Search Results (1,042)

This study investigates the synergistic effects of incorporating modified zinc oxide–silica (ZnO-SiO₂) into tire waste (TW) and epoxidized natural rubber (ENR) blends, with a focus on crosslinking dynamics, mechanical reinforcement, and antibacterial activity. The addition of ZnO-SiO₂ significantly enhanced crosslink density, as evidenced by increased torque and accelerated cure rates. An optimal concentration of 10 phr was found to yield the highest performance. This optimal balance between chemical activation and mechanical reinforcement resulted in exceptional tensile properties, including notable improvements in Young’s modulus, tensile strength, and strain-induced crystallization (SIC). These enhancements were attributed to the strong interactions between ENR molecular chains and SiO₂ surfaces. However, excessive ZnO-SiO₂ concentrations caused filler agglomeration, which reduced both mechanical and antibacterial performances. An antibacterial analysis revealed a remarkable 99.9% bacterial reduction at 10 phr ZnO-SiO₂, attributed to the Zn²⁺ ion release and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, with sustained activity even after thermal aging. This durability underscores the composites’ potential for long-term applications. The findings establish ZnO-SiO₂ as a dual-functional filler that optimizes crosslinking, enhances mechanical properties, and provides durable antibacterial efficiency. These results highlight the potential of TW/ENR blends while offering critical insights into mitigating filler agglomeration to improve overall material performance. Full article

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are also known as porous coordination polymers. This kind of material is constructed with inorganic nodes (metal ions or clusters) with organic linkers and has emerged as a promising class of materials with several unique properties. Well-known applications of MOFs include their use as gas storage and in separation, catalysis, carbon dioxide capture, sensing, slender film gadgets, photodynamic therapy, malignancy biomarkers, treatment, and biomedical imaging. Over the past 15 years, an increasing amount of research has been directed to MOFs due to their advanced applications in fuel cells, supercapacitors, catalytic conversions, and drug delivery systems. Various synthesis methods have been proposed to achieve MOFs with nanometric size and increased surface area, controlled surface topology, and chemical activity for industrial use. In this context, the pharmaceutical industry has been watching the accelerated development of these materials with great attention. Thus, the objective of this work is to study the synthesis, characterization, and toxicity of MOFs as potential technological excipients for the development of drug carriers. This work highlights the use of MOFs not only as delivery systems (DDSs) but also in advanced diagnostics and therapies, such as photodynamic therapy and targeted delivery to tumors. Bibliometric analyses showed a growing interest in the topic, emphasizing its contemporary relevance. Full article

The crystal structures of orthosilicate cathode materials play a critical role in determining the physical and chemical properties of Li-ion batteries. Accurate predictions of these crystal structures are essential for estimating key properties of cathode materials in battery applications. In this study, we utilized crystal structure data from density functional theory (DFT) calculations, sourced from the Materials Project, to predict monoclinic and orthorhombic crystal systems in orthosilicate-based cathode-based materials with Li–Si–(Fe, Mn, Co)–O compositions. An artificial neural network (ANN) model with a 6-22-22-22-1 architecture was trained on 85% of the data and tested on the remaining 15%, achieving an impressive accuracy of 97.3%. The model demonstrated strong predictive capability, with only seven misclassifications from 267 datasets, highlighting its robustness and reliability in predicting the crystal structure of orthosilicate cathodes. To enhance interpretability and model reliability, we employed the Index of Relative Importance (I_RI) to identify critical features influencing predictions. Additionally, a user-friendly graphical user interface was also developed to facilitate rapid predictions, enabling researchers to explore structural configurations efficiently and accelerating advancements in battery materials research. Full article

