Developing ceramic matrix composites that combine structural reliability, long-term oxidation resistance, and electromagnetic absorption (EMA) remains a key challenge for high-temperature systems. Here, SiC fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composites (SiCf /CMCs) with a SiBCN/SiC dual-phase matrix are fabricated to clarify how oxidation in the 80 0-10 0 0 degrees C range influences EMA behavior. Oxygen preferentially diffuses along cracks and pores to form a multiscale layered SiBCN/SiO2 /h-BN structure that acts as a protective barrier, giving only 0.95% mass loss and 86.1% flexural strength retention after 200 h at 10 0 0 degrees C. The associated heterogeneous interfaces enhance polarization relaxation and intrinsic attenuation, but not the overall EMA performance. After oxidation at 10 0 0 degrees C, the X-band effective absorption bandwidth decreases from 2.48 to 1.82 GHz. The attenuation capability remains largely recoverable upon cooling after high-temperature dielectric testing. Radar cross-section simulations further indicate preserved suppression of electromagnetic scattering before and after oxidation. This work provides guidance for designing load-bearing ceramic composites with retained electromagnetic functionality in oxidative high-temperature environments. (c) 2026 Published by Elsevier Ltd on behalf of The editorial office of Journal of Materials Science & Technology.

High-performance microwave absorbers applied in extreme temperature and load environments play a significant role in the aviation fields, and the integration of mechanical robustness and high-efficiency wave absorption within a single material system remains a formidable challenge. Herein, a "multiphase matrix/functional layer" synergistic strategy is proposed to engineer continuous SiC fiber reinforced composites with Si₃N₄-SiC-Si dual-gradient architecture. By harnessing capillary-driven kinetics and the thermodynamic wetting contrast of molten Si on distinct matrices, a spatially tailored architecture was spontaneously manifested, comprising a dense matching layer, a porous absorbing layer, and a conductive reflective layer. By establishing a continuous "impedance bridge" for microwave entry and dissipation, this customized design effectively breaks the intrinsic trade-off bottleneck between impedance matching and attenuation capability. Consequently, the optimized dual-gradient composites not only optimize the minimum reflection loss (RLmin) from -2.81 dB to -10.42 dB, but also achieve a leapfrog enhancement in the effective absorption bandwidth under the -5 dB benchmark (EAB-5dB) from 0 to 7.04 GHz at 2.9 mm. This work provides ideas for the novel structure design of high-performance ceramic matrix composites and also pioneers a pathway for constructing structural absorbers tailored for extreme environments.

A one-step, efficient alkali hydrolysis method was established to mildly exfoliate silk nanofibrils (SNFs) from natural silkworm cocoons on a large scale. The as-prepared SNFs showed an excellent dispersity and stability in various solvents. Two kinds of SNF membranes (i.e., mesoporous and nanoporous membranes) with controlled pore structures were fabricated and functioned for selective interception and protection properties, respectively. The SNF mesoporous membranes were efficient as rejection membranes, while the SNF nanoporous membranes revealed relatively high gas-barrier properties. This work offers a facile and green route for fabricating SNF-based functional-membrane materials and expanding their potential applications in filtration and gas-barrier domains.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease with rising global incidence, imposing a significant burden on healthcare systems. Current treatments, including aminosalicylic acid derivatives like mesalazine, often face limitations such as low water-solubility and bioavailability. This study explores the development of a silk fibroin (SF)/oxidized glycyrrhizic acid (OG)/silk sericin-mesalazine (SM) hydrogel for rectal administration to enhance therapeutic efficacy. The SF/OG/SM hydrogel exhibits excellent adhesion, injectability, and gradual release of SM nanoparticles. It demonstrates high biocompatibility with negligible cytotoxicity and hemolysis, along with potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. In vivo studies reveal significant alleviation of UC symptoms, including reduced disease activity index (DAI), preserved colon length, and improved histological outcomes. The hydrogel suppresses the abundance of Escherichia coli and Enterococcus, while promoting the proliferation of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus, as well as the expression of tight junction proteins. Overall, the SF/OG/SM hydrogel presents a promising therapy for UC with enhanced therapeutic potential.

