NiCl2 Research Articles

Inside Back Cover: Intraligand Charge Transfer Enables Visible‐Light‐Mediated Nickel‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling Reactions (Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 46/2022)

Intraligand charge transfer activation of Ni(Czbpy)Cl2 gives access to visible-light-mediated carbon–heteroatom cross-couplings in the absence of exogenous photocatalysts. Details of the study are reported by Renske M. van der Veen, Arne Thomas, Bartholomäus Pieber et al. in their Research Article (DOI: 10.1002/anie.202211433).

Evaluation of the heavy metals tolerant UV rays treated bacteria isolated from anthropogenic sites of Chambal region, India

Industrial waste is released into the environment and leads to various types of heavy metal, which are toxic, mutagenic and carcinogenic in nature. Heavy metals are not biodegradable but accumulated by living organisms and cause diseases at even low concentrations. In this study, we selected four anthropogenic sites from Chambal region, isolated bacteria and investigated its heavy metal removal capability. The bacteria was isolated and identified as Escherichia coli (Ag-5), on the basis of biochemical and 16S rRNA gene sequence. Among the five (cadmium, cobalt, lead, nickel and zinc) heavy metals studied, Ni2+ has been observed to be highly toxic with minimum inhibitory concentration score of 200 ppm. E. coli could tolerate Zn2+ (300 ppm), Cd2+ (400 ppm), Co2+ (400 ppm) and Pb+2 (500 ppm). Heavy metal tolerance capability was also evaluated by UV rays treated E. coli (Ag-5) isolate and compared with wild strain Ag-5. The result indicated that the tolerance capability was enhanced by UV rays treated bacterial isolate as compared to wild strain with respect to all tested heavy metals. Atomic absorption spectroscopy results revealed that wild strain removed 78.2% cadmium nitrate, while UV rays 30 and 60 s. exposed strain removed 85.9 and 83% cadmium nitrate. Wild strain removed 64.4% nickel chloride, while UV rays 30 and 60 s exposed strain removed 66.9 and 74.5% nickel chloride. The results indicate that indigenous E. coli treated with UV rays could serve as heavy metal tolerant bacteria and utilized in bioremediation processes.

Intraligand Charge Transfer Enables Visible-Light-Mediated Nickel-Catalyzed Cross-Coupling Reactions.

We demonstrate that several visible-light-mediated carbon-heteroatom cross-coupling reactions can be carried out using a photoactive NiII precatalyst that forms in situ from a nickel salt and a bipyridine ligand decorated with two carbazole groups (Ni(Czbpy)Cl2 ). The activation of this precatalyst towards cross-coupling reactions follows a hitherto undisclosed mechanism that is different from previously reported light-responsive nickel complexes that undergo metal-to-ligand charge transfer. Theoretical and spectroscopic investigations revealed that irradiation of Ni(Czbpy)Cl2 with visible light causes an initial intraligand charge transfer event that triggers productive catalysis. Ligand polymerization affords a porous, recyclable organic polymer for heterogeneous nickel catalysis of cross-coupling reactions. The heterogeneous catalyst shows stable performance in a packed-bed flow reactor during a week of continuous operation.

Intraligand Charge Transfer Enables Visible‐Light‐Mediated Nickel‐Catalyzed Cross‐Coupling Reactions**

AbstractWe demonstrate that several visible‐light‐mediated carbon−heteroatom cross‐coupling reactions can be carried out using a photoactive NiII precatalyst that forms in situ from a nickel salt and a bipyridine ligand decorated with two carbazole groups (Ni(Czbpy)Cl2). The activation of this precatalyst towards cross‐coupling reactions follows a hitherto undisclosed mechanism that is different from previously reported light‐responsive nickel complexes that undergo metal‐to‐ligand charge transfer. Theoretical and spectroscopic investigations revealed that irradiation of Ni(Czbpy)Cl2 with visible light causes an initial intraligand charge transfer event that triggers productive catalysis. Ligand polymerization affords a porous, recyclable organic polymer for heterogeneous nickel catalysis of cross‐coupling reactions. The heterogeneous catalyst shows stable performance in a packed‐bed flow reactor during a week of continuous operation.

