Efficient dye-sensitized solar cells based on CNTs and Zr-doped TiO2 nanoparticles

The light scattering, harvesting and adsorption effects in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) are studied by preparation of coated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with TiO₂ and Zr-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles in the forms of mono- and double-layer cells. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis reveals that the phase composition of Zr-doped TiO₂ electrode is a mixture of anatase and rutile phases with major rutile content, whereas it is the same mixture with major anatase content for coated CNTs with TiO₂. Furthermore, the average crystallite size of Zr-doped TiO₂ electrode is slightly decreased with Zr introduction. Field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) images show that the porosity of Zr-doped TiO₂ electrodes is higher than that of undoped electrode, enhancing dye adsorption. UV–visible spectroscopy analysis reveals that the absorption onset of Zr-doped TiO₂ electrodes is slightly shifted to longer wavelength (the red-shift) in comparison with that of undoped TiO₂ electrode. Moreover, the band gap energy of TiO₂ nanoparticles is decreased by Zr introduction, enhancing light absorption. It is found that electron injection of monolayer TiO₂ electrode is improved by introduction of 0.025 mol% Zr, resulted in enhancement of its power conversion efficiency (PCE) up to 6.81% compared with 6.17% for pure TiO₂ electrode. Moreover, electron transport and light scattering are enhanced by incorporation of 0.025 wt% coated CNTs with TiO₂ in the over-layer of double layer electrode. Therefore, double layer solar cell composed of 0.025 mol% Zr-doped TiO₂ nanoparticles as the under-layer and mixtures of these nanoparticles and 0.025 wt% coated CNTs with TiO₂ as the over-layer shows the highest PCE of 8.19%.     

Design and performance study of phase‐locked loop using fractional‐order loop filter

The present work reports the realization of an analog fractional‐order phase‐locked loop (FPLL) using a fractional capacitor. The expressions for bandwidth, capture range, and lock range of the FPLL have been derived analytically and then compared with the experimental observations using LM565 IC. It has been observed that bandwidth and capture range can be extended by using FPLL. It has also been found that FPLL can provide faster response and lower phase error at the time of switching compared to its integer‐order counterpart. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The significant promotion of g-C3N4 on Pt/CNS catalyst for the electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol

This article reported a series of g–C₃N₄–CNS (g-C₃N₄ and carbon nanosheets) composite carriers formed by the hydrothermal method, and then the ethylene glycol reduction method was used to anchor Pt nanoparticles on the g–C₃N₄–CNS carrier to form the Pt/g–C₃N₄–CNS catalysts. The electrochemical test for the electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol (MOR) shown that the Pt/20%g–C₃N₄–CNS catalyst has the best catalytic performance and stability. These Pt/g–C₃N₄–CNS catalysts were analyzed by TEM, XRD, XPS, and BET characterization. It is discovered that the amount of g-C₃N₄ greatly influenced the structure and chemical properties of Pt/CNS precursor. As the content of g-C₃N₄ increases, the content of pyridine nitrogen and pyrrole nitrogen also increases, and N species can enhance the interaction between Pt nanoparticles and CNS, promote Pt dispersion, and increase the specific surface area of the catalyst. Similarly, an excessive addition of g-C₃N₄ will cause a sharp decline in the conductivity of the catalyst, and then led to the decline of MOR activity.     

Lecture capture with real‐time rearrangement of visual elements: impact on student performance

The primary goal of this study is to create and test a lecture‐capture system that can rearrange visual elements while recording is still taking place, in such a way that student performance can be positively influenced. The system we have devised is capable of integrating and rearranging multimedia sources, including learning content, the instructor and students' images, into lecture videos that are embedded in a website for students to review after school. The present study employed a two‐group experimental design, with 153 participants (145 females and 8 males) making up an experimental group in which lecture courses were recorded using the new lecture‐capture system, and 149 participants (140 females and 9 males) forming a control group whose lectures were recorded by traditional means. All participants were in the freshman college and studying Introduction to Computer and Information Science in one of six classes, and were randomly assigned to one of the two groups. The participants' midterm examination and final examination scores were collected as indicators of their academic performance, with their mathematics entrance scores used as a pre‐test. The findings obtained from analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) suggest that appropriate rearrangement of visual elements in lecture videos can significantly impact students' learning performance.     

Experimental study to assess the effect of carbon nanotube addition on the through-thickness electrical conductivity of CFRP laminates for aircraft applications

The present paper tests experimentally the through-thickness electrical conductivity of carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites laminates for aircraft applications. Two types of samples were prepared: Type A samples with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and Type B samples without CNTs. During the electrical experiments, electrical currents of several mA were injected through the specimens. Electrical resistance was monitored simultaneously in order to deduce the changes in the through-the-thickness electrical conductivity caused by the addition of CNTs. Improvement of electrical conduction by two orders of magnitude was achieved through the addition of 1 wt% carbon nanotubes as compared to classic CFRP without CNTs. For moisture saturated samples, the influence of moisture absorption on such measures was found to be negligible.     

