Materials Science and Engineering Commons^™

Lithiun Insertion In Carbon Nanotubes, Guo-Tao Wu, Chun-Sheng Wang, Zhong-Fu Qi, Wenz-Hu Li

Journal of Electrochemistry

Carbon nanotubes were produced by chemical vapour deposition(CVD) of acetylene under hydrogen gas.The reversible specific capacity of carbon nanotubes is up to 700 mAh/g, much higher than the theoretical specific capacity of graphite(372 mAh/g).After twenty charge/discharge cycles,the discharge capacity of carbon nanotube anode still maintains 65.3% of its original discharge capacity . Besides, the charge/discharge efficiency of carbon nanotube in the first charge/discharge cycle was found to improve from 42.6% up to 55.9% by coating carbon nanotubes with copper.

Photoelectrochemical Studies On Nanoporous Tio2/Pan Film Electrode, Min-Sheng Liu, Yan-Zhong Hao, Xue-Bin Qiao, Mai-Zhi Yang, Sheng-Min Cai

Journal of Electrochemistry

The photon to electricity conversion process of nanoporous TiO₂/PAn film electrode was studied in electrolytes with and without redox couple by using the photocurrent action spectra and potential dependence of photocurrent. It is concluded that the nanoporous TiO₂/PAn film electrode has a structure of duplex n type semiconductor layers. The band gap of PAn film is 2.88eV.The TiO₂ nanoporous film electrode modified by PAn can extend the range of optical absorption into visible and infrared region and effectively increase the photocurrent in the visible and infrared region. The photocurrent threshold shifts to>600nm and conversion …

Studies On The Preparation Of Nanophase Electrode Materials And Its Electrochemical Properties(Ⅲ)—Performance Of Nm-Γ-Mno2 Obtained By Microemulsion Method, Ling Liu, Xi Xia

Journal of Electrochemistry

A nanophase MnO₂ was synthesized using w/o microemulsion as reation media, The most favorable experiment conditions for the preparation of nm MnO₂ were researched. XRD,TEM,AC impedance, cyclic voltammetry etc. examinations were used to characterize the sample comparison with the classical MnO₂ (I.C.No.1EMD,electrolytic manganese dioxide). Sample shows that the crystal styucture of the synthesized samples are mainly γ-MnO₂, with average particle size in the nanometer as shown by TEM. It was found that the discharge capacity of nm MnO₂ obtained is significantly higher than that of the I.C.No.1 EMD.

Studies Of Surface Alloy As High Efficient Electrocatalyst For Glyoxylic Acid Synthesis, Sheng-Pei Chen, Sheng-Qing Xia, Shi-Gang Sun

Journal of Electrochemistry

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In-Situ Raman Spectroscopic Study Of The Oxidation And Reduction Of Ag Electrode In Na2So4, Yan-Xia Chen, Kai-Qi Huang, Zhong-Qun Tian

Journal of Electrochemistry

In-situ Raman spectroscopy combined with cyclic voltammogram measurements was used to investigate formation of oxygen species at Ag electrode surfaces during the oxidation and reduction process in 0.1 mol/L Na₂SO₄ solution. The time dependent Raman spectra show that at potentials positive of 0.2 V, adsorption of oxygen atom occurs, while at the potentials positive of 0.4 V, some oxygen atoms migrate into subsurface of the Ag electrode and the other form strongly bound oxygen on the surface through chemical bond. At the same potentials, part of the silver atoms are oxidized and form Ag₂SO_{4 …}

Studies Of Surface Electrochemistry And Electrocatalysis At Atomic And Molecule Level, Shigang Sun

Journal of Electrochemistry

The main progresses achieved during last few years in our research group concerning studies of surface electrochemistry and electrocatalysis were reviewed in this present paper. Four topics were described: 1) the surface electrochemistry and model electrocatalysis of metal single crystal planes, 2) the electrocatalytic reaction mechanism and the control of reaction pathways at molecule level, 3) the reaction kinetics of electrooxidation of small organic molecules, and 4) the relationship between the properties and the surface chemical states of electrocatalyst. This review lays in emphasis on the demonstration of the results as well as the research direction of surface electrochemistry and …

