Activated Carbon Research Articles

A computational study of adsorption on activated carbons containing basic oxygenated surface groups of two priority organochlorine pesticides from water

In previous work, molecular modeling was used to investigate how acidic and nitrogen-containing surface groups (SG) on an activated carbon (AC) model affect the adsorption of chlordecone (CLD) and β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH), considering the effects of pH and hydration. Interactions involving acidic SGs at neutral pH indicated chemisorption, while interactions with nitrogen basic SGs suggested physisorption. This study presents a theoretical investigation of the interactions between these pesticides and oxygenated SGs on AC. A coronene molecule with functional groups—specifically pyrone, chromene, or ketone at the edges was used as a simplified model of AC. The Multiple Minima Hypersurface methodology was employed to study the interactions between CLD and β-HCH with SGs on AC using the PM7 semi-empirical Hamiltonian. Further re-optimization of the obtained structures for pesticide-AC complexes was performed using Density Functional Theory. The Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules was applied to characterize the interaction types using the Nakanishi criteria. No interactions were observed at acidic pH for both pollutants, whereas dispersive interactions were found at neutral and basic pH, indicating a physisorption process. Molecular dynamics simulations were also conducted to illustrate these findings. Ultimately, our previous studies showed that the adsorption process of CLD and β-HCH on AC is more effectively enhanced with acidic SGs rather than basic SGs. Moreover, MD simulations of β-HCH and CLD pesticides at concentrations higher than their solubilities reveal aggregation in both pure aqueous solutions and those containing AC. Analysis of MD trajectories and RDFs shows that hydrophobic interactions lead to aggregation of these molecules. RDFs indicate that β-HCH aggregates more in the solution due to its lower solubility compared to CLD. This aggregation reduces pesticide adsorption on AC surfaces, with β-HCH showing a more significant decrease in adsorption, dropping by more than half. Similar effects were observed with other biochar models for both pesticides.

Activated Carbon derived from Jackfruit Seeds for Oil Adsorption

Activated carbons (AC) are widely used as adsorbents for treating oily wastewater. An effective, cheap and environmental-friendly method for oil adsorption by using AC derived from jackfruit seeds (JS) was developed in this study. The JS were chemically activated with different concentrations (10 wt.% and 15 wt.%) of chemical activating agents (H3PO4 and ZnCl2) to produce activated carbon. The optimum conditions for developing AC from JS with the highest oil adsorption capacity was found using 15 wt.% ZnCl2, and carbonised at 500°C resulting in maximum adsorption capacity of 0.8621 g/g. Raw JS and jackfruit seed-derived activated carbon (JSAC) were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy analysis. The influence of process parameters such as contact times (0 – 240 minutes), adsorbent dosages (0.5 – 2.5 g) and adsorption temperatures (25 – 65 °C) for oil adsorption were investigated. The results showed that the optimum parameters for maximum adsorption capacity were as follows; 120 minutes of contact time, adsorbent dosage of 1.5 g and at 35 °C. At this condition, the highest oil adsorption capacity was achieved at 1.5674 g/g. The adsorption kinetic studies depicted that the oil adsorption mechanism was represented by pseudo-second-order kinetic model which implies that the adsorption is a chemisorption process. Jackfruit seeds had been proven to have the capability as an effective adsorbent for oil adsorption.

Effects of understory intercropping with salt-tolerant legumes on soil organic carbon pool in coastal saline-alkali land

