Rapid synthesis of ultralong silver nanowires (AgNWs) has been obtained using a one-pot polyol-mediated synthetic procedure. The AgNWs have been prepared from the base materials in less than one hour with nanowire lengths reaching 195 μm, which represents the quickest synthesis and one of the highest reported aspect ratios to date. These results have been achieved through a joint analysis of all reaction parameters, which represents a clear progress beyond the state of the art. Dispersions of the AgNWs have been used to prepare thin, flexible, transparent and conducting films using spray coating. Due to the higher aspect ratio, an improved electrical percolation network is observed. This allows a low sheet resistance (RS = 20.2 Ω/sq), whilst maintaining high optical film transparency (T = 94.7%), driving to the highest reported figure-of-merit (FoM = 338). Owing to the light-scattering influence of the AgNWs, the density of the AgNW network can also be varied to enable controllability of the optical haze through the sample. Based on the identification of the optimal haze value, organic photovoltaics (OPVs) have been fabricated using the AgNWs as the transparent electrode and have been benchmarked against indium tin oxide (ITO) electrodes. Overall, the performance of OPVs made using AgNWs sees a small decrease in power conversion efficiency (PCE), primarily due to a fall in open-circuit voltage (50 mV). This work indicates that AgNWs can provide a low cost, rapid and roll-to-roll compatible alternative to ITO in OPVs, with only a small compromise in PCE needed.
Demineralization of a synthetic UF‐whey permeate and a reconstituted UF‐whey retentate was studied in a laboratory electrodialysis (ED) unit.
Data on conductivity, ionic concentration, ash removal, electrical efficiency and energy consumption are reported at three temperatures (20, 35 and 45C) and three flow rates (100, 160 and 230 l/h). the extent of deashing is lower for the UF‐whey retentate than for the UF‐whey permeate as a result of concentration polarization, which results in an increase of the boundary layer thickness, due to deposition of proteins and salts on the membranes.
Background: The emergence and expansion of antibiotic resistance makes it necessary to have alternative antiinfective agents, among which silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) display especially interesting properties. AgNPs carry out their antibacterial action through various molecular mechanisms, and the magnitude of the observed effect is dependent on multiple, not fully understood, aspects, particle shape being one of the most important. In this article, we conduct a study of the antibacterial effect of a recently described type of AgNP: silver nanorings (AgNRs), making comparisons with other alternative types of AgNP synthesized in parallel using the same methodology. Results: When they act on planktonic forms, AgNRs produce a smaller effect on the viability of different bacteria than nanoparticles with other structures although their effect on growth is more intense over a longer period. When their action on biofilms is analyzed, AgNRs show a greater concentration-dependent effect. In both cases it was observed that the effect on inhibition depends on the microbial species, but not its Gram positive or negative nature. Growth patterns in silver-resistant Salmonella strains suggest that AgNRs work through different mechanisms to other AgNPs. The antibacterial effect is also produced to some extent by the conditioning of culture media or water by contact with AgNPs but, at least over short periods of time, this is not due to the release of Ag ions. Conclusions: AgNRs constitute a new type of AgNP, whose antibacterial properties depend on their shape, and is capable of acting efficiently on both planktonic bacteria and biofilms.
: Electrodialysis (ED) has been used as a membrane technique to concentrate tartaric acid from ion exchange regeneration waters obtained in grape juice treatment. The initial ion tartrate concentration in these streams varies between 1 and 10 kg m~3 and can be concentrated more than 60% (53É2 kg m~3 after 13 300 s). Permeate Ñux of other common ionic components has been shown. Optimum intensities and current efficiency have been calculated with synthetic solutions. A mathematical approach has been used to predict Ðnal tartaric acid concentration and electro-osmotic e †ects.
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