Potentiometric Multisensory Systems with Novel Ion-Exchange Polymer-Based Sensors for Analysis of Drugs

This paper examines potentiometric multisensory systems that consist of novel cross-sensitive PD-sensors (Potential Donnansensors). The analytical signal of PD-sensors is the Donnan potential at the ion-exchange polymer/electrolyte test solution interface. The use of novel sensors for the quantitative analysis of multicomponent aqueous solutions of amino acids, vitamins and medical substances is based on protolytic and ion-exchange reactions at the interfaces of ion-exchangers and test solutions. The potentiometric sensor arrays consist of PD-sensors and ion-selective electrodes. Such systems were developed for the multicomponent quantitative analysis of lysine monohydrochloride, thiamine chloride and novocaine hydrochloride solutions that contained salts of alkaline and alkaline-earth metals, as well as for mixed solutions of nicotinic acid and pyridoxine hydrochloride. Multivariate methods of analysis were used for sensor calibration and the analysis of the total response of sensor arrays. The errors of measurement of the electrolytes in aqueous solutions did not exceed 10%. The developed multisensory systems were used to determine the composition of a therapeutic "Mineral salt with low content of sodium chloride" and to determine concentrations of novocaine in sewage samples from a dental clinic

Perspectives for Deep Eutectic Solvents and Ionic Liquid Analogues in Metal Electroplating

Here we will specifically describe the opportunities and perspectives offered by non-aqueous so-called deep eutectic solvents (DES) and ionic liquid analogues (ILA) in the materials finishing and metal electroplating industries. We will describe a range of plating and dissolution processes from anti-corrosion coatings to new battery technologies. Details will be presented of the plating and characterisation techniques using some novel in-situ methods. These include electrochemical processing and characterisation as well as a number of cutting-edge surface methodologies including acoustic resonance methods, ESR, EXAFS, atomic force microscopy, neutron scattering techniques and magnetic resonance imaging. We will describe a number of case-studies including electrolytic deposition of nickel, alloys such as Ni/Zn, and galvanic methods associated with Au and Ag coatings for the electronics industry. 1, 2, 3 In all these studies we have focused on a combination of fundamental chemical, electrochemical, structural and spectroscopic studies, maintaining close links with industrial partners through collaboration and scale-up trials. We will include very recent updates and future prospects on the use of ILA's in energy storage vectors such as Al secondary batteries. We will describe the advantages and drawbacks of DES and ILA systems in terms of functionality, sustainability and economic cost.</p

Improving the Conductivity of Graphite-Based Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes Using Polyaniline–Alginate Blends

This investigation shows the effect of blending sodium alginate (NaAlg) and a conducting polymer, polyaniline (PANI), in lithium-ion battery (LIB) anodes. We demonstrate here that inclusion of the PANI into the binder improves the connectivity of the composite, resulting in better performance. Additionally, the blends are easily formulated without sophisticated methods or additional equipment. When these binders were combined into electrodes, the conductivity rose by between 3- and 5-fold compared with the unmodified NaAlg, depending on the PANI loading. The conducting polymer did not significantly change the thermal stability or cycling of the cells, but it did improve the Coulombic efficiency. During electrochemical testing, it was found that cells containing PANI within the binders exhibited evidence of essential processes, such as SEI formation and lithium intercalation. Evidence of side reactions was observed, predicted to be the lithiation of PANI to create lithium emeraldinate within the polymeric regions, which could increase the Coulombic efficiency of the cells and allow for the decrease in impedance contributions after extensive cycling. Capacities and rate capabilities comparable to anodes prepared using graphite and commercial binders PVDF and CMC/SBR were also observed. Crucially, after cycling, the NaAlg/PANI binder could be fully removed from the active material with mild ultrasonic agitation in water.</p

Improving the Conductivity of Graphite-Based Lithium-Ion Battery Anodes Using Polyaniline–Alginate Blends

This investigation shows the effect of blending sodium alginate (NaAlg) and a conducting polymer, polyaniline (PANI), in lithium-ion battery (LIB) anodes. We demonstrate here that inclusion of the PANI into the binder improves the connectivity of the composite, resulting in better performance. Additionally, the blends are easily formulated without sophisticated methods or additional equipment. When these binders were combined into electrodes, the conductivity rose by between 3- and 5-fold compared with the unmodified NaAlg, depending on the PANI loading. The conducting polymer did not significantly change the thermal stability or cycling of the cells, but it did improve the Coulombic efficiency. During electrochemical testing, it was found that cells containing PANI within the binders exhibited evidence of essential processes, such as SEI formation and lithium intercalation. Evidence of side reactions was observed, predicted to be the lithiation of PANI to create lithium emeraldinate within the polymeric regions, which could increase the Coulombic efficiency of the cells and allow for the decrease in impedance contributions after extensive cycling. Capacities and rate capabilities comparable to anodes prepared using graphite and commercial binders PVDF and CMC/SBR were also observed. Crucially, after cycling, the NaAlg/PANI binder could be fully removed from the active material with mild ultrasonic agitation in water

Gelatin and Alginate Binders for Simplified Battery Recycling

The water-soluble biopolymers, gelatin and sodium alginate, were investigated as potential alternative binders for use in lithium-ion battery anodes. The polymers were modified using a deep eutectic solvent (DES) made from choline chloride and glycerol. It was found that the addition of the DES resulted in greater plasticity and adhesion with respect to the unmodified binders and also to the current commonly used PVDF or CMC/SBR binders. Both the modified gelatin and sodium alginate binders are dispersible in water and can be rapidly delaminated by using mild ultrasound. These latter points are key steps in the function of the anode material and the subsequent recycling at the end of life. Imaging of the coatings formed using scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy showed that the two types of binders dispersed themselves differently around the graphite particles, with the gelatin binder being distributed across the entire electrode surface, whereas the sodium alginate binder remained located at the hydrophilic edge planes of the graphite.</p