Phytoremediation through understory intercropping with salt-tolerant legumes (forest-green manure composite patterns) efficiently and sustainably enhances saline-alkali soils, while significantly improving the stability of monoculture forest ecosystems and the efficacy of soil upgrades. However, exactly how forest-green manure patterns regulate the dynamics of the soil organic carbon (SOC) pool and related mechanisms remain unclear. For this study, a pure forest was used as the control, and three leguminous herbaceous plants (M. sativa, S. cannabina, and C. pallida) were intercropped under two forest stand types (T. hybrid ‘Zhongshanshan’ and C. illinoensis). The variable characteristics and control factors of SOC and its components under different patterns were elucidated by analyzing the soil physical and chemical properties, enzyme activities, and microbial communities. The results revealed that the composite pattern improved soil salinization and increased the activities of β-1,4-glucosidase, polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase (PER), invertase (INV), and urease, as well as the carbon pool management index and the proportion of active organic carbon. At the T. hybrid ‘Zhongshanshan’ experimental site, planting M. sativa effectively increased the total carbon (TC) content. The ammonium nitrogen, soil moisture content, total phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, PER, and polyphenol oxidase were the primary driving factors that affected the SOC pool. At the C. illinoensis experimental site, S. cannabina planting was observed to increase the TC content, with the TC, exchangeable Na+, β-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase, and INV being the main driving factors that impacted the SOC pool. The composite pattern can indirectly influence the SOC pool by altering the soil properties to regulate the microbial community. Further, it was found that soil inorganic carbon (SIC) was the main contributor to increasing the soil carbon pool following the short-term planting of legumes; thus, there may have been a transfer process that occurred from the SOC to SIC. Our study suggests that the forest-green manure pattern has more positive effects on improving soil quality and the carbon pool in saline-alkali land.

Comparative study of greywater treatment using activated carbon and woodchip biochar for surfactant and organic matter removal

Greywater (GW) treatment is recognized as a more efficient alternative to blackwater treatment, particularly for reuse applications, due to its lower pathogen content and higher concentrations of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and surfactants. In this study, the adsorption performance of woodchip biochar (BC) and activated carbon (AC) was compared for the removal of COD, anionic surfactants (ASU), and non-ionic surfactants (NISU) from GW. Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the removal efficiency of both organic matter and surfactants. AC demonstrated higher adsorption capacities for COD and ASU, with KL = 0.007 L/mg and Qmax = 0.95 mg/g for COD, and KL = 1.4 × 104 L/mg and Qmax = 0.08 mg/g for ASU. In contrast, BC showed a significantly higher affinity for NISU, with KL = 8.4 × 103 L/mg and Qmax = 0.01 mg/g. Breakthrough curves and pseudo-first-order (PFO) kinetics provided insights into adsorption dynamics, with AC showing delayed breakthrough and greater longevity, while BC offered rapid adsorption and cost-effectiveness. The treated GW achieved substantial reductions in contaminant levels, with final COD and surfactant concentrations reduced to approximately 10 mg/L and 0.05 mg/L, respectively, meeting Italian and Australian regulatory standards. The study highlights the potential of woodchip BC as a cost-effective and sustainable alternative to AC, particularly for short-term adsorption applications, and offers valuable insights into the treatment of GW for reuse.

MOF-on-MOF-derived double-shelled iron-doped cobalt sulfide nanosheet arrays modified by CeO2 for asymmetric supercapacitors

Through deliberate design of nanostructures and modifications to the surface, significant advancements in energy storage performance can be achieved. This work focuses on the creation of iron-doped cobalt sulfide hollow nanosheets, featuring a distinctive double-shelled structure. This unique architecture is achieved by replacing the ligand within zeolitic imidazole framework (ZIF)-L with K4Fe (CN)6, followed by a sulfurization process. Subsequently, a layer of CeO2 cladding is integrated using solvothermal synthesis. The resulting hollow double-shelled structure fosters intimate contact between the electrode material and electrolyte, effectively mitigating the challenges associated with substantial volume fluctuations during electrochemical processes. Additionally, the porous characteristics inherited from ZIF, augmented redox reactions resulting from elemental doping, and coordination with the external CeO2 modification further enhance the electrochemical performance of the electrode. Consequently, the Fe-CoS/CeO2 electrode exhibits an impressive specific capacitance of 3727.5 F g−1 at 1 A g−1. When employed in an asymmetric supercapacitor configuration with activated carbon (AC) serving as the negative electrode, the Fe-CoS/CeO2//AC demonstrates exceptional energy storage capabilities, achieving 36.4 W h kg−1 at 800.0 W kg−1 and exhibiting superior long-term stability with 89.8 % retention of initial capacitance after 10,000 cycles at 10 A g−1.

