Loss Of Capacity Research Articles

Rapid and efficient carbon dioxide capture through benzene-1,4-diamine based hierarchical porous hyper-cross-linked polymers

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emission causes global warming which has been the greatest challenge for humanity since last decade. Herein, we developed nitrogen and phosphorus rich hyper cross-linked polymers for CO2 capture, designated as BDA-HCP-1 and BDA-HCP-2 (benzene-1,4-diamine based hyper cross-linked polymers) having BET surface area 294.5904 m2g-1 and 519.6918 m2g-1 respectively. The pore width range of BDA-HCP-1 and BDA-HCP-2 is 0–25 nm and 0–15 nm and pore volume of BDA-HCP-1 and BDA-HCP-2 is 0.01–0.18cm3/g and 0.01–0.25 cm3/g, respectively.Total pore volume, studied using DFT, is 0.20100 cm3/g for BDA-HCP-1 and 0.27973 cm3/g for BDA-HCP-2. BJH cumulative pore volume of BDA-HCP-1 is 0.113023 cm3/g and BDA-HCP-2 is 0.284733 cm3/g. The BDA-HCP-1and BDA-HCP-2 were synthesized by replacement of chlorines of hexachlorocyclophosphazenes (HCCP) and phosphorousdichlorophosphazenes (PDCP) with bezene-1,4-diamine to form linear and cyclic polyphosphazenes, which are later cross-linked through Friedal crafts reaction to form hyper cross-linked polymers. The maximum CO2 adsorption quantity of BDA-HCP-1 is 48.62 cm3/g (CO2 weight adsorbed 9.070 % with equilibrium time 8.16 min) at 273K/1 bar and 37.96 cm3/g (weight adsorbed 7.15 % with equilibrium time 8.25 min) at 298K/1 bar that gives adsorption capacity of 2.14 mmol/g and 1.69 mmol/g, respectively. Adsorption capacity of BDA-HCP-2 is 2.30 mmol/g and 2.13 mmol/g at 273 K/1 bar and 298 K/1 bar respectively. It is calculated from maximum CO2 adsorption quantity of 51.6 cm3/g (weight adsorbed 9.83 % with equilibrium time 11.4 min, at 273 K/1 bar) and 47.7 cm3/g (weight adsorbed 9.25 % with equilibrium time 8.45 min, at 298 K/1 bar) respectively. Both BDA-HCPs can be reused with minor loss in adsorption capacity (2 and 1 %), which makes them excellent candidates to use on industrial scale applications. Adsorption isotherm study (Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin) and Kinetics study (pseudo first order and pseudo second order) reveals that this study fit best for Freundlich isotherms and pseudo first order kinetic model for both BDA-HCPs. This research contributes valuable insights into the design of hyper cross-linked materials with high surface area, good pore volume, excellent thermal stability and promising gas adsorption capacities particularly for addressing environmental pollution challenges related to CO2 emissions.

Comprehensive battery aging dataset: capacity and impedance fade measurements of a lithium-ion NMC/C-SiO cell

Battery degradation is critical to the cost-effectiveness and usability of battery-powered products. Aging studies help to better understand and model degradation and to optimize the operating strategy. Nevertheless, there are only a few comprehensive and freely available aging datasets for these applications. To our knowledge, the dataset1 presented in the following is one of the largest published to date. It contains over 3 billion data points from 228 commercial NMC/C+SiO lithium-ion cells aged for more than a year under a wide range of operating conditions. We investigate calendar and cyclic aging and also apply different driving cycles to cells. The dataset1 includes result data (such as the remaining usable capacity or impedance measured in check-ups) and raw data (i.e., measurement logs with two-second resolution). The data can be used in a wide range of applications, for example, to model battery degradation, gain insight into lithium plating, optimize operating strategies, or test battery impedance or state estimation algorithms using machine learning or Kalman filtering.