The Investigations Of Surface Treatment Methods And Characterization Of Oxide Films On Ab5 Based Metal Hydride Electrodes Ⅰ. New NiRich Treatment Methods And Photoelectrochemical Characterization Of Oxide Films, Junmin Nan, Yong Yang, Jun Li, Zugeng Lin

Journal of Electrochemistry

Two simple and efficient surface treatment methods for AB₅ type hydrogen storage alloys were developed. The results of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and cyclic voltammetric (CV) experiments showed that the hydrogen storage alloys treated by two different methods had Ni rich surface layer so that the performances of the electrodes were improved after treatment. The characterization of the oxide films which formed on the surface of electrodes through potentiodynamic oxidation with the help of photoelectrochemical microscopy (PEM) were done. The anodic photocurrent and the cathodic photocurrent related to the oxidation of hydrogen and the reduction of oxygen on the …

Study On Nano Electrode Material Of Lithium Ion Batteries, Jinkua You, Yong Yang, Dong Shu, Shenghui Wu, Yingchun Zhang, Zugeng Lin

Journal of Electrochemistry

In this paper, the structure and morphology of the nano phase electrode materials have been characterized with XRD and TEM. The performances of electrochemical intercalation and deintercalation of lithium ions have been studied by using cyclic voltammograms and galvanostatic charge discharge techniques. The results show that the nano materials posses advantage of micro structure and Li⁺ ions intercalation performances. The observed high capacity and large charge discharge current density of the nano phase materials seem to have resulted from three kinds of effects: 1) an increase in the space for Li⁺ ions intercalation; 2) a decrease in the …

Progresses In Surface Electrochemistry And Electrocatalysis ——A Review On The 1997 Joint International Meeting Of Electrochemistry And 97' International Meeting Of Surface Electrochemistry, Shigang Sun

Journal of Electrochemistry

The progresses in surface electrochemistry and electrocatalsis reported in the 1997 joint international meeting of electrochemistry and in the 97′ international meeting of surface electrochemistry were reviewed. The main trends described in this paper consisted of 7 aspects: 1) the studies employing single crystal electrodes, 2) the development of in situ methods of diverse spectroscpoy, 3) the innovation of new research techniques, 4) the preparaton of electrocatalyst of high performances, 5) the quantitative studies on kinetics of electrocatalytic reactions, 6) the investigation on the dynamic processes of surface by timeresolved methods, and 7) the theoretical modeling and simulation of surface …

Surface Modifications Of Carbon Materials Used As Anode Of Lithium Ion Battery Ⅲ. Improvement Of Artificially Imposed Solid Electrolyte Film On Cell Performance, Shuhua Ma, Xiabin Jing, Fosong Wang

Journal of Electrochemistry

The improving effect of solid electrolyte film artificially imposed on carbon electrode was investigated. The result showed that both the charge/discharge capacity and first charge/discharge efficiency, to a certain extent, were enhanced, and the result also suggested the effectiveness of the substitution of the artificially imposed solid electrolyte film for the inherent passivating film which was formed on the surface of the carbon electrode while inserted in the electrolyte during charging or discharging. The Scanning Electron Microscope result displayed the compact and well-defined morphology of the artificially imposed crystalline film.

The Electrode Process Of Some Organic Dyes Studied By Spectroelectrochemical Technique In Situ, Yinxuan Tang, Hangsheng Yang, Baoen Shen

Journal of Electrochemistry

Spectroelectrochemistry especially with in situ measurement in a cell provides a very useful mthodology for measuring the parameters of electrode process. In this paper, we report the determination of formal potentials, the number of electron transfer, the diffusion coefficient, the heterogeneous electron transfer rate constant and the transfer coefficient of some organic dyes (Methyelene blue, Neutral red, Indigo carmine) using spectroelectro chemical technique in situ.

Surface Modification Of Molten Carbonate Fuel Cell Anode, Baizeng Fang, Xinyu Liu, Xindong Wang, Shuzhen Duan

Journal of Electrochemistry

In this study, the anode material of molten carbonate fuel cell was modified by the deposition of niobium on nickel surface. The results of polarization experiments reveal that the corrosion resistant properties as well as electrocatalytic activity have been improved greatly.

