Iron-Doped Sodium-Vanadium Fluorophosphates: Na3V2-yO2-yFey(PO4)2F1+y (y < 0.3).

The sodium-vanadium fluorophosphate family has been actively investigated recently, but few examples tackle chemical doping or the substitution of vanadium. This work presents a series of iron-doped compounds Na3V2-yO2-yFey(PO4)2F1+y (y ≤ 0.3) prepared by hydrothermal synthesis with low iron content. The amount of iron in the structure is confirmed by X-ray and neutron powder diffraction, electronic paramagnetic resonance, magnetic susceptibility measurements, and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR). The degree of vanadium substitution, together with the solubility limit for iron in sodium-vanadium fluorophosphates, has been calculated by ssNMR and magnetic susceptibility measurements to be y = 0.3 based on the synthetic route used here. The introduction of small amounts of Fe3+ to the structure leads to the reduction of a fraction of V4+ to V3+, and the voltage profiles do not change with the introduction of iron to the structure. In situ synchrotron X-ray diffraction demonstrates that the electrochemical-structural changes during charge and discharge are very similar to those observed in the V3+/V4+ mixed-valent Na3V2O1.6(PO4)2F1.4, which could be related to the existence of both iron dopant and V3+ in the phase.

Towards a High-Power Si@graphite Anode for Lithium Ion Batteries through a Wet Ball Milling Process.

Silicon-based anodes are extensively studied as an alternative to graphite for lithium ion batteries. However, silicon particles suffer larges changes in their volume (about 280%) during cycling, which lead to particles cracking and breakage of the solid electrolyte interphase. This process induces continuous irreversible electrolyte decomposition that strongly reduces the battery life. In this research work, different silicon@graphite anodes have been prepared through a facile and scalable ball milling synthesis and have been tested in lithium batteries. The morphology and structure of the different samples have been studied using X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. We show how the incorporation of an organic solvent in the synthesis procedure prevents particles agglomeration and leads to a suitable distribution of particles and intimate contact between them. Moreover, the importance of the microstructure of the obtained silicon@graphite electrodes is pointed out. The silicon@graphite anode resulted from the wet ball milling route, which presents capacity values of 850 mA h/g and excellent capacity retention at high current density (≈800 mA h/g at 5 A/g).

Polyolefin-Based Janus Separator for Rechargeable Sodium Batteries.

Rechargeable sodium batteries are a promising technology for low-cost energy storage. However, the undesirable drawbacks originating from the use of glass fiber membrane separators have long been overlooked. A versatile grafting-filtering strategy was developed to controllably tune commercial polyolefin separators for sodium batteries. The as-developed Janus separators contain a single-ion-conducting polymer-grafted side and a functional low-dimensional material coated side. When employed in room-temperature sodium-sulfur batteries, the poly(1-[3-(methacryloyloxy)propylsulfonyl]-1-(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide sodium)-grafted side effectively enhances the electrolyte wettability, and inhibits polysulfide diffusion and sodium dendrite growth. Moreover, a titanium-deficient nitrogen-containing MXene-coated side electrocatalytically improved the polysulfide conversion kinetics. The as-developed batteries demonstrate high capacity and extended cycling life with lean electrolyte loading.

From Solid-Solution Electrodes and the Rocking-Chair Concept to Today's Batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have become ubiquitous power sources for small electronic devices, electric vehicles, and stationary energy storage systems. Despite the success of LIBs which is acknowledged by their increasing commodity market, the historical evolution of the chemistry behind the LIB technologies is laden with obstacles and yet to be unambiguously documented. This Viewpoint outlines chronologically the most essential findings related to today's LIBs, including commercial electrode and electrolyte materials, but furthermore also depicts how the today popular and widely emerging solid-state batteries were instrumental at very early stages in the development of LIBs.

Electrowetting of Ionic Liquid on Graphite: Probing via in Situ Electrochemical X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy.

