Delayed wound healing in diabetes is aggravated by chronic inflammation and impaired keratinocyte migration. Although zinc facilitates skin wound healing, its excessive accumulation may induce cytotoxicity. This study explores the synergistic potential of zinc and the GPR39 agonist TC-G-1008 in enhancing diabetic wound repair. In vitro , cotreatment reduced lipopolysaccharide-induced pro-inflammatory cytokine expression and promoted keratinocyte migration. In vivo , a hydrogel incorporating zinc oxide nanoparticles and TC-G-1008 accelerated wound closure in diabetic mice and suppressed interleukin-1β expression. Notably, TC-G-1008 alone enhanced keratinocyte migration under diabetic conditions, highlighting its critical role in modulating inflammation. These findings support a zincsparing therapeutic approach using GPR39 activation to restore wound healing in diabetic settings.

The surface of titanium (Ti) dental implants was modified by applying a zinc (Zn)-doped titanium dioxide (TiO2) coating. Initially, the Ti surfaces were etched with NaOH, followed by a hydrolysis co-condensation using tetrabutyl titanate (TBT, Ti(OC4H9)4) and zinc nitrate hexahydrate (Zn(NO3)2 ‧ 6H2O), with ammonia water (NH3 ‧ H2O) acting as a hydroxide anion source. The morphology and chemical composition of the Zn-doped TiO2-coated Ti plates were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Synthesis temperatures were carefully adjusted to produce anatase Zn-doped TiO2 nanoparticles with a bipyramidal structure and approximate sizes of 100 nm. Wettability tests and cell viability assays demonstrated the biomedical potential of these modified surfaces, which showed high biocompatibility with a survival rate of over 95 % (p < 0.05) and improved wettability. Corrosion resistance tests using potentiodynamic polarization reveal that Zn-TiO2-treated samples with an anatase crystal structure exhibited a lower corrosion current density and more noble corrosion potential compared to samples coated with a rutile structure. This method offers a scalable approach that could be adapted by the biomaterial industry to improve the functionality and longevity of various biomedical implants.

Polylactic acid (PLA) is often used in the preparation of environmentally friendly biodegradable polymer plastics, and how to improve the flame retardant performance of polylactic acid has been concerned by experts and scholars. Here, we provide a new idea, using bamboo activated carbon as the main material, and phytic acid, urea and Zn(NO3)2·6(H2O) as modifiers to produce a new type of carbon flame retardant. It has bamboo activated carbon as carbon source; second, it has P, N elements and metal oxides. The two synergistically play a flame retardant role on polylactic acid. The polylactic acid composite showed good thermal stability, from no grade optimization to V-0 in the UL-94 test, and the limiting oxygen index was also increased from 20.1 to 31.2%. The above tests show that bamboo activated carbon loaded with ZnO has a good flame retardant effect on polylactic acid.

The current study explores the possibility of graphene as a protective layer on the zinc substrate through an optimized electrophoretic deposition process. Graphene has been synthesized from H2SO4, HNO3, and HClO4 solutions by an electrochemical exfoliation route. This method is known for providing a scalable and economical approach to the synthesis of graphene. The exfoliated graphene nano-sheets were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, UV–visible, and field emission scanning electron microscope to evaluate its properties. The three different synthesized forms of graphene nano-sheets were electrophoretically deposited onto Zn substrates at two different potentials. Scratch testing was employed to check the adhesion quality of the coatings. The corrosion behaviour of Zn and graphene-coated Zn substrates was studied in borate buffer and 3.5 wt% NaCl solutions through potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. It

Aqueous Zn-ion batteries (ZIBs) are very attractive owing to their high safety and low cost. Among various cathode materials, organic materials-based electrodes incorporating various redox functional groups have gained significant attention in the field of ZIBs due to their benefits of a tunable structural design, facility, eco-friendly, and possibility of multivalent energy storage. Herein, we demonstrate the nanostructured organic active materials deposited onto the CNT networks (HyPT@ CNT) for flexible ZIBs. This HyPT nanorods were obtained reassemblying the herringbone structured 3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylic dianhydride through a hydrothermal process in the presence of acid. These HyPT@CNT hybrids were electronically conductive and redox active, as well as could be fabricated into a flexible electrode achieving flexibility from mechanical integrity of robust networked structure. The as-fabricated flexible ZIBs delivered the high capacity of 100 Ah g− 1 at a current density of 0.1 A g− 1 and long-term cycling performance exceeding 5000 cycles. Consequently, these electrochemical performances are associated with the redox reactivity of carbonyl groups as verified by spectroscopic and electrochemical characterizations and the hybridization of HyPT nanorods with CNT networks.

