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The structure of zinc aluminosilicate glasses with the composition (ZnO)x(Al2O3)y(SiO2)1−x−y, where 0 ≤ x < 1, 0 ≤ y < 1, and x + y < 1, was investigated over a wide composition range by combining neutron and high-energy x-ray diffraction with 27Al magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The results were interpreted using an analytical model for the composition-dependent structure in which the zinc ions do not act as network formers. Four-coordinated aluminum atoms were found to be in the majority for all the investigated glasses, with five-coordinated aluminum atoms as the main minority species. Mean Al–O bond distances of 1.764(5) and 1.855(5) Å were obtained for the four- and five-coordinated aluminum atoms, respectively. The coordination environment of zinc was not observed to be invariant. Instead, it is dependent on whether zinc plays a predominantly network-modifying or charge-compensating role and, therefore, varies systematically with the glass composition. The Zn–O coordination number and bond distance were found to be 4.36(9) and 2.00(1) Å, respectively, for the network-modifying role vs 5.96(10) and 2.08(1) Å, respectively, for the charge-compensating role. The more open coordination environment of the charge-compensator is related to an enhanced probability of zinc finding bridging oxygen atoms as nearest-neighbors, reflecting a change in the connectivity of the glass network comprising four-coordinated silicon and aluminum atoms as the alumina content is increased. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogel electrolytes (HEs) hold great promise in tackling severe issues emerging in aqueous zinc‐ion batteries, but the prevalent salting‐out effect of kosmotropic salt causes low ionic conductivity and electrochemical instability. Herein, a subtle molecular bridging strategy is proposed to enhance the compatibility between PVA and ZnSO4 from the perspective of hydrogen‐bonding microenvironment re‐construction. By introducing urea containing both an H‐bond acceptor and donor, the broken H‐bonds between PVA and H2O, initiated by the SO42−‐driven H2O polarization, could be re‐united via intense intermolecular hydrogen bonds, thus leading to greatly increased carrying capacity of ZnSO4. The urea‐modified PVA‐ZnSO4 HEs featuring a high ionic conductivity up to 31.2 mS cm−1 successfully solves the sluggish ionic transport dilemma at the solid‐solid interface. Moreover, an organic solid‐electrolyte‐interphase can be derived from the in situ electro‐polymerization of urea to prohibit H2O‐involved side reactions, thereby prominently improving the reversibility of Zn chemistry. Consequently, Zn anodes witness an impressive lifespan extension from 50 h to 2200 h at 0.1 mA cm−2 while the Zn‐I2 full battery maintains a remarkable Coulombic efficiency (>99.7 %) even after 8000 cycles. The anti‐salting‐out strategy proposed in this work provides an insightful concept for addressing the phase separation issue of functional HEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flexible and high‐performance aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs), coupled with low cost and safe, are considered as one of the most promising energy storage candidates for wearable electronics. Hydrogel electrolytes present a compelling alternative to liquid electrolytes due to their remarkable flexibility and clear advantages in mitigating parasitic side reactions. However, hydrogel electrolytes suffer from poor mechanical properties and interfacial chemistry, which limits them to suppressed performance levels in flexible ZIBs, especially under harsh mechanical strains. Herein, a bio‐inspired multifunctional hydrogel electrolyte network (polyacrylamide (PAM)/trehalose) with improved mechanical and adhesive properties was developed via a simple trehalose network‐repairing strategy to stabilize the interfacial chemistry for dendrite‐free and long‐life flexible ZIBs. As a result, the trehalose‐modified PAM hydrogel exhibits a superior strength and stretchability up to 100 kPa and 5338 %, respectively, as well as strong adhesive properties to various substrates. Also, the PAM/trehalose hydrogel electrolyte provides superior anti‐corrosion capability for Zn anode and regulates Zn nucleation/growth, resulting in achieving a high Coulombic efficiency of 98.8 %, and long‐term stability over 2400 h. Importantly, the flexible Zn//MnO2 pouch cell exhibits excellent cycling performance under different bending conditions, which offers a great potential in flexible energy‐related applications and beyond. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) are considered one of the most prospective new‐generation electrochemical energy storage devices with the advantages of high specific capacity, good safety, and high economic efficiency. Nevertheless, the enduring problems of low Coulombic efficiency (CE) and inadequate cycling stability of zinc anodes, originating from dendrites, hydrogen precipitation and passivation, are closely tied to their thermodynamic instability in aqueous electrolytes, which significantly shortens the cycle life of the battery. Electrolyte additives can solve the above difficulties and are important for the advancement of affordable and reliable AZIBs. Organic electrolyte additives have attracted widespread attention due to their unique properties, however, there is a lack of systematic discussion on the performance and mechanism of action of organic electrolyte additives. In this review, a comprehensive overview of the application of organic electrolyte additives in AZIBs is presented. The role of organic electrolyte additives in stabilizing zinc anodes is described and evaluated. Finally, further potential directions and prospects for improving and directing organic electrolyte additives for AZIBs are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid biopolymer electrolytes for zinc primary battery based on cellulose acetate (CA) and zinc chloride (ZnCl2) have been prepared by solution casting technique with Dimethylformamide (DMF) as the solvent. X-ray diffraction analysis provides that biopolymer membrane 40 wt% of CA:60 wt% of ZnCl2 shows very high amorphous nature. Complex formation between biopolymer CA with ZnCl2 has been confirmed by FTIR measurements. Biopolymer membrane 40 wt% of CA:60 wt% of ZnCl2 shows a high zinc ionic conductivity of 3.04 × 10–3 S/cm calculated from impedance measurements. Wagner's Polarization measurements indicates that charge carriers are ions and the highest zinc ionic conductivity membrane has got low glass transition temperature 35 °C determined by DSC studies. The electrochemical stability of the highest zinc ion conductivity membrane is found to be 2.15 V by LSV technique. The cyclic stability of the prepared membrane has been determined by cyclic voltammetry analysis. Transport parameters such as Diffusion constant (D), mobility (μ) and relaxation time (τ) have been calculated for the biopolymer electrolytes. A primary zinc ion battery has been constructed using zinc plate as anode, highest zinc ion conducting membrane as an electrolyte and MnO2 as cathode shows an open-circuit voltage 1.55 V. The performance of the battery has been studied with various loads. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) with metallic Zn anode have the potential for large‐scale energy storage application due to their cost‐effectiveness, safety, environmental‐friendliness, and ease of preparation. However, the concerns regarding dendrite growth and side reactions on Zn anode surface hamper the commercialization of AZIBs. This review aims to give a comprehensive evaluation of the protective interphase construction and provide guidance to further improve the electrochemical performance of AZIBs. The failure behaviors of the Zn metal anode including dendrite growth, corrosion, and hydrogen evolution are analyzed. Then, the applications and mechanisms of the constructed interphases are introduced, which are classified by the material species. The fabrication methods of the artificial interfaces are summarized and evaluated, including the in‐situ strategy and ex‐situ strategy. Finally, the characterization means are discussed to give a full view for the study of Zn anode protection. Based on the analysis of this review, a stable and high‐performance Zn anode could be designed by carefully choosing applied material, corresponding protective mechanism, and appropriate construction technique. Additionally, this review for Zn anode modification and construction techniques for anode protection in AZIBs may be helpful in other aqueous metal batteries with similar problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To elucidate the inhibition effects of Zn2+ and Cd2+ on the luciferin–luciferase reaction, we performed quantitative measurements of