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Manganese oxides (MnxOy) are considered a promising cathode material for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) due to their high theoretical specific capacity, various oxidation states and crystal phases, and environmental friendliness. Nevertheless, their practical application is limited by their intrinsic poor conductivity, structural deterioration, and manganese dissolution resulting from Jahn–Teller distortion. To address these problems, doping engineering is thought to be a favorable modification strategy to optimize the structure, chemistry, and composition of the material and boost the electrochemical performance. In this review, the latest progress on doped MnxOy-based cathodes for AZIBs has been systematically summarized. The contents of this review are as follows: (1) the classification of MnxOy-based cathodes; (2) the energy storage mechanisms of MnxOy-based cathodes; (3) the synthesis route and role of doping engineering in MnxOy-based cathodes; and (4) the doped MnxOy-based cathodes for AZIBs. Finally, the development trends of MnxOy-based cathodes and AZIBs are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Noncovalent cofacial porphyrin dimers have attracted interest due to their potential use as host materials or catalysts. In this study, we introduce a novel coordination‐directed cofacial porphyrin dimer from a meso‐tetraphenylporphyrin derivative modified with 2,2′‐bipyridine moieties at the meta positions of the phenyl groups. Spectroscopic investigation has shed light on the binding processes and the structure of the dimer in solution in detail. Initial Zn2+ ion binding to the porphyrin hinders the subsequent Zn2+ binding and the binding of the second porphyrin. However, once the dimer is formed, additional Zn2+ binding is notably enhanced, resulting in a pronounced S‐shaped binding curve. The detailed structure of the dimer in solution was established based on UV‐vis spectroscopy, various 1H NMR spectroscopy techniques and mass spectrometry. Simulations of ring‐current‐induced chemical shift changes provided evidence for the face‐to‐face porphyrin structure with tetrahedral coordination of the bipyridine ligands. The X‐ray single crystal structure provided conclusive evidence for the structure of the face‐to‐face dimer, which remarkably resembles the model structure from the 1H NMR simulation. The stability of the dimer structure makes it promising for further exploration of this motif in developing new supramolecular structures and for their potential applications as host compounds and catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The acid resistance of erythrocytes of laboratory rats was studied under isolated and complex exposure to lead, cadmium, and zinc ions. It was shown that when exposed to heavy metal ions, there is a shift in erythrograms, an increase in the proportion of low-resistant erythrocytes, and a reduction in hemolysis time. The most significant changes in erythrocyte membranes are observed with the chronic action of Pb2+, Cd2+, Zn2+ ions, and a mixture of heavy metals. It was found that when Pb2+, Zn2+, and Cd2+ ions were exposed to laboratory rats for 30 days, the peak of erythrograms was 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 minutes, respectively. The proportion of erythrocytes subjected to hemolysis at the peaks of erythrograms was significant and about 3 times higher than the control at prolonged exposure to Pb2+ and Zn2+ ions and almost corresponds to the control (36.0%) when exposed to Cd2+ ions. The hemolysis time was significantly reduced: 2.5 minutes at Pb2+ and Zn2+ ions, and 4.5 minutes at Cd2+ ions. It should be noted that by the 30th day of the experiment, all rats that received water with heavy metals had died. Thus, the results obtained indicate significant qualitative changes in the composition of the erythrocyte population of rats exposed to chronic exposure to heavy metal salts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of social industrialization, energy issues have become a hot topic at present. Traditional lithium-ion batteries, due to their poor safety and high cost, cannot meet the current application needs in the energy storage field in the long term. Therefore, the development of suitable new energy has aroused people's deep thinking. Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have attracted attention from the scientific research community in recent years due to their high safety, cleanliness, and other advantages. However, dendrites are easily grown on the zinc anode, and free water molecules can also corrode the zinc anode, causing side reactions such as hydrogen evolution and passivation, seriously affecting the long-term cycling performance and stability of the battery. This work introduces a new type of ionic liquid additive 1-cyanobutyl-3-methylimidazole chloride (MCBI) to optimize aqueous electrolytes. Before the deposition of zinc ions on the anode surface, MCBI cations will preferentially land on the anode. Due to their special structures of Electron-withdrawing group and nitrogen heterocycles, they will tightly adsorb on the zinc surface in a unique shape of the “Check mark” posture. This provides abundant sites for the deposition of zinc ions, allowing zinc atoms to arrange regularly between MCBI ions, thereby reducing the generation of dendrites. Due to the steric hindrance effect, by-products (Zinc hydroxide sulfate) will also accumulate in an orderly manner around additive ions, forming channels for uniform deposition of zinc ions; The hydrophobic alkyl groups of MCBI cations will repel most of the free water molecules outside the anode, thereby reducing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In this work, under the optimal concentration conditions, the Coulomb efficiency of Zn//Cu asymmetric cell with MCBI additive can reach 99. 37% after 200 cycles; Zn//Zn symmetric batteries can stably cycle for more than 1600 h at low current density (0. 5 mA/cm2), and can cycle for more than 1000 h at 10 mA/cm², 5 mA·h/cm². Finally, VO2 as the cathode maintains a high-capacity retention rate of 88. 5% after 500 cycles in the full battery. This work provides new ideas for the anode modification strategy of aqueous zinc ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cathode materials with conversion mechanisms for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have shown a great potential as next-generation energy storage materials due to their high discharge capacity and high energy density. However, improving their cycling stability has been the biggest challenge plaguing researchers. In this study, CuO microspheres were prepared using a simple hydrothermal reaction, and the morphology and crystallinity of the samples were modulated by controlling the hydrothermal reaction time. The as-synthesized materials were used as cathode materials for AZIBs. The electrochemical experiments showed that the CuO-4h sample, undergoing a hydrothermal reaction for 4 h, had the longest lifecycle and the best rate of capability. A discharge capacity of 131.7 mAh g−1 was still available after 700 cycles at a current density of 500 mA g−1. At a high current density of 1.5 A g−1, the maintained capacity of the cell is 85.4 mA h g−1. The structural evolutions and valence changes in the CuO-4h cathode material were carefully explored by using ex situ XRD and ex situ XPS. CuO was reduced to Cu2O and Cu after the initial discharge, and Cu was oxidized to Cu2O instead of CuO during subsequent charging processes. We believe that these findings could introduce a novel approach to exploring high-performance cathode materials for AZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZiBs) have emerged as a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries as energy storage systems from renewable sources. Manganese hexacyanoferrate (MnHCF) is a Prussian Blue analogue that exhibits the ability to insert divalent ions such as Zn2+. However, in an aqueous environment, MnHCF