Simultaneous Solvent Research Articles

Evaluation of a simultaneous approach to concentrate and preserve bioactive compounds with distinct polarities by employing supramolecular solvents (SUPRAS)

Supramolecular solvents (SUPRAS) have attracted attention as eco-friendly and highly effective solvents that can be tailored to solubilize compounds with distinct polarities. This study investigated the SUPRAS/equilibrium solution systems’ (SUPRAS-EqS) capacity to concentrate and preserve bioactive compounds through simultaneous solvent production and a liquid–liquid separation method. For this, β-carotene, quercetin, and curcumin were evaluated as molecular probes. SUPRAS-EqS systems were produced with octanoic acid (5 %, v/v), ethanol (20–––35 %, v/v), and acidified water (75–––60 %, v/v) and characterized concerning SUPRAS phase formation and their composition. Moreover, the SUPRAS phase’s ability to preserve these compounds during thermal exposure was evaluated at 313.15 K, 323.15 K, and 333.15 K and compared with an ethanolic medium. The outcomes demonstrated the formation of spherical supramolecular aggregates (10 to 20 μm), where the size of coacervates increased proportionally with the ethanol concentration. Concerning the separation efficiency provided by the SUPRAS phase, all compounds exhibited values superior to 83 %, and the systems produced with 22.5 % ethanol for quercetin and curcumin, and 27.5 % ethanol for β-carotene, presented the highest partition coefficient values. The SUPRAS phase promoted a more suitable environment to preserve the bioactive compounds than ethanol, and quercetin exhibited the highest half-life time values. Curcumin displayed the strongest activation energy in both the SUPRAS phase (48.88 kJ/mol) and the ethanol media (54.50 kJ/mol), indicating its high temperature dependence compared to the other compounds. These findings highlight the SUPRAS phase capacity to concentrate and stabilize bioactive compounds individually with different polarities.

Cost-Effective Milled Silicon and Exfoliated Graphene Anode for High-Performance Li-Ion Batteries

Lithium-ion batteries play a significant role in modern electronics and electric vehicles. However, current lithium-ion battery chemistries are unable to satisfy the increasingly heightened expectations regarding energy demand and reliability. To boost the overall energy density while ensuring the safety of Li batteries, researchers have focused on developing the battery materials [1]. Silicon has an ultrahigh theoretical capacity and has been regarded as the best choice for next-generation lithium-ion battery anodes, but it also suffers from dramatic expansion during cycling [2]. Hence mitigating volume expansion is one of the main challenges towards developing a successful Si based anodes. Herein, a facile air-controlled electrospray method to directly deposit silicon/graphene (Si/Gr) onto current collectors was described. This method is inspired by an electrospinning process and possesses all the advantages that electrospinning has such as low cost, easy scaling up, and simultaneous solvent evaporation during the spraying process. Cost-effective silicon/graphene (Si/Gr) composite electrodes have been investigated for the multiple benefits of Gr in providing mechanical integrity to buffer the silicon volume expansion while maintaining electronic contact with Si to provide a Li-ion transport pathway and to form a uniform solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer. Our results revealed a superior battery performance including a capacity of 1000 mAh/g at 2C rates and minor capacity loss during long cycling. The details of synthesis, characterization, and lithium-ion battery results of the hybrid anodes will be presented.

New Pressure Sensitive Paints (PSPs) for mapping pressure distributions on surfaces of building models under turbulent flow conditions in a wind tunnel

A new Pressure Sensitive Paint (PSP) has been developed to map pressure distribution on surfaces of building models during aerodynamic tests in wind tunnel. The PSP consists of 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (HEA) hydrogel matrix and ethyl eosin (EE) as a fluorescent pressure sensor. First, the spectroscopic properties and photostability of the PSP were investigated. The maximum coating thickness was determined to be 3 mm. The PSP system was studied in the Constant-Thickness-Mode (CTM) and Variable-Thickness-Mode (VTM). It was found that fluorescence intensity of the PSP decreased with increasing pressure. Under CTM conditions, the EE-based PSP system behaved like a classic Solvent-Quenched Pressure Sensitive Paint (SQ-PSP). Its sensitivity to changes of pressure was about 35 %/bar, which is comparable to the sensitivity of SQ-PSPs based on europium complexes and sensitivity of Oxygen Quenched Pressure Sensitive Paints (OQ-PSP). However, under VTM conditions, the sensitivity of the PSP studied turned out to be about 50 times higher than that in CTM mode, due to simultaneous solvent quenching of EE sensor and change of the paint thickness upon pressure, while the effect of thickness change on fluorescence intensity was dominating. Next, pressure distribution on the side wall surface of a building model at different angles of inclination to the wind direction was mapped using classic pressure taps (as a reference) and the new PSP system in VTM mode. It has been found that the pressure maps obtained using the new PSP system are consistent with those obtained using pressure taps in the overpressure area, but show some differences in the under-pressure area, which confirms that the new PSP system can be used for aerodynamic tests under certain conditions.

