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In this study, selective adsorption mechanism of zinc ions on the surfaces of galena and sphalerite in the flotation separation of Pb-Zn was comprehensively explored by flotation tests, Zeta potential measurements, Fourier transform interferometric radiometer (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Microflotation test showed that the use of ZnSO4 in alkaline pulp could selectively separate galena from sphalerite better than that without ZnSO4. Zeta potential test results showed that ZnSO4 could significantly increase the Zeta potential of sphalerite under alkaline conditions, but had little effect on galena. The results of FTIR test showed that xanthan characteristic peak appeared in xanthate-treated galena at pH = 10, while sphalerite treated with xanthate did not. XPS and DFT calculation results showed that sphalerite had stronger adsorption capacity for hydroxyl ions than galena. DFT calculation further confirmed that Zn(OH)2 could be adsorbed on the surface of hydroxylated sphalerite instead of hydroxylated galena and formed a new interface microstructure of sphalerite (Znsurf-O-Zn-O-H), resulting in the inhibition of sphalerite. This paper further deepened the selective adsorption mechanism of zinc ions on the surface of sphalerite in the flotation separation of Pb-Zn under alkaline conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative stress originating from the overproduction of free radicals poses a major threat to cell fate, therefore it is of great importance to address the formation of free radicals in cells subjected to various pathological stimuli. Here we investigate the free radical response of endothelial cells to biodegradable zinc. In addition to the standard free radical assays, relaxometry was used for determining the production of free radicals in cells exposed to non‐physiological concentrations of zinc ions. The cellular morphology, intracellular zinc accumulation, as well as the levels of reactive oxygen/nitrogen species, are determined using standard fluorescent methods. For endothelial cells subjected to 50% zinc extracts, deviations from the normal cell shape and cell agglomeration tendency are observed. The culture medium containing the highest amount of zinc ions caused nuclei fragmentation, blebbing, and cell shrinkage, indicating cell death. A potential explanation for the observed phenomena is an overproduction of free radicals. In the case of 1% and 10% zinc extracts, the formation of free radicals is clearly confirmed by relaxometry, while the results obtained by using fluorescent techniques are unambiguous. It is revealed that high concentrations of zinc ions released from biodegradable samples induce a deleterious effect on endothelial cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to further investigate the feasibility of Zinc–Titanium implant as a potential implantable material in oral application in aspects of osteoblast biocompatibility, osteogenesis and osseointegration ability. First, we used plasma immersion ion implantation and deposition (PIIID) technology to introduce Zinc ion into pure Titanium surface, then we used X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy to analyze the chemical composition of modified surface layer; next, we used in vitro studies including immunological fluorescence assay and western blotting to determine responses between MG-63 osteoblast-like cell and implant. In vivo studies adopted pig model to check the feasibility of Zn–Ti implant. Results showed that in vitro and in vivo were consistent, showing that Zn ion was successfully introduced into Ti surface by PIIID technique. The chemical and physical change on modified plant resulted in the more active expressions of mRNA and protein of Type I collagen in MG-63 cells compared with non-treated implant, and the better integration ability of bones with modified implant. We confirmed the Zn–Ti implant owns the ability in promoting osteogenesis and osteointegration in early phase of implantation and is a qualified candidate in dentistry. The overview of our study can be depicted as follows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc plant filter cake contains valuable metals that can be reused as a source for obtaining these metals. This study describes an experimental two stage study on the extraction of zinc and nickel from waste zinc filter cake which includes acid leaching of zinc filter cake followed by organic phase aided extraction of metals from the leaching solution. To determine the optimum leaching condition a comprehensive study of the recovery of chemical elements from spent plant residues was experimentally studied at different levels of acid concentrations at different temperatures while measuring chemical elements concentration with respect to time. Experimental results showed that 99% recovery of Ni2+, Zn2+ and 89% recovery of Pb2+ can be achieved at following optimum conditions: 2M nitric acid, T= 358.15 K after 1.5 h of acid leaching at S/L=1/10. Then, the extraction of Zn2+, Ni2+, and Pb2+ was carried out by di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) that was diluted with kerosene in equal phase ratio and the effect of extractant concentration and pH was studied at T = 298.15 K. Results showed that an increase in pH and extractant concentration can greatly increase zinc and nickel extraction to a maximum achievable amount of 95% and 90 % for Zn2+ and Ni2+, respectively by 25 (v/v%) D2EHPA at pH = 5.5 and organic to aqueous phase ratio (O/A) = 1/1. For modeling of equilibrium concentrations in organic and aqueous phases and activity coefficients calculation, Electrolyte-UNIQUAC-NRF, UNIQUAC-NRF, NRTL and NRTL-based local composition models were used. After that, adjusted parameters were successfully used for calculation of the equilibrium constant of the unknown parameters and the extraction reaction. The obtained results of thermodynamic modeling were in well agreement with the experimental data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc powder is promising for rechargeable zinc‐ion batteries due to its low cost and well tunability. However, the corrosion and the dendrite growth are much more serious in zinc powder than those in conventional zinc foils, which poses a significant obstacle to wide utilization. Herein, an ultra‐stable Zn powder‐based anode constructed by coating a conformal ion‐conductive hydrogel layer on 3D‐printed Zn scaffolds is reported. The interconnected hydrogel effectively redistributes the zinc ion flux and homogenizes the surface electric field, while the 3D architecture alleviates the stress from volume change at high current densities/capacities. As a result, the 3D Zn powder‐based symmetric cell steadily works for over 4700 h (>6 months) at a high current density/capacity of 5 mA cm−2/5 mAh cm−2, which is superior to previously reported Zn powder‐based anodes and bare Zn foil, providing a promising route for practical applications of low‐cost and large‐scale zinc‐ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is the contents list for an issue of the journal Chemical Communications, published by The Royal Society of Chemistry. It includes articles on drug delivery using biocompatible covalent organic frameworks and progress in controllable bioorthogonal catalysis for prodrug activation. The journal aims to connect the world with the chemical sciences. The document also provides information about the editorial staff, subscription details, and the editorial board of the journal. It includes instructions for authors on how to submit material for publication and guidelines for reproducing the publication. The rest of the document consists of a list of articles published in the journal, along with their titles and authors. [Extracted from the article]

