Effects of different iron sources on the performance of LiFePO_4/C composite cathode materials

Olivine LiFePO4/C composite cathode materials were synthesized by a solid state method in N2 ＋ 5vol% H2 atmosphere. The effects of different iron sources, including Fe（OH）3 and FeC2O4·2H2O, on the performance of as-synthesized cathode materials were investigated and the causes were also analyzed. The crystal structure, the morphology, and the electrochemical performance of the prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffractometry （XRD）, scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, laser particle-size distribution measurement, and other electrochemical techniques. The results demonstrate that the LiFePO4/C materials obtained from Fe（OH）3 at 800℃ and FeC2O4·2H2O at 700℃ have the similar electrochemical performances. The initial discharge capacities of LiFePO4/C synthesized from Fe（OH）3 and FeC2O4·2H2O are 134.5 mAh.g^-1 and 137.4 mAh.g^-1 at the C/5 rate, respectively. How- ever, the tap density of the LiFePO4/C materials obtained from Fe（OH）3 are higher, which is significant for the improvement of the capacity of the battery.

Metabolic utilization of intravenously injected iron from different iron sources in target tissues of broiler chickens

No information is available regarding the utilization of iron (Fe) from different Fe sources at a targettissue level. To detect differences in Fe metabolic utilization among Fe sources, the effect of intravenouslyinjected Fe on growth performance, hematological indices, tissue Fe concentrations and Fe-containingenzyme activities and gene expressions of Fe-containing enzymes or protein in broilers was investigated.On d 22 post-hatching, a total of 432 male chickens were randomly allotted to 1 of 9 treatments ina completely randomized design. Chickens were injected with either a 0.9% (wt/vol) NaCl solution(control) or a 0.9% NaCl solution supplemented with Fe sulphate or 1 of 3 organic Fe sources. The 3organic Fe sources were Fe chelates with weak (Fe-MetW), moderate (Fe-ProtM) or extremely strong (Fe-ProtES) chelation strength. The 2 Fe dosages were calculated according to the Fe absorbabilities of 10%and 20% every 2 d for a duration of 20 d. Iron injection did not affect (P > 0.05) ADFI, ADG or FCR duringeither 1 to 10 d or 11 to 20 d after injections. Hematocrit and Fe concentrations in the liver and kidney ond 10 after Fe injections, and Fe concentrations in the liver or pancreas and ferritin heavy-chain (FTH1)protein expression level in the liver or spleen on d 20 after Fe injections increased (P≤0.05) as injectedFe dosages increased. When the injected Fe level was high at 20% Fe absorbability, the chickens injectedwith Fe-ProtES had lower (P < 0.001) liver or kidney Fe concentrations and spleen FTH1 protein levelsthan those injected with Fe-MetW or Fe-ProtM on d 20 after injections. And they had lower (P < 0.05)liver cytochrome C oxidase mRNA levels on d 20 after injections than those injected with Fe-MetW or Fesulphate. The results from this study indicate that intravenously injected Fe from Fe-ProtES was the least utilizable and functioned in the sensitive target tissue less effectively than Fe from Fe sulfate, Fe-MetW or Fe-ProtM.

Source and level of dietary iron influence semen quality by affecting inflammation, oxidative stress and iron utilization levels in boars

