Rapid Degradation Research Articles

Facile one-pot synthesis of Bi2S3 nanorod @ N, S co-doped carbon composite for high performance lithium ion batteries

Bismuth sulfide is favoured in lithium ion batteries due to its high specific capacity of 625 mAh/g. However, the Bi2S3 anode faces severe volume expansion problems during the lithium intercalation process, resulting in continuous electrode fragmentation and rapid degradation of lithium storage performance. In this study, Bi2S3 nanorod@N, S co-doped carbon composite prepared by a simple sintering method was used as the anode material for lithium ion batteries. 1D Bi2S3 nanorods with a length of 1 μm and a diameter of 50 nm were loaded in situ on 2D N, S co-doped carbon nanosheets. This unique structure can not only alleviate the volume change of bismuth sulfide, but also effectively shorten the diffusion distance of lithium ions, thereby improving the cycling stability and rate capability at the same time. The discharge capacity of Bi2S3@N, SC remained at 583.4 mAh g –1 after 400 cycles at 0.5 A g–1. Even at a high current density of 2 A/g, the discharge capacity of Bi2S3@N, SC still reached 374.3 mAh g –1. This simple method also can be extended to the preparation of other metal sulfide composites.

Enhanced simazine degradation via peroxymonosulfate activation using hemin-doped rice husk biochar as a novel Fe/N–C catalyst

The presence of herbicides, including simazine (SIM), in aquatic environments pose significant threats to these ecosystems, necessitating a method for their removal. In this study, a hemin-doped rice husk-derived biochar (RBC@Hemin20%) was synthesized using a simple, one-step pyrolysis, and its degradation efficiency towards SIM via peroxymonosulfate (PMS) was assessed. Under optimized conditions (hemin loading = 20 wt%, SIM = 0.5 ppm, RBC@Hemin20% catalyst = 0.2 g L−1, PMS = 2.0 mM, and pH = 5.84 [unadjusted]), RBC@Hemin20%, as an Fe/N–C catalyst, could activate PMS to achieve >99% degradation of SIM. Based on radical scavenger and electron spin resonance spectroscopy (ESR) experiments, both radical (•OH and SO4•−) and non-radical (such as singlet oxygen, 1O2) mechanisms and electron transfer were involved in the degradation system. Significant mineralization (97.3%) and reusability efficiency (∼74.1% SIM degradation after 4 applications) were exhibited by the RBC@Hemin20%/PMS system, which also maintained a remarkable degradation efficiency in tap-, river-, and ground-water. Additionally, the RBC@Hemin20%/PMS system exhibited rapid degradation of tetracycline (TC) and diclofenac (DCF), indicating its prospects in the degradation of other organic pollutants of aquatic environments. The plausible degradation mechanism pathways of SIM are proposed based on identified intermediates. Finally, the toxicity of these intermediate products is analysed using the Ecological Structure Activity Relationship (ECOSAR) software. It is expected that this study will expand the current knowledge on the synthesis of efficient biomass-based Fe/N–C composites for the removal of organic pollutants in water.

Durability improvement of electrochromic WO3 thin films by deposition of an ultra-thin Al2O3 layer via atomic layer deposition

Introduction of an ultra-thin Al2O3 protective layer via atomic layer deposition (ALD) significantly enhances the durability and performance of amorphous tungsten trioxide (a-WO3) thin films for electrochromic devices. The Al2O3 layer, despite being less than 4 nm thick, effectively suppresses the dissolution of WO3 that typically occurs through hydration reactions forming WO3·H2O and tungstic acid (H2WO4). XRD and XPS analyses confirmed the presence of Al2O3 and its minimal impact on the amorphous structure of WO3 thin films. Optical transmittance measurements showed that the Al2O3-protected a-WO3 thin films maintained a higher transmittance modulation (ΔT) compared to bare a-WO3 thin films, with the ALD30 sample retaining 87.9 % of its initial transmittance modulation after 1000 cycles, in contrast to the rapid degradation observed in unprotected films. Microstructural analysis revealed significantly fewer surface cracks and reduced thickness loss in Al2O3-coated films after 100 cycles. Additionally, ICP-MS analysis indicated a much lower W concentration in the electrolyte for Al2O3-protected samples, confirming reduced dissolution.

