Search Results (850)

The rising demand for sustainable energy storage has fueled the development of green batteries as alternatives to conventional systems. However, a major research gap lies in the unified integration of environmentally friendly materials and processes across all battery components—electrodes, electrolytes, and separators—without compromising performance or scalability. This review addresses this gap by highlighting recent advances in eco-conscious battery technologies, focusing on green electrode fabrication using water-based methods, electrophoretic deposition, solvent-free dry-press coating, 3D printing, and biomass-derived materials. It also examines the shift toward safer electrolytes, including ionic liquids, deep eutectic solvents, water-based systems, and solid biopolymer matrices, which improve both environmental compatibility and safety. Additionally, biodegradable separators made from natural polymers such as cellulose and chitosan offer enhanced thermal stability and ecological benefits. The review emphasizes the importance of lifecycle considerations like recyclability and biodegradability, aligning battery design with circular economy principles. While significant progress has been made, challenges such as standardization, long-term stability, and industrial scalability remain. By identifying key strategies and future directions, this article contributes to the foundation for next-generation green batteries, promoting their adoption in environmentally sensitive applications ranging from wearable electronics to grid storage. Full article

To address the challenge of ultra-deep desulfurization in fuels, a series of heteropolyacid-based poly(ionic liquid) catalysts (C4-PIL@PW, C8-PIL@PW, and C16-PIL@PW) were synthesized via radical polymerization and anion exchange methods. The prepared catalysts were characterized via FT-IR, XRD pattern, and Raman spectroscopy. Optimal reaction parameters (e.g., temperature, catalyst dosage, and O/S molar ratio) were systematically investigated, as well as the catalytic mechanism. The typical sample C8-PIL@PW exhibited exceptional oxidative desulfurization (ODS) performance, achieving a sulfur removal of 99.2% for dibenzothiophene (DBT) without any organic solvent as extractant. Remarkably, the sulfur removal could still retain 89% after recycling five times without regeneration. This study provides a sustainable and high-efficiency catalyst for ODS, offering insights into fuel purification strategies. Full article

Ionic liquids (ILs) have attained considerable attention as cellulose solvents. Nevertheless, the detailed mechanism of cellulose dissolution in ILs is not clearly defined. It is crucial to recognize the role of the individual components of the ILs to fully understand this mechanism. During this study, the effect of alkyl chain length in imidazolium cation was examined using synthesized ILs which are composed of common acetate anion and imidazolium cations with different alkyl substituents. This study also aimed to investigate the odd–even effect of alkyl chain carbons. Furthermore, whereas most published investigations on cellulose dissolution in ILs used microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), which has a far lower degree of polymerization, in this study, cotton cellulose was used. During the dissolution experiments, cotton cellulose (5% w/w) was added to each IL, and the progress of the dissolution was monitored using polarized light microscopy (PLM). The regeneration of cellulose was performed by using water as the anti-solvent, and the regenerated cellulose was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). During these experiments, it was noted that ILs with odd C3 and C5 carbon chains were less effective at dissolving cellulose than those with even C2 and C4 alkyl chains. Additionally, after regeneration, biomaterials for a variety of applications could be produced. Full article

For various applications, particularly in battery technology, there is a significant demand for uniform, high-quality lithium or lithium-coated materials. The use of electrodeposition techniques to obtain such materials has not proven practical or economical due to the low solubility of most lithium salts in suitable solvents. In this study, we propose efficient lithium electrodeposition processes and baths that can be operated at low temperatures and relatively low costs. We utilized organic solvents such as dimethyl acetamide (DMA), dimethylforamide (DMF), and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), as well as a mixture of DMSO and ionic liquid [1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide BMIMTFSI]. Lithium salts such as LiCl, Li₂CO₃, and LiNO₃ were tested. Lithium metal was deposited on copper substrates at different temperatures and selected current densities within an argon-filled glovebox using a DC power source or a PARSTAT-4000A potentiostat. Cyclic voltammetry (CV) was employed to determine and compare the deposition processes. The obtained deposits were analyzed through visual inspection (photography) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Chemical analysis (ICP-OES) and XRD confirmed the presence of lithium and occasionally lithium hydroxide in the deposits. The best results were achieved with the deposition of lithium from DMSO-LiNO₃ and DMSO-BMIMTFSI-LiNO₃ systems. Full article

