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Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (AZIBs) represent a promising next‐generation energy storage solution. However, AZIBs suffer from severe dendrite growth caused by rampant Zn2⁺ 2D diffusion and sluggish desolvation kinetics, thus exhibiting extremely short cycle life under high‐rate conditions. Here in, a novel additive DL‐O‐Methylserine (MeSer) is reported, which effectively optimizes Zn2⁺ diffusion behavior and facilitates the desolvation process. Experimental and computational results reveal that MeSer− adsorption on the electrode surface compresses the electric double layer (EDL), thereby reducing repulsive forces within it. The decrease in repulsion further enhances Zn2⁺ 3D diffusion leading to uniform deposition. Furthermore, MeSer− interacts with Zn2⁺ located in solvation sheath, reducing desolvation energy barriers and improving rate capability. Consequently, Zn||Zn symmetric cells with MeSer exhibits superior cycling stability of 2320 h under 5 mA cm−2 and 5 mA h cm−2 and can endure extreme high‐current conditions (20 mA cm−2, 20 mA h cm−2) for up to 600 h, such performance exceeds most of the previously documented results. The Zn||V2O5 full cells maintained 86% capacity retention after 3500 cycles at 5 A g−1. This work demonstrates the remarkable effectiveness of a simple EDL regulation strategy in enhancing AZIB performance. Here, the ionic additive MeSer compresses the EDL, reducing its thickness and internal repulsion, thereby enhancing 3D diffusion to achieve smooth Zn deposition. Meanwhile, MeSer− promote Zn2⁺ desolvation within the EDL, improving rate performance. Consequently, the symmetric cell operates for 600 h at 20 mA cm−2 and 20 mA h cm−2, and the full cell stably cycles over 3500 cycles at 5 A g−1.

This study addresses the issues of the reduced strength and increased brittleness of non-autoclaved aerated concrete by introducing an ionic modifying additive (MIA) derived from lignin-rich softwood sawdust. The additive is intended to reduce internal stresses during hydration and enhance the stability of the pore structure. Concrete samples containing 10%, 20%, and 30% additive are tested for compressive strength, wear resistance, water absorption, frost resistance, thermal conductivity, and mineral composition. Optimising the MIA content to 20% increases compressive strength by 19%, improves wear resistance by 15%, reduces water absorption by 22%, and achieves a frost resistance class of F50 versus F30 for the control sample. An X-ray diffraction analysis shows a reduction in the portlandite content from 52% to 31%, as well as increased calcite and hatrurite formation. These results confirm that the MIA optimises hydration, enhances microstructural homogeneity, and significantly extends the service life of non-autoclaved aerated concrete under cyclic freeze–thaw conditions.

Ionic additives affect the structure, activity and stability of lipases, which allow for solving common application challenges, such as preventing the formation of protein aggregates or strengthening enzyme–support binding, preventing their desorption in organic media. This work aimed to design a biocatalyst, based on lipase improved by the addition of ionic additives, applicable in the production of ethyl esters of fatty acids (EE). Industrial enzymes from Thermomyces lanuginosus (TLL), Rhizomucor miehei (RML), Candida antárctica B (CALB) and Lecitase®, immobilized in commercial supports like Lewatit®, Purolite® and Q-Sepharose®, were tested. The best combination was achieved by immobilizing lipase TLL onto Q-Sepharose® as it surpassed, in terms of %EE (70.1%), the commercial biocatalyst Novozyme® 435 (52.7%) and was similar to that of Lipozyme TL IM (71.3%). Hence, the impact of ionic additives like polymers and surfactants on both free and immobilized TLL on Q-Sepharose® was assessed. It was observed that, when immobilized, in the presence of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), the TLL derivative exhibited a significantly higher activity, with a 93-fold increase (1.02 IU), compared to the free enzyme under identical conditions (0.011 IU). In fatty acids ethyl esters synthesis, Q-SDS-TLL novel derivatives achieved results similar to commercial biocatalysts using up to ~82 times less enzyme (1 mg/g). This creates an opportunity to develop biocatalysts with reduced enzyme consumption, a factor often associated with higher production costs. Such advancements would ease their integration into the biodiesel industry, fostering a greener production approach compared to conventional methods.

