In the context of accelerated energy depletion, the efficient storage and release of energy has emerged as a pivotal concern. Dielectric capacitors have garnered significant attention for their high power density, rapid charging and discharging rates, and extended cycle life. With the development of electronic power equipment in the direction of lightweight and flexibility, all-organic dielectrics show a broad development prospect in the field of energy storage dielectric capacitors by virtue of their light weight, easy processing, high breakdown strength and other advantages. Among them, vinylidene fluoride (VDF)-based polymers exhibit high polarization characteristics, which are conducive to achieving high energy storage density (Ud). However, severe polarization hysteresis leads to low charge/discharge efficiency. In response to these properties, this review explores various chemical and physical strategies to enhance the energy storage performance of VDF-based polymers based on three perspectives: modulation of polarization behavior, reduction of dielectric loss and enhancement of breakdown strength. The chemical strategy is centered on the design of the molecular chain structure, and the highest Ud of 23.3 J/cm3 was obtained by grafting linear polymers. The physical strategy focuses on modulating the structure of the aggregation state, and the special processing method of "Press & Folding" enables PVDF to achieve the highest Ud of 39.8 J/cm3. Finally, suggestions are made for future research and development, as well as for the challenges that VDF-based all-organic dielectrics will have to overcome.

With the development of the state grid, high-speed railways, and new energy electric vehicles, the application fields of dielectric materials, as critical components, are rapidly expanding. This work employed a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)/chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) co-continuous phase structure as the matrix, and achieved selective localization of barium titanate (BaTiO3, BT) in both phases through dual control of kinetic and thermodynamic factors. The findings suggest that the localization of BT in the CPE phase is more beneficial for the optimization of dielectric properties, with its dielectric constant being on average 4% higher (at 102 Hz) compared to the sample where BT was localized in PMMA. The electric modulus and the fundamental model both confirm that this enhancement originates from more abundant polarization mechanisms. Moreover, theoretical calculations of the dielectric constant demonstrate that the co-continuous phase structure can overcome the limitations imposed by the weaker component in a series-connected configuration, while the selective localization of fillers enables further modulation of the composite's dielectric properties. It is noteworthy that the localization of BT in the CPE phase not only maintains excellent material toughness but also reduces the complex viscosity of the composite, significantly lowering energy consumption during preparation and improving the material's processability.

A novel Cu2O/TiO2(A)/TiO2(R)/rGO heterojunction photocatalyst with a 1D/2D structure was successfully fabricated via a combined strategy of modified Hummers' method and hydrothermal synthesis. Its visible-light photocatalytic performance was systematically evaluated through naphthalene degradation. A suite of advanced characterization techniques, including XRD, FT-IR, SEM, TEM, EDX, XPS, UV-vis DRS, PL, and EIS, were employed to analyze the catalyst's structure, morphology, and photoelectric properties. Results indicate that Cu1+ doping promotes the formation of oxygen vacancies, while the coexistence of dual TiO2 phases and the introduction of rGO synergistically enhance visible-light absorption and charge carrier separation efficiency. XPS and PL analyses confirm that the strong interaction between oxygen vacancies and heterojunction interfaces effectively modulates the electronic band structure. The optimized sample, C10TG4, possesses a narrow band gap of 1.07 eV and exhibits significantly quenched PL emission, indicating effective suppression of electron-hole recombination. Under visible light, C10TG4 achieves complete naphthalene degradation within 150 min and demonstrates excellent stability over five consecutive cycles. Mechanistic studies reveal that superoxide (& centerdot;O2 -) and hydroxyl (& centerdot;OH) radicals are the primary active species in the degradation process. This work provides a novel design strategy for developing high-performance, durable photocatalysts for organic pollutant remediation.

