
Zhou, X., Tang, C., Zhao, Z., Xue, Y., Li, H., Zhang, H., ... & Li, L. (2025). Energy Storage Materials, 104427.
Betaine, a zwitterionic surfactant, has recently been applied to address the energy density limitations of aqueous supercapacitors. The low electrochemical stability window of water (1.23 V) typically restricts operating potential, thereby capping device performance. By modifying activated carbon electrodes with betaine, researchers developed a novel interfacial engineering strategy to overcome this constraint.
1. Electrode modification: Betaine molecules were adsorbed onto activated carbon, forming a uniform surface layer that prevented direct electrode-water contact.
2. Hydrogen bonding modulation: At the electrode-electrolyte interface, betaine interacted with water molecules to disrupt their intrinsic hydrogen bonding. This reduced water activity near the electrode surface, effectively widening the electrochemical stability window.
3. Ion adsorption enhancement: Beyond water regulation, betaine displayed stronger electrolyte ion adsorption compared to bare activated carbon, thereby boosting ion storage capacity.
4. Electrochemical performance: The combined effects elevated device performance in LiCl electrolyte. The operating voltage increased from 1.0 to 1.4 V, while specific capacitance improved from 21.35 to 27.73 F g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹. Consequently, the energy density more than doubled (2.97 → 7.55 Wh kg⁻¹) and power density rose significantly (4.54 → 6.82 kW kg⁻¹).
This study demonstrates that betaine is not merely an additive but an active interfacial modulator, simultaneously enhancing charge storage and working voltage. Such a dual-function role establishes betaine-modified electrodes as a promising design principle for next-generation aqueous supercapacitors.
Siddiqui, M., Verma, S., Naushad, M., & Ali, M. (2025). Journal of Molecular Liquids, 128494.
Betaine has recently been explored as a key hydrogen-bond donor in the synthesis of deep eutectic solvents (DESs), particularly when combined with polyethylene glycol (PEG) of varying chain lengths. In this study, betaine-PEG DESs were synthesized by heating mixtures of betaine and PEG (MW 200-600) at 80 °C under constant stirring until homogeneous liquids were obtained. The resulting DESs were stable, biocompatible, and directly applied in subsequent protein interaction experiments.
Spectroscopic analyses (FT-IR, NMR) confirmed extensive hydrogen bonding between betaine and PEG, with stronger interactions observed at higher PEG molecular weights. DES-6 (betaine with PEG 600) displayed the most robust structural organization, exhibiting elevated viscosity and molecular packing density. Protein binding studies with bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA) demonstrated that DES-6 strongly interacted with both proteins while maintaining their native conformations. Circular dichroism revealed improved α-helix retention in BSA, and dynamic light scattering indicated reduced aggregation in DES-6 systems.
Beyond protein stabilization, betaine-PEG DESs exhibited remarkable antioxidant activity. DES-6 achieved an IC₅₀ value of 16 μg/mL in the DPPH radical scavenging assay, surpassing ascorbic acid (IC₅₀ = 19.71 μg/mL). These findings underscore the dual functional potential of betaine in formulating DESs that simultaneously stabilize proteins and provide antioxidant protection, making them promising candidates for pharmaceutical and biotechnological applications.
Karunaithas, Sinthu, et al. Sensors and Actuators B: Chemical (2025): 138742.
Betaine has recently been demonstrated as a critical additive in enhancing the specificity of recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA), a rapid and isothermal nucleic acid amplification method widely applied in point-of-care diagnostics. Conventional RPA is prone to non-specific amplification, which limits its diagnostic reliability. In this study, the incorporation of 8 μL betaine (5 M) into the reaction system effectively eliminated non-specific signals and enabled the establishment of a betaine-assisted multiplex RPA platform.
Experimental procedures involved preparing RPA reactions with rehydration buffer, target-specific primers, nuclease-free water, template DNA, and magnesium acetate, with betaine introduced as a key reaction stabilizer. Both single and multiplex RPA systems were tested, with incubation performed at 39 °C under isothermal conditions. The multiplex system was further integrated with lateral flow assay technology for visual detection.
This optimized approach was validated for the detection and typing of SARS-CoV-2 variants. The betaine-assisted multiplex RPA demonstrated a detection limit as low as 1 fM, with clear visual readout observable to the naked eye. Importantly, clinical evaluation on 120 samples, including negative, alpha, and delta variants, showed 100% concordance with standard RT-qPCR assays.
These findings highlight betaine as a crucial enhancer for multiplex RPA platforms, offering improved specificity and clinical reliability. The methodology holds strong potential for rapid, on-site detection of emerging infectious disease variants, enabling timely surveillance and outbreak management.
What is the molecular formula of Betaine?
The molecular formula of Betaine is C5H11NO2.
What is the melting point of Betaine?
The melting point of Betaine is 310 °C.
What is the odor of Betaine?
Betaine is odorless.
What is the solubility of Betaine in water?
Betaine is soluble in water, with a solubility of 160 g/100 mL.
What is the hazard code for Betaine?
The hazard code for Betaine is Xn.
How is Betaine used in feed additives?
Betaine is used as a feed additive to improve protein metabolism and lipid metabolism in animals.
What role does Betaine play as an active methyl donor in animal bodies?
Betaine acts as a highly active methyl donor in animals, providing methyl groups for various important processes like fat metabolism and protein synthesis.
What method is commonly used to produce Betaine?
Betaine is commonly produced through the extraction method from beet sugar mother liquor or through synthesis by quaternization between chloroacetate and trimethylamine.
What are the uses of Betaine in feed additives?
Betaine is used to protect vitamins in feed, improve feed utilization rates, reduce costs, and promote animal growth and disease resistance.
What is the general description of Betaine in terms of its compatibility with PCR?
Betaine is highly compatible with PCR buffer mixtures and is used as a PCR enhancing reagent to improve the yield and specificity of PCR products.