Next-generation recycling technologies must be urgently innovated to tackle huge volumes of spent batteries, photovoltaic panels or printed circuit boards (WPCBs). Current e-waste recycling industrial technology is dominated by traditional recycling technologies. Herein, ionic liquids (ILs), deep eutectic solvents (DESs) and promising oxidizing additives that can overcome some traditional recycling methods of metal ions from e-waste, used in our works from last year, are presented. The unique chemical environments of ILs and DESs, with the application of low-temperature extraction procedures, are important environmental aspects known as “Green Methods”. A closed-loop system for recycling zinc and manganese from the “black mass” (BM) of waste, Zn-MnO₂ batteries, is presented. The leaching process achieves a high efficiency and distribution ratio using the composition of two solvents (Cyanex 272 + diethyl phosphite (DPh)) for Zn(II) extraction. High extraction efficiency with 100% zinc and manganese recovery is also achieved using DESs (cholinum chloride/lactic acid, 1:2, DES 1, and cholinum chloride/malonic acid, 1:1, DES 2). New, greener recycling approaches to metal extraction from the BM of spent Li-ion batteries are presented with ILs ([N_8,8,8,1][Cl], (Aliquat 336), [P_6,6,6,14][Cl], [P_6,6,6,14][SCN] and [Benzet][TCM]) eight DESs, Cyanex 272 and D2EHPA. A high extraction efficiency of Li(I) (41–92 wt%) and Ni(II) (37–52 wt%) using (Cyanex 272 + DPh) is obtained. The recovery of Ni(II) and Cd(II) from the BM of spent Ni-Cd batteries is also demonstrated. The extraction efficiency of DES 1 and DES 2, contrary to ILs ([P_6,6,6,14][Cl] and [P_6,6,6,14][SCN]), is at the level of 30 wt% for Ni(II) and 100 wt% for Cd(II). In this mini-review, the option to use ILs, DESs and Cyanex 272 for the recovery of valuable metals from end-of-life WPCBs is presented. Next-generation recycling technologies, in contrast to the extraction of metals from acidic leachate preceded by thermal pre-treatment or from solid material only after thermal pre-treatment, have been developed with ILs and DESs using the ABS method, as well as Cyanex 272 (only after the thermal pre-treatment of WPCBs), with a process efficiency of 60–100 wt%. In this process, four new ILs are used: didecyldimethylammonium propionate, [N_10,10,1,1][C₂H₅COO], didecylmethylammonium hydrogen sulphate, [N_10,10,1,H][HSO₄], didecyldimethylammonium dihydrogen phosphate, [N_10,10,1,1][H₂PO₄], and tetrabutylphosphonium dihydrogen phosphate, [P_4,4,4,4][H₂PO₄]. The extraction of Cu(II), Ag(I) and other metals such as Al(III), Fe(II) and Zn(II) from solid WPCBs is demonstrated. Various additives are used during the extraction processes. The Analyst 800 atomic absorption spectrometer (FAAS) is used for the determination of metal content in the solid BM. The ICP-OES method is used for metal analysis. The obtained results describe the possible application of ILs and DESs as environmental media for upcycling spent electronic wastes. Full article

The widespread, worldwide utilisation of alkaline batteries requires development of proper recycling methods for used batteries, which are considered both as a secondary source of valuable metals and as a threat to the environment (may contain toxic substances). As many separation methods of metal ions from battery leachates are based on the use of substances that require complex synthesis or are not eco-safe, new materials suitable for this purpose are systematically sought. Therefore, in this study, the results of the separation of Ni(II), Zn(II) and Mn(II) ions from alkaline battery leachates using polymer materials (PMs) impregnated with easily synthesised, “green” deep eutectic solvents (DESs) or with ionic liquids (ILs) were presented. Additionally, PMs surface wettability were determined and their chemical compositions were analysed using the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy–attenuated total reflectance (FTIR–ATR) method. Among all PMs synthesised, materials containing DESs (composed of Aliquat 336 or Cyphos IL 101 and diacetamide) performed best in the separation of Ni(II) ions (removal of 93.42% and 80.86%). The application of DES-based PMs for the separation of metal ions from battery leachates is in line with green chemistry principles, and such materials can potentially be used in the processing of e-waste. Full article

