Incomplete Layer Research Articles

Enhancing Li+ Transportation at Graphite‐Low Concentration Electrolyte Interface Via Interphase Modulation of LiNO3 and Vinylene Carbonate

ABSTRACTThe solvent‐rich solvent sheath in low‐concentration electrolytes (LCEs) not only results in high desolvation energy of Li+, but also forms organic‐rich solid electrolyte interface film (SEI) with poor Li+ conductivity, which hinders Li+ transport at the electrode‐electrolyte interface and greatly limits the application of LCEs. Here, the electrochemical performance of the LCEs is enhanced by dual interfacial modification with LiNO3 and vinylene carbonate (VC) additives. Results show that LiNO3 is preferentially reduced at about 1.65 V to form an inorganic‐rich but incomplete SEI inner layer. The formation of Li3N and LiNxOy inorganic components helps to achieve rapid Li+ transport in the SEI film, and the bare electrode surface caused by the incomplete SEI inner layer provides a place for the subsequent decomposition of VC. Then, at a lower potential of about 0.73 V, VC is reduced to generate the poly(VC)‐rich SEI outer layer, which provides lithium‐philic sites and greatly weakens the interaction between Li+ and ethylene carbonate (EC). The interaction modulates the Li+ solvation structure at the interface and reduces the desolvation energy of Li+. This ingenious design of the bilayer SEI film greatly enhances Li+ transport and inhibits the decomposition of traditional carbonate solvents and the swelling of graphite. As a result, the electrochemical performance of the battery using 0.5 M LiPF6 EC/diethyl carbonate (DEC) + 0.012 M LiNO3 + 0.5 vt% VC is improved to a higher level than the one using 1.0 M LiPF6 EC/DEC electrolyte. This research expands the design strategy and promising applications of LCEs by constructing a favorable SEI to enhance Li+ transport at the electrode‐electrolyte interface.

Research of the properties of the sandwich-structured Ni60CuMo self-lubricating coating with stepped hardness distribution on Vermicular cast iron by laser cladding

To enhance the wear resistance of Vermicular cast iron (RuT300) and achieve the stepped hardness distribution for the impact deformation resistance in the middle and lower part of the coating and wear resistance in the surface of the coating, the sandwich-structured Ni60CuMo coating with the transition layer was fabricated on RuT300 by laser cladding. The microstructure, hardness, and fracture toughness for the coating were analyzed, and the effect of different loads on wear resistance was investigated. The wear-resistant layer mainly contains Ni-based solid solution, hard phase of chromium compound and some ductile Cu phases. The hardness for coating without cracks shows the stepped distribution, increasing to 381HV0.5, 419HV0.5, and 490HV0.5 in the wear layer, transition layer, and heat-affected zone, respectively. The transition layer can suppress the impact of carbon from the substrate on the hardness of the wear-resistant layer. The wear resistance of the coating demonstrates a self-adaptive enhancement effect with increasing load. As the load increases from 10 N to 30 N and 50 N, the wear rate decreases from 2.865 to 1.525 and 1 (×10⁻⁴mm³N⁻¹m⁻¹). The main wear mechanism is oxidative wear. The extruded ductile Cu phase causes the wear debris to adhere it and the compacted oxide glaze layer is formed with the high load, then the compacted oxide glaze layer isolates oxygen and reduces oxidative wear. In contrast, incomplete oxide layers at low load fail to provide effective isolation, and cracks on the subsurface serve as critical pathways for continued oxygen penetration, resulting in more severe oxidative wear.

