Observation of second sound in graphite over 200 K

Second sound refers to the phenomenon of heat propagation as temperature waves in the phonon hydrodynamic transport regime. We directly observe second sound in graphite at temperatures of over 200 K using a sub-picosecond transient grating technique. The experimentally determined dispersion relation of the thermal-wave velocity increases with decreasing grating period, consistent with first-principles-based solution of the Peierls-Boltzmann transport equation. Through simulation, we reveal this increase as a result of thermal zero sound—the thermal waves due to ballistic phonons. Our experimental findings are well explained with the interplay among three groups of phonons: ballistic, diffusive, and hydrodynamic phonons. Our ab initio calculations further predict a large isotope effect on the properties of thermal waves and the existence of second sound at room temperature in isotopically pure graphite.

Synthesis of a novel ternary ZIF-8/GO/MgFe2O4 nanocomposite and its application in drug delivery

In recent year, metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have been displayed to be a category of promising drug delivery systems because of their crystalline structure, the potential of further functionality, and high porosity. In this research, graphene oxide was synthesized from pure graphite via hummer method and then MgFe2O4 nanoparticles was incorporated into the synthesized ZIF-8 metal–organic frameworks which followed with loading on the surfaces of graphene oxide. In continue, tetracycline as an antibiotic drug was loaded on the surfaces and the cavities of the prepared nanocomposite. The outcomes of this research revealed that 90% of the tetracycline was loaded on the synthesized ZIF-8/GO/MgFe2O4 nanostructure. Next, drug release was done at pH: 5 and pH: 7.4 within 3 days, resulting about 88% and 92% release of the tetracycline, respectively. With using different spectroscopic methods like X-ray crystallography (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX/Mapping), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), thermalgravimetric analysis (TGA), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), the structure of synthesized materials was confirmed. Furthermore, the antibiotic activity of tetracycline trapped into the ZIF-8/GO/MgFe2O4 was evaluated by agar-well diffusion method on both gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria, which showed good antibacterial results.

Synthesis and Characterization of ZnO from Thermal Decomposition of Precipitated Zinc Oxalate Dihydrate as an Anode Material of Li-Ion Batteries

Zinc oxide (ZnO) is one of the most promising materials applied in Li-ion batteries. In this research, ZnO was synthesized by the thermal decomposition of zinc oxalate dihydrate. This precursor was obtained from the precipitation process of zinc sulfate with oxalic acid. In-depth studies were carried out on the effect of various heating temperatures of zinc oxalate dihydrate precursors on ZnO synthesis. The as-prepared materials were characterized by XRD, SEM, and FTIR. Based on the XRD analysis, the presence of the ZnO-wurtzite phase can be confirmed in samples heated at temperatures above 400 °C. Meanwhile, SEM-EDX results showed that the ZnO particles have a micron size. Cells with ZnO samples as anodes have low columbic efficiency. In contrast, cells with ZnO/Graphite composite anodes have a relatively large capacity compared to pure graphite anodes. Overall, based on the consideration of the characterization results and electrochemical performance, the optimal sintering temperature to obtain ZnO is 600 °C with a cell discharge capacity of ZnO anode and in the form of graphite composites is 356 mAh/g and 450 mAh/g, respectively. This suggests that ZnO can be used as an anode material and an additive component to improve commercial graphite anodes’ electrochemical performance.

Performance of Sulfide-Driven Fuel Cell Aerated by Venturi Tube Ejector

Hydrogen sulfide is frequently met in natural waters, like mineral springs, but mostly it is found in marine water with low renewal rate. The Black Sea has extremely high hydrogen sulfide content. It can be utilized in different ways, but the most promising one is direct conversion into electricity. This result can be attained by a sulfide-driven fuel cell (SDFC), converting sulfide to sulfate thus releasing electric energy up to 24 GJ/t. One of the most important problems is the mass transfer limitation on oxygen transfer in the cathode space of the fuel cell. This problem can be solved using a gas diffusion electrode or highly efficient saturation by oxygen in an ejector of the Venturi tube type. This work presents experimental data in laboratory-scale SDFC for sulfide conversion into sulfate, sulfite and polysulfide releasing different amounts of electric energy. Two types of aeration are tested: direct air blow and Venturi-tube ejector. Besides pure graphite, two catalysts, i.e., cobalt spinel and zirconia-doped graphite were tested as anodes. Experiments were carried out at initial sulfide concentrations from 50 to 300 mg/L. Sulfate, sulfite and thiosulfate ions were detected in the outlet solutions from the fuel cell. The electrochemical results show good agreement with the chemical analyses. Most of the results show attained high efficiencies of the fuel cell, i.e. up to 80%. The practical applications of this method can be extended for other purposes, like treatment of polluted water together with utilization as energy.

