Coral-Like LaNixFe1-xO3 Perovskite Catalyst for High-Performance Oxygen Evolution Reaction

With the rare earth element La was selected as the A site and transition metal ions (Ni, Fe) as the B site of perovskite-type oxides with general formula ABO3, a series of LaNixFe1-xO3 (x=0, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 0.8, 1.0) perovskite catalysts were prepared by sol-gel method to investigate their catalytic performance for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The catalyst activity was screened by linear scanning cyclic voltammetry (LSV), Tafel curves, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). A group of electrochemical tests for LaNixFe1-xO3 with various Ni/Fe ratios indicate that LaNi0.8Fe0.2O3 catalyst exhibits excellent electrochemical activity, with a resistance to charge-transfer reaction (Rct) of 5.942 Ω cm-2, overpotential of 391 mV, a Tafel slope of 102.8 mV dec-1, and electrochemical double-layer capacitance (Cdl) of 12.31 mF cm-1. The stability test after 15000 s proves that the optimized LaNi0.8Fe0.2O3 has better stability compared to pristine LaFeO3 and LaNiO3. In addition, LaNi0.8Fe0.2O3 also exhibits the largest electrochemical active area (ECSA=307.75 cm2) and exchange current density (jo=1.08 mA cm-2). This work provides reference for perovskite in improving oxygen evolution performance.

IMPROVEMENT IN HARDNESS AND ELECTROCHEMICAL CORROSION RESISTANCE OF AL-7075 ALLOY BY ARTIFICIAL AGEING

Artificial ageing of Al-7075 alloy was performed in a muffle furnace at different temperatures ranging from 120∘C to 190∘C for 3[Formula: see text]h. The formation of MgZn2 precipitates in the aged alloy was confirmed through the XRD data. The lattice parameter and crystallite size of aluminum were increased with the increase of the ageing temperature. The scanning electron microscopy results validated the precipitates of different shapes and sizes in the aged samples. The number density of the precipitates was found to be maximum at 170∘C. The Vickers hardness of Al-7075 alloy was increased from 125[Formula: see text]HV to 172[Formula: see text]HV with an increase of the ageing temperature from 120∘C to 170∘C and then decreased at 190∘C. The electrochemical tests of the un-aged and aged samples (in 3.5[Formula: see text]wt.% NaCl solution) showed a decrease in the corrosion rate (0.003[Formula: see text]mm/y) and an increase in the corrosion potential ([Formula: see text]137[Formula: see text]mV) of the alloy upon ageing up to 150∘C, indicating improvement in its corrosion resistance.

One-step route for Z-scheme Al2(WO4)3/Bi2WO6 heterojunction toward superior photoelectric and photocatalytic performance

Herein, Al2(WO[Formula: see text]/Bi2WO6 heterojunctions with [Formula: see text]-type structure were successfully prepared by a one-step hydrothermal method. Moreover, the effects of different composite ratios on the properties of materials were explored. The electrochemical tests and photocatalytic degradation experiments showed that the corresponding Al2(WO[Formula: see text]/Bi2WO6 heterojunctions all exhibited improved electrochemical performance and photocatalytic performance than that of the bare Bi2WO6 material. Especially, when the molar ratio of Al to Bi was 2:1, the obtained Al2(WO[Formula: see text]/Bi2WO6 heterojunction displayed the optimal photoelectric and photocatalytic performance. In detail, it depicted the highest photocurrent density, the smallest resistance and the fastest charge transfer rate. What’s more, the RhB solution (10 ppm) could be completely degraded in 30 min under visible-light irradiation, and the removal rate was almost 1.6 times than that of pure Bi2WO6 nanosheets. In the same condition, it also exhibited excellent photocatalytic performance for the degradation of tetracycline (TC) solution (10 ppm) and the K2Cr2O7 solution (40 ppm). These results fully manifested that the constructed Al2(WO[Formula: see text]/Bi2WO6 heterojunction possessed superior photoelectric conversion capacity and outstanding photocatalytic performance. Moreover, based on the obtained experimental results, a [Formula: see text]-scheme mechanism of catalytic degradation of RhB and TC under simulated solar light was proposed and discussed.