Incomplete mucosal layer excision during EMR: a potential source of recurrent adenoma (with video)

Background and AimsResidual or recurrent adenoma detected during surveillance (RRA) is the major limitation of endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR). The pathogenesis of RRA is unknown although thermal ablation of the post-EMR defect (PED) margin reduces RRA. We aimed to identify a feature within the PED which could be associated with RRA. MethodsBetween 1/2017 and 7/2020 detailed prospective procedural data on all EMR procedures performed at a single centre were retrospectively analysed. At the completion of EMR the PED was systematically examined for features of incomplete mucosal layer excision (IME). This was defined as a demarcated area within the PED bordered by a white electrocautery ring, containing endoscopically identifiable features suggesting incomplete resection of the mucosa including lacy capillaries and/or visible fibres of the muscularis mucosae. Areas of IME were re-injected and re-excised by snare and submitted separately for blinded specialist gastrointestinal pathologist review. ResultsEMR was performed for 508 large non-pedunculated colorectal polyps (LNPCPs) (median size 35mm). In 10 PED (2.0%) an area of IME was identified and excised. Histopathological examination of areas of suspected IME demonstrated muscularis mucosae in 9/10 (90%), residual lamina propria in 9/10 (90.0%) and residual adenoma in 5/10 (50.0%). No RRA was detected during follow-up after re-excision of IME. ConclusionWe report the novel finding of IME within the PED after EMR of LNPCPs. IME may contain microscopic residual adenoma and therefore is a risk for RRA during follow-up. After completion of EMR the PED should be carefully evaluated and if IME is found it should be excised.

Failure Mechanism of Thermal Barrier Coatings on Nozzle Guide Vanes Fabricated from Nickel-Based Single-Crystal Superalloy under Gas Thermal Shock Conditions

The objective of this study was to investigate the early failure behavior of thermal barrier coatings on single-crystal nozzle guide vanes under gas thermal shock conditions. The microstructure and mechanical properties of the thermal barrier coating before and after the gas thermal shock tests were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and microhardness testing. The results indicate the presence of a mixed layer containing Ni, Cr, Al, Zr, and O at the base of the ceramic layer, and reveal failure behavior in the thermal barrier coating. The analysis suggests that the incomplete formation of the thermal growth oxide layer between the ceramic layer and the bonding layer, before the deposition of the YSZ ceramic layer, led to the easy diffusion of elements from the bonding layer into the root of the ceramic layer during the gas thermal shock process, resulting in the formation of a mixed layer. In the test environment, significant thermal stress was generated in the mixed layer, leading to transverse cracks and ultimately causing early failure of the thermal barrier coating. Consequently, the “incomplete initial TGO layer” model is proposed.

Influence of Fe2O3 on the hydration kinetics of tricalcium aluminate

The influence of Fe2O3 on the hydration kinetics of tricalcium aluminate (C3A) was studied in order to clarify the mechanism of improving hydration resistance of CaO by in-situ synthesized tricalcium aluminate. The Krstulovic-Dabic model was used to investigate the hydration processes of Fe2O3-C3A solid solution and calculate the corresponding kinetic parameters. The hydration products were analyzed by the X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscope. The results indicated that the Krstulovic-Dabic model simulated the hydration processes of Fe2O3-C3A solid solution at different stages effectively. The hydraulic activity of Fe2O3-C3A solid solution decreased with the addition of Fe2O3. Reasonable amount of Fe2O3 addition reduced the hydration rate in the initial stage of Fe2O3-C3A solid solution hydration, while the hydration rate of Fe2O3-C3A solid solution was increased with excessive amount Fe2O3. The hydration process was controlled by multiple mechanisms due to an incomplete layer of hydration products was formed on the surface.

Defects engineering of Au@MoS2 nanostructures for conventional and plasmon-enhanced hydrogen evolution reaction

The influence of thermal treatment under reducing conditions on the structural and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) properties of Au@MoS2 structures is reported in this work. After a thermal treatment at 800 °C under H2 atmosphere, the Au@MoS2 nanostructures exhibit remarkable performance with an overpotential of 203 mV vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) at 10 mA/cm2 and a Tafel slope of 55 mV/dec which is similar to the value reported for edges sites in MoS2. The samples were investigated by combining ex-situ and in-situ aberration-corrected transmission electron microscopy (TEM) experiments under controlled atmosphere, Raman and XPS spectroscopies. (S) TEM characterization highlights the formation of the core-shell system as well as the decrease of the number of shell layers up to incomplete layers induced by the thermal treatments. The plasmonic-assisted HER performances of these nanostructures under LED illumination are also explored and an enhancement by about 10 % of the current density, depending on the wavelength used, is also reported. These results open new avenues for the design of core shell nanostructures based on transition metal dichalcogenides for the hydrogen evolution reaction.

