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Artificial α-amino acid based on cysteine grafted natural aloe-emodin for aqueous organic redox flow batteries

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Listed:
  • Yuzhu Liu

    (Nanjing University
    Nanjing University
    Nanjing University)

  • Zuoao Wu

    (Nanjing University
    Nanjing University
    Nanjing University)

  • Pengbo Zhang

    (Nanjing University
    Nanjing University
    Nanjing University)

  • Jie Wei

    (Nanjing University
    Nanjing University
    Nanjing University)

  • Junjie Li

    (Nanjing University
    Nanjing University
    Nanjing University)

  • Huaizhu Wang

    (Nanjing University
    Nanjing University
    Nanjing University)

  • Sheng Wen

    (Nanjing University
    Nanjing University
    Nanjing University)

  • Junchuan Liang

    (Nanjing University
    Nanjing University
    Nanjing University)

  • Yongkang Chen

    (Nanjing University
    Nanjing University
    Nanjing University)

  • Tengfei Dai

    (Nanjing University
    Nanjing University
    Nanjing University)

  • Zuoxiu Tie

    (Nanjing University
    Nanjing University
    Nanjing University)

  • Jing Ma

    (Nanjing University
    Nanjing University
    Nanjing University)

  • Xizhang Wang

    (Nanjing University
    Nanjing University)

  • Zhong Jin

    (Nanjing University
    Nanjing University
    Nanjing University
    Nanjing University)

Abstract

Natural redox-active anthraquinone derivatives possess promising attributes for applications in aqueous organic redox flow batteries (AORFBs) due to their environmental friendliness and abundant sources. However, their limited aqueous solubility and electrochemical stability have posed significant challenges to their practical utilization. Herein, inspired by click chemistry, we report the synthesis of an artificial α-amino acid derived from cysteine-functionalized natural aloe-emodin (namely Cys-AE), which exhibits good water-solubility and redox-reversibility, particularly suited for alkaline AORFBs. The bio-inspired Cys-AE molecule exhibits a threefold increase in aqueous solubility compared to pristine aloe-emodin. Furthermore, the AORFB based Cys-AE negolyte with an electron concentration of 1.0 M demonstrates a low capacity fade rate of 0.000948% cycle−1 (equivalent to 0.0438% day−1) during 592 cycles, significantly outperforming the AORFB based on pristine aloe-emodin (0.00446% cycle−1, or 0.908% day−1) during 1564 cycles. Our investigation incorporates time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) simulations and detailed spectroscopic analyses reveal the essential role played by the asymmetric distribution of multiple solubilizing groups in enhancing the aqueous solubility and cycling stability of Cys-AE. This study highlights the potential of nature-inspired molecular engineering strategies in creating and crafting redox-reversible organic species poised to revolutionize large-scale and sustainable energy storage applications.

Suggested Citation

  • Yuzhu Liu & Zuoao Wu & Pengbo Zhang & Jie Wei & Junjie Li & Huaizhu Wang & Sheng Wen & Junchuan Liang & Yongkang Chen & Tengfei Dai & Zuoxiu Tie & Jing Ma & Xizhang Wang & Zhong Jin, 2025. "Artificial α-amino acid based on cysteine grafted natural aloe-emodin for aqueous organic redox flow batteries," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 16(1), pages 1-13, December.
  • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-025-58165-y
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-58165-y
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    2. Aaron Hollas & Xiaoliang Wei & Vijayakumar Murugesan & Zimin Nie & Bin Li & David Reed & Jun Liu & Vincent Sprenkle & Wei Wang, 2018. "A biomimetic high-capacity phenazine-based anolyte for aqueous organic redox flow batteries," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 3(6), pages 508-514, June.
    3. Alejandro Clemente & Ramon Costa-Castelló, 2020. "Redox Flow Batteries: A Literature Review Oriented to Automatic Control," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-31, September.
    4. Yanxin Yao & Jiafeng Lei & Yang Shi & Fei Ai & Yi-Chun Lu, 2021. "Assessment methods and performance metrics for redox flow batteries," Nature Energy, Nature, vol. 6(6), pages 582-588, June.
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