Search

Highly concentrated electrolytes show promise in enhancing lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery performance by mitigating polysulfide (PS) solubility. The role of the salt anion for the performance improvement(s) is however not well understood. Here a systematic characterization using (concentrated) electrolytes based on three different salts: LiTFSI, LiTf, and LiTDI, in a common DOL:DME solvent mixture is reported for a wide range of physicochemical and electrochemical properties: ionic conductivity, density, viscosity, speciation, and PS solubility. While increased salt concentration in general improves Li-S battery performance, the role of the salt anion introduces complexity. The 2 m LiTDI-based electrolyte, with a slightly higher viscosity and lower PS solubility, outperforms the LiTFSI-based counterpart in terms of accessible reversible capacity. Conversely, the 2 m LiTf-based electrolyte exhibits subpar performance due to the formation of ionic aggregates that renders more free solvent and, therefore higher PS solubility, which, however can be improved by using a 5 m concentrated electrolyte. Hence, using electrolyte salt concentration as a rational design route demands an understanding of the local molecular structure, largely determined/affected by the choice of anion, as well as how it connects to the global properties and in the end improved Li-S battery performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing interest in hybrid (aqueous–organic) electrolytes for electrochemical energy storage is due to their wide stability window, improved safety, and ease of assembly that does not require a moisture-free atmosphere. When it comes to applications in electrochemical capacitors, hybrid electrolytes are expected to fill the gap between high-voltage organic systems and their high discharge rate aqueous counterparts. This article discusses the potential applicability of aqueous–organic electrolytes utilizing water/N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) solvent mixture, and sodium perchlorate as a source of charge carriers. The hydrogen bond formation between H2O and DMAc (mole fraction xDMAc = 0.16) is shown to regulate the original water and cation solvation structure, thus reducing the electrochemical activity of the primary aqueous solution both in the hydrogen (HER) and oxygen (OER) evolution reactions region. As a result, an electrochemical stability window of 3.0 V can be achieved on titanium electrodes while providing reasonable ionic conductivity of 39 mS cm−1 along with the electrolyte's flame retardant and anti-freezing properties. Based on the diagnostic electrochemical studies, the operation conditions for carbon/carbon capacitors have been carefully optimized to adjust the potential ranges of the individual electrodes to the electrochemical stability region. The system with the appropriate electrode mass ratio (m+/m− = 1.51) was characterized by a wide operating voltage of 2.0 V, gravimetric energy of 13.2 Wh kg−1, and practically a 100% capacitance retention after 10,000 charge–discharge cycles. This translates to a significant rise in the maximum energy of 76% when compared to the aqueous counterpart. Additionally, reasonable charge–discharge rates and anti-freeze properties of the developed electrolyte enable application in a broad temperature range down to −20 °C, which is demonstrated as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnesium (Mg) batteries hold promise as a large‐scale energy storage solution, but their progress has been hindered by the lack of high‐performance cathodes. Here, we address this challenge by unlocking the reversible four‐electron Te0/Te4+ conversion in elemental Te, enabling the demonstration of superior Mg//Te dual‐ion batteries. Specifically, the classic magnesium aluminum chloride complex (MACC) electrolyte is tailored by introducing Mg bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (Mg(TFSI)2), which initiates the Te0/Te4+ conversion with two distinct charge‐storage steps. Te cathode undergoes Te/TeCl4 conversion involving Cl− as charge carriers, during which a tellurium subchloride phase is presented as an intermediate. Significantly, the Te cathode achieves a high specific capacity of 543 mAh gTe−1 and an outstanding energy density of 850 Wh kgTe−1, outperforming most of the previously reported cathodes. Our electrolyte analysis indicates that the addition of Mg(TFSI)2 reduces the overall ion‐molecule interaction and mitigates the strength of ion‐solvent aggregation within the MACC electrolyte, which implies the facilized Cl− dissociation from the electrolyte. Besides, Mg(TFSI)2 is verified as an essential buffer to mitigate the corrosion and passivation of Mg anodes caused by the consumption of the electrolyte MgCl2 in Mg//Te dual‐ion cells. These findings provide crucial insights into the development of advanced Mg‐based dual‐ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper presented delivers the proof for one of the possible solutions to the so-called medium-temperature gap—the lack of electrolytic systems able to efficiently work in a temperature range spanning from 200 to 450 °C. Regardless of the progress made in this field, the commercially available systems are still operating either at close to ambient temperatures, where hydrogen purity requirements are a significant limit, or above ca. 600 °C, where they suffer from increased corrosion and excessive thermal stresses occurring during startup and shutdown. Alkali metal orthoborates (M3BO3 M = Li, Na, K, or the mixture of these), in contrast to commercially used tetra-(M2B4O7) and meta-(MBO2) borates of these metals, are compounds with relatively poorly understood structure and physicochemical properties. The possibility of their application as an electrolyte in a fuel cell is a relatively new idea and has been preliminary reported. Therefore, an extended phase-focused analysis of the materials applied was needed to re-optimize both the synthetic strategy and the application route. Results of PXRD and FT-IR investigations showed, on the one hand, a complicated multi-phase structure, including the main orthoborate phase, as well as the presence of additional borate-based phases, including boric oxoacid. On the other hand, DTA tests proved not only that their melting temperatures are lower than these characteristics for the tetra- and meta-counterparts, but also that cation mixing leads to a subsequent decrease in this important functional parameter of the materials studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Differing conditions in captive breeding and in the wild have impact on the mineral profile of the pheasant carcass and its heavy metal contents. This may be an indicator of environmental contamination. The study evaluated the nutritional composition and selected macro- and trace element contents (heavy metals in particular) in usable sections of pheasant breast and thigh muscles originating from captive breeding and wild birds.

