ZnCl2 Concentration Research Articles

Anion-Anchored Polymer-in-Salt Solid Electrolyte for High-Performance Zinc Batteries.

Solid polymer electrolytes hold promise for addressing key challenges in rechargeable zinc batteries (ZBs) utilizing aqueous electrolytes. However, achieving simultaneous high ionic conductivity, excellent mechanical strength, and a high cation transference number while effectively suppressing Zn dendrites remains challenging. Herein, we design a novel polymer-in-salt solid electrolyte (PISSE) composed of polyacrylonitrile (PAN), zinc chloride (ZnCl2), and niobium pentoxide with oxygen vacancies (Nb2O5-x) with high ionic conductivity. PAN polymer matrix provides the electrolyte good mechanical properties and solubility of Zn salt. The high concentration of ZnCl2 effectively decouples the Zn2+ from polymer chain segments and provides more ionic conduction amorphous region. Moreover, incorporating Nb2O5-x filler accelerates Zn2+ desolvation by anchoring (ZnxCly)2x-y clusters and enhances the system's mechanical properties, achieving a superior Zn2+ transference number (~0.93) and interfacial stability. Consequently, the optimized PISSE demonstrates exceptional stability during prolonged cycling periods, wide temperature range operation (-40 °C to 60 °C), remarkable flexibility, and compatibility with diverse electrode materials. This study provides valuable insights into the design of solid-state electrolytes based on ZBs and elucidates their multifunctional prospects.

Anion‐Anchored Polymer‐in‐Salt Solid Electrolyte for High‐Performance Zinc Batteries

AbstractSolid polymer electrolytes hold promise for addressing key challenges in rechargeable zinc batteries (ZBs) utilizing aqueous electrolytes. However, achieving simultaneous high ionic conductivity, excellent mechanical strength, and a high cation transference number while effectively suppressing Zn dendrites remains challenging. Herein, we design a novel polymer‐in‐salt solid electrolyte (PISSE) composed of polyacrylonitrile (PAN), zinc chloride (ZnCl2), and niobium pentoxide with oxygen vacancies (Nb2O5‐x) with high ionic conductivity. PAN polymer matrix provides the electrolyte good mechanical properties and solubility of Zn salt. The high concentration of ZnCl2 effectively decouples the Zn2+ from polymer chain segments and provides more ionic conduction amorphous region. Moreover, incorporating Nb2O5‐x filler accelerates Zn2+ desolvation by anchoring (ZnxCly)2x–y clusters and enhances the system's mechanical properties, achieving a superior Zn2+ transference number (~0.93) and interfacial stability. Consequently, the optimized PISSE demonstrates exceptional stability during prolonged cycling periods, wide temperature range operation (−40 °C to 60 °C), remarkable flexibility, and compatibility with diverse electrode materials. This study provides valuable insights into the design of solid‐state electrolytes based on ZBs and elucidates their multifunctional prospects.

Microwave-associated ZnCl2 pretreatment followed by enzymatic hydrolysis for high-efficiency production of nanocellulose from Eucalyptus dissolving pulp

Herein, we developed a novel microwave-associated ZnCl2 pretreatment followed by enzymatic hydrolysis for high-efficiency and environmentally friendly production of nanocellulose. With a short pretreatment time (60 s), nanocellulose was yielded with a high overall yield of 87.99 % from Eucalyptus Dissolving Pulp (EDP). Characterization analysis revealed that microwave-associated ZnCl2 pretreatment can efficiently swollen the structure of EDP, and after enzymatic hydrolysis, the nanocellulose in spherical shape was formed with abundant functional groups, low crystalline index, and poor thermal stability. By Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) analysis, approximately 20 wt% of zinc distributed on the surface and in the interior of cellulose, that may lead to the low Zeta potential of the nanocellulose and the formation of nanospheres. Furthermore, through optimization of the pretreatment process, it was feasible to increase the solid concentration of EDP to 3 wt% while concurrently reducing the ZnCl2 concentration to 0.1 mol (ZnCl2·9H2O). Under this condition, ultrafine cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and cellulose nanofiber (CNF)/CNC blend were produced with an outstanding yield of 93.3 %. Moreover, the recyclability of ZnCl2 post-pretreatment was demonstrated, as ZnCl2 could be efficiently reused for subsequent pretreatment cycles. Notably, even after five cycles of recycling, the nanocellulose yield remained consistently above 90 %. Overall, this study highlights the viability and sustainability of microwave-assisted ZnCl2 pretreatment for efficient nanocellulose production, offering a sustainable and cost-effective route for industrial-scale applications.

