Recyclability and recovery of carbon from waste printed circuit boards within a circular economy perspective: A review.

Waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) are a significant component of electronic waste (e-waste) and are among the fastest-generating waste flows. The potentially negative impacts caused by e-waste on the environment and human health pose an increasingly apparent threat to people's everyday lives and well-being. The nonmetallic fraction (predominantly carbon) of WPCBs is characterized by heavy weight, low resource value, and complex composition, and these characteristics significantly restrict the recycling of the WPCBs to achieve a circular economy.

Fault Detection in Induction Machines Using Learning Models and Fourier Spectrum Image Analysis.

Induction motors are essential components in industry due to their efficiency and cost-effectiveness. This study presents an innovative methodology for automatic fault detection by analyzing images generated from the Fourier spectra of current signals using deep learning techniques. A new preprocessing technique incorporating a distinctive background to enhance spectral feature learning is proposed, enabling the detection of four types of faults: healthy motor coupled to a generator with a broken bar (HGB), broken rotor bar (BRB), race bearing fault (RBF), and bearing ball fault (BBF).

Life cycle comparison of industrial-scale lithium-ion battery recycling and mining supply chains.

Recycling lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) can supplement critical materials and improve the environmental sustainability of LIB supply chains. In this work, environmental impacts (greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, energy consumption) of industrial-scale production of battery-grade cathode materials from end-of-life LIBs are compared to those of conventional mining supply chains. Converting mixed-stream LIBs into battery-grade materials reduces environmental impacts by at least 58%.

Improved daily PM estimates in India reveal inequalities in recent enhancement of air quality.

Poor ambient air quality poses a substantial global health threat. However, accurate measurement remains challenging, particularly in countries such as India where ground monitors are scarce despite high expected exposure and health burdens. This lack of precise measurements impedes understanding of changes in pollution exposure over time and across populations.

Highly stable lithium metal anodes enabled by bimetallic metal-organic frameworks derivatives-modified carbon cloth.

Lithium (Li) metal anodes hold great promise for next-generation secondary batteries with high energy density. Unfortunately, several problems such as Li dendrite growth, low Coulombic efficiency and poor cycle life hinder the commercialization of Li metal anodes. Herein, we design a highly lithiophilic carbon cloth host modified with Sn-doped zinc oxide (ZnO) (ZnSn-CC) directly derived from a bimetallic ZnSn metal-organic framework (ZnSn-MOF), which boosts uniform Li plating/stripping during charge-discharge and effectively protects the Li metal anode.

Destabilization of Single-Atom Catalysts: Characterization, Mechanisms, and Regeneration Strategies.

Numerous in situ characterization studies have focused on revealing the catalytic mechanisms of single-atom catalysts (SACs), providing a theoretical basis for their rational design. Although research is relatively limited, the stability of SACs under long-term operating conditions is equally important and a prerequisite for their real-world energy applications, such as fuel cells and water electrolyzers. Recently, there has been a rise in in situ characterization studies on the destabilization and regeneration of SACs; however, timely and comprehensive summaries that provide the catalysis community with valuable insights and research directions are still lacking.

Chemisorption and physisorption of alcohols on iron(III) oxide-terminated surfaces from nonpolar solvents.

Hypothesis: The adsorption isotherm of alkanols at the haematite|hydrocarbon interface should reflect both chemisorption (chemically bonded fraction) and physisorption (hydrogen bonded fraction).

Experiments And Model: Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) have been used for characterization of FeO|hydrocarbon interfaces with absorbed alcohol. A range of FeO-terminated surfaces, alkanols, hydrocarbons and temperatures have been investigated.

Synergizing RuO with Fe-doped CoRuO for boosting alkaline electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction.

Designing and development of electrocatalysts with high catalytic capacity and stability for oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is significant for sustainable water splitting. In this study, we rationally designed Fe-doped CoRuO/RuO heterostructure electrocatalysts on nickel foam (NF) through mixture hydrothermal, ion exchanging, and calcining methods. The synergistic effect between the Fe-CoRuO/RuO heterogeneous interfaces can result in superior inherent activity.

Load-Shifting Strategies for Cost-Effective Emission Reductions at Wastewater Facilities.

