Search Results (118)

Agricultural workers in the United States (U.S.) are exposed to occupational heat stress, increasing their risk of adverse kidney outcomes. The aim of this integrative review was to explore the relationship between occupational heat stress and kidney health among U.S. agricultural workers. PubMed, EMBASE, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched for original research articles on this relationship among U.S. agricultural workers. Studies were screened and reviewed by two independent reviewers in three phases: title and abstract screening, full text screening, and data extraction. The search yielded 278 articles; 14 were included in the final analysis. Heat stress was commonly measured using core body temperature changes, heat index, and wet-bulb globe temperature. Acute kidney injury (AKI) incidence following a single work shift was up to 43%. Occupational heat stress and piece-rate compensation increased the odds for developing AKI. The use of cooling bandanas and water mixed with electrolytes are promising interventions for mitigating the effect of heat stress on kidney health outcomes. The results confirm that occupational heat stress influences kidney health for U.S. agricultural workers. The mechanisms of this relationship have not been fully elucidated. More studies exploring heat protection interventions are needed. Full article

The growing demand for high-energy, safe, and sustainable lithium-ion batteries has increased interest in nickel-rich cathode materials and solid-state electrolytes. This study presents a scalable wet-processing method for fabricating composite cathodes for all-solid-state batteries. The cathodes studied herein are high-nickel LiNi_0.90Mn_0.05Co_0.05O₂, NMC955, the sulfide-based electrolyte Li₆PS₅Cl, and alternative binders—polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyisobutylene (PIB)—dispersed in toluene, a non-polar solvent compatible with the electrolyte. After fabrication, the cathodes were characterized using SEM/EDX, sheet resistance, and Hall effect measurements. Electrochemical tests were additionally performed in all-solid-state battery half-cells comprising the synthesized cathodes, lithium metal anodes, and Li₆PS₅Cl as the separator and electrolyte. The results show that both PIB and PVA formulations yielded conductive cathodes with stable microstructures and uniform particle distribution. Electrochemical characterization exposed that the PVA-based cathode outperformed the PIB-based counterpart, achieving the theoretical capacity of 192 mAh·g⁻¹ even at 1C, whereas the PIB cathode reached a maximum capacity of 145 mAh.g⁻¹ at C/40. Post-mortem analysis confirmed the structural integrity of the cathodes. These findings demonstrate the viability of NMC955 as a high-capacity cathode material compatible with solid-state systems. Full article

High-voltage spinel (LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄; LNMO) has been a prospective cathode material that may exploit the maximal voltage of 5 V for lithium-ion batteries. However, the practical application has been hindered by the severe electrochemical instability of the Ni²⁺/Ni⁴⁺ redox couple at such a high voltage. Herein, we coated lithium phosphate (Li₃PO₄) on the surface of the LNMO by a wet-coating method to improve the electrochemical stability. The coating layer provided an effective cathode–electrolyte interphase, which prevented the excessive decomposition of the electrolyte on the surface of LNMO cathode. The Li₃PO₄-coated LNMO exhibited enhanced rate capability in accordance with the lowered solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) and charge-transfer resistance values from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Full article

Proton-conducting ceramics have gained significant attention in various applications. Yttrium-doped barium cerium zirconate (BaCe_xZr_1−x−yY_yO_3–δ) is the state-of-the-art proton-conducting electrolyte but poses a major challenge because of its high sintering temperature. Sintering aids have been found to substantially reduce the sintering temperature of BaCe_xZr_1−x−yY_yO_3–δ. This work evaluates, for the first time, the impact of NiO and ZnO addition in three different loadings (1, 3, 5 mol%), via wet mechanical mixing, on the sintering and electrical properties of a low cerium-containing composition, BaCe_0.2Zr_0.7Y_0.1O_3–δ (BCZY). The sintering temperature remarkably dropped from 1600 °C (for pure BCZY) to 1350 °C (for NiOBCZY and ZnOBCZY) while achieving > 95% densification. In general, ZnO gave higher densification than NiO, the highest being 99% for 5 mol% ZnOBCZY. Dilatometric studies revealed that ZnOBCZY attained complete shrinkage at temperatures lower than NiOBCZY. Up to 650 °C, ZnO showed higher conductivity compared to NiO for the same loading, mostly due to a higher extent of Zn incorporation inside the BCZY lattice as seen from the BCZY peak shift to a lower Bragg’s angle in X-ray diffractograms, and the bigger grain sizes of ZnO samples compared to NiO captured in scanning electron microscopy. At any temperature, the variation in conductivity as a function of sintering aid concentration followed the orders 1 mol% > 3 mol% > 5 mol% (for ZnO) and 1 mol% < 3 mol%~5 mol% (for NiO). This difference in conductivity trends has been attributed to the fact that Zn fully dissolves into the BCZY matrix, unlike NiO which mostly accumulates at the grain boundaries. At 600 °C, 1 mol% ZnOBCZY showed the highest conductivity of 5.02 mS/cm, which is, by far, higher than what has been reported in the literature for a Ce/Zr molar ratio <1. This makes ZnO a better sintering aid than NiO (in the range of 1 to 5 mol% addition) in terms of higher densification at a sintering temperature as low as 1350 °C, and higher conductivity. 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

