Chromium exists mainly in two forms in environmental matrices, namely, the hexavalent (Cr(VI)) and trivalent (Cr(III)) chromium. While Cr(III) is a micronutrient, Cr(VI) is a known carcinogen, and that warrants removal from environmental samples. Amongst the removal techniques reported in the literature, adsorption methods are viewed as superior to other methods because they use less chemicals; consequently, they are less toxic and easy to handle. Mitigation of chromium using adsorption methods has been achieved by exploiting the physical, chemical, and biological properties of Cr(VI) due to its dissolution tendencies in aqueous solutions. Many adsorbents, including synthetic polymers, activated carbons, biomass, graphene oxide, and nanoparticles as well as bioremediation, have been successfully applied in Cr(VI) remediation. Initially, adsorbents were used singly in their natural form, but recent literature shows that more composite materials are generated and applied. This review focused on the recent advances, insights, and project future directions for these adsorbents as well as compare and contrast the performances achieved by the mentioned adsorbents and their variants.

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Recent advances in hexavalent chromium removal from aqueous solutions by adsorptive methods

We developed a three-dimensional hybrid fiber host consisting of interconnected N-doped hollow carbon spheres embedded with Sn nanoparticles (denoted as Sn@NHCF) for Zn metal anodes in high-performance Zn metal batteries. Experimental observations and density functional theory calculation reveal that the zincophilic Sn nanoparticles and N-doped carbons enable the homogeneous Zn deposition on the interior and exterior surfaces of the hollow fibers. Moreover, the hierarchical hollow fiber network effectively reduces the structural stress during the plating/stripping process. As a result, the developed Sn@NHCF host exhibits remarkable electrochemical properties in terms of high Coulombic efficiency, low voltage hysteresis, and prolonged cycling stability without dendrite formation. Moreover, a full cell based on the designed Sn@NHCF-Zn composite anode and a V2O5 cathode demonstrates superior rate capability and stable cycle life. This work provides a new strategy for the design of dendrite-free Zn anodes for practical applications.

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Confining Sn nanoparticles in interconnected N-doped hollow carbon spheres as hierarchical zincophilic fibers for dendrite-free Zn metal anodes

Theoretical and experimental research of novel fluorine doped hierarchical Sn3O4 microspheres with excellent photocatalytic performance for removal of Cr(VI) and organic pollutants

Biomass derived Janus solar evaporator for synergic water evaporation and purification

Won the Third Prize (Category: Innovation ) in the "Challenge Cup" National Competition – Hong Kong Regional Final, Hong Kong University Student Innovation and Entrepreneurship Competition 2017 organized by the Hong Kong New Generation Cultural Association.

An extremely safe and wearable solid state zinc ion battery

Roadmap on the protective strategies of zinc anodes in aqueous electrolyte

Nanocomposites based on 3D macroporous biomass carbon with SnS2 nanosheets hierarchical structure for efficient removal of hexavalent chromium

Stratified Zinc-Binding Strategy toward Prolonged Cycling and Flexibility of Aqueous Fibrous Zinc Metal Batteries

Rechargeable aqueous Zn‐ion batteries (ZIBs) are always regarded as a promising energy storage device owing to their higher safety and durability. However, two problems have become the main trouble for the practical application of ZIBs such as the dendrite growth of Zn metal anode in electrolyte and the freezing of water solvent at low temperature. Herein, to overcome these challenges, a new strategy, multi‐component crosslinked hydrogel electrolyte, is proposed to inhibit Zn dendrites and realize low temperature environmental adaptability for ZIBs. Benefitting from the superior inhibition effect of the polyacrylamide and dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) on Zn dendrites, the coulombic efficiency of the symmetric cell of ≈99.5% is achieved during the Zn plating/stripping over 1 300 h, and the assembled full‐cell demonstrates the large specific capacity of 265.2 mAh g‐1 and high cyclic stability with the capacity retention of 95.27% after 3 000 cycles. In addition, the full‐cell delivers stable operation at a wide temperature range, from 60 to −40 °C, due to the introduction of additive DMSO. This work provides an inspired strategy and novel opportunities to realize a dendrite‐free and wide‐temperature rechargeable aqueous Zn‐ion energy storage system.

Multi‐Component Crosslinked Hydrogel Electrolyte toward Dendrite‐Free Aqueous Zn Ion Batteries with High Temperature Adaptability

Potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) are recognized as promising alternatives for lithium-ion batteries as the next-generation energy storage systems. However, the larger radius of K+ hinders the K+ insertion into the conventional carbon electrode and results in sluggish potassiation kinetics and poor cycling stability. Here, nitrogen and fluorine dual doping of soft carbon nanotubes (NFSC) anode are synthesized in one pot, achieving extraordinary electrochemical performance for PIBs. It is demonstrated that NFSC with a doping dose of 5.6 at% nitrogen and 1.3 at% fluorine together exhibits the highest reversible capacity of 238 mAh g-1 at 0.2 A g-1 and cycling stability of 186 mAh g-1 after 1000 cycles at 1 A g-1 . The extraordinary electrochemical performance can be attributed to the hollow structure, expanded interlayer distance, nitrogen and fluorine dual doping, and the binding ability of abundant defect sites. Moreover, density functional theory shows that the extra fluorine modification can dramatically enhance the conventional nitrogen doping effect and reduces the formation energy which makes a great contribution to the improvement of electrical conduction and K-ions insert. This work may promote the development of low-cost and sustainable carbon-based materials for PIBs and other advanced energy storage devices.

Litong Wang

Papers

Roadmap on the protective strategies of zinc anodes in aqueous electrolyte

Nanocomposites based on 3D macroporous biomass carbon with SnS2 nanosheets hierarchical structure for efficient removal of hexavalent chromium

Stratified Zinc-Binding Strategy toward Prolonged Cycling and Flexibility of Aqueous Fibrous Zinc Metal Batteries

Multi‐Component Crosslinked Hydrogel Electrolyte toward Dendrite‐Free Aqueous Zn Ion Batteries with High Temperature Adaptability

Nitrogen and Fluorine Dual Doping of Soft Carbon Nanofibers as Advanced Anode for Potassium Ion Batteries.