Acidic Compounds Research Articles

Obtain high quality hydrochar from waste activated sludge with low nitrogen content using acids and alkali pretreatment by enhancing hydrolysis and catalyzation

Hydrolysis has been recognized as the rate-limiting step of waste activated sludge hydrothermal carbonization, resulting in a low degree of carbonization with partial unconverted feedstock and a high nitrogen content in hydrochar. In the current study, acids and alkali pretreatment was adopted to accelerate solubilization and hydrolysis of carbohydrates and proteins, catalyze carbonization, and obtain high quality hydrochars with low nitrogen content. The nitrogen content decreased significantly to 1.05% and 0.94% with acids and alkali pretreatment at pH of 1 and 13, respectively, from 1.80% without pretreatment. The fuel properties of hydrochars were improved with acids pretreatment at pH of 1 and 4, but reduced with alkali pretreatment at pH of 13. On the contrary, the thermal decomposition stability of hydrochars were improved with alkali pretreatment at pH of 13, but reduced with acids pretreatment at pH of 1 and 4. Acids pretreatment led to enhanced degradation of organic substances and formation of more small-molecule acidic compounds, which promoted the aromatization reaction and increased the higher heating values and organic matter contents in hydrochars. Organic matters were mostly released to the aqueous phase with alkali pretreatment at pH of 13, resulting in lower organic matter content in hydrochar.

New Sustainable Solvent Extraction Pathways for Rare Earth Metals via Oximes Molecules.

A study on the synergistic extraction of Eu(III) ions with a series of chelating ligands and determination of the process parameters is presented by employing ionic liquids and typical organic diluents. The investigations of the liquid-liquid extraction, commonly applied in the separation science of 4f and 5f-ions acidic chelating compounds, 4-benzoyl-3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one (HP), 4-benzoyl-3-phenyl-5-isoxazolone (HPBI), and 2-thenoyltrifluoroacetone (HTTA) alone and in combination with two synergistic agents, meso-hexamethylpropyleneamine oxime (S2: HM-PAO) and its bis-imine precursor (S1: pre-HM-PAO), are presented. The interaction between the two extractants (acidic/neutral) in deuterochloroform was studied using 1H, 13C, and 1H-1H NOESY experiments. Several conclusions are given highlighting the role of the ionic diluent in complexation processes and selectivity with an employment of the two synergistic agents for various metal s-, p-, d-, and f-cations in the Periodic table, with almost 25 metal ions. The objective was to optimize a system for 4f-ions solvent extraction based on the new oxime molecules with β-diketone/isoxazolone/pyrazolone partnership. As detailed above, slight enhancements of extraction efficiencies were obtained either by using basic synergistic agents such as HM-PAO and/or using pre-HM-PAO. A competitive solvent extraction test of nearly 18 f-ions by various ligands (HTTA, S1, S2, and HPBI) and the two mixtures HTTA-S1 and HTTA-S2 diluted in ILs or organic diluents was also conducted in order to evaluate the switchable diluent impact. Additionally, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy was used to study the established chemical species with Cu2+ cations in the obtained organic extracts involving the two synergistic molecules.

Composite of gum arabic and halloysite as a bio-based acidic catalyst for efficient synthesis of 5-hydroxymthylfurfural

A novel acidic bio-based composite has been synthesized via covalent conjugation of two acidic natural compounds, i.e. halloysite clay mineral and Gum Arabic. Measurement of the acidity of the composite confirmed that its acidity was higher than that of individual components. Halloysite-Gum Arabic composite was successfully applied as a biocompatible catalyst for the dehydration of fructose to 5-hydroxymthylfurfural. The reaction conditions were also optimized via Response Surface Method (RSM) and it was found that using 30 mg catalyst per 0.1 mmol fructose led to 99.2% product yield at 100 °C in 105 min. Gratifyingly, the as-prepared composite was recyclable for seven consecutive runs and only insignificant loss of activity was observed after each run. Notably, the recycled catalyst was structurally and morphologically stable.

Metabolomics reveals the effects of different storage times on the acidity quality and metabolites of large-leaf black tea.