To address large volumetric expansion and low conductivity of bismuth-based anodes, an ion-replacement technique is proposed to prepare Bi/C composites, using 1,3,5-benzenetricarboxylicacid (H₃BTC) based metal–organic framework as precursors. The characterizations reveal that the Bi/C composite derived from Cu-H₃BTC is a sheet structure with the size of 150 nm, and Bi nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed in carbon sheets. When assessed as anode material for sodium ion batteries (SIBs), a sheet-like Bi/C anode exhibits superior sodium storage performance. It delivers a reversible capacity of 254.6 mAh g⁻¹ at 1.0 A g⁻¹ after 100 cycles, and the capacity retention is high at 91%. Even at 2.0 A g⁻¹, the reversible capacity still reaches 242.8 mAh g⁻¹. The efficient sodium storage performance benefits from the uniform dispersion of Bi nanoparticles in the carbon matrix, which not only provides abundant active sites but also alleviates the volume expansion. Meanwhile, porous carbon sheets can increase the electrical conductivity and accelerate the electrochemical reaction kinetics. Full article

It is necessary to overcome the relatively low conductivity of ionic liquids (ILs) caused by steric hindrance effects to improve their ability to passivate defects and inhibit ion migration to boost the photovoltaic performance of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, we designed and prepared a kind of low-concentration 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate (BMIMBF₄) diluted with propylene carbonate (PC) via an ultrasonic technique (PC/IL). The decrease in the decomposition temperature related to the IL part and the increase in the sublimation temperature related to the PC part facilitated the use of PC/IL to effectively delay the crystallization process and passivate the defects in multiple ways to obtain high-quality perovskite films. Moreover, the increased conductivity of PC/IL and the more matched band alignment accelerated electron transport and collection. Finally, the MAPbI₃- and CsMAFA-based PSCs achieved PCE values of 20.87% and 23.29%, respectively, and their stabilities were greatly improved. This work provides a promising approach to optimizing ILs to achieve multiple functions and boost the performance of PSCs. Full article

Based on the background of the continuously rising global demand for clean energy, offshore wind power, as an important form of renewable energy utilization, is booming. However, the pile foundations of offshore wind turbines are subject to long-term erosion in the harsh marine environment, and the problem of corrosion damage is prominent, which seriously threatens the safe and stable operation of the wind power system. In view of this, a meshless numerical simulation method based on smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) and a method for generating the concrete meso-structures are developed. Concrete pile foundation models with different aggregate contents, particle sizes, and ion concentration diffusion coefficients are established to simulate the corrosion damage processes under various conditions. The rationality of the numerical algorithm is verified by a typical example. The results show that the increase in the aggregate percentage gradually reduces the diffusion rate of chemical ions, and the early damage development also slows down. However, as time goes, the damage will still accumulate continuously; when the aggregate particle size increases, the ion diffusion becomes more difficult, the damage initiation is delayed, and the early damage is concentrated around the large aggregates. The increase in the ion diffusion coefficient significantly accelerates the ion diffusion process, promotes the earlier and faster development of damage, and significantly deepens the damage degree. The research results contribute to a deeper understanding of the corrosion damage mechanisms of pile foundations and providing important theoretical support for optimizing the durability design of pile foundations. It is of great significance for ensuring the safe operation of offshore wind power facilities, prolonging the service life, reducing maintenance costs, and promoting the sustainable development of offshore wind power. Full article

Sex-controlled sperm combined with artificial insemination allows animals to reproduce offspring according to the desired sex, accelerates the process of animal genetics and breeding and promotes the development of animal husbandry. However, the molecular markers for sexual sperm sorting are unusual. To identify the molecular markers of boar sperm sorting, proteomics and metabolomics techniques were applied to analyze the differences in proteins and metabolism between X and Y sperm. Label-free quantitative proteomics identified 254 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the X and Y sperm of boars, including 106 proteins that were highly expressed in X sperm and 148 proteins that were highly expressed in Y sperm. Among the differential proteins, COX6A1, COX1, CYTB, FUT8, GSTK1 and PFK1 were selected as potential biological markers for X and Y sperm sorting. Moreover, 760 metabolites from X and Y sperm were detected. There were 439 positive ion mode metabolites and 321 negative ion mode metabolites identified. The various metabolites were phosphoenolpyruvate, phytosphingosine, L-arginine, N-acetylputrescine, cytidine-5′-diphosphate and deoxyuridine. These metabolites were mainly involved in the TCA cycle, oxidative phosphorylation pathway, glycolysis pathway, lipid metabolism pathway, amino acid metabolism pathway, pentose phosphate pathway and nucleic acid metabolism pathway. The differential proteins and differential metabolites obtained by the combined proteomics and metabolomics analysis were projected simultaneously to the KEGG pathway, and a total of five pathways were enriched, namely oxidative phosphorylation pathway, purine metabolism, unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis, ABC transporters and peroxisomes. In summary, COX6A1 and CYTB were identified as potential biomarkers for boar X and Y sperm sorting. Full article

