Recycled graphite for more sustainable lithium-ion batteries

The demand for lithium-ion batteries(LIBs)is driven largely by their use in electric vehicles,which is projected to increase dramatically in the future.This great success,however,urgently calls for the efficient recycling of LIBs at the end of their life.Herein,we describe a froth flotation-based process to recycle graphite—the predominant active material for the negative electrode—from spent LIBs and investigate its reuse in newly assembled LIBs.It has been found that the structure and morphology of the recycled graphite are essentially unchanged compared to pristine commercial anode-grade graphite,and despite some minor impurities from the recycling process,the recycled graphite provides a remarkable reversible specific capacity of more than 350 mAh g^(−1).Even more importantly,newly assembled graphite‖NMC532 cells show excellent cycling stability with a capacity retention of 80%after 1000 cycles,that is,comparable to the performance of reference full cells comprising pristine commercial graphite.

Long-term performance of recycled asphalt mixtures containing high RAP and RAS

The application of reclaimed asphalt pavement(RAP)and reclaimed asphalt shingles(RAS)on asphalt pavement can reduce the asphalt paving cost,conserve energy and protect the environment.However,the use of high contents of RAP and RAS in asphalt pavement may lead to durability issues,especially the fatigue cracking and thermal cracking.It is necessary to conduct a series of analyses on asphalt mixtures containing high RAP and RAS,and seek methods to enhance their long-term performance.This paper provides a comprehensive over-view of the long-term performance of recycled asphalt mixtures containing high contents of RAP and RAS.The findings in this research show that rutting resistance of high recycled asphalt mixtures is not a concern,whereas their resistance to fatigue and thermal cracking is not conclusive.Recycling agents can be used to improve the thermal cracking resistance of high recycled asphalt mixtures.An optimum decision on recycling agents will improve the durability properties of high recycled asphalt mixtures.It is recommended that to use a balanced mixture design approach with testing of the blended asphalt binders will provide better understanding of long-term performance of recycled asphalt mixtures containing high RAP and RAS.

Residual fluoride self-activated effect enabling upgraded utilization of recycled graphite anode

Recycling graphite anode from spent lithium-ion batteries(SLIBs)is regarded as a crucial approach to promoting sustainable energy storage industry.However,the recycled graphite(RG)generally presents degraded structure and performance.Herein,the residual fluoride self-activated effect is proposed for the upgraded utilization of RG.Simple and low-energy water immersion treatment not only widens the interlayer spacing,but also retains appropriate fluoride on the surface of RG.Theoretical analysis and experiments demonstrate that the residual fluoride can optimize Li~+migration and deposition kinetics,resulting in better Li~+intercalation/deintercalation in the interlayer and more stable Li metal plating/stripping on the surface of RG,As a result,the designed LFP||RG full cells achieve ultrahigh reversibility(~100%Coulombic efficiency),high capacity retention(67%after 200 cycles,0.85 N/P ratio),and commendable adaptability(stable cycling without short-circuiting,0.15 N/P ratio).The energy density is improved from 334 Wh kg^(-1)of 1.1 N/P ratio to 367 Wh kg^(-1)of 0.85 N/P ratio(total mass based on cathode and anode).The exploration of RG by residual fluoride self-activated effect achieves upgraded utilization beyond fresh commercial graphite and highlights a new strategy for efficient reuse of SLIBs.

