Triethyl Phosphate Research Articles

Poly(ethyl ethylene phosphate): Overcoming the "Polyethylene Glycol Dilemma" for Cancer Immunotherapy and mRNA Vaccination.

Polyethylene glycol conjugation (PEGylation) is the most successful strategy to promote the stability, pharmacokinetics, and efficacy of therapeutics; however, anti-PEG antibodies induced by repeated treatments raise serious concerns about the future of PEGylated therapeutics. In order to solve the "PEG dilemma", polymers with excellent water solubility and biocompatibility are urgently desired to attenuate the generation of anti-PEG antibodies. Here, poly(ethyl ethylene phosphate) (PEEP) with excellent degradability and stealth effects is used as an alternative to PEG to overcome the "PEG dilemma". PEEPylated liposomes exhibit lower immunogenicity and generate negligible anti-PEEP antibodies (IgM and IgG) after repeated treatments. In vivo studies confirm that PEEPylated liposomes loaded with oxaliplatin (PEEPlipo@OxPt) show better pharmacokinetics compared to PEGlipo@OxPt, and they exhibit potent antitumor performances, which can be further promoted with checkpoint blockade immunotherapy. In addition, PEEPylated lipid nanoparticle is also used to develop an mRNA vaccine with the ability to evoke a potent antigen-specific T cell response and achieve excellent antitumor efficacy. PEEP shows promising potentials in the development of next-generation nanomedicines and vaccines with higher safety and efficacy.

Preparation and characterization of UiO‐66‐NH2 adsorbed triethyl phosphate: Flame retardancy and smoke suppression for epoxy resins

AbstractThe zirconium‐based metal–organic framework material (UiO‐66‐NH2) was synthesized by solvothermal method, and its excellent adsorption performance was used to combine it with the phosphorus‐based flame retardant triethyl phosphate (TEP) and to improve the flame retardant and smoke suppression properties of epoxy resin (EP). The morphology, chemical composition, and structure of the synthesized flame retardant were analyzed by scanning electron microscope, energy dispersion spectrum, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and x‐ray diffractometer. The cone calorimeter measurement of EP composite materials shows that EP composite materials have good flame retardant and smoke suppression properties. Compared with EP, after the UiO‐66‐NH2 flame retardant which adsorbs TEP is added, the peak heat release rate, total heat release, peak smoke release rate, total smoke production, carbon monoxide release rate, and carbon dioxide release rate of EP composites have been reduced. From the results of thermal analysis and scanning electron microscope, it can be seen that the synthesized flame retardant can act both in the condensed phase and in the gas phase. Thereby, the combustion of the matrix and the diffusion of the toxic gas, smoke and heat generated during the combustion are inhibited, and the flame retardant and smoke suppression effects are achieved.Highlights Make full use of the excellent adsorption performance of MOF. TEP was fully adsorbed in UiO‐66‐NH2 pores. UiO‐66‐NH2 in synergy with TEP improves EP flame retardancy.

An Advanced Gel Polymer Electrolyte for Solid-State Lithium Metal Batteries.

All-solid-state lithium metal batteries (LMBs) are regarded as one of the most viable energy storage devices and their comprehensive properties are mainly controlled by solid electrolytes and interface compatibility. This work proposes an advanced poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) based gel polymer electrolyte (AP-GPEs) via functional superposition strategy, which involves incorporating butyl acrylate and polyethylene glycol diacrylate as elastic optimization framework, triethyl phosphate and fluoroethylene carbonate as flameproof liquid plasticizers, and Li7La3Zr2O12 nanowires (LLZO-w) as ion-conductive fillers, endowing the designed AP-GPEs/LLZO-w membrane with high mechanical strength, excellent flexibility, low flammability, low activation energy (0.137eV), and improved ionic conductivity (0.42 × 10-3 S cm-1 at 20 °C) due to continuous ionic transport pathways. Additionally, the AP-GPEs/LLZO-w membrane shows good safety and chemical/electrochemical compatibility with the lithium anode, owing to the synergistic effect of LLZO-w filler, flexible frameworks, and flame retardants. Consequently, the LiFePO4/Li batteries assembled with AP-GPEs/LLZO-w electrolyte exhibit enhanced cycling performance (87.3% capacity retention after 600 cycles at 1 C) and notable high-rate capacity (93.3 mAh g-1 at 5 C). This work proposes a novel functional superposition strategy for the synthesis of high-performance comprehensive GPEs for LMBs.