presents weak structural stability and suffers from manganese dissolution. In this work, zinc doping is explored as a strategy to provide the structure with higher stability. Thus, through a simple and easy-to-implement approach, it has been possible to improve the stability and capacity retention of the cathode, although at the expense of reducing the specific capacity of the system. By correctly balancing the amount of zinc introduced into the MnHCF it is possible to reach a compromise in which the loss of capacity is not critical, while better cycling stability is obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel fluorescent probe containing an imine structure was synthesized through a condensation reaction based on the skeleton of antipyrine. Due to the synergistic effect of photoinduced electron transfer (PET), excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT), and E/Z isomerization, the probe itself has weak fluorescence. When zinc ions are added to the ethanol solution of the probe, the formed complex inhibits PET, ESIPT, and E/Z isomerization while activating chelation-enhanced fluorescence (CHEF), resulting in fluorescent "turn-on" at 462 nm. Under optimal detection conditions, the probe can rapidly respond to zinc ions within 3 min, with a linear range of 60–220 μM and a lower limit of detection (LOD) of 0.63 μM. It can also specifically identify zinc ions in the presence of 13 common metal ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two zinc complexes [Zn(LH)2(phen)] (1) and [Zn(L)(H2O)]n (2) (LH− = 2-hydroxy-5-((3-nitrophenyl)azo)-benzoate, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) were synthesized by hydrothermal methods and characterized by elemental analysis and IR spectroscopy. Complexes 1 and 2 crystallize in mononuclear and polymeric structures, respectively, where ligands L2− are coordinated to the zinc ions via their carboxylate and phenolate groups in η2,μ2,κ2 and η2,μ2,κ1 mode, respectively. Introduction of the auxiliary chelating phen ligand results in the chelation of the zinc ions in 1 through both the phen ligand and the carboxylate group of the first LH− anion assisted further by the monodentate carboxylate group of the second LH− anion. In complex 2 the L2− anions act as tridentate ligands utilizing their carboxylate and phenolate groups to coordinate to three zinc ions. The phenolate oxygen atom bridges two zinc ions resulting in the generation of a layer structure. Fluorescence measurements have indicated that complexes 1 and 2 exhibit similar luminescence emissions around 393 and 387 nm, respectively, which originate from intra-ligand π-π* transitions. The emission intensities were strengthened relative to the sodium complex NaLH owing to the enhancement of the rigidity of the aromatic system through the coordination interactions of the ligands with the more tightly bound zinc ions. Furthermore, the suspension of complex 2 can be used to selectively detect Fe3+ cations via the luminescence quenching process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional/three-dimensional hierarchical self-supporting potassium ammonium vanadate@MXene hybrid films exhibit excellent electrochemical performance. [Display omitted] Currently, aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) have grown to be a good choice for large-scale energy storage systems due to their high theoretical specific capacity, low redox potential, low cost, and non-toxicity of the aqueous electrolyte. However, it is still challenging to obtain high specific capacity and stability suitable cathodes. Herein, hierarchical self-supporting potassium ammonium vanadate@MXene (KNVO@MXene) hybrid films were prepared by vacuum filtration method. Due to the three-dimensional nanoflower structure of KNVO with dual ions intercalation, high conductivity of two-dimensional Ti 3 C 2 T x MXene, and the hierarchical self-supporting structure, the AZIB based on the KNVO@MXene hybrid film cathode possessed superior specific capacity (481 mAh/g at 0.3 A/g) and cycling stability (retaining 125 mAh/g after 1000 cycles at a high current density of 10 A/g). In addition, the storage mechanism was revealed by various ex-situ characterizations. Hence, a new viewpoint for the preparation of AZIB self-supporting cathode materials is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • We prepared BVO@VO with dual-phase heterostructure. • The heterostructure enables rapid de/insertion of Zn2+ ions. • The Zn2+ diffusion rate in BVO@VO exceeds VO 2 by three orders of magnitude. • The BVO@VO presents a capacity retention of 96% after 2000 cycles at 2.0 A g−1. • The obtained all-solid-state pouch cell shows excellent electrochemical performance. Rechargeable aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) have emerged as a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries due to their inherent safety, abundant availability, environmental friendliness and cost-effectiveness. However, the cathodes in ZIBs encounter challenges such as structural instability, low capacity, and sluggish kinetics. In this study, we constructed BiVO 4 @VO 2 (BVO@VO) heterojunction cathode material with bismuth vanadate and vanadium dioxide phases for ZIBs, which demonstrate significant advancements in both aqueous and quasi-solid-state ZIBs. Benefitting from the heterojunction structure, the materials present a high capacity of 262 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1, superb cyclic stability with 96% capacity retention after 1000 cycles at 2 A g−1, and outstanding rate property with a specific capacity of 218 mAh g−1 even at a high rate of 5.0 A g−1. Furthermore, the flexible quasi-solid-state ZIBs incorporating the BVO@VO cathode demonstrate prolonged cyclic life performance with a remarkable specific capacity of 234 mAh g−1 over 100 cycles at a current density of 0.1 A g−1. This study potentially paves the way for the utilization of heterointerface-enhanced zinc ion diffusion for vanadium-based materials in ZIBs, thereby providing a new approach for the design and investigation of high-performance zinc-ion systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic wound healing is a great clinical challenge due to the microenvironment of hyperglycemia and high pH value, bacterial infection and persistent inflammation. Here, we develop a cascade nanoreactor hydrogel (Arg@Zn-MOF-GOx Gel, AZG-Gel) with arginine (Arg) loaded Zinc metal organic framework (Zn-MOF) and glucose oxidase (GOx) based on chondroitin sulfate (CS) and Pluronic (F127) to accelerate diabetic infected wound healing. GOx in AZG-Gel was triggered by hyperglycemic environment to reduce local glucose and pH, and simultaneously produced hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) to enable Arg-to release nitric oxide (NO) for inflammation regulation, providing a suitable microenvironment for wound healing. Zinc ions (Zn2+) released from acid-responsive Zn-MOF significantly inhibited the proliferation and biofilm formation of S.aureus and E.coli. AZG-Gel significantly accelerated diabetic infected wound healing by down-regulating pro-inflammatory tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin (IL)-6, up-regulating anti-inflammatory factor IL-4, promoting angiogenesis and collagen deposition in vivo. Collectively, our nanoreactor cascade strategy combining "endogenous improvement (reducing glucose and pH)" with "exogenous resistance (anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory)" provides a new idea for promoting diabetic infected wound healing by addressing both symptoms and root causes. A cascade nanoreactor (AZG-Gel) is constructed to solve three key problems in diabetic wound healing, namely, hyperglycemia and high pH microenvironment, bacterial infection and persistent inflammation. Local glucose and pH levels are reduced by GOx to provide a suitable microenvironment for wound healing. The release of Zn2+ significantly inhibits bacterial proliferation and biofilm formation, and NO reduces wound inflammation and promotes angiogenesis. The pH change when AZG-Gel is applied to wounds is expected to enable the visualization of wound healing to guide the treatment of diabetic wound. Our strategy of "endogenous improvement (reducing glucose and pH)" combined with "exogenous resistance (anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory)" provides a new way for promoting diabetic wound healing. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With a continually evolving society and increasing environmental energy concerns, green biomass materials are attracting considerable attention in the field of energy storage owing to their low cost, environmental friendliness, and excellent storage capacity. Biomass materials prepared by various methods have been used as electrodes in secondary batteries. In this review, we discuss the application scope of different types of biomass and biomass‐derived materials in zinc‐air, lithium‐ion, and lithium‐sulfur batteries. The application of biomass and biomass‐derived materials in batteries is gaining increasing attention and is expected to drive many exciting innovations in the field of sustainable energy storage technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (AZIBs) are highly promising for grid‐scale energy storage due to their high‐safety and low‐cost characteristics. Nevertheless, the progress in AZIBs has been impeded due to challenges encompassing corrosion, hydrogen evolution reaction, and the formation of dendrites on Zn anodes. These issues arise from the decomposition of active water molecules in the Zn2+ solvation structure in the electrolyte. Various strategies have been proposed to regulate the electrode/electrolyte interface to effectively address these problems. In spite of remarkable headway, an inadequacy of comprehensive studies addressing the mechanisms and evolutionary dynamics of the electrode/electrolyte interface is evident within scientific literature. This overview aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the strategies for regulating the electrode/electrolyte interface, focusing on dendrite‐free and side reactions‐suppressed AZIBs. These strategies include the introduction of metal ion additives, inorganic additives, surfactant additives, polymer additives and organic additives. Furthermore, a detailed examination is made on the effects and underlying mechanisms associated with modifying the electrolyte at the interface between the electrode and electrolyte. Moreover, an appraisal is provided on the performance metrics of diverse strategies and prospective research directions are recommended as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (AZIBs) offer advantages such as low cost, high safety, and environmental friendliness. However, the crystal structure design of cathode materials such as molybdenum oxide is of vital importance for AZIBs. Herein, a novel nanoflower‐structured molybdenum dioxide (MoO2@C) is synthesized by using MnMoO4 nanoflower‐like precursor. The presence of manganese and reduction process play a crucial role in the formation of nanoflower structure, which enhances the electrochemical performance when it is used as cathode for AZIBs. As a result, the MoO2@C cathode exhibits high initial coulombic efficiency, excellent cycling stability, and outstanding rate capability. Moreover, in situ/ex situ analysis (ex situ X‐Ray diffraction/in situ Raman spectroscopy) is used to reveal Zn‐ion storage mechanism of reversible intercalation and ultrastable structural framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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AbstractZeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs) are a novel material, a sub-group of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with a sodalite-type structure similar to zeolites and are formed by the bridging of imidazole with metallic nodes or clusters which find applications such gas storage, energy storage, drug delivery, catalysis, and membrane technology. ZIF-8 denotes a MOF containing zinc metal ions; ZIF-67 comprises of cobalt metal linkers; and ZIF-8-67 signifies a MOF containing both zinc and cobalt linkers. In the present study, aforementioned nanomaterials are lab-synthesized and added to cement in concentration of 0.4%, 0.5%, 0.6%, and 0.7% by weight of cement and characterized using XRD, FTIR, and SEM analysis. Various fresh and hardened tests were conducted to evaluate rheology, flexural, and compressive strength. The flexural strength test resulted in an increase of up to 21.72% in ZIF-8-67 cement specimens. ZIFs tend to offer extra nucleation sites for the production of hydration products and result in strength increment and densification of microstructure. The optimum concentration among the selected trials was 0.5% for ZIF-8, 0.6% for ZIF-67, and 0.5% for ZIF-8-67 in cement based on the strength increment criteria. The flow test results indicated the hydrophobicity of the added nanomaterials, thereby increasing the workability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its abundance of natural resources, high theoretical capacity, and suitable redox potential (−0.76 V vs SHE), Zn anode has received extensive attention both from academy and industry. However, the coexistence of Zn and H2O, which is unfortunately thermodynamically unstable, always involves severe metal corrosion, H2 evolution, dendrite growth, resulting in low reversibility of Zn anode. Herein, a phase transfer method is adapted to design a porous conductive protective layer on the Zn anode, denoted as (PVDF (Polyvinylidene fluoride)/CNTs(Carbon Nanotubes)‐PT(phase transfer) @ Zn). Based on in situ characterization, COMSOL simulation, and migration energy barrier calculation, it can be demonstrated that PVDF/CNTs‐PT @ Zn effectively inhibited the production of Zn dendrites and the side reactions triggered by H2O, achieving uniform deposition. Especially, the full picture of Zn deposition is observed using in situ computed tomography (CT). The symmetrical cell using the PVDF/CNTs‐PT @ Zn demonstrates dendrite‐free plating/stripping and possesses much better cycle stability than the bare Zn. A stable rechargeable full battery is demoed through coupling the PVDF/CNTs‐PT @ Zn anode with commercial V2O5. The strategy showcases a feasible pathway to inhibit Zn dendrite and side reactions in aqueous Zn ion battery, opening a promising avenue for the construction of metal anode protection layer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water‐based secondary batteries with multivalent metals anode provide a promising option for energy storage with low cost and high security. However, the electrochemical performance of aqueous Zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) is mainly restricted by problems such as poor reversibility and hydrogen evolution. Herein, an "amphoteric polymer strategy" with buffer‐adsorption mechanism for AZIBs is proposed by introducing poly‐L‐Glutamic Acid (PGA) into the electrolyte. Amphoteric polymer enriched functional carboxyl and amino groups confer high compatibility of the Zn metal anodes as well as the relative stability of the bulk electrolyte pH simultaneously. Partial PGA molecules distributed in bulk electrolyte dynamically dissociate to stabilize pH and correspondingly slow down the generation of inert components, while others specifically adsorbed on zinc foil can relieve electrochemical corrosion and induce dendrite‐free uniform Zn deposition. Consequently, long‐term cycling stability (>1650 h) and high levels of reversibility (Coulombic efficiency>99.5%) of Zn anode are harvested in 2 m ZnSO4 electrolyte with only 0.5 wt% of PGA. In addition, when coupled with Zn0.25V2O5(ZVO) cathode, the full cell exhibits higher capacity retention and less pH fluctuation. This work reveals a novel buffer‐adsorption mechanism offered by amphoteric functional polymer, and provides a new additive design principle for rechargeable AZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quasi‐solid aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) based