Solid-phase joining is a technique used to fuse two materials by applying heat and pressure, causing plastic deformation without reaching the melting point. This method is applicable for similar and dissimilar materials, including metals, polymers, and ceramics, without the need for filler material. Among the various methods, Friction Stir Welding (FSW) is preferred for joining dissimilar materials due to its solid-state process, which enhances mechanical properties, metallurgical compatibility, and reduces distortion. FSW is particularly effective for materials with significant differences in melting points. The current project focuses on assessing the strength and mechanical properties of FSW joints between aluminum and polymer-based composites. FSW was selected for its ability to produce fine-grained, strong welds free from fusion-related defects such as porosity and cracks. Applications in sectors like automotive, aerospace, and shipbuilding are explored, with impact, hardness, and tensile tests conducted to evaluate joint performance. This comprehensive study includes literature review, fabrication, testing, and tool design to ensure a thorough understanding of dissimilar joint properties.

This study investigates the fabrication and optimization of Co-Fe-P catalysts on Cu foam using electroless deposition, focusing on their hydrogen generation efficiency. Deposition times were varied from 1 to 10 minutes, resulting in spherical Co-Fe-P particles growing from sub-micron to several microns in size. The optimal hydrogen generation rate of 27.66 ml/min was achieved with a 5-minute deposition. Extending the deposition to 10 minutes led to particle aggregation, reducing the efficiency per unit weight. The impact of bath temperatures from 30°C to 60°C was also assessed, with temperatures of 50°C and above promoting the development of larger 3D structures and increasing Fe and P contents (~9.3 wt.% and 10 wt.%). This enhanced hydrogen generation, peaking again at 27.66 ml/min. NaOH concentrations were varied from 0.5 M to 0.9 M, showing that concentrations over 0.8 M improved catalyst morphology and performance, increasing hydrogen generation to 10.03 ml/min. Among substrates tested, Co-Fe-P on Cu foam demonstrated the highest hydrogen generation rate due to better catalyst distribution and surface area. The study underscores the importance of deposition conditions and substrate choice in optimizing Co-Fe-P catalysts for hydrogen generation.

In this study, we have designed a promising platform based on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to develop paper-based analytical devices (PADs) to immobilize biomolecules for application in biosensors. PADs have become increasingly popular in sensing applications in recent years due to their portability, low cost, simplicity, efficiency, fast detection capability, excellent sensitivity, and selectivity. In addition, MOFs are an excellent choice for developing highly sensitive and selective sensors. Their ability to reversibly and reproducibly adsorb and desorb specific molecules allows using these materials as sensors for various applications. They also offer the possibility to modify their structure and properties, making them highly versatile and adaptable to different environments and sensing needs. In this research, we synthesized and characterized three different amino-functionalized MOFs: UiO66-NH2 (Zr), MIL125-NH2 (Ti), and MIL101-NH2 (Fe). These MOFs were used to fabricate PADs capable of sensitive and portable monitoring of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) enzyme activity by laser-induced fluorescence (LIF). Overall, amino-derivated MOF platforms demonstrate significant potential for integration into biosensor PADs, offering key properties that enhance their performance and applicability in analytical chemistry and diagnostics.

Calcium phosphates and manganese phosphates play a significant role in biomedical and engineering applications, and these compounds are both synergistic. These compounds could have great potential for use in different applications, particularly as precursors of biomaterials. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the effect of the gradual replacement of Ca2+ with Mn2+ on the phase composition and crystal structure of brushite (CaHPO4·2H2O), which could be useful for the production of Mono- and Biphasic Ca1−xMnxHPO4·nH2O Compounds. In order to prepare the starting solutions required for this study, Ca(NO3)2·4H2O, (NH4)2·HPO4, and Mn(NO3)2·4H2O were used at various molar concentrations. Afterwards, the Ca1−xMnxHPO4·nH2O compounds were prepared using dissolution and precipitation methods. These compounds were characterized using XRD, SEM, FT-IR, XPS, and TGA techniques. The findings revealed that Mn substituted Ca partially at low Mn/Ca molar ratios, 0.25, and Mn doping increased the unit cell of CaHPO4·2H2O. The produced biphasic compound was composed of monoclinic CaHPO4·2H2O and nanostructured orthorhombic MnHPO4·(H2O)3 after a continuous increase in the Mn/Ca molar ratio to 1.5. When the Ca/Mn molar ratio was above 1.5, a monophasic compound of the MnHPO4·(H2O)3 phase was formed. The MnHPO4·(H2O)3 compound was successfully prepared for the first time using this dissolution-precipitation method. It was also established that the Mn/Ca ratio of the starting solution can be modified to produce CaHPO4·2H2O and MnHPO4·(H2O)3 phases with specific weight percent compositions.

This work presents the results of optimizing the physicochemical properties of composite briquettes based on microsilica for metallurgical-grade silicon production. Microsilica, a waste product of silicon production, contains a sufficiently high amount of silicon dioxide (96-97%). This fact makes microsilica a promising composite material for metallurgical processing. However, its granulometric composition limits its direct use. The method of briquetting on an industrial briquetting press was used. The influence of the granulometric composition of the composite mixture on the heat tolerance and strength of the finished briquettes was studied. The methods of obtaining and testing the briquettes, their composition, and the briquetting and drying process are described. The obtained briquettes were tested for the smelting of metallurgical silicon. The silicon recovery rate in the metal with the standard charge was 71%, while the recovery rate with the briquetted monocharge was 85%. The results of silicon smelting from the briquettes demonstrated the high quality of the obtained metal, corresponding to the standards of metallurgical-grade silicon. The implementation of these technologies not only improves the quality of the final product but also addresses environmental issues related to the disposal of microsilica, reducing its accumulation and minimizing its impact on the environment.

Alkaline and alkaline-thermal activation were used in an attempt to synthesize zeolites using the sedimented illite fraction of raw Devonian clays from the Kuprava clay pit in Latvia. The Si/Al molar ratio of these clays is 2.79. Thermal and hydrothermal treatments were conducted using 6M and 10M NaOH solutions, along with different curing environments. The treated samples were analyzed using XRD, FTIR, and SEM, and were compared to the raw and calcined illite fraction samples. The main phase that forms after alkaline treatment is hydrosodalite (Na8[AlSiO₄]₆(OH)₂∙2H₂O). Using a higher concentration of NaOH leads to a significant increase in hydrosodalite formation. Increasing the curing temperature from 120°C to 600°C slightly reduces hydrosodalite formation due to the crystallization of the nepheline (Na₃K(Al₄Si₄O₁₆)) phase. This phase forms relatively intensively when the chemically treated samples are cured in a nitrogen environment at 600°C, thereby reducing the formation of hydrosodalite. The characteristic layered-fused structure of clay minerals remains in all chemically treated samples when cured at 600°C in air, but it does not remain when cured at the same temperature in nitrogen. The intensive formation of hydrosodalite is mainly achieved through hydrothermal treatment, along with a primary treatment using 10M NaOH. Considering the calculated size of the crystallites, treatment with 6M NaOH and curing at 120°C can also be seen as beneficial for hydrosodalite formation.

The mechanism of the mechanically assisted mineral carbonation of commercial olivine under flow of CO2/N2 mixture has been elucidated by ex situ powder X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The overall CO2 conversion depends to the rotation frequency of the mill’s engine, and reached 85% within 90 minutes of mechanical treatment, at a flow rate of 2.5 l min-1. By tuning the frequency rotation, the kinetics of CO2 conversion changed from a sigmoid behaviour into a more complex reaction pathway, involving subsequent steps. The structural analyses suggest the clinochlore, a Mg- and Fe- containing aluminosilicate gathered among the components of olivine, is formed and consumed in different stages, thus promoting the CO2 sequestration that eventually results into the formation of hydrated and anhydrous Mg-based carbonates.

Cyclic voltammetry can be applied as the reliable method for the determination of chloride ions in a range from several to couple hundred ppm. Since the standard potential of chloride ion/gaseous chlorine is 1.36 V vs NHE the efficient oxidation of Cl- ion occurs at very positive electrode potentials, usually higher than + 1.7 V vs NHE electrode. It is possible to observe this phenomenon only at noble-metal or inert carbon electrodes. Many other solutes, usually organic compounds, are often oxidized at this potential. This is the reason why determination of Cl- content directly from increase of the oxidation current is not reliable and can lead to overestimated values. However, gaseous chlorine, generated at positive potential dissolves in the analyzed solution and can be reduced in the reverse scan of cyclic voltammetric curve. Optimization of the experimental procedure using the statistical tools allowed for the development of the improved method for the direct quantification of chloride ions in acid copper electroplating baths. Under the proposed experimental conditions, the calibration curve (Cl2 voltammetric reduction current vs. chloride ions concentration) is represented by the linear model for the concentration of chlorides ranging from 10 to 200 mg/dm3.

Side-chain liquid crystal polymers have been mixed with ferromagnetic particles, and the for-mation of a monodomain in magnetic fields studied. At relatively low concentrations, the presence of ferroparticles substantially speeds up the rate of formation of a monodomain with the magnetic field and at a given concentration of ferrofluid that rate is independent of the magnetic field strength. In this way, rapid formation of a monodomain is possible at magnetic field strengths far lower than required for the liquid crystal polymer alone. This is anticipated to very helpful in the fabrication of devices based on monodomain liquid crystal elastomers. Wide angle x-ray scattering has been used to monitor the formation of the monodomain and small angle x-ray scattering can give some indication of the ferroparticle behaviour. A model is developed to explain the behaviour. The alignment properties of the ferroparticles is related to their ability to form chains under the influence of very low magnetic fields; these chains are of relatively low stability and may become disrupted after long times, high magnetic fields, or high concentrations. In general, the best results for alignment were at volume fractions below 1%, and under these con-ditions there is the potential for producing monodomain samples with improved properties; in particular shape changes with temperature are significantly larger as a result of improved backbone orientation. Experiments involving monodomain formation and director realignment suggest that the presence of ferroparticles results in a modification in the mechanism for alignment development driven by the organisation of the polymer backbone as a consequence of the con-straints offered by the morphology of the chains of ferroparticles.

Bacterial infection poses a serious threat to human life due to its rapidly growing resistance to antibacterial drugs, which is a significant public health issue. This study was focused on the design and synthesis of a new series of 25 analogues bearing 5-cyano-6-oxo-4-substituted phenyl-1,6-dihydropyrimidine scaffold hybridized with different substituted benzene-sulfonamides through thioacetamide linker M1-25 via the treatment of the key intermediates 2-mercapto-6-oxo-4-phenyl-1,6-dihydropyrimidine-5-carbonitriles 1a-c with different 2-chloro-N-substituted benzene-sulfonamide derivatives 4a-e overnight at room temperature. The spectroscopic data of all the new compounds (IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and Mass) was studied in detail to confirm their molecular structures. The antimicrobial activity of the new molecules was studied against various Gram-positive, Gram-negative, and fungal strains. All the tested compounds showed promising broad spectrum antimicrobial efficacy, especially against K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa, with ZOI values ranging from 15 to 30 mm. Furthermore, the most promising compounds M6, M19,M 20, and M25 were subjected to minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) assays. In addition, the anti-virulence activity of the compounds was also examined using multiple biofilm assays. The new compounds revealed promising suppressing activity of microbial biofilm formation in the examined K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa microbial isolates. Additional in silico ADMET studies were conducted to represent their oral bioavailability, drug-likeness characteristics, and human toxicity risks. The obtained data suggest the newly prepared pyrimidine-benzene-sulfonamide derivatives may serve as model compounds amenable for further optimization and development of new antimicrobial and antisepsis candidates.

Current paper is aiming to show the obtained results in manufacturing and characterization of graphite-based and metal composite materials suitable to be used in high voltage applications of automotive and/or aviation field. Thus, 4 types of materials have been processed and tested in order to assess their suitability to be used as current collector material for electric engines. The novelty of this work is the presentation of the new innovative technological process for obtaining the carbon/metal composite material used in the manufacture of sliding contacts for current collector heads, as well as the characteristics obtained for this material. All 4 obtained materials have been characterized from structural, mechanical and functional point of view and the most suitable of them has been chosen to be further developed by the end beneficiary.

The reaction of 2-((diphenylmethylene)amino)acetonitrile with (E)-1-phenyl-3-(thiophen-2-yl)prop-2-en-1-one was performed by using 33% NaOH in CH3CN for 30 min at 0°C. The main product - rel-(2R,3S)-2-((diphenylmethylene)amino)-5-oxo-5-phenyl-3-(thiophen-2-yl)pentanenitrile was isolated and characterized by IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS).

