2 research outputs found
Biodegradable Pea Protein Fibril Hydrogel-Based Quasi-Solid-State Zn-Ion Battery
Zinc-ion
batteries show great potential as the next-generation
power source due to their nontoxic, low-cost, and safe properties.
However, issues with zinc anodes, such as dendrite growth and parasitic
hydrogen evolution reactions (HERs), must be addressed to commercialize
them. Solutions, such as quasi-solid-state electrolytes made from
synthetic polymer hydrogels, have been proposed to improve battery
flexibility and energy density. However, most polymers used are nonbiodegradable,
posing a challenge to sustainability. In this study, hydrogels made
from biodegradable poly(vinyl alcohol) and protein nanofibrils from
pea protein, a renewable plant-based source, are used as an electrolyte
in aqueous zinc-ion batteries. Results show that the flexible and
biodegradable hydrogel can enhance the zinc anode stability and effectively
restrict HER. This phenomenon is because of the hydrogen-bond network
between nanofibril functional groups and water molecules. In addition,
the interaction between functional groups on nanofibrils and Zn2+ constructs ion channels for the even migration of Zn2+, avoiding dendrite growth. The Zn||Zn symmetric cell using
the hydrogel electrolyte exhibits a long lifespan of over 3000 h and
improved capacity retention in the Zn||AC-I2 hybrid ion
batteries by suppressing cathode material dissolution. This study
suggests the potential of biodegradable hydrogels as a sustainable
and effective solution for biodegradable soft powering sources
Dipeniroqueforins A–B and Peniroqueforin D: Eremophilane-Type Sesquiterpenoid Derivatives with Cytotoxic Activity from <i>Penicillium roqueforti</i>
Guided
by the Global Natural Products Social (GNPS) molecular networking
strategy, five undescribed eremophilane-type sesquiterpenoid derivatives
(1–5) were isolated and identified
from fungus Penicillium roqueforti, which was separated
from the root soil of plant Hypericum beanii collected
in Shennongjia Forestry District, Hubei Province. Dipeniroqueforins
A–B (1–2), representing a
lactam-type sesquiterpenoid skeleton with a highly symmetrical and
homodimeric 5/6/6–6/6/5 hexacyclic system, are reported within
the eremophilane-type family for the first time. Peniroqueforin D
(5) represents the first example of a 1,2-seco eremophilane-type sesquiterpenoid derivative featuring an undescribed
7/6-fused ring system. The structures of these compounds were elucidated
by various spectroscopic analyses, DP4+ probability analyses, ECD
calculations, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction experiments. Furthermore,
these isolates were evaluated for cytotoxicity, and the result uncovered
that compound 1 displayed broad-spectrum activity. Further
mechanistic study revealed that compound 1 could significantly
upregulate the mRNA expression of genes related to the oxidative induction,
leading to the abnormal ROS levels in tumor cells and ultimately causing
tumor cell apoptosis