Platinum group metal-free (PGM-free) catalyst with different loadings was investigated in air breathing electrodes microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Firstly, the electrocatalytic activity towards oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) of the catalyst was investigated by rotating ring disk electrode (RRDE) setup with different catalyst loadings. The results showed that higher loading led to an increased in ...

A review of the applications polarized neutron reflectometry (PNR) for investigation quantum materials is provided. Recent studies superconductors, strongly correlated oxides, hydrogen-induced modifications, topological insulators and chiral magnets are highlighted. The PNR technique uses a beam spin-polarized neutrons to measure nanomagnetic structure thin films heterostructures, with sensitiv...

We report a new approach, termed "growth by nanopatterned host-medicated catalyst" (NHC growth), to solve nonuniformities of Si nanowires (NWs) grown on amorphous substrates. Rather than pure metal catalyst, the NHC uses a mixture of metal catalyst with the material to be grown (i.e., Si), nanopatterns them into desired locations and anneals them. The Si host ensures one catalyst-dot per-growth...

Y-junction carbon nanocoils (Y-CNCs) were synthesized by thermal chemical vapor deposition using Ni catalyst prepared by spray-coating method. According to the emerging morphologies of Y-CNCs, several growth models were advanced to elucidate their formation mechanisms. Regarding the Y-CNCs without metal catalyst in the Y-junctions, fusing of contiguous CNCs and a tip-growth mechanism are consid...

A series of MnOx-CeO₂ and MnOx-TiO₂ catalysts were prepared by a homogeneous precipitation method and their catalytic activities for the NO oxidation in the absence or presence of SO₂ were evaluated. Results show that the optimal molar ratio of Mn/Ce and Mn/Ti are 0.7 and 0.5, respectively. The MnOx-CeO₂ catalyst exhibits higher catalytic activity and better resistance to SO₂ poisoning than the...

Direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFCs) are a type of electrochemical energy conversion device that directly Convert the chemical energy stored in a liquid alcohol fuel, commonly methanol and ethanol, and also ethylene glycol, or npropanol, to electricity. Because of their simplicity, high energy density, instantaneous recharging, and presumably long life, DAFCs have been identified as the most promi...

An efficient method has been developed for the Friedländer synthesis of substituted quinolines through a condensation reaction of 2-aminoaryl ketones with α-methylene ketones in the presence of a catalytic amount of nano Fe3O4@SiO2-SO3H under solvent-free conditions at 110 °C. The reactions are completed in short times, and the products are obtained in good to excellent yields. The results reve...

The dirhodium(II) catalyst Rh2(esp)2 allows direct solvent-free allylic and benzylic oxidations by T-HYDRO with a remarkably low catalyst loading. This method is operationally simple and scalable at ambient temperature without the use of any additives. The high catalyst stability in these reactions may be attributed to a dirhodium(II,II) catalyst resting state, which is less prone to decomposit...