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Magnetic activated carbon particles (Fe3O4/active carbon composites) as auxiliary electrodes (AEs) were fixed on the surface of Ti/Sb-SnO2 foil by a NdFeB magnet to form a new magnetically assembled electrode (MAE). Characterizations including cyclic voltammetry, Tafel analysis, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were carried out. The electrochemical oxidation performances of the new MAE towards different simulated wastewaters (azo dye acid red G, phenol, and lignosulfonate) were also studied. Series of the electrochemical properties of MAE were found to be varied with the loading amounts of AEs. The electrochemical area as well as the number of active sites increased significantly with the AEs loading, and the charge transfer was also facilitated by these AEs. Target pollutants' removal of all simulated wastewaters were found to be enhanced when loading appropriate amounts of AEs. The accumulation of intermediate products was also determined by the AEs loading amount. This new MAE may provide a landscape of a more cost-effective and flexible electrochemical oxidation wastewater treatment (EOWT). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium–sulfur batteries have been recognized as one of the most promising next-generation energy storage technologies due to their ultra-high theoretical capacity and energy density. However, their practical application is still hampered by several issues, including the shuttle effect of polysulfides, the volume expansion of sulfur cathodes during charging/discharging process, etc. Rational design of multifunctional binders is one of the effective strategies to overcome the mentioned issues. In this work, a series of 3Mx binders were prepared by combining the inorganic material silica (SiO2) with the well-conductive 1,1-di-tert-butylperoxy-3,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane (3M). Excellent mechanical properties as well as good affinity to lithium polysulfide were obtained with the prepared 3M90 binder with a 3M content of 90%. The assembled battery with a 3M90 binder exhibited remarkable cycle performance. The lithium–sulfur battery with the 3M90 binder could achieve a reversible capacity retention of 77.4% after 500 cycles at a current density of 0.5 C. Even at a higher C-rate of 1 C, a capacity decay rate of 0.069% per cycle can be achieved after 300 cycles. The excellent electrochemical properties revealed that the 3M90 binder could make remarkable improvement in delivering the specific capacity and cycle stability of lithium–sulfur batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ever‐increasing use of lithium‐ion batteries (LIB) results in piles of spent batteries, which threats the environment and the supply chain of strategic metals. Developing sustainable recycling strategies for the cathode of spent LIB can bring about promising environmental and economic benefits. In this work, we present an ultrafast high temperature shock process for regenerating typical LiCoO2 (LCO) spent cathodes into the carbon layer/Co3O4 composite (C/CO). The nanosized Co3O4 provides large active sties exposure, while the graphitized carbon layer can potentially enhance the electronic conductivity towards oxygen evolution and oxygen reduction (OER and ORR) catalysis. Benefiting from the enhanced active sties exposure, electronic conductivity, and the synergistic effect between the two domains, the C/CO composite shows efficient bifunctional (OER and ORR) electrocatalytic properties. The OER overpotential (at 10 mA cm−2) and ORR on‐set potential reach 245 mV and 0.90 V, respectively. Moreover, the aqueous rechargeable Zn‐air batteries using C/CO composite as air cathodes display high specific capacity (698 mAh g−1), power density (131 mW cm−2), and as well as cycling stability. This work provides a waste to treasure way that is eco‐friendly, low‐cost, and ultrafast for regenerating the spent LIB for further applications in energy storage systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT BINAP-metal complexes were prepared as extractant for liquid-liquid extraction (ELLE) of amino-(4-nitro-phenyl)-acetic acid (NPA) enantiomers. The influence of process variables, including types of organic solvents and metal precursor, concentration of ligand, pH, and temperature on the efficiency of the extraction, were investigated experimentally. An interfacial reaction model was established for insightful understanding of the chiral extraction process. Important parameters required for the model were determined. The experimental data were compared with model predictions to verify the model prediction, It was found that the interfacial reaction model predicted the experimental results accurately. By modeling and experiment, an optimal extraction condition with pH of 7 and host (extractant) concentration of 1 mmol/L was obtained and high (αop) of 3.86 and performance factor ( pf) of 0.1949 were achieved. Chirality 26:79-87, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new D‐π‐A copolymers combining dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]silole as donor unit and thieno[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐4,6‐dione as acceptor unit are designed and synthesized. The influence of different side chains on the optical properties, the energy levels of the highest occupied molecular orbitals and lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals, electronic structures, morphologies of blend films, and the photovoltaic properties of the conjugated polymers are investigated. As a result, the polymers reveal different light absorption and energy levels, which contributes to the short‐circuit current and the open‐circuit voltage, respectively. The dihedral angles between the donor unit and the π bridge are greatly increased due to the steric effect caused by introducing the alkyl chain to the π bridge. Eventually, a maximum power conversion efficiency of 2.65% is obtained. Two new D‐π‐A copolymers using dithieno[3,2‐b:2′,3′‐d]silole as donor unit and thieno[3,4‐c]pyrrole‐4,6‐dione as acceptor unit are designed and synthesized. The influence of side chains on optoelectronic properties is investigated. The polymer with smaller steric hindrance shows red‐shifted absorption and higher energy levels, and the resulting polymer solar cells acquire more favorable morphology and better photovoltaic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BINAP-metal complexes were prepared as extractant for enantioselective liquid-liquid extraction (ELLE) of amino-(4-nitro-phenyl)-acetic acid (NPA) enantiomers. The influence of process variables, including types of organic solvents and metal precursor, concentration of ligand, pH, and temperature on the efficiency of the extraction, were investigated experimentally. An interfacial reaction model was established for insightful understanding of the chiral extraction process. Important parameters required for the model were determined. The experimental data were compared with model predictions to verify the model prediction, It was found that the interfacial reaction model predicted the experimental results accurately. By modeling and experiment, an optimal extraction condition with pH of 7 and host (extractant) concentration of 1 mmol/L was obtained and high enantioselectivity (αop ) of 3.86 and performance factor (pf) of 0.1949 were achieved., (Copyright © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)