Hydrothermal synthesis of Mn-Zn ferrites from spent alkaline Zn-Mn batteries

Nanocrystalline Mn-Zn ferrites （Mno.GZno.4Fe204） with particle size of 12 nm were synthesized hydrotherreally using spent alkaline Zn-Mn batteries, and accompanied by a study of the influencing factors. The nanocrystals were examined by powder X-ray diffraction （XRD） for crystalline phase identification, and scanning electron microscopy （SEM） for grain morphology. The relationship between concentration of Fe（II）, Mn（II）, and Zn（II） and pH value was obtained through thermodynamic analysis of the Fe（II）-Mn（II）-Zn（II）-NaOH-H2O system. The results showed that all ions were precipitated completely at a pH value of 10-11. The optimal preparation conditions are： co-precipitation pH of 10.5, temperature of 200 ℃ and time of 9 h.     

Hydrothermal synthesis of ultrathin hexagonal nickel hydroxide nanosheets

Nickel hydroxide, Ni(OH)₂ is widely used in electrodes of nickel-based alkaline secondary batteries. Ultrathin hexagonal Ni(OH)₂ nanosheets of space group P-3m1 were hydrothermally prepared at 200 °C for 10 h. Their diameter and thickness were 200–300 and 3–5 nm, respectively. Their formation was attributed to the oriented assembly of growing particles, which was assisted by surfactant molecules. The specific surface area of the Ni(OH)₂ nanosheets was 8.66 m²/g. Their magnetization curve exhibited linear paramagnetic behavior across the entire measurement region.     

Hydrothermal growth of octahedral Fe3O4 crystals

This paper reports the growth of octahedral magnetic Fe3O4 particles from iron powders via a simple alkaline hydrothermal process. The chemical compositions and morphologies of the as-grown Fe3O4 particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction （XRD）, X-ray photoelectron spectra （XPS）, and scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. Structure characterization showed that the phase structure of the prepared particles evolved from α-Fe to pure Fe3O4 with increasing concentration of KOH, indicating the important role of KOH concentration on the formation of the magnetite octahedron. The magnetic properties of samples were also studied by means of a vibrating sample magnetometer （VSM）. The pure magnetite Fe3O4 octahedrons exhibited a relatively high saturation magnetization of 96.7 emu/g.     

Hydrothermal growth of octahedral Fe_3O_4 crystals

This paper reports the growth of octahedral magnetic Fe3O4 particles from iron powders via a simple alkaline hydrothermal process. The chemical compositions and morphologies of the as-grown Fe3O4 particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Structure characterization showed that the phase structure of the prepared particles evolved from α-Fe to pure Fe3O4 with increasing concentration of KOH, indicating the important role of KOH concentration on the formation of the magnetite octahedron. The magnetic properties of samples were also studied by means of a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The pure magnetite Fe3O4 octahedrons exhibited a relatively high saturation magnetization of 96.7 emu/g.     

Microwave-assisted polyol synthesis of LiMnPO4/C and its use as a cathode material in lithium-ion batteries

We synthesized LiMnPO₄/C with an ordered olivine structure by using a microwave-assisted polyol process in 2:15 (v/v) water–diethylene glycol mixed solvents at 130 °C for 30 min. We also studied how three surfactants—hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, polyvinylpyrrolidone k30 (PVPk30), and polyvinylpyrrolidone k90 (PVPk90)—affected the structure, morphology, and performance of the prepared samples, characterizing them by using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, charge/discharge tests, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. All the samples prepared with or without surfactant had orthorhombic structures with the Pnmb space group. Surfactant molecules may have acted as crystal-face inhibitors to adjust the oriented growth, morphology, and particle size of LiMnPO₄. The microwave effects could accelerate the reaction and nucleation rates of LiMnPO₄ at a lower reaction temperature. The LiMnPO₄/C sample prepared with PVPk30 exhibited a flaky structure coated with a carbon layer (∼2 nm thick), and it delivered a discharge capacity of 126 mAh/g with a capacity retention ratio of ∼99.9% after 50 cycles at 1C. Even at 5C, this sample still had a high discharge capacity of 110 mAh/g, demonstrating good rate performance and cycle performance. The improved performance of LiMnPO₄ likely came from its nanoflake structure and the thin carbon layer coating its LiMnPO₄ particles. Compared with the conventional polyol method, the microwave-assisted polyol method had a much lower reaction time.     

