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The direct electrolysis of seawater for the production of green hydrogen energy is an economically attractive approach. However, this technique confronts technical problems because to the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) weak stability and inadequate selectivity due to competition with the chlorine evolution process. This work focuses on improving the stability of the electrode and electrolysis efficiency. The phosphating NiCoP active layer with 3D porous morphology was created by electrodeposition on the B-doped diamond (BDD) as an electrode inspired by the bifunctional catalysis strategy. The successfully constructed unique cube-on-nanosheets structure in the NiCoP active layer enables the electrode to exhibit excellent electrocatalytic performance. The porous NiCoP/BDD (Por-NiCoP/BDD) electrodes showed good catalytic activity in alkaline-simulated seawater with the OER and hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) overpotentials of 400 and 261 mV, respectively, at a current density of 100 mA cm−2. More importantly, the electrode exhibits interesting stability of the catalytic performance and structural in alkaline-simulated seawater electrolysis, with the current density decaying by only 1.52 % and 4.06 % after OER and HER processes for 50 h, respectively. This work expands the valuable application scenarios of BDD electrode and provides novel ideas for the development of seawater electrolysis. [Display omitted] • The controllable preparation of Por-NiCoP/BDD electrodes with 3D porous morphology was achieved. • The constructed NiCoP catalytic layer presents an interesting cauliflower-like structure. • The Por-NiCoP/BDD electrodes exhibit interesting bifunctional catalytic performance (OER and HER). • The Por-NiCoP/BDD electrodes exhibited attractive structural stability in alkaline-simulated seawater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study reports a unique flow-through electrode design for hydrogen production in alkaline water electrolysis. This paper investigates a variety of electrodeposition coatings on the 3D-printed electrodes, including nickel, nickel-copper, and nickel-iron. The catalytic activity and properties of the electrodes are examined through electrochemical measurements involving linear sweep voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and surface morphology analysis. An experimental setup is also developed to measure hydrogen production and evaluate the efficiency of the designed electrodes. The study finds the flow-through electrodes coated with nickel-copper and nickel-iron achieve the current densities of 54 mA/cm2 and 45 mA/cm2, respectively. The activation overpotentials for the nickel-copper coated electrode are reported as 539 mV, and 408 mV for the nickel-iron coated electrode, both at a current density of 10 mA/cm2. The highest production rate is obtained within the first 15 minutes, 0.273 μg/s for the Ni-Cu flow-through electrode and 0.255 μg/s for the Ni-Fe flow-through electrode. The study further shows that flow-through electrodes produce hydrogen with an efficiency approximately 74% higher than traditional electrodes, suggesting a potentially better design for better hydrogen production in industrial applications. • This study reports a new flow-through electrode design for hydrogen production. • The electrodes are fabricated using 3D-printing and coated using electrodeposition. • The performance is evaluated using electrochemical and hydrogen measurements. • The study finds that flow-through electrodes perform better than traditional. • The flow-through electrodes consume less energy with the same or higher production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dielectrophoretic (DEP) force acting on micro- and nanoparticles is highly dependent on the gradient of the electric field experienced by the particles. The DEP force enables the selective capture and removal of micro- or nanoscale particles from the fluid flow within the microchannels. Designing the geometrical structure of electrodes to increase the electric-field gradient within a 3D microfluidic channel is important in particle classification and alignment applications. In this study, we evaluated the particle alignment performance of wave-shaped electrodes, a modified geometrical form of conventionally used interdigitated electrodes, by calculating the DEP force experienced by particles within a microfluidic channel and analyzing the force in both the in-plane (xy) and out-of-plane (xz) directions. The particle alignment efficiency of both electrode forms was evaluated using finite element analysis and nanowire alignment experiments in an actual microfluidic channel environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the electrochemical desulfurization of coal and the recovery of copper (Cu) using dimensionally stable anode (DSA) electrodes. Background: The research addresses the need for effective sulfur removal from coal to reduce emissions. Methods: Electrochemical desulfurization was conducted using DSA and graphite electrodes, evaluating parameters like activation energy, desulfurization rate, and energy consumption. Cyclic voltammetry and linear sweep voltammetry were used to study the electrochemical properties. Results: The DSA electrode demonstrated superior performance with higher desulfurization rates, lower activation energy, and better response to temperature increases compared to the graphite electrode. Optimal desulfurization was achieved at 50 °C with the DSA electrode, balancing efficiency and energy consumption. Copper recovery from the solution post-desulfurization was effective, with an 86.34% recovery rate at −0.15 V vs. (Ag|AgCl). The energy consumption for the Cu recovery was calculated to be 10.56 J, and the total cost for recovering 1 ton of Cu was approximately 781.20 €. Conclusions: The study highlights the advantages of DSA electrodes for efficient sulfur removal and metal recovery, promoting cleaner energy production and environmental sustainability. Future research should focus on optimizing electrochemical conditions and scaling up the process for industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The innovation of nanomaterials for supercapacitors (SC s) presents a potentially viable solution to the energy crisis arising from our excessive dependence on fossil fuels. The present study demonstrated the hydrothermal synthesis of an environmentally sustainable and economical FeAl 2 O 4 nanomaterial grafted on graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) for supercapacitor applications. This study aimed to assess the supercapacitive capabilities of nanocomposite electrode material via various electrochemical tests. Upon investigation, it was discovered that FeAl 2 O 4 /g-CN nanocomposite material demonstrated a remarkable specific capacitance (1049 F g−1), energy density (29 Wh kg−1) and power density (223 W kg−1). Furthermore, the inclusion of g-CN nanosheets into the FeAl 2 O 4 /g-CN nanocomposite which increased surface area (SAA, 46 m2 g-1), leading to a decrease in charge transfer resistance by 0.73 Ω. The enhanced electrochemical performance was attributed to many factors, including an increased SAA, greater number of active regions and a nitrogen-rich structure that facilitates rapid ion adsorption. The FeAl 2 O 4 /g-CN nanocomposite exhibited a robust pseudocapacitive characteristic and demonstrated exceptional conduction, leading to a significantly enhanced cyclic stability endurance of 40 h. Hence, the synergistic behavior of FeAl 2 O 4 /g-CN nanocomposite results in its remarkable efficiency as a proactive electrode material for energy storage purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research investigates the problem of Cu-Zn electrode batteries with NaCl electrolyte. Previous studies have indicated problems with the electrolyte and electrodes after charging, such as turbidity and deposits in the electrolyte, as well as corrosion on the electrodes. Consequently, the battery can only be used once due to a decline in its electrical characteristics after the initial charging. Through this research, improvements were made to the electrical characteristics of the battery by adding Na-EDTA to enhance usage efficiency. The research method involved mixing NaCl solution with the highest electrical conductivity, using six pairs of Cu-Zn electrodes arranged in series. The physical conditions of the electrolyte and electrodes were observed, and electrical characteristics were measured. The research results indicate that the use of NaCl+Na-EDTA electrolyte produces a battery voltage of 4.20 volts with a current of 2 Ah and can be used twice. Charging with solar panels can be done in 1 hour, but the frequency is limited to two times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Faradaic capacitive deionization (FCDI) with attractive ion‐capture capacity, outstanding durability, and potential compatibility in high‐salinity water has been recognized as the robust alternative to address the alarming freshwater scarcity. The further innovation of boosting electrode materials is the indispensable requisite for highly efficient FCDI application. Herein, a low‐crystalline nitrogen‐doped carbon quantum dots modified