Boosting Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution Reaction by Modulating D-Band Center in Bimetallic Sulfide NiS-FeS Heterointerfaces.

Hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in alkaline electrolytes is considered to be the most promising industry-scale hydrogen (H) production method but is limited to the lack of low-cost, efficient, and stable HER catalysts. Here, a universal and scalable electrodeposition-sulfidization modulation strategy is developed to directly grow the NiS-FeS heterojunction nanoarray on the commercial Ni foam (NiS-FeS@NF). The as-prepared NiS-FeS@NF catalyst only requires a low overpotential of 71 and 270 mV to reach the current density of 10 and 500 mA cm with a long-lasting lifetime of over 200 h.

Waste plastics upcycled for high-efficiency HO production and lithium recovery via Ni-Co/carbon nanotubes composites.

The disposal and management of waste lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) plastics pose significant environmental challenges. Here we show a synergistic pyrolysis approach that employs spent lithium transition metal oxides and waste LDPE plastics in one sealed reactor to achieve the separation of Li and transition metal. Additionally, we demonstrate the preparation of nanoscale NiCo alloy@carbon nanotubes (CNTs) through co-pyrolysis of LiNiCoMnO and LDPE.

Rechargeable Zn-HO hydrolysis battery for hydrogen storage and production.

Reactive metals hydrolysis offers significant advantages for hydrogen storage and production. However, the regeneration of common reactive metals (e.g.

Microzone-Acidification-Driven Degradation Mechanism of the NiFe-Based Anode in Seawater Electrolysis.

The anode stability is critical for efficient and reliable seawater electrolyzers. Herein, a NiFe-based film catalyst was prepared by anodic oxidation to serve as a model electrode, which exhibited a satisfactory oxygen evolution performance in simulated alkaline seawater (1 M KOH + 0.5 M NaCl) with an overpotential of 348 mV at 100 mA cm and a long-term stability of over 100 h.

Molten-Salt Electrochemical Preparation of CoB/MoB Heterostructured Nanoclusters for Boosted pH-Universal Hydrogen Evolution.

Boosting the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) activity of α-MoB at large current densities and in pH-universal medium is significant for efficient hydrogen production. In this work, CoB/MoB heterostructured nanoclusters are prepared by molten-salt electrolysis (MSE) and then used as a HER catalyst. The composition, structure, and morphology of CoB/MoB can be modulated by altering the stoichiometries of raw materials and synthesis temperatures.

Unraveling the role of substrate materials in governing the carbon/carbide growth of molten carbonate electrolysis of CO.

The interface interaction between deposited carbon and metallic electrode substrates in tuning the growth of CO-derived products (, amorphous carbon, graphite, carbide) is mostly unexplored for the high-temperature molten-salt electrolysis of CO. Herein, the carbon deposition on different transition-metal cathodes was performed to reveal the role of substrate materials in the growth of cathodic products. At the initial stage of electrolysis, transition metals (, Cr, Fe, Ni, and Co) that exhibit appropriate carbon-binding ability (in range of -30 to 60 kJ mol) allow carbon diffusing into and then dissociating from metal to form graphite, as the carbon-binding ability can be determined by the Gibbs free energy of formation of metallic carbides.

Recovery of LiCoO and graphite from spent lithium-ion batteries by molten-salt electrolysis.

The recovery of spent lithium-ion batteries has not only economic value but also ecological benefits. In this paper, molten-salt electrolysis was employed to recover spent LiCoO batteries, in which NaCl-NaCO melts were used as the electrolyte, the graphite rod and the mixtures of the spent LiCoO cathode and anode were used as the anode and cathode, respectively. During the electrolysis, the LiCoO was electrochemically reduced to Co, and Li and O entered into the molten salt.

Improving the Initial Coulombic Efficiency of Sodium-Storage Antimony Anodes via Electrochemically Alloying Bismuth.

Improving cycling stability while maintaining a high initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) of the antimony (Sb) anode is always a trade-off for the design of electrodes of sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Herein, we prepare a carbon-free SbBi anode with an ICE of 87.1% at 0.

Recovery of valuable metals from spent lithium-ion batteries through biomass pyrolysis gas-induced reduction.

The development of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) recycling technologies can effectively alleviate environmental pressure and conserve metal resources. We propose a win-win strategy for pyrolysis gas reduction by lignocellulosic biomass, ensuring gas-induced reduction by spatial isolation of biomass and lithium transition metal oxides (LiTMO (TM = Ni, Co, Mn)), and avoiding the separation of solid carbon and TMO (TM = Ni, Co, Mn). In the spent LiCoO batteries, the lithium recovery efficiency reaches 99.

An iron-base oxygen-evolution electrode for high-temperature electrolyzers.

