Photoelectrochemical performance of BiOI/TiO2 nanotube arrays (TNAs) p-n heterojunction synthesized by SILAR-ultrasonication-assisted methods.

In order to extend the visible region activity of titania nanotube array (TNAs) films, the successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR)-ultrasonication-assisted method has been used to prepare BiOI-modified TiO2 nanotube arrays (BiOI/TNAs). The band gap of BiOI/TNAs for all the variations reveals absorption in the visible absorption. The surface morphology of BiOI/TNAs is shown in the nanoplate, nanoflake and nanosheet forms with a vertical orientation perpendicular to TiO2. The crystalline structure of BiOI did not change the structure of the anatase TNAs, with the band gap energy of the BiOI/TNAs semiconductor in the visible region. The photocurrent density of the BiOI/TNAs extends to the visible-light range. BiOI/TNAs prepared with 1 mM Bi and 1 mM KI on TNAs 40 V 1 h, 50 V 30 min show the optimum photocurrent density. A tandem dye-sensitized solar cell (DSSC)-photoelectrochemical (PEC) was used for hydrogen production in salty water. BiOI/TNAs optimum was used as the photoanode of the PEC cell. The solar to hydrogen conversion efficiency (STH) of tandem DSSC-PEC reaches 1.34% in salty water.

Kinetic and thermodynamic parameters of the Li/Li+ couple in the room temperature ionic liquid N-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide in the temperature range 298-318 K: a theoretical and experimental study using Pt and Ni electrodes.

The Li/Li+ couple is investigated in the room temperature ionic liquid N-butyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide, [C4mpyrr][NTf2], at a range of temperatures varying from 298 to 318 K.Experiments are conducted using both nickel and platinum microelectrodes. On nickel, a single stripping peak is observed for the stripping of bulk lithium that allowed thermodynamic and kinetic parameters to be extracted via computational simulation. At 298 K, the electrochemical rate constant (k0) ) 1.2 X 10-5 cms-1, the diffusion coefficient (D) ) 4.5 X 10-8 cm2 s-1, the formal potential (E(f)0 ) -3.26 V versus the Fc/Fc+ reference couple, and the transfer coefficient (alpha) = 0.63. On platinum, multiple stripping peaks are observed due to the stripping of Li-Pt alloys in addition to the stripping of bulk lithium. The ratio of the different stripping peaks is found to change with temperature, indicating that Li-Pt alloys are more thermodynamically stable than pure bulk lithium and platinum.

Protein electrochemistry using aligned carbon nanotube arrays.

The remarkable electrocatalytic properties and small size of carbon nanotubes make them ideal for achieving direct electron transfer to proteins, important in understanding their redox properties and in the development of biosensors. Here, we report shortened SWNTs can be aligned normal to an electrode by self-assembly and act as molecular wires to allow electrical communication between the underlying electrode and redox proteins covalently attached to the ends of the SWNTs, in this case, microperoxidase MP-11. The efficiency of the electron transfer through the SWNTs is demonstrated by electrodes modified with tubes cut to different lengths having the same electron-transfer rate constant.