Primary Solvent Research Articles

Significance of Fe3O4/MnZnFe2O4 nanoparticles for thermal efficiency of ethylene glycol: Analysis for single-phase nanofluid flow using Cattaneo Christov theory

Thermal conductivity of nanoparticles is a vibrant parameter in the heat transfer applications applied in thermal, mechanical and chemical engineering. The use of nanoparticles in the conventional fluids augments the thermal conductance which directly affects the heat transfer mechanism. It greatly depends on the nature of nanoparticles. Hence, the excellent conductivity of hybrid Fe3O4/MnZnFe2O4 allows to select for catalytic agent with EG as primary solvent for heat transfer applications. Besides nanoparticles, the physical phenomena like heating species, Cattaneo Christov thermal flux and variable temperature of the surface potentially alter the performance of single phase nanofluids. Therefore, the current effort aims to formulate a single phase problem through slanted elongating surface having acute angle with the ground level and influenced parametric ranges. The final problem was examined numerically (shooting scheme coupled with RK scheme) and then analyzed and predicted the ranges for better performance. The parallel results reveal that the nanofluid movement is slower than common fluid over the domain because of dominant denser effects. The heat generative parameter ([Formula: see text] and radiation number ([Formula: see text] are observed to be excellent catalytic parameters to boost the model efficiency. However, thermally radiative nanofluids are more efficient which augment the performance remarkably. The shear drag improved from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] (for [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] (for [Formula: see text] against [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text]. Further, the heating source Q enhances the heat transport rate at the slanted surface from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] (for [Formula: see text], and [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] (for [Formula: see text]. However, it is prevailing for [Formula: see text] for specified values of Q.

Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Extraction (UAE) of Phenolics from Blueberries by Response Surface Methodology (RSM)

Blueberries are rich in polyphenols, vitamins, and minerals, enhancing their health benefits. Extracting bioactive compounds from blueberries is vital for the pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and food industries. Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) is an efficient and eco-friendly method for isolating phenolic compounds. This study employed response surface methodology (RSM) to optimize the UAE conditions, specifically focusing on solvent composition, solvent volume, and extraction time, to maximize total polyphenol (TP) and total anthocyanin (TA) content. Blueberry samples were extracted using acidified methanol as the primary solvent in an ultrasonic bath. Optimal extraction conditions were determined using a quadratic Box–Behnken design and analyzed through ANOVA. Results showed that the solvent composition had the most significant effect on TP and TA extraction, followed by solvent volume, while extraction time showed the least influence. The optimized conditions were determined to be methanol solution 99:1 v/v (12.5 mL) and an extraction time of 97.7 min for TP, while for TA, the optimal conditions were 17.9 mL of the same methanol solution with an extraction time of 100.9 min. Obtained with these conditions were 408.2 ± 3.9 mg GAE/100 g FW of TP and 127.4 ± 1.7 mg C3GE/100 g FW of TA. These findings highlight the effectiveness of UAE combined with RSM for the efficient extraction of bioactive compounds from blueberries, providing a framework for industrial-scale applications by an efficient process.

Direct Recycling of Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries at Room Temperature and Pressure in Aqueous Media

