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Growth in intermittent renewable sources including solar and wind has sparked increasing interest in electrical energy storage. Grid‐scale energy storage integrated with renewable sources has significant advantages in energy regulation and grid security. Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (AZIBs) have emerged as a practically attractive option for electrical storage because of environmentally benign aqueous‐based electrolytes, high theoretical capacity of Zn anode, and significant global reserves of Zn. However, application of AZIBs at the grid‐scale is restricted by drawbacks in cathode material(s). Herein, a comprehensive summary of the features and storage mechanisms of the latest cathode materials is provided. The fundamental problems and corresponding in‐depth causes for cathode materials is critically reviewed. It is also assess practical challenges, appraise their translation to commerce and industry, and systematically summarize and discuss the potential solutions reported in recent works. It is established necessary design strategies for Zn anodes and electrolytes that are matched with cathode materials for commercializing AZIBs. Finally, it is concluded with a perspective on the practical prospects for advancing the development of future AZIBs. Findings will be of interest and benefit to a range of researchers and manufacturers in the design and application of AZIBs for grid‐scale energy storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) with high safety, low cost, and eco‐friendliness advantages show great potential in large‐scale energy storage systems. However, their practical application is hindered by low Columbic efficiency and unstable zinc anode resulting from the side reactions and deterioration of zinc dendrites. Herein, tripropylene glycol (TG) is chosen as a dual‐functional organic electrolyte additive to improve the reversibility of AZIBs significantly. Importantly, ab initio molecular dynamics theoretical simulations and experiments such as in situ electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and synchrotron radiation‐based in situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirm that TG participates in the solvation sheath of Zn2+, regulating overpotential and inhibiting side reactions; meanwhile, TG inhibits the deterioration of dendrites and modifies the direction of zinc deposition by constructing an adsorbed layer on the zinc anode. Consequently, a Zn‐MnO2 full cell with TG electrolyte exhibited a specific capacity of 124.48 mAh g‐1 after 1000 cycles at a current density of 4 A g‐1. This quantitative regulation for suitable solvation sheath and adsorbed layer on zinc anode, and its easy scalability of the process can be of immediate benefit for the dendrite‐free, high‐performance, and low‐cost energy storage systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Metal ions play an important role in the human body. With the progress of material synthesis and processing technology, a variety of metal ions that can be used in bone tissue engineering have been developed, such as magnesium (Mg2+), zinc (Zn2+), manganese (Mn2+), strontium (Sr2+), and copper (Cu2+). OBJECTIVE: To summarize the research progress and development direction of metal ions in bone tissue engineering. METHODS: The literature collected by CNKI, PubMed and WanFang databases from 2014 to 2022 was retrieved. The Chinese and English key words were “metal ions, bone tissue engineering, osteogenic activity, magnesium ions, zinc ions, manganese ions, strontium ions, copper ions, calcium ions, lithium ions, cobalt ions”. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Different metal ions will be released to varying degrees after the materials are implanted into the body, which can change the tissue microenvironment, thus improving the ability of materials to form blood vessels and bones. Compared with growth factors, metal ions are easier to control the release rate, have lower cost, and can also improve the mechanical properties of implant materials. The application of metal ions in bone tissue engineering is full of prospects. Although some metal ions can already be used to treat bone defects, the mechanism of action of many metal ions in the human body is not completely clear, and the application effect is a lack of clinical experiment verification. Further exploration is needed before clinical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: Electric double-layer regulation enabled by an ultrathin multifunctional solid electrolyte interphase layer with zincophilicity and rapid transport kinetics. Lowered potential drop over the Helmholtz layer and suppressed diffuse layer. Inhibited side reactions and uniform zinc deposition. The practical application of aqueous zinc-ion batteries for large-grid scale systems is still hindered by uncontrolled zinc dendrite and side reactions. Regulating the electrical double layer via the electrode/electrolyte interface layer is an effective strategy to improve the stability of Zn anodes. Herein, we report an ultrathin zincophilic ZnS layer as a model regulator. At a given cycling current, the cell with Zn@ZnS electrode displays a lower potential drop over the Helmholtz layer (stern layer) and a suppressed diffuse layer, indicating the regulated charge distribution and decreased electric double layer repulsion force. Boosted zinc adsorption sites are also expected as proved by the enhanced electric double-layer capacitance. Consequently, the symmetric cell with the ZnS protection layer can stably cycle for around 3,000 h at 1 mA cm−2 with a lower overpotential of 25 mV. When coupled with an I2/AC cathode, the cell demonstrates a high rate performance of 160 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 and long cycling stability of over 10,000 cycles at 10 A g−1. The Zn||MnO2 also sustains both high capacity and long cycling stability of 130 mAh g−1 after 1,200 cycles at 0.5 A g−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc ion batteries are gaining popularity due to their high energy density and environmental friendliness. However, random deposition of zinc ions on the anode and sluggish migration of zinc ions on the interface would lead to the growth of zinc dendrites and poor cycling performance. To address these challenges, we developed a fluorinated solid‐state‐electrolyte interface layer composed of Ca5(PO4)3F/Zn3(PO4)2 via an in situ ion exchange strategy to guide zinc‐ion oriented deposition and fast zinc ion migration on the anode during cycling. The introduction of Ca5(PO4)3F (FAP) can increase the nucleation sites of zinc ions and guide the oriented deposition of zinc ions along the (002) crystal plane, while the in situ formation of Zn3(PO4)2 during cycling can accelerate the migration of zinc ions. Benefited from our design, the assembled Zn//V2O5 ⋅ H2O batteries based on FAP‐protected Zn anode (FAP‐Zn) achieve a higher capacity retention of 84 % (220 mAh g−1) than that of bare‐Zn based batteries, which have a capacity retention of 23 % (97 mAh g−1) at 3.0 A g−1 after 800 cycles. This work provides a new solution for the rational design and development of the solid‐state electrolyte interface layer to achieve high‐performance zinc‐ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemostatic materials facilitate rapid hemostasis and significantly mitigate the potential of fatal hemorrhage in civilian and military traumas. However, most existing hemostatic materials are limited in material‐dependent forms and fail to integrate multifunctionality, thus constraining their versatility for differing settings and wound healing capacity. Herein, a facile, versatile armor strategy is proposed to endow various biomaterials with rapid hemostasis, infection