Zn aqueous batteries (ZABs) have gained renewed attention as intrinsically safe, low-cost, and sustainable candidates for stationary energy storage, yet their practical deployment is still constrained by the narrow electrochemical stability window (ESW) of water and its intimate coupling to Zn anode degradation. In this review, we place ESW engineering at the center of the discussion and critically examine recent advances that reshape bulk solvation, regulate proton activity, crowd and confine water, and build protective interphases and hydrophobic interfaces. Concentrated, dual-cation and hydrate-melt electrolytes, water-in-salt and water-in-deep-eutectic formulations, and weakly solvating co-solvents collectively demonstrate that anion-rich, water-poor Zn2+ solvation shells can suppress hydrogen evolution, corrosion, and cathode-side oxygen evolution. Complementary strategies based on pH-buffered or gradient electrolytes, molecularly crowded and "soggy-sand" media, lean-water hydrogels, SEI/interphase architectures, and surfactant or amphiphilic additives further extend the practical ESW by kinetically shielding water at multiple length scales. By systematically comparing these approaches and highlighting their mechanistic commonalities, we aim to provide a coherent toolkit for ESW modulation that can be combined with cathode optimization and cell-level engineering. Finally, we outline remaining challenges and future research directions towards high-voltage, long-life, and application-relevant ZABs that operate close to the intrinsic limits of aqueous electrochemistry worldwide.

ABSTRACT This study experimentally investigates the thermophysical properties and droplet combustion behavior of boron and silane boron nanofuels. Silane boron nanoparticles were prepared by coating boron nanoparticles with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTS), and nanofuels were formulated by dispersing 2 and 4 wt.% of boron/silane boron nanoparticles in butanol. Span 80 (1 and 2 wt.%) was added to induce puffing, an explosion at the droplet surface caused by vapor formation inside the droplet, which enhances combustion through droplet atomization. The addition of nanoparticles and surfactant did not significantly affect viscosity or surface tension. However, boron nanofuels containing Span 80 showed poor dispersion stability at room temperature and at 100°C, promoting puffing and increased boron flame luminosity due to enhanced atomization. In contrast, silane boron nanofuels exhibited improved dispersion stability, resulting in weaker puffing and reduced boron flame luminosity. The effective burning rate increased for silane boron droplets due to enhanced thermal conductivity. Boron flame emission was analyzed using a spectrometer at BO2 emission bands of 493, 517, 547, and 578 nm. Overall emission intensities were lower for silane boron nanofuels because reduced puffing resulted in weaker boron flame emission. For both fuels, Span 80 increased BO2 emission intensity through surfactant-induced puffing.

This study explores the impact of drug loading (DL) on the physical stability, dissolution performance, and micellisation behaviour of binary and ternary amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) of lumefantrine (LUM), a poorly soluble antimalarial drug. Based on preliminary evaluations, Soluplus® was chosen as the polymer for its excellent solubility enhancement and amorphous stabilisation of LUM, while Kolliphor® RH40 was employed as a surfactant additive due to its synergistic ability to improve solubility and sustain supersaturation with Soluplus®. Binary ASDs (BASDs) and ternary ASDs (TASDs) were produced via hot-melt extrusion (HME) across a DL range of 10-50%. P-XRD and DSC provided qualitative and quantitative insight into DL-dependent amorphisation loss, showing that TASDs exhibited significantly lower Tgs and poorer physical stability than BASDs, with the inferiority amplified at increased DL. In general, pH-triggered dissolution was seen to deteriorate with increasing DL in both the binary and ternary systems. TASDs outperformed BASDs at low DL (≤20%); however, TASDs were more sensitive to the increase in DL, showing a markedly sharper decline in dissolution at DL≥30%, which resulted in lower drug release relative to their BASD counterparts at higher DLs. At 40% and 50% DL, TASDs even underperformed their corresponding physical mixtures. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis of micelles formed during dissolution revealed that ASDs with higher DLs generated larger and less uniform micelle systems, which correlated with reduced release performance. Noticeably, the addition of RH40 may disturb Soluplus®-driven micellisation by forming small aggregates, potentially undermining its solubilisation efficiency. Overall, these findings highlight a delicate, DL-dependent balance between the addition of surfactant and formulation robustness, suggesting the need for caution when operating near a potential critical DL, particularly in surfactant-containing ASD systems for high-dose, poorly soluble drugs.

