In recent years, the search on fabrication of highly efficient, stable, and cost-effective alternative to Pt for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) has led to the development of new catalysts. In this study, we investigated the electrocatalytic HER activity of the Toray carbon substrate by creating defect sites in its graphitic layer through ultrasonication and anodization process. A series of Toray carbon substrates with active sites are prepared by modifying its surface through ultrasonication, anodization, and ultrasonication followed by anodization procedures at different time periods. The anodization process significantly enhances the surface wettability, consequently resulting in a substantial increase in proton flux at the reaction sites. As an implication, the overpotential for HER is notably reduced for the Toray carbon (TC-3U-10A), subjected to 3 min of ultrasonification followed by 10 min of anodization, which exhibits a significantly lower Tafel slope value of 60 mV/dec. Furthermore, the reactivity of the anodized surface for HER is significantly elevated, especially at higher concentrations of sulfuric acid, owing to the enhanced wettability of the substrate. The lowest Tafel slope value recorded in this study stands at 60 mV/dec underscoring the substantial improvements achieved in catalytic efficiency of the defect-rich carbon materials. These findings hold promise for the advancement of electrocatalytic applications of carbon materials and may have significant implications for various technological and industrial processes.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can adversely affect human and plant health by generating secondary pollutants such as ozone and fine particulate matter, through photochemical reactions, necessitating systematic management. This study investigated the distribution characteristics of gaseous VOCs in ambient air, with a focus on interpreting data from a photochemical pollution perspective. This paper analyzed the presence and concentration distribution of VOCs in industrial areas, identifying toluene, m-xylene, p-xylene, and n-octane as the most frequently detected components. Particularly, toluene was found to significantly contribute to the formation of ozone and fine particulate matter, highlighting the need for stricter regulation of this compound. Although n-octane and styrene were present in relatively low concentrations overall, their significant contributions to ozone generation and secondary organic aerosol formation, respectively, emphasize their importance in air pollution management.

In this study, we explored the potential of the Maillard reaction-based time-temperature indicators (TTI) as a tool for predicting and visualizing moisture variations during high-temperature drying. Using activation energy analysis, we found that the Maillard reaction-based TTI could not only visualize but also predict changes in moisture contents during high-temperature drying of 60-80oC. The color changes of the Maillard reaction solutions were distinct enough to be discerned with the naked eye, transitioning from colorless to black via the shift of yellow, light brown, brown, and dark brown. The dynamic characteristics for the color change in the Maillard reaction solutions and the moisture changes in the drying of thin-layer apples could be expressed with high suitability using a logistic model. This suggests that the Maillard reaction-based TTI can potentially be a practical and reliable tool for predicting the moisture changes for the high-temperature drying of thin-layer apples, offering a promising avenue for future research and applications.

Electrochemical water splitting presents an optimal approach for generating hydrogen ( H2), a highly promising alternative energy source. Nevertheless, the slow kinetics of the electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and the exorbitant cost, limited availability, and susceptibility to oxidation of noble metal-based electrocatalysts have compelled scientists to investigate cost-effective and efficient electrocatalysts. Bimetallic nanostructured materials have been demonstrated to exhibit improved catalytic performances for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Herein, we report carbon aerogel (CA) decorated with different molar ratios of Fe and Ni with enhanced OER activity. Microwave irradiation was involved as a novel strategy during the synthesis process. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX spectra and EDAX mapping), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope (HR-TEM), and Selected Area Electron Diffraction (SAED) were used for physical characterizations of as-prepared material. Electrochemical potential towards OER was examined through cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The FeNi/CA with optimized molar ratios exhibits low overpotential 377 mV at 10 mAcm− 2, smaller Tafel slope (94.5 mV dec− 1), and high turnover frequency (1.09 s− 1 at 300 mV). Other electrocatalytic parameters were also calculated and compared with previously reported OER catalysts. Additionally, chronoamperometric studies confirmed excellent electrochemical stability, as the OER activity shows minimal change even after a stability test lasting 3600 s. Moreover, the bimetallic (Fe and Ni) carbon aerogel exhibits faster catalytic kinetics and higher conductivity than the monometallic (Fe), which was observed through EIS investigation. This research opens up possibilities for utilizing bi- or multi-metallic anchored carbon aerogel with high conductivities and exceptional electrocatalytic performances in electrochemical energy conversion.