High-efficiency Carbonation Modification Methods of Recycled Coarse Aggregates

To solve the problem of only surface carbonation and realize high-efficiency carbonation of recycled coarse aggregate,the method of carbonated recycled coarse aggregate with nano materials pre-soaking was first put forward.The carbonation effect of modified recycled coarse aggregate with three different carbonation methods was evaluated,and water absorption,apparent density and crush index of modified recycled coarse aggregate were measured.Combined with XRD,SEM,and MIP microscopic analysis,the high-efficiency carbonation strengthening mechanism of modified recycled coarse aggregate was revealed.The experimental results show that,compared with the non-carbonated recycled coarse aggregate,the physical and microscopic properties of carbonated recycled coarse aggregate are improved.The method of carbonation with nano-SiO_(2) pre-soaking can realize the high-efficiency carbonation of recycled coarse aggregate,for modified recycled coarse aggregate with the method,water absorption is reduced by 23.03%,porosity is reduced by 44.06%,and the average pore diameter is 21.82 nm.The high-efficiency carbonation strengthening mechanism show that the pre-socked nano-SiO_(2) is bound to the hydration product Ca(OH)_(2) of the old mortar with nano-scale C-S-H,which can improve the CO_(2) absorption rate,accelerate the carbonation reaction,generate more stable CaCO_(3) and nano-scale silica gel,and bond to the dense three-dimensional network structure to realize the bidirectional enhancement of nano-materials and pressurized carbonation.It is concluded that the method of carbonation with nano-SiO_(2) pre-soaking is a novel high-efficiency carbonation modification of recycled coarse aggregate.

Effect of Modification Treatment on Chloride Ions Permeability and Microstructure of Recycled Brick-mixed Aggregate Concrete

The modification methods of pozzolan slurry combined with sodium silicate and silicon-based additive were respectively adopted to treat recycled coarse brick-mixed aggregate(RCBA)in this study.The compressive strength and chloride permeability resistance of recycled aggregate concrete(RAC)before and after modification treatment were tested,and the microstructure of RAC was analyzed by mercury intrusion porosimetry(MIP)and scanning electron microscopy(SEM).The results show that the physical properties of RCBA strengthened by modification treatment are improved,and the compressive strength and chloride permeability resistance of treated RAC are also significantly improved.The modification treatment optimizes the pore size distribution of RAC,which increases the number of gel pores and transition pores,and decreases the number of capillary pores and macro pores.The surface fractal dimension shows a significant correlation with chloride diffusion coefficient,indicating that the variation of chloride permeability of treated RAC is consistent with the microstructure evolution.

Influence of Recycled Concrete Fine Powder on Durability of Cement Mortar

In this paper,the durability of cement mortar prepared with a recycled-concrete fine powder(RFP)was examined;including the analysis of a variety of aspects,such as the carbonization,sulfate attack and chloride ion erosion resistance.The results indicate that the influence of RFP on these three aspects is different.The carbonization depth after 30 days and the chloride diffusion coefficient of mortar containing 10%RFP decreased by 13.3%and 28.19%.With a further increase in the RFP content,interconnected pores formed between the RFP particles,leading to an acceleration of the penetration rate of CO_(2)and Cl^(−).When the RFP content was less than 50%,the corrosion resistance coefficient of the compressive strength of the mortar was 0.84-1.05 after 90 days of sulfate attack.But the expansion and cracking of the mortar was effectively alleviated due to decrease of the gypsum production.Scanning electron microscope(SEM)analysis has confirmed that 10%RFP contributes to the formation of a dense microstructure in the cement mortar.

Mechanical Property and Microstructure of Cement Mortar with Carbonated Recycled Powder

Carbonated recycled powder as cementitious auxiliary material can reduce carbon emissions and realize high-quality recycling of recycled concrete.In this paper,microscopic property of recycled powder with three carbonation methods was tested through XRD and SEM,the mechanical property and microstructure of recycled powder mortar with three replacement rates were studied by ISO method and SEM,and the strengthening mechanism was analyzed.The results showed that the mechanical property of recycled powder mortar decreased with the increasing of replacement rate.It is suggested that the replacement rate of recycled powder should not exceed 20%.The strength index and activity index of carbonated recycled powder mortar were improved,in which the flexural strength was increased by 27.85%and compressive strength was increased by 20%at the maximum.Recycled powder can be quickly and completely carbonated,and the improvement effect of CH pre-soaking carbonation was the best.The activity index of carbonated recycled powder can meet the requirements of Grade II technical standard for recycled powder.Microscopic results revealed the activation mechanism of carbonated recycled powder such as surplus calcium source effect,alkaline polycondensation effect and carbonation enhancement effect.