Bone-like apatite formation in biocompatible phosphate-crosslinked bacterial cellulose-based hydrogels for bone tissue engineering applications

Addressing major bone injuries is a challenge in bone regeneration, necessitating innovative 3D hydrogel-based therapeutic approaches to enhance scaffold properties for better bioactivity. Bacterial cellulose (BC) is an excellent scaffold for bone tissue engineering due to its biocompatibility, high porosity, substantial surface area, and remarkable mechanical strength. However, its practical application is limited due to a lack of inherent osteogenic activity and biomineralization ability. In this study, we synthesized bone-like apatite in biocompatible BC hydrogel by introducing phosphate groups. Hydrogels were prepared using fibrous BC, acrylamide (AM), and bis [2-methacryloyloxy] ethyl phosphate (BMEP) as a crosslinker through free radical polymerization (P-BC-PAM). P-BC-PAM hydrogels exhibited outstanding compressive mechanical properties, highly interconnected porous structures, good swelling, and biodegradable properties. BMEP content significantly influenced the physicochemical and biological properties of the hydrogels. Increasing BMEP content enhanced the fibrous structure, porosity from 85.1 % to 89.5 %, and compressive mechanical strength. The optimized hydrogel (2.0P-BC-PAM) displayed maximum compressive stress, toughness, and elastic modulus at 75 % strain: 221 ± 0.08 kPa, 24,674.2 ± 978 kPa, and 11 ± 0.47 kPa, respectively. P-BC-PAM hydrogels underwent biomineralization in simulated body fluid (SBF) for 14 days, forming bone-like apatite with a Ca/P ratio of 1.75, similar to hydroxyapatite. Confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), this suggests their potential as scaffolds for bone tissue engineering. MC3T3-E1 osteoblast cells effectively attached and proliferated on P-BC-PAM. In summary, this study contributes insights into developing phosphate-functionalized BC-based hydrogels with potential applications in bone tissue engineering.

Study of the Spatiotemporal Variations, Source Determination, and Potential Ecological Risk of Organophosphate Esters in Typical Coastal Tourist Resorts in China

Investigation of the environmental occurrence and behavior of organophosphate esters (OPEs) is very important and is becoming a hot topic in the academic community. In this study, 12 targeted OPEs in the water and sediment from 19 coastal tourist resorts in the Shandong Peninsula in China were analyzed to show their concentrations, spatial variations, and potential ecological risks. The results showed that the total concentrations of OPEs (ΣOPEs) were in the range of 18.52–3069.43 ng/L in the water and 3.20–568.76 ng/g in the sediment. The dominant OPEs in the water and sediment were tris (2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCIPP), tris (2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), and triethyl phosphate (TEP). The OPE concentrations in the water were ranked as dry season > normal season > wet season. The sewage treatment plants near tourist resorts were important contributors to the level of OPEs in the water. Triphenyl phosphate (TPHP), tri-n-butyl phosphate (TNBP), and resorcinol-bis(diphenyl)phosphate (RDP) had a relatively higher ecological risk than other OPEs in the water samples. Industrial emissions might be the main source of OPEs in the coastal tourist resorts of Shandong Peninsula in China. The results of this study verified that OPEs occur in the water and sediment of coastal tourist resorts, and more attention should be given to the existence of OPEs and the safety of aquatic environments near coastal tourist resorts.

Revisiting Amides as Cosolvents for Flame Resistant Sodium Bis(oxalato)borate in Triethyl Phosphate Electrolyte

AbstractIn selecting electrolytes for Na‐ion batteries, simply importing the analogue of common lithium‐ion battery electrolytes to sodium‐ion batteries does not address safety concerns like toxicity and flammability. Electrolytes based on sodium bis(oxalato)borate (NaBOB) in organophosphates like triethyl phosphate (TEP) largely alleviate these specific safety concerns. However, it may be beneficial to obtain solutions with higher ionic conductivities than NaBOB in TEP, and compare the performance in Na‐ion batteries with high mass loading electrodes. Here, we have shown that N,N‐dimethyl formamide (DMF), N,N‐dimethyl acetamide (DMAc), and N‐methyl pyrrolidone (NMP) cosolvents almost double the ionic conductivity (from ~3.5 mS/cm to ~7 mS/cm) without sacrificing the flame‐retarding properties of the base NaBOB in TEP electrolyte. The physical properties of these cosolvent electrolyte mixtures are investigated, along with the electrochemical performance of these electrolytes full‐cells based on hard carbon anodes and Prussian white cathodes with near‐commercial areal capacity (~2 mAh/cm2).

