Structural Engineering of Anode Materials for Low-Temperature Lithium-Ion Batteries:Mechanisms,Strategies,and Prospects

The severe degradation of electrochemical performance for lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)at low temperatures poses a significant challenge to their practical applications.Consequently,extensive efforts have been contributed to explore novel anode materials with high electronic conductivity and rapid Li^(+)diffusion kinetics for achieving favorable low-temperature performance of LIBs.Herein,we try to review the recent reports on the synthesis and characterizations of low-temperature anode materials.First,we summarize the underlying mechanisms responsible for the performance degradation of anode materials at subzero temperatures.Second,detailed discussions concerning the key pathways(boosting electronic conductivity,enhancing Li^(+)diffusion kinetics,and inhibiting lithium dendrite)for improving the low-temperature performance of anode materials are presented.Third,several commonly used low-temperature anode materials are briefly introduced.Fourth,recent progress in the engineering of these low-temperature anode materials is summarized in terms of structural design,morphology control,surface&interface modifications,and multiphase materials.Finally,the challenges that remain to be solved in the field of low-temperature anode materials are discussed.This review was organized to offer valuable insights and guidance for next-generation LIBs with excellent low-temperature electrochemical performance.

Low-temperature characteristicsof rubbers and performance testsof type 120 emergencyvalve diaphragms

Purpose–The type 120 emergency valve is an essential braking component of railway freight trains,butcorresponding diaphragms consisting of natural rubber(NR)and chloroprene rubber(CR)exhibit insufficientaging resistance and low-temperature resistance,respectively.In order to develop type 120 emergency valverubber diaphragms with long-life and high-performance,low-temperatureresistant CR and NR were processed.Design/methodology/approach–The physical properties of the low-temperature-resistant CR and NRwere tested by low-temperature stretching,dynamic mechanical analysis,differential scanning calorimetryand thermogravimetric analysis.Single-valve and single-vehicle tests of type 120 emergency valves werecarried out for emergency diaphragms consisting of NR and CR.Findings–The low-temperature-resistant CR and NR exhibited excellent physical properties.The elasticityand low-temperature resistance of NR were superior to those of CR,whereas the mechanical properties of thetwo rubbers were similar in the temperature range of 0℃–150℃.The NR and CR emergency diaphragms metthe requirements of the single-valve test.In the low-temperature single-vehicle test,only the low-temperaturesensitivity test of the NR emergency diaphragm met the requirements.Originality/value–The innovation of this study is that it provides valuable data and experience for futuredevelopment of type 120 valve rubber diaphragms.

Boosting oxygen reduction activity and CO_(2) resistance on bismuth ferrite-based perovskite cathode for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells below 600℃

Developing efficient and stable cathodes for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells(LT-SOFCs) is of great importance for the practical commercialization.Herein,we propose a series of Sm-modified Bi_(0.7-x)Sm_xSr_(0.3)FeO_(3-δ) perovskites as highly-active catalysts for LT-SOFCs.Sm doping can significantly enhance the electrocata lytic activity and chemical stability of cathode.At 600℃,Bi_(0.675)Sm_(0.025)Sr_(0.3)FeO_(3-δ)(BSSF25) cathode has been found to be the optimum composition with a polarization resistance of 0.098 Ω cm^2,which is only around 22.8% of Bi_(0.7)Sr_(0.3)FeO_(3-δ)(BSF).A full cell utilizing BSSF25 displays an exceptional output density of 790 mW cm^(-2),which can operate continuously over100 h without obvious degradation.The remarkable electrochemical performance observed can be attributed to the improved O_(2) transport kinetics,superior surface oxygen adsorption capacity,as well as O_(2)p band centers in close proximity to the Fermi level.Moreover,larger average bonding energy(ABE) and the presence of highly acidic Bi,Sm,and Fe ions restrict the adsorption of CO_(2) on the cathode surface,resulting in excellent CO_(2) resistivity.This work provides valuable guidance for systematic design of efficient and durable catalysts for LT-SOFCs.

