Phase Separation Dynamics in Isotropic Ion-Intercalation Particles

Lithium-ion batteries exhibit complex nonlinear dynamics, resulting from diffusion and phase transformations coupled to ion intercalation reactions. Using the recently developed Cahn-Hilliard reaction (CHR) theory, we investigate a simple mathematical model of ion intercalation in a spherical solid nanoparticle, which predicts transitions from solid-solution radial diffusion to two-phase shrinking-core dynamics. This general approach extends previous Li-ion battery models, which either neglect phase separation or postulate a spherical shrinking-core phase boundary, by predicting phase separation only under appropriate circumstances. The effect of the applied current is captured by generalized Butler-Volmer kinetics, formulated in terms of diffusional chemical potentials, and the model consistently links the evolving concentration profile to the battery voltage. We examine sources of charge/discharge asymmetry, such as asymmetric charge transfer and surface "wetting" by ions within the solid, which can lead to three distinct phase regions. In order to solve the fourth-order nonlinear CHR initial-boundary-value problem, a control-volume discretization is developed in spherical coordinates. The basic physics are illustrated by simulating many representative cases, including a simple model of the popular cathode material, lithium iron phosphate (neglecting crystal anisotropy and coherency strain). Analytical approximations are also derived for the voltage plateau as a function of the applied current

Broad-line and Multi-wave Band Emission from Blazars

We study the correlations of the flux of the broad-line emission ($F_{BLR}$) with the X-ray emission flux, optical emission flux at 5500 \AA and radio emission flux at 5 GHz, respectively, for a large sample of 50 Blazars (39 flat-spectrum radio quasars (FSRQs) and 11 BL Lac objects). Our main results are as follows. There are very strong correlations between $F_{BLR}$ and $F_{X}$ and between $L_{BLR}$ and $L_{X}$ in both states for 39 FSRQs and the slopes of the linear regression equations are almost equal to 1. There are weak correlations between $F_{BLR}$ and $F_{X}$ and between $L_{BLR}$ and $L_{X}$ for 11 BL Lac objects in both states, and the slopes of the linear regression equations are close to 1. There are significant correlations between $F_{BLR}$ and $F_{X}$ and between $L_{BLR}$ and $L_{X}$ for 50 blazars in both states, the slopes of both the linear regression equations are also close to 1. These results support a close link between relativistic jets and accretion on to the central Kerr black hole. On the other hand, we find that BL Lac objects have low accretion efficiency $\eta$, whereas FSRQs have high accretion efficiency $\eta$. The unified model of FSRQs and BL Lac objects is also discussed.Comment: 15 pages, 8 figure

Topological quantum phase transitions and edge states in spin-orbital coupled Fermi gases

We study the superconducting state in the presence of spin-orbital coupling and the Zeeman field. It is found that a phase transition from the Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov state to the topological superconducting state occurs upon increasing the spin-orbital coupling. The nature of this topological phase transition and its critical property are investigated numerically. Physical properties of topological superconducting phase are also explored. Moreover, the local density of states is calculated, through which the topological feature may be tested experimentally.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figure

Morphology, structure, optical, and electrical properties of AgSbO₃

The morphology of defect pyrochlore-type, AgSbO₃ microparticle/nanoparticles obtained via solid state reaction evolve from irregular to Fullerene-like polyhedra before finally decomposing into metal-organic framework-5 like particles with increase in sintering temperature. The defect pyrochlore-type AgSbO₃ particles are slightly Ag deficient while the valence of the antimony ion is shown to be +5 giving rise to a probable stoichiometry of Ag₁ˍₓ SbVO₃ˍₓ/₂, with x∼0.01–0.04. A highly structured diffuse intensity distribution observed via electron diffraction is interpreted in terms of correlated displacements of one-dimensional (1D) silver ion chains along ⟨110⟩ directions. A redshifting in the absorption edges in UV-visible absorption spectra is observed for samples prepared at sintering temperatures higher than 1000 °C and attributed to the surface plasma resonance effect associated with small amounts of excess metallic Ag on the Ag₁ˍₓ SbVO₃ˍₓ/₂ particles. An electrical properties investigation of the silver antimonate samples via dielectric, conductivity, and electric modulus spectroscopy shows a prominent dielectric relaxation associated with grain boundaries. The silver ion conductivity is associated with correlated displacements of 1D silver ion chains along ⟨110⟩ directions.Z.G.Y., Y.L., and R.L.W. acknowledge financial support from the Australian Research Council ARC in the form of ARC Discovery Grants