Repair of Second-Generation Recycled Fine Aggregate of Waste Concrete from Freeze-Thaw Environment by Carbonation Treatment

The reuse of waste recycled concrete from harsh environments has become a research hotspot in the field of construction.This study investigated the repair effect of carbonation treatment on second-generation recycled fine aggregate(SRFA)obtained from recycled fine aggregate concrete(RFAC)subjected to freeze-thaw(FT)cycles.Before and after carbonation,the properties of SRFA were evaluated.Carbonated second-generation recycled fine aggregate(CSRFA)at five substitution rates(0%,25%,50%,75%,100%)to replace SRFA was used to prepare carbonated second-generation recycled fine aggregate concrete(CSRFAC).The water absorption,porosity and mechanical properties of CSRFAC were tested,and its frost-resisting durability was evaluated.The results showed after carbonation treatment,the physical properties of SRFA was improved and met the requirements of II aggregate.The micro-hardness of the interfacial transition zone and attached mortar in CSRFA was 50.5%and 31.2%higher than that in SRFA,respectively.With the increase of CSRFA replacement rate,the water absorption and porosity of CSRFAC gradually decreased,and the mechanical properties and frost resistance of CSRFAC were gradually improved.Carbonation treatment effectively repairs the damage of SRFA caused by FT cycles and improves its application potential.

Effect of Aggregate Gradation on the Properties of 3D Printed Recycled Coarse Aggregate Concrete

A simplex centroid design method was employed to design the gradation of recycled coarse aggregate.The bulk density was measured while the specific surface area and average excess paste thickness were calculated with different gradations.The fluidity,dynamic yield stress,static yield stress,printed width,printed inclination,compressive strength and ultrasonic wave velocity of 3D printed recycled aggregate concrete(3DPRAC)were further studied.The experimental results demonstrate that,with the increase of small-sized aggregate(4.75-7 mm)content,the bulk density initially increases and then decreases,and the specific surface area gradually increases.The average excess paste thickness fluctuates with both bulk density and specific surface area.The workability of 3DPRAC is closely related to the average excess paste thickness.With an increase in average paste thickness,there is a gradual decrease in dynamic yield stress,static yield stress and printed inclination,accompanied by an increase in fluidity and printed width.The mechanical performance of 3DPRAC closely correlates with the bulk density.With an increase in the bulk density,there is an increase in the ultrasonic wave velocity,accompanied by a slight increase in the compressive strength and a significant decrease in the anisotropic coefficient.Furthermore,an index for buildability failure of 3DPRAC based on the average excess paste thickness is proposed.

Bond-Slip Behavior of Steel Bar and Recycled Steel Fibre-Reinforced Concrete

Recycled steel fiber reinforced concrete is an innovative construction material that offers exceptional mechanical properties and durability.It is considered a sustainable material due to its low carbon footprint and environmental friendly characteristics.This study examines the key influencing factors that affect the behavior of this material,such as the steel fiber volume ratio,recycled aggregate replacement rate,concrete strength grade,anchorage length,and stirrup constraint.The study investigates the bond failure morphology,bond-slip,and bond strength constitutive relationship of steel fiber recycled concrete.The results show that the addition of steel fibers at 0.5%,1.0%,and 1.5%volume ratios can improve the ultimate bond strength of pull-out specimens by 9.05%,6.94%,and 5.52%,respectively.The replacement rate of recycled aggregate has minimal effect on the typical bond strength of pull-out specimens.However,the ultimate bond strengths of pull-out specimens with concrete strength grades C45 and C60 have improved compared to those with C30 grade.The specimens with longer anchorage lengths exhibit lower ultimate bond strength,with a reduction of 33.19%and 46.37%for anchorage lengths of 5D and 7D,respectively,compared to those without stirrups.Stirrup restraint of 1φ8 and 2φ8 improves the ultimate bond strength by 5.29%and 6.90%,respectively.Steel fibers have a significant effect on the behavior of concrete after it cracks,especially during the stable expansion stage,crack instability expansion stage,and failure stage.