Advances in sodium-ion batteries at low-temperature: Challenges and strategies

With the continuing boost in the demand for energy storage,there is an increasing requirement for batteries to be capable of operation in extreme environmental conditions.Sodium-ion batteries(SIBs) have emerged as a highly promising energy storage solution due to their promising performance over a wide range of temperatures and the abundance of sodium resources in the earth's crust.Compared to lithiumion batteries(LIBs),although sodium ions possess a larger ionic radius,they are more easily desolvated than lithium ions.Fu rthermore,SIBs have a smaller Stokes radius than lithium ions,resulting in improved sodium-ion mobility in the electrolyte.Nevertheless,SIBs demonstrate a significant decrease in performance at low temperatures(LT),which constrains their operation in harsh weather conditions.Despite the increasing interest in SIBs,there is a notable scarcity of research focusing specifically on their mechanism under LT conditions.This review explores recent research that considers the thermal tolerance of SIBs from an inner chemistry process perspective,spanning a wide temperature spectrum(-70 to100℃),particularly at LT conditions.In addition,the enhancement of electrochemical performance in LT SIBs is based on improvements in reaction kinetics and cycling stability achieved through the utilization of effective electrode materials and electrolyte components.Furthermore,the safety concerns associated with SIBs are addressed and effective strategies are proposed for mitigating these issues.Finally,prospects conducted to extend the environmental frontiers of commercial SIBs are discussed mainly from three viewpoints including innovations in materials,development and research of relevant theoretical mechanisms,and intelligent safety management system establishment for larger-scale energy storage SIBs.

Temperature inversion enables superior stability for low-temperature Zn-ion batteries

It is challenging for aqueous Zn-ion batteries(ZIBs)to achieve comparable low-temperature(low-T)performance due to the easy-frozen electrolyte and severe Zn dendrites.Herein,an aqueous electrolyte with a low freezing point and high ionic conductivity is proposed.Combined with molecular dynamics simulation and multi-scale interface analysis(time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry threedimensional mapping and in-situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy method),the temperature independence of the V_(2)O_(5)cathode and Zn anode is observed to be opposite.Surprisingly,dominated by the solvent structure of the designed electrolyte at low temperatures,vanadium dissolution/shuttle is significantly inhibited,and the zinc dendrites caused by this electrochemical crosstalk are greatly relieved,thus showing an abnormal temperature inversion effect.Through the disclosure and improvement of the above phenomena,the designed Zn||V_(2)O_(5)full cell delivers superior low-T performance,maintaining almost 99%capacity retention after 9500 cycles(working more than 2500 h)at-20°C.This work proposes a kind of electrolyte suitable for low-T ZIBs and reveals the inverse temperature dependence of the Zn anode,which might offer a novel perspective for the investigation of low-T aqueous battery systems.

Metallurgical Forensics: Investigating a Superheater Tube Failure in Industrial Process Plants

A metallurgical forensic investigation was conducted to determine the cause of a failed superheater tube. Analysis techniques by Visual Examination, Energy Dispersive X-ray Analysis, Mechanical Testing and Metallographic Investigation were conducted, together with a comparative study from an inlet elbow section that did not fail. The superheater tube suffered premature failure after being in service for about two years. It was concluded that the failed tube underwent overheating, corrosion-erosion, embrittlement, and eventual failure under its internal pressure by stress rupture. The analysis revealed intergranular cracks, window fracture features and spheroidization of pearlite with grain growth. A possible contribution to embrittlement was from copper. Follow-ups and recommendations were provided, as well as covering materials, inspection, and operational considerations.

