Engineering d-p Orbital Hybridization with P, S Co-Coordination Asymmetric Configuration of Single Atoms Toward High-Rate and Long-Cycling Lithium-Sulfur Battery.

Single-atom catalysts (SACs) have been increasingly explored in lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries to address the issues of severe polysulfide shuttle effects and sluggish redox kinetics. However, the structure-activity relationship between single-atom coordination structures and the performance of Li-S batteries remain unclear. In this study, a P, S co-coordination asymmetric configuration of single atoms is designed to enhance the catalytic activity of Co central atoms and promote d-p orbital hybridization between Co and S atoms, thereby limiting polysulfides and accelerating the bidirectional redox process of sulfur. The well-designed SACs enable Li-S batteries to demonstrate an ultralow capacity fading rate of 0.027% per cycle after 2000 cycles at a high rate of 5 C. Furthermore, they display excellent rate performance with a capacity of 619 mAh g-1 at an ultrahigh rate of 10 C due to the efficient catalysis of CoSA-N3PS. Importantly, the assembled pouch cell still retains a high discharge capacity of 660 mAh g-1 after 100 cycles at 0.2 C and provides a high areal capacity of 4.4 mAh cm-2 even with a high sulfur loading of 6 mg cm-2. This work demonstrates that regulating the coordination environment of SACs is of great significance for achieving state-of-the-art Li-S batteries.

First evidence of lithium toxicity in the cryptic species complex of the estuarine copepod Eurytemora affinis.

The development of renewable and low-carbon energy sources means that strategic elements such as lithium (Li) are increasingly being used. The data available on the effects of Li on aquatic organisms are relatively scarce. The copepod Eurytemora affinis, widely distributed in the brackish estuarine waters of the northern hemisphere, is a species of choice in ecotoxicology but in fact constitutes a cryptic species complex, composed of at least six cryptic species. Cryptic diversity can lead to misinterpretation and alter the reproducibility of routine ecotoxicological tests. In the present study, two cryptic species of the E. affinis complex from the Seine (European clade) and the St. Lawrence (North-Atlantic clade) estuaries were used to assess Li toxicity and to compare their differential sensitivity. Larvae were exposed to different concentrations of Li (0.4, 4.39, 35.36 and 80.83 mg L-1) under semi-static conditions for 96 h. Larval development stages were determined and log-logistic functions were fitted to evaluate mortality (LC50) and growth (EC50) parameters. After 96 h of exposure, the results showed that the European and North-Atlantic clades had LC50 values of 55.33 and 67.81 mg L-1 and EC50 values of 28.94 and 41.45 mg L-1, respectively. A moderate difference in sensitivity to Li between the European and North-Atlantic clades of the E. affinis complex was observed. Thus, the cryptic species diversity should be considered using E. affinis to avoid bias in the interpretation of the data. Despite environmental concentrations of Li are expected to increase over the next years, EC50 and LC50 found for E. affinis cryptic species are largely higher than Li environmental concentrations to provoke extreme effects.

All-Solid-State Lithium-Sulfur Batteries of High Cycling Stability and Rate Capability Enabled by a Self-Lithiated Sn-C Interlayer.

All-solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries (ASSLSBs) have attracted intense interest due to their high theoretical energy density and intrinsic safety. However, constructing durable lithium (Li) metal anodes with high cycling efficiency in ASSLSBs remains challenging due to poor interface stability. Here, a compositionally stable, self-lithiated tin (Sn)-carbon (C) composite interlayer (LSCI) between Li anode and solid-state electrolyte (SSE), capable of homogenizing Li-ion transport across the interlayer, mitigating decomposition of SSE, and enhancing electrochemical/structural stability of interface, is developed for ASSLSBs. The LSCI-mediated Li metal anode enables stable Li plating/stripping over 7000 h without Li dendrite penetration. The ASSLSBs equipped with LSCI thus exhibit excellent cycling stability of over 300 cycles (capacity retention of ≈80%) under low applied pressure (<8 MPa) and demonstrate improved rate capability even at 3C. The enhanced electrochemical performance and corresponding insights of the designed LSCI broaden the spectrum of advanced interlayers for interface manipulation, advancing the practical application of ASSLSBs.

