Performing electrolytic water splitting in acid can enable a step change in electrolyser technology, providing lower overpotential reactions and opportunities for membrane-free electrolysers. Decoupled acid electrolysis exploits H+ intercalation and pseudocapacitive reactions in transition metal oxides to temporally split the hydrogen and oxygen evolution reactions. While the performance of the transition metal oxide is critical to the overall efficiency of the decoupled electrolysis reactions, the role of the carbon support has not been explored. This is surprising as proton battery literature has shown the capacity of these supports to store H+ ions via similar intercalation reactions. Here, bio-derived activated carbons (AC) from Alder charcoal and Birch wood are prepared and compared with commercial conductive carbon additives for decoupled electrolysis in 0.5 M H2SO4. The use of bio-derived activated carbons increases the pseudocapacitive performance by more than 280

ABSTRACT This work presents a plant oil‐derived acrylate resin system with high loadings of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), enabling high‐viscosity, sustainable additive manufacturing via UV‐assisted extrusion direct ink writing (DIW) 3D printing. In contrast to prior bio‐based vat photopolymerization AM systems, which typically rely on low‐viscosity oligomers, the present approach combines a bio‐based carbon fraction with mechanical reinforcement and extrusion compatibility. The proposed resin exhibits shear‐thinning behavior, making it suitable for syringe‐based extrusion, and cures rapidly under UV irradiation, ensuring dimensional fidelity and layer integrity. The mechanical response of the printed composites is tunable through formulation and post‐curing. In the UV‐cured state, the materials remain tough and flexible, with elastic moduli below 60 MPa and elongation at break exceeding 50%. Thermal post‐curing increases the elastic modulus to 594 MPa and raises the tensile strength to 15 MPa at the optimized cellulose content. Thermogravimetric analysis shows that varying cellulose content does not significantly alter the thermal stability, while thermal post‐curing shifts the decomposition onset by 3°C–5°C to higher temperatures. Collectively, the developed ink formulations and processing strategy establish a new path for green composite AM, advancing the state of the art and positioning bio‐based photopolymers as viable candidates for industrial AM applications.

Photochromic materials are important for smart windows for energy management. Transition metal oxide (TMO) semiconductor photochromic materials are limited by the need for a dedicated hole scavenger to promote photogenerated electron accumulation. This limits the integration of TMOs in devices for practical uses. Moreover, the hole scavenger is exhausted in time, thus limiting the long-term operation. Here, we demonstrate the photochromic performance of doped titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles, which not only show increased photochromic performance when compared to TiO2 nanoparticles but are also capable of photo-darkening without the presence of a dedicated hole scavenger. This opens up real-life practical applications in passive photochromic and photochargeable devices without the need for intricate heterostructures or pseudocapacitors.

The present study evaluates the frictional behaviour of nanosecond laser-induced periodic surface structures (LIPSS) formed on stainless steel Uddeholm Ramax HH, to investigate their sliding performance on ice. The samples were studied using surface texture analysis, contact angle measurements, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Surface analysis revealed that laser-textured samples exhibit a micro/nano-geometry with a distinctly wavy structure, complemented by low-spatial-frequency LIPSS. The results from ice friction experiments revealed a reduction in the coefficient of friction by similar to 75%, from similar to 0.20 to similar to 0.05 at low sliding velocity (0.05 m/s) for laser-irradiated surfaces and showed weak dependence within the experimental scatter on sliding velocity (range from 0.05 to 0.38 m/s) and applied normal load (range from 20 to 80 N). The reduction was attributed to the combined effects of the micro/nano LIPSS morphology and the formation of Fe2O3/Fe3O4 oxides, which lowers adhesion at the ice interface. The results demonstrate that laser-induced textures provide an efficient and environmentally friendly strategy for optimising the frictional performance of stainless steel under sub-zero conditions.

Gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) are widely used in colorimetric biosensing due to their unique plasmonic properties, producing a red color in traditional lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs). However, their chemical synthesis is costly, and the global gold supply is increasingly limited. Additionally, visual detection often struggles to capture weak signals, leading to inconclusive results in point-of-care testing. In this study, we present a green, ligand-free method to synthesize gold (Au), platinum (Pt), and platinum-gold alloy (Pt-Au) nanoparticles using femtosecond laser ablation of metal targets in pure water-eliminating the need for chemical synthesis. This scalable, costeffective approach enables the production of nanoparticles tailored for colorimetric LFIA and biosensing platforms. Pt and Pt-Au alloy NPs appear darker and, due to their catalytic properties, enhance signal contrast. We evaluated the sensing performance of these laser-synthesized NPs against commercial, chemically synthesized Au NPs using CMY-34 beta-lactamase, a clinically relevant antibiotic resistance marker. Machine learning-assisted image analysis confirmed a 1 ng/ML limit of detection (LoD) for all three types of laser-synthesized NPs, surpassing traditional Au NPs. Furthermore, Pt-Au-based LFIA demonstrated improved detection accuracy over Au only assays, highlighting the analytical advantages of bimetallic nanosystems. This study introduces an unbiased, automated LFIA image analysis pipeline and a sustainable NP synthesis method, including alloyed compositions, representing a major step forward in nanoparticle development for biosensing. Overall, this work paves the way for high-performance, cost-effective diagnostic technologies, expanding access to reliable biosensing in diverse healthcare and environmental settings.

This study investigates the electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding behavior of bio-based poly(butylene succinate-co-adipate) (PBSA) composites filled with magnetite (Fe3O4)-grafted single-walled (SWCNT) and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT). Hybrid fillers were synthesized via one-step aqueous co-precipitation onto non-functionalized CNTs, yielding nominal Fe3O4 contents of 15 and 30wt.% (actual: 12.1-26.9wt.%), expressed as a fraction of the total filler mass. They were then incorporated into PBSA at 0.10-2.0 vol.% via solvent casting. Microscopy revealed two distinct hybrid filler morphologies: individual Fe3O4 nanoparticles dispersed along CNT sidewalls and agglomerates concentrated at CNT junctions. Magnetometry showed that the deposited Fe3O4 was superparamagnetic, with specific magnetization calculated to range from 4.7 to 65emu/g depending on crystallite size. Tensile testing revealed up to a 2.2-fold increase in elastic modulus and a 1.4-fold increase in ultimate tensile strength. Sheet resistance indicated percolation at ~ 0.1 vol.%, increasing to ~ 0.5 vol.% after Fe3O4 co-precipitation. The composites were analyzed by electromagnetic spectroscopy in the frequency ranges of 0.1-3GHz and 8.4-12.6GHz. CNT incorporation produced shielding in which dissipation carried the larger share of the shielding effectiveness, with ⟨SEA⟩/⟨SET⟩ ratios of up to 0.78. Fe3O4-grafted MWCNT composites at 1.0 vol.% exhibited a broadband absorption plateau below 3GHz (⟨SEA⟩/⟨SET⟩ ratio of 0.70), which the SWCNT-based composites did not develop in this range. Unmodified SWCNT composites at 2.0 vol.% transitioned to reflection-dominated shielding at 8.4 to 12.6GHz. This work indicates that CNT morphology is an important design variable for absorption-based EMI shielding.

Healthcare-associated infections are often challenging to treat as bacteria can rapidly adapt to conventional antibiotics. Therefore, alternative efficient antibacterials are needed. We hypothesized that combining nanosilver with chitosan would yield synergistically acting nanocomposites that could be used in topical treatments (e.g., wound dressings) and surface coatings, whereas the higher the share of chitosan, the higher the synergistic potency. To prove that, three silver-chitosan nanocomposites (nAgCSs) with different Ag-to-chitosan weight ratios (1:0.3, 1:1, and 1:3) were synthesized, physicochemically characterized and evaluated for their antibacterial potency toward clinically critical Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. Experiments were conducted in deionized water to minimize the speciation effects of silver. The nAgCSs proved highly antibacterial against E. coli and P. aeruginosa, whereas the nAgCSs with the highest chitosan share were the most potent (24-h MBC values 0.07-0.28 mg Ag/L). As chitosan is a polycationic polymer, we assumed the synergy observed was mainly driven by chitosan attaching to the negatively charged bacterial cells and provoking increased local shedding of silver ions. Our hypothesis was proven by analyzing the contacts between the nAgCSs and bacteria using confocal laser scanning microscopy and flow cytometry and quantifying the bioavailability of silver from the nAgCSs by an Ag-sensing biosensor. To our knowledge, this type of combined hypothesis-driven study on silver-chitosan nanocomposites' synergistic properties has not been conducted before.

