| 1. |
- Otieno, Austine O., et al.
(författare)
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Pineapple peel biochar and lateritic soil as adsorbents for recovery of ammonium nitrogen from human urine
- 2021
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Ingår i: Journal of Environmental Management. - : Elsevier. - 0301-4797 .- 1095-8630. ; 293
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Human urine is a rich source of nitrogen which can be captured to supplement the existing sources of nitrogen fertilizers thus contributing to enhanced crop production. However, urine is the major contributor of macronutrients in municipal wastewater flows resulting into eutrophication of the receiving water bodies. Herein, pineapple peel biochar (PPB), and lateritic soil (LS) adsorbents were prepared for the safe removal of ammonium nitrogen (NH4+-N) from human urine solutions. Physicochemical properties of PPB, and LS were characterized by scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to investigate the relationship of their properties with NH4+-N adsorption. Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm models were employed to correlate the experimental equilibrium adsorption data. The effect of contact time and initial concentration of NH4+-N adsorption was also evaluated. The D-R isotherm model best described the behaviour of NH4+-N adsorption on both PPB and LS based on the coefficient of correlation values. This model showed that the adsorption of NH4+-N on both samples was a physical process with PPB and LS having mean surface adsorption energies of 1.826 × 10−2, and 1.622 × 10−2 kJ/mol, respectively. The PPB exhibited a slightly higher adsorption capacity for NH4+-N (13.40 mg/g) than LS (10.73 mg/g) with the difference attributed to its higher surface area and porosity. These values are good indicators for assessing the effectiveness of the materials for adsorption of NH4+-N from human urine.
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| 2. |
- Brant, William, et al.
(författare)
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Selective Control of Composition in Prussian White for Enhanced Material Properties
- 2019
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Ingår i: Chemistry of Materials. - : AMER CHEMICAL SOC. - 0897-4756 .- 1520-5002. ; 31:18, s. 7203-7211
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Sodium-ion batteries based on Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) are ideal for large-scale energy storage applications due to the ability to meet the huge volumes and low costs required. For Na2-xFe[Fe(CN)(6)](1-y)center dot zH(2)O, realizing its commercial potential means fine control of the concentration of sodium, Fe(CN)(6) vacancies, and water content. To date, there is a huge variation in the literature of composition leading to variable electrochemical performance. In this work, we break down the synthesis of PBAs into three steps for controlling the sodium, vacancy, and water content via an inexpensive, scalable synthesis method. We produce rhombohedral Prussian white Na1.88(5)Fe[Fe-(CN)(6)]center dot 0.18(9)H2O with an initial capacity of 158 mAh/g retaining 90% capacity after 50 cycles. Subsequent characterization revealed that the increased polarization on the 3 V plateau is coincident with a phase transition and reduced utilization of the high-spin Fe(III)/Fe(II) redox couple. This reveals a clear target for subsequent improvements of the material to boost long-term cycling stability. These results will be of great interest for the myriad of applications of PBAs, such as catalysis, magnetism, electrochromics, and gas sorption.
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| 3. |
- Ericsson, Tore, et al.
(författare)
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Investigation of Valence Mixing in Sodium-Ion Battery Cathode Material Prussian White by Mossbauer Spectroscopy
- 2022
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Ingår i: Frontiers in Energy Research. - : Frontiers Media S.A.. - 2296-598X. ; 10
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Prussian white (PW), Na2Fe [Fe(CN)(6)], is a highly attractive cathode material for sustainable sodium-ion batteries due to its high theoretical capacity of similar to 170 mAhg(-1) and low-cost synthesis. However, there exists significant variability in the reported electrochemical performance. This variability originates from compositional flexibility possible for all Prussian blue analogs (PBAs) and is exasperated by the difficulty of accurately quantifying the specific composition of PW. This work presents a means of accurately quantifying the vacancy content, valence distribution, and, consequently, the overall composition of PW via Mossbauer spectroscopy. PW cathode material with three different sodium contents was investigated at 295 and 90 K. The observation of only two iron environments for the fully sodiated compound indicated the absence of [Fe(CN)(6)](4-) vacancies. Due to intervalence charge transfer between iron centers at 295 K, accurate determination of valences was not possible. However, by observing the trend of spectral intensities and center shift for the nitrogen-bound and carbon-bound iron, respectively, at 90 K, valence mixing between the iron sites could be quantified. By accounting for valence mixing, the sum of iron valences agreed with the sodium content determined from elemental analysis. Without an agreement between the total valence sum and the determined composition, there exists uncertainty around the accuracy of the elemental analysis and vacancy content determination. Thus, this study offers one more stepping stone toward a more rigorous characterization of composition in PW, which will enable further optimization of properties for battery applications. More broadly, the approach is valuable for characterizing iron-based PBAs in applications where precise composition, valence determination, and control are desired.