Recently, polyacetylene (PA) is receiving a renewed scientific attention due to its electrical properties potentially useful for energy applications (e.g., fabrication of electrodes for batteries and supercapacitors) and unique functional characteristics (e.g., flame retardant, oxygen scavenger, EMI-shielding, etc.). This chemical compound can be obtained in form of a polyacetylene-PVOH copolymers simply by chemical dehydration of poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH), which is a very common type of polymer, widely used in packaging and other technological areas. This very inexpensive chemical reaction for the large-scale synthesis of PA/polyvinylenes has been investigated by reacting PVOH with fuming sulfuric acid at room temperature. In this process, PVOH, shaped in form of film, is dipped in fuming sulfuric acid (i.e., H₂SO₄ at 95-97%) and, after complete chemical-dehydration, it has been mechanically removed from the liquid phase by using a nylon sieve. The reduction process leads to a substantial PVOH film conversion to PA as it has been proved by infrared spectroscopy (ATR-mode). Indeed, the ATR spectrum of the reaction product included all characteristic absorption bands of PA. The reaction product has been also characterized by UV-Vis spectroscopy in order to evidence the presence in the structure of conjugated carbon-carbon double bonds of various lengths. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis have been used respectively to investigate the PA solid-state cis-trans isomerization and thermal stability in air and nitrogen, respectively.

The reactions of the angular ligand 4,4’-oxybis(N-(pyridin-3-yl)benzamide (L1) and 1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (1,4-H2NDC) with divalent metal salts yielded three distinct coordination polymers (CPs): {[Zn2(L1)(1,4-NDC)2]MeOH}n, 1, {[Cu(L1)(1,4-NDC)(H2O)]3H2O}n, 2, and {[Cd(L1)(1,4-NDC)]2H2O}n, 3. Complex 1 features a 2-fold interpenetrated 3D framework with the (412.63)-pcu topology, while complex 2 reveals a 1D triple-strained helical chain, and complex 3 displays a 3-fold interpenetrated 3D framework with (66)-dia topology. Additionally, the reactions of the flexible ligand N‚N’-bis(3-methylpyridyl)adipoamide (L2) afforded {[Co4(L2)0.5(1,4-NDC)3(H2O)3(µ3-OH)2]·EtOH·2H2O}n, 4, {[Zn2(L2)(1,4-NDC)2]·2CH3OH}n, 5, and [Cd(L2)(adipic)(H2O)]n (H2adipic = adipic acid), 6, exhibiting a self-catenated 3D framework with the (420.68)-8T32 topology, a 2D layer with the (413·62)-(4,4)IIb topology, and a 2D layer with the (44·62)-sql topology, respectively. The structural diversity observed in complexes 1 - 6 highlights the pivotal influence of the metal center on the degree of entanglement in CPs within mixed-ligand systems. The thermal stability and luminescent properties of complexes 1 - 3, 4, and 6 are also discussed.

Corrugated boards are used for packaging because of their high strength-to-weight ratio, recyclability, and biodegradability. They have an orthotropic sandwich structure with unique characteristics for each direction owing to their flute shape. In this study, the bending behavior was qualitatively analyzed for various variables through an FE-based simulation, and the possibility of an alternative test method for the four-point bending test on a corrugated board was examined through a similarity analysis with the experimental results. The cross-machine direction (CD) bending stiffness through finite element analysis (FEA) simulation was closely related to the thickness of the corrugated board. In AB-flute-double-wall (AB/F-DW), the difference in CD bending stiffness based on the bending direction was approximately 17.2% in the FEA simulation and approximately 10.5% in the experiment. However, the differences in the bending behavior (bending force vs. deflection plot) and bending stiffness based on the phase shift between the two flutes constituting BB-flute-double-wall (BB/F-DW) were insignificant. Overall, the CD bending behavior of the corrugated board was simulated relatively well through FEA simulation. However, it was impossible to simulate the machine-direction (MD) bending behavior through FE-based simulation because of a decrease in convergence and a large error caused by the variability of the contact condition of the modeled test specimen with a non-uniform MD cross-section.

In this contribution, the propylamine-functionalized cellulose (Cell-Pr-NH2) was employed as the catalyst in the three-component reaction between hydroxylamine hydrochloride, various type of aryl/heteroaryl aldehydes, ethyl acetoacetate/ethyl 4-chloroacetoacetate/ or ethyl 3-oxohexanoate. The results of these experiments were the formation of 3,4-disubstituted isoxazol-5(4H)-one heterocycles. The desired five-membered heterocyclic compounds were obtained in good to high yields at room temperature. The investigation of different solvents led us to the conclusion that water is the best solvent to perform the current one-pot, three-component reactions. Attempts to find the optimum catalyst loading clearly showed that 14 mg of Cell-Pr-NH2 seems to be sufficient to carry out the reactions. This method has highlighted some principles of green chemistry including less waste generation, atom economy, use of water as an environmentally friendly solvent, and energy saving. Purification without chromatographic methods, mild reaction conditions, simple work-up, low-cost reaction medium, saving time, and obtainable precursors are other notable features of this one-pot fashion.

Different polyurethanes (PUs) were synthesized with polycarbonate polyols of molecular weights 500, 1000 and 2000 Da. Their self-healing abilities at 20 °C were tested and their structural, thermal, and mechanical properties were analyzed. The PUs made with polycarbonates of molecular weights 500 (YC500) and 1000 Da (YC1000) exhibited self-healing at 20 °C and the self-healing time of YC1000 was the shortest. The high mobility of the short polymeric chains, the absence of crystallinity and the low degree of micro-phase separation favored self-healing at 20 °C in YC500. However, the presence of tack and the existence of allophanate species and urethane-carbonate and urea-carbonate hydrogen bonds disfavored self-healing. Consequently, the self-healing time at 20 °C of YC500 was longer than expected. On the other hand, YC1000 exhibited an “equilibrium” between the urethane-carbonate and urea-carbonate hydrogen bonds and carbonate-carbonate interactions among the soft segments, so a particular structural order was produced which was associated to its fastest self-healing at 20 °C. The PU made with the polycarbonate of molecular weight 2000 Da did not exhibit self-healing at 20 °C because its significant micro-phase separation and the presence of semi-crystalline soft domains.

In this study, Al-Al4C3 compounds were manufactured by mechanical milling followed by heat treatment. To analyze the microstructural evolution, the composites were sintered at 550°C during different sintering times of 2, 4 and 6 hours. The mechanical results suggest that dislocation density and crystallite size primary contribute to hardening before the sintering process, with a minimal contribution from particle dispersion in this condition. The compound exhibited a significant 75% increase in hardness after 2 hours of sintering, primarily attributed to the nucleation and growth of Al4C3 nanorods. The HRTEM analysis, combined with ge-ometric phase analysis (GPA) at and near the Al-Al4C3 interface of the nanorods, revealed strain field distributions primarily associated with partial screw dislocations and the presence of closely spaced dislocation dipoles. These findings are consistent with the microstructural parameters determined from X-ray diffraction pattern analysis using the convolutional multi-ple whole profile (CMWP) method. This analysis showed that the predominant dislocation character is primarily of the screw type, with the dislocation dipoles being closely correlated. Based on these results, it is suggested that samples with a lower weight percentage of rein-forcement and longer sintering times may experience reduced brittleness in Al/Al4C3 compo-sites. Strengthening contributions were calculated using the Langford–Cohen and Taylor equations.

Bacterial cellulose (BC) has emerged as a sustainable biomaterial with diverse industrial applications. This paper examines BC production through a circular economy framework, focusing on organic waste as a primary feedstock. It compares static and agitated cultivation methods for BC production, highlighting their advantages and limitations. Static cultivation using Gluconacetobacter xylinum yields high-quality cellulose films but is constrained by lower yields and longer incubation times. Agitated cultivation accelerates production but may affect fiber uniformity. The paper emphasizes sustainability by exploring organic waste materials such as coffee grounds, tea leaves, and food scraps as cost-effective nitrogen and carbon sources. These materials not only lower production costs but also support circular economy principles by converting waste into valuable products. BC produced from these waste sources retains key properties, making it suitable for applications in the textile and other industries. In addition, BC production can align with vegan principles, provided that all additives and processing methods are free of animal-derived components. The paper discusses BC’s potential to replace synthetic fibers in textiles and reduce environmental impact. Case studies show successful BC integration into textile products. In conclusion, the paper calls for more research to optimize BC production processes and explore new industrial applications. Using organic waste in BC production can help industries adopt sustainable practices, reduce environmental footprints, and create high-value materials.

Pandemic human influenza detections are dependent on complex, time-consuming DNA molecular amplifications that require sophisticated PCR electrophoresis, cell culture amplification and complex spectrophotometric absorption techniques. In this study, simplified rapid electrochemical sensing methods were sought via a remote cyclic voltammetry and stripping amplifier circuit using our workstation systems. A sensing probe was prepared using human DNA and a Covid 19 antigen immobilized antibody sensing amplifier with rapid accumulation time of 30 sec. Optimal experimentation was performed using a telematics WiFi wearable circuit equipped with a bioelectrochemical analyzer-2 amplifier three electrode system. Diagnostic accumulation voltammetry and cyclic redox scanning were attempted at -2.0V~2.0V potential windows and 0.2V/Sec scan rate. Anodic and cathodic real time assay was performed using saliva swab from female patients that tested negative and positive. Diagnostic results are expected to be useful for non-contact analysis and for rapid personal testing anytime, anywhere.

Spider silks, renowned for their exceptional mechanical and biocompatible properties, offer significant potential as scaffolds in tissue engineering. This paper explores the feasibility of using spidroins, the primary proteins in spider silk, to develop scaffolds that closely mimic the extracellular matrix (ECM) essential for tissue regeneration. Spidroins (spider silk proteins) are particularly valuable due to their unique strength, elasticity, and biocompatibility, which support cellular growth and differentiation. The paper examines current methods for producing recombinant spider silk, including using unicellular hosts like E. coli and multicellular systems like transgenic plants and silkworms. It also examines current scaffolds that utilize spidroins and their shortcomings, such as immunogenicity and protein production, which must be urgently addressed for more practical and effective widespread biomedical applications. In addition, it stresses the need for further research to solve these challenges and fully realize the potential of spider silk in biomedical applications.

This mini-review discusses the development and applications of naturally derived bioconjugates from hydroxycinnamic acids, such as coumaric, sinapic, ferulic, and caffeic acids, combined with various biomaterials. These bioconjugates offer a range of benefits including antioxidant properties, UV protection, customized hydrophilic-lipophilic balance, improved safety, solubility, emolliency, biocompatibility, biodegradability, and targeted delivery for biomedical, cosmetic, and food applications. The increasing demand for sustainable and natural products in the biomedical, cosmetic, and food industries has led to the exploration of these hydroxy cinnamic acids and their derivatives. We discuss the synthesis and modification of hydroxy cinnamic acids with biomaterials such as ω-hydroxy fatty acids, castor and lesquerella oils, glycerol, isosorbides, and synthetic polyethylene glycol to form functional phenolipids for biomedical, sunscreen and skincare applications. Techniques such as encapsulation with β-cyclodextrins and modification of biopolymeric supports like polysaccharides and starch are discussed for enhancing bioavailability and solubility. The fine-tuned development of bioconjugates from hydroxycinnamic acids using glycerol to modify the hydrophilic-lipophilic balance, substitution by water-soluble carboxylic acid groups, vegetable oil-based phenolipids, polysaccharides, PEGylation provide enhanced functionalities and offers a promising avenue for creating sustainable and effective products across various applications.

The global oil and gas exploration targets are gradually moving towards a new field of oil and gas accumulation with nano pore throats, ranging from millimeter scale to micro nano pore throats.There are difficulties in fluid transport in nano confined pore throats, such as strong adsorption, which greatly increases the difficulty of starting crude oil.Therefore, it is necessary to construct a nanoscale fluid with strong diffusion and dispersion, and improve its permeability, suction, and displacement capabilities.This article develops a carbon dioxide responsive graphene dot type surfactant.By characterizing its structure, physical and chemical properties, and conducting infiltration simulation experiments, its infiltration and drainage ability in nanopore throats is elucidated.Infrared spectrum measurement shows that after functional modification exhibit new characteristic peaks at 1600 cm-1 to 1300 cm-1, considering the N-H plane stretching characteristic peak.The fluorescence spectra showed that the fluorescence intensity of F-GQDs was increased after functional modification, which indicated that F-GQDs was successfully synthesized.Through measurements of interfacial activity and adhesion work calculations, the oil-water interfacial tension can achieve ultra-low values within the range of 10-2 to 10-3 mN/m. Oil sand cleaning experiments and indoor simulations of spontaneous imbibition in tight cores demonstrate that F-GQDs exhibit effective oil washing capabilities and a strong response to carbon dioxide. When combined with carbon dioxide, the system enhances both the rate and efficiency of oil washing.Imbibition recovery can reach more than 50%.The research results provide a certain theoretical basis and data reference for the efficient development of tight reservoirs.