on flexible hydrogel electrolytes are promising substitutions of lithium‐ion batteries owing to their intrinsic safety, low cost, eco‐friendliness and wearability. However, it remains a challenge to lower the freezing point without sacrificing the fundamental advantages of hydrogel electrolytes such as conductivity and mechanical properties. Herein, an all‐around hydrogel electrolyte is constructed through a convenient energy dissipation strategy via the rapid and reversible intramolecular/intermolecular ligand exchanges between Zn2+ and alterdentate ligands. The as‐obtained hydrogel exhibits excellent mechanical properties, fatigue resistance, high Zn‐ion conductivity (38.2 mS cm−1), good adhesion (19.1 kPa), and ultra‐low freezing point (−97 °C). Due to the alterdentate ligands help to improve the zinc ion solvation structure and guide uniform Zn deposition, the Zn||Zn symmetric cells show stable plating/stripping behavior and long‐term cycle stability. The Zn||V2O5 full cells exhibit large capacity of 230.6 mAh g−1 and high capacity retention of 75.2% after 1000 cycles. Furthermore, flexible AZIBs operate stably even under extreme conditions including low temperature (−40 °C) and large bending angle (180°). The mechanically damage‐resistant hydrogel can also be utilized in flexible strain sensors. This work offers a facile strategy for developing mechanically deformation‐resistant, dendrite‐free, and environmentally adaptable AZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IncX3 plasmids carrying the New Delhi metallo-β-lactamase-encoding gene, blaNDM-5, are rapidly spreading globally in both humans and animals. Given that carbapenems are listed on the WHO AWaRe watch group and are prohibited for use in animals, the drivers for the successful dissemination of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) carrying blaNDM-5-IncX3 plasmids still remain unknown. We observe that E. coli carrying blaNDM-5-IncX3 can persist in chicken intestines either under the administration of amoxicillin, one of the largest veterinary β-lactams used in livestock, or without any antibiotic pressure. We therefore characterise the blaNDM-5-IncX3 plasmid and identify a transcription regulator, VirBR, that binds to the promoter of the regulator gene actX enhancing the transcription of Type IV secretion systems (T4SS); thereby, promoting conjugation of IncX3 plasmids, increasing pili adhesion capacity and enhancing the colonisation of blaNDM-5-IncX3 transconjugants in animal digestive tracts. Our mechanistic and in-vivo studies identify VirBR as a major factor in the successful spread of blaNDM-5-IncX3 across one-health AMR sectors. Furthermore, VirBR enhances the plasmid conjugation and T4SS expression by the presence of copper and zinc ions, thereby having profound ramifications on the use of universal animal feeds. Carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli, carrying blaNDM-5-IncX3 plasmids, can persist in chickens either under the presence of amoxicillin or without any antibiotic. Transcriptional regulator VirBR can promote transmission of IncX3 plasmid and persistence of blaNDM-5 in zoonotic bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have great potential in the field of stationary energy storage due to their low manufacturing cost and high safety. However, the zinc dendrite growth arising from the uneven deposition of zinc ions has been inhibiting the application of AZIBs. In this work, hydrophilic and nanocrystalline carbon quantum dots (CQDs) are synthesized and used as electrolyte additives to improve the dendrite issue. The abundant hydrophilic groups on CQDs are favorable for homogeneous Zn deposition, whereas the improved conductivity due to the high graphitization of CQDs reduces the solid-electrolyte interface impedance and lowers the polarization voltage, resulting in better rate capability of Zn-ion batteries. Owing to the reduced energy barrier of Zn2+ nucleation and the enhanced kinetics of Zn2+ plating/stripping derived from the hydrophilic and nanocrystalline CQDs, the Zn//Zn symmetrical batteries with CQDs can operate stably for more than 1000 h at 1 mA cm−2 and 1 mA h cm−2, and show superior rate performance with low voltage hysteresis of 98.3, 120.5, 156.4, and 210.2 mV at current densities of 1, 2, 3 and 4 mA cm−2. Moreover, Zn//Cu half-cells with CQDs achieve a high average coulombic efficiency of 99.7% at 1 mA cm−2 and 0.5 mA h cm−2, and Zn//MnO2 full batteries can be cycled more than 500 times with a capacity retention of 74%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diluted electrolyte promises a further decrease of the battery cost for intrinsically safe aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs). However, the parasitic side reactions between abundant water molecules and Zn metal induce serious dendrite growth and anode corrosion, leading to the rapid failure of the ZIBs. In this work, a conceptual design of a bimodal block molecule that features double types of oxygen into polyethylene glycol is proposed, which serves as an effective bifunctional mixing agent (MA) in the super‐dilute electrolyte (≈0.23 m). The ether‐type oxygen can effectively modulate the solvation structure of the Zn2+ and break the hydrogen bond network of the electrolyte, thereby inhibiting the H2 production reaction. Furthermore, the terminal hydroxyl‐type oxygen shows preferential adsorption on the Zn metal (101) plane, guiding the oriented growth of Zn (002) facets parallel to the Zn metal surface and inhibiting the dendrite growth. Consequently, the Zn||Zn symmetrical cells show highly stable reversibility (1400 h at 1 mA cm−2), and the Zn||V2O5 full cells show exceptional cycling stability for 1500 cycles at 1 A g−1, with a high capacity retention rate of 82%. This work provides an insightful design of super‐dilute electrolytes for the stable operation of metal electrodes in aqueous batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc metal is a promising choice as a high‐capacity and cost‐effective anode for aqueous zinc‐based batteries. However, it faces challenges related to low cycling stability and poor reversibility due to parasitic reactions and the growth of zinc dendrites. In this study, a solution is proposed by introducing a conductive Ti4O7 layer on the zinc anode to enhance electrode stability. The Ti4O7 layer serves a dual purpose, effectively preventing spontaneous corrosion of the zinc anode in the electrolyte, thereby inhibiting the hydrogen evolution reaction and the generation of byproducts. Simultaneously, it promotes Zn nucleation and ensures a uniform electric field distribution, resulting in homogeneous Zn plating and stripping compared to using a bare zinc anode. Consequently, the Ti4O7‐coated Zn anode experiences a significant reduction in over‐potential, demonstrating long‐term stability and dendrite‐free behavior. This outcome ensures low polarization potential and high cycling stability in zinc‐ion batteries. The work underscores the potential of conductive oxides in the development of stable metal electrodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The practical application of aqueous zinc ion batteries is greatly hindered by the severe dendrite growth and side reactions on the Zn metal anode. To address these challenges, nanodiamond (ND) particles are implanted on the Zn foil surface by a straightforward mechanical rolling process, which serves as heterogeneous seeds, enhancing the cycling stability of Zn metal anode. ND particles with carboxyl groups facilitate the even distribution of electric fields and Zn2+ ions in their vicinity, which promotes the homogeneous deposition of Zn. Moreover, the excellent corrosion resistance of ND particles alleviates the side reactions of the electrode, thus effectively protecting the Zn metal anode in aqueous electrolyte. Benefited from these advantages, the ND@Zn anode shows over 4100 h reversible cycles in symmetric cells, and 99.7% Coulombic efficiency in asymmetric cells. The ND@Zn||MnO2 full cell