Optimizing foamability and foam stability of aqueous cellulose nanofibril foams through the sequential addition of cationic and anionic surfactants

Experimental study on SDBS surfactant effect on titanium oxide water nanofluid properties

ABSTRACT A modified sol–gel method using β‐cyclodextrin as a template was used to synthesize apatite‐type lanthanum and praseodymium silicate supports for Ni‐loaded ethanol steam reforming catalysts. The effects of nonionic Brij 58 surfactant addition and the substitution of lanthanum with praseodymium on the properties of catalysts were studied. Thermal decomposition of the sample precursor gels was investigated by thermal analysis coupled with evolved gas mass spectrometry. The samples were analyzed by XRD, EDX, low‐temperature nitrogen physisorption, temperature‐programmed reduction with H 2 , XPS, oxygen isotope exchange with C 18 O 2 , and tested in the ethanol steam reforming.

Traditional pesticides suffer from low utilization rates, poor photodegradability, and environmental pollution issues. Developing highly efficient and environmentally friendly pesticide delivery systems is of paramount importance. This study utilized zein-sodium caseinate (Zein-NaCas) composite nanoparticles as stabilizers with ethyl acetate (EA) and soybean oil (SO) as the oil phase. Without the addition of toxic surfactants, the hydrophobic pesticide avermectin-loaded Pickering emulsion (AVM@PK) was prepared. Zein-NaCas solid particles were formed through hydrophilic–hydrophobic interactions and can adsorb at the oil–water interface to form a boundary film, thereby preventing droplet coalescence. By optimizing the solid particle concentration and oil phase volume fraction, this system maintains excellent emulsion stability. Compared with AVM-commercial emulsified oil (AVM-EC), this emulsion exhibits 2.1-fold enhanced photodegradation resistance. In vitro release experiments indicate that glutathione (GSH) degradation rapidly destabilizes the emulsion, leading to accelerated avermectin (AVM) release. Bioactivity tests demonstrate that the emulsion exhibits higher lethality and lower LC50 values against lepidoptera insects. This study provides a novel strategy for constructing green pesticide delivery systems and achieving efficient encapsulation and slow release of hydrophobic pesticides.

• Emulsification of water in EVCO system has been characterized and optimized to produce stable, monodisperse droplets. • A throughput of ∼190–300 Hz and droplet diameters ranging from 13.29 to 25.22 µm was achieved. • The effect of nonionic surfactants (Tween 20 and Span 80) and comparative study with mineral oil revealed enhanced performance of EVCO. • Capillary and Weber number analysis indicates a clear shift in the jetting regime boundary with surfactant addition. Microfluidic encapsulation enables uniform droplet formation, yet most systems rely on synthetic oils with limited biocompatibility and sustainability. This study evaluates extra virgin coconut oil (EVCO) as a natural continuous phase for water-in-oil (W/O) droplet-based encapsulation, using single droplet generation in a flow-focusing microchannel. Experiments were conducted across varying continuous-to-dispersed flow-rate ratios, with or without nonionic surfactants (Tween 20 or Span 80 at 0.5 % v/v). High-speed imaging and MATLAB-based analysis provided droplet diameter, frequency, and coefficient of variation (CV), which were mapped onto Capillary (Ca) and Weber (We) number coordinates. Without surfactant, EVCO generated droplets at ∼110–140 Hz—lower than mineral oil (∼150–220 Hz)—but maintained more stable dripping. Surfactant addition improved performance: Tween 20 yielded the smallest and most frequent droplets (13–25 μm, CV ∼9–12 %, frequency up to 300 Hz), surpassing mineral oil benchmarks. Span 80 offered moderate enhancement (frequency 120–220 Hz). Stable dripping occurred at Ca = 1.5 × 10⁻³–5 × 10⁻³ and We < 0.1, while transitions to jetting emerged at higher values. Tween 20 shifted droplets deeper into this stable region, confirming its superior interfacial stabilization. Overall, EVCO demonstrates excellent compatibility with microfluidic encapsulation, supporting fine size control and regime stability without synthetic oils. This work affirms the viability of natural oils in flow-focusing systems and highlights their potential for biocompatible, sustainable applications in drug delivery, diagnostics, and food-grade formulations.

