New paper published in Desalination on position-resolved ion concentration from operando X-ray transmission. This collaborative work introduces position-resolved operando synchrotron X-ray transmission to directly map local ion concentration changes inside a working capacitive deionization (CDI) cell – separating contributions from the flow channel electrolyte and the two nanoporous electrodes. Using a CsCl model electrolyte, we show how flow rate creates strong spatial gradients along the channel and how ionophobic ultramicropores (< ~0.7 nm) can dominate performance by promoting counter-ion adsorption and higher charge efficiency. Authors: Max V. Rauscher, Richard Kohns, Malina Seyffertitz, Sebastian Stock, Sylvio Haas, Christian Prehal, Nicola Hüsing, Oskar Paris.

New paper published in ACS Energy Letters on interlayer-tailored Alkyl-MXenes for selective electrochemical lithium-ion extraction. The paper reports a two-step electrochemical lithium-ion extraction strategy using interlayer-tailored Ti₃C₂T_x MXene electrodes. By pre-intercalating long-chain organic molecules (hexadecylamine, HDA, and decyltrimethylammonium, C10), the MXene interlayer environment is tuned to favor Li⁺ over competing Na⁺, improving both selectivity and extraction rates. In the demonstrated conditions, the HDA-intercalated MXene shows 2.2 mmol/L Li uptake with suppressed Na uptake (<0.2 mmol/L), and both HDA-Ti₃C₂T_x and C10-Ti₃C₂T_x maintain nearly 100% lithium purity over 50 cycles. Co-authors: Cansu Kök, Karamullah Eisawi, Jean G. A. Ruthes, Burcu Tan, Antje Quade, Michael Naguib. We are grateful to be featured on the Supporting Cover.

New paper published in ACS Applied Energy Materials. This collaborative work explores the electrochemical pathway behind cathode-electrolyte interphase (CEI) formation in Li-S batteries operated with carbonate-based electrolytes. By using microporous carbon-sulfur cathodes and tracking the first discharge, we propose an electrochemical nucleophilic mechanism in which polysulfides and solvent molecules react inside confined pores, forming a CEI that is largely LiF-rich. This interphase effectively seals carbon pores, limits further solvent intrusion, and can improve cycling stability – offering new design principles for more practical carbonate-based Li-S systems. Authors: Francisco J. García-Soriano, Jan Jerovsek, Santiago A. Maldonado-Ochoa, Fabian Vaca Chávez, Delvina Japhet Tarimo, Bostjan Genorio, Marc Florent, Teresa J. Bandosz, Robert Dominko, Christian Prehal, Alen Vizintin.

New paper published in Rare Metals on oxygen vacancy–engineered Bi–Mn–Al oxide / reduced
graphene oxide for high–performance supercapacitors. This work introduces oxygen-vacancy-rich Bi₂O₃/Mn₃O₄/Mn₂AlO₄(OV)/rGO multiphase heterostructures that accelerate ion transport and boost conductivity, enabling higher operating voltage and markedly improved supercapacitor energy and power performance (supported by DFT).

Our recent work on “Competing ion effects and electrolyte optimization for electrochemical lithium extraction from spent lithium iron phosphate battery cathodes” has been featured on the front cover of RSC Energy Advances.

New paper published on electrochemical lithium-ion battery recycling in Energy Advances. We demonstrate a sustainable, energy-efficient electrochemical route to recover Li⁺ from spent LFP using carbon-coated LFP electrodes, with NaOH-adjusted electrolytes giving the highest efficiency and an average removal capacity of 18 mg Li per 1 g of LFP over 50 cycles. Capacity fades with prolonged cycling (especially with competing Na⁺ and K⁺) highlighting the need to optimize electrolyte conditions and electrode stability while exploring alternative pH control and scalable designs for circular, low-impact battery recycling.

New paper published in Desalination, led by the Gallei Group, on the capture and release of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances by use of polyelectrolyte metallopolymers.

New paper published in Separation and Purification Technology on “Optimized electrochemical recovery of lithium-ions from spent battery cells using carbon-coated lithium iron phosphate”. We optimized a system based on carbon-coated lithium iron phosphate electrodes. The electrodes selectively extract lithium ions from complex leaching solutions derived from real LCO (LiCoO₂) cathode materials. Over the course of 300 cycles, we observed an average lithium uptake capacity of about 11 mg of Li-ions per 1 gram of active material per cycle. We also demonstrated excellent selectivity toward lithium over competing ions like calcium and cobalt, which is critical in real-world leachates. Our optimized electrode materials and cycling strategies improve both the performance and lifetime of the electrochemical recovery system.

We acknowlege the contributions of all co-authors (Stefanie Arnold, Lei Wang, Dr Rudi Mertens, and Sascha Wieczorek).

Thrilled to see our 2023 paper “The many deaths of supercapacitors: Degradation, aging, and performance fading” is among the 10 most cited articles of 2023 of the high-impact factor journal Advanced Energy Materials.

New paper published on synthesis and self-assembly of pore-forming three-arm amphiphilic block copolymers in Macromolecular Rapid Communications from the collaboration with Markus Gallei.