Cellulose-based separators with good electrolyte wettability and thermal stability have attracted extensive attention in the area of lithium metal battery (LMB) applications. However, their low mechanical strength in an electrolyte has seriously hindered their cycling performance of assembled LMB. Herein, a silane-crosslinked propionylated cellulose-based separator (PBF-GPTMS) was prepared. The resulting separator exhibited high wet strength (18.7 MPa) and electrolyte uptake (312 wt%). Molecular simulation revealed that Young’s modulus of the silanized propionylated cellulose model was 14.64 GPa under EC/DMC/DEC conditions, which was higher than that of the propionylated cellulose model (6.89 GPa). In particular, the XPS spectra of the Li foil in the PBF-GPTMS-assembled battery after cycling suggested a lower amount of HF formed during cycling. Accordingly, the assembled Li/Separator/LiFePO₄ cell showed excellent cycle performance with capacity retention of 94.5% after 300 cycles at 0.5 C and 93.6% after 160 cycles at 1 C, respectively. This idea would provide novel insights into the design of bio-based separators for long-life LMBs. Full article

This study aims to achieve in situ-formed pure Ti and Ti6Al4V coatings on 316L stainless steel through hot pressing and examine their wear and corrosion properties thoroughly in two simulated body fluids: physiological serum (0.9% NaCl) and Hanks’ solution. The sintering and diffusion bonding process was conducted at 1050 °C under a uniaxial pressure of 40 MPa for 30 min in a vacuum environment of 10⁻⁴ mbar. Following sintering, in situ-formed pure Ti and Ti6Al4V coatings, approximately 1000 µm thick, were produced on 316L substrates approximately 3000 µm in thickness. The mean hardness of 316L substrates, pure Ti, and Ti6Al4V coatings are around 165 HV, 170 HV, and 420 HV, respectively. The interface of the stainless steel substrate and the pure Ti and Ti6Al4V coatings exhibited no microstructural defects, while the interface exhibited significantly higher hardness values (ranging from 600 to 700 HV). The coatings improved corrosion resistance in both electrolytes compared to the 316L substrate. Wet wear tests revealed reduced friction coefficients in 0.9% NaCl relative to Hanks’ solution, highlighting the chemical interactions between the material surface and the electrolyte type and the significance of tribocorrosion in biocoatings. Full article

Electrolytic manganese residue (EMR) is a solid waste generated during the production of electrolytic manganese metal through wet metallurgy, accumulating in large quantities and causing significant environment pollution. Due to its high sulfate content, EMR can be utilized to prepare supersulfate cement when combined with Ground Granulated Blast furnace Slag (GGBS). In this process, GGBS serves as the primary raw material, EMR acts as the sulfate activator, and CaO powder, along with trace amounts of cement, functions as the alkali activator. This results in the preparation of CaO-modified electrolytic manganese residue-based supersulfate cement (Abbreviated as “SSC”), facilitating the harmless and resourceful utilization of EMR. This study aims to determine the optimal dosage of CaO as the alkali activator for GGBS in SSC. A comprehensive analysis was conducted on four groups, including a control group. The mass ratio of EMR, GGBS, and cement in SSC was fixed as 35:60:5, and the optimum mixing ratio of lime powder as an external admixture was investigated through mechanical tests and microscopic experiments. The hydration products and mechanism of the cementitious materials were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), pH measurements, thermogravimetric and differential thermogravimetric analysis (TG-DTG), mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicated that, under the combined influence of trace cement and raw lime powder, EMR effectively activated GGBS. The primary hydration products of the SSC are AFt and hydrated calcium silicate (C-S-H), which contributed to the mechanical strength of the SSC. At a hydration age of 3 days, the optimal CaO blending ratio was found to be 8% by mass of dried EMR. With this ratio, the compressive strength of SSC reached 18.2 MPa, the pore size of hardened slurry was refined, the structure became dense, and hydration products increased. It could be concluded that CaO enhances the early strength of SSC when used as an alkali activator. Full article