Neutrinoless double beta decay ($0\nu \beta \beta$) provides a way to probe physics beyond the Standard Model of particle physics. The upcoming nEXO experiment will search for $0\nu \beta \beta$ decay in ¹³⁶Xe with a projected half-life sensitivity exceeding ${10}^{28}$ years at the 90% confidence level using a liquid xenon (LXe) Time Projection Chamber (TPC) filled with 5 tonnes of Xe enriched to ∼90% in the $\beta \beta$-decaying isotope ¹³⁶Xe. In parallel, a potential future upgrade to nEXO is being investigated with the aim to further suppress radioactive backgrounds and to confirm $\beta \beta$-decay events. This technique, known as Ba-tagging, comprises extracting and identifying the $\beta \beta$-decay daughter ¹³⁶Ba ion. One tagging approach being pursued involves extracting a small volume of LXe in the vicinity of a potential $\beta \beta$-decay using a capillary tube and facilitating a liquid-to-gas phase transition by heating the capillary exit. The Ba ion is then separated from the accompanying Xe gas using a radio-frequency (RF) carpet and RF funnel, conclusively identifying the ion as ¹³⁶Ba via laser-fluorescence spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. Simultaneously, an accelerator-driven Ba ion source is being developed to validate and optimize this technique. The motivation for the project, the development of the different aspects, along with the current status and results, are discussed here. Full article

This study investigated the potential for efficient and resourceful utilization of phosphogypsum (PG) through the preparation of a High-volume Phosphogypsum Cement Stabilized Road Base (HPG-CSSB). The investigation analyzed the unconfined compressive strength (UCS), water stability, strength formation mechanism, microstructure, and pollutant curing mechanism of HPG-CSSB by laser diffraction methods (LD), X-ray diffraction (XRD), fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The optimal mix ratio of HPG-CSSB was 4% cement, 1% CA2, 35% PG, and 60% graded crushed stone. The UCS reached 6.6 MPa, 9.3 MPa, and 11.3 MPa at 7, 28, and 60 d, respectively. The alkaline curing agent stimulated cement activity and accelerated the release of Ca²⁺ and SO₄²⁻ from the PG. This formed many C-S-H gels and ettringite (AFt). The curing agent converted Ca²⁺ to C-(A)-S-H gels due to high volcanic ash activity. The diverse hydration products strengthened HPG-CSSB. The HPG-CSSB exhibits favorable water stability, demonstrating a mere 7.6% reduction in strength following 28 d of immersion. The C-S-H gel and AFt generated in the system can carry out ion exchange and adsorption precipitation with F⁻ and PO₄³⁻ in PG, achieving the curing effect of toxic and hazardous substances. HPG-CSSB meets the Class A standard for integrated wastewater discharge. Full article

Na₃V₂ (PO₄)₃ (NVP) is considered to be a promising cathode material for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Ion doping can effectively improve its structural deformation, poor conductivity, and electrochemical performance. However, the research on the effect of ion doping on the thermal stability of NVP is still limited. In this paper, Mg/Ti co-doped and Mn/Ti co-doped modified NVP with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) (MgTi@ CNTs and MnTi@CNTs) were prepared, respectively, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) results proved that MgTi@CNTs and MnTi@CNTs have good structural stability and crystallinity. The electrochemical performance indicates that the dual strategy of p-n-type co-doping and CNT coating provides superior sodium storage performance, enhancing both electronic conductivity and ion diffusion. Secondly, based on the safety point of view, the thermal stability of p-n-type ion-doped NVP and its mixed system with electrolyte in a charged state was studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and accelerated calorimeter (ARC). The results show that the optimized MgTi@CNTs and MnTi@CNTs electrodes exhibit excellent thermal stability in the absence of electrolytes, indicating their high intrinsic safety. However, it is worth noting that in the electrode/electrolyte system, p-n-type ion-doped NVP have higher reactivity with the electrolyte, and their comprehensive thermal safety is lower than that of NVP. Therefore, in practical applications, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the thermal stability of the material and the thermal safety of its mixed system with the electrolyte. This paper provides a data basis for the practical application of NVP in SIBs. Full article