Modification of LiMn2O4 Cathodes to Boost Kinetics Match via rGO for High-Performance Rocking-Chair Lithium-Ion Capacitors.

The rocking-chair lithium-ion capacitors (RLICs), composed of a battery-type cathode and capacitive-type anode, alleviates the issue of increased internal resistance caused by electrolyte consumption during the cycling process of the lithium-ion capacitors (LICs). However, the poor conductivity of cathode materials and the mismatch between the cathode and anode are the key issues that hinder its commercial application. In this work, a modification simplification strategy is proposed to tailor the conductivity of the cathode and matching characteristic with the anode. The in situ grown lithium manganate (LMO) is featured with a three-dimensional conductive network constructed by reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The optimized LMO/rGO composite cathode demonstrates an excellent rate performance, lithium-ion diffusion rate, and cycling performance. After assembling an RLICs with activated carbon (AC), the RLICs exhibits an energy density of as high as 239.11 Wh/kg at a power density of 400 W/kg. Even at a power density of 200 kW/kg, its energy density can maintain at 39.9 Wh/kg. These excellent electrochemical performances are mainly attributed to the compounding of LMO with rGO, which not only improves the conductivity of the cathode but also realizes a better matching with the capacitive-type anode. This modification strategy provides a reference for the further development of energy storage devices suitable for actual production conditions and application scenarios.

In Situ-Constructed Multifunctional Composite Anode with Ultralong-Life Toward Advanced Lithium-Metal Batteries.

Metallic lithium is the most competitive anode material for next-generation high-energy batteries. Nevertheless, the extensive volume expansion and uncontrolled Li dendrite growth of lithium metal not only cause potential safety hazards but also lead to low Coulombic efficiency and inferior cycling lifespan for Li metal batteries. Herein, a multifunctional dendrite-free composite anode (Li/SnS2) is proposed through an in situ melt-infusion strategy. In this configuration, the 3D cross-linked porous Li2S/Li22Sn5 framework facilitates the rapid penetration of electrolytes and accommodates the volume expansion during the repeated Li-plating process. Meanwhile, the lithiophilic Li2S phases with a low Li+ transport barrier ensure preferential Li deposition, effectively avoiding uneven electron distribution. Moreover, the Li22Sn5 electron conductors with appropriate Li+ bonding ability guarantee rapid charge transport and mass transfer. Most importantly, the steady multifunctional skeleton with sufficient inner interfaces (Li2S/Li22Sn5) in the whole electrode, not only realizes the redistribution of the localized free electron, contributing to the decomposition of Li clusters, but also induces a planar deposition model, thus restraining the generation of Li dendrites. Consequently, an unprecedented cyclability of over 6 500 h under an ultrahigh areal capacity of 10 mAh cm-2 and a current rate of 20 mA cm-2 is achieved for the prepared Li2S/Li22Sn5 composite anode. Moreover, the assembled Li/SnS2||LiFePO4 (LFP) pouch full-cells also demonstrate remarkable rate capability and a convincing cycling lifespan of more than 2 000 cycles at 2 C.

Solvent extraction of lithium from brines with high magnesium/lithium ratios: investigation on parameter interactions.