Mg2+‐pillar preintercalated V3O7 (i.e., NCQDs/Mg‐V3O7) heterostructure is assembled via an ingenious one‐spot hydrothermal avenue, and is investigated as the advanced FCDI electrode for desalination application. Taking advantages of the synergic effect of unique microstructure, improved electronic conductivity, and exceptional structural durability, the NCQDs/Mg‐V3O7 electrode delivers an admirable gravimetric adsorption capacity of 54.32 mg g−1 in a NaCl solution of 1500 mg L−1 and attractive cyclic durability. Further, density functional theory calculations verify the intense interface electron coupling interaction between tri‐components, enabling the significantly promoting Na+ capture capability. The synergy removal mechanism is clarified by ex‐situ X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy and in‐situ Raman tests. Additionally, the average removal efficiency of hybrid electrode attains 93.75% in the simulated wastewater comprising the NaCl of 50 mg L−1 and diverse metal nitrates from 10 to 100 mg L−1 for each, certifying the great prospects for practical wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research looks at NiCo-based electrocatalytic improvements for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The technique of synthesis, which uses cyclic voltammetry (CV) on the rod of graphite as substrate, provides a unique one-step electrochemical approach. The best conditions for effective catalyst production were discovered by fine-tuning parameters such as cycle numbers, scan speed, and Ni:Co concentration ratios. The major findings indicate that the enhanced Nickel–Cobalt film on a graphite rod demonstrates promising HER performance. Notably, it exhibits moderate overvoltage of −255 mV and −403 mV at current densities of 10 mA cm⁻2 and 100 mA cm⁻2, respectively. Furthermore, the Nickel–Cobalt electrocatalyst produced requires just 380 mV overvoltage to achieve 10 mA cm−2 current density, showing good efficiency of this electrode in OER. This study highlights its high stability, activity, and improved kinetics, attributing these characteristics to new microstructures, a binder-free electrodeposition procedure, and the combined benefits of Nickel and Cobalt. The proposed Nickel–Cobalt electrode, developed through a simple and cost-effective electrochemical deposition, demonstrates high efficiency for both HER and OER, making it a promising candidate for sustainable hydrogen generation. [Display omitted] • Electrodeposition of binder-free Ni–Co catalyst on graphite rod at a short time. • Optimized Ni:Co ratio (2:1) performs better for HER and OER in 1 M NaOH. • Scalable, low-cost catalysts boost H 2 production. • Full-cell water splitting maintains stability after 20 h (1.88 V @ 10 mA cm⁻2). • Low charge transfer resistance, high surface area for the Ni–Co electrocatalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Schottky-type photodiodes' quick responsiveness to light has attracted great attention worldwide. To increase their efficiency as electrodes or interlayers, a variety of materials have been employed. Two-dimensional materials such as MXene with an impressive ability to efficiently absorb light have been at the core of studies. On the other hand, the restacking challenge of 2-D materials poses important drawbacks limiting the benefit of their surface properties and large surface area. Preparation of 3-D materials using 2-D counterparts has been widely employed to alleviate the restacking problem. In this study, we synthesized 3-D V2C MXenes nanoflowers via a simple ultrasonic treatment followed by a freeze-drying process. The 3-D V2C MXenes nanoflowers were characterized by SEM, EDS, XRD, FT-IR, and XPS. The 3-D V2C MXenes nanoflowers were implemented as interlayers onto p-type and n-type Si wafers. The V2C MXenes/p-Si device has shown an excellent rectification ratio. The devices were measured under various illumination intensities. Electrical parameters were calculated via thermionic emission, Cheung, and Norde methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advancements in lithium‐based energy storage focus on new electrode materials for lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) and capacitors. Lithium titanate (LTO) emerges as a key player, offering minimal volume change, rapid charging, and enhanced safety. A critical discovery is the formation of a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer on LTO electrodes, especially with electrolyte additives, improving electrochemical performance. This study investigates additive effects on LTO. Large‐scale Li‐ion capacitors (LIC) of LTO//activated carbon (AC) are crafted and evaluated. Notably, adding just 1% of methylene methanedisulfonate (MMDS) or fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) to a 1 m LiPF6 electrolyte markedly increases capacities and maintains performance over 500 cycles, outperforming other additives. These additives also boost large‐scale capacitor capacities, showing exceptional stability for over 1600 cycles. This underlines the potential of customized electrolyte additives in elevating LTO‐based energy storage, leading to more durable and efficient lithium‐based solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sensitive detection and precise quantitation of trace-level crucial biomarkers in a complex sample matrix has become an important area of research. For example, the detection of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) is strongly recommended in clinical guidelines for early diagnosis of acute myocardial infarction. Based on the use of an electrode modified by single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and a Ru(bpy)32+-doped silica nanoparticle (Ru@SiO2)/tripropylamine (TPA) system, a novel type of electrochemiluminescent (ECL) magneto-immunosensor is developed for ultrasensitive detection of hs-cTnI. In this approach, a large amount of [Ru(bpy)3]2+ is loaded in SiO2 (silica nanoparticles) as luminophores with high luminescent efficiency and SWCNTs as electrode surface modification material with excellent electrooxidation ability for TPA. Subsequently, a hierarchical micropillar array of microstructures is fabricated with a magnet placed at each end to efficiently confine a single layer of immunomagnetic microbeads on the surface of the electrode and enable 7.5-fold signal enhancement. In particular, the use of transparent SWCNTs to modify a transparent ITO electrode provides a two-order-of-magnitude ECL signal amplification. A good linear calibration curve is developed for hs-cTnI concentrations over a wide range from 10 fg/ml to 10 ng/ml, with the limit of detection calculated as 8.720 fg/ml (S/N = 3). This ultrasensitive immunosensor exhibits superior detection performance with remarkable stability, reproducibility, and selectivity. Satisfactory recoveries are obtained in the detection of hs-cTnI in human serum, providing a potential analysis protocol for clinical applications. HIGHLIGHTS: • An integrated microfluidic chip is fabricated to confine immunomagnetic beads at the electrode surface, leading to improved electrochemiluminescent efficiency and increased sensitivity in electrochemiluminescent immunoassays. • The combination of single-walled carbon nanotubes with the excellent electrooxidation ability of TPA and SiO2 nanoparticles as carriers loading a large amount of [Ru(bpy)3]2+ enables a sensitivity improvement of at least two orders of magnitude. • The electrochemiluminescent magneto-immunosensor exhibits an ultralow detection limit of 8.72 fg/ml, excellent selectivity and reproducibility, and satisfactory recoveries in human serum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Induction and confinement of bubble templates assist atoms deposition to design micron skeletons. • Etching effect of dissolution-deposition construct the secondary nanoporous structure. • Focusing the electrolyte diffusion behaviour in three-dimensional heterogeneous hierarchical porous structures. • Modeling and optimization of pore structure guide the controllable preparation of electrodes. This paper introduced a novel continuous electrochemical synthesis strategy to address the challenges of slow ion/electron transport rates and low electrode reaction efficiency in Sn-based electrode materials. This approach leveraged the induction and confinement of bubble templates to assist atoms deposition, generating micron-sized tin skeletons. Subsequently, these skeletons were transformed into a secondary nanoporous structure through dissolution-deposition etching effects. From liquid-phase ions to metal skeletons to porous oxides, the sequential material transformations realized the innovative design of three-dimensional (3D) hierarchical structures. This strategy ingeniously exploited the diffusion advantages of the electrolyte in the micro-nano hierarchical structure to achieve the diffusion enhancement of ions, thus solving the "dead surface" problem in the energy storage process. This study revealed the thermodynamic and kinetic feasibility of the constructed 3D micro-nano hierarchical structure through electrochemical evaluations and theoretical calculations, and elucidated the constitutive relationship in which the electrochemical performance of the electrode materials was enhanced with decreasing