Search Results (801)

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries offer a safe and economical platform for large-scale energy storage, yet vanadium oxide cathodes remain hindered by sluggish Zn²⁺ migration, poor electronic conductivity, and structural degradation during cycling. Herein, a PEDOT regulated interfacial engineering strategy is proposed to construct surface modified sodium vanadium oxide nanostructures with coordinated ion and electron transport. The 1P-NaVO cathode retains the layered framework while introducing a PEDOT-derived surface component that strengthens interfacial charge transfer and preserves accessible Zn²⁺ diffusion pathways, delivering 655 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1 A g⁻¹. Kinetic analyses further reveal accelerated charge storage behavior, including an increased pseudocapacitive contribution, a low charge transfer activation energy of 20.6 kJ mol⁻¹, and improved Zn²⁺ diffusion, with D_Zn²⁺ values of approximately 10^−10.8 to 10^−9.8 cm² s⁻¹. Ex situ XRD and SEM disclose a reversible structural response during Zn²⁺ insertion and extraction, involving interlayer perturbation, local framework relaxation, transient electrolyte-derived surface species, and partial morphology recovery after recharge. These findings show that controlled PEDOT-derived surface regulation promotes efficient coupling between interfacial electron transfer and Zn²⁺ diffusion, offering a practical design principle for durable vanadium-based cathodes in aqueous zinc-ion batteries. Full article

The increasing discharge of cobalt-containing effluents from metallurgical, electroplating, and battery-related industries necessitates the development of efficient and stable separation technologies. In this study, a sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-assisted micellar-enhanced ultrafiltration (MEUF) process was systematically evaluated for the removal of Co²⁺ from aqueous solutions using a flat-sheet polyethersulfone (PES) membrane operated under crossflow conditions. The effects of surfactant concentration, initial solution pH, cobalt concentration, background electrolyte, and extended filtration time were examined to assess process performance and operational stability. Direct ultrafiltration of 50 mg L⁻¹ Co²⁺ without surfactant resulted in limited rejection (~18%). The introduction of SDS markedly improved removal efficiency, achieving >99% rejection at and above 1 critical micelle concentration (CMC). An SDS dosage of 1 CMC provided an optimal balance between permeate flux (~155 L m⁻² h⁻¹) and cobalt removal (>99%). The system maintained high rejection efficiency across a pH range of 3–9, demonstrating robust cobalt–micelle interactions. Increasing the initial cobalt concentration from 10 to 50 mg L⁻¹ caused a moderate decline in flux but did not significantly affect rejection efficiency. In contrast, elevated ionic strength due to NaNO₃ addition reduced both flux and cobalt removal, highlighting the influence of competing ions on micelle-mediated separation. Long-term continuous operation for 40 h showed stable permeate flux and sustained cobalt rejection above 99%, indicating minimal fouling. FTIR and SEM–EDS analyses confirmed membrane chemical stability and negligible cobalt deposition. These findings demonstrate that SDS-based MEUF is an effective and operationally stable approach for cobalt removal from contaminated water systems. Full article

Purpose: Maintaining fluid homeostasis is crucial, and replenishing electrolytes—particularly sodium (Na⁺)—is critical for effective rehydration after thermal hypohydration. Despite the growing consumption of carbonated water (CW), its impact on post-hypohydration body fluid balance, either alone or combined with electrolytes, remains inadequately investigated. Therefore, this study was designed to examine the separate and interactive effects of carbonation and electrolyte provision in rehydration fluids—utilizing a 2 × 2 factorial design (carbonation × electrolytes)—on ingestive behavior and systemic fluid balance following mild thermal stress-induced hypohydration. Methods: Subjects (eight women and seven men, age range: 19–25 years) were dehydrated by performing three bouts of stepping exercise for 20 min, separated by 10 min of rest, at 25 °C. Following the dehydration protocol, subjects ingested pure water (W), CW (gas volume, 3.43 ± 0.20 (mean ± standard deviation)), electrolyte-added water (EW), or electrolyte-added CW (ECW) (gas volume, 3.04 ± 0.29 (mean ± standard deviation)) ad libitum. EW and ECW contained 19 mEq/L Na⁺. We assessed ingestive behavior and body fluid balance during the 180 min rehydration period. Results: The dehydration protocol induced hypohydration by ~10 g/kg body weight (~1% of body weight). Cumulative fluid intake was greater in the W trial than in the CW, EW, and ECW trials. Cumulative urine output was greater in the W and CW trials than in the EW trial. The fluid retention ratio was greater in the EW and ECW trials than in the CW trial. Consequently, the final fluid recovery was lower in the CW trial compared to the W, EW, and ECW trials; however, the combination of carbonation and electrolytes (ECW) did not significantly surpass the non-carbonated trials (W and EW) due to the reduced intake volume caused by carbonation. Conclusions: The data suggest that ad libitum ingestion of carbonated water is less effective than plain water for recovering from mild hypohydration (~1% body weight loss), as it reduces spontaneous fluid intake. However, electrolyte supplementation mitigates this reduced recovery by attenuating diuresis and consequently improving fluid retention ratio. Full article