Bacterial-infected skin wounds caused by trauma remain a significant challenge in modern medicine. Clinically, there is a growing demand for wound dressings with exceptional antibacterial activity and robust regenerative properties. To address the need, this study proposes a novel multifunctional dressing designed to combine efficient gas exchange, effective microbial barriers, and precise drug delivery capabilities, thereby promoting cell proliferation and accelerating wound healing. This work reports the development of a 3D-printed hydrogel scaffold incorporating flavanone (FLA)-loaded ZIF-8 nanoparticles (FLA@ZIF-8 NPs) within a composite matrix of κ-carrageenan (KC) and konjac glucomannan (KGM). The scaffold forms a stable dual-network structure through the chelation of KC with potassium ions and intermolecular hydrogen bonding between KC and KGM. This dual-network structure not only enhances the mechanical stability of the scaffold but also improves its adaptability to complex wound environments. In mildly acidic wound conditions, FLA@ZIF-8 NPs release Zn²⁺ and flavanone in a controlled manner, providing sustained antibacterial effects and promoting wound healing. In vivo studies using a rat full-thickness infected wound model demonstrated that the FLA@ZIF-8/KC@KGM hydrogel scaffold significantly accelerated wound healing, showcasing its superior performance in the treatment of infected wounds. Full article

Chloride binding technology can effectively reduce the content of free chloride ions in seawater (used for cementitious materials), thereby extending the service life of seawater concrete structures. Currently, affordable and highly dispersed nanomaterials that can enhance the chloride binding capability of seawater cement are finite. This paper presents the first experimental study on N-doped graphene quantum dots (NGQDs), an innovative carbon nanomaterial with low price and high dispersibility, to strengthen the mechanical and chloride binding capabilities of seawater cement. Concretely, NGQDs are prepared through the hydrothermal process. The morphology and structure of NGQDs are measured by TEM, AFM, FTIR, and XPS. And the strengths and chloride binding performance of different specimens are analyzed by compressive/flexural strength tests and chloride adsorption equilibrium tests. The phase compositions of various specimens are analyzed by XRD, TGA/DTG, and SEM. The consequences indicate that the unique structure of the prepared NGQDs endows them with excellent water solubility and dispersibility. Notably, the introduction of NGQDs enhances the mechanical performance of seawater cement and 0.05 wt.% NGQDs have the greatest improvement effect. The compressive and flexural strengths of seawater cement containing 0.05 wt.% NGQDs increase by 8.21% and 25.77% after 28 d curing, respectively. Additionally, the seawater cement containing 0.2 wt.% NGQDs have the best chloride binding capability and are 41.08% higher than the blank group. More importantly, the chloride binding mechanism is that NGQDs accelerate seawater cement hydration, resulting in an increased formation of hydrated calcium silicate (C–S–H) and Friedel’s salt (Fs), thereby strengthening the physisorption and chemical combination of chloride. This study highlights an inexpensive and highly dispersible nanomaterial to heighten the stability of seawater concrete structures, opening up a new path for the better utilization of seawater resources. Full article