Research Status and Safety Considerations of Animal-Derived Mesh Products

With the development of the economy and technological progress, more and more animal-derived mesh products are being utilized in the medical field for tissue and organ repair and replacement. Owing to the complexity of their structure and production process, these animal-derived meshes still face several challenges in practical applications, such as insufficient mechanical strength, rapid degradation rates, and the detection of harmful leachable substances. Among these challenges, the production process is a key factor affecting product quality. This paper reviews the key aspects of the production process and quality control for animal-derived meshes in China, offering new insights for the quality control and regulatory oversight of such products.

Microencapsulation and characterization of pomegranate seed oil using gum Arabic and maltodextrin blends for functional food applications

AbstractPomegranate seed oil (PSO) is highly valued in the functional food industry due to its rich fatty acid content and associated health benefits. However, its high degree of unsaturation makes it susceptible to rapid degradation when exposed to oxygen and light. This study investigates the encapsulation of PSO at 15% w/w using different blends of gum Arabic (GA) and maltodextrin (MD) (1:0, 0:1, 1:1, 3:1, and 1:3) to determine optimal formulations for enhanced stability and functional quality. Characterization of the encapsulated PSO powders showed distinct particle morphologies, including flake‐like shapes and textures ranging from smooth to wrinkled and porous. The Fourier transform infrared (FT‐IR) spectra indicated shifts in functional groups from 2973.70 to 408.84 cm−1, revealing the presence of aliphatic, amine, aromatic, carboxylic acid, and hydroxyl groups. Although no single formulation achieved all desired outcomes, the GA:MD ratios of 1:0 and 1:1 were superior in enhancing color properties (yellowness and chroma), techno‐functional attributes (bulk density and solubility), and in preserving essential fatty acids, including stearic, cis‐oleic, α‐linolenic, arachidic, γ‐linolenic, linoleic, and punicic acids. Additionally, GA:MD (3:1) powders exhibited superior ferric‐reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activities (RSA). In conclusion, formulations using solely GA or GA:MD ratios of 1:1 and 3:1 effectively preserve bioactive content in PSO, enhancing its antioxidant capacity. These findings suggest promising applications for these encapsulated powders in developing functional foods that meet industry demands.

Polystyrene microplastics enhanced the photo-degradation and -ammonification of algae-derived dissolved organic matters

Algae-derived organic matter (ADOM) is a key source of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) in natural waters. When exposed to solar irradiation, ADOM undergoes gradual degradation and transformation. The escalating presence of microplastics (MPs) can act as a novel type of environmental photosensitizer, however its impacts on ADOM photodegradation remains largely unexplored. Thus, in this study, ADOM were extracted from four common algal species (Microcystis aeruginosa, Synechococcus sp., Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Scenedesmus obliquus) and exposed to UV irradiation with or without polystyrene (PS) MPs, namely ADOM+PS groups and ADOM groups, respectively. The results indicated that a more rapid degradation of amino acid-like substances (∼38 % vs. ∼22 %) and more ammonia products (1.86 vs. 1.21 mg L−1) were observed in the ADOM+PS groups compared to the ADOM groups after a five-day exposure. This enhanced photodegradation might be attributed to the production of environmentally persistent free radicals and reactive species during the photoaging of PS. Furthermore, PS-derived high electron transfer belt activity of ADOM led to the production of highly aromatic and humified products. These humic-like products could potentially accelerate the degradation of amino acid-like compounds by exciting the generation of excited triplet CDOM. This study underscores the role of MPs as environmental photosensitizers in promoting ADOM degradation and ammonia generation, providing insights on the transformation of ADOM mediated by emerging pollutants and its impact on aquatic carbon and nitrogen cycles.