Most aged tea has superior sensory qualities and good health benefits. The content of organic acids determines of the quality and biological effects of aged tea, but there are no reports of the effect of storage on the composition and relative proportion of acidic compounds in black tea. This study analyzed and compared the sourness and metabolite profile of black tea produced in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021 using pH determination and UPLC-MS/MS. In total, 28 acidic substances were detected, with 17 organic acids predominating. The pH of black tea decreased significantly during storage from pH 4.64 to pH 4.25 with significantly increased in l-ascorbic acid, salicylic acid, benzoic acid and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid. The metabolic pathways ascorbate biosynthesis, salicylate degradation, toluene degradation, etc. were mainly enriched. These findings provide a theoretical basis to regulate the acidity of aged black tea.

Catalytic Co-Pyrolysis of Mesua ferrea L. De-Oiled Cake and Garlic Husk in the Presence of Red-Mud-Based Catalysts

Utilizing lignocellulosic biomass as a renewable energy source for the production of sustainable fuel is of paramount importance. This study focuses on the catalytic co-pyrolysis of Mesua ferrea L. de-oiled cake (MDC) and Garlic husk (GH) as potential feedstocks for bio-fuel production. The pyrolysis experiments were conducted using a semi-batch reactor under inert conditions at temperatures of 500, 550, and 600 °C, with a heating rate of 10 °C min−1, a particle size below 1 mm, and an inert gas flow rate of 80 mL min−1. The findings reveal that temperature significantly influences the yield of pyrolytic products. However, GC-MS analysis detected higher oxygenated compounds in the bio-oil, negatively impacting its heating value. To improve fuel quality, co-pyrolysis with and without a catalyst for a feedstock ratio of 1:1 w/w was performed. Red mud, an alkaline waste mainly composed of Fe2O3, Al2O3, and SiO2, is a hazardous environmental concern from aluminum production and is used as a catalyst. The red-mud catalysts reduced oxygen concentration and increased carbon content, acidity, and heating value in the pyrolytic oil. GC-MS analysis of the bio-oil confirmed that using catalysts combined with MDC and GH significantly decreased the concentration of acidic and aromatic compounds, thereby improving the pyrolytic oil’s higher heating value (HHV).

Highly sensitive analysis of photoregulation and dynamic distribution of phytohormones based on nanoconfined liquid phase nanoextraction

BackgroundAs a vital energy source, light is one of the most significant environmental signals for plants' growth and development. The crosstalk amongst phytohormones regulated by light exhibits quantitative dynamic changes, but methodologies to analyze their distribution during plant growth are still limited. Rapid, highly sensitive, low-invasive detection and simultaneous assessment of the levels of multiple classes of phytohormones have important phytology applications, however the existing sample pretreatment strategies remain intricate, laborious, and far from being developed for in vivo high-sensitivity testing. (81) ResultsWe applied a nanoconfined liquid phase nanoextraction (NLPNE) technique based on acidified carbon nanofibers (ACNFs) in combination with LC-ESI-MS/MS for highly sensitive analysis of acidic phytohormones’ photoregulation and dynamic distribution. In this system, the mass transfer ability of analytes entering the nanoconfined space is significantly improved given the nanoconfined effect. In particular, the accelerated and strong adsorption of alkaline compounds to the ACNFs surface provide minimum interference for acidic compounds (photosensitive phytohormones), which facilitates their simple, fast, and selective quantification with improved sensitivity. The ACNFs-NLPNE strategy achieved quantitative enrichment of multi-class phytohormones in less than 5 min, and detection limits down to 0.49 fg mL−1. Moreover, we monitored the phytohormone changes under red and blue monochromatic light with relative standard deviations <13.4 %. The results further indicated that short-time red light regulation promoted Lepidium sativum L. growth while blue light inhibited it. (141) SignificanceA nanoconfinement effect-based sample pretreatment platform was developed for monitoring photoregulation phytohormones dynamic distribution with higher sensitivity and stability. Our findings highlighted the importance of the NLPNE approach in providing an accurate plant crosstalk information at the molecular level, which opens a promising avenue for investigating internal hormonal responses to external stimuli. (52).

