Direct recycling of spent Li-ion batteries: Challenges and opportunities toward practical applications.

With the exponential expansion of electric vehicles (EVs), the disposal of Li-ion batteries (LIBs) is poised to increase significantly in the coming years. Effective recycling of these batteries is essential to address environmental concerns and tap into their economic value. Direct recycling has recently emerged as a promising solution at the laboratory level, offering significant environmental benefits and economic viability compared to pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical recycling methods. However, its commercialization has not been realized in the terms of financial feasibility. This perspective provides a comprehensive analysis of the obstacles that impede the practical implementation of direct recycling, ranging from disassembling, sorting, and separation to technological limitations. Furthermore, potential solutions are suggested to tackle these challenges in the short term. The need for long-term, collaborative endeavors among manufacturers, battery producers, and recycling companies is outlined to advance fully automated recycling of spent LIBs. Lastly, a smart direct recycling framework is proposed to achieve the full life cycle sustainability of LIBs.

Novel reassortment 2.3.4.4b H5N8 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses circulating in Xinjiang, China.

In 2016, H5N8 avian influenza viruses of clade 2.3.4.4b were detected at Qinghai Lake, China. Afterwards, the viruses of this clade rapidly spread to Asia, Europe, and Africa via migratory birds, and caused massive deaths in poultry and wild birds globally. In this study, four H5N8 isolates (abbreviated as 001, 002, 003, and 004) were isolated from the live poultry market in Xinjiang in 2017. Phylogenetic analysis showed that the hemagglutinin genes of the four isolates belonged to clade 2.3.4.4b, while the viral gene segments were from multiple geographic origins. For 002, the polymerase acidic gene had the highest sequence homology (99.55 %) with H5N8 virus identified from green-winged teal in Egypt in 2016, and the remaining genes exhibited the highest sequence homologies (99.18-100 %) with those of H5N8 viruses isolated from domestic duck sampled in Siberia in 2016. The polymerase basic 1 gene clustered together with H5N8 virus identified from painted stork of India in 2016, and the remaining genes had relatively close genetic relationships with H5N8 viruses identified from the duck of Siberia in 2016 and turkey in Italy in 2017. For the other three isolates, the nucleoprotein gene of 001 had the highest sequence homology (98.82 %) and relatively close genetic relationship with H9N2 viruses identified from poultry in Vietnam and Cambodia in 2015-2017, and all the remaining genes had the highest sequence homologies (99.18 %-99.58 %) and relatively close genetic relationships with H5N8 viruses identified from poultry and waterfowl sampled in African countries in 2017 and swan sampled in China in 2016. Multiple basic amino acids were observed at cleavage sites in the hemagglutinin proteins of the H5N8 isolates, indicating high pathogenicity. In addition, the L89V, G309D, R477G, I495V, A676T and I504V mutations in the polymerase basic 2 protein, N30D and T215A mutations in the matrix 1 protein, P42S mutation, and 80-84 amino acid deletion in the nonstructural 1 protein were detected in all isolates. These mutations were associated with increased virulence and polymerase activity in mammals. Therefore, our results indicate that the H5N8 isolates involved multiple introductions of reassorted viruses, and also revealed that the wetlands of Northern Tianshan Mountain may play a key role in H5N8 AIVs disseminating among Central China, the Eurasian continent, and East African Countries.

Novel reassortant 2.3.4.4B H5N6 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses circulating among wild, domestic birds in Xinjiang, Northwest China.