Carbon fusion is important to understand the late stages in the evolution of a massive star. Astronomically interesting energy ranges for the 12C+12C reactions have been, however, poorly constrained by experiments. Theoretical studies on stellar evolution have relied on reaction rates that are extrapolated from those measured in higher energies. In this work, we update the carbon fusion reaction rates by fitting the astrophysical S-factor data obtained from direct measurements based on the Fowler, Caughlan, & Zimmerman (1975) formula. We examine the evolution of a 20M⊙ star with the updated 12C+12C reaction rates performing simulations with the MESA (Modules for Experiments for Stellar Astrophysics) code. Between 0.5 and 1 GK, the updated reaction rates are 0.35 to 0.5 times less than the rates suggested by Caughlan & Fowler (1988). The updated rates result in the increase of core temperature by about 7% and of the neutrino cooling by about a factor of three. Moreover, the carbon-burning lifetime is reduced by a factor of 2.7. The updated carbon fusion reaction rates lead to some changes in the details of the stellar evolution model, their impact seems relatively minor compared to other uncertain physical factors like convection, overshooting, rotation, and mass-loss history. The astrophysical S-factor measurements in lower energies have large errors below the Coulomb barrier. More precise measurements in lower energies for the carbon burning would be useful to improve our study and to understand the evolution of a massive star.

A series of ZIF-67-C-IL catalysts were prepared using ZIF-67 and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis[(trifluoromethyl)sulfonyl] imide ([ BMIM]NTf2) ionic liquid as precursors. The structure of the catalysts was characterized by XRD, TEM, SEM and XPS. The catalytic performance of the catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) was evaluated in a three-electrode system. The results confirmed that the high-temperature treatment of the precursors resulted in the formation of N, S codoped carbon-encapsulated Co9S8 nanoparticles. To create N, S co-doped carbon coated Co9S8 nanoparticle catalysts, ionic liquids are used as sulfur and nitrogen sources. The catalytic activity of ORR can be improved using N, S co-doped carbon to prevent the aggregation of Co9S8 nanoparticles. Graphitized and N, S co-doped carbon shells are optimal for achieving high activity stability. Optimal 600-ZIF-67-C(1:1.5)-30IL catalytic activity was observed for ORR. The half-wave potential of ORR was 0.88 V vs. RHE in 0.1 mol L− 1 KOH, with a limit current density of 4.70 mA cm− 2. Similar ORR electrocatalytic activity was observed between this catalyst and commercial Pt/C (20 wt%).

To fabricate intermetallic nanoparticles with high oxygen reduction reaction activity, a high-temperature heat treatment of 700 to 1,000 °C is required. This heat treatment provides energy sufficient to induce an atomic rearrangement inside the alloy nanoparticles, increasing the mobility of particles, making them structurally unstable and causing a sintering phenomenon where they agglomerate together naturally. These problems cannot be avoided using a typical heat treatment process that only controls the gas atmosphere and temperature. In this study, as a strategy to overcome the limitations of the existing heat treatment process for the fabrication of intermetallic nanoparticles, we propose an interesting approach, to design a catalyst material structure for heat treatment rather than the process itself. In particular, we introduce a technology that first creates an intermetallic compound structure through a primary high-temperature heat treatment using random alloy particles coated with a carbon shell, and then establishes catalytic active sites by etching the carbon shell using a secondary heat treatment process. By using a carbon shell as a template, nanoparticles with an intermetallic structure can be kept very small while effectively controlling the catalytically active area, thereby creating an optimal alloy catalyst structure for fuel cells.

Thin films of yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) nanoparticles were prepared using a low-temperature deposition and crystallization process involving successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) or SILAR-Air spray Plus (SILAR-A+) methods, coupled with hydrothermal (175 °C) and furnace (500 °C) post-annealing. The annealed YSZ films resulted in crystalline products, and their phases of monoclinic, tetragonal, and cubic were categorized through X-ray diffraction analysis. The morphologies of the as-prepared films, fabricated by SILAR and SILAR-A+ processes, including hydrothermal dehydration and annealing, were characterized by the degree of surface cracking using scanning electron microscopy images. Additionally, the thicknesses of the YSZ thin films were compared by removing diffusion layers such as spectator anions and water accumulated during the air spray plus process. Crack-free YSZ thin films were successfully fabricated on glass substrates using the SILAR-A+ method, followed by hydrothermal and furnace annealing, making them suitable for application in solid oxide fuel cells.

