Qingdao Institute of Bioenergy and Bioprocess Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences
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High-performance ternary polymer solar cells from a structurally similar polymer alloy
No full textHigh-efficiency ternary polymer solar cells (PSCs) are fabricated by using two donor polymers (PBDTTPD and PBDTTT-C-T) with similar polymer backbones and complementary absorption and PC71BM as the acceptor. A high power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 9.3% is achieved with a high short-circuit current density (J(sc)) of 17.2 mA cm(-2). The enhanced J(sc) and PCEs are mainly attributed to the broadened photoresponse of the ternary blend. Good miscibility of the two donor polymers is found due to the similar polymer main chains, leading to the desired morphology between the donors and PC71BM in the ternary blends. The trend of open-circuit voltage (V-oc) variations indicates the formation of a polymer alloy in this ternary blend. Our work demonstrates that using two donor polymers with similar backbone structures is a rational strategy for realizing high-performance ternary PSCs
Methylammonium-Mediated Evolution of Mixed-Organic-Cation Perovskite Thin Films: A Dynamic Composition-Tuning Process
No full textMethylammonium-mediated phase-evolution behavior of FA(1-x)MA(x)PbI(3) mixed-organic-cation perovskite (MOCP) is studied. It is found that by simply enriching the MOCP precursor solutions with excess methylammonium cations, the MOCPs form via a dynamic composition-tuning process that is key to obtaining MOCP thin films with superior properties. This simple chemical approach addresses several key challenges, such as control over phase purity, uniformity, grain size, composition, etc., associated with the solution-growth of MOCP thin films with targeted compositions
Nickel Phosphides Supported on HZSM-5 for Catalytic Hydrodeoxygenation of Eugenol: Effect of Phosphorus Content
No full textNickel phosphides supported on HZSM-5 zeolite with different initial P/Ni molar ratios were prepared for catalytic hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of eugenol to produce hydrocarbons. When P/Ni<0.5, the increase of P content gave smaller and more uniform particles which was helpful for hydrogenation of aromatic ring, while the total acid sites of the catalyst decreased due to the coverage of more acid sites of HZSM-5 by adding P which was unfavourable for the removal of oxygen. At P/Ni=0.5, the active phase supported on HZSM-5 was mainly Ni3P with the smallest average particle size and minimum amount of acid sites which could account for the best hydrogenation activity and the lowest selectivity of hydrocarbons, respectively. Further increasing the P/Ni ratio up to 1 and 2, the active phase became Ni2P and a lot of nonuniform Ni2P nanorod crystals appeared on and out of the support HZSM-5 which caused a sharp drop in the hydrogenation activity of the catalyst. For a combination of hydrogenation and deoxygenation considerations, The P/Ni=0.25 is the best ratio for nickel phosphides supported on HZSM-5 zeolite to HDO of lignin-related phenols
Article Biological Degradation of Chinese Fir with Trametes Versicolor (L.) Lloyd
No full textChinese fir (Cunninghamia lanceolata (Lamb.) Hook.) has been an important afforestation species in northeast China. It has obvious defects of buckling and cracking easily, which are caused by its chemical components. Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd, a white-rot fungus, can decompose the cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin in the wood. White-rot fungus was used to biologically degrade Chinese fir wood. The effects of different degradation time on the Chinese fir wood's mechanical properties, micromorphology, chemical components, and crystallinity were studied. The results showed that the heartwood of Chinese fir was more durable than the sapwood and the durability class of Chinese fir was III. Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd had a greater influence on the mechanical properties (especially with respect to the modulus of elasticity (MOE)) for the sapwood. Trametes versicolor (L.) Lloyd degraded Chinese fir and colonized the lumen of various wood cell types in Chinese fir, penetrated cell walls via pits, caused erosion troughs and bore holes, and removed all cell layers. The ability of white-rot fungus to change the chemical composition mass fraction for Chinese fir was: hemicellulose > lignin > cellulose. The durability of the chemical compositions was: lignin > cellulose > hemicellulose. The crystallinity of the cellulose decreased and the mean size of the ordered (crystalline) domains increased after being treated by white-rot fungus