achieves a stable life of 1000 cycles with 87.0% capacity retention at 1 A g−1 current density. This cost‐effective fabrication process holds the potential for scalability, making it amenable to large‐scale production of zinc metal anodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a simple calcination route was adopted to prepare hausmannite Mn3O4 nanoparticles using rice powder as soft bio-template. Prepared Mn3O4 was characterized by Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray microanalysis (EDX), Powder X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and Solid state UV-Vis spectroscopic techniques. Mn-O stretching in tetrahedral site was confirmed by FTIR and Raman spectra. % of Mn and O content supported Mn3O4 formation. The crystallinity and grain size was found to be 68.76% and 16.43 nm, respectively; tetragonal crystal system was also cleared by XRD. TEM clarified the planes of crystal formed which supported the XRD results and BET demonstrated mesoporous nature of prepared Mn3O4 having low pore volume. Low optical band gap of 3.24 eV of prepared Mn3O4 nanoparticles indicated semiconductor property and was used as cathode material to fabricate CR-2032 coin cell of Aqueous Rechargeable Zinc Ion Battery (ARZIB). A reversible cyclic voltammogram (CV) showed good zinc ion storage performance. Low cell resistance was confirmed by Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). The coin cell delivered high specific discharge capacity of 240.75 mAhg-1 at 0.1 Ag-1 current density. The coulombic efficiency was found to be 99.98%. It also delivered excellent capacity retention 94.45% and 64.81% after 300 and 1000 charge-discharge cycles, respectively. This work offers a facile and cost effective approach for preparing cathode material of ARZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have experienced exceptional development in recent years, due to their outstanding photoelectronic properties and low‐cost solution processing. Many state‐of‐the‐art PSC designs have been effectively demonstrated using a stacked 3D perovskite/2D perovskite heterostructure, yet limitations arise due to the low conductivity of the 2D perovskite, the hidden buried interface of 3D perovskite, and halide ion migration within 3D/2D PSC device under operational bias. Here, these limitations are overcome by developing a novel and universal post‐synthetic metal (Zn2+) doping strategy and realizing 3D/2D PSCs with superior efficiency and stability. Informed by ab initio calculations and synchrotron fine structure experiments, it is revealed that the introduced zinc ions are energetically favored at interstitial crystal sites, subsequently hindering the migration of halide ions and producing a beneficial shift toward a more n‐type character in the buried 3D perovskite interface. Combined with extensive photophysical characterization, the Zn2+‐modified 3D/2D perovskite thin film is shown to strongly recover its photo‐carrier conductivity compared with the 3D/2D perovskite film, boosting the efficiency (22.90%) of PSCs while exhibiting improved humidity and operational stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries have been regarded as safe and cheap energy storage devices. However, severe zinc dendrite growth and water decomposition limit the sustainability of aqueous zinc‐ion batteries. Herein, sodium‐difluoro(oxalato)borate (NaDFOB) is introduced into ZnSO4 electrolyte to modify the electric double layer (EDL) and the nucleation mechanism. Electrochemical tests and density functional theory calculations reveal that DFOB− adsorbs on the zinc electrode to form a water‐poor EDL, effectively suppressing side reactions. Notably, a detailed investigation of zinc deposition demonstrates that the adsorbed DFOB− ions induce progressive nucleation, resulting in nanoscale zinc nuclei and uniform zinc growth. Additionally, the adsorbed DFOB− ions decompose into a solid electrolyte interphase, further protecting the zinc electrode. Consequently, the Zn/Zn symmetric cell using ZnSO4/NaDFOB electrolyte can cycle for over 500 h at 5 mA cm−2 to reach a capacity of 10 mAh cm−2, while a Zn/Cu half cell maintains an average Coulombic efficiency of 99.3% over 400 cycles. A high capacity retention of 93.0% with a capacity of 250 mAh g−1 at 0.2 A g−1 is achieved in the ZnSO4/NaDFOB electrolyte in full cell cycling. These findings highlight the impact of anion‐modified EDL and progressive nucleation on achieving highly uniform zinc deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous metal current collectors (CCs) serve as key component for aqueous Zn‐ion batteries (AZIBs). Herein, a lightweight 3D‐Cu architecture with customizable geometries is developed to enable reversible Zn‐metal cycling. The 3D‐Cu is prepared by 3D‐printing a crosslink‐able polymer scaffold followed by Cu‐metallization. The printed architecture is optimized to endow 3D‐Cu with electric conductivity that is on‐par with commercial Cu foam, but can reduce ≈80% of the weight and consumption of Cu. A Zn‐philic graphene (Gr) coating is adopted to promote uniform and (002)‐preferred Zn growth onto the 3D‐Cu surface, creating a 3DP‐Cu@Gr architecture that induces conformal Zn‐deposition and greatly suppressed H2‐evolution reaction. The 3DP‐Cu@Gr||Zn shows stable 700 cycles at 4 mA cm−2 and 2 mAh cm−2, with coulombic efficiency >99.6%. Zn‐loaded 3D‐electrodes enable symmetrical cells with stable 300 h cycling at 10 mA cm−2, delivering a specific accumulated capacity of 86.7 Ah g−1. This represents an unprecedented combination of cycle stability, high charge rate, and electrode lightweight. The all‐printed pantacle‐shape full pouch cells (3.6 mAh) exhibit 91.4% capacity retention after 200 cycles at 1 C. Possessing unusual design freedom, this strategy demonstrates a pathway for developing lightweight Cu CCs and customizable high‐energy AZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Considering that heavy-metal contamination of seawater is getting worse, building a quick, accurate and portable device for detecting trace zinc in seawater in real time would be very beneficial. In this work, a microfluidic system was developed that includes a planar disc electrode, a micro-cavity for detection, an electrochemical workstation, a computer, a container for waste liquid reprocessing, an external pipeline and other components as well as a graphene/cerium oxide/nano-cerium oxide/Nafion composite membrane was used to modify the planar disc electrode (GR/CeO2/Nafion/Au) to investigate the electrochemical behaviour of Zn(II) using cyclic voltammetry, square-wave voltammetry and orthogonal test methods. Under optimal experimental conditions, the peak reaction current of Zn(II) showed a good linear relationship with the concentration of Zn(II) in the range of 1–900 μg/L with a correlation coefficient of 0.998, and the detection limit of the method was 0.87 μg/L. In addition, the microfluidic system had good stability, reproducibility and anti-interference. The system was used for determining zinc ions in real seawater samples, and the results were very similar to those of inductively coupled plasma–emission spectrometry, demonstrating the practicality of the system for the detection of trace zinc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the enhancement of aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) using ammonium-enhanced vanadium oxide cathodes. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations reveal that NH4+ incorporation into V6O16 lattices significantly facilitates Zn2+ ion diffusion by reducing electrostatic interactions, acting as a structural lubricant. Subsequent experimental validation using (NH4)2V6O16 cathodes synthesized via a hydrothermal method corroborates the DFT findings, demonstrating remarkable electrochemical stability with a capacity retention of 90% after 2000 cycles at 5 A g−1. These results underscore the potential of NH4+ in improving the performance and longevity of AZIBs, providing a pathway for sustainable energy storage solutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc-ion batteries are promising candidates for large-scale energy storage. The side reactions of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and zinc dendrite growth are major challenges for developing high-performance zinc-ion batteries. In this paper, a supramolecular gel electrolyte (BLO-ILZE) was self-assembled in an ionic liquid (EMIMBF4) with zinc tetrafluoroborate (Zn(BF4)2) on the separator in situ to obtain a gel electrolyte used in zinc-ion batteries. BLO-ILZE is demonstrated to significantly enhance conductivity over a broad temperature range between −70 and 100 °C. Interestingly, through testing and fitting, it is found that the supramolecular gel electrolyte satisfies the liquid state law over a wide temperature range, and even achieves high conductivity (2.12 mS cm−1) at −40 °C. It is equivalent to the conductivity of aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZnSO4/H2O) at −10 °C, which is 2.33 mS cm−1. Moreover, the supramolecular gel electrolyte can effectively inhibit the HER, thus exhibiting a longer lifetime in Zn/Zn cells for 3470 h at 1 mA cm−2 compared to the aqueous zinc-ion batteries with the Zn(BF4)2 aqueous electrolyte (400 h at 1 mA cm−2). The assembled V2O5/BLO-ILZE/Zn full cells also showed cycling performance, with 5000 cycles at 0.5 mA g−1 at room temperature, a capacity of 98%, and a coulombic efficiency of about 100%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In our work, MnTiO 3 was synthesized using the simple conventional solid-state method. We report in-situ induced Mn-defect within MnTiO 3 layered oxide through charging process. It performs good cycling stability which can obtain 115 mA h/g even at 400 mA g−1 after 450 cycles and the discharge capacity reaches up to 233.8 mAh/g at 100 mA g−1 when Mn-defect MnTiO 3 was employed as the cathode material for AZIBs. Density functional theory (DFT) calculation was used to further research the corresponding Zn2+ intercalation-deintercalation behaviors, it indicated that the presence of Mn defects enhances the conductivity of MnTiO 3. [Display omitted] Layered manganese-based cathode materials are considered as one of the promising cathodes benefit from inherent low manufacturing cost, non-toxic and high safety in aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs). However, the sluggish reaction kinetics within layered cathodes is inevitable due to the poor electrical/ionic conductivity. Herein, MnTiO 3 is reported as a new cathode material for AZIBs and in-situ induced Mn-defect within MnTiO 3 during the first charging is desirable to improve the reaction kinetics to a great extent. Additionally, DFT calculations further demonstrate that MnTiO 3 with manganese defects exhibits a uniform charge distribution at the defect sites, enhancing the attraction towards H+ and Zn2+ ions. Furthermore, it performs good cycling stability which can obtain 115 mA h g−1 even at 400 mA g−1 after 450 cycles and the discharge capacity reaches up to 233.8 mAh/g at 100 mA g−1 when Mn-defect MnTiO 3 was employed as the cathode. This research could provide a new method for the development and mechanism research of cathode materials for AZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optimized Mn-Prussian Blue Analog with dual Zn2+ active sites exhibits the potential application in aqueous Zn ion batteries with competitive capacity and cycle stability. [Display omitted] Prussian Blue analogs (PBAs) are a suitable aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) cathode material, but they face issues related to low specific capacity and cycling lifespan due to insufficient active sites and poor ion de-intercalation structural stability. In this study, Mn-Prussian Blue Analog (Mn-PBA) is fabricated using a simple co-precipitation method and the morphology of Mn-PBA is further optimized through artificially manipulating concentration gradients strategy, effectively enhancing the structural stability of Zn2+ de-intercalation. Furthermore, the introduction of Mn established dual Zn2+ active centers in Mn-PBA (Mn-O and Fe(CN) 6 ]4−/[Fe(CN) 6 ]3−), leading to an increased specific capacity. As a proof of concept for AZIBs, the optimized Mn-PBA-3 cathode exhibits a high reversible specific capacity of 143.5 mAh/g and maintains a capacity retention of 88.5 % after 250 cycles at 1 A/g, surpassing commercial MnO 2 (30.5 mAh/g after 100 cycles). Mn-PBA-3 also delivers a high capacity of 79.0 mA h g−1 after 2000 cycles of 10 A/g. The mechanism of the Zn2+ double redox reaction of Mn-PBA-3 has been revealed in detail by in situ Raman and a series of ex situ techniques. Under a high operating voltage window of 0–1.9 V, Zn//Mn-PBA-3 demonstrates a capacity of 99.3 mAh/g after 800 cycles (5 A/g) by assembling zinc ion button battery. This work has reference significance for structurally modulated PBAs used in high performance AZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The prepared NVOY electrode achieves high stability and excellent cycle performance for AZIBs by embedding polypyrrole in ammonium vanadate layers to remove excess ammonium ions, expand the interlayer spacing, and enhance electronic conductivity. [Display omitted] Ammonium vanadate with stable bi-layered structure and superior mass-specific capacity have emerged as competitive cathode materials for aqueous rechargeable zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs). Nevertheless, fragile N H...O bonds and too strong electrostatic interaction by virtue of excessive NH 4 + will lead to sluggish Zn2+ ion mobility, further largely affects the electro-chemical performance of ammonium vanadate in AZIBs. The present work incorporates polypyrrole (PPy) to partially replace NH 4 + in NH 4 V 4 O 10 (NVO), resulting in the significantly enlarged interlayers (from 10.1 to 11.9 Å), remarkable electronic conductivity, increased oxygen vacancies and reinforced layered structure. The partial removal of NH 4 + will alleviate the irreversible deammoniation to protect the laminate structures from collapse during ion insertion/extraction. The expanded interlayer spacing and the increased oxygen vacancies by the virtue of the introduction of polypyrrole improve the ionic diffusion, enabling exceptional rate performance of NH 4 V 4 O 10. As expected, the resulting polypyrrole intercalated ammonium vanadate (NVOY) presents a superior discharge capacity of 431.9 mAh g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 and remarkable cycling stability of 219.1 mAh g−1 at 20 A g−1 with 78 % capacity retention after 1500 cycles. The in-situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), in-situ X-ray diffraction (XRD), ex-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and ex-situ high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) analysis investigate a highly reversible intercalation Zn-storage mechanism, and the enhanced the redox kinetics are related to the combined effect of interlayer regulation, high electronic conductivity and oxygen defect engineering by partial substitution NH 4 + of PPy incorporation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we report the first result of large scale and oxygen vacancy VO2 porous thin sheets assembled by a 3D interconnected nanoflake array framework, which is recorded as VOd. The as-prepared VOd was characterized by various methods and Zn2+ intercalation/deintercalation and structural decomposition mechanisms were proposed based on ex situ X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unstable Zn interface with serious detrimental parasitic side‐reactions and uncontrollable Zn dendrites severely plagues the practical application of aqueous zinc‐ion batteries. The interface stability was closely related to the electrolyte configuration and Zn2+ depositional behavior. In this work, a unique Zn‐ion anchoring strategy is originally proposed to manipulate the coordination structure of solvated Zn‐ions and guide the Zn‐ion depositional behavior. Specifically, the amphoteric charged