BACKGROUND: The H5 avian influenza viruses (AIVs) of clade 2.3.4.4 circulate in wild and domestic birds worldwide. In 2017, nine strains of H5N6 AIVs were isolated from aquatic poultry in Xinjiang, Northwest China. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to analyze the origin, reassortment, and mutations of the AIV isolates. METHODS: AIVs were isolated from oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs of poultry. Identification was accomplished by inoculating isolates into embryonated chicken eggs and performing hemagglutination tests and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The viral genomes were amplified with RT-PCR and then sequenced. The sequence alignment, phylogenetic, and molecular characteristic analyses were performed by using bioinformatic software. RESULTS: Nine isolates originated from the same ancestor. The viral HA gene belonged to clade 2.3.4.4B, while the NA gene had a close phylogenetic relationship with the 2.3.4.4C H5N6 highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (HPAIVs) isolated from shoveler ducks in Ningxia in 2015. The NP gene was grouped into an independent subcluster within the 2.3.4.4B H5N8 AIVs, and the remaining six genes all had close phylogenetic relationships with the 2.3.4.4B H5N8 HPAIVs isolated from the wild birds in China, Egypt, Uganda, Cameroon, and India in 2016-2017, Multiple basic amino acid residues associated with HPAIVs were located adjacent to the cleavage site of the HA protein. The nine isolates comprised reassortant 2.3.4.4B HPAIVs originating from 2.3.4.4B H5N8 and 2.3.4.4C H5N6 viruses in wild birds. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the Northern Tianshan Mountain wetlands in Xinjiang may have a key role in AIVs disseminating from Central China to the Eurasian continent and East African.

Constructing Phase-Transitional NiSx@Nitrogen-Doped Carbon Cathode Material with High Rate Capability and Cycling Stability for Alkaline Zinc-Based Batteries.

Alkaline zinc-based batteries are becoming promising candidates for green and economical energy-storage systems, thanks to their low cost and high energy density. The exploitation of the stable cathode materials with high rate capability and cycling stability is crucial for their further development. Herein, a series of NiSx coated with nitrogen-doped carbon (denoted as NiSx@NC) compounds (x = 0.5-1.0) are synthesized using the facile single-source precursor method. Benefiting from the unique phase-transitional NiSx@NC with high activity and enhanced conductivity from the well-balanced conductive metal nickel and carbon layer, the alkaline zinc-nickel batteries with a phase-transitional NiSx@NC cathode deliver a high capacity of 148 mA h g-1 at a high current density of 100 mA cm-2 and demonstrate a long lifespan of over 500 cycles with a high capacity retention of 98.8%. This work provides a significant guideline for the structural design and optimization of nickel-based materials in alkaline energy-storage devices.

Rapid Emergence of the Reassortant 2.3.4.4b H5N2 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Viruses in a Live Poultry Market in Xinjiang, Northwest China.

Live poultry markets (LPMs) play a key role in reassorting and spreading avian influenza viruses (AIVs). In 2018, four strains of H5N2 AIVs were isolated from domestic ducks (Anas platyrhynchos) during AIV surveillance from the LPM in Urumqi, Xinjiang, China. All gene segments of the isolates were amplified by reverse transcription-PCR and sequenced; then, the viral genetic mutations, reassortant, and origin were analyzed. Higher nucleotide identities were observed among each gene of the isolates, indicating a common ancestor. The hemagglutinin (HA) genes of the isolates all classified into the clade 2.3.4.4b; the HA, matrix protein (MP), and nonstructural protein (NS) genes were all clustered together with the local H5N6 highly pathogenic AIVs (HPAIVs) identified in the same LPM of Urumqi in July 2017; the neuraminidase albumen, polymerase basic proteins 1 and 2, polymerase acidic protein, and nucleocapsid protein genes (NA, PB1, PB2, PA, and NP) all had close phylogenetic relationships with the local H9N2 AIVs identified in the same LPM from September to October 2018. Multiple basic amino acids were present at the cleavage site of the HA protein, which was associated with HPAIVs. These results indicated that the reassortant clade 2.3.4.4b H5N2 HPAIVs were rapidly generated from reassortment between the H5N6 and H9N2 AIVs in the local LPM of Urumqi in 2018.