Lignocellulose is the most abundant renewable resource in nature, providing a large supply of lignin. The efficient separation and utilization of lignin from lignocellulose can help alleviate the current shortage of fossil fuels. Ionic liquids, as green solvents, have been widely applied in the field of biorefining. However, most research has focused on the extraction and purification of cellulose, while lignin is often treated as a by-product. The high-value utilization of lignin has currently emerged as a hot topic. This review summarizes recent advances in the extraction of lignin from lignocellulose using ionic liquids and the mechanisms of lignin extraction. Additionally, it briefly discusses the applications of ionic liquids in the high-value utilization of lignin, including lignin depolymerization, modification, the preparation of lignin-based functional materials, and biofuels. This review aims to provide ideas for the extraction and high-value utilization of lignin through ionic liquids. Full article

Volatile C2–C5 olefins are important bulk chemicals in the polymer industry. Traditionally, C2–C5 olefins are produced from cracked petroleum resources using an energy-consuming and hazardous distillation method. Currently, volatile olefins can be produced from renewable biomass. To obtain polymer-grade volatile olefins from diversified resources, more sustainable and feasible separation techniques need to be developed. This review focuses on two updated separation techniques for C2–C5 olefins: (a) adsorption separation, which separates olefins through porous affinity, the pi complexation effect, and size-exclusion and gate-opening sieving, and (b) liquid absorption separation, which utilizes either organic solvents or ionic liquids for olefin separation. In this review, different separation techniques are compared in terms of their mechanisms and operation conditions in the separation of different types of C2–C5 olefins from variable resources, such as cracked ethylene/propylene/butylene/isoprene and bio-isoprene. Full article

Ionic liquids (ILs) and deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have been extensively studied as absorbents for CO₂ capture, demonstrating high efficiency in this role. To optimize the search for compounds with superior absorption properties, theoretical approaches, including machine learning methods, are highly relevant. In this study, machine learning models were developed and applied to predict Henry’s law constants for CO₂ in ILs and DESs, aiming to identify systems with the best absorption performance. The accuracy of the models was assessed in interpolation tasks within the training set and extrapolation beyond its domain. The optimal predictive models were built using the CatBoost algorithm, leveraging CDK molecular descriptors for ILs and RDKit descriptors for DESs. To define the applicability domain of the models, the SHAP-based leverage method was employed, providing a quantitative characterization of the descriptor space where predictions remain reliable. The developed models have been integrated into the web platform chem-predictor, where they can be utilized for predicting absorption properties. Full article

Carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas responsible for global warming, represents today a critical environmental challenge for humans. Mitigating CO₂ emissions and other greenhouse gases is a pressing global concern. The primary goal of this study is to investigate the potential of particular ionic liquids (ILs) in capturing CO₂ for the sweetening of natural and other gases. The solubility of CO₂ was measured in three distinct ILs, which shared a common anion (triflate, TfO) but differed in their cations. The selected ionic liquids were {1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium triflate [BMIM][TfO], 1-butyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium triflate [BMP][TfO], and 1-butyl-4-methylpyridium triflate [MBPY][TfO]}. The solvents were screened based on results from a molecular computational study that predicted low CO₂ Henry’s Law constants. Solubility measurements were conducted at 303.15 K, 323.15 K, and 343.15 K and pressures up to 1.5 MPa using a gravimetric microbalance (IGA-003). The CO₂ experimental results were modeled using the Peng–Robinson Equation of state with three mixing rules: van der Waals one (vdWI), van der Waals two (vdWII), and the non-random two-liquid (NRTL) Wong–Sandler (WS) mixing rule. For the three ILs, the NRTL-WS mixing rule regressed the data with the lowest average deviation percentage of 1.24%. The three solvents had similar alkyl chains but slightly different polarities. [MBPY][TfO], with the largest size, exhibited the highest CO₂ solubility at all three temperatures. Calculation of its relative polarity descriptor (N) shows it was the least polar of the three ILs. Conversely, [BMP][TfO] showed the highest Henry’s Law constant (lowest solubility) across the studied temperature range. Comparing the results to published data, the study concludes that triflate-based ionic liquids with three fluorine atoms had lower capacity for CO₂ compared to bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide (Tf2N)-based ionic liquids with six fluorine atoms. Additionally, the study provided data on the enthalpy and entropy of absorption. A final comparison shows that the ILs had a lower CO₂ capacity than Selexol, a solvent widely used in commercial carbon capture operations. Compared to other ILs, the results confirm that the type of anion had a more significant impact on solubility than the cation. Full article

