Topic Review
Solid-State Batteries
Batteries are essential in modern society as they can power a wide range of devices, from small household appliances to large-scale energy storage systems. Safety concerns with traditional lithium-ion batteries prompted the emergence of new battery technologies, among them solid-state batteries (SSBs), offering enhanced safety, energy density, and lifespan. Solid-state electrolytes used in SSBs include inorganic solid electrolytes, organic solid polymer electrolytes, and solid composite electrolytes. Inorganic options like lithium aluminum titanium phosphate excel in ionic conductivity and thermal stability but exhibit mechanical fragility. Organic alternatives such as polyethylene oxide and polyvinylidene fluoride offer flexibility but possess lower ionic conductivity. Solid composite electrolytes combine the advantages of inorganic and organic materials, enhancing mechanical strength and ionic conductivity. While significant advances have been made for composite electrolytes, challenges remain for synthesis intricacies and material stability. Nuanced selection of these electrolytes is crucial for advancing resilient and high-performance SSBs.
  • 85
  • 15 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Applications of Bio-Epoxies in Composites
Despite the reliability of traditional epoxy systems, the increasing demand for sustainability has driven researchers and industries to explore new bio-based alternatives. Additionally, natural fibers have the potential to serve as environmentally friendly substitutes for synthetic ones, contributing to the production of lightweight and biodegradable composites. Enhancing the mechanical properties of these bio-composites also involves improving the compatibility between the matrix and fibers. In this sense, the use of bio-epoxy resins facilitates better adhesion of natural composite constituents, addressing sustainability and environmental concerns.
  • 107
  • 11 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Cementitious and Geopolymer Composites with Lithium Slag Incorporation
Lithium slag (LS)’s particle size distribution is comparable to fly ash (FA) and ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBS), which suggests it can enhance densification and nucleation in concrete. The mechanical treatment of LS promotes early hydration by increasing the solubility of aluminum, lithium, and silicon. LS’s compositional similarity to FA endows it with low-calcium, high-reactivity properties that are suitable for cementitious and geopolymeric applications. Increasing the LS content reduces setting times and flowability while initially enhancing mechanical properties, albeit with diminishing returns beyond a 30% threshold. LS significantly improves chloride ion resistance and impacts drying shrinkage variably. 
  • 196
  • 08 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Types of Hybrid Bio-Based Aerogel Materials
Bio-based aerogels are derived from various renewable sources such as sugar cane, vegetable oils, proteins, starches, chitosan, alginate, pectin, lignin, cellulose, and proteins, which have been shown to be useful in the production of aerogels. These aerogels have special properties that make them well suited for packaging applications and in bioengineering. Studies in this field have led to advances that shed light on their diverse applications, improved properties, and innovative synthesis methods. Researchers have investigated alternative feedstocks for bio-based aerogels to broaden their sources and enhance sustainability. Studies have explored the use of waste materials, agricultural by-products, and unconventional sources to synthesize aerogels, aligning with the principles of a circular and green economy. 
  • 265
  • 04 Jan 2024
Topic Review
Polytetrafluoroethylene-Based Solvent-Free Procedure for Lithium-Ion Batteries Manufacturing
Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have become popular for energy storage due to their high energy density, storage capacity, and long-term cycle life. Although binders make up only a small proportion of LIBs, they have become the key to promoting the transformation of the battery preparation process. Along with the development of binders, the battery manufacturing process has evolved from the conventional slurry-casting (SC) process to a more attractive solvent-free (SF) method. Compared with traditional LIBs manufacturing method, the SF method could dramatically reduce and increase the energy density due to the reduced preparation steps and enhanced electrode loading. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), as a typical binder, has played an important role in fabricating high-performance LIBs, particularly in regards to the SF technique. 
  • 547
  • 15 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Geopolymer Materials
The advancement of eco-friendly technology in the construction sector has been improving rapidly. As a result, multiple building materials were developed, enhanced, and proposed as replacements for some traditional materials. One notable example presents geopolymer as a substitute for ordinary Portland concrete (OPC). The manufacturing process of (OPC) generates CO2 emissions and a high energy demand, both of which contribute to ozone depletion and global warming. The implementation of geopolymer concrete (GPC) technology in the construction sector provides a path to more sustainable growth and a cleaner environment. This is due to geopolymer concrete’s ability to reduce environmental pollutants and reduce the construction industry’s carbon footprint. This is achieved through its unique composition, which typically involves industrial byproducts like fly ash or slag. These materials, rich in silicon and aluminum, react with alkaline solutions to form a binding gel, bypassing the need for the high-energy clinker production required in OPC. The use of such byproducts not only reduces CO2 emissions but also contributes to waste minimization. Additionally, geopolymer offers extra advantages compared to OPC, including improved mechanical strength, enhanced durability, and good stability in acidic and alkaline settings. Such properties make GPC particularly suitable for a range of construction environments, from industrial applications to infrastructure projects exposed to harsh conditions. 
  • 354
  • 15 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Advantages of C3N4 with Layered Double Hydroxides Heterojunctions
Environmental pollution has been decreased by using photocatalytic technology in conjunction with solar energy. An efficient method to obtain highly efficient photocatalysts is to build heterojunction photocatalysts by combining graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4) with layered double hydroxides (LDHs).
  • 221
  • 08 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Components of the Nanocomposite Photoanisotropic Materials
A new approach has emerged that has been extensively studied by many research groups, namely doping azobenzene-containing materials with nanoparticles with various compositions, sizes, and morphologies. The resulting nanocomposites have shown significant enhancement in their photoanisotropic response, including increased photoinduced birefringence, leading to a higher diffraction efficiency and a larger surface relief modulation in the case of polarization holographic recordings. 
  • 175
  • 01 Dec 2023
Topic Review
Antibacterial Polymer Composite Materials
The escalating presence of pathogenic microbes has spurred a heightened interest in antimicrobial polymer composites tailored for hygiene applications. These innovative composites ingeniously incorporate potent antimicrobial agents such as metals, metal oxides, and carbon derivatives. This integration equips them with the unique ability to offer robust and persistent protection against a diverse array of pathogens. By effectively countering the challenges posed by microbial contamination, these pioneering composites hold the potential to create safer environments and contribute to the advancement of public health on a substantial scale.
  • 144
  • 24 Nov 2023
Topic Review
Applications of Wind Turbine Blade Recycling Materials
The rapid growth of the wind energy industry has resulted in a significant increase in Wind Turbine Blade (WTB) waste, posing challenges for recycling due to the composite materials used in their construction. Each recycling technique employs distinct approaches, all to reclaim the valuable fibres in these blades. Mechanical recycling yields resin-rich, fibre-rich, and other qualities of byproducts, while pyrolysis generates fibres, fillers, gas, and oil.
  • 191
  • 24 Nov 2023
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