Enhancing performance of low-temperature processed CsPbI2Br all-inorganic perovskite solar cells using polyethylene oxide-modified TiO_(2)

CsPbX_(3)-based(X=I,Br,Cl)inorganic perovskite solar cells(PSCs)prepared by low-temperature process have attracted much attention because of their low cost and excellent thermal stability.However,the high trap state density and serious charge recombination between low-temperature processed TiO_(2)film and inorganic perovskite layer interface seriously restrict the performance of all-inorganic PSCs.Here a thin polyethylene oxide(PEO)layer is employed to modify TiO_(2)film to passivate traps and promote carrier collection.The impacts of PEO layer on microstructure and photoelectric characteristics of TiO_(2)film and related devices are systematically studied.Characterization results suggest that PEO modification can reduce the surface roughness of TiO_(2)film,decrease its average surface potential,and passivate trap states.At optimal conditions,the champion efficiency of CsPbI_(2)Br PSCs with PEO-modified TiO_(2)(PEO-PSCs)has been improved to 11.24%from 9.03%of reference PSCs.Moreover,the hysteresis behavior and charge recombination have been suppressed in PEO-PSCs.

Ca and Sr co-doping induced oxygen vacancies in 3DOM La_(2-x)Sr_(x)Ce_(2-y)CayO_(7-δ)catalysts for boosting low-temperature oxidative coupling of methane

It is urgent to develop catalysts with application potential for oxidative coupling of methane(OCM)at relatively lower temperature.Herein,three-dimensional ordered macro porous(3 DOM)La_(2-x)Sr_(x)Ce_(2-y)CayO_(7-δ)(A_(2)B_(2)O_(7)-type)catalysts with disordered defective cubic fluorite phased structure were successfully prepared by a colloidal crystal template method.3DOM structure promotes the accessibility of the gaseous reactants(O2and CH4)to the active sites.The co-doping of Ca and Sr ions in La_(2-x)Sr_(x)Ce_(2-y)CayO_(7-δ)catalysts improved the formation of oxygen vacancies,thereby leading to increased density of surface-active oxygen species(O_(2)^(-))for the activation of CH4and the formation of C2products(C2H6and C2H4).3DOM La_(2-x)Sr_(x)Ce_(2-y)CayO_(7-δ)catalysts exhibit high catalytic activity for OCM at low temperature.3DOM La1.7Sr0.3Ce1.7Ca0.3O7-δcatalyst with the highest density of O_(2)^(-)species exhibited the highest catalytic activity for low-temperature OCM,i.e.,its CH4conversion,selectivity and yield of C2products at 650℃are 32.2%,66.1%and 21.3%,respectively.The mechanism was proposed that the increase in surface oxygen vacancies induced by the co-doping of Ca and Sr ions boosts the key step of C-H bond breaking and C-C bond coupling in catalyzing low-temperature OCM.It is meaningful for the development of the low-temperature and high-efficient catalysts for OCM reaction in practical application.

Perspective on low-temperature electrolytes for LiFePO 4-based lithium-ion batteries

The olivine-type lithium iron phosphate(LiFePO_(4))cathode material is promising and widely used as a high-performance lithium-ion battery cathode material in commercial batteries due to its low cost,environmental friendliness,and high safety.At present,LiFePO_(4)/C sec-ondary batteries are widely used for electronic products,automotive power batteries,and other occasion-related applications with good thermal stability,stable cycle performance,and low room-temperature self-discharge rate.However,LiFePO_(4)-based battery applications are seriously limited when they are operated in a cold climate.This outcome is due to a considerable decrease in Li+transport capabilities within the elec-trode,particularly leading to a dramatic decrease in the electrochemical capacity and power performance of the electrolyte.Therefore,the design of low-temperature electrolytes is important for the further commercial application of LiFePO_(4) batteries.This paper reviews the key factors for the poor low-temperature performance of LiFePO_(4)-based batteries and the research progress of low-temperature electrolytes.Spe-cial attention is paid to electrolyte components,including lithium salts,cosolvents,additives,and the development of new electrolytes.The factors affecting the anode are also analyzed.Finally,according to the current research progress,some viewpoints are summarized to provide suitable modification methods and research suggestions for improving the practicability of LiFePO_(4)/C commercial batteries at low temperat-ures in the future.