Growing demand for sustainable materials is accelerating research on lignocellulosic composite materials. A persistent bottleneck is the moisture sensitivity of lignocellulosic fillers, which compromises interfacial stability and long-term properties under service exposure. Torrefaction offers a solvent-and chemical-free route to reduce hygroscopicity and tailor surface chemistry, yet its processing temperature-dependent effects on the compatibility with polymer matrices remain lightly studied. This study presents a systematic comparison of raw and torrefied wood waste fillers produced at 225, 275, and 300 C-degrees, compounded into poly(butylene succinate) (PBS) at 30 and 50 wt%. Compatibility was assessed via tensile tests, SEM, surface wetting, and water uptake, which was fitted using Fickian diffusion. Composite durability was assessed via hydrothermal aging (20/50/70 C-degrees) and accelerated UV weathering (504 h). Torrefaction, particularly at 275 and 300 degrees C, consistently reduced equilibrium water uptake by up to 2-fold and diffusion coefficients by up to 4.7-fold relative to raw filler, while mitigating tensile strength loss typically associated with lignocellulosic reinforcement. Composites with 50 wt% wood filler achieved an elastic modulus of up to 1.8 GPa, and those containing torrefied wood retained about 1.2 GPa after hydrothermal aging. Under UV weathering, color change (Delta E-ab(& lowast;) > 5) occurred within 24-48 h for untreated wood composites but was delayed to 96-360 h with torrefied fillers. Collectively, the results establish a torrefaction temperature-structure-property framework that translates to long-term durability. The findings highlight torrefied wood as an effective reinforcement for developing durable, UV-and moisture-resistant PBS-based alternatives to traditional wood-plastic composites.

Mesoporous bioactive glasses (MBGs) have potential applications in bone tissue regeneration around tooth implant and local drug delivery. Small amounts of zinc added to their composition could additionally provide antibacterial and ossteoinductive and anti-inflammatory properties. In this study, zinc-containing mesoporous bioactive glasses (5ZnO–25CaO–70SiO₂) were synthesised using three modified surfactant-assisted sol-gel methods: dilute water (MZ1), Stöber (MZ2), and microemulsion-assisted (MZ3). X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed that MZ1 and MZ3 were amorphous, while MZ2 exhibited a ZnO crystalline phase. The synthesised particles showed uniform morphology with sizes ranging from 10 to 500 nm. Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis revealed that MZ1 had the highest specific surface area (726 m²/g), approximately 4.1 times higher than MZ3 (176 m²/g). Haemolysis testing showed that MZ1 and MZ2 were non-haemolytic, whereas MZ3 caused lysis of erythrocytes. All samples were biocompatible with periodontal ligament fibroblasts, maintaining cell viability above 80

Doped zinc sulfide (ZnS) nanomaterials have unique optical and electrical properties making them an outstanding material for design and fabrication of photoluminescent (PL) and electroluminescent devices. Structure, elemental composition and morphology of nanoparticles determine properties of the produced devices and are highly sensitive to reaction conditions. Therefore, real-time monitoring with an opportunity to extract a sufficient quantity of material for the field tests should be explored. This work is devoted to the study of morphological evolution of Cu-doped ZnS particles synthesised by microwave-assisted hydrothermal method (MWHT). This study demonstrates the feasibility for continuous monitoring of synthesis product properties, offering valuable insights into particle growth and formation processes, while also confirming the reproducibility of the described sampling procedure. The results verify formation of a cubic ZnS phase with crystallite size increasing from 2 to 5 nm during the synthesis. In addition, formation of the hexagonal ZnO was confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) images elucidated the formation and growth processes of ZnS particles with different morphological signs. One group of particles was represented as the spherical particles formed from nanoclusters in various sizes due to slow decomposition of thiourea. The second group of flower-like particles was generated through a process where thin-like plates commence to grow on the surface of spherical particles. PL intensity of the resulting products with a band positioned at 2.00 eV indicated 4T1 → 6A1 transition between Cu2+ ion energy levels and experienced a blueshift over time.

The multifaceted radiation effects occurring in advanced optical material - the crystals of yttrium aluminum garnet Y3Al5O12, irradiated by swift heavy 230 MeV Xe ions to fluences of 6 × 1010-1013 ions/cm2 have been investigated using various research techniques, including optical absorption, Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence under excitation by the synchrotron radiation, nanohardness measurements, and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. The near-surface layer at high fluence becomes amorphous, and material softening indicates destruction of cation-anion bonds due to tracks overlapping. Transmission electron microscopy analysis confirmed the presence of continuous tracks in irradiated Y3Al5O12 crystals at energy losses above 10 keV/nm, whereas lower-energy tracks appear as chains of smaller defects. The core track diameter is dc [Formula: see text](5.00 [Formula: see text] 0.15) nm, with a surrounding damaged region of dd[Formula: see text] (10.00 [Formula: see text] 0.15) nm. An increase in the concentration of oxygen vacancies (F and F+ centers) and YAl antisite defects with increasing irradiation fluence is confirmed through photoluminescence spectra of initial and irradiated crystals at 9 K. In addition, YAl-F⁺ and/or YAl-F dimers may form based on antisite defects associated with F-like centers, as a result of melting and crystalization processes occurring during track formation under Xe ion irradiation.