An "inside-out regulation" strategy is proposed to improve the Zn2+ storage of MnO by Ni doping into the lattice and graphene wrapping outside the nanoparticles. The as-prepared Ni-MnO@rGO exhibits 112 mA h g−1 at 2.0 A g−1 over 800 cycles, due to the improved transport of electrons and ions from the synergistical function of intrinsic doping and external graphene encapsulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible power supply devices provide possibilities for wearable electronics in the Internet of Things. However, unsatisfying capacity or lifetime of typical batteries or capacitors seriously limit their practical applications. Different from conventional heat-to-electricity generators, zinc ion thermal charging cells has been a competitive candidate for the self-power supply solution, but the lack of promising cathode materials has restricted the achievement of promising performances. Herein, we propose an attractive cathode material by rational heterostructure engineering of hydrated vanadium pentoxide. Owing to the integration of thermodiffusion and thermoextraction effects, the thermopower is significantly improved from 7.8 ± 2.6 mV K−1 to 23.4 ± 1.5 mV K−1. Moreover, an impressive normalized power density of 1.9 mW m−2 K−2 is achieved in the quasi-solid-state cells. In addition, a wearable power supply constructed by three units can drive the commercial health monitoring system by harvesting body heat. This work demonstrates the effectiveness of electrodes design for wearable thermoelectric applications. The application of zinc ion thermal charging cells has been limited by their low kinetics and rapid energy decay. Here, the authors develop a promising material by heterostructure engineering of hydrated vanadium pentoxide for high-performance harvesting and conversion of low-grade heat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) are prospective next‐generation energy storage device candidates owing to resource abundance, affordability, eco‐friendliness, and safety. The solid‐electrolyte interface (SEI) produced in a ZIB by electrolyte/electrode interactions significantly impacts battery performance. The SEI is known to promote dendrite growth, determine the electrochemical stability window, passivate zinc‐metal‐anodic corrosion, and mutate the electrolyte. Accordingly, the SEI is closely related to the overall property of a ZIB device. This review provides an overview of the impact of SEIs on ZIB performance recently and provides an SEI design strategy based on the formation mechanism, type, and characteristics of the SEI. Finally, future investigational directions for SEIs in ZIBs are expected to lead to a deep understanding of the SEI, enhance ZIB performance, and facilitate their extensive implementation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The iron nanoparticles (Fe-NPs) have been synthesized using an environmentally friendly and simple green synthesis method. This study aims to obtain an aqueous extract from natural material wastes for synthesizing Fe-NPs. The produced Fe-NPs were evaluated as adsorbents for removing Pb, Se, Cu, Zn, and Cr from aqueous solutions. The formation of Fe-NPs was observed on exposure of the aqueous extract to the ferrous chloride and ferric chloride solutions. The characterization of the synthesized Fe-NPs was carried out using different instrumental techniques. As a function of the initial metal ion concentration, contact time, and various doses, the removal of the heavy metal ions was investigated. The UV-Vis spectrum of Fe-NPs showed a peak at 386 nm, 386 nm, 400 nm, 420 nm, 210 nm, 215 nm, and 272 nm of banana, pomegranate, opuntia, orange, potato, and onion, respectively. The FT-IR spectra confirmed the attachment of bioactive molecules from plants on the Fe-NPs surface. The effective reduction of metal ions was greatly aided by the -OH functional groups. The functional groups were examined and responsible for adsorption process by nanoparticle powder sample, these peaks are 3400 cm−1, 2900 cm-1, 1600 cm−1,1000 cm−1, and 1550 cm−1. The magnetization measurements revealed superparamagnetic behavior in the produced iron oxide nanoparticles. Heavy metal ions uptake followed a time, dose, and initial concentration-dependent profile, with maximum removal efficiency at 45 min, 0.4 g, and 3.0 mg/L of metal concentration, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By means of zincophilic regulation and protection of covalent organic framework (COF), uniform Zn ion deposition can be induced to inhibit dendrite growth and prevent chemical corrosion reactions. Moreover, abundant zincophilic sites and excellent zinc ion conduction pathway in the interfacial layer of COF can optimize the zinc ion transfer kinetics between electrolyte and Zn anode, thus inducing uniform Zn ion migration, nucleation, dissolution/plating. To realize the efficient and stable utilization of zinc anode. [Display omitted] Zn-ion energy storage devices will play important roles in the future energy storage field. However, Zn-ion device development suffers significantly from adverse chemical reactions (dendrite formation, corrosion, and deformation) on the Zn anode surface. Zn dendrite formation, hydrogen evolution corrosion, and deformation combine to degrade Zn-ion devices. Zincophile modulation and protection using covalent organic frameworks (COF) inhibited dendritic growth by induced uniform Zn ion deposition, which also prevented chemical corrosion. The Zn@COF anode circulated stably for more than 1800 cycles even at high current density in symmetric cells and maintained a low and stable voltage hysteresis. This work explains the surface state of the Zn anode and provides information for further research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

At present, vanadium-based cathodes for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) are limited by their slow reaction kinetics, poor electrical conductivity, and low capacity retention. To overcome these problems, here, we design a layered porous Mn0.18V2O5@C as the cathode material for AZIBs using a manganesecontaining metal-organic framework as a template through a simple solvothermal method. Such an electrode delivers an excellent specific capacity (380 mA h g-1 at 0.1 A g-1) accompanied by superior cycling stability (about 85% capacity retention for 2000 cycles at 6 A g-1). The excellent electrochemical performance of Mn0.18V2O5@C is ascribed to the improved interface activity including smooth zinc ion transport, abundant ion reaction active sites and accelerated charge transfer resulting from the coordination of the porous structure, doped conductive carbon, and the stable channel structure derived from the pillar effect of doping manganese ions, preventing a premature collapse of the electrode structure. It is also revealed by structural evolution analysis that the residual zinc ions also combine with the original Mn0.18V2O5 to form a ZnxMnyV2O5 phase, which serves as an additional structural pillar and in the meantime, also participates in the following cycles. These favorable electrochemical results suggest that Mn0.18V2O5@C is a suitable cathode material for AZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The introduction of oxygen vacancies into aqueous zinc ion battery (ZIB) cathodes can significantly improve the diffusion kinetics of Zn2+, endowing enhanced electrochemical