Electrochemical and Surface Characterization Study on the Corrosion Inhibition of Mild Steel 1030 by the Cationic Surfactant Cetrimonium Trans-4-hydroxy-cinnamate

Effective corrosion inhibition of mild steel 1030 at 0.01 M NaCl concentration was achieved by the use of the nontoxic surfactant salt cetrimonium trans-4-hydroxy-cinnamate (CTA-4OHcinn). Polarization analysis on the steel samples immersed for 24 h in the control and CTA-4OHcinn-containing solutions shows the development of a passivation potential that is more obvious at higher inhibitor concentrations along with a maximum inhibition efficiency of 97.8%. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) pinpoints the effect of the inhibitor on the corroding regions of the metal surface, showing an increase in the local electric resistance and conversely a decrease in the local capacitance, which indicates that the charge transfer in the corroding regions is being hindered by a deposition process. This is consistent with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images, showing the presence of a porous oxide matrix that fills localized corrosion sites on the metal surface after 24 h of immersion in a 0.01 M NaCl + 10 mM inhibitor solution. Additionally, SEM analysis also shows the formation of an organic film surrounding the defects that is able to shield chloride attack. As a result of diffusion of chloride from the defects below the protective film, filiform corrosion can be seen. Time-resolved impedance analysis over the first 120 min of immersion in the control and inhibitor solution shows that significant inhibitor protection does not take place immediately and there is a lag phase in the first 50 min of immersion, suggesting that early localized corrosion drives further adsorption of inhibitor micelles on the metal surface. This is in agreement with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, which indicates a complete surface coverage over the first 2 h of immersion in a concentrated inhibitor solution. XPS also shows the heterogeneity of the film, where some parts are poorly covered, revealing the underlying surface containing iron.

The influence of alkyl chain branching on the properties of pyrrolidinium-based ionic electrolytes

Ionic liquids and plastic crystals based on pyrrolidinium cations are recognised for their advantageous properties such as high conductivity, low viscosity, and good electrochemical and thermal stability. The pyrrolidinium ring can be substituted with symmetric or asymmetric alkyl chain substituents to form a range of ionic liquids or plastic crystals depending on the anion. However, reports into the use of branched alkyl chains and how this influences the material properties are limited. Here, we report the synthesis of six salts - ionic liquids and organic ionic plastic crystals - where the typically used linear propyl chain substituent is replaced by the branched alternative, isopropyl, to form the cation [C(i3)mpyr]+, in combination with six different anions: dicyanamide, (fluorosulfonyl)(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, tetrafluoroborate and hexafluorophosphate. The thermal and transport properties of these salts are compared to those of the analogous N-propyl-N-methylpyrrolidinium and N,N-diethylpyrrolidinium-based salts. Finally, a high lithium salt content ionic liquid electrolyte based on the bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide salt was developed. This electrolyte showed high coulombic efficiencies of lithium plating/stripping and high lithium ion transference number, making it a strong candidate for use in lithium metal batteries.

Organic salts utilising the hexamethylguanidinium cation: the influence of the anion on the structural, physical and thermal properties

The synthesis and characterisation of new solid-state electrolytes is a key step in advancing the development of safer and more reliable electrochemical energy storage technologies. Organic ionic plastic crystals (OIPCs) are an increasingly promising class of material for application in devices such as lithium or sodium metal batteries as they can support high ionic conductivity, with good electrochemical and thermal stability. However, the choice of OIPC-forming ions is still relatively limited. Furthermore, understanding of the influence of different cations and anions on the thermal, structural and transport properties of these materials is still in its infancy. Here we report the synthesis and in-depth characterisation of a range of new OIPCs utilising the hexamethylguanidinium cation ([HMG]) with five different anions. The thermal, structural, transport properties and free volume in the different salts have been investigated. The free volume within the salts has been investigated by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy, and the single crystal and powder X-ray diffraction analysis of [HMG] bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide ([TFSI]) in phase I and II, [HMG] hexafluorophosphate ([PF₆]) and [HMG] tetrafluoroborate ([HMG][BF₄]) are reported. The HMG cation can exhibit significant disorder, which is advantageous for plasticity and future use of these materials as high ionic conductivity matrices. The bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide salt, [HMG][FSI], is identified as particularly promising for use as an electrolyte, with good electrochemical stability and soft mechanical properties. The findings introduce a range of new materials to the solid-state electrolyte arena, while the insights into the physico-chemical relationships in these materials will be of importance for the future development and understanding of other ionic electrolytes.