Existence of a novel heavy metal-tolerant Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain Zambia SZK-17 Kabwe 1: the potential bioremediation agent in the heavy metal-contaminated area.

Bacterial biomass may serve as an important environmental cleaning agent to toxic heavy metal ions at the expense of chemical processes which are not environmentally friendly. This study aimed at characterizing bacterial agents which could serve as a potential in situ bioremediation agent at the site of isolation. The characterization was performed using both phenotypic and molecular approaches. A novel Pseudomonas aeruginosa strain Pseudomonas aeruginosa Zambia SZK17 Kabwe1 was successfully isolated, identified, and characterized. The strain showed a promising tolerance to heavy metals such as copper (2mM), zinc, nickel (2mM), cobalt (1mM), and cadmium (0.5mM) at the laboratory level. The bacterium has shown the bioaccumulation of at least 60% of copper (II) sulfate (0.3655mg/l) with R = 69.75%, cadmium (II) chloride (0.0241mg/l) with R = 69.98%, zinc (II) chloride (0.1389mg/l) with R = 69.91%, nickel (II) chloride (0.1155mg/l) with R = 69.92%, and cobalt (II) chloride (0.593mg/l) with R = 69.92%. The highest bioaccumulation has been observed in heavy metals cadmium, zinc, nickel, and cobalt. Characterization of the bacterium on pH has revealed that at a very high pH (≥ 9) and lower (≤ 5.5) pH, the bacterium tended to have reduced growth with optimum growth at pH 8. The high temperature at around 40°C had a negative effect on the growth performance of the bacterium while optimum growth was observed at 28°C. This novel P. aeruginosa strain has shown the phenotypic attributes to become a potential bioremediation agent; however, further investigation needs to be done to understand the genes and or molecular mechanisms that drive their tolerance to multiple heavy metals.

Nanocomposite of Nickel Nanoparticles-Impregnated Biochar from Palm Leaves as Highly Active and Magnetic Photocatalyst for Methyl Violet Photocatalytic Oxidation.

Photocatalysis has been recognized as a feasible method in water and wastewater treatment. Compared to other methods such as adsorption and chemical oxidation, the use of photocatalyst in the advanced oxidation processes gives benefits such as a longer lifetime of the catalyst and less consumable chemicals. Currently, explorations into low-cost, effective photocatalysts for organic contaminated water are being developed. Within this scheme, an easily separated photocatalyst with other functionality, such as high adsorption, is important. In this research, preparation of a magnetic nanocomposite photocatalyst based on agricultural waste, palm leaves biochar impregnated nickel nanoparticles (Ni/BC), was investigated. The nanocomposite was prepared by direct pyrolysis of palm leaves impregnated with nickel (II) chloride precursor. Furthermore, the physicochemical characterization of the material was performed by using an X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (SEM-EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), gas sorption analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The photocatalytic activity of Ni/BC was evaluated for methyl violet (MV) photocatalytic oxidation. The results from XRD, XPS and TEM analyses identified single nickel nanoparticles dispersed on the biochar structure ranging from 30–50 nm in size. The dispersed nickel nanoparticles increased the BET specific surface area of biochar from 3.92 m2/g to 74.12 m2/g oxidation. High photocatalytic activity of the Ni/BC was exhibited by complete MV removal in 30 min for the concentration ranging from 10–80 mg/L. In addition, the Ni/BC showed stability in the pH range of 4–10 and reusability without any activity change until fifth usage. The separable photocatalyst is related to magnetism of about 13.7 emu/g. The results highlighted the role of biochar as effective support for Ni as photoactive material.

