15 research outputs found
Brightening of Long, Polymer-Wrapped Carbon Nanotubes by sp Functionalization in Organic Solvents
The functionalization of semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes
(SWNTs) with sp defects that act as luminescent exciton traps is a
powerful means to enhance their photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) and to
add optical properties. However, the synthetic methods employed to introduce
these defects are so far limited to aqueous dispersions of surfactant-coated
SWNTs, often with short tube lengths, residual metallic nanotubes and poor film
formation properties. In contrast to that, dispersions of polymer-wrapped SWNTs
in organic solvents feature unrivaled purity, higher PLQY and are easily
processed into thin films for device applications. Here, we introduce a simple
and scalable phase-transfer method to solubilize diazonium salts in organic
nonhalogenated solvents for the controlled reaction with polymer-wrapped SWNTs
to create luminescent aryl defects. Absolute PLQY measurements are applied to
reliably quantify the defect-induced brightening. The optimization of defect
density and trap depth results in PLQYs of up to 4 % with 90 % of photons
emitted through the defect channel. We further reveal the strong impact of
initial SWNT quality and length on the relative brightening by sp
defects. The efficient and simple production of large quantities of
defect-tailored polymer-sorted SWNTs enables aerosol-jet printing and
spin-coating of thin films with bright and nearly reabsorption-free defect
emission, which are desired for carbon nanotube-based near-infrared
light-emitting devices
The Integrated Carbon Observation System in Europe
Since 1750, land-use change and fossil fuel combustion has led to a 46% increase in the atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations, causing global warming with substantial societal consequences. The Paris Agreement aims to limit global temperature increases to well below 2 degrees C above preindustrial levels. Increasing levels of CO2 and other greenhouse gases (GH6s), such as methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), in the atmosphere are the primary cause of climate change. Approximately half of the carbon emissions to the atmosphere are sequestered by ocean and land sinks, leading to ocean acidification but also slowing the rate of global warming. However, there are significant uncertainties in the future global warming scenarios due to uncertainties in the size, nature, and stability of these sinks. Quantifying and monitoring the size and timing of natural sinks and the impact of climate change on ecosystems are important information to guide policy-makers' decisions and strategies on reductions in emissions. Continuous, long-term observations are required to quantify GHG emissions, sinks, and their impacts on Earth systems. The Integrated Carbon Observation System (ICOS) was designed as the European in situ observation and information system to support science and society in their efforts to mitigate climate change. It provides standardized and open data currently from over 140 measurement stations across 12 European countries. The stations observe GHG concentrations in the atmosphere and carbon and GHG fluxes between the atmosphere, land surface, and the oceans. This article describes how ICOS fulfills its mission to harmonize these observations, ensure the related long-term financial commitments, provide easy access to well-documented and reproducible high-quality data and related protocols and tools for scientific studies, and deliver information and GHG-related products to stakeholders in society and policy.Peer reviewe
Demain
La perfection n’est pas de ce monde.Neanche la guerra.Warum verneinen wir etwas Gutes, aber bezeichnen etwas so SchlechtesLa guerra, causa dei tanti mortiSince the beginning of the world and likely until it’s endAls das Unsere?..
The effect of cobalt on morphology, structure, and ORR activity of electrospun carbon fibre mats in aqueous alkaline environments
An innovative approach for the design of air electrodes for metal–air batteries are free-standing scaffolds made of electrospun polyacrylonitrile fibres. In this study, cobalt-decorated fibres are prepared, and the influence of carbonisation temperature on the resulting particle decoration, as well as on fibre structure and morphology is discussed. Scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry are used for characterisation. The modified fibre system is compared to a benchmark system without cobalt additives. Cobalt is known to catalyse the formation of graphite in carbonaceous materials at elevated temperatures. As a result of cobalt migration in the material the resulting overall morphology is that of turbostratic carbon. Nitrogen removal and nitrogen-type distribution are enhanced by the cobalt additives. At lower carbonisation temperatures cobalt is distributed over the surface of the fibres, whereas at high carbonisation temperatures it forms particles with diameters up to 300 nm. Free-standing, current-collector-free electrodes assembled from carbonised cobalt-decorated fibre mats display promising performance for the oxygen reduction reaction in aqueous alkaline media. High current densities at an overpotential of 100 mV and low overpotentials at current densities of 333 μA·cm−2 were found for all electrodes made from cobalt-decorated fibre mats carbonised at temperatures between 800 and 1000 °C
The Integrated Carbon Observation System in Europe
Since 1750, land use change and fossil fuel combustion has led to a 46 % increase in the atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations, causing global warming with substantial societal consequences. The Paris Agreement aims to limiting global temperature increases to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. Increasing levels of CO2 and other greenhouse gases (GHGs), such as methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), in the atmosphere are the primary cause of climate change. Approximately half of the carbon emissions to the atmosphere is sequestered by ocean and land sinks, leading to ocean acidification but also slowing the rate of global warming. However, there are significant uncertainties in the future global warming scenarios due to uncertainties in the size, nature and stability of these sinks. Quantifying and monitoring the size and timing of natural sinks and the impact of climate change on ecosystems are important information to guide policy-makers’ decisions and strategies on reductions in emissions. Continuous, long-term observations are required to quantify GHG emissions, sinks, and their impacts on Earth systems. The Integrated Carbon Observation System (ICOS) was designed as the European in situ observation and information system to support science and society in their efforts to mitigate climate change. It provides standardized and open data currently from over 140 measurement stations across 12 European countries. The stations observe GHG concentrations in the atmosphere and carbon and GHG fluxes between the atmosphere, land surface and the oceans. This article describes how ICOS fulfills its mission to harmonize these observations, ensure the related long-term financial commitments, provide easy access to well-documented and reproducible high-quality data and related protocols and tools for scientific studies, and deliver information and GHG-related products to stakeholders in society and policy