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Full-Text Articles in Mechanical Engineering

Size-Controlled Large-Diameter And Few-Walled Carbon Nanotube Catalysts For Oxygen Reduction, Xianliang Wang, Qing Li, Hengyu Pan, Ye Lin, Yujie Ke, Haiyang Sheng, Mark T. Swihart, Gang Wu Nov 2015

Size-Controlled Large-Diameter And Few-Walled Carbon Nanotube Catalysts For Oxygen Reduction, Xianliang Wang, Qing Li, Hengyu Pan, Ye Lin, Yujie Ke, Haiyang Sheng, Mark T. Swihart, Gang Wu

Faculty Publications

We demonstrate a new strategy for tuning the size of large-diameter and few-walled nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs) from 50 to 150 nm by varying the transition metal (TM = Fe, Co, Ni or Mn) used to catalyze graphitization of dicyandiamide. Fe yielded the largest tubes, followed by Co and Ni, while Mn produced a clot-like carbon morphology. We show that morphology is correlated with electrocatalytic activity for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). A clear trend of Fe > Co > Ni > Mn for the ORR catalytic activity was observed, in both alkaline media and more demanding acidic media. The Fe-derived N-CNTs exhibited …


Electrochemical Capture Of Co2 From Natural Gas Using A High-Temperature Ceramic-Carbonate Membrane, Jingjing Tong, Lingling Zhan, Jie Fang, Minfang Han, Kevin Huang Jan 2015

Electrochemical Capture Of Co2 From Natural Gas Using A High-Temperature Ceramic-Carbonate Membrane, Jingjing Tong, Lingling Zhan, Jie Fang, Minfang Han, Kevin Huang

Faculty Publications

This study reports the first investigation of using a ceramic-carbonate dual-phase membrane to electrochemically separate CO2 from a simulated natural gas. The CO2 permeation flux density was systematically studied as a function of temperature, CO2 partial pressure and time. As expected, the flux density was observed to increase with temperature and CO2 partial pressure. Long-term stability test showed that flux density experienced an initial performance-improving “break-in” period followed by a slow decay. Post-test microstructural analysis suggested that a gradual loss of carbonate during the test could be the cause of the flux-time behavior observed.


La0.7Sr0.3Fe0.7Ga0.3O3-Δ As Electrode Material For A Symmetrical Solid Oxide Fuel Cell, Zhibin Yang, Yu Chen, Chao Jin, Guoliang Xiao, Minfang Han, Fanglin Chen Jan 2015

La0.7Sr0.3Fe0.7Ga0.3O3-Δ As Electrode Material For A Symmetrical Solid Oxide Fuel Cell, Zhibin Yang, Yu Chen, Chao Jin, Guoliang Xiao, Minfang Han, Fanglin Chen

Faculty Publications

In this research, La0.7Sr0.3Fe0.7Ga0.3O3−δ (LSFG) perovskite oxide was successfully prepared using a microwave-assisted combustion method, and employed as both anode and cathode in symmetrical solid oxide fuel cells. A maximum power density of 489 mW cm−2 was achieved at 800 °C with wet H2 as the fuel and ambient air as the oxidant in a single cell with the configuration LSFG|La0.8Sr0.2Ga0.83Mg0.17O3−δ|LSFG. Furthermore, the cells demonstrated good stability in H2 and acceptable sulfur tolerance.


La0.6Sr1.4Mno4+Δ Layered Perovskite Oxide: Enhanced Catalytic Activity For The Oxygen Reduction Reaction, Yarong Wang, Zhibin Yang, Fanliang Liu, Chao Jin, Jiao Wu, Ming Shen, Ruizhi Yang, Fanglin Chen Jan 2015

La0.6Sr1.4Mno4+Δ Layered Perovskite Oxide: Enhanced Catalytic Activity For The Oxygen Reduction Reaction, Yarong Wang, Zhibin Yang, Fanliang Liu, Chao Jin, Jiao Wu, Ming Shen, Ruizhi Yang, Fanglin Chen

Faculty Publications

Efficient electrocatalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is a critical factor to influence the performance of lithium–oxygen batteries. In this study, La0.6Sr1.4MnO4+δ layered perovskite oxide as a highly active electrocatalyst for the ORR has been prepared, and a carbon-coating layer with thickness <5 nm has been successfully introduced to enhance the electronic conductivity of the as-prepared oxide. XRD, XPS, Raman, SEM and TEM measurements were carried out to characterize the crystalline structure and morphology of these samples. Rotating ring-disk electrode (RRDE) technique has been used to study catalytic activities of the as-prepared catalysts for the ORR in 0.1 M KOH media. RRDE results reveal that carbon-coated La0.6Sr1.4MnO4+δ exhibits better catalytic activity for the ORR. For the carbon-coated La0.6Sr1.4MnO4+δ, the ORR proceeds predominately via a direct four electron process, and a maximum cathodic current density of 6.70 mA cm−2 at 2500 rpm has been obtained, …


Stabilizing Electrochemical Carbon Capture Membrane With Al2O3 Thin-Film Overcoating Synthesized By Chemical Vapor Deposition, Jingjing Tong, Fengzhan Si, Lingling Zhang, Jie Fang, Minfang Han, Kevin Huang Jan 2015

Stabilizing Electrochemical Carbon Capture Membrane With Al2O3 Thin-Film Overcoating Synthesized By Chemical Vapor Deposition, Jingjing Tong, Fengzhan Si, Lingling Zhang, Jie Fang, Minfang Han, Kevin Huang

Faculty Publications

Development of high-efficiency and cost-effective carbon capture technology is a central element of our effort to battle the global warming and climate change. Here we report that the unique high-flux and high-selectivity of electrochemical silver-carbonate dual-phase membranes can be retained for an extended period of operation by overcoating the surfaces of porous silver matrix with a uniform layer of Al2O3 thin-film derived from chemical vapor deposition.