A review of cathode and electrolyte recovery from spent lithium-ion batteries: Recent technologies, processes and policies

Recently,lithium-ion batteries(LIBs),due to their superior performance,have been vastly applied in electronic,auto,and other industries,resulting in the generation of an increasing amount of spent LIBs.What’s worse,LIBs contained potentially toxic substances,including heavy metals,toxic and flammable electrolyte containing LiBF_(4),LiClO_(4),and LiPF_(6).Conventional disposal of spent LIBs via landfill or incineration exerts tremendous pressure on the environment.It was necessary to adopt efficient,low-cost,and environmentally friendly approaches to valorizing spent LIBs,which could not only alleviate the shortage of rare resources by recycling valuable ele-ments such as Cu,Li,Mn,Ni,Co,and Al,but also eliminate the pollution of harmful components in batteries and realize the recycling and sustainable industry related to consumer electronics and electric vehicles(EVs).Given this,this paper summarized the recycling technologies of spent LIBs,including pyrometallurgy(melting reduction and roasting methods)and hydrometallurgy(leaching,precipitation,extraction,ion-exchange,elec-trochemical,sol-gel methods),and electrolyte recycling(organic solvent extraction and supercritical extraction methods).Pyrometallurgy technologies had relatively decent metal recovery rates but were associated with high energy consumption and atmospheric emission issues.Hydrometallurgical technologies were more environ-mentally friendly and efficient in recovering spent LIBs,although disposing of the wastewater generated from the process remained a challenge.In addition,the different industrial processes and various countries’related policies of recycling spent LIBs were investigated.In the end,the outlooks and future directions of recycling spent LIBs were proposed.

Controllable synthesis of CdS nanospheres photoelectrode for photoelectrochemical water splitting

CdS nanospheres were grown on indium tin oxide(ITO)substrate using a hydrothermal method.The crystal structure,morphology and electronic structure of the samples synthesized were characterized in detail.The results confirm that the crystallinity,size,crystal defects of the CdS nanospheres and the film thickness of CdS photoelectrodes can be tuned by varying the precursor Cd2+concentration.Combined with charge transfer dynamics analysis,it can be found that proper particle size and film thickness,as well as fewer defects,will result in better charge separation efficiency of the prepared CdS/ITO photoelectrodes,thereby exhibiting better photoelectrochemical performance for water splitting.The optimized CdS/ITO photoelectrode synthesized with a Cd2+concentration of 0.14 mol⋅L1 gave a photocurrent density of 5.10 mA⋅cm^(-2)at potential of 1.23 V versus the reversible hydrogen electrode(RHE),under a simulated solar illumination of 100 mW⋅cm^(-2).

Biomass carbon materials for high-performance secondary battery electrodes:A review

Recently,the challenges pertaining to the recycling of metal-based electrode materials and the resulting environmental pollution have impeded the advancement of battery technology.Consequently,biomass-derived carbon materials,distinguished by their eco-friendliness and consistent performance,stand as a pivotal solution to this predicament.Researchers have made significant strides in the integration of porous carbon materials derived from biomass into battery systems.Nevertheless,these materials face issues such as limited efficiency,modest yields,and a complex fabrication process.This paper endeavors to summarize the recent advancements in the utilization of biomass-derived carbon materials within the realm of batteries,offering a comprehensive examination of their battery performance from three distinct perspectives:synthesis,structure,and application.We posit that composite materials composed of biomass-derived carbon align with the trajectory of future development and present extensive potential for application.Ultimately,we will expound upon our profound outlook regarding the furtherance of biomass-derived carbon materials.

Ultrafine red phosphorus confined in reasonably designed pitch-based carbon matrix built of well-interconnected carbon nanosheets for high-performance lithium and potassium storage

Red phosphorus has been well-recognized as promising anode materials for lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)and potassium-ion batteries(PIBs)due to its extremely high theoretical capacity and low cost.However,the huge volume change and poor electric conductivity severely limit its further practical application.Herein,the nanoscale ultrafine red phosphorus has been successfully confined in a three-dimensional pitch-based porous carbon skeleton composed of well-interconnected carbon nanosheets through the vaporization-condensation method.Except for the traditional requirement of high electric conductivity and stable mechanical stability,the micropores and small mesopores in the porous carbon matrix centered at 1 to 3 nm and the abundant amount of oxygen-containing functional groups are also beneficial for the high loading and dispersion of red phosphorus.As anode for LIBs,the composite exhibits high reversible discharge capacities of 968 mAh g^(-1),excellent rate capabilities of 593 mAh g^(-1)at 2 A g^(-1),and long cycle performance of 557 mAh g^(-1)at 2 A g^(-1).More impressively,as the anode for PIBs,the composite presents a high reversible capacity of 661 mAh g^(-1)and a stable capacity of 312 mAh g^(-1)at 0.5 A g^(-1)for 500 cycles with a capacity retention up to 84.3%.This work not only sheds light on the structure design of carbon hosts with specific pore structure but also open an avenue for high value-added utilization of coal tar pitch.