Molecular insights into rare earth element (REE)-mediated phytotoxicity and its impact on human health.

Rare earth elements (REEs) that include 15 lanthanides, scandium, and yttrium are a special class of elements due to their remarkable qualities such as magnetism, corrosion resistance, luminescence, and electroconductivity. Over the last few decades, the implication of REEs in agriculture has increased substantially, which was driven by rare earth element (REE)-based fertilizers to increase crop growth and yield. REEs regulate different physiological processes by modulating the cellular Ca2+ level, chlorophyll activities, and photosynthetic rate, promote the protective role of cell membranes, and increase the plant's ability to withstand various stresses and other environmental factors. However, the use of REEs in agriculture is not always beneficial because REEs regulate plant growth and development in dose-dependent manner and excessive usage of them negatively affects plants and agricultural yield. Moreover, increasing applications of REEs together with technological advancement is also a rising concern as they adversely impact all living organisms and disturb different ecosystems. Several animals, plants, microbes, and aquatic and terrestrial organisms are subject to acute and long-term ecotoxicological impacts of various REEs. This concise overview of REEs' phytotoxic effects and implications on human health offers a context for continuing to sew fabric scraps to this incomplete quilt's many layers and colors. This review deals with the applications of REEs in different fields, specifically agriculture, the molecular basis of REE-mediated phytotoxicity, and the consequences for human health.

One-dimensional photonic crystal magnetic sensors based on incomplete surface defect patterns

We propose and study an innovative magnetic sensor of incomplete surface defect one-dimensional (1D) photonic crystal composed of magnetic fluid, SiO2, and TiO2 as defect layers. The magnetic fluid film covers the surface of the 1D photonic crystal, whereas the magnetic fluid penetrates into the array of circular holes with period ∧ inscribed on the dielectric layers of SiO2 and TiO2 to form the incomplete surface defect layer. The sensing characteristics of a 1D photonic crystal magnetic sensor (1D-PCMS) were analyzed using the theory of rigorous coupled wave analysis. The innovative use of the angular interrogation method in magnetic field detection has investigated the effect of defect layer structure parameters, optical dielectric loss on magnetic sensor sensitivity and quality factor at a fixed wavelength. This incomplete surface defect mode 1D-PCMS structure demonstrates the feasibility of scanning angular measurements of magnetic fields and provides a reference for future research on 1D-PCMS based on angular interrogation.

High-frequent pulsing ablation of C/C−SiC−ZrB2−ZrC composite for different cycles to 2000 times in plasma

The high-frequent pulsing ablation of C/C−SiC−ZrB2−ZrC composites under millisecond-scaled single loading for different cycles was studied. The sample was ablated and cooled by plasma and airflow alternately on a self-developed bench. Results indicated that the ablation rates decreased quickly before 1000 cycles and then declined gradually until impact for 2000 cycles. Microstructure, phase and surface temperature analyses suggested that an incomplete layer of mixed ceramic ablation product was formed on the surfaces of the tested composites and the amount of the bare carbon tended to be steady after 1000 cycles. The ablation product layer weakened the thermal stress-induced mechanical erosion and protected the carbon from erosion, which led to the evolution of ablation rates.

Influence of Microstructure on the Absorption of Tritium into Gold-Plated 316 Stainless Steel

The interaction of tritium with metal surfaces is the initial step in the overall absorption of tritium by the substrate metal. As a result, limiting the adsorption of tritium to the surface may effectively reduce the quantity of tritium absorbed by a metal when it is in contact with tritium gas. To limit tritium adsorption, many tritium users electroplate gold onto the substrate metal. The gold layer is expected to reduce tritium adsorption, and subsequently absorption, by reducing water adsorption. The present work shows a comparison between tritium inventories in nonplated 316 stainless steel to the inventories in 316 stainless steel samples electroplated with gold by various commercial vendors and laboratories. Of the various gold-plated samples, only one type of plating shows ~25% reduction in tritium inventory, relative to nonplated steel samples. The degree of tritium absorption appears to be significantly influenced by the porosity, texture, and completeness of the gold layer. Incomplete and/or porous layers lead to increased absorption, while gold layers with smaller surface features lead to similar tritium inventories as nonplated samples. Reduced tritium absorption was observed only for complete gold layers with small surface features.