Lattice Boltzmann modeling of transport phenomena in fuel cells and flow batteries

Fuel cells and flow batteries are promising technologies to address climate change and air pollution problems. An understanding of the complex multiscale and multiphysics transport phenomena occurring in these electrochemical systems requires powerful numerical tools. Over the past decades, the lattice Boltzmann(LB) method has attracted broad interest in the computational fluid dynamics and the numerical heat transfer communities, primarily due to its kinetic nature making it appropriate for modeling complex multiphase transport phenomena. More importantly, the LB method fits well with parallel computing due to its locality feature, which is required for large-scale engineering applications. In this article, we review the LB method for gas–liquid two-phase flows, coupled fluid flow and mass transport in porous media, and particulate flows. Examples of applications are provided in fuel cells and flow batteries. Further developments of the LB method are also outlined.     

Solid-state synthesis of Li[Li0.2Mn0.56Ni0.16Co0.08]O2 cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries

Layered Li[Li_0.2Mn_0.56Ni_0.16Co_0.08]O₂ cathode materials were synthesized via a solid-state reaction for Li-ion batteries, in which lithium hydroxide monohydrate, manganese dioxide, nickel monoxide, and cobalt monoxide were employed as metal precursors. To uncover the relationship between the structure and electrochemical properties of the materials, synthesis conditions such as calcination temperature and time as well as quenching methods were investigated. For the synthesized Li[Li_0.2Mn_0.56Ni_0.16Co_0.08]O₂ materials, the metal components were found to be in the form of Mn⁴⁺, Ni²⁺, and Co³⁺, and their molar ratio was in good agreement with stoichiometric ratio of 0.56:0.16:0.08. Among them, the one synthesized at 800 °C for 12 h and subsequently quenched in air showed the best electrochemical performances, which had an initial discharge specific capacity and coulombic efficiency of 265.6 mAh/g and 84.0%, respectively, and when cycled at 0.5, 1, and 2 C, the corresponding discharge specific capacities were 237.3, 212.6, and 178.6 mAh/g, respectively. After recovered to 0.1 C rate, the discharge specific capacity became 259.5 mAh/g and the capacity loss was only 2.3% of the initial value at 0.1 C. This work suggests that the solid-state synthesis route is easy for preparing high performance Li[Li_0.2Mn_0.56Ni_0.16Co_0.08]O₂ cathode materials for Li-ion batteries.     

Roles of metal element substitutions from the bimetallic solid state electrolytes in lithium batteries

All-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLBs), receiving extensive attentions and studies, exhibit better safety, environmental friendliness, stability, wider electrochemical stability window and higher energy density than traditionally liquid lithium batteries. In a variety of inorganic materials, with highly replaceable, the non-lithium metal elements emerge in endlessly and affect performances in diversiform ways. Due to facile preparation, convertible structures and excellent properties, the lithium-containing bimetallic granular materials are often applied as important components of electrolytes in lithium batteries. In this review, in terms of the properties of substituted elements, changing crystal structures, increasing vacancies or defects and improving the interfacial conductions, the roles of metal element substitutions of inorganic particles on the improvement of solid-state electrolytes are expounded. And the applications of substituted strategies in ASSLBs as the host of inorganic particles electrolytes and as fillers or modifications for composite electrolytes are also investigated and discussed. It also summarizes the current concerns and obstacles that need to be broken through, as well as provides a basis guide for the selection and optimization of inorganic particles.     

Water-bathing synthesis of high-surface-area zeolite P from diatomite

Zeolite P was synthesized for the first time via a novel water-bathing route at 90 C using scrubbed diatomite,sodium hydroxide,and aluminum hydroxide as precursor,with SiO 2/Al 2 O 3,SiO 2/Na 2 O,and H 2 O/Na 2 O molar ratios of 7.43,3.81,and 80.00,respectively.The as-fabricated samples were characterized by means of scanning electron microscopy,X-ray diffraction,and nitrogen adsorption measurements.This study showed that (i) treating the diatomite raw material with sodium hexametaphosphate could open the p...