Comprehensive Characterization of Shredded Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling Material

Herein we report on an analytical study of dry-shredded lithium-ion battery (LIB) materials with unknown composition. Samples from an industrial recycling process were analyzed concerning the elemental composition and (organic) compound speciation. Deep understanding of the base material for LIB recycling was obtained by identification and analysis of transition metal stoichiometry, current collector metals, base electrolyte and electrolyte additive residues, aging marker molecules and polymer binder fingerprints. For reversed engineering purposes, the main electrode and electrolyte chemistries were traced back to pristine materials. Furthermore, possible lifetime application and accompanied aging was evaluated based on target analysis on characteristic molecules described in literature. With this, the reported analytics provided precious information for value estimation of the undefined spent batteries and enabled tailored recycling process deliberations. The comprehensive feedstock characterization shown in this work paves the way for targeted process control in LIB recycling processes.     

Neighborhood Relationships of Widely Distributed and Irregularly Shaped Particles in Partially Dewatered Filter Cakes

A more thorough understanding of the properties of bulk material structures in solid–liquid separation processes is essential to understand better and optimize industrially established processes, such as cake filtration, whose process outcome is mainly dependent on the properties of the bulk material structure. Here, changes of bulk properties like porosity and permeability can originate from local variations in particle size, especially for non-spherical particles. In this study, we mix self-similar fractions of crushed, irregularly shaped Al₂O₃ particles (20 to 90 µm and 55 to 300 µm) to bimodal distributions. These mixtures vary in volume fraction of fines (0, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 100 vol.%). The self-similarity of both systems serves the improved parameter correlation in the case of multimodal distributed particle systems. We use nondestructive 3D X-ray microscopy to capture the filter cake microstructure directly after mechanical dewatering, whereby we give particular attention to packing structure and particle–particle relationships (porosity, coordination number, particle size and corresponding hydraulic isolated liquid areas). Our results reveal widely varying distributions of local porosity and particle contact points. An average coordination number (here 5.84 to 6.04) is no longer a sufficient measure to describe the significant bulk porosity variation (in our case, 40 and 49%). Therefore, the explanation of the correlation is provided on a discrete particle level. While individual particles?<?90 µm had only two or three contacts, others?>?100 µm took up to 25. Due to this higher local coordination number, the liquid load of corresponding particles (liquid volume/particle volume) after mechanical dewatering increases from 0.48 to 1.47.

     

Analytical evaluation of three-center nuclear-attraction integrals over s-Slater orbitals for asymmetrical conformations of the centers

Analytical formulas for three-center nuclear-attraction integrals over Slater orbitals are given for any location of the three atomic centers. In the mathematical derivations the Neumann expansion has been used and new general auxiliary integrals which depend on the elliptical coordinates of one of the centers are defined. The orbital exponents within the integrals may be different.     

Theory of interband and intraband light scattering in semiconductors in an external electric field

A theory is developed for interband and intraband light scattering in semiconductors in an external electric field. Explicit results are given for a simple two-band model. The field induced change of the interband scattering cross section shows oscillation close to the scattering edge. Intraband scattering being approximately elastic without an external electric field becomes inelastic in the presence of the field. A numerical estimation of the field influence on the scattering cross section is given in both cases.     

Optical depth measurements of fireballs from aluminized high explosives

Spatially and temporally resolved attenuation of 532 nm light by fireballs from aluminized high explosives is determined using photometric and imaging methods. For all measurements, the absorbance is found to peak during the early period of high reactivity of post-detonation gases. The characteristic attenuation length is less than 1 cm during the peak absorption period, and remains on the order of centimeters until a significant decrease in optical depth occurs about 160 μs after the detonation. These results suggest that, for gram-scale and larger aluminized charges, the optically thick assumption will most likely be valid for the period in which fireball luminosity is significant.     

Untersuchungen an Zinnverbindungen. XVIII. Schwingungsspektren und Normalkoordinatenanalyse von n-Propylzinntrichlorid – ein Beitrag zur Rotationsisomerie in Organozinnverbindungen

Studies on tin compounds. XVIII. Vibrational spectra and normal co-ordinate analysis of n-propyltintrichloride – a contribution to rotational isomerism of organotin compounds The infrared and RAMAN spectra of liquid and solid n-propyltintrichloride have been recorded. By normal coordinate treatment the vibrations are assigned to the gauche- and trans-isomers. The Sn–C stretching vibrations are calculated for the gauche-form at 523^?1, and for the trans-form at 599 cm^?1. In the liquid state both isomers are present, in the solid state only the gauche isomer is existing.     

Coagulation and stabilization of sterically functionalized magnetite nanoparticles in an organic solvent with different technical polymers

Single crystalline zinc tin oxide (ZTO) nanocrystallites were prepared at room temperature through association with a peptide-containing bolaamphiphile molecule. The bolaamphiphile molecules self-assembled to form spherical structures with creation of ZTO nanocrystallites inside. ZTO nanocrystallite synthesis was achieved only when the bolaamphiphile molecule was present, while a mixture of amorphous Sn and Zn precipitates was formed in the absence of the bolaamphiphile molecule. The bolaamphiphile molecule is thought to stabilize the Zn(2+) and Sn(4+) precursor ions by ligation and to induce subsequent condensation forming crystalline ZTO. The ZTO formation was achieved only at a strong acidic condition that promotes dissociation and ionization of Zn and Sn precursors and represses formation of ZnO and H(2)SnO(3). The prepared ZTO nanocrystallites had almost the same band gap energy as ZTO nanoparticles prepared by the conventional hydrothermal process. The outcomes of this study indicate that the controlled mineralization of metal precursor ions in a peptide-containing bolaamphiphile molecule suspension can be an alternative method to synthesize metal oxides at room temperature, while maintaining their crystalline structure and optoelectrical properties.     

Liquid–liquid phase transfer of magnetite nanoparticles

The study presents first experimental results of the transfer of magnetite nanoparticles from an aqueous to a second non-miscible non-aqueous liquid phase. The transfer is based on the adsorption of macromolecular surfactants onto the particle surface at the liquid–liquid interface. For a successful direct phase transfer, it is essential to have cations, like ammonium ions, present in the aqueous phase as well as a threshold concentration of surfactant in the organic liquid phase. While penetrating the liquid–liquid interface, the particles are covered with the surfactant and therefore a partial de-agglomeration is initiated. Based on literature and experimental data a mechanism of surfactant adsorption is proposed. The competing adsorption of the surfactant molecules at the liquid–liquid interface leads to the formation of emulsions and therefore to a hindrance for particles passing the interface. Nevertheless a high efficiency of 100% yield can be reached using optimized process parameters for the phase transfer process.