Interactions of Nucleosomes with Acidic Patch-Binding Peptides: A Combined Structural Bioinformatics, Molecular Modeling, Fluorescence Polarization, and Single-Molecule FRET Study.

In eukaryotic organisms, genomic DNA associates with histone proteins to form nucleosomes. Nucleosomes provide a basis for genome compaction, epigenetic markup, and mediate interactions of nuclear proteins with their target DNA loci. A negatively charged (acidic) patch located on the H2A-H2B histone dimer is a characteristic feature of the nucleosomal surface. The acidic patch is a common site in the attachment of various chromatin proteins, including viral ones. Acidic patch-binding peptides present perspective compounds that can be used to modulate chromatin functioning by disrupting interactions of nucleosomes with natural proteins or alternatively targeting artificial moieties to the nucleosomes, which may be beneficial for the development of new therapeutics. In this work, we used several computational and experimental techniques to improve our understanding of how peptides may bind to the acidic patch and what are the consequences of their binding. Through extensive analysis of the PDB database, histone sequence analysis, and molecular dynamic simulations, we elucidated common binding patterns and key interactions that stabilize peptide-nucleosome complexes. Through MD simulations and FRET measurements, we characterized changes in nucleosome dynamics conferred by peptide binding. Using fluorescence polarization and gel electrophoresis, we evaluated the affinity and specificity of the LANA1-22 peptide to DNA and nucleosomes. Taken together, our study provides new insights into the different patterns of intermolecular interactions that can be employed by natural and designed peptides to bind to nucleosomes, and the effects of peptide binding on nucleosome dynamics and stability.

Influence of castor oil-based bio-oil on the properties and microstructure of asphalt binder

This study intends to investigate the influence of castor oil-based bio-oil on the properties and microstructure of asphalt binder. Castor oil-based bio-asphalt (COBA) were prepared by mixing 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% bio-oil with petroleum asphalt. Their conventional performance was evaluated based on three indexes, including penetration, ductility and softening point. The high- and low-temperature properties of COBA were obtained by dynamic shear rheometer (DSR) and bending beam rheometer (BBR), and the thermostability was analyzed by thermogravimetry (TG). Meanwhile, the moisture-induced shear-thinning index (MISTI) was tested to evaluate the resistance to moisture damage of COBA. Furthermore, the change of microstructure of asphalt modified by bio-oil was revealed by fourier transform infrared reflection (FTIR). The results showed that castor oil-based bio-oil could soften asphalt and reduce its consistency. As the bio-oil was added, the high-temperature performance of COBA was weakened to some extent by decreasing of complex modulus (G*) and rutting factor (G*/sinδ). The thermostability of COBA was slightly higher than that of matrix asphalt, but it would decrease with the addition of bio-oil. Under the same temperature, the ductibility and m value of bio-asphalt increased with added bio-oil, which change trend was opposite for S value and k value. It indicated that the bio-oil increased the low-temperature flexibility and ductibility of petroleum asphalt. MISTI showed that COBA had better resistance to moisture damage than matrix asphalt. FTIR identified castor oil-based bio-oil as a compound mainly composed of light components, and it is mainly physically blended with petroleum asphalt. Also, the amount of acidic compounds in COBA increased with the increase of bio-oil content. Under the impact of the amide groups in bio-oil, the π-π interaction between the asphaltene stacks of COBA changes, resulting in the change of asphaltene clusters. As a result, the bio-oil enhances the liquidity and improves the low-temperature performance. In terms of high-, low-temperature performance and moisture susceptibility, the COBA containing 5% bio-oil was recommended for the construction of traffic infrastructures.

