Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries possess considerable potential for high theoretical energy density; however, their practical implementation has been impeded by the polysulfide shuttle effect, resulting in inadequate cycling stability. This study addresses this challenge by synthesizing and applying a boron-doped zinc cobalt sulfide catalyst (B-ZnCo2S4) as a separator coating. The investigation demonstrates that B-ZnCo2S4-modified separators significantly enhance the electrochemical characteristics of Li-S batteries. The B-ZnCo2S4 and pristine ZnCo2S4 catalysts were synthesized using a solvothermal method, and their morphological disparities were analyzed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Characterization techniques affirm successful boron doping without altering the crystal structure. Batteries assembled with B-ZnCo2S4-modified separators exhibit superior electrochemical performance compared to those with ZnCo2S4-modified separators, as evidenced by Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), and Linear Sweep Voltammetry (LSV). The B-ZnCo2S4 battery demonstrates higher catalytic activity, resulting in lower polarization voltage and charge transfer impedance. Furthermore, UV-Vis analysis reveals enhanced adsorption capabilities of lithium polysulfides by B-ZnCo2S4. During rate testing, the B-ZnCo2S4 battery exhibits an impressive specific capacity exceeding 500 mAh/g at 4C, while sustaining capacities above 800 and 900 mAh/g at reduced rates of 0.5C and 0.2C, respectively, indicating excellent reversibility. In extended cycling tests of 200 and 500 cycles, the battery demonstrates exceptional cycling stability, with decay rates of only 0.16% and 0.07% at 0.5C and 1C, respectively. SEM analysis further confirms the effective inhibition of lithium dendrite formation by B-ZnCo2S4. Therefore, the utilization of B-ZnCo2S4 as a catalyst holds great promise in augmenting the operational efficiency and longevity of Li-S batteries. These discoveries present encouraging prospects for the advancement of Li-S batteries, enabling enhanced performance and improved practical feasibility.

Low-cost lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) with high specific energy density have drawn the attention of the industrial community as lithium-ion batteries get closer to their theoretical limits. However, their commercialization is constrained by the use of lithium metal anodes and the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) in redox processes. Ketjenblack (KB) was used in this research work to embed cobalt nanoparticles with a diameter smaller than 40 nm in order to create a suitable and affordable cathode host. Incorporating Co nanoparticles with KB that has a porous structure and great electrical conductivity allows the host to confine LiPSs chemically and physically, which is beneficial for lowering the shuttle effect and lengthening the lifespan of LSBs. Additionally, by using the lithiated form of sulfur (Li2S) rather than sulfur as the cathode material, the lithium source was moved from the anode to the cathode, reducing the safety concerns related to Li metal anodes and enabling the use of non-metallic anode materials like silicon and tin in LSBs. Li2S-Co@KB cathode has an initial discharge capacity of 850.3 mAh gLi2S-1. The cell has shown strong cycling stability at a 0.5 C current rate for over 300 cycles, with low capacity fading of 0.19% per cycle, as well as exceptional C-rate performances up to 5 C.

Dual nanocomposites based on metal sulfide nanomaterials with a narrow band gap are favorable candidates for future optoelectronic applications and ionizing ray sensors. In this study, novel silver-doped zinc sulfide/ cadmium sulfide (ZnS/CdS: Ag) nanocomposites were synthesized using the cost-effective solvothermal approach. For the first time, the radiation sensitivity of the newly developed nanocomposite was assessed using a 241Am alpha source and ion beam-induced luminescence (IBIL) measurements. The ZnS/CdS: Ag nanocomposite demonstrated significant light emission in the blue-green spectrum when measured at room temperature. When exposed to alpha irradiation, the ZnS/CdS: Ag nanocomposite film displayed exceptional sensitivity compared to pure ZnS or CdS films. The FESEM images revealed a uniform distribution of semi-spherical and rod-shaped nanoparticles, with an average particle size measuring 180 nm. The results from XRD and EDX demonstrated distinct peaks corresponding to ZnS, CdS, and associated elements within the nanocomposite. The existence of several groups within the nanocomposite was confirmed through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Evaluations revealed that the optical quality of the ZnS/CdS: Ag nanocomposite showed enhancement in comparison to pure ZnS and CdS. The results suggest that the ZnS/CdS: Ag nanocomposite film holds great promise for applications in optoelectronic devices and detection technologies.

