Molecular dynamics simulations of surfactant adsorption at oil/water interface under shear flow

Surfactants are extensively used in many chemical products to improve their stability, appearance, texture, and rheology. Precise control of the emulsion droplet size distribution, which depends on the characteristics of the surfactant used, is important for target-oriented product design. A complete understand! ng of the structures and dynamics of emulsion droplets at the reactor level requires coupling of two mesoscale physical constraints, that at the interfacial level, i.e., smaller than a single droplet (Mesoscale- 1), and that at the device level, i.e., larger than a single droplet (Mesoscale-2). In this work, the structures and adsorption kinetics of Mesoscale-1 surfactant molecules were studied via coarse-grained molecular dynamics. A non-equilibrium model that could introduce stable shear flow into the simulation box was used to investigate the interfacial structures at the droplet interface under different shear rates. The configurations of the surfactant molecules and adsorption amounts were compared with those obtained without flow. The adsorption kinetics for different shear rates were compared to determine the effects of hydrodynamic interactions. The dominant mechanisms governing the dynamic structures can thus be summarized as maximization of the adsorption density at the interface and minimization of flow resistance in the bulk phase (water and/or oil molecules). A scheme for coupling between Mesoscale-1 and Mesoscale-2 is proposed. This method is promising for the incorporation of interfacial structure effects into the hydrodynamics at the reactor device level for the manipulation of chemical products.

Recent progress on the modification of high nickel contentNCM:Coating,doping,and single crystallization

High nickel content layered cathodes,represented by NCM(LiNi_(x)Co_(y)Mn_(z)O_(2),x+y+z=1),are now widely employed in the market of electric vehicles,owing to their high energy density.With the gradual increase of nickel content and capacity,the issues on cycling life and safety become more serious.In this review,various strategies for improving the performance of high nickel NCM are summarized on the aspects of surface coating,ionic doping,and singlecrystal NCM.The coating strategy was separately described according to the physical property of coating species,including inert material coating,Li^(+)-conductor coating,electronic conductor coating,and mixed conductor coating.These coating species help to suppress the interfacial oxidation of electrolytes by NCM,improving the cycling life and safety.The elemental doping in the crystal lattice of NCM is then presented in the aspects of cation,anion,and mixed-ion doping,which are beneficial to stabilize the layered structure during charge–discharge and so promote the electrochemical performance.In quite recent years,the strategy of single-crystal NCM was demonstrated to be a promising pathway,owing to the dramatically reduced surface area and grain boundary.Finally,the remaining unsolved challenges and future strategies for further development of NCM cathode materials are outlined.

Preface

The inter national conference Formula IX was held on 15-18 October, 2017 in Beijing, China, organized by Institute of Process Engineering of Chinese Academy of Sciences and Chinese Society of Particuology. This special issue “Particles Meet Formulation” in Particuology integrates selected papers of this conference contributing to multiscale approaches for description of formulation processes and complex targeted properties, aiming to reflect the state of art and cutting-edge tech no logies in this field.

Retrospect and prospect: 30 years of Formula conferences!

The history of Formula conferences was summarized with a particular focus on Formula I and Formula Ⅸ (the first and last conferences of the series).The foundation of formulation during the middle of the 1980s by people from academia and industry in the fields of chemistry and chemical engineering was briefly overviewed.The current trends in formulation as well as in product engineering were listed.