The effect of thermal treatments on the mechanical and electrical properties of nickel-coated carbon fibre composites

Nickel-coated carbon fibre (NiCCF) composites may find technological applications within many industrial sectors, including: laptop computers, automotive and military industries. Typically, these applications require that NiCCF be subjected to extensive material processing; thus, optimization of mechanical (and electrical) properties for this material at the stage of its production is of significant importance. The present paper reports the application of specific, high-temperature heat treatments to laboratory-produced 12K50 NiCCF material, carried-out in order to improve the ductility and interfacial adhesion of electrodeposited Ni coating to the surface of carbon fibre substrate

The effect of cathode deactivation upon hydrogen evolution reaction on nickel-coated carbon fibre

The process of cathodic evolution of hydrogen at metal (or composite) electrodes is one of the most widely studied electrochemical reactions. It has important technological significance in the fields of fuel-cell and battery development. Nickel-coated carbon fibre (NiCCF) offers an attractive, large surface-area catalyst material for the process of cathodic evolution of hydrogen. Such composite materials could potentially be used to produce large area, woven cathodes for the generation of H2 in commercial electrolysers. Kinetics of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) at commercially available NiCCF material (Toho-Tenax fibre) were studied in 30 wt.% KOH solution, at room temperature over the cathodic overpotential range: -100 to - 500 mV/RHE. Significance of the cathode deactivation effect (in relation to the corresponding values of the charge-transfer resistance and the cathode potential parameters) upon continuous alkaline water electrolysis has also been discussed

Fuel cells - the future of electricity generation for portable applications

Fossil fuels, including crude oil, coal and natural gas are currently the key resources for world energy supply. Hence, the majority of electrical energy production is realized via combustion of conventional fuels, such as: coal, methane and petroleum. However, increasing emissions of pollutants and greenhouse gases from fossil fuel-based electricity production (especially withrespect to SO2, NOx and CO2 discharge) bring about major environmental concerns. In addition, the status of conventional (fossil) fuel reserves is still uncertain. Thus, production of "clean" electrical energy, especially from renewable resources, such as: biomass, solar, photovoltaic, geothermal, hydro and wind energy sources becomes of significant importance to the world's economy. Fuel cells (FCs) are electrochemical cells, which convert a source fuel (e.g. H2, CH4, alcohols, etc.) into an electric current. They generate electricity inside a cell via electrochemical reactions between a fuel and an oxidant, in the presence of an electrolyte. In general, most of fuel cells can be operated as emission-free devices, based on fuels produced fromrenewable resources. With a variety of possible FC types, fuel cells could potentially serve in stationary, transportation or portable applications. This work is a review of the state-of-the-art in fuel cell technology, with respect to FC employment in portable applications

Galvanic coupling effects for module-mounting elements of ground-mounted photovoltaic power station

This communication reports on the concerns associated with possible generation of galvanic coupling effects for construction materials that are used to manufacture mounting assemblies for ground-mounted photovoltaic (PV) power stations. For this purpose, six macro-corrosion galvanic cells were assembled, including: hot-dip Zn/Magnelis®-coated steel/Al and stainless steel (SS)/Al cells. Corrosion experiments involved continuous, ca. three-month exposure of these couplings in 3 wt.% NaCl solution, conducted at room temperature for a stable pH value of around 8. All corrosion cells were subjected to regular assessment of galvanic current-density and potential parameters, where special consideration was given to compare the corrosion behaviour of Zn-coated steel samples with that of Magnelis®-coated electrodes. Characterization of surface condition and elemental composition for examined materials was carried-out by means of SEM and EDX spectroscopy techniques

Platinum dissolution and ethanol oxidation reaction on Pt-activated nickel foam in sodium hydroxide solution

Electrochemical oxidation of ethanol becomes an important process of modern electrochemistry, due to its potential application into direct ethanol fuel cell technology. As rates of ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) are significantly enhanced in alkaline media, employment of highly corrosion resistant under alkaline conditions, but non-noble metals becomes of superior practical importance. This communication article reports on the process of anodic dissolution of platinum, which is investigated on Pt activated, electrooxidized nickel foam electrodes, employed for ethanol oxidation reaction in 0.1 M sodium hydroxide solution. The above was revealed through the application of cyclic voltammetry and combined SEM/EDX (scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray) spectroscopy examinations

Assessment of Risk of Disease Progression in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Insights from an International Study of Clinical Practice

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