Whole grain consumption in the US has increased due to the introduction of whole grains initially in breakfast cereals and then in snacks. Most people consider fiber as the health benefit of eating whole grains since it inhibits the absorption of fats and sugar in the GI tract. Polyphenols, the major antioxidants in the US diet, are primarily covalently bound to the fiber matrix of grains that are broken during digestion. Human biomarkers have been found after cereal grain consumption, thus proving bioavailabilty of polyphenols. Savory snacks (n=32) studied included potato chips, tortilla chips, pretzels and crackers. The snacks contained as the first ingredient enriched wheat, whole wheat, corn, potatoes, and beans. We have used both a Folin and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) colorimetric method with catechin as the standard for the commercial snack assays. Total polyphenols were analyzed after basic hydrolysis. Maximum bio-accessible polyphenols were measured after sample hydrolysis simulating in vivo digestion. FRAP measurements were done on the same samples. FRAP total antioxidant capacity values were significantly higher than Folin total polyphenols but followed the same trends and were highly correlated. Digestion significantly decreased both polyphenols and antioxidant capacity. Whole grain snacks, defined as having > 50% whole grains, had significantly more polyphenols (7 times) than enriched grain snacks. Savory snack Folin polyphenols after in vitro digestion averaged 64% of the total polyphenol value. This indicates polyphenol bio-accessibility might be favorable after snack consumption. Using published data and this work, the order of total polyphenols in all snacks is nuts >> dried fruits > popcorn > pretzels > tortilla chips > crackers > potato chips. Potato chips are the most consumed snack but are lowest in polyphenols antioxidants.

Synthesis and structural analysis of (Me3SiC5H4)TiCl2(OAr) [OAr = O-2,6-iPr2-4-RC6H2; R = H, SiEt3] that exhibit higher catalytic activities than (tBuC5H4)TiCl2(OAr), Cp*TiCl2(OAr) with efficient comonomer incorporation in the ethylene/styrene copolymerization in the presence of methylaluminoxane (MAO) cocatalyst. The catalytic activity in the copolymerization increased upon increasing the styrene concentration charged along with increase in the styrene content in the copolymers, whereas the activities by other catalysts showed the opposite trend. (Me3SiC5H4)TiCl2(O-2,6-iPr2C6H3) displayed the most suitable catalyst performance in terms of the activity and the styrene incorporation to afford the amorphous copolymers with styrene contents higher than 50 mol% (up to 63.6 mol%) with random styrene incorporation confirmed by 13C-NMR spectra.

The alarming rise of antibiotic resistance has made it imperative to find novel antimicrobial medications. This study reports the design and synthesis of new molecules based on benzofuran-pyrazole scaffolds hybridized with various N/O heterocycles using the molecular hybridization process. The newly synthesized candidates were confirmed using micro-analytical and spectral analyses, and their antimicrobial characteristics were assessed against different bacterial and fungal isolates in comparison with novobiocin and clotrimazole as antibacterial and antifungal standards, respectively. In addition, the new compounds were further evaluated as in vitro antioxidants and anti-inflammatory congeners. The most promising broad spectrum antimicrobial compounds 9, 10 with values ranging from 2.50-20.60 μg/mL were further examined as E. coli DNA gyrase B enzyme suppressors using novobiocin as a reference drug. In silico computational studies revealed that compound 9 produced a good fit in the active site of E. coli DNA gyrase B in comparison to novobiocin. Additionally, the drug similarity and ADMET parameters of compound 9 were examined in conjunction with the antibiotic ciprofloxacin, making it a potential candidate for further development as a promising antimicrobial agent.

Wide-bandgap tin oxide (SnO₂) thin-films are frequently used as an electron-transporting layers in perovskite solar cells due to superior thermal and environmental stabilities. However, its crystallization by conventional thermal methods requires typical temperatures between 300 and 900 ◦C [1] with up-to 60 min crystallization times. These post-processing conditions severely limit the choice of substrates and reduce the large-scale manufacturing capabilities. This work describes the intense pulsed light-induced crystallization of SnO₂ thin films using only 500 μs of exposure time. Thin-film properties are investigated using both impedance spectroscopy and photoconductivity characteristic measurements. Nyquist plot analysis establishes that the process parameters have a significant impact on the electronic and ionic behaviors of the SnO2 films. Most importantly, we demonstrate that light-induced crystallization yields improved topography and excellent electrical properties through enhanced charge transfer, improved interfacial morphology and better ohmic contacts compared to thermally-annealed SnO₂ films.

Steel surface protection with hard coatings is essential in the metalworking industry, yet developing high-performance hard coatings still remains a challenge. Quaternary nitride coatings, particularly TiAlSiN, have been extensively studied, but commercial TiAlSiN coatings vary widely, and there is a lack of consistent data. This study presents findings on the development and evaluation of TiAlSiN and TiAlSiN/TiN thin films, with an 800 nm thick TiAlSiN top coating and a 100 nm thick TiN mid-coating. The films were deposited on C120 tool steel discs via reactive DC magnetron sputtering. Ti and TiAlSi 75–20–5 (at.%) disc-shaped targets (50.8 mm diameter × 6.3 mm thickness), fabricated by our team through spark plasma sintering, were used for the sputtering process. Coatings were grown on smooth steel substrates heated to 300 °C, resulting in a uniform micro-structure with nanoparticles of globular (TiN) or pyramidal shape (TiAlSiN), as evidenced by SEM analysis. Nanoindentation tests showed superior mechanical properties for all coatings compared to the steel substrate. Micro-scratch tests indicated better scratch resistance for TiAlSiN/TiN bilayer (BL) coatings than for TiAlSiN single-layer (SL) coatings. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests in a 3.5 wt.% NaCl solution revealed that the BL coatings demonstrated superior corrosion resistance compared to the SL coatings, even after thermal aging at 800 °C for 1 hour. The superior properties of the synthesized TiAlSiN/TiN films recommend them as protective coatings for tool steel surfaces.

Planar catechin (PCat), a natural antioxidant with a fixed 3D catechin structure on a plane, exhibits radical-scavenging activity approximately five times stronger than the conventional catechin. We synthesized a compound, PCat–TrOH, by binding Trolox (TrOH), an α-tocopherol analog, to PCat to enhance its antioxidant effect against oxidative stress, such as lipid peroxidation. TrOH shows radical-scavenging activity about 6.5 times greater than PCat, and PCat–TrOH exhibited a similar level of radical-scavenging activity to TrOH. Additionally, PCat–TrOH demonstrated twice the radical-scavenging activity against reactive oxygen species compared to PCat or TrOH. This compound is also expected to exhibit an excellent antioxidant effect against lipid peroxidation caused by radical chain reactions, through interactions with vitamin C, similar to that in the case of α-tocopherol.

The color match between natural teeth and restorative materials is critical in dentistry for achieving aesthetic outcomes. Various factors such as light source, brightness, opacity, and visual perception influence teeth color. The intrinsic color of dental structures is determined by light absorption and scattering within the tooth material. Recent advancements in CAD/CAM systems have improved treatment approaches in prosthodontics, particularly with the introduction of new temporary materials. However, data on the color stability and masking ability of these CAD/CAM materials is limited. Telio® CAD-Temp and VITA CAD-Temp® blocks were cut into slices and polished. Composite resin specimens were prepared using a custom-designed metal resin former and light-cured. A healthy bovine incisor was used to create another type of base. Samples were paired randomly and assigned to experimental groups based on base type and thickness (n=30). Samples were stored in a controlled environment for 24 hours before color evaluation using an EasyShade® V spectrophotometer. Color difference (ΔE) was calculated using L*, a*, and b* values. Statistical analyses included Shapiro-Wilk test, Levene’s test, and three-way ANOVA, with post-hoc comparisons using the Bonferroni method (α=0.05). ΔE was classified according to perceptibility (PT=1.2) and acceptability (AT=2.7) values.

Until now, crystalline NiCo2S4 and its composites have demonstrated improve performances in supercapacitor applications, compared to their oxide analogous, due to their relatively higher electrical conductivity, and multifaceted redox reaction. However, amorphous phase materials have recently shown promise in electrochemical energy storage systems. In this work, urea-assisted amorphous NiCo2S4 on nickel foam (referred to as aNCS) with high nitrogen atom% content, was obtained via hydrothermal method. In comparison to the crystalline NiCo2S4 (referred to as cNCS), aNCS exhibited superior electrochemical performance with specific capacitance of ~3506 F g-1 which is higher than cNCS specific capacitance of ~2185 F g-1 at 2 A g-1. Additionally, aNCS in two-electrode asymmetry supercapacitor exhibited specific capacitance and energy density of ~196 F g-1 and 56 Wh kg-1, respectively.

Deep Eutectic Solvents (DESs) show promising abilities for the delamination of multilayer packaging films that are used in food packaging and in pharmaceutical blister packs. Due to the complexity of their structure, the recycling of these materials is a challenging task, leading to the easiest or cheapest option, landfilling. Towards the development of ‘green’ solvents for the efficient waste management and recycling, the conducted research focuses on the preparation of a range of hydrophobic and hydrophilic DES based on carboxylic acids. Also, their chemical and physical characterization, such as DSC, rheometer and density measurements, was followed for the determination of their properties. The laminate packaging waste products that were tested were Al/PE, PE/Al/PET, Al/PE/paper and PVC/PE/Al. Different batches of solvent systems were tested based on various naturally derived aliphatic and aromatic organic compounds as well as amino acids. The separated films were collected and studied further for the examination of the delamination extend. Results showed full or partial delamination of some materials as well as challenges of solvent systems. Variables such as temperature, agitation rate, mixing time and solvents ratios were monitored and collected during the design of experimental process. The results showed that the used DESs can offer an efficient, low-energy, affordable and green option for the delamination tested packaging materials.

This study presents an innovative method for producing thermosensitive bio-ink from chitosan hydrogels saturated with carbon dioxide and agarose. It focuses on a detailed characterization of their physicochemical properties and potential applications in biomedicine and tissue engineering. The ORO test approved rapid regeneration of the three-dimensional structure of chitosan-agarose composites in the unidirectional bench press simulation test. The diffusion of dyes through chitosan-agarose hydrogel membranes strongly depended on the share of both polymers in the composite and the molecular weight of the dyes. Glucose, as a nutrient marker, also diffused through all membranes regardless of composition. Biocompatibility assessment using MTT tests on 46BR.1N fibroblasts and HaCaT keratinocytes confirmed the safety of the bioink. The regenerative potential of the bioink was confirmed by efficient cell migration, especially HaCaT. Long-term viability studies showed that chitosan-agarose scaffolds, unlike the agarose ones, support cell proliferation and survival, especially 14 days after bioink extrusion. Experiments in a skin wound model in mice confirmed the biocompatibility of tested dressing and the beneficial action of chitosan on healing. Studies on vessel formation in chicken embryos highlight the potential of the chitosan-agarose composition for enhancing proangiogenic effects. This composition meets all entry criteria and possesses excellent biological properties.

Nickel electrodeposition is a widely utilized method for creating thin films on various substrates with various desirable attributes. Recently, there has been a growing interest in developing nickel composite coatings that incorporate additional elements or particles into the nickel matrix to enhance their properties. These composite coatings offer superior wear resistance, corrosion resistance, hardness, and other functional benefits compared to pure nickel coatings. Some of the recent advancements in electrodeposited nickel composite coatings include improved wear resistance, enhanced mechanical properties and better corrosion resistance. Researchers have discovered that adding Al, Si, Zr, C, W, and Ti particles to nickel coatings can significantly enhance wear resistance. The uniform distribution of these particles within the nickel matrix acts as a barrier to wear and tear. Studies have also shown that nickel composite coatings with Al, Si, Zr, C, W, and Ti particles exhibit superior mechanical properties, including increased hardness. These particles refine the grain size of the nickel matrix and hinder defect movement, leading to greater mechanical strength. Moreover, nickel composite coatings offer improved protection against corrosion compared to pure nickel coatings. This review provides a detail discussion of nickel composite coatings with regard to their comparative advantaged compared to pure nickel coatings on different substrates.

In this work, we studied light-output properties, efficiency function as well as PSD capability of p-Terphenyl scintillator. The selected solid cylindrical scintillation detector has a size of (45 x 45) mm with PSD properties. Recently presented studies of light-output functions have been meas-ured only for low neutron energies. Our motivation has been to determine more accurate the light output function for p-Terphenyl scintillator over a wider neutron energy range. The measurements have been carried out with mono-energetic neutron beams in the wide energy range from 2.5 to 19 MeV. The neutron-gamma spectrometric system, which we developed has been used for the measurement. The input analogue signal from the detector is digitized with fast 12-bits analogue to digital converter with sampling frequency of 1 GHz. Measured data from the detector are processed into gamma and neutron spectra. The light output function for protons has been determined by finding the position of the protons for given neutron energies. The more accurate light output function for p-Therphenyl scintillator has been calculated. The pulse-shape discrimination capability as well as efficiency of p-Terphenyl scintillator in comparison with NE-213 equivalent detector is lower.