Radial Electric Field Driven Collision-Induced Dissociation in a Miniature Continuous Atmospheric Pressure Interfaced Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer.

Miniature ion trap mass spectrometry with the unique ability of tandem-in-time analysis is extensively used in public security and environmental pollution detection. In this study, a novel radial electric field driven collision-induced dissociation (REFD-CID) is presented with high fragmentation efficiency for different species by adjusting the float DC, the initial kinetic energy of ions, and the pressure in a miniature continuous atmospheric pressure interfaced ion trap mass spectrometer (CAPI-ITMS). It is noteworthy that multiple fragment ions ([M+H-nC2H4]+, where n = 1, 2, 3) of triethyl phosphate were observed with a single injection of ions. The underlying mechanism of the REFD-CID revealed that the enhanced radial electric field by modulation of the float DC drove ions toward regions of intense RF field where broadband heating and dissociation of ions took place through theoretical simulations. Finally, the REFD-CID was utilized to improve the instrument performances. The existence of reagent ions led to a severe space charge effect as the ion injection duration of the CAPI-ITMS was extended to enhance the sensitivity of aniline. Through selective fragmentation of reagent ions, peak broadening and mass shift were eliminated, and meanwhile, a 28-fold improvement of aniline in a signal-to-noise ratio was achieved with the ion injection duration varying from 50 to 2500 ms. Moreover, isomeric illicit drugs (JWH-018 and acetylcodeine) were distinguished by generating multiple characteristic fragment ions, demonstrating potential applications in the identification of synthetic illicit drugs.

A general strategy to enhance hydrogen peroxide generation via two-electron water oxidation by antimony modification for removal of triethyl phosphate and hexavalent chromium

Two-electron water oxidation has attracted more and more attention for H2O2 production. This strategy mainly uses water and does not require bubbling of oxygen gas, which can be widely used in oxygen-deficient environments. Currently, the most important research for two-electron water oxidation is the design of high-efficiency anode materials. Herein, a general method is developed to enhance the activity of two-electron water oxidation for H2O2 production via Sb2O3 modification. This strategy is suitable for a series of electrodes, including carbon fiber paper, graphite plate, WO3, CuWO4 and WO3&CuWO4 composite. The mechanism for Sb2O3 modification toward enhanced H2O2 generation is clearly demonstrated. It should be due to three factors: 1) enhance the reaction kinetic, 2) enlarge the specific surface area and 3) suppress H2O2 decomposition. According to density function calculation, it is firstly found that the Sb optimizes the Gibbs free energy of adsorbed *OH intermediate of its nearby atom, making its adjacent atom (such as W) the active site. Finally, these Sb-modified electrodes are firstly used to produce H2O2 for high-efficiency removal of triethyl phosphate, an environmental pollutant that are difficult to be degraded. It can also be used for the removal of hexavalent chromium, one kind of heavy metal.

Physicomechanical Characterization of a Novel Resin-Modified Glass Ionomer Luting Cement Functionalized with a Phosphate Functional Monomer

Background. Resin-modified glass ionomer cements (RMGICs) are characterized by their ability to chemically bond with the tooth structure and their fluoride release, making them commonly used to retain indirect restorations. However, inferior mechanical properties and solubility (SO) are their main drawbacks compared to the most recent resin-based cement. Aim of the Study. Formulate a novel brand of experimental RMGIC (eRMGIC), based on RMGIC by incorporating 2-(methacryloxy) ethyl phosphate (2-MEP), an organophosphorus monomer with the potential to enhance mechanical properties along with low SO. Materials and Methods. eRMGICs were prepared by the inclusion of 2-MEP monomer with different weight percentages (0–40 wt%) into the RMGIC’s liquid (Fuji PLUS, GC. Corp.), then their compressive strength (CS), flexural strength (FS), film thickness (FT), setting time (ST), SO, and water sorption were examined and compared to the conventional RMGIC. Furthermore, a scanning electron microscope analyzed their surface homogeneity and integrity. Shapiro–Wilk test of normality was used to analyze data, one-way analysis of variance, Dunnett T3, and Tukey’s honest significant difference post-hoc tests. Results. After 28 days and 180 days of storage, the values of CS of the eRMGICs were significantly higher. However, after 24 hr of storage, the values were comparable to the control group. The FS results showed a double-fold increase in different concentrations of eRMGICs through all the time intervals ( p < 0.001 ) compared to conventional RMGIC. Furthermore, the inclusion of 2-MEP increased water uptake and decreased SO. The FT of experimental eRMGICs cement showed a statistically significant increase with increasing 2-MEP concentration. However, it was within the specification given by ISO 9917-1:2007. There was a decrease in the ST of eRMGICs compared to control cement; however, it was within the specification given by ISO 9917-2:2017. Conclusions. 2-MEP monomer showed encouraging results and could be used in producing new (eRMGICs) with enhanced physicomechanical properties, which can increase the longevity of cement and improve its ability to resist occlusal stresses without fracture.