performance. However, the stability of oxygen vacancies in batteries during aqueous electrolyte cycling has been overlooked. Here, the oxygen vacancy is stabilized by the refilling of different impurity atoms, and gradient concentration refilling of N achieves the most stable state of the oxygen vacancy with minimum formation energy (4.77 eV). The obtained Zn3V2O7(OH)2·2H2O with gradient N refilling of partial oxygen vacancies (N‐VO‐ZVO) achieves more stable oxygen vacancies and a low Zn2+ diffusion energy barrier (0.19 eV) with an ultra‐high rate performance of 186 mAh g−1 at 100 A g−1 and capacity retention rate of 84.9% after 10 000 cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc-ion hybrid capacitors with neutral electrolytes have good safety, excellent power density, and energy density. However, zinc-ion hybrid capacitors rely on expensive porous carbon cathode materials. Additional chemical reagents are required to activate precursor during the pore-forming process. Therefore, it is essential to develop porous carbon with low preparation costs and high performance. In this work, low-cost calcium lignosulfonate (CLS) as a carbon source was used to prepare N, O, and S tri-doped hierarchical porous carbon (LHPC) by a one-step carbonization method without additional pore-forming agents. During high-temperature carbonization, the self-pyrolysis of CLS yields a variety of gaseous products as well as inorganic salts like calcium carbonate and calcium sulfate, which work as pore-forming agents. Used as a cathode, LHPC-700 was assembled into an asymmetric zinc ion electrochemical capacitor. The capacitor exhibits a gravimetric specific capacitance of 178.7 F g−1 at a current density of 0.1 A g−1 and an energy density of 63.5 W h kg−1. This study provides an idea for the sustainable utilization of lignin resources to prepare three-dimensional hierarchical porous carbon electrode materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) are gaining popularity as advanced energy storage devices that are economical, safe, and use resource‐abundant storage options. In this study, we have synthesized a bipolar phenothiazine organic scaffold known as 3,7‐bis(melaminyl)phenothiazin‐5‐ium iodide (PTDM), which is obtained by undergoing nucleophilic substitution through phenothiazinium tetraiodide hydrate (PTD) and melamine. Electrochemical results indicate that PTDM can act as a high‐potential cathode material for rechargeable AZIBs. In detail, the aqueous PTDM//Zn full cell exhibits a high average voltage of approximate 1.13 V, along with a specific capacity of 118.3 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1. Furthermore, this demonstrated cell displays moderate long‐term cycling stability over 6400 cycles, which is encouraging and suggests potential for developing advanced organic electrode materials for rechargeable AZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tryptic hydrolysates of protein fractions obtained by the Osborne method from chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) seeds interacted with zinc ions and the results of chelation were monitored by the Energy Dispersive X-Ray (EDX) technique. The glutelin hydrolysate (GluHyd) reacted with zinc ions and depicted a relatively higher zinc content. For this reason, the zinc complex of the glutelin hydrolysate (GluHyd-Zn) was studied deeper, and 11 peptides were identified in its more zinc-containing second fraction obtained after gel filtration. The peptide HKERVQLHIIPTAVGK showed a relatively higher chelating capacity (57.86 ± 2.14%). According to the result of the ICP-OS analysis, 1 mg peptide could chelate 381.61 ± 133.39 µg zinc, and the molar ratio of peptide-zinc was about 1:4. Spectral methods proved that side chain and C-termini carboxyl groups of the peptide mostly were involved in chelation and N atoms of amino side chains, imidazole group of histidine, and N-termini at some extents were occupied by the metal ions. Modeling of zinc-peptide interaction was done using Molecular Operating Environment (MOE) software. The results of the docking correlate with the experimental data. ACE2 inhibitory effect of HKERVQLHIIPTAVGK-Zn complex (IC50 = 1.5 mg/mL) was better than that of HKERVQLHIIPTAVGK (IC50 = 2.2 mg/mL). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Constructing hierarchically ordered macro/meso−microporous structures of carbonaceous cathode with matchable pore size and adequate active sites is significant toward large Zn2+ storage, but remains a formidable challenge. Herein, a new perspective is reported for synthesizing phosphorus and nitrogen dual‐doped hierarchical ordered porous carbon (PN‐HOPC) by eliminating the micropore confinement effect and synchronously introducing multi‐chemisorption sites. The interconnected macropore can effectively facilitate long‐distance mass transfer, and meso−microporous wall can promote accessibility of active sites. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations identify that the P and N co‐doping markedly contributes to the reversible adsorption/desorption of zinc ions and protons. Consequently, the optimized PN‐HOPC exhibits outstanding Zn2+ storage capabilities in terms of high capacity (211.9 mAh g−1), superb energy density (169.5 Wh kg−1), and ultralong lifespan (99.3% retention after 60 000 cycles). Systematic ex situ measurements integrating with in situ Raman spectroscopy and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) techniques elucidate that the superior electrochemical capability is ascribed to the synergistic effect of the Zn2+, H+, and SO42− co‐adsorption mechanism, as well as invertible chemical adsorption. This study not only provides new insights to design advanced carbon materials toward practical applications but also sheds lights on a deeper understanding of charge storage mechanism for zinc‐ion capacitors (ZICs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cobalt hydroxide is a widely studied electrode material for supercapacitor and alkaline zinc ion batteries. The large interlayer spacing of Co(OH)2 is also attractive to store Zn ions. However, Co(OH)2 is quite unstable in the acidic ZnSO4 electrolyte due to its amphoteric nature. Herein, we synthesized a mixed phase of Co(OH)2/CoOOH via a two-step electrochemical preparation. As the cathode material for an aqueous zinc ion battery (AZIB), Co(OH)2/CoOOH delivered a maximum capacity of 164 mAh g−1 at 0.05 A g−1 and a high energy density of 275 Wh kg−1. Benefiting from the low charge-transfer resistance, a capacity of 87 mAh g−1 was maintained at 1.6 A g−1, showing a good rate performance of the mixed phase. Various spectroscopy analyses and simulations based on the density functional theory (DFT) suggested a higher thermal stability of the mixed phase than pure Co(OH)2, due to its less local structural disorder. The reduced Co-Co and Co-O shells increased the mechanical strength of the mixed phase to accommodate Zn2+ ions and endure the electrostatic repulsion, resulting in an enhanced cycling stability. The mixed phased also delivered a good stability at the current density of 0.05 A g−1. After 200 cycles, a capacity retention of 78% was retained, with high Coulombic efficiencies. These results provide a new route to synthesize high-performance LDH for aqueous zinc ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the biopharmaceutical properties of glucocorticoids (increasing local bioavailability and reducing systemic toxicity) is an important challenge. The aim of this study was to develop a dexamethasone phosphate (DexP) delivery system based on hyaluronic acid (HA) and