In Situ Formation of Nanoparticles on Carbon Nanofiber Surface Using Ceramic Intercalating Agents

Nickel silicide nanoparticles were prepared in situ on carbon nanofibers through pyrolysis of electrospun fibers containing poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN, carbon fiber precursor), silazane (SiCN ceramic precursor), and nickel chloride (nickel source). SiCN ceramics produced in carbon nanofibers during the pyrolysis expanded the graphitic interlayer spacing and facilitated the diffusion of metal atoms to the fiber surfaces, leading to the formation of nickel silicide nanoparticles at a reduced temperature. In addition, nickel silicide nanoparticles catalyzed an in situ formation of carbon nanotubes, with carbon sourced from the decomposition of silazane. The method introduces a simple route to produce carbon supported metal nanoparticles for catalysis and energy storage applications.

Electrochemical Characteristics of Pitch Coated Silicon/Graphite Anode Composites Using Surface Modification Process

The electrochemical characteristics of pitch coated graphite / silicon composites were investigated as anode material in lithium ion batteries. The anode materials were prepared with etched graphite using nickel chloride hexahydrate to create spherical pores on the graphite surface. The pore size was controlled depending on the calcination retention time and optimized for the insertion of silicon nanoparticles. Scanning electron microscopy, x-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis were used to analyze the physical properties of pitch coated graphite / silicon composites. The electrochemical characteristics of the batteries were investigated by charge-discharge cycle, rate performance, cyclic voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests in the eletrolyte of 1.0 M LiPF6 ( EC : DMC : DEC = 1 : 1 : 1 vol % ). Graphite/silicon/pitch electrode showed better electrochemical properties than the graphite electrode, and even nickel etched graphite was superior to graphite. Also, it was confirmed that both capacity and rate performance were significantly improved when the ratio of graphite, silicon, and pitch is 8 : 1 : 1 ( G8 Si1 P1 ). It is found that G8 Si1 P1 have the initial discharge capacity of 680 mAh / g, the capacity retention ratio of 90 % during 100 cycles and the retention rate capability of 91 % in 2 C / 0.1 C, 87 % in 5 C / 0.1 C.

Enhancing the photoinduced via a novel nano-combination of terbium oxide and nickel oxide on graphene oxide surface: Cytotoxicity and water treatment

The target is a novel nano-combination membrane (NCM) via Terbium oxide nanoparticles (Tb2O3 NPs) and nickel oxide (NiO NPs) which integrates on the graphene oxide (GO) surface. The NCM is characterized by different tools such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–visible spectrophotometer (UV–vis), and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM)for removing organic pollutants. The precipitation method has been applied for fabricating the selected metal oxides (MOs), where the terbium chloride and nickel chloride are used as precursors for fabricating the metal oxides (MOs) NPs that formed with potassium hydroxide in the solution. The photocatalytic activity of fabricated NCM has been noticed with the quenching of mixed Rhodamine B (RhB) and methyl orange (MO) dyes at various times for water treatment. UV–vis spectra confirmed the excellent efficiency against organic pollution degradation. After exposure to the light for 100 min, the photodegradation efficacy of MB and RhB appeared at 46.88 % and 16.4 %, with GO@Tb2O3, by GO@Tb2O3.NiO the efficiency was 54.8 % and 32.3 % after 100 min, while GO@NiO has degradation efficiency at 43 % and 17.3 % for MB and RhB respectively. The cytotoxicity of NCM is detected with hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) and breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), the result illustrated that the fabricated NCM does not affect the cancer cells with the 10 µL, but with the higher concentration of 100 µL, the cell lysis was observed. The results of photocatalytic and cytotoxicity are recommended using these fabricated NCM in water treatment.

