A rapid, semi-quantitative, inexpensive method, using a simple digital scanner and an indicator ink, suitable for use in the laboratory, or in the field, for assessing the photocatalytic activity of commercial photocatalytic self-cleaning materials such as glass, is described. The repeatability of the current method is found to be high and better than many of the previously reported ISO photocatalyst tests.
Titania nanoparticle-based thin films are highly attractive for a vast range of commercial applications. Although their application on polymer-based substrates is particularly appealing, the requirement of low process temperatures results in low mechanical stability. Highly crystalline anatase nanoparticles were used as the building blocks for coatings through a two-stage process. The main benefits of this method, over the more common sol-gel ones, are the relatively low temperature required for the production of metal oxide coatings, allowing the use of polymer-based substrates, and the defined crystallinity of the resulting thin films. Although in several cases moderate temperatures can be utilized for drying the films, the mechanical stability of the respective coatings remains a critical issue. In this contribution, we present a strategy to achieve network formation between TiO nanoparticles in a preformed thin film on the basis of the cross-linking of the functionalized nanoparticles. In the first stage, the nanoparticles were functionalized by dicarboxylic acids, concurrently leading to a stable colloidal dispersion that could be utilized for dip-coating to obtain TiO thin films with high homogeneity and optical transparence. During the second stage, the films were immersed in a solution of a diamine as the linker molecule, to achieve cross-linking between the nanoparticles within the film. It is demonstrated that indeed covalent bonding was realized and functional coatings with significantly enhanced mechanical properties were obtained by our strategy.
Research on All-Solid-State Batteries (ASSBs) currently focuses on the development of innovative materials, cell concepts, and production processes, aiming to achieve higher energy densities compared to other battery technologies. For example, it is been demonstrated that coating the Cathode Active Material (CAM) can enhance the rate capability and cycle life and reduce the interfacial resistance of an ASSB cell. For this reason, various techniques for coating the CAM have been explored, along with a variety of coating materials, including lithium niobate. Since ASSBs are still an emerging technology, more research is needed to determine how their production processes will perform from a technical, economic, and environmental perspective. In this paper, two innovative techniques for producing lithium niobate-coated CAMs are presented and evaluated. Particularly, Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) and Physical Vapor Deposition (PVD) techniques for coating NCM811 particles are investigated. The methodology for environmental and technical feasibility assessments at an early stage of development is further presented and discussed. Based on process-specific data and expert knowledge, an environmental assessment is conducted and further supported with a qualitative technical feasibility assessment. The results help guide early-stage decision-making regarding the identification of promising process routes with relatively low impacts.
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