quantum yields and spectral shapes for in vitro firefly bioluminescence in aqueous solutions containing ZnSO4, ZnCl2, CdSO4, and CdCl2 at different concentrations. Particular care was taken toward the equilibrium between metal ions and enzyme proteins, anion difference, solubility, and uncertainty evaluation. The bioluminescence quantum yields decreased almost linearly to the concentration of Zn2+ and Cd2+ below 0.25 mM. No obvious difference was found between the chloride and sulfate anion solutions. We defined inhibition sensitivity as the decrease in relative quantum yield versus the concentration of metal ions, and they were determined to be 1.48 ± 0.13 and 1.13 ± 0.16/mM for Zn2+ and Cd2+, respectively. We estimated the detection limit of inhibition effects as the concentration of metal ions that decrease relative quantum yields by 10%, which were 0.07 mM (4 ppm) and 0.09 mM (10 ppm) for Zn2+ and Cd2+, respectively. The shape of the bioluminescence spectra changed sensitively with the increase in Zn2+ concentrations. The bioluminescence peak energy for 0.10‐mM Zn2+ was ~2.2 eV, while that for 0.25‐mM Zn2+ was ~2.0 eV. The shape of the spectra changed less sensitively with the increase in Cd2+concentrations, and the peak energy was at ~2.2 eV for Cd2+ concentrations of 0.10 and 0.25 mM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a L -cysteine-functionalized carbon-coated magnetic nanocomposite (CoFe2O4/C@Cys) was effectively synthesized and employed as an adsorbent in effervescent tablet-assisted dispersive solid-phase microextraction (ET-DSPM) for enrichment of heavy metals (Fe(III) and Zn(II)). The as-prepared composites were extensively characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) techniques. The influence of various factors on the extraction efficiency of heavy metals was methodically examined in this study. After quickly transferring the effervescence tablet into the aqueous sample, the effervescent agent (sodium dihydrogen phosphate and sodium carbonate) simultaneously reacted and produced carbon dioxide (CO2). The in situ produced CO2 facilitated the dispersion of nanoparticles in the aqueous sample and significantly enhanced the extraction efficiency. Under the optimal parameters, the results showed that the CoFe2O4/C@Cys-ET-DSPM method displayed superior analytical performance for quantification of two heavy metals in milk samples with a preconcentration factor of 20, limits of detection (LODs) of 0.10–0.12 μg kg−1, recoveries of 77.1–101.7% and RSDs of 1.1–7.0%, respectively. The one-step extraction approach combined with an atomic absorption spectrometer exhibits promising potential for application in field analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs) are the most promising batteries in the field of energy storage due to their advantages of good safety, high specific capacity and environmental friendliness. However, the practical application is hindered by the poor electrochemical kinetic period. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), with their porous structure and abundant active sites, have gained wide attention in the field of preparing nanomaterials and are expected to solve the problem of AZIBs. This paper describes the research progress of MOF-derived cathode and anode materials in AZIBs and proposes future research directions and application prospects, providing guidance for the rational design of AZIB materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work vividly demonstrates the rational design of VSe 2-x O x -SS cathode as an effective strategy to achieve fast and highly aqueous zinc ion storage. [Display omitted] • A simple and fast surface oxygen implantation strategy was designed to adjust the electronic structure of VSe 2 and form a surface protective film. • The VSe 2-x O x -SS-30 electrode showed higher specific capacity, better rate performance and more satisfactory cycling stability. • The zinc (de)intercalation and transformation reactions mechanism was revealed by some ex-situ/in-situ techniques. Interfacial chemical modification is an effective strategy to adjust the strong Coulombic ion-lattice interactions with high valence cations experienced by electrode materials, facilitating the reaction kinetic. In this paper, a simple and fast surface oxygen implantation strategy was designed to adjust the electronic structure of stainless steel (SS) supported vanadium diselenide (VSe 2) nanosheets and form a surface protective film, which effectively accelerates the reaction kinetics of Zn2+ and extends the cycle life of the battery. It is demonstrated that the conductivity, pseudocapacitance and specific capacity can be tuned by selectively introducing oxygen species to the surface, which provides an important reference for the design of electrodes with controlled surface chemistry. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations also confirm that the electronic structure can be adjusted by surface oxygen injection strategy, which not only improves the conductivity, but also adjusts the adsorption energy, thus providing favorable conditions for zinc ion storage. Benefiting from the selenium vacancies and pores generated by the removal of part of selenium, and the oxide film formed on the surfaces, the VSe 2-x O x -SS-30 electrode showed higher specific capacity (188.4 mAh/g at 0.5 A g−1 after 50 cycles), better rate performance (107.1 mAh/g at 4 A g−1) and more satisfactory cycling stability (83.1 mAh/g at 5 A g−1 after 1800 cycles) than VSe 2 -SS electrode. Importantly, the flexible quasi-solid-state VSe 2-x O x -SS-30//Zn battery also exhibits high specific capacity and excellent environmental adaptability. Furthermore, the zinc (de)intercalation and transformation reactions mechanism was revealed by some ex-situ/in-situ techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main challenge for aqueous zinc‐ion capacitors is the low stability of zinc anode. In this study, a Prussian blue analog (PBA) has been coated on the surface of zinc foil to create an inorganic protective layer. This layer features a three‐dimensional open microporous structure, which not only endows it with excellent pseudocapacitive properties but also serves as an effective barrier against dendrite growth. The presence of PBA coating can increase the nucleation point of zinc ions and provide a low‐energy barrier for the rapid migration of zinc ions. Hence, the PBA@Zn ||PBA@Zn symmetric cell exhibits exceptional cycling stability, enduring over 1400 h of operation at a current density of 1 mA cm−2 and a capacity of 1 mAh cm−2. The PBA@Zn||AC capacitor demonstrated a discharge capacity of 46.23 mAh g−1 after 10 000 cycles at a current density of 1 A g−1, with a capacity retention of 92.41%, whereas the discharge capacity of Zn||AC capacitor is only 16.02 mAh g−1, with a capacity retention of 23.13%. The PBA@Zn||AC capacitor exhibited remarkable endurance and stability, retaining a substantial discharge capacity of 32.7 mAh g−1 after 10 000 cycles at 10 A g−1. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations also show that PBA has a strong interaction with Zn and exhibits superior zincophilic ability. This study reports industrially applicable low‐cost Prussian blue analogs as artificial interfacial protective layers for improving the cycling stability of zinc anode with a low‐energy barrier for rapid migration of zinc ions especially at high current density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parasitic side reactions and dendrite growth on zinc anodes are formidable issues causing limited lifetime of aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs). Herein, a spontaneous cascade optimization strategy is first proposed to regulate Zn2+ migration‐diffusion behavior. Specifically, PAPE@Zn layer with separation‐reconstruction properties is constructed in situ on Zn anode. In this layer, well‐soluble poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) can spontaneously separation to bulk electrolyte and weaken the preferential coordination between H2O and Zn2+ to achieve primary optimization. Meanwhile, poor‐soluble polymerized‐4‐acryloylmorpholine (PACMO) is reconstructed on Zn anode as hydrophobic flower‐like arrays with abundant zincophilic sites, further guiding the de‐solvation and homogeneous diffusion of Zn2+ to achieve the secondary optimization. Cascade optimization effectively regulates Zn2+ migration‐diffusion behavior, dendrite growth and side reactions of Zn anode are negligible, and the stability is significantly improved. Consequently, symmetrical cells exhibit stability over 4000 h (1 mA cm−2). PAPE@Zn//NH4+−V2O5 full cells with a high current density of 15 A g−1 maintains 72.2 % capacity retention for 12000 cycles. Even better, the full cell demonstrates excellent performance of cumulative capacity of 2.33 Ah cm−2 at ultra‐low