Siwen Liu^1,2,3, Ke Mei^2,3, Shiyao Zhu^2,3, Ruiquan Liao^1,2,3,*, Xuyu Liu⁴

Structural Durability & Health Monitoring, Vol.20, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/sdhm.2026.079206 - 30 June 2026

Abstract Acidic red soil is widely distributed in southern Jiangxi and exhibits strong corrosivity, posing a significant threat to buried pipeline steels. In this work, six acidic red soil samples collected from this region were analyzed in terms of their physicochemical characteristics using pH testing and ion chromatography, and corresponding simulated soil solutions were prepared. The corrosion behavior of L415 pipeline steel in these solutions was systematically evaluated through immersion weight-loss experiments, potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). All six soil solutions were found to be acidic. Variations More >

Zhiying Lin¹, Boju Deng¹, Qianqian Zhang¹, Jingming Chen², Xinqiang Ye³, Yuling Lan¹, Jiuping Rao^1,*, Mizi Fan⁴, Weigang Zhao^1,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.14, No.5, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2025.02025-0096 - 28 May 2026

Abstract Bio-derived carbon cryogels have garnered significant interest as promising electrode materials for supercapacitors due to their high specific surface area (SSA), hierarchical porosity, and eco-friendly synthesis methods. In this study, a tannin-modified phenolic hydrogel was synthesized using a sustainable tannin–phenol precursor system and subsequently subjected to three distinct drying methods-freeze-drying (FD), supercritical drying (SCD), and ambient pressure drying (APD)-to systematically evaluate their influence on structural integrity, porosity, and electrochemical behavior. Among these, the sample obtained via freeze-drying (TPUF-FD) maintained the most intact porous network, minimizing structural collapse during sublimation of ice under vacuum. This preservation… More > Graphic Abstract

Shan Yuan^1,2, Fei Wang^2,*, Jinping Zhang^2,*, Yuxin Jiang², Kaibo Gu², Chenhao Qiao², Yutong Bai², Jie Yu², Quan Chen¹, Dedi Han³

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.23, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cl.2026.082805 - 09 May 2026

Abstract Sodium metal batteries stand as a highly promising electrochemical energy storage system; however, their commercialization is severely impeded by challenges such as anode dendrite formation, the shuttle effect of highly reactive intermediates at the cathode, electrode volume expansion, and interfacial instability. Owing to their high electronic conductivity, high theoretical specific capacity, and superior sodiumphilic affinity, tellurium and its tellurides have emerged as pivotal functional materials for enhancing the performance of sodium metal batteries. This study reviews the advancements in their applications within sodium metal batteries, elaborates rational design strategies carbon-based composites, alloying, and heterostructure construction More >

Rui Lou^*, Chendan Xie, Haiyuan Yang, Yunyun Liu, Bin Zhang, Long He, Wei Chen

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.14, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2026.02025-0193 - 24 April 2026

Abstract Amidst escalating global energy demands and the depletion of fossil fuel reserves, there is an urgent need to develop energy storage materials derived from low-cost and sustainable biomass. Lignin, an abundant aromatic polymer, has gained increasing recognition as a highly promising precursor for electrode materials due to its low cost, high carbon content, and rich functional groups. For electrochemical energy storage applications, lignin-derived carbon materials, including porous carbon, carbon fibers, and carbon aerogels, demonstrate considerable potential as effective electrodes. This review provides a comprehensive summary and analysis of recent advances in the field. It systematically… More > Graphic Abstract

Feifei Tong¹, Junliang Han¹, Chuansheng Tang^2,*, Jie Yang³, Shibo Luo³, Xinmeng Wu⁴

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.23, No.2, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cl.2026.076718 - 28 February 2026

Abstract Zearalenone (ZEA) contamination in cereal-based food products represents a significant threat to global food safety and public health. As a potent non-steroidal estrogenic mycotoxin, ZEA mimics 17β-estradiol and acts as an endocrine disruptor, leading to severe reproductive toxicity and pathologies such as hepatotoxicity and immunotoxicity. Its prevalence in staple crops like maize and wheat results in substantial economic losses and necessitates adherence to stringent regulatory limits (e.g., 50 μg/kg set by EFSA) to protect consumers from chronic low-dose exposure. This work reports the development of a novel electrochemical sensor based on a bismuth sulfide nanorod–carbon… More >

Wenwen Zhang^*, Changgui Lei

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.22, No.12, pp. 1031-1045, 2025, DOI:10.15251/CL.2025.2212.1031 - 08 December 2025