Involvement of long non-coding RNAs in pear fruit senescence under high-and low-temperature conditions

Pear fruit senescence under high-and low-temperature conditions has been reported to be mediated by microRNAs.Long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs),which can function as competing endogenous RNAs that interact with microRNAs,may also be involved in temperature-affected fruit senescence.Based on the transcriptome and microRNA sequencings,in this study,3330 lncRNAs were isolated from Pyrus pyrifolia fruit.Of these lncRNAs,2060 and 537 were responsive to high-and low-temperature conditions,respectively.Of these differentially expressed lncRNAs,82 and 24 correlated to the mRNAs involved in fruit senescence under high-and low-temperature conditions,respectively.Moreover,three lncRNAs were predicted to be competing endogenous RNAs(ceRNAs)that interact with the microRNAs involved in fruit senescence,while one and two ceRNAs were involved in fruit senescence under high-and low-temperature conditions,respectively.A dual-luciferase assay showed that the interaction of an lncRNA with a microRNA disrupts the action of the microRNA on the expression of its target mRNA(s).Furthermore,four alternative splicing-derived lncRNAs interacted with miR172i homologies(Novel_88 and Novel_69)to relieve the repressed expression of their target and produce an miR172i precursor.Correlation analysis of microRNA expression suggested that Novel_69 is likely involved in the cleavage of the pre-miR172i hairpin to generate mature miR172i.Taken together,lncRNAs are involved in pear fruit senescence under high-or low-temperature conditions through ceRNAs and the production of microRNA.

Low-temperatures synthesis of CuS nanospheres as cathode material for magnesium second batteries

Rechargeable magnesium batteries(RMBs),as one of the most promising candidates for efficient energy storage devices with high energy,power density and high safety,have attracted increasing attention.However,searching for suitable cathode materials with fast diffusion kinetics and exploring their magnesium storage mechanisms remains a great challenge.Cu S submicron spheres,made by a facile low-temperature synthesis strategy,were applied as the high-performance cathode for RMBs in this work,which can deliver a high specific capacity of 396mAh g^(-1)at 20 mA g^(-1) and a remarkable rate capacity of 250 m Ah g^(-1)at 1000 mA g^(-1).The excellent rate performance can be assigned to the nano needle-like particles on the surface of Cu S submicron spheres,which can facilitate the diffusion kinetics of Mg^(2+).Further storage mechanism investigations illustrate that the Cu S cathodes experience a two-step conversion reaction controlled by diffusion during the electrochemical reaction process.This work could make a contribution to the study of the enhancement of diffusion kinetics of Mg2+and the reaction mechanism of RMBs.

Low-Temperature Carbonized Nitrogen-Doped Hard Carbon Nanofiber Toward High-Performance Sodium-Ion Capacitors

Carbon nanofiber(CNF)was widely utilized in the field of electrochemical energy storage due to its superiority of conductivity and mechanics.However,CNF was generally prepared at relatively high temperature.Herein,nitrogen-doped hard carbon nanofibers(NHCNFs)were prepared by a lowtemperature carbonization treatment assisted with electrospinning technology.Density functional theory analysis elucidates the incorporation of nitrogen heteroatoms with various chemical states into carbon matrix would significantly alter the total electronic configurations,leading to the robust adsorption and efficient diffusion of Na atoms on electrode interface.The obtained material carbonized at 600°C(NHCNF-600)presented a reversible specific capacity of 191.0 mAh g^(−1)and no capacity decay after 200 cycles at 1 A g^(−1).It was found that the sodium-intercalated degree had a correlation with the electrochemical impedance.A sodium-intercalated potential of 0.2 V was adopted to lower the electrochemical impedance.The constructed sodium-ion capacitor with activated carbon cathode and presodiated NHCNF-600 anode can present an energy power density of 82.1 Wh kg^(−1)and a power density of 7.0 kW kg^(−1).