In this research, new lithium ion conductor glass-ceramics with NASICON-type structure (Li1+x+yAlxCryGe2-x-y (PO4)3, x+y=0.5) were synthesized using melt-quenching method and converted to glass-ceramics through heat treatment. Influence of addition of different concentrations of aluminum and chromium in LiGe2(PO4)3 glass-ceramic was investigated for ionic conduction improvement. Substitution of Ge4+ions in NASICON structure by Al3+ and Cr3+ions induced more Li+ions in A2 vacant sites to obtain charge balance and also changed the unit cell parameters. These two factors led to ionic conductivity improvement of synthesized glass-ceramics. The glass-ceramics were characterized and the amorth structures were investigated by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Complex Impedance Spectroscopy (CIS). The highest lithium ion conductivity of 8.82´10-3 S/cm was obtained for x=0.4 and y=0.1 (Li1.5Al0.4Cr0.1Ge1.5 (PO4)3) crystallized at 850oC for 8 h with minimum activation energy of 0.267 eV.

The use of lithium-ion batteries in electronic devices is growing rapidly. As a result, the demand for the consumption of lithium metal has increased. Although spent lithium-ion batteries contain sources of precious metals, they seriously threaten human health and the environment. Therefore, the recovery of lithium-ion batteries may prevent environmental pollution. The hydrometallurgy method was applied as the recovery process due to its high recovery efficiency, low energy consumption, and high reaction rate. It is widely used in the recycling process of spent lithium-ion batteries. In this research, instead of all reports concerning synthetic wastewater, industrial wastewater containing lithium was used as feed. Effective parameters on lithium recovery in the form of lithium carbonate and its purity were the initial mass of solution to final mass of solution or concentration ratio, the mole ratio of sodium carbonate to lithium sulfate, raffinate usage, and the cooling effects. Results showed that the optimum condition to achieve maximum purity and recovery of lithium carbonate was obtained at a concentration ratio of 15-20. At different tests with the mole ratio of sodium carbonate to lithium sulfate as 1, 1.5, and 2, the highest recovery efficiency was obtained at the ratio of 1.5. The use of sediment-free raffinate in the last stage also played a big role in lithium recovery. To use the raffinate solution, the raffinate must first be removed from the saturated state of sodium sulfate. Then sodium carbonate becomes saturated in raffinate and is added to the original solution. Under the above conditions, lithium carbonate was obtained with a purity of approximately 99% and a recovery of 65%. The combined process of evaporation with cooling was also a proper process for producing lithium carbonate. In this state, the purity and recovery of the final product were approximately 97% and 75%, respectively.

The use of lithium-ion batteries in electronic devices is growing rapidly. As a result, the demand for the consumption of lithium metal has increased. Although spent lithium-ion batteries contain sources of precious metals, they seriously threaten human health and the environment. Therefore, the recovery of lithium-ion batteries may prevent environmental pollution. The hydrometallurgy method was applied as the recovery process due to its high recovery efficiency, low energy consumption, and high reaction rate. It is widely used in the recycling process of spent lithium-ion batteries. In this research, instead of all reports concerning synthetic wastewater, industrial wastewater containing lithium was used as feed. Effective parameters on lithium recovery in the form of lithium carbonate and its purity were the initial mass of solution to final mass of solution or concentration ratio, the mole ratio of sodium carbonate to lithium sulfate, raffinate usage, and the cooling effects. Results showed that the optimum condition to achieve maximum purity and recovery of lithium carbonate was obtained at a concentration ratio of 15-20. At different tests with the mole ratio of sodium carbonate to lithium sulfate as 1, 1.5, and 2, the highest recovery efficiency was obtained at the ratio of 1.5. The use of sediment-free raffinate in the last stage also played a big role in lithium recovery. To use the raffinate solution, the raffinate must first be removed from the saturated state of sodium sulfate. Then sodium carbonate becomes saturated in raffinate and is added to the original solution. Under the above conditions, lithium carbonate was obtained with a purity of approximately 99% and a recovery of 65%. The combined process of evaporation with cooling was also a proper process for producing lithium carbonate. In this state, the purity and recovery of the final product were approximately 97% and 75%, respectively.

UV–vis and photoluminescence spectra of the hydrothermally synthesized crystalline lithium metasilicate (Li2SiO3) and lithium disilicate (Li2Si2O5) nanomaterial’s are studied. The intensity of the bands in the emission spectra increases with increasing reaction time in both compounds. The electronic band structure along with density of states calculated by the density functional theory (DFT) method indicates that Li2SiO3 and Li2Si2O5 have an indirect energy band gap of 4.575 and 4.776 eV respectively. The optical properties, including the dielectric, absorption, reflectivity, and energy loss spectra of the compounds, are calculated by DFT method and analyzed based on the electronic structures.