The high-temperature steam oxidation behavior of SiC fibers plays a crucial role in determining the service performance of SiC/SiC composites. This study systematically investigates the oxidation behavior of ZrB2-doped Z-300 fibers under steam exposure at temperatures ranging from 1000 to 1400 degrees C. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations demonstrate that ZrB2 incorporation not only enhances the stability of Si-C bonds but also promotes the preferential adsorption of H2O molecules. The role of ZrB2 as a dopant is further elucidated through comprehensive characterization via TEM, XRD, XPS, and mechanical property analysis. Specifically, ZrB2 primarily functions as a sacrificial phase, reacting with steam to form B2O3, which subsequently reacts with SiO2 produced by SiC oxidation to generate a continuous borosilicate glass layer (B2O3)x(SiO2)y. This protective glass layer effectively mitigates the diffusion of oxidizing species to a significant extent. However, the protective efficacy of ZrB2 declines at elevated temperatures due to intrinsic microstructural defects in the SiC fibers and the limited thermal stability of the borosilicate glass above 1200 degrees C. Future research should focus on minimizing grain boundary defects and developing high-entropy glass phases to extend the operational temperature range of these composites.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a prevalent chronic ocular disorder characterized by tear film instability and oxidative stress. Herein, a Hes-CeO₂@PVP/P188 nanoparticle system co-loaded with the natural flavonoid hesperetin (Hes) and cerium oxide nanozyme (CeO₂) was developed to achieve synergistic antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, thereby effectively alleviating DED. The nanoparticles exhibited good aqueous solubility and biocompatibility. In vitro assays demonstrated that Hes-CeO₂@PVP/P188 can effectively scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS), protect cells from H₂O₂-induced oxidative damage, promote wound healing, and preserve mitochondrial membrane potential. In a benzalkonium chloride-induced murine model of DED, the Hes-CeO₂@PVP/P188 nanoparticles significantly reduced corneal epithelial defects, enhanced tear secretion, alleviated inflammatory infiltration, downregulated pro-inflammatory cytokines (including TNF-α, iNOS, and MMP-9), and upregulated the expression of antioxidant markers (including HO-1 and SOD2). The nanoparticles suppressed the TNF-α-iNOS-MMP-9 cascade and effectively broke the pathological vicious cycle of DED. Importantly, the therapeutic efficacy was comparable or superior to that of commercial 0.05% cyclosporine A eye drops in certain indicators. The Hes-CeO₂@PVP/P188 nanoparticles represented a promising dual-functional nanotherapeutic strategy for the treatment of DED.

Silicon anodes for advanced lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) are promising due to intrinsic advantages including ultrahigh theoretical capacity (4200 mAh g(-1)), near-optimal Li+/Li potential (similar to 0.4 V), abundant availability and environmental benignity. However, practical application is hindered by severe intrinsic challenges: drastic volume expansion (>300%), unstable solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) formation, and sluggish reaction kinetics. To address these limitations, we fabricated a novel Si@T-Nb2O5@Carbonized-coxial carbon nano fiber composite via a scalable hydrothermal-electrospinning approach, featuring silicon nanoparticles encapsulated in a nitrogen-doped porous carbon matrix with an engineered T-Nb2O5 interphase layer. Theoretical simulations demonstrate that the T-Nb2O5 interphase promotes Li+ diffusion and reduces the energy barrier at carbon/Si interfaces. The optimized electrode exhibits excellent cycling stability and high-rate performance (1030.1 mAh g(-1) after 100 cycles at 0.2 A g(-1); 507.7 mAh g(-1) after 500 cycles at 2.0 A g(-1)). Notably, flexible pouch cells maintain stable LED illumination under repeated mechanical deformation, indicating great practical potential. This integrated electrospinning strategy provides a scalable manufacturing platform for high-energy flexible batteries.

Burn wounds present significant clinical challenges due to pain, oxidative stress, and infection, which impede healing and exacerbate scar formation. Despite advances, developing novel wound dressings that integrate structural adaptability with multiple therapeutic functions to meet the complex pathophysiological demands of burn wound healing remains a pressing need in the field. Here, we developed an injectable hydrogel nanocomposite (As/Ag@ZIF-67-F127/OChS/COS-hydrogel, AAZF Gel) that combines MOF-based bioactive nanoreactors with marine polysaccharide-derived hydrogel matrix to orchestrate multifactorial regulation of burn wound healing. Specifically, MOF-based nanoreactors incorporating Co2+, Ag nanoparticles (NPs), and asiaticoside were embedded within a thermosensitive matrix composed of oxidized chondroitin sulfate, chito-oligosaccharide, and poloxamer, yielding the AAZF Gel with robust mechanical strength, tissue adhesiveness, and interconnected porosity. In vitro and in vivo studies demonstrated that AAZF Gel exerted multifaceted therapeutic effects, including potent anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-oxidant activities, along with analgesic effects and enhanced cell proliferation. Importantly, in a murine infected burn model, it significantly accelerated wound closure, promoted angiogenesis, re-epithelialization, and collagen deposition, while reducing scarring and maintaining excellent biocompatibility. These findings establish a promising nanoreactor-hydrogel strategy for constructing advanced wound dressings capable of multifactorially regulating key pathological factors to promote tissue regeneration and minimize scarring in infected burn wounds.