Thin films of ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(fluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([EMIm][FSI]) vapor-deposited on highly oriented pyrographite (HOPG) were studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and atomic force microscopy. The results revealed a reversible morphological transition from a "drop-on-layer" structure to a "flat-layer" structure at positive, and not at negative, polarization. The effect is rationalized in terms of electric-field-induced reduction of the liquid-solid transition temperature in the ionic liquid film, when its thickness is comparable to the charge screening length. The observed bias asymmetry of [EMIm][FSI] electrowetting on HOPG is tentatively explained by the bilayer structure at the interface driven by the affinity of the imidazolium ring to the HOPG surface.

Single lithium-ion conducting solid polymer electrolytes: advances and perspectives.

Electrochemical energy storage is one of the main societal challenges to humankind in this century. The performances of classical Li-ion batteries (LIBs) with non-aqueous liquid electrolytes have made great advances in the past two decades, but the intrinsic instability of liquid electrolytes results in safety issues, and the energy density of the state-of-the-art LIBs cannot satisfy the practical requirement. Therefore, rechargeable lithium metal batteries (LMBs) have been intensively investigated considering the high theoretical capacity of lithium metal and its low negative potential. However, the progress in the field of non-aqueous liquid electrolytes for LMBs has been sluggish, with several seemingly insurmountable barriers, including dendritic Li growth and rapid capacity fading. Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) offer a perfect solution to these safety concerns and to the enhancement of energy density. Traditional SPEs are dual-ion conductors, in which both cations and anions are mobile and will cause a concentration polarization thus leading to poor performances of both LIBs and LMBs. Single lithium-ion (Li-ion) conducting solid polymer electrolytes (SLIC-SPEs), which have anions covalently bonded to the polymer, inorganic backbone, or immobilized by anion acceptors, are generally accepted to have advantages over conventional dual-ion conducting SPEs for application in LMBs. A high Li-ion transference number (LTN), the absence of the detrimental effect of anion polarization, and the low rate of Li dendrite growth are examples of benefits of SLIC-SPEs. To date, many types of SLIC-SPEs have been reported, including those based on organic polymers, organic-inorganic hybrid polymers and anion acceptors. In this review, a brief overview of synthetic strategies on how to realize SLIC-SPEs is given. The fundamental physical and electrochemical properties of SLIC-SPEs prepared by different methods are discussed in detail. In particular, special attention is paid to the SLIC-SPEs with high ionic conductivity and high LTN. Finally, perspectives on the main challenges and focus on the future research are also presented.

A Stable Quasi-Solid-State Sodium-Sulfur Battery.

Ambient-temperature sodium-sulfur (Na-S) batteries are considered a promising energy storage system due to their high theoretical energy density and low costs. However, great challenges remain in achieving a high rechargeable capacity and long cycle life. Herein we report a stable quasi-solid-state Na-S battery enabled by a poly(S-pentaerythritol tetraacrylate (PETEA))-based cathode and a (PETEA-tris[2-(acryloyloxy)ethyl] isocyanurate (THEICTA))-based gel polymer electrolyte. The polymeric sulfur electrode strongly anchors sulfur through chemical binding and inhibits the shuttle effect. Meanwhile, the in situ formed polymer electrolyte with high ionic conductivity and enhanced safety successfully stabilizes the Na anode/electrolyte interface, and simultaneously immobilizes soluble Na polysulfides. The as-developed quasi-solid-state Na-S cells exhibit a high reversible capacity of 877 mA h g-1 at 0.1 C and an extended cycling stability.

High-voltage cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries: freeze-dried LiMn0.8Fe0.1M0.1PO4/C (M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu) nanocomposites.