In zinc-air batteries, the gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) is an important factor for improving performance. The rigid physical properties of polyvinyl alcohol reduce ionic conductivity, which degrades the performance of the batteries. Zinc acetate is an effective additive that can increase ionic conductivity by weakening the bonding structure of polyvinyl alcohol. In this study, polymer electrolytes were prepared by mixing polyvinyl alcohol and zinc acetate dihydride. The material properties of the prepared polymer electrolytes were analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Also, Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was used to calculate ionic conductivity. The electrolyte resistances of GPE, 0.2 GPE, 0.4 GPE, and 0.6 GPE were 0.394, 0.338, 0.290, and 0.213 Ω, respectively. In addition, 0.6 GPE delivered 0.023 S/cm high ionic conductivity. Among all of the polymer electrolytes tested, 0.6 GPE showed enhanced cycle life performance and the highest specific discharge capacity of 11.73 mAh/cm2 at 10 mA. These results verified that 0.6 GPE improves the performance of zinc-air batteries.

본 연구는 해양산업시설에서 배출되는 위험·유해물질(Hazardous and Noxious Substances) 중 아연을 대상으로 국내 서식종을 기반 으로 한 독성시험을 수행하고, 그 결과를 활용하여 국내 실정에 맞는 아연의 해양 수질 준거치(Marine Water Quality Criteria)를 제안하였다. 시험생물은 국내 연근해에 분포하고 산업적으로 유용하며, 표준 시험방법이 존재하는 종을 우선으로 5개의 분류군(Algae, Rotifer, Crustacean, Mollusc, Fish)의 총 10종을 선정하여 독성시험을 수행하였으며, 급·만성비(Acute-Chronic Ratio) 산출을 위하여 무척추동물, 어류 분류군에 대한 만성독성시험을 수행하였다. 국내종 독성시험에서 산출된 독성값을 활용한 수질준거치는 US EPA의 CCC (Criterion Continuous Concentration) 산출 기준으로 9.56 ㎍/L, 호주/뉴질랜드의 산출 기준으로 15.50 ㎍/L 로 나타나 호주/뉴질랜드에서 권고하는 기준인 14.40 ㎍/L 와 유사하였다. US EPA 및 호주/뉴질랜드는 자국의 생태독성 데이터베이스(US EPA Ecotox Database, Australasian Ecotoxicology Database)를 보유하고, 신뢰도 높은 독성값들을 생성하여 수질 기준 및 산출 기준을 갱신하고 있다. 한편, 국내에서는 국내종 기반 급성 독 성값을 적용하고 있지만, 중요한 산출 지표인 급·만성비는 US EPA 또는 유럽의 결과값을 활용하여 해양 수질 준거치를 산출하고 있으며, 국내의 생태독성 자료 또한 제한적인 실정이다. 따라서, 국내 해양 서식종을 기반으로 한 지속적인 독성시험과 준거치 설정 체계를 확보하 여 국내 해양생물과 생태계를 보호할 수 있는 해양 수질 준거치 도출이 필요할 것으로 판단된다.

Rechargeable zinc-based batteries (RZBs) with the advantages of high safety, low cost, abundant resources and environmental friendliness, are considered as advanced secondary battery systems that can be applied to large-scale energy storage. As an important cathode material for RZBs, NASICON-type Na3V2( PO4)3 (NVP) possesses three-dimensional and large-scale ion channels that facilitate the rapid diffusion of Zn2+, and has a higher average operating voltage compared with other vanadiumbased compounds, thus exhibiting the possibility of realizing RZBs with high energy density. However, NVP still has some problems, such as poor electronic conductivity and spontaneous dissolution in aqueous solution. The sluggish kinetics of Zn2+ (de)intercalation in NVP and dendritic growth on the Zn anode also contribute to the poor rate performance and short cycle life of the batteries. In this review, optimization strategies for the electrochemical performance of RZBs with NVP as cathode are systematically elaborated, including modification of NVP cathode and optimization of electrolyte. Several mainstream energy storage mechanisms and analysis methods in this battery system are sorted out and summarized. On this basis, the development direction of NVP–RZB system is further prospected.

Zinc-ion Batteries (ZIBs) are currently considered to be effective energy storage devices for wearable electronics because of their low cost and high safety. Indeed, ZIBs show high power density and safety compared with conventional lithium ion batteries (LIBs) and exhibit high energy density in comparison with supercapacitors (SCs). However, in spite of their advantages, further current collector development is needed to enhance the electrochemical performance of ZIBs. To design the optimized current collector for high performance ZIBs, a high quality graphene film is suggested here, with improved electrical conductivity by controlling the defects in the graphene film. The graphene film showed improved electrical conductivity and good electron transfer between the current collector and active material, which led to a high specific capacity of 346.3 mAh g-1 at a current density of 100 mA g-1, a high-rate performance with 116.3 mAh g-1 at a current density of 2,000 mA g-1, and good cycling stability (68.0 % after 100 cycles at a current density of 1,000 mA g-1). The improved electrochemical performance is firmly because of the defects-controlled graphene film, leading to improved electrical conductivity and thus more efficient electron transfer between the current collector and active material.