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have emerged as an indispensable power source, driving innovations across a range of sectors, including consumer electronics, electric vehicles, and renewable energy deployment. However, the exponential growth in LIB demand has paralleled concerns regarding their end-of-life management. Key characteristics of spent LIBs include capacity fading due to repeated charge and discharge processes, loss of lithium inventory, and chemo-mechanical degradation of crystalline lattice in cathode active material. Pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy, the most prominent methods of LIB recycling, indirectly extract only critical metals from spent batteries but require significant energy inputs, use of harsh chemicals, and suboptimal operating conditions only to recover metal salts and require future resynthesis of the cathode active material. Direct recycling, an alternative to these process-intensive methods, allows for the regeneration of cathode active material with its structure and morphology intact, thereby conserving valuable resources directly from spent batteries and minimizing the need for extensive processing of recycled material and waste product. Solid-state sintering and thermal relithiation have recently gained traction as direct recycling alternatives, but they operate at relatively high temperature and pressure, which translates to high process intensity at scale.This presentation will discuss the effectiveness of a novel direct recycling method for LiNi0.5Mn0.3Co0.2O2 (NMC 532), a common cathode active material widely used in electric vehicles and energy storage systems. The process restores the structure and capacity of spent NMC 532 via a reduction and relithiation mechanism at standard temperature and pressure using an inorganic solution in aqueous media. The solution effectively reduces transition metals in the cathode to their original oxidation states, restores lithium vacancies that have accumulated through battery cycling, and reverses degradation of the crystalline lattice. Unlike typical solution-based direct recycling methods, this process does not require input of energy for the reaction to proceed and can be carried out in ambient operating conditions with minimal waste byproducts. Carrying out this one-step process on spent NMC 532 produces cathode active material that is identical in crystalline structure to its pristine counterpart, as validated by x-ray diffraction (XRD) characterization while galvanostatic cycling of regenerated cathode further demonstrates the restoration of peak performance capacity. The effects of water on the cathode material surface are studied to gain an understanding of electrode recycling efficiency in aqueous conditions. This study is the first to successfully implement direct recycling of NMC 532 at room temperature and pressure in aqueous media. The ambient reaction conditions and use of water as primary solvent eliminates the need for energy input and minimizes the extensive use of harmful solvents that result in toxic waste. The efficacy of this approach renders it scalable and more sustainable as a long-term solution to the management of end-of-life batteries.

Toward economy hydrogenation: Highly efficient hydrodeoxygenation of guaiacol to cyclohexanol over a CoNi-NC catalyst

Lignin and other underutilized biomass resources have significant potential for producing specific chemicals through hydrogenation. However, current challenges in this field include not only the high cost of catalyst preparation but also the demanding reaction conditions required. In this study, a CoNi-NC alloy catalyst with high specific surface area and mesoporous structure was prepared by calcining Ni-doped ZIF-67 material. The Co3Ni1-NC catalyst achieved complete conversion of guaiacol with a cyclohexanol yield reaching 92.7 %, under conditions of 1.2 MPa H2 pressure and 180 °C reaction temperature. The study found that Co-Ni alloys possess superior hydrogen adsorption activation capability, which is a critical factor affecting the hydrogenation capacity of the catalyst. The prepared Co3Ni1-NC not only significantly reduces the H2 pressure and temperature for the guaiacol hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) reaction but also achieves high-efficiency conversion of guaiacol in water as the primary solvent. This undoubtedly saves costs and reduces environmental impact. The CoNi-NC catalyst also possesses magnetic properties, making it easy to fully recover. Related characterization and cycling experiments have demonstrated that the catalyst has excellent recyclability. These properties of the CoNi-NC catalyst will significantly enhance its economic viability. Furthermore, this catalyst exhibited excellent hydrogenation performance for lignin model compounds, providing a valuable reference for the application of alloy MOFs materials in the hydrogenation of lignin compounds.

Synthesis and characterization of novel electrospun nanofibers based on taro starch: influence of solvent and isolation agent on morphology and diameter

AbstractThe utilization of natural polymers in producing electrospun nanofibers has received significant attention due to their biocompatibility, sustainability and diverse range of applications. This research focuses on synthesizing electrospun nanofibers derived from taro starch isolated from tubers. The investigation utilized SEM to examine the structure and size of the electrospun nanofibers. Formic acid and dimethyl sulfoxide solvents were tested to determine the most efficient solvent system for synthesizing taro starch nanofibers. The results demonstrated that the taro starch nanofibers can be effectively synthesized when using formic acid as the primary solvent. The study also investigated the impact of altering the volumetric ratio of formic acid to water on nanofiber morphology and size, finding that a lower formic acid fraction produced smooth fibers while a higher fraction resulted in fused fibers. The electrospinnability was further evaluated by comparing the effects of different isolation agents—distilled water and sodium metabisulfite—during the isolation process. The isolation agent significantly affected the fiber diameter, with notable differences observed in the smoothness of taro starch nanofibers at starch solution concentrations of 13, 15 and 17 wt%. Overall, the results of the study showed that the formation of taro starch fibers was influenced by the type of solvent, the volume fraction of the solvent to water, and the starch isolation agent. Successful fabrication of nanofibers from taro starch and its optimization parameters can contribute to the development of environmentally friendly nanofiber materials and offer a variety of applications in biomedicine, food and environmental engineering, such as tissue engineering, wound dressing, drug delivery, functional food delivery and food packaging. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Novel, low-cost, and environmentally friendly pathway for synthesizing tigecycline