Background Boars fed a mixed form of inorganic and organic iron in excess of the NRC recommended levels still develop anemia,which suggested that the current level and form of iron supplementation in boar diets may be inappropriate.Therefore,56 healthy Topeka E line boars aged 15–21 months were randomly divided into 5 groups:basal diet supplemented with 96 mg/kg ferrous sulfate(FeSO_(4))and 54 mg/kg glycine chelated iron(Gly-Fe,control);80 mg/kg or 115 mg/kg Gly-Fe;80 mg/kg or 115 mg/kg methionine hydroxyl analogue chelated iron(MHA-Fe,from CalimetFe)for 16 weeks.The effects of dietary iron supplementation with different sources and levels on semen quality in boars were investigated.Results 1)Serum Fe and hemoglobin concentrations were not affected by reduced dietary iron levels in the 80 mg/kg or 115 mg/kg Gly-Fe and MHA-Fe groups compared with the control group(P>0.05).2)Serum interleukin-6(IL-6)and sperm malondialdehyde(MDA)levels in the 80 mg/kg or 115 mg/kg MHA-Fe groups were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05),and higher serum superoxide dismutase levels and lower MDA levels in the 115 mg/kg MHA-Fe group(P<0.05).3)Boars in the 80 mg/kg or 115 mg/kg Gly-Fe and MHA-Fe groups had lower serum hepcidin(P<0.01),ferritin(P<0.05),and transferrin receptor(P<0.01)concentrations,and boars in the 115 mg/kg MHA-Fe group had higher seminal plasma Fe concentrations compared with the control group.4)Boars in the 80 mg/kg and 115 mg/kg MHA-Fe groups had lower abnormal sperm rate and in situ oscillating sperm ratio compared to the control group at weeks 12 and/or 16 of the trial.However,the effect of Gly-Fe on improving semen quality in boars was not evident.5)Serum IL-6 level was positively correlated with hepcidin concentration(P<0.05),which in turn was significantly positively correlated with abnormal sperm rate(P<0.05).Furthermore,significant correlations were also found between indicators of iron status and oxidative stress and semen quality parameters.Conclusions Dietary supplementation with 80 mg/kg or 115 mg/kg MHA-Fe did not induce iron deficiency,but rather reduced serum inflammatory levels and hepcidin concentration,alleviated oxidative stress,increased body iron utilization,and improved semen quality in adult boars.

Magnetite Quartzite-Type Iron Ores – China's Most Important Current Iron Ore Source

China is abundant in iron-ore resources, with proven ore reserves of 576.62×10^8 t and proven reserves of 210×10^8 t, containing an average iron content of 33%. However, the rich iron-ore reserves of 10.85×10^8 t only account for 1.9% of all proven reserves. China＇s iron-ore resources are characterized by many lean ores and a few rich ones.

Correlating Fe source with Fe-N-C active site construction： Guidancefor rational design of high-performance ORR catalyst

Pyrolyzed Fe-Nx/C materials derived from Fe-doped ZIF-8 are recently emerged as promising alternativesto noble metal platinum-based catalysts towards oxygen reduction reaction （ORR） and elucidating the de-pendacne of Fe source on the active site structure and final ORR performance is highly desirbale for fur-ther development of these materials. Here, we designed and synthesized a series of Fe-N-C catalysts usingZIF-8 and various iron salts （Fe（acac）3, FeCI3, Fe（NO3）3） as precusors. We found that the iron precursors,mainly the molecular size, hydrolysis extent, do play a major role in determining the final morphology ofFe, namely forming the Fe-Nx coordination or Fe3C nanoparticles, as well as the site density, therefore,significantly affecting the ORR activity. Among the three iron sources, Fe（acac）3 is most advantageous tothe preferential formation of single-atom Fe-Nx active sites and the derived catalyst demonstrated bestORR performance.

Refining mercury emission estimations to the atmosphere from iron and steel production

Due to its long-range transport in the atmosphere,mercury is a pollutant of global concern with health risks to humans and ecosystems worldwide（Li et al.,2012;Lindqvist et al.,1991;Liu et al.,2012a;Tang et al.,2016;Wang et al.,2015;Shao et al.,2016）.Atmospheric mercury,mainly from emission from various natural and anthropogenic sources and re-emission of previously released mercury built up in surface soils and oceans,

A review on sustainable reuse applications of Fenton sludge during wastewater treatment

The classical Fenton oxidation process(CFOP)is a versatile and effective application that is generally applied for recalcitrant pollutant removal.However,excess iron sludge production largely restricts its widespread application.Fenton sludge is a hazardous solid waste,which is a complex heterogeneous mixture with Fe(OH)3,organic matter,heavy metals,microorganisms,sediment impurities,and moisture.Although studies have aimed to utilize specific Fenton sludge resources based on their iron-rich characteristics,few reports have fully reviewed the utilization of Fenton sludge.As such,this review details current sustainable Fenton sludge reuse systems that are applied during wastewater treatment.Specifically,coagulant preparation,the reuse of Fenton sludge as an iron source in the Fenton process and as a synthetic heterogeneous catalyst/adsorbent,as well as the application of the Fenton sludge reuse system as a heterogeneous catalyst for resource utilization.This is the first review article to comprehensively summarize the utilization of Fenton sludge.In addition,this review suggests future research ideas to enhance the cost-effectiveness,environmental sustainability,and large-scale feasibility of Fenton sludge applications.