In silico, In vitro, and In vivo Evaluation of the Anti-alzheimer’s Activity of Berberine

Background: Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disease for which there is no effective cure is among the leading causes of death worldwide. Objectives: To investigate the potential anti-AD activity of berberine (BBR). Methods: In silico assessment included molecular docking and ADMET prediction. BBR’s in vitro inhibitory activity of the target selected from docking results was assessed via colorimetric inhibitor screening assay. BBR’s LC50 in adult zebrafish was determined via an Acute Toxicity Study. ZnCl2 concentration for AD induction was determined via toxicity study and T-maze test. Finally, zebrafish were treated with ZnCl2 alone or simultaneously with either BBR or donepezil and assessed via the inhibitory avoidance task, followed by ELISA of AD-related biomarker levels in brain tissue. Results: The in silico assessment showed BBR’s desirable drug properties and binding affinity on selected AD-related targets, which was the greatest docking score with AChE. The in vitro IC50 on AChE was 3.45 μM. The LC50 in adult zebrafish was calculated at 366 ppm. In the T-maze test, ZnCl2 at 2.5 ppm caused the greatest cognitive impairment accompanied by moderate freezing. In the inhibitory avoidance test, fish treated with either 100 ppm BBR or 2.5 ppm donepezil had significantly better performance than ZnCl2-treated fish. ZnCl2-treated zebrafish brain tissue had the highest Aβ levels and AChE activity of all groups, but these were significantly lower in donepeziland BBR-treated fish. ZnCl2- and donepezil-treated fish had similar TNF-α levels, whereas BBR treatment significantly lowered them close to those of untreated fish. Conclusion: BBR showed anti-amyloidogenic, anti-AChE, and anti-inflammatory effects, which support its potential use in AD therapy.

Effects of Dietary Zinc Chloride and Zinc Sulfate on Life History Performance and Hemolymph Metabolism of Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae).

Zinc is an essential micronutrient crucial in various biological processes of an organism. However, the effects of zinc vary depending on its chemical form. Therefore, the aim of this study was to conduct a comparative analysis of the life history performances and hemolymph metabolism of Spodoptera litura exposed to different concentrations of dietary zinc chloride (ZnCl2) and zinc sulfate (ZnSO4), utilizing two-sex life tables and untargeted metabolomics. The preadult survival rate of S. litura significantly decreased, while the preadult developmental period of S. litura was prolonged as the dietary ZnCl2 concentration increased. However, the fecundity of S. litura at 50 mg/kg dietary ZnCl2 was significantly increased. The intrinsic rate of increase (r) and the finite rate of increase (λ) in S. litura in the control group (CK, no exogenous ZnCl2 or ZnSO4 added) and with 50 mg/kg dietary ZnCl2 were significantly higher than those at 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, and 300 mg/kg. Dietary ZnSO4 exerts a devastating effect on the survival of S. litura. Even at the lowest concentration of 50 mg/kg dietary ZnSO4, only 1% of S. litura could complete the entire life cycle. Furthermore, as the dietary ZnSO4 concentration increased, the developmental stage achievable by the S. litura larvae declined. High-throughput untargeted metabolomics demonstrated that both 100 mg/kg dietary ZnCl2 and ZnSO4 decreased the hemolymph vitamins levels and increased the vitamin C content, thereby helping S. litura larvae to counteract the stress induced by ZnCl2 and ZnSO4. Simultaneously, dietary ZnCl2 obstructed the chitin synthesis pathway in the hemolymph of S. litura, thus extending the developmental period of S. litura larvae. These results indicate that low concentrations of Zn2+ positively impact populations of S. litura, but the effectiveness and toxicity of Zn depend on its chemical form and concentration.

Green Synthesis of Hexagonal-like ZnO Nanoparticles Modified with Phytochemicals of Clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and Thymus capitatus Extracts: Enhanced Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Antioxidant Activities.