prevention, and tissue healing capabilities. The armor is fabricated on the surface of substrates first through chemical cross‐linking of adhesive catechol (phenol) and collagen (polyamine) inspired by insect sclerotization, followed by zinc ions (Zn2+) chelation based on mussel‐inspired metal‐phenol coordination chemistry, referred to "metal‐phenol‐polyamine system". This armor facilitates clot formation by promoting platelet aggregation and activating both intrinsic and extrinsic coagulation pathways. Moreover, the integrated Zn2+ endows the armor with potent antibacterial properties against both Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria. Consequently, this strategy armors a hemostatic sponge that effectively controls bleeding in rabbit hemorrhage models and successfully facilitates the complete healing of epidermal traumas in rats within 14 days. This metal‐phenol‐polyamine system‐assisted armor provides a potential and universal strategy for efficient hemostasis and wound healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Nanosheet architecture of MnO 2 /carbon hybrid was successfully fabricated. • The unique nano-architecture endows the MnO 2 /carbon with fast reaction kinetics. • The resulting cathode achieves remarkable rate capability (175 mAh/g at 3.0 A/g) and excellent cycling lifespan. • The fundamental reaction mechanism and enhanced kinetics are systematically investigated. Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) hold substantial promise for large-scale energy storage system by virtue of their good safety and cost-effectiveness. However, the typical cathode material of MnO 2 is practically hampered by poor rate/cycling performance owing to its low electrical conductivity and structural fragility. Herein, a nanosheet architecture of MnO 2 /carbon is constructed via in situ rooting MnO 2 nanoarrays on carbon substrate to achieve high-rate and long-durable zinc energy storage. The unique nano-architecture significantly promotes the reaction kinetics by supplying plentiful active sites, short diffusion pathways, and improved charge transfer conductivity. The advantageous features endow the MnO 2 /carbon with remarkable rate capability (175 mAh/g at 3.0 A/g) and excellent cycling lifespan (87.8 % capacity retention after 1000 cycles at 1.0 A/g). In addition, the kinetic enhancement and fundamental reaction mechanism are systematically investigated. The encouraging results will shed new insight on designing MnO 2 -based materials to advance the development of AZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Impairment of both cellular zinc and redox homeostasis is a feature of several chronic diseases, including obesity. A significant two-way interaction exists between redox metabolism and the relatively redox-inert zinc ion. Redox metabolism critically influences zinc homeostasis and controls its cellular availability for various cellular functions by regulating zinc exchange from/to zinc-binding proteins. Zinc can regulate redox metabolism and exhibits multiple pro-antioxidant properties. On the other hand, even minor disturbances in zinc status and zinc homeostasis affect systemic and cellular redox homeostasis. At the cellular level, zinc homeostasis is regulated by a multi-layered machinery consisting of zinc-binding molecules, zinc sensors, and two selective families of zinc transporters, the Zinc Transporter (ZnT) and Zrt, Irt-like protein (ZIP). In the present review, we summarize the current state of knowledge on the role of the mutual interaction between zinc and redox homeostasis in physiology and pathophysiology, pointing to the role of zinc in the alterations responsible for redox stress in obesity. Since zinc transporters primarily control zinc homeostasis, we describe how changes in the expression and activity of these zinc-regulating proteins are associated with obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc ion hybrid capacitors suffer from lack of reversibility and dendrite formation. An electrolyte, based on a solution of a zinc salt in acetonitrile and tetramethylene sulfone, allows smooth zinc deposition with high coulombic efficiency in a Zn||stainless steel cell (99.6% for 2880 cycles at 1.0 mA cm−2, 1.0 mAh cm−2). A Zn||Zn cell operates stably for at least 7940 h at 1.0 mA cm−2 with an area capacity of 10 mAh cm−2, or 648 h at 90% depth of discharge and 1 mA cm−2, 9.0 mAh cm−2. Molecular dynamics simulations reveal the reason for the excellent reversibility: The zinc cation is only weakly solvated than in pure tetramethylene sulfone with the closest atoms at 3.3 to 3.8 Å. With this electrolyte, a zinc||activated‐carbon hybrid capacitor exhibits an operating voltage of 2.0 to 2.5 V, an energy‐density of 135 Wh kg−1 and a power‐density of 613 W kg−1 at 0.5 A g−1. At the very high current‐density of 15 A g−1, 29.3 Wh kg−1 and 14 250 W kg−1 are achieved with 81.2% capacity retention over 9000 cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the emerging aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs), proton (H+) with the smallest molar mass and fast (de)coordination kinetics is considered as the most ideal charge carrier compared with Zn2+ counterpart, however, searching for new hosting materials for H+ storage is still at its infancy. Herein, redox‐active hydrogen‐bonded organic frameworks (HOFs) assembled from diaminotriazine moiety decorated hexaazatrinnphthalene (HOF‐HATN) are for the first time developed as the stable cathode hosting material for boosting H+ storage in AZIBs. The unique integration of hydrogen‐bonding networks and strong π‐π stacking endow it rapid Grotthuss proton conduction, stable supramolecular structure and inclined H+ storage. As a consequence, HOF‐HATN displays a high capacity (320 mAh g−1 at 0.05 A g−1) and robust cyclability of (>10000 cycles at 5 A g−1) based on three‐step cation coordination storage. These findings get insight into the proton transport and storage behavior in HOFs and provide the molecular engineering strategy for constructing well‐defined cathode hosting materials for rechargeable aqueous batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

45S5 Bioglass has been widely used in regenerative medicine due to its ability to dissolve when inserted into the body. Its typically amorphous structure allows for an ideal dissolution rate for the formation of the hydroxyapatite layer, which is important for the development of new bone. This bioactive capacity can also be controlled by adding other oxides (e.g., SrO, ZnO, and MgO) to the 45S5 Bioglass network or by storing electrical charge. Ions such as zinc, magnesium, and strontium allow for specific biological responses to be added, such as antibacterial action and the ability to increase the rate of osteoblast proliferation. The charge storage capacity allows for a higher rate of bioactivity to be achieved, allowing for faster attachment to the host bone, decreasing the patient's recovery time. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the variation in the structure of the bioglass with regard to the amount of non-bridging oxygens (NBOs), which is important for the bioactivity rate not to be compromised, and also its influence on the electrical behavior relevant to its potential as electrical charge storage. Thus, several bioactive glass compositions were synthesized based on the 45S5 Bioglass formulation with the addition of various concentrations (0.25, 0.5, 1, and 2, mol%) of zinc, strontium, or magnesium oxides. The influence of the insertion of these oxides on the network was evaluated by studying the amount of NBOs using Raman spectroscopy and their implication on the electrical behavior. Electrical characterization was performed in ac (alternating current) and dc (direct current) regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human somatic angiotensin‐1‐converting enzyme (sACE) is composed of a catalytic N‐(nACE) and C‐domain (cACE) of similar size with different substrate specificities. It is involved in the regulation of blood pressure by converting angiotensin I to the vasoconstrictor angiotensin II and has been a major focus in the development of therapeutics for hypertension. Bioactive peptides from various sources, including milk, have been identified as natural ACE inhibitors. We report the structural basis for the role of two lacototripeptides, Val‐Pro‐Pro and Ile‐Pro‐Pro, in domain‐specific inhibition of ACE using X‐ray crystallography and kinetic analysis. The lactotripeptides have preference for nACE due to altered polar interactions distal to the catalytic zinc ion. Elucidating the mechanism of binding and domain selectivity of these peptides also provides important insights into the functional roles of ACE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The zinc ion battery (ZIB) as a promising energy storage device has attracted great attention due to its high safety, low cost, high capacity, and the integrated smart functions. Herein, the working principles of smart responses, smart self‐charging, smart electrochromic as well as smart integration of the battery are summarized. Thus, this review enables to inspire researchers to design the novel functional battery devices for extending their application prospects. In addition, the critical factors associated with the performance of the smart ZIBs are comprehensively collected and discussed from the viewpoint of the intellectualized design. A profound understanding for correlating the design philosophy in cathode materials and electrolytes with the electrode interface is provided. To address the current challenging issues and the development of smart ZIB systems, a wide variety of emerging strategies regarding the integrated battery system is finally prospected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Rechargeable aqueous zinc ion batteries (RAZIBs) are of interest for energy storage in smart grids. However, slow Zn2+ diffusion kinetics, insufficient active sites, and poor intrinsic conductivity are always challenging to exploit the huge potential of the batteries. Here, we prepare V 2 O 3 -VN nano-heterojunction composites with sea urchin-like morphology as the cathode for AZIBs. The electrode achieves high capacities (e.g., 0.1 A g−1, 532.6 mAh g−1), good rate and cycle performance (263.4 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1 current density with 90.8% capacity retention). Detailed structural analyses suggest that the V 2 O 3 -VN composite is composed of different crystal planes of V 2 O 3 and VN, which form an efficient heterogeneous interfacial network in the bulk electrode, accounting for its good electrochemical properties. Theoretical calculations reveal that compared with V 2 O 3 , VN and physically mixed V 2 O 3 /VN, the V 2 O 3 -VN heterostructure exhibits good cation adsorption and electrode conductivity, thereby accelerating the charge carrier mobility and electrochemical activity of the electrode. Moreover, ex-situ characterization techniques are utilized to investigate the zinc storage mechanism in detail, providing new ideas for the development of AZIBs cathode materials through the construction of heterojunction structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Vanadium oxide-based cathode with unique layered structure is considered as a candidate for aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs). Unfortunately, considering poor electronic conductivity, sluggish diffusion kinetics, and the destruction of layered structures in the cycling process, the actual capacity and rate capability are constrained. Herein, the glucose hydrothermal carbon (GHC) and transition metal Mn2+ ion have been utilized to incorporate hydrated vanadium oxide (Mn-VOH@GHC). The oxygen vacancies defects of VOH, induced by GHC anchored on surface and Mn2+ inserted between interlayers, provides more active sites, higher electronic conductivity, and faster ion diffusion. In addition, GHC reinforces the integrity of external structure, while Mn2+ ion acts as structural pillars to support the interlayer structure. The Mn-VOH@GHC electrode can produce a high capacity of 530 mAh/g at the current density of 0.2 A/g thanks to these crucial properties, and after 2000 cycles at a high current density of 2 A/g, it can also produce a reversible capacity of 344 mAh/g. The results suggest that the synergistic effect of defect engineering and metal ion pre-insertion provides a new idea in enhancement of the electrochemical performance of AZIBs cathode materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is a big challenge to retain the water and thus reduce the charge impedance for solid electrolytes used in flexible and wearable zinc ion batteries. Here, we propose novel phytic acid (PA) cross-linked polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) hydrogels as high-performanced solid electrolytes strengthened by the Hofmeister effect. In this approach, freeze-thawing followed by a salting-out procedure via anions to induce the Hofmeister effect can greatly improve the tensile strain and flexibility of the hydrogels. The PA addition dramatically enhances the ionic conductivity and increases the affinity between the electrolyte and zinc plate. Consequently, the PVA/PA hydrogels exhibit remarkable electrochemical performances with stable full-cell cycling in zinc ion storage and capability in inhibiting Zn dendrite growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel water‐soluble methylated chitins (MCHs) were synthesized homogeneously in aqueous alkaline solution. The relatively mild reaction conditions resulted in the MCH with high degree of acetylation (DA >0.76). The chemical structure of the obtained MCHs was analyzed and the degree of methylation substitution (DS) and DA were determined by proton NMR in both D2O and 20% DCl/D2O. The MCH aqueous solutions (DS = 0.46 ~ 0.71) showed a reversible thermosensitive sol–gel–sol transition upon heating and cooling. The gel transition temperature of these MCHs (in the range of 15–85 °C) increased with increasing DS and decreasing polymer concentration. Thermal runaway has been an important safety issue impeding the development of high‐energy‐density zinc‐ion batteries. A smart thermosensitive reversible electrolyte was prepared based on this MCH for the aqueous zinc‐ion battery to prevent thermal runaway. When the temperature of zinc‐ion battery rises or even gets out of control, the thermosensitive electrolyte can quickly gel and inhibit the migration of zinc ions, resulting in increase of the internal resistance and realizing intelligent and efficient thermal self‐protection. Thus the novel thermosensitive methylated chitin shows promise for safe aqueous zinc‐ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: Design principle of a reliable electrolyte based on chelation strength is proposed for high-performance aqueous batteries. The addition of penta-sodium diethylene-triaminepentaacetic acid salt is effective in dynamically modulating anode/electrolyte interface, inhibiting water-related side reactions, and mitigating dendrite generation on zinc anodes. Symmetrical, Zn||Cu half and Zn||NH4V4O10 full cells using the new electrolyte exhibit improved electrochemical performance. Aqueous zinc-ion batteries are promising due to inherent safety, low cost, low toxicity, and high volumetric capacity. However, issues of dendrites and side reactions between zinc metal anode and the electrolyte need to be solved for extended storage and cycle life. Here, we proposed that an electrolyte additive with an intermediate chelation strength of zinc