Solution Blending Research Articles

Interlayer-Functionalized Graphene with Phosphorus–Silicon-Containing Elements for Improving Thermal Stability and Flame Retardance of Polyacrylonitrile

Highly-effective non-halogenated flame retardants have received widespread attention because they are environmentally friendly, with low toxicity and low smoke density. In this work, interlayer-functionalized graphene (fRGO) containing silicon and phosphorus elements was synthesized via hydrolytic condensation with 3-(methacryloyloxy)propyltrimethoxysilane and addition reaction with 9,10-dihydro-9-oxa-10-phosphaphenanthrene-10-oxide. Interlayer spacing and oxygen-containing groups of reduced graphene oxide (RGO) were regulated by controlling the hydrazine hydrate dosage. Then, phosphorus–silicon-containing organic molecules were inserted into RGO interlayers; this was verified by FTIR, XPS, TEM, etc. The fRGO was added to a polyacrylonitrile (PAN) matrix using a solution blending method to prepare polyacrylonitrile (PAN) composites. The fRGO addition caused the significant decrease in cyclization heat and the considerable increase in char residues, indicating improved thermal stability. Importantly, PAN composites exhibited outstanding flame-retardant properties, with the peak heat release rate reduced by 45%, which is ascribed to the dense graphitic carbon layers induced by phosphorus–silicon-containing organics and the 2D barrier effect of RGO layers to prevent the heat and mass transfer.

Construction of acidic microenvironment by Cu-TCPP nanozyme composited deprotonatable polymeric nanofibers for efficient antibacterial activity

The issue of bacterial resistance caused by conventional antibiotics has emerged as a major challenge in clinical treatment. Nanozymes, based on catalysis and devoid of bacterial resistance, provide a novel approach to eradicating bacteria. However, the practical potential of these nanozymes is limited by their low and readily pH-affected catalytic activity. Herein, the enzyme activity was optimized starting from the synthesis of nanozyme and the selection of carboxylate-containing polymers for the matrix. Specifically, various copper-tetrakis (4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin (Cu-TCPP) were initially synthesized employing three copper sources, and among them, Cu-TCPP derived from Cu2O with higher catalytic activity was preferred. Subsequently, Cu-TCPP composite fibrous membranes were further obtained by electrospinning from their blend solutions with different polymers with distinct deprotonation capabilities. Thus, an acidic microenvironment conducive to the exertion of enzyme activity was constructed. The fabricated composite nanofibrous membrane could dissociate hydrogen ions to construct a localized acidic microenvironment even under weakly alkaline conditions, thereby enhancing the enzyme activity and improving the antibacterial effect. Further in vivo experiments demonstrated its favorable antibacterial ability and accelerated wound healing effect. The enhancement strategy of enzyme activity in this study brings inspiration for the design of nanozyme composited wound dressings and holds significant potential for clinical antibacterial applications

One-step development of photothermal omniphobic membrane for vacuum membrane distillation towards sustainable water desalination using solar energy

Nowadays, development of photothermal omniphobic membranes (POMs) for water desalination using solar energy has gained considerable attention to face water and energy challenges in a sustainable way. Scientists have been developing POM via different techniques based on photothermal component loading and surface energy reduction, all of which suffer from multi-step processes. Obviously, researchers and especially industrial developers aspire to one-step techniques that make the production process highly accelerated and economical. In this study, a one-step technique to develop POMs is demonstrate, using which the omniphobic and photothermal properties are simultaneously imparted to the membrane through being integrated with the membrane fabrication process. The technique works based on elaborate design of membrane surface chemistry and roughness via electrospinning of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/poly(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl acrylate) (PPFOA) blend solution containing carbon black nanoparticles (CB NPs). Optimum concentrations for PPFOA and CB NPs with respect to the PVDF weight were obtained as 60 and 15 wt%, respectively. The developed membrane exhibited permeate flux and salt rejection as high as 2.94 kg/m2·h and > 98 %, respectively, under one sun radiation. Evaporation rate and efficiency of the developed membrane were calculated as 1.49 kg/m2.h and 83.5 %, respectively. The membrane exhibited stable long-term performance for 600 min in contact with the sodium dodecyl sulfate (0.8 mM)-containing NaCl aqueous solution (3.5 wt%). Besides single-step implementation, the introduced technique benefits from endowing the entire membrane structure with omniphobic and photothermal properties not only the membrane surface. This can drastically improve the membrane performance and life time.