Insights into kinetics and reaction mechanism of acid-catalyzed transesterification synthesis of diethyl oxalate

The catalytic performance of different acidic catalysts for diethyl oxalate synthesis from the one-step transesterification of dimethyl oxalate and ethanol was evaluated.The effects of different factors(e.g.,acidity,electron accepting capacity,cations type and crystalline water)on the catalytic activity of acidic catalysts were investigated respectively.It was proposed and confirmed that the transesterification reaction catalyzed by a Lewis acid(FeCl3)and a Bronsted acid(H2SO4)follows a first-order kinetic reaction process.In addition,the Lewis acid-catalyzed transesterification processes with different ester structures were used to further explore and understand the speculated reaction mechanism.This work enriches the theoretical understanding of acid-catalyzed transesterification reactions and is of great significance for the development of highly active catalysts for diethyl oxalate synthesis,diminishing the industrial production cost of diethyl oxalate,and developing downstream bulk or high-value-added industrial products.

Biochemical, functional and antioxidant potential of higher fungi cultivated on agro-industrial residues. Part Ⅱ: Cultures on mixtures of spent mushroom substrates and mushroom cropping by-products

Novel substrates consisted of different fresh agro-industrial residues,their corresponding and commercial spent mushroom substrates(i.e.SMS deriving from laboratory-scale experiments and SMS deriving from industrial-scale experiments by Green Zin S.A.-SMS GZ)and Pleurotus waste(PW;stipes/mishappen mushrooms)were used in blends for a new cultivation cycle of Pleurotus ostreatus and P.eryngii mushrooms in bags.Their impact on the biochemical properties(intra-cellular polysaccharides-IPSs,protein,lipid,total phenolic compounds-TPCs,individual carbohydrates composition of the IPSs)in the first-and second-flush whole mushrooms,pilei and stipes,as well as the fatty acids composition,the antioxidant activity(in the first-flush mushroom parts)and glucan content of stipes were examined.Both species produced satisfactory IPSs quantities in all substrates(28.69-46.38%,w/w)and significant protein amounts(18.37-26.80%,w/w).The further SMS addition(80%,w/w instead of 40%,w/w)in the cultivation substrates affected positively the mushroom IPSs values,whereas the highest protein content was detected in mushroom’s parts cultivated on substrates consisted of fresh agro-industrial residues.Mushroom’s lipid content was affected differently by the various substrate combinations,with SMS presence resulting in mushrooms with a lower fat content than those produced in substrates with PW addition.Fresh substrates with PW and those with coffee residue were the most favorable for TPCs production.Regarding production flushes,the nutritional value of mushrooms was comparable between them,only a slight increase in TPCs of second-flush carposomes was detected.Glucose was the predominant monosaccharide of the produced IPSs,combined with a significant production of total and β-glucans.SMSs and PW addition had a positive impact on antioxidant activity,too.A higher quantity of lipids,TPCs and significant antioxidant activity were detected in all Pleurotus pilei than stipes,whereas the latter were richer in IPSs.Both pilei and stipes had a significant protein amount.Hence,the data obtained by this study support the positive effect of different types of SMS and mushroom waste on P.ostreatus and P.eryngii nutritional value.

Major challenges and recent advances in characterizing biomass thermochemical reactions

Thermochemical conversions are pathways for biomass utilization to produce various value-added energy and chemical products. For the development of novel thermochemical conversion technologies, an accurate understanding of the reaction performance and kinetics is essential. Given the diversity of the thermal analysis techniques, it is necessary to understand the features and limitations of the reactors, ensuring that the selected thermal analysis reactor meets the specific need for reaction characterization. This paper provides a critical overview of the thermal analysis reactors based on the following perspectives: 1) gas flow conditions in the reactor, 2) particle’s external and internal heat and mass transfer limitations, 3) heating rate, 4) temperature distribution, 5) nascent char production and reaction, 6) liquid feeding and atomization, 7) simultaneous sampling and analyzing of bed materials, and 8) reacting atmosphere change. Finally, prospects and future research directions in the development of analysis techniques are proposed.