In situ growth of 3D multi-interface Ni@carbon nanotube networks towards highly-efficient microwave absorption

In this paper, 3D multi-interface carbon nanotube networks were in-situ constructed from carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4 ) and nickel chloride as precursors. With the temperature increase, g-C 3 N 4 was continuously decomposed to the components containing C and N element, and these produced compounds reduced Ni 2+ into Ni nanoparticles at the same time. After that, these compounds were enriched and precipitated on the surface of Ni nanoparticles, resulting in formation of bamboo-like carbon nanotubes with Ni particles embedded on the top (Ni@CNTs). The obtained Ni@CNTs exhibited high electromagnetic absorption performance with the filler loading content of 3 wt% in paraffin. The minimum reflection loss of 0.2Ni@CNTs was dramatically enhanced to − 31.7 dB and the effective absorption bandwidth was 6 GHz. The excellent microwave absorption performance was attributed to multi-interface reflections, good impedance matching and synergistic effects of multiple loss mechanisms from the Ni@CNTs. This work provides a new method to prepare multi-interface bamboo-like CNTs, which exhibited potential applications in microwave absorption. • Multi-interface carbon nanotube networks were constructed from g-C 3 N 4. • Excellent absorption resulted from multiple reflections and polarization losses. • Reflection loss reached − 31.7 dB with the EAB of 6 GHz under 3 wt% loading.

Effects of Nickel Chloride on Myocardial Contractile Properties in Active Ground Squirrels with Different Responses to Hypothermia

Effects of Nickel Chloride on Myocardial Contractile Properties in Active Ground Squirrels with Different Responses to Hypothermia

Stabilization of metallic nickel particles obtained by chemical reduction in liquid by introducing high-molecular compounds at synthesis stage

Highly dispersed nickel metal particles are used as a filler in electrically conductive adhesives. In this application, they partially or completely replace particles of noble metals. However, the size of the filler particles in electrically conductive adhesives should be in the range from 5 to 15 μm. The method of chemical reduction of salts in liquid was used to obtain particles of this type. As the synthesis of nickel particles with hydrazine is a patented technology, nickel chloride was used as a salt and sodium borohydride was used as a reducing agent. Various polymer stabilizers are used in this method to control the size of the resulting particles. Polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene glycol, polyacrylic acid (and its salts) were used for nickel particles stabilization. Different concentrations of the above polymers were introduced at the synthesis stage. The sizes of the nickel particles that were obtained using polyvinyl alcohol and polyethylene glycol did not exceed 50 nm. The use of high-molecular polyacrylic acid (M = 200,000 g/mol) ensures production of 2±1 μm nickel particles. The most suitable size of nickel particles for the specified purposes is obtained by adding low-molecular polyacrylic acid (M= 3,000 g/mol) and is 6±1 μm at a 0.15 wt. % stabilizer concentration. A study of the electrokinetic potential of the stabilized systems showed that the electrostatic component does not play any major role and that the systems are stabilized due to the adsorption film of polyacrylic acid that forms on the surface of metallic nickel particles.This research was funded by the Moscow Polytechnic University in the framework of V. E. Fortov Grant.The authors express gratitude to Research sharing center named after D. I. Mendeleev of the Mendeleev university of chemical technology of Russia

Preparation and Spectroscopic Studies of Some Metal complexes with Azo ligand derived from 2-aminobenzothiazole and 4-Hydroxycoumarin

The present study describes the synthesis and characterization of some transition meal complexes derived from azo ligand derived from condensation 4-hydroxycoumarine and 2-aminobenzothiazole. The azo ligand was characterized by C.H.N.S elemental analyses, GC-Mass spectroscopy, H NMR and FT-IR spectra. The metal complexes with the new azo dye were isolated by the direct reactions of the metal chlorides of cadmium(II), zinc(II), cobalt(II), nickel(II) and copper(II) ions with the alkaline solution of free ligand to afford the following complex [ML(H2O)2Cl] where M=Co(II), Cd(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II). The results obtained from FAAS, elemental analyses, UV-visible spectra, LC-MS and magnetic susceptibility measurements confirmed the tetrahedral environment for [CdLCl] complex and octahedral environment around copper(II), cobalt(II) and nickel(II) complexes. The time and mole ratios factors were studied to recommend the optimized conditions of metal complexes formations and the observed data was investigated for the deprotonation of the azo-dye at pH 6-7.0 with 6.5 minutes as time of reaction to afford the crystalline complexes.

