Silicon anodes in sulfide-based all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) suffer from severe chemo-mechanical instability, leading to interfacial debonding, cracking, and rapid capacity decay. Although polymer binders can mitigate these issues, most systems rely on high binder contents (> 10 wt
This study reports the experimental design-based optimization of ionic self-assembled lecithin (LC)–chitosan (CS) hybrid nanoparticles using progesterone (PG), a poorly water-soluble lipophilic model drug, to investigate the design-driven development of these nanoparticles. Nanoparticles were prepared by ethanol injection and optimized using a 3² factorial design to establish structure–property relationships between formulation variables and nanoparticle physicochemical performance. The optimized formulation exhibited a nanometric diameter ( 230 nm), a narrow size distribution, a positive surface charge ( + 20 mV), and a high encapsulation efficiency ( 97
Bimetallic nanocrystals have gained immense significance due to their unique chemical and synergistic properties and are widely used for catalysis and water treatment. Monometallic (silver and cerium oxide) and bimetallic silver@cerium oxide (Ag@Ce2O3) nanoparticles were prepared by using chemical reduction and seed growth methods, respectively, with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as a capping agent and sodium borohydride as a reducing agent in polyol synthesis. Optical properties and growth kinetics were established with UV-visible spectroscopy. The prepared Ag@Ce2O3 displayed surface plasmon resonance (SPR) peaks at 403 nm, 294 nm, and 229 nm, respectively, for metallic Ag0, Ce2O3, and PVA, indicating successful nanoparticles formation. Morphology, elemental composition, crystal size, and capping action of PVA were determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and FTIR spectroscopy. The sizes of the silver, cerium oxide, and Ag@Ce2O3, respectively, ca. 10 nm, 5 nm, and 40 nm, are controlled by the concentration of reducing agent. XRD patterns reveal the formation of face-centered cubic metallic silver (space group = 250: Fm-3m) as well as the trigonal crystal structure of cerium oxide (Ce2O3, space group 150: P321) in the Ag@Ce2O3 nanoparticles, while electronic interactions between the chemisorbed hydroxyl groups of the PVA and Ag@Ce2O3 surface are confirmed from the FT-IR data. The synthesized nanoparticles served as a potential catalyst in the oxidative degradation of organic azo dye (tetrazine). The Ag@Ce2O3 exhibits 98
The ionomer-to-carbon ratio (I/C ratio) and carbon support govern the internal structure of carbon/ionomer suspensions. However, their composition-dependent evolution is often interpreted using individual observables. In this study, Ketjen/ionomer and Vulcan/ionomer suspensions were examined using optical microscopy, shear rheology, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, equivalent circuit fitting, singular value decomposition (SVD), and evolving factor analysis (EFA). Conventional analyses identified support-dependent composition windows, with Vulcan-based suspensions showing pronounced changes at lower I/C ratios than Ketjen-based suspensions. SVD revealed that the rheological and impedance responses were not solely explained by a dominant global mode, but included a secondary component associated with composition-specific response reorganization. This component 2 contribution was more pronounced in the Vulcan-based system for both viscosity and impedance datasets. EFA further demonstrated that the secondary contribution developed progressively across the I/C range, rather than emerging abruptly at a single composition. These results indicate that SVD combined with EFA can serve as a supplementary data-driven framework for identifying latent descriptors of support-dependent structural evolution in carbon/ionomer suspensions.
This study presents a colorimetric hydrogel film sensor using chitosan and dimethylglyoxime (DMG) for rapid and on-site detection of nickel ions (Ni2+). A dual biocompatible crosslinking system using citric acid and oxalic acid was employed to produce a stable porous structure. The chitosan/DMG hydrogel (CDH) was characterized using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis. In the presence of nickel ions, the sensor shows a visible color change due to the formation of a reddish-pink complex. This change can be quantified using UV-Vis spectroscopy and digital image analysis, with a detection range of 2.5 mM to 8.5 mM. Under optimal conditions, the proposed sensor demonstrates a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.49 mM, and a rapid response time of 1 min. The sensor offers a low-cost, portable, and environmentally friendly solution for rapid on-site monitoring of nickel in aqueous solution. Although the sensor performs well under controlled conditions, challenges remain regarding trace-level detection and validation in large-scale real-world matrices. Future efforts will focus on addressing these limitations and exploring smartphone-based integration for fully portable, on-site applications.
