Shidong Fang

Polymer electrolytes from PEO and novel quaternary ammonium iodides for dye-sensitized solar cells

Polymer electrolytes were prepared by blending high molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and a series of novel quaternary ammonium iodides, the polysiloxanes with oligo(oxyethylene) side chains and quaternary ammonium groups. X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements ensured relatively low crystallinity when the quaternary ammonium iodides were incorporated into the PEO host. The ionic conductivity of these complexes was improved with the addition of plasticizers. The improvement in the ionic conductivity was determined by the polarity, viscosity and amounts of plasticizers. A plasticized electrolyte containing the novel quaternary ammonium iodide was successfully used in fabricating a quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cell for the first time. The fill factor and energy conversion efficiency of the cell were calculated to be 0.68 and 1.39%, respectively.

Sterilization of Bacillus subtilis Spores Using an Atmospheric Plasma Jet with Argon and Oxygen Mixture Gas

To determine an efficient sterilization mechanism, Bacillus subtilis spore samples were exposed to an atmospheric plasma jet. By using argon/oxygen mixture gas, the decimal reduction value was reduced from 60 s (using argon gas) to 10 s. More dramatically, after 5 min treatment, the colony-forming unit (CFU) was reduced by six orders. To understand the underlying mechanism of the efficient sterilization by plasma, the contributions from heat, UV radiation, charged particles, ozone, and reactive oxygen radicals were distinguished in this work, showing that charged particles and ozone were the main killing factors. The shape changes of the spores were also discussed.

Coal pyrolysis to acetylene using dc hydrogen plasma torch: effects of system variables on acetylene concentration

In order to unveil the inner mechanisms that determine acetylene concentration, experimental studies on the effect of several parameters such as plasma torch power, hydrogen flux and coal flux were carried out from coal pyrolysis in a dc plasma torch. Xinjiang long flame coals including volatile constituents at a level of about 42% were used in the experiment. Under the following experimental conditions, namely plasma torch power, hydrogen flow rate and pulverized coal feed speed of 2.12?MW, 32?kg?h?1 and 900?kg?h?1, respectively, acetylene volume concentration of about 9.4% was achieved. The experimental results indicate that parameters such as plasma torch power and coal flux play important roles in the formation of acetylene. Acetylene concentration increases inconspicuously with hydrogen flux. A chemical thermodynamic equilibrium model using the free energy method is introduced in this paper to numerically simulate each experimental condition. The numerical results are qualitatively consistent with the experimental results. Two parameters, i.e. the gas temperature and the ratio of hydrogen/carbon, are considered to be the dominant and independent factors that determine acetylene concentration.

Sterilization of bacillus subtilis spores by atmospheric pressure plasma jet with Ar and Ar/H 2 O mixtures

Summary form only given. Over the past ten years, atmospheric pressure plasma jets or plumes have received an increasing amount of attentions because of their potential interest for different technologies, especially biomedical application. In many paper regarded that OH radicals played one of the important role in sterilization process 1, 2, but there are no clear evidences to prove this point except by using optical emission spectroscopy prove the existence of OH.

Simplified Model Involving Energy Balance Mechanism for Atmospheric-Pressure Plasma Plume Generated in Quartz Tube

To unveil the different stages and the inner formation mechanisms for a single-electrode atmospheric-pressure plasma plume generated in a long quartz tube, a simplified positive streamer model including the energy balance mechanism was developed. Numerical results indicated that the applied voltage determines the peak energy gain, and the peak number of ions involved in the streamer tip, and therefore determines the plasma plume length. The variation of plasma plume length with applied voltage, and the average breakdown electric field intensity versus plasma plume length indicate a qualitatively good agreement with the former experimental results.

Sterilization of bacillus subtilis spores using an atmospheric plasma jet

Summary form only given. As an alternative to conventiona1 sterilization techniques, atmospheric pressure plasma jets (APPJs), have received significant attention because of their low operating temperatures and cost-effective operation1. According to previous studies the addition of oxygen gas (O 2 ) can cause helium/argon plasma to produce more active oxygen species. These active species play important roles in spore decontamination2. Although some investigations have been performed on sterilization mechanisms involving atmospheric pressure plasma jet, the respective contributions of each of the various agents generated by the plasma are still not clear.