Expression and characterization of soybean seed coat peroxidase in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)
No full textSoybean seed coat peroxidase (SBP) is a valuable enzyme having a broad variety of applications in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, and food processing. In the present study, the sscp gene (Gene ID: 548068) was optimized based on the preferred codon usage of Escherichia coli, synthesized, and expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3). SDS-PAGE and western blot analysis of this expressed protein revealed that its molecular weight is approximately 39kDa. The effects of induction temperature, concentration of isopropyl--D-thiogalactoside and hemin, induction time, expression time were optimized to enhance SBP production with a maximum activity of 11.23U/mL (8.64U/mg total protein). Furthermore, the kinetics of enzyme-catalyzed reactions of recombinant protein was determined. When 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) was used as substrate, optimum reaction temperature and pH of the enzyme were 85 degrees C and 5.0, respectively. The effects of metal ions on the enzymatic reaction were also further investigated. The SBP was successfully expressed in E. coli BL21(DE3) which would provide a more efficient production strategy for industrial applications of SBP
Preparation, characterization and ionic conductivity studies of composite sulfide solid electrolyte
No full textA new composite solid electrolyte was synthesized by a mixture of Li2S, P2S5, SnS and LiCl sintered at temperatures of 550-700 degrees C, whose ionic conductivity and microstructures were studied respectively. XRD results show that the main phases of the resulting electrolyte were Li7PS6 and LiCl, and the variation of the LiCl content and the sintering temperature led to a small change of phase composition. A suitable addition of LiCl could enhance the ionic conductivity. In addition, SEM images indicated that the grain size increased with the sintering temperature increase, resulting in that the resistance first decreased and then increased. The composite electrolyte with 14 wt% LiCl sintered at 600 degrees C had the best ionic conductivity of 5.89 x 10(-4) S cm(-1) and the most chemical stability synchronously. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
Separation of < 6 mm oil shale using a compound dry separator
No full textA large amount of fine granular materials (<6 mm) are produced during the mining of oil shale. The combustion characteristics of oil shale improve with decreasing size of these materials, for which reason fine-grain oil shale has a high utility value. However, fine oil shale also contains a significant amount of inorganic mineral impurities which can be reduced by physical separation to improve the oil quality. Based on an analysis of the physical properties of oil shale, this paper proposes a compound dry separation process for the cleaning of <6 mm oil shale grains. The effects of the vibration intensity, air velocity, and back angle of the employed separator on the separation results and oil content of the cleaned oil shale were systematically analyzed. Under the optimal vibrational conditions defined by a vibration intensity of 25.76 (amplitude = 4.0 mm, frequency = 40 Hz), air velocity of 0.66 m/s, and back angle of 45 degrees, the yield comprised 35.8% concentrate and 64.2% tailings, with corresponding oil contents of 10.02% and 0.85%, respectively. The probable error of the highest intensity of segregation achieved was 0.155. The proposed compound dry separation of oil shale particles of up to 6 mm was found to be more efficient compared with conventional methods, and the separated fine grade material can be comprehensively utilized by further pyrolysis treatment
Investigation on the properties of Ta doped Ti3SiC2 as solid oxide fuel cell interconnects