Promoting sustainable consumption and circular economy:the intention of Vietnamese youth consumers to purchase products made from recycled plastics

Recycling is viewed as a key component in a circular economy and serves as an ideal solution for promoting sustainability.During the global plastic crisis,plastic recycling practices have been adopted worldwide,leading to the production of various products made from recycled plastics(PRP).Nevertheless,a gap persists between consumption and demand for such products,which is primarily attributed to a lack of comprehension from the consumer perspective.Given the pivotal role consumers play in the adoption of these products,this study explores consumers’intentions to purchase PRP.This is particularly significant in Vietnam,which is an emerging economy aspiring to achieve the objectives of a circular economy and sustainable development.Utilizing an integrated cognitive-emotional framework comprising the Valence Theory and the Norm Activation Model,data from 564 Vietnamese students were gathered and analyzed using structural equation modeling.The results show that awareness of consequences is a major driver of consumer purchase intentions,followed by perceived ease of application and monetary incentives.The results also indicate that health concerns have the strongest effect on purchase intention and in the negative side,meaning that the health-related risk is the primary concern for consumers during the decision-making process.This research holds substantial value for academics and managers,as it aids in the theoretical exploration and the formulation of strategies to improve consumer acceptance of PRP.

Quantifying Contribution of Recycled Moisture to Precipitation in Temperate Glacier Region,Southeastern Tibetan Plateau,China

Recycled moisture is an important indicator of the renewal capacity of regional water resources.Due to the existence of Yulong Snow Mountain,Lijiang in Yunnan Province,southeast of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,China,is the closest ocean glacier area to the equator in Eurasia.Daily precipitation samples were collected from 2017 to 2018 in Lijiang to quantify the effect of sub-cloud evaporation and recycled moisture on precipitation combined with the d-excess model during monsoon and non-monsoon periods.The results indicated that the d-excess values of precipitation fluctuated between–35.6‰and 16.0‰,with an arithmetic mean of 3.5‰.The local meteoric water line(LMWL)wasδD=7.91δ^(18)O+2.50,with a slope slightly lower than the global meteoric water line(GMWL).Subcloud evaporation was higher during the non-monsoon season than during the monsoon season.It tended to peak in March and was primarily influenced by the relative humidity.The source of the water vapour affected the proportion of recycled moisture.According to the results of the Hybrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory(HYSPLIT)model,the main sources of water vapour in Lijiang area during the monsoon period were the southwest and southeast monsoons.During the non-monsoon period,water vapour was transported by a southwesterly flow.The recycled moisture in Lijiang area between March and October 2017 was 10.62%.Large variations were observed between the monsoon and non-monsoon seasons,with values of 5.48%and 25.65%,respectively.These differences were primarily attributed to variations in the advection of water vapour.The recycled moisture has played a supplementary role in the precipitation of Lijiang area.

Ultrafiltration recovery of alginate: Membrane fouling mitigation by multivalent metal ions and properties of recycled materials

Recovery of alginate extracted from aerobic granular sludge(AGS)has given rise to a novel research direction.However,these extracted alginate solutions have a water content of nearly 100%.Alternately,ultrafiltration(UF)is generally used for concentration of polymers.Furthermore,the introduction of multivalent metal ions into alginate may provide a promising method for the development of novel nanomaterials.In this study,membrane fouling mitigation by multivalent metal ions,both individually and in combination,and properties of recycled materials were investigated for UF recovery of sodium alginate(SA).The filtration resistance showed a significantly negative correlation with the concentration of metal ions,arranged in the order of Mg^2+<Ca^2+<Fe^3+<Al^3+(filtration resistance mitigation),and the moisture content of recycled filter cake showed a marked decrease.For Ca^2+,Mg^2+,Fe^3+,and Ca^2++Fe^3+,the filtration resistances were almost the same when the total charge concentration was less than 5 mmol·L^–1.However,when the total charge concentration was greater than 5 mmol·L^–1,membrane fouling mitigation increased significantly in the presence of Ca^2+or Fe^3+and remained constant for Mg^2+with the increase of total charge concentration.The filtration resistance mitigation was arranged in the order of Fe^3+>Fe^3++Ca^2+>Ca^2+>Mg^2+.Three mechanisms were proposed in the presence of Fe^3+,such as the decrease of SA concentration,change in p H,and production of hydroxide iron colloids from hydrolysis.The properties of recycled materials(filter cake)were investigated via optical microscope observation,dynamic light scattering,Fourier transform infrared,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS),and scanning electron microscopy.The results provide further insight into UF recoveries of alginate extracted from AGS.