Exploring cheap and efficient oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts is extremely vital for the commercial application of advanced energy storage and conversion systems. Herein, a self-supporting Co3S4/ S-doped reduced graphene oxide ( Co3S4/S-rGO) film catalyst is successfully prepared by a blade coating coupled with high-temperature annealing strategy, and its morphology, structure and composition are measured and analyzed. It is substantiated that the as-synthesized Co3S4/ S-rGO film possesses unique self-supporting structure, and is composed of uniformly dispersed Co3S4 nanoparticles and highly conductive S-rGO, which benefit the exposure of catalytic sites and electron transfer. By reason of the synergistic effect of the two individual components, the self-supporting Co3S4/ S-rGO film catalyst displays outstanding catalytic performance towards OER. As a consequence, the Co3S4/ S-rGO film catalyst delivers an overpotential of 341 mV at 10 mA cm-2, and the current attenuation rate is only 2.6% after continuous operation for 4 h, verifying excellent catalytic activity and durability. Clearly, our results offers a good example for the construction of high-performance self-supporting carbon-based composite film catalysts for critical electrocatalytic reactions.

High-temperature molten salts not only demonstrate exceptional thermal and chemical stability but also offer significant advantages in catalyzing chemical reactions. Consequently, they have garnered attention as a promising medium for next-generation nuclear reactors and a wide range of electrochemical processes. Nevertheless, the challenging experimental conditions in molten salts make applying conventional analytical methods to understand reaction mechanisms a formidable task. This underscores the imperative need for more intuitive approaches to investigate molten salt chemistry. One of the simplest yet potent methods involves real-time visual monitoring of the reaction system as chemical reactions progress. In light of this, we have developed an experimental system enabling real-time visual monitoring of the internal dynamics of molten salt media. This system can capture high-resolution videos and images within molten salts, surpassing existing methodologies. We have applied this system in various electrochemical experiments using the molten LiCl-KCl eutectic salt medium. Among them, this study primarily focuses on two challenging experimental scenarios that became comprehensible through our proposed system’s application: (1) the transpassivation of Zr metal and the agglomeration of potassium hexachlorozirconate (K2ZrCl6) solid salt, and (2) the solvation of electrons during the oxidation of Li metal within the molten LiCl-KCl eutectic salt.

Decontamination is one of the important processes for dismantling nuclear power plants. The purpose of decontamination is to reduce the radiation levels of contaminated nuclear facilities, ensuring the safety of workers involved in decommissioning and minimizing the amount of radioactive waste. In this study, we investigate the reaction mechanisms and their thermodynamic energies of the HyBRID (Hydrazine-Based Reductive participated metal Ion Decontamination) process for decontamination of the primary coolant system of a nuclear power plant. We computed the thermodynamic properties of HyBRID dissolution mechanisms in which corrosion metal oxides accumulated in the primary coolant systems along with radionuclides are dissolved by HyBRID decontamination agents (H2SO4/N2H4/CuSO4). The HyBRID reaction mechanism has been studied using a commercial database (HSC Chemistry®), but Cu ions have been used instead of Cu-hydrazine complexes when calculating reactions due to the absence of thermodynamic properties for Cu-hydrazine complexes. To address this limitation, we supplemented the quantum calculations with Cu-hydrazine complexes using the density functional calculations. It is intended to simulate a more practical reactions by calculating the reactions considering Cu-hydrazine complexes, and to improve understanding of the HyBRID dissolution reactions by qualitatively and quantitatively comparing the reactions without considering the complex formation.

Currently, the most promising fuel candidate for use in sodium fast reactors (SFRs) is metallic fuel, which is produced by a modified casting method in which the metallic fuel material is sequentially melted in an inert atmosphere to prevent volatilization, followed by melting in a graphite crucible, and then injection casting in a quartz (SiO2) mold to produce metallic fuel slugs. In previous studies, U-Zr metallic fuel slugs have been cast using Y2O3 reaction prevent coatings. However, U-Zr alloy-based metallic fuel slugs containing highly reactive rare earth (RE) elements are highly reactive with Y2O3-coated quartz (SiO2) molds and form a significant thickness of surface reaction layer on the surface of the metallic fuel slug. Cast parts that have reacted with nuclear fuel materials become radioactive waste. To decrease amount of radioactive waste, advanced reaction prevent material was developed. Each RE (Nd, Ce, Ln, Pr) element was placed on the reaction prevent material and thermal cycling experiments were carried out. In casting experiments with U-10wt% Zr, it was reported that Y2O3 layer has a high reaction prevent performance. Therefore, the reaction layer properties for RE elements with higher reactivity than uranium elements were evaluated. To investigate the reaction layer between RE and NdYO3, the reaction composition and phase properties as a function of RE content and location were investigated using SEM, EDS, and XRD. The results showed that NdYO3 ceramics had better antireaction performance than Y2O3.