Identifying the β-to-α phase transition during the long cycling process in Na2FePO4F cathode

Na2FePO4F has emerged as a promising cathode for large-scale electrochemical energy storage, primarily due to its abundance of raw materials and distinctive two-dimensional ion channels. Counterintuitively, pristine Na2FePO4F lacks the long-term stability typically seen in polyanionic cathodes, which severely impedes its practical application. Traditionally, the origin of this problem has been only phenomenologically attributed to the poor intrinsic electronic conductivity and structural instability of Na2FePO4F. Here, we identify that rapid capacity fading of Na2FePO4F is closely related to the β-to-α phase transition during the long cycling process. Furthermore, we develop a practical high-entropy doping strategy and the corresponding microstructure engineering to mitigate the impact of the phase transition on the crystal structure, thereby increasing the capacity retention from 56 % to 94 % over 400 cycles at 0.5C in coin cell, and attain almost 100 % capacity retention after 300 cycles at 0.1C in pouch cell. Overall, this work unveils the mechanism of rapid capacity decay in Na2FePO4F and lays the groundwork for the rational design of durable polyanionic electrodes.

Assessment of “Inverse” Cross‐Talk (Anode to Cathode) in High‐Voltage Li/Mn‐Rich Layered Oxide || Li Cells

AbstractLi/Mn‐rich layered oxide (LMR) offers high practical discharge capacity originating from both cationic and anionic redox, but its operation is practically challenging as full capacity utilization at high cathode potentials (> 4.6 V vs Li|Li+) is intertwined with phase transformation, oxygen release, and transition metal dissolution. Dissolved TMs in particular, can deposit and damage the anode via a process known as electrode cross‐talk that decreases Li inventory due to Li plating. Given the excess in active lithium, Li‐metal anode (LMA) is frequently paired with LMR for a systematic cathode R&D, though is believed to cause inverse cross‐talk, i.e., diffusion of LMA degradation products from the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) toward the cathode, triggering bulid‐up of resistive cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI). Indeed, a thicker, more organic‐based, and slightly resistive CEI is proven in Li‐ compared to “SEI‐poor” Li4Ti5O12 (LTO)‐based cells via X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, time‐of‐flight secondary ion mass spectrometry, and electrochemical techniques, which likely even decreases metal dissolution from LMR, though their practical impact on overpotential is shown to be less relevant. The capacity recovery after transferring cycled (“old”) LMR from Li cells to fresh Li cells rather points to other meaningful contributions to capacity fading than the inverse crosstalk.

Achieving Ultra-High-Energy-Density Lithium Batteries: Elimination of Irreversible Anionic Redox through Controlled Cationic Disordering.

Lithium-rich layered oxides (LLOs) capable of supporting both cationic and anionic redox chemistry are promising cathode materials. Yet, their initial charge to high voltages often trigger significant oxygen evolution, resulting in substantial capacity loss and structural instability. In this study, we applied a straightforward low-potential activation (LOWPA) method alongside a relatively stable electrolyte to address this issue. This approach enables precise control over the order-to-disorder transformation of the transition metal layers in LLOs, producing an in-plane cation-disordered Li1.2Mn0.54Co0.13Ni0.13O2 that averts irreversible oxygen evolution at 4.8 V by stabilizing Mn-O2 or Mn-O3 species within the Li/Mn-disordered nanopores. Consequently, an ultrahigh reversible capacity of 322 mAh g-1 (equating to 1141 Wh kg-1), 91.5% initial Coulombic efficiency, and enhanced durability and rate capability are simultaneously achieved. As LOWPA does not alter any chemical composition of LLOs, it also offers a simple model for untangling the complex phenomena associated with oxygen-redox chemistry.

Autonomous by Extension: Balancing Patient Autonomy and Vulnerability in Surrogate Decision-making.

The experience of serious illness or injury frequently results in increased vulnerability. In cases in which decision-making capacity is compromised, this vulnerability is compounded by threats to a patient's autonomy. This case report presents an opportunity to explore the elaborately entwined relationship between autonomy and vulnerability in patients with severe impairment who are reliant on surrogate decision-makers. Expanded views of autonomy and vulnerability are applied to the case of a young woman with a severe and life-altering spinal cord injury and iatrogenic loss of decisional capacity to illustrate how one can experience enhanced autonomy despite special vulnerability and can be made less vulnerable through surrogate-mediated autonomy. Also revealed is how attitudes and actions of surrogates can potentiate pathogenic vulnerability and disturb the balance between patient autonomy and vulnerability. Through methodical review and robust deliberation, clinical ethics committees can play a stabilizing role in helping distressed care teams reconcile the two.

