790 mW cm^(-2),which can operate continuously over100 h without obvious degradation.The remarkable electrochemical performance observed can be attributed to the improved O_(2) transport kinetics,superior surface oxygen adsorption capacity,as well as O_(2)p band centers in close proximity to the Fermi level.Moreover,larger average bonding energy(ABE) and the presence of highly acidic Bi,Sm,and Fe ions restrict the adsorption of CO_(2) on the cathode surface,resulting in excellent CO_(2) resistivity.This work provides valuable guidance for systematic design of efficient and durable catalysts for LT-SOFCs.

Enhancing performance of low-temperature processed CsPbI2Br all-inorganic perovskite solar cells using polyethylene oxide-modified TiO_(2)

CsPbX_(3)-based(X=I,Br,Cl)inorganic perovskite solar cells(PSCs)prepared by low-temperature process have attracted much attention because of their low cost and excellent thermal stability.However,the high trap state density and serious charge recombination between low-temperature processed TiO_(2)film and inorganic perovskite layer interface seriously restrict the performance of all-inorganic PSCs.Here a thin polyethylene oxide(PEO)layer is employed to modify TiO_(2)film to passivate traps and promote carrier collection.The impacts of PEO layer on microstructure and photoelectric characteristics of TiO_(2)film and related devices are systematically studied.Characterization results suggest that PEO modification can reduce the surface roughness of TiO_(2)film,decrease its average surface potential,and passivate trap states.At optimal conditions,the champion efficiency of CsPbI_(2)Br PSCs with PEO-modified TiO_(2)(PEO-PSCs)has been improved to 11.24%from 9.03%of reference PSCs.Moreover,the hysteresis behavior and charge recombination have been suppressed in PEO-PSCs.

Low-temperature sintering and microwave dielectric properties of Li_2MgTi_3O_8 ceramics doped with BaCu(B_2O_5)

The influences of BaCu（B2O5） （BCB） addition on sintering, microstructure and microwave dielectric properties of Li2MgTi308 ceramics were investigated using X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy and microwave dielectric measurements. The experimental results show that a small amount of BaCu（B2O5） addition can effectively reduce the sintering temperature to 900℃, and induce only a limited degradation of the microwave dielectric properties. Typically, the best microwave dielectric properties of er24.5, Q×f =24 622 GHz, rf=4.2×10-6℃ -1 are obtained for 1.0% BCB-doped Li2MgTi3O8 ceramics sintered at 900℃ for 3 h. The BCB-doped Li2MgTi3O8 ceramics can be compatible with Ag electrode, which may be a strong candidate for low temperature co-fired ceramics applications.

Influence of chromium modification on the properties of MnO_x-FeO_x catalysts for the low-temperature selective catalytic reduction of NO by NH_3

Catalytic properties of MnOx-FeOx complex oxide （hereafter denoted as Mn-Fe） catalysts modified with different loadings of chromium oxide were investigated by using the combination of physico-cbemical techniques, such as N2 physisorption, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, high-resolution transmission electron microscope （HRTEM）, in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy （in situ FT-IR） and temperature-programmed reduction （TPR） and their catalytic activities were evaluated with the selective catalytic reduction （SCR） of NOx by NH3. It was found that with the addition of Cr, more NO could be removed in the low-temperature window （below 120 ℃）. Among the tested catalysts, Mn-Fe- Cr （2 ： 2 ： 1） catalyst exhibited the best catalytic performance at 80 ℃ with the NO conversion higher than 90%. The combination of the reaction and characterization results indicated that （1） the strong interaction among tertiary metal oxides existed in the catalysts when Cr was appropriately added, which made the active components better dispersed with less agglomeration and sintering and the largest BET specific surface area could be obtained; （2） Cr improved the low-temperature reducibility of the catalyst and promoted the formation of the active intermediate （-NH3＋）, which favored the low-temperature SCR reaction.

Preparation and properties of porous ceramics from spodumene flotation tailings by low-temperature sintering

Porous ceramics were prepared with spodumene flotation talings(SFT),kaolin and low-melting point glass(LPG)powder,whose pores were formed by the chemical reaction of hydrogen peroxide(H_(2)O_(2)).LPG was used to reduce the sintering temperature of porous ceramics and kaolin was used to realize the adsorption to methylene blue(MB)of porous ceramics.The average flexural strength,compressive strength,apparent porosity,water absorption and maximum MB adsorption capacity were 5.60 MPa,4.66 MPa,52.27%,44.32%and 0.7 mg/g,respectively.Moreover,the results of orthogonal experiments present that the sintering temperature and the dosage of H_(2)O_(2)had great influence on the mechanical properties and apparent porosity of porous ceramics,respectively.The main reason for the improvement of mechanical properties of porous ceramics was that LPG gradually became soft with increasing the sintering temperature,which made the mineral particles adhere to each other closely.Kaolinite was not completely converted into metakaolin at 550℃,which might be the main reason why porous ceramics had adsorption properties.