a water-soluble cationic chitosan derivative, diethylaminoethyl chitosan (DEAECS). The DexP delivery system was a polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) resulting from interpolymer interactions between the HA polyanion and the DEAECS polycation with simultaneous incorporation of zinc ions as a cross-linking agent into the complex. The developed PECs had a hydrodynamic diameter of 244 nm and a ζ-potential of +24.4 mV; the encapsulation efficiency and DexP content were 75.6% and 45.4 μg/mg, respectively. The designed DexP delivery systems were characterized by both excellent mucoadhesion and prolonged drug release (approximately 70% of DexP was released within 10 h). In vitro experiments showed that encapsulation of DexP in polysaccharide nanocarriers did not reduce its anti-inflammatory activity compared to free DexP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) are receiving broad attention owing to their high safety and low cost. However, the high mechanical strength and irreversible growth of zinc dendrites limit the practical application of AZIBs. Herein, regular mesh-like gullies are built on the surface of zinc foil (M150 Zn) by using simple model pressing method and stainless steel mesh as a mold. Due to the charge-enrichment effect, zinc ion deposition and stripping will be preferentially carried out in the grooves to keep the outer surface flat. In addition, zinc is exposed to 002 crystal surface in the gully after being pressed, and the deposited zinc is more inclined to grow at a small angle, so that it has a sedimentary morphology parallel to the basement. Consequently, at a current density of 0.5 mA cm−2, the M150 zinc anode has a voltage hysteresis of only 35 mV and a cycle life of up to 400 h (relative to a zinc foil of 96 mV and 160 h). Even more imposing is that the full cell has a capacity retention of approximately 100% after 1000 cycles at 2 A g−1 and a specific capacity of almost 60 mAh g−1 when activated carbon is used as the cathode. It is a promising method to improve the stable cycle performance of AZIBs by using a simple method to realize the non-prominent dendrites on the surface of zinc electrode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of VO 3 - promotes the transformation from the α -MoO 3 to the h -MoO 3. Compared to conventional α -MoO 3 and h -MoO 3 , the insertion of VO 3 - helps to improve the zinc storage performance. [Display omitted] Molybdenum trioxide (MoO 3) has been widely studied in the energy storage field due to its various phase states and unique structural advantages. Among them, lamellar α -phase MoO 3 (α -MoO 3) and tunnel-like h -phase MoO 3 (h- MoO 3) have attracted much attention. In this study, we demonstrate that vanadate ion (VO 3 -) can transform α -MoO 3 (a thermodynamically stable phase) to h -MoO 3 (a metastable phase) by altering the connection of [MoO 6 ] octahedra configurations. h -MoO 3 with VO 3 - inserted (referred to as h -MoO 3 -V) as the cathode material for aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) exhibits excellent Zn2+ storage performances. The improvement in electrochemical properties is attributed to the open tunneling structure of the h -MoO 3 -V, which offers more active sites for Zn2+ (de)intercalation and diffusion. As expected, the Zn// h -MoO 3 -V battery delivers specific capacity of 250 mAh·g−1 at 0.1 A·g−1 and rate capability (73% retention from 0.1 to 1 A·g−1, 80 cycles), well exceeding those of Zn// h -MoO 3 and Zn// α -MoO 3 batteries. This study demonstrates that the tunneling structure of h -MoO 3 can be modulated by VO 3 - to enhance the electrochemical properties for AZIBs. Furthermore, it provides valuable insights for the synthesis, development and future applications of h -MoO 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) have drawn more notice because of their affordability, high security, and favorable ecological impact. So far, manganese oxide (MnO2) is thought to be an attractive material for storing energy among cathodes of aqueous zinc ion batteries. In particular, the layered manganese dioxide (δ-MnO2) is more favorable to the diffusion of ions and can provide higher specific capacity. However, The effect of the concentration of reactants on microstructure and electrochemical performance of δ-MnO2, which has been less studied. Herein, the δ-MnO2 deposited on carbon fabric as the cathodes of AZIBs by four different reactant concentrations (0.05 M, 0.07 M, 0.10 M, and 0.12 M) of potassium permanganate solution were successfully prepared. The electrochemical properties of AZIBs fabricated by reactant concentrations of 0.10 M KMnO4 were excellent. The δ-MnO2/CC-0.10 M cathode provided higher rechargeable capacity of 268 mA h•g−1 at 0.1 A•g−1, outstanding rate capability, and long cycle life of 97.3% preservation after 500 cycles at 2A•g−1. This study systematically demonstrates the influence of reagent concentration on the efficiency and stability of aqueous zinc–manganese ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heme-copper respiratory oxidases are highly efficient molecular machines. These membrane enzymes catalyze the final step of cellular respiration in eukaryotes and many prokaryotes: the transfer of electrons from cytochromes or quinols to molecular oxygen and oxygen reduction to water. The free energy released in this redox reaction is converted by heme-copper respiratory oxidases into the transmembrane gradient of the electrochemical potential of hydrogen ions ΔμH+). Heme-copper respiratory oxidases have a unique mechanism for generating ΔμH+, namely, a redox-coupled proton pump. A combination of direct electrometric method for measuring the kinetics of membrane potential generation with the methods of prestationary kinetics and site-directed mutagenesis in the studies of heme-copper oxidases allows to obtain a unique information on the translocation of protons inside the proteins in real time. The review summarizes the data of studies employing time-resolved electrometry to decipher the mechanisms of functioning of these important bioenergetic enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the method of dynamic light scattering, it was found that the rate of collagen cleavage under the influence of bacterial collagenase decreases by almost 4 times when protein molecules are doped with Cr3+ ions, and when the enzyme activator of Zn2+ ions is added, it increases by 1.3 times. Based on the experimental data, the reaction rate constants k1 were calculated. It was found that when collagen molecules are tanned with a chromium salt, it becomes more resistant to degradation in solutions containing zinc ions than in solutions with the addition of calcium ions, as we described in earlier works. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are seen as a superior substitute for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to their excellent safety, low cost, and eco-friendliness. However, problems such as zinc dendrite growth, hydrogen evolution reaction and electrode corrosion hinder the commercialization of batteries. Electrolyte as a link to other parts of the battery, has been widely concerned. Hydrogel is a kind of cross-linked product filled with water, which has the advantages of high theoretical capacity, good flexibility, good water retention and good mechanical properties, and becomes a potential candidate for ZIBs. By summarizing the development of hydrogel electrolytes, the crosslinking types of gel electrolytes and their applications in ZIBs were reviewed in this paper. Finally, the application of gel electrolyte in ZIBs is summarized and prospected, which brings a meaningful reference for the development of ZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Grimontia hollisae collagenase (Ghcol) exhibits high collagen‐degrading activity. To explore its catalytic mechanism, its substrate (Gly‐Pro‐Hyp‐Gly‐Pro‐Hyp, GPOGPO)‐complexed crystal structure was determined at 2.0 Å resolution. A water molecule was observed near the active‐site zinc ion. Since this water was not observed in the product (GPO)‐complexed Ghcol, it was hypothesized that the GPOGPO‐complexed Ghcol structure reflects a Michaelis complex, providing a structural basis for understanding the catalytic mechanism. Analyses of the active‐site geometry and site‐directed mutagenesis of the active‐site tyrosine residues revealed that Glu493 and Tyr564 were essential for catalysis, suggesting that Glu493 functions as an acid and base catalyst while Tyr564 stabilizes the tetrahedral complex in the transition state. These results shed light on the catalytic mechanism of bacterial collagenase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • FLHE , a eugenol derivative-based fluorescence turn-on probe for detecting Zn2+ was introduced. • FLHE demonstrates the CHEF effect, making it an excellent fluorescence "turn-on" probe for Zn2+ detection. • FLHE showed a high sensitivity for the Zn2+ detection (LOD = 31.8 nM) in live cells and environmental samples. • FLHE -based paper strip (FLHE-PS) assay allows Zn2+ detection (LOD = 63.2 nM) in aqueous solutions. • FLHE -based paper strip (FLHE-PS) assay allows quantification of water (LOD of 0.14%) in the organic solvent. Herein, a Eugenol-derived fluorescence 'turn-on' probe FLHE was synthesized by condensing 2-((3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl)amino)benzohydrazide with 5-allyl-2-hydroxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde. FLHE demonstrated very low fluorescence in the studied organic solvents of varying polarities. However, upon titration with Zn2+ in HEPES buffer (pH = 7.4, 50% ACN, v/v), FLHE showed 40-fold higher fluorescence signals indicating the formation of the FLHE–Zn2+ complex. The fluorescence turn-on phenomenon upon FLHE–Zn2+ complex formation results from a chelation-enhanced fluorescence (CHEF) effect. The FLHE–Zn2+ complexation demonstrated a stokes shift of 156 nm (λ ex = 350 nm, λ em = 506 nm) and an about 33-fold increase in the quantum yield (FLHE , Φ = 0.007; FLHE–Zn2+ complex, Φ = 0.23). The binding constant (K a) determined by the Benesi-Hildebrand plot for interaction between FLHE and Zn2+ was 5.33 × 103 M−1. FLHE demonstrated a LOD of 31.8 nM for detecting Zn2+ in the environmental samples without interference from other cations and anions. FLHE -based paper strip (FLHE-PS) assay was developed to quantify the Zn2+ ions in water and the water content of organic solvent. FLHE-PS allows the detection of Zn2+ in aqueous solutions with a LOD of 63.2 nM and quantifying water in acetonitrile with a LOD of 0.14%. These results indicate that the FLHE has high applicability for detecting Zn2+ in living cells and environmental samples and detecting the presence of water in the organic solvents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biosorption of zinc ions onto algae, sediment and the mixture algae -sediment was examined through the study of sorption parameters: the effect of pH, contact time, bio sorbent and Zn(II) concentrations. The optimum conditions for the experiments were performed at a pH 7.5, 8 and 9 for algae, sediment and the mixture algae-sediment, respectively. Metal-biomass-sediment interactions were examined by the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) of algae, sediment and the mixture. FTIR results confirmed the existence of functional groups O–H; -C-H, N–H, C = O and metal-OH; a slight shift of bands confirmed the adsorption of zinc. Kinetic study has indicated that the sorption process attained its equilibrium after 120 min, with the pseudo second order is suited kinetic model for the experimental data. The distribution coefficients Kd indicated that values decreased with the increase of Zn(II) concentration for the algae and the sediment amounts but increased with the increased mixture hybrid sorbent. The distribution coefficients Kd variations depends of the sorption actives site and hydrogen potential (pH). Data obtained fitted well with Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm using sediment and better fitted with Freundlich isotherm using algae and the mixture. The results indicated that the potential use of mineral-organic sorbent for the removal of zinc in aqueous system is possible and technically feasible with a superior efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The development of aqueous zinc‐ion capacitors (ZICs) is an effective approach to improve the safety and environmental friendliness of energy storage devices. In this paper, TiC/CNTs core‐shell array structures (TCT) were synthesized on titanium substrate through in‐situ simple chemical vapor deposition and carbon reduction and used as self‐supporting cathodes for aqueous ZICs. As expected, as‐prepared TCT electrode exhibited excellent electrochemical performance in aqueous electrolytes, demonstrating a high specific capacitance of 275.13 F g−1 at a current density of 1.0 A g−1 and maintaining 90.5 % of its initial capacity after 10000 charge‐discharge cycles. The assembled Zn//TCT ZIC displays excellent rate capability, delivering an excellent specific capacitance of 298.2 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 and 193.5 F g−1 at a high current density of 10 A g−1. Zn//TCT device can provide an ultra‐high energy density of 24.8 Wh kg−1 at a power of 6984.1 W kg−1. DFT calculations further demonstrate that a large number of electrons are transferred at the TiC/CNT interface and stable TIC−C bonds can be formed. This work provides a new strategy for rationally designing transition metal carbide electrodes and constructing ZICs with high energy and power densities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, the 1-Nicotinoyl-4-phenyl thiosemicarbazide (H2NPT) multidentate nitrogen, oxygen and sulfur containing ligand is being synthesized in a simple single step reaction by condensing 1:1 molar ratio of ethanolic solutions of both phenyl isothiocyanate and nicotinoyl hydrazine. The prepared H2NPT and its complexes with Co2+, Ni2+ and Zn2+ and Cu2+ were characterized by pH-metric titrations, elemental analysis, FTIR, electronic spectra and thermogravimetric (TGA) analyses. The association constant of the ligand and the stability constants of its complexes were calculated by pH-metric measurements in 50% ethanol–water mixture. Also, DFT method was used to draw the geometry of all compounds and the parameters such as bond lengths, bond angles, dipole moment, Frontier orbitals (HOMO, LUMO), MEP and other energetic parameters (optical energy gap, softness, hardness, electronegativity) were evaluated. The prepared H2NPT reacted with Co2+, Ni2+ and Zn2+ and Cu2+ metal ions to form colored precipitates that were readily floated to the surface solution using oleic acid (HOL) surfactant with vigorous shaking of the flotation cell. The heavy metals' concentrations in the dissolved precipitates are determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The different parameters affecting the flotation process were thoroughly investigated, viz. pH of sample solution, concentration of ligand, metal ions and HOL, temperature and interfering ions. Nano-gram quantities of Cu2+, Co2+, Ni2+ and Zn2+in 1500-ml samples are quantitatively determined