K-band radar waves have high penetration and low attenuation coefficients. However, the wavelength of this radar wave is relatively short; thus, designing and preparing both broadband and wide-angle radar wave absorbers in this band presents considerable challenges. In this study, a resin-based K-band radar wave absorber with a biomimetic lotus leaf structure was designed and formed by UV curing. Here, microscale lotus leaf papillae and antireflection structures were prepared using a DLP 3D printer, and the contact angle between the material and water droplets was increased from 56° to 130°. In addition, the influence of the geometric parameters of the lotus leaf antireflection structure on the electromagnetic absorption performance and mechanical strength was investigated. After simulation optimization, the maximum electromagnetic loss of the lotus leaf structure 3D printed sample was −32.3 dB, and the electromagnetic loss was below −10 dB in the 20.8–26.5 GHz frequency range. When the radar incidence angle was 60°, the maximum electromagnetic loss was still less than −10 dB. The designed lotus leaf structure has a higher mechanical energy absorption per unit volume (337.22 KJ/m3) and per unit mass (0.55 KJ/Kg) than commonly used honeycomb lightweight structures during the elastic deformation stage, and we expect that the designed structure can be used as an effective lightweight material for K-band radar stealth.

Biomaterials have been the subject of extensive research, with their applications in medicine and pharmacy expanding rapidly. Collagen and its derivatives stand out as valuable biomaterials due to their high biocompatibility, biodegradability, and lack of toxicity and immunogenicity. This review comprehensively examines collagen from various sources, its extraction and processing methods, and its structural and functional properties. Preserving the native state of collagen is crucial for maintaining its beneficial characteristics. The challenges associated with chemically modifying collagen to tailor its properties for specific clinical needs are also addressed. The review discusses various collagen-based biomaterials, including solutions, hydrogels, powders, sponges, scaffolds, and thin films. These materials have broad applications in regenerative medicine, tissue engineering, drug delivery, and wound healing. Additionally, the review highlights current research trends related to collagen and its derivatives. These trends may significantly influence future developments, such as using collagen-based bioinks for 3D bioprinting or exploring new collagen nanoparticle preparation methods and drug delivery systems.

Recent advancements in nanotechnology have led to the development of multifunctional iron oxide nanoparticles, presenting new opportunities in cancer therapy. This study aimed to synthesize and evaluate citric acid-coated/ folic acid conjugated nanoparticles loaded with doxorubi-cin and investigate their efficacy in experimental tumor models. For synthesis, controlled co-precipitation method was employed to produce highly dispersive, multifunctional nanofluids with a narrow size distribution of iron oxide nanoparticles. Nanoparticles were characterized using Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) and Electrophoretic Light Scattering (ELS) for size distribution and zeta potential, X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) for structure and morphology, Vibrating Sample Magnetometry (VSM) for magnetic properties, and UV-Visible (UV-Vis) and Fourier-Transform Infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopy for modification confirmation. In vitro experiments employed RM1 (prostate cancer) and MEC1 (Chronic lymphocytic leukemia) cell lines to assess cytotoxicity and drug delivery efficiency. Fluorescence microscopy confirmed the intracellular delivery of doxorubicin by these nanoparticles, highlighting their potential for targeted therapy. As a result, nanoparticles conjugated with folic acid showed reduced efficacy over time. This study underscores the critical role of nanoparticle modifications in optimizing therapeutic outcomes. Future research should focus on further refining nanoparticle formulations and long-term effects in vivo, for development of effective and safe agents for targeted cancer treatment.

Chronic wounds remain trapped in a pro-inflammatory state, with strategies targeted at inducing re-epithelialization and the proliferative phase of healing desirable. A member of the lectin family, galectin-3 is implicated in regulation of macrophage phenotype and epithelial migration. We investigated if local delivery of galectin-3 enhanced skin healing in a full thickness excisional C57BL/6 mouse model. An electrospun gelatin scaffold loaded with galectin-3 was developed and compared to topical delivery of galectin-3. Electrospun gelatin/galectin-3 scaffolds had an average fiber diameter of 200 nm, with 83% scaffold porosity approximately and am average pore diameter of 1.15 μm. The developed scaffolds supported dermal fibroblasts adhesion, matrix deposition and proliferation in vitro. In vivo treatment of 6 mm full thickness excisional wounds with gelatin/galectin-3 scaffolds did not influence wound closure, re-epithelialization or macrophage phenotypes, but increased collagen synthesis. In comparison, topical delivery of galectin-3 [6.7 µg/ml] significantly increased arginase-I cell density at day 7 versus untreated and gelatin/galectin-3 scaffolds (p<0.05). Preliminary assessment of increasing the concentration of topical galectin-3 demonstrated that at day 7, galectin-3 [12.5 µg/ml] significantly increased both epithelial migration and collagen content in a concentration dependent manner. In conclusion, local delivery of galectin 3 shows potential efficacy in modulating skin healing in a concentration dependent manner.

Photocatalysis is a promising method for methylene blue (MB) degradation due to its effectiveness and environmental compatibility. Among photocatalysts, titanium dioxide (TiO2) has been widely used for MB degradation due to its exceptional photocatalytic activity. However, the wide bandgap limits the degradation efficiency of TiO2 under visible light. Herein, an interstitial nitrogen-doped TiO2 (5%NT/TiO2) used thiourea as the N source is fabricated for the visible light-derived MB degradation. 5%NT/TiO2 exhibits an extended visible light absorption range. Besides, photoelectrochemical measurement shows an improvement in photocurrent response and charge transfer behavior on N/TiO2. Thus, 5%NT/TiO2 has enhanced photocatalytic activity compared to pristine TiO2 and substitutive N-doped TiO2 (5%NAB/TiO2). The accelerated photocatalytic MB degradation process on N/TiO2 should be mainly attributed to the interstitial N doping, which causes the appearance of new energy states and extended optical properties.

In order to study the corrosion resistance of 904L composite plate pressure vessel under high temperature and high pressure gas field environment, the pitting corrosion and stress corrosion cracking resistance of 904L composite plate body and weld material were compared with those of 2205 composite plate and 825 composite plate, which have been used in high temperature and high pressure gas field environment. The results showed that the pitting resistance of 904L composite plate was lower than that of 825 composite plate and higher than that of 2205 solid solution pure material plate and 2205 composite plate. The corrosion resistance of welds on 904L composite plate with different materials was very different. The corrosion rate of 904L composite plate body, welding seam and surfacing welding were all slight corrosion, and the sensitivity of chloride stress corrosion cracking was low in the simulation of the corrosion environment of high temperature and high pressure gas field. 904L composite plate met the requirements of corrosion resistance of pressure vessel material in high temperature and high pressure gas field environment.

7046 aluminum alloy has good fatigue property, corrosion resistance and weld property, but the moderate strength and plasticity limit its wider application and development. In the present study, severe plastic deformation (SPD) was applied prior to T6 treatment to significantly strengthen and toughen the 7046 aluminum alloy. Results indicate that the alloy processed by 4 passes of equal channel angular pressing (ECAP) at 300 ℃ prior to T6 treatment exhibits an excellent mechanical performance, with ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and elongation (EL) of 485 MPa and 19%, exhibiting an improvement of 18.6% and 375% compared to that of the T6 alloy, respectively. The mechanical properties of the alloy are further improved by the additional room temperature (RT) rolling process, with UTS of 508 MPa and EL of 23.4%. There are more precipitates of η' and Al6Mn phases in the 300℃4P-R80%-T6 and 300°C4P-T6 alloys, which contribute to the strengthening and toughening enhancement by SPD processed T6 alloy. The results of this work may shed some light on enhancing 7046 aluminum alloy.

Powders with phase composition including syngenite K2Ca(SO4)2·H2O and/or calcium sulfate di-hydrate (gypsum) CaSO4·2H2O were synthesized from powder of calcium carbonate CaCO3 and water solutions of potassium hydrosulfate KHSO4 of various (0.5M, 1M and 2M) concentrations. Molar ratio of starting salt KHSO4/CaCO3=2 were used to provide formation of syngenite K2Ca(SO4)2·H2O. But when using 0.5M water solution of potassium hydrosulfate KHSO4 the phase composition of synthesized powder was presented by calcium sulfate dihydrate (gypsum) CaSO4·2H2O. When using 1M and 2M water solution of potassium hydrosulfate KHSO4 the syn-genite K2Ca(SO4)2·H2O was found as predominant phase in synthesized powders. According es-timations made from thermal analysis data when 1.0M and 2.0M water solutions of potassium hydrosulfate KHSO4 were used the content of calcium sulfate dihydrate (gypsum) CaSO4·2H2O in these powders were not higher then as 7.9 and 1.9 % respectively. Phase composition of products isolated from mother liquors via water evaporation consisted of syngenite K2Ca(SO4)2·H2O and potassium sulfate (arcanite) K2SO4. Synthesized powders can be used in preparation of biocom-patible bioresorbable materials with phase composition in the K2O‑CaO‑SO3‑H2O system; as matrix of thermo- or photo-luminescent materials; as components reducing the setting time and increasing strength of sulfate cements; in the fertilizing industry and also as a components of Martian regolith simulant.

Analytical methodologies were developed based on the near infrared spectroscopy (NIR) associated with chemometric tools to predict the content of macronutrients (total carbohydrate, total protein, and total lipids) in medical food. We prepared the samples employed in this study according to a mixture design with percentual variations from 25% to +25% of macronutrients. Partial least squares (PLS) regression models were built with 70 and 30 samples as calibration and validation sets, respectively. We chose the best processing techniques and results based on the parameters of the ASTM 1655 standard. The models were used to determine these macronutrients in marketed enteral nutrition products, of three different batches, that have quality certification. The average errors in the determination of total carbohydrate, total protein, and total lipids were 1.8, 4.3, and 2.3 %, respectively. The percentages of errors found in this study suggest that the developed model may be useful for the quality control laboratory routine.

This study addresses the global issue of recycling used vehicle rubbish tires, typically burned out or trimmed to be reused in playground floors or road banks. In this study we explore a novel environmentally responsive approach or decomposing and recovering the carbon black particles contained in tires (25-30 wt.%) by vacuum pyrolysis. Given that carbon black is well known for its UV protection in plastics, the objective of this research is to provide an ecological alternative to commercial carbon black of fossil origin by recycling the carbon black (rCB) from used tires. In our research, we create a composite material using rCB and high density polyethylene (HDPE). In this article we present the environmental aging studies carried out to this composite material. The topographic evolution of the samples with aging and the oxidation kinetic of the surface and through the thickness were studied. A Beer-Lambert law is used to relate the oxidative index to the characteristic depth of the samples. This work helps to demonstrate the feasibility of using recycled carbon black particles from waste tires as a filler for UV protection.

In recent years, due to the detrimental impact of traditional gas-liquid refrigerants on the environment, the pursuit of solid-state refrigeration technology based on elastocaloric effect, as a promising sustainable alternative, has been promoted. However, the traditional trial-and-error method is inefficient and difficult to meet the material application requirements. In this work, machine learning (ML) was employed to accelerate the development of NiTi-based shape memory alloy (SMA) with excellent elastocaloric effect. By means of active learning, we identified 9 novel NiTi-based SMAs in four iterations, the phase transformation-induced entropy change (ΔS) of which are as high as over 90 J/kg·K-1. Moreover, the model exhibits good interpretability, allowing us to understand the relevance between the target and features from the aspect of mechanism.

Abstract: Conventional antibiotic and multidrug treatments become less and less effective and a discovery of new effective and safe antibacterial agents got a global priority. The returning to the natural antibacterial product is relatively new current trend. Terrestrial biota is a rich source of biologically active substances whose antibacterial potential was not fully utilized. Aim of this review is to present the current state-of-the art of terrestrial biota-derived antibacterial agents and inspired by nature treatments. It is a summary of the most important sources and new identified or modified antibacterial agents and treatments during the last 5 years. It focuses on the significance of plants- animals- and bacteria-derived biologically active agents as powerful alternatives to antibiotics as well as on the advantages of utilizing natural antibacterial molecules alone or in combinations with antibiotics. The main conclusion is that the terrestrial biota derived antibacterial products and substances open variety of new ways to modern improved therapeutic strategies. New terrestrial sources of known antibacterial agents and new antibacterial agents from terrestrial biota were discovered during the last 5 years, which are under investigation together with some long ago known but now surviving their renaissance for the development of new medical treatments. Use of natural antibacterial peptides as well as combinational therapy by commercial antibiotics and natural products outlines as the most promising for treating of bacterial infections. In vivo testing and clinical trials are necessary to reach clinical application.

In the presented work, on the example of thin-walled specimens made by selective laser melting technology from AlSi10Mg subjected to preliminary heat treatment, it is shown that there is a critical point of transition from the elastic-plastic region of the engineering stress-strain diagram to the yield and fracture stresses. It was found that the critical point has a strong statistically significant correlation (0.83 by Spearman and 0.93 by Pearson) with the strain hardening coeffi-cient calculated in the section from yield strength to fracture strength. A regression equation linking the critical transition point to the strain hardening coefficient was obtained. It is shown that with increasing plasticity of thin-walled samples obtained by selective laser melting of AlSi10Mg leads to a change in the type of stress distribution in the elastic-plastic region (the Weibull distribution changes to a normal distribution) and the contribution of the probability density of stress distribution described by the Cauchy distribution with a mode near the fracture stress to the full probability density of fracture increases.