Adiponitrile (ADN) serves as a critical intermediate for manufacturing polyamide 66. Electrochemical hydrodimerization of acrylonitrile (AN) offers a green and sustainable route for ADN production, yet conventional lead plate cathodes still suffer from high cell voltage, insufficient mechanical stability, and lead dust shedding during long-term operation. In this work, we developed a novel composite lead electrode in ambient air to overcome these drawbacks. Key preparation parameters, including calcination temperature, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) content, substrate type, dispersion method, and dispersant dosage, were carefully screened and optimized. The optimal conditions were determined as follows: PTFE mesh as the substrate, 10% PTFE relative to lead powder, mechanical stirring dispersion, 0.5 wt% sodium hexametaphosphate as dispersant, air calcination at 325 °C, and subsequent electrochemical reduction. SEM, XRD, and XPS characterizations showed that the optimized electrode features a three-dimensional porous network assembled from interlaced rod-like and flower-like micro/nanostructures, which greatly elevates the specific surface area, enriches active sites, and facilitates electrolyte penetration and mass transport. After electrochemical reduction, the electrode surface was dominated by catalytically active Pb⁰. Electrochemical tests indicated that the composite electrode delivered a current density of 60–70 mA·cm⁻² at −1.6 to −2.0 V (vs. SCE) for AN reduction, nearly three times higher than that of a conventional lead plate. In addition, the composite electrode showed improved mechanical hardness and completely suppressed lead dust shedding, greatly enhancing operational safety and service life. Stable voltage was maintained during long-term electrolysis. This study provides a low-cost and scalable strategy for fabricating high-performance lead-based composite cathodes, which can support the industrial-scale green electrosynthesis of adiponitrile from acrylonitrile. Full article

Lithium-ion batteries have been widely used as energy storage and power batteries due to their unique advantages. However, with increasing demands for battery performance and application scenarios, battery safety has become a significant obstacle to their application. To address this issue, this paper proposes and fabricates an advanced polyimide (PI) separator material with high porosity and excellent thermal stability. By introducing sodium chloride (NaCl) as a pore-forming template into a polyamic acid (PAA) precursor, a PI-based separator with a uniformly interpenetrating sponge-like pore structure was successfully constructed. The obtained PI-NaCl separator exhibits outstanding thermal structural stability, maintaining dimensional integrity without significant thermal shrinkage even when tested at temperatures as high as 250 °C. Furthermore, the porous structure of the PI-NaCl separator demonstrates excellent electrolyte wettability, as the electrolyte rapidly spreads upon contact (contact angle approaching 0°), which is significantly superior to commercial separators. In lithium symmetric cell tests, this separator achieves long-term stable stripping/plating cycling by virtue of its outstanding ionic conductivity, effectively mitigating interfacial side reactions with lithium metal. In LiFePO₄||C full-cell applications, the PI-NaCl-based battery exhibits good rate capability and cycling stability. Additionally, in an open-circuit voltage (OCV) monitoring experiment at a high temperature of 80 °C, the voltage of the PI-NaCl-based battery remained stable continuously for 8 h in comparison to that of the commercial separator-based battery. Full article

