Simple Construction of Multistage Stable Silicon-Graphite Hybrid Granules for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Because of its high specific capacity, the silicon-graphite composite (SGC) is regarded as a promising anode for new-generation lithium-ion batteries. However, the frequently employed two-section preparation process, including the modification of silicon seed and followed mixture with graphite, cannot ensure the uniform dispersion of silicon in the graphite matrix, resulting in a stress concentration of aggregated silicon domains and cracks in composite electrodes during cycling. Herein, inspired by powder engineering, the two independent sections are integrated to construct multistage stable silicon-graphite hybrid granules (SGHGs) through wet granulation and carbonization. This method assembles silicon nanoparticles (Si NPs) and graphite and improves compatibility between them, addressing the issue of severe stress concentration caused by uncombined residue of Si NPs. The optimal SGHG prepared with 20% pitch content exhibits a highly reversible specific capacity of 560.0 mAh g-1 at a current density of 200 mA g-1 and a considerable stability retention of 86.1% after 1000 cycles at 1 A g-1 . Moreover, as a practical application, the full cell delivers an outstanding capacity retention of 85.7% after 400 cycles at 2 C. The multistage stable structure constructed by simple wet granulation and carbonization provides theoretical guidance for the preparation of commercial SGC anodes.

[Pb, Zn accumulation and nutrient uptake of 15 plant species grown in abandoned mine tailings].

Vegetation restoration field test was carried out in the abandoned lead-zinc tailings for 3 years. The study showed that accumulation of lead (Pb), zinc (Zn) and nutrient uptake differed with plant species and organs, heavy metals, and planting time. Pb was mainly accumulated in tree roots, and its content distribution in tree organs was generally in the order of roots > leaves > stems. But Zn concentrations in leaves of several tree species were higher than those in roots and stems. Within the tested 15 species, Cercis Canadensis had the highest concentrations of Pb and Zn in roots (1 803 and 2120 mg x kg(-1), respectively). Rhus chinensis had the highest Pb concentration in stems and leaves (280 and 546 mg x kg(-1), respectively) and Zn concentration (1 507 mg x kg(-1)) in leaves. Zn concentration in stems and leaves of Salix matsudana (729 and 1 153 mg x kg(-1), respectively) were the highest. Among the tested 15 species, TF values for Pb of Liquidambar formosana, Medicago sativa, and for Zn of Salix matsudana, Rhus chinensis, Medicago sativa were higher than 1. BCF values for Pb were all lower than 0.17, while that for Zn were all lower than 0.44. The N contents in nitrogen-fixing plants, P contents in Rhus typhina and Ailanthus altissima, and K content in Nerium indicum were significantly higher than those in other plants. With the increase of planting time, concentrations of heavy metal in plant body increased significantly; however the inverse trend were observed in nutritional element content. The species have higher metal accumulation capacity, such as Rhus chinensis, Salix matsudana and those nitrogen-fixing plants have higher tolerance to metal contamination and nutrient deficiency, such as Amorpha fruticosa, Medicago sativa, Lespedeza cuneata, and Alnus cremastogyne, they were suitable as the phytostabilizers in abandoned mine tailings.

[Investigation of single nucleotide polymorphisms in the promoter region of mannan-binding lectin gene in Bais, Uars and Lahus ethnics from China].

AIM: To investigate the single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNP) in the promoter region of mannan-binding lectin (MBL) gene in Bais, Uars and Lahus ethnics. METHODS: 71, 73 and 94 blood samples were obtained from Bais, Uars and Lahus subjects, respectively from Yunnan province. Genomic DNA was isolated from leucocytes. Polymorphism alleles -550(G/C, named H/L alleles), -220(G/C, X/Y alleles) and +4(C/T, P/Q alleles) in the promoter region of MBL gene were detected by sequence-specific primer-PCR and molecular beacon real-time PCR, and the frequencies of haplotypes and genotypes were analyzed. RESULTS: The frequencies of genotypes in Bais, Uars and Lahus ethnics were as follows: LYP/LYP 4(5.6%), 4(5.5%)and 2(2.1%); HYP/LYQ 6(8.5%), 11(15.1%) and 12(12.8%); LYP/LYQ 21(29.6%), 14(19.2%) and 51(54.3%); LXP/LXP 1(1.4%), 2(2.7%)and 0,LYQ/LYQ 10(14.1%); 14(19.2%), 7(7.4%), LXP/LYQ 10(14.1%), 13(17.8%) and 15(16.0%); HYP/LYP 4(5.6%), 3(4.1%) and 4(4.3%); HYP/LXP 3(4.2%), 1(1.4%) and 0; HYP/HYP 12(16.9%), 11(15.1%) and 3(3.2%). CONCLUSION: The distribution of alleles L/H is statistically different among Uars, Bais and Larhus(P<0.01), while X/Y and P/Q are not statistically significant(P>0.05). All studied haplotypes and genotypes are statistically different among the 3 ethnics(P<0.01). Genotypes LYP/LYQ and LXP/LYQ are common in all the 3 ethnics.