The green synthesis of ZnO NPs is becoming increasingly valued for its cost-effectiveness and environmental benefits. This study successfully synthesized hexagonal ZnO NPs using a combination of clove (Syzygium aromaticum) and Thymus capitatus extracts. The use of both extracts significantly improved the antibacterial and antioxidant properties of the ZnO NPs. By optimizing synthesis conditions, including ZnCl2 and extract concentrations, hexagonal wurtzite ZnO NPs were produced at room temperature with only drying at 80 °C without high-temperature annealing. The synthesized ZnO NPs exhibited a hexagonal morphology with an average particle size of 160 nm and a crystallite size of 30 nm. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) confirmed the elemental composition of the ZnO NPs, showing a high carbon content (63.9 wt.%), reflecting the presence of phytochemicals from the extracts coated the ZnO NPs surface. The UV-Vis spectrum revealed an absorption peak at 370 nm and a bandgap energy of 2.8 eV due to lattice defects caused by organic impurities. The ZnO NPs demonstrated exceptional antioxidant activity, with a DPPH radical scavenging rate of 95.2%. They also exhibited strong antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, with inhibition zones of 25 mm against Bacillus subtilis, 26 mm against Escherichia coli, 24 mm against Salmonella typhimurium, 22 mm against Klebsiella pneumoniae, 21 mm against Staphylococcus aureus, 20 mm against Staphylococcus hominis, and 18 mm against Bacillus subtilis at 200 ppm. Furthermore, significant antifungal activity was observed against Candida albicans, with an inhibition zone of 35 mm at the same concentration. These findings underscore the effectiveness of using combined plant extracts for producing ZnO NPs with controlled morphology and enhanced biological properties, highlighting their potential for various biomedical applications.

The Effect of ZnCl2 Concentrations and Heating Methods on the Chlorophyll, Phenolic, Andrographolide Content and Antioxidant Activity of Sambiloto (Andrographis paniculata) Simplicia Powder

The drying process in Sambiloto simplicia production causes the degradation of chlorophyll as the major compound. However, the stability of chlorophyll can be enhanced by forming a metallochlorophyll complex with zinc (Zn) metal. This research aims to produce Zn-rich Sambiloto simplicia powder to produce high stability of chlorophyll. Sambiloto simplicia powder was prepared through sorting, grinding, sieving, and mixing with ZnCl2 solution at concentrations of 0, 200, 300, 400, and 500 ppm, followed by heating (using either oven or an autoclave) and drying. The analysis included determination of total chlorophyll, phenolic, flavonoid, zinc, and andrographolide content. DPPH and FTC assays were employed to evaluate antioxidant activity. The results showed that increasing ZnCl2 concentration up to 300 ppm enhances chlorophyll, phenolic, flavonoid, zinc, and andrographolide content. Higher concentrations of ZnCl2 in the oven resulted in decreased lipid peroxidation inhibition (LPI) of Sambiloto simplicia powder, whereas using an autoclave led to increased LPI. Furthermore, higher ZnCl2 concentrations, up to 400 ppm, corresponded to increased DPPH radical scavenging activity. Lipid peroxidation inhibition activity correlated with andrographolide, zinc, and total phenolic contents. Conversely, DPPH radical scavenging activity strongly correlated with total phenolic, total flavonoid, Zn, chlorophyll, andrographolide content.

IMPACT OF ZNCL2 ON MILD STEEL CORROSION IN MANUFACTURING TECHNOLOGIES UNDER PH VARIATIONS

This study investigates the efficacy of ZnCl2 as a corrosion inhibitor for mild steel across varied pH environments (3.5, 7, and 10). Findings highlight a significant reduction in corrosion rates with increasing ZnCl2 concentrations, pinpointing optimal levels at 350 ppm (pH 3.5), 575 ppm (pH 7), and 325 ppm (pH 10). Through comprehensive experimental analyses, the study robustly validates the protective capacity of the inhibitor, shedding light on its practical application in safeguarding metallic materials amidst varying pH conditions. ZnCl2 will be applied as a solution, forming a protective layer on the surface of mild steel, thereby acting as a barrier against corrosive agents. The study's originality lies in its specific exploration of ZnCl2 efficiency under varied pH conditions, emphasizing its substantial contribution to corrosion protection in different environmental settings.