Efficient and Stable Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells by the Combination of Phosphonium Organic Ionic Plastic Crystals with Silica

Remarkably efficient quasi-solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) have been fabricated using organic ionic plastic crystal electrolytes based on a small triethyl(methyl)phosphonium [P₁₂₂₂] cation and two types of sulfonamide anions, bis(fluorosulfonyl)amide (FSA) and bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)amide (TFSA), in combination with varying amounts of silica (SiO₂). Solar cell efficiencies of up to 7.4% were obtained, which is comparable to our benchmark efficiencies of liquid (acetonitrile) electrolyte-based devices. Such a high efficiency for DSSCs using quasi-solid-state electrolytes is attributed to improved ionic conductivity, enhanced redox couple transport, improved interfacial interaction between the electrolyte and the electrode as well as decreased resistance at both electrode interfaces. Notably, the devices with the silica-containing electrolytes displayed excellent stability after 5 months of storage, with the most stable devices, formed with either plastic crystal electrolyte containing 2% silica, showing no decrease in efficiency.

Probing Ionic Liquid Electrolyte Structure via the Glassy State by Dynamic Nuclear Polarization NMR Spectroscopy

Dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP)-enhanced solid-state NMR spectroscopy has been used to study an ionic liquid salt solution (N-methyl-N-propyl-pyrrolidinium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, C₃mpyrFSI, containing 1.0 m lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide, ⁶LiFSI) in its glassy state at a temperature of 92 K. The incorporation of a biradical to enable DNP signal enhancement allowed the proximities of the lithium to the individual carbon sites on the pyrrolidinium cation to be probed using a ¹³C-⁶Li REDOR pulse sequence. Distributions in Li-C distances were extracted and converted into a 3D map of the locations of the Li⁺ relative to the C₃mpyr that shows remarkably good agreement with a liquid-phase molecular dynamics simulation.

A symmetrical ionic liquid/Li salt system for rapid ion transport and stable lithium electrochemistry

A concentrated lithium salt electrolyte utilising the diethylpyrrolidinium cation and bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide anion shows high ionic conductivity and good Li electrochemistry.

The influence of the size and symmetry of cations and anions on the physicochemical behavior of organic ionic plastic crystal electrolytes mixed with sodium salts

The influence of cations and anions chemistry on the physicochemical behaviour of OIPCs mixed with Na salts is illustrated.

Synthesis and physical properties of tris(dialkylamino)cyclopropenium dicyanamide ionic liquids

The synthesis and properties of 16 tris(dialkylamino)cyclopropenium (TDAC) cations with the dicyanamide (DCA) anion, [N(CN)₂]⁻, are described. D_3h- and C_3h-symmetric cations ([C₃(NR₂)₃]DCA (R = Me, Et, Pr, Bu, Pent, Hex, Dec) and [C₃(NRMe)₃]DCA (R = Bu, St), respectively) were synthesised by reaction of C₃Cl₅H with the corresponding amine. Reaction of the alkoxydiaminocyclopropenium salt [C₃(NEt₂)₂(OMe)]⁺ with amines led to a series of C_2v-symmetric salts [C₃(NEt₂)₂(NR₂)]DCA (R = Me, Bu, Hex) and two C_s-symmetric salts and [C₃(NEt₂)₂(NRMe)]DCA (R = Me, Bu). Similarly, [C₃(NMe₂)₂(OMe)]⁺, was used to prepare the C_s-symmetric salts [C₃(NMe₂)₂(NRMe)]DCA (R = Pr, Bu). In addition to characterisation by NMR, mass spectrometry and microanalysis, the salts were characterised by DSC, TGA, density, viscosity, conductivity and miscibility/solubility studies. Comparisons have been made with similar series of bistriflimide (NTf₂⁻) salts that have been previously reported to see whether the same trends are observed with a different anion.

An investigation of symmetry (D_3h, C_3h, C_2v and C_s) and alkyl chain length (6–60 alkyl carbon atoms) effects on the physical properties of peralkylated triaminocyclopropenium dicyanamide salts.

Synthesis, characterization and properties of amino acid ionic liquids derived from the triaminocyclopropenium cation

Amino acid ionic liquids based on the triaminocyclopropenium cation form a variety of structural types depending on the amino acid. Dications were obtained with Lys, His, Arg, and Cys.

Synthesis and physical properties of tris(dialkylamino)cyclopropenium bistriflamide ionic liquids

An investigation of symmetry (D_3h, C_3h, C_2v and C_s) and alkyl chain length (6–60 alkyl carbon atoms) effects on the physical properties of peralkylated triaminocyclopropenium bistriflamide salts.