Rational design of photofunctional dyes BODIPYs/aza-BODIPYs and applications for photocatalysis, photoelectric conversion and thermochromic materials

4,4-Difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-sindacene (BODIPY) is a sort of photofunctional dye which possesses advantages including strong light-capturing property, high photon-resistance, etc. Meso-N substituted aza-BODIPY is a crucial derivative of BODIPY scaffold that has the favorable optical properties and a significant spectral redshift. The photophysical properties can be tuned by molecular design, and the attenuation path of the excited state energy release of absorbed light energy can be well controlled via structural modifications, enabling tailored application. It has been extensively employed in life medicine fields including fluorescence imaging diagnosis, photodynamic therapy photosensitizer and photothermal therapy reagent and so forth. Extensive research and review have been performed in these areas. However, BODIPYs/aza-BODIPYs have a significant role in energy, catalysis, optoelectronics, photo-responsive materials and other fields. Nevertheless, there are relatively few studies and reviews in these fields on the modification and application based on BODIPY/aza-BODIPY scaffold. Herein, in this review we summarized the application of BODIPY/aza-BODIPY in the aforementioned fields, with the molecular regulation of dye as the foundation and the utilization in the above fields as the objective, in the intention of providing inspiration for the exploration of innovative BODIPY/aza-BODIPY research in the field of light resource conversion and functional materials.

Cu-Zr/SiO_(2)catalysts featured by different Cu-Zr-Si coordinations for ethanol conversion to 1,3-butadiene

Catalytic upgrading of bio-ethanol to 1,3-butadiene(1,3-BD,ETB)is a renewable and low-carbon technology for the bulk chemical production.Exploring robust catalysts and getting in-depth understanding of the relationship between the structure of catalytic sites and reaction selectivity are of great significance for ETB process applications.In this study,we constructed a robust Cu-Zr/SiO_(2) catalyst by an ammonia evaporation and post-impregnation method.Over the optimal 2%Cu-8%Zr/SiO_(2) catalyst,superior performance of 69.6%1,3-BD selectivity and 71.2%ethanol conversion were obtained.Systematic characterizations revealed that three types of Cu-Zr-Si active sites were probably constructed on the Cu-8%Zr/SiO_(2) catalysts as varying the Cu loadings from 0.5 to 20%,affording greatly different activity and selectivity in the ETB process.The 1,3-BD productivity over the(SiO)_(2)(CuO)Zr-OH sites was 8.2 and 77.2 times higher than that of(CuO)_(2)-Zr-(OSi)2 and Cu-(O)_(2)-Zr-(OSi)2 sites,respectively,attributed to the high activities and good balance among the reactions of dehydrogenation,aldol condensation,and MPVO reduction.

Deactivation mechanism of CaO in a flow type dimethyl carbonate synthesis process

It is well known that calcium oxide (CaO) has better catalytic efficiency than most heterogeneous catalysts in many transesterification reactions. However, the gradual deactivation problem prevents its large-scale application in industry. In this paper, the deactivation mechanism of CaO in a fixed-bed reactor is investigated based on the transesterification reaction of propylene carbonate and methanol. The leaching amount of CaO during the reaction was estimated by the concentration of Ca in the products. The pretreated and recovered catalysts were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, TG-MS and SEM-EDS. It is evident from experiments and characterization that the deactivation process of CaO is accompanied by the leaching of calcium species and the generation of CaCO3, which are also verified by DFT calculations. At high temperature and high weight hourly space velocity, the deactivation was attributed to the formation of dense CaCO3 shell, which prevents the contact between the feedstock and the active species inside.

C1 Chemistry:The Stories of Research and Applications from Toyama

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the distinguished academic career and scientific accomplishments of Prof.Noritatsu Tsubaki at the University of Toyama.For over 35 years,he has dedicated himself to the research field of one-carbon(C1)chemistry,including catalytic conversion of C1 molecules to valuable chemicals and superclean fuels,innovative catalyst and reactor development,and the design of new catalytic reactions and processes.Organized chronologically,this review highlights Prof.Tsubaki’s academic contributions from 1990,when he studied and worked at The University of Tokyo,to his current role as a full professor at the University of Toyama.The academic section of this review is divided into three main parts,focusing on Prof.Tsubaki’s pioneering work in C1 chemistry.We believe that this review will serve as a highly valuable reference for colleagues in the fields of C1 chemistry and catalysis,and inspire the development of more original and groundbreaking research.