Inhibition of algal blooms by residual antibiotics in aquatic environments: Design, screening, and validation of antibiotic alternatives

Water blooms frequently appear in the aquatic environment with global warming. However, traditional methods for treating water bloom usually require the addition of algaecides, which may lead to secondary environmental pollution problems in the water environment. To solve this problem, researchers have initiated efforts to harness pre-existing chemical substances within aquatic environments to regulate algal blooms, thereby pioneering novel avenues for water body management. Therefore, an integrated approach involving molecular docking, molecular dynamics simulations, three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3D-QSAR), and toxicokinetics methods were utilized for the molecular modification of fluoroquinolone antibiotics, to design and screen fluoroquinolone substitutes with improved toxicity of cyanobacteria and green algae, functionality, and environmental friendliness. A total of 143 fluoroquinolone alternatives were designed in this study, and lomefloxacin-6 (LOM6) was found as the optimum alternative to lomefloxacin (LOM), with increased toxicity to cyanobacteria and green algae by 31 % and 72 %. Molecular docking of LOM before and after modification with seven other cyanobacterial and green algal photosynthetic proteins revealed that LOM6 exhibited varying degrees of increased toxicity towards 6 of these photosynthetic proteins, of which 2J96 protein increased the most (136.25 %). It shows that the residual LOM6 in the water environment has a certain inhibitory effect on the algae bloom. In addition, results showed that LOM6 had synergistic toxic effects on cyanobacteria and green algae with other pollutants residual in the aqueous environment, such as trichloroethyl phosphate, triethyl phosphate, perfluorononanoic acid, perfluorooctanoic acid. This indicates that LOM6 has better algal removal effectiveness in aqueous environments where organophosphate flame retardants and perfluorinated compounds exist together. In this paper, a novel method was developed to remove cyanobacteria and green algae in water environment and reduce the secondary pollution through theoretical simulation, which provides theoretical support for the control of water blooms.

Potentiating the Immune Responses of HBsAg-VLP Vaccine Using a Polyphosphoester-Based Cationic Polymer Adjuvant.

Virus-like particle (VLP)-based vaccines are required to be associated with a suitable adjuvant to potentiate their immune responses. Herein, we report a novel, biodegradable, and biocompatible polyphosphoester-based amphiphilic cationic polymer, poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(aminoethyl ethylene phosphate) (PEG-PAEEP), as a Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-VLP vaccine adjuvant. The polymer adjuvant effectively bound with HBsAg-VLP through electrostatic interactions to form a stable vaccine nanoformulation with a net positive surface charge. The nanoformulations exhibited enhanced cellular uptake by macrophages. HBsAg-VLP/PEG-PAEEP induced a significantly higher HBsAg-specific IgG titer in mice than HBsAg-VLP alone after second immunization, indicative of the antigen-dose sparing advantage of PEG-PAEEP. Furthermore, the nanoformulations exhibited a favorable biocompatibility and in vivo tolerability. This work presents the PEG-PAEEP copolymer as a promising vaccine adjuvant and as a potentially effective alternative to aluminum adjuvants.