ion—strong enough to exclude water molecules from the zinc metal-electrolyte interface and not too strong to cause a significant energy barrier for zinc ion dissociation—can benefit the electrochemical stability by suppressing hydrogen evolution reaction, overpotential growth, and dendrite formation. Penta-sodium diethylene-triaminepentaacetic acid salt was selected for such a purpose. It has a suitable chelating ability in aqueous solutions to adjust solvation sheath and can be readily polarized under electrical loading conditions to further improve the passivation. Zn||Zn symmetric cells can be stably operated over 3500 h at 1 mA cm−2. Zn||NH4V4O10 full cells with the additive show great cycling stability with 84.6% capacity retention after 500 cycles at 1 A g−1. Since the additive not only reduces H2 evolution and corrosion but also modifies Zn2+ diffusion and deposition, highlyreversible Zn electrodes can be achieved as verified by the experimental results. Our work offers a practical approach to the logical design of reliable electrolytes for high-performance aqueous batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rechargeable zinc ion hybrid supercapacitors (ZHSCs) are critically hindered by the low Coulombic efficiency and poor lifespan due to the continuous water‐induced side reactions and uncontrolled dendrite growth of the Zn anode. Herein, a zincophilic anionic hydrogel electrolyte (PSCA/Zn(OTf)2) is constructed by incorporating the dodecyl sulfate anions ((OSO3R)−) micelles to manipulate the solvation structures of Zn2+ cations via the moderate ion–ion coordination interactions for manipulating the Zn deposition behavior and interfacial chemistry on Zn electrode. Joint experimental and theoretical results show that the constructed solvated Zn2+ cations with the ionized (OSO3R)− electron donor significantly restrict the occurrence of adverse reactions (hydrogen evolution reactions). Concomitantly, the newly involved (OSO3R)− anions influence the adsorption configurations of solvated Zn2+ ions, which alter the electrocrystallization patterns for dendrite‐free growth and induce the oriented deposition for rapid reaction kinetics of Zn electrodes. As a proof of concept, the Zn||Zn symmetric cells with PSCA/Zn(OTf)2 exhibit high reversibility for deposition/stripping behavior with an extended long cycle span. Significantly, benefiting from the synergy of the modulatory electrolyte environment and the regulated adsorption configurations, a quasi‐solid‐state Zn||PSCA/Zn(OTf)2||N‐doped porous carbon material (NPC) ZHSC exhibits exceptional cycling stability for over 40 000 cycles with a low capacity decay (0.00027% per cycle). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1,4,5,8-naphthalene tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride-2,3-diamino phenothiazine (NTDP) with multiple active sites (6 with C N and 2 with C O) and synthesized as cathode for aqueous zinc ion batteries using solid-phase method. DFT verified that NTDP has the smallest energy gap (ΔE), the lowest LUMO levels (against monomers) and multiple active sites, therefore it exhibited excellent specific capacity (307.5 mA h/g under 0.05 A/g), ultra-high rate performance (194.9 mA h/g under 20 A/g) and impressive stability (190.0 mA h/g for 9000 cycles with a capacity retention of 91.2% at 15 A/g). Several characterizations reveal that the mechanism of NTDP is the reversible redox reactions of Zn2+ based on the dual active centers (C O and C N). This work will provide chances for organic electrodes with reasonable molecular structure design for use of batteries. [Display omitted] • NTDP with multiple active sites (6 with C N, 2 with C O) was designed for AZIBs. • DFT verified that NTDP had the smallest energy gap (ΔE) and multiple active sites. • NTDP showed excellent ultra-high rate performance and long cycle life. • NTDP could store 4 zinc ions and transport 8 electrons from mechanism analysis. • The NTDP//Zn flexible battery successfully powered fan and lit a bulb. Acid anhydride cathode materials garner considerable interest for aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) due to ideal specific capacity and structural diversity, however, serious solubility leads to capacity degradation. Herein, 1,4,5,8-naphthalene tetracarboxylic acid dianhydride − 2,3-diamino phenothiazine (NTDP) featuring multiple active sites (6 with C N and 2 with C O) and large π-conjugated backbone, was designed and synthesized utilizing solid-phase method. The smallest energy gap (ΔE) and the lowest LUMO levels (against monomers) induced by multiple active sites and п-conjugated backbone with high aromaticity, NTDP exhibited excellent specific capacity (307.5 mA h g−1 under 0.05 A/g), ultrahigh rate performance (194.9 mA h g−1 under 20 A/g) and impressive cycling stability (190.0 mA h g−1 over 9000 cycles with a capacity retention of 91.2 % at 15 A/g). The reversible Zn2+ insertion/removal mechanism on multiple active centers (C O and C N) was proposed through XPS, FT-IR, and Raman. The specific capacity of the NTDP//zinc flexible cell was 112.6 mA h g−1 at 3 A/g under various folding angles (45°, 90°, 135°, and 180° bends), suggesting its practical potential for flexible devices. This work will offer opportunities for the rational design of battery structures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reaction of Zn ions with β-octaalkylcorroles leads to the air oxidation of the macrocycle, with the formation of a mixture of 5- and 10-oxocorroles. Spectroscopic characterization confirms the antiaromatic character of these macrocycles. A simple synthetic protocol opens the way for more detailed studies of oxocorrole chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, waste shell is directly used as a raw material to synthesize CaV3O7 as a cathode for aqueous zinc ion batteries. The obtained cathode material exhibits better performance than that of CaV3O7 prepared from pure calcium carbonate as a raw material. At 0.1 A g−1, the CaV3O7 prepared by spent shell as a calcium source displays a highly reversible discharge capacity of 373 mA h g−1. A high initial discharge capacity of 177.7 mA h g−1 can be gained at 5.0 A g−1, and the specific capacity remains at 133.3 mA h g−1 with a capacity retention of 75% after 3000 cycles. This work may spark inspiration for energy storage and generate more effective routes for recycling solid waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main bottlenecks that hinder the performance of rechargeable zinc electrochemical cells are their limited cycle lifetime and energy density. To overcome these limitations, this work studied the mechanism of a dual-ion Zn-Cu electrolyte to suppress dendritic formation and extend the device cycle life while concurrently enhancing the utilization ratio of zinc and thereby increasing the energy density of zinc ion capacitors (ZICs). The ZICs achieved a best-in-class energy density of 41 watt hour per kilogram with a negative-to-positive (n/p) electrode capacity ratio of 3.10. At the n/p ratio of 5.93, the device showed a remarkable cycle life of 22,000 full charge-discharge cycles, which was equivalent to 557 hours of discharge. The cumulative capacity reached ~581 ampere hour per gram, surpassing the benchmarks of lithium and sodium ion capacitors and highlighting the promise of the dual-ion electrolyte for delivering high-performance, low-maintenance electrochemical energy supplies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-capacity cathode materials are highly important for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs). However, the capacity output of cathode materials still remains far from their theoretical values. Herein, we report a facile strategy by integrating a small amount of