ion additives (denoted as DM), which act as zinc‐ion anchors, can tightly absorb on the Zn surface to guide the uniform zinc‐ion distribution by using its positively charged −NR4+ groups. While the negatively charged −SO3− groups of DM on the other hand, reduces the active water molecules within solvation sheaths of Zn‐ions. Benefiting from the special synergistic effect, Zn metal exhibits highly ordered and compact (002) Zn deposition and negligible side‐reactions. As a result, the advanced Zn||Zn symmetric cell delivers extraordinarily 7000 hours long lifespan (0.25 mA cm−2, 0.25 mAh cm−2). Additionally, based on this strategy, the NH4V4O10||Zn pouch‐cell with low negative/positive capacity ratio (N/P ratio=2.98) maintains 80.4 % capacity retention for 180 cycles. A more practical 4 cm*4 cm sized pouch‐cell could be steadily cycled in a high output capacity of 37.0 mAh over 50 cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc carboxylate complexes are widely utilized as artificial models of metalloenzymes and as secondary building units of PCPs/MOFs. However, the relationship between the structure of the monodentate carboxylato ligand and the molecular arrangement of multinuclear zinc carboxylate complexes is not fully understood because of the coordination flexibility of the Zn ion and carboxylato ligands. Herein, we report the structural analysis of a series of complexes derived from zinc (meth)acrylate which has a linear infinite chain structure. The molecular structure of μ4‐oxido‐bridged tetranuclear complexes [Zn4(μ4‐O)(OCOR)6] revealed a distorted Zn4O core. Crystallization of zinc acrylate under aqueous conditions afforded a μ3‐hydroxido‐containing pentanuclear complex [Zn5(μ3‐OH)2(OCOR)8] as the repeating unit of an infinite sheet‐like structure in the solid state. It was also obtained by the hydrolysis of the μ4‐oxido‐bridged tetranuclear complex. In sharp contrast, the methacrylate analog retained the methacrylato ligands under aqueous crystallization conditions to form a macrocyclic dodecanuclear complex with methacrylato as the sole ligand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The commercialization of aqueous Zn‐ion batteries (AZIBs) for power‐grid energy storage systems is hindered by the safety concerns arising from the Zn dendrite growth. The primary approach in addressing this issue is to induce planar depositions. However, modulating the Zn dissolution process which directly reshapes surface morphology and reserves growth sites has long been overlooked. Herein, by utilizing ester compounds as an illustration, it is revealed that engineering the dissolution energy barrier is a pivotal factor in promoting homogeneous Zn dissolution. Ester adsorbents effectively redistribute charge densities at the electrode–electrolyte interface due to the presence of zincophilic ester functional group and conductive π‐conjugation structure. This effect eventually facilitates Zn dissolution across the surface, transforming the potholed and defective dissolution morphology into a smooth and consistent form. Thus, enhanced cycling stability can be achieved in both half‐cells and full‐cells, offering an extensive lifespan of thousands of hours for the dissolution and deposition cycles. This work provides a principle for the selection of Zn dissolution improvers to suppress Zn metal dendrite growth by regulating Zn dissolution behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the development of a distance-based thread analytical device (dTAD) integrated with an ion-imprinted polymer (IIP) for quantitative monitoring of zinc ions (Zn2+) in human urine samples. The IIP was easily chemically modified onto the thread channel using dithizone (DTZ) as a ligand to bind to Zn2+ with methacrylic acid (MAA) as a functional monomer and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as well as 2,2-azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) as cross-linking agents to enhance the selectivity for Zn2+ detection. The imprinted polymer was characterized using Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Under optimization, the linear detection range was from 1.0 to 20.0 mg L-1 (R2 = 0.9992) with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.0 mg L-1. Other potentially interfering metal ions and molecules did not interfere with this approach, leading to high selectivity. Furthermore, our technique exhibits a remarkable recovery ranging from 100.48% to 103.16%, with the highest relative standard deviation (% RSD) of 5.44% for monitoring Zn2+ in human control urine samples, indicating high accuracy and precision. Similarly, there is no significant statistical difference between the results obtained using our method and standards on zinc supplement sample labels. The proposed method offers several advantages in detecting trace Zn2+ for point-of-care (POC) medical diagnostics and environmental sample analysis, such as ease of use, instrument-free readout, and cost efficiency. Overall, our developed dTADbased IIP method holds potential for simple, affordable, and rapid detection of Zn2+ levels and can be applied to other metal ions' analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) offer numerous advantages, such as high energy density, enhanced safety, and low cost, making them an ideal choice for energy storage and conversion applications in the “postlithium” era. Hydrogel electrolytes, as the key component of flexible ZIBs, combine the ionic conductivity of traditional water electrolytes with the dimensional stability of solid polymer electrolytes. However, it remains a challenge to design comprehensive and appropriate hydrogel electrolytes to provide flexible ZIBs with good reversibility and versatility. This review discusses the engineering design of hydrogel electrolytes required for flexible ZIBs from the viewpoint of an electrolyte designer. The basic properties of the hydrogel electrolytes, zinc anodes, cathodes and electrolyte stabilization effects are described in detail. Furthermore, we explore the various challenges faced by hydrogel electrolytes and propose corresponding strategies. Finally, the review offers insights into the future development of hydrogel-stabilized ZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc and cadmium ions are usually found in livestock breeding wastewater, and the mixed ions will have an impact on the biological nitrogen removal. Nitrification performance plays an important role in biological nitrogen removal. In order to investigate the combined effect of zinc and cadmium ions on nitrification performance and to reveal the interactions between zinc and cadmium ions, three concentration ratios of zinc and cadmium ions, as well as 18 different concentration gradients were designed with the direct equipartition ray and the dilution factor method. The effect of pollutants on the nitrification performance of biological nitrogen removal was analyzed by the nonlinear regression equation, and the concentration-addition model was conducted to probe into the relationship between the mixed pollutants and the nitrification performance. The results showed that the effect on nitrification performance increased significantly with the increase of reaction duration and pollutant concentration, which indicated that the effects are concentration-dependent and time-dependent. The concentration-addition model suggested that the interactions between zinc and cadmium ions with different concentration ratios were mainly antagonistic, and as the percentage of cadmium ions in the mixtures increased, the antagonism between the mixtures became stronger. This study will provide a relevant theoretical basis for the regulation of the ratios and concentrations of heavy metal ions during the biological treatment of livestock breeding wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the growing demand for new energy storage devices, rechargeable aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) have attracted widespread attention due to their low cost and high safety. Among the cathode materials for ZIBs, polyanionic–based cathode materials with high voltage, high stability, and low cost have great potential. In this paper, tetragonal Na2VOP2O7 was prepared using a simple sol–gel method. The discharge platform voltage amounted to 1.8 V and had good rate and cycle performance due to the inductive effect of pyrophosphate. Then, a protective layer of Zn–hydroxyapatite (ZnHAP) modification was applied to the cathode surface, which can inhibit the hydrolysis of vanadium ions. The capacity was enhanced by 19 % after modification and the capacity retention after 100 cycles was also higher. Interestingly, the Na2VOP2O7 cathode also possesses a self–charging effect, recovering to 48 % of its initial capacity with an open–circuit voltage (OCV) of 1.1 V within a certain period, and light exposure can reduce the self–charging time by 83 %. These beneficial results indicate that the pyrophosphate bifunctional cathode with inductive effect has a great potential to construct high–voltage and multifunctional zinc ion battery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