Biogenic hydroxyapatite is known for its osteoinductive potential due to its similarity to human bone and biocompatibility, but insufficient vascularization compared to autogenous bone during early implantation limits bone integration and osteogenesis. Fluorine has been shown to improve hydroxyapatite’s mechanical properties and the coupling of osteogenic and angiogenic cells. In this study, fluorine-modified biogenic hydroxyapatite (FPHA) with varying fluorine concentrations was prepared and tested for its ability to promote vascularized osteogenesis. FPHA prepared in this study retained the natural porous structure of biological cancellous bone and released F⁻ ions when immersed in cell culture medium. The extraction solutions of FPHA0.25 and FPHA0.50 promoted the formation of capillary-like tubes by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), with FPHA0.25 significantly upregulating vegf mRNA and VEGF protein levels in co-cultured human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (HBMSCs). Additionally, FPHA0.25 and FPHA0.50 upregulated pdgf-bb mRNA and PDGF-BB protein levels in HUVECs. In vivo experiments using a rabbit cranial defect model demonstrated that FPHA0.25 promoted early bone formation and angiogenesis in the defect area, enhanced VEGF secretion, and increased PDGFR-β expression in endothelial and mesenchymal cells. These findings suggest that fluorine-modified biogenic hydroxyapatite with an optimal fluorine concentration (FPHA0.25) may offer a promising strategy to enhance the body’s innate bone-healing potential by accelerating vascularization. Full article

In this work, we investigate V(V) sorption on amorphous and modified silica. Silicon dioxide was obtained from the metallurgical slag. The impact of modification on vanadium sorption was studied. The surface was modified with hydrazides (HDs) and dimethylhydrazides (DMHDs) of the tertiary carbonic Versatic acids CH₃R₁R₂CC(O)OH of the C_10–19 fractions. The optimal sorption conditions on the unmodified sorbent were pH 4, 1 h, and 40 °C. The sorption capacity of V(V) ions increased with surface modification. For modified sorbents, the range of action shifted to a more acidic area (2.0–3.0), where the HV₁₀O₂₈⁵⁻ polyanion formed a complex with N′,N′-dimethylhydrazide groups. When studying the kinetics of the V(V) sorption process on silica samples, the optimum time of adsorption equilibrium establishment (10 min) and reaction mechanism were determined. The sorption process was significantly accelerated by surface modification. The vanadium sorption process is described by pseudo-second-order kinetics. The study of adsorption isotherms revealed that the vanadium sorption isotherm corresponds to the Langmuir equation. The differences in the extraction of vanadium ions are explained by different sorption mechanisms, which are associated with the variety of vanadium forms in the solution. Full article

Groundwater resources play a critical role in meeting the agricultural, industrial, and domestic water demands of Tangshan, a key industrial city in China. However, with the acceleration of urbanization and the overextraction of groundwater, issues related to groundwater quality have become increasingly apparent. Notably, groundwater hardness has steadily increased over the years, posing risks to human health and elevating industrial water treatment costs. This study analyzed the spatial distribution characteristics and causes of groundwater hardness using 214 groundwater quality samples collected in 2022 from the plain area of Tangshan City, employing inverse distance weighting (IDW), Gibbs diagrams, ion ratios, mineral saturation indices, and Pearson correlation analysis. The results indicate that, in horizontal distribution, high-hardness groundwater is predominantly concentrated in the southern coastal plain area, with hardness gradually decreasing from south to north. Vertically, shallow groundwater in the coastal plain exhibits significantly higher hardness than deep groundwater, with a non-compliance rate of 94.12%, while deep groundwater hardness remains markedly lower. Mid-depth groundwater (60–300 m) in the alluvial plain exhibits elevated hardness, primarily attributed to mineral dissolution and agricultural irrigation return flow. The spatial distribution pattern of groundwater hardness across the study area is predominantly governed by hydrogeochemical processes and hydrochemical environmental factors, with cation exchange adsorption and evaporation–concentration processes identified as the dominant influences. The analysis of ion sources indicates that Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, the primary contributors to groundwater hardness in the area, are mainly derived from the weathering and dissolution of carbonate minerals, sulfate minerals, and cation exchange processes. Therefore, an in-depth investigation into the spatial distribution and driving factors of groundwater hardness in Tangshan can provide a scientific basis for regional water resource management, pollution control, and water quality optimization. Such research also supports the development of sustainable groundwater management and optimization strategies. Full article