with 1-Nicotinoyl-4-phenyl thiosemicarbazide (H2NPT) at pH 3.0–6.5 for Cu2+ and at 7.0–7.5 for Co2+, Ni2+ and Zn2+. The concentrations of these heavy metals are increased 300-fold. Interferences, on the flotation process, from various foreign ions were avoided by adding excess H2NPT. The mode of chelation between H2NPT and the investigated metal ions is proposed to be through the S, N and/or O atoms of the ligand. The mechanism of flotation is proposed to be due to an electrostatic interaction between the HOL surfactant and the formed metal–ligand complexes through H-bond formation. The proposed multi-element flotation methodology has been utilized for the determination of the analytes in certified reference materials, alloys, synthetic mixtures and in water samples with a recovery % more than 90% and a relative standard deviation (RSD), as a precision < 2%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have raised wide concern as a new generation energy storage device due to their high capacity, low cost, and environmental friendliness. It is a crucial step to develop the ideal cathode materials that match well with the Zn anode. In this work, we report polypyrrole-(PPy)-encapsulated MnO2 nanowires as cathode materials for AZIBs. The assembled Zn//MnO2@PPy batteries deliver a reversible capacity of 385.7 mAh g−1 at a current density of 0.1 A g−1. Also, they possess an energy density of 192 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 50 W kg−1. The cells show long-term cycling stability, with a retention rate of 96% after 1000 cycles. The outstanding electrochemical performance indicates their potential applications in large-scale energy storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper describes the issues associated with waste generated during steel production and processing, in particular the dust from electric arc furnaces (EAF). An effective solution for the disposal of such waste is its involvement in processing to obtain valuable products. This paper studies the physical and chemical properties of EAF dust produced during the smelting of metallized pellets and captured by the dust and gas cleaning system of the steel-smelting shop at the Oskol Electrometallurgical Combine, Belgorod Region. The results obtained in the study of the chemical and disperse compositions of dust, the microstructure of the surface made it possible to propose the use of dust as a raw material for coagulant production. The conditions of acid-thermal treatment of dust are determined, contributing to the partial dissolution of iron (II), (III), and aluminium compounds, which ensure the coagulation processes during wastewater treatment. Model solutions show high efficiency (> 95 %) of water treatment from heavy metal ions by modified EAF dust.

Zinc ions are the second most abundant ions found in humans. Their role in proteins can be merely structural but also catalytic, owing to their transition metal character. Modelling their geometric–coordination versatility by empirical force fields is, thus, a challenging task. In this work, we evaluated three popular models, specifically designed to represent zinc ions with regard to their capability of preserving structural integrity. To this end, we performed molecular dynamics simulations of two zinc-containing protein–DNA complexes, which differed in their zinc coordination, i.e., four cysteines or two cysteines and two histidines. The most flexible non-bonded 12-6-4 Lennard–Jones-type model shows a preference for six-fold coordination of the Zn2+-ions in contradiction to the crystal structure. The cationic dummy atom model favours tetrahedral geometry, whereas the bonded extended zinc AMBER force field model, by construction, best preserves the initial geometry of a regular or slightly distorted tetrahedron. Our data renders the extended zinc AMBER force field the best model for structural zinc ions in a given geometry. In more complicated cases, though, more flexible models may be advantageous.

Traditional liquid-solid extraction methods for the removal of zinc ions (Zn(II)) were generally limited by the leakage of extractant and low extraction capacity. The two-component Pickering emulsion hydrogels (PEHGs) in which the synergistic 2-ethylhexyl hydrogen-2-ethylhexylphosphate/tributyl phosphate (EHEHPA/TBP) was encapsulated in a semi-penetrating polymer network (SIPN) structured hydrogels polyacrylamide/sodium alginate (PAM/SA) were prepared by the Pickering emulsions polymerization route. The PEHGs were characterized by FTIR, SEM, TGA, and tensile mechanical measurements, and their self-healing properties were explored. The adsorption performance of PEHGs on Zn(II) was investigated. The results showed that the encapsulation of the extractant reached 95% due to the hydrogels network and nano-silica (nano-SiO2) particle network in PEHGs-15. The critical crashing pressure of PEHGs-15 was 0.084 MPa, and the adsorption after 3 h of healing was only 86% of the original amount. The maximum adsorption capacity of PEHGs-15 on Zn(II) was 76.51 mg/g at pH 5. The functional groups of SA and EHEHPA/TBP enhanced the adsorption capacity of PEHGs-15 by chelating with Zn(II). After five adsorption-desorption cycles, the adsorption capacity of PEHGs-15 exceeded 85% of the initial one. The excellent mechanical properties, self-healing, and regenerative properties of PEHGs-15 offer the potential to remove Zn(II) from the solution. HIGHLIGHTS The two-component PEHGs based on Pickering emulsions were prepared to remove Zn(II) from the solution.; The introduction of SA and nano-SiO2 resulted in 95% encapsulation of extractants in PEHGs.; The synergistic extractant EHEHPA/TBP and PAM/SA in PEHGs-15 exhibited a high adsorption capacity of 76.51 mg/g for Zn(II).; After five adsorption-desorption cycles, the adsorption capacity of PEHGs-15 exceeded 85% of the initial one.;

Aqueous rechargeable zinc ion batteries (ARZIBs) are ideal for massive and longstanding energy storage applications because of their excellent security and low operation cost. Nevertheless, ARZIBs are subject to the severe corrosion reaction of zinc metal anodes that is derived from the thermodynamic unsteadiness of the zinc anodes in aqueous solution, as well as zinc dendrite growth originating from uncontrolled zinc deposition. Herein, we created a separator by coating a thin piece of polypropylene (PP) with a compound consisting of zinc trifluoromethanesulfonate [Zn(OTf)2] and poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene (PVDF-HFP). Consequently, the severe corrosion reaction of the zinc metal anodes and the profuse formation of zinc dendrites were effectively mitigated by the novel PP separator, which prolonged the lifetime of the zinc metal anodes. When a zinc metal plating layer was used with preferential (002) crystallographic orientation, the cyclic performance over 1100 h of the symmetrical Zn∥Zn battery based on the novel separator was steady. Additionally, the Zn∥MnO2 batteries exhibited an impressive specific capacity and competitive long durability of 75.5% over 500 cycles at a current density of 0.1 A g−1. With this work, we intend to set the standard for designing novel separators in the construction of advanced zinc anodes for high-performance ARZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous Zn batteries are attracting extensive attentions, but their application is still hindered by H2O‐induced Zn‐corrosion and hydrogen evolution reactions. Addition of organic solvents into aqueous electrolytes to limit the H2O activity is a promising solution, but at the cost of greatly reduced Zn anode