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With the large-scale retirement of new energy vehicles, it is particularly important to recycle and reuse retired lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, the current improper handling of spent electrolytes will cause serious environmental problems. Here, we propose a novel, simple and easy-to-implement method to realize the high-value utilization of recovered electrolytes from retired LIBs. Comparing with the initial content of LiPF6 (1 mol L−1 in a mixed carbonate solvent system, and about 1 g in a 18650 type LIB) in fresh batteries, a maximum leaching efficiency of 29% could be realized during the full-component resource reclamation of retired LIBs, using the selective mixed leaching solvent system of dimethyl carbonate + CHClF2 (1 : 1, v/v ratio). Then the water and HF impurities are reduced from 80.90 ppm to 4.56 ppm and from 1312.91 ppm to 291.52 ppm by pre-treatment with hexamethyl disilazane (C6H19NSi2). Although the purified electrolyte does not meet the standards for re-use in LIBs, it can be used as a synthetic raw material for lithium salt additives. As a typical case, the LiPF6 salt in a leached electrolyte is recycled into a salt additive of lithium difluorodioxalate phosphate (LiDFBOP) under the preferred reaction conditions (75 °C, 27 h, with a molar ratio of 1 : 3 for LiPF6 : bis (trimethylsilicon)oxalate), realizing closed-loop recycling. The electrochemical results show that the electrochemical performances of the graphite/Li and LNCA/Li half cells are significantly improved with the addition of the as-prepared LiDFBOP additive. This research gives a large-scale synthesis route to realize high-value utilization of low-quality LiPF6, and helps establish a full-component resource reclamation process of retired LIBs. It not only improves environmental friendliness, but also realizes the high efficiency utilization of resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of activated carbon is greatly limited by its low energy density. Here, the angelica herb residue–based activated carbon (AHRAC) materials modified by loading NiO and MnO2 were prepared via a hydrothermal reaction, respectively. The results of structure measurements and electrochemical tests reveal that NiO is more beneficial for improving the specific capacitance (about 678.2 F g−1) and energy density (about 30 Wh kg−1) of AHRAC owing to its unique flower-like morphology and abundant porosity. In addition, combining the density functional theory calculation (DFT), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and diffusion coefficient calculation, the difference between AHRAC@NiO and AHRAC@MnO2 was analyzed, which may be ascribed to the larger pseudo-capacitance contribution, bigger diffusion coefficient, and higher adsorption behavior for OH−. In this work, not only a porous carbon with a high specific surface area was prepared, but also the biomass waste was reused. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ni-rich LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 materials have been successfully applied in electric vehicles due to the merits of high energy density which can meet the requirements for driving range. Nevertheless, the electrochemical performances of Ni-rich materials are limited by their structural instability. Herein, LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 materials with the concentration-gradient structure of a Ni-rich core and a Co-rich surface were synthesized. The electrochemical results indicate that surface-concentration gradient LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 provides improved electrochemical performance. It not only displays an initial Coulomb efficiency of 82.4%, and a capacity retention of 80.37% after 200 cycles at 25 °C, but also shows a capacity retention of 77.76% after 150 cycles at a high temperature of 55 °C. These excellent performances can be attributed to adjusting the distribution of Ni on the surface of the LiNi0.8Co0.15Al0.05O2 material, which inhibits the interfacial reaction between the material surface and electrolyte, lowers the consumption of active Li+ and decreases the interfacial film impedance. Moreover, less Ni content on the material surface is beneficial for reducing the formation of a NiO rock salt phase during the charging process and inhibits the surface structural evolution. The proposed method and detected mechanism will provide guidance for the design of cathode materials and their practical industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Cardiac autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is a serious complication of diabetes and is associated with adipokines. The C1q tumor necrosis factor‐related protein 9 (CTRP9) is a newly discovered adipokine. This study aimed to evaluate the association of serum CTRP9 levels with the prevalence and severity of CAN in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Materials and Methods: We enrolled 262 patients (aged ≥18 years) with type 2 diabetes mellitus into this study. Standard cardiovascular autonomic reflex tests (CARTs) were used to assess CAN and patients were divided into three groups accordingly: a non‐CAN group, an early CAN group, and a definite CAN group. Serum CTRP9 levels were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay, and the tertiles were calculated. Results: Serum CTRP9 levels decreased significantly in the early CAN and definite CAN groups (P < 0.05). The percentage of definite CAN was the highest at the minimum tertile of serum CTRP9 level (T1; P < 0.05). Additionally, serum CTRP9 levels were negatively correlated with age, DM duration, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and fasting plasma glucose (FPG) while positively correlated with high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL; P < 0.05). The level of CTRP9 was also significantly associated with the four indexes of CARTs (P < 0.05). Furthermore, CTRP9 was a protective factor for definite CAN (P < 0.05). Compared with the maximum tertile (T3) of the serum CTRP9 levels, a decreased level of serum CTRP9 in T1 significantly increased the prevalence ratio of definite CAN in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Serum CTRP9 levels were independently associated with definite CAN. CTRP9 represents a reliable biomarker for exploring CAN in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]