By optimizing the BN/SiC dual-layer interphase in SiCf/SiC composites, this work significantly enhances high-temperature mechanical properties. The thickness of the SiC layer was designed to be 0 nm (000T), 500 nm (500T) and 900 nm (900T). Introducing a SiC interphase improved crack deflection, with thickness having little effect on this function. The 900T specimen exhibited excellent ultimate tensile strength (267 +/- 7 MPa) and failure strain (0.89 +/- 0.03 %) at 1350 degrees C in air. Its lower density and Young's modulus increased the proportional limit stress and reduced the crack opening displacement (COD), minimizing the oxidation-induced fiber damage. In-situ tensile tests confirmed smaller COD in 900T than in 500T. Acoustic emission data indicated that an appropriate SiC layer thickness delays fiber fracture, maintaining mechanical properties in oxidative environments. This work provides new and deep insights for the low-cost and efficient preparation of high-performance SiCf/SiC composites.

SiCf/SiC ceramic matrix composites are widely used in extreme thermal environments, where the joint region governs the structural reliability. In this work, the thermal shock resistance and failure mechanisms of SiCf/SiC joints reinforced by nano-network structure are investigated. Simulation results reveal that capillary forces drive molten Si to preferentially infiltrate small pores, while gas entrapment in larger pores leads to delayed infiltration and residual defects. Under thermal shock cycles at 1000 degrees C and 1200 degrees C, the joints exhibit progressive interfacial degradation and structural weakening. Microstructural observations confirm that thermal fatigue damage initiates at the interface between the SiCf/SiC substrate and the joint layer and propagates inward. After 30 cycles of thermal shock at 1000 degrees C and 1200 degrees C, the shear strength retention decreases to 10.83 % and 3.88 %, respectively. This study clarifies the damage mechanisms of SiCf/SiC joints under thermal shock and offers insights for designing high-reliability joints for extreme environments.

SiCf/SiC composites are promising for extreme environments, and the NITE process enables their efficient densification. However, the coupled effects of temperature, pressure, and sintering additives on fiber/interphase degradation remain unclear. This study investigates degradation mechanisms in NITE-SiCf/SiC composites fabricated at 1650-1750 degrees C using Cansas-3303 fibers. Thermal and thermochemical treatments on fibers with 0-700 nm PyC coatings decouple these factors. Results show the pseudo-ductile to brittle fracture transition occurs between 1700 degrees C and 1750 degrees C, driven by temperature-induced grain coarsening, additive erosion of fibers, and carbothermal reactions between PyC and additive. These reactions disrupt interphase integrity, induce strong bonding, and inhibit fiber pull-out. Pressure exacerbates both fiber deformation and interphase damage. The extent of PyC interphase thinning depends strongly on the processing conditions, underscoring the need to tailor the initial coating thickness accordingly; for sintering at 1650, 1700, and 1750 degrees C, the recommended initial thicknesses are approximately 530, 790, and 850 nm, respectively. The findings provide critical insights for optimizing the microstructure and mechanical performance of NITE-SiCf/SiC composites.

Despite the excellent mechanical properties of SiCf/SiC composites, the extremely harsh corrosion limits their durability as structural materials for high-temperature applications. Here, we propose a synergistic Al3+/Y3+ stabilization strategy to achieve highly durable SiCf/SiC composites with enhanced mechanical stability. This is realized by constructing an Al/Y co-diffused SiC matrix, which can form a robust YAlSixOy glass network under high-temperature atmospheric (40% H2O & 60% O2) corrosion. The Al/Y co-diffused SiCf/SiC composites (SiCf/ SiC-Al40Y) exhibit high bending strength retention of 98.5% after corrosion at 1200 degrees C, as well as 78.9% up to 1300 degrees C, significantly exceeding those of the counterparts without diffusion treatment. The improved mechanical stability is primarily attributed to the synergistic Al3+/Y3+ stabilization of corrosion-induced SiO2 glass network, which can suppress the matrix cracking and thus mitigate the corrosion. This work demonstrates the strategy of synergistic Al3+/Y3+ stabilization for constructing SiCf/SiC composites with enhanced durability, offering an innovative concept to develop SiCf/SiC composites applicable at higher temperatures for thermo-structural applications.