multi-wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) into (NH4)2V6O16 vanadium-based ammonium hexavanadate (NVO) that greatly improves the capacity for zinc-ion storage. Specifically, the NVO/MWCNT composite cathode presents a high specific capacity of 462.8 mAh g−1 at 0.5 A g−1 and 120.2 mAh g−1 at 5 A g−1 with excellent cyclic stability of 92.6% capacity retention after 1000 cycles. Additionally, the structural evolution of cathode material and zinc-ion storage mechanism are further analyzed with a series of voltage-dependent spectroscopic investigation. The performance improvement of NVO/MWCNT cathode is ascribed to the enlargement of interfacial area of NVO nanorods with the electrolyte and promotion of electron transfer within NVO cathode. This work gives a new approach for development of cathode material of ZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thin films of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) on polymer substrates and MOF/polymer mixed-matrix membranes play crucial roles in advancing the field of gas separation membranes. In this paper, we present a novel method for the direct formation of continuous ZIF-8 crystal films on a polymer substrate doped with Zn²+. Our approach involves ion exchange between the doped zinc ions within the substrate and sodium ions in the presence of a CH3COONa additive, as well as interfacial complexation with eluted zinc ions and 2-methylimidazole (2-MeIM). The key factors affecting the formation of ZIF-8 crystals on the substrate were the concentrations of CH3COONa and 2-MeIM. A time-course analysis revealed that the nucleation rate during the early stages of the reaction significantly affected the surface morphology of the resulting ZIF-8 crystal films. Specifically, a higher nucleation rate led to the formation of continuous small ZIF-8 crystal films. This innovative approach enables the fabrication of densely packed, uniform ZIF-8 crystal films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water pollution is a pressing environmental issue that affects water sources such as lakes, rivers, groundwater, and oceans. It arises from the introduction of harmful substances, including heavy metals and chemicals, into water sources, posing significant risks to both human health and aquatic ecosystems. Prolonged exposure to Zn(II) ions carries substantial health hazards, such as nausea, vomiting, hemolysis, reduced hemoglobin levels, and abdominal pain. Consequently, this study employed the Pechini sol–gel method to facilely create MgO/Cu3MgO4 nanostructures at 900 °C and MgO/CuO nanostructures at 500 and 700 °C. The nanostructures, which were synthesized at 500, 700, and 900 °C, were abbreviated as MC500, MC700, and MC900, respectively. In this method, tartaric acid reacts with Mg(II) and Cu(II) ions to form chelates. In addition, ethylene glycol was used as a crosslinker to form polymer networks, which were finally ignited at different temperatures to remove organic parts and produce nanostructures with small crystal sizes and high surface areas. The synthesized nanostructures were characterized by XRD, HR-TEM, EDS, FE-SEM, and N2 adsorption/desorption analyzer. The XRD revealed that the MC500, MC700, and MC900 nanostructures exhibit average crystallite sizes of 89.80, 78.43, and 69.05 nm, respectively. Besides, the MC500, MC700, and MC900 nanostructures exhibit BET surface areas of 33.23, 39.38, and 42.20 m2/g, respectively. The greatest removal capabilities of the MC500, MC700, and MC900 nanostructures for Zn(II) ions were found to be 295.86, 324.68, and 361.01 mg/g, respectively. Also, the adsorption processes of zinc ions on the MC500, MC700, and MC900 nanostructures were exothermic, spontaneous, chemical, and more accurately described by the pseudo-second-order model and Langmuir isotherm. The synthesized nanostructures were regenerated and reused several times to remove zinc ions without losing their efficiency. Thus, the use of these nanostructures is excellent from an economic point of view in terms of ease of preparation, high efficiency in removing zinc ions, ease of regeneration and reuse, and safety. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water pollution has become a major environmental threat owing to the expeditious development of industries. These industries rapidly release wastewater containing harmful dyes (organic pollutants), which significantly affect the lives of humans and aquatic organisms to a huge extent. Therefore, the elimination of the pollutants in the contaminated water has become the primary need of the moment that is to be treated before it discharges into the environment. This article mainly focuses on the adsorption mechanism of the organic dye methylene blue from wastewater under sunlight using a zinc-metal organic framework (Zn-MOF). The Zn-MOF, being a three-dimensional porous structure was synthesized by the direct precipitation method using zinc metal ions and terephthalic acid (or) benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid as a connecting linker. Then, morphological and optical characterizations, along with the analysis of thermal and surface parameters, were performed for the synthesized Zn-MOF. The synthesized Zn-MOF appeared to be in a cubic form with a pore volume of about 0.006 cc/g. It was also found to have a surface area of 4.705 m2/g, with an absorbance range of 239.39 nm. The elemental composition of zinc in the synthesized Zn-MOF was approximately 25.41%, proving that the synthesized MOF is a Zinc-based MOF. As the results showed many properties related to the adsorption mechanism, Zn-MOF was chosen to proceed with the adsorptive application of removing the methylene blue dye from wastewater under sunlight. This application provides an efficient solution for the treatment of wastewater through the adsorption property of Zn-MOF, thereby proving its potential as an adsorbent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite holding the advantages of high theoretical capacity and low cost, the practical application of layered‐structured potassium vanadates in zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) has been staggered by the sluggish ion diffusion, low intrinsic electronic conductivity, and unstable crystal structure. Herein, for the first time, a phase stabilized crystal etching strategy is proposed to innovate an oxygen‐vacancy‐rich K0.486V2O5 nanorod composite (Ov‐KVO@rGO) as a high‐performance ZIB cathode. The in situ ascorbic acid assisted crystal etching process introduces abundant oxygen‐vacancies into the K0.486V2O5 lattices, not only elaborately expanding the lattice spacing for faster ion diffusion and more active sites due to the weakened interlayer electrostatic interaction, but also enhancing the electronic conductivity by accumulating electrons around the vacancies, which is also evidenced by density functional theory calculations. Meanwhile, the encapsulating rGO layer ably stabilizes the K0.486V2O5 crystal phase otherwise is hard to endure subject to such a harsh chemical etching. As a result, the optimized Ov‐KVO@rGO electrode delivers record‐high rate capabilities with 462 and 272.39 mAh g−1 at 0.2 and 10 A g−1, respectively, outperforming all previously reported potassium vanadate cathodes and most other vanadium‐based materials. This work highlights a significant advancement of layer‐structured vanadium based‐materials towards practical application in ZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malpighian tubules (MTs) are arthropod excretory organs crucial for the osmoregulation, detoxification and excretion of xenobiotics and metabolic wastes, which include tryptophan degradation products along the kynurenine (KYN) pathway. Specifically, the toxic intermediate 3-hydroxy kynurenine (3-HK) is metabolized through transamination to