pore size. In addition, design optimization of pore structures and modelling exploration of pore size limit values were conducted based on density functional theory (DFT) simulations. These simulations demonstrated the advantages of hierarchical structures with controllable pore sizes in facilitating electrolyte ion diffusion, predicting an optimal pore size of 55 μm for 3D hierarchical porous SnO x electrodes. The integration of this innovative structural design with simulation insights offered significant implications for enhancing the sluggish electrode reaction kinetics of metal oxide electrode materials, advancing the controllable fabrication of high-performance energy storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the development of practical sodium‐ion batteries, electrochemical performance and cost efficiency of the electrode materials are vital considerations. Prussian blue analogs (PBAs) have emerged as promising cathode materials due to their affordability, high theoretical capacity, and cycling stability. However, low crystallinity can negatively impact their performance. This study introduces a straightforward "chelating agent‐assisted" method for producing highly crystalline PBAs. The resulting cathode boasts excellent characteristics, including a high capacity of 150 mAh g−1, an initial Coulombic efficiency of 87.2 %, a long cycling lifespan of 1000 cycles, and superior rate performance. Furthermore, the study shows that the low structure distortion and high sodium diffusion coefficient can be attributed to the suppression of structural defects, as evidenced by in situ synchrotron powder diffraction. We believe these findings have the potential to enable the widespread use of PBAs in sodium‐ion batteries for an affordable and large‐scale energy storage system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is imperative to solve the problem of the electrolytic efficiency of chlorine evolution in extremely dilute chlorine-containing solutions for electrochemical advanced oxidation processes, electrochemical antifouling and chlorine-containing disinfectant preparation. In this paper, an IrO2–Ta2O5 electrode is modified using SnOx, and the activity and selectivity of the chlorine evolution reaction (CER) are successfully improved. The modification of SnOx changes the electronic structure of IrO2–Ta2O5, thus affecting the electrochemical reaction process and mechanism. Compared with the CER activity of the IrO2–Ta2O5 electrode, the CER activity of the SnOx@IrO2–Ta2O5 electrode is increased, whereas the OER activity is decreased. At a current density of 50 mA cm−2, the potential difference between the CER and OER of the SnOx@IrO2–Ta2O5-3 electrode is 254 mV, which is 89 mV higher than that of the IrO2–Ta2O5 electrode. This proves that the selectivity of the CER at the SnOx@IrO2–Ta2O5 electrode has been improved. Due to the low concentration of chloride ions, the current efficiency of the IrO2–Ta2O5 electrode is only 10.7%. The current efficiency of the SnOx@IrO2–Ta2O5-1(2,3) electrode increases to 23.6%, 36.7% and 49.6%, respectively. For the IrO2–Ta2O5 electrode, its rate-determining step (RDS) is the second electron transfer. However, for the SnOx@IrO2–Ta2O5-3 electrode, its RDS is electrochemical desorption. It can be inferred that the modification of SnOx can accelerate the electrochemical desorption of adsorbed Cl. In addition, the application of the SnOx@IrO2–Ta2O5 electrode in the preparation of AEW is investigated. The HClO content in AEW2 (prepared using the SnOx@IrO2–Ta2O5-3 electrode) is 1.85 mmol L−1, which is 4.6 times of that in AEW1 (prepared using the IrO2–Ta2O5 electrode). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron selenide (FeSe2), cobalt selenide (Co3Se4), and iron cobalt selenide (FeCo2Se4) have been synthesized via a two-step hydrothermal process. The formation of FeSe2, Co3Se4, and FeCo2Se4 has been proven by sample characterization to support their catalytic activity as the counter electrodes for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-HFP)/propylene carbonate (PC)/1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME)/1-methyl-3-propyl imidazolium iodide (MPII)/sodium iodide (NaI)/iodine (I2) gel electrolytes were assembled into DSSCs with FeCo2Se4, FeSe2, Co3Se4, or platinum (Pt) as the counter electrode. The DSSC with FeCo2Se4 counter electrode shows an efficiency of 8.55%, whereas Pt counter electrode shows an efficiency of 7.06%. The highest performance of DSSC achieved with FeCo2Se4 can be attributed to its highest surface area and pore volume. Hence, FeCo2Se4 can be used as a Pt-free counter electrode for high-performance DSSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectivesMethodsResultsConclusionProper electrode placement is essential for favorable hearing outcomes following cochlear implantation. Though often used, traditional intraoperative X-ray imaging is time consuming, exposes patients and staff to radiation, and poses interpretational challenges. The Nucleus® SmartNav System, utilizes electrode voltage telemetry (EVT) to analyze the positioning of the electrode array intraoperatively. This study investigates the efficacy of SmartNav in optimizing the efficiency and accuracy of assessing electrode placement.This prospective clinical study analyzed placement of 50 consecutive Cochlear Corporation cochlear implants conducted at a single institution between March of 2022 and June of 2023. Placement check of electrode array using SmartNav and X-ray was completed and individually assessed. A comparative analysis of SmartNav and X-ray completion times for electrode placement assessment was conducted.Subjects included nine ears with abnormal anatomy and three reimplants. SmartNav placement check required a total time of 2.12 min compared to X-ray imaging at 14.23 min (p = 1.6E-16, CI 95%). Both SmartNav and X-ray had excellent sensitivity of 100% in identifying appropriate electrode position (p = 1.0). Tip fold-over was identified using both modalities in 3 cases with noted easier interpretation using SmartNav.The Nucleus® SmartNav System significantly outperformed traditional X-ray imaging, offering a faster and more straightforward approach to assessing electrode positioning during cochlear implant surgery, thereby enhancing surgical efficiency and patient safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon (Si) is widely used material in Li-ion batteries because of its high specific capacity. However, Si anodes have some drawbacks because of poor life cycles and low coulombic efficiency due to significant volume changes during processing. Supercritical CO2 (scCO2) annealing as a low-temperature process (36 °C) has been applied to anode electrode for battery efficiency optimization concerning Si particles' microcracking after cycles. Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) were used as binders in that electrode structure. Within the scope of the study, Si/C/CMC/SBR and LiCoO2 were preferred as the anode and the cathode, respectively. As the results of the tests, CO2 annealing has been proven to increase capacity preservation from 20.7% to 79.7% after 103 cycles. At the same time, coulombic efficiency has been enhanced from 79.9% to 82.4% after scCO2. CO2 in supercritical state is believed to be a suitable wetting agent, especially for Si particles. Battery performance tests suggest that CO2 wetting enhances the system's tolerance to Si particles' expansion on cyclic use. From the first charge/discharge capacities it is understood that CO2 wetted Si particles perform 25–30% less in capacity which is believed to be a result of particle/CO2 interface acting as a barrier; however, CO2 annealed samples' stability is higher according to the tests. Considering all these results, the novel scCO2 annealing can be an attractive post-processing method for the new generation silicon-based lithium-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of cost-effective components for Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolyzers plays a crucial role in the transformation of renewable energy into hydrogen. To achieve this goal, two main issues should be addressed: reducing the Platinum Group Metal (PGM) content present on the electrodes and finding a large-scale electrode manufacturing method. Magnetron sputtering could solve these hurdles since it allows the production of highly pure thin films in a single-step process and is a well-established industrial and automated technique for thin film deposition. In this work, we have developed an ultra-low 0.1 mg cm−2 Pt loading electrode using magnetron sputtering gas aggregation method (MSGA), directly depositing the Pt nanoparticles on top of the carbon substrate, followed by a complete evaluation of the electrochemical properties of the sputtered electrode. These ultra-low Pt content electrodes have been thoroughly characterized and tested in a real electrolyzer cell. They demonstrate similar efficiency to commercial electrodes with a Pt content of 0.3 mg/cm2, achieving a 67% reduction in Pt loading. Additionally, durability tests indicate that these electrodes offer greater stability compared to their commercial counterparts. Thus, magnetron sputtering has been proven as a promising technology for manufacturing optimum high-performance