Performance Recovery in Degraded Carbon-Based Electrodes for Capacitive Deionization
Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review
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Detail(s)
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1848-1856 |
Journal / Publication | Environmental Science and Technology |
Volume | 54 |
Issue number | 3 |
Online published | 30 Dec 2019 |
Publication status | Published - 4 Feb 2020 |
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Abstract
Limitations of capacitive deionization (CDI) and future commercialization efforts are intrinsically bound to electrode stability. In this work, thermal treatments are explored to understand their ability to regenerate aged CDI electrodes. We demonstrate that a relatively low thermal treatment temperature of ∼500 °C can sufficiently recover the lost salt adsorption capacity of degraded electrodes. Furthermore, a systematic study of electrode replacement clarifies that the desalination ability loss and regeneration for a CDI cell are isolated to the aged anode, as expected. Characterizations of surface functionalities support that the acidic oxygen-containing functional groups formed in situ during cycling undergo thermal decomposition during treatment. The modified Donnan model quantitatively confirms that the surface charges originate from the formation/decomposition of functional groups. Accordingly, the lost pore volume and the increased resistance are recovered during thermal treatments, while the surface morphologies and pore structure of the electrodes are well-preserved. Therefore, thermal treatment can be applied practically to extend the lifetime of aged electrodes. This study also offers insights into strategies for minimizing electrode degradation or in situ regeneration such that the technology gains momentum for future commercialization.
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Full text of this publication does not contain sufficient affiliation information. With consent from the author(s) concerned, the Research Unit(s) information for this record is based on the existing academic department affiliation of the author(s).
Citation Format(s)
Performance Recovery in Degraded Carbon-Based Electrodes for Capacitive Deionization. / Li, Bei; Zheng, Tianye; Ran, Sijia et al.
In: Environmental Science and Technology, Vol. 54, No. 3, 04.02.2020, p. 1848-1856.
In: Environmental Science and Technology, Vol. 54, No. 3, 04.02.2020, p. 1848-1856.
Research output: Journal Publications and Reviews › RGC 21 - Publication in refereed journal › peer-review