Precipitation of non-therapeutic monoclonal antibodies with polyethylene glycol and zinc chloride: challenges and remarks from precipitation to resolubilization step

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have become fundamental across various sectors, with growing demands in both therapeutic and non-therapeutic applications. For the antibodies capture step, precipitation stands out as an alternative or precursor method to chromatographic techniques. However, research on unconventional precipitants, such as polyethylene glycol (PEG) and ZnCl2, for diluted non-therapeutic mAbs is still scarce. This study evaluates the potential and challenges of combining PEG 6000 kDA and ZnCl2 as precipitants to capture anti-human IgG1 mAbs from highly diluted cell culture supernatants. We established mAbs solubility curves, identified optimal conditions for batch precipitation, fine-tuned the resolubilization step and conducted a viscosity analysis for the precipitates. We achieved 100% yield and 59% purity for the redissolution step, after using a 12% PEG 6000/3 mmol L−1 ZnCl2 precipitation condition with a 1:1 dilution ratio at pH 6.0 for resolubilization. Nevertheless, results also indicate that the resolubilization step potentially leads to mAb fragmentation and that protein aggregates might impact mAb viscosity and flow behavior. In conclusion, the combination of these agents is promising for mAbs capture, however, pre-concentration techniques are advised for severely diluted systems and caution toward ZnCl2 is recommended, especially concerning the pH of the system and ZnCl2 concentration.

Electrochemical Polishing Method for Titanium Alloys with a Microgroove Structure

TI–6AL–4V alloys are widely used in various fields owing to their excellent corrosion resistance, high-temperature resistance, and low-temperature toughness. Herein, a microgroove fixture was used to simulate the microgrooves in a titanium alloy with different aspect ratios to study the influence of the electrolyte flow rate on the polishing effect. The optimization of the electrochemical polishing parameters was conducted using experiments and simulations. The effects of process parameters, such as the concentration of sodium chloride (NaCl) and zinc chloride (ZnCl2), polishing time, and processing voltage, on the quality of the post-polished surface were studied. Experiments were conducted on microgrooves with different aspect ratios under the optimized polishing process parameters. Changes in the surface elements of the microgrooves after polishing were detected. The experimental results indicated that the optimal electrochemical polishing solution flow rate, NaCl concentration, ZnCl2 concentration, polishing time, and processing voltage were 0.2 m/s, 4.0 wt.%, 0.4 wt.%, 8 min, and 90 V, respectively. After 8 min of electrochemical polishing, a TiO2 passivation film was formed on the surface of the microgroove. The surface roughness of the notch and bottom of the microgroove decreased from 250 nm to below 40 nm, with a minimum of 24.5 nm.

The Effect of Zinc Concentration on Bioaccumulation in Milkfish <i>(Chanos chanos)</i> Use of <sup>65</sup>Zn as a Radioactive Tracer

Bioaccumulation studies of zinc (Zn) in milkfish (Chanos chanos) have been carried out in the laboratory using a 65Zn radiotracer. The research was conducted to determine the effect of Zn concentration on the ability of Chanos chanos to accumulate and release these contaminants. Zn absorption follows the single-compartment model, and experiments were carried out until stable conditions were achieved. The stages of research were biota collection, acclimatization, bioaccumulation, and elimination. Acclimatization was carried out for biota adaptation in the experimental environment. Bioaccumulation was carried out for 7 days by placing the biota in an aquarium filled with seawater added with 65Zn radiotracer contaminants. The elimination process involves the release of contaminants from the biota by placing them in contaminant-free seawater for 7 days. The results of the bioaccumulation experiment showed that the concentration factor (CF) ranged from 0.67 - 18.18 mLgr-1 at a concentration of ZnCl2 of 1.5 ppm, and the absorption constant (ku) 1.878 - 3.267d-1 and R2 was 0.0276. The release of contaminants in depuration experiments was highest at ZnCl2 2 ppm concentrations. The percentage of retention during depuration was between 14.61 - 79.91 %, the elimination constant (ke) was 8.681, and R2 was 0.7213.

Physicochemical Characterization of Simplicia Sambiloto (Andrographis paniculata) Powder with Types and Concentrations of Reagents in the Formation of Zn-Chlorophyll Complexes