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| 4. |
- Görlin, Mikaela, et al.
(författare)
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Aging and Charge Compensation Effects of the Rechargeable Aqueous Zinc/Copper Hexacyanoferrate Battery Elucidated Using In Situ X-ray Techniques
- 2021
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Ingår i: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1944-8244 .- 1944-8252. ; 13:50, s. 59962-59974
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The zinc/copper hexacyanoferrate (Zn/CuHCF) cell has gained attention as an aqueous rechargeable zinc-ion battery (ZIB) owing to its open framework, excellent rate capability, and high safety. However, both the Zn anode and the CuHCF cathode show unavoidable signs of aging during cycling, though the underlying mechanisms have remained somewhat ambiguous. Here, we present an in-depth study of the CuHCF cathode by employing various X-ray spectroscopic techniques. This allows us to distinguish between structure-related aging effects and charge compensation processes associated with electroactive metal centers upon Zn2+ ion insertion/deinsertion. By combining high-angle annular dark-field-scanning electron transmission microscopy, X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and elemental analysis, we reconstruct the picture of both the bulk and the surface. First, we identify a set of previously debated X-ray diffraction peaks appearing at early stages of cycling (below 200 cycles) in CuHCF. Our data suggest that these peaks are unrelated to hypothetical ZnxCu1–xHCF phases or to oxidic phases, but are caused by partial intercalation of ZnSO4 into graphitic carbon. We further conclude that Cu is the unstable species during aging, whose dissolution is significant at the surface of the CuHCF particles. This triggers Zn2+ ions to enter newly formed Cu vacancies, in addition to native Fe vacancies already present in the bulk, which causes a reduction of nearby metal sites. This is distinct from the charge compensation process where both the Cu2+/Cu+ and Fe3+/Fe2+ redox couples participate throughout the bulk. By tracking the K-edge fluorescence using operando XAS coupled with cyclic voltammetry, we successfully link the aging effect to the activation of the Fe3+/Fe2+ redox couple as a consequence of Cu dissolution. This explains the progressive increase in the voltage of the charge/discharge plateaus upon repeated cycling. We also find that SO42– anions reversibly insert into CuHCF during charge. Our work clarifies several intriguing structural and redox-mediated aging mechanisms in the CuHCF cathode and pinpoints parameters that correlate with the performance, which will hold importance for the development of future Prussian blue analogue-type cathodes for aqueous rechargeable ZIBs
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| 5. |
- Khasevani, Sepideh G., et al.
(författare)
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The beauty of being complex: Prussian blue analogues as selective catalysts and photocatalysts in the degradation of ciprofloxacin
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of Catalysis. - : Elsevier. - 0021-9517 .- 1090-2694. ; 410, s. 307-319
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- We investigate the performance of four Prussian blue analogues (PBAs) as catalysts for the selective degradation of ciprofloxacin in water, under both dark and illumination conditions. We show that no light is actually needed to induce a selective degradation of the molecular target, while light irradiation spurs the process, without, however, resulting in the commonly reported photolysis-supported breaking down. We present a systematic characterization of the PBAs aiming at interpreting the catalytic outcomes in the light of a classic coordination chemistry analysis, empowered by the most recent findings in literature. We show that varying the transition metal binding the N atom of the cyanide bridge is key to promote photoinduced charge generation and transfer, which effectively disrupts the molecular target. The analysis of the materials before and after the irradiation with solar simulated light results in a change of the lattice parameters, indicating the possibility of a light-induced spin cross-over.