electrodes at an industrial scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to design an electrochemical sensor for the detection of tinidazole (TN) by carbon nanotube electrode (CNTE) modified with dl‐phenylalanine (DL‐PA). The unmodified carbon nanotube electrode (UMCNTE) and poly (DL‐PA) modified carbon nanotube electrode (P(DL‐PA) MCNTE) were characterized by Scanning emission microscopy (SEM) images. Electrochemical techniques like cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), were implemented to evaluate the efficiency of the developed electrode toward the detection of TN. The impact of pH on the modified electrode showed that the P(DL‐PA) MCNTE gave a good voltammetric response at pH 3.5. The effect of accumulation time, scan rate, and variation of concentration of TN at the surface of the developed sensor was analyzed. The scan rate study showed that the reduction reaction of TN involves a two‐electron transfer process and it is adsorption‐controlled. The detection limit studies for CV and DPV gave good linearity in the linear range 0.6 μM to 100.0 μM and 3.0 μM to 100.0 μM respectively. The limit of quantification (LOQ) and limit of detection (LOD) concerning CV were found to be 0.65 μM and 0.19 μM respectively. The LOQ and LOD for DPV were calculated to be 0.33 μM and 0.10 μM respectively. The P(DL‐PA) MCNTE showed good anti‐interferent properties. The developed sensor has good stability, repeatability, and reproducibility for the analysis of TN. The P(DL‐PA) MCNTE was successfully employed in the real sample analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, trimercapto‐S‐triazine trisodium salt (TMT) with threefold rotational symmetry as a corrosion inhibitor was introduced into 2 mol ⋅ L−1 ZnSO4 medium. By electrochemical measurements, the corrosion inhibition efficiency of the zinc electrodes was 92.52 % when the concentration of TMT corrosion inhibitor was 2 mmol ⋅ L−1. Based on the microstructural characterization and theoretical analysis of Zn electrodes, it was confirmed that S and N atoms of TMT corrosion inhibitor serve as alternately zinc‐philic adsorption sites with sixfold rotational symmetry for the formation of intermolecular complexes. Adsorption energies of TMT on Zn surfaces were calculated and indicated that the bonds of Zn−N and Zn−S promoted anchoring adsorption on sixfold symmetric (002) plane of zinc. Meanwhile, TMT corrosion inhibitor can adsorb Zn2+ from the electrolyte and directionally deposit them on the surface of Zn (002), effectively avoiding the occurrence of dendrites. This study changes the common knowledge that organic corrosion inhibitors must form hydrophobic films to have corrosion inhibition performance, and provides a new approach for using small organic molecules with anchoring adsorption as metal corrosion inhibitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing an efficient strategy for the universal synthesis of electrocatalysts is crucial for advancing the industrialization of water splitting, yet it remains a significant challenge. In this study, we propose combustion-assisted corrosion engineering as a rapid method to fabricate electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) within seconds. By utilizing a three-dimensional framework composed of nickel foam and the unique structure of the active species, we enable swift electrolyte diffusion and gas release. Consequently, the optimized S–NiO/NF exhibits remarkable OER catalytic activity, requiring a low overpotential of 236 mV to achieve a current density of 50 mA cm−2 in 1.0 M KOH solution. Notably, the reconfiguration during the OER process leads to the formation of actual catalytic active species, enhancing the number of active centers and thereby improving the catalyst's performance. This research presents a versatile method for industrially fabricating non-noble metal self-supporting electrodes with high efficiency, offering a practical solution for energy conversion and storage. • Combustion-assisted corrosion engineering is characterized by convenience, fast, low cost as well as generality. • Reconstruction of heterogeneous constructs provides additional active sites. • S–NiO/NF requires only 236 mV to achieve a current density of 50 mA cm−2 in 1 M KOH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to their unique physical and chemical properties, complex nanostructures based on carbon nanotubes and transition metal oxides are considered promising electrode materials for the fabrication of high-performance supercapacitors with a fast charge rate, high power density, and long cycle life. The crucial role in determining their efficiency is played by the properties of the interface in such nanostructures, among them, the type of chemical bonds between their components. The complementary theoretical and experimental methods, including dispersion-corrected density functional theory (DFT-D3) within GGA-PBE approximation, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, X-ray photoelectron, and X-ray absorption spectroscopies, were applied in the present work for the comprehensive investigation of surface morphology, structure, and electronic properties in CuOx/MWCNTs and NiOx/MWCNTs. As a result, the type of interfacial interaction and its correlation with electrochemical characteristics were determined. It was found that the presence of both Ni–O–C and Ni–C bonds can increase the contact between NiO and MWCNTs, and, through this, promote electron transfer between NiO and MWCNTs. For NiOx/MWCNTs, better electrochemical characteristics were observed than for CuOx/MWCNTs, in which the interfacial interaction is determined only by bonding through Cu–O–C bonds. The electrochemical properties of CuOx/MWCNTs and NiOx/MWCNTs were studied to demonstrate the effect of interfacial interaction on their efficiency as electrode materials for supercapacitor applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnesium batteries provide a promising alternative to traditional energy storage solutions due to their impressive energy density, potential safety features, and cost-effectiveness, making them highly suitable for large-scale applications. The solid state synthesis of MgCoSiO4 is reported in this work. The produced magnesium cobalt silicate nanoparticles are treated with 450 V of DC glow discharge plasma for 15 min of exposure time. The novel aspect of the MgCoSiO4 material generated in a solid state is highlighted in this research work. This material underwent plasma treatment, which changed its surface and improved its performance. Through testing and investigation, these modifications resulted in increased conductivity and overall electrode material efficiency, demonstrating the substantial influence of the treatment material functionality. It enhances the electrochemical characteristics by altering the surface energies, adhesion, and wettability. Thus the as prepared sample was made as the electrode material for further investigation. The sample's structural, morphological, and chemical makeup was examined using XRD, FTIR, FESEM and wettability. Owning to the exclusive sponge-like morphology and more porous air plasma treated MgCoSiO4 electrode displays higher specific capacitance of 1232 F/g than the pure 296 F/g which can also exhibit 89% of capacitance retention after 6000 cycles. These results suggests that the MgCoSiO4 electrode material treated with air plasma is appropriate for use in energy storage applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs) have received a lot of attention in recent years as promising technology for generating clean and efficient energy. In DMFC, the anode catalyst is a vital component because it is involved in the oxidation of methanol, which produces electrons that can be used as an energy source. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) is commonly used to test the characteristics of the electrode materials before they are employed in the actual fuel cell. Interestingly in the case of DMFCs CV also is a useful technique to obtain vital information about the performance and expected efficiency of the electrodes. In general, the CV of methanol electrooxidation for Pt‐based catalysts has two peaks, If in the forward scan (anodic scan) and Ib in the backward scan (cathodic scan). The ratio of these two peaks (If/Ib) is the most commonly used criterion for investigating CO poisoning in catalysts. However, there is a great deal of ambiguity surrounding this criterion, owing to the genesis of Ib. Addressing this we present here a new criterion to evaluate the efficiency of the catalyst using the same CV technique. We validate this newly proposed criterion with commercial Pt/C (comm. Pt/C) and other commercially available alloy catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the potential use of ferrocenyl‐substituted porphyrins as organic electrode materials for sodium secondary batteries. Expressly, 5,15‐di(ferrocenyl)‐10,20‐di(pentafluorophenyl)porphyrins (free base, Fc−H2Por), along with its zinc (Zn[II] complex, Fc−ZnPor) and nickel (Ni[II] complex, Fc−NiPor) derivatives were synthesized and employed as the electrode materials. The charge‐discharge processes disclosed that the ferrocenyl‐substituted porphyrin compound performs electrochemical processes poorly without chelating