xanthurenic acid or in the synthesis of ommochrome pigments. Early investigations in Drosophila larval fat bodies revealed an intracellular autofluorescence (AF) that depended on tryptophan administration. Subsequent observations documented AF changes in the MTs of Drosophila eye-color mutants genetically affecting the conversion of tryptophan to KYN or 3-HK and the intracellular availability of zinc ions. In the present study, the AF properties of the MTs in the Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes albopictus, were characterized in different stages of the insect's life cycle, tryptophan-administered larvae and blood-fed adult females. Confocal imaging and microspectroscopy showed AF changes in the distribution of intracellular, brilliant granules and in the emission spectral shape and amplitude between the proximal and distal segments of MTs across the different samples. The findings suggest AF can serve as a promising marker for investigating the functional status of MTs in response to metabolic alterations, contributing to the use of MTs as a potential research model in biomedicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Terpyridine and its derivatives have good binding affinity for most transition metal ions due to the arrangement of their three pyridine nitrogen atoms. In this work, a new ratiometric fluorescent probe G, which is based on a styrylpyridinium attached to a terpyridine fluorophore, was synthesized and characterized. The fluorescence spectrum of probe G shows a good response to Zn2+ by an intramolecular charge transfer effect. On increasing the concentration of Zn2+, the fluorescence color of probe G changes from blue to yellow. Importantly, probe G has a high selectivity for Zn2+ and is not affected by other metal ions, including Cd2+. In addition, the limit of detection (LOD) of probe G for Zn2+ was found to be up to 0.17 µM. The results show that probe G has the ability to selectively recognize Zn2+ in aqueous solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyaniline was inserted into the interlayer of vanadium-metal–organic framework-derived V 2 O 5 to take advantage of the (1 1 0) crystal plane of V 2 O 5 selective growth. PANI80-V 2 O 5 had excellent electrochemical properties that benefit from the large layer spacing and the strong synergistic coupling of oxygen vacancy defects with the large specific surface area. [Display omitted] The development of structurally stable, highly conductive layered materials as cathode materials for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) is essential. Herein, polyaniline (PANI) was inserted into the interlayer of a vanadium-metal–organic framework-derived V 2 O 5 to take advantage of the selective growth of the (1 1 0) crystal plane of V 2 O 5 , facilitating sufficient diffusion of aniline within the V 2 O 5 interlayer along the vertical direction of the spatial c -axis while stabilizing the interlayer structure. The synthesized composite (PANI80-V 2 O 5) exhibited excellent electrochemical properties owing to the increase in the material layer spacing from 5.76 Å to 14.31 Å and the strong synergistic effect of the oxygen vacancies and large specific surface area of the material. In addition, the π-conjugated structure of PANI prevented the active material from dissolving in the electrolyte, further stabilizing its lamellar structure, which tended to collapse during electrochemical cycling. The PANI80-V 2 O 5 electrode exhibited an ultrahigh discharge capacity of 516.90 mAh g−1 at a current density of 0.1 A g−1. Moreover, it exhibited a discharge capacity of 268.80 mAh g−1 at a current density of 10 A g−1 and a capacity retention rate of 97.77% after 3000 cycles. Therefore, this study provided a reference for developing structurally superior cathode materials for AZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cost‐effective dual functions zeolite‐carbon composite (DFZCC) was prepared using an eco‐friendly substrate prepared from bio‐waste and an organic adhesive at intermediate conditions. The green synthesis method used in this study ensures that chemically harmless compounds are used to obtain a homogeneous distribution of zeolite over porous carbon. The greenly prepared dual‐function composite was extensively characterized using Fourier transform infrared, X‐ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms, field emission scanning electron microscope, dispersive analysis by X‐ray, and point of zero charges. DFZCC had a surface area of 248.84 m2/g and a pore volume of 0.141 cm3/g. DFZCC was used in the sorption process of Zn2+ ions from aqueous solutions, and it achieved higher removal (98%) at normal pH of 6.4 and temperature of 40°C. The Langmuir model was the best model for representing equilibrium data with a maximum sorption capacity of 6.711 mg/g. The kinetic studies showed that the pseudo‐second‐order model was the most appropriate model for representing experimental data. The intra‐particle diffusion kinetics demonstrated that the boundary film is the rate‐determining step in the sorption process. The sorption process of Zn2+ ions by DFZCC was spontaneous and endothermic. Moreover, solidification of the spent DFZCC by kaolin successfully reduced the leaching ions to the solution after 12 weeks from exposure to a salty solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The improvement of antimicrobial activity of ethylene‐vinyl acetate (EVA) resin is of significant importance from the hygienic point of view. Hence, the present work aimed to improve antimicrobial performance of the polymer with the aid of a novel, effective and low‐cost additive. Accordingly, the effects of incorporating Mobil‐twenty‐two zeolite loaded with silver, copper and zinc salts to EVA on antimicrobial activity of the polymer was investigated in this study. The used zeolite was hydrothermally synthesized and doped with silver, copper, or zinc nitrates. The loaded zeolite particles were added to EVA through melt mixing. The prepared composite samples were then compression molded to obtain thin films with a thickness of about 0.1 mm. X‐ray diffraction experiments and scanning electron microscopy revealed successful synthesis of Mobil‐twenty‐two zeolite and its metal‐salt loading. Moreover, favorable distribution of the loaded zeolite in the polymer matrix was proved by scanning electron microscopy images. Also, stress–strain test unveiled that the addition of the zeolite particles enhances Young's modulus and tensile strength of the polymer while decreases its elongation at break. In addition, among the studied samples, the one containing 2 wt.% of silver‐loaded zeolite showed the highest Young's modulus of 105 ± 4.7 MPa. however, its modulus was only about 2% higher than that of the sample containing 2 wt.% of copper/zinc‐doped zeolite. Moreover, the two mentioned samples showed the highest elongation at break among the samples containing 2 wt.% of the loaded zeolites. Besides, the lowest observed elongation at break was 491% ± 16.2 belonging to the composite sample containing 2 wt.% of copper‐loaded zeolite. Furthermore, the film samples containing either of the loaded zeolite particles exhibited antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans, with maximum bacterial and fungal inhibitions of about 56% and 54% in the case of the film samples containing 2 wt.