Silicon-Based Composite Anodes for All-Solid-State Lithium-Ion Batteries Conceived by a Mixture Design Approach.

Silicon-based anodes composed of micrometric Si, graphite (MAG), LiI-Li PS solid electrolyte (LPSI), and carbon nanofiber (CNF), which can be prepared by straightforward manual grinding, are proposed in this study. The relation between composition and performance of the anodes is investigated through the mixture design approach, which allows discrimination of the effect of each component and also the combined effect of the components on the end performance. By increasing the fraction of LPSI in the anode, the capacity of the electrode is improved, and the best performance is obtained when the Si/MAG/LPSI ratio is 15 : 15 : 70.

Novel MIPs-Parabens based SPE Stationary Phases Characterization and Application.

In this work, the synthesis, characterization, and application of novel parabens imprinted polymers as highly selective solid-phase extraction (SPE) sorbents have been reported. The imprinted polymers were created using sol-gel molecular imprinting process. All the seven parabens were considered herein in order to check the phase selectivity.

Electrospun Carbon/Cu O Nanocomposite material as Sustainable and High Performance Anode for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

The increase in energy density of the next generation of battery materials to meet the new challenges of the electrical vehicles era calls for innovative and easily scalable materials with sustainable processes. An innovative Cu O/C nanocomposite material, characterized by a highly conductive 3D-framework, with Cu O/Cu-metal contiguous nanodomains is prepared by electrospinning. The electrode processing is made using a polyacrylic acid binder.

Comparison between Exhaustive and Equilibrium Extraction Using Different SPE Sorbents and Sol-Gel Carbowax 20M Coated FPSE Media.

This paper reports the performance comparison between the exhaustive and equilibrium extraction using classical Avantor C18 solid phase extraction (SPE) sorbent, hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) SPE sorbent, Sep-Pak C18 SPE sorbent, novel sol-gel Carbowax 20M (sol-gel CW 20M) SPE sorbent, and sol-gel CW 20M coated fabric phase sorptive extraction (FPSE) media for the simultaneous extraction and analysis of three inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) drugs that possess logP values (polarity) ranging from 1.66 for cortisone, 2.30 for ciprofloxacin, and 2.

Gel Polymer Electrolytes Based on Silica-Added Poly(ethylene oxide) Electrospun Membranes for Lithium Batteries.

Solid polymer electrolytes, in the form of membranes, offering high chemical and mechanical stability, while maintaining good ionic conductivity, are envisaged as a possible solution to improve performances and safety in different lithium cell configurations. In this work, we designed and prepared systems formed using innovative nanocomposite polymer membranes, based on high molecular weight poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and silica nanopowders, produced by the electrospinning technique. These membranes were subsequently gelled with solutions based on aprotic ionic liquid, carbonate solvents, and lithium salt.

Anatase TiO as a Cheap and Sustainable Buffering Filler for Silicon Nanoparticles in Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes.

The design of effective supporting matrices to efficiently cycle Si nanoparticles is often difficult to achieve and requires complex preparation strategies. In this work, we present a simple synthesis of low-cost and environmentally benign aAnatase TiO nanoparticles as buffering filler for Si nanoparticles (Si@TiO ). The average anatase TiO crystallite size was approximately 5 nm.

Immobilization and delivery of biologically active Lipoxin A using electrospinning technology.

Lipoxin (LX)A is a lipoxygenase-formed arachidonic acid metabolite with potent anti-inflammatory, pro-resolution properties. Its therapeutic efficacy has been largely demonstrated in a variety of cellular, preclinical and clinical models. Among these, periodontal disease, where LXA promotes tissue repair, also by modulating functions of human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs).

New Approach in Translational Medicine: Effects of Electrolyzed Reduced Water (ERW) on NF-κB/iNOS Pathway in U937 Cell Line under Altered Redox State.

It is known that increased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reactive nitrogen species (RNS) can exert harmful effects, altering the cellular redox state. Electrolyzed Reduced Water (ERW) produced near the cathode during water electrolysis exhibits high pH, high concentration of dissolved hydrogen and an extremely negative redox potential. Several findings indicate that ERW had the ability of a scavenger free radical, which results from hydrogen molecules with a high reducing ability and may participate in the redox regulation of cellular function.