The development of mesoporous hybrid materials with stimuli-responsive pore networks offers a promising platform for controlled release applications. In this study, we synthesize mesoporous silica microcapsules functionalized with poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) as thermally gated molecular valves for the controlled delivery of waste soybean cooking oil (WSCO) to rejuvenate aged bitumen. Using an oil-in-water emulsion and sol–gel polymerization, we produce microcapsules with a well-defined core–shell architecture, featuring a WSCO core and a mesoporous silica shell with pore sizes of 10 to 30 nm and a thickness of 100 to 300 nm. PNIPAM is incorporated within the mesopore network via hydrogen bonding between its amide groups and surface silanols, forming spatially distributed polymer domains that act as reversible gates. Below the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of approximately 32 °C, the hydrated PNIPAM chains expand to block the mesopores, restricting WSCO diffusion. Above the LCST, chain collapse opens the pore networks, enabling rapid release. Franz diffusion cell measurements reveal a temperature-dependent release profile, with 85
Water-dispersible polyester (WPET), as an amphiphilic macromolecule, shows significant value in textile sizing applications. However, in alkaline environments, WPET undergoes simultaneous aggregation and hydrolysis, complicating its removal during fabric processing. This study systematically investigates the aggregation and hydrolysis kinetics of WPET with varying -SO3- and PEG contents in NaOH solution, along with their interaction mechanisms. By combining DLS, zeta potential, fluorescence spectroscopy, alkali consumption measurements, and product characterization, the interplay between NaOH concentration and WPET molecular structure in regulating solution stability and phase transitions is elucidated. The addition of NaOH triggers a competition for water molecules between the ions and the WPET chains: the strong hydration of Na+ and OH- strips the hydration layer surrounding the sulfonate and PEG segments, exposing the hydrophobic backbones and leading to oligomer aggregation. This hydration‑layer evolution is the microscopic origin of the observed salting‑out effect. The conformational looseness of WPET chains, primarily governed by the sulfonate group content, serves as a key structural parameter: a more extended conformation facilitates NaOH penetration, thereby accelerating both aggregation and hydrolysis. NaOH concentration exhibits a critical threshold (approximately 0.2 M): below this concentration, hydrolysis predominates; above it, strong aggregation inhibits hydrolysis by forming dense aggregates that physically shield ester bonds. These findings provide a mechanistic guideline for practical textile desizing and alkali‑treatment processes, indicating that moderate rather than excessive alkali concentrations are more effective for WPET removal.