% of silver‐ and copper/zinc‐doped zeolite, respectively. Overall, it was concluded that copper and/or zinc‐loaded zeolites, the effects of which is comparable to that of silver‐loaded zeolite, have the potential for application as low cost additives to induce antimicrobial activity to EVA, while maintaining its beneficial mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Objectives: Caredyne ZIF-C is a novel, capsule-mixed zinc-containing prototype glass ionomer cement (GIC). Zinc ions are reported to inhibit root dentin demineralization, dentin collagen degradation, bacterial growth, acid production, and in vitro bacterial biofilm formation. However, the effectiveness of GICs against initial root caries lesions is unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of GICs, especially the new zinc-containing Caredyne ZIF-C GIC, as tooth-coating materials in patients with initial active root caries. Materials and Methods: A total of 58 lesions in 47 older adults (age > 65 years) were randomly allocated to one of the following three groups: Caredyne ZIF-C, Fuji VII (a conventional GIC), and sodium fluoride (NaF). All the lesions were treated with the assigned materials without removing the infected dentin, and the rates of dental plaque attachment and coating material fall-out were evaluated after 3, 6, and 12 months. The failure rate was defined as the number of teeth that needed restoration due to caries progression. Results: The plaque attachment rates tended to be lower in the material-coated root surfaces than in the healthy exposed root surfaces after 3, 6, and 12 months, although the differences among the three groups were not significant. Moreover, the coating material fall-out rate tended to be lower in the Caredyne ZIF-C group than in the Fuji VII group. There was no significant difference in the failure rate among the three groups at the 12 months mark. Conclusions: Though this pilot study offers a new direction for suppressing the progression of initial active root caries by controlling plaque attachment using GICs including Caredyne ZIF-C, clinical studies with a larger sample size are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of aqueous zinc ion batteries is restricted by the unstable Zn metal anode, which comes from the dendrite and hydrogen evolution reaction on the Zn electrode–electrolyte interface. Here, melamine additive is introduced into the electrolyte to build a stable Zn anode. The melamine additive supplies two functions: one is optimizing the Zn2+ solvation structure to produce [Zn(H2O)m(melamine)n]2+; the other is in situ constructing a C,N-solid electrolyte interphase layer. The bifunction of the additive reduces the hydrogen evolution reaction, induces a uniform Zn deposition without dendrite, and protects Zn from electrolyte corrosion. As a result, the Zn anode in ZnSO4 + melamine shows a lower overpotential, higher coulombic efficiency, and longer cycle life, in contrast with the pure ZnSO4 electrolyte, thus proving that this bifunctional additive is an effective method to achieve a stable Zn anode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The initial capacity fading and electrochemical profile modification of the nickel substituted manganese hexacyanoferrate cathode material in aqueous zinc-ion batteries was investigated. The outcome of the electrochemical tests suggested the structural transformation of the material; therefore, further characterization has been performed with the synchrotron-based x-ray absorption spectroscopy and powder x-ray diffraction. Indeed, the alteration of the structure was evident with both techniques. The dissolution of Mn and Ni was observed, alongside with the substitution of Mn with Zn. Furthermore, a new Zn-containing phase formation, and the modification of Mn species were demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic redox compounds are attractive cathode materials in aqueous zinc‐ion batteries owing to their low cost, environmental friendliness, multiple‐electron‐transfer reactions, and resource sustainability. However, the realized energy density is constrained by the limited capacity and low voltage. Herein, copper‐tetracyanoquinodimethane (CuTCNQ), an organic charge–transfer complex is evaluated as a zinc‐ion battery cathode owing to the good electron acceptation ability in the cyano groups that improves the voltage output. Through electrochemical activation, electrolyte optimization, and adoption of graphene‐based separator, CuTCNQ‐based aqueous zinc‐ion batteries deliver much improved rate performance and cycling stability with anti‐self‐discharge properties. The structural evolution of CuTCNQ during discharge/charge are investigated by ex situ Fourier transform infra‐red (FT‐IR) spectra, ex situ X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and in situ ultraviolet visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), revealing reversible redox reactions in both cuprous cations (Cu+) and organic anions (TCNQx‐1), thus delivering a high voltage output of 1.0 V and excellent discharge capacity of 158 mAh g−1. The remarkable electrochemical performance in Zn//CuTCNQ is ascribed to the strong inductive effect of cyano groups in CuTCNQ that elevated the voltage output and the graphene‐modified separator that inhibited CuTCNQ dissolution and shuttle effect in aqueous electrolytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Zinc is widely used as an anode in zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) due to its nontoxicity, favorable theoretical specific capacity, and low oxidation–reduction potential. Nevertheless, irreversible Zn dendritic growth and unavoidable side reactions limit its cyclic stability and high‐rate capability. This research puts forward a surface protection strategy by introducing a hydrophobic polyvinylidene fluoride and carborundum nanocoating (PVDF‐SiC) coating on the surface of Zn anode to synergistically restrain side reactions and Zn dendrites. PVDF improves the hydrophobicity of Zn anode at the solid–liquid interface, which can avoid side reactions between Zn anode and water. SiC nanoparticles with high porosity and small size pore can also homogenize the Zn2+ flux, which can cause uniform Zn deposition and inhibit Zn dendrite growth. The hydrophobic PVDF‐SiC@Zn symmetric battery accordingly exhibits an invariable overvoltage (<40 mV) after 780 h at 1 mA cm−2 with 0.25 mAh cm−2. Simultaneously, constant and convertible Zn deposition in PVDF‐SiC@Zn//Ti asymmetric battery is implemented. The PVDF‐SiC@Zn//V2O5 full battery exhibits 68% capacity retention after 400 cycles. The porous/hydrophobic PVDF‐SiC composite modification efficiently restrains the side reactions and Zn dendrite growth on the Zn anode, providing an innovative idea for achieving long‐life ZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Spirostomum ambiguum is commonly used as a biological indicator due to its high sensitivity to heavy metals. It functions normally across a wide pH range of 4.5 to 8.0. Testing on protozoan organisms provides a general understanding of the impact of pH on the toxicity of zinc in pharmaceuticals. By investigating the toxicity of zinc in environment with varying pH levels, the optimal environment for zinc absorption can be determined. Objective: The objective of this study is to assess the toxicity of zinc sulphate solutions using different forms of hydrating and at various pH levels, applying the Spirotox method. Methods: An experiment was conducted using a solution of pharmaceutical substances, specifically zinc sulphate heptahydrate and zinc sulphate monohydrate, with a concentration of 0.01 M. The study aimed to investigate the effect of the solution on the lifespan of S.ambiguum within the pH range of 4.8-6.5. Results: Arrhenius activation energy (Ea linear correlates with LD50 oral toxicity for rats) decreases as pH increases from 4.8 to 6.5 for ZnSO4·7H2O and ZnSO4·H2O solutions. The values decrease from 140±10 kJ/mol to 55±10 kJ/mol and from 110±2 kJ/mol to 60±10 kJ/mol, respectively. Conclusion: It was found that the toxicity of zinc sulphate hydrate solution towards S. ambiguum increased as the pH value increased. Hydrating of the active pharmaceutical substance was