Biosorbent treatment of fluorene using activated carbon derived from the pyrolysis process of date pit wastes

Activated carbon (AC) derived from Date pits (DP) wastes was used as an eco-friendly and effective biosorbent for the removal of fluorene (FLU) from organic wastes. The maximum capacity of DP was 6.71 mg g−1, compatible with the Freundlich model. FLU adsorption's chemisorption performance on DP was involved in following a superior linear fit for the pseudo-2nd-kinetic model. The maximum adsorption capacity from the pseudo-2nd order kinetic model fitted with the experimental findings and found to be 3.73 g, 2.62, 1.13, 0.955, 0.749, 0.591, and 0.665 mg g−1 at 25, 3, 35, 4, 45, 5 and 55 °C, respectively. The negative value of the spontaneous nature of the adsorption corresponds to the exothermic nature however, + ΔS corresponds to an increase in the degree of freedom for FLU adsorption. The relatively high value of activation energy (Ea) demonstrates that the adsorption of FLU onto DP is classified as chemical adsorption, and found to be 84.8 kJ mol−1. Also, the result of XRD shows that the prepared DP was re-used four times without substantially decreasing performance. In addition, it appears that AC prepared from DP is a promising adsorbent with a low cost for removing many organic pollutants.

Two-step cathodic microwave electrodeposition for construction of Co9S3(OH)5@Ni(OH)2 hetero-structure as supercapacitor electrode materials

The preparation of two-phase electrode materials of Co9S8@Ni(OH)2 typically involves a laborious three-step process. In this study, a two-step cathode microwave electrochemical method was proposed for the fabrication of Co9S8@Ni(OH)2 electrode materials for supercapacitors, eliminating the need for precursor synthesis. This approach not only simplified the preparation process and saved time but also successfully produced a p-n heterostructure electrode material consisting of Co9S8@Ni(OH)2 phases, where the Co9S8 phase has a chemical formula of Co9S3(OH)5. This unique structure is capable of inducing an internal electrical field by facilitating the transfer of charge carriers from Co9S3(OH)5 to Ni(OH)2, thereby enhancing charge transfer kinetics. As a result, the electrode exhibited remarkable supercapacitive performance, achieving a high specific capacitance of 255.4 mAh g-1 (7.56 F cm-2) at 1 A g-1. Even at a 20-fold increase in charge/discharge current density, the specific capacitance remained high at 218.9 mAh g-1 (6.48 F cm-1), retaining 85.8 % of the initial capacity. Furthermore, the Co9S3(OH)6@Ni(OH)2 electrode materials demonstrated excellent durability, enduring 10000 cycles with a capacitance retention of 92.9 % of the initial value. An asymmetric supercapacitor constructed with Co9S3(OH)5@Ni(OH)2 as the anode and a commercial active carbon film as the cathode was able to power a red light diode continuously emitting light for up to 42 min.

Unveiling the competitive mechanism between SO2 and PCDD/Fs on activated carbon adsorption

In municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) plants, activated carbon (AC) adsorption is the key technique for eliminating Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) from flue gases. This research thoroughly investigates the potential competitive adsorption between SO2 and PCDD/Fs and examines how adsorption at the center and the edge of the AC layer impacts the adsorption process. The findings show a decline in the removal efficiency of PCDD/Fs from 86.8 % to 84.2 % and further to 74.4 % when using SO2 pre-treated (AC-A3) and H2SO4-impregnated (AC-B2) activated carbon, respectively. Multiple characterization methods reveal that sulfur elements occupy active sites within the inner pores of the activated carbon, reducing the availability of its pore structure, particularly affecting microporous more than mesoporous structures. DFT calculations suggest that the π-π EDA effect facilitates the adsorption of 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (2,3,7,8-TCDD), whereas dispersion force drive SO2 adsorption. Comparisons among various oxygenated functional groups show that the organic acid anhydride (CO-CO) has better adsorption selectivity toward TCDD and less adsorption to SO2. This study provides a novel perspective on the adsorption mechanisms of PCDD/Fs on AC and the competitive dynamics of sulfur in the flue gas.