Pore Development during the Carbonization Process of Lignin Microparticles Investigated by Small Angle X-ray Scattering

Application of low-cost carbon black from lignin highly depends on the materials properties, which might by determined by raw material and processing conditions. Four different technical lignins were subjected to thermostabilization followed by stepwise heat treatment up to a temperature of 2000 °C in order to obtain micro-sized carbon particles. The development of the pore structure, graphitization and inner surfaces were investigated by X-ray scattering complemented by scanning electron microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy. Lignosulfonate-based carbons exhibit a complex pore structure with nanopores and mesopores that evolve by heat treatment. Organosolv, kraft and soda lignin-based samples exhibit distinct pores growing steadily with heat treatment temperature. All carbons exhibit increasing pore size of about 0.5–2 nm and increasing inner surface, with a strong increase between 1200 °C and 1600 °C. The chemistry and bonding nature shifts from basic organic material towards pure graphite. The crystallite size was found to increase with the increasing degree of graphitization. Heat treatment of just 1600 °C might be sufficient for many applications, allowing to reduce production energy while maintaining materials properties.

Simple and environment-friendly method for graphene synthesis by using ultrasound.

Background: This paper proposes a technology for the production of monolayer graphene by an easy, accessible, and non-toxic method. Methods: For the preparation of graphene, a combination of chemical and physical (ultrasonic) treatment of the original graphite precursor (purity >99%) was applied. The precursor of graphite is placed in a beaker with a solution of KOH or H2SO4. The mixtures were homogenized well and sonicated for 4h. The applied ultrasound has a power of 120 W, frequency 40 kHz. Due to the effects of ultrasound, complex processes take place in the solutions, which leads to the formation of superfine graphene. Better results were obtained at samples treated with 2n H2SO4. The physicochemical properties of the resulting graphene were characterized mainly by Raman spectroscopy, FT-IR, TEM, SEM, and electrical conductivity measurements. Results: Our research was focused mainly on the field of nanotechnology, in particular on the synthesis of graphene, which could be used as a coating on electrodes for supercapacitors. In this connection, three series of samples were developed in which the pristine graphite was treated with 2n H2SO4, 4n H2SO4, and 6n H2SO4, respectively, and their electrical properties were measured. Conclusion: The obtained graphene shows electrical resistivity 2-3 times lower than that of the precursor of pure graphite.

Neutron Field Shaping Using Graphite for Reaction Rate Measurements

Neutron field shaping is the suitable method for validation of cross section in various energy regions. By increasing the share of neutrons of a certain energy interval and decreasing the share of other, a reaction becomes more sensitive to selected neutrons. As a result, reaction cross section can be validated in selected energy regions more precisely. The shaping can be carried out by both neutron filters which are materials with high absorption in some energy region, or by diffusion material changing the shape of neutron spectra by means of slowing down process. In the presented experiments, the neutron field of the light reactor 0 (LR-0) research reactor was shaped by both using graphite blocks inserted into the core and Cd cladding for increasing the epithermal reaction rate share in total reaction rates. The calculations were carried out with the Monte Carlo N-Particle Transport Code 6 (MCNP6) code and the most recent nuclear data libraries. The results in the pure graphite neutron field are in good agreement; in case of Cd cladding, significant discrepancies were reported. In case of the 23Na(n,γ)24Na reaction, overestimation by about 14% was reached in International Reactor Dosimetry and Fusion File (IRDFF-II), results in other libraries are comparable. In case of 58Fe(n,γ)59Fe, the overestimation as high as 18% is reported in IRDFF-II. For 64Zn(n,γ)65Zn reasonable agreement was reached in evaluated nuclear data file (ENDF/B-VIII), where discrepancies in pure graphite neutron field or in case of Cd cladding are about 10–15%.