negative/positive (N/P) ratio of 0.6 and a high mass‐loading (~17 mg cm−2). The spontaneous cascade optimization strategy provides novel path to achieve high‐performance and practical ZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) are commonly used in both commercial and agricultural sectors. As a result, ZnO-NPs are extensively discharged into soil ecosystems, creating a significant environmental issue. Therefore, it is crucial to assess their influence on the soil ecology to ensure its secure and enduring utilization in the future. The exact degree of toxicity associated with ZnO-NPs and their ionic form is still uncertain. To address the challenges, the study used the soil bioindicator earthworm species Eudrilus eugeniae as an experimental model to evaluate the effects of two zinc species (ZnO-NPs and ZnCl2) at 100, 250, 500, and 750 mg kg−1 and control (0 mg kg−1) in garden soil over 28 days. The investigation also examined the impact of exposure on survival, reproduction, neuro-biomarker, avoidance behavior, and accumulation. The highest avoidance rates were 27.5% for ZnO-NP and 37.5% for ZnCl2 at 750 mg kg−1. ZnCl2 treatment reduced juvenile production by 3.73 ± 1.73, while ZnO-NPs showed 4.67 ± 1.15. At 750 mg kg−1, soils with ZnCl2 (63.3%) demonstrated lower survival rates than those with ZnO-NPs (53.3%), likely because of higher Zn ion levels. After 28 days of exposure, ZnCl2 (536.32 ± 11 mol min−1) activated AChE enzymes more than ZnO-NPs (497.7 ± 59 mol min−1) at the same dose, compared to control (145.88 ± 28 to 149.41 ± 23 mol min−1). Nanoparticles and zinc ions bioaccumulated and reacted negatively with the neurotoxic marker AChE, affecting earthworm reproduction and behavior. However, earthworms exposed to ZnCl2 exhibited less intestinal Zn than those exposed to NPs. The present work contradicts the finding that ZnO-NPs have hazardous effects on soil organisms. The results indicate that earthworm E. eugeniae may significantly affect soil metal uptake from metallic nanoparticles (NPs). This may help design NP soil pollution mitigation strategies. The study offers valuable information for establishing a relationship between the environmental toxicity of ZnO-NPs and soil ecosystems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Layered vanadium‐based oxides have emerged as highly promising candidates for aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (AZIBs) due to their open‐framework layer structure and high theoretical capacity among the diverse cathode materials investigated. However, the susceptibility to structural collapse during charge‐discharge cycling severely hampers their advancement. Herein, we propose an effective strategy to enhance the cycling stability of vanadium oxides. Initially, the structural integrity of the host material is significantly reinforced by incorporating bi‐cations Na+ and NH4+ as "pillars" between the V2O5 layers (NaNVO). Subsequently, surface coating with polyaniline (PA) is employed to further improve the conductivity of the active material. As anticipated, the assembled Zn//NaNVO@PA cell exhibits a remarkable discharge capacity of 492 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 and exceptional capacity retention up to 89.2 % after 1000 cycles at a current density of 5 A g−1. Moreover, a series of in‐situ and ex‐situ characterization techniques were utilized to investigate both Zn ions insertion/extraction storage mechanism and the contribution of polyaniline protonation process towards enhancing capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ensuring effective and controlled zinc ion transportation is crucial for functionality of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) and overall performance in zinc‐based battery systems. Herein the first‐ever demonstration of incorporate cation‐π interactions are provided in the SEI to effectively facilitate uniform zinc ion flux. The artificial SEI design involves the immobilization of 4‐amino‐p‐terphenyl (TPA), a strong amphiphilic cation‐π interaction donor, as a monolayer onto a conductive poly(3,4‐ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) matrix, which enable the establishment of a robust network of cation‐π interactions. Through a carefully‐designed interfacial polymerization process, a high‐quality, large‐area, robust is achieved, thin polymeric TPA/PEDOT (TP) film for the use of artificial SEI. Consequently, this interphase exhibits exceptional cycling stability with low overpotential and enables high reversibility of Zn plating/stripping. Symmetrical cells with TP/Zn electrodes can be cycled for more than 3200 hours at 1 mA cm−2 and 1 mAh cm−2. And the asymmetric cells can cycle 3000 cycles stably with a high Coulomb efficiency of 99.78%. Also, under the extreme conditions of lean electrolyte and low N/P ratio, the battery with TP protective layer can still achieve ultra‐stable cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The existing treatments against Trypanosoma evansi are faced with several drawbacks, such as limited drug options, resistance, the relapse of infection, toxicity, etc., which emphasizes the necessity for new alternatives. We synthesized novel metal-based antiparasitic compounds using chitosan, hydroxychloroquine (HC), and ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) and characterized them for size, morphology, chemical interactions, etc. Molecular docking and protein interaction studies were performed in silico to investigate the inhibitory effects of HC, zinc-ligated hydroxychloroquine (HCZnONPs), and chitosan-zinc-ligated hydroxychloroquine (CsHCZnONPs) for two key proteins, i.e., heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) and trypanothione reductase associated with T. evansi. In vitro trypanocidal activity and the uptake of zinc ions by T. evansi parasites were observed. The formulation was successfully synthesized, as indicated by its size, stability, morphology, elemental analysis, and functional groups. CsHCZnO nanoparticles strongly inhibit both Hsp90 and trypanothione reductase proteins. The inhibition of Hsp90 by these nanoparticles is even stronger than that of trypanothione reductase when compared to HC and HCZnONPs. This suggests that the presence of polymer chitosan enhances the nanoparticles' effectiveness against the parasite. For the first time, CsHCZnO nanoparticles exhibited trypanocidal activity against T. evansi, with complete growth inhibition being observed at various concentrations after 72 h of treatment. Fluorescent microscopy using FluoZin-3 on T. evansi culture confirmed the presence of zinc on the surface of parasites. This innovative approach has shown promising results in the quest to develop improved antiparasitic compounds against T. evansi with enhanced effectiveness and safety, highlighting their potential as therapeutic agents against trypanosomiasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Citrus products often suffer from delayed bitterness, which is generated from the conversion of non‐bitter precursors (limonoate A‐ring lactone, LARL) to limonin under the catalysis of limonin D‐ring lactone hydrolase (LDLH). In this study, LDLH was isolated and purified from sweet orange seeds, and a rapid and accurate high‐performance liquid chromatography method to quantify LARL was developed and applied to analyze the activity and enzymatic properties of purified LDLH. RESULTS: Purified LDLH (25.22 U mg−1) showed bands of 245 kDa and 17.5 kDa molecular weights in native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and sodium dodecyl sulfate PAGE analysis respectively. After a 24 h incubation under strongly acidic (pH 3) or strongly alkaline (pH 9) conditions, LDLH still retained approximately 100% activity. Moreover, LDLH activity was not impaired by thermal treatment at 50 °C for 120 min. Enzyme inhibition assays showed that LDLH was inactivated only after ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid treatment, and other enzyme inhibitors showed no significant effect on its activity. In addition, the LDLH activity of calcium ion (Ca2+) intervention was 108% of that in the blank group, and that of zinc ion (Zn2+) intervention was 71%. CONCLUSION: LDLH purified in this study was a multimer containing 17.5 kDa monomer with a wide pH tolerance range (pH 3–9) and excellent thermal stability. Moreover, LDLH might be a metallopeptidase, and its activity was stimulated by Ca2+ and significantly inhibited by Zn2+. These findings improve our understanding of LDLH and provide some important implications for reducing the bitterness in citrus products in the future. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of flexible Zn‐ion batteries (FZIBs) significantly hinges on the development of gel electrolytes, characterized by their mechanical properties, ionic conductivity, and environmentally friendly production processes. The prevailing challenge in this domain has been devising a gel electrolyte that encapsulates all these critical attributes effectively for practical application. This study presents a novel zinc ion gel (Zn‐gel) electrolyte developed for FZIBs, synthesized via ethanol vapor‐induced assembly of cellulose molecules. This innovative process fosters significant hydrogen bonding and ion‐complexation with Zn2+ ions, resulting in a gel with exceptional mechanical strength (0.88 MPa), high ion transference (over 0.7), and impressive ionic conductivity (8.39 mS cm−1). The Zn‐gel enables a FZIB to achieve a reversible capacity of 207.3 mAh g−1 and over 93% Coulombic efficiency after 500 cycles, devoid of liquid electrolyte. Highlighting a promising route for high‐performance, eco‐friendly gel electrolytes, this research advances flexible electronics and portable device applications, demonstrating the profound potential of bio‐based polymers in enhancing energy storage technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of the title compound, [Zn(C4H6N2)6](NO3)2, is described. This complex consists of a central zinc metal ion surrounded by six 1-methylimidazole ligands, charge balanced by two nitrate anions. The complex crystallizes in the space group P3. In the crystal, the nitrate ions are situated within the cavities created by the [Zn(N-Melm)6] 2+ cations, serving as counter-ions. The three oxygen atoms of the nitrate ion engage in weak C—H...O interactions. In addition to single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, the complex was characterized using elemental analysis, ¹ H NMR, 13C NMR, and FTIR spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The major challenges of aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) are the dendrite formation and the passivation of zinc metal anode, which restrict their practical applications. Herein, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and zwitterionic surfactant (Sulfobetaine methacrylate, SBMA) are combined as a precursor to design a modified PAN nanofiber separator by electrospinning. SBMA with sulfonate group [SO3−] can alter the physical property of the precursor solution and electrostatic field during the electrospinning process. Besides, it can regulate the zinc ions crossing and homogenize the electric field by minimizing the zinc ion concentration polarization on the zinc foil surface due to the polar group. As a result, Zn symmetric cells with PAN@SBMA separators show long‐term stability (up to 1700 h), which outdistances the cell with GF‐D (only up to 50 h) under current density at 1 mA cm−2. Meanwhile, the Zn//PAN@SBMA//NH4V4O10 full cells have high specific capacity (236 mAh g−1) and excellent long‐term durability with 84.2% capacity retention after 2000 cycles at 5 A g−1. This work illustrates an easy and effective way to design a high ion transference number and functional PAN‐based separator for regulating Zn2+ deposition for the development of high‐performance ZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is characterized by excessive proliferation and migration of pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs), in which inflammatory signaling caused by activation of the NF-κB pathway plays an important role. A20 is an important negative regulator of the NF-κB pathway, and zinc promotes the expression of A20 and exerts a protective effect against various diseases (e.g. COVID19) by inhibiting the inflammatory signaling. The role of A20 and intracellular zinc signaling in PH has been explored, but the extracellular zinc signaling is not well understood, and whether zinc has protective effects on PH is still elusive. Using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), we studied the alteration of trace elements during the progression of monocrotaline (MCT)-induced PH and found that serum zinc concentration was decreased with the onset of PH accompanied by abnormalities of other three elements, including copper, chromium, and magnesium. Zinc chloride injection with the dosage of 5 mg/kg intraperitoneally partially corrected this abnormality and inhibited the progression of PH. Zinc supplementation induced the expression of A20 in lung tissue and reduce the inflammatory responses. In vitro , zinc supplementation time-dependently upregulated the expression of A20 in PASMCs, therefore correcting the excessive proliferation and migration of cells caused by hypoxia. Using genetically encoded-FRET based zinc probe, we found that these effects of zinc ions are not achieved by entering cells, but most likely by activating cell surface zinc receptor (ZnR/GPR39). These results provide the first evidence of the effectiveness of zinc supplementation in the treatment of PH. [Display omitted] • MCT-induced PH can be accompanied by abnormal metabolism of zinc, cobalt, copper and magnesium. • Zinc exerts a protective effect on MCT-induced PH rats by up-regulating A20 expression. • Zinc regulates the expression of A20 through the cell surface receptor GPR39. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the effects of deposition potential and the surface preparation, such as the cathodic activation and the sandblasting on the nucleation and growth of zinc-nickel alloy from acidic aqueous solution containing 0.47 and 0.56 M of zinc ions and nicke ions l respectively in presence of additives were studied. The zinc-nickel were deposited on as-machined and sandblasted substrates not activated or activated at 0, 50 and 150 A dm−2. The Scharifker–Hills and Palomar-Pardavé models were used to analyse the potentiostatic current-transient curves, and revealed that the nucleation of zinc–nickel remains instantaneous with a typical three-dimensional growth process, no matter the surface preparation. However, the characteristics and the features of zinc–nickel alloys coatings are vastly modified, in particular the morphology and the crystal structure, although the crystallized phase (the cubic γ-phase) remains identical. However, the preferential growth varies according to the sandblast process and thus the roughness of the substrate, which implies different crystallite size and adhesion of the coating on the substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The fabricated Ti 3 CN has enhanced physical and electronic properties and favorable zincophilic sites (N and F). • Ti 3 CN-protected Zn anode facilitate lateral growth of deposited zinc metal and rapid desolvation kinetics. • It presents a novel approach to designing protective layers for high-performance zinc anodes. Dendrite growth and side reactions of zinc metal anode have severely limited the practical application of aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs). Herein, we introduce an artificial buffer layer composed of functional MXene (Ti 3 CN) for zinc anodes. The synthesized Ti 3 CN exhibits superior conductivity and features duplex zincophilic sites (N and F). These characteristics facilitate the homogeneous deposition of Zn2+, accelerate the desolvation process of hydrated Zn2+, and reduce the nucleation overpotential. The Ti 3 CN-protected Zn anode demonstrates significantly enhanced reversibility compared to bare Zn anode during long-term cycling, achieving a cumulative plating capacity of 10,000 mAh cm−2 at 10 mA cm−2. In Ti 3 CN-Zn||Cu asymmetric cell, it maintains nearly 100 % Coulombic efficiency over 2500 cycles at 2 mA cm−2. Furthermore, the assembled Ti 3 CN-Zn//δ-K 0.51 V 2 O 5 (KVO) full cell exhibit a low capacity decay rate of 0.002 % per cycle at 5 A/g. Even at 0 °C, the Ti 3 CN-Zn symmetric cell maintains steady cycling for 2000 h. This study introduces a novel approach for designing artificial solid electrolyte interlayers for commercial AZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc‐ion hybrid capacitors (ZHC) have been considered as emerging sustainable electrochemical energy storage devices. They integrate the benefits of high‐energy density of aqueous zinc ion battery (ZIB) with high‐power density of supercapacitor (SC). Metal‐organic frameworks (MOFs) have been widely used to design electrode materials for portable devices, especially in some energy storage fields because of their large specific surface area and adjustable pore structures. In this work, we prepare porous Mn3O4/C nanosheets with Mn‐BDC as a precursor. The assembled device delivers a specific capacitance of 155.3 mAh g−1 at a current of 3 A g−1 and keeps a retention rate of 97.7 % after 10,000 cycles. Moreover, it provides an energy density of 464.5 Wh kg−l at a power density of 100 W kg−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The practical application of Zn metal anodes is currently hindered by uncontrolled dendritic growth and water‐induced parasitic reactions that are closely related to the solvation structure and interfacial transport kinetics of Zn2+. Herein, a