Solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) were fabricated in which the thin p-CuI film acts as a hole collector. Influences of the different preparation methods, composition, aging time of the TiO2 pastes and sensitizing time on the performance of the cells were investigated. Different preparation routes for the TiO2 paste do not obviously affect the performance of the cells. The volume of water, acetic acid and 2-propanol contained in the TiO2 pastes and the amount of the TiO2 powder were determined. The efficiency of the cells remains nearly stable when the aging period of the TiO2 pastes is within one week. The favorable dying time is above 2 h. The cells having a favorable performance deliver a mean short-circuit photocurrent of ∼10.8 mA cm−2 and mean open-circuit voltage of 0.61 V at 100 mW cm−2 (1.5 AM). The mean fill factor and the mean efficiency of these cells are ∼0.55% and 3.7%, respectively. The short-circuit photocurrent rapidly decays after 3 h, and at the same time, the open-circuit voltage slowly decreases when the time increases, and then remains nearly stable after 24 h.

A novel series of molten salts based on asymmetric sulfonium cations ([R1R2RS]+, wherein R1, R2=CH3, R=C2H5, n-C4H9, n-C6H13, n-C8H17, corresponding to S112+, S114+, S116+, S118+, respectively) with TFSI− or PF6− anion as novel electrolytes have been prepared and characterized. Some of the physical and electrochemical properties of the salts, including thermal property, density, solubility in common solvents, conductivity, and electrochemical stability have been investigated. Three types of phase transition behavior and two types of decomposition behavior have been observed for these molten salts on heating. In the case of [R1R2RS]+ PF6−, which have much higher solubility in water compared to those with imidazolium cation which have only alkyl groups. In addition, the Arrhenius equation approximately describes the relationship between conductivity and temperature for some of these sulfonium-based molten salts with TFSI− anion in the high temperature region studied. The electrochemical windows are approximately 4.1V for S112TFSI and S114TFSI, which are liquid at room temperature (25°C).

Hydrogen permeance and surface states of Pd-Ag/ceramic composite membranes during preparation process were investigated. After thermal treatment in air, the composite membranes exhibited high hydrogen permeability and permselectivity. The sealing process did not change the states of Pd, Ag and O, although an X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic (XPS) signal of sulfide was found. At the same time, the sealing process led to an increase in concentration of carbon and sulfur contaminants in the surface layer, resulting in a decrease of hydrogen permeability. Moreover, carbon was present as graphite and covered membrane surfaces after running the sealing process six times. On the other hand, the thermal treatment in air led to oxidization of Pd and formation of the PdO state, and XPS data showed a significant enrichment of the Pd element at the surface of membranes. Carbon contamination concentration at the top surface of membranes decreased during thermal treatment, and carbon dioxide was found on the surface of activated membranes; at the same time, the surface state of sulfur changed to a new state of sulfate, which eventually resulted in recovery of hydrogen permeability. © 2006 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2006

选择亲水型甲基烷基咪唑四氟硼酸盐和憎水型甲基烷基咪唑二(三氟甲基磺酰)亚胺盐两个系列的离子液体作为电解液,系统研究了纯离子液体及离子液体/混合有机溶剂EC-DMC-DEC(1:1:1,质量比)体系的电化学性能.实验发现:对于纯离子液体,在较低的温度范围内(298~323K),电导率与温度的关系符合Arrhenius方程,在更广的温度范围内,四氟硼酸盐系列离子液体符合VTF方程,而二(三氟甲基磺酰)亚胺盐系列有偏差.两个系列的离子液体的电化学窗口都在4V左右.对于离子液体/有机溶剂混合体系,随着浓度的增加,电导率有一最大值出现.

Changes in hydrogen permeability and surface state of a Pd–Ag/ceramic membrane have been investigated as a function of thermal treatment. The surface state is determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The XPS data show a significant enrichment of the Ag alloying element and an accumulation of impurity atoms (C, S, Na, Cl, O) in the surface layer of an as-prepared membrane. The thermal treatment, conducted at 400°C in air for 1h, results in a decrease of the Pd/Ag ratio in the surface (from 1:3.4 to 1:2.9), and an obvious chemical shift (ca. 1.4eV) of Pd 3d core level but no change in the Ag 3d level, indicating the Pd2+ state of PdO is formed. The thermal treatment does not change the surface states of impurities of Na, Cl and O. On the other hand, XPS signal of the oxidized sulfur, SO42− species, is found. It is noted that the carbon concentration is decreased dramatically (from 67 to 32at.%) by decomposition of carbon, a new XPS peak (BE=292.5eV) of CO2 is clearly identified from a treated surface. After the thermal treatment, the hydrogen permeability of the membrane is increased by a factor of 2.5, such behavior can be mainly attributed to the removing of the carbon contaminate initially present in the surface.

A liquid surfactant membrane process for separating U(VI) from sulfuric acid media was investigated using N-alkylcaprolactam (Bs) as a carrier. The operating conditions, including the concentrations of the extractant and stripping agent and the volume ratios of the (W/O)/W emulsion were optimized for the U(VI) extraction, from the viewpoint of their effect on the kinetics and recovery efficiency as well as the stability of the (W/O) emulsion drops. It was found that the liquid membrane containing n-dodecane used as a solvent, ECA4360J as a surfactant and B8 as a carrier is an effective membrane for extracting U(VI) from sulfuric acid, and the concentrations of B8 should be within the range between 0.03 and 0.05M for keeping the emulsion stability. At the same time, a two-stage counter-current operation was demonstrated and results showed that LSM process in two-stage operation is effective.

Two series of room temperature ionic liquids, 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate and 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (n = 2–4) as electrolytes were prepared and fundamental electrochemical properties of the neat ionic liquids and those mixed with an organic solvent (EC-DMC-DEC, 1:1:1, mass ratio) were investigated. It was found that the Arrhenius equation is approximately fit for the relationship between conductivity and temperature for neat ionic liquids within lower temperature range (298–323 K). The VTF interpretation describes the conductivity temperature dependence for the ionic liquids containing tetrafluoroborate anion more accurately than those containing bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide anion within wider temperature range. The potential windows are approximately 4.0 V for all these ionic liquids. Conductivities of the mixed electrolytes show a maximum value as the solution concentrations increase.

p-Methylphenylalkylsulfide of various alkyl chain length as extractant were synthesized and the extraction of palladium was examined in terms of equilibrium and kinetics. Distribution ratio of Pd was independent of alkyl chain length. For aqueous chloride media, there was a significant difference in distribution ratios for the solution of NaCl and HCl. The results of loading test and the slope analysis suggest that the extractant and Pd (Ⅱ)form 2:1 complex. Furthermore, the extraction rate based on the volume of aqueous phase was obtained in a stirred vessel, and the rate equation was presented. Unfortunately, it was difficult to construct surfactant liquid membrane system by use of the present extractant.