Influence of genetic resistance of the chicken and virulence of Marek's disease virus (MDV) on nitric oxide responses after MDV infection

Nitric oxide (NO), a free radical produced by the enzyme NO synthase (NOS), is a potent antiviral agent in addition to having immune regulating functions. Recently, it was reported that chickens resistant (N2a, MHC: B21B21) to the development of Marek's disease (MD) had a greater potential to produce NO than MD-susceptible chickens (P2a, MHC: B19B19). This difference was shown by measuring NO levels in chick embryo fibroblast cultures obtained from these chickens after treatment with lipopolysaccharide and recombinant chicken interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). To extend these results, the levels of NO in blood plasma from N2a and P2a chickens inoculated with the nonattenuated JM-16 strain of MD virus (MDV) were examined. In four out of five experiments, N2a chickens had increased NO levels at 7 days postinoculation (DPI). In contrast, P2a chickens challenged with JM-16 had a significant increase in NO in only one of four experiments, and in that experiment the increase was delayed (10 DPI) compared with N2a chickens. Attenuation abrogated MDV-induced NO in chickens. Inoculation with MDV strains ranging from mild to very virulent plus showed that the more virulent strains induced the highest level of NO in blood plasma, suggesting a role of NO in the pathogenesis of MD with more virulent strains. On the basis of quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays for analysis of mRNA expression, IFN-gamma does not appear to be the primary inducer of inducible (i)NOS gene expression during MDV infection. iNOS gene expression and NO production are mediated during the cytolytic phase of MDV infection on the basis of real-time RT-PCR assays with primers specific for glycoprotein B, a late gene expressed only during the cytolytic phase of MDV infection. These findings implicate NO as a factor potentially involved in increasing virulence of MDV, possibly through immune suppression.

Microsatellite markers associated with quantitative trait loci controlling antibody response to Escherichia coli and Salmonella enteritidis in young broilers

A unique resource population was produced to facilitate detection of microsatellite markers associated with quantitative trait loci controlling antibody (Ab) response in broiler chickens. Three F1 males were produced by mating two lines divergently selected on Ab response to Escherichia coli vaccination. Each F1 male was mated with females from four genetic backgrounds: F1, high-Ab line (HH), low-Ab line and commercial line, producing three resource families, each with four progeny types. About 1700 chicks were immunized with E. coli and Salmonella enteritidis vaccines. Selective genotyping was conducted on the individuals with highest or lowest average Ab to E. coli and S. enteritidis within each progeny type in each sire family. Twelve markers were significantly associated with Ab to E. coli and six of them were also associated with Ab to S. enteritidis, mostly exhibiting a similar low effect (approximately 0.35 phenotypic SD) in all progeny types. Four markers exhibited a highly significant and much larger effect (approximately 1.7 SD), but only in progeny of females from the HH, suggesting that a backcross to the high parental line should be preferred over the commonly used F2 population. Results from two markers suggested a quantitative trait locus on chromosome 2 around 400 cM. The marker MCW0083, significant in two sire families, is closely linked to the bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2) gene, known to be associated with the control of T-cell transformation in humans.

Genetic and phenotypic correlations between antibody responses to Escherichia coli, infectious bursa disease virus (IBDV), and Newcastle disease virus (NDV), in broiler lines selected on antibody response to Escherichia coli

The genetic control of antibody (Ab) response to Escherichia coli (EC), infectious bursa disease virus, and Newcastle disease virus and the genetic and phenotypic correlation between these Ab responses, were evaluated under farm conditions in which chicks were simultaneously exposed to these antigens. The experimental population comprised five groups: two lines divergently selected for high (HH) or low (LL) Ab response to EC vaccination; a commercial broiler dam-line (CC), from which HH and LL had been derived; and the HH x CC and LL x CC hybrid groups (HC and LC, respectively). Lines LL and HH expressed similar symmetric divergence to all three antigens. The ranking of the LL, LC, CC, HC, and HH genetic groups according to their mean Ab responses and their very high linear correlation with the LL vs. HH genomic scale clearly indicate the additive nature of the genetic divergence between these lines. Several estimates of correlation were calculated between Ab responses of each pair of antigens and between BW and Ab to each antigen. The high correlation between group means, the near-zero within-group correlation, and the low phenotypic correlation indicate the strongly positive genetic correlation between Ab responses and no correlation with BW. The results of this study suggest that overall immunocompetence of commercial broilers can be improved by selection for high Ab response of young chicks to controlled immunization with a single antigen, without counteracting further selection for high BW.