Bioactive phosphate cross-linked guar gum-based hydrogels with enhanced mineralization ability for application in bone tissue engineering

Bioactive hydrogels have gained widespread recognition in bone tissue engineering due to their versatile physicochemical and biological attributes aligning with the requisite bone regeneration parameters. In this study, we explored a calcium-free phosphate approach to enhance the formation of bone-like apatite within phosphate cross-linked guar gum (GG)-based hydrogels (P-GG). P-GG hydrogels were developed using free radical polymerization of acrylamide (AM) monomer and bis[2-methacryloyloxy] ethyl phosphate (BMEP) as a cross-linker. The structure integrity and interactions of P-GG hydrogels were substantiated through fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The GG content significantly impacted the hydrogels porosity, pore size, and mechanical properties. The hydrogels displayed a porous structure with a fibrous topology similar to a ladder, allowing for better cell growth and adhesion. The phosphate functionality embedded within the hydrogel facilitated rapid biomineralization when exposed to simulated body fluid (SBF) solutions. This biomineralization of P-GG hydrogels in SBF solutions was validated through a combination of analytical techniques, including FTIR, XRD, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). Together, the remarkable physical, chemical, and biological characteristics demonstrated by P-GG hydrogels emphasize their significant promise for use in the field of bone tissue engineering.

High-resolution mass spectrometry-based screening and dietary intake assessment of organophosphate esters in foodstuffs from South China

Organophosphate esters (OPEs) are a group of emerging contaminants with widespread environmental occurrence, yet research on their occurrence in foodstuffs is limited. We collected 100 foodstuff samples in South China using a market basket method, and analyzed food extracts for the presence of OPEs and organophosphite antioxidants (OPAs) by suspect and nontarget screening through high-resolution mass spectrometry. Our analysis resulted in the identification of 30 OPEs, comprised of 25 OPEs with a confidence level (CL) of 1 (unequivocal identification using standards) and five OPEs with CL = 2b (probable structure based on diagnostic evidence). Interestingly, 11 of these identified OPEs had not been previously reported in food. No OPA was identified. The occurrence of identified OPEs within the food samples was further investigated. The highest median concentration of OPEs in all food samples was reached by tris(2-chloroisopropyl) phosphate (TCPP) (1.55 ng/g ww, range < 0.74–12.0 ng/g wet weight (ww)). Cereals demonstrated the highest median concentration of the cumulative 30 OPEs. Tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP), TCPP, and triethyl phosphate (TEP) predominantly contributed to OPEs contamination in most food categories. Eight OPEs, namely TEP, tris(2-ethylhexyl) phosphate (TEHP), TCEP, triphenyl phosphate (TPhP), 2-ethylhexyl diphenyl phosphate (EHDPP), bis(2-ethylhexyl) phenyl phosphate (BEHPP), resorcinol bis(diphenyl phosphate) (RDP), and methyl diphenyl phosphate (MDPP) exhibited significantly higher concentrations in the processed group as compared to non-processed group, suggesting that food processing may result in contamination of these OPEs. The median sum of estimated dietary intake (ΣEDI) of all OPEs was determined to be 161 ng/kg body weight/day. Cereals (38.5 %) and vegetables (23.5 %) were the predominant food categories contributing to ΣEDI, and TEP (29.0 %), TCEP (20.2 %), and TCPP (18.3 %) were three major OPEs contributing to ΣEDI. This study for the first time offered a comprehensive overview of OPE species and revealed their occurrence in foodstuffs from South China.

Structural regulation chemistry of lithium-ion solvation in nonflammable phosphate-based electrolytes for high interfacial compatibility with graphite anode

With the booming development of lithium-ion batteries, safety has become one of the most primary focuses of current researches. Although there are various approaches to enhance the safety of lithium-ion batteries, phosphate-based electrolyte holds the greatest potential for practical application due to their non-flammability. Nonetheless, its compatibility issue with the graphite anode remains a significant obstacle to its widespread use. Herein, an effective method is proposed to improve the compatibility of electrolyte with graphite (Gr) anode by rationally adjusting the proportion of lithium salt and solvent components to optimize the Li+ solvation structure. By slightly increasing the Li+/triethyl phosphate (TEP) ratio, TEP alone cannot fully occupy the inner solvation sheath and therefore less polar ethylene carbonate (EC) has to be recruited, and the solvation structure gradually changes from Li+–[TEP]4 to Li+–[TEP]3[EC] with the coexistence of EC and TEP. Simultaneously, EC molecules in the Li+–[TEP]3[EC] could be preferentially reduced on graphite compared to the TEP molecules, resulting in the formation of a uniform and durable solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer. Benefiting from the optimized phosphate-based electrolyte, the Gr|Li battery exhibits a capacity retention rate of 96.8% after stable cycling at 0.5 C for 470 cycles which shows a longer cycle life than the battery with carbonate electrolyte (cycling at 0.5 C for 450 cycles). Therefore, this work provides the guidance for designing a non-flammable phosphate-based electrolyte for high-safety and long cycling-life lithium-ion batteries.