Utilizing rice husk-derived Si/C composites to enhance energy capacity and cycle sustainability of lithium-ion batteries

Traditional graphite anodes have a specific capacity of approximately 372 mAh/g, whereas silicon presents a promising alternative with theoretical capacities reaching up to 4200 mAh/g. However, substantial volumetric changes in silicon during lithiation lead to rapid degradation of capacitance. This study explores the utilization of rice husk, an abundant agricultural waste, as a raw material for Si/C composites. Rice husk inherently contains significant amounts of silicon and carbon, rendering it a sustainable and economical source. The activated carbon was derived from rice husk by carbonization and thermochemically activation with activation temperature of 850 °C and KOH agent. The silicon dioxide was derived from rice husk by subjecting to annealing in a muffle furnace at 650 °C for 4 h following NaOH and HCl solution treatment. The silicon was derived from silicon dioxide by thermomagnesium treatment in a tube furnace at 700 °C for 120 min. SEM, elemental analysis, XRD, Raman, and FT-IR were used to characterize the materials to evaluate their morphological and structural composition. Electrochemical performance evaluation demonstrated improved energy capacity and stability, highlighting rice husk-derived Si/C composites as a viable solution for advancing lithium-ion battery performance. This innovative approach not only lowers production costs but also supports sustainable development by effectively utilizing agricultural waste.

Surface Property Regulation of a Magnetron-Sputtered NiOx Hole Transport Layer for High-Performance Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells.

The inverted perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are gaining increasing attention recently for their unprecedented advantages, such as better integration with tandem and flexible designs, negligible hysteresis, good operational stability, and compatibility with commercially scalable fabrication approaches. Nickel oxide (NiOx) films prepared by magnetron sputtering technology exhibit excellent scalability and reproducibility, which could well meet the requirements of the large-scale production of inverted PSCs. However, NiOx prepared by vacuum methods generally has fewer surface hydroxyl groups, deteriorating the wettability and damaging the interface contact with the perovskite. Particularly, the Ni3+ defects on the NiOx surface could lead to unfavorable redox reactions with organic cations in the perovskite under high temperatures, promoting the rapid degradation of the perovskite. Thus, surface regulation of sputtered NiOx is imperative for high-performance PSCs. Herein, 4-(trifluoromethyl) phenylcarbamate hydrochloride (TFFA) was used to regulate the surface properties of sputtered NiOx. The strongly electronegative F ions in TFFA passivated the Ni3+ defects on the NiOx surface, suppressed unfavorable interface reactions, and improved charge recombination. The polar ammonium functional group was used to adjust the surface energy of NiOx, thereby improving the wettability and optimizing the crystallization kinetics of the perovskite. As a result, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of PSCs reached 22.76%, which was among the highest PCEs reported for sputtered NiOx-based inverted PSCs to date. Moreover, the unencapsulated target devices exhibited better stability, maintaining over 85% of the initial PCE after aging for approximately 1200 h in a N2 environment. Our achievements pointed out a practical strategy for enhancing the performance of sputtered NiOx-based inverted PSCs, which could potentially accelerate the development and application of large-area PSCs.

Modified magnetic Nano-Biocomposite as friendly environmental catalyst for rapid degradation of organic dyes and selective aerobic oxidation of cyclohexene through advance oxidation process

To eliminate contaminated organic matter from water and wastewater, a stable, recyclable, and environmentally friendly nano-biocomposite was designed. The magnetic Fe3O4 nanoparticles were functionalized by SiO2/N-2-(aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyl/glutaraldehyde/chitosan/Cobalt to fabricate nano-biocomposite (FS-(Am/g/Cs)@CoNPs). The morphological/structural identification of nano-biocomposite was carried out by ICP-OES, DR-UV, XRD, FE-SEM, TEM, HR-TEM, BET, EDX, FT-IR, TGA, and VSM techniques. The catalytic performance of this heterogeneous catalyst was studied in the degradation of organic dyes including methylene blue, methyl orange, methylene violet, and Bisphenol A, and efficiency was achieved at 99.3 % (kobs = 0.3703 min−1), 97.4 % (kobs = 0.3627 min−1), 93.6 % (kobs = 0.228 min−1) and 98.8 % (kobs = 0.459 min−1) after 12–14 min at room temperature in pH = 7.0, respectively. The reaction proceeded through the activation of Co2+/Co3+ which occurs on the surface of the FS-(Am/g/Cs)@CoNP by the PMS/O2 system through recombination of SO4•- and OH•. Furthermore, selective allylic oxidations of cyclohexene to cyclohexenone (TOF = 4583.7 h−1, 100 % selectivity, 98 % conversion) were done by this nano-biocomposite.