Proteinuria is a strong predictor of graft failure in kidney transplant recipients (KTRs). While non-steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (NS-MRAs), particularly finerenone, have demonstrated renoprotective benefits in chronic kidney disease, KTRs were excluded from pivotal trials. Evidence on finerenone’s safety and antiproteinuric effects in this population remains limited. This retrospective observational study evaluated 13 diabetic KTRs with persistent proteinuria despite optimized renin–angiotensin system blockade and sodium–glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor therapy. Finerenone (10 mg/day) was added to standard care. Clinical and laboratory parameters, including estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), serum electrolytes, total proteinuria, albuminuria, and their creatinine ratios, were assessed at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Safety outcomes focused on hyperkalemia and eGFR. Finerenone was discontinued in one patient due to hyperkalemia. In the remaining 12, 24-h proteinuria and urinary protein-to-creatinine ratio declined at 3 months and stabilized by 6 months. Conversely, no statistically significant changes were observed in albuminuria or the albumin-to-creatinine ratio. No clinically relevant changes occurred in eGFR, blood pressure, body weight, or serum electrolytes. This is the first study assessing finerenone in diabetic KTRs. Finerenone was well tolerated, was associated with an early reduction in proteinuria, and showed no adverse effects on graft function. These findings provide novel insights into the safety and potential role of finerenone in kidney transplant recipients. Full article

This study presents a novel approach to the use of kraft lignin in electrochemical energy sources, with a focus on its use as anode material. The key novelty of this study is the use of natural casein as an innovative binder in electrode production, offering a sustainable and efficient alternative to conventional binders. The carbonaceous material was obtained from kraft lignin by two heat treatments at a relatively low temperature of 300 °C—one in a nitrogen atmosphere and the other in air. The results indicate that carbonization at this lower temperature provides promising electrochemical properties while improving cost-effectiveness and energy efficiency compared to higher temperature processes. Additionally, wettability analysis based on contact-angle measurements revealed substantially improved electrolyte affinity for casein-based electrodes, which correlates with their enhanced electrochemical performance. The study showed promising performance of the developed electrodes as follows: a capacity of 67 F g⁻¹ for supercapacitor applications, 250 mAh g⁻¹ for lithium-ion batteries, and 50 mAh g⁻¹ for sodium-ion batteries. These results confirm that kraft lignin, in combination with casein as a binder, is an environmentally friendly and economically viable alternative to traditional electrode materials. Full article

Ester-based electrolytes in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) offer high oxidative stability but often suffer from poor stability of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) on hard carbon anodes, severely limiting fast-charging capabilities and cycling lifespan. To address this interfacial instability, this work introduces trimethoxysilane (HTOS) as an electrolyte additive into 1 M NaPF₆ in EC:DMC electrolyte (denoted as ED). Compared with the rough and inorganic-rich interphase formed in the ED electrolyte, the HTOS additive induces the formation of a smoother, more uniform, and organic-rich SEI. This optimized interfacial structure effectively suppresses continuous interfacial degradation during cycling and significantly reduces the apparent activation energy for Na⁺ migration. Consequently, the HTOS-modified electrolyte demonstrates markedly superior electrochemical performance, delivering a reversible capacity of 198.76 mAh g⁻¹ at 1C and maintaining 85% of the initial capacity after 200 cycles at 0.5 C. This study demonstrates that utilizing silicon-containing functional additives for SEI regulation is a highly effective strategy to enhance the fast-charging and long-term cycling stability of hard carbon anodes in SIBs. Full article

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are emerging as a viable alternative to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their material sustainability and cost-effectiveness, helping address the high costs, supply limits, and environmental concerns associated with lithium. This paper reviews SIB materials, designs, and applications, and surveys their electrochemical performance, challenges, and future prospects. Recent advances in electrode materials (e.g., layered oxides, hard carbon composites, metallic alloys) are greatly improving SIB stability, conductivity, capacity, and cycle life. Improvements in both solid-state and liquid electrolytes have likewise enhanced ionic conductivity, capacity retention, thermal stability, and safety. Despite their lower energy density, SIBs tolerate wider temperature ranges and carry a significantly lower risk of thermal runaway compared to lithium-based systems, making them attractive for industrial, transportation, and large-scale power storage. Continuous progress in materials and cell engineering is narrowing the performance gap between SIBs and LIBs. Meanwhile, nascent battery recycling strategies for SIBs show promise for economic and environmental viability. Overall, SIBs represent a promising option for safer, more accessible, and more sustainable energy storage technology. Full article