Effect of Chloride and Sulfate Ions on Electrodeposition and Surface Properties of Alloys Produced from Zinc-Nickel-Manganese Gluconate Baths

Alloys were potentiostatically codeposited from gluconate baths containing zinc, nickel and manganese chlorides and/or sulfates. The electrodeposits were characterized in terms of their chemical (XRF, EDS) and phase (XRD, ASA) compositions, surface morphology (SEM), wettability (WCA, SFE) and corrosion resistance in neutral and acid media (linear polarization, immersion test). Morphology and composition of the alloys were mainly dependent on deposition potential, while effect of bath speciation was less emphasized. Multiphase ternary alloys were produced only at potentials more negative than −1.5 V (Ag/AgCl). Codeposition of the metals was anomalous and run according to instantaneous nucleation model, but at more electronegative potentials and in a presence of chloride ions transition progressive-instantaneous nucleation stages were observed. Comparison of surface wettability of as-plated and air-stored alloys showed improved (super)hydrophobicity caused by spontaneous oxidation of zinc-rich alloys. Surface free energies of the deposits were discussed. It was found that sulfate anions exhibited distinct effect on cathodic processes demonstrated by higher deposit masses, lower manganese percentages in the alloys, formation of more coarse and compact hydrophobic deposits of high corrosion resistance in neutral solution.

Investigation of Structural and Magnetic Properties of Co, Ni and CoNi Alloy Thin Films by Fabricated with Electrodeposition

The production of nanoparticles as thin film coating performed with electrodeposition method is easier and cheaper than other methods. Because, thin film production can be controlled with the change of ingredients in the bath composition. In this study, Co, Ni, and CoNi alloy thin films were fabricated with electrodeposition method through the bath composition that consists of cobalt sulphate (CoSO4.7H2O), nickel sulphate (NiSO4.6H2O), nickel (II) chloride (NiCl2 6H2O) and boric acid (H3BO3). Crystal structure (XRD), morphological (SEM), elemental composition (ICP) and magnetic properties (VSM) of the fabricated thin films were investigated. Chemical properties of coating bath (CV) was examined as well. Magnetization measurements of the thin films were performed by applying magnetic fields between + 75000 Oe and -75000 Oe and then hysteresis loops were obtained. The Co, Ni, and CoNi films showed ferromagnetic material properties. Coercivity (Hc), permanent magnetization (Mr), saturation magnetization (Ms) values of these alloys were significantly affected by the amount of the cobalt, magneto crystal anisotropy and grain size. It was understood that some materials having hard and soft magnetic properties can be fabricated by controlling the bath composition.

A heavenly sword – forging a Campo del Cielo meteorite

Abstract After a thorough structural examination, a “Campo del Cielo” iron meteorite found in Argentina was forged at temperatures of about 1100 °C. This meteorite is classified as an IA group coarse octahedrite. Besides Fe, it also contains about 7 wt.% Ni and 1.5 wt.% Co, as well as small amounts of Mg, Si, Al, S, and P. Heat treatments above the eutectoid temperature induce a α-γ transformation of the present (Fe,Ni) solid solution. Owing to the retransformation that takes place upon cooling, the typical microstructure of the meteorite vanishes and a mainly ferritic polycrystalline microstructure forms (kamacite α-(Fe,Ni)). Only minor changes could be observed for the initially present taenite γ-(Fe,Ni). Schreibersite, also referred to as rhabdite (Fe,Ni)3P, melts and dissolves into the surrounding matrix. At high temperatures, locally present graphite likewise dissolves and cementite or martensite are formed upon cooling. Changes of other phases such as troilite (FeS) or lawrencite (Fe,Ni)Cl2 could not be detected. Given an initial weight of the meteorite fragment of approx. 1.5 kg, the intention was to manufacture a sword. However, since the meteorite broke apart during forging, only a knife could be manufactured.

