4 research outputs found
CuO/ZnO/Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> Catalyst Prepared by Mechanical-Force-Driven Solid-State Ion Exchange and Its Excellent Catalytic Activity under Internal Cooling Condition
CuO/ZnO/Al<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> catalysts were prepared by
a mechanical-force-driven solid-state ion-exchange method, and their
catalytic performance for methanol synthesis was investigated in a
manufactured reactor with an internal cooling system. With the increasing
of milling speed during ball-milling, the ion exchange between Cu<sup>2+</sup> and Zn<sup>2+</sup> in catalyst precursors is enhanced.
After calcination, CuO nanoparticles are neighboring to ZnO nanoparticles
and ZnO nanoparticles serve as spacers to prevent the agglomeration
of CuO nanoparticles, leading to a cross-distribution of CuO and ZnO
in catalysts. The as-prepared catalysts exhibit excellent catalytic
activities, and the highest CO<sub>2</sub> conversion and CH<sub>3</sub>OH yield at 240 °C and 4 MPa can reach 59.5% and 43.7%, respectively.
The extraordinary catalytic performance can be attributed to both
the cross-distribution of CuO and ZnO nanoparticles caused by solid-state
ion exchange and the promotion of reversible CO<sub>2</sub> hydrogenation
reaction toward methanol synthesis by the internal cooling system
Flame Retardant and Stable Li<sub>1.5</sub>Al<sub>0.5</sub>Ge<sub>1.5</sub>(PO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>3</sub>‑Supported Ionic Liquid Gel Polymer Electrolytes for High Safety Rechargeable Solid-State Lithium Metal Batteries
Recently, poor security
in conventional liquid electrolytes and
high interfacial resistance at the electrode/electrolyte interface
are the most challenging barriers for the expanded application of
lithium batteries. In this regard, easy processing and flexible composite
ionic liquid gel polymer electrolytes (ILGPEs) supported by Li<sub>1.5</sub>Al<sub>0.5</sub>ÂGe<sub>1.5</sub>Â(PO<sub>4</sub>)<sub>3</sub> (LAGP) are fabricated and investigated. The electrolyte
is effectively combined with good electrochemical performances and
thermal safety. Among these, the effects of different types of fillers
such as the inert filler-SiO<sub>2</sub> and the active filler-LAGP
on the ionic conductivity were studied in detail. LAGP particles can
not only effectively reduce the crystallinity of the polymer matrix
but also provide lithium ions and act as the lithium-ion conductor
leading to higher ionic conductivity and Li<sup>+</sup> ion transference
number. Especially, the electrolyte shows good compatibility and no
dendrite with the Li metal anode, significantly improving cyclic stability
of LiFeÂPO<sub>4</sub>/Li batteries. The results indicate that
the ILGPE-10%LAGP is a potential alternative electrolyte for high
safety rechargeable solid-state lithium metal batteries
Benchmarking the Safety Performance of Organic Electrolytes for Rechargeable Lithium Batteries: A Thermochemical Perspective
Developing nonflammable organic electrolytes has been
regarded
as one of the most valuable strategies for tackling the safety issues
of rechargeable lithium batteries. However, a quantitative and precise
evaluation of electrolyte safety remains challenging mostly because
of the inconsistent measurement conditions and the lack of a basic
reference system. In this work, we performed a benchmark study on
the safety of organic electrolytes by characterizing with cone calorimetry
the thermochemistry of various types of single-solvent electrolytes.
An intrinsically safe organic electrolyte should show simultaneous
low total heat release, low maximum heat release rate, long time to
ignition, and short self-extinguishing time. Experimentally, a “cocktail”
therapy combining polyfluorinated solvents and high-boiling point
solvents is found to be the optimal choice for composing nonflammable
electrolytes. Our results help to identify promising electrolyte components
and shed light on the reasonable design of high-safety organic electrolytes
for advanced rechargeable batteries
Nanowire Magnetoscope Reveals a Cellular Torque with Left–Right Bias
Cellular force regulates many types
of cell mechanics and the associated
physiological behaviors. Recent evidence suggested that cell motion
with left–right (LR) bias may be the origin of LR asymmetry
in tissue architecture. As actomyosin activity was found essential
in the process, it predicts a type of cellular force that coordinates
the development of LR asymmetry in tissue formation. However, due
to the lack of appropriate platform, cellular force with LR bias has
not yet been found. Here we report a nanowire magnetoscope that reveals
a rotating forceî—¸torqueî—¸exerted by cells. Ferromagnetic
nanowires were deposited and internalized by micropatterned cells.
Within a uniform, horizontal magnetic field, the nanowires that initially
aligned with the magnetic field were subsequently rotated due to the
cellular torque. We found that the torque is LR-biased depending on
cell types. While NIH 3T3 fibroblasts and human vascular endothelial
cells exhibited counterclockwise torque, C2C12 myoblasts showed torque
with slight clockwise bias. Moreover, an actin ring composed of transverse
arcs and radial fibers was identified as a major factor determining
the LR bias of cellular torque, since the disruption of actin ring
by biochemical inhibitors or elongated cell shape abrogated the counterclockwise
bias of NIH 3T3 fibroblasts. Our finding reveals a LR-biased torque
of single cells and a fundamental origin of cytoskeletal chirality.
More broadly, we anticipate that our method will provide a different
perspective on mechanics-related cell physiology and force transmission
necessary for LR propagation in tissue formation