Solvent-regulated fabrication of Ni-MOF-based asymmetric supercapacitor device

An innovative solvent-controlled technique has been devised to fabricate Ni-BDC through the impurity-free-solvothermal method. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that the synthesized material has a triclinic phase and belongs to the P-1 space group. FESEM and TEM analyses elucidated the nanosheet-like morphology of Ni-BDC (NB1) in a 1:1 solvent mixture comprising of ethanol and DMF. In a three-electrode setup, NB1 displays an outstanding specific capacitance (CS) of 1124 F/g and remarkable cyclic stability (98.2 %) in a 2 M KOH aqueous electrolyte. Moreover, a device was constructed with a voltage range of 1.4 V, utilizing a positive electrode (NB1) in conjunction with a negative electrode composed of activated carbon (AC). The as-fabricated supercapacitor device displays a high capacitance of 359.3 F/g at a current density of 2 A/g, an impressive energy density of 97.8 Wh/kg at a power density of 484.2 W/kg. Three devices were linked in series, they collectively illuminated a green LED.

Transformation of Organic Cacao (Theobroma cacao) Husk into Commercial

Introduction: agroindustrial wastes can be transformed to mitigate the negative impacts associated with their disposal. In cocoa production, cocoa pod husk (CPH) constitutes between 67% and 76% of the total cocoa weight. This study focuses on the potential of CPH as a valuable resource for producing activated carbon, cellulose, and potassium hydroxide (KOH)..Objective: The objective of this research was to characterize and transform the CPH obtained from an organic crop in San Bernardo-Ibagué (Colombia) into activated carbon, cellulose, and KOH.Methods: activated carbon was produced through chemical activation using KOH, with a specific procedure for characterizing the obtained product through thermal analysis (TGA) and nitrogen adsorption and desorption isotherms. For cellulose extraction, an alkaline treatment with 2% w/w NaOH was followed by a bleaching process with 2.5% w/w sodium hypochlorite. KOH was obtained by first extracting potassium carbonate and then causticizing it.Results: activated carbon (AC) was produced with a yield of 25.6%, exhibiting a surface area of 468 m²/g, a mean pore diameter of 10.8 nm, and a total pore volume of 0.228 cm³/g, with 60% fixed carbon, 27% volatile material, 6% ash, and 6% moisture. Conclusions: the transformation of cocoa pod husk into activated carbon, cellulose, and KOH provides a sustainable approach to managing agroindustrial waste, generating valuable products with significant potential for various applications. The results obtained demonstrate the feasibility of utilizing CPH as a resource in agroindustrial processes.

Novel design of nickel cobalt boride nanosheets-decorated molybdenum disulfide hollow spheres as efficient battery-type materials of hybrid supercapacitors

Transition metal borides (TMBs) with high theoretical capacitances and excellent electronic properties have attracted much attention as a promising active material of supercapacitors (SCs). However, TMB nanoparticles are prone to conduct self-aggregation, which significantly deteriorates the electrochemical performance and structural stability. To address the severe self-aggregation in TMBs and improve the active material utilization, it is imperative to provide a conductive substrate that promotes the dispersion of TMB during growths. In this work, sheet-like nickel cobalt boride (NCB) was grown on molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) hollow spheres (H-MoS2) by using simple template growth and chemical reduction methods. The resultant NCB/H-MoS2-50 was observed with uniform NCB nanosheets structure on the surface of the H-MoS2 and stronger MB bonding. After optimizing the loading amount of H-MoS2, the optimal composite (NCB/H-MoS2-50) modified nickel foam (NF) exhibits a superior specific capacity (1302 C/g) than that of the NCB electrode (957 C/g) at 1 A/g. Excellent rate capability of 84.8% (1104 C/g at 40 A/g) is also achieved by the NCB/H-MoS2-50 electrode. The extraordinary electrochemical performance of NCB/H-MoS2-50 is credited to the unique nanosheet-covered hollow spheres structure for facilitating ion diffusion and versatile charge storage mechanisms from the pseudocapacitive behavior of H-MoS2 and the Faradaic redox behavior of NCB. Furthermore, a hybrid SC is assembled with NCB/H-MoS2-50 and activated carbon (AC) electrodes (NCB/H-MoS2-50//AC), which operates in a potential window up to 1.7 V and delivers a high energy density of 76.8 W h kg−1 at a power density of 850 W kg−1. A distinguished cycling stability of 93.2% over 20,000 cycles is also obtained for NCB/H-MoS2-50//AC. These findings disclose the significant potential of NCB/H-MoS2-50 as a highly performed battery-type material of SCs.