The digitisation of society and the rise of autonomous sensing networks have led to the need for independent and autonomous low-grade power supplies. Electromechanical harvesters, which convert motion or vibrations into electricity, show great promise for powering microelectronic devices. In particular, poly(vinylidene difluoride (PVDF) is an exemplar polymer material for electromechanical conversion and is highly attractive as a power source due to its exceptional chemical stability. In this study, we present an approach to enhance the electromechanical conversion of a PVDF co-polmyer by electrospinning multi-layered nanofiber laminate architectures, consisting of alternating smaller and larger diameter fibers. This alternative layer structure results in the introduction of oriented triboelectric dipoles within the volume of the laminate architecture, able to couple with the piezoelectric dipole of PVDF. The laminate shows an 11× improvement in electromechanical conversion when compared to an equivalent single diameter fiber network under identical conditions. The application of the laminate architecture to airflow and sound energy harvesting is also demonstrated, with a doubling of the peak-to-peak short-circuit current compared to a state-of-the-art commercial poled PVDF film. This approach provides a pathway to improve the electromechanical performance of PVDF for a wide array of electromechanical conversion applications.

TiO2 is an important metal oxide semiconductor gas sensor material. It has many benefits, such as high response, natural abundance and low toxicity. TiO2 gas sensor material can be activated by light and operated at room temperature, thus reducing the energy consumption of the sensor and improving its safety. The electric resistance of light-activated TiO2 is altered in the presence of an analyte due to photo-induced hole scavenging by gas and electron accumulation in the conduction band. However, the response is limited due to competing processes - electron consumption by ambient oxygen - thus hindering their practical applicability. Here, we demonstrate the light-activated TiO2 gas sensor based on ultra-small nanoparticle (<5 nm) films modified with 5,10,15,20-tetraphenyl-21H,23H-porphyrin Cobalt (II) (CoPP). Coating the TiO2 film surface with CoPP increases the room temperature gas response towards 5 ppm EtOH 12.58 times from S = 46.72 +/- 1.77 to S = (5.88 +/- 0.39) x 10(2). The sensors show selectivity towards alcohols, such as ethanol, and exhibit response S = 1.086 +/- 0.049-100 ppm EtOH even in the presence of relative humidity as high as 50 %.

Non-hydrogenated diamond-like carbon (DLC) films and molybdenum-doped diamond-like carbon (Mo-DLC) films were deposited by direct current magnetron sputtering. The formation was carried out on Si (100) wafers. The influence of molybdenum concentration and deposition temperature on the surface morphology, chemical composition, type of chemical bonds, friction force at nanoscale, and nanohardness of the DLC coatings were investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, and nanoindenter, respectively. The concentration of molybdenum in the films varies from 1.2 at.% to 10.3 at.%. The increase in molybdenum content promotes the graphitization of DLC films, lowering the sp3 site fraction and increasing the oxygen content, which contributes to the reduction in nanohardness (by 21%) of the DLC films. The decrease in the synthesis temperature from 235 °C to 180 °C enhanced the oxygen amount up to 20.4 at.%. The sp3 site fraction and nanohardness of the Mo-DLC films were enhanced with the reduction in the deposition temperature. The film deposited at a substrate temperature of 235 °C exhibited the lowest friction coefficient (CoF) of 0.03, where its molybdenum concentration was 1.2 at.%. The decline in the synthesis temperature increased the CoF of the Mo-DLC films up to seven times.