As the lifeblood of industry, petroleum becomes increasingly difficult to extract after years of production. The binary composite flooding technology leverages the synergistic effects of surfactants and polymers to achieve ultra-low interfacial tension and high-viscosity displacement, demonstrating significant technical and economic advantages for recovering challenging residual oil. To adapt to more complex reservoir conditions and enhance oil displacement efficiency, this study successfully prepared a novel nanocomposite material, BS@BP/Fe3O4/MOF, by loading Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles onto black phosphorus (BP) nanosheets and modifying the surface with BS-12. Experimental results demonstrated that the constructed SP-BS@BP/Fe3O4/MOF composite flooding system was suitable for high-temperature, high-salinity, and acidic/alkaline environments. Comprehensive emulsification tests, viscosity tests and interface tension confirmed that the system exhibited excellent viscosity enhancement and ultra-low interfacial tension when interacting with crude oil. The adsorption loss was measured at 11.7%, while the separation rates of the nanomaterial and xanthan gum (XG) were 4.0% and 8.9%, respectively. Displacement tests showed a 12.52% increase in oil recovery. In conclusion, BS@BP/Fe3O4/MOF could enhance binary flooding performance and boost recovery rates, so BS@BP/Fe3O4/MOF served as a novel composite material to assist binary flooding in EOR.

This work aimed to enhance the flame retardancy, smoke suppression, and mechanical properties of a low-temperature-resistant plasticized polyvinyl chloride/hydrogenated nitrile-butadiene rubber (PVC/HNBR) multifunctional composite. Magnesium hydroxide (MH) filler was modified via dry surface treatment using stearic acid, titanate coupling agent, or silane coupling agent (SC). The modified MH was incorporated into PVC/HNBR via two methods to investigate the composite's combustion behavior, mechanical properties, and low-temperature resistance. Results demonstrated that the composite prepared by first blending SC-modified MH with HNBR, followed by mixing with plasticized PVC, exhibited optimal overall performance. This PVC/HNBR composite achieved a limiting oxygen index of 33.9%, a smoke density rating of 26.21%, a tensile strength of 11.30 MPa, an elongation at break of 415%, and a glass transition temperature as low as -23.2 degrees C. Scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze MH dispersion within the matrix, correlating it with the macroscopic properties. This study offers an effective approach for selecting MH modifiers and developing high-performance flame-retardant and cold-resistant materials.

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with minor side effects for treating acute sinusitis was developed by constructing an injectable multifunctional hydrogel (CS/SA@VP@SZ), which was self-assembled by sangzhi alkaloid (SZ) with violet phosphorus (VP) nanosheets for antibacterial and anti-inflammatory purposes and then compounded with chitosan (CS) and sodium alginate (SA). The hydrogel demonstrated significant synergistic photothermal and photodynamic therapeutic effects, exhibiting a photothermal conversion efficiency of 49.2%. Critical findings included a potent antibacterial inhibition rate of 99.1% against bacteria, excellent biocompatibility, and regulation of the secretion of macrophage-related inflammatory cytokines. In a rabbit sinusitis model, the hydrogel combined with 808 nm laser irradiation significantly suppressed bacterial proliferation, reduced inflammation, and alleviated mucosal tissue damage. This study not only provides a multifunctional hydrogel material for the treatment of acute sinusitis but also paves the way for the modern application of TCM.

The development of dielectric materials with high discharge energy density and efficiency is the key to improving the energy storage performance of electrostatic capacitors. All-organic dielectrics demonstrate great potential in the field of dielectric energy storage due to their light weight, high insulation, and easy processing. Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) has a high dielectric constant and polarization, but its severe intrinsic polarization loss results in low charge-discharge efficiency. In this work, a dielectric film with a semi-interpenetrating polymer network (SIPN) structure is constructed via in situ polymerization, wherein PVDF has a linear molecular chain structure and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) forms a crosslinked network structure. It has been demonstrated that the charge carrier trapping effect of the SIPN structure and its enhancement of the film's Young's modulus can effectively suppress conduction loss and electromechanical breakdown. The film with the SIPN structure exhibits a discharge energy density of 21.3 J/cm3 at 650 MV/m, which represents an enhancement of 407% and 173% compared to pure PVDF and the PVDF/PMMA composite film, respectively.

Perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) membranes, exemplified by Nafion, suffer dehydration-induced degradation at elevated temperatures, although modifications enhance their conductivity and performance. Sulfonated aromatic polymers (SAPs) exhibit weaker phase separation, yielding narrow, tortuous ion channels and lower conductivity than their PFSA membrane counterparts at equivalent ion exchange capacity; however, excessive sulfonation causes swelling and mechanical instability, offset by cost advantages. Phosphoric acid-doped polybenzimidazole (PBI) offers superior thermal stability and high conductivity, with recent advances in polybenzimidazole derivatives and composites driving medium-to-high temperature proton-exchange membrane fuel cell innovation. This review summarizes progress in three major medium-to-high temperature proton-exchange membrane fuel cell categories—perfluorosulfonic acid, sulfonated polymers, and PBI-based membranes—while addressing challenges and future goals for enhanced performance.

This study tested two antistatic systems: a quaternary ammonium salt (QAS)-nonionic surfactant composite and a QAS polymer-fatty alcohol ether phosphate blend. These were added in specific ratios to plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC) composites containing magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) flame retardant and polyester plasticizer (PPA), producing composites with both antistatic and flame-retardant properties, followed by systematic performance tests. Electrical tests showed significantly lower volume and surface resistivity than those of the control, with stable performance over 8 weeks and after water immersion. Combustion tests revealed excellent flame resistance: LOI of 31%-33%, UL-94 V-0 rating, and a lower peak heat release rate (PHRR) and reduced total smoke production (TSP) in some samples vs. the control. Thermal analysis found that all composites' glass transition temperature (Tg) was stably around -16.6 degrees C, indicating good low-temperature performance. Some samples had improved mechanical properties (tensile strength, elongation at break). In conclusion, these plasticized PVC composites met preset targets for antistatic performance, flame retardancy, and mechanical strength, satisfying application needs in electronic manufacturing, medical devices, etc. This provides theoretical and practical guidance for expanding their use.

Acute sinusitis, common across populations, worsens seasonally due to pollution and improper medication, increasing the risk of chronic disease and impairing quality of life. To improve treatment and limit antimicrobial resistance in acute sinusitis, we developed a natural injectable QACS/SA@Py@Ta4C3 hydrogel. It integrates the traditional Chinese medicine phillyrin with Ta4C3 quantum dots and natural polymers-quaternary chitosan and sodium alginate. The hydrogel is designed for NIR II-mediated treatment of acute sinusitis via combined photothermal and photodynamic therapy. It exhibited a photothermal conversion efficiency of 22.6% and generated transient ROS, as demonstrated in vitro. Bacteriostatic experiments revealed that the hydrogel inhibited S. aureus with an efficiency of 99.7%. Furthermore, cell studies showed that the hydrogel was minimally cytotoxic, modulated macrophage cytokine expression, and displayed anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Finally, in a rabbit sinusitis model, hydrogel implantation at the treatment site significantly reduced bacterial burden and decreased inflammation after NIR II laser treatment, demonstrating promising therapeutic potential.

Plasticized poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) is a core foundational material for flexible cable sheaths, electronic packaging and building interior components, yet it faces a long-standing bottleneck: single-filler modification cannot achieve simultaneous optimization of flame retardancy, antistatic performance, thermal conductivity and mechanical properties, resulting in severe performance trade-offs in practical service. Herein, we fabricated multifunctional plasticized PVC composites using magnesium hydroxide (MH) and carbon black (CB) as hybrid functional fillers, and systematically elucidated their multi-property synergistic regulation mechanism. Results show that 5 wt% CB enables the composite to reach the conductive percolation threshold with long-term stable antistatic performance even in humid environments; all composites achieve UL-94 V-0 rating without dripping, with a maximum limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 33.8%. The dual fillers construct a continuous three-dimensional thermal conductive pathway, boosting the thermal conductivity to 0.50 W & centerdot;m-1 & centerdot;K-1 (1.8 times that of the unfilled control), while maintaining excellent mechanical properties and industrial processability. This work clarifies the multi-property synergistic mechanism of MH/CB hybrid fillers, providing a feasible, low-cost strategy for the design and industrial production of high-performance multifunctional PVC composites.

