https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/25430 2026-10-21T02:58:12Z https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/34019 Title: Selective Electrochemical Recovery of Valuable Metals from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries Using a Betaine-Based Deep Eutectic Solvent Authors: Mohammadzadeh, Kazem; Ghoreishiamrei, Seyedehfatemeh; Ignatova, Svetlana; He, Yinghe; Lahiri, Abhishek Abstract: The rapid growth in lithium-ion battery (LIB) deployment has led to increasing volumes of end-of-life batteries, creating an urgent need for sustainable recycling technologies capable of recovering critical metals from complex waste streams. Although leaching has been successfully shown in various DES systems, selective recovery of metals/metal oxides still remain a challenge. In this study, a deep eutectic solvent (DES) of betaine hydrochloride and ethylene glycol is employed as a green medium for both dissolution of valuable metals and selective electrochemical recovery from LIB black mass. Rapid dissolution of Li, Ni, Co, and Mn together with 86% Cu was achieved within 30 min at 100 °C. Based on electrochemical studies, it was observed that temperature and potential/ current can be adjusted for selective metal recovery. Copper was selectively deposited at 40 °C, while increasing the deposition temperature to 60 and 80 °C enabled deposition of Ni–Co alloys. Manganese was recovered from the remaining electrolyte via carbonate precipitation. The integrated process achieved overall recovery efficiencies of approximately 98% for Cu, ∼90% for Ni and Co, and ∼80% for Mn. Thus, this work demonstrates a selective and environmentally benign strategy for recovering valuable metals from complex LIB waste streams, providing a promising pathway toward circular battery recycling. Description: Data availability statement: The link to the data is provided in https://doi.org/10.17633/rd.brunel.30465077. 2026-08-19T00:00:00Z https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/34018 Title: Fundamental insight into the zinc storage mechanism in amorphous manganese oxide for rechargeable zinc-ion batteries Authors: Lahiri, Abhishek; Hewitson, Peter; Ignatova, Svetlana; Temperton, Robert; Aslam, Zabeada; Brydson, Rik Abstract: Zinc-Manganese dioxide (MnO₂) batteries have garnered significant interest due to their high energy density, low cost and low toxicity. Crystalline MnO₂ has shown structural transformations during the intercalation and deintercalation of Zn, which influences the performance of the battery. Recent studies have demonstrated that amorphous MnO₂ shows better Zn storage capacity due to an increase in structural defects. However, the underlying mechanism of Zn storage remains poorly understood and, in this study, we investigate the structural dynamics of electrodeposited amorphous MnO₂ during Zn storage. Ex situ Raman spectroscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy analysis revealed notable structural alterations in the amorphous MnO₂. Interestingly, no changes were observed in the oxidation state of Mn. However, changes in the oxygen K-edge spectra showed that Zn intercalation and deintercalation primarily occur at the disordered oxygen defect sites. By optimising the electrodeposition conditions for MnO₂, a Zn-MnO₂ battery was fabricated, which initially demonstrated a capacity of 300 mAh g⁻¹. This value subsequently decreased due to structural transformation to a stable capacity of 190 mAh g⁻¹ at a current density of 0.5 A g⁻¹. The findings presented in this work open new avenues for developing alternative amorphous structures that can be tailored for Zn-based batteries. Description: Data availability: [The data set for Zn ion batteries with amorphous MnO2 cathode has been presented at Briunelfigshare:under a CC BY 4.0 licence] https://doi.org/10.17633/rd.brunel.32112499 .; Supplementary data are available online at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2352152X26026101?via%3Dihub#s0030 . 2026-06-04T00:00:00Z https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33733 Title: Potential of MicroalgalBiomass Production in CoastalDeserts for Carbon Dioxide Removal Authors: Leonard, William; McClure, Dale D; Ng, Kok Siew; Yang, Aidong Abstract: High photosynthetic yields and the ability to grow without fresh water make microalgae interesting mechanisms for carbon dioxide removal (CDR). We characterize two CDR systems which grow microalgae in seawater in coastal deserts─microalgal bioenergy with carbon capture and storage and microalgal biomass burial─and evaluate their potential when using carbon sourced from the atmosphere or ocean to meet CDR objectives via a comparison with direct air carbon capture and storage (DACCS). By