The development of tigecycline, effective against tetracycline-resistant bacteria, began with the synthesis of its precursor, 9-amino minocycline, derived from minocycline hydrochloride through nitration. Water served as the primary solvent, ensuring cost-effective processing. In the final step, conversion to tigecycline required only tert-butylglycinoyl chloride hydrochloride as a reactant. This method shows great potential for the sustainable production of tigecycline, making it more accessible for large-scale use as an antibiotic. Throughout the synthesis, various techniques such as IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and mass spectrometry were used to characterize each product at different stages.

Bio-prospecting the Anti-oxidative and Radioprotective Role of Bioactive Pigment Isolated from Pontibacter indicus

Aim: To evaluate the anti-oxidative and radioprotective role of Pontibacter indicus SCG24 pigment during radiation exposure Background: Radiation-induced cytotoxicity is quite common during cancer therapy. There is a need for naturally derived therapeutic molecules that can scavenge free radicals. They may act as substitutes for synthetic molecules. Hence, there is a need for urgent evaluation of these potent compounds before therapeutic application. Objective: The objective of this study is to examine the anti-oxidative and radioprotective role of P. indicus SCG24 pigment, specifically to evaluate free radical scavenging X-ray irradiated HDF cells Method: A radiotoleraent pigment-producing P. indicus SCG24 was isolated from pharmaceutical effluent. Chloroform was used as a primary solvent for pigment extraction. GCMS/MS analysed initial pigment composition. Various In-vitro antioxidant assays were performed using ABTS, FRAP, and DPPH assay. Flow cytometry was used to determine the rate of scavenging activity of pigment in HDF cells. Results: The GCMS/MS profile of the chloroform extract revealed twenty-two compounds. Furthermore, based on the DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP assay, the pigment was found to have significant antioxidant properties. The flow cytometry results indicate that the pigment possesses radioprotectant activity by neutralizing ROS species in HDF cells when exposed to X-ray radiation. Conclusion: These observations on P. indicus SCG24 pigment suggested that the pigment may have potential therapeutic importance.

Understanding the Role of Solvent on the Growth of Zinc Oxide: Insight from Experiment and Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

The controlled synthesis of nanoparticles with tailored shapes and morphologies has garnered significant attention, driven by the ever-growing demand for advanced materials with defined properties. In nanoparticle formation, various parameters influence the final product, and among these, the solvent plays a pivotal role, as it constitutes the major component of the reaction medium. In this work, the critical role of solvents in controlling the growth of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles was investigated, with a focus on simple primary alcoholic solvents as the reaction medium. A model reaction based on the direct solvolysis of anhydrous zinc acetylacetonate was employed to probe the influence of different primary alcohols, specifically methanol, ethanol, and their mixture. A substantial difference in the preferential growth direction of the ZnO nanocrystals in methanol and ethanol was observed through XRD and was further proven through TEM. Thereby, in ethanol, a preferential growth in the [001] direction was observed, resulting in short nanorods as primary particles, while this growth was inhibited in methanol, leading to platelet- or sheet-like primary particles. To unravel the underlying mechanisms responsible for the observed solvent-dependent variations, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations were employed using an optimized interface force field to model the ZnO-alcohol interaction. These simulations provide valuable insights into the preferential adsorption of the solvent molecules onto the polar (0001) and (0001̅) and nonpolar (101̅0) ZnO surfaces, shedding light on the fundamental interactions driving the shape control phenomenon. Essentially, the experimental observations on primary particle morphology could be explained well by the adsorption behavior determined by the MD simulations. Furthermore, this report provides an extensive comparison with various similar reaction systems for ZnO synthesis, deriving correlations with the findings from the model system. These insights contribute to a deeper understanding of the intricate interplay between solvent properties and nanoparticle growth, offering a valuable toolkit for designing and optimizing the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles with specific shapes and functionalities.