Incomplete hetero-structure molecular layer enhancing room-temperature spin-photovoltaic performances

Molecular spin-photovoltaic device (MSP) has creatively integrated photovoltaic and spintronic functionalities, where output signal can be modulated even reaching fully spin polarized at room temperature by photo-generated voltage (Vph) as never before. Hence, to enhance Vph on a premise of effective spin transport is pivotal for improving MSP performance since it determines the capability for modulating spin signal. However, such capability for Vph to modulate spin signal is severely limited to the weak driving force of spin-photovoltaic interaction caused by single-component configuration of current MSP, and in this case, it can hardly be improved since MSP birth. Herein, an incomplete hetero-structure active layer is firstly employed to construct a novel-designed MSP, and a more efficient working mechanism has therefore been triggered and endows MSP with greater potential in the future. In such an MSP, the Vph has been enhanced by 15 times than in traditional single-component MSP at room temperature, which is far better than any previous reports. Moreover, desired properties of molecules for constructing ideal incomplete hetero-structure configuration and further optimizing above mechanism have been sketched theoritically, which will open a brand-new research chapter in both academic and practical aspects.

Encapsulated Ni nanoparticles in the incomplete graphite layer anchored on NiMo oxides enabling superior hydrogen evolution to Pt

Carbon-encapsulation and etching–hydrolysis strategies are deployed to synthesize encapsulated Ni nanoparticles in the incomplete graphite layer anchored on NiMo oxides, which show superior hydrogen evolution to Pt.

Anencephaly, Bifid Tongue, and Cleft Palate in a Pomeranian Dog: GFAP and NeuN Immunoreactivities.

Anencephaly is a congenital disease manifesting with the absence of the brain due to the failure of the cranial part of the neural tube to close during the embryonic stage. The disease may be accompanied by other anomalies and usually results in premature death. A stillborn puppy of a 2-year-old female Pomeranian dog is examined in this case. The lack of brain tissue and accompanying abnormal skull formation was noted macroscopically. The eyes were protruding out of their normal position (exophthalmos), and a bifid tongue together with a secondary cleft palate was present. On serial sections stained with Haematoxylin-Eosin, only the medulla spinalis among the central nervous system structures could be inspected microscopically. Immunohistochemistry staining revealed GFAP immunoreactivity in the astrocytic glial cells. NeuN immunoreactivity was detected in the neurons in the medulla spinalis and spinal ganglions. Incomplete retinal layers were observed on the eye sections stained with Haematoxylin-Eosin and NeuN. The case was concluded to be coherent with skull and nervous system congenital malformations rarely observed in dogs. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first description of a dog with anencephaly, bifid tongue and cleft palate.

Feasibility Study on Aluminum Under Laser Ablation for Corrosion Resistance in Molten Salt

Molten salt is a prevalent medium in nuclear technology, especially in both reactors and waste separation (pyroprocessing) routines. Thus, the application dealing with the molten salt requires compatible materials that can withstand its aggressive environment. Research studies have shown that the purity of the molten salt environment can influence corrosion rates. Fission products, moisture, and oxide corrosion contents all distribute into the salt’s impurity and how it reacts within the system. The naturally occurring corrosion creates some protection via incomplete passivation layers; however, these same impurities start instability in the film through localized attacks. Laser ablation treatments in other research fields have proven useful in the improvement of corrosion resistance in various materials. Yet, this approach has not been tested in molten salt towards nuclear engineering applications. Thus, this becomes a motivation for our study to determine the feasibility of using the laser ablation technique on aluminum samples, creating an oxide layer and testing them in a eutectic LiCl-KCl salt at 773 K simulating a pyroprocessing environment. Over the course of the corrosion test, data sets were collected to allow electrochemical analysis – 24 hour rounds of open circuit voltage, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and linear sweep voltammetry (LSV). Detailed results will be presented and discussed.