The purpose of this scoping review was to identify gaps in the literature and summarize findings from studies examining the use of silicon-, silica-, and silicate-based toothpastes for the remineralization and repair of mineralized tooth tissues. A 10-year literature search was conducted using PubMed and Scopus, adhering to PRISMA 2020 guidelines. A total of 331 studies were initially identified, with 56 full-text review articles. After selecting the manuscripts, 27 studies were qualitatively analyzed by four reviewers, focusing on the results of both in vivo and in vitro methods. The findings suggest that toothpastes containing silicon, silica, and silicate demonstrate promising results for remineralization and enamel repair, with evidence of mineral layer formation and/or deep enamel surface remineralization under various conditions. Additionally, the use of these toothpastes can lead to the obliteration of dentinal tubules within a few days. The results collectively support the efficacy of these toothpastes in enamel repair. Most of the clinical studies focused on dentine hypersensitivity, followed by white spot lesions. In conclusion, silicon-, silica-, and silicate-based toothpastes (bioactive-Si-toothpastes) can be considered effective based mostly on laboratory studies. There remains a need for more in vivo research studies on enamel and dentin mineral repair. Existing studies provide strong evidence that these technologies can reduce dentin hypersensitivity and promote enamel-dentin repair.

Diabetes is a major health concern that the next-generation of on-demand insulin releasing implants may overcome for personalized therapy. Therein, 3D-printed phenylboronic acid-containing subcutaneous implants with on-demand glucose-triggered drug release abilities are produced using high resolution stereolithography technology. To that end, the methacrylation of phenylboronic acid is targeted following a two-step reaction. The resulting photocurable phenylboronic acid derivative is accordingly incorporated within bioinert polyhydroxyethyl methacrylate-based hydrogels at varying loadings. The end result are sub-centimeter scaled 3D-printed bionert implants that can be remotely activated with 1,2-diols and 1,3-diols such as glucose for on-demand drug administration such as insulin. As a proof of concept, varying glucose concentration from hypoglycemia to hyperglycemia levels readily allow the release of pinacol, i.e. a model molecule with similar release properties than insulin, at respectively low and high rates. In addition, the results demonstrated that adjusting the geometry and size of the 3D-printed part is a simple and suitable method for tailoring the release behavior and dosage.

DSSC devices are among the most widely studied thin-film solar cells because of their cost-effectiveness, low toxicity, and simple fabrication method. However, there is still much scope for replacing current DSSC materials due to their high cost, low volume, and lack of long-term stability. Accordingly, ITO-nanorod films were fabricated by E-beam evaporation using the glancing angle deposition method in this study. Then, the ITO-nanorod was treated by oxygen plasma via a bias-magnetron RF sputtering process to improve the efficiency of DSSC under a varying gas flow rate of 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100 sccm. The FE-SEM investigation of the ITO film structure revealed that the obtained nanorod structures have slightly different diameters. At the same time, an increase in the oxygen flow rate resulted in a rougher film surface structure. In this, the lower sheet resistance was received because of rougher morphology. When comparing the DSSC efficiency test results, we found that at a gas flow rate of 100 sccm, the highest efficiency value showed by 9.5%. On the other hand, the ITO-nanorod without plasma treatment exhibited the lowest efficiency. Hence, plasma technology can be practically applied to improve the efficiency of DSSC devices. This study will be a prototype of a highly advanced solar cell manufacturing method for the solar cell industry.

Recent trends concerning hydrogen as a fuel of the future and problems related to its production, storage and utilization increase the demand for efficient technologies related to these problems. A large part of such technologies is related to application of advanced materials based on various complex oxides which are used as efficient catalysts for fuel transformation into hydrogen and syngas, materials for membranes with selective permeability for hydrogen and syngas production, components of solid oxide fuel cells/electrolyzers as well as many other applications in energy, electrochemistry and catalysis. Such materials are typically based on oxides and solid solutions with perovskite and fluorite structures or their derivatives. Attention is also paid to the materials based on spinel, apatite, mayenite, sheelite, fergusonite structures. The above-mentioned materials are continuously studied in order to modify and optimize their functional properties. On the other hand, other classes of materials (weberites, monazites, etc.) are recently discovered and considered as candidate materials for the aforementioned applications due to their specific functional properties or a great potential of their improvement. In this review, some of these materials are considered.

Mesoporous MgAl2O4+ LnFe0.7Ni0.3O3 (Ln=La, Pr) nanocomposites were prepared by inexpensive one-pot procedure with Pluronic P123 copolymer, Ni+Ru active component was supported by wet impregnation. The real structure of samples was studied by XRD and TEM with EDX, surface properties by FTIRS of adsorbed CO, reactivity by H2 –TPR, catalytic activity was tested in ethanol steam reforming. Disordering of the real structure of nanocomposite supports due to incorporation of transition metal cations into MgAl2O4 results in developed metal-support interface and domination of single surface metal centers. This provides a high catalytic activity in reaction of ethanol steam reforming in the intermediate temperature range ~550 oC close to that of the best known catalysts, and stability to coking. A higher activity for Pr-containing catalyst is provided by a high reactivity of surface oxygen species bound with Pr cations.

The utilization of black mulberry fruit as a precursor for C-dot synthesis represents a novel ap-proach to biosynthesizing C-dots. Through the implementation of a hydrothermal autoclave, we successfully produced C-dots using the fruit extract. This environmentally conscious and sustain-able method of synthesis presents a promising avenue for C-dot production. Our findings demon-strate the remarkable photocatalytic activity of the C-dots, as evidenced by their effective degra-dation of pollutants under visible light irradiation. This discovery holds significant implications for addressing water contamination issues and promoting environmental remediation efforts. Fur-thermore, we conducted a thorough investigation to determine the optimal doping concentration of C-dots, ultimately identifying 0.2 M as the ideal concentration. At this specific concentration, the photo catalytic degradation of pollutants reached an impressive rate of 95.8%. The enhanced photocatalytic activity can be attributed to the increased electron trapping resulting from the presence of additional surface sites and the absorption of different wavelengths of light. In sum-mary, this research contributes to the sustainable synthesis of carbon dots using black mulberry fruits as a precursor, while also providing a comprehensive analysis of their optical and photo-catalytic properties.

The demand for polymer composites with improved mechanical and electrical properties is crucial for advanced aerospace, electronics, and energy storage applications. Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) and iron oxide (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles are key fillers that enhance these properties, yet challenges like orientation, uniform dispersion, and agglomeration must be addressed to realize their full potential. This study focuses on developing SWCNTs/Fe₃O₄ epoxy composites by keeping the SWCNT concentration constant at 0.03 Vol.% and varying Fe₃O₄ concentrations at 0.1, 0.5, and 1 Vol.% with two different configurations: randomly orientated (R-) and magnetic field-assisted horizontally aligned (A-) SWCNTs/Fe3O4 epoxy composites and investigates the effects of filler concentration, dispersion, and magnetic alignment on the mechanical and electrical properties. The research reveals that both composite configurations achieve an optimal mechanical performance at 0.5 Vol.% Fe₃O₄, while A- SWCNTs/Fe3O4 epoxy composites outperformed at all concentrations. However, at 1 Vol.% Fe₃O₄, mechanical properties decline due to nanoparticle agglomeration, which disrupts stress distribution. In contrast, electrical conductivity peaks at 1 Vol.% Fe₃O₄, indicating that the higher density of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles enhances the conductive network despite the mechanical losses. This study highlights the need for precise control over filler content and alignment to optimize mechanical strength and electrical conductivity in SWCNTs/Fe₃O₄ epoxy nanocomposites.

The emergence of superhydrophobicity-based antibacterial materials represents a promising approach to upholding surface cleanliness and hygiene, effectively preventing bacterial adhesion. This research describes the synthesis of a superhydrophobic coating with antibacterial and bacteriostatic properties using silica nanoparticles (SiO2 NPs) modified with 1H,1H,2H,2H-Perfluorodecyltriethoxysilane (PFDTES). TEM, XRD, EDS, SEM, and FTIR analyses were conducted to study its morphology and surface characterization. Additionally, the coating was applied on glass substrates using the spray coating method, varying the number of layers to evaluate antibacterial and bacteriostatic properties through turbidimetry and inhibition halo measurement techniques. The durability of the coatings was also assessed by exposing them to outdoor conditions for 35 days. This study aimed to evaluate the antibacterial capacity of the superhydrophobic coating and its weather resistance. The results demonstrate that a superhydrophobic coating with a contact angle ≥150° and a sliding angle ≤10° was successfully synthesized using SiO2 NPs smaller than 10 nm modified with PFDTES. The coating exhibited the ability to inhibit bacterial growth by preventing the adhesion of bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus; moreover, the number of layers correlated with enhanced antibacterial properties. The coating also showed good durability under outdoor conditions. These results support the potential application of superhydrophobic coatings to prevent these bacteria from adhering and growing in areas where they can be harmful.

The Internet of Things (IoT) technology connects the real world and the network world by integrating sensors and internet technology, which has greatly changed people's lifestyles, showing its broad application prospects. However, traditional materials for the sensors and power components used in IoT limit its development to high-precision detection, long-term endurance, and multi-scenario applications. Metal halide perovskite, with the unique advantages such as excellent photoelectric properties, adjustable bandgap, flexibility, and mild process, exhibiting enormous potential to meet the requirements for IoT development. This paper provides a comprehensive review of metal halide perovskites' application in sensors and energy supply modules within IoT systems. Advances on perovskite-based sensors were discussed as to gas, humidity, photoelectric, and optical sensors. The application of indoor photovoltaics based on perovskite in IoT systems were also discussed. At last, the application prospects and challenges of perovskite-based devices in IoT are summarized.

Ti-Al based alloys, particularly TiAl and Ti3Al two-phase alloys, have garnered significant attention as potential replacements for various high-temperature structural materials due to their exceptional properties, including low density, oxidation resistance, and high strength at elevated temperatures. Despite these advantages, experimental studies on the microstructure evolution of Ti-Al based alloys under complex conditions remain challenging to observe and characterize. This review article examines the current research on molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of Ti-Al based alloys, focusing on two-phase Ti-Al alloys, Ti-Al amorphous alloys, Ti-Al composite materials, and the welding and multi-layer/film applications of Ti-Al alloys. The review highlights the unique capabilities of MD simulations in predicting the behavior of Ti-Al based alloys and addresses existing scientific challenges. Furthermore, the article discusses future research directions and development prospects in this field.

The bulk LiNa5Mo9O30 (LNM) crystals were successfully grown in the [010] and [001] directions without internal inclusions and cracks by the Czochralskii method with low temperature gradient. The crystal grown in the [010] direction showed a tendency to twinning. The crystal grown in the [001] direction demonstrated high structural perfection (FWHM=13'') for the (001) plane and high optical quality Δn≈210-5. The laser induced damage threshold was measured along a, b and c axes and was 15.7, 27.0 and 27.5 J/cm2 respectively. The thermo-optical coefficient dn/dT was measured for the main crystallographic axes, which was -5.7510-6, -2.0210-5 and 3.6510-6 K-1 along the a, b and c axes, respectively. The second harmonic generation (SHG) is conducted in crystalline LNM sample. The maximum efficiency value of 3.5% at pump power of 12 W had been achieved.

Sodium valproate is a established antiepileptic drug of first choice, primarily used to treat epilepsy, but also bipolar disorder and prevent migraine headaches. Valproate increases concentrations of gamma-aminobutyric acid in the brain, due to inhibition of enzymes responsible for the catabolism of gamma-aminobutyric acid. Main goal of this research consisted in the optimization and development for a new sensitive spectrophotometric quantitative analysis method of sodium valproate from tablets in the Visible field. Following the quantitative color reaction of sodium valproate with diazonium salt of alpha naphthylamine in alkaline medium, a light yellow azo dye was formed and spectrophotometrically analyzed at the wavelength of 386 nanometers. The amount of pure sodium valproate found on pharmaceutical extended-release tablet was 492.578 miligrams compared to the official declared pure amount of 500 miligrams on prolonged-release tablet. Amount found was assigned to a percentage content of 98.5156 percent pure sodium valproate in a pharmaceutical tablet. Mean average percentage error (deviation) from the officially stated value was about 1.4844 percent, which was included within normal limits, below five percent maximum limit allowed by European and Romanian Pharmacopoeias rules. Spectrophotometric method was subjected to the statistical validation procedure and was successfully validated.

Euler's theorem about the relationship between the numbers of individual elements of planar graphs (vertices, edges, faces) is also satisfied when the graph has zero vertices. The problem of the existence or not of such graphs has so far been the subject of very few studies. Plus, research that didn't prove anything. The paper presents an interpretation of this kind of graphs as mathematical formations lying on piecewise smooth surfaces. The lines of intersection of two or more smooth surfaces (faces of a graph) form edges without a vertex of the graph. The elementary properties of such graphs are discussed, the method of counting non-isomorphic 0-vertex graphs and their importance in physics and chemistry are given.