deriving and validating a theoretical model of chemically enhanced carbon dioxide mass transfer, we identify the importance of gas–liquid mass transfer into raceway ponds as limiting microalgal productivities and determining technoeconomic viability. Our analysis shows that, while microalgal CDR cannot compete with DACCS in the areal productivity of removals, net removal costs with marine carbon supply are only slightly higher than DACCS with prospects for parity. Though such outcomes may not yet support the use of microalgal biomass for CDR, the carbon supply apparatuses outlined and the theoretical models accompanying them can inform ongoing research into microalgal cultivation without carbon addition for diverse applications. Description: Data Availability: Data and code supporting the findings of this work are available upon request from the corresponding author.; Supporting Information The Supporting Information is available free of charge at https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.6c08729. Supplementary methods comprising CDR configurations (Sections S1-S3), albedo (Section S4; Fig S1), carbon and light limited growth (Section S5), water supply pipelines (Section S6), techno-economic equations (Section S7), nominal analysis parameters (Section S8; Tables S1-S3), sensitivity and uncertainty analysis (Sections S9, S10; Table S4), PV-mBB and PV-DACCS optimisation (Section S11), mass transfer modelling (Sections S12-S14; Table S5), and pH measurements (Section S15; Fig S2); Supplementary results comprising mass transfer (Sections S16, S17, S24; Figs S3, S9), burial site capacity (Section S18), comparison of alternative designs (Sections S19, S20; Fig S4), productivity, costs and comparison with literature (Sections S21-S23), and mass transfer enhancement options (Sections S25-S29); Supplementary discussion concerning biomass harvesting, nutrient supply and land use (Sections S30-S32; Fig S5-S8), mBECCS-sale and long-term mCDR perspectives (Section S33; Fig S10), contextualization of the optimistic scenario and limitations (Sections S34, S35) (PDF: https://ndownloader.figstatic.com/files/67474268). 2026-08-12T00:00:00Z https://bura.brunel.ac.uk/handle/2438/33664 Title: A comparative techno-economic and life cycle assessment of energy-from-waste technology integrated with carbon capture and storage Authors: Aljoubory, Janna; Iacovidou, Eleni; Ng, Kok Siew Abstract: Rising urbanisation and global population growth are projected to nearly double municipal solid waste (MSW) generation by 2050. Energy-from-waste (EfW) technologies recover energy from mixed waste streams, generating electricity and heat. However, for every tonne of MSW incinerated, 0.7–1.7 tonnes of CO₂ is emitted. Integrating carbon capture and storage (CCS) into EfW (EfW + CCS) presents a promising pathway to mitigate these emissions yet remains constrained by high costs and decreased energy efficiency. This study presents a comprehensive assessment of EfW + CCS, using a combined techno-economic and life cycle assessments approach. A thermodynamic steady-state model was developed in Aspen Plus to evaluate mass and energy balances for both standalone EfW and EfW + CCS. Results show that an EfW + CCS system with 250 ktpa capacity and 80% capture rate incurs a 35% energy penalty and increases capital (CAPEX) and operating expenditure (OPEX) both by 30%. Additionally, the system results in a positive net present value, 2.7% return on investment and a levelised cost of electricity of £163/MWh, but extended payback period from 4.5 to 8.3 years compared to standalone EfW. The life cycle assessment results showed a 33% reduction in global warming potential (GWP), though monoethanolamine production and carbon capture infrastructure increased other impacts. This study suggests that the current carbon price of £49.4/t CO₂ is insufficient to incentivise CCS deployment, with a required subsidy estimated at £178/t CO₂ captured. Furthermore, ammonia use for NOₓ removal strongly influenced GWP and OPEX, with 60% NOₓ removal resulting in a reduction of 41% in GWP and increasing OPEX by 19% compared to standalone EfW. Description: Data availability: The data have been provided in the Supplementary Materials: Supplementary data: The following are the Supplementary data to this article: • Multimedia component 1. https://ars.els-cdn.com/content/image/1-s2.0-S0959652626014617-mmc1.docx (Word document (97 KB)) [a PDF version is also archived below as MMC1.pdf (Acrobat PDF file (371 KB)]..; Rights retention statement: For the purposes of open access, the author has applied a Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) Licence to any Accepted Author Manuscript version arising from this submission. 2026-07-10T00:00:00Z