Diabetic foot ulcers are a significant complication of diabetes, with high infection rates and poor healing outcomes. Advanced hydrogel-based drug delivery systems have shown promise in managing chronic diabetic wounds. This study developed a glucose-responsive smart hydrogel using 4-carboxyphenylboronic acid-grafted epsilon-poly-L-lysine (PP) and oxidized konjac glucomannan (OK) as the matrix. The hydrogel was loaded with antibacterial drug magnolol and the hypoglycemic drug metformin. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated the hydrogel's biocompatibility, antibacterial activity, antioxidant capacity, and glucose-responsive drug release. The hydrogel significantly promoted wound healing in a diabetic mouse model with scald and bacterial infection, reducing inflammation and enhancing tissue repair. This glucose-responsive hydrogel shows potential as an effective treatment for diabetic wounds.

The synergistic effect of Al2O3 and Y2O3 on the wet-oxidation behavior of SiC ceramics were investigated. When oxidized in flowing 300 ml/ min O2+ 200 ml/ min H2O under atmospheric pressure, Y2O3 react with SiO2 to form Y2Si2O7 layer on the surface, and Al2O3 are dissolved in SiO2, providing excellent self-healing properties for SiC ceramics. Low content Al2O3 and Y2O3 work together to improve the wet-oxidation resistance of SiC ceramics. However, excessive Al2O3 leads to more holes in the oxide layer and destroys the formation of Y2Si2O7 layer, resulting in the deterioration of the wet-oxidation resistance of SiC ceramics. This study provides important guidance to fabricate wet-oxidation resistant SiCf/SiC composites.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a severe clinical condition with high morbidity and mortality, often triggered by nephrotoxic drugs like cisplatin. The cGAS/STING pathway, activated by DNA damage, plays a critical role in cisplatin-induced AKI. This study explores the potential of phloretin-loaded selenium nanoparticles (Phl/HS15-Se) as a therapeutic strategy to mitigate cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. Phloretin, a natural flavonoid with antioxidant properties, was encapsulated in polyethylene glycol (15)-hydroxy stearate (HS15) micelles and combined with selenium nanoparticles to enhance its renal protective effects. The in vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated that Phl/HS15-Se significantly reduced oxidative stress, DNA damage, and inflammation by inhibiting the cGAS/STING pathway. In a cisplatin-induced AKI mouse model, Phl/HS15-Se alleviated renal pathological injury, improved renal function, and reduced the expression of inflammatory markers. This study provides a promising nanomedicine approach for the treatment of cisplatin-induced AKI by targeting the cGAS/STING pathway.

Cisplatin induced acute kidney injury (AKI) is clinically prevalent, with a complex pathogenesis and a lack of effective therapeutic drugs. Polydatin (Po) has excellent biological activity, but its low solubility and bioavailability limit its application. In this study, fucoidan (Fu) and carboxymethyl chitosan (Cs) self-assembled into nanoparticles through electrostatic interactions/hydrogen bonding and loaded Po (Fu/Cs Po NPs). In vitro studies found that Fu/Cs Po NPs protected human renal tubular epithelial (HK-2) cells from cisplatin induced damage and accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Mechanistic studies showed that Fu/Cs Po NPs inhibited cisplatin induced DNA damage and activation of cyclic guanosine monophosphate synthase (cGAS) and intron gene stimulator (STING) pathways. In vivo studies showed that Fu/Cs Po NPs treatment alleviated cisplatin induced AKI symptoms, including elevated blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and serum creatinine (SCr), as well as pathological damage to kidney tissues. In vivo mechanism studies also showed that Fu/Cs Po NPs treatment inhibited cisplatin induced DNA damage and activation of the cGAS-STING pathway. The pharmacokinetic and tissue distribution results demonstrated that the Fu/Cs delivery system enhanced the bioavailability and kidney accumulation of Po in vivo. In summary, our study provided potential drugs for the treatment of cisplatin induced AKI.

Ulcerative colitis is a recurring condition that causes inflammation and sores in the digestive system. Current clinical treatments for ulcerative colitis have limitations due to side effects and poor patient compliance. This study investigates the therapeutic potential of a novel drug delivery system, CA-Gel, which comprises caffeic acid (CA) stabilized by pectin nanoparticles within a poloxamer thermosensitive gel for rectal administration. The system aims to provide controlled and sustained release of CA directly to the colon. In vitro studies demonstrated that CA-Gel exhibited excellent biocompatibility, cytoprotective effects, and reduced oxidative stress and cellular apoptosis. In vivo studies using a dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis mouse model showed that CA-Gel significantly alleviated colitis symptoms, as evidenced by improvements in body weight, disease activity index (DAI), colon length, and histopathological assessments. Additionally, CA-Gel modulated the Cyclic GMP AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway, reduced mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) release, and inhibited inflammatory cytokines, thereby demonstrating its therapeutic potential in ulcerative colitis. The study concludes that CA-Gel is a promising rectal treatment for ulcerative colitis, offering a safe and effective alternative to existing pharmacological therapies.