ABSTRACT A novel Cu 2 O/TiO 2 (A)/TiO 2 (R)/rGO heterojunction photocatalyst with a 1D/2D structure was successfully fabricated via a combined strategy of modified Hummers' method and hydrothermal synthesis. Its visible‐light photocatalytic performance was systematically evaluated through naphthalene degradation. A suite of advanced characterization techniques, including XRD, FT‐IR, SEM, TEM, EDX, XPS, UV–vis DRS, PL, and EIS, were employed to analyze the catalyst's structure, morphology, and photoelectric properties. Results indicate that Cu 1+ doping promotes the formation of oxygen vacancies, while the coexistence of dual TiO 2 phases and the introduction of rGO synergistically enhance visible‐light absorption and charge carrier separation efficiency. XPS and PL analyses confirm that the strong interaction between oxygen vacancies and heterojunction interfaces effectively modulates the electronic band structure. The optimized sample, C 10 TG 4 , possesses a narrow band gap of 1.07 eV and exhibits significantly quenched PL emission, indicating effective suppression of electron–hole recombination. Under visible light, C 10 TG 4 achieves complete naphthalene degradation within 150 min and demonstrates excellent stability over five consecutive cycles. Mechanistic studies reveal that superoxide (·O 2 − ) and hydroxyl (·OH) radicals are the primary active species in the degradation process. This work provides a novel design strategy for developing high‐performance, durable photocatalysts for organic pollutant remediation.

The treatment of acute sinusitis faces dual challenges of drug delivery and antibiotic resistance. Traditional Chinese medicine composite nanomaterials show tremendous potential for therapy. We combined the traditional Chinese medicine Salvianolic acid A (SAA) with Fe2B2 nanosheets, then encapsulated the modified Fe2B2 nanosheets within a hydrogel matrix containing alginate oligosaccharides (AOS) and chitosan (CS), resulting in an injectable AOS/CS@Fe2B2@SAA hydrogel. Characterization demonstrated excellent gelling properties and sustained-release characteristics. Cellular studies confirmed high biocompatibility. Bacterial culture, Live/Dead cell staining experiments, CT scans, and histological staining collectively demonstrated the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects of this hydrogel at the cellular, individual, and tissue levels. This hydrogel demonstrated remarkable synergistic effects in photothermal therapy and photodynamic therapy: the dual action effectively inhibited pathogen growth (with a photothermal conversion efficiency of 37.9%). Furthermore, the hydrogel can regulate macrophage polarization and associated cytokine secretion, exerting dual antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects: post-treatment ROS levels in macrophages significantly decreased, while the proportion of M1 macrophages significantly dropped. Additionally, the secretion of key proinflammatory factors, IL-6 and TNF-α, was markedly decreased. These results fully confirm the efficacy of the hydrogel in mitigating cellular oxidative damage and suppressing inflammatory responses.

RATIONAL:Sanhuang Xiexin Decoction (SHD), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been used widely in East Asian Countries for hundreds of years and recent studies have implied its lipid-lowering and cardiovascular protective effects. However, the active components and potential mechanism of SHD in treating hypercholesterolemia (HC) remain unclear. METHODS:UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS/MS was used to annotate the components in SHD, and then, the efficacy of SHD in alleviating HC was demonstrated in vitro and in vivo. Subsequently, metabolomics by UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS/MS was employed to identify discriminative metabolites and metabolic pathways involved in SHD against HC. Network pharmacology was applied to explore the potential bioactive components. Then, the integrated approach was proposed to elucidate the possible targets and mechanisms. Finally, molecular docking was operated to validate the potential targets and bioactive components. RESULTS:A total of 180 chemical components were identified in SHD, and 18 prototype components were confirmed in vivo. Metabolomics study revealed 12 metabolites, and five metabolic pathways were associated with the efficacy of SHD. Network pharmacology analysis further identified 18 active compounds and 107 targets. Finally, the integrated approach suggested that SHD exerts its protective effects against HC by modulating purine and glycerophospholipid metabolism through the regulation of key targets, including phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5), acetylcholinesterase (ACHE), phospholipase A2 group VII (PLA2G7), and xanthine dehydrogenase (XDH). CONCLUSION:SHD exerts its therapeutic effects on HC through multiple targets and multiple mechanisms. This study lays the groundwork for the clinical application of SHD in the treatment of HC and paves the way for further exploration of its underlying mechanisms.

