Beyond Graphene Anode Materials for Emerging Metal Ion Batteries and Supercapacitors

Intensive research effort is currently focused on the development of efficient, reliable, and environmentally safe electrochemical energy storage systems due to the ever-increasing global energy storage demand. Li ion battery systems have been used as the primary energy storage device over the last three decades. However, low abundance and uneven distribution of lithium and cobalt in the earth crust and the associated cost of these materials, have resulted in a concerted effort to develop beyond lithium electrochemical storage systems. In the case of non-Li ion rechargeable systems, the development of electrode materials is a significant challenge, considering the larger ionic size of the metal-ions and slower kinetics. Two-dimensional(2D) materials, such as graphene, transition metal dichalcogenides, MXenes and phosphorene, have garnered significant attention recently due to their multi-faceted advantageous properties: large surface areas, high electrical and thermal conductivity, mechanical strength, etc. Consequently, the study of 2D materials as negative electrodes is of notable importance as emerging non-Li battery systems continue to generate increasing attention. Among these interesting materials, graphene has already been extensively studied and reviewed, hence this report focuses on 2D materials beyond graphene for emerging non-Li systems. We provide a comparative analysis of 2D material chemistry, structure, and performance parameters as anode materials in rechargeable batteries and supercapacitors.

Uptake and distribution of ¹⁴C-labeled Fosthiazate in tomato (<i>Lycopersicon esculentum</i>L.)

The uptake of 14C-labeled fosthiazate (0.75 mg.L–1) by tomato plants was studied in solution culture both in the presence or absence of 2, 4 dinitrophenol (DNP, 1 × 10–2 mM), a metabolic inhibitor. Fosthiazate was rapidly taken up by tomato plants and nearly one third of the finally absorbed quantity was taken up in the first half an hour. The translocation of fosthiazate to the shoot part was under metabolic control during the initial stage of uptake. The kinetics of uptake both in the presence and absence of DNP conformed well to the dual phase than a single phase. In the presence of DNP, the uptake capacity (Vmax1) for the initial phase suffered, approximately three fold reduction in comparison to the absence of DNP while Vmax2 for the latter phase was statistically similar to the value observed in the absence of DNP signifying the metabolic dependence of the initial uptake phase. Autoradiography indicated that fosthiazate in the tomato plants tends to accumulate in the roots and at the root-shoot junction. In shoot, it is accumulated in the older leaves especially, near the leaf tip and margins.

A perspective on biochar for repairing damages in the soil-plant system caused by climate change-driven extreme weather events

There has been more than 75%rise in the number of extreme weather events such as drought and flood during 2000-2019 compared to 1980-1999 due to the adverse effects of climate change,causing significant deterioration of the soil and water quality.Simultaneously,the growing human population has been exerting pressure on available water and soil resources due to overuse or unplanned use.While greenhouse gas emissions have intensified,the fertility of agricultural soils has declined globally due to the exposure of soils to frequent flooding,desertification,and salinization(resulting from extreme weather events).The current review aims to give an overview of damages caused to the soil-plant system by extreme weather events and provide a perspective on how biochar can repair the damaged system.Biochar is known to improve soil fertility,increase crop productivity and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions via sustainable recycling of bio-waste.Beneficial properties of biochar such as alkaline pH,high cation exchange capacity,abundant surface functional groups,remarkable surface area,adequate porosity,excellent water holding capacity,and sufficient nutrient retention capacity can help repair the adverse effects of extreme weather events in the soil-plant system.This paper recommends some cautious future approaches that can propel biochar’s use in improving the soil-plant systems and promoting sustainable functioning of extreme weather-affected areas via mitigation of the adverse effects.