kinetics. Here we propose a simple strategy for this challenge by adding 50 mM iodine ions into an organic‐water (1,2‐dimethoxyethane (DME)+water) hybrid electrolyte, which enables the electrolyte simultaneously owns the advantages of low H2O activity and accelerated Zn kinetics. We demonstrate that the DME breaks the H2O hydrogen‐bond network and exclude H2O from Zn2+ solvation shell. And the I− is firmly adsorbed on the Zn anode, reducing the Zn2+ de‐solvation barrier from 74.33 kJ mol−1 to 32.26 kJ mol−1 and inducing homogeneous nucleation behavior. With such electrolyte, the Zn//Zn symmetric cell exhibits a record high cycling lifetime (14.5 months) and achieves high Zn anode utilization (75.5 %). In particular, the Zn//VS2@SS full cell with the optimized electrolyte stably cycles for 170 cycles at a low N : P ratio (3.64). Even with the cathode mass‐loading of 16.7 mg cm−2, the full cell maintains the areal capacity of 0.96 mAh cm−2 after 1600 cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slow‐release platforms have attracted much attention due to their many applications, such as biomedical implants, plant fertilizers, and drug delivery systems. In this work, a green, cost‐effective, and scalable method is reported to synthesize colloidal hybrid nanospheres capable of releasing zinc ions in a highly controllable manner by encapsulating zinc ammonium citrate colloids with a layer of silica. The release rate of zinc ions from resulting core‐shell nanospheres can be conveniently tuned by changing the shell thickness and cross‐linking degree of the silica layer, the solvent composition, and the surrounding temperature. By integrating the temperature‐sensitive release behavior of the hybrid nanospheres, the color shift associated with the complexation of zinc ions with xylenol orange, and the photothermal conversion property of gold nanoparticles, a novel film capable of recording time‐sensitive color information is designed using direct laser writing and further demonstrated its application in steganography. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quick‐charge technology is of great significance for the development of aqueous zinc‐ion batteries. In this study, an unreported in situ electrochemical amorphization mechanism is highlighted to unlock the ultrafast‐kinetics electrode. Multiple characterizations, density functional theory calculation, and molecular dynamic simulation are applied to uncover the storage mechanism of electrodes, as well as the evolution of structure, and reaction kinetics after reconstruction. As revealed, the long‐range ordered ZnV2O4 crystalline can be reconstructed to a short‐range ordered Zn0.44V2O4 electrode, which exhibits significantly improved active sites, shortened diffusion path, and enhanced zinc ions capture ability. Notably, by pairing with the modified Zn anode, it can display ultrahigh rate capability (212 mAh g−1 at 50 A g−1) with a maximum power density of 23.2 kW kg−1, as well as good cycle performance (217.2 mAh g−1 after 3000 cycles at 20 A g−1). Unexpectedly, such reconstructed amorphous electrodes can also retain superior storage capability even at cryogenic conditions. A high specific capacity of 251 mAh g−1 can be delivered at −25°C and 1 A g−1, as well as an 84.3% capacity retention after 500 cycles. This brand‐new in‐situ electrochemical amorphization mechanism is expected to provide new insight into understanding the high‐performance aqueous zinc‐ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) are viewed as a promising energy storage system for large‐scale applications thanks to the low cost and wide accessibility of Zn‐based materials, the high theoretical capacity of Zn anode, and their high level of safety. However, the practical application of ZIBs is hindered by the rapid performance degradation. Herein, a Zn–K hybrid ion battery design is proposed using a high‐quality Prussian blue cathode and a nonflammable Zn–K hybrid ion electrolyte. The electrochemical process is divided into two parts, with K+ insertion/extraction occurring at the cathode side and Zn2+ plating/stripping occurring at the anode side, which avoids structure destruction caused by Zn2+ insertion in the cathode. The non‐flammable electrolyte not only ensures high safety but also effectively suppresses dendrite growth on the Zn anode. The hybrid cells demonstrate a high capacity of 151.0 mAh g−1, a high voltage of 1.74 V (vs Zn2+/Zn), and an ultra‐long cycle life of 15 000 cycles. Combining the nonflammable nature of the electrolyte, the abundance of raw materials, and good electrochemical performance, the Zn–K hybrid ion battery system promises a promising future for renewable energy storage applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manganese oxide as the star cathode material of aqueous zinc ion batteries is vigorously developed because of its environmental protection, outstanding theoretical capacity, and high voltage. However, severe Jahn–Teller distortion of trivalent Mn has detrimental effect on cyclic stability. Herein, 1D core‐shell bimetal oxide with cross‐doping of heteroatom is successfully designed by self‐template method via one‐step hydrothermal reaction. Specifically, the thick shell of Mo‐doped α‐MnO2 with increased nanopores, expanded lattice spacing, and high oxidation state not only contributes high capacity but also suppresses the lattice distortion due to the doping of high‐valent Mo6+; While the thin core of Mn‐doped MoO3 nanobelt supplies a shaped template, important Mo source, and improved conductive path. Therefore, this composite exhibits a superior capacity of 366.2 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1 and 100% capacity retention after 100 cycles, which effectively increases to 4.1 times from 1.5 times of pure α‐MnO2 based battery. Besides promoting the electrochemical performance in coin‐cell batteries, composite materials also balance the electrochemical and mechanical performances in flexible micro‐batteries with area energy density of 261.2 µWh cm−2. Therefore, this synergetic self‐template and cross‐doping strategy can extend to the material design of other high‐performance metal oxides for energy storage application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, two novel chemosensors containing dihydropyridine fragment namely; (2E, 2Eʹ)-1,1ʹ-(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-diyl)bis(3-(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)prop-2-en-1-one) (1), (2E,2E',4E,4E')-1,1ʹ -(2,6-dimethyl-1,4-dihydropyridine-3,5-diyl)bis(5-(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)penta-2,4-dien-1-one) (2) have been synthesized and characterized. The solvatochromic behavior was explored in different solvents of various polarities. The visual detection, as well as UV–Vis and fluorescence measurements were carried out to explore the colorimetric and optical sensing properties of the investigated chemosensors towards various metal ions such as Al3+, Cr3+, Mn2+, Fe3+, Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, Mg2+, Hg2+ and Zn2+. The chemosensors 1 and 2 have strong detecting abilities, with excellent sensitivity and selectivity for Cu2+ and Fe3+, respectively, over the other metal ions. The chemosensors were totally reversible upon addition of EDTA to the formed complexes and displayed a turn on–off-on fluorescence response based on an effect of chelation-quenching fluorescence. The antioxidant activities of the investigated chemosensors were assessed. They were examined in-silico for their capacity to block the Akt signaling pathway, which is involved in cancer proliferation