Surface Modifications Of Carbon Materials Used As Anode Of Lithium Ion Battery Ⅱ. The Carbon Material With Core Shell Structure And Its Positive Effect On Cell Performance Of Graphite Anode, Shuhua Ma, Hanju Guo, Ji Li, Hongze Liang, Xiabin Jing, Fosong Wang

Journal of Electrochemistry

The carbon powders and film electrode with core shell structure were prepared by carbonization in gas state with using refined coal as shell material and Artificial Graphite and Mesocarbon Microbeads (2 800 ℃) graphite as core material. Galvanostatic charge/discharge measurement showed that both steady charge/discharge capacity and first charge/discharge efficiency were improved. Cyclic voltammetry indicated that the peak at about 0.7 V vs. Li⁺/Li characteristic of decomposition of electrolyte got weakened, and a more compact film was formed. X-ray diffraction measurement suggested the existence of amorphous carbon shell on the carbon powders and carbon film.

Progresses In The Studies On Electrochemical And Surface Properties Of Hydrogen Storage Alloy Materials, Yong Yang, Jum Li, Zugeng Lin

Journal of Electrochemistry

Recent progresses in the studies on electrochemical and surface properties of hydrogen storage alloy materials are reviewed. This paper includes three sections: 1) Thermodynamic and kinetic studies of metal hydride electrodes, 2) Effects of micro structure and alloy elements of the materials on the electrochemical properties of the electrodes and 3) Correlation between surface properties of the alloy materials and performance of the negative electrode in the nickel metal hydride batteries.

Surface Modifications Of Carbon Materials Used As Anode Of Lithium Ion Battery Ⅰ. Influences Of Oxidation And Reduction Pretreatment On Anode Performance, Shuhua Ma, Hanju Guo, Ji Li, Hongze Liang, Xiabin Jing, Fosong Wang

Journal of Electrochemistry

The influences of the trace oxygen containing functional groups on surface of carbon material on cell performance of carbon anode for lithium ion batteries were studied by means of the pretreament in various oxidant/reductant systems. The results showed that the rich oxygen containing functional groups impaired the cell performance of carbon material anode, and the reduction of these groups in quantity and oxidation degree can increase charge/discharge capacity and improve first charge/discharge efficiency. The reason was also discussed in the light of effects of surface organic groups on decomposition reactivity of electrolyte and formation process of surface passivating film.

The Current Distribution On The Anode Surface Of The Seale Oval Tubular Lead Acid Battery, Renao Gu, Jianlin Yao, Zhengfa Deng, Ru Sun, Liren Wu, Zhongsi Jiang, Wangen Miao

Journal of Electrochemistry

The current distribution on anode surface of sealed lead acid batter under different discharge current and degree was studied by chemical analytical method for the first time. We can conclude that the current distribution is not even. The current density on the edge of the electrode surface and the electrode terminal are bigger than other areas, that is, there are edge effect and terminal effect, and these effect are more obvious when the discharge current is 100 A and degree is 100%.

Surface Raman Spectra Obtained From Various Electrodeposited Transidon Metals, Jingsong Gao, Bin Ren, Qunjian Huang, Zhongqun Tian

Journal of Electrochemistry

Good quality potential-dependent surface Raman spectra of pyridine were obtained for the first time from a series of transition metals, e. g., Fe, Co, Ni, Ru, Rh, Pd and Pt, which were electrodeposited on non-SERS-active substrates. The influences of the applied potential and the nature of metal on the adsorption behaviors were discussed briefly. This result illustrates that Raman spectroscopy is becoming a more general and powerful tool to study various electrochemical interfaces.