Control of N/P ratios and cut-off voltage for Silicon-Based Li-ion batteries

High-energy density and unwavering safety standards form the cornerstone of new energy vehicle development, necessitating the design of power batteries that seamlessly integrate these critical qualities. Key to this endeavor is the enhancement of energy density at the architectural level, focusing on the optimization of the N/P ratio—a move that demands a holistic evaluation extending beyond mere comparisons of cathode and anode capacities to include initial efficiency, and both reversible and irreversible capacities. Departing from traditional N/P ratio designs requires meticulous optimization. This research introduces a novel N/P ratio design methodology, termed the “Water Cup Model”, for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), effectively addressing capacity loss issues endemic to conventional designs. This approach, under consistent cathode material and areal capacity conditions, increases the batteries’ specific energy by approximately 5 Wh/kg, without compromising safety. Further innovation is achieved by incorporating a voltage regulation coefficient, λ, allowing for precise adjustment of the cut-off discharge voltage and facilitating the selection of high-performance silicon-based anode materials. Comparative assessments of energy density and cycling performance affirm the superiority of our optimized N/P ratio strategy against conventional methods. This strategy’s core lies in its capacity to significantly boost energy density without extensive modifications to the battery’s internal makeup, relying solely on the precise management of the N/P ratio to ensure safety is not compromised by energy density enhancements. This seminal work lays down a cost-effective, robust framework for advancing high-performance LIB technology, contributing pivotal insights to the field.

In-situ self-catalyzed fabricating carbon nanotubes on [010] preferential LiMn0.5Fe0.5PO4 nanoplates to achieve excellent high rate performance

Nano carbon material composites significantly enhance the performance of lithium manganese iron phosphate (LMFP) cathode materials. This study investigates the self-catalytic growth mechanism of highly conductive carbon nanotubes (CNTs) on bare LMFP particles via chemical vapor deposition (CVD), focusing on the influence of particle size and crystallographic orientation. It is found that the Fe3C particles formed on static solvothermal synthesized LMFP nanoplates with high [010] orientation were effective to catalyze the generation of CNTs. Diverse CVD durations produced CNTs coatings with varying structures to impact electrochemical properties of final products. The MP-L/CNTs-2 sample, with 3.6 wt% carbon, showed the highest reversible capacity of 158 mAh g−1 at 1 C with 99.3 % capacity retention after 400 cycles, after 3000 cycles at 10 C, the retention rate was 74.5 %. In contrast, LMFP synthesized via solid-phase method (MP-S/C) only formed a carbon film on the surface and delivered 143 mAh g−1 at 1 C (97.6 % retention after 400 cycles) with prominent capacity loss at 10 C. This study provides new insights into the self-catalytic growth mechanism of CNTs to promote ion-electron conductivity and structural stability of LMFP materials, thus improving kinetic property and cycling stability for high-performance lithium-ion batteries.

BioMOF@PAN Mixed Matrix Membranes as Fast and Efficient Adsorbing Materials for Multiple Heavy Metals' Removal.

Heavy metal ions are a common source of water pollution. In this study, two novel membranes with biobased metal-organic frameworks (BioMOFs) embedded in a polyacrylonitrile matrix with tailored porosity were prepared via nonsolvent induced phase separation methods and designed to efficiently adsorb heavy metal ions from oligomineral water. Under optimized preparation conditions, stable membranes with high MOF loading up to 50 wt % and a cocontinuous sponge-like morphology and a high water permeability of 50-60 L m-2 h-1 bar-1 were obtained. The tortuous flow path in combination with a low water flow rate guarantees maximum contact time between the fluid and the MOFs, and thus a high heavy metal capture efficiency in a single pass. The performances of these BioMOF@PAN membranes were investigated in the dynamic regime for the simultaneous removal of Pb2+, Cd2+, and Hg2+ heavy metals from aqueous environments in the presence of common interfering ions. The new composite adsorbing membranes are capable of reducing the concentration of heavy metal pollutants in a single pass and at much higher efficiency than previously reported membranes. The enhanced performance of the mixed matrix membranes is attributed to the presence of multiple recognition sites which densely decorate the BioMOF channels: (i) the thioether groups, deriving from the S-methyl-l-cysteine and (S)-methionine amino acid residues, able to recognize and capture Pb2+ and Hg2+ ions and (ii) the oxygen atoms of the oxamate moieties, which preferentially interact with Cd2+ ions, as revealed by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The flexibility of the pore environments allows these sites to work synergically for the simultaneous capture of different metal ions. The stability of the membranes for a potential regeneration process, a key-factor for the effective feasibility of the process in real life applications, was also evaluated and confirmed less than 1% capacity loss in each cycle.