Effect of electrolyte concentration on low-temperature electrochemical properties of LaNi_5 alloy electrodes at 233 K

The effect of KOH electrolyte concentration on low-temperature electrochemical properties of LaNi5 alloy electrodes at 233 K was studied. The results indicated that the electrolyte concentration had great influence on discharge capacity and discharge voltage plateau of LaNi5 alloy electrode at 233 K, and the highest discharge capacity and discharge voltage plateau were both obtained at 6 mol/L KOH. When the KOH electrolyte concentration changed from 5 to 9 mol/L at 233 K, the high rate discharge ability （HRD） had the same change tendency as the diffusion coefficient, but the exchange current density did not change significantly, which implied that hydrogen diffusion was the control step at low temperature 233 K for discharge process of LaNi5 alloy electrode.

Advances in sodium-ion batteries at low-temperature: Challenges and strategies

With the continuing boost in the demand for energy storage,there is an increasing requirement for batteries to be capable of operation in extreme environmental conditions.Sodium-ion batteries(SIBs) have emerged as a highly promising energy storage solution due to their promising performance over a wide range of temperatures and the abundance of sodium resources in the earth's crust.Compared to lithiumion batteries(LIBs),although sodium ions possess a larger ionic radius,they are more easily desolvated than lithium ions.Fu rthermore,SIBs have a smaller Stokes radius than lithium ions,resulting in improved sodium-ion mobility in the electrolyte.Nevertheless,SIBs demonstrate a significant decrease in performance at low temperatures(LT),which constrains their operation in harsh weather conditions.Despite the increasing interest in SIBs,there is a notable scarcity of research focusing specifically on their mechanism under LT conditions.This review explores recent research that considers the thermal tolerance of SIBs from an inner chemistry process perspective,spanning a wide temperature spectrum(-70 to100℃),particularly at LT conditions.In addition,the enhancement of electrochemical performance in LT SIBs is based on improvements in reaction kinetics and cycling stability achieved through the utilization of effective electrode materials and electrolyte components.Furthermore,the safety concerns associated with SIBs are addressed and effective strategies are proposed for mitigating these issues.Finally,prospects conducted to extend the environmental frontiers of commercial SIBs are discussed mainly from three viewpoints including innovations in materials,development and research of relevant theoretical mechanisms,and intelligent safety management system establishment for larger-scale energy storage SIBs.

Temperature inversion enables superior stability for low-temperature Zn-ion batteries

It is challenging for aqueous Zn-ion batteries(ZIBs)to achieve comparable low-temperature(low-T)performance due to the easy-frozen electrolyte and severe Zn dendrites.Herein,an aqueous electrolyte with a low freezing point and high ionic conductivity is proposed.Combined with molecular dynamics simulation and multi-scale interface analysis(time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry threedimensional mapping and in-situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy method),the temperature independence of the V_(2)O_(5)cathode and Zn anode is observed to be opposite.Surprisingly,dominated by the solvent structure of the designed electrolyte at low temperatures,vanadium dissolution/shuttle is significantly inhibited,and the zinc dendrites caused by this electrochemical crosstalk are greatly relieved,thus showing an abnormal temperature inversion effect.Through the disclosure and improvement of the above phenomena,the designed Zn||V_(2)O_(5)full cell delivers superior low-T performance,maintaining almost 99%capacity retention after 9500 cycles(working more than 2500 h)at-20°C.This work proposes a kind of electrolyte suitable for low-T ZIBs and reveals the inverse temperature dependence of the Zn anode,which might offer a novel perspective for the investigation of low-T aqueous battery systems.

Modulating the Electrolyte Inner Solvation Structure via Low Polarity Co-solvent for Low-Temperature Aqueous Zinc-Ion Batteries

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries are regarded as the promising candidates for large-scale energy storage systems owing to low cost and high safety;however,their applications are restricted by their poor low-temperature performance.Herein,a low-temperature electrolyte for low-temperature aqueous zinc-ion batteries is designed by introducing low-polarity diglyme into an aqueous solution of Zn(ClO_(4))_(2).The diglyme disrupts the hydrogenbonding network of water and lowers the freezing point of the electrolyte to-105℃.The designed electrolyte achieves ionic conductivity up to16.18 mS cm^(-1)at-45℃.The diglyme and ClO_(4)^(-)reconfigure the solvated structure of Zn^(2+),which is more favorable for the desolvation of Zn^(2+)at low temperatures.In addition,the diglyme effectively suppresses the dendrites,hydrogen evolution reaction,and by-products of the zinc anode,improving the cycle stability of the battery.At-20℃,a Zn‖Zn symmetrical cell is cycled for 5200 h at 1 mA cm^(-2)and 1 mA h cm^(-2),and a Zn‖polyaniline battery achieves an ultra-long cycle life of 10000 times.This study sheds light on the future design of electrolytes with high ionic conductivity and easy desolvation at low temperatures for rechargeable batteries.

