Engineering Delocalized Polarizations in Metal Oxide Electrodes with Conducting Polymers for Efficient and Durable Water-Splitting.

Oxygen evolution reaction is a pivotal anodic reaction for electrolysis, however, it remains the obstacle from its sluggish reaction kinetics originating from multiple electron transfer pathways at electrochemical interfaces. Especially, it remains a challenge to achieve stable operation at elevated current densities as electrodes suffer oxidative environment in corrosive conditions. Herein, we report that the conducting polymer polypyrrole electrodeposited PrSrCoO perovskite oxides for durable oxygen evolution electrodes.

Designing few-layered graphitic carbons with atomic-sized cobalt hydroxide by harnessing hollow metal-organic frameworks.

Graphitic carbon exhibits distinctive characteristics that can be modulated by varying the number of carbon layers. Here, we developed a method to control the growth of graphitic carbon layers through pyrolysis of zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs). The key is to pyrolyze hollow-structured ZIF-8 containing Co ions to simultaneously obtain an amorphous carbon source for graphitic carbons and Co metal nanoparticles for catalyzing graphitization of amorphous carbons.

Frequency dependence of nanorod self-alignment using microfluidic methods.

Dielectrophoresis is a potential candidate for aligning nanorods on electrodes, in which the interplay between electric fields and microfluidics is critically associated with its yield. Despite much of previous work on dielectrophoresis, the impact of frequency modulation on dielectrophoresis-driven nanorod self-assembly is insufficiently understood. In this work, we systematically explore the frequency dependence of the self-alignment of silicon nanorod using a microfluidic channel.

Atomic-Resolution Exploration of the Phase Transition Triggered Failure in a Single-Crystalline Ni-Rich Cathode.

Single-crystalline cathode materials LiNiCoMnO ( ≥ 0.6) are important candidates for obtaining better cyclic stability and achieving high energy densities of Li-ion batteries. However, it is liable to initiate phase transitions inside the grains during electrochemical cycling, and the processes and regions of these phase transitions have remained unknown.

Tailorable Electronic and Electric Properties of Graphene with Selective Decoration of Silver Nanoparticles by Laser-Assisted Photoreduction.

While graphene shows great potential for diverse device applications, to broaden the scope of graphene-based device applications further, it would be necessary to tune the electronic state of graphene and its resultant electrical properties properly. Surface decoration with metal nanoparticles is one of the efficient doping methods to control the properties of two-dimensional materials. Here, we report the p-type doping effects in single-layer graphene decorated with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) that were formed area-selectively by the facile one-step photoreduction (PR) process based on focused-laser irradiation.

Recent advances in process engineering and upcoming applications of metal-organic frameworks.

Progress in metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) has advanced from fundamental chemistry to engineering processes and applications, resulting in new industrial opportunities. The unique features of MOFs, such as their permanent porosity, high surface area, and structural flexibility, continue to draw industrial interest outside the traditional MOF field, both to solve existing challenges and to create new businesses. In this context, diverse research has been directed toward commercializing MOFs, but such studies have been performed according to a variety of individual goals.

Highly Efficient CO Utilization via Aqueous Zinc- or Aluminum-CO Systems for Hydrogen Gas Evolution and Electricity Production.

Atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO ) has increased from 278 to 408 parts per million (ppm) over the industrial period and has critically impacted climate change. In response to this crisis, carbon capture, utilization, and storage/sequestration technologies have been studied. So far, however, the economic feasibility of the existing conversion technologies is still inadequate owing to sluggish CO conversion.

Cation-swapped homogeneous nanoparticles in perovskite oxides for high power density.

Exsolution has been intensively studied in the fields of energy conversion and storage as a method for the preparation of catalytically active and durable metal nanoparticles. Under typical conditions, however, only a limited number of nanoparticles can be exsolved from the host oxides. Herein, we report the preparation of catalytic nanoparticles by selective exsolution through topotactic ion exchange, where deposited Fe guest cations can be exchanged with Co host cations in PrBaMnCoO.

Self-Transforming Configuration Based on Atmospheric-Adaptive Materials for Solid Oxide Cells.

Solid oxide cells (SOC) with a symmetrical configuration have been focused due to the practical benefits of such configurations, such as minimized compatibility issues, a simple fabrication process and reduced cost compared to SOCs with the asymmetrical configuration. However, the performance of SOCs using a single type of electrode material (symmetrical configuration) is lower than the performance of those using the dissimilar electrode materials (asymmetrical configuration). Therefore, to achieve a high-performance cell, we design a 'self-transforming cell' with the asymmetric configuration using only materials of the single type, one based on atmospheric adaptive materials.

Exsolution trends and co-segregation aspects of self-grown catalyst nanoparticles in perovskites.

In perovskites, exsolution of transition metals has been proposed as a smart catalyst design for energy applications. Although there exist transition metals with superior catalytic activity, they are limited by their ability to exsolve under a reducing environment. When a doping element is present in the perovskite, it is often observed that the surface segregation of the doping element is changed by oxygen vacancies.

Fe@N-Graphene Nanoplatelet-Embedded Carbon Nanofibers as Efficient Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Reduction Reaction.

via a novel and simple synthesis approach. The activated CNF-Fe@NGnP catalysts exhibit substantially improved activity for the oxygen reduction reaction compared to those of commercial carbon blacks and Pt/carbon catalysts.