Research progress of MOF electrochromic materials

Electrochromism is the process by which a material applies a small electrical signal to change the optical properties(transmittance,reflectance,absorptivity and emissivity)of the material reversibly or permanently through REDOX reactions resulting from ion and electron embedding/ejection.Metal-organic framework(MOF)are advantageous materials for electrochromic application due to their high porosity,large specific surface area and orderly pore structure,that promotes the adsorption of electrolyte ions,ion diffusion and charge transfer.In addition,MOFs possess a variety of ligands and metal centers,allowing for design of composition types and pore structure sizes.This grants them the advantages of both organic electrochromic materials,such as vivid colors and fast color transformation,and inorganic electrochromic materials,like high coloring efficiency and excellent stability.This paper reviews the current research progress of MOF electrochromic materials,including materials design,electrochromic properties,and application.

Research progress in antioxidation and anti-ablation coatings of carbon-based materials:A review

Carbon materials(graphite or C/C composites)are widely used in aerospace applications due to their unique performance advantages,including low density,high specific strength and low coefficients of thermal expansion.However,carbon materials are highly susceptible to destructive oxidation in high-temperature oxygen-containing environments,limiting their application scope and service life.Coating technology is an effective approach for solving the above problem,and ceramic coatings are the most widely used protective system.In this review,the latest research progress regarding different types of silicon carbide-based antioxidation and anti-ablation ceramic coatings on the surfaces of carbon materials is described,and the protective properties and mechanism analysis of the SiC and modified SiC coatings by ultrahigh-temperature ceramic borides,carbides,silicides and other reinforcements are elucidated.In addition,the current main challenges of ceramic coatings are carefully analysed,and the perspectives for the future development of ceramic protection coatings are also discussed.

Highly efficient isomerization of glucose to fructose over Sn-doped silica nanotube

Isomerization of glucose to fructose is a fundamental and key intermediate process commonly included in the production of valuable chemicals from carbohydrates in biorefinery.Enhancement of fructose yield is a challenge.In this work,Sn-doped silica nanotube(Sn-SNT)was developed as a highly efficient Lewis acid catalyst for the selective isomerization of glucose to fructose.Over Sn-SNT,69.1%fructose yield with 78.5%selectivity was obtained after reaction at 110◦C for 6 h.The sole presence of a large amount of Lewis acid sites in Sn-SNT without Brønsted acid site is one of the reasons for the high fructose yield and selectivity.Otherwise,high density of SiOH groups in Sn-SNT can ensure the presence of SiOH groups near the Sn sites,which is important for the isomerization of glucose to fructose,leading to the high fructose yield and selectivity.Furthermore,the Sn-SNT is recyclable.

Functionalized lignin nanoparticles prepared by high shear homogenization for all green and barrier-enhanced paper packaging

Paper-based materials made from cellulose have been sought after as a sustainable and inexpensive packaging option.However,the porous structure and high hydrophilicity of paper-based materials result in inadequate water and oil repellency,as well as a limited water vapor barrier.In this work,lignin nanoparticles(LNPs)were prepared using a high-speed homogenizer,and subsequently coated on base paper along with cationic starch to enhance its multi-barrier performance to facilitate the packaging application.The LNPs obtained through such a facile process formed stable colloidal dispersion in water,which exhibited excellent interfacial compatibility with cationic starch.During the coating process,a highly adhesive emulsion consisting of cationic starch and LNPs were coated on the surface of base paper,imparting good hydrophobic properties to the paper.The resulting paper material exhibited good water resistance(Cobb value of 37.5 g m^(-2)),high oil resistance(Kit rating 9)and tensile strength(48.93 MPa).The reduction in water vapor transmission rate(WVTR)exceeds sixfold.This study provides a new avenue for the application of lignin in high-barrier,fluorine-free,water-and oil-resistant packaging materials.