This study investigated the influence of the ultraviolet (UV) dose (${\mathrm{D}}^{\mathrm{U}\mathrm{V}}$) on the photodeposition of MnO_x and Pd cocatalysts on 300-nm-thick anatase TiO₂ thin films, which were prepared via sol–gel dip-coating on a glass substrate. MnO_x and Pd were photodeposited using increasing UV doses ranging from 5 to 20 J cm⁻², from 5 mM aqueous electrolytes based on Mn²⁺/IO₃⁻ or Pd²⁺, respectively. The effect of the ${\mathrm{D}}^{\mathrm{U}\mathrm{V}}$ on the MnO_x photodeposition resulted in an increase in Mn²⁺ surface content, from 2.7 to 5.2 at.%, as determined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). For Pd, increasing the UV dose led to a reduction in the oxidation state, transitioning from Pd²⁺ to Pd⁰, while the overall Pd surface content range remained relatively steady at 2.2–2.4 at.%. Both MnO_x/TiO₂ and Pd/TiO₂ exhibited proportional enhancements in photocatalytic activity towards the degradation of methylene blue. Notably, Pd/TiO₂ demonstrated a significant improvement in photocatalytic performance, surpassing that of pristine TiO₂. In contrast, TiO₂ samples functionalized through wet impregnation and thermal treatment in the same electrolytes showed overall lower photocatalytic activity compared to those functionalized via photodeposition. Full article

Bismuth Vanadate (BiVO₄) is a promising photoanode material due to its stability and suitable bandgap, making it effective for visible light absorption. However, its photoelectrocatalytic efficiency is often limited by the poor transport dynamics of photogenerated carriers. Recent research found that varying the atomic arrangement in crystals and Fermi levels across different crystal orientations can lead to significant differences in carrier mobility, charge recombination rates, and overall performance. In this work, we optimized the atomic arrangement by controlling the crystal growth direction to improve carrier separation efficiency using a wet chemical method. Systematic investigations revealed that the preferential [010]-oriented BiVO₄ film exhibits the highest carrier mobility and photocurrent density. Under an applied bias of 1.21 V (vs. RHE) in a 0.5 M Na₂SO₄ electrolyte, it achieved a photocurrent density of 0.2 mA cm⁻² under AM 1.5 G illumination, significantly higher than that of the [121]-oriented (0.056 mA cm⁻²) and randomly oriented films (0.11 mA cm⁻²). This study provides a deeper understanding of the role of crystal orientation in enhancing photoelectrocatalytic efficiency. Full article

In green hydrogen production via water electrolysis, catalysts with multiscale nanostructures synthesized by compositing micro-heterojunctions and nanoporous structures exhibit excellent electrocatalytic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance. Moreover, they are the most promising non-noble metal catalysts. Herein, FeNi-based aerogels with a three-dimensional nanoporous structure and amorphous matrix embedded with FeNi₃ nanoclusters were synthesized via wet chemical reduction coprecipitation. The FeNi₃ nanoclusters and the FeNi-based amorphous matrix formed a crystalline–amorphous heterojunction. These aerogels exhibited excellent OER performance and electrocatalytic stability in alkaline electrolytes. In 1 mol/L of KOH electrolyte, the as-synthesized aerogel exhibited an overpotential of 262 mV at a current density of 20 mA cm⁻² with a Tafel slope of only 46 mV dec⁻¹. It also demonstrated excellent stability during a 12 h chronopotentiometry test. Full article