Solvent extraction of lithium from brine with a high Mg/Li ratio was investigated. Tributyl phosphate (TBP), ferric chloride (FeCl3), and kerosene were used as the extractant, co-extractant, and diluent, respectively. The mechanism of the extraction process was studied by LC-MS, UV-VIS, and FT-IR analyses. Effects of organic to aqueous phase volume ratio (O/A) on the extraction efficiency and separation factor were optimized. The effects of major parameters including Fe/Li molar ratio, hydrochloric acid concentration, and TBP volume percent as well as their interactions on the lithium extraction efficiency were evaluated using central composite design. These major parameters represent interactions within their selected ranges. While the lithium extraction efficiency as the response value in the experimental design showed the most sensitivity to the acid concentration, the separation factors were more affected by alteration in the TBP volume percent with the fixed optimum values of the other major parameters. The highest one-stage extraction efficiency of 76.3% and Li/Mg separation factor of 304 were obtained at the optimum conditions of Fe/Li = 2.99, HCl = 0.01 M, and TBP = 55%. The Mg/Li mass ratio could be significantly reduced from 192 in the feed to 1.5 in the stripping solution. Based on the findings, a schematic diagram of the process including extraction, stripping, and saponification steps was proposed.

An interpretable capacity prediction method for lithium-ion battery considering environmental interference.

Predicting the capacity of lithium-ion battery (LIB) plays a crucial role in ensuring the safe operation of LIBs and prolonging their lifespan. However, LIBs are easily affected by environmental interference, which may impact the precision of predictions. Furthermore, interpretability in the process of predicting LIB capacity is also important for users to understand the model, identify issues, and make decisions. In this study, an interpretable method considering environmental interference (IM-EI) for predicting LIB capacity is introduced. Spearman correlation coefficients, interpretability principles, belief rule base (BRB), and interpretability constraints are used to improve the prediction precision and interpretability of IM-EI. Dynamic attribute reliability is introduced to minimize the effect of environmental interference. The experimental results show that IM-EI model has good interpretability and high precision compared to the other models. Under interference conditions, the model still has good precision and robustness.

Cross-Linked Composite Solid Polymer Electrolyte Doped with Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 for High Voltage Lithium Metal Batteries.

Composite solid polymer electrolytes (CSPEs) are safer alternatives to liquid electrolytes and excellent candidates for high-voltage solid-state batteries. However, interfacial instabilities between the electrodes and CSPEs are one of the bottlenecks in pursuing these systems. In this study, a cross-linked CSPE was synthesized based on polypropylene carbonate, polyethylene glycol methyl ether acrylate, polyethylene glycol diacrylate with additives including lithium bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide salt, and tantalum-doped lithium lanthanum zirconium oxide (LLZTO). Mass fractions of 10, 20, and 40% LLZTO were added to the CSPE matrix. In a symmetric cell, lithium plating and stripping revealed that the interface between the lithium metal anode and CSPE with 10% of the LLZTO (CSPE-10LLZTO) shows the most stable interface. The CSPE-10LLZTO sample demonstrated high flexibility and showed no degradation over 800 h of cycling at varying current densities. The ionic conductivity for the CSPE-10LLZTO sample at 40 °C was 6.4 × 10-4 S/cm. An all-solid-state full cell was fabricated with LiNi0.5Mn0.3Co0.2O2 as the cathode, CSPE-10LLZTO as the electrolyte and separator, and Li metal as the anode, delivering approximately 140 mAh/g of capacity. Differential scanning calorimetry measurements on CSPE-xLLZTO showed high miscibility and the elimination of crystallinity. Raman spectroscopy revealed uniformity in the structure. These findings demonstrate the capability of the CSPEs to develop high-voltage solid-state lithium metal batteries.

Ionic Covalent Organic Framework Solid-State Electrolytes.

Rechargeable secondary batteries, widely used in modern technology, are essential for mobile and consumer electronic devices and energy storage applications. Lithium (Li)-ion batteries are currently the most popular choice due to their decent energy density. However, the increasing demand for higher energy density has led to the development of Li metal batteries (LMBs). Despite their potential, the commonly used liquid electrolyte-based LMBs present serious safety concerns, such as dendrite growth and the risk of fire and explosion. To address these issues, using solid-state electrolytes in batteries has emerged as a promising solution. In this Perspective, recent advancements are discussed in ionic covalent organic framework (ICOFs)-based solid-state electrolytes, identify current challenges in the field, and propose future research directions. Highly crystalline ion conductors with polymeric versatility show promise as the next-generation solid-state electrolytes. Specifically, the use of anionic or cationic COFs is examined for Li-based batteries, highlight the high interfacial resistance caused by the intrinsic brittleness of crystalline ICOFs as the main limitation, and presents innovative ideas for developing all- and quasi-solid-state batteries using ICOF-based solid-state electrolytes. With these considerations and further developments, the potential for ICOFs is optimistic about enabling the realization of high-energy-density all-solid-state LMBs.