Nanocomposites prepared with a terpolymer of poly(L-lactide) (PLLA)–poly(-caprolactone) (PCL)–poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and partially oxidized carbon nanotubes (CNTspo) were synthesized and characterized to evaluate their ability to act as an effective nanocarrier of the anticancer drug methotrexate. The homopolymers of PLLA and PCL were synthesized through ring-opening polymerization (ROP) and characterized through gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The PLLA–PCL–PEG terpolymers were synthesized through a four-step chemical route using oxalyl chloride as a linker agent and analyzed through 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and FT-IR spectroscopies. Also, the nanocomposites were characterized through FT-IR, 1H-NMR, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) spectroscopies and, using the differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique. XPS analysis revealed that CNTspo is grafted to PLLA–PCL–PEG terpolymer. Besides, evaluation through FT-IR and DSC strongly suggests that the CNTspo are preferentially oriented to the PCL-rich domains. The release tests exhibited a “burst effect” profile, which was more evident in the terpolymers than in the nanocomposites. Five models were used to assess the methotrexate in vitro release. For the nanocomposites, the best fit to the experimental data was obtained using the first-order model, whereas the results obtained from the Korsmeyer–Peppas model indicated that a Fickian diffusion drives the methotrexate release.

Photocatalytic ammonia decomposition to produce N2 and H2 was achieved using single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) nanohybrids. Physical modification of ferrocene-dye-encapsulated CNTs by amphiphilic C60-dendron yielded nanohybrids with a dye/CNT/C60 coaxial heterojunction. Upon visible light irradiation, an aqueous solution of NH3 and dye@CNT/C60-dendron nanohybrids produced both N2 and H2 in a stoichiometric ratio of 1:3. Action spectra of this reaction clearly demonstrated that the encapsulated dye acted as the photosensitizer, with an apparent quantum yield (AQY) of 0.22% at 510 nm (the λmax of the dye). This study presents the first example of dye-sensitized ammonia decomposition and offers a new avenue for developing efficient and sustainable photocatalytic hydrogen production systems.

The inclusion of active materials in 3D-printed objects presents many potential applications in a variety of fields, including medicine and agriculture. Through a new three-phase coating system, we fabricate 3D objects that are printed via fused deposition modeling (FDM), with embedded functional materials. The method, namely Continuous Material Deposition on Filaments (CMDF) is based on passing a filament through a solution in which the functional substance is dissolved together with the polymer from which the filament is made. As model cases, three different types of materials were tested, Rhodamine B, ZnO nanoparticles (NPs), and Ciprofloxacin (Cip) while dissolved or dispersed in a PLA-containing solution. It was found that the properties of the coating materials are not affected by the coating and printing steps and they are maintained on the surface of the printed structure. This enabled, for example, achieving an antibacterial activity by the ZnO NPs and the controlled release of the antibiotics, Cip. Since the approach does not alter the mechanical properties of the printed structures, it offers a simple and convenient method for the introduction of a wide range of materials into 3D-printed objects.

Flexible electrochemical sensors can adhere to any bendable surface with conformal contact, enabling continuous data monitoring without compromising the surface's dynamics. Among various materials that have been explored for flexible electronics, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) exhibit dynamic responses to physical and chemical signals, offering new opportunities for flexible electrochemical sensing technologies. This review aims to explore the role of electrocatalysis in MOF films specifically designed for flexible electrochemical sensing applications, with a focus on their design, fabrication techniques, and applications. We systematically categorize the design and fabrication techniques used in preparing MOF films, including in-situ growth, layer-by-layer assembly, and polymer-assisted strategies. The implications of MOF-based flexible electrochemical sensors are examined in the context of wearable devices, environmental monitoring, and healthcare diagnostics. Future research is anticipated to shift from traditional microcrystalline powder synthesis to MOF thin-film deposition, which is expected to not only enhance the performance of MOFs in flexible electronics but also improve sensing efficiency and reliability, paving the way for more robust and versatile sensor technologies.

: The activated carbons (ACs) derived from okara powder waste with high surface areas were modified with ammonia aqueous solution impregnation in an autoclave to enhance their CO2 adsorption properties toward CO2. The impregnated ACs were characterized in which surface chemical composition and properties of the ACs were analyzed by SEM-EDX, FTIR. Activated carbons were functionalized with ammonia aqueous solution (25%) through a hydrothermal process within 24; 48, and 72 hours. The adsorption performance of CO2 onto carbon samples was experimentally evaluated through a TPD CO2 measurement. FTIR spectra confirm the N-containing in N-modified activated carbons and the presence of the –C = O stretch and N-H groups. CO2 uptakes of N-modified activated carbons are 0.24; 1.78; 2.24 and 1.26 mmol/g, which are relatively comparable with those of activated carbons studied in in the literature.

Herein, we have reported the synthesis and characterization [single crystal X-ray diffraction technique, spectroscopic etc.] of two new Ni(II) and Zn(II) coordination compounds viz. [Ni(2,6-PDC)2]2[Ni(en)2(H2O)2]2[Ni(en)(H2O)4]·4H2O (1) and [Zn(2,6-PDC)(Hdmpz)2] (2) (where, 2,6-PDC = 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylate, en = ethylene-1,2-diamine, Hdmpz = 3,5-dimethyl pyrazole). Compound 1 is found to crystallize as a multicomponent Ni(II) compound with five discrete complex moieties; whereas, compound 2 is a mononuclear compound of Zn(II). Deep analysis of the crystal structure of compound 1 unfolds unusual dual enclathration of guest complex cationic moieties within the supramolecular host cavity stabilized by anion‒π, π-stacking, N‒H⋯O, C‒H⋯O and O‒H⋯O hydrogen bonding interactions. Interestingly, further enclathration of a complex cationic moiety is observed within another supramolecular host cavity formed involving anionic complex moieties and lattice water molecules in 1. Again, the crystal structure of compound 2 is stabilized by the presence of unconventional C‒H⋯π(chelate ring) interactions along with C‒H⋯O, C‒H⋯N hydrogen bonding, π-stacking, C‒H⋯π(pyridyl) interactions. These non-covalent interactions have been further studied theoretically using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) surfaces, non-covalent interaction (NCI) plot index and quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) computational tools. The computational study displays that π-stacking or H-bonds greatly tune the directionality of compound 1 although non-directional electrostatic forces dominate energetically. For compound 2, combined QTAIM/NCI plot analysis confirms the presence of unconventional C‒H⋯π(chelate ring) interaction along with other weak interactions obtained from the crystal structure analysis. Further, the individual energy contributions of these weak yet significant non-covalent interactions have also been determined computationally.

A simple protocol for preparation of O-acylated enol form - (R/S)-ethyl-2-acetoxy-4-phenyl-4H-chromene-3-carboxylate 5 was presented. The compound was characterized by 1H-, 13C-and DEPT135 NMR spectra, including {1H,1H} COSY, {1H,13C} HSQC, {1H,13C} HMBC and 2D-NOESY spectra. The preferred regioselectivity for O-acylation of 3,4-dihydrocoumarin 5 in the presence of substituent in 4-th position in the chroman ring and accounting the steric hindrance of the ester group in 3-th place was confirmed.

The primary objective of this study was to identify a rapid and noninvasive methodology for effectively differentiating various herbal species cultivated in Eastern Poland. Typically, a plant's chemical profile is obtained using chromatographic methods; however, spectroscopic methods can serve as a complementary or independent tool for determining similarities in the analyzed samples. The investigation centered on leaves of plant species from the Lamiaceae family, encompassing basil, lavender, oregano, sage, and thyme. UV-VIS and ATR-FTIR spectra of dried plant samples' powder were recorded and subsequently analyzed using chemometric tools. This paper assesses the relative performance of different discrimination methods, including both traditional methods based on machine learning and those dealing with specimens associated with a specific category. Among the methodologies tested, SIMCA showed the best performance, particularly effective for small training sets.

Sodium phenyl dithiocarbamate (pl-dtc) as a ligand was prepared from the reaction of aniline (C6H5-NH2) and carbon(IV) sulfide (CS2) in the presence of sodium hydroxide via method of one-pot synthesis. Two coordination compounds ([VO(sfz)(pl-dtc)] and [Zn(sfz)(pl-dtc)]) from respective oxovanadium (IV) sulfate hydrate and zinc (II) chloride were prepared with mixed ligands involving sodium sulfadiazine (sfz) and the synthesized pl-dtc crystals, also via the method of one-pot synthesis. Structural analyses of the ligand and coordination compounds were assessed using characterization techniques involving physicochemical parameters and spectral analysis ( FT-IR, UV-Vis and NMR (1H NMR and 13C NMR) to confirm their synthenses and structures. Additionally, pl-dtc crystals which grew from the pl-dtc solution when refrigerated after five days, has its structure confirmed and revealed when subjected to single crystal x-ray crystallography technique. Differences in results of spectral analysis between ligands and their respective coordination compounds confirmed the coordination between ligands and coordination compounds. The in vitro antibacterial studies showed that the ligands had modest activity against Gram positive bacteria: Staphylococcus aureus, while, the coordination compounds had modest activities against the Gram negative bacteria: Escherichia coli when compared with ligand of pl-dtc.

Three filamentous freshwater cyanobacterial strains were grown at high light intensity to produce lipidic dyes composed of xanthophylls, carotenes and chlorophyll a. The properties of the pigments were evaluated as suitable natural compounds to be applied in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSC). The assembled DSSC were characterized using the density current vs. potential profiles and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. With an efficiency of 0.127 %, our results are higher than those previously reported using similar structured compounds from natural sources as algae and cyanobacteria, among others. The best efficiencies were probably related to the strains with high content in pigments probably related to myxoxanthophyll-like derivates and aphanizophyll, carotenoids with many hydroxyl groups able to interact with the semiconductor surface. The stability of the bonding between the dyes and the titanium oxide of the photoelectrode is crucial to ensuring acceptable performance of the DSSC, which was successfully achieved in our experiments with carotenoids with many hydroxyl groups. Our results point to cyanobacterial pigments as a promising source of natural dyes for use in solar cells.

This study primarily investigates the effect of fly ash (FA) content on the mechanical properties and hydration performance of alkali-activated ground granulated blast furnace slag cements (AAGC), and compares the related properties with ordinary Portland cement (OPC). Additionally, the study examined the hydration products, thermal analysis, MIP, SEM, chemically bound water, and pH values of AAGC. The compressive strength of AAGC showed a retrogression phenomenon from 3 to 28 days, with the 14-day and 28-day compressive strengths of AAGC being higher than those of OPC. The AAGC with 20% FA content exhibits the highest 28-day compressive strength (75 MPa). The hydration heat release rate curved of OPC and AAGC can be divided into the initial induction period, induction period, acceleration period, deceleration period and steady period. As FA content increases, the 28-day pore volume of AAGC increased while pH values and chemically bound water decrease. SEM images of AAGC with low FA content showed more microcracks.

Biochar is a porous material produced by pyrolisis of biomass and can be modified using metal oxide to improve its adsorption performance, especially toward organics substances. The activated biochar was synthesized from patchouli biomass to study effect of calcination temperature on both structural properties and paracetamol drug adsorption of the composite was studied. Some process routes were conducted, including the patchouli biomass pyrolysis using CoCl2 activator, the activated biochar impregnation using 0.1 M FeCl3 solutions, biochar-FeCl3 calcination at various temperatures (400, 600, 800 oC) in the almost closed porcelain crucible, product characterizations using X-ray diffraction and FTIR spectrometry, and paracetamol adsorption test at various concentrations (10, 20, 30, 40, and 50 ppm). The paracetamol concentrations were analyzed using UV-Vis spectrophotometry at 243 nm. The adsorption data was treated using Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin-Radushkevich (DR) models. The product diffractograms indicated α-Fe2O3, γ-Fe2O3, FeFe2O4 beside the carbon turbostratic structure. The metal oxide peak heights increased by increasing of the temperature. FTIR spectra significantly started to change at 600 oC. Adsorption test of paracetamol gave the highest adsorption capacity of 56.37 mg/g at 800 oC (Langmuir model) with correlation coefficient of 0.964. The highest adsorption energy was achieved at 800 oC, i.e 530.33 J/mol (physical adsorption) with a dimensionless factor, the RL value of 0.86 (favorable adsorption), and the n constant of 1.58 (favorable adsorption).