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| 6. |
- Menon, Ashok S., et al.
(författare)
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A Crystallographic Reinvestigation of Li1.2Mn0.6Ni0.2O2
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Annan publikation (övrigt vetenskapligt/konstnärligt)abstract
- Despite substantial research interest, the crystallography of the promising Li-ion positive electrode material, Li1.2Mn0.6Ni0.2O2, remains disputed. The dispute is predicated on the description of the cationic arrangement in the structure, and multiple structure models have been proposed. This study attempts to provide a fresh perspective to this debate through a multi-scalar structural characterisation of Li1.2Mn0.6Ni0.2O2. Combining Bragg diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and magnetic measurements with reverse Monte Carlo analysis of total scattering data, a quantitative structural description of Li1.2Mn0.6Ni0.2O2 is developed and the existing single- and multi-phase structural descriptions of this compound have been unified. Furthermore, the merits and drawbacks of each technique is evaluated with respect to the crystallography of Li1.2Mn0.6Ni0.2O2 to explain the factors that have contributed to the lack of clarity pervading the structural description of this material. It is envisioned that a better understanding of the crystallography of Li1.2Mn0.6Ni0.2O2 contributes to harnessing the electrochemical potential of this compound.
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| 7. |
- Menon, Ashok S., et al.
(författare)
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Influence of Synthesis Routes on the Crystallography, Morphology, and Electrochemistry of Li2MnO3
- 2020
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Ingår i: ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 1944-8244 .- 1944-8252. ; 12:5, s. 5939-5950
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- With the potential of delivering reversible capacities of up to 300 mAh/g, Li-rich transition-metal oxides hold great promise as cathode materials for future Li-ion batteries. However, a cohesive synthesis-structure-electrochemistry relationship is still lacking for these materials, which impedes progress in the field. This work investigates how and why different synthesis routes, specifically solid-state and modified Pechini sol-gel methods, affect the properties of Li2MnO3, a compositionally simple member of this material system. Through a comprehensive investigation of the synthesis mechanism along with crystallographic, morphological, and electrochemical characterization, the effects of different synthesis routes were found to predominantly influence the degree of stacking faults and particle morphology. That is, the modified Pechini method produced isotropic spherical particles with approximately 57% faulting and the solid-state samples possessed heterogeneous morphology with approximately 43% faulting probability. Inevitably, these differences lead to variations in electrochemical performance. This study accentuates the importance of understanding how synthesis affects the electrochemistry of these materials, which is critical considering the crystallographic and electrochemical complexities of the class of materials more generally. The methodology employed here is extendable to studying synthesis-property relationships of other compositionally complex Li-rich layered oxide systems.
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| 8. |
- Menon, Ashok S., et al.
(författare)
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Synthesis-structure relationships in Li- and Mn-rich layered oxides : phase evolution, superstructure ordering and stacking faults
- 2022
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Ingår i: Dalton Transactions. - : Royal Society of Chemistry. - 1477-9226 .- 1477-9234. ; 51:11, s. 4435-4446
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Li- and Mn-rich layered oxides are promising positive electrode materials for future Li-ion batteries. The presence of crystallographic features such as cation-mixing and stacking faults in these compounds make them highly susceptible to synthesis-induced structural changes. Consequently, significant variations exist in the reported structure of these compounds that complicate the understanding of how the crystallographic structure influences its properties. This work investigates the synthesis-structure relations for three widely investigated Li- and Mn-rich layered oxides: Li2MnO3, Li1.2Mn0.6Ni0.2O2 and Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2. For each compound, the average structure is compared between two synthetic routes of differing degrees of precursor mixing and four annealing protocols. Furthermore, thermodynamic and synthesis-specific kinetic factors governing the equilibrium crystallography of each composition are considered. It was found that the structures of these compounds are thermodynamically metastable under the synthesis conditions employed. In addition to a driving force to reduce stacking faults in the structure, these compositions also exhibited a tendency to undergo structural transformations to more stable phases under more intense annealing conditions. Increasing the compositional complexity introduced a kinetic barrier to structural ordering, making Li1.2Mn0.6Ni0.2O2 and Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2 generally more faulted relative to Li2MnO3. Additionally, domains with different degrees of faulting were found to co-exist in the compounds. This study offers insight into the highly synthesis-dependent subtle structural complexities present in these compounds and complements the substantial efforts that have been undertaken to understand and optimise its electrochemical properties.