Chemically Bonded Biphase Coating of Ni-Rich Layered Oxides with Enhanced High-Voltage Tolerance and Long-Cycle Stability.

Stabilizing the crystalline structure and surface chemistry of Ni-rich layered oxides is critical for enhancing their capacity output and cycle life at a high cutoff voltage. Herein, we adopted a simple one-step solid-state method by directly sintering the Ni0.9Co0.1(OH)2 precursor with LiOH and Ta2O5, to simultaneously achieve the bulk material synthesis of LiNi0.9Co0.1O2 and in situ construction of a rock-salt Ta-doped interphase and an amorphous LiTaO3 outer layer, forming a chemically bonded surface biphase coating on LiNi0.9Co0.1O2. Such a cathode architectural design has been demonstrated with superior advantages: (1) eliminating surface residual alkali, (2) strengthening the layered oxygen lattice, (3) suppressing bulk-phase transformation, and (4) facilitating Li-ion transport. The obtained cathode exhibits excellent electrochemical performance, including a high initial reversible capacity of 180.3 mAh g-1 at 1.0 C with 85.5% retention after 300 cycles (2.8-4.35 V) and a high initial reversible capacity of 182.5 mAh g-1 at 0.2 C with 87.6% retention after 100 cycles (2.8-4.5 V). Notably, this facile and scalable electrode engineering makes Ni-rich layered oxides promising for practical applications.

Analyzing the Effect of Electrolyte Quantity on the Aging of Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Despite a substantial impact on various economic and cell technology factors, the influence of electrolyte quantities is rarely addressed in research. This study examines the impact of varying electrolyte quantities on cell performance and aging processes using three different electrolytes: LP57 (1 M LiPF6 in ethylene carbonate:ethyl methyl carbonate (EC:EMC 3:7 w/w), LP572 (LP57+2 wt.% vinylene carbonate (VC)) and LP57 + absVC (18.351 mg VC). Comprehensive analytical post mortem investigations revealed that continuous excessive electrolyte decomposition determines the performance of cells using LP57, leading to enhanced irreversible lithium-ion loss and interphase thickening with increasing electrolyte volume. Impedance rise due to the growth of the interphase was also identified as the cause of degrading cell performance with rising amounts of LP572, attributed to an increasingly pronounced consumption of VC rather than electrolyte aging effects. By varying the electrolyte quantity while maintaining a constant amount VC within the cell system, the differences in cell performance were minimized, and observed deteriorating effects were suppressed. This study demonstrates the sensitive interdependence of electrolyte volume and additive concentration, practically affecting aging behavior. Comprehensively understanding the characteristics of each individual electrolyte component and tailoring the electrolytes to cell-specific cell properties proves to be crucial to optimize cell performance.

Mussel-Inspired Polymer Binders for Organic Electrodes.

The development of polymer binders is necessary to meet the growing demands of modern energy storage technologies. While catechol-containing materials are proven successful in silicon anodes, their application in organic batteries remains unexplored. In this contribution, the synthesis of four polymers are described with nearly identical side chain composition but varying backbone structures. The materials are used to investigate the effect of polymer backbone structure on the binding abilities of catechol-containing materials. Comparative analysis with the commonly used polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) binder aims to address two critical questions: 1) Can catechol-rich polymers replace PVDF for use in organic cathodes? and 2) Does the choice of polymer backbone affect the performance of the battery?. The investigation reveals that supramolecular interactions, such as π-π stacking and coordination bonding, are pivotal features of catechol binders. Among the catechol-rich polymers, the polyacrylate binder stands out, likely attributed to its high flexibility. Additionally, introducing an oxygen atom into a catechol-rich polynorbornene enhances lithium-ion conductivity and rate performance. Overall, the findings highlight the viability of catechol-containing polymers as organic cathode binders, and that the choice of polymer backbone is a crucial factor for their use as lithium-ion battery binder materials.