High‐performance polybenzimidazole blend membranes based on a commercially available anion‐exchange polymer and F6PBI for vanadium redox flow batteries

AbstractRenewable energy is essential for the transition to a carbon‐neutral society. Due to their intermittent nature, temporary storage is required. The all‐vanadium redox flow battery (VRFB) is a promising technology for this purpose. Commercially available membranes, such as the FAPQ330 from Fumatech BWT, already show reasonable performance but still have room for improvement in selectivity and conductivity. In this study, we developed new ductile porous blend membranes based on the polybenzimidazole F6PBI by mixing it with poly(diallyldimethylammonium bis(trifluoromethane)sulfonimide), which was prepared from the commercially available poly(dimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC). Three types of membranes with different amounts of PDADMA*TFSI in the blend solution were prepared and characterized. Ex‐situ conductivity measurements showed conductivities between 8.3 and 30.5 mS cm−1. Ex‐situ permeability tests revealed significantly lower permeabilities compared to the reference membrane FAPQ330. No change in ex‐situ conductivity was measured after the ex‐situ stability test. F6PBI‐PDAD37 reached the highest energy efficiency at 50, 100, and 200 mA cm−2 among all tested membranes. For example, a VRFB single‐cell equipped with F6PBI‐PDAD37 showed an improved EE of 76.5% at 200 mA cm−2, which is higher than the EE of FAPQ330 (74.3%).

Cross-Linking-Integrated Sequential Deposition: A Method for Efficient and Reproducible Bulk Heterojunctions in Organic Solar Cells.

The formation of bulk heterojunctions (BHJs) through sequential deposition (SqD) of polymer donor and nonfullerene acceptor (NFA) solutions offers advantages over the widely used single-step deposition of polymer:NFA blend solutions (BSD). To enhance the application of SqD in organic solar cell production, it is crucial to improve reproducibility and stability while maintaining a high efficiency. This study introduces a novel method termed cross-linking-integrated sequential deposition (XSqD) for fabricating efficient and reproducible BHJs. In this method, polymers are cross-linked using efficient 2Bx-4EO or 2Bx-8EO cross-linkers, which enhance the solvent resistance of the polymer donor layer against the solvents used for NFAs. This approach addresses the challenge of selecting a suitable solvent for NFAs, a major obstacle in SqD-processed OSCs. The utilization of 2Bx-4EO in XSqD leads to a significant increase in reproducibility compared to that of conventional SqD, coupled with a high-power conversion efficiency (PCE) of 14.1%. Furthermore, XSqD devices exhibit superior stability, showing only 1% and 6% reductions in their initial PCE after thermal stress at 80 and 120 °C for 50 h, respectively.

Biomimetic Aramid Nanofiber/β-FeOOH Composite Coating for Polypropylene Separators in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Aramid nanofibers (ANFs), with attractive mechanical and thermal properties, have attracted much attention as key building units for the design of high-performance composite materials. Although great progress has been made, the potential of ANFs as fibrous protein mimetics for controlling the growth of inorganic materials has not been fully revealed, which is critical for avoiding phase separation associated with typical solution blending. In this work, we show that ANFs could template the oriented growth of β-FeOOH nanowhiskers, which enables the synthesis of ANFs/β-FeOOH hybrids as composite coatings for polypropylene (PP) separators in Li-S batteries. The modified PP separator exhibits enhanced mechanical properties, heightened thermal performance, optimized electrolyte wettability, and improved ion conductivity, leading to superior electrochemical properties, including high initial specific capacity, better rate capability, and long cycling stability, which are superior to those of the commercial PP separators. Importantly, the addition of β-FeOOH to ANFs could further contribute to the suppression of lithium polysulfide shuttling by chemical immobilization, inhibition of the growth of lithium dendrites because of the intrinsic high modulus and hardness, and promotion of reaction dynamics due to the catalytic effect. We believe that our work may provide a potent biomimetic pathway for the development of advanced battery separators based on ANFs.