During the process of making sambiloto simplicial which involves heat, it can cause degradation of chlorophyll. Increasing the stability of chlorophyll can be done by forming Zn-chlorophyll complexes with metals which are be able to form complexes where more stable than Mg such as by using Zn. The aim of this research is to determine how the physical and chemical characteristics of the bitter simplicia powder produced are influenced by the type of reagent and the concentration of the reagent when heated in an oven. Simplicia bitter powder is made through a sorting, grinding and sieving process. Next, the zinc chloride and zinc acetate reagents were mixed with concentrations of 0, 200, 300, 400, and 500 ppm, and then dried. The results showed a real effect (p value <0.05) of the interaction between the types of ZnCl2 and Zn acetate reagents and the reagent concentration on color intensity, color stability, water content, ash content and chlorophyll content. The higher the concentration of ZnCl2 and Zn acetate, the higher the water content, ash content, chlorophyll content, L*, and -a*, while b* and ∆E decrease. At a concentration of 500 ppm ZnCl2 showed an increase in water, ash, chlorophyll, ∆E, L*, and a* content while b* decreased. Meanwhile, Zn acetate 500 ppm moisture content, ash content, chlorophyll content, L*, and ∆E decreased, while a* and b* increased. Sambiloto simplicia powder which has the highest chlorophyll content is Zn acetate 400 ppm, with characteristics of water content 6.81% ww, ash content 15.74% ww, total chlorophyll 397.97 mg/100 g ww, green color intensity (-a) -2.93, and ∆E 5.48.

Net gain in C+L band from LED pumped broadband emission in Er3+-doped oxyhalide tellurite glass

Expanding gain bandwidth into the L-band for erbium-doped fiber amplifiers (EDFAs) is a crucial strategy to overcome limitations in prevalent C-band focused commercial silica-based EDFAs, significantly boosting optical network transmission capacity. Herein, we synthesized Er3+-doped broadband near-infrared emission tellurite glasses utilizing the melt quenching process, systematically exploring the impact of ZnCl2 on the glass structure and optical properties. The 82TeO2–3Nb2O5–15ZnCl2–3Er2O3 (TNZ15) glass emerged as a standout candidate for broadband amplifiers around wavelength at 1.55 μm. With escalating ZnCl2 concentration, a discernible red shift in the emission peak wave lines was observed, accompanied by an expansion of the full width at half maximum (FWHM) from 98 nm to 106 nm. Noteworthy characteristics of all samples included exceptional thermal stability and elevated near-infrared (NIR) transmittance. Application of the Judd-Ofelt (J-O) theory facilitated the calculation of J-O parameter intensity, providing deeper insights into the optical behavior of the materials. Finally, the evaluation of TNZ15 planar optical waveguides, employing the vertical top pumping mode of two 980 nm LEDs, encompassed both the C-band (1530–1565 nm) and the L-band (1565–1625 nm). The results underscore the potential of TNZ15 glass as a promising gain material for broadband optical amplifiers and lasers, offering valuable insights into the development of next-generation optical amplification technologies.

ZnCl2 assisted in-situ synthesis of ZIF-8/wood to prepare nitrogen-doped porous self-supporting carbon for supercapacitors

MOF-wood supercapacitor electrodes inherit the merits of wood and MOF that have self-supporting and hierarchical structure, and chemical tunability and tailor-made functionalities. However, the mass loading of MOFs is inferior and the distribution is non-uniform ascribing to lack of active sites and poor compatibility between wood and MOFs. Herein, a novel, economy and safety “dissolution-in situ synthesis-regeneration” method was developed to obtain a homogeneous, highly loaded (36.86 %) and size-controlled ZIF-8 nanoparticles for growth in delignified wood. High concentration of ZnCl2 (75 wt%) was used to dissolve cellulose in the cell wall of delignified wood while anchoring Zn2+ in it, which became the nucleation site of ZIF-8, and after regeneration, a membrane encapsulated the ZIF-8 nanoparticles to form a pomegranate-like ZIF-8-wood carbon precursor, named ZIF-8@RW2. Subsequently, ZIF-8 were employed as sacrificial templates to fabricate N-doping carbon electrode (CZIF-8@RW2). A proof-of-concept study is demonstrated wherein freestanding CZIF-8@RW2 performs well in applications of electrode (5.62F/cm2, 374.4F/g, 10 mA/cm2) and symmetric supercapacitors (1.24 mWh/cm2, 7.68mWh/cm3, 46.35 Wh/kg). Therefore, the present study provides a generalized approach for the synthesis of Zn-MOF-wood composites with homogeneity and high loading in energy storage fields and other potential areas.

Peat-Derived ZnCl2-Activated Ultramicroporous Carbon Materials for Hydrogen Adsorption.

