Adenosine triphosphate (ATP), the major energy currency of the cell, exists in solution mostly as ATP-Mg. Recent experiments suggest that Mg2+ interacts with the highly charged ATP triphosphate group and Li+ can co-bind with the native Mg2+ to form ATP-Mg-Li and modulate the neuronal purine receptor response. However, it is unclear how the negatively charged ATP triphosphate group binds Mg2+ an...

In order to further improve the energy and power density of state-of-the-art lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), new cell chemistries and, therefore, new active materials with alternative storage mechanisms are needed. Herein, we report on the structural and electrochemical characterization of Fe-doped ZnO samples with varying dopant concentrations, potentially serving as anode for LIBs (Rechargeable...

Sodium ion batteries (SIBs) have been considered as a top alternative to lithium ion batteries due to the earth abundance and low cost of sodium compared with lithium. Among all proposed anode materials for SIBs, red phosphorus (P) is a very promising candidate because it has the highest theoretical capacity (∼2600 mAh/g). In this study, a red P-single-walled carbon nanotube (denoted as red P-S...

A Glu139Asp mutant of the NtpK subunit (kE139D) of Enterococcus hirae vacuolar-type ATPase (V-ATPase) lost tolerance to sodium but not to lithium at pH 10. Purified kE139D V-ATPase retained relatively high specific activity and affinity for the lithium ion compared to the sodium ion. The kE139 residue of V-ATPase is indispensable for its enzymatic activity that is linked with the salt tolerance...

We report on studies of an inorganic electrolyte: LiAlCl4 in liquid sulfur dioxide. Concentrated solutions show a very high conductivity when compared with typical electrolytes for lithium ion batteries that are based on organic solvents. Our investigations include conductivity measurements and measurements of transference numbers via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and by a classical direct m...

An in-depth understanding of material behaviours under complex electrochemical environment is critical for the development of advanced materials for the next-generation rechargeable ion batteries. The dynamic conditions inside a working battery had not been intensively explored until the advent of various in situ characterization techniques. Real-time transmission electron microscopy of electro...

This study was focused on the investigation of ion dynamics in halogen-free, hydrophobic, and hydrolytically stable phosphonium bis(salicylato)borate [P4,4,4,8][BScB] ionic liquid electrolytes for lithium-ion batteries. The structure and purity of the synthesized ionic liquid and lithium bis(salicylato)borate Li[BScB] salt were characterized using 1H, 13C, 31P, and 11B NMR spectroscopy. The Li[...

Two-dimensional (2D) materials offer numerous advantages for electrochemical energy storage and conversion due to fast charge transfer kinetics, highly accessible surface area, and tunable electronic and optical properties. Stacking of 2D materials generates heterogeneous interfaces that can modify native chemical and physical material properties. Here, we demonstrate that local strain at a car...

The three-dimensional (3D) SnS decorated carbon nano-networks (SnS@C) were synthesized via a facile two-step method of freeze-drying combined with post-heat treatment. The lithium and sodium storage performances of above composites acting as anode materials were investigated. As anode materials for lithium ion batteries, a high reversible capacity of 780 mAh·g-1 for SnS@C composites can be obta...

A supramolecular lithium cation assemblies of crown ether, [Li 12-crown-4](+), has been used to replace conventional tetraalkylammonium counterion in thiolate/disulfide (ET(-)/BET) mediated dye-sensitized solar cells (DSCs), which exhibit high stability and efficiency of 6.61% under 100 mW·cm(-2) simulated sunlight illumination.