Evolution of Atomic-Level Interfacial Fracture Mechanics in Magnesium-Zinc Compounds Used for Bioresorbable Vascular Stents.

Bioresorbable magnesium-metal vascular stents are gaining popularity due to their biodegradable nature and good biological and mechanical properties. They are also suitable candidate materials for biodegradable stents. Due to the rapid degradation rate of Mg metal vascular scaffolds, a Mg/Zn bilayer composite was formed by a number of means, such as magnetron sputtering and physical vapor deposition, thus delaying the degradation time of the Mg metal vascular scaffolds while providing good radial support for the stenotic vessels. However, the interlaminar compounds at the metal interface have an essential impact on the mechanical properties of the bi-material interface, especially the cracking and delamination of the Mg matrix Zn coating vascular stent in the radially expanded process layer. Intermetallic compounds (IMCs) are commonly found in dual-layer composites, such as Mg/Zn composites and multi-layer structures. They are frequently overlooked in simulations aiming to predict mechanical properties. This paper analyses the interfacial failure processes and evolutionary mechanisms of interfacial fracture mechanics of a Mg/Zn interface with an intermetallic compound layer between coated Zn and Mg matrix metallic vascular stents. The simulation results show that the fracture mode in the Mg/Zn interface with an intermetallic compound involves typical ductile fracture under static tensile conditions. The dislocation line defects mainly occur on the side of the Mg, which induces the Mg/Zn interfacial crack to expand along the interface into the pure Mg. The stress intensity factor and the critical strain energy release rate decrease as the intermetallic compound layer's thickness gradually increases, indicating that the intensity of stress and the force of the crack extending and expanding along the crack tip are weakened. The presence of intermetallic compounds at the interface can significantly strengthen the mechanical properties of the material interface and alleviate the crack propagation between the interfaces.

A review on tillage system and no-till agriculture and its impact on soil health

Soil tillage is a fundamental agriculture practice aimed at preparing the soil for planting, managing crop residues, controlling weeds, preparing the ground for the next crop, integrating leftover crops and nutrients into the soil, and enhancing soil structure. However, tillage practice significantly influences activities like soil moisture, temperature, aeration, and mixing the crop residues within the soil. This article explores the impacts of traditional tillage methods and alternative approaches to reduce production costs, environmental consequences, and safeguard soil for sustainable crop production through the secondary source of results as published research papers, documents, government official and institution reports. Traditional tillage method involves the mechanical disruption of soil, which affects critical factors such as moisture retention, temperature regulation, and aeration. While use of such heavy machines can improve short-term productivity, its long-term impacts include soil compaction, erosion, and loss of organic matter, leading to environmental degradation and declining soil health. In contrast, No-till and reduced tillage practices offers a promising solution to contemporary challenges such as global climate change, water conservation, rapid soil degradation, and desertification. Under this system, wide range of crops can be grown effectively in low production cost by reducing fuel and labor requirements. No-tillage and minimal tillage is being adopted across a wide range of farm sizes, from small plots of land to vast expanses, in various countries around the world with promising sustainability.

