Search

Li-air batteries are considered strong candidates for the next-generation energy storage systems designed for electrical transportation. However, low cyclability and current rates are two major drawbacks that hinder them from further realization. These issues necessitate the discovery of novel materials to significantly enhance the redox process of discharge products. In this study, a novel catalytic system comprised of tin sulfide (SnS) nanoflakes as a solid catalyst and tin iodide (SnI2) as a dual-functional electrolyte additive is discovered. This system enables operating the battery at high current rates up to 10 000 mA g−1 (corresponding to 1 mA cm−2). The SnS catalyst shows outstanding catalytic activity for both oxygen reduction and evolution reactions compared to carbon, noble metals, and other transition metal dichalcogenides. It also exhibits good structural integrity at high rates. The computations indicate numerous possible oxygen reduction sites without oxygen dissociations on the SnS surface through solution mechanism that is likely responsible for the formation of Li2O2. The calculations also indicate that the role of the SnI2 is not only reacting with the lithium anode to provide protection but reducing the charge potential by promoting catalytic decomposition of the Li2O2. This work provides new novel additives for designing high-rate Li-air batteries.

The rechargeable lithium-oxygen (Li-O

Lithium–oxygen (Li–O2) batteries are a promising class of rechargeable Li batteries with a potentially very high achievable energy density. One of the major challenges for Li–O2 batteries is the hi...

Redox mediators (RMs) are solution-based additives that have been extensively used to reduce the charge potential and increase the energy efficiency of Li-oxygen (Li-O

Lithium-oxygen batteries are among the most attractive alternatives for future electrified transportation. However, their practical application is hindered by many obstacles. Due to the insulating nature of Li

China has the largest textile production and export in the world, with a massive amount of wastewater and related pollutants releasing. With an increasing concern to improve water quality, dyeing and finishing wastewater (DFW) requires better disposal or reclamation. In this review, the characteristics of wastewater in different natural and synthetic fiber production processes as well as the origins of their specific pollutants such as aniline, absorbable organic halogens (AOX), sulfide, hexavalent chromium and antimony were summarized. The discharge standards for DFW in China, have undergone complex evolution processes, which were discussed including the current standard, the revision detail and the one to be implemented. Furthermore, the current status of pollutant reduction in the textile industry, covering cleaner production and wastewater treatment, was targeted, in particular the state of the art of specific pollutant removal technologies and their feasibility of application for DFW treatment. Also, reclamation systems based on wastewater discharge characteristics and reclaimed water quality requirements were reviewed. Overall, the systematic solution of source reduction of wastewater and contaminants, coupled with subsequent treatment and recycling, is crucial for the sustainable development of the textile industry.

Azo dyes are widely used in textile and dyeing industry. Aniline, an important raw material of dyes and auxiliaries, is always the common by-products from the azo dye degradation, which is difficult to be completely removed in dyeing wastewater treatment. The discharge of azo dyes and aniline in textile wastewater arouses many environmental issues, and aniline is listed as the priority pollutant. In recent years, degradation techniques including physical, chemical and biological processes of different dyes and aniline have gained much attention. Their degradation pathways and corresponding mechanisms have been proposed. However, most studies focus on the dye removal or decolorization capacity, the influence factors, and the by-product varieties in certain degradation process. There were very few reports on the behavior of aniline transformation during the azo dye degradation processes, which is crucial for aniline control. This paper aims at comprehensively and critically reviewing the fate of aniline formation and degradation in different degradation technologies. Besides, crucial questions on aniline control are raised and discussed. It is expected that this work will shed new insight and provide valuable information that will aid in avoiding the environmental risk of aniline in textile and dyeing industry.

Lithium-oxygen (Li-O2 ) batteries possess the highest theoretical energy density (3500 Wh kg-1 ), which makes them attractive candidates for modern electronics and transportation applications. In this work, an inexpensive, flexible, and wearable Li-O2 battery based on the bifunctional redox mediator of InBr3 , MoS2 cathode catalyst, and Fomblin-based oxygen permeable membrane that enable long-cycle-life operation of the battery in pure oxygen, dry air, and ambient air is designed, fabricated, and tested. The battery operates in ambient air with an open system air-breathing architecture and exhibits excellent cycling up to 240 at the high current density of 1 A g-1 with a relative humidity of 75%. The electrochemical performance of the battery including deep-discharge capacity, and rate capability remains almost identical after 1000 cycle in a bending fatigue test. This finding opens a new direction for utilizing high performance Li-O2 batteries for applications in the field of flexible and wearable electronics.

Biodegradation of a monoazo dye – Acid Orange 7 (AO7) was investigated by using an internal circulation baffled biofilm reactor. For accelerating AO7 biodegradation, endogenous electron donors produced from AO7 by UV photolysis were added into the reactor. The result shows that AO7 removal rate can be accelerated by using its endogenous electron donors, such as sulfanilic and aniline. When initial AO7 concentration was 13.6 mg/L, electron donors generated by 8 h UV photolysis were added into the same system. The biodegradation rate 0.4 mg 0.05 h −1 was enhanced 60% than that without adding electron donor. Furthermore, sulfanilic and aniline were found to be the main endogenous electron carriers, which could accelerate the steps of the azo dye biodegradation.

Three meptazinol benzoyl esters (1-3) were synthesized as prodrugs to minimize the first-pass effect of meptazinol and improve the bioavailability. Among these three esters, compound 3 showed better bioavailability than the parent meptazinol. Further, the relative regional bioavailability of prodrug 3 was evaluated using in situ closed loop study in rats, which showed that prodrug 3 has higher absorption efficacy in rat intestine. Thusly, prodrug 3 may be worth for further development.