Solvent-mediated oxide hydrogenation in layered cathodes.

Self-discharge and chemically induced mechanical effects degrade calendar and cycle life in intercalation-based electrochromic and electrochemical energy storage devices. In rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, self-discharge in cathodes causes voltage and capacity loss over time. The prevailing self-discharge model centers on the diffusion of lithium ions from the electrolyte into the cathode. We demonstrate an alternative pathway, where hydrogenation of layered transition metal oxide cathodes induces self-discharge through hydrogen transfer from carbonate solvents to delithiated oxides. In self-discharged cathodes, we further observe opposing proton and lithium ion concentration gradients, which contribute to chemical and structural heterogeneities within delithiated cathodes, accelerating degradation. Hydrogenation occurring in delithiated cathodes may affect the chemo-mechanical coupling of layered cathodes as well as the calendar life of lithium-ion batteries.

449 Comparative study on performance, carcass traits and meat quality of different varieties of guinea fowl

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate productive, reproductive performance, carcass characteristics, chemical composition and meat quality of four varieties of guinea fowl. A total of 200 guinea fowls from White, Pearl, Lavender and Mixed varieties were reared in an intensive production system from 0 to 20 wk of age. Guinea fowl keets were reared provided with balanced recommended ration (Starter diet: ME 2,950 kcal/kg, CP 23% for initial 8 wk; Grower diet: ME 2,950 kcal/kg, CP 16% for 9 to 16 wk and Layer diet: ME 2,900 kcal/kg, CP 17% from 17 wk till the end of the laying period). There was no significant (P < 0.05) difference found in body weight (BW) from 0 to 20 wk old guinea fowl. However, BW of Pearl variety was greater than other varieties numerically (Table 1). At adult age, a total of 40 birds (10 from each variety) were slaughtered according to standard method and carcasses were cut into parts. Weights were taken for all carcass parts. Proximate analysis and meat quality were performed on breast and thigh meat, as well as on abdominal fat of the studied guinea fowls. Carcass weight (930.33 ± 27.37 g), dressing percentage (67.6 ± 0.013%), breast weight (228.33 ± 13.68 g) and thigh weight (166.33 ± 6.69 g) of Pearl variety was significantly (P < 0.001) greatest (Table 2). Measured abdominal fat (23 ± 0.13) was found to be significantly (P < 0.001) greatest in Pearl variety. Furthermore, there was no significant difference found in crude protein among breast and thigh meat of different varieties. The ether extract (EE) and crude fiber (CF) of breast (EE: 0.27, CF:0.33) and thigh meat (EE: 0.20, CF:0.33) of Lavender variety was significantly (P < 0.05) less than other varieties (Table 3). In case of reproductive parameters, Pearl variety exhibited better egg fertility (65.72 ± 6.10) numerically and significantly greater (P < 0.001) hatchability percentage (76.75 ± 3.88) than other varieties. Meat color values of all the varieties of guinea fowl found in this study are in line with the demands of poultry consumers (Table 4). Regarding water holding capacity (WHC) and drip loss (DL), there was no discernible difference (P > 0.05). Considering all the parameters especially cooking loss (CL) and pH, there was a noticeable difference (P < 0.05) in which the Lavender (CL: 24.81 ± 0.69, pH:6.12 ± 0.05) and White variety (CL: 25.35 ± 0.69, pH: 6.11 ± 0.05) performed better than the other varieties.