ABSTRACT Bacillus halodurans (NR025446.1) amylase producing bacterium has been isolated from a restaurant washing influenced soil. The alkaline amylase produced by the Bacillus halodurans (NR025446.1) has been characterized for its compatibility as detergent additive. The yield of alkaline amylase was found optimum after 48 h of incubation (10.97 U/ml) showing pH optima at 10 and temperature optima at 37°C. The amylolytic activity was enhanced by non ionic detergent components; Triton X-100, Tween-80 and moderately decreased in presence of SDS and oxidizing agents such as H2O2 and NaClO. The enzyme showed outstanding stability and compatibility with some commercially available laundry detergents. The enzyme maintained more than 85% of its initial activity after being incubated with 7 mg/ml of Sufi, Express and Surf excel locally available commercial detergents at 30C for the incubation time of 60 min. The addition of the alkaline amylase to the Sufi brand detergent amended its starch-based stain removal. The detergent compatible bacterium and its amylase appear promising for bio-detergent applications.

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to solve the abrupt deterioration of lubricant performance in high-temperature conditions. Design/methodology/approach Three silver pyrazolyl methyl pyridine complexes with different morphologies were synthesized. A four-ball tribometer was used to assess the tribological characteristics as an additive for pentaerythritol oleate both independently and compound with 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide. Findings The results showed that when silver complexes and ionic liquids (IL) act independently, sheet silver complex 1 and rod silver complex 2 exhibit good lubricating performance; the optimal antifriction concentration of the ILs is 0.25 Wt.%. The tribological results of the compounds additive of ILs and silver complexes indicate that the wear scar diameter of compound 1 decreased by 16.914%, the wear volume reduced by 7.44% and the lubrication effect surpassed that of the two substances individually; rod compound 2 exhibited an antagonistic effect, intensifying wear; compound 3’s lubrication effect fell between that of the two individual components. Originality/value The compound of sheet silver complexes and ILs effectively solves the agglomeration problem of micro/nano lubricant additives. When the interface fails, self-repair is completed, improving the stability and antiwear performance of the lubricating oil. Peer review The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-04-2024-0128

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate the tribological properties, antiwear mechanism and anticorrosion properties of two novel halogen-free borate ionic liquids (ILs) in 500 N base oil. Design/methodology/approach Different qualities of borate ILs were added to 500 N, and their tribological properties were tested on a four-ball machine. The tribological properties of the additives were evaluated by measuring the wear scar diameter (WSD) and average coefficient of friction. The antiwear and antifriction mechanism of ILs was analyzed by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Findings The corrosion degrees of the two borate ILs 1-butyl-3-octyl-imidazole bis(mandelato)-borate ([OBIM][BMB]) and 1-butyl-3-(3-methoxypropyl)-imidazole bis(mandelato)-borate ([MPBIM][BMB]) are 1b and 1a, respectively, suggesting that they both possess significant corrosion resistance and can effectively protect the steel surface. When the concentration of [OBIM][BMB] and [MPBIM][BMB] is 2.5 Wt.%, the friction coefficient of 500 N is reduced by 37.3% and 26.2%, respectively. According to the analysis of the thermo gravimetric analyzer curves, [OBIM][BMB] and [MPBIM][BMB] decomposed at 369.7°C and 374.3°C, respectively, indicate that two additives both can be applied in higher temperature condition. The results of XPS and scanning electron microscope (SEM) reveal that [OBIM][BMB] and [MPBIM][BMB] both can react with the steel surface, thereby forming chemical films composed of iron oxide, B2O3 and organic N-containing compounds. Originality/value Two new environmentally friendly borate ILs were synthesized and their tribological properties in 500 N base oil were investigated for the first time.