metals. In contrast, when the ferrocenyl‐substituted porphyrins were metalated with Ni(II) and Zn(II), they exhibited dual ionic charge‐discharge capabilities, indicating their stable electrochemical properties. In particular, long‐term cycle tests emphasized the superior stability and high Coulombic efficiency of Fc−ZnPor electrodes. Computational calculations provided conclusive evidence of variances in aromatic stabilization energy based on the metal center, significantly influencing the chemical stability and electrochemical performance. These findings can deliver valuable insight for further development and optimizations in energy storage applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, it was studied the possibility of improving the sEMG signal collected from surface electrodes placed on the skin by depositing metallic nanofilms of three metals (gold, silver, and aluminum) with three different thicknesses (100, 200, and 300) nm on EMG electrodes as an alternative to the used wet gel. To increase the efficiency of electrodes in diagnosis. The properties of metallic nanofilms deposited on the electrodes have been studied by several techniques. X-ray diffraction shows good crystallization, especially for gold samples, and the crystal size increases with increasing sample thickness. Atomic force microscopy scans show that the roughness and size of the particles increase with increasing thickness. The thermal and electrical conductivity also increased, especially with gold plating, compared to the other two metals. The sEMG signal results show acceptable signal enhancement with reduced noise with nanoplating, especially with gold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead (Pb2+), due to its non‐biodegradable property and biological accumulation, would have adverse effects on human body. In this study, a poly(pyrrole thiourea) modified electrode was developed using the electropolymerization of pyrrole and thiourea. Compared with drop‐casting method, the immobilization of the modified material with fixator and the modification efficiency of an electrode was improved. The poly(pyrrole thiourea) electrode was applied for the in‐situ determination of Pb2+ in water coupled with an electrochemical flow analysis device. Several experimental parameters were optimized and the interference of the common co‐existing ions were evaluated. The precision and the repeatability of the electrode‐modified method were also examined. The relative standard deviation of response currents to 20 μg L−1 Pb2+ was found to be 4.6 % (n=90) and the recoveries varied from 91.6 % to 110.2 % in the determination of tap water and lake water samples obtained from laboratories and the university campuses. The limit of detection (3σ/Slope) of 0.03 μg L−1 for Pb2+ within the range of 0.1–100 μg L−1. Finally, the continuous monitoring of Pb2+ in water was successfully done by this developed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the higher global energy needs through cleaner sources the present study manifests a modified and ecofriendly method for the fabrication of CuO–Sb2O3-based electrode for electrochemical experiments. The aqueous solution derived from the Amaranthus viridis L. plant, belonging to the Amaranthaceae family, was employed as a reducing agent in order to impact the structure of CuO–Sb2O3 nanocomposites. The improved material exhibited a regular crystal size of 40.04 nm that is in excellent accordance with the findings obtained from scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, FE-SEM, and energy-dispersive spectroscopy were utilized in order to examine and assess the synthesized nanocomposite. Based on the Tauc plot, the optical bandgap energy was found to be 2.7 eV. The bioorganic framework-derived CuO–Sb2O3 electrode was then evaluated for energy generation and storage applications, with cyclic voltammetry revealing a capacitance of 344.4 F/g at 2 mV/s. Hydrogen evolution reaction and oxygen evolution reactions demonstrated the electrocatalytic potential of CuO–Sb2O3 as a water splitting electrocatalyst, with the highest efficiency of the electrode up to 18 h for HER. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three-dimensional (3D) printed batteries are considered a special class of energy storage devices that allow flexible control of the electrode structure on a microscopic scale, which is crucial to improving the energy density of miniaturized devices. In this study, lithium iron phosphate (LFP) porous electrodes were prepared by 3D printing technology. The results showed that with the increase of LFP content from 20 wt% to 60 wt%, the apparent viscosity of printing slurry at the same shear rate gradually increased, and the yield stress rose from 203 Pa to 1187 Pa. The rheological property and printability of the slurry show that the printing slurry of 40 wt% LFP has excellent conformal property and self-supporting property. Due to the porous skeleton shortening the transfer distance of ions and electrons and enhancing the efficiency of the electrode reaction, the rate performances and cycle stability of LFP batteries were improved. The 3D-printed battery containing an active material loading of 15.9 mg cm−2 achieved a specific capacity of 121.7 mA h g−1 at 0.5C after 200 cycles and coulombic efficiency higher than 99.7 %, and the LFP battery had an energy density of 350 W h kg−1. These results suggest that 3D printing is an effective strategy for developing batteries with high active material loadings and energy densities at micro sizes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An uneven electric field during the operation of an electrode boiler will lead to the emergence of a high field strength area and low field strength area in the furnace, which will endanger the safe and reliable operation and heating efficiency of the electrode boiler. A numerical study of three-dimensional transient electric field distribution characteristics in a 10 kV high-voltage electrode boiler was carried out. The distribution characteristics of the global electric field of the electrode boiler under the nominal voltage of 10 kV were studied, and the distribution law of the electric field of the electrode boiler under poor power quality, such as different bus voltage and three-phase voltage imbalance, was explored. The results show that the electric field distribution characteristics of the three-phase transient are more obvious in the section closer to the electrode disc, and the electric field distribution is the most uniform in the section that is 1.4 m away from the furnace water. In the case of poor power quality, such as different bus voltage and three-phase voltage imbalance, the points of the maximum electric field intensity of the four surfaces change periodically with time, and the greater the bus voltage fluctuation, the more severe the impact on the transient electric field. The three-phase voltage imbalance will shift the peak value of the electric field intensity. The decrease or offset of electric field intensity in the electrode boiler caused by poor power quality will directly affect its heating efficiency. The electric field simulation results have a specific reference value for improving the internal electric field distribution and on-site operation and maintenance of the electrode boiler. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a modified polyurethane adhesive (PUA) was prepared to realize a convenient encapsulation strategy for lead sedimentation and attachable perovskite solar cells (A‐PSCs). The modified PUA can completely self‐heal within 45 min at room temperature with an efficient lead ion‐blocking rate of 99.3%. The PUA film can be coated on a metal electrode with slight efficiency improvement from 23.96% to 24.15%. The thermal stability at 65 °C and the humidity stability at 55% relative humidity (RH) are superior to the devices encapsulated with polyisobutylene. The PUA film has strong adhesion to the flexible substrate and the initial efficiency of the flexible perovskite module (17.2%) encapsulated by PUA remains 92.6% within 1825 h. These results suggest that PUA encapsulation is universal for rigid and flexible PSCs with enhanced stability and low lead hazards. Moreover, it was found that flexible PSCs can be well attached to various substrates with PUA, providing a facile route for the A‐PSCs in various scenarios without additional encapsulation and installation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical methods for the treatment of municipal and industrial wastewater are used either independently or in conjunction with biological methods for pretreatment or posttreatment of biologically treated wastewater. In our work, the combination of these processes was studied, where pre-electrolysis was used to produce dissolved iron before the activation process. Electrolysis was also directly introduced into the activation using either iron or carbon electrodes. The surface of one iron electrode was 32.2 cm2, voltage at the electrodes was 21 V, and current was 270 mA. The surface of one carbon electrode was 7.54 cm2, current was 82.5 mA, and voltage at the electrodes was 21 V. Laboratory research on synthetic municipal wastewater treatment using a combination of electrolysis and activation processes showed that the use of iron electrodes increases the efficiency of phosphorus removal compared to its precipitation with iron salts. Electrolysis has shown a positive effect on the sedimentation properties of sludge and the destruction of filamentous microorganisms. Even though it negatively affected the respiration rates of activated sludge and the denitrification efficiency, it did not have a negative impact on the nitrification activity of sludge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dimensionally stable anodes of titanium (Ti) metal coated with mixed metal oxides (MMO) are widely used in several electrochemical applications, especially chloro-alkali electrolysis. Herein, we deposited MMO coatings on Ti substrates in different compositions, namely, (60%RuO2-40%TiO2), (60%RuO2-30%TiO2-10%IrO2), and (60%RuO2-20%TiO2-15%IrO2-5%Ta2O5), where RuO2 has the same percentage ratio in all coatings. The aim was to use these electrodes for chlorine evolution reaction (CER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) applications. Electrochemical characterization of the coated samples was performed to identify the best Ti/MMO electrodes with the highest efficiencies among the various prepared combinations. The role of IrO2 and Ta2O5 in enhancing corrosion resistance and electrochemical efficacy was up for debate. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses were exploited to determine the surface morphology, chemical composition, crystallinity, surface composition, and chemical states of the acquired coatings. The differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) method was used to evaluate the apparent activation energy ( E a ) of the deposited MMO. Additionally, the electrochemical performance of our designed coatings was scrutinized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), a current on–off test, a CV stability test (ST), and an accelerated stability test (AST). Furthermore, linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) was incorporated to assess the catalytic efficacy of the prepared anodes toward the CER in a brine solution of pH 2 and the OER in 1 M H2SO4. It became clear that the CER and OER incurred almost the same potential value (1.1 V) on both Ti/RuO2-TiO2 and Ti/RuO2-TiO2-IrO2 electrodes. However, on the Ti/RuO2-TiO2-IrO2-Ta2O5 anode, there was a 0.2 V potential difference between the CER occurring at 1.1 V and the OER happening at 1.3 V. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supercapacitors and water splitting cells have recently played a key role in offering green energy through converting renewable sources into electricity. Perovskite-type electrocatalysts such as BaTiO3, have been well-known for their ability to efficiently split water and serve as supercapacitors due to their high electrocatalytic activity. In this study, BaTiO3, Al-doped BaTiO3, Ce-doped BaTiO3, and Al-Ce co-doped BaTiO3 nanofibers were fabricated via a two-step hydrothermal method, which were then characterized and compared for their electrocatalytic performance. Based on the obtained results, Al-Ce co-doped BaTiO3 electrode exhibited a high capacitance of 224.18 Fg−1 at a scan rate of 10 mVs−1, high durability during over the 1000 CV cycles and 2000 charge–discharge cycles, proving effective energy storage properties. Additionally, the onset potentials for OER and HER processes were 11 and − 174 mV vs. RHE, respectively, demonstrating the high activity of the Al-Ce co-doped BaTiO3 electrode. Moreover, in overall water splitting, the amount of the overpotential was 0.820 mV at 10 mAcm−2, which confirmed the excellent efficiency of the electrode. Hence, the remarkable electrocatalytic performance of the Al-Ce co-doped BaTiO3 electrode make it a promising candidate for renewable energy technologies owing to its high conductivity and fast charge transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High‐capacity Ni‐rich layered oxides are promising cathode materials for fabrication of lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) with high energy density. However, thermal runaway of LIBs with these cathodes leads to great safety concerns. In this study, single crystalline LiNi0.9Co0.05Mn0.05O2 (NCM‐SC) has been prepared and a flexible optical fiber was buried inside the pouch‐type LIBs with NCM‐SC cathode to in situ study its real‐time temperature evolution during charge/discharge process. NCM‐SC exhibits an enhanced Li+ ions transportation efficiency and electrode reaction kinetics, which can effectively reduce the generation of polarization heat and mitigate the internal temperature rise of the pouch‐type battery. Meanwhile, solid‐electrolyte interface (SEI) film decomposition and gas accumulation are effectively alleviated, due to the enhanced thermal stability of SEI film formed on NCM‐SC. Moreover, the single crystal architecture can effectively retard layered to spinal and rock‐salt phase transition, mitigate the crack formation and structural collapse. Consequently, NCM‐SC exhibits an excellent electrochemical performance and enhanced thermal stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To solve the problem of renewable energy generation fluctuation, water splitting for hydrogen generation is proposed, which can store renewable energy as hydrogen energy. Low overpotential cathode materials can effectively reduce the cost of hydrogen production. Here, a new NiMo/NMF electrode was prepared using a hydrothermal coupled H 2 reduction method. Three-dimensional NiMo nanorod arrays were constructed by modulating the ion dissolution and surface epitaxial growth process of the electrode substrate. The influence of different hydrothermal reaction and H 2 reduction conditions on the electrochemical performance of the electrode was investigated. Under optimum preparation conditions, the NiMo/NMF electrode exhibits a extremely low overpotentials of 158 mV at 500 mA cm-2 (30% wt. KOH alkaline medium), which can serve for preparing high efficiency and economy electrodes by in-situ integration of high active components on metal foam substrate. The NiMo/NMF electrode is a high-performance electrocatalytic cathode material with great prospects for industrial applications. • Water splitting for hydrogen generation is proposed for renewable hydrogen energy. • We made a low-overpotential NiMo/NMF electrode via hydrothermal coupled H 2 reduction. • The electrochemical performance of the NiMo/NMF electrode was investigated. • Different hydrothermal and H 2 reduction temperatures and times were explored. • The NiMo/NMF electrode exhibits a remarkable HER activity with low overpotentials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrical discharge machining (EDM) is frequently employed in micropore machining of difficult-to-cut materials as a result of the contactless characteristics. However, debris produced by electrode discharge ablation of the workpiece tends to accumulate at the bottom of the hole and is difficult to discharge, resulting in abnormal discharge, which reduces processing efficiency and increases electrode loss. These issues can be resolved with the introduction of ultrasonic-assisted technology, but since it is difficult to obviously observe micro phenomena like bubble rupture, fluid movement, and debris movement, there has been little real-situation study on fluid environments. In this study, first, mathematical models of the improvement of ultrasonic-assisted discharge energy and erosion efficiency were developed. Then, the ultrasound-assisted electrical discharge machining (UEDM) process was simulated on the basis of gas–liquid-solid three-phase fluid coupling analysis to investigate the influence law of the ultrasonic cavitation effect and pumping effect on fluid movement and debris movement. Then, the comparative test of EDM and UEDM in machining titanium alloy plate was carried out to explore the impact of ultrasonic-assisted technology on the level of single process parameters, taking the processing time, electrode loss, and hole taper as indicators, respectively. Finally, multi-objective particle swarm optimization (MOPSO) was used to obtain the optimal parameter group of EDM and UEDM, and this parameter group was used for drilling test to examine the effects of ultrasonic-assisted technology on the process parameter level. According to the research, the fluid stability is destroyed by the effects of ultrasonic cavitation and pumping, which also increase the local fluid speed by a hundred times and encourage the discharge of debris, thereby reducing the processing time, lowering electrode loss, lowering hole taper, and improving the surface quality of micropores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon (Si) is widely used as a lithium‐ion‐battery anode owing to its high capacity and abundant crustal reserves. However, large volume change upon cycling and poor conductivity of Si cause rapid capacity decay and poor fast‐charging capability limiting its commercial applications. Here, we propose a multilevel carbon architecture with vertical graphene sheets (VGSs) grown on surfaces of subnanoscopically and homogeneously dispersed Si–C composite nanospheres, which are subsequently embedded into a carbon matrix (C/VGSs@Si–C). Subnanoscopic C in the Si–C nanospheres, VGSs, and carbon matrix form a three‐dimensional