Multifunctional coatings based on Sn-Ni materials with and without titanium oxide nanoparticles (TiO₂NPs) incorporation were prepared using the electrochemical deposition technique at 70 °C. TiO₂NPs were dispersed in the electrolyte bath, and their influence on the surface texture, crystalline phase, and properties was investigated. Various techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX) were used to characterize the prepared coatings. The formation mechanism of the deposited coatings has been demonstrated to be consistent with the electrochemical behavior of instantaneous growth, and the three-dimensional growth is controlled by diffusion phenomena. The anticorrosion effectiveness of the coatings was assessed using potentiodynamic polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy in an artificial sweat medium, while the bactericidal activity of the composite coatings (the ability to induce cell death) was evaluated in accordance with the ISO 27447:2019 test. The influence of TiO₂NPs at a low concentration of 1 g/L on the composition, structure, and properties of the deposited coatings was demonstrated. Particular attention was paid to the relationship between the anticorrosive and bactericidal properties of the coatings and their structure composition and wetting properties. The synergistic effect of chemical composition and surface-wetting properties has been demonstrated to enhance the anticorrosive and bactericidal properties of the prepared coatings. Full article

Crystalline diamond nanoparticles which are 3.6 nm in size adhering to thin-film silicon results in a hydrophilic silicon surface for uniform wetting by electrolytes and serves as a current spreader for the prevention of a local high-lithium-ion current density. The excellent physical integrity of an anode made of diamond on silicon and the long-life and high-capacity-retention cycling performance are thus achieved for lithium-ion batteries. A specific capacity of 1860 mAh/g(si) was retained after 200 cycles of discharge/charge at an areal current density of 0.2 mA/cm². This is compared to 1626 mAh/g(si) for a thin-film-silicon anode without the additive of diamond nanoparticles. Full article

Two-month experiments were carried out with carbon steel electrodes buried in an artificial sand wetted at 50–55% of saturation with a 0.07 mol L⁻¹ Na₂SO₄·10H₂O solution. Various protection potentials (corrected from the ohmic drop) were applied from −0.60 to −1.13 V/Cu-CuSO₄. In each case, the behavior of the electrode protected by cathodic polarization was compared with that of an unprotected electrode. The electrochemical study was performed using voltammetry, linear polarization resistance measurements, and EIS. Surface characterization of the coupons was carried out using optical microscopy and X-ray diffraction. First, cathodic protection was observed to induce a spreading of the electrolyte on the metal surface because of electrocapillary effects. The active area, or more precisely the wet area, of the electrode increased, leading to a decrease in soil electrolyte resistance R_s measured using EIS. This phenomenon was experimentally confirmed via visual observations of the surface of the coupons at the end of the experiments. Secondly, cathodic protection induced a passivation of the steel surface. The passive state persisted for 35 to 85 h after cathodic protection was stopped and could be studied during various periods of interruption of the protection. In each case, the OCP of the previously polarized coupons reached high values, actually 200–250 mV higher than those measured for the unprotected coupons, and was associated with high polarization resistance R_p values (~40 kΩ cm²). Depassivation of the metal finally occurred, a phenomenon revealed by simultaneous important drops of both OCP and R_p. Full article

Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) hold promise for use in next-generation high-energy-density energy storage systems. However, the commercial application of LSBs is hindered by the shuttle effect of polysulfides. In this study, we synthesized a covalent organic framework material (PY−DHBD−COF) and employed it to modify the separators of LSBs in order to buffer the shuttle effect of polysulfides. A modified separator, involving PY−DHBD−COF coating of the commercial Celgard 2500 PP separator, is prepared via a vacuum-assisted self-assembly method. The PY−DHBD−COF features hydroxyl and imine bonds, which can adsorb lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) and buffer the shuttle effect. The PY−DHBD−COF coating exhibits a thin thickness and oriented nanochannels, facilitating electrolyte wetting and Li⁺ transport. As a result, the LSBs with PY−DHBD−COF-modified separators exhibit a high specific capacity of 373 mAh g⁻¹ at 4 C with only 0.005% capacity decay per cycle after 450 cycles at 2 C, demonstrating an excellent cycling performance. Full article