Highly microporous adsorbents have been under considerable scrutiny for efficient adsorptive storage of H2. Of specific interest are sustainable, chemically activated, microporous carbon adsorbents, especially from renewable and organic precursor materials. In this article, six peat-derived microporous carbon materials were synthesized by chemical activation with ZnCl2. N2 and CO2 gas adsorption data were measured and simultaneously fitted with the 2D-NLDFT-HS model. Thus, based on the obtained results, the use of a low ratio of ZnCl2 for chemical activation of peat-derived carbon yields highly ultramicroporous carbons which are able to adsorb up to 83% of the maximal adsorbed amount of adsorbed H2 already at 1 bar at 77 K. This is accompanied by the high ratio of micropores, 99%, even at high specific surface area of 1260 m2 g-1, exhibited by the peat-derived carbon activated at 973 K using a 1:2 ZnCl2 to peat mass ratio. These results show the potential of using low concentrations of ZnCl2 as an activating agent to synthesize highly ultramicroporous carbon materials with suitable pore characteristics for the efficient low-pressure adsorption of H2.

Hydrochar derived from Liquorice root pulp utilizing catalytic/non-catalytic hydrothermal carbonization: RSM optimization and cationic dye adsorption assessment

The present study targeted producing hydrochar from Liquorice root pulp employing the catalytic/non-catalytic hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) method and evaluating its performance in methylene blue adsorption from an aqueous solution. The response surface methodology (RSM) was utilized to assess the impact of operational variables such as temperature, time, and water/ solid ratio on the yield of hydrochar production and MB adsorption capacity. The maximum yield of hydrochar production and dye adsorption capacity was achieved at 168 °C, 2.016 h, and a water/solid ratio of 9.215. The assessment of the catalytic HTC process at different concentrations of ZnCl2 demonstrated the 0.25 M solution had the most positive effect on MB adsorption capacity. The physicochemical characteristics of hydrochars were evaluated utilizing techniques such as CHN, FTIR, BET, XRD, TGA, and SEM. Also, the peak fitting method presented a semi-quantitative assessment of the impact of the catalytic/ non-catalytic HTC process on the oxygenated functional groups of hydrochars. The methylene blue adsorption process was evaluated by conducting the experiments at different values of effective parameters such as pH, contact time, initial dye concentration, and dose of adsorbent as temperature. Furthermore, the kinetic and isotherm models were studied to describe the dominant mechanisms in the MB adsorption process. The maximum MB adsorption capacity was achieved at 290.65 and 314.62 mg/g for hydrochar and modified hydrochar at pH of 9, initial dye concentration of 400 mg/L, 45 min of contact time, 1 g/L of adsorbent dose, and temperature of 25 °C. Finally, studying the thermodynamic parameters of the adsorption process demonstrated MB adsorption's spontaneity and exothermic nature.

Aromatic biomass (torch ginger) leaf-derived three-dimensional honeycomb-like carbon to enhance gravimetric supercapacitor.

Porous carbon electrode (PCE) is identified as a highly suitable electrode material for commercial application due to its production process, which is characterized by simplicity, cost-effectiveness and environmental friendliness. PCE was synthesized using torch ginger (Etlingera elatior (Jack) R.M. Smith) leaves as the base material. The leaves were treated with different concentrations of ZnCl2 , resulting in a supercapacitor cell electrode with unique honeycomb-like three-dimensional (3D) morphological pore structure. This PCE comprises nanofibers from lignin content and volatile compounds from aromatic biomass waste. From the characterization of physical properties, PCE-0.3 had an impressive amorphous porosity, wettability and 3D honeycomb-like structural morphology with a pore framework consisting of micropores and mesopores. According to the structural advantages of 3D hierarchical pores such as interconnected honeycombs, PCE-0.3 as supercapacitor electrode had a high specific capacitance of up to 285.89 F g-1 at 1 A. Furthermore, the supercapacitor exhibited high energy and power density of 21.54 Wh kg-1 and 161.13 W kg-1 , respectively, with a low internal resistance of 0.059 Ω. The results indicated that 3D porous carbon materials such as interconnected honeycombs derived from the aromatic biomass of torch ginger leaves have significant potential for the development of sustainable energy storage devices. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Reverse Dual-Ion Battery Enabled by Reversing the Cation/Anion Storage Mechanism in an Aqueous ZnCl2 Water-in-Salt Electrolyte.