Experimental and numerical analyses of creep-fatigue behavior in sandstone for energy storage applications

Porous sandstone formations are recognized as suitable hosts for the geological storage of clean energy sources such as hydrogen and compressed air. From a geomechanical perspective, the deformation mechanisms of the host rock must be understood under various loading and unloading conditions resulting from daily or hourly injection/production cycles. This study presents a combined experimental and numerical analysis of sandstone behavior under cyclic loading conditions. We present the results of several multi-level, multi-frequency cyclic loading experiments conducted on sandstone specimens. Three distinct deformation regimes are identified in these tests: 1) instantaneous elastic deformation; 2) transient and steady-state strain accumulation associated with creep; and 3) accelerated deformation and fatigue failure at high stress levels caused by the progressive development of micro-cracks. Furthermore, the experiments show that fatigue failure is accompanied by a rapid stiffness degradation within the specimens. Based on these observations, we propose a viscoelastic-damage model to characterize the creep-fatigue behavior in sandstone. The model combines the standard Burger's viscoelasticity with an energry-driven energy-driven damage model. The performance of the model is verified against results obtained from laboratory experiments. Finally, a parametric analysis is presented to assess the effects of the frequency and magnitude of the cyclic loads on the fatigue life of sandstone. These findings indicate that increasing the magnitude and frequency of cyclic stress can accelerate fatigue failure. These insights can be used to optimize design parameters to maintain the stability of sandstone rock masses in geological energy storage applications.

Synergistic Impact of Alloying with Ni on Cu Cathode Interfaces for Fluoride Batteries.

All-solid-state fluoride batteries have the potential to achieve energy densities significantly higher than those of lithium-ion batteries. A common cathode material for fluoride batteries is Cu. Cu has a low polarization, but its rapid capacity degradation due to grain growth and subsequent delamination from the solid-state electrolyte are critical issues. To enhance the performance of Cu-based cathodes in all-solid-state fluoride batteries, we explore alloying of Cu with Ni to create metastable solid solution phases (CuxNi1-x with x = 0, 0.32, 0.52, 0.72, 0.89, and 1.0). Compared to Cu, Ni has a higher polarization but exhibits superior capacity retention. The Cu0.72Ni0.28 alloy demonstrates a polarization as low as Cu, but it has a significantly improved capacity retention, which is comparable to Ni. Transmission electron microscopy observations demonstrate that the thin Ni-rich region formed near the interface inhibits Cu grain growth and delamination from the LaF3 electrolyte. By incorporating an appropriate amount of Ni into Cu, Cu-Ni alloy films combine the advantages of both metals, improving the performance of fluoride batteries.

Enhanced Cycling Performance of Spinel LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 Cathodes through Mg-Mn Hetero-Valent Doping via Microwave Sol-Gel Method.

As a high energy density cathode material, further development of high working voltage spinel LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 has hindered by its rapid capacity degradation. To address this, a hetero-valent substitution of magnesium for manganese was used to synthesize spinel LiNi0.5MgxMn1.5-xO4 (x = 0, 0.03, 0.05) via a microwave sol-gel method. XRD and refined results indicate that such strategy leads to the modification of the 16c interstitial sites. The electrical performance demonstrates that a modest substitution (x = 0.03) significantly improves both rate performance (113.1 mAh/g, charge and discharge at 5 C) and cycling stability (85% capacity retention after 500 cycles at 1 C). A higher substitution level (x = 0.05) markedly improves high-rate cycling performance, achieving 96% capacity retention after 500 cycles at 5 C. It offers tailored solutions for various application needs, including capacity-focused and high-current-rate applications. Furthermore, the stable LiNi0.5Mg0.05Mn1.45O4 sample could also serve as an effective coating layer for other electrode materials to enhance their cycling stability.

Synergistic activation of peroxymonosulfate for tetracycline hydrochloride degradation with SrTiO3/Ti3C2Tx photocatalyst