with interpreting their pharmacokinetics aspects. Furthermore, in-vitro antitumor evaluation against a panel of cancer cell lines for the investigated chemosensors has been examined. Conclusively, chemosensor 1 was more effective at scavenging free radicals and as an anticancer agent and could be exploited as a therapeutic candidate for cancer therapy than chemosensor 2 due to its potential inhibition of Akt protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice lacks sufficient amounts of zinc despite its vitality for human health. Leaf senescence enables redistribution of nutrients to other organs, yet Zn retransfer during deficiency is often overlooked. In this hydroponic experiment, we studied the effect of Zn deficiency on rice seedlings, focusing on the fourth leaf under control and deficient conditions. Growth phenotype analysis showed that the growth of rice nodal roots was inhibited in Zn deficiency, and the fourth leaf exhibited accelerated senescence and increased Zn ion transfer. Analyzing differentially expressed genes showed that Zn deficiency regulates more ZIP family genes involved in Zn ion retransfer. OsZIP3 upregulation under Zn-deficient conditions may not be induced by Zn deficiency, whereas OsZIP4 is only induced during Zn deficiency. Gene ontology enrichment analysis showed that Zn-deficient leaves mobilized more biological pathways (BPs) during aging, and the enrichment function differed from that of normal aging leaves. The most apparent "zinc ion transport" BP was stronger than that of normal senescence, possibly due to Zn-deficient leaves mobilizing large amounts of BP related to lipid metabolism during senescence. These results provide a basis for further functional analyses of genes and the study of trace element transfer during rice leaf senescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc ion batteries have gained research attention as a safer, economical and more environmentally friendly alternative to lithium‐ion batteries. Similar to lithium batteries, intercalation processes play an important role in the charge storage behaviour of aqueous zinc ion batteries, with the pre‐intercalation of guest species in the cathode being also employed as a strategy to improve battery performance. In view of this, proving hypothesized mechanisms of intercalation, as well as rigorously characterizing intercalation processes in aqueous zinc ion batteries is crucial to achieve advances in battery performance. This review aims to evaluate the range of techniques commonly used to characterize intercalation in aqueous zinc ion battery cathodes, providing a perspective on the approaches that can be utilized to rigorously understand such intercalation processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ubiquitin signalling and metal homeostasis play key roles in controlling several physiological cellular activities, including protein trafficking and degradation. While some relationships between these two biochemical pathways have started to surface, our knowledge of their interplay remains limited. Here, we employ a variety of techniques, such as circular dichroism, differential scanning calorimetry, pressure perturbation calorimetry, fluorescence emission, SDS-PAGE, and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) to evaluate the impact of Cu2+ and Zn2+ ions on the structure and stability of K48 linked diubiquitin (K48-Ub2), a simple model for polyubiquitin chains. The SAXS analysis results show that the structure of the metal-free protein is similar to that observed when the protein is bound to the E2 conjugating enzyme, lending support to the idea that the structure of unanchored K48-linked ubiquitin chains is sufficient for identification by conjugating enzymes without the need for an induced fit mechanism. Our results indicate that K48-Ub2 can coordinate up to four metal ions with both copper and zinc ions inducing slight changes to the secondary structure of the protein. However, we noted significant distinctions in their impacts on protein stability and overall architecture. Specifically, Cu2+ ions resulted in a destabilization of the protein structure, which facilitated the formation of dimer aggregates. Next, we observed a shift in the conformational dynamics of K48-Ub2 toward less compact and more flexible states upon metal ion binding, with Zn2+ inducing a more significant effect than Cu2+ ions. Our structural modelling study demonstrates that both metal ions induced perturbations in the K48-Ub2 structure, leading to the separation of the two monomers thus inhibiting interactions with E2 enzymes. In conclusion, the findings from this study enhance our comprehension of the mechanisms underlying Ub chains recognition. Moreover, they strengthen the notion that drug discovery initiatives aimed at targeting metal-mediated disruptions in Ub signaling hold great potential for treating a wide range of diseases that stem from abnormal protein accumulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc-ion batteries are one of the promising energy storage devices, which have the advantages of environmental friendliness, high safety and low price and are expected to be used in large-scale battery application fields. However, four prominent water-induced adverse reactions, including zinc dendrite formation, zinc corrosion, passivation and the hydrogen evolution reaction in aqueous systems, seriously shorten the cycling life of zinc-ion batteries and greatly hinder their development. Based on this, polymer gel electrolytes have been developed to alleviate these issues due to their unique network structure, which can reduce water activity and suppress water-induced side reactions. Based on the challenges of polymer gel electrolytes, this review systematically summarizes the latest research progress in the use of additives in them and explores new perspectives in response to the existing problems with polymer electrolytes. In order to expand the performance of polymer gel electrolytes in zinc-ion batteries, a range of different types of additives are added via physical/chemical crosslinking, such as organic or inorganic substances, natural plants, etc. In addition, different types of additives and polymerization crosslinking from different angles essentially improve the ionic conductivity of the gel electrolyte, inhibit the growth of zinc dendrites, and reduce hydrogen evolution and oxygen-absorbed corrosion. After these modifications of polymer gel electrolytes, a more stable and superior electrochemical performance of zinc-ion batteries can be obtained, which provides some strategies for solid-state zinc-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid‐state zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) and aluminum‐ion batteries (AIBs) are deemed as promising candidates for supplying power in wearable devices due to merits of low cost, high safety, and tunable flexibility. However, their wide‐scale practical application is limited by various challenges, down to the material level. This Review begins with elaboration of the root causes and their detrimental effect for four main limitations: electrode‐electrolyte interface contact, electrolyte ionic conductivity, mechanical strength, and electrochemical stability window of the electrolyte. Thereafter, various strategies to mitigate each of the described limitation are discussed along with future research direction perspectives. Finally, to estimate the viability of these technologies for wearable applications, economic‐performance metrics are compared against Li‐ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]