A new copper borophosphate with novel polymeric chains and its structural correlation with raw materials in molten hydrated flux synthesis

Borate-Based Compounds as Mixed Polyanion Cathode Materials for Advanced Batteries

Rational design of new and cost-effective advanced batteries for the intended scale of application is concurrent with cathode materials development. Foundational knowledge of cathode materials’ processing−structure−properties−performance relationship is integral. In this review, we provide an overview of borate-based compounds as possible mixed polyanion cathode materials in organic electrolyte metal-ion batteries. A recapitulation of lithium-ion battery (LIB) cathode materials development provides that rationale. The combined method of data mining and high-throughput ab initio computing was briefly discussed to derive how carbonate-based compounds in sidorenkite structure were suggested. Borate-based compounds, albeit just close to stability (viz., <30 meV at−1), offer tunability and versatility and hence, potential effectivity as polyanion cathodes due to (1) diverse structures which can host alkali metal intercalation; (2) the low weight of borate relative to mature polyanion families which can translate to higher theoretical capacity; and a (3) rich chemistry which can alter the inductive effect on earth-abundant transition metals (e.g., Ni and Fe), potentially improving the open-circuit voltage (OCV) of the cell. This review paper provides a reference on the structures, properties, and synthesis routes of known borate-based compounds [viz., borophosphate (BPO), borosilicate (BSiO), and borosulfate (BSO)], as these borate-based compounds are untapped despite their potential for mixed polyanion cathode materials for advanced batteries.

Ultrasound-assisted synthesis of europium doped BPO4 nanoparticles; a new approach for Zn2+ (aq) detection

In this work, europium ion was doped into boron phosphate nanoparticles (BPO₄) using an ultrasonic method followed by the calcination process. The nanoparticles were characterized by various techniques such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), photoluminescence spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Doping of europium ion into the BPO₄ host crystal was proved by cell volume calculation from XRD patterns, the shift in Raman spectra, and photoluminescence properties. In addition, the europium doped boron phosphate (BPE) as a fluorescence sensor for the quantification of Zn²⁺ cation was studied. The obtained results showed the enhancement and shift of the photoluminescence peak from 292 to 340 nm. The sensor's selectivity toward this ion was verified in the presence of a variety of common interfering cations. Surprisingly, BPE revealed excellent selectivity and sensitivity towards Zn²⁺ in the presence of Pb²⁺, Na⁺, Fe²⁺, Al³⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Cu²⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Mn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Hg²⁺, Ba²⁺ and Fe³⁺ cations. The fluorescence response was linearly proportional to the Zn²⁺concentration. After the addition of trace amounts of Zn²⁺ ions into the aqueous solution, a significant enhancement of fluorescence emission occurred with the detection limit of 0.3 μM.

A novel open-framework copper borophosphate containing 1-D borophosphate anion with 10-MR windows and 12-MR channels

The open-framework copper borophosphate not only features novel borophosphate anionic partial structure containing 1-D 12-MR channels, but also exhibits ferromagnetic interactions and high catalytic activity for the oxidative degradation of chitosan.