Engineering topics

Zhang, Kaiqiang

Publications and source records attributed to Zhang, Kaiqiang.

5 records

DOE OSTI2022

Magnetically recyclable nanocomposites via lanthanide-based MOFs grown on natural sea sponge: Screening hydrogenation of nitrophenol to aminophenol

Catalysts have played a significant role in chemical industries and received significant attention as a result. Unfortunately, many common catalytic systems are comprised of a small number of elemental species or use similar synthetic strategies, which potentially limit innovation in areas such as the discovery of new transformations. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been established as versatile materials employed in various applications that include catalysis; however, the majority of MOFs have been synthesized using transition metal building blocks, possibly hindering advances towards innovative materials with unique properties. Here this work reports the synthesis of MOFs based on lanthanide elements (Ln = Ce, Gd, La, and Sm), which demonstrate great potential yet are often overlooked. The Ln-based MOFs were grown in situ on natural sea sponge supports and Fe ion containing solution, followed by a thermal carbonization treatment to generate FeLn metal nanoparticles (NPs) embedded on carbon support (FeLn@C). These nanostructured products exhibited good crystallinity and well-confined particle sizes. We then demonstrate that these hybrid materials can be used as effective heterogeneous nanocatalysts for the hydrogenation of nitrophenol to aminophenol in aqueous media. Besides, FeLn@C catalysts had a magnetic property due to Fe atoms in the NPs, which can be mechanically separated out from the aqueous solution since the catalysts are magnetically attracted to the external magnets. This magnetic recyclability combined with the usage of the natural materials highlight the importance of sustainability in the design of Ln-based MOFs and their catalytic applications.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

DOE OSTI2020

Development of Robotic Inspection Systems for In-situ Characterisation Prior to Decommissioning - 20306

The University of Bristol's South West Nuclear Hub is part of two large UK academic research collaborations aiming to reduce the costs of nuclear power by trialing innovative solutions to major decommissioning challenges. Robotics and Artificial Intelligence in Nuclear (RAIN) and the National Centre for Nuclear Robotics (NCNR) are the two collaborations tasked by the UK research councils to coordinate this activity, for the benefit of the nuclear industry. This paper presents a summary of Bristol's research aimed at generating and demonstrating a series of technologies ready for commercialization. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2020

Irradiation Assessment of a Lightweight Industrial Robot - Towards Faster, Safer and Sooner Waste Decommissioning - 20317

Robotic systems have been successfully applied in the nuclear industry for several decades as a safe approach to minimize the exposure dose of human operators. As nuclear waste management and decommissioning gathers pace, there is an emerging interest integrating modern off-the-shelf industrial robots in nuclear robotic systems which make use of complex electronics and software to improve functionality over traditional machines. The use of the industrial robots will significantly increase the pace of development of automated waste management systems at a reduced cost, and although these off-the-shelf robots are proven robust in typical industrial environments, performance in radioactive environments is less clear. This paper investigates the performance degradation of a lightweight industrial robot (KUKA iiwa 7 LBR 800) in a controlled radiation field, aiming to simulate conditions in highly radioactive nuclear waste handling facilities. The degradation of the industrial robot's performance is identified while measuring the air kerma dose-tolerance of sensitive components, via a systematic experimental methodology. The experience from this experiment has demonstrated the significant capabilities of industrial robots, which tolerated a large gamma dose of 164 Gy before a system failure. Future tests are planned, aiming to enable faster, safer and sooner waste management and decommissioning using complex robotic systems. (authors)

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗

DOE OSTI2020

Recent Advances in Rechargeable Aluminum-Ion Batteries and Considerations for Their Future Progress

Owing to their high theoretical capacity and reliable operational safety, nonaqueous rechargeable aluminum batteries (RABs) have emerged as a promising class of battery materials and been intensively studied in recent years; however, a lack of suitable, high-performing positive electrode materials, along with the need for air-sensitive and expensive ionic liquid electrolytes, has significantly hindered the practical use of RABs in large-scale applications. Therefore, we sought to carefully analyze positive electrode materials and the associated electrolytes that have been reported in these battery systems in order to stimulate the design of the next generation of high-performance and low-cost RABs. In this review, we have summarized the electrode materials that have been used in both nonaqueous and aqueous RAB systems and provided a rational classification based on the types of materials used and their respective structures. Additionally, we have reviewed electrolytes employed in RABs and have categorized them according to two main types of applications, either for fixed battery systems or for use in portable devices. Here, a systematic account of recent developments on RABs, with a focus on electrode materials, innovative perspectives, and impending research efforts on future RABs, has been included. Finally, a proposed liquid RAB system is discussed with the aim of solving issues regarding fast-charging and long operational lifetimes, followed by insights into solid RABs for use in both portable and multistructural RAB systems.

25 ENERGY STORAGE↗

DOE OSTI2020

Pd modified prussian blue frameworks: Multiple electron transfer pathways for improving catalytic activity toward hydrogenation of nitroaromatics

Prussian blue analogs (PBAs) exhibit potential as low-cost and eco-friendly nanocatalysts that can be fabricated with ease. However, the PBA framework structure suffers from poor electronic conductivity, which limits the catalytic efficiency for this class of materials. Noble metals represent an alternative class of materials that display inherent catalytic activity but suffer from aggregation, ultimately reducing the amount of accessible catalytic sites. Herein, we demonstrate a combinatory approach that circumvents the known disadvantages with these classes of catalytic materials in which PBA-supported nanocatalysts were synthesized. These composite materials exhibit excellent catalytic activity for the reduction of nitroaromatics to aminoaromatics while displaying long-term cycling stability, which is attributed to the availability of multiple electron transfer pathways. Overall, this work opens the study on the assembly of PBA-supported heterogeneous nanocatalysts and potentially paves the way toward future applications.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