The growing energy demand has emphasized the importance of developing nuclear technologies and high-purity lithium isotopes (⁶Li and ⁷Li) as raw materials. This study investigates how voltage and migration time affect two types of low-density polyethylene membranes—one impregnated with ionic liquids and the other non-impregnated—for lithium isotope separation via electromigration from a lithium-loaded organic phase to an aqueous solution. We developed a laboratory-made setup for high-precision lithium isotope measurements (2RSD = ±0.30‰) of natural carbonate samples (LSVEC) and an optimized protocol for isotope ratio measurements using quadrupole ICP-MS with the sample-standard bracketing method (SSB). The results document that both impregnated and non-impregnated membranes can achieve promising ⁶Li enrichment under different environmental conditions, including ionic liquids and organic solutions in the cathode chamber. Lithium-ion mobility is influenced by voltage in an environment assisted by 0.1 mol/L tetrabutylammonium perchlorate and increases quasi-linearly from 5 to 15 V. Between 20 and 25 h, the lithium-ion concentration had the maximum value, after which the trend declined. In the BayesGLM model, we incorporated all data and systematically eliminated those with a low enrichment factor, either individually or in groups. Our findings indicated that the model was not significantly affected by the exclusion of measurements with low α. This suggests that voltage and migration time are crucial, and achieving a better enrichment factor depends on applying the optimal ratio of ionic liquids, crown ethers, and organic solvents. Ionic liquids used for impregnation sustain enrichment in the first hours, particularly for ⁷Li; however, after 25 h, ⁶Li demonstrated a higher enrichment capacity. The maximum single-stage separation factor for ⁶Li/⁷Li was achieved at 24 and 48 h for an impregnated membrane M2 (α = 1.021/1.029) and a non-impregnated membrane M5 (α = 1.031/1.038). Full article

This study aims to delve into the application potential of immobilized lipases in the catalytic synthesis of isoamyl acetate. Through a comparative analysis of various immobilization methods, including physical adsorption, encapsulation, covalent binding, and crosslinking, along with the utilization of nanomaterials, such as magnetic nanoparticles, mesoporous silica SBA-15, and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) as carriers, the study systematically evaluates their enhancing effects on lipase catalytic performance. Additionally, solvent engineering strategies, encompassing the introduction of organic solvents, supercritical fluids, ionic liquids, and deep eutectic solvents, are employed to intensify the enzymatic catalytic process. These approaches effectively improve mass transfer efficiency, activate enzyme molecules, and safeguard enzyme structural stability, thereby significantly elevating the synthesis efficiency and yield of isoamyl acetate. Consequently, this research provides solid scientific rationale and technical support for the industrial production of flavor ester compounds. Full article