Four LiMn0.8Fe0.1M0.1PO4/C (M = Fe, Co, Ni, Cu) cathode materials have been synthesized via a freeze-drying method. The samples have been characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, magnetic susceptibility, and electrochemical measurements. The composition and effective insertion of the transition-metal substituents in LiMnPO4 have been corroborated by elemental analysis, the evolution of the crystallographic parameters, and the magnetic properties. The morphological characterization of the composites has demonstrated that the phosphate nanoparticles are enclosed in a matrix of amorphous carbon. Among them, LiMn0.8Fe0.1Ni0.1PO4/C is the most promising cathode material, providing a good electrochemical performance in all aspects: high voltage and specific capacity values, excellent cyclability, and good rate capability. This result has been attributed to several factors, such as the suitable morphology of the sample, the good connection afforded by the in situ generated carbon, and the amelioration of the structural stress provided by the presence of Ni(2+) and Fe(2+) in the olivine structure.

Structure of H2Ti3O7 and its evolution during sodium insertion as anode for Na ion batteries.

H2Ti3O7 was prepared as a single phase material by ionic exchange from Na2Ti3O7. The complete ionic exchange was confirmed by (1)H and (23)Na solid state Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). The atomic positions of H2Ti3O7 were obtained from the Rietveld refinement of powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD) and neutron diffraction experimental data, the latter collected at two different wavelengths to precisely determine the hydrogen atomic positions in the structure. All H(+) cations are hydrogen bonded to two adjacent [Ti3O7](2-) layers leading to the gliding of the layers and lattice centring with respect to the parent Na2Ti3O7. In contrast with a previous report where protons were located in two different positions of H2Ti3O7, 3 types of proton positions were found. Two of the three types of proton are bonded to the only oxygen linked to a single titanium atom forming an H-O-H angle close to that of the water molecule. H2Ti3O7 is able to electrochemically insert Na(+). The electrochemical insertion of sodium into H2Ti3O7 starts with a solid solution regime of the C-centred phase. Then, between 0.6 and 1.2 inserted Na(+) the reaction proceeds through a two phase reaction and a plateau at 1.3 V vs. Na(+)/Na is observed in the voltage-composition curve. The second phase resembles the primitive Na2Ti3O7 cell as detected by in situ PXRD. Upon oxidation, from 0.9 to 2.2 V, the PXRD pattern remains mostly unchanged probably due to H(+) removal instead of Na(+), with the capacity quickly fading upon cycling. Conditioning H2Ti3O7 for two cycles at 0.9-2.2 V before cycling in the 0.05-1.6 V range yields similar specific capacity and better retention than the original Na2Ti3O7 in the same voltage range.

The challenge to relate the physicochemical properties of colloidal nanoparticles to their cytotoxicity.

Nanomaterials offer opportunities to construct novel compounds for many different fields. Applications include devices for energy, including solar cells, batteries, and fuel cells, and for health, including contrast agents and mediators for photodynamic therapy and hyperthermia. Despite these promising applications, any new class of materials also bears a potential risk for human health and the environment. The advantages and innovations of these materials must be thoroughly compared against risks to evaluate each new nanomaterial. Although nanomaterials are often used intentionally, they can also be released unintentionally either inside the human body, through wearing of a prosthesis or the inhalation of fumes, or into the environment, through mechanical wear or chemical powder waste. This possibility adds to the importance of understanding potential risks from these materials. Because of fundamental differences in nanomaterials, sound risk assessment currently requires that researchers perform toxicology studies on each new nanomaterial. However, if toxicity could be correlated to the basic physicochemical properties of nanomaterials, those relationships could allow researchers to predict potential risks and design nanomaterials with minimum toxicity. In this Account we describe the physicochemical properties of nanoparticles (NPs) and how they can be determined and discuss their general importance for cytotoxicity. For simplicity, we focus primarily on in vitro toxicology that examines the interaction of living cells with engineered colloidal NPs with an inorganic core. Serious risk assessment of NPs will require additional in vivo studies. Basic physicochemical properties of nanoparticulate materials include colloidal stability, purity, inertness, size, shape, charge, and their ability to adsorb environmental compounds such as proteins. Unfortunately, the correlation of these properties with toxicity is not straightforward. First, for NPs released either unintentionally or intentionally, it can be difficult to pinpoint these properties in the materials. Therefore, researchers typically use NP models with better defined properties, which don't include the full complexity of most industrially relevant materials. In addition, many of these properties are strongly mutually connected. Therefore, it can be difficult to vary individual properties in NP models while keeping the others constant.