Solar photovoltaics (PV) convert sunlight into electricity, with bifacial systems capturing light on both sides to enhance efficiency. Incorporating materials with high reflectivity in the 300-1100 nm wavelength range can further boost this efficiency by redirecting unutilized light to the rear of bifacial PV modules. In this work, a multifunctional composite material was developed by incorporating nano titanium dioxide (TiO2) and magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2) into a polyethylene (PE) matrix. This composite system exhibits high reflectivity in the 300-1100 nm range, with the addition of 10 phr nano TiO2 and 150 phr Mg(OH)2 increasing the reflectivity to 76.39 %, enhancing solar energy utilization. Additionally, the composite showed enhanced flame retardancy, with the limiting oxygen index rising from 17.8 % to 28.0 %, a UL-94 rating improvement from "No Rating" to V-0, and significantly reduced smoke density, approaching zero compared to the control. Its thermal conductivity of 1.13 W·m-1·K-1 makes it suitable for passive cooling applications in building facades and automotive interiors. These combined properties make the composite a promising candidate for enhancing efficiency and safety in bifacial PV systems.

Lambda-Cyhalothrin (LC) is a high-efficiency and broad-spectrum insecticide. However, due to its poor water dispersion stability and unstable efficacy, it has many problems in practical applications. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new formulations with stability, low toxicity, and environmental friendliness to overcome the drawbacks of traditional pesticide formulations. This study designed an iron-based metal-organic framework (MIL-101(Fe)) as a nanocarrier for the loading of LC and then surface modified it with polydopamine (PDA) to form the nanopesticide PDA-LC-MIL. The results showed that PDA-LC-MIL has good stability and can achieve controlled release of pesticide by adjusting the pH value. In addition, it also has a good leaf affinity and can effectively adhere on crop leaves, improving the utilization rate of pesticides. The insecticidal experimental results indicate that PDA-LC-MIL has significantly improved sustained insecticidal activity. PDA-LC-MIL also has good biocompatibility and shows no significant inhibitory effect on seed germination and seedling growth of Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek and maize. Therefore, we firmly believe that MIL-based nanopesticides will have broad application prospects in the field of green pesticides and modern agriculture.

Although plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is widely used, its low flammability and electrostatic sensitivity limit its application. Here, we prepared plasticized PVC compounds with integrated antistatic, flame retardant, and smoke suppression properties using surface-modified magnesium hydroxide (mMH), unmodified magnesium hydroxide (uMH), the antistatic plasticizer bis(2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethyl) adipate (DBEEA) and PVC. Electrical tests showed that after 8 weeks of water immersion in the absence of magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2), the migration of DBEEA was unimpeded, and the surface resistivity and volume resistivity were increased by a factor of 10 and 6, respectively. In the uMH/mMH system, the hindered migration limited the increase in resistivity (e.g., the volume resistivity of PVC/uMH 50 increased from 1.26 x 107 to 9.62 x 107 Omegam). Flame retardant tests showed about a 20% increase in limiting oxygen index, about a 40% reduction in smoke density, and V-0 vertical burning for 100 phr uMH, demonstrating enhanced fire resistance. Dynamic mechanical thermal analysis (DMTA) showed that the homogeneous dispersion of the Mg(OH)2 maintains excellent low-temperature resistance and thermal stability. The migration behavior of DBEEA was confirmed by attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) test. Also, the addition of fillers has little effect on the mechanical properties.