Anthracite-derived porous carbon@MoS2 heterostructure for elevated lithium storage regulated by the middle TiO2 layer.

The rational design of MoS2/carbon composites have been widely used to improve the lithium storage capability. However, their deep applications remain a big challenge due to the slow electrochemical reaction kinetics of MoS2 and weak bonding between MoS2 and carbon substrates. In this work, anthracite-derived porous carbon (APC) is sequential coated by TiO2 nanoparticles and MoS2 nanosheets via a chemical activation and two-step hydrothermal method, forming the unique APC@TiO2@MoS2 ternary composite. The dynamic analysis, in-situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy as well as theoretical calculation together demonstrate that this innovative design effectively improves the ion/electron transport behavior and alleviates the large volume expansion during cycles. Furthermore, the introduction of middle TiO2 layer in the composite significantly strengthens the mechanical stability of the entire electrode. As expected, the as-prepared APC@TiO2@MoS2 anode displays a high lithium storage capacity with a reversible capacity of 655.8 mAh g-1 after 150 cycles at 200 mA g-1, and robust cycle stability. Impressively, even at a high current density of 2 A g-1, the electrode maintains a superior reversible capacity of 597.7 mAh g-1 after 1100 cycles. This design highlights a feasibility for the development of low-cost anthracite-derived porous carbon-based electrodes.

A High Capacity Gas Diffusion Electrode for Li-O2 Batteries.

The very high theoretical specific energy of the lithium-air (Li-O2) battery (3500 Wh kg-1) compared with other batteries makes it potentially attractive, especially for the electrification of flight. While progress has been made in realizing the Li-air battery, several challenges remain. One such challenge is achieving a high capacity to store charge at the positive electrode at practical current densities, without which Li-air batteries will not outperform lithium-ion. The capacity is limited by the mass transport of O2 throughout the porous carbon positive electrode. Here it is shown that by replacing the binder in the electrode by a polymer with the intrinsic ability to transport O2, it is possible to reach capacities as high as 31 mAh cm-2 at 1 mA cm-2 in a 300 µm thick electrode. This corresponds to a positive electrode energy density of 2650 Wh L-1 and specific energy of 1716 Wh kg-1, exceeding significantly Li-ion batteries and previously reported Li-O2 cells. Due to the enhanced oxygen diffusion imparted by the gas diffusion polymer, Li2O2 (the product of O2 reduction on discharge) fills a greater volume fraction of the electrode and is more homogeneously distributed.

Evaluation of vertical marginal discrepancy and load-to-failure of monolithic zirconia and lithium disilicate laminate veneers manufactured in different thicknesses.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of monolithic zirconia laminate veneers (MZLV) compared to lithium disilicate laminate veneers (LDLV). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty resin replicas, each prepared with depths of 0.5 mm, 0.7 mm, and 1 mm, were produced using a 3D printer from acrylic teeth. Laminate veneers of these thicknesses were milled from pre-sintered monolithic zirconia (3rd generation) and lithium disilicate blocks. The intaglio surface of MZLV was treated with air abrasion using 110 µm diameter silica-modified aluminium oxide particles and ceramic primer, while LDLV was etched with etchant gel and treated with the ceramic primer before cementation with resin cement. Vertical marginal discrepancy (VMD) was assessed using a stereomicroscope, and a load-to-failure test was conducted using a universal testing machine. Failure modes were evaluated macroscopically on fractured surfaces. Data were analysed statistically using Two-way ANOVA and Bonferroni correction (α = 0.05). RESULTS: LDLV samples exhibited significantly larger VMD compared to MZLV samples across all thicknesses, especially in cervical, palatal, and mean data. Within the LDLV group, load-to-fracture values for 0.7 mm and 1.0 mm thicknesses were similar, whereas for 0.5 mm thickness, it was significantly lower. In the MZLV group, load-to-fracture values were lower for 0.7 mm and 1.0 mm thicknesses compared to LDLV, but higher for 0.5 mm thickness. CONCLUSIONS: Material choice and restoration thickness significantly influence laminate veneer restorations' success. MZLV generally exhibits superior vertical marginal fit compared to LDLV, with varying load-to-failure values across different thicknesses. Clinical management of debonding in MZLV is simpler compared to restoration fracture in LDLV. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Considering clinical factors, MZLV may be a preferable option to LDLV for this restoration with the thickness of 0.5 mm.