Significant hourly variation in the carbon intensity of electricity supplied to wastewater facilities introduces an opportunity to lower emissions by shifting the timing of their energy demand. This shift could be accomplished by storing wastewater, biogas from sludge digestion, or electricity from on-site biogas generation. However, the life cycle emissions and cost implications of these options are not clear.

Energy and climate policy implications on the deployment of low-carbon ammonia technologies.

The economic feasibility of low-carbon ammonia production pathways, such as steam methane reforming with carbon capture and storage, biomass gasification, and electrolysis, is assessed under various policy frameworks, including subsidies, carbon pricing, and renewable hydrogen regulations. Here, we show that employing a stochastic techno-economic analysis at the plant level and a net present value approach under the US Inflation Reduction Act reveals that carbon capture and biomass pathways demonstrate strong economic potential due to cost-effectiveness and minimal public support needs. Conversely, the electrolytic pathway faces significant economic challenges due to higher costs and lower efficiency.

Illuminating the multidimensional contributions of small-scale fisheries.

Sustainable development aspires to "leave no one behind". Even so, limited attention has been paid to small-scale fisheries (SSF) and their importance in eradicating poverty, hunger and malnutrition. Through a collaborative and multidimensional data-driven approach, we have estimated that SSF provide at least 40% (37.

Retraction notice to "Green synthesis and characterization of titanium dioxide nanoparticles using leaf extract of Pouteria campechiana and larvicidal and pupicidal activity on Aedes aegypti" [Environ. Res. 200 (2021) 111333].

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy).

A Thermally Robust Biopolymeric Separator Conveys K Transport and Interfacial Chemistry for Longevous Potassium Metal Batteries.

Potassium metal batteries (KMBs) hold promise for stationary energy storage with certain cost and resource merits. Nevertheless, their practicability is greatly handicapped by dendrite-related anodes, and the target design of specialized separators to boost anode safety is in its nascent stage. Here, we develop a thermally robust biopolymeric separator customized via a solvent-exchange and amino-siloxane decoration strategy to render durable and safe KMBs.

Premelted-Substrate-Promoted Selective Etching Strategy Realizing CVD Growth of High-Quality Graphene on Dielectric Substrates.

Direct chemical vapor deposition growth of high-quality graphene on dielectric substrates is a great challenge. Graphene growth on dielectrics always suffers from the issues of a high nucleation density and poor quality. Herein, a premelted-substrate-promoted selective etching (PSE) strategy was proposed.

Enhancing Proton Mobility in Silicophosphoric Acid by Replacing Si with Al.

Electrochemical devices that can operate at temperatures of 200-300 °C are expected to become the next-generation energy conversion devices in fuel cells and electrosynthesis, which are important for achieving carbon neutrality. Proton conductors based on phosphate glasses are being developed as candidate materials for such devices. We recently developed a glass proton conductor by using silicophosphoric acid based on the idea of solidifying phosphoric acid with silicon as a cross-linking glass framework.

CS bonds mediated rapid charge transfer in hm-CN/CdS heterostructure for efficient photocatalytic CO reduction.

The quest for stable and high-performance photocatalysts is pivotal in advancing the field of photocatalytic CO reduction. Traditional single-component semiconductors are often impeded by their inability to concurrently achieve a broad light absorption spectrum, efficient separation of photogenerated charge carriers, and enduring stability, thereby constraining their photocatalytic efficacy. In this study, we introduce an innovative hm-CN/CdS heterojunction that broadens the light absorption spectrum and significantly enhances the separation efficiency of photogenerated charge carriers.

Spray-Flame Synthesis (SFS) and Characterization of LiAlYTi(PO) [LA(Y)TP] Solid Electrolytes.

Solid-state electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries, which enable a significant increase in storage capacity, are at the forefront of alternative energy storage systems due to their attractive properties such as wide electrochemical stability window, relatively superior contact stability against Li metal, inherently dendrite inhibition, and a wide range of temperature functionality. NASICON-type solid electrolytes are an exciting candidate within ceramic electrolytes due to their high ionic conductivity and low moisture sensitivity, making them a prime candidate for pure oxidic and hybrid ceramic-in-polymer composite electrolytes. Here, we report on producing pure and Y-doped Lithium Aluminum Titanium Phosphate (LATP) nanoparticles by spray-flame synthesis.