Dolomitisation favoured by Lewis acidic background compounds in saline fluids

Predicting the type and rate of reactions between minerals and fluids is of utmost importance in many applications. Due to the presence of background ions, natural environments are often much more complex than laboratory experimental conditions that are used to derive mineral dissolution or precipitation rates. Dolomitisation is one of the most important diagenetic processes affecting carbonate rocks. Still, its underlying mechanisms are not yet completely unraveled. Here, we test the impact of background ions in saline solutions on the dolomitisation rate. Using batch reactor experiments at 200 °C and mineralogical characterisation, we demonstrate that the presence of background ions influences the fluid starting pH and specific ion effect, both impacting the dolomitisation rate. The results indicate that ions with a stronger hydration enthalpy correlate with a shorter dolomitisation induction time, and that Lewis acid AlCl3 is more effective than Brønsted acid HCl. Importantly, dolomitisation occurred at a slightly acidic pH, and carbon speciation modelling showed that carbonate ions did not dominate in any of the experiments. Hence, dolomitisation in our experiments is faster in saline, slightly acidic rather than alkaline solutions and the rate is influenced by the solution composition, with specific ion effects influencing dolomite surface charge, interfacial tension and the structure of water. These new insights have implications for interpretations on natural environments, such as deep reservoirs with saline, slightly acidic formation water, and predictions related to geological carbon dioxide storage.

The Adhesion and Moisture Damage Resistance between Castor Oil-Based Bio-Asphalt and Aggregates under the Action of Thermal-Oxidative Aging

This study aims to investigate the adhesion properties and moisture damage resistance between castor oil-based bio-asphalt (COBA) and aggregates under the action of thermal oxidation. Different dosages of castor oil-based bio-oil (5%, 10%, and 15%) were used to prepare the COBA by mixing it with petroleum asphalt. The short-term and long-term aging of COBA were simulated by the rolling thin-film oven test (RTFOT) over 85 min and 385 min, respectively. The boiling method, photoelectric colorimetry, contact angle test, and contact angle moisture susceptibility test (CAMSI) were used to evaluate the adhesion and exfoliation of the COBA–aggregates before and after thermal oxygen aging. Then, the aging degree of COBA was quantitatively evaluated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), and the correlation between aging condition and COBA–aggregates adhesion was analyzed. The results showed that the cohesion in COBA increased by 23.1% on average due to the addition of bio-oil. And the adhesion between COBA and aggregates increased by 5% due to the acidic compounds formed in the process of interaction with silicates on the surface of the aggregates. After short-term thermal oxidation, the adhesion between COBA and its aggregates was further improved as the polar components in the asphalt binder increased when the bio-oil dosage was less than 10%. However, with the continuous increase in the bio-oil amount and thermal oxidation degree, the adhesion decreased by 12.6% when compared to the virgin status; in addition, the adhesion grade decreased. Also, a low dosage of bio-oil was found to also improve COBA’s resistance to moisture damage, and helped to reduce moisture sensitivity during the interaction with asphalt binder. However, the acidic compounds that were generated by the reaction with hydrolyzed aggregates in the presence of asphalt binder reduced the adhesion between COBA and the aggregates. Finally, FTIR revealed a good correlation between IC=O and adhesion between COBA and the aggregates.

Binding, Sensing, And Transporting Anions with Pnictogen Bonds: The Case of Organoantimony Lewis Acids.

Motivated by the discovery of main group Lewis acids that could compete or possibly outperform the ubiquitous organoboranes, several groups, including ours, have engaged in the chemistry of Lewis acidic organoantimony compounds as new platforms for anion capture, sensing, and transport. Principal to this approach are the intrinsically elevated Lewis acidic properties of antimony, which greatly favor the addition of halide anions to this group 15 element. The introduction of organic substituents to the antimony center and its oxidation from the + III to the + V state provide for tunable Lewis acidity and a breadth of applications in supramolecular chemistry and catalysis. The performances of these antimony-based Lewis acids in the domain of anion sensing in aqueous media illustrate the favorable attributes of antimony as a central element. At the same time, recent advances in anion binding catalysis and anion transport across phospholipid membranes speak to the numerous opportunities that lie ahead in the chemistry of these unique main group compounds.