Retrospective Review of Postpartum Lithium Use Including During Lactation.

Introduction: Lithium remains a gold standard treatment for bipolar disorder including during peripartum. Historically, guidelines advised against breastfeeding while taking lithium though recent data suggest it is acceptable for a healthy infant. Lack of awareness of acceptability contributes to decreased patient and clinician comfort and low breastfeeding rates. We report current breastfeeding rates, monitoring practices, and infant outcomes with lithium exposure in breastmilk at our institution. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted at a single academic medical center using records from 2013 to 2023. Electronic medical records were queried to identify patients prescribed lithium postpartum. Data were collected on timing of lithium initiation, lithium dose and concentration, breastfeeding status, and infant outcomes. Results: A total of 18 cases of lithium use in the postpartum period were identified. A total of 39% (n = 7) of patients taking lithium postpartum breastfed. Most patients, 61% (n = 11), initiated lithium prior to pregnancy, 11% (n = 2) initiated during pregnancy and 27% (n = 5) started postpartum. Four infant charts were reviewed with no reports of adverse events. Of these infants, average maternal lithium dose was 750 mg daily, with an average maternal serum lithium concentration of 0.62 mmol/L and average infant serum lithium concentration of 0.16 mmol/L. Conclusion: Our data demonstrate most patients using lithium postpartum have been taking lithium long-term and are not breastfeeding. Lithium exposure in breastmilk appears to be tolerated by healthy infants. There is a need for ongoing research and education on acceptability and infant monitoring recommendations to support patients who would like to breastfeed while on lithium.

Revealing the delithiation process of spent LiMn2O4 and LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 batteries during the biomass-assisted gasthermal and carbothermal reduction.

The utilization of biomass-assisted pyrolysis in the recycling of spent lithium-ion batteries has emerged as a promising and reliable process. This article furnishes theoretical underpinnings and analytical insights into this method, showcasing sawdust pyrolysis reduction as an efficient means to recycle spent LiMn2O4 and LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2 batteries. Through advanced thermogravimetry-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis complemented by traditional thermodynamic demonstration, the synergistic effects of biomass pyrolysis reduction are elucidated, with minor autodecomposition and major carbothermal and gasthermal reduction pathways identified. The controlled manipulation of transition metals has demonstrated the capability to modulate surface pyrolysis gas catalytic reactions and facilitate the preparation of composite materials with diverse morphologies. Optimization of process conditions has culminated in recovery efficiency exceeding 99.0 % for LiMn2O4 and 99.5 % for LiNi0.6Co0.2Mn0.2O2. Economic and environmental analyses underscore the advantages of biomass reduction and recycling for these two types of spent LIBs: low energy consumption, environmental compatibility, and high economic viability.

Controllable preparation of carbon coating Ge nanospheres with a cubic hollow structure for high-performance lithium ion batteries.