Numerical simulation of microbial biohydrogen production under high-pressure, high-temperature conditions for enhanced recovery from depleted reservoirs

Radioactive contamination and electrochemical decontamination of the structural material for the cold crucible inductive melter

Backgrounds: Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) combine the specificity of monoclonal antibodies with the cytotoxic potency of drugs, representing a significant class of targeted cancer therapeutics. Despite their clinical success, formulation-related instability, rather than biological inefficacy, is a major contributing factor to setbacks in ADC development. This review examines the biochemical, physicochemical, and formulation factors that contribute to ADC stability, with a focus on excipient selection, conjugation site heterogeneity, and linker-payload reactivity. Methods: This comprehensive review was based on a selection of peer-reviewed mechanistic, analytical, and manufacturability studies on ADC stability. Our goal was to highlight formulation strategies, degradation pathways, and solid-state stabilization principles that affect the pharmacokinetics and therapeutic efficacy of ADC. Results: Results demonstrate how formulation variability including buffer composition, excipient choice, ionic strength, and lyophilization can directly affect payload release, linker cleavage, kinetics, and antibody conformation. It has been demonstrated that techniques, such as lyophilization with glass-forming matrices and the addition of surfactants, enhance stability against hydrolysis, oxidation, and aggregation. Developments in analytical characterization, such as real-time kinetic modeling and multi-attribute techniques based on mass spectrometry, have made quantification of degradation and bioactivity losses more predictable in ADC formulations. The connection between chemical stability and formulation outcomes is being redefined by new techniques, such as model-informed optimization and AI-driven design. Conclusions: ADC formulation is now a key component of molecular stability, clinical reliability, and regulatory compliance rather than a secondary consideration. By guaranteeing long-term stability, better pharmacokinetics, and improved therapeutic indices across next-generation designs, these approaches have the potential to revolutionize ADC development.

Hydrate blockage represents a critical challenge to flow assurance in deep-water oil production. This research systematically investigates the effects of hydrocarbon chain length (nC6, nC10, nC14, nC15), water content and surfactant concentration on CH4 hydrate formation and aggregation in oil-dominated emulsions. Experimental results reveal that hydrocarbon chain length not only affects hydrate growth rate and particle aggregation behavior but also influences CH4 occupancy within the cage-like cavities of crystals. Shorter-chain hydrocarbons enhance CH4 consumption rates and total CH4 consumption. CH4 consumption is strongly influenced by water content, and the emulsion containing 30 vol % water exhibits the highest total CH4 consumption. Surfactant addition enhances hydrate growth while partially inhibiting particle aggregation. Notably, the system with 1.0 wt % sodium secondary alkyl sulfonate shows optimal slurry fluidity after 7 h. The inhibition of hydrate growth by n-tetradecane and n-pentadecane is affected by the chain length of liquid hydrocarbons. The presence of n-tetradecane and n-pentadecane reduces CH4 occupancy in large cages, with particularly significant inhibition observed in systems containing n-pentadecane. These findings provide critical insights into hydrate management strategies for multiphase flow systems.

In this work, MoS2 nanoparticles (NPs) are synthesized by laser ablation of molybdenum in thiourea. The effect of adding of sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDS) surfactant to thiourea on the properties of MoS2 NPs was studied. X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies reveal that the synthesized MoS2 NPs were crystalline with hexagonal structures. Field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) investigations confirm the synthesized MoS2 NPs have spherical and hexagonal morphologies. The energy band-gap of MoS2 prepared in thiourea solution was about 1.2 eV and after addition of SDS is about 1.5 eV. The chemical bonds between Mo-S at peaks at 766, 894 and 1457 cm− 1 were identified by FTIR analysis. The Raman spectra of MoS2 shows formation (Mo-S) bond stretching mode. The current-voltage characteristic of n-MoS2/p-Si heterojunction prepared in thiourea and thiourea + SDS solutions were inspected during dark and illumination settings. The results reveal the responsivity of the fabricated devices increased from 0.9 to 1.17 A/W at 650 nm upon the addition of SDS surfactant to thiourea. The detectivity and quantum efficiency of the photodetector increases significantly after adding SDS surfactant. Energy band lineup of n-MoS2/p-Si photodetector under illumination was as well performed.

