Boron-selective electrosorption with functionalized electrodes
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NMR study of a gel layer formed on an irradiated Na-aluminoborosilicate glass during aqueous alteration
Simplified borosilicate glass powders were irradiated by 952 MeV 136Xe ions and then altered in a solution at a high S/V ratio at pH 9 and 90 °C for 33 days. Compared to the alteration of a non-irradiated sample, the irradiated sample altered 3–5 times more. Overall, both the gels had a similar structure as indicated by 29Si, 27Al, 23Na, and 17O NMR experiments. Nevertheless, according to 11B and 1H NMR experiments, differences were observed in the quantity and speciation of B retained in the gels. The results suggest that the glass alteration mechanisms responsible for passivation are not changed because of the irradiation-induced structural damages. However, the alteration kinetics, gel morphology related to porosity, and the degree of maturation are different. It seems that the gel formed on irradiated glass matures faster and retains B, which in turn influences the glass dissolution rate.
Relationship between degradation mechanism and water electrolysis efficiency of electrodeposited nickel electrodes
This work investigates the degradation or corrosion of bulk and mesoporous (MP) electrodeposited nickel electrodes in alkaline water electrolysis in the absence and presence of magnetic field. Based on the electrochemical and analytical tests and morphological evaluation, both bulk and MP electrodes show improved properties of alkaline water electrolysis in the presence of magnetic field due to the impaired formation of gas bubbles and more stable hydroxide layer formed on nickel. However, mesoporous Ni electrodes exhibited significantly less damage due to the presence of higher active sites and inherent porosity which reduce either number of size of bubbles, thereby mitigating stress and minimizing harm to the hydroxide layer. Although scaling up magnetic water electrolysis for industrial electrolyzers demands great economical and technical challenges, our approach using mesoporous nickel electrodes offers promise by reducing degradation and partially offsetting costs through improved efficiency.
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Biomolecule sensors based on organic electrochemical transistors
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The effectiveness of TRIS and ammonium buffers in glass dissolution studies: a comparative analysis
Selecting appropriate buffers is crucial for evaluating the chemical durability of glass under controlled conditions such as in the EPA 1313 test designed to measure elemental release as a function of pH. The efficacy of two alkali-metal free buffers, TRIS (NH2C(CH2OH)3) and ammonium chloride—ammonia (NH3/NH4Cl), was investigated during EPA 1313 testing of a simulated Hanford low-activity waste borosilicate glass in the alkaline regime (pH 8.5–10.5) at varying temperatures (RT, 40 °C, and 60 °C). While both buffers maintained the desired pH at room temperature, and up to 40 °C, the effectiveness of TRIS decreased at elevated temperatures, particularly at pH 10.5. Although 11B NMR showed evidence of TRIS-B complexation, its effect on the rate of elemental release was found to be negligible under the test conditions. With ammonium buffer, the release of alkali cations was slightly elevated when compared to the same conditions with TRIS at early time points.
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