The electrical connection between zinc metal and iron in contact with water prevents oxidation of iron until all zinc is dissolved, which is called a zinc sacrificial anode phenomenon. In the case of water pipes, zinc is often attached to the outside of the pipe, but examples of mounting zinc inside the pipe to prevent iron corrosion are not well known. Zinc devices sold for water pipes vary in the amount of zinc installed depending on the diameter of the pipe and the conditions of use, but the life of the product is generally expected to be 10-20 years until all zinc dissolves and disappears. Zinc ions dissolved from zinc to water in the pipe react with the calcium carbonate scale generated inside the pipe to consume zinc ions, and it was confirmed that the needle-shaped aragonite was converted into highly crystalline calcium after observing the scale crystal through an electron microscope. In addition, it is estimated that calcium ions of scale are replaced by zinc ions, gradually losing crystallinity, being deintercalated into the pipe, and oxygen in the water is consumed during the dissolution of zinc ions from zinc metals, turning red rust hematite (Fe2O3) into magnetite (Fe3O4). In addition, zinc ions were expected to move hundreds to thousands of meters depending on the diameter of the pipe in the new pipe, but it was confirmed that the travel distance was shortened in the case of pipes with many corrosion products.

붕어(무게 42.4 ± 9.0 g, 길이 15.0 ± 1.0 cm)를 96시간 동안 0, 5, 10, 20, 40 및 80 mg Zn2+/l의 수 인성 아연에 노출시켰다. 수인성 아연에 노출된 붕어의 96시간 반수치사농도(LC50)는 51.58 mg Zn2+/l였다. 혈액학적 지표에서 48시간에 40 mg Zn2+/l 농도에서 RBC 수치가 유의하게 감소 한 반면, 헤마토크릿은 아연 노출에 의해 유의하게 증가하였다. MCV (μl)와 MCH (pg)는 40 mg Zn2+/l 농도에서 48시간에 유의하게 증가하였다. 칼슘, 마그네슘, 포도당, 콜레스테롤, 총 단백질 및 ALT와 같은 혈장 성분은 아연 노출에 의해 크게 변화되었다. 본 연구의 결과는 붕어에 대한 아연 노출이 독성으로서 혈액학적 매개변수 및 혈장 성분의 유의한 생리학적 변화를 유발함을 시사한다.

Flexible zinc-air batteries have many merits, including low cost, high safety, environmentally friendliness applicability, etc. One of the key factors to improve the performance of flexible zinc-air batteries is to use a gel electrolyte. In this study, gel electrolytes were synthesized from potato, sweet potato, and corn starch. In a comparison of each starch, the corn starch-based gel electrolyte showed the highest discharge capacity of 12.41 mAh/cm2 in 20 mA and 6.47 mAh/cm2 in 30 mA. It also delivered a higher specific discharge capacity of 7.06 mAh/cm2 than the other materials after 100° bending. In addition, the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was analyzed to calculate the ionic conductivity. The potato, sweet potato, and corn starch-based gel electrolytes showed electrolyte resistances (Re) of 0.306, 0.298, and 0.207 Ω, respectively. In addition, the corn starch-based gel electrolyte delivered the highest ionic conductivity of 0.121 S cm-1 among the other gel electrolytes. Thus, the corn starch-based gel electrolyte was verified to improve the performance of flexible zinc-air batteries

High-temperature friction performances of graphite blocks (GBs) and zinc phosphate impregnated graphite blocks (IGBs) were evaluated under various friction temperatures. The surface of IGB exhibited extremely lower average friction coefficient values, that was 0.007 at 400 °C and 0.008 at 450 °C, in comparison to that of GB (0.13 at 400 °C and 0.16 at 450 °C, respectively). The worn surface of IGB in the high-temperature friction test was smoother and more complete than that of GB. The wear under high temperature and load caused the transformation of zinc pyrophosphate to zinc metaphosphate and the formation of a continuous large-area boundary lubrication layer combined with graphite and metallic element on the wear surface. The superior tribology property of IGB could be attributed to the digestion of iron oxides by tribo-chemical reactions and passivation of the exposed dangling covalent bonds. Specifically, the layered structure generated on the IGB wear interface effectively decreased the adhesive forces and prevented the surface from serious damage.

The mechanosynthesis route is a physical top–down strategy to produce different nanomaterials. Here, we report the formation of graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) through this route using carbon bars recovered from discarded alkaline batteries as raw material. The mechanosynthesis time (milling time) is shown to have an influence on different features of the GNRs such as their width and edges features. TEM revealed the presence of GNRs with widths of 15.26, 8.8, and 23.55 nm for the milling times of 6, 12, and 18 h, respectively. Additionally, the carbon bars evolved from poorly shaped GNRs for the shortest milling time (6 h) to well-shaped GNRs of oriented sheets forming for the longest milling time. Besides GNRs, graphene sheets (GNS) of different sizes were also observed. The Raman analysis of the 2D bands identified the GNS signal and confirmed the GNRs nature. ID/IG values of 0.21, 0.32, and 0.40 revealed the degree of disorder for each sample. The in-plane sp2 crystallite sizes ( La) of graphite decreased to 91, 60, and 48 nm with increasing peeling time. The RBLM band at 288 cm− 1 confirmed the formation of the GNRs. Mechanosynthesis is a complex process and the formation of the GNRs is discussed in terms of a mechanical exfoliation, formation of graphene sheets and its fragmentation to reach GNR-like shapes. It is shown that the synthesis of GNRs through the mechanosynthesis route, besides the use of recycled materials, is an alternative for obtaining self-sustaining materials.