facile interface self‐gelation strategy is proposed to stabilize Zn anode by introducing ‐OH‐rich silica aerogel (HSA) on Zn anode surface. The unique interconnected network structure and strong hydrophilia of HSA made the aqueous electrolyte near Zn anode gel rapidly and spontaneously, resulting in the formation of a water‐poor gel interface layer. The interface layer can effectively accelerate the desolvation process and reduce water molecule activity near anode surface through hydrogen bonding interaction, thus achieving rapid Zn migration kinetics and alleviating side reactions. In addition, the well‐defined aerogel nanochannels can provide a fast Zn2+ migration path and homogenize Zn2+ flux, enabling rapid and uniform Zn deposition. As a result, the HSA‐modified Zn (HSA@Zn) anode exhibits excellent long‐term cycling stability (over 6000 h at 4 mA cm−2), and the feasibility for practical application of this HSA@Zn anode is further demonstrate in full cells. The aerogel‐driven interface self‐gelation strategy propose in this work provides new insights into the design of advanced Zn anode for aqueous zinc‐ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (AZIBs) have attracted more and more attention owing to their high safety, low cost, and environmental friendliness. Mn‐based materials are considered as one of the most promising cathode materials for AZIBs because of their high output voltage, eco‐friendliness, and abundance. However, the low electrochemical activity and the manganese dissolution of Mn3O4 lead to the low specific capacity and inferior cycling stability, hindering its practical applications. Herein, a facile and low‐cost strategy is designed that combines cationic vacancy modulation with Mn ion‐confinement effect in a synergistic action to boost zinc ion energy storage capability of inert Mn3O4 (designated as VMn‐Mn3O4@C). The cationic vacancy endows Mn3O4 with more active sites, resulting in an increased specific capacity. Meanwhile, the manganese dissolution is inhibited via the Mn ion‐confinement effect of the carbon framework, thereby improving the cycling stability of the cathode. Consequently, the developed Zn/VMn‐Mn3O4@C batteries deliver a high specific capacity of 280.9 mAh g−1 and 98.4% capacity retention after 100 cycles at 0.1 A g−1. More importantly, VMn‐Mn3O4@C cathodes maintain superior cycling stability of 5000 cycles with nearly 100% capacity retention at 1 A g−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supercapacitors, distinguished by their high power density, rapid charge‐discharge rates, and prolonged cycle life, hold significant promise in various technological applications. However, limited lower energy density still hinder their practical application. Enhancing intrinsic conductivity by smart choice of elemental combination along with design of nanostructures has the potential to significantly improve the electrochemical performance. Herein, a self‐template method was used for the synthesis of Zn‐doped hydrolyzed NiCo‐glycerate nanosphere (ZnNiCo−G−H) electrode material, assembled with a large number of nanosheets by simple hydrothermal reaction, which can provide abundant active sites and thus achieve superior electrochemical performance. The optimized electrode material displayed a specific capacitance of 1145 F g−1 at 1 A g−1. The fabricated asymmetric supercapacitor, composed of ZnNiCo−G−H and activated carbon as two electrodes, delivered excellent cycling performance with a capacitance retention of 93.8 % after 5000 cycles at the current density of 5 A g−1 and a high energy density of 40 Wh kg−1 at 825 W kg−1, offering great potential as a qualified candidate for the electrochemical energy storage devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of zinc‐ion batteries (ZIBs) is seriously challenged by the poor stability of Zn anode and cathode in aqueous solution, which is closely associated with electrolyte structure and water reactivity. Herein, the stability issues both for the cathode and anode can be simultaneously addressed via tuning the electrolyte solvation structure in hybrid electrolyte with tripropyl phosphate (TPP) as co‐solvent. On the Zn anode, a robust poly‐inorganic solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer comprised of Zn3(PO4)2‐ZnS‐ZnF2 species is in situ formed, effectively suppressing parasitic reaction and dendrite evolution. For V2O5 cathode, the notorious vanadium dissolution is effectively restricted with improved structure stability achieved. The optimized electrolyte facilitates the reversible redox kinetics both at the cathode and Zn anode. Consequently, Zn||Zn cells display extended cycling lifespans over 3000 h at 1 mA cm−2, 1 mAh cm−2. Zn||V2O5 full cells deliver a high reversible capacity of 261.8 mAh g−1 and hold retention of 73.6% upon 500 cycles even operated in harsh conditions with thin Zn anode (10 µm) and low negative/positive (N/P) ratio of ≈4.3, which also showcase impressive performance with regard to rate and storage performance, further emphasizing the potential of electrolyte regulation tactics in advancing the commercialization of ZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of hybrid aqueous electrolytes has significantly broadened the electrochemical and temperature ranges of aqueous batteries, such as aqueous zinc and lithium‐ion batteries, but the design principles for extreme operating conditions remain poorly understood. Here, we systematically unveil the ternary interaction involving salt‐water‐organic co‐solvents and its intricate impacts on both the atomic‐level and macroscopic structural features of the hybrid electrolytes. This highlights a distinct category of micelle‐like structure electrolytes featuring organic‐enriched phases and nanosized aqueous electrolyte aggregates, enabled by appropriate low donor number co‐solvents and amphiphilic anions. Remarkably, the electrolyte enables exceptional high solubility, accommodating up to 29.8 m zinc triflate within aqueous micelles. This configuration maintains an intra‐micellar salt‐in‐water setup, allowing for a broad electrochemical window (up to 3.86 V), low viscosity, and state‐of‐the‐art ultralow‐temperature zinc ion conductivity (1.58 mS cm−1 at −80 °C). Building upon the unique nature of the inhomogeneous localized aggregates, this micelle‐like electrolyte facilitates dendrite‐free Zn plating/stripping, even at −80 °C. The assembled Zn||PANI battery showcases an impressive capacity of 71.8 mAh g−1 and an extended lifespan of over 3000 cycles at −80 °C. This study opens up a promising approach in electrolyte design that transcends conventional local atomic solvation structures, broadening the water‐in‐salt electrolyte concept. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The promising energy storage devices, zinc ion batteries (ZIBs), face challenges such as dendritic growth and side reactions, which hinder their application and development. As a polar group, hydroxyl groups can utilize hydrogen bonding to stably anchor water molecules, preventing contact between water and the anode. Moreover, they can attract and guide Zn2+ to rapidly and uniformly deposit on the anode. Here, the introduction of multi‐hydroxyl water‐locking additive Lactobionic acid (LA) molecules is proposed into conventional electrolytes. Through an in situ reaction between the highly reactive carboxyl groups on LA molecules and the zinc anode, a stable multi‐hydroxyl protective layer is formed on the anode surface, effectively preventing interface corrosion and dendritic growth. As a result, the Zn||Zn symmetric cell with LA exhibits remarkable performance, cycling for 2300 h under 1 mA cm−2 and 1 mAh cm−2. Even under more rigorous conditions of 10 mA cm−2 and 10 mAh cm−2, it maintains over 800 h of cycling durability. Moreover, in the Zn||NH4V4O10 full cell configuration, an impressive capacity retention rate of 80.35% after 2000 cycles at a current density of 5 A g−1. This innovative method can open a new avenue for designing high‐performance ZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (AZIBs) have inherent merits, such as a low price, good safety and high volumetric capacity, and have promising potential for widespread applications. However, the unexpected issues posed by both water-induced side reactions and the uncontrollable growth of zinc dendrites on the zinc anode-electrolyte interface have significantly hindered the widespread application of AZIBs. In this work, barbital (Bb), which has two amide groups, was introduced into a ZnSO4 electrolyte to create a Bb@ZnSO4 electrolyte. The hydrolysis of the amide groups resulted in the formation of strong polar groups (carboxyl and amino), which could efficiently anchor zinc ions. Specifically, through the derivation of Bb, it was possible to adjust the Zn2+ solvation structure, decreasing the coordinated active SO42-/H2Oand