Peroxymonosulfate (PMS) is a promising technology for increasing the oxidation capacity and promoting the production of active species in the photocatalytic system. SrTiO3, a material with a perovskite crystal structure in a cubic form, can activate PMS on its surface and generate non-radical 1O2. Herein, SrTiO3/Ti3C2Tx (ST) composites were successfully synthesized using a hydrothermal method based on SrTiO3 materials. The photocatalytic activation of PMS resulted in the degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC-HCl), with the ST-10 (10 wt% SrTiO3/Ti3C2Tx) composite showing the highest efficiency in TC removal and rapid degradation kinetics, achieving complete TC removal within 10 min. The synergistic interaction between the two components in ST-10 significantly enhanced the activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS), leading to an increased production of free radicals. The larger specific surface area and presence of –OH groups in the composite material facilitated the adsorption and chemical bonding of PMS molecules, thereby improving their overall performance. Quench experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance analysis identified •SO4−, •OH, •O2– and 1O2 as the primary active species responsible for the degradation of TC. Additionally, the degradation pathway of TC was elucidated through mass spectrometry analysis. This study provides valuable insights for the development of effective photocatalysts as promising PMS catalysts in environmental applications.

Coupling defect-inherent built-in electric fields to promote directional charge migration for rapid photocatalytic degradation of levofloxacin

By enhancing the intrinsic built-in electric field (IEF) of the catalyst through defect engineering, and coupling the IEF of the catalyst via an S-type heterojunction structure, a 3-in-1 IEF is formed, which drives the directional migration of electrons and holes, and can effectively improve photocatalytic performance. In this paper, an oxygen vacancy-type Bi2WO6 (Ov-BWO) composite with twin-type Zn0.5Cd0.5S (ZCS) was synthesized to construct an S-scheme heterojunction. The twin structure results in an IEF in ZCS that points from the twin plane Zn to the twin boundary S. The oxygen vacancies, on the other hand, create an internal electric field from Bi and W to O by altering the local charge density. By coupling the IEF of the catalyst through the S-type heterojunction, an enhanced IEF is formed, pointing from the twin plane Zn to the O in Ov-BWO, enabling rapid directional migration of photogenerated charge carriers. Furthermore, potential Levofloxacin (LVFX) intermediates and degradation pathways were found by combining Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) data with Density Functional Theory (DFT) simulations. This study systematically elucidates the photocatalytic degradation system, from catalyst design to the degradation process of pollutants, through the analysis of theoretical calculations and experimental results.

Performance of the Earth Explorer 11 SeaSTAR Mission Candidate for Simultaneous Retrieval of Total Surface Current and Wind Vectors

Interactions between ocean surface currents, winds and waves at the atmosphere-ocean interface are key controls of lateral and vertical exchanges of water, heat, carbon, gases and nutrients in the global Earth System. The SeaSTAR satellite mission concept proposes to better quantify and understand these important dynamic processes by measuring two-dimensional fields of total surface current and wind vectors with unparalleled spatial and temporal resolution (1 × 1 km2 or finer, 1 day) and unmatched precision over one continuous wide swath (100 km or more). This paper presents a comprehensive numerical analysis of the expected performance of the Earth Explorer 11 (EE11) SeaSTAR mission candidate in the case of idealised and realistic 2D ocean currents and wind fields. A Bayesian framework derived from satellite scatterometry is adapted and applied to SeaSTAR’s bespoke inversion scheme that simultaneously retrieves total surface current vectors (TSCV) and ocean surface vector winds (OSVW). The results confirm the excellent performance of the EE11 SeaSTAR concept, with Root Mean Square Errors (RMSE) for TSCV and OSVW at 1 × 1 km2 resolution consistently better than 0.1 m/s and 0.4 m/s, respectively. The analyses highlight some performance degradation in some relative wind directions, particularly marked at near range and low wind speeds. Retrieval uncertainties are also reported for several variations around the SeaSTAR baseline three-azimuth configuration, indicating that RMSEs improve only marginally (by ∼0.01 m/s for TSCV) when including broadside Radial Surface Velocity or broadside dual-polarisation data in the inversion. In contrast, our results underscore a) the critical need to include broadside Normalised Radar Cross Section data in the inversion; b) the rapid performance degradation when broadside incidence angles become steeper than 20° from nadir; and c) the benefits of maintaining ground squint angle separation between fore and aft lines-of-sight close to 90°. The numerical results are consistent with experimental performance estimates from airborne data and confirm that the EE11 SeaSTAR concept satisfies the requirements of the mission objectives.