Reversible phase-change extraction process based on temperature-responsive solvent

In this study, N-butylpyridinium tetrachloroferrate ([Bpy][FeCl4]), a temperature-responsive solvent, was applied to achieve reversible phase-change extraction with simultaneous solvent recycling for the ethanol/heptane and toluene/heptane systems. The distribution and selectivity coefficients were 7.87 and 0.862, respectively, for ethanol in the 60 mass% ethanol/heptane system; the corresponding values for toluene in the 20 mass% toluene/heptane system were 1.34 and 44.3, respectively, which are significantly better than those for existing conventional solvents. [BPy][FeCl4] was reused five times in each system, and the extraction efficiency remained stable at high values. The experimental results as a function of temperature and solvent:solute mass ratio showed that the reversible phase-change process by [BPy][FeCl4] could be achieved under a range of conditions. This process achieves switchable phase-change extraction and simultaneous solvent recovery, thus offering the possibility of saving energy, reducing equipment requirements, and simplifying operations.

A Workflow for Crystallization Process Design with Simultaneous Process Optimization and Solvent Selection based on the Perturbed‐Chain Statistical Associating Fluid Theory

AbstractSolvent selection is a critical part of crystallization process design and is inherently intertwined with optimization of the operating conditions. Computer‐aided tools can greatly assist in solving these two problems simultaneously. However, the integration of predictive thermodynamic models and process optimization tools is often complicated, which may hamper industry adoption. This work presents a workflow for simultaneous solvent selection and process optimization for solution crystallization processes based on the perturbed‐chain statistical associating fluid theory (PC‐SAFT) equation of state. The workflow is provided with readily executable computational tools and aims to strike a balance between the resources needed to obtain experimental input data and good prediction performance. The use of the workflow is demonstrated through a case study involving aspirin crystallization, which shows that the workflow can provide suitable solvents and operating conditions for the crystallization process based on either cooling, antisolvent, or evaporative crystallization.

Spiers Memorial Lecture: Towards understanding of iontronic systems: electroosmotic flow of monovalent and divalent electrolyte through charged cylindrical nanopores.

In many practical applications, ions are the primary charge carrier and must move through either semipermeable membranes or through pores, which mimic ion channels in biological systems. In analogy to electronic devices, the "iontronic" ones use electric fields to induce the charge motion. However, unlike the electrons that move through a conductor, motion of ions is usually associated with simultaneous solvent flow. A study of electroosmotic flow through narrow pores is an outstanding challenge that lies at the interface of non-equilibrium statistical mechanics and fluid dynamics. In this paper, we will review recent works that use dissipative particle dynamics simulations to tackle this difficult problem. We will also present a classical density functional theory (DFT) based on the hypernetted-chain approximation (HNC), which allows us to calculate the velocity of electroosmotic flows inside nanopores containing 1 : 1 or 2 : 1 electrolyte solution. The theoretical results will be compared with simulations. In simulations, the electrostatic interactions are treated using the recently introduced pseudo-1D Ewald summation method. The zeta potentials calculated from the location of the shear plane of a pure solvent are found to agree reasonably well with the Smoluchowski equation. However, the quantitative structure of the fluid velocity profiles deviates significantly from the predictions of the Smoluchowski equation in the case of charged pores with 2 : 1 electrolyte. For low to moderate surface charge densities, the DFT allows us to accurately calculate the electrostatic potential profiles and the zeta potentials inside the nanopores. For pores with 1 : 1 electrolyte, the agreement between theory and simulation is particularly good for large ions, for which steric effects dominate over the ionic electrostatic correlations. The electroosmotic flow is found to depend very strongly on the ionic radii. In the case of pores containing 2 : 1 electrolyte, we observe a reentrant transition in which the electroosmotic flow first reverses and then returns to normal as the surface change density of the pore is increased.