Methylene bis(p-chlorobezodithioate): Synthesis, characterization and its use as analytical reagent for Silver ion

The study included the preparation and diagnosis of disulfur ligands (Dithiols) and the preparation of their complex with monovalent (Silver), which included the the following steps: First: preparation of the sulfur compound through the reaction of Grignard reagent (ClPhMgX), with carbon disulfide (CS2), this step form [ClPhCS2]- , an acidic liquid sulfur compound which was converted into a dimer compound by second step :- reacting with (Benzene tetra methyl ammonium hydroxyl) which produce a negatively charged compound [ClPhCS2]-, which is a viscous, hydrated compound with a strong sulfur smell. The product [ClPhCS2]- react with dichloromethane (DCM) which produce (methylene-bis (p-Chlorodithiobenzoate). Which is characterized with (IR,UV-VIS, 1H-NMR, 13C spectroscopy , mass spectrometry) then followed by Analytical study for the prepared compound were investigated by preparation of their complex with Monovalent (Silver), where the stability constants of the prepared complex were studied, which showed the stability of the complex at room temperature and at pH (PH = 8). The absorbance of the complex for UV-Vis. light was studied and the mole ratio (M: L) was studied. From the study of spectroscopic methods.&#x0D;

Electronic and structural disorder of NiCo2O4 nanostructures using phytochemicals from desert gourd offered efficient asymmetric supercapacitor and oxygen evolution reaction

In this study, we have utilized the raw material of desert gourd fruit juice which distributed in the wide range of desert areas of the world. The desert gourd juice carries a significant content of acidic compounds which can slightly decrease the pH of growth solution, hence it could impart a significant role in the morphological transformation. Also, the purpose of using desert gourd fruit juice was the availability of rich amount of green reducing, capping and stabilizing agents for obtaining the short range and closely packed nanoparticles of NiCo2O4. The preparation of nanostructured NiCo2O4 materials was carried out by using desert gourd fruit juice through hydrothermal process followed by thermal annealing in air. The morphology, crystalline structure, surface chemical composition and localized atomic investigations were performed by several analytical techniques. The role of desert gourd fruit juice on the structural and functional features of NiCo2O4 was also explored. The desert gourd juice through the decrease in the pH of growth solution and carrying green reducing, capping and stabilizing agents originating closely packed NiCo2O4 nanoparticles instead of nanorod like morphology. The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) half-cell characterization demonstrated overpotential of 260 mV@10 mAcm−2, Tafel slope of 62 mV dec−1 and durability of 40 h using NiCo2O4 nanostructures prepared with 2 mL of desert gourd juice. Moreover, energy storage aspects of NiCo2O4 nanostructures prepared with desert gourd juice were studied for supercapacitor application and an asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) was developed. The findings of presented study revealed a high specific capacitance (Cs) 1958.17 F/g for newly developed ASC and high retention percentage of 99–90 % during cycling stability was also notice. The enhanced performance of as prepared NiCo2O4 nanostructures are attributed from the formation of unique architecture, surface oxygen vacancies, high ionic diffusion, high exposure of surface active sites, fast electron communication, swift charge transport at the interface between electrode and electrolyte.

Acid Rain Formation and Its Direct Impacts on Plants: Wheat and Rice

Acid rain is a serious environmental problem that occurs in many places around the world. Acid deposition can form as a result of the oxidation of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide gases that are released into the atmosphere. These gases (SO2, NOx) are the primary causes of acid rain, and physically and chemically react with water, oxygen, and other chemicals to form other acidic compounds such as sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and nitric acid (HNO3). Acid rain can form in the presence of ozone and carbon dioxide as well. Sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and nitric acid (HNO3) affect biological systems like plants directly. This paper provides information about acid formation and the direct impacts of acid rain on plants. Through a survey of the literature, we assessed the direct effects of acid rain on leaf chlorophyll, growth, and yield parameters on crops that have the highest economic importance in Afghanistan. (e.g., wheat, rice). For the analysis of the data, linear regression was applied. The results showed that plant parameters (dependent variables) such as leaf length, leaf area, chlorophyll content, leaf dry weight, and weight of 1000 seeds of wheat; leaf area; net-photosynthetic rate; and leaf dry weight of rice can be significantly affected by pH treatments (pH 5.5–2.5) (independent variables). The trends of the analysis determined significant negative effects of acid rain on plant parameters. To reduce the impacts of acid rain on plants, it is necessary to apply adaptation and mitigation strategies.