To overcome physical blending limitations in polymer fracturing fluid thickeners, this study proposes a chemical cross-linking strategy based on the Schiff base condensation reaction. The base thickener (WPAM) was synthesized via inverse emulsion polymerization, while dialdehyde-modified cellulose nanofibers (QCNF) were prepared by modifying pristine cellulose nanofibers (CNF). A novel nano-organic composite thickener was subsequently fabricated via chemical cross-linking of WPAM and QCNF. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) verified the successful modification of QCNF and its integration into a dense, cross-linked multi-network with WPAM. Rheological evaluations demonstrated that a 1.4 wt
This study successfully synthesized a high-purity, nano-sized Al2O3/SiO2 composite material with a high specific surface area and investigated the adsorption performance of novel material based on anionic surfactant, a sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS)-modified Al2O3/SiO2 nanocomposite for tetracycline (TC) removal from water. The characteristic features of Al2O3/SiO2 nanocomposite were determined via XRD, TEM and EDX methods. Surface modification with the anionic surfactant SDS significantly enhanced TC removal compared to the untreated material due to increased hydrophobicity and improved electrostatic interactions. The optimal adsorption conditions were determined to be an adsorbent dosage of 2 mg/mL, pH 4, a contact time of 120 min and 1 mM NaCl. Under these conditions, SDS-modified Al2O3/SiO2 nanocomposite presented a TC removal efficiency exceeding 95
Recovery of gold from secondary resources has garnered significant attention due to its vital role in the growing information industry. However, understanding the extraction mechanisms and enhancing the efficiency of microemulsions pose considerable challenges. Herein, two w/o microemulsions were formulated using commercial gemini surfactants, namely GC-B (with an amide group) and GC-A (without an amide group), as emulsifiers, supplemented with n-butanol as a cosurfactant, n-heptane as the oil phase, and NaCl solution as the internal phase for the extraction of gold(III) from hydrochloric acid solutions. The results indicated that GC-B microemulsion demonstrated significantly higher extraction efficiencies and was less sensitive to fluctuations in temperature (20 60 °C), surfactant/cosurfactant concentration (0.05 0.25 g/0.8 2.5 mL), and NaCl content (0 0.2 mol/L) than GC-A microemulsion. This enhanced performance is primarily attributed to the protonation of the amide groups in hydrochloric acid, which imparts a more pronounced positive charge to the microemulsion (evidenced by a higher binding constant of 2.46) and facilitates stronger intermolecular hydrogen bonding interactions. Under optimal conditions (0.05 g surfactant, 3.5 mL heptane, 0.025 mol/L NaCl, a water-emulsion ratio of 8, and 1.2 mL n-butanol), GC-B microemulsion achieved an extraction efficiency exceeding 95
This study investigates the extraction, synthesis, and performance evaluation of a natural surfactant obtained from Sapindus mukorossi extract (SME) and its mixed system with copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO NPs) for surface-active properties. The surface-active properties of the SME-CuO NPs mixed system were compared with those of SME. Preliminary characterization using UV–visible spectroscopy showed a characteristic peak for CuO NPs and the presence of saponin in SME. A Shift in the absorption peak in the SME-CuO NPs mixed system suggests interaction taking place between SME and CuO NPs. The results revealed that the observed enhancement in parameters such as foaming ability, stability, emulsification, viscosity, and pH shows a strong dependence on the surfactant NPs concentration. SME-CuO NPs mixed system showed enhanced emulsification at a concentration range of 5.0× 10^-4 to 4.0× 10^-2 g/cc, higher foaming ability at 2.0× 10^-4 to 2.0× 10^-3 g/cc and increased viscosity at 5.0× 10^-3 to 2.0× 10^-2 g/cc as compared to SME. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) of the SME and SME-CuO NPs mixed system was determined by electrical conductivity, and its value was found to be 1.21× 10^-3 g/cc and 1.86 × 10^-3 g/cc, respectively. SME-CuO NPs mixed system exhibited a slight increase in CMC as compared to SME, indicating the occurrence of micellization at slightly higher concentration for SME-CuO NPs mixed system. pH results indicated that the SME-CuO NPs mixed system is acidic at a lower concentration range of 3.0× 10^-5 to 3.0× 10^-3 g/cc as compared to SME. These findings demonstrate that the SME-CuO NPs mixed system effectively optimizes micelle formation and surface activity, highlighting its potential for applications in enhanced oil recovery, pharmaceuticals, food, and cosmetic formulations.