Achieving High Efficiency and Eliminating Degradation in Solid Oxide Electrochemical Cells Using High Oxygen-Capacity Perovskite.

Recently, there have been efforts to use clean and renewable energy because of finite fossil fuels and environmental problems. Owing to the site-specific and weather-dependent characteristics of the renewable energy supply, solid oxide electrolysis cells (SOECs) have received considerable attention to store energy as hydrogen. Conventional SOECs use Ni-YSZ (yttria-stabilized zirconia) and LSM (strontium-doped lanthanum manganites)-YSZ as electrodes.

Nanostructured Double Perovskite Cathode With Low Sintering Temperature For Intermediate Temperature Solid Oxide Fuel Cells.

This study focuses on reducing the cathode polarization resistance through the use of mixed ionic electronic conductors and the optimization of cathode microstructure to increase the number of electrochemically active sites. Among the available mixed ionic electronic conductors (MIECs), the layered perovskite GdBa0.5 Sr0.

Layered oxygen-deficient double perovskite as an efficient and stable anode for direct hydrocarbon solid oxide fuel cells.

Different layered perovskite-related oxides are known to exhibit important electronic, magnetic and electrochemical properties. Owing to their excellent mixed-ionic and electronic conductivity and fast oxygen kinetics, cation layered double perovskite oxides such as PrBaCo2O5 in particular have exhibited excellent properties as solid oxide fuel cell oxygen electrodes. Here, we show for the first time that related layered materials can be used as high-performance fuel electrodes.

Development of double-perovskite compounds as cathode materials for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells.

A class of double-perovskite compounds display fast oxygen ion diffusion and high catalytic activity toward oxygen reduction while maintaining excellent compatibility with the electrolyte. The astoundingly extended stability of NdBa(1-x)Ca(x)Co2O(5+δ) (NBCaCO) under both air and CO2-containing atmosphere is reported along with excellent electrochemical performance by only Ca doping into the A site of NdBaCo2O(5+δ) (NBCO). The enhanced stability can be ascribed to both the increased electron affinity of mobile oxygen species with Ca, determined through density functional theory calculations and the increased redox stability from the coulometric titration.

Triple-conducting layered perovskites as cathode materials for proton-conducting solid oxide fuel cells.

We report on an excellent anode-supported H(+) -SOFC material system using a triple conducting (H(+) /O(2-) /e(-) ) oxide (TCO) as a cathode material for H(+) -SOFCs. Generally, mixed ionic (O(2-) ) and electronic conductors (MIECs) have been selected as the cathode material of H(+) -SOFCs. In an H(+) -SOFC system, however, MIEC cathodes limit the electrochemically active sites to the interface between the proton conducting electrolyte and the cathode.

Chemically stable perovskites as cathode materials for solid oxide fuel cells: La-doped Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.8Fe0.2O(3-δ).

Ba0.5Sr0.5Co0.

Constructing a knowledge-based database for dermatological integrative medical information.

Recently, overuse of steroids and immunosuppressive drugs has produced incurable dermatological health problems. Traditional medical approaches have been studied for alternative solutions. However, accessing relevant information is difficult given the differences in information for western medicine (WM) and traditional medicine (TM).

High redox and performance stability of layered SmBa(0.5)Sr(0.5)Co(1.5)Cu(0.5)O(5+δ) perovskite cathodes for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells.

Cobalt-containing cathodes often encounter problems such as high thermal expansion coefficients (TEC) and poor stability, making them unsuitable for practical use as cathode materials for intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells (IT-SOFCs). This study focuses on the effects of Cu doping in the Co site of SmBa0.5Sr0.

Highly efficient and robust cathode materials for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells: PrBa0.5Sr0.5Co(2-x)Fe(x)O(5+δ).

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) are the cleanest, most efficient, and cost-effective option for direct conversion to electricity of a wide variety of fuels. While significant progress has been made in anode materials with enhanced tolerance to coking and contaminant poisoning, cathodic polarization still contributes considerably to energy loss, more so at lower operating temperatures. Here we report a synergistic effect of co-doping in a cation-ordered double-perovskite material, PrBa0.

Effect of 3,3',4',5-tetrachlorosalicylanilide on reduction of excess sludge and nitrogen removal in biological wastewater treatment process.

A metabolic uncoupler, 3,3',4',5-tetrachlorosalicylanilide (TCS), was used to reduce excess sludge production in biological wastewater treatment processes. Batch experiments confirmed that 0.4 mg/l of TCS reduced the aerobic growth yield of activated sludge by over 60%.

Antigen-binding characteristics of circulating IgG autoantibodies to cytokeratin 18 protein in patients with nonallergic asthma.

Cytokeratin 18 (CK18) protein was identified as an airway epithelial cell autoantigen associated with nonallergic asthma. Cleavage of CK18 protein by caspase-3 is a marker of early apoptosis in epithelial cells. It has been shown that the expression of active caspase-3 was increased in bronchial epithelial cells of asthmatic patients, when compared with healthy controls.

Identification of alpha-enolase as an autoantigen associated with severe asthma.

Background: Approximately 5% to 10% of patients with asthma have severe disease that is not effectively controlled by typical therapies. The existence of an autoantigen associated with severe asthma has been previously reported.

Objective: We attempted to identify the autoantigen.