N‐type organic compounds present themselves as promising high‐capacity cathodes for aqueous Zn‐ion batteries. However, a common challenge is their working voltages often falling below 1 V versus Zn2+/Zn. To bridge this gap, a high‐voltage organic material is first developed, 5,6,11,12‐tetraazanaphthacene (TANC), using a heteroatomic substitution strategy. TANC feature a large π‐conjugated plane enriched with π−π interactions, which not only enhancing structural stability but also boosting charge transfer kinetics. The TANC cathode is achieved from its dihydro precursor, denoted as 2H‐TANC, via a facile in situ activation process within the battery itself. This electrochemical synthesis method is cost‐effective and environmentally friendly compared to traditional chemical method. The cathode shows a record‐high discharge voltage of 1.15 V (vs Zn2+/Zn) among n‐type organic materials and maintains cycling stability over 47,500 cycles. Furthermore, spent TANC electrodes can be efficiently recycled via a simple extraction process. The work marks a significant step toward the development of high‐voltage, affordable, and recyclable organic electrode materials, steering them to the forefront of future sustainable battery technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The active H2O and slow ion kinetics behavior deteriorate the performance of aqueous zinc‐ion batteries at a wide temperature range, even in hydrogel electrolyte. Herein, a component fluctuation modulated gelation effect is applied to optimize Zn2+ solvation structure, realizing a balance between H2O activity limitation and Zn2+ kinetics retention. The as‐prepared hydrogel electrolyte via in situ copolymerization of [2‐(methacryloyloxy)ethyl] dimethyl‐(3‐sulfopropyl) and acrylamide in the electrolyte salt matrix facilitates stable overall performance at both normal and low temperatures. Theoretical calculations and experimental results attest that polymer functional groups exhibit a higher efficacy in substituting bound water in the Zn2+ solvated shell with the polymer content increasement, thereby alleviating water‐associated parasitic reactions. Furthermore, the hydrogel with abundant zwitterionic groups not only interacts with H2O to limit hydrolysis, but also constructs separated ionic migration channels to promote uniform and fast Zn2+ transport. As a result, the hydrogel electrolytes promote stable Zn2+ plating/stripping behaviors over 1050 h and 3000 h at 25 and −20 °C, respectively. The full batteries achieve a capacity retention of 98.8% over 2000 cycles at 25 °C and stably cycle for 600 times at −20 °C. This work yields novel insights into the development and design of hydrogel electrolytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photo‐rechargeable zinc‐ion batteries (PRZIBs) have attracted much attention in the field of energy storage due to their high safety and dexterity compared with currently integrated lithium‐ion batteries and solar cells. However, challenges remain toward their practical applications, originating from the unsatisfactory structural design of photocathodes, which results in low photoelectric conversion efficiency (PCE). Herein, a flexible MoS2/SnO2‐based photocathode is developed via constructing a sunflower‐shaped light‐trapping nanostructure with 3D hierarchical and self‐supporting properties, enabled by the hierarchical embellishment of MoS2 nanosheets and SnO2 quantum dots on carbon cloth (MoS2/SnO2 QDs@CC). This structural design provides a favorable pathway for the effective separation of photogenerated electron‐hole pairs and the efficient storage of Zn2+ on photocathodes. Consequently, the PRZIB assembled with MoS2/SnO2 QDs@CC delivers a desirable capacity of 366 mAh g−1 under a light intensity of 100 mW cm−2, and achieves an ultra‐high PCE of 2.7% at a current density of 0.125 mA cm−2. In practice, an integrated battery system consisting of four series‐connected quasi‐solid‐state PRZIBs is successfully applied as a wearable wristband of smartwatches, which opens a new door for the application of PRZIBs in next‐generation flexible energy storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chalcogenide semiconductors have emerged as promising candidates for optoelectronic applications due to their unique properties, including low toxicity, fabrication cost, superior stability, and decent charge transport properties. In particular, Bi-based chalcogenides, e.g., AgBiS2 and Bi2S3, have been extensively studied for photovoltaic and photodetection applications. AgBiS2 exhibits relatively high photoconversion efficiency but large dark current. On the other hand, Bi2S3 possesses relatively low dark current but limited charge transport. In this study, we introduce zinc ion within the Bi2S3 precursor and fabricate phase-pure ZnBi2S4 semiconductor, which showed improved optoelectronic properties. The fundamental properties of ZnBi2S4 are fully characterized, and we also demonstrated photodiodes with excellent device performance, suggesting great potential for photodetection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A complex of the natural flavonoid kaempferol with zinc (Kam-Zn) was synthesized, and its physicochemical properties were investigated using spectroscopic methods such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), ultraviolet–visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy and theoretical chemistry. Biological studies were conducted to evaluate the cytotoxic and antiproliferative effects of these complexes on MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Treatment with Kam 100 µM (84.86 ± 7.79%; 64.37 ± 8.24%) and Kam-Zn 100 µM (91.87 ± 3.80%; 87.04 ± 13.0%) showed no significant difference in proliferation between 16 h and 32 h, with the gap width remaining stable. Both Kam-Zn 100 μM and 200 μM demonstrated effective antiproliferative and cytotoxic activity, significantly decreasing cell viability and causing cell death and morphology changes. Antioxidant assays revealed that Kam (IC50 = 5.63 ± 0.06) exhibited higher antioxidant potential compared to Kam-Zn (IC50 = 6.80 ± 0.075), suggesting that zinc coordination impacts the flavonoid's radical scavenging activity by the coordination of metal ion to hydroxyl groups. Computational studies revealed significant modifications in the electronic structure and properties of Kam upon forming 1:1 complexes with Zn2+ ions. Spectroscopy analyses confirmed structural changes, highlighting shifts in absorption peaks and alterations in functional group vibrations indicative of metal–ligand interactions. FT-IR and UV-Vis spectra analysis suggested that Zn coordinates with the 3-OH and 4C=O groups of ligand. These findings suggest that the Kam-Zn complex exhibits interesting antiproliferative, cytotoxic and modified antioxidant effects on MCF-7 cells, providing valuable insights into their structural and anticancer properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]