Antibody responses and morbidity following infection with infectious bronchitis virus and challenge with Escherichia coli, in lines divergently selected on antibody response

We evaluated the association between antibody (Ab) production and disease resistance. A controlled-challenge protocol was developed to mimic natural infection and to yield a higher rate of mortality following Escherichia coli (EC) challenge. Chicks were first infected with infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) by injecting a high dose of vaccine (attenuated virus) into their air sacs and then were infected with pathogenic EC introduced intratracheally. The experimental population consisted of lines divergently selected for high (HH) or low (LL) Ab response to EC vaccination, an HH x LL cross (HL), and commercial broilers (CC). When chicks were vaccinated with EC vaccine, mean Ab titer 15 d post-EC challenge was threefold higher in HH than LL lines, but both lines exhibited very low mortality (approximately 2%). When chicks were not vaccinated prior to EC challenge, high mortality (8 to 20%) occurred in the slow-growing HH, LL, and HL lines, and much higher mortality (approximately 40%) occurred among the CC broilers that were 38% heavier than the HH, LL, and HL lines. Mean level of Ab to EC, 7 d after EC challenge, was about twofold higher in HH vs. LL chicks and intermediate in HL and CC chicks. Within each line, Ab levels were higher in chicks exhibiting colibacillosis than in healthy ones, suggesting that these Ab were produced as a result of ongoing infection but were too late to fully prevent morbidity and mortality. These results indicate that rapid growth rate substantially reduces broiler viability, whereas Ab levels produced in response to acute pathogenic challenge without prior vaccination do not contribute to disease resistance. Among the relatively slow-growing lines, mortality was about twofold higher in HH than in LL lines. This finding may confirm previous reports that without prior vaccination, high Ab response to acute challenge increases consequent mortality; alternatively, the LL line may be superior in nonspecific defense mechanisms.

Immunocompetence and viability under commercial conditions of broiler groups differing in growth rate and in antibody response to Escherichia coil vaccine

Mortality and morbidity due to infectious diseases are an increasing source of losses to the broiler industry. Breeding chickens for improved disease resistance may reduce these losses. A study was designed to evaluate the contribution of selection for immune response to viability of broilers under farm conditions. The experimental populations consisted of six groups: two lines divergently selected for high (HH) or low (LL) antibody (Ab) response to Escherichia coli vaccination; commercial broilers (CC); and the HH x CC, LL x CC, and HH x LL crosses. Chicks were tested under standard vaccination program and management on commercial farms in two years (1997 and 1998). Mortality was recorded in the whole groups, each consisting of several hundred or thousand of chicks, whereas BW and Ab to natural exposure to E. coli and to vaccination with Newcastle disease virus (NDV) were determined in samples of 50 to 120 chicks/group per yr. Groups were clustered into three levels of BW: CC representing contemporary fast-growing broilers; HH, LL, and HL representing broilers 10 yr earlier; and HC and LC with intermediate BW. The HH and LL groups exhibited the highest and lowest E. coli Ab titers, respectively. Mean Ab of the CC group equaled the average of the selected lines, and all crosses exhibited mid-parent Ab titers, indicating additive genetic control. Group means for Ab to NDV were highly correlated with those of E. coli, suggesting a common genetic control for the immune response to these two antigens. In both years, the highest mortality was found in the fast-growing group (CC), and the lowest mortality was in the slow-growing HH, LL, and HL groups. In the crosses, despite their similar mean BW, mortality was one-third higher among LC vs. HC birds. These results suggest that Ab response and potential growth rate interact in their effect on mortality due to infectious diseases.

The effects of the naked neck (Na) and frizzle (F) genes on growth and meat yield of broilers and their interactions with ambient temperatures and potential growth rate

High ambient temperatures (AT) decrease the growth of broilers because of difficulty in dissipating heat through the feather coverage. Broilers selected for higher growth rate eat more and generate more heat per unit of time; hence, they may become more sensitive to high AT. Reduced feather coverage, either by decreased number or by modified shape, may help birds to dissipate internal heat more efficiently. Two broiler stocks were studied; each was segregated for four genotypes with regard to the genes for naked neck (Na) and frizzled feathers (F): heterozygous naked neck (Na/na f/f), heterozygous frizzle (na/na F/f), double heterozygous (Na/na F/f), and normally feathered (na/na f/f). One stock had a high growth rate (GR) similar to current commercial broilers, whereas the second stock had a lower GR. Birds of each stock, genotype, and sex were reared under constant standard AT (24 C) or high AT (32 C). Body weight at 4 and 7 wk, weight gain (WG) from 4 to 7 wk, breast meat yield, and feather weight were recorded. Reduction in WG from 4 to 7 wk because of high AT was greater in high-GR birds than in low-GR birds, but, in both stocks, the high AT effect was greater on normally feathered birds than on the other three genotypes. AT 32 C, in low- and high-GR stocks, the F allele increased WG from 4 to 7 wk and increased the BW at 7 wk of fully feathered (na/na) broilers but had no effect on meat yield. The effects of the Na allele were similar to or greater than those of the F allele. The Na allele did not affect breast meat yield of low-GR broilers but increased it significantly in high-GR broilers. Combining the two allles resulted in an additive effect, which was more pronounced in the high-GR stock.