promoting the anchoring of these species on the surface of the zinc anode. This process provided electrostatic shielding and isolates the SO42-/H2O, demonstrating an interface regulating effect and synergistic solvation. Therefore, Bb could mitigate electrochemical corrosion and facilitate dendrite-free homogeneous zinc deposition. As a consequence, the assembled asymmetric ZnV2O5 full cell utilizing the Bb@ZnSO4 electrolyte showed highest specific capacities of 294.9 and 92.7 mA h g-1 at 0.1 and 1 A g-1, much higher than the ZnV2O5 full cell with the ZnSO4 electrolyte, which delivered specific capacities of 161.1 and 3.0 mA h g-1 at the same current densities. These findings promise to realize the practical application of Bb as an efficient additive in high-performance AZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advance in the design of molecular photoswitches ‐ adapters that convert light into changes at molecular level ‐ opens up exciting possibilities in preparing smart polymers, drugs photoactivated inside humans, or light‐fueled nanomachines that might in the future operate in our bloodstream. Hemipiperazines are recently reported biocompatible molecular photoswitches based on cyclic dipeptides. Here we report a multistimuli‐responsive hemipiperazine‐based switch that reacts on light, solvents, acidity, or metal ions. Its photoequilibration is controlled by the intramolecular hydrogen bonding pattern. The compound can be used as a mid‐nanomolar photoswitchable fluorescent sensor for zinc and cadmium ions, applicable to monitor environmental pollution in real time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It remains enormous challenges to balance the conflict between high strength and toughness mechanical properties and excellent room‐temperature self‐healing abilities of polyurethane elastomers. In this work, we report a recyclable room‐temperature self‐healing polyurethane elastomer with excellent mechanical properties. The prepared polyurethane elastomer (PU‐DA‐Zn0.50) exhibits high tensile strength of 15.33 MPa, high toughness of 76.77 MJ m−3, and high elongation at break of 1604.46% by introducing isophorone diamine (IPDA), 1‐(3‐aminopropyl) imidazole (IMZ) and zinc ions into polymer system to form a dynamic double‐cross‐linked structure (hydrogen bonds and Zn2+‐imidazole coordination bonds). In addition, the tensile strength of fractured polyurethane can reach more than 80% of the original sample after 48 h of self‐healing at room temperature without external stimuli, which is attributed to the kinetics of rapid exchange of Zn2+‐imidazole coordination bonds at room temperature. It is worth noting that the balance between excellent mechanical properties and outstanding room‐temperature self‐healing ability can be optimized by adjusting the Zn2+‐imidazole coordination bond density in the system. Moreover, the dynamic nature of the double‐cross‐linking network endows polyurethane with favorable recyclability. The above remarkable comprehensive performances reveal a great potential of PU‐DA‐Znx elastomer in the fields of wearable flexible electronic devices such as bionic skin, human motion monitoring, and soft robots. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study employed modified graphitic carbon nitride (g‐C3N4) nanosheets and polyether block amide (Pebax) to prepare mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) aiming to enhance CO2 separation efficiency. Through sulfonation and zinc ion (Zn2+) modification of g‐C3N4 nanosheets, high Zn2+ loaded nanofillers (SCN‐Zn2+) were synthesized. Compared to g‐C3N4, MMMs with SCN‐Zn2+ as nanofiller showed a CO2 permeance of 462 Barrer as well as the CO2/N2 selectivity of 47.5 at the feed gas pressure of 2 bar, which surpassed the 2008 Robeson upper bound. Additionally, the Pebax/SCN‐Zn2+(30) membrane was subjected to continuous gas permeability experiments for 70 h and showed good stability. The results showed that SCN‐Zn2+ nanosheets played an important role in enhancing the gas selectivity of the membranes. SEM confirmed that the SCN‐Zn2+ nanosheets had good compatibility with the Pebax substrate and the presence of hydrophilic sulfonic acid groups effectively suppressed the interfacial defects. The increase in the free volume fraction of the membranes as well as the solubility and diffusion coefficient suggested that the introduction of g‐C3N4 nanosheets led to more tortuous gas transport paths, which enhanced the permeability and selectivity of CO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of the title compound, [Zn(C4H6N2)6](NO3)2, is described. This complex consists of a central zinc metal ion surrounded by six 1-methyl­imidazole ligands, charge balanced by two nitrate anions. The complex crystallizes in the space group P[\overline{3}]. In the crystal, the nitrate ions are situated within the cavities created by the [Zn(N-Melm)6]2+ cations, serving as counter-ions. The three oxygen atoms of the nitrate ion engage in weak C--H⋯O inter­actions. In addition to single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, the complex was characterized using elemental analysis, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, and FTIR spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photorechargeable zinc ion batteries (PZIBs), which can directly harvest and store solar energy, are promising technologies for the development of a renewable energy society. However, the incompatibility requirement between narrow band gap and wide coverage has raised severe challenges for high‐efficiency dual‐functional photocathodes. Herein, half‐metallic vanadium (III) oxide (V2O3) was first reported as a dual‐functional photocathode for PZIBs. Theoretical and experimental results revealed its unique photoelectrical and zinc ion storage properties for capturing and storing solar energy. To this end, a synergistic protective etching strategy was developed to construct carbon superstructure‐supported V2O3 nanospheres (V2O3@CSs). The half‐metallic characteristics of V2O3, combined with the three‐dimensional superstructure assembled by ultrathin carbon nanosheets, established rapid charge transfer networks and robust framework for efficient and stable solar‐energy storage. Consequently, the V2O3@CSs photocathode delivered record zinc ion storage properties, including a photo‐assisted discharge capacities of 463 mA ⋅ h ⋅ g−1 at 2.0 A ⋅ g−1 and long‐term cycling stability over 3000 cycles. Notably, the PZIBs assembled using V2O3@CSs photocathodes could be photorecharged without an external circuit, exhibiting a high photo conversion efficiency (0.354 %) and photorecharge voltage (1.0 V). This study offered a promising direction for the direct capture and storage of solar energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advancing the development of eco‐friendly waterborne polyurethane elastomers (WPUEs) can significantly reduce the reliance on organic solvents, which is crucial for environmental conservation. Nevertheless, achieving superior mechanical properties and self‐healing capabilities in WPUEs presents a considerable challenge. Drawing inspiration from the hierarchical dynamic structures observed in scallop byssal threads, a high‐strength supramolecular waterborne polyurethane elastomer (SWPUE), designated SWPU‐DESH‐Zn, is developed in this study. Owing to the precise regulation of the hydrogen bonding state of acylsemicarbazide (ASC) fragments via disulfide bonds, and the formation of coordination interactions between carboxyl and zinc ions, the as‐prepared elastomer exhibited a robust mechanical strength of 52.07 MPa, comparable to that of solvent‐based polyurethane elastomers. Additionally, it exhibited notable self‐healing capability and excellent reprocessability. Meanwhile, high‐performance ionic skins and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials are also fabricated using SWPU‐DESH‐Zn as the matrix, further illustrating its potential applications. This novel biomimetic approach, inspired by scallop byssal threads, offers valuable insights for designing healable waterborne polymers with enhanced mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The carbon nanoparticles layer coated zinc anode with (1 0 3) crystal plane preferential oriented crystal structure (denoted as C@RZn) is prepared by a facile one-step vapor deposition method, and showed great potentials in extending lifespan and inhibiting dendrite growth. [Display omitted] • The C@RZn was prepared by a facile one-step vapor deposition method. • The C@RZn is combining crystallographic orientation and coating layer. • The C@RZn can guide the deposition of Zn2+ ions and inhibit the dendrite growth. • The C@RZn anode achieves a stable cycle life for more than 3000 h. • The MVO//C@RZn cell keep stable for 5000 cycles. Aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) have