Screening non-noble metal oxides to boost the low-temperature combustion of polyethylene waste in air

Globally,the efficient utilization of polymer wastes is one of the most important issues for current sustainable development topics.Herein,a green and efficient low-temperature combustion approach is proposed to deal with polymer wastes and recover heat energy,simultaneously alleviating the environment and energy crisis.Non-noble metal oxides(Al_(2)O_(3),Fe_(2)O_(3),NiO_(2),ZrO_(2),La_(2)O_(3)and CeO_(2)) were prepared,characterized and screened to boost the low-temperature combustion of polyethylene waste at 300℃ in air.The mass change,heat release and CO_(x) formation were studied in details and employed to evaluate the combustion rate and efficiency.It was found that CeO_(2)significantly enhanced the combustion rate and efficiency,which was respectively 2 and 7 times that of non-catalytic case.An interesting phenomenon was observed that the catalytic performance of CeO_(2) in polyethylene low-temperature combustion was significantly improved by the 7-day storage in the room environment or water treatment.XPS analysis confirmed the co-existence of Ce^(3+) and Ce^(4+) in CeO_(2),and the 7-day storage and water treatment promoted the amount of Ce^(3+),which facilitated the formation of the oxygen vacancies.That may be the reason why CeO_(2) exhibited excellent catalytic performance in polyethylene low-temperature combustion.

Twice-split phosphorus application alleviates low-temperature impacts on wheat by improved spikelet development and setting

Extreme low-temperature incidents have become more frequent and severe as climate change intensifies.In HuangHuai-Hai wheat growing area of China,the late spring coldness occurring at the jointing-booting stage(the anther interval stage)has resulted in significant yield losses of winter wheat.This study attempts to develop an economical,feasible,and efficient cultivation technique for improving the low-temperature(LT)resistance of wheat by exploring the effects of twice-split phosphorus application(TSPA)on wheat antioxidant characteristics and carbon and nitrogen metabolism physiology under LT treatment at the anther interval stage using Yannong 19 as the experimental material.The treatments consisted of traditional phosphorus application and TSPA,followed by a-4℃ LT treatment and natural temperature(NT)control at the anther interval stage.Our analyses showed that,compared with the traditional application,the TSPA increased the net photosynthetic rate(P_(n)),stomatal conductance(Gs),and transpiration rate(T_(r))of leaves and reduced the intercellular carbon dioxide concentration(C_(i)).The activity of carbon and nitrogen metabolism enzymes in the young wheat spikes was also increased by the TSPA,which promoted the accumulation of soluble sugar(SS),sucrose(SUC),soluble protein(SP),and proline(Pro)in young wheat spike and reduced the toxicity of malondialdehyde(MDA).Due to the improved organic nutrition for reproductive development,the young wheat spikes exhibited enhanced LT resistance,which reduced the sterile spikelet number(SSN)per spike by 11.8%and increased the spikelet setting rate(SSR)and final yield by 6.0 and 8.4%,respectively,compared to the traditional application.The positive effects of split phosphorus application became more pronounced when the LT treatment was prolonged.

Fluidized magnetization roasting of refractory siderite-containing iron ore via preoxidation-low-temperature reduction

Magnetization roasting is one of the most effective way of utilizing low-grade refractory iron ore.However,the reduction roasting of siderite(FeCO3)generates weakly magnetic wüstite,thus reducing iron recovery via weak magnetic separation.We systematically studied and proposed the fluidized preoxidation-low-temperature reduction magnetization roasting process for siderite.We found that the maghemite generated during the air oxidation roasting of siderite would be further reduced into wüstite at 500 and 550℃due to the unstable intermediate product magnetite(Fe_(3)O_(4)).Stable magnetite can be obtained through maghemite reduction only at low temperature.The optimal fluidized magnetization roasting parameters included preoxidation at 610℃for 2.5 min,followed by reduction at 450℃for 5 min.For roasted ore,weak magnetic separation yielded an iron ore concentrate grade of 62.0wt%and an iron recovery rate of 88.36%.Compared with that of conventional direct reduction magnetization roasting,the iron recovery rate of weak magnetic separation had greatly improved by 34.33%.The proposed fluidized preoxidation-low-temperature reduction magnetization roasting process can realize the efficient magnetization roasting utilization of low-grade refractory siderite-containing iron ore without wüstite generation and is unlimited by the proportion of siderite and hematite in iron ore.