Cultural Heritage is a vital socioeconomic driver that must contend with works of art continuously exposed to degradation processes, which are further exacerbated by climate change. Aged coatings, varnishes, and soil can compromise the appearance of artworks, preventing their preservation and valorization. In response, soft matter and colloidal systems, such as nanostructured cleaning fluids (NCFs), have proved to be valuable solutions for safely and effectively cleaning works of art. Here, a novel cleaning system is proposed, for the first time employing microgels of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) with surface chains of oligoethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate (OEGMA) to favor shear deformation by lubrication. These microgels are loaded with NCFs featuring “green” solvents and different kinds of bio-derived or petroleum-based surfactants (non-ionic, zwitterionic). Rheological characterization of the combined systems highlighted a sharp transition from solid to liquid-like state in the 21–24 °C range when the zwitterionic surfactant dodecyldimethylamine oxide was used; the system displays a solid-like behavior at rest but flows easily at intermediate strains. At slightly higher temperature (>24 °C), an inversion of the G′, G″ values was observed, leading to a system that behaves as a liquid. Such control of rheological behavior is significant for feasible and complete removal of soiled polymer coatings from textured ceramic surfaces, which are difficult to clean with conventional gels, without leaving residues. These results position the PNIPAM-OEGMA microgels as promising cleaning materials for the conservation of Cultural Heritage, with possible applications also in fields where gelled systems are of interest (pharmaceutics, cosmetics, detergency, etc.). Full article

Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS)-based separators have garnered significant attention as high-performance components for next-generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), driven by their exceptional thermal stability (>260 °C), chemical inertness, and mechanical durability. This review comprehensively examines advances in PPS separator design, focusing on two structurally distinct categories: porous separators engineered via wet-chemical methods (e.g., melt-blown spinning, electrospinning, thermally induced phase separation) and nonporous solid-state separators fabricated through solvent-free dry-film processes. Porous variants, typified by submicron pore architectures (<1 μm), enable electrolyte-mediated ion transport with ionic conductivities up to >1 mS·cm⁻¹ at >55% porosity, while their nonporous counterparts leverage crystalline sulfur-atom alignment and trace electrolyte infiltration to establish solid–liquid biphasic conduction pathways, achieving ion transference numbers >0.8 and homogenized lithium flux. Dry-processed solid-state PPS separators demonstrate unparalleled thermal dimensional stability (<2% shrinkage at 280 °C) and mitigate dendrite propagation through uniform electric field distribution, as evidenced by COMSOL simulations showing stable Li deposition under Cu particle contamination. Despite these advancements, challenges persist in reconciling thickness constraints (<25 μm) with mechanical robustness, scaling solvent-free manufacturing, and reducing costs. Innovations in ultra-thin formats (<20 μm) with self-healing polymer networks, coupled with compatibility extensions to sodium/zinc-ion systems, are identified as critical pathways for advancing PPS separators. By addressing these challenges, PPS-based architectures hold transformative potential for enabling high-energy-density (>500 Wh·kg⁻¹), intrinsically safe energy storage systems, particularly in applications demanding extreme operational reliability such as electric vehicles and grid-scale storage. Full article

Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a highly pure and crystalline cellulose produced via bacterial fermentation. However, due to its chemical structure made of strong hydrogen bonds and its high molecular weight, BC can neither be melted nor dissolved by common solvents. Therefore, processing BC implies the use of very strong, often toxic and dangerous chemicals. In this study, we proved a green method to produce electrospun BC fibers by testing different ionic liquids (ILs), namely, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate (BmimAc), 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (EmimTFSI) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium dicyanamide (EmimDCA), either individually or as binary mixtures. Moreover, γ-valerolactone (GVL) was tested as a co-solvent derived from renewable sources to replace dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), aimed at making the viscosity of the cellulose solutions suitable for electrospinning. A BmimAc and BmimAc/EmimTFSI (1:1 w/w) mixture could dissolve BC up to 3 w%. GVL was successfully applied in combination with BmimAc as an alternative to DMSO. By optimizing the electrospinning parameters, meshes of continuous BC fibers, with average diameters ~0.5 μm, were produced, showing well-defined pore structures and higher water absorption capacity than pristine BC. The results demonstrated that BC could be dissolved and electrospun via a BmimAc/GVL solvent system, obtaining ultrafine fibers with defined morphology, thus suggesting possible greener methods for cellulose processing. Full article