Introduction: Hyponatremia is a common electrolyte abnormality in heart failure and has been consistently associated with worse clinical outcomes. While its prognostic value is well established in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction, its significance in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction remains less clearly defined. Increasing evidence suggests that hyponatremia may reflect advanced neurohormonal activation, congestion, and cardiorenal dysfunction in this population. Methods: This study was conducted as a narrative review of the literature examining the pathophysiology, clinical implications, and management of hyponatremia in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Electronic databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched for relevant publications between 2010 and 2025. Eligible sources included clinical trials, observational studies, registry analyses, guideline documents, and review articles focusing on sodium disorders in heart failure populations. The findings were synthesized qualitatively to provide an integrated overview of the mechanisms, prognostic significance, and therapeutic considerations. Results: Available evidence indicates that hyponatremia occurs frequently in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction and is associated with increased risks of mortality, rehospitalization, and cardiovascular events. The underlying mechanisms involve complex interactions between neurohormonal activation, impaired renal free water excretion, and therapeutic factors such as diuretic exposure. Hyponatremia appears to function primarily as a marker of disease severity rather than a direct mediator of adverse outcomes. Current management strategies primarily rely on general heart failure treatment principles, including optimizing diuretic therapy, managing fluid balance, and selectively using vasopressin antagonists. Conclusions: Hyponatremia represents an important biomarker of adverse prognosis in heart failure with preserved ejection fraction. Despite its clinical relevance, evidence guiding phenotype-specific management remains limited. Future research should focus on clarifying pathophysiologic mechanisms, improving risk stratification, and determining whether targeted correction of hyponatremia can improve clinical outcomes in this growing patient population. Full article

Prussian blue (PB) nanocubes have been explored as promising cathode materials for high-performance sodium-ion (SIBs) and lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). These nanostructures exhibit good cycling stability and electrochemical resilience. They are synthesized through a co-precipitation method followed by vacuum drying, resulting in a porous and conductive nanocube framework. This architecture facilitates efficient ion diffusion, enhanced electrolyte accessibility, and effective mitigation of volume changes during cycling. In SIB applications, the PB nanocubes maintain stable performance over 300 and 400 cycles at current densities of 0.05 and 0.1 A g⁻¹, respectively, and deliver a capacity of 26.2 mAh g⁻¹ at 2.0 A g⁻¹. For LIBs, they exhibit sustained cycling over 200 and 300 cycles under similar conditions, with a capacity of 20.2 mAh g⁻¹ at 2.0 A g⁻¹. These findings underscore the structural benefits of PB nanocubes for dual-ion battery systems. Full article

Sodium-ion-based polymer electrolytes have emerged as an essential technology for the next generation of solid-state batteries, offering the possibility of greater safety and mechanical flexibility. This work aimed to prepare eco-friendly ormolytes based on a biohybrid host matrix, which were doped, for the first time, with a wide range of NaTFSI concentrations. The matrix consists of short poly(ε-caprolactone) segments covalently bonded to siliceous domains via urethane linkages. The samples obtained were thin and transparent films. They were characterized by means of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), and the films exhibited an amorphous character over the entire composition range. Ionic conductivity measurements were performed, and at room temperature for n = 10, the ionic conductivity was 2.44 × 10⁻³ mS.cm⁻¹. The highest ionic conductivity value of 1.78 × 10⁻² mS.cm⁻¹ (n = 10) was obtained at 62.0 °C. To access the cation/urethane interactions, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy was employed, and it was noted that the global profile was slightly altered with the incorporation of salt, in which more interactions were observed for the more concentrated samples. Thus, the proposed material may be promising in the development of more sustainable and environmentally friendly electrochemical devices with Na ions. Full article