Microfluidic supercritical CO2 applications: Solvent extraction, nanoparticle synthesis, and chemical reaction

Supercritical CO2, known for its non-toxic, non-flammable and abundant properties, is well-perceived as a green alternative to hazardous organic solvents. It has attracted considerable interest in food, pharmaceuticals, chromatography, and catalysis fields. When supercritical CO2 is integrated into microfluidic systems, it offers several advantages compared to conventional macro-scale supercritical reactors. These include optical transparency, small volume, rapid reaction, and precise manipulation of fluids, making microfluidics a versatile tool for process optimization and fundamental studies of extraction and reaction kinetics in supercritical CO2 applications. Moreover, the small length scale of microfluidics allows for the production of uniform nanoparticles with reduced particle size, beneficial for nanomaterial synthesis. In this perspective, we review microfluidic investigations involving supercritical CO2, with a particular focus on three primary applications, namely, solvent extraction, nanoparticle synthesis, and chemical reactions. We provide a summary of the experimental innovations, key mechanisms, and principle findings from these microfluidic studies, aiming to spark further interest. Finally, we conclude this review with some discussion on the future perspectives in this field.

The preparation of low-cost tungsten oxide films by solution-coating technique and NIR annealing for high-performance complementary electrochromic devices

Electrochromic devices can adjust their transparency by applying an electrical voltage and serve as intelligent window systems for managing incoming sunlight. In this study, we employed an environmentally friendly, large-area solution coating method to form tungsten oxide (WO3) thin films for the fabrication of electrochromic devices. We applied a WO3 precursor solution, with water as the primary solvent, onto ITO glass through blade coating and utilized near-infrared (NIR) light annealing for drying in order to rapidly optimize the film characteristics. The resulting WO3 film, combined with an ion storage layer – either sputtered NiO or blade-coated Prussian Blue (PB) - and injected with a UV-curable electrolyte, resulted in a complementary electrochromic device that exhibited good performance characteristics. For the device with NiO as the ion storage layer, the optical transmittance modulation (ΔT) can achieve 50 % at a wavelength of 680 nm, maintaining a ΔT of 45 % after 3000 coloration-bleaching cycles. For the device with PB as the ion storage layer, the ΔT achieved 64 % at 630 nm, maintaining a ΔT of 60 % after 3000 coloration-bleaching cycles. Therefore, we believe this WO3 solution coating technique combined with rapid NIR annealing technology holds promise as a low-cost and efficient method for the future production of electrochromic devices.

Non-Flammable Electrolyte for Large-Scale Ni-Rich Li-Ion Batteries: Reducing Thermal Runaway Risks

This research explores the properties and applications of flame-retardant esters (FREs), specifically triethyl phosphate (TEP) and tributyl phosphate (TBP), within electrolyte systems. The investigation assesses their roles as additives (30%v/v) and primary solvents (80%v/v) in conjunction with carbonate-based electrolytes (1.0 M LiPF6 in EC:DEC:EMC) and a novel non-flammable electrolyte formulation (1.2 M LiPF6 in 70%v/v TEP with 30%v/v fluoroethylene carbonate, FEC). Results indicate that incorporating FREs as additives adversely affects cell performance and maintain flammability risks, necessitating alternative strategies for achieving nonflammability. However, utilizing FREs as primary solvents alongside carbonate solvents shows promise for developing non-flammable electrolytes, despite concerns such as reductive decomposition that may limit suitability for certain battery cells. Conversely, the incorporation of 70%v/v FREs with 30%v/v FEC in the new electrolyte formulation yields a stable solid electrolyte interface, inhibiting FRE decomposition and sustaining battery cycling performance. This combination offers a potential solution for producing non-flammable electrolytes, serving as a viable alternative to solid-state electrolytes. The compatibility of the 1.2 M LiPF6 in TEP:FEC, 70:30 %v/v formulation with existing battery manufacturing processes further enhances its applicability. Figure 1

Corrosion Behavior of Ferritic 12Cr ODS and Martensitic X46Cr13 Steels in Nitric Acid and Sodium Chloride Solutions.