been considered promising energy storage systems due to their excellent electrochemical performance, environmental toxicity, high safety and low cost. However, uncontrolled dendrite growth and side reactions at the zinc anode have seriously hindered the development of ZIBs. Herein, we prepared the carbon nanoparticles layer coated zinc anode with (1 0 3) crystal plane preferential oriented crystal structure (denoted as C@RZn) by a facile one-step vapor deposition method. The preferential crystallographic orientation of (1 0 3) crystal plane promotes zinc deposition at a slight angle, effectively preventing the formation of Zn dendrites on the surface. In addition, the hydrophobic layer of carbon layer used as an inert physical barrier to prevent corrosion reaction and a buffer during volume changes, thus improving the reversibility of the zinc anode. As a result. the C@RZn anode achieves a stable cycle performance of more than 3000 h at 1 mA cm−2 with CE of 99.77 % at 5 mA cm−2. The full battery with C@RZn anode and Mn-doped V 6 O 13 (MVO) cathode show stability for 5000 cycles at the current density of 5 A g−1. This work provides a new approach for the design of multifunctional interfaces for Zn anode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study explores the potential of zinc and silver nanocomposites, synthesized with β-lactoglobulin, a whey protein, in promoting wound healing, using the C57BL/6J mouse model. Our research is distinct in its dual focus: assessing the antimicrobial efficacy of these nanocomposites and their impact on wound healing processes. The antimicrobial properties were investigated through minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) assessments and colony-forming unit (CFU) tests, providing insights into their effectiveness against wound-associated microorganisms. Notably, the formulation's effective antibacterial concentration did not exhibit toxicity to mouse fibroblasts. A key aspect of our methodology involved the use of a stereoscopic microscope for detailed monitoring of the wound closure process. Additionally, the distribution and potential systemic effects of the zinc and silver ions were analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). This analysis was crucial in evaluating metal ion absorption through the wound site and estimating any toxic effects on the body. Our findings are particularly significant in the field of regenerative medicine. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that the tested nanocomposites notably enhanced collagen deposition, a vital component in the wound healing process. Furthermore, a reduction in glycogen levels in hepatocytes was observed following treatment with these metal-protein dressings. This novel finding warrants further investigation. Overall, our findings highlight the diverse roles of zinc and silver nanocomposites in wound healing. This study not only contributes to our understanding of metal-protein complexes in tissue regeneration but also opens new avenues for research into the delivery mechanisms of such treatments for hard-to-heal wounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The stability of the Zn metal anode is significantly affected by the various parasitic reactions during plating/stripping. Here, sodium 4‐aminobenzenesulfonate (SABS) is a functional electrolyte additive to modulate the electrode/electrolyte interface to protect the Zn metal. An electrical double layer (EDL) reconstruction of the interface is affected by providing hydrogen bond sites through nitrogen and oxygen elements with lone pair electrons in SABS molecules. These strong hydrogen bonds not only limit the corrosion of free H2O molecules on the surface of Zn anode but also promote the desolvation process. Besides, the SABS can be further in situ decomposed into a solid electrode/electrolyte interface (SEI) layer to regulate the plating/stripping behavior of Zn2+. As a result, based on the synergism of organic–inorganic hybrid SEI layer and the EDL reconstruction, the Zn//Zn symmetric cells exceptionally survive lasting for 6500 hours at 1 mA cm−2 and 1 mAh cm−2, and over 900 cycles even at 40 mA cm−2 and 10 mAh cm−2. The Zn‐I2 full cell maintains excellent cycle stability of 92.4% after 20000 cycles. Remarkably, the pouch cell maintains a capacity retention of over 99.1% (63 mAh) for 820 cycles at 5 mA cm−2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep eutectic electrolytes offer opportunities for tailoring solvation structure and interface chemistry in advanced batteries, but developing deep eutectic electrolytes for high‐performance zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) remains a challenge. Herein, multifunctional dual‐metal‐salt derived ternary eutectic electrolytes (DMEEs) are designed via a supporting salt strategy for dendrite‐free and long‐lifespan ZIBs. DMEEs are constructed by zinc trifluoromethanesulfonate (Zn(OTF)2), supporting salt of lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, and neutral ligand of N‐methylacetamide. Noticeably, supporting salt with weak lattice energy not only induces the reconstruction of intermolecular interactions to form ion pairs and ion aggregates but also tailors the Zn2+ solvation structure and solid electrolyte interface (SEI). The developed DMEEs possess a dual‐anion‐rich Zn2+ solvation shell and induce an inorganic‐rich hybrid SEI, which effectively suppresses side reactions and obtains a dendrite‐free Zn anode with high reversibility. Remarkably, Zn//Zn cells demonstrate cycling stability for over 3000 h, and Zn//PANI full cells deliver no significant capacity decay after 5000 cycles at a high current density of 5 A g−1. This work opens a new avenue to design advanced deep eutectic electrolytes, and the deep understanding of solvation structure and SEI offers guidelines for developing high‐performance batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a promising energy storage device, an aqueous zinc ion battery (AZIB) still suffers dendrite growth, hydrogen evolution, and corrosion. Hydrogel electrolyte solves the above issues to some extent. Nevertheless, the mechanical properties of most hydrogel electrolytes are not competitive enough to meet booming demand for flexible electronics. In this work, a robust "chain‐gear" hydrogel electrolyte (PM‐HE) crosslinked by polymeric micelles (PMs) is constructed, in which PMs serve as "gears" and form "chain‐gear" structure with polyanion chains. Specifically, "gears" support molecular chains, constructing hierarchically porous structures and opening up paths for Zn2+. Apart from as crosslinkers, PMs exist competitive mechanism with polyanion chains to promote ion decoupling. Such a "chain‐gear" structure can realize desolvation and accelerate ion transport. Thereby, PM‐HE possesses excellent ionic conductivity (60.6 mS cm−1) and ultrahigh transference number (0.88). Symmetrical cells can realize stable cycling over 1500 h with Zn uniform deposition. Remarkably, PM‐HE has excellent tensile (0.23 MPa) and compressive (11.3 MPa) properties profited from strengthening and toughening effect of PMs. The flexible battery can supply power stably under harsh conditions. This work proposes the strategy of constructing an all‐around hydrogel electrolyte based on reasonable design in network structure, providing more possibilities for the practical application of flexible AZIB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Topical tapinarof is used to treat plaque psoriasis (a skin disease in which red and scaly patches form are appeared on some areas of the body). The goal of the current research is to establish a facile and rapid fluorimetric technique for tapinarof analysis. The approach relied on the reaction between the drug and zinc ion through metal complexation to produce a highly-fluorescent product. The fluorescence was further enhanced by adding sodium dodecyl sulfate, and it was observed at 542 nm following excitation at 497 nm. With a correlation coefficient of 0.9997, the association between emission intensity and tapinarof concentration was linear between 2.0 and 120 ng mL−1. 