First-Row Transition Metal Complexes of a Phosphine–Silylene-Based Hybrid Ligand

We have prepared two new silylene-phosphine-based hybrid ligands Si{N(R)C6H4(PPh2)}{PhC(NtBu)2} [R = TMS {trimethylsilyl} (1) and TBDMS {tert-butyldimethylsilyl} (2)], which possess two donor sites. Furthermore, the treatment of the bidentate ligand 1 with base metal halides {FeBr2, CoBr2, NiCl2·dme [nickel chloride(II) ethylene glycol dimethyl ether]} and 2 with NiBr2·dme [nickel bromide(II) ethylene glycol dimethyl ether] afforded four-coordinate six-membered metal complexes 3-6, respectively, which feature coordination from both Si(II) and P(III) sites. Subsequently, complexes 3 [(FeBr2)Si{N(SiMe3)C6H4(PPh2)}{PhC(NtBu)2}], 4 [(CoBr2)Si{N(SiMe3)C6H4(PPh2)}{PhC(NtBu)2}], 5 [(NiCl2)Si{N(SiMe3)C6H4(PPh2)}{PhC(NtBu)2}], and 6 [(NiBr2)Si{N(SitBuMe2)C6H4(PPh2)}{PhC(NtBu)2}] are studied for their redox and magnetic properties with the help of UV-vis spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, SQUID magnetometry, and theoretical calculations. Complexes 3-6 were found to display a paramagnetic behavior. All the compounds are well established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies.

Validation of gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC-MS) qualitative method for detection of paraquat in postmortem samples by sodium borohydride-platinum chloride chemical reduction

To develop a GC-MS method for the detection of paraquat by sodium borohydride-platinum chloride reduction in postmortem samples. Paraquat [1,1′-dimethyl-4,4′-bipyridilium dichloride,(PQ)] is a bipyridylium quaternary ammonium contact herbicide. At the Institute of Forensic Science and Legal Medicine (IFSLM), an average of 13 cases of PQ poisoning are submitted annually for postmortem toxicological analysis. Previously a colorimetric method for the identification of PQ was used. A more sensitive method was needed to confirm the presence of PQ. There is limited studies on liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) of postmortem fluids and tissues for determination of PQ by GC-MS. Some methods used a chemical reduction involving sodium borohydride (NaBH4) or sodium borohydride with nickel chloride (NaBH4-NiCl2), prior to LLE, to gain more volatile compounds for analysis. In the absence of NiCl2, platinum (IV) chloride (PtCl4) was used as a substitute catalyst in the validation. The aim of this validation is to identify PQ in suspected poisoning cases from postmortem samples using chemical reduction reaction, followed by LLE and then (GC-MS). The qualitative method involved an initial chemical reduction of PQ to the perhydrogenated product and monoene by-product: 500 μL blood, urine or tissue homogenate was placed in a glass tube, followed by 200 μL toluene, 400 μL PtCl4 (1% w/v) and then 500 μL NaBH4 (40% w/v) was added dropwise. The mixture was vortexed then left to stand for 1½ hours at room temperature. 1 mL 5 N sodium hydroxide solution was added to stop the reaction. For LLE, 3 mL hexane: ethyl acetate (4:1) was added to the tube and placed on shaker for 45 minutes at 300 rpm. The sample was centrifuged for 1 hour at 1400 g. The hexane:ethyl acetate layer was then transferred to a beaker and allowed to evaporate to dryness. The residue was reconstituted with 1 mL hexane, transferred to GC vial, and allowed to evaporate to dryness. The residue was then reconstituted with 100 μL hexane, and transferred to a GC vial fitted with glass insert, with 1 μL being injected into the GC-MS system (Agilent 7890A GC coupled with an Agilent 5975C VL MSD with Triple Axis Detector Mass Spectrometer). As recommended by the Scientific Working Group for Forensic Toxicology (SWGTOX), the validation parameters for qualitative confirmation/identification were specificity, recovery, carryover, repeatability and limit of detection. The method was applied to blank blood and urine samples, spiked blood and urine samples, as well as 10 suspected PQ poisoning cases (24 postmortem samples) submitted to the IFSLM. The blank blood and urine samples analysed did not yield any positive results for the analytes of interest. Blood and urine samples spiked with the PQ standard solution resulted in the detection of both the perhydrogenated product and monoene by-product. The limit of detection for both reduction products was 30 ppm. There was no detection of the analytes in the three blanks analysed after an injection of 1000 ppm PQ. The reduction products of PQ were detected in all 10 cases. Four of these cases had previously given negative results using the colorimetric test. The PtCl4 was found to be an adequate substitute catalyst in the reduction procedure. The procedure was proven to be sensitive, repeatable and robust. All sample types assessed by the method gave positive results, however stomach and content produced the best chromatograms with sharp, clearly defined and resolved peaks. In summary, the presented procedure provided excellent performance in the identification of the reduction products of PQ in postmortem samples.