Simultaneous Solvent Selection and Process Design for Continuous Reaction–Extraction–Crystallization Systems

Simultaneous Solvent Selection and Process Design for Continuous Reaction–Extraction–Crystallization Systems

Application of natural deep eutectic solvents in bulk liquid membrane system for removal of free glycerol from crude fatty acid methyl ester

Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) produced from biomass offers several advantages such as renewability and sustainability. The typical production process of FAME is accompanied by various impurities such as alcohol, soap, glycerol, and the spent catalyst. Therefore, the most challenging part of the FAME production is the purification process. In this work, a novel application of bulk liquid membrane (BLM) developed from conventional solvent extraction methods was investigated for the removal of glycerol from FAME. The extraction and stripping processes are combined into a single system, allowing for simultaneous solvent recovery whereby low-cost quaternary ammonium salt-glycerol-based deep eutectic solvent (DES) is used as the membrane phase. Moreover, for the first time, diethyl ether was introduced as a strip phase to strip the free glycerol in the BLM system. The effects of DES composition, DES:FAME ratio, stirring speed and operating time on the extraction and stripping efficiencies were investigated. A kinetic model was proposed for the transportation of free glycerol through the DES-based BLM, where the kinetic parameters (k1, k2, tmax, GMmax) for the extraction and stripping were calculated using the glycerol content in the feed and the strip phase. The performance of the lab-scale BLM system confirms the viability of the proposed system with a best DES molar composition of 1:2 (salt:glycerol), DES:FAME ratio of 1:1, mixing speed of 200 rpm and an extraction time of 4 hr. Glycerol content in the purified FAME meets the international standards such as EN 14214 and ASTM D6759. Under the optimal conditions, the suggested model curves of glycerol content in the feed, membrane, and strip phases showed a good fitting with the experimental results. Finally, the rate constants values of the kinetic model were 0.0037 min−1 for k1 and 0.0066 min−1 for k2.

Approximate computing, skeleton programming and run-time scheduling in an algorithm for process design and controllability in distributed and heterogeneous infrastructures

A hybrid algorithm is proposed, comprising Simulated Annealing (SA), an NLP algorithm (IPOPT) and a continuation method (PITCON) for simultaneous process design and controllability assessment. The algorithm integrates the approximate computing techniques of memoization, task dropping and loop perforation. SA and process model calculations are parallelized through skeleton programming (SkePU) and a tool for dynamic, run-time scheduling (StarPU). The same code is ported across different programming interfaces (OpenMP, CUDA, OpenCL and StarPU-SkepU MPI) and executed across different accelerators (multi-node, multi-CPU, GPU and multi-CPU-GPU). Case studies on CO2 capture system design include simultaneous solvent selection, process synthesis and controllability assessment. Up to 70% improvement is attained in the optimal solution, with up to 74% fewer unconverged model simulations. Excellent scalability is observed in 1,000 threads, attaining up to 60 times faster execution in multi-CPU, GPU and multi-CPU-GPU accelerators. A trade-off is observed between the CPU energy consumption and the execution speedup.

Simultaneous solvent extraction and quantification of eleven amine compounds related to Chemical Weapon Convention in soils via hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry

The detection of Chemical Weapon Convention (CWC)-related amine compounds including the precursors or degradation products of V-type organophosphorus nerve agent, nitrogen mustard and 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate is an important aspect for verifying their intact chemical warfare agents. This work focuses on the development of a novel formulation for the simultaneous solvent extraction of eleven CWC-related amine compounds, from the four-type soil matrices including environmental standard soil, sand, clay, and loam. Extracts were well separated on the hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) and then detected by MS/MS multiple reaction monitoring mode. The type and component of solvent mixtures were optimized to cover a wide range of polarity over all eleven amine compounds with high extraction efficiencies. Extraction parameters, such as the proportion of methanol, water and NH4OH, the times and the period of extraction, and volumes of extraction solution were optimized. The results indicated that a mixed solvent of methanol/water (44:53, v/v) in 3.0% NH4OH was the optimal formulation for extraction of all 11 analytes with high mean extraction recoveries (64.4–96.1%). Specificity and sensitivity were well improved by the good separation of 11 analytes from four-type soil matrices using these optimized HILIC parameters. This method was fully validated for each analyte in four soil matrices. The linear range of 11 analytes was 0.50/0.75–500 ng·g−1 with correlation coefficient (R2) ≥0.990, and intra/inter-day accuracies were 70.3–125% with relative standard deviation (RSD) ≤19.3%. Limit of detection (LOD) of 11 analytes ranged from 0.01 to 0.5 ng·g−1, which was far lower than those reported in previous studies. The built method accomplishes simultaneously quantitative and trace measurement of all eleven CWC-related amine compounds within a single solvent extraction and detection. It only takes a small amount of soil samples and possesses the highest sensitivity over all previous methods. This study provides an optional recommended operating procedure for determination of CWC-related amine compounds in four typical types of complex soils during chemical weapons verification.

Model-Based Simultaneous Solvent Screening and Column Design Based on a Holistic Consideration of Extraction and Solvent Recovery.

A methodology for a model-based simultaneous solvent screening and dimensioning of extraction columns is presented. Therefore, a rate-based extraction model is combined with a distillation model for solvent recovery and product purification to consider the whole extraction process. The optimal operating point and the required column dimensions are determined for each solvent candidate specifically to minimize total costs, which are used as a basis for solvent ranking. The methodology is applied to the extraction of levulinic acid from an aqueous feed with a special focus on the influence of mutual solubility between the solvent candidates and water. It is shown that using mixture properties for both phases in accordance with the mutual solubility significantly impacts the calculation of fluid dynamics, mass transfer, and thereby on the required extraction column height. Furthermore, additional costs due to solvents solubilized in the aqueous raffinate strongly affect the economic evaluation of the solvents.

Advanced hybrid optimization methods for the design of complex separation processes

While the need for more efficient and integrated processes for the separation of non-ideal and azeotropic mixtures mandates model-based design methods, the resulting mixed-integer problems are highly nonlinear and particularly hard to solve without proper initialization. In order to handle such complex design problems, two hybrid optimization methods are presented in the current contribution. Both methods rely on a nested approach, which integrates a polylithic modeling and solution strategy, based on the solution of successively refined nonlinear programming problems, with an upper level metaheuristic for the initialization and optimization of discrete design decisions. Both methods are evaluated for two case studies. The optimization of a simple column design problem allows for the direct comparison with an available global deterministic optimization solver for identifying the global optimal solution. The optimization of an extractive distillation process with simultaneous solvent selection and energy integration illustrates the potential complexity that can be handled effectively.

Electrochemical Regeneration of Spent Alkaline Absorbent from Direct Air Capture.

CO2 capture from the atmosphere (or direct air capture) is widely recognized as a promising solution to reach negative emissions, and technologies using alkaline solutions as absorbent have already been demonstrated on a full scale. In the conventional temperature swing process, the subsequent regeneration of the alkaline solution is highly energy-demanding. In this study, we experimentally demonstrate simultaneous solvent regeneration and CO2 desorption in a continuous system using a H2-recycling electrochemical cell. A pH gradient is created in the electrochemical cell so that CO2 is desorbed at a low pH, while an alkaline capture solution (NaOH) is regenerated at high pH. By testing the cell under different working conditions, we experimentally achieved CO2 desorption with an energy consumption of 374 kJ·mol–1 CO2 and a CO2 purity higher than 95%. Moreover, our theoretical calculations show that a minimum energy consumption of 164 kJ·mol–1 CO2 could be achieved. Overall, the H2-recycling electrochemical cell allowed us to accomplish the simultaneous desorption of high-purity CO2 stream and regeneration of up to 59% of the CO2 capture capacity of the absorbent. These results are promising toward the upscaling of an energy-effective process for direct air capture.

Modeling and Simulation of the Simultaneous Absorption/Stripping of CO2 with Potassium Glycinate Solution in Membrane Contactor.