Low-temperature photothermal-induced alkyl radical release facilitates dihydroartemisinin-triggered“valve-off”starvation therapy

The high nutrient and energy demand of tumor cells compared to normal cells to sustain rapid proliferation offer a potentially auspicious avenue for implementing starvation therapy.However,conventional starvation therapy,such as glucose exhaustion and vascular thrombosis,can lead to systemic toxicity and exacerbate tumor hypoxia.Herein,we developed a new“valve-off”starvation tactic,which was accomplished by closing the valve of glucose transporter protein 1(GLUT1).Specifically,dihydroartemisinin(DHA),2,20-azobis[2-(2-imidazolin-2-yl)propane]dihydrochloride(AI),and Ink were co-encapsulated in a sodium alginate(ALG)hydrogel.Upon irradiation with the 1064 nm laser,AI rapidly disintegrated into alkyl radicals(R·),which exacerbated the DHA-induced mitochondrial damage through the generation of reactive oxygen species and further reduced the synthesis of adenosine triphosphate(ATP).Simultaneously,the production of R·facilitated DHA-induced starvation therapy by suppressing GLUT1,which in turn reduced glucose uptake.Systematic in vivo and in vitro results suggested that this radical-enhanced“valveoff”strategy for inducing tumor cell starvation was effective in reducing glucose uptake and ATP levels.This integrated strategy induces tumor starvation with efficient tumor suppression,creating a new avenue for controlled,precise,and concerted tumor therapy.

Seamlessly Merging the Capacity of P into Sb at Same Voltage with Maintained Superior Cycle Stability and Low-temperature Performance for Li-ion Batteries

Among the alloying-type anodes,elemental Sb possesses the suitable yet safe plateau,simple lithiation pathway,small voltage polarization,high conductivity,and superior cycle stability.However,challenge is that its intrinsic capacity is rather low(660 mAh g^(-1)),<1/6 of silicon.Herein,we propose a seamless integration strategy by merging the voltage and capacity of phosphorus and antimony into a solid solution alloy.Interestingly,the enlistment of P is found greatly enlarge the capacity from 660 to 993 mAh g^(-1) for such Sb_(30)P_(30) solid solution,while maintaining a single and stable discharge plateau(~0.79 V)similar to elemental Sb.Various experimental characterizations including XPS,PDF,Raman,and EDS mapping reveal that in such a material the P and Sb atoms have interacted with each other to form a homogenous solid solution alloy,rather than a simple mixing of the two substances.Thus,the Sb_(30)P_(30) exhibits superior rate performances(807 mAh g^(-1) at 5000 mA g^(-1))and cyclability(821 mAh g^(-1) remained after 300 cycles).Furthermore,such Sb_(60-x)P_(x) alloys can even deliver 621 mAh g^(-1) at
30℃,which can be served as the alternative anode materials for high-energy and low-temperature batteries.This unique seamless integration strategy based on solid solution chemistry can be easily leveraged to manipulate the capacity of other electrode materials at similar voltage.

Molecular composition of low-temperature oxidation products of the heavy oil

Low-temperature oxidation(LTO)is the main reaction that affects fuel formation in the in-situ combustion process,which has important significance for the subsequent combustion propulsion and the successful extraction of crude oil.In this study,heavy oil was subjected to LTO reactions at different temperatures.Three types of reaction products with varying oxidation depths were characterized in terms of the number of oxygen atoms and the polarity of the molecule to reveal the low-temperature oxidation process of the heavy oil.Ketone compounds and acid polyoxides in the oil phase and deep oxidation products with a higher number of oxygen atoms in the coke were identified with increasing oxidation depth.The experimental results showed that the oxidation reaction of the heavy oil changed from kinetic-controlled to diffusion-controlled in the open oxidation system of the heavy oil as the oxidation depth increased.The oxidation reaction of the oil phase reached a maximum and stable value in oxygen content.The molecular compositions of the ketone compound and acid polyoxide did not change significantly with further increase in reaction temperature.The molecular compositions of the deep oxidation products with a higher number of oxygen atoms in the coke phase changed significantly.The coke precursor molecules with a lower oxygen content and condensation degree participated in the coke formation,and the oxidation reaction pathway and the complexity of the oxidation product component also increased.