Tough salami-inspired Cf/ZrB2 UHTCMCs produced by electrophoretic deposition

One of the biggest challenges of the materials science is the mutual exclusion of strength and toughness. This issue was minimized by mimicking the natural structural materials. To date, few efforts were done regarding materials that should be used in harsh environments. In this work we present novel continuous carbon fiber reinforced ultra-high-temperature ceramic matrix composites (UHTCMCs) for aerospace featuring optimized fiber/matrix interfaces and fibers distribution. The microstructures – produced by electrophoretic deposition of ZrB₂ on unidirectional carbon fibers followed by ZrB₂ infiltration and hot pressing – show a maximum flexural strength and fracture toughness of 330 MPa and 14 MPa m^1/2, respectively. Fracture surfaces are investigated to understand the mechanisms that affect strength and toughness. The EPD technique allows the achievement of a peculiar salami-inspired architecture alternating strong and weak interfaces.     

New anti-ablation candidate for carbon/carbon composites: Preparation,composition and ablation behavior of Y2Hf2O7 coating under an oxyacetylene torch

Y₂Hf₂O₇ possesses low thermal conductivity and high melting point, which make it promising for a new anti-ablation material. For evaluating the thermal stability and the potential applications of Y₂Hf₂O₇ on anti-ablation protection of C/C composites, Y₂Hf₂O₇ ceramic powder was synthesized by solution combustion method and Y₂Hf₂O₇ coating was prepared on the surface of SiC coated C/C composites using SAPS. Results shown that the coating exhibits good ablation resistance under the heat flux of 2.4?MW/m² with the linear and mass ablation rates are 0.16?μm?s^?1 and ?0.028?mg?s^?1, respectively, after ablation for 40?s. With the prolonging of the ablation time, the increasing thermal stress causes the increase of cracks. Moreover, the chemical erosion from SiO₂ and the physical volatilization of low temperature molten products aggravate failure of the Y₂Hf₂O₇ coating.     

Effects of short carbon fiber on the macro-properties,mechanical performance and microstructure of SiSiC composite fabricated by selective laser sintering

Selective laser sintering was combined with reactive melt infiltration to fabricate SiSiC part, and the effects of carbon fiber (C_f) on the properties of the SLS green body, the carbonized and final SiSiC sample were investigated. Results show that the addition of an appropriate amount of C_f (1.59 wt%~2.97 wt%) can increase the bulk density and geometric precision of the sample at all stages, and improve the mechanical properties of green and carbonized samples. The main phases composed of the SiSiC composite were free Si, a-SiC, β-SiC, plus a very small amount of Al–Si alloy. With 1.59 wt% C_f addition, a relatively comprehensive favorable macro-properties of both the green sample and carbonized sample was achieved, and the homogeneous microstructure of the latter favored the decreased free Si content and increased β-SiC content of the final composite. The evolution mechanism of C_f added to the raw material is inferred to be the mutual diffusion of [C] and [Si] that occurred at the C_f/Si melt boundary leading to the formation of the siliconized C_f with relatively large diameter size (24.3 μm) and high aspect ratio (>30). Amorphous C, which derived from the pyrolysis of epoxy resin E12, undergone a dissolution-precipitation mechanism with the formation of fine-grain β-SiC.     

Neutral axis depth and moment redistribution in FRP and steel reinforced concrete continuous beams

The neutral axis depth is considered the best parameter for quantifying the moment redistribution in continuous concrete beams, as exemplified in various design codes worldwide. It is therefore important to well understand the variation of neutral axis depth against moment redistribution. This paper describes a theoretical investigation into the neutral axis depth and moment redistribution in concrete beams reinforced with fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) and steel bars. A finite element model has been developed. The model predictions are in favourable agreement with experimental results. Three types of reinforcement are considered, namely, glass fibre, carbon fibre and steel. Various levels of reinforcement ratio are used for a parametric evaluation. The results indicate that FRP reinforced concrete continuous beams exhibit significantly different response characteristics regarding the moment redistribution and variation of neutral axis depth from those of steel reinforced ones. In addition, it is found that the code recommendations are generally unsafe for calculating the permissible moment redistribution in FRP reinforced concrete beams, but the neglect of redistribution in such beams may be overconservative.     

Recent progress of green sorbents-based technologies for low concentration CO2 capture

The increased concentration of CO₂ due to continuous breathing and no discharge of human beings in the manned closed space, like spacecraft and submarines, can be a threat to health and safety. Effective removal of low concentration CO₂ from the manned closed space is essential to meet the requirements of long-term space or deep-sea exploration, which is an international frontier and trend. Ionic liquids (ILs), as a widespread and green solvent, already showed its excellent performance on CO₂ capture and absorption, indicating its potential application in low concentration CO₂ capture. In this review, we first summarized the current methods and strategies for direct capture from low concentration CO₂ in both the atmosphere and manned closed spaces. Then, the multi-scale simulation methods of CO₂ capture by ionic liquids are described in detail, including screening ionic liquids by COSMO-RS methods, capture mechanism by density functional theory and molecular dynamics simulation, and absorption process by computational fluid dynamics simulation. Lastly, some typical IL-based green technologies for low concentration CO₂ capture, such as functionalized ILs, co-solvent systems with ILs, and supported materials based on ILs, are introduced, and analyzed the subtle possibility in manned closed spaces. Finally, we look forward to the technology and development of low concentration CO₂ capture, which can meet the needs of human survival in closed space and proposed that supported materials with ionic liquids have great advantages and infinite possibilities in the vital area.