Nanofluid development is facing the challenge of instability despite the significant body of research dedicated to developing new nanoparticle-enhanced fluids. Numerous combinations of fluids and particles have been studied; however, the research on surfactants is rather limited, and the results are scattered. This paper is dedicated to the study of two regular polymeric surfactants (PVP and PSS) as well as two polyethylene glycols and one ionic liquid as possible alternatives. The results of a coordinated experiment are followed by a discussion of the density, thermal conductivity, thermal effusivity and viscosity of several samples with the same amount of titanium oxide nanoparticles dispersed in water and different mass concentrations of surfactants (2, 4 and 6%wt.). The results indicated that both the thermal properties and viscosity are negatively affected by the addition of surfactant, which is a drawback. The viscosity remains within a reasonable variation (i.e., between a 0.7 and 1.5% increase) for concentrations of PEG 200, PEG 400 and PSS up to 2%wt. Also, the addition of titania nanoparticles increases the water thermal conductivity by 1.8%, while the addition of surfactant decreases the overall values by around 5%. This disadvantage is amplified when also considering the foam creation, characteristic of all regular surfactants, that limits their real-life applications in turbulent flow.

Particle-stabilized water-in-oil emulsions are found in a wide range of products, from foods to petrochemicals. The interfacial particle layer in such emulsions plays a crucial role in resisting physical breakdown and ensuring long-term stability. This study aimed to clarify the rheological breakdown and recovery of a planar interfacial particle film under different shear conditions, as well as the effects of a structure-breaking surfactant. Experiments were conducted on a planar oil-water interfacial film composed of glycerol monostearate (GMS) crystals, representative of a water-in-oil emulsion stabilized by the same crystals. The film exhibited a reversible transition from an elastic-dominant state to a viscous-dominant state when subjected to strain amplitudes above and below its critical strain. The addition of the structure-breaking surfactant, sorbitan monooleate (SMO), led to a permanent reduction in both the interfacial elastic modulus and the interfacial tension of the film. These changes in viscoelastic properties were correlated with the destabilization of the corresponding model emulsion. Shearing this now-weakened film beyond its elastic limit led to a further reduction in elastic modulus (G') and an inability to recover its initial viscoelastic properties post-recovery. Overall, this study demonstrated that while particle-stabilized oil-water interfaces can recover their G' in response to a range of shear conditions, their viscoelasticity can be irreversibly altered by the presence of a structure-breaking surfactant. These findings offer novel insights into the design of emulsions with controllable breakdown properties.

A search for causes of intermittent mid-term (about two hours) instability in emission signals from an inductively coupled plasma led to adoption of a tandem spray-chamber arrangement and subsequently to use of a surfactant (Triton X-100) to mitigate the remaining and newly found instabilities. Through a series of investigations, abrupt signal excursions in the tandem setup were traced to droplet coagulation and drainage inside the glass tube that connected the two spray chambers. However, the signal shifts were not the result of sample-solution release directly but rather to the influence of the underlying factors on plasma behavior. Experiments tailored to the study included not only examination of temporal signal behavior but also collection of long-term videos and measurement of radiofrequency characteristics of the plasma. The addition of a surfactant, Triton X-100, for signal-stability improvement is applicable not only to systems that employ tandem spray chambers but also to conventional single Scott-type chamber arrangements. Further, use of the surfactant was unsuccessful in overcoming “acid effects”, either of the steady-state or transient nature, and did not alter plasma background or analyte signals significantly. • ICP signal showed ∼20 % instability over 2 h with tandem spray chambers. • Drainage of large droplets in the tube joining the two chambers causes instability. • Forward and reflected RF power was observed during signal fluctuation. • Triton X-100 improves signal stability in both tandem and single Scott-type chambers.

White sage, Salvia apiana Jeps., is ecologically significant to chaparral ecosystems and of cultural importance to indigenous communities. Wild populations are declining due to habitat loss and overharvesting. Current propagation protocols are inadequate. Development of reliable propagation protocols would benefit restoration efforts and potential commercialization. This study investigated seed germination responses to heat- and fire-related cues, as well as vegetative propagation to support conservation and sustainable cultivation. Seeds were exposed to heat treatments (60 to 100 °C) for varying durations (5 to 60 min), smoke, and ash treatments. Heat treatments at 70 and 85 °C significantly increased germination and mucilage excretion ( P = 0.001), although mucilage removal did not affect germination ( P = 0.871). Terminal cuttings were treated with indole-3-butyric acid (K-IBA) at 0 to 4000 ppm via basal quick dip or foliar application (0 to 1500 ppm) with and without Tween 20 surfactant. Basal quick dip at 4000 ppm K-IBA achieved 100% rooting and was significantly greater than other treatments in terms of root number, quality, and average root length. Foliar application at 1500 ppm with Tween 20 achieved 87% rooting with improved root quality compared with foliar applications without surfactant. A lower concentration of K-IBA (1000 ppm) applied by foliar application was similarly effective but had lower root quality. Cuttings sprayed without surfactant had significantly lower rooting success and quality. Both basal quick dip and foliar K-IBA applications provide effective vegetative propagation, with surfactant addition improving foliar application efficacy. These protocols support sustainable white sage production for restoration and cultural use.