Anion Induced Blue To Purple Transition In Bacteriorhodopsin, Mrunalini Pattarkine, Anil K. Singh

Faculty Works

Purple membrane (PM, λ" role="presentation">λmax" role="presentation">max 570 nm) of H. halobium on treatment with sulphuric acid changes its colour to blue (λ" role="presentation">λmax" role="presentation">max 608 nm). The purple chromophore can be regenerated from the blue chromophore by exogeneous addition of anions such as CI−" role="presentation">− and HPO42−" role="presentation">2−4. Chloride ion is found to be more effective than the dibasic phosphate ion in regenerating the purple chromophore. Nevertheless, one thing common to the anion regeneration is that both CI−" role="presentation">− and HPO42−" role="presentation">2−4 show marked pH effect. At pH 1.0 the efficiency of …

Studies Of Surface Treatment Methods And Their Operating Mechanisms For Activation Of Hydrogen Storage Electrode, Ronghui Hu, Hanxi Yang, Shigang Lu, Shengxian Li, Jingcheng Liu, Chongzhi Yang

Journal of Electrochemistry

Surface treatment methods by use of charge discharge cycling, KBH₄ reduction and KOH etching were parallely investigated for the rapid activation of Mn(NiCoMnAl)₅ electrode. It is found that the MH electrode treated with hot and concentrated KOH solution exhibits rapid and full activation, and also gives lower discharge overvoltage, higher stable capacity and improved cycleability. It is also revealed from SEM, EDAX and ICP analysis that the KOH activation of the electrode proceeds mainly through the enrichment of mischmetal and nickel in surface to form electrocatalytically active surface for hydrogen absorption reaction, but the surface modification with KBH …

Surface Raman Spectra Of Pyridine And 2 Mercaptopyrimidine Adsorbed On Rough Nickel Electrode, Qunjian Huang, Jinsong Gao, Xiongwei Cai, Bingwei Mao, Mingsen Zheng, Zhongqun Tian

Journal of Electrochemistry

The Raman spectra of pyridine and 2-mercaptopyrimidine (2-MP) adsorbed on bare nickel electrodes roughened by a HNO₃ etching procedure have been obtained for the first time by utilizing a highly sensitive confocal Raman microscope. Their adsorption behaviours are discussed briefly. This primary result illustrates a great potential for in-situ Raman spectroscopy in the study of chemical and electrochemical processes of transition metal surfaces.

In Situ Studies Of Copper Electrodepostion On Hopg By Using Ecstm, Zhaoxiong Xie, Bingwei Mao, Xiangdong Zhuo, Jiqian Mu, Zhaowu Tian

Journal of Electrochemistry

In this paper, copper electrodepostion on HOPG had been in situ studied by using a homebuilt electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (ECSTM). Three dimensional nucleation and subsequent growth of copper crystals were found as the initial stage of copper deposition on HOPG. In the case of lower overpotential or lower concentration of Cu²⁺ , the bulk deposited copper layer tended to form smooth terraces, and grow at the edge of steps. The terraces were stable to some extent, which made it possible to be observed with atomic resolution. At a higher overpotential, the crystal size of copper were somehow smaller. …

The Reduction Of Oxygen To Hydrogen Peroxide In An Acidic Trickle Bed Cell Using Graphite Chip Cathode, Zhaoe Lu, Guanyong Zhang, Tiangeng Zhong, Guonu Fang

Journal of Electrochemistry

The authors investigated the electrochemical reduction of oxygen to hydrogen peroxide in 0.05 mol/L H₂SO₄ solution by the trickle bed electrode using graphite chip. The bed dimension was 14×5×0.6 cm. The current efficiency and the concentration of H₂O₂ in the catholyte were determined at various current strengths and various rates of adding the electrolyte. The proper current was 0.15 A. i.e. the current density was 2.1 mA/cm² vertical cross section area of the bed. The concentration of H₂O₂ reached 7×10^-3 mol/L with the current efficiency of 0.2. If the …

Hydrogen Evolution Reaction On Nanocrystalline Co-Mo/Ni Composite-Coated Electrodes, Weizeng Yu, Jie Ma, Yiming Chu, Huizhe Zhu, Hongjie Wang, Shuncheng Liu