Dual ion batteries (DIBs) have garnered significant attention from researchers due to their unique ability to store the charges using electrolyte-born ions, making them promising candidates for grid storage applications. However, despite extensive efforts to explore DIBs with various electrolytes, such as organic, aqueous, gel polymer etc., challenges such as electrolyte decomposition and poor stability of anode materials in aqueous electrolytes remain unresolved. To address these issues, we report, a novel approach utilizing a flip-cum-reverse sequence of anion/cation storage chemistry in a ZnCl2 water-in-salt electrolyte (ZnCl2-WiSE)-based reverse dual ion battery (RDIB), employing Zn-based Prussian blue analogue i.e., Zn3[Fe(CN)6]2 and ferrocene-carbon composite (FcC) as cathode and anode electrodes, respectively. The RDIB operates in the opposite direction compared to conventional DIBs, offering a fresh perspective. Through our investigations, we discovered that increasing the concentration of ZnCl2-WiSE [ZnCl2-WiSE] resulted in a positive shift of 270 mV in the redox potential for cation/anion (de)insertion at the cathode, and a negative shift of 70 mV at the anode, indicating enhanced performance. Remarkably, the RDIB operate in 10m ZnCl2-WiSE exhibited an impressive energy density of 23 WhKg-1, showcasing the potential of this approach for high-performance energy storage.

In situ Monitoring of Double Metal Cyanide (DMC) Catalyst Synthesis by Raman Spectroscopy

Double metal cyanide (DMC) catalyst is widely used for the alkoxylation reaction to produce polyether polyol from ethylene/propylene/butylene oxides. It is challenging to optimize the synthesis process, due to the lack of real-time understanding of the speciation of the reaction mixture. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and actual alkoxylation reaction performance are effective ways for the evaluation of success of each synthesis, but it is difficult to guide process optimization. An in situ Raman method is developed in this study to monitor the DMC catalyst synthesis in real time to accelerate the process optimization. The synthesis involves the reaction of ZnCl2 and K3Co(CN)6 (KHCC) to form Zn3[Co(CN)6]2 (ZHCC). ZHCC is then converted to DMC in the presence of excess of t-butanol and ZnCl2 in the second step. Characteristic KHCC Raman peaks were observed at 2138 and 2153 cm-1, ZHCC at 2185 and 2206 cm-1, and DMC at 2203 and 2225 cm-1, respectively. This enables realtime tracking of both steps’ conversion. Both t-butanol and ZnCl2 concentrations were found to substantially influence the kinetics of DMC formation, but not the Raman spectra of the final DMC products. The reaction time could be adjusted from hours to minutes through the control of reactant concentrations.

Mesoporous biobased carbonaceous adsorbent for dye removal from water: Eutectic molten salts effect and adsorption mechanisms

Dye-polluted wastewater is released from various industries, such as textile and paint industries. Among different reclamation techniques, adsorption has been widely used for dye removal. Carbonaceous adsorbents, such as graphene, are among the most sought-after compounds for adsorption applications because of their high specific surface area and adjustable surface features. In this study, graphene-like carbon (GLC) was prepared from biomass as it is a facile and eco-friendly approach. Biomass-derived GLC was prepared by pyrolyzing waste wood in the presence of FeCl3/ZnCl2 as a eutectic binary mixture. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and Raman analyses revealed that FeCl3 had a template effect during pyrolysis, whereas ZnCl2 acted as a pore former. Moreover, FeCl3 and ZnCl2 concentrations positively affected the BET value, regardless of the salt type. Further, waste wood-derived graphene-like carbon (WGLC) pyrolyzed at 900 °C with biomass: FeCl3: ZnCl2 at a ratio of 1:2:1 (WGLC-121) showed the highest specific surface area (2073.78 m2 g−1) and could remove >90 % of rhodamine B (RhB) and Congo red (CR) dyes. The pseudo-second order kinetic model showed a stronger correlation with the experimental data than the pseudo-first order model. While intra-particle diffusion was the rate-determining step in RhB adsorption, it did not influence CR adsorption. Further, the Freundlich model better explained the RhB (qmax = 633.86 mg g−1) and CR (qmax = 141.28 mg g−1) adsorption and revealed the superiority of WGLC-121 in dye removal compared to the previously reported adsorbents. The adsorption isotherm, energy, and thermodynamic parameters confirmed that the dyes were adsorbed through physisorption. Furthermore, the inter-molecular interaction between the RhB and CR molecules influenced the dye adsorption rate and isotherm. The findings of this study demonstrate the high potential of a binary mixture of FeCl3 and ZnCl2 for preparing carbonaceous adsorbents from waste wood to remove dyes from industrial wastewater.