From Bioresources to Thermal Insulation Materials: Synthesis and Properties of Two-Component Open-Cell Spray Polyurethane Foams Based on Bio-Polyols from Used Cooking Oil.

Open-cell spray polyurethane foams are widely used as highly efficient thermal insulation materials with vapor permeability and soundproofing properties. Unfortunately, for the production of commercial foams, mainly non-renewable petrochemical raw materials are used. The aim of this study was to determine the possibility of completely replacing petrochemical polyols (the main raw material used in the synthesis of polyurethanes, alongside isocyanates) with bio-polyols obtained from used cooking oils, classified as waste materials. The research consisted of three stages: the synthesis of bio-polyols, the development of polyurethane foam systems under laboratory conditions, and the testing of developed polyurethane spray systems under industrial conditions. The synthesis of the bio-polyols was carried out by using two different methods: a one-step transesterification process using triethanolamine and a two-step process of epoxidation and opening oxirane rings with diethylene glycol. The obtained bio-polyols were analyzed using gel chromatography and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The developed polyurethane foam formulations included two types of fire retardants: halogenated tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCPP) and halogen-free triethyl phosphate (TEP). In the formulations of polyurethane systems, reactive amine catalysts were employed, which become incorporated into the polymer matrix during foaming, significantly reducing their emission after application. The foams were manufactured on both a laboratory and industrial scale using high-pressure spray machines under conditions recommended by commercial system manufacturers: spray pressure 80-100 bar, component temperature 45-52 °C, and component volumetric ratio 1:1. The open-cell foams had apparent densities 14-21.5 kg/m3, thermal conductivity coefficients 35-38 mW/m∙K, closed-cell contents <5%, water vapor diffusion resistance factors (μ) <6, and limiting oxygen indexes 21.3-21.5%. The properties of the obtained foams were comparable to commercial materials. The developed polyurethane spray systems can be used as thermal insulation materials for insulating interior walls, attics, and ceilings.

An organic cathode in non-flammable phosphate electrolyte for K-ion batteries

A non-flammable potassium-ion battery is constructed by using an advanced n-type organic cathode called 2PTCDA@C and K-metal anode in triethyl phosphate electrolyte, which can show the peak discharge capacity of 125 mAh g−1cathode in 1.5–3.5 V and stably run for 100 cycles.

(Invited) Commercialisation of Sustainable Sodium Ion Batteries

As the world continues to face one crisis after another, the demand for renewable energy and a reliable supply of abundant raw materials is stronger than ever. This is becoming abundantly clear for Li-ion batteries whose adoption in electric vehicles and stationary energy storage is rapidly expanding. In line with this growth, the limited supply of critical raw materials such as Li, Co and Ni is driving up prices. Thus, batteries based on alternate, abundant raw materials are critical. Consequently, in November 2022 IUPAC announced sodium-ion batteries amongst the top ten emerging technologies in Chemistry 2022 [1].Since 2015 we have been developing a sodium-ion battery prototype with low-cost materials and a keen focus on maintaining safety and sustainability. The battery cell consists of Prussian white (Na2Fe[Fe(CN)6]) as the positive electrode, hard carbon as the negative and sodium bis(oxalate)borate (NaBOB) as fluorine-free salt dissolved in non-flammable alkyl phosphate-based solvents such as triethyl phosphate (TEP) and trimethyl phosphate (TMP) as the electrolyte solution. Our early successes in the low cost synthesis of Prussian white led to the spin-off company ALTRIS which is now focused on the commercialization of sodium-ion batteries. The company has successfully raised funding in seed and Series A funding rounds. With the funding ALTRIS has started construction of an industrial scale manufacturing unit with the annual capacity of 2,000 tonnes of Prussian white to enable 1 GWh of sodium-ion batteries.Part of the on-going success of Altris is the close collaboration to the research teams within the Ångström Advanced Battery Center and the concurrent developments of material understanding and pilot industrial scale implementation. In this contribution an update of the company progress will be presented including a brief history as well as future plans for cell production. A focus will be placed on how fundamental investigations at Uppsala University are accelerating material development for solving problems such as moisture sensitivity and structural degradation.[1] Gomollón-Bel, F., Chem. Int. 2022, 44(4), 4