Global warming is an environmental problem caused mainly by one of the most serious greenhouse gas, CO2 emissions. Subsequently, the capture of CO2 from flue gas and natural gas is essential. Aqueous potassium glycinate (PG) is a promising novelty solvent used in the CO2 capture compared to traditional solvents; simultaneous solvent regeneration is associated with the absorption step. In present work, a 2D mathematical model where radial and axial diffusion are considered is developed for the simultaneous absorption/stripping process. The model describes the CO2/PG absorption/stripping process in a solvent–gas membrane absorption process. Regeneration data of rich potassium glycinate solvent using a varied range of acid gas loading (mol CO2 per mol PG) were used to predict the reversible reaction rate constant. A comparison of simulation results and experimental data validated the accuracy of the model predictions. The stripping reaction rate constant of rich potassium glycinate was determined experimentally and found to be a function of temperature and PG concentration. Model predictions were in good agreement with the experimental data. The results reveal that the percent removal of CO2 is directly proportional to CO2 loading and solvent stripping temperature.

Separation and recovery of rare earths by in situ selective electrochemical oxidation and extraction from spent fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts

An efficient method for recovering and separating Ce3+ and La3+ rare earth elements from spent fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalyst is described. Initially, the spent FCC catalyst was leached with 2 M HNO3 at 80 °C then removal of iron from the leach solution was carried out by solvent extraction with 25% (v/v) diisooctyl phosphinic acid (DiOAP) in n-octane. Extraction of the above rare earths was then undertaken from the nitric acid leach solution using an organic phase consisting of 25% (v/v) di(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) and 25% (v/v) tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) in n-octane. Both rare earths were stripped form the organic phase using H2SO4. Separation of the Ce3+ from La3+ was then achieved by means of an in situ electrochemical oxidation coupled with a simultaneous solvent extraction process. In this, the Ce3+ was electrochemically oxidized to Ce4+ and removed from the aqueous phase by solvent extraction employing 100 mM D2EHPA in n-octane. This led to efficient separation of the above rare earths, giving rise to La3+ in high purity of up to 99.5% and Ce4+ up to 100%. The separation occurs via a single extraction step without the need for pH adjustment or for the use of additional reagents.

Assessing the potential of lignin nanoparticles as drug carrier: Synthesis, cytotoxicity and genotoxicity studies

Lignin nanoparticles synthesis is among recent developments in lignin valorization especially for biomedical applications. In this study, a new technique where complete self-assembling of lignin was ensured by simultaneous solvent displacement and flash pH change was used to optimize particle size of blank lignin nanoparticles (BLNPs) for suitability in cell uptake along with maximized yield. To establish BLNPs as drug carrier, safety studies including hemocompatibility, cytotoxicity and elaborate genotoxicity studies on Drosophila melanogaster as a model organism were done. Finally, irinotecan loaded lignin nanoparticles (DLNPs) were synthesized to establish their drug carrying potential and thorough in vitro characterization was performed. BLNPs with controllable size (⁓152 nm), low polydispersity (<0.2), maximized yield (>65%), negative surface charge (−22 to −23 mV), spherical shape and smooth surface were obtained with acceptable %hemolysis (<2%). In vitro cytotoxicity studies revealed that BLNPs were significantly toxic (74.38 ± 4.74%) in human breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), slightly toxic (38.8 ± 4.70%) in human alveolar epithelial adenocarcinoma (A-549) and insignificantly toxic (15.89 ± 2.84%) to human embryonic kidney (HEK-293) cells. BLNPs showed concentration dependent early neuronal defects in Drosophila, but nuclei fragmentation and gut cell damage were absent. Sustained release DLNPs with high drug loading reduced the IC50 value of irinotecan by almost 3 folds.

A Hybrid Framework for Simultaneous Process and Solvent Optimization of Continuous Anti-Solvent Crystallization with Distillation for Solvent Recycling