Elevated asymmetric supercapacitor with the nickel-metal organic framework derived nickel oxide/nickel composite: Designed to optimize efficiency and reliability

In this study, a solvothermal method is used to synthesizes MOF-derived NiO/Ni composites and NiO samples at various calcination temperatures (350 °C, 450 °C, 550 °C, and 650 °C) and durations (4, 5, 6, and 7 h). The NiO/Ni sample calcined at 450 °C for 5 h (NiO/Ni-450) exhibits the highest specific capacitance (Cs) of 410 Fg⁻¹ at a scan rate of 5 mV s⁻¹. This superior performance results from the combined benefits of Ni's metallic conductivity and NiO's redox activity. In a 1 M KOH electrolyte, NiO/Ni-450 retains about 83 % of its initial capacitance after 2,000 cycles. The NiO sample formed by calcining NiO/Ni-450 for 5 h (H5) achieves a specific capacitance (Cs) of 371 Fg⁻¹ and retains 80 % of its capacitance after 2,000 cycles. NiO/Ni-450 and H5 demonstrate energy densities (Ed) of 8.58 and 5.48 Wh kg⁻¹, and power densities (Pd) of 608 and 500 W kg⁻¹, respectively. An asymmetric supercapacitor using NiO/Ni-450 and activated carbon (AC) shows an impressive 80 % capacitance retention after 9,000 cycles, with a Cs of 123 Fg⁻¹, and Ed and Pd values of 14.58 Wh kg⁻¹ and 4038 W kg⁻¹, respectively, highlighting the potential for industrial-scale production of these materials for energy storage.

Seasonality of zooplankton active flux in subtropical waters

AbstractThe biological carbon pump (BCP) is the mechanism by which the ocean transports organic matter below the mixed layer, exporting or sequestering it for years to millennia. Physical transport of dissolved and particulate organic carbon, the sinking of particles, and the carbon transported by diel and seasonal vertical migrants are the three main mechanisms of the BCP. In the study of active flux, seasonality is almost unknown and changes in ocean productivity during the annual cycle could promote differences in this transport. Here, we show the results of a cruise performed during spring in the Canary Current System, where we studied zooplankton active flux in two transects from the coastal zone off Northwest Africa toward the ocean. We measured biomass and the enzymatic activity of the electron transfer system (ETS) as a proxy for respiration in the water column down to a depth of 900 m. Compared with a previous survey during fall, we found higher values of specific ETS activity in the mesopelagic zone, promoting a higher active flux. Our results showed that the seasonality of active flux is driven not only by differences in biomass but also by differences in respiration rates in the mesopelagic zone, mainly due to differences in zooplankton body size. A review of the zooplankton active flux values around the Canary Islands showed a fourfold increase during spring compared with other seasons. This small window of higher flux should be considered in models of active carbon export in the ocean.

Hierarchical Porous Bi2Te3@C for Wide-Temperature-Range Aqueous Zn-Based Batteries with Air-Recharging Capability.

Air-rechargeable batteries integrating energy harvesting, conversion, and storage provide the most portable and popular approach to self-charging power systems. However, air-rechargeable batteries are currently mostly aqueous Zn-based battery systems in which it has remained a significant challenge to solve the low discharge capacities and poor cycling stability of chemical self-charging due to continuous insertion/extraction of large-size hydrated Zn2+. Herein, efficient Bi2Te3@C cathodes with an active carbon paper substrate are developed. Further ex situ characterization analysis confirms the energy storage mechanism regarding the coexistence of H+/Zn2+ coinsertion and conversion reaction in the aqueous Zn||Bi2Te3@C battery. Benefiting from the fast dynamics process attributed to the unique mechanism, a reliable energy supply is provided even in an extended temperature range from -10 to 45 °C. More importantly, Bi2Te3@C cathodes boost the superior and repeatable air-rechargeability. A discharge capacity of up to 264.20 mA h g-1 at 0.30 A g-1 is manifested after self-charging for 11.00 h. In addition, two quasi-solid-state battery devices are connected in series to continuously power a timer. After the device is discharged and then air self-charged for just a few seconds, an LED is lit.