Improved Sigr/NCM523 Cycling Via Triethyl Phosphate-Solubilized Lithium Nitrate Electrolyte

The performance of silicon-graphite (SiGr)/Li and SiGr/NCM523 cells were investigated in electrolytes containing lithium difluoro(oxalate)borate (LiDFOB) and lithium nitrate (LiNO3) in ethylene carbonate (EC), ethylmethyl carbonate (EMC), and different proportions of triethyl phosphate (TEP). While the LiDFOB and LiNO3-containing electrolytes both showed improved cycling stability over industry standards, the 10% TEP electrolyte demonstrated the best capacity retention in half cells and the best overall cycling performance in full cells. Ex-situ surface analysis reveals that the LiDFOB and LiNO3 preferentially decompose on both the anode and cathode surface during the first cycle to generate films consisting of oxalates, fluoroborates, and nitrate reduction products. Therefore, incorporation of two different film-forming electrolyte additives into the electrolyte is significantly more beneficial in formation of a robust SEI and improved cycle life in silicon-containing anodes.

Green fabrication of PVDF superhydrophobic membranes using a green solvent triethyl phosphate (TEP) for membrane distillation

To produce clean water from seawater desalination, superhydrophobic membranes are essential for membrane distillation to minimize wetting. However, superhydrophobic membranes are often prepared using nanomaterials and highly toxic solvents, posing significant concerns to environments. This study has explored the use of triethyl phosphate (TEP) as a green solvent to fabricate PVDF membranes by the recently invented spray-assisted nonsolvent induced phase separation (SANIPS) method. Surprisingly, membranes fabricated from PVDF/TEP and PVDF/n-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) dope systems under SANIPS exhibited quite different morphology and hydrophobicity. Nevertheless, a superhydrophobic PVDF membrane with a water contact angle (WCA) of 154° and self-cleaning properties was successfully produced by spraying water on the nascent membrane for 45 s before completing phase inversion. The mechanism of SANIPS in the PVDF/TEP system was thoroughly investigated. The resultant superhydrophobic membrane was evaluated by direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) to treat a high salinity solution of 10 wt% NaCl and showed a much higher flux than the nonsolvent induced phase separation (NIPS) membrane (i.e., 22 vs. 12 kg/m2 h). In addition, it exhibited stable long-term performance. These results demonstrate the potential of using TEP in SANIPS to produce superhydrophobic membranes for membrane distillation of seawater and wastewater with improved performance and environmental sustainability.

Poly(vinylphosphonic acid) grafted hollow microspheres with nanoparticles-stacked polymer shell for uranium selective extraction: Dynamic role translation of ethyl α-cyanoacrylate

Hollow polymer microspheres (MPs) have attracted much attention in the field of separation science and technology due to their low density, high specific surface area, easy chemical modification, and abundant binding sites. However, traditional methods for preparing hollow microspheres typically involve surfactants and expensive templates, which are time-consuming and uneconomical, and are not suitable for large-scale production. Oil-soluble α-ethyl cyanoacrylate (ECA), a highly reactive monomer, has been employed to prepare hollow microspheres efficiently in the current study. Self-stabilizing encapsulation via fast interfacial polymerization of ECA would confer a special Pickering-like emulsion droplet reactor for rapid microcapsule formation. The ECA acts as both a monomer and a Pickering emulsifier during the reaction, in which case the newly formed polyECA (PECA) nanoparticles accumulate at the interface, forming a shell of PECA layer eventually. Excellent mechanical property of the PECA layers prevent droplets from coalescence, resulting in hollow PECA MPs after drying. To provide adsorption sites for chelating of uranyl ions, a water-soluble vinyl monomer grafted with ethylene phosphate (vinylphosphonic acid) was then introduced onto the non-reactive double bonds of the polyECA chain under mild reaction conditions, owning to the slightly amphiphilic nature of the PECA chain. The obtained adsorbent for uranium extraction is thus named as PECA-PO43− MPs. Owing to the accessible affinity sites and hollow structure, PECA-PO43− MPs displayed high adsorption capacities at pH = 7–9, showing remarkable selectivity for uranium even in the presence of various competition ions. Moreover, PECA-PO43− MPs exhibited high stability as well as excellent recyclability toward uranium capture after five regeneration cycles. Therefore, this work not only presents a new clue to fabricate novel functional MPs in a high-efficiency way, but also provides a novel platform for efficient uranium extraction.