Anti-solvent crystallization is frequently applied in pharmaceutical processes for the separation and purification of intermediate compounds and active ingredients. The selection of optimal solvent types is important to improve the economic performance and sustainability of the process, but is challenged by the discrete nature and large number of possible solvent combinations and the inherent relations between solvent selection and optimal process design. A computational framework is presented for the simultaneous solvent selection and optimization for a continuous process involving crystallization and distillation for recycling of the anti-solvent. The method is based on the perturbed-chain statistical associated fluid theory (PC-SAFT) equation of state to predict relevant thermodynamic properties of mixtures within the process. Alternative process configurations were represented by a superstructure. Due to the high nonlinearity of the thermodynamic models and rigorous models for distillation, the resulting mixed-integer nonlinear programming (MINLP) problem is difficult to solve by state-of-the-art solvers. Therefore, a continuous mapping method was adopted to relax the integer variables related to solvent selection, which makes the scale of the problem formulation independent of the number of solvents under consideration. Furthermore, a genetic algorithm was used to optimize the integer variables related to the superstructure. The hybrid stochastic and deterministic optimization framework converts the original MINLP problem into a nonlinear programming (NLP) problem, which is computationally more tractable. The successful application of the proposed method was demonstrated by a case study on the continuous anti-solvent crystallization of paracetamol.

Effect of zein additive on perfume evaporation.

Zein is known to have filmogen properties. We wanted to show if a zein film containing eugenol (eugenol as model) would retain the fragrances, slow their evaporation and therefore produce a long-lasting perception of perfume. We added corn zein to eugenol in a hydro-alcoholic solution to form a film invitro and at the surface of the human skin. We have studied the trapping and release of eugenol from zein film by GC/MS. Also we labelled eugenol with deuterium to image specifically its distribution in the zein film using Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry technique (NanoSIMS 50). Finally, we applied the zein/D-eugenol formulation onto skin to image the eugenol location on and in skin by SIMS (Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry). We showed that eugenol evaporation from zein film can be divided in three periods. The first period (≤2h) corresponds to the simultaneous solvent and eugenol evaporation occurring during film formation. The second period corresponds to the continuous and slow eugenol evaporation during a few hours (about 10h) but not to its completion. The third period (at least up to 48h) results from the trapping of eugenol in zein film. After 24 or 48h, trapped eugenol can be released and evaporated under mechanical deformations of the film. Moreover we showed that zein addition does not favour the eugenol penetration into viable epidermis which may cause allergenic cutaneous reaction. The zein additive is safe to use, does not impact the olfactory perception, allows a better perception of the fragrance (long-lasting effect) in a more protective way and can be used in perfume.

On the possibility of using combined polymerization and drying in synthesis of polyacrylamide

This paper presents investigation results of polyacrylamide synthesis with combined polymerization and drying. First, polyacrylamide synthesis was carried out in concentrated aqueous solutions of acrylamide at 30°C. Polymerization was initiated by K2S2O8/Na2S2O3 an oxidation–reduction system. The monomer conversion degree at this stage did not exceed 80%. Further, polymerization with simultaneous solvent elimination from the prepolymer was carried out in a dryer with infrared heat supply and natural convection. Such conditions provide monomer conversion degree up to 100%.

Graphene Oxide Involved Air-Controlled Electrospray for Uniform, Fast, Instantly Dry, and Binder-Free Electrode Fabrication.

We report a facile air-controlled electrospray method to directly deposit binder-free active materials/graphene oxide (GO) onto current collectors. This method is inspired from an electrospinning process, and possesses all the advantages that electrospinning has such as low cost, easy scaling up, and simultaneous solvent evaporation during the spraying process. Moreover, the spray slurry is only a simple mixture of active materials and GO suspension in water, no binder polymer, organic solvent, and conductive carbon required. In our research, high-capacity Si nanoparticles (Si NP, 70-100 nm) and SiO microparticles (SiO MP, 3-10 μm) were selected to demonstrate the capability of this method to accommodate particles with different sizes. Their mixture with GO was sprayed onto a collector and then thermally annealed in an inert gas to obtain Si NP or SiO MP/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) binder-free electrodes. We are also able to directly deposit fairly large electrode sheets (e.g., 12 × 21 in.) upon the application requirement. To the best of our knowledge, this is the simplest approach to produce Si-related materials/RGO layered structures directly on current collector with controllable area and loading. Si and SiO MP/RGO are evaluated in both half and full lithium cells, showing good electrochemical performance. Prelithiation is also studied and gives a high first cycle Coulombic efficiency. In addition to Si-related materials, other materials with different shapes and sizes (e.g., MoO3 nanobelts, Sn/carbon nanofibers, and commercial sulfur particles) can also be sprayed. Beyond the preparation of battery electrodes, this approach can also be applied for other types of electrode preparation such as that of a supercapacitor, fuel cell, and solar cell.