conductive and robust network, which significantly improves the conductivity and suppresses the volume expansion of Si, thereby boosting charge transport and improving electrode stability. The VGSs with vast exposed edges considerably increase the contact area with the carbon matrix and supply directional transport channels through the entire material, which boosts charge transport. The carbon matrix encapsulates VGSs@Si–C to decrease the specific surface area and increase tap density, thus yielding high first Coulombic efficiency and electrode compaction density. Consequently, C/VGSs@Si–C delivers excellent Li‐ion storage performances under industrial electrode conditions. In particular, the full cells show high energy densities of 603.5 Wh kg−1 and 1685.5 Wh L−1 at 0.1 C and maintain 80.7% of the energy density at 3 C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past decade, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have achieved significant achievements. But the golden triangle problem of commercial development, which encompasses high efficiency, high stability, and low cost, remains unresolved. Carbon materials exhibit a diverse range of morphological structures and possess numerous advantages. They are extensively used in PSCs to overcome the challenges encountered during PSCs commercialization. The PSCs utilizing graphene as the top electrodes not only deliver an impressive efficiency of 22.8%, but also show exceptional long‐term stability. The PSCs using carbon nanotubes as transparent conductive electrodes obtain an efficiency of 19%, exhibiting significant potential for scalable applications. Herein, the advantages of carbon materials as conductive electrodes are overviewed. The compatibility of carbon materials as conductive electrodes in PSCs, along with the associated challenges, regulatory strategies, and device performance are systematically discussed in terms of their intrinsic characteristics. The application of carbon materials derived from petroleum by‐products and biomass in the top electrodes of PSCs are summarized in detail. Finally, the underlying reasons why PSCs using carbon electrode show a comparatively lower efficiency when compared to conventional devices is analyzed in‐depth. The potential research directions are proposed to promote the development of carbon conductive electrodes in PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing a green, low-carbon, and circular economic system is the key to achieving carbon neutrality. This study investigated the organics removal efficiency in a three-dimensional electrode reactor (3DER) constructed from repurposed industrial solid waste, i.e., Mn-loaded steel slag, as the catalytic particle electrodes (CPE). The CPE, a micron-grade material consisting primarily of transition metals, including Fe and Mn, exhibited excellent electric conductivity, catalytic ability, and recyclability. High rhodamine B (RhB) removal efficiency in the 3DER was observed through a physical modelling experiment. The optimal operating condition was determined through a single-factor experiment in which 5.0 g·L−1 CPE and 3 mM peroxymonosulfate (PMS) were added to a 200 mL solution of 10 mM RhB under a current intensity of 0.5 A and a 1.5 to 2.0 cm distance between the 2D electrodes. When the initial pH value of the simulated solution was 3 to 9, the RhB removal rate exceeded 96% after 20 min reaction. In addition, the main reactive oxidation species in the 3DER were determined. The results illustrated that HO• and SO4•− both existed, but that the contribution of SO4•− to RhB removal was much lower than that of HO• in the 3DER. In summary, this research provides information on the potential of the 3DER for removing refractory organics from water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study unveils a groundbreaking technique leveraging the superposition of electric field vectors to manipulate liquid crystals (LCs). Demonstrated through a simple configuration of four independent electrodes at the corners of a rectangular enclosure, notably, this configuration can be further simplified or modified as needed, showcasing the versatility of the approach. Significantly, the design showcased in the paper eliminates the need for an alignment layer, highlighting the versatility of the method. Through nuanced adjustments in waveforms, amplitudes, frequencies, and phases in AC or DC from these electrodes, precise control over LC shape deformation and dynamic phase transformation is achieved in both temporal and spatial dimensions. In contrast to traditional methods, the approach presented here abolishes alignment layers and intricate electrode-array systems, opting for a streamlined configuration with varying AC frequencies and DC electric signals. This innovative methodology, founded on simplified governing equations from Q-tensor hydrodynamics theory, demonstrates true 3D control over LCs, displaying efficiency in electrode usage beyond current arrays. The study's contributions extend to temporal control emphasis, superposition techniques, and the elimination of fixed electrodes, promising unprecedented possibilities for programming LC materials and advancing the field of programmable LC devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to further explore the forming limits of thin-wall tube necking and thickening, and obtain sufficient thickness of the tube in the thickening area, local electric pulse-assisted forming experiments were carried out to study the effects of current intensity and feed speed on the necking and thickening forming of thin-wall tube. The experimental results show that with the increase in current intensity, the temperature in the forming area of the tube increases, and the forming load for necking and thickening decreases. However, with the increase in feed speed, the overall forming load for necking and thickening increases in general, and the smaller feed speed is more conducive to forming. Taking into account the forming efficiency and electrode loss, the corresponding forming process window is obtained for the manufacturing of good parts. That is, during the necking stage, the current intensity shall not be less than 300 A, and the feed speed shall not exceed 10 mm/min. During the thickening stage, the current intensity should not be less than 1400 A, and the feed speed should not exceed 1 mm/min. The target part is finally formed, with an average wall thickness of 5.984 mm in the thickening zone and a thickening rate of 303.2%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study systematically compared the performance of five corrosion-resistant electrode materials for electro-dewatering. Through a comprehensive analysis of dewatering efficiency, energy consumption, and corrosion resistance, conductive plastic composite electrodes (EKG) were selected as the optimal electrode material for experimentation. Additionally, the impact of electric field strength and electrode spacing on the efficiency and energy consumption of electro-dewatering (EDW) was investigated. The results showed that the increase in electric field intensity could improve the solid content and dewatering efficiency of the sediments, but the corresponding energy consumption also increased. The increased spacing of the plates reduced the dehydration effect and increased the energy consumption. By employing the Wild Horse Optimization algorithm, empirical and multifactorial response models for the dewatering solidification process were established, aimed at predicting the dewatering performance and energy consumption. The study concludes that for the remediation of heavy metals, the electric field strength should not exceed 10 V/cm to avoid excessive heavy metal migration and potential adverse chemical reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Why Hydrogen. Nowadays, the energy industry and research laboratories are heavily working on developing ideas and methods to reduce and/or eliminate the carbon dioxide emission to control the problem of global warming. The solution relies on finding alternative green energy resources to reduce the world's dependence on conventional fossil hydrocarbon energy. Green hydrogen gas from water stands on the top of the alternative resources since it does not produce carbon dioxide when burned and in return does not add to global warming. Since seawater is the largest resource on earth, this makes the hydrogen production from seawater the most economically attractive solution. It is very important to avoid using fresh water as a source of hydrogen energy due to the dependence of all living creatures, humans, animals, plants, etc., on such very limited resources. In this paper, the applications of the proposed novel solution of green hydrogen production directly from seawater relies on solving one of the major problems, electrode corrosion. Generating Hydrogen. The direct method to produce green hydrogen from seawater is the electrolysis technique. This technique requires a direct current power supply for the positive and the negative electrodes. The outcome of the electrolysis is decomposing the saltwater to its positively charged hydrogen and sodium ions at the negative electrode and its negatively charged oxygen and chlorine ions at the positive electrode. The Real Challenge. Traditionally