Bird’s-eye view of recycled solid wastes in road engineering

Recent trends in road engineering have explored the potential of incorporating recycled solid wastes into infrastructures that including pavements,bridges,tunnels,and accessory structures.The utilization of solid wastes is expected to offer sustainable solutions to waste recycling while enhancing the performance of roads.This review provides an extensive analysis of the recycling of three main types of solid wastes for road engineering purposes:industrial solid waste,infrastructure solid waste,and municipal life solid waste.Industrial solid wastes suitable for road engineering generally include coal gangue,fly ash,blast furnace slag,silica fume,and steel slag,etc.Infrastructure solid wastes recycled in road engineering primarily consist of construction&demolition waste,reclaimed asphalt pavements,and recycled cement concrete.Furthermore,recent exploration has extended to the utilization of municipal life solid wastes,such as incinerated bottom ash,glass waste,electronics waste,plastic waste,and rubber waste in road engineering applications.These recycled solid wastes are categorized into solid waste aggregates,solid waste cements,and solid waste fillers,each playing distinct roles in road infrastructure.Roles of solid waste acting aggregates,cements,and fillers in road infrastructures were fully investigated,including their pozzolanic properties,integration effects to virgin materials,modification or enhancement solutions,engineering performances.Utilization of these materials not only addresses the challenge of waste management but also offers environmental benefits aiming carbon neutral and contributes to sustainable infrastructure development.However,challenges such as variability in material properties,environmental impact mitigation,secondary pollution to environment by leaching,and concerns regarding long-term performance need to be further addressed.Despite these challenges,the recycled solid wastes hold immense potential in revolutionizing road construction practices and fostering environmental stewardship.This review delves into a bird’seye view of the utilization of recycled solid wastes in road engineering,highlighting advances,benefits,challenges,and future prospects.

Three-Dimensional Multi-Phase Microscopic Simulation of Service Life of Recycled Large Aggregate Self-Compacting Concrete

Recycled large aggregate self-compacting concrete (RLA-SCC) within multiple weak areas. These weak areas have poor resistance to chloride ion erosion, which affects the service life of RLA-SCC in the marine environment. A three-dimensional multi-phase mesoscopic numerical model of RLA-SCC was established to simulate the chloride ions transportation in concrete. Experiments of RLA-SCC immersing in chloride solution were carried out to verify the simulation results. The effects of recycled large aggregate (RLA) content and RLA particle size on the service life of concrete were explored. The results indicate that the mesoscopic numerical simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental results. At the same depth, the closer to the surface of the RLA, the greater the chloride ion concentration. The service life of RLA-SCC in marine environment decreases with the increase of RLA content. Compared with the service life of 20% content, the service life of 25% and 30% content decreased by 20% and 42% respectively. Increasing the particle size of RLA can effectively improve the service life of RLA-SCC in chloride environment. Compared with the service life of 50 mm particle size, the service life of 70 mm and 90 mm increased by 61% and 163%, respectively. .

Research and Application of Recycled Concrete Technology in Prefabricated Buildings

The utilization of waste concrete as a raw material for recycled concrete in the domain of prefabricated components is garnering greater interest.This paper delineates and examines the concept,categorization,methodologies of preparation,applicable sectors,and evaluative metrics of recycled concrete technology,highlighting its prospective benefits.Nonetheless,for the successful integration of recycled concrete technology into prefabricated component applications,it is imperative to systematically enhance its physical,mechanical,and attributes,as well as its environmental efficacy.Moreover,to foster the continued advancement of recycled concrete technology,innovative initiatives,standardization,educational programs,demonstration projects,and collaborative efforts are crucial to promote broader adoption and realize improved outcomes within the realm of prefabricated components.In conclusion,recycled concrete technology is poised to play a pivotal role in prefabricated construction,offering robust support for propelling the construction industry towards a sustainable future.