Sustainable and cost-effective metastable white cast iron powder for the degradation of textile dyes

The textile industry is one of the main consumers of dyes. The treatment of wastewater containing dyes is a major challenge worldwide for a sustainable and environmental friendly goods production. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an effective method for removing the dyes from wastewater. In this study, an economical and efficient white cast iron powder was reported to degrade reactive red 195A azo dye in an aqueous solution. The white cast iron powder was obtained by ball-milling a rapidly solidified cast iron ribbon, exhibiting unique metastable properties and a large surface area. These metastable phases are particularly effective in providing electrons for the dye degradation of NN double bonds, thereby improving the catalytic process, and enhancing the overall bond degradation efficiency. The influence of different parameters such as temperature, dye concentration, and reusability of metallic iron powder on the degradation efficiency was investigated. The experimental analysis revealed rapid and efficient dye degradation that was achieved within 15 min using 0.1 g of white cast iron powder. The study also demonstrated the effectiveness of the degradation rate improved significantly with an increase in temperature. Even after seven recycling experiments, the Fe82C15Si3 powders maintained high degradation efficiency toward the reactive red 195A solutions. This research will contribute to developing a new, highly efficient, and low-cost method for treating organic dye wastewater.

Upcycling of Spent LiFePO4 Cathodes to Heterostructured Electrocatalysts for Stable Direct Seawater Splitting.

The pursuit of carbon-neutral energy has intensified the interest in green hydrogen production from direct seawater electrolysis, given the scarcity of freshwater resources. While Ni-based catalysts are known for their robust activity in alkaline water oxidation, their catalytic sites are prone to rapid degradation in the chlorine-rich environments of seawater, leading to limited operation time. Herein, we report a Ni(OH)2 catalyst interfaced with laser-ablated LiFePO4 (Ni(OH)2/L-LFP), derived from spent Li-ion batteries (LIBs), as an effective and stable electrocatalyst for direct seawater oxidation. Our comprehensive analyses reveal that the PO4 3- species, formed around L-LFP, effectively repels Cl- ions during seawater oxidation, mitigating corrosion. Simultaneously, the interface between in situ generated NiOOH and Fe3(PO4)2 enhances OH- adsorption and electron transfer during the oxygen evolution reaction. This synergistic effect leads to a low overpotential of 237 mV to attain a current density of 10 mA cm-2 and remarkable durability, with only a 3.3 % activity loss after 600 h at 100 mA cm-2 in alkaline seawater. Our findings present a viable strategy for repurposing spent LIBs into high-performance catalysts for sustainable seawater electrolysis, contributing to the advancement of green hydrogen production technologies.

Upcycling of Spent LiFePO4 Cathodes to Heterostructured Electrocatalysts for Stable Direct Seawater Splitting

AbstractThe pursuit of carbon‐neutral energy has intensified the interest in green hydrogen production from direct seawater electrolysis, given the scarcity of freshwater resources. While Ni‐based catalysts are known for their robust activity in alkaline water oxidation, their catalytic sites are prone to rapid degradation in the chlorine‐rich environments of seawater, leading to limited operation time. Herein, we report a Ni(OH)2 catalyst interfaced with laser‐ablated LiFePO4 (Ni(OH)2/L‐LFP), derived from spent Li‐ion batteries (LIBs), as an effective and stable electrocatalyst for direct seawater oxidation. Our comprehensive analyses reveal that the PO43− species, formed around L‐LFP, effectively repels Cl− ions during seawater oxidation, mitigating corrosion. Simultaneously, the interface between in situ generated NiOOH and Fe3(PO4)2 enhances OH− adsorption and electron transfer during the oxygen evolution reaction. This synergistic effect leads to a low overpotential of 237 mV to attain a current density of 10 mA cm−2 and remarkable durability, with only a 3.3 % activity loss after 600 h at 100 mA cm−2 in alkaline seawater. Our findings present a viable strategy for repurposing spent LIBs into high‐performance catalysts for sustainable seawater electrolysis, contributing to the advancement of green hydrogen production technologies.