Low-temperature densification sintering and properties of CaAl_2Si_2O_8 ceramics with MeO·2B_2O_3(Me=Ca,Sr,Ba)

Dense CaAl2Si2O8 ceramics were prepared via a two-step sintering process at temperatures below 1000℃. First, pre-sintered CaAl2Si2O8 powders containing small amounts of other crystal phases were obtained by sintering a mixture of calcium hydroxide and kaolin powders at 950℃ for 6 h. Subsequently, the combination of the pre-sintered ceramic powders with MeO＇2B203 （Me = Ca, Sr, Ba） flux agents enabled the low-temperature densification sintering of the CaAl2Si2O8 ceramics at 950℃. The sintering behavior and phase formation of the CaAl2Si2O8 ceramics were investigated in terms of the addition of the three MeO·2B2O3 flux agents. Furthermore, alumina and quartz were introduced into the three flux agents to investigate the sintering behaviors, phase evolvements, microstructures, and physical properties of the resulting CaA12Si208 ceramics. The results showed that, because of their low-melting characteristics, the MeO·2B2O3 （Me = Ca, Sr, Ba） flux agents facilitated the formation of the CaAl2Si2O8 ceramics with a dense microstructure via liquid-phase sintering. The addition of alumina and quartz to the flux agents also strongly affected the microstructures, phase formation, and physical properties of the CaA12Si208 ceramics.

Electrical properties of MOCVD-grown GaN on Si (111) substrates with low-temperature AlN interlayers

The electrical properties of the structure of GaN grown on an Si （111） substrate with low-temperature （LT） A1N interlayers by metal-organic chemical-vapour deposition are investigated. An abnormal P-type conduction is observed in our GaN-on-Si structure by Hall effect measurement, which is mainly due to the A1 atom diffusing into the Si substrate and acting as an acceptor dopant. Meanwhile, a constant n-type conduction channel is observed in LT-A1N, which causes a conduction-type conversion at low temperature （50 K） and may further influence the electrical behavior of this structure.

Study on Low-Temperature Properties of the Asphalt Modified by Carbon Nanotubes(CNTs)and Crumb Rubber(CR)

The effect of adding crumb rubber(CR)and carbon nanotubes(CNTs)on the low-temperature properties of virgin asphalt was studied.Using the force-ductility test and the bending beam rheometer(BBR)test,the deformation resistance and rheological properties of asphalt samples at low temperatures were evaluated,respectively.Based on the result of BBR test,the creep functions of the Burgers model and the Zener model were used to fit the low-temperature creep characteristics of the asphalt samples.Furthermore,the differential scanning calorimetry(DSC)test and the attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(ATR-FTIR)test were utilized to appraise the low-temperature stability and chemical properties of asphalt samples,respectively.The results showed that CR significantly improved the low-temperature properties of virgin asphalt,while CNTs had little effect.Moreover,during the degradation of CR,aromatic and aliphatic components were released.In particular,the aliphatic components of CR-modified asphalt were much higher than those of virgin asphalt,which had a significant effect on improving the low-temperature properties of the asphalt.The DSC test results showed that CR enhanced the low-temperature stability of the asphalt,while the addition of CNTs presented a slightly negative effect.

Correlation between the Low-Temperature Photoluminescence Spectra and Photovoltaic Properties of Thin Polycrystalline CdTe Films

A dominant intrinsic luminescence band, which is due to the surface potential barriers of crystalline grains, and an edge doublet, which arises as an LO-phonon repetition of the e-h band, has been revealed in the low-temperature photoluminescence spectra of fine-grained obliquely deposited films. Doping film with In impurity leads to quenching of the doublet band, while further thermal treatment causes activation of the intrinsic band, the half-width and the blue shift of the red edge of which correlates with the maximum value of anomalously high photovoltage generated by the film.

Impact of Low-temperature Storage on Volatile Flavor Compounds in Prepared Pork Products

[Objectives]This study was conducted to explore the dynamic changes of volatile flavor compounds in prepared pork during storage at different low-temperature conditions.[Methods]Prepared pork was stored at 4,-4 and-18℃.The volatile flavor compounds of prepared pork were determined by solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(SPME-GC-MS)at days 0,7,14,21 and 28,and relative odor activity value(OAV),principal component analysis(PCA)and cluster analysis(CA)were combined to analyze changes in volatile flavor compounds of prepared pork during storage.[Results]The total number of volatile flavor compounds gradually decreased with the prolongation of the storage period,and OAV analysis identified 22 key flavor compounds(OAV≥1).The results of PCA and CA showed that 2-methyl-1-butanol,1-octen-3-ol,linalool,cineole,hexanal and nonanal were the main key flavor components,and the degree of flavor degradation was low under both superchilling and freezing conditions.After 28 days of storage,the alcohol content in the chilling group was significantly higher than other two groups,and the overall content of volatile flavor compounds was also significantly higher than other two groups,indicating that the-4℃chilling storage was more favorable for maintaining the overall flavor of prepared pork.[Conclusions]This study provides a theoretical basis for finding a better storage method for prepared meat products.