Germanium based nanomaterials are very promising as the anodes for the lithium ion batteries since their large specific capacity, excellent lithium diffusivity and high conductivity. However, their controllable preparation is still very difficult to achieve. Herein, we facilely prepare a unique carbon coating Ge nanospheres with a cubic hollow structure (Ge@C) via a hydrothermal synthesis and subsequent pyrolysis using low-cost GeO2 as precursors. The hollow Ge@C nanostructure not only provides abundant interior space to alleviate the huge volumetric expansion of Ge upon lithiation, but also facilitates the transmission of lithium ions and electrons. Moreover, experiment analyses and density functional theory (DFT) calculations unveil the excellent lithium adsorption ability, high exchange current density, low activation energy for lithium diffusion of the hollow Ge@C electrode, thus exhibiting significant lithium storage advantages with a large charge capacity (1483 mAh/g under 200 mA g-1), distinguished rate ability (710 mAh/g under 8000 mA g-1) as well as long-term cycling stability (1130 mAh/g after 900 cycles under 1000 mA g-1). Therefore, this work offers new paths for controllable synthesis and fabrication of high-performance Ge based lithium storage nanomaterials.

A comprehensive approach for the recycling of anode materials from spent lithium-ion batteries: Separation, lithium recovery, and graphite reutilization as environmental catalyst.

The effective recovery of valuables from anodes coming from spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) is of great importance to ensure resource supply and reduce the environmental burden for recycling. In this work, a simple and low energy consumption roasting method was proposed by employing low-temperature eutectic NaOH-KOH as reaction medium, in order to simultaneously separate graphite from Cu foils, extract lithium from it and set it up for reuse as environmental catalyst through one-step water washing process. Our results show that polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) was effectively deactivated due to dehydrofluorination/carbonization at a relatively low temperature and short time (150 °C, 20 min) when a mass ratio of 1:1 for eutectic NaOH-KOH to spent LIBs anodes was used, yielding 97.3 % of graphite detached. Moreover, a remarkable lithium extraction efficiency of 93.2 % was simultaneously obtained. Afterwards, the reusability of the recycled graphite was tested by employing it as a catalyst for the treatment of a contaminant organic dye (Rhodamine B) in the presence of NaClO. Our results show that a superior NaClO activation was obtained with the addition of recycled graphite, being this fact closely associated to the abundant active sites formed during the long-term charging/discharging cycles in the original battery. The alkaline-mediated roasting process presented in this work presents an energy-saving scheme to efficiently recover useful components from spent anodes, whereas the reusability example highlighted a useful option for repurposing the severely damaged graphite as an environmental catalyst rather than disposing it in landfills, turning waste into a valuable material.

Effective peroxymonosulfate activation by lithium cobaltite recovered from spent lithium-ion batteries for enhanced carbamazepine degradation in a wide pH range.

Considering the high cost and complicated recycling process of spent lithium-ion batteries (SLIBs), transforming SLIBs into environment functional materials may be a wise approach. Herein, lithium cobaltite (LCO) cathode powders recovered from SLIBs were used to activate peroxymonosulfate (PMS) for removing carbamazepine (CBZ). The recovered LCO enables a 98.2% removal efficiency of CBZ (2.5 mg/L) within 10 min, which was effective at a broader pH range (pH = 5.0-11.0). The influence of key factors (initial pH, PMS, and catalyst dosage) and coexisting substances (SO42-, H2PO4-, NO3-, Cl-, HCO3-, and HA) on CBZ degradation were examined in detail. The primary radical species during the degradation of CBZ were proved to be 1O2, SO4-, and.OH that generated from PMS activation initiated by the valence change of Co in recovered LCO. The recovered LCO displayed excellent reusability with about 80.0% removal of CBZ after six cycles. Homogeneous activation of PMS mainly contributed to CBZ degradation in the first run, but the recovered LCO catalyst dominated the heterogeneous activation of PMS for the degradation of CBZ in the second to sixth run. Finally, the CBZ degradation pathways were presented based on the identified intermediates. This research has offered a new strategy of "treating wastes with wastes" to maximize the recycling of electronic wastes to remove emerging pollutants.