Antitumoral, antihypertensive, antimicrobial, and antioxidant effects of an octanuclear copper(II)-telmisartan complex with an hydrophobic nanometer hole.

A new Cu(II) complex with the antihypertensive drug telmisartan, [Cu8Tlm16]·24H2O (CuTlm), was synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and electronic, FTIR, Raman and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The crystal structure (at 120 K) was solved by X-ray diffraction methods. The octanuclear complex is a hydrate of but otherwise isostructural to the previously reported [Cu8Tlm16] complex. [Cu8Tlm16]·24H2O crystallizes in the tetragonal P4/ncc space group with a = b = 47.335(1), c = 30.894(3) Å, Z = 4 molecules per unit cell giving a macrocyclic ring with a double helical structure. The Cu(II) ions are in a distorted bipyramidal environment with a somewhat twisted square basis, cis-coordinated at their core N2O2 basis to two carboxylate oxygen and two terminal benzimidazole nitrogen atoms. Cu8Tlm16 has a toroidal-like shape with a hydrophobic nanometer hole, and their crystal packing defines nanochannels that extend along the crystal c-axis. Several biological activities of the complex and the parent ligand were examined in vitro. The antioxidant measurements indicate that the complex behaves as a superoxide dismutase mimic with improved superoxide scavenger power as compared with native sartan. The capacity of telmisartan and its copper complex to expand human mesangial cells (previously contracted by angiotensin II treatment) is similar to each other. The antihypertensive effect of the compounds is attributed to the strongest binding affinity to angiotensin II type 1 receptor and not to the antioxidant effects. The cytotoxic activity of the complex and that of its components was determined against lung cancer cell line A549 and three prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP, PC-3, and DU 145). The complex displays some inhibitory effect on the A549 line and a high viability decrease on the LNCaP (androgen-sensitive) line. From flow cytometric analysis, an apoptotic mechanism was established for the latter cell line. Telmisartan and CuTlm show antibacterial and antifungal activities in various strains, and CuTlm displays improved activity against the Staphylococcus aureus strain as compared with unbounded copper(II).

The mechanism of NaFePO4 (de)sodiation determined by in situ X-ray diffraction.

The reaction mechanism occurring during the (de)intercalation of sodium into the host olivine FePO4 structure is thoroughly analysed through a combination of structural and electrochemical methods. In situ XRD experiments have confirmed that the charge and discharge reaction mechanisms are different and have revealed the existence of a solid solution domain from 1 < x < 2/3 in Na(x)FePO4 upon charge. The second part of the charge proceeds through a 2-phase reaction between Na(2/3)FePO4 and FePO4 with strongly varying solubility limits. The strong cell mismatch between Na(2/3)FePO4 and FePO4 enhances the effects of the diffuse interface and therefore varying solubility limits are first observed here in micrometric materials.

Understanding the charge transfer effects of single atoms for boosting the performance of Na-S batteries.

The effective flow of electrons through bulk electrodes is crucial for achieving high-performance batteries, although the poor conductivity of homocyclic sulfur molecules results in high barriers against the passage of electrons through electrode structures. This phenomenon causes incomplete reactions and the formation of metastable products. To enhance the performance of the electrode, it is important to place substitutable electrification units to accelerate the cleavage of sulfur molecules and increase the selectivity of stable products during charging and discharging. Herein, we develop a single-atom-charging strategy to address the electron transport issues in bulk sulfur electrodes. The establishment of the synergistic interaction between the adsorption model and electronic transfer helps us achieve a high level of selectivity towards the desirable short-chain sodium polysulfides during the practical battery test. These finding indicates that the atomic manganese sites have an enhanced ability to capture and donate electrons. Additionally, the charge transfer process facilitates the rearrangement of sodium ions, thereby accelerating the kinetics of the sodium ions through the electrostatic force. These combined effects improve pathway selectivity and conversion to stable products during the redox process, leading to superior electrochemical performance for room temperature sodium-sulfur batteries.

