Characterization data of reference materials used for phase II of the priority program DFG SPP 2005 "Opus Fluidum Futurum - Rheology of reactive, multiscale, multiphase construction materials".

A thorough characterization of base materials is the prerequisite for further research. In this paper, the characterization data of the reference materials (CEM I 42.5 R, limestone powder, calcined clay and a mixture of these three components) used in the second funding phase of the priority program 2005 of the German Research Foundation (DFG SPP 2005) are presented under the aspects of chemical and mineralogical composition as well as physical and chemical properties. The data were collected based on tests performed by up to eleven research groups involved in this cooperative program.

Characterization data of reference cement CEM III/A 42.5N used for priority program DFG SPP 2005 "Opus Fluidum Futurum - Rheology of reactive, multiscale, multiphase construction materials".

Two types of cements were selected as the reference cement in the priority program 2005 of the German Research Foundation (DFG SPP 2005). A thorough characterization of CEM I 42.5 R has been made in a recent publication [1]. In this paper, the characterization data of the other reference cement CEM III/A 42.5 N are presented from the aspects of chemical and mineralogical compositions as well as physical and chemical properties. The characterization data of the slag, which is the second main constituent of this specific cement besides the clinker, are presented independently. For all data received, the mean values and the corresponding errors were calculated. The data shall be used for the ongoing research within the priority program. Also, researchers from outside this priority program can benefit from these data if the same materials are used.

Characterization data of reference cement CEM I 42.5 R used for priority program DFG SPP 2005 "Opus Fluidum Futurum - Rheology of reactive, multiscale, multiphase construction materials".

A thorough characterization of starting materials is the precondition for further research, especially for cement, which contains various phases and presents quite a complex material for fundamental scientific investigation. In the paper at hand, the characterization data of the reference cement CEM I 42.5 R used within the priority program 2005 of the German Research Foundation (DFG SPP 2005) are presented from the aspects of chemical and mineralogical compositions as well as physical and chemical properties. The data were collected based on tests conducted by nine research groups involved in this cooperative program. For all data received, the mean values and the corresponding errors were calculated. The results shall be used for the ongoing research within the priority program.

Effect of fibrous separators on the performance of lithium-sulfur batteries.

In this paper we systematically investigated effect of separator morphology on the performance of Li-S batteries. We tested two kinds of commercially available non-woven fibrous separators made of polypropylene in conjunction with trilayer PP/PE/PP porous separator. Among the non-woven separators, the fibers of the separator of first kind are rough and more acidic than the fibers of the separator of second art, which are smooth. It was found that batteries with smooth separator demonstrate higher Coulombic efficiency, higher charging/discharging capacity and better cycling stability. We attribute better performance of batteries with smooth fibers of separators to lower acidity than that of rough fibers. We believe that negatively charged polysulfides are unable to adsorb on more acidic rough fibers and diffuse readily to lithium electrode. In contrast, polysulfides are able to adsorb on the surface of less acidic smooth fibers that reduces their polysulfides shuttle and rapid decay of battery capacity. Strategic deployment of non-woven Freudenberg and Celgard separator in combination leads to high active mass utilization, superior wettability, reduced short circuit tendency caused by dendritic growth and slower capacity decay.