Pore-Scale Micro-Structural Analysis of Electrode Conductance in Metal Displacement Batteries

Metal displacement batteries (MDBs), or liquid metal batteries, are an emerging technology with significant potential in providing high capacity, low-cost energy storage solutions, capable of addressing many of the challenges associated with storing energy from renewable sources. The key characteristic of metal displacement batteries is that at least one of the electrodes is in liquid state and a molten salt is used as an electrolyte. Since its original proposal in the 1960’s liquid metal batteries have re-emerged in recent years and different battery chemistries and designs have been explored, including Ca-Bi, Na-Sb, and many others [2,10]. Recently, Na-Zn liquid metal batteries have been studied as an alternative to other configurations, showing significant potential in achieving good performance for large-scale energy storage, while avoiding the high cost associated with some electrode materials such as Nickel or Lithium [7,8]. In past years, alternatives to all-liquid cells have emerged in the form of designs where the cell materials are a mixture of solids and liquids. Examples of this include the commercially available Zebra battery, where a Na-NiCl electrode pair is used [1,6]. These designs offer some of the advantages of all-liquid cells, while simultaneously mitigating many of the disadvantages of handling and operating a very high temperature system. Na-Zn have also been proposed for solid cathode designs, taking advantage of the lower cost of Zn over Ni [4,3].The cathode in these designs is composed of a porous structure, within which multiple chemical species can co-exist. Electrolyte components share the space with metal deposits,salt crystals, and other electrochemical reaction products. As a result, the micro-porous structure of this composite system is an important factor in determining the performance of the cell, as the spatial distribution of different materials can have an impact on the effective conductivity of the electrode [5,9]. The porous structure hosts complex multi-component mass transfer phenomena as well, potentially having an impact on the mass-transfer overpotential of the cell.This work aims to study the impact of the microstructural properties of the solid electrode in a liquid displacement battery, and their importance to the effective conductivity of the system. We have developed a computational tool that enables us to create randomized microstructures in 3D, representing the electrode-electrolyte assembly. We are able to preserve the desired physical characteristics by using target pore-size distributions and volume fraction input as seed parameters. We use this tool to generate representative structures and analyze their effective bulk conductivity by solving Laplace’s equation over the resulting domain, accounting for the different local conductivity of each material.This methodology is applied to a novel Na-Zn cell in order to assess the importance of the pore-scale properties of the cathode, as well as its material components, including solid Zn metal, solid NaCl deposits, and molten salt components. It is expected that different material arrangement configurations will induce heterogeneous current distributions in this system. Furthermore, the ionic composition of the electrolyte would be different at different charge levels, leading to additional variation through its charge/discharge cycle.Using this methodology, the range of different electrode phase configurations produced during operation can be studied in the absence of microstructure imaging data. A representative elementary volume for the Zn electrode assembly is analyzed to determine the best approach for up-scaled performance predictions of the Na-Zn cell. With this method, it is possible to acquire data to elucidate desirable or undesirable electrode structure properties of this system, providing insight which can be used for improving manufacture and operation of the cell. [1] Dustmann. “Advances in ZEBRA batteries”. J. Power Sources (2004).[2] Kim et al. “Liquid metal batteries: Past, present, and future”. ChemicalReviews (2013).[3] Lu et al. “An Intermediate-Temperature High-Performance Na-ZnCl2 Bat-tery”. ACS Omega (2018).[4] Lu et al. “Liquid-metal electrode to enable ultra-low temperature sodium-beta alumina batteries for renewable energy storage”. Nature Communications(2014).[5] Qiu et al. “Pore-scale analysis of effects of electrode morphology and electrolyteflow conditions on performance of vanadium redox flow batteries”. J. PowerSources (2012).[6] Sudworth. “The sodium / nickel chloride ( ZEBRA ) battery”. J. Power Sources (2001).[7] Xu et al. “Electrode Behaviors of Na-Zn Liquid Metal Battery”. Journal ofThe Electrochemical Society (2017).[8] Xu et al. “Na-Zn liquid metal battery”. Journal of Power Sources (2016).[9] Zhang et al. “Progress in 3D electrode microstructure modelling for fuel cellsand batteries: transport and electrochemical performance”. Progress in Energy(2019).[10] Zhang et al. “Liquid Metal Batteries for Future Energy Storage”. EnergyEnvironmental Science (2021). Figure 1