a crucial factor, it is critically important for preparation of solutions of an active pharmaceutical substance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fusarium graminearum is the main causal agent of Fusarium head blight (FHB) disease in wheat in Europe. To reveal population structure and to pinpoint genetic targets of selection we studied genomes of 96 strains of F. graminearum using population genomics. Bayesian and phylogenomic analyses indicated that the F. graminearum emergence in Europe could be linked to two independently evolving populations termed here as East European (EE) and West European (WE) population. The EE strains are primarily prevalent in Eastern Europe, but to a lesser extent also in western and southern areas. In contrast, the WE population appears to be endemic to Western Europe. Both populations evolved in response to population-specific selection forces, resulting in distinct localized adaptations that allowed them to migrate into their environmental niche. The detection of positive selection in genes with protein/zinc ion binding domains, transcription factors and in genes encoding proteins involved in transmembrane transport highlights their important role in driving evolutionary novelty that allow F. graminearum to increase adaptation to the host and/or environment. F. graminearum also maintained distinct sets of accessory genes showing population-specific conservation. Among them, genes involved in host invasion and virulence such as those encoding proteins with high homology to tannase/feruloyl esterase and genes encoding proteins with functions related to oxidation-reduction were mostly found in the WE population. Our findings shed light on genetic features related to microevolutionary divergence of F. graminearum and reveal relevant genes for further functional research aiming at better control of this pathogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) are troubled by the severe Zn dendrite growth and side reactions, manifesting as low coulombic efficiency and poor cyclic stability. Electrolyte engineering is regarded as an efficient method to improve Zn metal reversibility. Herein, a distinctive electrolyte regulation strategy is demonstrated for long‐lasting ZIBs through the construction of competitive solvation structures. In the composite aqueous system, the insoluble LiNO3 in dimethyl carbonate (DMC) is introduced to outwit active water dissociation from Zn2+ coordination environment, and the organic/anion‐enriched solvation structure enables the formation of a stable interface to effectively restrain adverse reactions. Distinctly, the Zn metal anode exhibits inhibited dendrite growth with high reversibility of plating/stripping processes over 1600 h with an exceptional cumulative capacity over 16 Ah cm−2, an ultra‐long lifespan over high‐temperature (50 °C), and high discharge of depth (65%). Furthermore, the Zn || V2O5 full battery can operate stably over 1000 cycles at 1 A g−1. This work points a direction to effectively solve the major challenges of ZIBs through the collaborative construction of a regulated electrolyte environment and interfacial chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growth of dendrites and the hydrogen evolution reaction pose significant challenges to the development of Zn metal aqueous batteries as a promising solution for energy storage. Herein, trisodium nitrilotriacetate (Na3NTA) as an electrolyte additive is shown to improve the reversibility of the zinc plating–stripping process. NTA3− anions possess the potential not only to substitute water molecules in the solvation sheath of Zn2+ ions but also to construct a zincophilic electrolyte/Zn anode interface and suppress the activity of water molecules for stabilizing the Zn anode. The introduction of Na3NTA can effectively suppress side reactions arising from active water decomposition and simultaneously lead to the formation of a well‐defined (002) texture structure. As a result, a Zn||Zn symmetric cell with a modified electrolyte demonstrates a lifespan of up to 3000 h at a cutoff capacity of 1 mA h cm−2. Furthermore, a Zn||V2O5 full cell exhibits an enhanced capacity retention of 83.2% even after undergoing 8000 cycles. No noticeable dendrites are observed even after long cycles in both symmetric and full cells. Due to the cost‐effective material and ease of fabrication of the Na3NTA additive, this electrolyte strategy may promote the industrial application of aqueous zinc ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, an azo dye decolourising bacterium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa; JKAK, was isolated and characterised based on morphological, biochemical and 16S rDNA sequence analysis. The strain decolourised 99.12% of 200 mg/L Orange G dye in just 16 h. JKAK also decolourised up to 800 mg/L of the dye by 76.78% in 24 h. The optimum pH and temperature for decolourisation were 8.5 and 40°C, respectively. Also, this strain could decolourise over 90% of the dye in presence of 30 g/L NaCl in less than 20 h. Furthermore, it could decolourise 92.1%, 91.7% and 34.6% of the dye, after 20, 28 and 52 h in the presence of Lead, Zinc and Cobalt ions, respectively. Consortium of JKAK with previously isolated strains of bacteria AK1, AK2 and VKY1 decolourised the dye completely in 12 h. The cell-free extract of JKAK showed azoreductase activity of 0.9 µmoles/min/mg protein. The HPLC and LCMS analysis of the decolourised medium indicated the presence of azo bond breakage products 8-amino-6-hydroxynaphthaline-1,3-disulfonate and aniline. About 42% reduction in phytotoxicity was observed in the decolourised samples. Overall, due to the high decolourising capacity over a wide range of conditions, this strain could be effectively applied for the treatment of textile effluents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is the contents list for an issue of the journal Chemical Communications. It provides information about the articles in the issue, including the ISSN, CODEN, and page numbers. The cover image is credited to Dr. Xuedan Wu from the Li lab and Sci-Shine Studio Co., Ltd. The document also includes information about the Royal Society of Chemistry, the editorial staff, subscription details, and the editorial board. It provides instructions for authors who wish to submit material for publication and guidelines for reproducing published contributions. The document also lists featured articles and communications that have been published in the journal. It is published by The Royal Society of Chemistry and includes copyright information and guidelines for use. [Extracted from the article]

In response to the need of sustainable development, there is an increasing demand for electrical energy storage, leading to a stimulated pursuit of advanced batteries. Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) have attracted much attention due to their low cost, high safety, and environmental friendliness. Despite the great efforts made by researchers in designing and developing high‐performance AZIBs, several challenges remain. Particularly for Zn anode, the growth of zinc dendrites and occurance of various side reactions significantly hinder the advancement of AZIBs. This review article aims to discuss the principles of AZIBs, the electrolyte's structure and properties, the challenges faced by AZIBs anodesm and the strategies to improve battery performance through electrolyte modification in a systematic manner. In conclusion, potential future directions aimed at enhancing the stability of zinc anodes and cathodes by electrolyte modification strategies are proposed to ensure that research efforts are geared toward achieving realistic performance targets for commercializing AZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]