High-temperature molten-salt electrolyzers play a central role in metals, materials and chemicals production for their merit of favorable kinetics. However, a low-cost, long-lasting, and efficient high-temperature oxygen evolution reaction (HT-OER) electrode remains a big challenge. Here we report an iron-base electrode with an in situ formed lithium ferrite scale that provides enhanced stability and catalytic activity in both high-temperature molten carbonate and chloride salts.

New insights into engineering the core size and carbon shell thickness of Co@C core-shell catalysts for efficient and stable Fenton-like catalysis.

Herein, we engineered the cobalt core size and carbon shell thickness of Co@C by molten salt electrolysis (MSE) to investigate the enhanced essence of decreasing core size as well as the shell thickness dependence-mediated transition of catalytic mechanisms. We found that the reaction activation energy (RAE) of Co@C/peroxymonosulfate (PMS) systems was intimately dependent on the core sizes for sulfamethoxazole (SMX) degradation. The smaller core size of 26 nm provided a lower RAE of 13.

Mechanisms of the Ammonium Sulfate Roasting of Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Ammonium sulfate ((NH)SO) assisted roasting has been proven to be an effective way to convert spent lithium-ion battery cathodes to water-soluble salts. Herein, thermogravimetric (TG) experiments are performed to analyze the mechanism of the sulfation conversion process. First, the reaction activation energies of the sulfate-assisted roasting are 88.

NaOH-assisted low-temperature roasting to recover spent LiFePO batteries.

Decreasing the operating temperature of pyrometallurgical methods for recycling spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is key to reducing energy consumption and cost. Herein, a NaOH-assisted low-temperature roasting approach is proposed to recover spent LiFePO. During roasting, NaOH acts as an oxidizing agent to oxidize Fe (II) to FeO at 150°C, thus collapsing its stable olivine structure while PO capturing Li and Na to form LiNaPO and LiNa(PO).

Anode electrolysis of sulfides.

Traditional sulfide metallurgy produces harmful sulfur dioxide and is energy intensive. To this end, we develop an anode electrolysis approach in molten salt by which sulfide is electrochemically split into sulfur gas at a graphite inert anode while releasing metal ions that diffuse toward and are deposited at the cathode. The anodic splitting dictates the "sulfide-to-metal ion and sulfur gas" conversion that makes the reaction recur continuously.

Biphase Co@C core-shell catalysts for efficient Fenton-like catalysis.

Despite the vital roles of Co nanoparticles catalytic oxidation in the Fenton-like system for eliminating pollutants, contributions of Co phases are typically overlooked. Herein, a biphase Co@C core-shell catalyst was synthesized by the electrochemical co-reduction of CaCO and CoO in molten carbonate. Unlike the traditional pyrolysis method that is performed over 700 °C, the electrolysis was deployed at 450 °C, at which biphase structures, i.

Electrochemical Growth of High-Strength Carbon Nanocoils in Molten Carbonates.

The reported mechanical strength of carbon nanocoils (CNCs) obtained from traditional preparation of catalytic acetylene pyrolysis is far below its theoretical value. Herein, we report a molten salt electrolysis method that employs CO as feedstock to grow CNCs without using metal catalyst. We meticulously mediate the alkalinity of molten carbonate to tune the electrochemical reduction of CO on graphite electrode to selectively grow CNCs in LiCO-NaCO-KCO-0.

Effect of a Magnetic Field on the Electrode Process of Al Electrodeposition in a [Emim]Cl-AlCl Ionic Liquid.

The magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) effect was usually used to improve the mass transport during electrodeposition in a solution electrolyte. Herein, we reported the effect of a magnetic field on the electrode process of Al electrodeposition in a [Emim]Cl-AlCl ionic liquid composed of pure ions. Under a uniform and perpendicular magnetic field to the Cu electrode plane, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of the circuit, the cyclic voltammetry (CV) curves, and the different capacitances at the potential of zero charge (PZC) were measured, and the electrodeposition of aluminum was carried out at a constant current density.

A durable and pH-universal self-standing MoC-MoC heterojunction electrode for efficient hydrogen evolution reaction.

Efficient water electrolyzers are constrained by the lack of low-cost and earth-abundant hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts that can operate at industry-level conditions and be prepared with a facile process. Here we report a self-standing MoC-MoC catalytic electrode prepared via a one-step electro-carbiding approach using CO as the feedstock. The outstanding HER performances of the MoC-MoC electrode with low overpotentials at 500 mA cm in both acidic (256 mV) and alkaline electrolytes (292 mV), long-lasting lifetime of over 2400 h (100 d), and high-temperature performance (70 C) are due to the self-standing hydrophilic porous surface, intrinsic mechanical strength and self-grown MoC (001)-MoC (101) heterojunctions that have a ΔG value of -0.