This paper presents corrosion resistance results of a 12Cr ferritic ODS steel (Fe-12Cr-2W-0.5Zr-0.3Y2O3) fabricated via a powder metallurgy route as a prospective applicant for fuel cladding materials. In a spent nuclear fuel reprocessing facility, nitric acid serves as the primary solvent in the PUREX method. Therefore, fundamental immersion and electrochemical tests were conducted in various nitric acid solutions to evaluate corrosion degradation behavior. Additionally, polarization tests were also performed in 0.61 M of sodium chloride solutions (seawater-like atmosphere) as a more general, all-purpose procedure that produces valid comparisons for most metal alloys. For comparison, martensitic X46Cr13 steel was also examined under the same conditions. In general, the corrosion resistance of the 12Cr ODS steel was better than its martensitic counterpart despite a lower nominal chromium content. Potentiodynamic polarization plots exhibited a lower corrosion current and higher breakdown potentials in chloride solution in the case of the ODS steel. It was found that the corrosion rate during immersion tests was exceptionally high in diluted (0.1-3 M) boiling nitric acid media, followed by its sharp decrease in more concentrated solutions (>4 M). The results of the polarization plots also exhibited a shift toward more noble corrosion potential as the concentrations increased from 1 M to 4 M of HNO3. The results on corrosion resistance were supported by LSCM and SEM observations of surface topology and corrosion products.

The effect of ionic liquid on the solubility of polyetheretherketone (PEEK)

This paper aims to investigate the suitability of ionic liquids to be used as a co-solvent along with a few common solvents which are dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), acetonitrile, and water as the primary solvent to dissolve polyetheretherketone (PEEK). PEEK is an excellent colourless polymer with top-notch mechanical properties. Currently, there is no solvent capable of dissolving PEEK. Therefore, with ionic liquids (ILs) promising performance as solvents to various material including polymers which has been stated in previous literature, it is assumed that ILs would behave as an excellent solvent for PEEK. In this study, three different ionic liquids were chosen which are tetramethylammonium chloride (TMACL), tetramethylammonium hexafluorophosphate (TMAHFP), and tetramethylammonium sulphate (TMAS). PEEK was exposed to these solvent mixtures at ambient temperature and 50 °C for one hour. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to determine the functional group present in the samples. Results highlighted that PEEK did dissolve in DMSO/TMACL and DMSO/TMAHFP at ambient temperature. As the temperature increased to 50 °C, PEEK dissolution decreased in both mixtures. However, the opposite was observed for DMSO/TMAS. Finally, it was found that water and acetonitrile were not able to dissolve PEEK even with the addition of ILs.

Enhanced supercapacitor performance through synergistic electrode design: Reduced graphene oxide-polythiophene (rGO-PTs) nanocomposite