Quantifying the solid electrolyte interphase stress induced capacity fading of lithium-ion batteries via a multiscale mechanical-electrochemical coupling model

Quantifying the solid electrolyte interphase stress induced capacity fading of lithium-ion batteries via a multiscale mechanical-electrochemical coupling model

Studies on highly stable Na7Fe3(P2O7)4 as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries and migration behavior of lithium ions

In this paper, Na7Fe3(P2O7)4 target material is firstly evaluated as potential anode material for lithium ion batteries. It is found to have good electro-chemical performance and high stability as anode material for lithium batteries. It shows a capacity of 290 mAh g−1 for 200 cycles and increases to 388 mAh g−1 for 1000 cycles at a current density of 150 mA g−1. The Coulomb efficiency is maintained at about 98 % during the long cycling. The ex-situ experimental results indicate that Na7Fe3(P2O7)4 has high structural stability and the changes of cell volume and cell parameters are <0.62 % during charging and discharging. The results of GITT data show that the diffusion coefficients range from 3.15 × 10−11 cm2 S−1 to 1.12 × 10−12 cm2 S−1.The Li+/Na+ diffusion paths are estimated by the Bond valence-energy landscape (BEL) method and the exact energy barriers and minimal energy paths (MEPs) are determined using the nudged elastic band (NEB) method implemented in density functional theories (DFT). A two dimensional Na+ diffusion network is observed and Na+ diffusion along c-axis is prohibited. For the initial discharge stage, Na+ migrates in the Na+ transportation channel with an energy barrier of 0.48 eV along a-axis and 0.46 eV along b-axis. For the discharge later on, the intercalated Li+ enters the nearby Na+ vacancies and also migrate in the Na+ channel except Li+ at 8f Lid sites, which will stay where it is firstly introduced because of the higher energy barrier of 0.75 eV. The immobility of Lid is one of the important reasons for the irreversible capacity loss after the initial charge/discharge cycle.

PRODUCTION OF RECOMBINANT SALMONELLA ABORTUS EQUI PROTEINS

The cause of mare abortions of salmonellosis etiology is pathogen Salmonella abortusequi. The economic damage caused by this infection is due to the loss of reproductive capacity of the sires, litter failure, reduced productivity and veterinary costs. High level of infection of horses is registered in many countries, including Kazakhstan. The main method of diagnosis is bacteriological, but its disadvantages are low sensitivity and duration of results. The OIE recommends the use of PCR and ELISA for diagnosis of infection, however, due to the high cost of test systems, the use of PCR in veterinary laboratories is not always justified, and the effectiveness of the ELISA method depends largely on the structure and purity of the antigen. Currently, genetic engineering methods make it possible to obtain recombinant antigens of animal pathogens containing separate proteins, which excludes the occurrence of nonspecific reactions. These antigens can be used in tests for serological diagnostics, immunization of laboratory animals, and in the development of vaccines. According to literature data, it is known that diagnostically significant antigens in bacteria of the genus Salmonella are outer membrane proteins. Therefore, the outer membrane protein OmpX of S. abortusequi, which has high immunogenicity and conservativeness was selected as a target. The aim of this work is to obtain recombinant OmpX antigens of S. abortusequi and study their properties. As a result, E. coli strains producing recombinant OmpX protein of S. abortusequi were created. The synthesized genes were cloned into expression vectors and transformed into competent E. coli BL21 cells. The rOmpX of Salmonella abortusequi was produced and purified; electrophoretic analysis showed the purity of the preparation with a molecular mass of 23 kDa. The recombinant protein was analyzed by LC/MC-MC spectrometry, and peptides containing QTTDYPTYKHDTSDYGFSYGAGLQFN amino acid sequences were identified. A search of the peptide spectrum in the SwissProt database showed that they corresponded to the OmpX protein of Salmonella abortusequi. To determine the quality of protein refolding and the conservation of antigenic epitopes of the protein, Western blot was used with control positive sera that specifically reacted with a protein of molecular mass 23kDa. The resulting recombinant OmpX protein was then used as an antigen in an indirect ELISA to detect antibodies in serum samples from aborted mares. The results of n-ELISA showed the presence of antibodies in serum at a titer of 1:1600 (+26.6; - 21.1). Thus, rOmpX of S. abortusequiwith a molecular mass of 23 kDa was obtained and its main properties were studied. The correctness of protein refolding was confirmed by Western blot and ELISA with positive control sera. The specificity of recombinant proteins was proved by interaction with positive serum samples of horses from unfavorable farms. The obtained recombinant antigens can be used in the creation of tests for the diagnosis of salmonellosis abortion of horses in the Republic of Kazakhstan. WPM с добавлением БАП 1,0 мг/л, ИМК 0,1 мг/л, ГК 0,2 мг/л, где было в среднем образовано 7,36 микропобегов на один эксплант.