Thermal response, catalytic activity, and color change of the first hybrid vanadate containing Bpe guest molecules.

Four isomorphic compounds with formula [{Co2(H2O)2(Bpe)2}(V4O12)]·4H2O·Bpe, CoBpe 1; [{CoNi(H2O)2(Bpe)2}(V4O12)]·4H2O·Bpe, CoNiBpe 2; [{Co0.6Ni1.4(H2O)2(Bpe)2}(V4O12)]·4H2O·Bpe, NiCoBpe 3; and [{Ni2(H2O)2(Bpe)2}(V4O12)]·4H2O·Bpe, NiBpe 4, have been obtained by hydrothermal synthesis. The crystal structures of CoBpe 1 and NiBpe 4 were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD). The Rietveld refinement of CoNiBpe 2 and NiCoBpe 3 XRD patterns confirms that those are isomorphic. The compounds crystallize in the P1̅ space group, exhibiting a crystal structure constructed from inorganic layers pillared by Bpe ligands. The crystal structure contains intralayer and interlayer channels, in which the crystallization water molecules and Bpe guest molecules, respectively, are located. The solvent molecules establish a hydrogen bonding network with the coordinated water molecules. Thermodiffractometric and thermogravimetric studies showed that the loss of crystallization and coordinated water molecules takes place at different temperatures, giving rise to crystal structure transformations that involve important reduction of the interlayer distance, and strong reduction of crystallinity. The IR, Raman, and UV-vis spectra of the as-synthesized and heated compounds confirm that the structural building blocks and octahedral coordination environment of the metal centers are maintained after the structural transformations. The color change and reversibility of the water molecules uptake/removal were tested showing that the initial color is not completely recovered when the compounds are heated at temperatures higher than 200 °C. The thermal evolution of the magnetic susceptibility indicates one-dimensional antiferromagnetic coupling of the metal centers at high temperatures. For NiCoBpe 3 and NiBpe 4 compounds magnetic ordering is established at low temperatures, as can be judged by the maxima observed in the magnetic susceptibilities. CoNiBpe 2 was proved as catalyst being active for cyanosilylation reactions of aldehydes.

Use of Hydrothermal Carbonization to Improve the Performance of Biowaste-Derived Hard Carbons in Sodium Ion-Batteries.

Over the last years, hard carbon (HC) has been the most promising anode material for sodium-ion batteries due to its low voltage plateau, low cost and sustainability. In this study, biomass waste (spent coffee grounds, sunflower seed shells and rose stems) was investigated as potential material for hard carbon preparation combining a two-step method consisting of on hydrothermal carbonization (HTC), to remove the inorganic impurities and increase the carbon content, and a subsequent pyrolysis process. The use of HTC as pretreatment prior to pyrolysis improves the specific capacity in all the materials compared to the ones directly pyrolyzed by more than 100 % at high C-rates. The obtained capacity ranging between 210 and 280 mAh g-1 at C/15 is similar to the values reported in literature for biomass-based hard carbons. Overall, HC obtained from sunflower seed shell performs better than that obtained from the other precursors with an initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) of 76 % and capacities of 120 mAh g-1 during 1000 cycles at C with a high capacity retention of 86-93 %.

Lithium Iron Phosphate/Carbon (LFP/C) Composite Using Nanocellulose as a Reducing Agent and Carbon Source.

Lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4, LFP) is the most promising cathode material for use in safe electric vehicles (EVs), due to its long cycle stability, low cost, and low toxicity, but it suffers from low conductivity and ion diffusion. In this work, we present a simple method to obtain LFP/carbon (LFP/C) composites with different types of NC: cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) and cellulose nanofiber (CNF). Microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis was used to obtain LFP with nanocellulose inside the vessel, and the final LFP/C composite was achieved by heating the mixture under a N2 atmosphere. The resulting LFP/C indicated that the NC in the reaction medium not only acts as the reducing agent that aqueous iron solutions need (avoiding the use of other chemicals), but also as a stabiliser of the nanoparticles produced in the hydrothermal synthesis, obtaining fewer agglomerated particles compared to synthesis without NC. The sample with the best coating-and, therefore, the best electrochemical response-was the sample with 12.6% carbon derived from CNF in the composite instead of CNC, due to its homogeneous coating. The utilisation of CNF in the reaction medium could be a promising method to obtain LFP/C in a simple, rapid, and low-cost way, avoiding the waste of unnecessary chemicals.

A new partially deprotonated mixed-valence manganese(II,III) hydroxide-arsenate with electronic conductivity: magnetic properties of high- and room-temperature sarkinite.

A new three-dimensional hydroxide-arsenate compound called compound 2 has been synthesized by heating (in air) of the sarkinite phase, Mn(2)(OH)AsO(4) (compound 1), with temperature and time control. The crystal structure of this high-temperature compound has been solved by Patterson-function direct methods. A relevant feature of this new material is that it is actually the first member of the adamite-type family with mixed-valence manganese(II,III) and electronic conductivity. Crystal data: a = 6.7367(5) Å, b = 7.5220(6) Å, c = 9.8117(6) Å, α = 92.410(4)°, ß = 109.840(4)°, γ = 115.946(4)°, P1̅. The unit cell content derived from Rietveld refinement is Mn(8)(O(4)H(x))(AsO(4))(4). Its framework, projected along [111], is characterized by rings of eight Mn atoms with the OH(-)/O(2-) inside the rings. These rings form an almost perfect hexagonal arrangement with the AsO(4) groups placed in between. Bond-valence analysis indicates both partial deprotonation (x ≅ 3) and the presence of Mn in two different oxidation states (II and III), which is consistent with the electronic conductivity above 300 °C from electrochemical measurements. The electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of compound 1 and of its high-temperature form compound 2 show the presence of antiferromagnetic interactions with stronger magnetic coupling for the high-temperature phase. Magnetization measurements of room-temperature compound 1 show a complex magnetic behavior, with a three-dimensional antiferromagnetic ordering and magnetic anomalies at low temperatures, whereas for compound 2, an ordered state is not reached. Magnetostructural correlations indicate that superexchange interactions via oxygen are present in both compounds. The values of the magnetic exchange pathways [Mn-O-Mn] are characteristic of antiferromagnetic couplings. Notwithstanding, the existence of competition between different magnetic interactions through superexchange pathways can cause the complex magnetic behavior of compound 1. The loss of three-dimensional magnetic ordering by heating of compound 1 could well be based on the presence of Mn(3+) ions (d(4)) in compound 2.

Flexible and dynamic thermal behavior of self-catenated [{Ni3(H2O)3(Bpa)4}(V6O18)]·8H2O constructed from 10-c heterometallic inorganic-organic clusters.