Observation of the Multilayer Growth Mode in Ternary InGaAs Nanowires.

Au-seeded semiconductor nanowires have classically been considered to only grow in a layer-by-layer growth mode, where individual layers nucleate and grow one at a time with an incubation step in between. Recent in situ investigations have shown that there are circumstances where binary semiconductor nanowires grow in a multilayer fashion, creating a stack of incomplete layers at the interface between a nanoparticle and a nanowire. In the current investigation, the growth behavior in ternary InGaAs nanowires has been analyzed in situ, using environmental transmission electron microscopy. The investigation has revealed that multilayer growth also occurs for ternary nanowires and appears to be more common than in the binary case. In addition, the size of the multilayer stacks observed is much larger than what has been reported previously. The investigation details the implications of multilayers for the overall growth of the nanowires, as well as the surrounding conditions under which it has manifested. We show that multilayer growth is highly dynamic, where the stack of layers regularly changes size by transporting material between the growing layers. Another observation is that multilayer growth can be initiated in conjunction with the formation of crystallographic defects and compositional changes. In addition, the role that multilayers can have in behaviors such as growth failure and kinking, sometimes observed when creating heterostructures between GaAs and InAs ex situ, is discussed. The prevalence of multilayer growth in this ternary material system implies that, in order to fully understand and accurately predict the growth of nanowires of complex composition and structure, multilayer growth has to be considered.

Pre-gelatinization and cellulase addition improve fermentation performance and antioxidant activity of black rice wine.

Black rice contains a variety of bioactive substances that contribute to the high nutritional value of black rice wine (BRW). However, the dense bran layer of black rice retards the fermentation rate and reduces the dissolution of active components. Hence, this study aims to investigate the effects of pre-gelatinization (PG) before cooking and cellulase (CE) addition during fermentation on the fermentation performance of BRW and its antioxidant activity. PG combined with CE treatments (PGCE) increases the alcohol content, free amino acid content, volatile flavor content and total antioxidant activity of BRW by 90.81%, 15.36%, 38.05% and 19.56%, respectively, compared with the control group. Scanning electron microscopy, low-field nuclear magnetic resonance and texture properties analysis indicate that PG treatment increases gelatinization degree of starch during cooking, decreases bound water content in cooked black rice and promotes unbound water release. CE destroys the aleurone layer structure, facilitates the release of unbound water and the exposure of rice starch, thus increasing the reaction area and extravasation content significantly, which is beneficial to microbial growth and fermentation. Incomplete aleurone layer also promotes the dissolution of anthocyanins, phenols and other active substances, increasing the antioxidant activities of BRW. PG and CE treatments reduce the fermentation time and improve the quality of BRW by destroying the black rice structure. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.

X-Ray Studies of the Inverted Ejecta Layers in the Southeast Area of Cassiopeia A

The central strong activities in core-collapse supernovae are expected to produce the overturning of the Fe- and Si/O-rich ejecta during the supernova explosion based on multidimensional simulations. X-ray observations of the supernova remnant Cassiopeia A have indicated that the Fe-rich ejecta lies outside the Si-rich materials in the southeastern region, which is consistent with the hypothesis on the inversion of the ejecta. We investigate the kinematic and nucleosynthetic properties of the inverted ejecta layers in detail to understand its formation process using the data taken by the Chandra X-Ray Observatory. Three-dimensional velocities of Fe- and Si/O-rich ejecta are obtained as >4500 km s−1 and ∼2000–3000 km s−1, respectively, by combining proper motion and line-of-sight velocities, indicating that the velocity of the Si/O-rich ejecta is slower than that of the Fe-rich ejecta from the early stages of the explosion. To constrain their burning regime, the Cr/Fe mass ratios are evaluated as % in the outermost Fe-rich region and % in the inner Fe/Si-rich region, suggesting that the complete Si burning layer is invertedly located to the incomplete Si burning layer. All the results support the ejecta overturning at the early stages of the remnant’s evolution or during the supernova explosion of Cassiopeia A.