No full textThe oxidation behaviours and electrical properties of 5 at% Ta doped Ti3SiC2 solid solution have been investigated at 800 degrees C in air for up to 500 h. The oxidation kinetics of (Ti0.95Ta0.05)(3)SiC2 follows a parabolic law. The oxidation rate constant is 7.33 x 10(-14) g(2) cm(-4) s(-1), which is lower than those of Ti3SiC2, (Ti0.95Nb0.05)(3)SiC2 and Crofer 22 APU. Ta doped r-TiO2 formed (Ti0.95Ta0.05)(3)SiC2 during the oxidation process. Ta doping can limit the outward diffusion of Ti by decreasing the native Ti interstitials concentration and simultaneously restraining the inward diffusion of oxygen by decreasing the O vacancy concentration. As a result, the oxidation resistance is significantly improved and the oxide scale structure of Ti3SiC2 changes from a double-layer to a monolithic layer. The ASR of (Ti0.95Ta0.05)(3)SiC2 after oxidation at 800 degrees C in air for 500 h is 29.5 mU cm(2), which is much lower than that of Ti3SiC2. Ta doping can increase the electron concentration in r-TiO2 and thereby increase the electrical conductivity of r-TiO2. Therefore, the ASR of (Ti0.95Ta0.05)(3)SiC2 after oxidation is lower compared to that of Ti3SiC2
Inoculation of AM Fungi: An Effective Tool to Reduce Cd Accumulation in Peanut Kernel. International
No full textChina is an important global peanut producer and exporter. Nevertheless, excessive Cd in peanut kernels has become an
important constraint of peanut exportation. Concerns over the heavy metal contamination in food crops have prompted
scientists to find ways to solve these problems, including applications of microbiology. In the present research, a greenhouse
pot culture experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation on cadmium
(Cd) uptake and translocation in peanut plants at different Cd levels. The peanut seeds were sown in pots, where culture
substrate was previously mixed with a given amount of Glomus intraradices and 0, 2 and 10 mg kg -1 Cd. In the control plot,
G. intraradices was inactivated before mixed into culture substrate. Symbiotic relationships were successfully established
between AMF and peanut root at all Cd levels with an average colonization rate of 65.0%. Compared with control plants,
AMF inoculation significantly improved phosphorus nutrition supply to peanut plants, increased chlorophyll by 7.5%,
photosynthesis by 11.8%, transpiration by 13.9% and root dry weight by 27.0%. In AMF inoculated peanut plants, the
concentration and accumulation of Cd were 45.9 and 87.4% higher, respectively, in root system but 31.1 and 31.8% lower,
respectively in the aboveground part than in the control plants. At the Cd level of 10 mg kg -1 , the translocation rate of Cd in
AMF inoculated peanut plants was 51.8% lower than in AMF non-inoculated plants. In summary, AMF inoculation could
improve peanut plant growth, result in Cd immobilisation in the peanut root system and inhibit Cd translocation in peanut
plants. In conclusion, AMF inoculation may be an effective way to reduce Cd accumulation in peanut kernels. © 2017 Friends
Science Publisher
Using Raman spectroscopy and chemometrics to identify the growth phase of Lactobacillus casei Zhang during batch culture at the single-cell level.
No full textBackground As microbial cultures are comprised of heterogeneous cells that differ according to their size and intracellular concentrations of DNA, proteins, and other constituents, the detailed identification and discrimination of the growth phases of bacterial populations in batch culture is challenging. Cell analysis is indispensable for quality control and cell enrichment. Methods In this paper, we report the results of our investigation on the use of single-cell Raman spectrometry (SCRS) for real-time analysis and prediction of cells in different growth phases during batch culture of Lactobacillus (L.) casei Zhang. A targeted analysis of defined cell growth phases at the level of the single cell, including lag phase, log phase, and stationary phase, was facilitated by SCRS. Results Spectral shifts were identified in different states of cell growth that reflect biochemical changes specific to each cell growth phase. Raman peaks associated with DNA and RNA displayed a decrease in intensity over time, whereas protein-specific and lipid-specific Raman vibrations increased at different rates. Furthermore, a supervised classification model (Random Forest) was used to specify the lag phase, log phase, and stationary phase of cells based on SCRS, and a mean sensitivity of 90.7% and mean specificity of 90.8% were achieved. In addition, the correct cell type was predicted at an accuracy of approximately 91.2%. Conclusions To conclude, Raman spectroscopy allows label-free, continuous monitoring of cell growth, which may facilitate more accurate estimates of the growth states of lactic acid bacterial populations during fermented batch culture in industry