The hydrothermal treatment of Ni(NO(3))(2)·6H(2)O, NaVO(3), and Bpa (1,2-Di(pyridyl)ethane) (C(12)H(12)N(2)) at 120 °C during 3 days leads to green single crystals of the title compound. The single crystal X-ray diffraction reveals that [{Ni(3)(H(2)O)(3)(Bpa)(4)}(V(6)O(18))]·8H(2)O crystallizes in the monoclinic system, P2(1)/c space group, with a = 13.5536 (2), b = 19.0463 (2), c = 27.7435 (3) Å, ß = 112.3880 (10)°, V = 6622(3) Å(3), with R1(obs) = 0.0558, wR2(obs) = 0.1359, for 10278 observed reflections. The complexity of the crystal structure is based on different points, as the existence of: both "gauche" and "trans" conformations of the organic ligand, the [V(12)O(36)](-12) cycles, formed by 12 corner-sharing VO(4) tetrahedra, and, finally, the combination of both three-dimensional metal-organic and inorganic substructures, giving rise to a self-catenated highly connected net. The crystallization water molecules are semi-encapsulated in the channels along the [100] direction, and their loss gives rise to a dynamical and reversible structural contraction. Moreover, after the removal of the crystallization water molecules, the compound exhibits a negative thermal behavior in the 85-155 °C temperature range, and irreversible structural transformation due to the loss of coordinated water molecules up to 200 °C. The IR and UV-vis spectra were determined for the as-synthesized sample, after the removal of crystallization water molecules and after the irreversible transformation due to the loss of coordinated water molecules. The thermal evolution of χ(m) was adjusted to a magnetic model considering an isotropic dimer plus two Ni(II) d(8) isolated octahedra.

Role of the voltage window on the capacity retention of P2-Na2/3[Fe1/2Mn1/2]O2 cathode material for rechargeable sodium-ion batteries.

P2-Na2/3[Fe1/2Mn1/2]O2 layered oxide is a promising high energy density cathode material for sodium-ion batteries. However, one of its drawbacks is the poor long-term stability in the operating voltage window of 1.5-4.25 V vs Na+/Na that prevents its commercialization. In this work, additional light is shed on the origin of capacity fading, which has been analyzed using a combination of experimental techniques and theoretical methods. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy has been performed on P2-Na2/3[Fe1/2Mn1/2]O2 half-cells operating in two different working voltage windows, one allowing and one preventing the high voltage phase transition occurring in P2-Na2/3[Fe1/2Mn1/2]O2 above 4.0 V vs Na+/Na; so as to unveil the transport properties at different states of charge and correlate them with the existing phases in P2-Na2/3[Fe1/2Mn1/2]O2. Supporting X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy experiments to elucidate the surface properties along with theoretical calculations have concluded that the formed electrode-electrolyte interphase is very thin and stable, mainly composed by inorganic species, and reveal that the structural phase transition at high voltage from P2- to "Z"/OP4-oxygen stacking is associated with a drastic increased in the bulk electronic resistance of P2-Na2/3[Fe1/2Mn1/2]O2 electrodes which is one of the causes of the observed capacity fading.

Antioxidant, DNA cleavage, and cellular effects of silibinin and a new oxovanadium(IV)/silibinin complex.

A new complex of the oxovanadium(IV) cation with the flavolignan silibinin has been synthesized and characterized. Vanadium compounds show interesting biological and pharmacological properties and some of them display antitumoral actions. Flavonoids are part of a larger group of antioxidant compounds called polyphenols which may inhibit the proliferation and growth of cancer cells. The antioxidant and antitumoral effects of silibinin and its oxovanadium(IV) complex were investigated. Silibinin acted as a very strong antioxidant and its complexation with oxovanadium(IV) improved this behavior. Besides, the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by this compound was favored in tumoral (UMR106) cells and correlated with the deleterious behavior in the proliferation of this cell line. Conversely, silibinin did not exert any effect on the proliferation of normal osteoblasts (MC3T3E1). The cytotoxic action and ROS generation of the oxovanadium(IV) complex was more effective in tumoral cells. This behavior was not consistent with cleaving DNA of plasmid DNA pA1 because no significant cleaving activity was observed in both cases. These results suggest that the main deleterious mechanisms may take place through cytotoxic effects more than genotoxic actions. A comparison with our own findings on the behavior of other flavonoids and their vanadyl(IV) complex has also been performed.