Air-stable manganese-based layered oxide cathode enabled by surface modification and doping strategy for advanced sodium-ion batteries

P2-type layered oxide materials have attracted widespread attention as advanced cathodes for sodium-ion batteries due to their excellent rate potential and attractive cost-effectiveness. However, the unexpected dissolution of transition metal (TM) ions and the annoying Jahn-Teller effect leading to rapid capacity fading and low capacity remain obstacles to their commercial applications. To tackle these handicaps, we introduced a synergistic effect based on surface modification and doping strategies to obtain air-stable sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) protective aluminum (Al)-doped manganese-based layered oxide cathode. The surface Na2CO3 nanolayer is created by converting residual alkali ions, which enhances the air stability of the cathode and scavenges hydrofluoric acid into the fluoride-rich cathode electrolyte interphase layer during cycling, resulting in a steady interfacial interaction. In addition, Al doping causes TMO6-octahedral shrinkage and inhibits structural distortion, thereby affecting structural evolution and phase transition. These findings provide valuable insights into improving the performance of layer oxide cathodes for next-generation low-cost batteries.

Enhancing the electrochemical performance of LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 by surface modification with homemade high-purity hexagonal phase tungsten oxide nanoparticles

Nickel-rich layered oxides with high energy density and acceptable cost are considered as one of the most ideal cathode materials for power batteries. However, its large-scale production and application still face the challenge in terms of rapid capacity fading and poor structural stability, which has prompted research into surface coating materials/technologies within both academic and industrial fields. In this work, A feasible and environmental friendly fabrication method of high-purity hexagonal phase tungsten oxide (h-WO3) nanoparticles as surface modification of LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2(NCM) is proposed.The results indicate that NCM modified with h-WO3 has lower Li+/Ni2+ mixing rate, superior rate performance, and better cycling stability than the pristine NCM. Although tungsten oxide is widely used as surface modification due to its excellent physical and chemical properties, but its crystal type has not been considered, and there is little research on the theoretical explanation of h-WO3 modification.This work reveals the working mechanism of h-WO3 from the perspective of interface and crystal type, which can provide meaningful reference for obtaining nickel-rich layered oxides with excellent electrochemical properties.

Dual optimization of LiFePO4 cathode performance using manganese substitution and a hybrid lithiated Nafion-modified PEDOT:PSS coating layer for lithium-ion batteries

The energy storage market necessitates an increase in the specific capacity of battery materials, particularly cathodes, to meet growing demands. Manganese (Mn) substitution of lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathodes presents a promising avenue, offering high specific capacity and operability at elevated voltages. However, during cycling, the dissolution of Fe/Mn ions into the electrolyte leads to capacity fading. In this study, we enhance the specific capacity of LFP by Mn substitution in the iron position at various ratios (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4). LiFe0.6Mn0.4PO4 exhibits the highest capacity of 159.1 mAh g-1 at 0.1C with an initial Coulombic efficiency of 97.9 %. This improvement stems from an enhanced lithium diffusion coefficient, increasing from 1.86 × 10–14 cm2 s-1 for pristine LFP to 2.46 × 10–12 cm2 s-1 for LiFe0.6Mn0.4PO4. However, LiFe0.6Mn0.4PO4 demonstrates the poorest capacity retention among the substituted samples, reaching 78.4 % over 100 cycles due to severe Fe/Mn ion dissolution. To address this issue, we coat Mn-substituted LFP with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) and lithiated Nafion (LN) polymer, which offer high electronic and lithium-ion conductivity, respectively. This coating layer enhances the capacity retention of LiFe0.6Mn0.4PO4 to 90.1 % at 0.2C after 100 cycles, effectively mitigating active material loss during charge-discharge processes. This study demonstrates that PEDOT:PSS-LN can improve the electronic and ionic conductivity of cathode materials and maintain high capacity retention during cycling.

