Chemically regenerative redox cathode (CRRC) polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) are attracting more interest as a platinum-free PEFC technology. These fuel cells utilise a liquid catalyst or catholyte, to perform the indirect reduction of oxygen, eliminating the major degradation mechanisms that plague PEFC durability. A key component of a CRRC PEFC system is the catholyte. This article reports a thorough study of the effect of catholyte concentration and temperature on CRRC PEFC system performance for H₇PV₄Mo₈O₄₀ and Na₄H₃PV₄Mo₈O₄₀, two promising polyoxometalate (POM)-based catholytes. The results suggest 80°C and a catholyte concentration of 0.3 M provide the optimum performance for both H₇PV₄Mo₈O₄₀ and Na₄H₃PV₄Mo₈O₄₀ (for ambient pressure operation).

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Introduction The Eighth International Flow Battery Forum, organised by Swanbarton Ltd, UK, focused on industrial applications of redox flow batteries (RFB). The conference was held from 27th to 29th June 2017 at the Mercure Piccadilly Hotel, Manchester, UK. It was attended by 212 delegates from all over the world, including flow battery developers, material and…

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Water is our life force… and it is under threat. Today, World Water Day reminds of us the importance of the world’s most precious resource. 

Introduction “Electrochemistry: Volume 14” is a collated book of five papers edited by Craig Banks (Manchester Metropolitan University, UK) and Steven McIntosh (Lehigh University, Bethlehem PA, USA), both of whom are well established in the field with research interests covering the topics in the book. The book is one of a series which aims to…

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The demand for lithium is expected to increase drastically in the near future due to the increased usage of rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIB) in electric vehicles, smartphones and other portable electronics. To alleviate the potential risk of undersupply, lithium can be extracted from raw sources consisting of minerals and brines or from recycled batteries and glasses. Aqueous lithium mining from naturally occurring brines and salt deposits is advantageous compared to extraction from minerals, since it may be more environmentally friendly and cost-effective. In this article, we briefly discuss the adsorptive behaviour, synthetic methodology and prospects or challenges of major sorbents including spinel lithium manganese oxide (Li-Mn-O or LMO), spinel lithium titanium oxide (Li-Ti-O or LTO) and lithium aluminium layered double hydroxide chloride (LiCl·2Al(OH)₃). Membrane approaches and lithium recovery from end-of-life LIB will also be briefly discussed.

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All-solid-state batteries, which utilise a solid electrolyte in place of liquid electrolytes, have the potential for higher energy densities and greater safety than current lithium-ion batteries. However they still face many challenges before the technology is ready to be commercialised. This short report summarises the current state of knowledge in all-solid-state batteries including the electrical, electrochemical and mechanical properties of the electrolytes, and the challenges that remain to be overcome in their development and processing.

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The world’s much anticipated International Standard for occupational health and safety (OH&S) has just been published, and is set to transform workplace practices globally.

Migrating from OHSAS 18001 to the new International Standard ISO 45001 may have its challenges, but with careful planning, checking and commitment, organizations, their employees and all stakeholders will…

A prevalence of high-risk industries such as mining, exposure to powerful pesticides in agriculture and the exacerbation of risks due to climate change, these are just some of the factors that contribute…

Workplace health and safety hazards can be costly (to lives and the bottom line), but the good news is that they are largely preventable if the right precautions are taken. Here, EEF representative Mike…