The significant increase in the demand for efficient electric energy storage during the past decade has promoted an increase in the production and use of Cd-containing batteries. On the one hand, the amount of toxic Cd-containing used batteries is growing, while on the other hand, Cd is on a list of critical raw materials (for Europe). Both of these factors call for the development of effective technology for Cd recovery from spent batteries. The present paper is aimed at providing a short review of the recent progress in Cd recovery from spent batteries. Statistical data from the past decade on the source of Cd, its global production, and Ni-Cd battery recycling are given in the introduction. A short overview of the pyro-and hydro-metallurgical methods of metal production is provided. Recent progress in Cd recovery by commercial methods during the past decade is reviewed.

The unique properties and numerous applications of nanocrystalline titanium dioxide (TiO₂) are stimulating research on improving the existing and developing new titanium dioxide synthesis methods. In this work, we demonstrate for the first time the possibilities of the extraction–pyrolytic method (EPM) for the production of nanocrystalline TiO₂ powders. A titanium-containing precursor (extract) was prepared by liquid–liquid extraction using valeric acid C₄H₉COOH without diluent as an extractant. Simultaneous thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (TGA–DSC), as well as the Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were used to determine the temperature conditions to fabricate TiO₂ powders free of organic impurities. The produced materials were also characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed the possibility of the fabrication of storage-stable liquid titanium (IV)-containing precursor, which provided nanocrystalline TiO₂ powders. It was established that the EPM permits the production of both monophase (anatase polymorph or rutile polymorph) and biphase (mixed anatase–rutile polymorphs), impurity-free nanocrystalline TiO₂ powders. For comparison, TiO₂ powders were also produced by the precipitation method. The results presented in this study could serve as a solid basis for further developing the EPM for the cheap and simple production of nanocrystalline TiO₂-based materials in the form of doped nanocrystalline powders, thin films, and composite materials.

The radiation properties and the electronic structure of hybrid composites based on suspension polystyrene (PS) and nanocrystals of BaZrO3 (BZO) (d < 50 nm) have been studied using luminescent spectroscopy and x-ray analysis. A strong cathodoluminescence (CL) in BZO-nanocrystals is observed in temperature range 80–293 K. It is modified in BZO-PS composites: both the low- and a high-energy bands (near 4 eV) appear, together with a significant reduction in the CL intensity. A decrease of the lattice parameter a for BZO phase in the composite and the modification of CL spectra indicate for changes in the nanocrystalline structure induced by the polymer.

Interest in magnetic nanoparticles is primarily due to their practical use. In this work, for the production of nanocrystalline powders of pure and gadolinium doped iron oxides, the extraction-pyrolytic method (EPM) was used. As a precursor, either iron-containing extract (iron (III) caproate in caproic acid) or its mixture with gadolinium-containing extract (gadolinium (III) valerate in valeric acid) was used. The mixed precursor contained 0.5 mol %, 2.5 mol %, 12.5 mol %, 50 mol %, and 75 mol % gadolinium in relation to the iron content. The formation of iron oxide phases, depending on the preparation conditions, was investigated. According to the results obtained, it was demonstrated that the presence of more than 2.5 mol % gadolinium additive in the mixed precursor inhibits the magnetite-to-hematite transformation process during thermal treatment. Produced samples were characterized by XRD and SEM methods, and the magnetic properties were studied.