Chelation approach to long-lived and reversible chromium anolytes for aqueous flow batteries

Iron chromium flow battery (ICFB) has the advances of low cost, safety, and independent design of power and capacity, but is restricted by the deactivation of chromium anolytes. Here, a complex of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid with chromium ion (CrDTPA) is designed with minimum capacity loss rate and best cycling stability. DTPA is an octadentate ligand and chelates with chromium ions in a seven-coordinated manner. The coordination structure was studied by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Fourier transform infrared and UV–vis absorption spectra, and identified as a robust structure. CrDTPA has good electrochemical activity and reversibility with a redox potential of −1.145 V versus saturated calomel electrode. A novel iron chromium flow battery (NICFB) is designed by coupling CrDTPA anolytes and Fe(CN)6 catholytes. NICFB displays high energy conversion efficiency with coulombic efficiency of 99.0 % and energy efficiency of 82.2 % at 40 mA cm−2. Importantly, NICFB shows superior cycling stability without performance decay for 160 cycles, ranking the best among recently reported ICFBs. This chelation approach provides a simple and practical method to solve chromium anolytes deactivation and improve cycling stability.

Evolution of aging mechanisms and performance degradation of lithium-ion battery from moderate to severe capacity loss scenarios

The aging mechanisms of Nickel-Manganese-Cobalt-Oxide (NMC)/Graphite lithium-ion batteries are divided into stages from the beginning-of-life (BOL) to the end-of-life (EOL) of the battery. The corresponding changes in the battery performance across these stages have been analyzed, and a digital twin model is established to quantify the primary parameters that influence these aging mechanisms. Post-mortem analysis is applied to validate the results. This paper compares the aging mechanisms from BOL to EOL using two charging protocols: a multi-step fast charge protocol and a common constant-current fast charge protocol that applies the average current of multi-step currents. Notably, a transition from a linear to a non-linear degradation trend in capacity fade is observed, beginning from a 10% capacity reduction to EOL. From BOL to 10% degradation, the resistance of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) grows steadily. The graphite anode’s crack depth exhibits a significant increase, accompanied by an evident collapse of cathode materials in all the test cases following a 10% degradation until EOL. This phenomenon can be attributed to one primary reason—the expansion of the corresponding simulated resistance of charge transfer (Rct). Post-mortem analysis revealed the change in morphology, structure, and composition of various degradation conditions. This analysis proved that the primary driver of the linear aging stage is the SEI growth. Furthermore, it is evident that the transition to a non-linear aging degradation is dominated by electrode defects resulting from continuous mechanical stress during long-term aging.

In silico comparative analysis of cestode and human NPC1 provides insights for ezetimibe repurposing to visceral cestodiases treatment

Visceral cestodiases, like cysticercoses and echinococcoses, are caused by cystic larvae from parasites of the Cestoda class and are endemic or hyperendemic in many areas of the world. Current therapeutic approaches for these diseases are complex and present limitations and risks. Therefore, new safer and more effective treatments are urgently needed. The Niemann-Pick C1 (NPC1) protein is a cholesterol transporter that, based on genomic data, would be the solely responsible for cholesterol uptake in cestodes. Considering that human NPC1L1 is a known target of ezetimibe, used in the treatment of hypercholesterolemia, it has the potential for repurposing for the treatment of visceral cestodiases. Here, phylogenetic, selective pressure and structural in silico analyses were carried out to assess NPC1 evolutive and structural conservation, especially between cestode and human orthologs. Two NPC1 orthologs were identified in cestode species (NPC1A and NPC1B), which likely underwent functional divergence, leading to the loss of cholesterol transport capacity in NPC1A. Comparative interaction analyses performed by molecular docking of ezetimibe with human NPC1L1 and cestode NPC1B pointed out to similarities that consolidate the idea of cestode NPC1B as a target for the repurposing of ezetimibe as a drug for the treatment of visceral cestodiases.