This study compares HfO2 ceramics synthesized using sol–gel and combustion methods, emphasizing the impact of the method of synthesis on the resulting properties of the material. The research findings illustrate morphological differences between sol–gel and combustion-derived HfO2. While sol–gel samples displayed irregular nanoparticles with pronounced boundaries, combustion samples revealed more homogeneous structures with particles tending towards coalescence. It was discerned that Eu3+ doping induced oxygen vacancies, stabilizing the tetragonal phase, while subsequent doping with Nb5+ significantly reduced these vacancies, which was also observed in photoluminescence analysis. Furthermore, combustion synthesis left fewer organic residues, with urea presence during synthesis contributing to residual organic components in the material. XPS analysis was used to evaluate the presence of oxygen-deficient hafnia sub-oxide in the samples. The study underscores the important role of tailored synthesis methods in optimizing the properties and applications of HfO2.

This article presents an examination of well-controlled patterns created using a Ga+-based focused ion beam (FIB) on glass, while silicon substrates were used to evaluate the FIB performance by its achievable feature size versus time constraints. The pattern creation on glass was developed with the aim of studying potential surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) applications. Furthermore, the FIB was used to create dimer systems of periodically and randomly positioned dumbbell-shaped pits on the glass (each dimer occupies an area of 203 × 87 nm2). By following the bitmap pattern files, the FIB ensured there was 3000 dimer fabrication over a 20 × 20 μm2 large area, with a pit size and position variation below 10 nm. The article highlights that FIB can be used for precise large-area nano-fabrication. The gold nanoparticle dimers were formed on the prepatterned surface via capillary force-assisted deposition. The fabricated nanostructures were tested in SERS measurements. The enhancement factor for Rhodamine B molecule reached ~105, demonstrating the potential application of the method to create nanostructures in the sensor domain.

In this study, we report the fabrication and characterization of silver nanoparticle-doped zinc oxide tetrapod substrates used for surface-enhanced Raman scattering to detect rhodamine B. Prior to this, silver nanoparticle-doped zinc oxide tetrapods were synthesized using the solar physical vapor deposition method. Subsequently, silver-doped zinc oxide tetrapods were applied onto silicon wafers via the droplet evaporation process. The surface-enhanced Raman scattering activity of the silver nanoparticle-doped zinc oxide tetrapod substrate was evaluated by detecting rhodamine B using Raman spectroscopy. Our results demonstrate that the silver nanoparticle-doped zinc oxide tetrapod substrate exhibits surface-enhanced Raman scattering activity and can detect rhodamine B at concentrations as low as 3 μg/mL. This study suggests that silver nanoparticle-doped zinc oxide tetrapod substrates have potential as surface-enhanced Raman scattering platforms as well as potential for the detection of biomolecules.

Tribovoltaic devices have emerged as promising technologies for converting mechanical motion to electricity via surface charge generation. To maximize the electromechanical conversion of tribovoltaic devices, conventional literature has focussed on engineering a large difference in work functions between the contact materials. However, recent reports suggest that other factors beyond work function, such as temperature, play a key role in electromechanical conversion. Herein, TiO 2 (a cheap, abundant oxide material) is doped with Nb 5+ , resulting in an improved tribovoltaic performance up to 65 times. This is attributed to an enhancement in the TiO 2 film conductivity arising from Nb 5+ doping. Further, it is shown that this improvement holds over cm 2 scale testing. This work demonstrates the importance of considering a range of factors, particularly conductivity, when designing tribovoltaic devices and may be adopted broadly for optimal electromechanical conversion.

Suberin, a common biomass processing waste, is a complex biopolymer and a promising source for the biorefinery of chemicals. Six different approaches for the extraction of birch outer bark suberin fatty acids (SFAs) were explored, and their application in grafting the surface of cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) was investigated. Successful CNC functionalization was controlled with FTIR and NMR analyses. In-depth research allowed us to evaluate the interface of the nanocellulose and polymer matrix. Three structurally distinct SFA-grafted CNCs were integrated into a vegetable oil-based acrylate resin in an ultralow concentration of 0.1 wt %. Five biobased acrylic resin formulations were prepared: without reinforcement, with CNC, and with three distinct SFA-grafted CNCs. Vat photopolymerization (VP) 3D printing was utilized for sample preparation. The effects of grafted CNC components on 3D-printed samples' thermal stability, thermomechanical properties, and wettability were evaluated in detail. CNC functionalization enhanced the interface with the polymer matrix, yielding up to a 2-fold increase in elongation and up to a 2.5-fold increase in strength in tensile and flexural tests compared to the polymeric matrix. The CNC-SFA-modified filler demonstrated performance comparable to, or even better than, petroleum-based chemical modification routes found in the existing literature. This study highlights a promising approach for green functionalization of CNCs and verifies its use in interface enhancement using a biobased acrylate matrix.