Ca and Sr co-doping induced oxygen vacancies in 3DOM La_(2-x)Sr_(x)Ce_(2-y)CayO_(7-δ)catalysts for boosting low-temperature oxidative coupling of methane

It is urgent to develop catalysts with application potential for oxidative coupling of methane(OCM)at relatively lower temperature.Herein,three-dimensional ordered macro porous(3 DOM)La_(2-x)Sr_(x)Ce_(2-y)CayO_(7-δ)(A_(2)B_(2)O_(7)-type)catalysts with disordered defective cubic fluorite phased structure were successfully prepared by a colloidal crystal template method.3DOM structure promotes the accessibility of the gaseous reactants(O2and CH4)to the active sites.The co-doping of Ca and Sr ions in La_(2-x)Sr_(x)Ce_(2-y)CayO_(7-δ)catalysts improved the formation of oxygen vacancies,thereby leading to increased density of surface-active oxygen species(O_(2)^(-))for the activation of CH4and the formation of C2products(C2H6and C2H4).3DOM La_(2-x)Sr_(x)Ce_(2-y)CayO_(7-δ)catalysts exhibit high catalytic activity for OCM at low temperature.3DOM La1.7Sr0.3Ce1.7Ca0.3O7-δcatalyst with the highest density of O_(2)^(-)species exhibited the highest catalytic activity for low-temperature OCM,i.e.,its CH4conversion,selectivity and yield of C2products at 650℃are 32.2%,66.1%and 21.3%,respectively.The mechanism was proposed that the increase in surface oxygen vacancies induced by the co-doping of Ca and Sr ions boosts the key step of C-H bond breaking and C-C bond coupling in catalyzing low-temperature OCM.It is meaningful for the development of the low-temperature and high-efficient catalysts for OCM reaction in practical application.

Low-temperature Properties of Biodiesel:Rheological Behavior and Crystallization Morphology

A soybean oil derived biodiesel was prepared and blended with a conventional No. 0 petrodiesel. The pour points （PP） and the cold filter plugging points （CFPP） of biodiesel blends were evaluated on a low-temperature flow tester. Dynamic viscosities of the blends at different temperatures and different shear rates were measured on a rotary rheometer. The crystal morphologies of biodiesel blends at low temperatures were analyzed using a polarizing microscope. The results indicated that blended fuels demonstrated slight decrease in PPs and CFPPs as compared with those of neat soybean oil derived biodiesel and pure petrodiesel. Below the temperatures of PPs or CFPPs, the dynamic viscosity of biodiesel blends dramatically increased with a decreasing temperature, but decreased with an increasing shear rate, so that biodiesel blends exhibited non-Newtonian behavior. At temperatures higher than PPs or CFPPs, a linear relationship appeared between the dynamic viscosity and shear rate and biodiesel blends became Newtonian fluids. At low temperatures, wax crystals of biodiesel blends grew and agglomerated rapidly. Loss of fluidity for biodiesel blends at low temperatures could therefore be attributed on one hand to the sharp increase of viscosity and on the other hand to the rapid growth and agglomeration of wax crystals.

Low-Temperature Properties of CePt_3P Tuned by Magnetic Field

We present low-temperature magnetization, magnetoresistance and specific heat measurements on the Kondo lattice compound CePt_3P under applied magnetic fields up to 9.0 T. At zero field, CePt_3P exhibits a moderately enhanced Sommerfeld coefficient of electronic specific heat γCe=86 mJ/mol·K^2 as well as two successive magnetic transitions of Ce 4f moments: an antiferromagnetic ordering at T_(N_1) = 3.0 K and a spin reorientation at T_(N_2)=1.9 K. The value of T_(N_1) shifts to lower temperature as magnetic field increases, and it is ultimately suppressed around B_c ～3.0 T at 1.5 K. No evidence of non-Fermi liquid behavior is observed around B_c down to the lowest temperature measured. Moreover, γ decreases monotonously with increasing the magnetic field. On the other hand, the electrical resistivity shows an anomalous temperature dependence ρ∝T^n with the exponent n decreasing monotonously from ～2.6 around B_c down to ～1.7 for B = 9.0 T. The T-B phase diagram constructed from the present experimental results of CePt_3P does not match the quantum criticality scenario of heavy fermion systems.