Anti-Corrosion Mechanism of Parsley Extract and Synergistic Iodide as Novel Corrosion Inhibitors for Carbon Steel-Q235 in Acidic Medium by Electrochemical, XPS and DFT Methods

The parsley extract (PLE) was prepared using absolute ethyl alcohol. The PLE and synergistic iodide were firstly utilized as efficacious corrosion inhibitors to slow down the corrosion rate of carbon steel-Q235 in 0.5 mol/L H2SO4 solution. The anti-corrosion performance was researched by weight loss method, electrochemical tests, surface analysis and quantum chemistry calculation. Results of electrochemical and weight loss tests show that the synergetic PLE and I− exhibit the optimal corrosion inhibition efficiency 99%. The combined inhibitor displays the favorable long-term corrosion inhibition effect, and the inhibition efficiency can maintain more than 90% after 144 h immersion. The introduction of I− makes carbon steel surface with higher negative charge amount, which could be beneficial to the interaction between corrosion inhibitor and Fe atoms. The adsorption behavior obeys the Langmuir isotherm adsorption, and involves chemical and physical adsorption. On the basis of electrochemical consequences and theoretical calculation, the adsorption process and anti-corrosion mechanisms are further explored.

Tribological performance and corrosion behavior of CoCrMo alloy

The present work focuses on the Tribological properties and corrosion behavior evaluation of sintered CoCrMo alloy. The CoCrMo alloy was elaborated by Powder metallurgy process at various sintering temperatures (1200°C, 1250°C and 1300°C). The structural properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The tribological characteristics were measured using a dry disc-ball tribometer. The corrosion behavior of the samples was studied using different electrochemical tests in a simulated physiological environment (Hank’s solution). The obtained results show that higher sintering temperatures have a positive impact on the tribological behavior as well as the corrosion resistance of CoCrMo alloys. The sintered samples at 1300°C showed a better resistance to friction wear and a lower corrosion rate.

Method for Mitigating Stray Current Corrosion in Buried Pipelines Using Calcareous Deposits

Stray current corrosion in buried pipelines can cause serious material damage in a short period of time. However, the available methods for mitigating stray current corrosion are still insufficient. In this study, as a countermeasure against stray current corrosion, calcareous depositions were applied to reduce the total amount of current flowing into pipelines and to prevent corrosion. This study examined the reduction of stray current corrosion via the formation of calcareous deposit layers, composed of Ca, Mg, and mixed Ca and Mg, at the current inflow area. To verify the deposited layers, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were performed. The electrochemical tests revealed that all three types of calcareous deposits were able to effectively act as current barriers, and that they decreased the inflow current at the cathodic site. Among the deposits, the CaCO3 layer mitigated the stray current most effectively, as it was not affected by Mg(OH)2, which interferes with the growth of CaCO3. The calcium-based layer was very thick and dense, and it effectively blocked the inflowing stray current, compared with the other layers.

Investigation on Structural and Electrochemical Properties of Olivine-Structured LiMn1-xFexPO4/C Cathode Materials Based on First-Principles Calculation

Currently, LiMnPO4 is a highly prevalent cathode material in lithium-ion batteries. However, its low conductivity and Li+ diffusion rate limit its practical application. To overcome these inherent defect, we have modified its properties by doping Fe at the Mn site. In the LiMn1-xFexPO4 system, the total density of states of electrons near the Fermi level and the energy band of the Fermi surface are obtained by first-principles calculation. The adjustment of the energy band width immediately influences the electronic conductivity of LiMn1-xFexPO4 system, which is positively related to the electrochemical performance. According to the results of first-principles calculation, we speculated that x=1/4 was the optimal doping concentration. Then, the LiMn1-xFexPO4/C systems were compounded by hydrothermal method to verify the first-principles’ hypothesis. The electrochemical tests show that the LiMn3/4Fe1/4PO4/C material has the best cycle performance and rate performance. At the condition of 0.05 C rate, this material possesses an initial discharge capacity of 142.5 mAh/g. with the capacity retention maintained 93.9% after 100 cycles. The theoretical calculation in consistent with the experimental findings, which accounts for the fact that the first-principles strategy is very effective in the research and development of lithium-ion batteries.

Synthesis, Doping and Electrochemical Properties of Zn3V3O8

The Zn3V3O8 was synthesized by solvothermal method combined with heat treatment using Zn(NO3)3 · 6H2O and NH4VO3 as raw materials. The Zn3V3O8 was doped by Co2+ to form Zn2.88Co0.12V3O8. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Electrochemical tests showed that the initial discharge specific capacity for Zn2.88Co0.12V3O8 was 640.4 mAh·g−1 when the current density was 100 mA·g−1, which was higher than that of pure Zn3V3O8 (563.5 mAh · g−1). After 80 cycles, the discharge specific capacity of Zn2.88Co0.12V3O8 could maintain at 652.2 mAh · g−1, which was higher than that of pure Zn3V3O8 (566.8 mAh·g−1) under same condition. The Zn2.88Co0.12V3O8 owned better rate performances than those of pure Zn3V3O8 also. The related modification mechanisms were discussed in this paper