Effects of Combined Stresses of Salinity (NaCl) and Heavy Metal (NiCl2) Levels on Seed Germination and Growth of Citrullus colocynthis l.

Salinity and heavy metal stresses are a great hindrance to the germination and development of plants. Nickel (Ni) is an indispensable micronutrient for plants at low concentrations. However, the proficiency depends upon the plant types. Citrullus colocynth is a medicinal cucurbit weed. The contemporary target of the study is to appraise the influence of combined stresses by varying concentrations of sodium chloride and nickel chloride on germination, morphology, biochemical ions, and physiology of C. colocynth. Germination percentage, root length, shoot length, fresh weight, dry weight, number of leaves, Na+, K+, Ca++, Cl-, Ni+, chlorophyll a and b, proline, SOD and CAT of C. colocynth were measured with nine combined levels (100 mM NaCl + 50 uM NiCl2), (200 mM NaCl + 50 uM NiCl2), (400 mM NaCl + 50 uM NiCl2), (100 mM NaCl + 100 uM NiCl2), (200 mM NaCl +100 uM NiCl2), (400 mM NaCl +100 uM NiCl2), (100 mM NaCl + 200 uM NiCl2), (200 mM NaCl + 200 uM NiCl2) and (400 mM NaCl +200 uM NiCl2). This experiment was conceded out in a completely randomized design with four replications. Germination percentage, root length, shoot length, fresh weight, dry weight, and the number of leaves, K+, Ca++, chlorophyll a, and b decreased by increasing stress levels while Na+, Cl-, Ni+, Proline, SOD, and CAT increased with increasing stress levels. This species has a positive morpho-physiological response under low(100mM NaCl, 50 uM NiCl2) and moderate (200mM NaCl, 100 uM NiCl2) combinations of salt and heavy metals while tolerance was observed under high-stress levels(400mM NaCl, 200 uM NiCl2). It is concluded that this species can be recommended for phytoremdiation against combined salt and heavy metal stresses.