Effects of Potassium Ferrate and Low-Temperature Thermal Hydrolysis Co-Pretreatment on the Hydrolysis and Anaerobic Digestion Process of Waste Activated Sludge

This study evaluated the effect of potassium ferrate(PF)and low-temperature thermal hydrolysis co-pretreatment on the promotion of sludge hydrolysis process and the impact on acid production in the subsequent anaerobic digestion process.The analytical investigations showed that co-pretreatment significantly facilitated the hydrolysis process of the sludge and contributed to the accumulation of short-chain fatty acids(SCFAs).The pretreatment conditions under the optimal leaching of organic matter from sludge were hydrothermal temperature of 75℃,hydrothermal treatment time of 12 h,and PF dosage of 0.25 g g^(−1)TSS(total suspended solids),according to the results of orthogonal experiments.By pretreatment under proper conditions,the removal rate of soluble chemical oxygen demand(SCOD)achieved 71.8%at the end of fermentation and the removal rate of total phosphorus(TP)was 69.1%.The maximum yield of SCFAs was 750.3 mg L^(−1),7.45 times greater than that of the blank group.Based on the analysis of the anaerobic digestion mechanism,it was indicated that the co-pretreatment could destroy the floc structure on the sludge surface and improve organic matter dissolving,resulting in more soluble organic substances for the acidification process.Furthermore,microbial community research revealed that the main cause of enhanced SCFAs generation was an increase in acidogenic bacteria and a reduction of methanogenic bacteria.

Effect of Different Loadings on the Performance of Ni2P/Al2O3 Catalysts for Low-Temperature Thioethering and Selective Hydrogenation of Diolefins in Liquefied Petroleum Gas

In this study,different loadings of x%Ni_(2)P/γ-Al_(2)O_(3)(x=6%,9%,12%,15%,18%)catalysts with aluminum oxide(Al_(2)O_(3))as the carrier,nickel chloride(NiCl2)as the nickel(Ni)source,and ammonium hypophosphite(NH_(4)H_(2)PO_(2))as the phosphorus(P)source were prepared by the equal volume impregnation method to investigate the effects of different loadings on the performance of the selective hydrogenation of diolefins and thiol etherification in LPG.The physicochemical properties of the catalysts were characterized by XRD,BET,SEM,TEM,H_(2)-TPR,and XPS,and the catalytic activity of the catalysts was evaluated in a fixed-bed microreactor.The results showed that a change in the loading affected the catalyst crystalline phase structure and size,specific surface area,P coverage,active phase dispersion,and catalytic activity.At 6%,9%,and 12%loadings the catalysts had an Ni phase but there was no obvious Ni_(2)P phase in the nickel phosphide;at 15%loading a single Ni_(2)P phase was obtained,and at 18%loading both Ni_(2)P and Ni1_(2)P_(5) phases appeared.There was a P enrichment on the catalyst surface,and the higher the loading the more P species were enriched on the surface,but some of the P was lost during the catalyst reduction process due to the production of phosphine(PH3)gas.The 15%Ni_(2)P/γ-Al_(2)O_(3) catalyst had the largest Ni/Al ratio and the best dispersion.The Ni_(2)P active phase size was small at about 4.25 nm and Ni_(2)P was uniformly dispersed on the catalyst surface without agglomeration.The 15%Ni_(2)P/γ-Al_(2)O_(3) catalyst had the best catalytic activity at a pressure of 2.0 MPa,a liquid hourly space velocity(LHSV)of 3.0 h-1,and a hydrogen to hydrocarbon ratio of 12.The 1,3-butadiene conversion was 97.45%and the methanethiol removal was 100%at a temperature of 140℃.