1.021 ng mL−1 was the quantitation limit while 0.366 ng mL−1 was the detection limit. The buffer type, pH and concentration, type of surfactant and concentration, and finally the diluting solvent were among the reaction conditions that were closely examined and it was found that the optimum conditions were obtained upon employing teorell-stenhagen buffer optimized at pH 6.0, 1.38 × 10–2 M SDS and distilled water as a solvent are the suitable choice. With great precision and reliability, the drug under study was quantified using this method in ointment formulations. The proposed method's level of greenness was assessed using two methodologies: the analytical greenness metric (AGREE) and the Green Analytical Procedure Index (GAPI), with good recovery results ensuring high efficiency of the proposed approach on analysis of ointment without any interference from additives and excipients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of cadmium‐free blue quantum dots (QDs) is of paramount importance to the display industry. In this study, high‐quality ZnSeTe/ZnSe/ZnS blue QDs, followed by surface treatment with ZnI2 are initially synthesized. The introduction of ZnI2 passivated the surface defects, resulting in an increase in the fluorescence quantum yield. The time‐resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) demonstrates a significant inhibition of non‐radiative recombination associated with the surface defect state. The density functional theory (DFT) calculation reveals that the binding energy between iodine ions and zinc ions is higher than that between oleate ions and zinc ions, providing a theoretical basis for the effective passivation of the suspended bonds of zinc ions on QDs' surface by iodine ions. Moreover, quantum dot light‐emitting diodes (QLEDs) are fabricated and UV photoelectron spectra (UPS) indicate the hole injection barrier between the hole transport layer and QDs decreases 0.12 eV after QDs being treated by ZnI2, facilitating hole injection. Finally, The ZnI2‐treated QLED demonstrates a 1.57‐fold and 1.82‐fold improvement in Lmax and EQEmax, respectively, reaching 6370 cd m−2 and 9.1%, compared to the pristine QLED. The work serves as a valuable reference for enhancing the performance of cadmium‐free blue QLED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Manganese (Mn)‐based aqueous zinc ion batteries show great promise for large‐scale energy storage due to their high capacity, environmental friendliness, and low cost. However, they suffer from the severe capacity decay associated with the dissolution of Mn from the cathode/electrolyte interface. In this study, theoretical modeling inspires that the amino acid molecule, isoleucine (Ile), can be an ideal surface coating material for α‐MnO2 to stabilize the surface Mn lattice and mitigate Mn dissolution, thereby enhancing cycling stability. Furthermore, the coated Ile molecular layers can accumulate Zn2+ ions from the electrolyte and promote those ions’ transport to the α‐MnO2 cathode while prohibiting H2O from accessing the α‐MnO2 surface, reducing the surface erosion. The compact organic–inorganic interface is experimentally synthesized for α‐MnO2 utilizing Ile that shows homogeneous distribution on the well‐defined Ile‐α‐MnO2 nanorod electrodes. The fabricated aqueous zinc‐ion battery exhibits a high specific capacity (332.8 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1) and excellent cycling stability (85% after 2000 cycles at 1 A g−1) as well as good inhibition toward Mn2+ dissolution, surpassing most reported cathode materials. This organic–inorganic hybrid interface design provides a new, simple avenue for developing high‐performance and low‐cost Mn‐based aqueous zinc ion batteries (AZIBs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In pursuit of highly active zinc–air battery (ZAB) catalysts, nitrogen doping has proven key to enhancing carbon-based non-metallic catalysts' performance in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). This study employed a novel method to synthesize variously sized ZnO materials coated with ZIF-8. Notably, smaller particle sizes correlated with reduced activation energy. ZnO-12, the smallest variant, fully carbonized at 800 °C, resulting in zinc ion evaporation and the formation of an amorphous carbon nano-hollow structure, ZIF8/ZnO-12. This material showcased remarkable ORR properties, with an onset potential of 0.9 V (vs. RHE) and a Tafel slope of 71.4 mV dec−1, surpassing the benchmark Pt/C catalyst and exhibiting excellent stability. Moreover, in ZAB tests, ZIF8/ZnO-12 achieved a specific capacity of 816 mA h g−1, outperforming Pt/C. DFT calculations indicate that under alkaline conditions, nitrogen-doped carbon materials containing adsorbed oxygen and doped oxygen exhibit lower catalytic activation energy for the ORR, which is beneficial for accelerating the ORR. This research provides valuable insights into designing more efficient carbon-based non-metallic catalysts for ZABs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

How to coordinate electron and ion transport behavior across scales and interfaces within ion battery electrodes? The exponential increase in surface area observed in nanoscale electrode materials results in an incomprehensibly vast spatial interval. Herein, to address the problems of volume expansion, dissolution of cathode material, and the charge accumulation problem existing in manganiferous materials for zinc ion batteries, metal organic framework is utilized to form the architecture of non‐interfacial blocking ~10 nm Mn2O3 nanoparticles and amorphous carbon hybrid electrode materials, demonstrating a high specific capacity of 361 mAh g−1 (0.1 A g−1), and excellent cycle stability of 105 mAh g−1 after 2000 cycles under 1 A g−1. The uniform and non‐separated disposition of Mn and C atoms constitutes an interconnected network with high electronic and ionic conductivity, minimizing issues like structural collapse and volume expansion of the electrode material during cycling. The cooperative insert mechanism of H+ and Zn2+ are analyzed via ex‐situ XRD and in‐situ Raman tests. The model battery is assembled to present practical possibilities. The results indicate that MOF‐derived carbonization provides an effective strategy for exploring Mn‐based electrode materials with high ion and electron transport capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research examines vanadium‐deficient V2C MXene, a two‐dimensional (2D) vanadium carbide with exceptional electrochemical properties for rechargeable zinc‐ion batteries. Through a meticulous etching process, a V‐deficient, porous architecture with an expansive surface area is achieved, fostering three‐dimensional (3D) diffusion channels and boosting zinc ion storage. Analytical techniques like scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, and X‐ray diffraction confirm the formation of V2C MXene and its defective porous structure. X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy further verifies its transformation from the MAX phase to MXene, noting an increase in V3+ and V4+ states with etching. Cyclic voltammetry reveals superior de‐zincation kinetics, evidenced by consistent V3+/V4+ oxidation peaks at varied scanning rates. Overall, this V‐deficient MXene outperforms raw MXenes in capacity and rate, although its capacity diminishes over extended cycling due to structural flaws. Theoretical analyses suggest conductivity rises with vacancies, enhancing 3D ionic diffusion as vacancy size grows. This work sheds light on enhancing V‐based MXene structures for optimized zinc‐ion storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, a novel kind of walnut (Juglans regia L.) peptides‐zinc (Zn‐WPs) chelate was obtained using the mass ratio of the walnut peptides (WPs) to ZnSO4.7H2O of 3.5:1 at pH 8.5 and 50°C for 84 min, with the chelation rate of 84.5%. In comparison to walnut peptides (WPs), the contents of aspartic acid and glutamic acid in Zn‐WPs chelate are approximately 27%, indicating that hydrophilic amino acids predominantly bind with walnut peptides. Following chelation with zinc ions, the ultraviolet‐visible (UV) characteristic absorption peak shifted from 213 nm to 210 nm, while the average particle size of the chelate increased to 8.0 ± 0.14 µm, presenting a loose spherical structure under scanning electron microscopy. These findings suggest the formation of new substances. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed carboxyl, amino, and peptide bonds as the chelation sites of WPs and zinc. The IC50 of walnut peptides‐zinc (Zn‐WPs) chelate is 2.91 mg/mL, indicative of a favorable DPPH radical scavenging rate. Furthermore, Zn‐WPs chelate microcapsules were produced via the spray drying method, achieving an encapsulation rate of 75.67 ± 0.83% under optimal conditions. These microcapsules demonstrate robust stability across diverse environmental conditions. This study underscores the potential of Zn‐WPs and its chelate microcapsules to enhance stability and bioactivity under varying circumstances. Practical Application: In this study, a new walnut peptide‐zinc (Zn‐WPs) chelate was prepared. The presence of zinc ions changes the structure and properties of walnut peptides and improves its stability. The production of Zn‐WPs chelate microcapsules enables Zn‐WPs to have strong in vitro stability under different pH and simulated gastrointestinal digestion conditions. These results provide novel insights for developing the walnut peptides as bioactive ingredients in functional foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]