Rápida aparición de los virus de influenza aviar altamente patógenos H5N2 reacomodados 2.3.4.4b en un mercado de aves vivas en Xinjiang, en el noroeste de China. Los mercados de aves vivas desempeñan un papel clave en el reacomodo y en la propagación de los virus de la influenza aviar. En el año 2018, se aislaron cuatro cepas del virus de influenza aviar H5N2 de patos domésticos durante los procedimientos de vigilancia para influenza aviar en mercados de aves vivas en Urumqi, Xinjiang, China. Todos los segmentos de genes de los aislados se amplificaron mediante transcripción reversa y PCR y se secuenciaron; posteriormente, se analizaron las mutaciones genéticas virales, el reacomodamiento y el origen. Se observaron altas identidades de nucleótidos entre cada gene de los aislados, lo que indica un ancestro común. Todos los genes de hemaglutinina (HA) de los aislamientos se clasificaron en el clado 2.3.4.4b; los genes de la proteína HA, la proteína de matriz (MP) y la proteína no estructural (NS) se agruparon junto con los virus de influenza altamente patógenos locales H5N6 identificados en el mismo mercado de aves vivas de Urumqi en julio de 2017; la albúmina de la neuraminidasa, las proteínas básicas de la polimerasa 1 y 2, la proteína ácida de la polimerasa y los genes de la proteína de la nucleocápsida (NA, PB1, PB2, PA y NP) tenían relaciones filogenéticas cercanas con virus de influenza locales H9N2 identificados en el mismo mercado de aves vivas de septiembre a octubre del 2018. Hubo múltiples aminoácidos básicos presentes en el sitio de disociación de la proteína HA, que se asoció con virus de influenza de alta patogenicidad. Estos resultados indicaron que los virus de influenza de alta patogenicidad H5N2 del clado reacomodado 2.3.4.4b se generaron rápidamente a partir del reacomodo entre los virus de influenza H5N6 y H9N2 en el mercado de aves vivas local de Urumqi en el año 2018.

Act in contravention: a non-planar coupled electrode design utilizing "tip effect" for ultra-high areal capacity, long cycle life zinc-based batteries.

Aqueous zinc-based batteries (ZBBs) have great potential as commercial energy storage devices. However, the poor cycling stability of zinc anode under high areal capacity limits their further application. Herein, a coupled non-planar electrode design achieved by the tailored flat-top pyramid carbon felt (TCF) is proposed for ZBBs, which can effectively increase the zinc deposition sites, adjust the deposition morphology, optimize the current and electrolyte flow velocity distribution and provide necessary space for zinc plating. Interestingly, by utilizing "tip effect", the coupled TCFs enable precise control of the zinc dendrite growth position, effectively reducing the risk of short circuit. Based on such coupled TCFs, zinc-iodine flow batteries can deliver an ultra-high areal capacity of 240 mAh cm-2 and a superb cycling stability over 300 cycles (areal capacity of 160 mAh cm-2) at a high current density of 40 mA cm-2. Therefore, we provide an effective strategy for high areal capacity zinc anode design, which may promote the development of high energy density and long cycle life ZBBs.

Dendrite-Free Zinc Deposition Induced by Tin-Modified Multifunctional 3D Host for Stable Zinc-Based Flow Battery.

Zinc (Zn) plating/stripping is a promising anodic electrochemical reaction for aqueous batteries because of its high safety, low cost, two electron transfer, and rapid reaction kinetics. However, the notorious dendrite growth of Zn has become one of the biggest obstacles hindering its further commercialization. A multifunctional binder-free tin (Sn)-modified 3D carbon felt anodic host (SH) is constructed for aqueous zinc-based flow batteries (ZFB) via a facile and scalable strategy. Compared with the pristine carbon felt host (PH), the as-fabricated SH affords more robust Zn nucleation sites, lower hydrogen evolution reaction potential and lower nucleation overpotential of Zn and thus better induces uniform Zn plating/stripping with very high Coulombic efficiency (CE). Based on such an SH, a symmetrical flow battery exhibits superior CE (290 cycles with average CE of 99.4%) and a zinc-bromine flow battery demonstrates a longer cycle life (142 cycles with average CE of 97.2%), much better than pristine PH. This is a simple, novel, and effective way to suppress Zn dendrites and improve the performance of ZFBs.