This work aimed to improve both mechanical properties and flame retardancy in polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/hydrogenated nitrile-butadiene rubber (HNBR) thermoplastic elastomer composites through the melt blending technique. To achieve this, semi-reinforced furnace black (SRF) was blended with HNBR as a reinforcing agent. Meanwhile magnesium hydroxide (MH) and antimony trioxide, acting as flame retardants, were incorporated into plasticized PVC. Mechanical, combustion, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) tests were conducted to evaluate the effects of MH and SRF. Results show that incorporating 10-30 phr SRF in HNBR and 100-150 phr MH in PVC has led to composites with significantly improved properties, including an enhanced limiting oxygen index (36.2%), reduced smoke density rate (11.8%), and lowered maximum smoke density (28.7%). Tensile strength improved to 9.32 MPa, while elongation at break remained at 317%. DSC analysis revealed a glass transition temperature of -23.5 degrees C, indicating excellent low-temperature resistance. These PVC/HNBR composites are suitable for applications in wires, cables, automotive parts, building seals, and low-temperature industrial products.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) can lead to sensory, motor, and autonomic dysfunction, and even accompanied by persistent pathological pain, seriously affecting the psychosomatic health of patients. At present, there are no effective treatment methods. In recent years, cell transplantation replacement therapy has entered people's field of vision. Functional bioactive cells are transplanted into the host to exert the characteristics of biotherapy so as to repair the injured nerve and repair the function. Neural stem cells (NSCs) are a kind of pluripotent stem cells, which have been well applied in nerve injury repair and tissue engineering regeneration. In preclinical and animal models, NSCs transplantation can well repair SCI and repair part of the function. The therapeutic functions of NSCs include differentiation into neurons, promoting axonal regeneration and myelination, neuroprotection, immunoregulation, and improving the local inflammatory microenvironment of SCI, replacing injured neurons. it is beneficial to the repair and reconstruction of neural network after SCI. NSCs have also achieved some encouraging results in clinical trials of SCI. Transplantation of NSCs into patients with SCI is a safe and feasible treatment, which can partially restore the sensory and motor function of the patients, without obvious side effects. At present, NSCs are in the primary exploration stage in clinical trials, and there are many problems and challenges in their extensive development and application in clinical trials. Therefore, we comprehensively discussed the application of NSCs in clinical trials of SCI and the existing problems and challenges, so as to provide useful information for the application of NSCs in SCI in the future.

Bacterial infection-induced acute sinusitis is prevalent and can easily progress into chronic sinusitis, which is often difficult to treat due to the challenging nature of the site, increased environmental pollution, and bacterial drug resistance prevalent nowadays. To address these challenges, a flexible hydrogel (LM@P/S@CP@Hemin) that involves flexible wood-modified logs, photoactive conjugated polymers, an immunomodulator, and an immobilization hydrogel was prepared for nasal cavity treatment. The flexible wood-modified logs provide mechanical strength support. In vitro, experiments verified that the hydrogel could efficiently induce the photothermal effect under near-infrared-II laser irradiation after deeply penetrating bone and produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) to initiate the photodynamic effect for synergetically eliminating bacteria. The introduction of hemin endows LM@P/S@CP@Hemin hydrogel with a strong immunomodulatory effect on macrophages to achieve anti-inflammation and cellular ROS clearance abilities, which avoids the excessive oxidative stress in the nasal cavity. The results showed that the hydrogel induced an anti-bacterial effect with a 98.5% inhibition rate against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, hadexcellent clearance ability of excessive ROS, and promoted anti-inflammatory M2 macrophage generation to relieve inflammation. Meanwhile, transcriptome sequencing and mRNA level measurements revealed that the hydrogel could regulate inflammatory-related genes. In vivo, bacterial infection-induced acute sinusitis rabbit model experiments and histological analysis further confirmed the great therapeutic effect of LM@P/S@CP@Hemin for acute sinusitis based on photothermal and photodynamic therapy. Therefore, LM@P/S@CP@Hemin is an excellent therapeutic material that can adapt to the nasal environment and treat acute sinusitis.