in the electrolysis analysis of water, both electrodes are made of metals. At the positive electrode, both the oxygen and the chlorine cause a high rate of corrosion to that electrode. This results in the interruption of the electrolysis process, bad water condition due to the corrosion deposits, and cost burden due to the need to periodically replace the corroded electrodes and/or use high-cost corrosion-resistant alloys. The Novel Solution. A low-cost but powerful solution to the corrosion problem is introduced, tested, and experimentally proved. The novelty of the solution relies on replacing the classic special high-cost metallic positive electrode with a nonmetallic, no-cost, one. The nonmetallic electrode is made of surface rock portions that have high porosity and pore volume and high permeability and pore connectivity and is saturated with saline water. Surface rocks with the above properties exhibit very low resistivity and hence conduct electricity like metallic electrodes. The voltage and the current conducted by such electrode are controlled by the electrode geometry, connectivity, and physical properties. Results and Discussions. Multiple experiments using the proposed nonmetallic high-porosity and high-permeability positive electrode are conducted and presented in this paper. The experimental work is based on testing multiple rock electrodes with different rock properties, sizes, and connectivity in comparison to the metallic ones. The comparison showed that the novel solution solved the corrosion challenges of the metallic electrodes with excellent efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic solar cells (OSCs) are widely studied for their advantages such as simple production, low cost, good flexibility, and large‐area printing. The buffer layer between electrodes and the photoactive layer has a significant impact on the efficiency and stability of OSCs. In order to lower the energy barrier height at the interface, provide an Ohmic contact with lower series resistance, and increase the charge collection efficiency of the corresponding electrodes for either holes or electrons, suitable electrode buffer materials can be chosen. The selection of electrode buffer layer has an important effect on the photoelectric conversion efficiency. Therefore, the study of buffer layer characteristics has certain guiding significance for the improvement of device structure and performance optimization. At present, the buffer layer materials used in OSCs are mainly organic polymer materials, organic small molecule materials, metal fluoride, metal oxides, and so on. Herein, the structure and working principle of OSCs are introduced first. Then, the properties and function of buffer layer in OSCs are summarized and discussed. Finally, the application of common buffer layer materials in OSCs is summarized, and how to improve the performance of the device is described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro-electrical discharge machining (micro-EDM) stands out as a transformative methodology, offering substantial progress in both technical and economic efficiency through the integration of coated electrodes. This study meticulously analyzes various technological parameters in micro-EDM, focusing specifically on Ti-6Al-4V, a widely employed titanium alloy. The application of a titanium nitride (TiN) coating material on a tungsten carbide (WC) electrode is investigated using the Taguchi method of experimental design. This study employs an ANOVA and factorial design methodology to scrutinize the influence of key parameters, namely voltage (V), capacitance (C), and spindle rotation (in revolutions per minute) (RPM) on the tool wear rate (TWR), overcut (OVC), and Z coordinate (depth) within the micro-EDM process. The findings unveil a noteworthy increase in the TWR with an elevated V, C, and RPM, with capacitance exerting a pronounced influence while voltage exhibits the least impact. OVC exhibits notable variations, revealing an inverse relationship with RPM. The Z coordinate (depth) is significantly affected by capacitance, with voltage and RPM each having a relatively negligible impact. A surface quality analysis exposes similarities and numerous defects in both coated and uncoated electrodes, emphasizing the need for further exploration into the effectiveness of coated electrodes in enhancing post-micro-EDM machined surface layers. This study contributes valuable insights to optimize and advance micro-EDM processes, laying groundwork for future innovations in precision machining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semiconductor metal oxides are intensively studied in electrodes for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting. On a series of nanoparticulate TiO 2 photoanodes, we analyze specific fabrication variables by means of data fitting. First, the experimental outcome is gathered using PEC characterization techniques, mostly cyclic voltammetry and transient photocurrent measurements. Subsequently, we apply models to gain insights into the involved charge trapping and transfer phenomena. We find that capacitance coefficients and the switch-on transient kinetics depend on the TiO 2 layer thickness, respectively indicating surface mechanisms and stationary regimes that are mediated by light accessibility. On the contrary, exponential factors of capacitance are independent of thickness, but reflect changes in the density of electron states with different sintering atmospheres. Also, the transfer resistance in the electrolyte side is indirectly influenced by sintering. Through meticulous quantitative analysis of trends, we stablish simple mathematical relationships that connect thickness-dependent parameters. This knowledge delves into fundamental mechanisms governing the TiO 2 photoelectrode behaviour, and aims to facilitate further improvements in the efficiency of materials and electrodes for green hydrogen production. • Relevance of fabrication variables is proved on TiO 2 photoelectrodes. • Film thickness and sintering atmosphere roles are investigated by data fitting. • A theoretical model interprets trends in the cyclic voltammetry outcome. • A phenomenological approach describes the effect on transient photocurrent. • The change in model parameters for the photoelectrode series is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] To facilitate the transition of laboratory research to industrial applications, it is critical to establish a reliable protocol for the mass synthesis of high-quality graphene. Here, we present an efficient electrochemical intercalation-based exfoliation approach utilizing alternating current that allows for the production of sub-kilogram quantities of graphene. This strategy involves repeatedly intercalating foreign anions and cations into the interlayer gaps of dual-graphite electrodes, accelerating the graphite expansion process and maximizing the exfoliation efficiency of both electrodes while inhibiting excessive anodic oxidation. The exfoliation process leads to high-yield graphene nanosheets (92 %, primarily 1–3 layers) with minimal structural deterioration (I D /I G ratio of 0.05), high purity (2.1 at% oxygen), and outstanding electrical property (7.28 × 104 S m−1). Notably, our scaled-up manufacturing technique produces a record-breaking throughput of 135 g h−1, improving on the best-reported exfoliation efficiency with direct current by 35%. Furthermore, the as-made graphene demonstrates a large reversible capacity of 102 mF cm−2 for flexible supercapacitors, with robust cyclability with 99.5% after 10,000 cycles, excellent mechanical flexibility, and exceptional serial integration for adjustable voltage output. The efficient and scalable method presents a significant advancement in the large-scale manufacture of graphene, with potential for widespread industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon-based electrocatalysts are considered as promising catalysts for water separation due to their earth-rich elements, low cost and high catalytic activity. Here, we construct an electrode system based on carbon materials consisting of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) doped with different heteroatoms are integrated on vertically aligned graphene array (VG) (X-VG-CQDs, X = N, S, P, B) as self-supporting electrodes for overall water splitting. The electrochemical performance shows the following pattern: N-VG-CQDs > S-VG-CQDs > P-VG-CQDs > B-VG-CQDs > VG-CQDs. DFT calculations are performed to investigate the correlation between electrochemical performances of various heteroatoms doped of VG-CQDs. The stability test results show that a series of heteroatom-doped VG-CQDs electrodes exhibit more than 50 h stability in a wide pH range. And the Faraday efficiencies of these electrodes for hydrogen evolution reaction are nearly 81%. This study may shed light on the development of efficient cost-effective carbon-based self-supporting electrodes for overall water splitting. • A one-step doping method is used to synthesize X-VG-CQDs (X = N/S/P/B) electrocatalyst. • The catalytic activity of VG-CQDs can be effectively enhanced by heteroatom doping. • X-VG-CQDs exhibits the electrochemical performance similar to metal-based catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]