Journal of Electrochemistry

The electrochemical behaviours of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at electrodes prepared by composite coating of nanocrytstalline Co-Mo alloy particles formed by ball milling on nickel base has been sludied by using sleady-state polarization and ac impedance techiu ques. The microstructure and the size of the nanocrystals of Co-Mo alloy and the morphology of the composite-coating surface of the electrodes are measured by XRD, TEM and SEM. Results show that the nanocrystalline Co-Mo alloys prepared by high energy ball milling has high electrocatalytic activity for HER. The electrocatalytic activity for the HER is enhanced and the energy of activation for …

Study On The Surface States Of Zinc Sulfide Thin Film Doped With Erbium And Their Effect On The Relaxation Luminance, Yujiang Wang, Zhaohong Liu, Zhenxiang Chen

Journal of Electrochemistry

X-ray photoelectron spectrum and characteristics of the capacity, versus thevoltage of the thin film devices are measured to study the surface states of the zinc sulfide thin film.The transient electroluminescence excited by pulses shows the relaxation luminance peaks during anon-exponential decay process of the characteristic transitions activated by Er³⁺ in the ZnS directcurrent thin film electroluminescence (DCTFEL) devices.The surface structures of ZnS:Cu, Cl, Erfilm with the absorption of oxygen, and the effect of the surface states on the relaxation luminance ofthe devices are discussed.

Transient Photocurrent Behavior Of Multiple Quantum Well Gaas/AlXGa(1-X)As Electrode, Liu Yao, Xurui Xiao, Yuan Lin, Yiping Zeng, Dianzhao Sun, Haiqun Zheng

Journal of Electrochemistry

Transient photocurrents induced by short light pulses at lattice-matched multiplequantum well (MQW)GaAs/Al_0.3)Ga_0.7 As electrodes were studied in the 1 ×10^-2 mol·dm^-3 ferrocene([Fc⁰]/[Fc⁺]=9/1)-0.1 mol·dm^-3 tetrabutylammonium tetrafluoroborate acetonitrile solutionin order to examine the relaxation photoprocesses and to evaluate kinetic parameters of superlattice electrodes.

GaAs/Al_0.3Ca_0.7 As MQW electrode consisting of 10 periods with each of GaAs well (5.3 nm) and Al_0.3Ga_0.7. As barrier (10 nm) showed two pronounced and well-resolved peak structures located at 1.503 eV and 1.699 eV in the photocurrent spectrum, corresponding to the …

Self Assembly Via Layer By Layer Surface Reaction On Gold Electrodes And The Electrochcmical Characterization, Xiandui Dong, Juntao Lu, Chuanxin Cha

Journal of Electrochemistry

The self-assembled monolayers,which were built by spontaneous adsorption of ω-carboxylic acid thiols on gold surface,were used as substrate for further modification through later bylayer amide surface reactions. At each stage of modification,the gold surface was characterizedelectochemieally. The results demonstrated that the strategies of layer by layer self assembly is ofsignificant potential for fabrieating functionalized ultrathin layers.

The Electrode Process Of Y(Ⅲ) On Copper Electrode And Its Surface Metallizing, Chungen Zhou, Shuzhen Duan

Journal of Electrochemistry

The reduction of yttrium ion on copper electrode in NaCl-KCl-YCl₃ molten saltshas been investigated. The results indicate that the formation of intermetallic compounds is occuredbefore the metallic yttrium to be formed. The formation of intermetallic compounds is controlled bythe process of which yttrium atoms are diffusing into copper electrode. The kinetic characters todiffusion of yttrium atoms were also discussed.

Characterization Of Piezoceramic Crosses With Large Range Scanning Capability And Applications For Low Temperature Scanning Tunneling Microscopy, J. A. Helfrich, Shireen Adenwalla, J. B. Ketterson, G. A. Zhitomirsky

Shireen Adenwalla Papers

We have developed a large amplitude piezoceramic scanner which should have numerous applications. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and other scanning probe microscopies predominantly use piezoceramics for the scanning elements. Similarly adaptive optics, high resolution lithography, and micromanipulators are other examples of research which regularly utilize piezoceramic scanners. We present a new geometry for a piezoceramic scanner which allows for both high resolution (~nanometers) and large amplitude (~400 µm) displacements. The cross-shaped geometry makes it possible to produce extremely long pieces with very high tolerances. We have shown its effectiveness by using it as the major component of a low temperature …