Most studies of agroforestry system biodiversity focus on assessing visible, aboveground biodiversity, largely ignoring soil biodiversity. To fill this gap, a preliminary assessment of soil biodiversity in an agroforestry system was undertaken based on changes in soil enzyme activity. The study was conducted in the village of Maziarnia, Lubelskie Voivodeship, Poland, Europe. Arable fields with spring wheat, mid-field trees and perennial mixed forest were selected for the study. Soil material for physicochemical analyses (pHH2O, pHKCl, sorption properties, total carbon and total nitrogen) and biochemical analyses (activity of acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, urease and dehydrogenases) was collected in the spring and autumn of 2022. The present study showed that the biochemical properties of the soils of the selected study sites varied depending on the type of ecosystem determining habitat conditions. Each ecosystem that makes up the agroforestry system studied is characterised by a distinctive microbiome composition and its own level of enzymatic activity. The obtained results support the thesis that agroforestry systems significantly increase the functional diversity and overall biodiversity of agricultural landscapes. However, a full, objective characterisation of the processes taking place in agroforestry systems requires long-term monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Essential oils are complex mixtures of volatile compounds obtained from plants where they play aromatic, communicative and defensive roles. They have been used for centuries in medicine, agriculture and industry due to their broad spectrum of biological activity. They exhibit antimicrobial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and smooth muscle relaxant properties. Due to their lipophilicity and small molecular size, essential oil components easily penetrate biological membranes and exert therapeutic effects. Currently, research is underway on the use of essential oils for the treatment of viral infections, cancer prevention and inflammatory diseases. These agents may provide a valuable alternative to conventional therapies due to their natural origin and high tolerability. However, ensuring the appropriate quality and standardization of preparations is crucial to guarantee their efficacy and safe use. This paper provides an overview of the properties of essential oils, the methods used to obtain them, their composition, and their medical and therapeutic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Badania prowadzono w obszarze oddziaływania kopalni siarki w Jeziórku. Celem badań była ocena zmian odczynu, pojemności sorpcyjnej i zawartości przyswajalnych form fosforu, potasu i magnezu po 6 latach od przeprowadzenia rekultywacji. W doświadczeniu (poletka o powierzchni 15 m2) przeprowadzono rekultywację zdegradowanego gruntu wapnem poflotacyjnym, oraz kompostami: z osadu ściekowego, osadu ściekowego i popiołu z elektrociepłowni. Komposty w dawce suchej masy 180 t · ha-1 (6%), ustalonej w oparciu o rozporządzenie MŚ z 2001 roku, zastosowano w wariantach: kontrola (grunt rodzimy tylko zwapnowany); kompost z komunalnego osadu ściekowego; kompost z osadu ściekowego (80%) i popiołu (20%); kompost z osadu ściekowego (70%) i popiołu (30%). Na zrekultywowanych poletkach zasiano mieszankę traw rekultywacyjnych. Jednorazowe odkwaszenie i nawożenie gruntu i dalsze 6-letnie ekstensywne (bez nawożenia) użytkowanie wywarły zróżnicowany wpływ na kształtowanie właściwości rodzimego utworu bezglebowego. Bez względu na sposób rekultywacji, po sześciu latach użytkowania gruntu, w wierzchnich warstwach, zwiększyła się średnia zawartość przyswajalnego fosforu, zawartość przyswajalnego potasu nie uległa znacznym zmianom natomiast około 10-krotnie zmniejszyła się zawartość przyswajalnego magnezu.

This paper presents an evaluation of the use of drilling tailings in reclamation and development of physical and chemical properties of degraded soils. Composites with drilling wastes and other wastes, useful for the reclamation of degraded soils and their reconstruction in devastated areas, were used in the tests. Comparative objects were anthropogenic soil fertilized with NPK and manure at a dose of 30 Mg/ha + NPK. The research shows that the tested anthropogenic soil was characterized by very poor sorption properties, and especially the composites with the participation of the tested waste improved the described properties. The composite with sewage sludge from ZA Puławy had a more favorable (by approx. 20%) effect on the sorption capacity of the reclaimed anthropogenic soil than the composite with municipal sewage sludge from Lublin. The effect of the tested composites on reducing the hydrolytic acidity of the reclaimed soil was similar, but much more favorable than that of manure. The results of the conducted research confirmed that drilling wastes have environmentally valuable properties, but due to their unbalance, they should not be used alone, but in composites with properly selected other wastes, such as manure or sewage sludge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of the hydrogen economy, despite its obvious technological problems, creates a need for a significant number of niche-focused solutions, such as small-sized (10–100 W) fuel cells able to run on hydrogen of lesser purity than what is considered a standard in the case of PEMFCs. One of the solutions can be derived from the fact that an increase in the operational temperature of a cell significantly decreases its susceptibility to catalyst poisoning. Electrolytes suitable for the so-called medium temperature operational range of 120–400 °C, hence developed, are neither commercialized nor standardized. Among them, phosphate silicate protonically conductive glasses were found not only to reveal interestingly high levels of operational parameters, but also, to exhibit superior chemical and electrochemical stability over their polymeric counterparts. On the other hand, their mechanical properties, including cracking fragility, still need elaboration. Initial studies of the composite phosphate silicate glasses with uranyl-based protonic conductors, presented here, proved their value both in terms of application in fuel cell systems, and in terms of understanding the mechanism governing the charge transport mechanism in these and similar systems. It was found that whereas systems containing 10–20 wt% of the crystalline additive suffer from significant instability, materials containing 45–80 wt% (with an optimum at 60%) should be examined more thoughtfully. Moreover, the uranyl hydrogen phosphate was found to surpass its arsenate counterpart as an interesting self-healing behavior of the phase structure of the derived composite was proved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]