Solid-state sodium batteries based on polymer electrolytes offer a sustainable solution to overcome current and near-future needs regarding the growing energy and transport electrification issues. In this work, we propose the development of solvent-free polymer electrolytes based on an unsaturated polyether, which, once cross-linked, leads to an amorphous structure at room temperature that favors ionic transport towards reliable and robust solid-state sodium batteries operative at moderate temperatures. Using NaClO₄ and NaPF₆ as sodium salts, the best polymer electrolyte reaches an ionic conductivity in the range of 0.02 mS·cm⁻¹ (30 °C)–0.90 mS·cm⁻¹ (100 °C) with a lifetime superior to 2000 h after plating and stripping. Regarding electrochemical performance, a maximum specific capacity of 110.2 mAh·g⁻¹ (C/20) is obtained for the polymer electrolyte including NaClO₄, using Na and C/FePO₄ as anode and cathode, respectively, which represents about 65% of the theoretical value expected for FePO₄. In view of more sustainable energy storage devices, a life cycle assessment is also applied. While the polymer matrix is identified as the main environmental hotspot, the choice of Na salt significantly affects the overall impact, with NaClO₄ exhibiting lower climate change and particulate matter impacts than NaPF₆. Full article

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are emerging as attractive electrochemical energy-storage systems owing to the natural abundance and low cost of sodium resources. However, their structural integrity and electrochemical stability under mechanical abuse remain insufficiently understood, particularly from the perspective of coupled morphological and transport responses in porous electrode assemblies. In this work, the material deformation behavior and electrochemical evolution of SIBs under compressional loading are systematically investigated, with particular attention to the roles of state of charge (SOC), electrode microstructure, and separator integrity. Electrochemical impedance analysis reveals that the ohmic response is mainly dominated by the extent of compressional deformation, whereas interfacial and diffusion-related resistances are jointly regulated by deformation and SOC. In particular, elevated SOC significantly intensifies the increase in diffusion impedance during compression, indicating a strong coupling between sodium-storage state and mass-transport deterioration. Moreover, cells at higher SOCs exhibit accelerated open-circuit voltage decay during extrusion, suggesting enhanced internal stress accumulation and aggravated instability of the electrode/electrolyte interface. Post-mortem morphological characterization demonstrates substantial particle fracture, pore collapse, and crack propagation in both cathode and anode materials, accompanied by severe shrinkage and partial destruction of the separator microporous network. These results establish a direct correlation between compressional deformation, microstructural damage, and electrochemical degradation in SIBs, and provide useful insights for the design of mechanically resilient electrode architectures, separator materials, and safety-oriented diagnostic strategies for next-generation sodium-ion energy-storage devices. Full article

Background: Recreational exercise has become increasingly common among Chinese adults. However, population-specific data on sweat rate and electrolyte composition during typical daily physical activities remain limited. Therefore, this study aimed to comprehensively characterize the hydration status, sweat rate, and sweat electrolyte composition among Chinese adults engaging in common daily exercises under controlled environmental conditions, and to examine sex-related differences. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 285 healthy adults (143 men, 142 women) were assigned to one of three separate activity groups: brisk walking (n = 100), running (n = 90), or cycling (n = 95). Activity protocols were standardized using fixed activity-specific speeds corresponding to 5.2, 8.2, and 4.4 METs for brisk walking, running, and cycling, respectively, based on the Chinese Compilation of Physical Activities. Each participant completed one 60-min exercise session under controlled environmental conditions. Sweat samples were collected from the chest using sweat patches and analyzed for Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Fe, Zn²⁺, and Cu²⁺ using ICP-MS/OES. Whole-body sweat sodium and potassium concentrations were estimated using validated regression equations. Body mass loss (BML) and sweat rate were calculated from pre- and post-exercise nude body mass. Results: Across all participants and activity types, the overall mean sweat rate was 0.71 ± 0.28 L/h, and the mean percentage of body mass loss (BML%) was 0.78 ± 0.45%. Among the three physical activities, running elicited higher sweat rates (0.92 ± 0.29 L/h) and BML% (1.16 ± 0.36%) than brisk walking or cycling (p < 0.05). The estimated whole-body Na⁺ and K⁺ concentrations across all participants were 34.10 ± 10.31 mmol/L and 3.35 (3.02–3.93) mmol/L, respectively, with 59.3% of participants classified as having moderate Na⁺ levels (30–60 mmol/L). Men exhibited higher sweat rates and Na⁺ concentrations, whereas women showed higher K⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cu²⁺ levels (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Chinese adults engaging in common daily physical activities under temperate environmental conditions demonstrated low-to-moderate sweat rates and sodium concentrations. These findings provide baseline reference data for population-specific hydration education and may inform future validation and application of wearable sweat-sensing technologies in public health monitoring. Full article