Fire suppression technology faces critical challenges in rapid response to high-temperature fires, resource efficiency, and environmental sustainability. Foamed hydrogel technology has emerged as a revolutionary approach, offering exceptional performance and versatile application potential. This review systematically examines the core principles of foamed hydrogel preparation, focusing on polymer material selection (e.g., cellulose, sodium alginate) and the rapid foaming mechanism enabling ultrafast foam generation and film formation. Key advancements in material optimization are analyzed, including high water absorption, low-density design, enhanced foam stability, and high-temperature resistance, alongside improvements in water resource utilization and eco-friendliness. Innovative device designs—such as foam-based fire extinguishing tools, specialized additives for firefighting vehicles, and thermal-protective equipment—are proposed to address diverse firefighting scenarios. Technical evaluations demonstrate significant advantages in fire suppression efficiency, cost reduction, and reduced environmental impact compared to conventional methods. Applications span high-temperature fires, personal protective gear, and industrial/civil fire emergencies. However, limitations persist in foaming adaptability, device portability, and extreme environment applicability, necessitating further research. Prospects highlight the integration of intelligent automation, global scalability, and synergistic development with complementary firefighting technologies. Foamed hydrogel technology represents a transformative solution for modern fire protection, combining efficiency, sustainability, and cost-effectiveness with profound implications for advancing fire safety science and engineering.
Polylactide (PLA) is brittle at ambient temperature and has insufficient barrier properties, which limits its packaging applications. Incorporating metal–organic frameworks offers an effective strategy to overcome these limitations. Zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) nanoparticles were synthesized at room temperature and incorporated into PLA matrices via solution casting method to create nanocomposite films. The ZIF-8/PLA composites were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, mechanical testing, and permeability assessment. The ZIF-8 particles showed a rhombic dodecahedral morphology with an average size of 200 nm and high crystallinity confirmed by XRD. The incorporation of ZIF-8 enhanced the toughness of PLA: elongation at break of the resultant PLA composites increased up to 9.47
This study reports the discovery of novel interfacial phenomena at the gas-liquid interface of rising bubbles in polymeric liquids. These phenomena are characterized by the formation of unique and exotic microstructures that extend from the bottom of the bubble. Experimental observations indicate that the morphology of these microstructures depends strongly on both the viscoelastic properties of the polymeric liquid and the bubble equivalent diameter. Significantly, the stability and complexity of these structures defy classical explanations based purely on surface tension, which would typically favor interface minimization. Instead, our findings highlight the critical role of localized molecular interactions between the gas phase and the polymeric liquid. This study provides new insights into the microscale coupling of polymer dynamics and interfacial physics, suggesting that local molecular interaction can dominate over bulk rheological properties in complex fluid systems.
To enhance the performance of polyurethane materials and introduce multifunctional characteristics, thereby expanding their applications across various fields, this study conducted a series of modification experiments and performance evaluations. Initially, porous carbon material (PC) was synthesized using a carbonization-activation method, serving as a carrier for Fe3O4 particles. This process led to the successful creation of the Fe3O4/PC composite. Subsequently, this composite was used as a modifier to produce waterborne polyurethane (PC-FWPU) through in-situ polymerization. The structure and properties of the Fe3O4/PC composites were systematically examined, focusing on how varying the amount of Fe3O4/PC affected the stability of the PC-FWPU composite emulsion and the properties of the resulting film. The study’s results revealed that the porous carbon synthesized here boasts a high specific surface area of 1387.90 m²/g and a hierarchical pore structure, offering ample spatial sites and structural support for the uniform loading of Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Measurements of water contact angle, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and mechanical properties showed that incorporating Fe3O4/PC composites significantly enhanced the water resistance, thermal stability, and mechanical performance of the PC-FWPU films. At an optimal Fe3O4/PC loading of 4.0 wt
The clinical application of trimethoprim (TMP) is limited by the low water solubility, short half-life and low oral bioavailability. Polyacrylic acid-stabilized trimethoprim amorphous solid dispersant (PAA/TMP ASD) are prepared by spray drying technology. The PAA/TMP ASD forms microspheres with diameters from hundreds of nanometers to tens of micrometers. The payload of TMP in the ASD can be regulated by adjusting the feeding ratio. During the continuous 7-day test, the variation range of particle size and Zeta potential is both less than 10