Widely targeted metabolomics analysis of different Wuyi Shuixian teas and association with taste attributes

There are two major types of Wuyi Shuixian teas with distinct flavor properties in the market: regular Shuixian, and Laocong Shuixian that is produced from old tea plants with higher sale price. However, the chemical composition difference between these two types of Shuixian teas is still unclear. In this study, the widely targeted metabonomics and sensory evaluation were carried out to investigate the metabolite profiles and the flavor properties of Laocong and regular Shuixian tea samples. The results of organoleptic evaluation showed the Laocong Shuixian teas achieved dramatically higher total scores of sensory quality than that of regular Shuixian, and the sour palate of Laocong Shuixian tea was much lower than that of regular Shuxian. A total of 692 metabolites were identified by using metabolic determination, 43 of which were different metabolites in Laocong Shuixian teas discriminated from regular Shuixian. The contents of caffeic acid, kaemperfin, genistin, quercetin 3-glycosides and p-coumaric acid-O-glycoside were abundantly present in regular Shuixian tea. The analysis on different metabolites and taste attributes showed that phenolic acidic compounds were the major contributors to the sour taste of regular Shuixian. This study interpreted the chemicals underlying the different taste properties of Laocong and regular Shuixian teas.

Nanofiber membrane coated with lithiophilic polydopamine for lithium metal batteries

Along with the cathode, anode, and liquid electrolyte in lithium-based secondary batteries, the separator is a crucial element for guaranteeing battery safety. However, conventional polyolefin separators suffer from inherent drawbacks such as inadequate compatibility with electrolytes and limited thermal stability. These limitations can lead to issues like high-temperature shrinkage, melting, and even combustion. Moreover, the vulnerability of separators toward lithium dendrite penetration exacerbates safety concerns associated with lithium-ion batteries. Hence, the design of high safety separators is currently a focus and challenge. In this study, we develop a multifunctional polymer-coupled nanofiber membrane by an electrospinning method that addresses the above issue as a separator of lithium metal battery. The nanofiber coating contains carbonyl oxygen, pyrrole nitrogen, and cross-linked networks with tertiary amine groups. These components effectively neutralize acidic compounds generated during the liquid electrolyte side reaction. X-ray micro-computed tomography analysis verifies the exceptional structural stability of the new separator, maintaining its 3D skeleton even after 2000 h of cycling. The nanofiber separator in a full Li||NCM811 cell achieves a high specific capacity of 136.6 mA h g−1 at 0.9 A g−1 and displays outstanding long-cycle stability over 500 cycles with a capacity retention of 88.5%.

Compositional nature and geochemical implications of acidic and neutral NSO compounds in oils from the Baiyun Sag, Pearl River Mouth Basin, China

Acidic and neutral NSO compounds in oils from the Baiyun Sag were directly identified by negative ion ESI FT-ICR-MS, to investigate their characteristics and potential applications in the petroleum system there. These oils were dominated by oxygen species (58.1–87.1%) but included no sulfur-containing compounds, indicating they were derived from source rocks deposited in oxidizing, freshwater lacustrine settings. Oils from different regions show significant variations in the relative abundances of heteroatomic classes, as well as the compositions and distributions of some heteroatomic species (i.e., N1, N1O1, and O1), revealing different family groups. The NSO compound-based indices could further determine the source, maturity, and migration direction of oils in the Baiyun Sag. Our results demonstrate that NSO compounds could be used to assess the origin and evolution of petroleum that can help for oil and gas exploration.