In this investigation, we introduce an innovative method for the fabrication of a 2D/2D nanocomposite, involving the in-situ functionalization of graphene oxide (GO) with thiophene monomer. This approach employs a modified surfactant-based bi-solvent swollen liquid crystalline lamellar mesophase (SLCLM) nanoreactor system, utilizing dimethyl sulfoxide and water as primary solvents. The nanocomposite is formed via simultaneous reactions at both the edge and basal plane of GO with thiophene monomers, resulting in polymerization and reduction to generate graphene oxide-polythiophene (rGO-PTs) nanocomposite.We assess the pseudocapacitive properties of rGO-PTs in a 2 M HCl electrolyte. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) investigations reveal distinctive redox curves, indicative of the materials capacitive behaviour. In the galvanostatic charge–discharge (GCD) study, the rGO-PTs exhibits a discharge duration of 169.50 s within a potential window of −0.2 to 1 V at a current density of 7.5 A/g. This performance corresponds to a significantly higher specific capacitance of 1412 F/g, sustained over 10000 cycles as asymmetric capacitor. Notably, the rGO-PTs nanocomposite retains 106 % of its initial capacitance even after a number cycles, tested at a scan rate of 50 mV/s. The exceptional durability and electrochemical performance of the rGO-PTs nanocomposite position it as a promising alternative to conventional materials such as metals, metal oxides, pure carbonaceous substances, and polymers. The simplicity of the synthesis process, coupled with the nanocomposites outstanding electrochemical characteristics, underscores rGO-PTs potential for advancing in the field of energy storage and supercapacitor technology.

Efficient Reductive N-11C-Methylation Using Arylamines or Alkylamines and InSitu-Generated [11C]Formaldehyde From [11C]Methyl Iodide.

Reductive N-11C-methylation using [11C]formaldehyde and amines has been used to prepare N-11C-methylated compounds. However, the yields of the N-11C-methylated compounds are often insufficient. In this study, we developed an efficient method for base-free reductive N-11C-methylation that is applicable to a wide variety of substrates, including arylamines bearing electron-withdrawing and electron-donating substituents. A 2-picoline borane complex, which is a stable and mild reductant, was used. Dimethyl sulfoxide was used as the primary reaction solvent, and glacial acetic acid or aqueous acetic acid was used as a cosolvent. While reductive N-11C-methylation efficiently proceeded under anhydrous conditions in most cases, the addition of water to the reductive N-11C-methylation generally increased the yield of the N-11C-methylated compounds. Substrates with hydroxy, carboxyl, nitrile, nitro, ester, amide, and phenone moieties and amine salts were applicable to the reaction. This proposed method for reductive N-11C-methylation should be applicable to a wide variety of substrates, including thermo-labile and base-sensitive compounds because the reaction was performed under relatively mild conditions (70°C) without the need for a base.

Effects of different plant parts and solvents on bioactive compounds and antioxidation in large fruit Bird’s eye chili (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Superhot)

The production chain is impacted by an overabundance of large fruit Bird’s eye chili (Capsicum annuum L. cv. Superhot) on the market. Another way to make the most of the potential of raw materials for product development is to supplement the data on phytochemicals and antioxidative activity by segmentation (fruit, placenta, seed, and pericarp). In an experiment, distilled water, 60% ethanol and 90% ethanol were used as the primary solvents. The outcomes demonstrated that placenta and seeds using 90% ethanol as a solvent (PS-Et90) contained capsaicin, total phenolics, and total flavonoids at their most outstanding levels (16.30 µg/mg, 44.65 µg GAE/mg, and 21.77 µg CE/mg, respectively). At the same time, the Scoville Heat Unit was high at 244,550 SHU (very high pungency). Additionally, it demonstrated the highest antioxidative activity (129.57 µg TE/mg) when tested with the ABTS method, and total flavonoids were discovered to enhance the antioxidation effect when measured by ABTS and FRAP methods. PS-Et90 had a significantly different potency than the other groups when the extracts were grouped using Agglomerative Hierarchical Cluster Analysis based on phytochemical data and antioxidant activity. Therefore, the placenta and seeds appear to be preferable over others when utilizing large fruit Bird’s eye chili for pharmacological purposes. Using 90% ethanol as a solvent will provide the best bioavailability.