Addressing the limitations of conventional mask materials in thermal comfort, antibacterial performance, and environmental sustainability, this study developed multifunctional PLA-BKC/PEG (P-B/P) composite nanofibers for mask filter applications. Utilizing coaxial electrospinning, polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution served as the inner layer, and a mixed solution of polylactic acid (PLA) and benzalkonium chloride (BKC) formed the outer layer. The P-B/P nanofibers achieved an average diameter as low as 420 nm, exhibiting superior mechanical and thermal stability, evidenced by a Young’s modulus of up to 176.5 MPa and negligible mass loss below 200 °C. Notably, P-B/P demonstrated excellent thermal hysteresis, showing a significant temperature lag of 5.6 °C during heating and 4.1 °C during cooling compared to pure PLA. Furthermore, P-B/P exhibited potent antibacterial performance, particularly against Staphylococcus aureus, with an inhibition zone diameter reaching 10 mm. The nanofibers also achieved excellent air filtration performance, with an efficiency of up to 98.9
AuNPs are produced safely and sustainably using green synthesis techniques, which substitute natural metabolites for hazardous chemicals. The physicochemical, antibacterial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic characteristics of AuNPs were compared after they were produced chemically (CS-AuNPs) and environmentally (GS-AuNPs) utilizing Zingiber officinale extract. The successful synthesis of spherical structures with sizes ranging from 5 to 50 nm was demonstrated by TEM micrographs. The zeta potentials (–26.4 mV and − 17.3 mV for CS-AuNP and GS-AuNP, respectively) explained the high stability. The FT-IR measurements indicated that the AgNPs were coated and stabilized by bioactive chemicals derived from the extract. Gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria were both tested for antibacterial effectiveness. Antioxidant activities were assessed by a free radical scavenging assay. GS-Au NPs at 8x dilution had an 88
The design and preparation of environmentally-friendly and efficient adsorbents are of crucial importance in the treatment of dyes-containing wastewater. In this study, to improve the water stability of alginate (SA) aerogel, the multi-crosslinking strategy was put forward, where Ca2+, polyaniline (PANI) and chitosan (CTS) acted as the “crosslinkers” to connect, reinforce and stabilize the network of the adsorbents through multiple interactions. And then metal organic framework (MOF) material MOF-199 was in-situ grown onto the aerogel adsorbents by the layer-by-layer method to solve the problems of MOF material applied alone in the adsorption field of dispersion and collection after use. The prepared aerogel adsorbents were characterized and applied to enrich cationic dye methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution. The results showed that the adsorption process conformed to pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir isotherm. The aerogel adsorbents could selectively enrich cationic dyes like MB in the presence of anionic dyes, and adsorption efficiencies all remained above 94
Thermal treatment plays a critical role in defining the physicochemical organization and functional behavior of biosynthesized metal oxide nanoparticles. However, its influence on the surface and colloidal evolution of biosynthesized ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) remains insufficiently understood. In this study, ZnO-NPs obtained using aqueous plant extracts were subjected to post-synthesis drying at 60 °C or calcination at 500 °C in order to evaluate thermally induced changes in surface chemistry, crystallographic organization, colloidal behavior, and antibacterial performance. FTIR and XPS analyses revealed a marked reduction of surface-associated organic fractions after calcination, indicating greater exposure of the ZnO surface sites. In contrast, XRD and UV–Vis analyses showed only minor variations in crystallinity and optical band gap, suggesting that the bulk crystalline and electronic structure of ZnO remained largely preserved after thermal treatment. The most pronounced modifications occurred at the colloidal level, with calcination promoting larger hydrodynamic diameters, increased polydispersity, and reduced zeta potential magnitude, indicating diminished electrostatic stabilization and greater aggregation in aqueous suspension. ESEM observations further revealed differences in aggregate organization and morphological homogeneity depending on the biosynthetic pathway. Calcined ZnO-NPs exhibited narrower and more reproducible minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values (0.078–0.156 mg mL–1) against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. ZnO-NPs synthesized using Inga jinicuil displayed comparatively more homogeneous organization and improved antibacterial performance under both thermal conditions. Overall, the results indicate that thermal treatment predominantly restructures surface-associated fractions and colloidal organization rather than inducing major crystallographic or electronic modifications, thereby influencing the consistency of antibacterial performance in biosynthesized ZnO systems.