Synthesis of novobiocin derivatives and evaluation of their antigonococcal activity and pharmacokinetics

Gonorrhea has become a serious problem because the number of infected people is increasing and the multi-drug resistance of the causative bacteria, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, is progressing. To develop novel drugs against resistant N. gonorrhoeae, we focused on the antibiotic novobiocin (1). This natural product has a different mechanism of action from existing drugs for gonorrhea, which may make it effective against resistant strains. Actually, it was applied to resistant N. gonorrhoeae, and moderate antibacterial activity was confirmed. Based on this result, we investigated the development of an antigonococcal drug with 1 as the lead compound. The pharmacophore is thought to be the noviose sugar moiety, especially around the 3′-position, so we derivatized this part in order to improve antibacterial activity. As a result, we found that 5 with an methylpyrrole ester structure have a very potent antibacterial activity. This derivative also showed excellent antigonococcal activity against resistant strains in vitro, however it has poor water solubility and pharmacokinetics because it is the acidic lipid-soluble compound. Therefore, we considered introduction of a basic substituent into the molecule would result in an amphoteric compound with improved water solubility, and we investigated further derivatization. As a result of synthesizing various derivatives, we found 47 containing imidazole with strong antigonococcal activity and greatly improved water solubility. This derivative has also improved metabolism and blood concentration in vivo, and is expected to be orally absorbed. Based on these results, we believe that 47 is a very promising anti-gonococcal lead compound and has great potential for further development.

A Phosphorofluoridate-Based Multifunctional Electrolyte Additive Enables Long Cycling of High-Energy Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Ni-rich layered oxides are regarded as key components for realizing post Li-ion batteries (LIBs). However, high-valence Ni, which acts as an oxidant in deeply delithiated states, aggravates the oxidation of the electrolyte at the cathode, causing cell impedance to increase. Additionally, the leaching of transition metal (TM) ions from Ni-rich cathodes by acidic compounds such as Brønsted-acidic HF produced through LiPF6 hydrolysis aggravates the structural instability of the cathode and renders the electrode-electrolyte interface unstable. Herein, we present a multifunctional electrolyte additive, bis(trimethylsilyl) phosphorofluoridate (BTSPFA), to attain enhanced interfacial stability of graphite anodes and Ni-rich cathodes in Li-ion cells. BTSPFA eliminates the corrosive HF molecules by cleaving silyl ether bonds and enables the formation of a polar P-O- and P-F-enriched cathode electrolyte interface (CEI) on the Ni-rich cathode. It also promotes the creation of a solid electrolyte interphase composed of inorganic-rich species, which suppresses the reduction of the electrolyte during battery operation. The synergistic effect of the HF scavenging ability of BTSPFA and the stable BTSPFA-promoted CEI effectively suppresses the TM leaching from the Ni-rich cathode while also preventing unwanted TM deposition on the anode. LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2/graphite full cells with 1 wt % BTSPFA exhibited an enhanced discharge capacity retention of 79.8% after 500 cycles at 1C and 45 °C. These unique features of BTSPFA are useful for resolving the interfacial deterioration issue of high-capacity Ni-rich cathodes paired with graphite anodes.

Metabolomic analysis of strawberries at different maturities according to postharvest storage period

The appearance and quality of strawberries quickly changes during maturity and postharvest storage. However, there is limited information on the changes in quality-related metabolites of strawberries at different maturities during postharvest storage. This study investigated the changes in strawberry metabolite profiles and general quality characteristics, including color, soluble solids content (SSC), titratable acidity (TA), SSC/TA ratio, and firmness at different maturities (50%, 75%, and 100%) stored for 12 d, and evaluated their associations. The surface color changed to red, SSC/TA increased, and firmness slightly increased during postharvest storage. Moreover, there were changed metabolite profiles related to strawberry quality, including sugars, acidic compounds, lipids, flavonoids, phenolic acid derivatives, and tannins. In particular, anthocyanins and cinnamic acid derivatives significantly accumulated with increasing maturity and storage, whereas catechin and condensed tannin decreased. The strawberry metabolomic pathway related to maturity and postharvest storage was proposed based on these metabolites, and it correlated with general quality characteristics. Although changes in volatile compounds, sensory quality, and functional properties were not investigated, these results in this study facilitate a better understanding of the changes in quality-related metabolites of strawberries according to maturity and postharvest storage period.