Size Dependence of the Band Gap of Core-Shell Tantalum and Tantalum Oxide (V) Nanoclusters.

Monodisperse films of spherical tantalum oxide (V) nanoclusters and spherical tantalum nanoclusters with a tantalum oxide shell with diameters of 1.4-8 nm were obtained by magnetron sputtering. The size of the deposited nanoclusters was controlled using a quadrupole mass filter.

Enabling High-Voltage and Long Lifespan Sodium Batteries via Single-Crystal Layer-Structured Oxide Cathode Material.

Manganese-based layer-structured transition metal oxides are considered promising cathode materials for future sodium batteries owing to their high energy density potential and industrial feasibility. The grain-related anisotropy and electrode/electrolyte side reactions, however, constrain their energy density and cycling lifespan, particularly at high voltages. Large-sized single-crystal O3-typed Na[NiMnCuTi]O was thus designed and successfully synthesized toward high-voltage and long-lifespan sodium batteries.

Stepwise Structural Relaxation in Battery Active Materials.

Whenever the cycling of Li-ion batteries is stopped, the electrode materials undergo a relaxation process, but the structural changes that occur during relaxation are not well-understood. We have used operando synchrotron X-ray diffraction with a time resolution of 1.24 s to observe the structural changes that occur when the lithiation of graphite and LiFePO electrodes are interrupted.

Blending deep-learning and observers for improved state of charge estimation in vanadium flow batteries.

This paper presents the design and implementation of a deep-learning-based observer for accurately estimating the State of Charge (SoC) of a vanadium flow battery. The novelty of the proposal lies in its direct use of terminal voltage and the application of a machine learning algorithm to model the battery's overpotentials, leading to greater accuracy and reduced complexity compared to classical models. The overpotentials model consists of a neural network trained using data generated by a classical observer that estimates species concentration using a physical electrochemical model and the open-circuit voltage measurement.

g-CN S-Scheme Homojunction through Van der Waals Interface Regulation by Intrinsic Polymerization Tailoring for Enhanced Photocatalytic H Evolution and CO Reduction.

The effective S-scheme homojunction relies on the precise regulation of band structure and construction of advantaged charge migration interfaces. Here, the electronic structural properties of g-CN were modulated through meticulous polymerization of self-assembled supramolecular precursors. Experimental and DFT results indicate that both the intrinsic bandgap and surface electronic characteristics were adjusted, leading to the formation of an in-situ reconstructed homojunction interface facilitated by intrinsic van der Waals forces.

Nitrogen-Bridged S-N-Cu Sites for CO Photoreduction to Ethanol with 99.5 % Selectivity in Pure Water.

Solar-driven CO reduction to ethanol is extremely challenging due to the limited efficiency of charge separation, sluggish kinetics of C-C coupling, and unfavorable formation of oxygenate intermediates. Here, we elaborately design a red polymer carbon nitride (RPCN) consisting of S-N and Cu-N dual active sites (Cu/S-RPCN) to address this challenge, which achieves an impressive ethanol evolution rate of 50.4 μmol g h with 99.

Sn(SO)·2HO from synchrotron powder data.

Tin(IV) sulfate dihydrate, Sn(SO)·2HO, was prepared in a reflux of sulfuric acid under oxidizing conditions. Its crystal structure was determined from powder synchrotron X-ray diffraction data and is constructed of (100) layers of [SnO(HO)] octa-hedra (point group symmetry 1) corner-connected by sulfate tetra-hedra. Hydrogen bonds of moderate strength between the water mol-ecules and sulfate O atoms hold the layers together.

Strongly Coupled Interface in Electrostatic Self-Assembly Covalent Triazine Framework/BiSBr for High-Efficiency CO Photoreduction.

Constructing a strong bonded interface is highly desired to build fast charge-transfer channels and tune reactive sites for optimizing CO photoreduction. In this work, a covalent triazine framework (CTF) combined with a BiSBr heterojunction is designed using an electrostatic self-assembly process. Due to the oppositely charged states between two components and ultrasonic treatment, a strong coupled interface is realized with the formation of Bi-C/N/O bonds, leading to robust interfacial polarization.