Mixed plastic packaging waste sorting residues (MPO323) were treated by thermal pyrolysis to utilize pyrolysis oil and char. The pyrolysis oil was found to contain aromatic and aliphatic hydrocarbons. Chlorine and bromine contents were up to 40,000 mg/kg and 200 mg/kg, respectively. Additionally, other elements like sulfur, phosphorous, iron, aluminum, and lead were detected, which can be interpreted as impurities regarding the utilization of the oils by means of chemical recycling. The pyrolysis char showed high contents of potentially active species like silicon, calcium, aluminum, iron, and others. To enhance the content of aromatic hydrocarbons and to reduce the level of contaminants, the pyrolysis oil was reformed with the corresponding pyrolysis char to act as an active material in a fixed bed. The temperature of the reactor and the flow rate of the pyrolysis oil feed were varied to gain insights on cracking and reforming reactions as well as on the performance with regard to decontamination.

The combination of micro- or nanofluidics and strong light–matter coupling has gained much interest in the past decade, which has led to the development of advanced systems and devices with numerous potential applications in different fields, such as chemistry, biosensing, and material science. Strong light–matter coupling is achieved by placing a dipole (e.g. an atom or a molecule) into a confined electromagnetic field, with molecular transitions being in resonance with the field and the coupling strength exceeding the average dissipation rate. Despite intense research and encouraging results in this field, some challenges still need to be overcome, related to the fabrication of nano- and microscale optical cavities, stability, scaling up and production, sensitivity, signal-to-noise ratio, and real-time control and monitoring. The goal of this paper is to summarize recent developments of micro- and nanofluidic systems employing strong light–matter coupling. An overview of various methods and techniques used to achieve strong light–matter coupling in micro- or nanofluidic systems is presented, preceded by a brief outline of the fundamentals of strong light–matter coupling and optofluidics operating in the strong coupling regime. The potential applications of these integrated systems in sensing, optofluidics, and quantum technologies are explored. The challenges and prospects in this rapidly developing field are discussed.

Traditional thermal insulation panels consume large amounts of energy during production and emits pollutants into the environment. To mitigate this impact, the development of bio-based materials is an attractive alternative. In this context, the characteristics of the Eucalyptus fiber bark (EGFB) make it a candidate for insulation applications. However, more knowledge about the manufacturing process and in-service performance is needed. The present study characterized the properties that determinate the in-service behaviour of the EGFB insulation panel. The assessment involved two different manufacturing process. The results indicated that the hot plates and the saturated steam injection manufacturing system can produce panels with similar theoretical and bulk density. The thermal conductivity fluctuated between 0.064 and 0.077 W/m.K, which indicated good insulation. Furthermore, the values obtained for thermal diffusivity and water vapor transmission properties are comparable with other commercially available panels. To guarantee a good in-service performance, the panels need to be treated with flame retardant and antifungal additive. The good performance of the panel is relevant because bio-based Eucalyptus bark panels generate less CO2 eq and require less energy consumption compared to traditional alternatives, contributing to the sustainability of the forestry and the construction industry.

In machining, there is a constant effort to achieve the expected roughness of the machined surface while maintaining the life of the cutting tool during its operation. The methods used for extending machinability characteristics can be applied due to cooling and lubrication. One of the latest, but not new, targeted cooling techniques have become cryogenic treatment, which uses substances that exhibit extremely low-temperature values of about 123 K. This is a very environmentally friendly technique compared to the current standardized cooling and lubricating fluids. The main task of such cooling is to change the properties of the workpiece so that it exhibits the properties of a brittle material. Bringing the workpiece structure in this way can result in easier material separation through the chip. In the article, the obtained test results can approximate the behavior of various materials during cryogenic cooling.

The well-known hop variety Saaz, which gives the Pilsner lager beer characteristic hop aroma may be threatened by climate change in the future. Therefore, new Saaz-related hop varieties, Saaz Late, Saaz Brilliant, Saaz Comfort, and Saaz Shine were bred recently. To evaluate whether these varieties are ac-ceptable for traditional lagers, their comparison was carried out. For this purpose, sensorial and chemical analyses of hops and related beer including namely analysis of hop resins and hop oils were performed. Sensory profiles of Saaz varieties are very similar (fine hoppy aroma, floral, herbal) except for Saaz Comfort which has a little higher aroma intensity, and Saaz Shine which has the most noticeable fruity scent with traces of citrusy of all. Also, the chemical profiles are very close, α-humulene, β-pinene, (E)-β-farnesene, β-caryophyllene, and myrcene are the most abundant. As a result of decoction mashing and kettle-hopping technology with bottom fermentation, are very similar lager beers with hoppy, floral, herbal, fruity, and spicy aromas. Typical hop oils are farnesol, linalool, methyl geranate, β-pinene, and limonene. The high concentration of farnesol in beer correlates with the concentration of (E)-β-farnesene and farnesol in hops. New Saaz varieties are well used for the production of the Pilsner type of lager without affecting the traditional sensory aroma of this widespread style. Varieties have a higher yield and concentration of bitter acids and hop oils. Moreover, Saaz Shine and Saaz Comfort have very good re-sistance to drought, which is an important property from a climate change perspective.

The activated carbons (ACs) derived from okara powder waste with high surface areas were modified with ammonia aqueous solution impregnation in an autoclave to enhance their CO2 adsorption properties toward CO2. The impregnated ACs were characterized in which surface chemical composition and properties of the ACs were analyzed by SEM-EDS, FTIR. Activated carbons were functionalized with ammonia aqueous solution (25%) through a hydrothermal process within 24; 48, and 72 hours. The adsorption performance of CO2 onto carbon samples was experimentally evaluated through a breakthrough adsorption experimental setup at room temperature. FTIR spectra confirm the N-containing in N-modified activated carbons and the presence of the –C = O stretch and N-H groups. CO2 uptakes of N-modified activated carbons are 0.24; 1.47; and 1.20 mmol/g, which are relatively comparable with those of activated carbons studied in in the literature.

Ammonia synthesis is one of the most important chemical reactions. Due to thermodynamic restrictions and the reaction requirements of the current commercial iron catalysts, it is also one of the worst reactions for carbon dioxide emissions and energy usage. Ruthenium-based catalysts can substantially improve the environmental impact as they operate at lower pressures and temperatures. In this work, we provide a screening of more than 40 metals as possible promoter options based on a Ru/Pr2O3 catalyst. Cesium was the best alkali promoter and was held constant for the series of double-promoted catalysts. Ten formulations outperformed the Ru-Cs/PrOx benchmark, with barium being the best second promoter studied and the most cost-effective option. Designs of experiments were utilized to optimize both the pretreatment conditions and the promoter weight loadings of the doubly promoted catalyst. As a result, optimization led to more than a five-fold increase in activity compared to the unpromoted catalyst, therefore creating a possibility for low ruthenium ammonia synthesis catalysts to be used at scale. Further, we have explored the roles of promoters using kinetic analysis, XPS, and in situ infrared spectroscopy. Here, we have shown that the role of barium is to act as a hydrogen scavenger and donor, which may permit new active sites for the catalyst, and have demonstrated that the associative reaction mechanism is likely used for the unpromoted Ru/PrOx catalyst with hydrogenation of the triple bond of the dinitrogen occurring first before any dinitrogen bond breakage.

Secondary microplastic (MPL) and nanoplastic (NPL) particles exhibit different physiochemical characteristics that attenuate their toxicities in different ways: some particle types being well documented (primary) while other (secondary), are more unknown. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman, Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (H-NMR), Curie Point-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (CP-gc-MS), Induced Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis (NTA), Field Flow Fractionation-Multiple Angle Light Scattering (FFF-MALS), Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Thermogravimetry (TGA), Differential Mobility Particle [Sizing] (DMPS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Scanning Transmission X-ray Microspectroscopy (STXM) are re-viewed as part of a suite of characterization methods for physiochemical ascertainment and distinguishment. Organizations, like the water treatment or waste management industry, and those in groups that bring awareness to this issue, which are in direct contact with the hydrosphere, can utilize these techniques in order to sense and remediate this plastic polymer pollution. The primary goal of this review paper is to highlight the extent of plastic pollution in the environment as well as introduce its effect on the biodiversity of the planet while underscoring current characterization techniques in this field of research. The secondary goal involves illustrating current and theoretical avenues in which future research needs to address and optimize MPL/NPL remediation, utilizing nanotechnology, before this sleeping giant of a problem awakens.

The need for integrated high-frequency systems has increased significantly, leading to the development of efficient antennas operating in the 0.1-10 terahertz (THz) range. Using graphene as the conducting 2D material and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) as the dielectric substrate, this research effort examines the design and performance evaluation of a THz band antenna functioning on supporting nanotechnology. The researchers contrasted the system’s performance with the 6G wireless network requirements after analyzing the antenna performance, radiation patterns, and impedance matching. According to this research, graphene, along with hBN can enhance antenna performance overall in the THz band and open pathways for advanced communication. The application of the designed antenna in a 6G wireless network will be tested through um MIMO configuration to achieve a higher data rate.

Curcuminoids are widely studied due to their well-recognized therapeutic properties. These molecules are often derivatized with metals, rendering their corresponding homoleptic metal complexes. Numerous crystal structures of homoleptic symmetric curcuminoids with physiologically essential metals are known, although the literature lacks reports of homoleptic unsymmetric metal complexes of curcuminoids (or hemi-curcuminoids). Two unknowns must be solved when an unsymmetric curcuminoid ligand is reacted with a metal ion: a) the degree of coordination (MLn) and b) the conformational nature (syn or anti) of the complex. Herein, we report the structure of the anti-isomer of the Zn complex of the hemi-curcuminoid 5-hydroxy-1-(4-methoxyphenyl)hexa-1,4-dien-3-one. While the NMR shows only one set of signals for this homoleptic complex, the unambiguous stereochemistry was established through single-crystal X-ray diffractometry, revealing a hexacoordinated ML2 structure.

Previous reviews by the authors [1, 2] indicate the continuing development and improvement of thermal protective systems through the introduction of polymer nanocomposites into polymer matrix composites. These materials perform as thermal protective systems for a variety of aerospace applications, such as thermal protection systems (TPS), solid rocket motors (SRM) nozzles, internal insulation of SRM, leading edges of hypersonic vehicles, and missile launch structures. A summary of the most recent, global technical research is presented. Polymeric resin systems continue to emphasize phenolic resins and other materials. New high-temperature organic resins based on phthalonitrile (PN), and polysiloxane are described and extend the increased temperature range of resin matrix systems.

In this review we explore the recent progress in catalytic materials for ammonia synthesis that are based on metal nitrides and other catalytic surfaces. It comprises a detailed overlook of various techniques used in ammonia synthesis research and the state-of-the-art modeling techniques employed to investigate new reaction mechanisms and more efficient processes for sustainable ammonia synthesis production. The review is discussed in the context of reaction mechanisms developed and recent progress that has been made with respect to thermal, electrochemical and photocatalytic ammonia synthesis.

A rapid and simple high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method using extraction with zinc sulfate has been developed for the determination of Casiopeina III-ia (Cas III-ia) and validated over the linear range 10-120 g/mL in 200 L of rabbit blood. Previously we have reported a HPLC method to quantify CasIII-ia in plasma, but in distribution studies in total blood [20], the Cas III-ia concentrations were higher in total blood that in plasma [19]. The analysis was performed on a Symmetry C (18) (5 microm) column. The mobile phase was Methanol-sodium phosphate buffer (pH 6.5; 0.01 M) (40:60 v/v) was kept at a flow-rate of 0.8 ml/min. The analyses were performed at room temperature. The column effluent was monitored at 262 nm. Acetaminophen was used as internal standard. The results showed that the assay is sensitive at 10 g/mL. Maximum intra-day coefficient of variation was 5.10%. The average recovery obtained in blood was 94.51%. The applicability of this method for distribution in vitro and pharmacokinetic studies in rabbits was demonstrated. Conclusions: the present assay is rapid, simple, precise, and accurate. The pharmacokinetic study was carried out in rabbits and the following pharmacokinetic parameters were obtained: (kel) = 0.0150 min-1, half-life time (T1/2) = 53.92 min, apparent volume of distribution (Vd) = 202.81 mL, clearance (Cl) = 2.08 mL /mi and area under the curve (AUC)=23163.85 µg/mL.min. Contributing to the preclinical characterization of the Cas III-ia.

The objective of this study was to determine the chemical composition of sugarcane spirits and commercial cachaças, comparing them with the limits established by national legislation and with studies conducted in previous periods. Previous studies have shown that 50% of the samples of this distillate were above the contaminant limits allowed by national legislation, which was one of the main factors responsible for the low volume of exports. Volatile compounds and contaminants established by current Brazilian legislation were evaluated in 531 samples of commercial sugarcane brandy and cachaça. Among the samples analyzed, approximately 90% met the Brazilian standards of identity and quality. These results suggest that Brazilian producers have faced fewer difficulties related to the use of Good Manufacturing Practices, ensuring good quality during the production process and standardization of these beverages compared to previous studies.