Analytical methods for the endocrine disruptor compounds determination in environmental water samples.

The potential risk of exposure to different xenobiotics, which can modulate the endocrine system and represent a treat for the wellness of an increasing number of people, has recently drawn the attention of international environmental and health agencies. Several agents, characterized by structural diversity, may interfer with the normal endocrine functions that regulate cell growth, homeostasis and development. Substances such as pesticides, herbicides, plasticizers, metals, etc.

Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in Highly Viscous Media: A Comparison between the Dispersive Agents [BMIM][BF4 ], L121, and Triton X-100.

Dispersions of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) have been prepared by using the room-temperature ionic liquid [BMIM][BF4 ] (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate), the triblock copolymer Pluronic L121 [poly(ethylene oxide)5 -poly(propylene oxide)68 -poly(ethylene oxide)5 ] and the non-ionic surfactant Triton X-100 (TX100) in the pure state. The size of the SWNTs aggregates and the dispersion degree in the three viscous systems depend on the sonication time, as highlighted by UV/Vis/NIR spectroscopy and optical microscopy analysis. A nonlinear increase in conductivity can be observed as a function of the SWNTs loading, as suggested by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

Phase behaviour, transport properties, and interactions in Li-salt doped ionic liquids.

We report on the influence of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI) doping on the glass transition temperature (Tg), the ionic conductivity, and Li-ion coordination of two dicationic ionic liquids (DILs) based on the TFSI anion. The results are compared to the behaviour of traditional mono-cationic ionic liquids. The cations of the DILs contain two imidazolium rings, connected by a decane hydrocarbon chain.

Thermal properties and ionic conductivity of imidazolium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide dicationic ionic liquids.

We report on the thermal and transport properties of new dicationic ionic liquids. The new ionic liquids are based on the bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide [NTf(2)](-) anion and a cation that contains two imidazolium rings, connected by either a pentane or a decane hydrocarbon chain and different side groups. We have investigated the conductivity and the thermal properties by dielectric spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry, respectively.

Conductivities and transport properties of gelled electrolytes with and without an ionic liquid for Li and Li-ion batteries.

Conductivity and transport properties have been determined for gelled polymer electrolytes of three compositions: a base PVdF-polymer gel with organic carbonate solvents as plasticizers and LiN(SO(2)C(2)F(5))(2) electrolyte, a second polymer electrolyte with 5 mass % 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bisperfluoroethylsulfonyl imide (EMI-BETI) added to the base polymer electrolyte, and a third PVdF polymer electrolyte using only EMI-BETI as the plasticizer. Conductivities were studied over the temperature range +25 to -40 degrees C, and for all three gels, the temperature dependence of the conductivities was found to follow the VTF equation, which is consistent with the free volume model for ion transport. For the gel containing 5 mass % EMI-BETI, transport numbers were determined from +50 to -20 degrees C and were found to decrease as the temperature decreased.

Correlation of AC-impedance and in situ X-ray spectra of LiCoO2.

In-situ X-ray and AC-impedance spectra have been obtained simultaneously during the deintercalation of lithium from LiCoO2 using a specially designed electrochemical cell. The AC-dispersions have been correlated with the cell parameters obtained from the X-ray spectra. The correlation confirms previous hypothesis on the interpretation of the AC-dispersions in terms of an equivalent circuit comprising an element that relates the change of the intrinsic electronic conductivity, occurring at the early stages of deintercalation, to the semiconductor to metal transition caused by the change of the cell parameters.

Nanocomposite lithium ion conducting membranes.

This review describes the properties and characteristics of a class of membranes formed by blends of a lithium salt, LiX, where X is preferably a large soft anion, such as ClO(4) or N(CF(3)SO(2))(2), and a high molecular weight polymer containing Li(+)-coordinating group, such as polyethylene oxide (PEO) with the dispersion of selected ceramic powders, such as TiO(2), Al(2)O(3), and SiO(2), at the nanoscale particle size. These nanocomposite membranes behave as lithium polymer electrolytes, that is, they exhibit a high lithium ion conductivity. Because of this property, the PEO-LiX nanocomposite electrolytes may find an important application as separators in advanced, rechargeable lithium polymer batteries.