Engineering thermochemistry:The science critical for the paradigm shift toward carbon neutrality

The global shift toward carbon neutrality,driven by growing concerns about climate change,requires collaborative efforts.While cleaner energy and carbon capture are crucial,addressing some high-carbon-emission industrial processes that significantly and disproportionally contribute to our carbon footprint is more important than ever.Analysis reveals that over 90%of total carbon emissions from human activities are attributed to a few super-emitting thermochemical processes.We urgently need breakthrough technologies and transformative alternatives to combat this excess of carbon dioxide emissions effectively.Engineering Thermochemistry is the scientific discipline that offers both scientifically sound and practical solutions to the pressing carbon neutrality challenges.

ZK60 based alloys with high-strength and high-ductility:A review

Wrought magnesium alloys with high-strength and high-ductility property have been attracting more and more interest in automotive and aerospace industries,and the conventional Mg-Zn based alloys are widely accepted as the representative one.Development of Mg-Zn based alloys with rare earth(RE)element additions and with modified preparation processes domains the evolution of their potential structural applications.Nonetheless,their highest tensile yield strength(TYS)is still in the order of 400 MPa,clearly lower than that of the Mg-RE based alloys,in the order of 500 MPa,much less compared with the high-strength aluminum alloys and titanium alloys.According to many previous investigations,two relatively efficient methods to improve mechanical properties of ZK based alloys were revealed as:alloying by RE and optimizing wrought processes.However,comprehensive combinative investigation was hitherto not conducted to date.Thus,it is imperative in the next work to further improve the yield strength to the order of 500 MPa or much higher,and simultaneously modify the tension-compression strength asymmetry of the ZK series alloys.Maybe,developing novel wrought processes for ZK60(+RE)alloys or exploring appropriate pre-dealing treatments before or after the wrought processes might be an important approach to accomplish a much higher level of balance of high-strength and high-ductility.

Exploration of optimal reaction conditions on lactic acid production from glucose photoreforming over carbon nitride

Biomass valorization by photoreforming approach provides a promising and alternative strategy to generate value-added chemicals and fuels.In this work,we demonstrate the selective production of lactic acid from glu-cose photoreforming over pristine graphitic carbon nitride(g-C_(3) N_(4))photocatalyst.Control experiments screen the best condition for the highest yield of lactic acid,including modulating pH,catalyst loading,and reaction time.100%glucose conversion is achieved along with almost 100%lactic acid yield under the optimized con-dition.Density functional theory(DFT)calculations reveal that the rate-determining step(RDS)of the overall reaction on g-C_(3) N_(4) is the conversion of pyruvaldehyde,where an electron transfer takes place.This present work provides experimental insights and theoretical understanding for selective lactic acid production from biomass photoreforming.

Cellulose-based functional gels and applications in flexible supercapacitors

In order to resolve the global crisis of fossil energy shortage and climate warming,the development of efficient energy storage devices is a significant topic at present.Supercapacitors as the novel type of energy storage devices have the unique advantages,including the fast charging/discharging behaviors,high-energy/power density,and stable cycling performance.Compared with traditional supercapacitors,flexible supercapacitors are environmen-tally friendly,light weight,small size and high safety.Therefore,flexible supercapacitors have a wide application prospect in emerging electronic devices.Due to its flexibility,biocompatibility,and structure designability,cellu-lose and its gel materials are gradually used as electrodes,separators and electrolytes in flexible supercapacitors.Several construction processes at molecular scale for high-performance cellulose gels are summarized.Meanwhile,this review covers the recent progress of developing the flexible supercapacitors and all-in-one supercapacitors based on cellulose functional gels.We finally discussed the potential challenges and opportunities for cellulose and its derived materials in new-style flexible supercapacitors and other electronic devices.

Review of the applications of 3D printing technology in the field of piezoelectric ceramics

As advanced functional materials,piezoelectric ceramics are widely used in various fields,including the medical,aviation,and military industries.With the advancement of science and technology,the piezoelectric ceramics needed in special fields have become more intelligent,diverse and lightweight.The shapes and structures of piezoelectric ceramics are becoming more complex.Traditional piezoelectric ceramic preparation technology has been unable to meet the high-speed and complex production demands of various industries.Considering this situation,3D printing technology has attracted much attention in the field of piezoelectric ceramics.In this paper,the applications of several main 3D printing techniques in the field of piezoelectric ceramics are mainly introduced,and their development statuses,process characteristics and achievements are summarized.The advantages and disadvantages of each printing technique are summarized and compared.The challenges and possible future trends of 3D printing when manufacturing piezoelectric ceramics are summarized and proposed.