Alexandra Pekarovicova

This study investigates the behavior of two different mixtures of monomers of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP)-based battery binders, polyvinylpyrrolidone:polyvinylidene difluoride (PVP:PVDF) and polyvinylpyrrolidone:polyacrylic acid (PVP:PAA), at graphene and graphite interfaces using classical molecular dynamics simulations. The aim is to identify the best performing monomer binder blend and carbon-based material for the design of battery-optimized energy devices. The PVP:PAA monomer binder blend and graphite are found to have the best interaction energies, densification upon adsorption, and more ordered structure. The adsorption of both monomer binder blends is strongly guided by the higher affinity of PVP and PAA monomeric molecules for the surfaces compared to PVDF. The structure of adsorbed layers of PVP:PVDF monomer binder blend on graphene and graphite develops more quickly than PVP:PAA, indicating faster kinetics. This study complements a previous density functional theory study recently reported by our group and contributes to a better understanding of the nanoscopic features of relevant interfacial regions involving mixtures of monomers of PVP-based battery binders and different carbon-based materials. The effect of a blend of commonly used monomer binders on carbon-based materials is essential for obtaining tightly bound anode and cathode active materials in lithium-ion batteries, which is crucial for designing battery-optimized energy devices.

Paper is the most successful recycled material from commercial and municipal wastes. Part of recycled paper requires deinking to meet the product requirement, such as tissue, printing grade and newspaper. The original print method plays a major role in deinking performance. The digital print methods, such as electrophotographic (or laser) print, have been rapidly adapted in the commercial printing. Paper mills need to modify their procedure to deink these types of recycled paper, which contain fine toner particles. In this study, the recyclability of electrophotographic printed paper has been evaluated extensively, or three repeats with an industrial standard. Meanwhile, recycled fiber from each repeat underwent printability analysis. Except the influence from papermaking method and pulp furnish, the strength of the recycled fiber slightly declines after each repeat because of fiber deterioration, which also affected the paper surface properties. However, the recycled fiber presented good printability on each recycling, especially on print density and fine details. It suggested that the electrophotographic substrate can tolerate a high recycled fiber content.