A green approach to efficient soil decontamination using supercritical carbon dioxide and ethanol

As the need for global decommissioning and site remediation of aging and shut-down nuclear power plants continues to grow, it becomes increasingly crucial to efficiently treat contaminated soil while minimizing waste generation. This study explores an innovative soil decontamination approach that utilizes supercritical carbon dioxide (SCCO₂) as the primary solvent, along with ethanol as a co-solvent and specific additives, including a chelate ligand (catechol ligand) and a co-ligand (NEt₄PFOSA). The advantages of SCCO₂, such as its penetration and solubility, coupled with its ability to separate from radioactive waste, are harnessed in this research. The study demonstrates that the combination of SCCO₂, ethanol, and additives significantly enhances decontamination efficiency, particularly for cesium (Cs), strontium (Sr), and uranium (U) contamination. Results indicate that decontamination efficiency varies with soil particle size, with smaller particles presenting greater challenges. This study presents a promising eco-friendly soil decontamination technology using SCCO₂ containing ethanol and specific additives to efficiently reduce radioactive contamination in soil.

Boosting Visible‐Light Carbon Dioxide Reduction with Imidazolium‐Based Ionic Liquids

AbstractEfficiently generating C1 building blocks from environmentally friendly carbon sources, such as through photocatalytic CO2 reduction, is essential for fostering a sustainable circular economy. The pursuit of mild catalytic activation methods has yielded powerful catalysts that can be synergistically employed alongside various reaction media to enhance overall performance. Herein, we elucidate the influence of diverse imidazolium‐based ionic liquids as additives for visible‐light‐driven CO2 reduction with ruthenium(II)‐ and rhenium(I)‐bipyridine complexes. Our investigation reveals that incorporating ionic liquids into traditional solvents at concentrations below 10 % can markedly boost CO production while suppressing H2 generation. The best results were obtained for the highly basic ionic liquid [C2mim][OAc], resulting in a substantial rise in CO formation from 0.3 μmol/h to 5.4 μmol/h and an increase in turnover number from 3 to 59. This study underscores the cooperative influence of imidazolium‐based ionic liquids on CO2 photoreduction while circumventing their use as primary solvents, thus offering a promising avenue for sustainable chemical synthesis.

Bio‐Inspired Trace Hydroxyl‐Rich Electrolyte Additives for High‐Rate and Stable Zn‐Ion Batteries at Low Temperatures

AbstractHigh‐rate and stable Zn‐ion batteries working at low temperatures are highly desirable for practical applications, but are challenged by sluggish kinetics and severe corrosion. Herein, inspired by frost‐resistant plants, we report trace hydroxyl‐rich electrolyte additives that implement a dual remodeling effect for high‐performance low‐temperature Zn‐ion batteries. The additive with high Zn absorbability not only remodels Zn2+ primary solvent shell by alternating H2O molecules, but also forms a shielding layer thus remodeling the Zn surface, which effectively enhances fast Zn2+ de‐solvation reaction kinetics and prohibits Zn anode corrosion. Taking trace α‐D‐glucose (αDG) as a demonstration, the electrolyte obtains a low freezing point of −55.3 °C, and the Zn//Zn cell can stably cycle for 2000 h at 5 mA cm−2 under −25 °C, with a high cumulative capacity of 5000 mAh cm−2. A full battery that stably operates for 10000 cycles at −50 °C is also demonstrated.

Bio-Inspired Trace Hydroxyl-Rich Electrolyte Additives for High-Rate and Stable Zn-Ion Batteries at Low Temperatures.

High-rate and stable Zn-ion batteries working at low temperatures are highly desirable for practical applications, but are challenged by sluggish kinetics and severe corrosion. Herein, inspired by frost-resistant plants, we report trace hydroxyl-rich electrolyte additives that implement a dual remodeling effect for high-performance low-temperature Zn-ion batteries. The additive with high Zn absorbability not only remodels Zn2+ primary solvent shell by alternating H2 O molecules, but also forms a shielding layer thus remodeling the Zn surface, which effectively enhances fast Zn2+ de-solvation reaction kinetics and prohibits Zn anode corrosion. Taking trace α-D-glucose (αDG) as a demonstration, the electrolyte obtains a low freezing point of -55.3 °C, and the Zn//Zn cell can stably cycle for 2000 h at 5 mA cm-2 under -25 °C, with a high cumulative capacity of 5000 mAh cm-2 . A full battery that stably operates for 10000 cycles at -50 °C is also demonstrated.