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| 9. |
- Menon, Ashok S., et al.
(författare)
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Synthetic Pathway Determines the Nonequilibrium Crystallography of Li- and Mn-Rich Layered Oxide Cathode Materials
- 2021
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Ingår i: ACS Applied Energy Materials. - : American Chemical Society (ACS). - 2574-0962. ; 4:2, s. 1924-1935
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Li- and Mn-rich layered oxides show significant promise as electrode materials for future Li-ion batteries. However, an accurate description of its crystallography remains elusive, with both single-phase solid solution and multiphase structures being proposed for high performing materials such as Li1.2Mn0.54Ni0.13Co0.13O2. Herein, we report the synthesis of single- and multiphase variants of this material through sol-gel and solid-state methods, respectively, and demonstrate that its crystallography is a direct consequence of the synthetic route and not necessarily an inherent property of the composition, as previously argued. This was accomplished via complementary techniques that probe the bulk and local structure followed by in situ methods to map the synthetic progression. As the electrochemical performance and anionic redox behavior are often rationalized on the basis of the presumed crystal structure, clarifying the structural ambiguities is an important step toward harnessing its potential as an electrode material.
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| 10. |
- Mink, Janos, et al.
(författare)
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Vibrational properties and bonding analysis of copper hexacyanoferrate complexes in solid state
- 2019
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Ingår i: Applied spectroscopy reviews (Softcover ed.). - : Informa UK Limited. - 0570-4928 .- 1520-569X. ; 54:5, s. 369-424
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Forskningsöversikt (refereegranskat)abstract
- Vibrational spectroscopic study of crystalline copper hexacyanoferrate complexes of composition K4Cu6II [Fe-II(CN)(6)](4)nH(2)O (1) and Cu-6(II)[Fe-III(CN)(6)](4)nH(2)O (2) with -Cu-N equivalent to C-Fe- bridging structures have been performed. The cubic Fmm (O-h(5)) unit-cells contain ideally 4 Fe and 4 Cu ions which were calculated by periodic density functional theory (DFT) (using the Gaussian09 C.01 software package) for ideal lattice compositions of K8Cu4II[Fe-II(CN)(6)](4) (1a), K4Cu4II[Fe-III(CN)(6)](4) (2a) and with lattice water molecules KCu4II[Fe-III(CN)(6)](3)6H(2)O (3a). Systematically, non-linear Cu-N equivalent to C structure was fitted with Cu-N equivalent to C bond angles about 155 degrees for complexes 1a, 2a, and 3a. Practically, all optically active internal modes of Fe(CN6)(n-) moieties resulted from factor group analysis as 4A(1g) + 6E(g) + 4F(1g) + 10F(1u) were experimentally observed and assigned. Some low-frequency translatory and librational modes were also interpreted. Vibrational bands were assigned to cis- and trans-Cu(NC)(4)(OH2) complexes which are formed in the lattice holes of both complexes. Vibrational spectra and force constants of a great number of transition metal hexacyano complexes of compositions K-4[M-II(CN)(6)], K-3[M-III(CN)(6)], CsLi2[M-III(CN)(6)] and Prussian blue analogues have been reexamined and recalculated. Internal and external modes of 6 different lattice water species (coordinated, hydrogen bonded, or zeolitic type) have been interpreted for complex 2 using results of periodic DFT calculation of model complex 3a.
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