Nanofluids have emerged as promising candidates for target-specific applications in petroleum research due to their ability to modify interfacial/wettability properties and improve rheological characteristics. This study investigates the formulation, stability, and performance of copper oxide (CuO)-based nanofluids stabilized using sodium dodecyl benzenesulfonate (SDBS) surfactant and polymeric additives, namely polyethylene glycol (PEG) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). The nanofluids were synthesized through a high-energy homogenization process to ensure long-term stability. Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) analysis showed that the optimal formulation (0.04 wt% CuO + 0.08 wt% SDBS) demonstrates a nanoparticle size distribution that minimizes aggregation. Zeta potential measurements confirmed the colloidal stability of CuO nanofluids, with the optimized nanofluid maintaining a high negative charge over a long period. Further stabilization with 0.20 wt% CMC and 0.40 wt% PEG produced comparatively strong zeta potential values. Interfacial tension (IFT) measurements indicated a substantial reduction relative to waterflooding. Rheological analysis revealed shear-thinning behavior supporting improved injectivity and oil displacement efficiency. The physicochemical evaluation of surfactant-stabilized nanofluids highlights the contrasting effects of low-molecular-weight PEG and high-molecular-weight CMC. Laboratory oil displacement tests demonstrated enhanced tertiary oil recovery, validated through spectroscopy, contact angle measurements, and core-flooding experiments.

Aqueous carbon black (CB) slurries are promising for flow-electrode applications due to their low cost and high electrical conductivity. Here we investigate the impact of introducing a nonionic surfactant (Tween 20) on the rheological and electrical properties of 5 wt % Vulcan XC72R CB slurries in a 50 mM NaCl aqueous solution. We observe a Tween 20 critical concentration around 1.2 wt % that triggers an abrupt transition from a conductive gel to a high-resistance Newtonian fluid. This sudden network collapse coincides with a 250-fold reduction in settled mass, a 1–2 order of magnitude drop in viscosity, and a nearly 100-fold decrease in slurry conductivity. Centrifuged pellet conductivity measurements support the conclusion that this performance loss is largely due to the destruction of the gel network, rather than increased particle-to-particle resistance. SEM imaging suggests that the network is built from large 10 to 50 μm agglomerates that are fully dissolved above the critical surfactant concentration. We found that subcritical surfactant addition improved slurry shelf stability over 90 days, but that electrochemical cell testing revealed progressive performance degradation during operation. These results highlight the need for strategies that maximize long-term electrical conductivity without compromising viscosity, sedimentation stability, or resistance to accumulation on internal surfaces.

The use of fabric fresheners and cleaners in the form of laundry capsules has recently received significant attention due to their practicality. The film layer used in the production of laundry capsules is made of plastic derived from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) as its raw material. The abundance of PVA in domestic waste has led to the increasing presence of PVA microplastic contaminants in aquatic environments. The novelty of this research lies in the use of Al-Al electrodes and the addition of surfactants in the electrocoagulation method for removing PVA microplastics. This study aims to investigate the effect of surfactants on the removal of PVA microplastics in aquatic environments using Al-Al electrodes by electrocoagulation. The parameters evaluated included electrolysis time, voltage, pH, electrolyte type, and electrolyte concentration. The study achieved a PVA microplastic removal efficiency of 93.84% at an electrolysis time of 40 min, with a voltage of 10 V at pH 3, using a 0.01 M NaCl electrolyte solution, as determined by gravimetric analysis. UV–vis yielded a PVA microplastic removal efficiency of 99.52%. Application to synthetic laundry pod samples resulted in a PVA microplastic removal efficiency of 81.97% as determined by UV–vis analysis.