Polyxylylviologen Chloride as an Organic Electrode Material for Efficient Reversible Chloride-Ion Storage

Organic molecules such as viologens with a nitrogen redox center show promise as efficient anion storage materials in rechargeable batteries. However, the high solubility of viologens in liquid electrolytes limits their wide electrochemical application. Herein, an insoluble polymerized polyxylylviologen chloride (PXVCl2) is first developed as a chloride ion storage electrode in chloride ion batteries. The as-prepared PXVCl2 electrode exhibits a competitive discharge capacity of 140 mA h g–1 (86% of the theoretical discharge capacity) compared to that of the previously reported organic conducting polymer electrodes. The incorporation of graphene in the PXVCl2 material achieves significant improvements in reaction reversibility and rate capability of the PXVCl2 electrode. Importantly, the nitrogen redox reactions based on chloride ion transfer of the PXVCl2 electrode are demonstrated

Bismuth Nanoparticle-Embedded Carbon Microrod for High-Rate Electrochemical Magnesium Storage

Bismuth metal is regarded as a promising magnesium storage anode material for magnesium-ion batteries due to its high theoretical volumetric capacity and a low alloying potential versus magnesium metal. However, the design of highly dispersed bismuth-based composite nanoparticles is always used to achieve efficient magnesium storage, which is adverse to the development of high-density storage. Herein, a bismuth nanoparticle-embedded carbon microrod (Bi⊂CM), which is prepared via annealing of the bismuth metal–organic framework (Bi-MOF), is developed for high-rate magnesium storage. The use of the Bi-MOF precursor synthesized at an optimized solvothermal temperature of 120 °C benefits the formation of the Bi⊂CM-120 composite with a robust structure and a high carbon content. As a result, the as-prepared Bi⊂CM-120 anode compared to pure Bi and other Bi⊂CM anodes exhibits the best rate performance of magnesium storage at various current densities from 0.05 to 3 A g–1. For example, the reversible capacity of the Bi⊂CM-120 anode at 3 A g–1 is ∼17 times higher than that of the pure Bi anode. This performance is also competitive among those of the previously reported Bi-based anodes. Importantly, the microrod structure of the Bi⊂CM-120 anode material remained upon cycling, indicative of good cycling stability

FeOCl Nanoparticle-Embedded Mesocellular Carbon Foam as a Cathode Material with Improved Electrochemical Performance for Chloride-Ion Batteries

Chloride-ion batteries (CIBs) have been regarded as a promising alternative battery technology to lithium-ion batteries because of their abundant resources, high theoretical volumetric energy density, and high safety. However, the research on chloride-ion batteries is still in its infancy. Exploring appropriate cathode materials with desirable electrochemical performance is in high demand for CIBs. Herein, the FeOCl nanocrystal embedded in a mesocellular carbon foam (MCF) has been prepared and developed as a high-performance cathode material for CIBs. The MCF with uniform and large mesocells (15.7–31.2 nm) interconnected through uniform windows (15.2–21.5 nm) can provide high-speed pathways for electron and chloride-ion transport and accommodate the strain caused by the volume change of FeOCl during cycling. As a result, the optimized FeOCl@MCF cathode exhibits the highest discharge capacity of 235 mAh g–1 (94% of the theoretical capacity) among those of the previously reported metal (oxy)­chloride cathodes for CIBs. A reversible capacity of 140 mAh g–1 after 100 cycles is retained. In contrast, only 18 mAh g–1 was kept for the FeOCl cathode

The detection of cell attachment to the surface of the cell culture flasks.

The X-axis represents the cell adhesion time. The Y-axis represents cell viability.</p

PCA analysis.

X axis represents the contributor rate of first component. Y axis represents the contributor rate of second component. Points represent each sample. The samples in one group shows the same color. (PDF)</p

ATP and ROS production assay.

A. Intracellular ATP levels assay. B. ROS assay. C. Cell viability assay. Intracellular ATP levels and ROS levels were detected at 6 h, 24 h and 48 h after replacement of DMEM with αMEM. At the same time, cell viability was detected. Data were presented of three independent experiments.</p

List of differentially expressed genes in MCF7 cells cultured in αMEM vs. DMEM.

List of differentially expressed genes in MCF7 cells cultured in αMEM vs. DMEM.</p

Cell cycle analysis.

A. Flow cytometry results. Cells were collected after 24 h or 48 h cultured in DMEM or αMEM and stained with PI. B. Statistical chart of cell cycle. Data were presented as the mean ± S.D. from three independent experiments.</p

q-PCR–based validation of the expression patterns of selected genes from the DEGs.

Data are presented as Ct(2-△△Ct) relative to the control level. Cells were collected after 48 h cultured in DMEM or αMEM. Data are presented as mean ± S.D. of three independent experiments. *P < 0.05, **P < 0.01, ***P < 0.001.</p