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Despite impressive merits of complementary charge‐storage mechanisms for aqueous Zn‐ion hybrid micro‐supercapacitors (ZHMSCs), it remains a challenge to solve dendrite and parasitic reactions issues of Zn anodes. Herein, a kinetics‐boosted strategy of Zn2+ transport and desolvation of hydrated Zn2+ is proposed by engineering zwitterionic P(AM‐co‐SBMA) hydrogel electrolyte (PASHE) for highly reversible Zn plating/stripping. Mechanically robust and chemically anchored PASHE features zwitterionic groups for constructing ion migration channels and immobilizing water molecules, which accelerates Zn2+ migration for an ultrahigh transfer number (0.84) and alleviates water‐related parasitic reactions. Theoretical calculations combined with experimental results reveal that sulfobetaine sulfonate anions endow PASHE with improved desolvation kinetics and the ability to coordinate Zn2+ flux and electric field distributions at the electrolyte–electrode interface. Thus, Zn anodes exhibit excellent electrochemical performance involving high average coulombic efficiency of 99.4% in Zn|PASHE|Cu cell as well as high cumulative capacity of 2000 mAh cm−2 (20 mA cm−2, 1 mAh cm−2) and depth of discharge of 80.9% (20 mA cm−2, 10 mAh cm−2) in Zn|PASHE|Zn cells. Furthermore, ZHMSCs based on PASHE deliver excellent flexibility and cyclability for energy‐storage applications. This work provides useful insights on hydrogel electrolyte engineering for developing high‐performance Zn anodes and derived energy‐storage devices.

Context: Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) have attracted worldwide attention due to their unique properties and potential bioactivities. Considering that hawthorn is both a traditional medicine and a common edible food, hawthorn fruit extract (HE) was chosen as a reductant to prepare SeNPs.Objective: SeNPs were synthesized by using an aqueous HE as a reductant and stabilizer. The antitumor activities and potential mechanisms of SeNPs were explored by using a series of cellular assays.Materials and methods: The HE mediated SeNPs (HE-SeNPs) were examined using various characterisation methods. The cytotoxicity was measured against HepG2 cells after treated with 0, 5, 10 and 20 μg/mL of HE-SeNPs for 24 h. Annexin V-FITC/PI staining analysis was performed to observe the apoptosis of HepG2 cells. Additionally, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were evaluated. Finally, the protein expression levels of caspase-9 and Bcl-2 were identified by Western blot.Results: The mono-dispersed and stable SeNPs were prepared with an average size of 113 nm. HE-SeNPs showed obvious antitumor activities towards HepG2 cells with an IC50 of 19.22 ± 5.3 μg/mL. Results from flow cytometry revealed that both early and total apoptosis rates increased after treating with HE-SeNPs. After cells were treated with various concentrations of HE-SeNPs (5, 10 and 20 μg/mL) for 24 h, the total rate increased to 7.3 ± 0.5, 9.7 ± 1.7 and 19.2 ± 1.6%, respectively. Meanwhile, treatment of HE-SeNPs up-regulated intracellular ROS levels and reduced the MMP. In addition, HE-SeNPs induced the up-regulation of caspase-9 and down-regulation of Bcl-2.Discussion and conclusions: HE-SeNPs induced intracellular oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction to initiate HepG2 cell apoptosis through the mitochondrial pathway. Therefore, HE-SeNPs may be a candidate for further evaluation as a chemotherapeutic agent for human liver cancer.

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