Study on Durability of Recycled Aggregate Concrete in High-Temperature and Complex Environments

Recycled aggregate concrete refers to a new type of concrete material made by processing waste concrete materials through grading,crushing,and cleaning,and then mixing them with cement,water,and other materials in a certain gradation or proportion.This type of concrete is highly suitable for modern construction waste disposal and reuse and has been widely used in various construction projects.It can also be used as an environmentally friendly permeable brick material to promote the development of modern green buildings.However,practical applications have found that compared to ordinary concrete,the durability of this type of concrete is more susceptible to high-temperature and complex environments.Based on this,this paper conducts theoretical research on its durability in high-temperature and complex environments,including the current research status,existing problems,and application prospects of recycled aggregate concrete’s durability in such environments.It is hoped that this analysis can provide some reference for studying the influence of high-temperature and complex environments on recycled aggregate concrete and its subsequent application strategies.

Experimental Study on Mechanical Properties of Self-Compacting Recycled Concrete

The application of self-compacting recycled concrete can solve the problem of environmental pollution caused by construction waste but its mechanical properties have not been unified and need further study.The strength of recycled concrete is unstable,and its performance still needs further study.The combination of fixed sand and stone volume method and free water cement ratio method is used to determine the mix ratio of self-compacting recycled concrete.24 sets of slump expansion tests and 24 sets of cube axial compression tests were carried out to study the effect of recycled aggregate replacement rate on the flow performance and axial compressive strength of self-compacting recycled concrete,and the performance conversion formula of self-compacting recycled concrete was given.The results show that with the increase of the regenerated coarse aggregate substitution rate,the fluidity and filling property of the self-compacting regenerated concrete mix decreased.The failure of self-compacting recycled concrete is mainly due to the failure of strength between old mortar and new mixture.As the substitution rate increases from 0 to 100%,the axial compressive strength decreases by 15.2%.

Removal, Recovery and Recycle of Gold (III) from Aqueous Solution Using Persimmon Tannin Gel

In order to recover much amount of gold, gold removal-recovery cycle was examined using immobilized persimmon gel, which could remove much amount of gold (III) from the tetrachloroaurate solution at 30°C. Removal of gold has proceeded different 2 mechanisms stages. At first, gold (III) was adsorbed rapidly on the surface of the persimmon gels until 2 hours and reached adsorption equilibrium. After that, the amount of gold removed was re-increased slowly and also reached equilibrium until 48 hours. The amount of gold removed was affected by the pH of the solution. The amount of Au removed was the highest at pH 5, which was decreased with decreasing or increasing the pH of the solution. The amount of gold removed (mol/g-dry wt. gels) was increased with increasing the gold concentration in the solution, whereas gold removed ratio was decreased. Gold removed ratio was increased with increasing the amount of persimmon gel used, whereas the amount of removed Au (mol/g-dry wt. gels) was decreased. Gold removal-recovery cycles were also examined in detail.

Pharmacological targeting cGAS/STING/NF-κB axis by tryptanthrin induces microglia polarization toward M2 phenotype and promotes functional recovery in a mouse model of spinal cord injury

The M1/M2 phenotypic shift of microglia after spinal cord injury plays an important role in the regulation of neuroinflammation during the secondary injury phase of spinal cord injury.Regulation of shifting microglia polarization from M1(neurotoxic and proinflammatory type)to M2(neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory type)after spinal cord injury appears to be crucial.Tryptanthrin possesses an anti-inflammatory biological function.However,its roles and the underlying molecular mechanisms in spinal cord injury remain unknown.In this study,we found that tryptanthrin inhibited microglia-derived inflammation by promoting polarization to the M2 phenotype in vitro.Tryptanthrin promoted M2 polarization through inactivating the cGAS/STING/NF-κB pathway.Additionally,we found that targeting the cGAS/STING/NF-κB pathway with tryptanthrin shifted microglia from the M1 to M2 phenotype after spinal cord injury,inhibited neuronal loss,and promoted tissue repair and functional recovery in a mouse model of spinal cord injury.Finally,using a conditional co-culture system,we found that microglia treated with tryptanthrin suppressed endoplasmic reticulum stress-related neuronal apoptosis.Taken together,these results suggest that by targeting the cGAS/STING/NF-κB axis,tryptanthrin attenuates microglia-derived neuroinflammation and promotes functional recovery after spinal cord injury through shifting microglia polarization to the M2 phenotype.