Experimental and molecular dynamics simulation study on wetting interaction between water droplets and kaolinite surface

Wetting behavior of a droplet on a solid surface has not been fully understood from the macroscopic level to the microscopic level. In order to try to solve this problem, this work adopted a combination of macroscopic force measurement and molecular dynamics simulation to study the wetting interaction between water droplets and kaolinite surface. On the one hand, a macroscopic force measurement system was used to measure directly the wetting force between the millimeter-scale water droplet and the kaolinite substrate. Results showed that the wetting force was of independence on the impact velocity, but mainly dependent on the impact distance, and increased significantly with increasing impact distance due to the enlargement of three-phase contact (TPC) line length. On the other hand, molecular dynamics simulation method based on classical mechanics theory was applied to study the wetting behavior of nanometer-scale water droplets on the (001) surface of kaolinite. Simulation suggested that the overall wettability of the kaolinite surface was determined by the wettability of kaolinite (Al-OH) surface and kaolinite (Si-O) surface. Because the water nanodroplet formed an incomplete monomolecular water layer on the (Al-OH) surface, while the water molecules stayed together as a compact entity keeping a form of deformed sphere on the (Si-O) surface. These findings can provide guidance for the study of droplet-solid interaction mechanism and the explanation of some special wetting phenomena caused by anisotropic surface characteristics.

Thin layer vs. nanoparticles: Effect of SnO2 addition to PtRhNi nanoframes for ethanol oxidation reaction

When designing catalysts for direct ethanol fuel cell applications (DEFC), four main parameters must be considered: shape, structure, size, and chemical composition. According to this knowledge, it is assumed that polyhedral hollow Pt-based nanoframes, with the addition of Rh and SnO2 with a size below 50 nm, could be a promising nanocatalysts for the anode of DEFC. In this work, two different PtRhNi/SnO2 nanoframes-based catalysts are obtained. First consists of PtRhNi nanoframes covered with small, about 3 nm, SnO2 nanoparticles (PtRhNi/SnO2 NPs); and second is the PtRhNi nanoframes covered with a thin and incomplete SnO2 layer (PtRhNi/SnO2 TL). Both nanocatalysts were tested toward ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) and show higher activity in comparison to PtRhNi nanoframes without SnO2 (PtRhNi NFs) addition and commercially used Pt nanoparticles. Especially, the electrochemical durability and stability of obtained nanocatalysts were tested. It was shown that both PtRhNi/SnO2 nanoframes-based catalysts develop similar mass and specific activity, as well as nearly the same onset potential, but their stability is significantly different. It turns out, that catalyst based on PtRhNi nanoframes covered with a thin SnO2 layer is susceptible to degradation, while the catalyst consisting of PtRhNi nanoframes covered with SnO2 nanoparticles is much more durable and could be used as an efficient catalyst toward EOR.

Predicting Airline Additional Services Consumption Willingness Based on High-Dimensional Incomplete Data

Prediction of the purchase willingness of passengers has great benefits for airlines to promote auxiliary services, however, the datasets stored in passenger travel information systems are often high-dimensional and incomplete. This study develops a prediction method of airline additional service consumption willingness based on high-dimensional and incomplete datasets with a triple-layer hybrid PSO-XGBoost model, which consists of an incomplete data processing layer, a high-dimensional data processing layer, and a predicting layer. The raw dataset is converted into a complete and low-dimensional dataset through the first two layers and inputted into the predicting layer to train and optimize the XGBoost model together with the PSO algorithm and 10-fold cross-validation. The experimental results show that the proposed method outperforms other traditional machine learning models, presenting the highest prediction score with 0.9879 in terms of AUC. The findings help predict airline additional services consumption intentions of passengers and are beneficial to efficient and low-cost precise marketing for airlines.