Manganese dioxide cathodes are inexpensive and have high theoretical capacity (based on two electrons) of 617 mAh g-1, making them attractive for low-cost, energy-dense batteries. They are used in non-rechargeable batteries with anodes like zinc. Only ∼10% of the theoretical capacity is currently accessible in rechargeable alkaline systems. Attempts to access the full capacity using additives h...

Manganese dioxide nanowhiskers (MDN), prepared by the reduction of potassium permanganate by ethyl alcohol has been investigated as an adsorbent for Hg(II) removal from aqueous medium. Characterization of the as-synthesized material was carried out using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive analysis of X-rays (EDAX), X-ray photoelectron s...

Reported here is a battery in the form of a cement-matrix composite, with cement paste as the matrix, the pore solution in cement as the electrolyte, zinc particles dispersed in the matrix as the anode, manganese dioxide particles dispersed in the matrix as the cathode, and carbon black dispersed in the matrix as the conductive additive in both anode and cathode regions. The electrolyte is cont...

Minerals constitute a primary ecosystem control on organic C decomposition in soils, and therefore on greenhouse gas fluxes to the atmosphere. Secondary minerals, in particular, Fe and Al (oxyhydr)oxides-collectively referred to as "oxides" hereafter-are prominent protectors of organic C against microbial decomposition through sorption and complexation reactions. However, the impacts of Mn oxid...

Peptostreptococcus anaerobius strain VPI 4330-1 was used as the test organism in an evaluation of the bactericidal effect of anaerobic broth exposed to air. The test organism, grown under anaerobic conditions in Trypticase soy broth, was diluted in buffered salt solution, and about 2 x 10(4) cells were suspended in 10 ml of an aerated broth. Ninety percent of the cells were killed within 15 min...

Under earth surface conditions, in ocean and natural water, calcium carbonate is ubiquitous, forming anhydrous and hydrous minerals. These hydrous phases are of considerable interest for their role as precursors to stable carbonate minerals. Atomistic simulation techniques have been employed here to perform a comprehensive and quantitative study of the structural and energetic stability of dry ...

Room-temperature ionic liquid (RTIL), which is a liquid salt at or below room temperature, shows peculiar physicochemical properties such as negligible vapor pressure and relatively-high ionic conductivity. In this investigation, we used six types of RTILs as a liquid material in the pretreatment process for scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation of hydrous superabsorbent polymer (SAP) ...

In order to evaluate the effect of H on the pressure and transition interval of the olivine-wadsleyite transformation, synthesis experiments were carried out in hydrous and anhydrous peridotite compositions at 1400oC. Under hydrous, near-saturated conditions, the pressure of the transition is 1.0 ± 0.5 GPa lower than under anhydrous conditions. In addition, the two-phase interval appears to bro...