Recent advances in applications of animal biowaste-based activated carbon as biosorbents of water pollutants: a mini-review.

Advances in green engineering and technology have revealed a number of environmentally acceptable alternatives for water purification. In line with this, recent advances in biosorption of pollutants from aqueous solutions using animal biowaste-based activated carbon (AC) are reported herein. Apart from the fish scale-derived AC which is extensively documented, animal bones, among the rest others, have been studied most widely, followed by hair and feathers. Out of the various target water pollutants, removal of heavy metals has been mostly studied. Majority of the reports showed the Freundlich isotherm and pseudo second order as the best fit. Few investigations on the thermodynamics of the adsorption studies and reports on the Gibbs free energy change (ΔG°), enthalpy change (ΔH°), and entropy change (ΔS°) have also been discussed in this report. It has been concluded that while plant-based AC has gained wide interest, the same is not true for the animal-based counterpart albeit the latter's potential for high sorption efficiency as seen in the present report.

Simulated warming reduced greenhouse gas emissions by lowering soil moisture in a Pinus tabulaeformis forest of the temperate zone

The forest soil carbon represents the largest carbon pool in the terrestrial ecosystem. To clarify the effect of climate warming on the soil carbon pool of a Pinus tabulaeformis plantation in the northern temperate zone, an Open-Top Chamber was used to study the effects of warming on soil temperature and moisture, soil enzyme activity, soil active organic carbon, and greenhouse gas emissions in different soil layers. The results showed that (1) warming increased the temperature and decreased the moisture content of the atmosphere and soil. Atmospheric temperature increased by 0.9°C on average, and atmospheric moisture decreased by 0.05%. (2) Warming had no significant effect on soil active organic carbon or enzyme activity, but had a significant effect on the active organic carbon content and enzyme activity in individual soil layers in individual months. (3) Warming reduced soil CO2 emissions from the control treatment, from 996.35 to 781.57 g·m−2. The soil of the P. tabulaeformis forest in Daqing Mountain is a sink of atmospheric CH4. Therefore, after the short-term warming treatment, the soil moisture was reduced; greenhouse gas emissions were significantly reduced, and the warming formed a negative feedback with soil greenhouse gas flux.

Fluoride Removal from Aqueous Solutions by Using Super-Adsorbents of Chitosan/Orange Peels/Activated Carbon@MgO: Synthesis, Characterization, and Adsorption Evaluation

Exposure to excessive concentrations of fluoride in potable water is harmful to human health; therefore, its limitation is deemed necessary. Among the commonly applied technologies, adsorption is selected, as it is a highly effective, simple, and economically efficient treatment. In the present study, several combinations of chitosan (CS), orange peels (OP), activated carbon (AC), and MgO were synthesized and tested as adsorbents in order to find the most effective derivative for fluoride extraction. The impact of the adsorbent dosage, pH level, contact time, and initial concentration was investigated to assess the feasibility of the chitosan/orange peels/activated carbon@MgO composite. According to the results, the modification of chitosan with AC, OP, and MgO in a unique adsorbent (CS/OP/AC@MgO), especially in acidic conditions (pH 3.0 ± 0.1) by using 1.0 g/L of the adsorbent, demonstrated the highest efficiency in F removal, up to 97%. The pseudo-second (PSO) order model and Langmuir isotherm model fit better to the experimental results, especially for CS/OP/AC@MgO, providing a Qm = 26.92 mg/g. Thermodynamic analysis confirmed the spontaneous nature of the adsorption process. The structure and morphology of the modified OP/CS@AC-Mg were extensively characterized using BET, XRD, FTIR, and SEM techniques.