To be CMOS-compatible, a low preparation temperature (&lt; 500 °C) of ferroelectric films is required. In this study, BiFeO3 films were successfully fabricated at a low annealing temperature (&lt; 450 °C) on aluminum foils by a metal-organic decomposition process. The annealing atmosphere on performance of BiFeO3 films was assessed at 440 ± 5℃. By replacing an O2-rich atmosphere with an N2-rich one, a better crystalline morphology was achieved in BiFeO3 films, resulting in better electric properties targeted for high-density ferroelectric random-access memory applications. These properties included a large remnant polarization (Pr~78.1 μC/cm2 @ 1165.2 kV/cm) and a high rectangularity (~91.3% @ 1165.2 kV/cm) of the P-E loop, along with excellent charge-retaining ability up to 1.0 × 103 s and a fatigue resistance reaching 1.0 × 109 switching cycles. The enhanced performance of BiFeO3 film in an N2-rich atmosphere maybe originated from the slightly high content of oxygen vacancies during the annealing process. Furthermore, decent electrical properties (Pr~70 μC/cm2 @ 1118.1 kV/cm) of the BiFeO3 films were achieved at a very low annealing temperature of 365 ±5 °C on aluminum foil substrates. These results offer a new idea for lowering the annealing temperature for integrated ferroelectrics in high-density FeRAM applications.

Three neutral Pt(II) complexes with diphenylamino-modified 2-phenylpyridine derivatives as cy- clometalating ligands and acetylacetone as the ancillary ligand exhibit aggregation-induced phosphorescent emission (AIPE) properties in THF/H2O. The crystal structures of the complexes highlight the contributions of non-covalent Pt···Pt interactions and hydrogen bonds to the AIPE properties. These AIPE-active Pt(II) complexes 1-3 have been successfully applied to detect picric acid (PA) in aqueous media, affording the lowest limit of detection at 70 nM. Furthermore, three Pt(II) complexes are able to detect PA in common water samples. The quenching of luminescence in the detection can be attributed to photo-induced electron transfer.

In recent years, the demand for natural and synthetic zeolites has surged due to their distinctive properties and myriad industrial applications. This research aims to synthesise crystalline zeolites by co-recycling two industrial wastes: salt slag (SS) and rice husk ash (RHA). Salt slag, a problem-atic by-product of secondary aluminium smelting, is classified as hazardous waste due to its reac-tive and leachable nature, though it is rich in aluminium. Conversely, RHA, an abundant and cost-effective by-product of the agro-food sector, boasts a high silicon content. These wastes were utilised as aluminium and silicon sources for synthesising various zeolites. The study examined the effects of temperature, ageing time, and sodium concentration on the formation of different zeolite phases and their crystallinity. Results indicated that increased Na+ concentration favoured SOD zeolite formation, whereas LTA-type zeolite formation was promoted at higher temperatures and extended ageing times. The formation range of the different zeolites was defined and supported by a crystallographic, microstructural, and morphological analysis. Additionally, the thermal be-haviour of the zeolites was investigated. This work underscores the potential to transform indus-trial waste, including hazardous materials like salt slag, into sustainable, high-value materials, fostering efficient waste co-recycling and promoting clean, sustainable industrial production through cross-sectoral industrial symbiosis.

Amphiphilic block copolymers of N-vinyl pyrrolidone (NVP) and various vinyl esters (VEs), PNVP-b-PVEs, namely vinyl butyrate (VBu), vinyl decanoate (VDc) and vinyl stearate (VSt) were synthesized by RAFT polymerization techniques. The sequential addition of monomers methodology was employed starting from the polymerization of NVP followed by the polymerization of the VEs monomer. The reaction was conducted at 80oC in dioxane solutions using AIBN as initiator and O-ethyl S-(phthalimidylmethyl) xanthate as the CTA. The block copolymers were characterized by Size Exclusion Chromatography (SEC) and NMR spectroscopy. The thermal transitions of the copolymers were studied by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), whereas their thermal stability via Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Differential Thermogravimetry (DTG).

Mass spectrometry (MS) has revolutionized clinical chemistry, offering unparalleled capabilities for biomolecule analysis. This review explores the growing significance of MS, particularly when coupled with liquid chromatography (LC-MS), in identifying disease biomarkers and quantifying biomolecules for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. The unique advantages of MS in accurately identifying and quantifying diverse molecules have positioned it as a cornerstone in personalized medicine advancement. MS-based technologies have transformed precision medicine, enabling comprehensive understanding of disease mechanisms and patient-specific treatment responses. LC-MS has shown exceptional utility in analyzing complex biological matrices, while high-resolution MS has expanded analytical capabilities, allowing detection of low-abundance molecules and elucidation of complex biological pathways. The integration of MS with other techniques, such as ion mobility spectrometry, has opened new avenues for biomarker discovery and validation. As we progress towards precision medicine, MS-based technologies will be crucial in addressing the challenges of individualized patient care, driving innovations in disease diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment strategies.

Sodium borohydride-closo-hydroborate Na3(BH4)(B12H12) exhibits the high room-temperature ionic conductivity and high electrochemical stability. To study the dynamical properties of this mixed-anion compound at the microscopic level, we have measured the 1H, 11B, and 23Na nuclear magnetic resonance spectra and nuclear spin-lattice relaxation rates over the temperature range of 8 – 573 K. Our 1H and 11B spin-lattice relaxation measurements have revealed two types of reorientational jump motion. The faster motional process attributed to reorientations of the [BH4]− anions is characterized by the activation energy of 159 meV, and the corresponding reorientational jump rate reaches ~10^8 s^-1 near 130 K. The slower process ascribed to reorientations of the larger [B12H12]− anions is characterized by the activation energy of 319 meV, and the corresponding reorientational jump rate reaches ~10^8 s^-1 near 240 K. The results of the 23Na nuclear magnetic resonance measurements are consistent with the fast long-range diffusion of Na+ ions in Na3(BH4)(B12H12). The diffusive jump rate of Na+ is found to reach ~10^4 s^-1 at 300 K and ~8 × 10^8 s^-1 at 530 K. Comparison of these jump rates with the ionic conductivity data suggests the importance of correlations between diffusing ions.

Metal additive manufacturing (AM), commonly referred to as 3D printing with metals, is an innovative technology with significant potential to transform industries such as aerospace, automotive, and healthcare. Despite its promise, the field faces several challenges that impact both its technical feasibility and economic viability. This paper explores the primary technical challenges, including material properties and processing complexities, such as the need for precise control of thermal gradients and the mitigation of defects like porosity and residual stresses. Additionally, it addresses the economic barriers, including high initial equipment costs, the need for specialized knowledge, and the relatively slow build speeds compared to traditional manufacturing methods. By examining these challenges, this paper aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the current state of metal additive manufacturing and suggest potential pathways for overcoming these obstacles to facilitate wider adoption and technological advancement in the field.

This study reports rapid hydrolysis, acylation, and lipolysis with lipase B from Candida antarctica (CalB) and nanofructosome encapsulated CalB (CalB@NF) enzymes immobilized on silica-coated magnetic nanoparticles (Si-MNPs). Enzymatic hydrolysis was confirmed for conversion to p-nitrophenol (p-NP, λex=400 nm) from p-nitrophenyl butyrate (p-NPB, λex=270 nm), and various catalytic parameters such as Km, Vmax, and Kcat were calculated from Michaelis-Menten and Lineweaver-Burk plot. Efficiency of enzymatic hydrolysis was in the order of CalB > Si-MNPs@CalB > CalB@NF > Si-MNPs@CalB@NF, and reusability was much better with the enzyme immobilized on Si-MNPs than with the native enzyme. Enzymatic acylation was confirmed by the formation of benzyl benzoate (λex=229 nm) from benzoic anhydride (λex=240 nm), and efficiency exceeded 99% in all samples. Finally, enzymatic lipolysis was confirmed by the decomposition of olive oil to fatty acid such as oleic acid (λex=230 nm) using thin-layer chromatography (TLC), column chromatography, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H -NMR). The lipases immobilized on Si-MNPs have the advantage of good thermal stability and reusability and are thus applicable to a wide range of industries.

We report on the role of synergistic polarization of Ba0.9Sr0.1TiO3 (BST) nanoparticles in sulfur cathodes to enhance the redox kinetics of polysulfides for high-capacity Li-S batteries. Ferroelectric nanoparticles are known to significantly improve the electrochemical performance of Li-S batteries due to their inherent self-polarization and high adsorption capacity towards polysulfides. X-ray diffraction spectra confirmed the tetragonal symmetry (c/a=1.0073), while Raman spectroscopic analysis validated the presence of tetragonal orientation Raman modes in BST-modified composites. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showed a homogeneous distribution of BST in the sulfur cathode system, with grain sizes ranging from 1 to 1.5 μm. Notably, the BST-coupled S50BST30CB10PVDF10 composite cathode achieved a capacity of approximately 820 mAh/g at 100 mA/g, maintaining stability over 100 cycles, demonstrating improved electrochemical performance. Two distinct plateaus between 2.3 V to 2.0 V and 2.0 V to 1.5 V further underscore the superior performance of BST ferroelectric nanoparticles in enhancing the redox kinetics of Li-S batteries. By leveraging the favourable affinity of polar substances towards polysulfides, we aimed to create a more stable reactive environment within the cathodic site, effectively trapping polysulfide intermediates through the synergistic polarization of BST nanoparticles. The synergistic polarization induced by the asymmetric crystal structure of ferroelectrics is anticipated to generate internal electric fields, enhancing chemisorption with heteropolar reactive. The observed high cyclic stability further validates the efficacy of these composite cathodes in mitigating the polysulfide shuttle effect, offering promising prospects for advancing Li-S battery technology.

The end of life and circularity of products is an increasingly important issue, driven by concerns over their environmental impact and emerging regulations. Natural materials such as leather should be an obvious choice in the design of sustainable, circular products. Several ‘trendy’ alternative materials have been developed that are presented as sustainable alternatives to leather. This research compares the potential for leather and ‘trendy’ materials in composting conditions. The capacity of a material to biodegrade at the end of its life will influence its potential to be part of a circular economic model. The results show that most of the alternatives are poorly compostable. A notable exception was Piñatex® which showed 65.25% disintegration and 59.84% biodegradability while leather largely showed good disintegration and biodegradability. Plants grown in vegetable tanned leather compost produced 74% more top leaf growth than the blank. Vegetable tanned and chromium-free leather produce compost with an ecotoxicology profile that is favourable for use in agriculture. The results show that through its capacity to produce composts, leather has the potential to contribute to the circular economy. In contrast, trendy alternatives had a very limited capacity for biodegradation and would create waste issues at the end of their life.

Solar saline water splitting is a promising approach for sustainable hydrogen production, harnessing abundant solar energy and the availability of brine resources, especially in the Atacama Desert. Bischofite (MgCl2·6H2O), a naturally occurring salt, has garnered significant attention due to its wide range of industrial applications and the challenges associated with efficient hydrogen production in arid or hyper arid locations. This work discloses the electrochemical performance of Mn2O3 electrodes using a superposition model based on mixed potential theory and evaluates the superficial performance of this electrode in contact with a 0.5 M nature Bischofite salt solution focusing on hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), that occurs during saline water splitting. The application of the non-linear superposition model provides valuable electrochemical kinetic parameters that complement the understanding of Mn2O3, this being one of the novelties of the manuscript.

The literature analysis did not indicate any studies on fluorination tests of carbon nanocomposite coatings doped with transition metals of the nc-MeC/a-C type. This was the motivation for undertaking research in this area. As a model coating to investigate the effect of fluorination in a tetrafluoromethane (CF4) atmosphere, a nano-composite carbon coating doped with chromium nc-CrC/a-C produced by magnetron sputtering from graphite targets and the use of a Pulse-DC type medium frequency power supply was chosen [6]. After deposition of the gradient CrCN adhesive sublayer, fluorination of the main coating was conducted in a reactive mode in an (Ar+CF4) atmosphere at various CF4 contents. It was observed that the presence of CF4 in the atmosphere resulted in a reduced amount of chromium carbides formed in favor of chromium fluorides. So far, this is an observation that seems unnoticed by the carbon coatings researchers. Fluorine was assumed to bond much more readily to carbon than to chromium, due to the stability of tetrafluoromethane (CF4). The opposite seems to be true. The mechanical properties (nano-hardness and Young's modulus) and tribological properties in the 'pin-on-disc' friction pair are presented, along with the analysis of bonds occurring between chromium, carbon, and fluorine (XPS).

The prototype misfit layer compound (SnS)1.17NbS2 consists of alternatively a metallic triatomic NbS2 layer in which Nb atoms are sandwiched by S atoms and an insulating SnS double-layer of NaCl-type structure. Here we investigate the effect of lattice misfit on the stability and chemical bonding in the misfit layer compound using a first-principles density-functional theory approach. The calculations show that for the (SnS)1+xNbS2 approximants, the most stable one has x = 0.167, close to the experimental observations. Charge analysis finds a moderate charge transfer from the SnS to NbS2. Sn or S vacancies in the SnS part affect the electronic properties and interlayer interactions. The obtained information here helps understand the mechanism of formation and stability of the misfit layer compounds and ferecrystals, and further to design of novel multilayer compounds and emerging van der Waals heterostructures.