Control of carbon black aggregate size by using polystyrene-polyethylene oxide non ionic diblock copolymers

Improving the Dispersion Behavior of Organic Components in Water-Based Electrode Dispersions for Inkjet Printing Processes

Water-based processing of electrodes is associated with an enhanced environmental footprint for lithium-ion battery (LIB) production in conjunction with reduced costs. This trend is accompanied by an increasing demand for electrode dispersion processing in inkjet printing. However, most of the dispersion components show a low inherent dispersibility with poor stability in aqueous formulations. This is particularly important when it comes to qualifying electrode dispersions for use in inkjet printing, since the effect of agglomeration and sedimentation effects must be effectively prevented. Therefore, additives are needed to improve the dispersive behavior. This paper analyzes the suitability of dispersants for organic electrode components, in particular graphite and carbon black. An empirical approach was devised on the basis of comprehensive theoretical considerations. Empirical investigations revealed that the utilization of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) favored the enhanced stabilization of graphite nanoparticles. The addition of Triton X-100 (TX-100) resulted in an improved stabilization of carbon black. Based on these empirical studies, a methodology was derived, which supports the application of suitable dispersants in printable dispersions.

New amino group functionalized porous carbon for strong chelation ability towards toxic heavy metals

Herein, ethylenediamine functionalized porous carbon (PC-ED/1.5) was synthesized, then characterized by various methods and finally used as a functional material for Cu(ii) and Pb(ii) ion removal from water. XPS revealed the presence of numerous functionalities within the surface of PC including -NH and C-N-C groups. Furthermore, S BET, RS, XRD and FTIR analyses confirmed the changes implemented on the PC surface. Thereafter, a systematic study was implemented to analyze the interactions of the PC-ED/1.5 surface with Cu(ii) and Pb(ii) heavy metal ions. Hence, adsorption experiments showed that the PC-ED/1.5 exhibits maximum adsorption capacities of 123.45 mg g-1 and 140.84 mg g-1 for Cu(ii) and Pb(ii), respectively. Moreover, in situ electrostatic interactions occurring between the divalent cation and the PC-ED/1.5 functional groups was investigated. The mechanism involves chelation processes, electrostatic interactions and mechanical trapping of the metal ions in the adsorbent pores. Interestingly, a synergistic effect of the pores and surface active sites was observed. Finally, by using alginate bio-polymer we prepared membrane films of PC-ED/1.5 which showed long-term stability, regeneration capabilities and high mass recovery.

High extent mass recovery of alginate hydrogel beads network based on immobilized bio-sourced porous carbon@Fe3O4-NPs for organic pollutants uptake

This work goes inside the understanding of organic pollutants adsorption mechanism over network alginate hydrogel beads based on immobilized bio-sourced PC@Fe₃O₄-NPs (PC@Fe₃O₄-NPs@Alginate) and highlights its high extent mass recovery in aqueous media. The samples were successfully synthesized, we previously developed porous carbon (PC), which, was used to elaborate PC@Fe₃O₄-NPs via simple in situ coprecipitation (PC@ Fe₃O₄-NPs), which was encapsulated by alginate-Ca²⁺ via the blend crosslinking method. The structural, textural, chemical and morphological proprieties of as prepared materials were studied by XRD, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption-desorption, XPS, SEM and TEM. The adsorption kinetic and isotherm data were well fitted to the pseudo-second-order and Langmuir models. Magnetic particles exhibited an excellent ability to adsorb methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solutions with maximum MB adsorption capacity of 180.42 mg g^-1 (PC@Fe₃O₄ NPs powder) and 49.66 mg g^-1 (beads based PC@Fe₃O₄-NPs@Alginate). Response surface methodology was used to optimize the removal efficiency of MB from aqueous solution and optimum parameters were determined. Magnetic beads based PC showed good magnetic propriety, long-term stability, regeneration capabilities and high extent mass recovery.

Core–shell architecture based on bio-sourced porous carbon: the shape formation mechanism at the solid/liquid interface layer

The overall goal of this work was to activate agri-food wastes by microbial action, which makes it possible to produce bio-digestate and energy (methane). The resulting bio-digestate could be transformed to porous carbon (PC), which was used for the preparation of core–shell particles with alginate (bio-polymer) and a calcium ion layer. Furthermore, surface charge measurements showed electrostatic attractions occurring between the alginate, calcium (Ca²⁺) ions and the PC, hence leading to the formation of core (PC)–shell (alginate–calcium ions) particles. However, in the absence of calcium ions, no electrostatic attractions were observed between the PC and the alginate. In the dried state (using scanning electronic microscopy analysis (SEM)) and in the hydrate state (using numerical microscopy), the designed core–shell architecture was confirmed. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) shows that the PC particles were graphitic and porous. In addition, both Raman spectroscopy (RS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) showed the presence of several chemical functions, in particular hydroxyl (–O–H) and carboxylic groups (–COO–H). In aqueous media, the results showed that the PC was negatively charged and its surface charge and particle size were found to be very sensitive to the variation in pH. Finally, the core–shell particles were used as an adsorbent for the removal of methylene blue (MB), crystal violet (CV) and congo red (CR) molecules from wastewater. The overall data indicated efficient dye removal, without the occurrence of the solid/liquid separation problem.

This paper focus on the shape formation mechanism of core–shell architecture based bio-sourced porous carbon prepared by biological activation at the solid/liquid interface.

Adsorption of poly(ethylene oxide)-containing amphiphilic polymers on solid-liquid interfaces: Fundamentals and applications

The adsorption of amphiphilic molecules of varying size on solid-liquid interfaces modulates the properties of colloidal systems. Nonionic, poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)-based amphiphilic molecules are particularly useful because of their graded hydrophobic-hydrophilic nature, which allows for adsorption on a wide array of solid surfaces. Their adsorption also results in other useful properties, such as responsiveness to external stimuli and solubilization of hydrophobic compounds. This review focuses on the adsorption properties of PEO-based amphiphiles, beginning with a discussion of fundamental concepts pertaining to the adsorption of macromolecules on solid-liquid interfaces, and more specifically the adsorption of PEO homopolymers. The main portion of the review highlights studies on factors affecting the adsorption and surface self-assembly of PEO-PPO-PEO block copolymers, where PPO is poly(propylene oxide). Block copolymers of this type are commercially available and of interest in several fields, due to their low toxicity and compatibility in aqueous systems. Examples of applications relevant to the interfacial behavior of PEO-PPO-PEO block copolymers are paints and coatings, detergents, filtration, and drug delivery. The methods discussed herein for manipulating the adsorption properties of PEO-PPO-PEO are emphasized for their ability to shed light on molecular interactions at interfaces. Knowledge of these interactions guides the formulation of novel materials with useful mesoscale organization and micro- and macrophase properties.