Enhancing the stability of sodium-ion capacitors by introducing glyoxylic-acetal based electrolyte

Sodium-ion Capacitors (SICs) are becoming increasingly important energy storage devices. This study presents an in-depth comparison of a largely used electrolyte for said application, sodium hexafluorophosphate in ethylene carbonate:propylene carbonate (NaPF6 in EC:PC), with the novel electrolyte sodium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide in 1,1,2,2-tetraethoxyethane:propylene carbonate (NaTFSI in TEG:PC). Firstly, half-cells of the SIC standard electrode materials, hard carbon (HC) and activated carbon (AC), are shown to perform comparably well with the two electrolytes. However, the use of the novel electrolyte in SICs allows for an improved stability during float tests. All in all, the novel electrolyte NaTFSI in TEG:PC appears to be a very promising alternative electrolyte for SIC application.

Bioderived carbon aerogels loaded with g-C3N4 and their high Efficacy removing volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

Indoor air pollution, predominantly caused by volatile organic compounds (VOCs), poses significant health hazards when concentrations surpass critical thresholds. Using waste corn straw as carbon source and urea as nitrogen source, straw derived carbon aerogel (CAGH) loaded with g-C3N4H2O-N2-450–3 h was successfully prepared by hydrothermal and water-assisted calcination. Following water-assisted regulation, g-C3N4H2O-N2-450–3 h on CAGH exhibited a mixed structure comprising honeycomb and two-dimensional filaments, while the growth of g-C3N4H2O-N2-450–3 h was uniformly distributed on carbon aerogel in a line-surface combination fashion. This innovative binding method not only enhanced the loading capacity of g-C3N4 and the mechanical elasticity of aerogel, but also exposed a large number of adsorption sites, resulting in a significant increase in its adsorption capacity for VOCs, exceeding that of commercial activated carbon (AC). In comparison to pure g-C3N4, CAGH exhibited an expanded photo-response range. Under the exposure of visible light, CAGH proved highly effective in eliminating 73.87 % of toluene. In addition, it has demonstrated efficient removal of formaldehyde and acetone VOCs with good cyclic stability. Therefore, this work aims to reduce the emission of pollutants at source and provide an effective and economical strategy for the preparation of clean building materials from renewable materials, with potential applications in the environmental field.

Coexistence of Redox‐Active Metal and Ligand Sites in Copper‐based 2D Conjugated Metal‐Organic Frameworks for Battery‐Supercapacitor hybrid systems

Two‐dimensional (2D) conjugated metal‐organic frameworks (c‐MOFs) are promising materials for supercapacitor (SC) electrodes due to their high electrochemically accessible surface area coupled with superior electrical conductivity compared to traditional MOFs. Here, porous and non‐porous HHB‐Cu (HHB=hexahydroxybenzene), derived through surfactant‐assisted synthesis, are studied as representative 2D c‐MOF models, showing different reversible redox reactions with Na+ and Li+ in aqueous and organic electrolytes, respectively. We deployed these redox activities to design negative electrodes for hybrid SCs (HSCs), combining the battery‐like property of HHB‐Cu as negative electrode and the high capacitance and robust cyclic stability of activated carbon (AC) as positive electrode. In organic electrolyte, porous HHB‐Cu‐based HSC achieves a maximum cell specific capacity (Cs) of 22.1 mAhg‐1 at 0.1 Ag‐1, specific energy (Es) of 15.55 Whkg‐1 at specific power (Ps) of 70.49 Wkg‐1, and 77% cyclic stability after 3000 gravimetric charge‐discharge (GCD) cycles at 1 Ag‐1 (calculated on the mass of both electrode materials). In the aqueous electrolyte, porous HHB‐Cu‐based HSC displays a Cs of 13.9 mAhg‐1 at 0.1 Ag‐1, Es of 6.13 Whkg‐1 at 44.05 Wkg‐1, and 72.3% Cs retention after 3000 GCD cycles. The non‐porous sample shows lower Es performance but better rate capability compared to the porous one.