Abstract The development of quick, accurate, and field-deployable detection techniques is required due to the growing environmental pollution caused by heavy metals, especially lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd). In this work, bismuth silver sulfide (AgBiS₂) nanoparticles are synthesized using a simple hydrothermal method aided by biomolecules, and they are used as a new modifier forPb(II) and Cd(II) simultaneous electrochemical detection using screen-printed electrodes (SPEs). After thorough material characterisation, pure, highly crystalline, quasi-spherical AgBiS₂ nanoparticles produced with an average diameter of around 20 nm. The AgBiS₂/SPE sensor demonstrated a threefold decrease in charge transfer resistance, indicating a considerable improvement More >

N. Masood¹, A. M. Toufiq^2,*, S. Magam^3,4, S. M. W. Ali², M. T. Qureshi^3,*

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.22, No.12, pp. 1047-1053, 2025, DOI:10.15251/CL.2025.2212.1047 - 08 December 2025

Abstract Self-assembled highly hierarchical novel SnS₂ microflowers having acute edge nanopetals have been fabricated using a facile template-free hydrothermal growth technique utilizing Tin (II) chloride dihydrate (SnCl₂·2H₂O) and Sodium sulfide nonahydrate (Na₂S·9H₂O) as reaction reagents. Morphological analysis exhibits the flower-type SnS₂ microarchitectures ranging from 4 to 7 μm. The vibrational mode measured at A_1g = 314 cm⁻¹ confirms the existence of hexagonal phase SnS₂ using Raman spectroscopy. The electrochemical results suggest the promise of as-synthesized SnS₂ structures as a cathodic material in lithium-sulfur batteries. More >

Jiling Song¹, Hua Wang^2,*, Jianbing Guo¹, Minghua Lin², Bin Zheng^2,*, Jiqiang Wu^3,*

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.42, No.4, pp. 1143-1157, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2025.073414 - 26 December 2025

Abstract The pursuit of safer energy storage systems is driving the development of advanced electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries. Traditional liquid electrolytes pose flammability risks, while solid-state alternatives often suffer from low ionic conductivity. Gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) emerge as a promising compromise, combining the safety of solids with the ionic conductivity of liquids. Cellulose, an abundant and eco-friendly polymer, presents an ideal base material for sustainable GPEs due to its biocompatibility and mechanical strength. This study systematically investigates how drying methods affect cellulose-based GPEs. Cellulose hydrogels were synthesized through dissolution-crosslinking and processed using vacuum drying (VD),… More >

M. F. Aziz^1,2,*, A. A. Rahim¹, A. R. M. Rais^1,2,*

Journal of Polymer Materials, Vol.42, No.4, pp. 1097-1109, 2025, DOI:10.32604/jpm.2025.071129 - 26 December 2025

Abstract To study the behavior of structural dynamics, ionic conductivity and ion transport properties, the gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) was developed using polyvinyl alcohol in combination with potassium iodide, dimethyl sulfoxide, ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate and tetra-N-propylammonium iodide (C₁₂H₂₈IN), The GPEs were synthesized via a solution mixing technique, systematically varying the tetra-N-propylammonium iodide concentration to optimize ionic transport properties. The gel polymer electrolytes (GPEs) preparation was initially dissolving the potassium iodide and tetra-N-propylammonium iodide in a measured combination of ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, and dimethyl sulfoxide within a glass container. Subsequently, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) was introduced into… More >

J. Ahmad^a, Naeem-Ur-Rehman^a,*, M. Shakil^a, M. Saleem^a, K. Mahmood^b, A. Ali^b, M. Imran^c, S. Sharif^d, Hosam O. Elansary^e, S. Mumtaz^f, A. D. Khalid^g

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.22, No.4, pp. 277-292, 2025, DOI:10.15251/CL.2025.224.277

Abstract This study highlights the superior electrochemical performance of Co₃O₄/Co₃S₄ composite nanoparticles for supercapacitors, compared to individual Co₃O₄ and Co₃S₄, synthesized using sol-gel, co-precipitation, and mechanical alloying methods. The composite combines pseudocapacitance and electric double-layer capacitance, as evidenced by cyclic voltammetry. It exhibits a specific capacitance of 722.9 F/g at 0.5 A/g and an energy density of 73.8 Wh/kg at 405 W/kg. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy reveals low charge transfer resistance and excellent cycling stability is achieved, with 98.5% capacitance retention after 1500 cycles. These results confirm the composite's potential for high-performance energy storage applications. More >