The article describes the results of experimental studies of electrorheological (ER) properties of lubricating oils containing an admixture of an ionic liquid as the electrically active ingredient. The novelty of these studies consists of the use of selected ionic liquids as additives to hydrocarbon oils in order to obtain quasi-homogenous mixtures with electrorheological properties. So far, such studies have not been carried out. Basic research, which consisted in determining the rheological characteristics in the presence of an external direct electric field, was carried out on a specially designed and built stand, which used a modified Brookfield DV-III Ultra viscometer. The conducted research showed that the produced mixtures generated the ER effect in the presence of a direct electric field with an intensity of up to 0.2 kV·mm−1. The tested mixtures showed different electrorheological characteristics. The research was also carried out in the so-called dielectric spectroscopy using the Hewlett Packard HP4192A impedance analyzer. The mechanism of generating and decaying the ER effect was diagnosed by in situ microscopy using the Nikon Eclipse LV100D optical microscope. It was found that the course of the τ = f(γ˙) characteristic of a mixture of hydrocarbon oil with a small admixture of an ionic liquid is mainly influenced by the so-called dielectric properties of the electrically active component, or rather their change as a function of the applied BIAS (DC) voltage. At the same time, the obtained results of the research gave grounds to state that the electrorheological characteristics also depend on many physicochemical properties of the mixture components and on the differentiation of their values e.g., from the difference in viscosity of the insulating base oil and the added ionic liquid, and also from the difference in the value of the surface tension of the base oil and the added ionic liquid. In these studies, it was found that the surface tension of the CJ001 ionic liquid at 25 °C was 26.032 mN·m−1. The surface tension of CJ008 was 28.099 mN·m−1 and that of PAO-6 oil was almost the same, i.e., 27.523 mN·m−1. The first mixture (GP1 + CJ001) showed Bigham characteristics and the second (PAO6 + CJ008) Newtonian, in the second mixture, the viscosity difference of the components was two times lower than in the first one (GP1—12.61 mPa·s, CJ001—552.42 mPa·s and PAO6—47.35 mPa·s, CJ008—327.24 mPa·s).

The nonmonotonic variation of the critical percolation temperature (T^sub c^) of ternary nonionic (C^sub 14^E^sub 5^) water-in-oil microemulsions was studied as a function of the alkyl chain length of an ionic additive (n-alkyl sulfonate sodium salt). A thermodynamic approach shows the relationship between T^sub c^ and additive chain length, which is supplemented by a consideration of a possible molecular mechanism of the observed phenomenon.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

Lubricants have played important roles in friction and wear reduction and increasing efficiency of mechanical systems. To optimize tribological performance, chemical reactions between a lubricant and a substrate must be designed strategically. Tribochemical reactions are chemical reactions enabled or accelerated by mechanical stimuli. Tribochemically activated lubricant additives play important roles in these reactions. In this review, current understanding in mechanisms of chemical reactions under shear has been discussed. Additives such as oil-soluble organics, ionic liquids (ILs), and nanoparticles (NPs) were analyzed in relation to the tribochemical reaction routes with elements in metallic substrates. The results indicated that phosphorus, sulfur, fluorine, and nitrogen are key elements for tribochemical reactions. The resulting tribofilms from zinc dithiophosphates (ZDDP) and molybdenum dithiocarbamate (MoDTC) have been widely reported, yet that from ILs and NPs need to investigate further. This review serves as a reference for researchers to design and optimize new lubricants.

Approximately half of the lubricants sold globally find their way into the environment. The need for Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs) is gaining increased recognition. A lubricant is composed of a base oil and multiple functional additives. The literature has been focused on EAL base oils, with much less attention given to eco-friendly additives. This study presents the tribological performance and aquatic toxicity of four short-chain phosphonium-phosphate and ammonium-phosphate ionic liquids (ILs) as candidate anti-wear and friction-reducing additives for EALs. The results are benchmarked against those of four commercial bio-derived additives. The four ILs, at a mere 0.5 wt% concentration in a synthetic ester, demonstrated a 30–40% friction reduction and >99% wear reduction, superior to the commercial baselines. More impressively, all four ILs showed significantly lower toxicity than the bio-derived products. In an EPA-standard chronic aquatic toxicity test, the sensitive model organism, Ceriodaphnia dubia, had 90–100% survival when exposed to the ILs but 0% survival in exposure to the bio-derived products at the same concentration. This study offers scientific insights for the future development of eco-friendly ILs as lubricant additives.