CO2 solubility and physicochemical properties of 2-amino 2-methyl-1-propanol based solvents for post-combustion CO2 capture. Predictive modeling using machine learning

Global warming, caused by Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions from hard-to-abate industries, necessitates CO2 capture as one of the promising alternatives. Post-combustion CO2 capture (PCC) can be retrofitted for industries where chemical absorption using an amine-based solvent is an efficient method for CO2 capture. An essential factor for CO2 absorption in an amine mixture is the study of CO2 solubility and CO2 + Amine physicochemical properties to identify the more efficient solvents. Often experimental data are available in the literature, but precisemodeling is necessary to use such data for further utilization in a process-plant model. In this work, a blended solvent aqueous 2-amine-2methyl-1-Propanal (AMP) with Piperazine (PZ) and 1-(2-aminoethyl) piperazine (AEP) have been identified as a potential candidate for PCC application. The fundamental properties such as the density, viscosity and CO2 solubility in AMP + PZ and AMP + AEP blended solutions have been predicted by employing machine learning to get an exceptionally efficient model. This data-mining technique efficiently calculates solubility, density, and viscosity by using 691, 559, and 559 experimental data sets respectively, from the literature of AMP + PZ. Similarly, 120 data sets of solubility have been collected from the literature for AMP + AEP. Random Forest regression, Artificial Neural Network (ANN), and XGBoost regression algorithms are adapted to predict CO2 solubility in aqueous AMP blended solution. The effectiveness of these models has been confirmed through statistical analysis, leading to the conclusion that XGBoost outperforms the other two approaches. Moreover, an identical approach has been employed to develop a predictive model for the density and viscosity of AMP + PZ solvent. The outcomes imply that the machine learning algorithm performs better with experimental data and may be utilised as an effective simulation tool.

One step synthesis of carboxymethyl cellulose/graphene oxide composites for removal of copper ion from aqueous solution

Excessive heavy metal ions in the environment often have an impact on plant growth and human health. In this study, carboxymethyl cellulose/graphene oxide composites (CMC/GO) were prepared by a simple solution blending evaporation method to remove copper ions. The structure of CMC/GO was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, Scanning electron microscope, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller and X-rayphotoelectron spectroscopy. The results showed that the maximum adsorption capacity of the adsorbent CMC/GO reached 26.05 mg/g, when the pH of the solution was 5, the initial concentration of copper ions was 80 mg/L, and the dosage of the adsorbent was 0.4 g. The adsorption of copper ions onto CMC/GO is validated by the pseudo-second-order kinetics model (R = 0.99949), and the adsorption isotherm data was fitted well with the Langmuir isotherm (R = 0.9990). Thermodynamic data showed that the adsorption process of copper ions by composite CMC/GO is a spontaneous endothermic reaction (ΔG < 0, ΔH > 0). Moreover, the adsorbent showed better recyclability and the adsorption efficiency can still reach 85.0 % after 5 adsorption-desorption cycles.

Methods for Fabrication of Self/Free Standing Nanocellulose (NC)-Nano Montmorillonite (N-MMT) Composite Films/Sheets — A Review

Plastic pollution looms large as a formidable foe to the environment. Enter cellulose nanofibers, the shining stars in the quest for innovative, eco-friendly paper-based packaging that is not just renewable, but also recyclable and biodegradable. These cellulose wonders boast impressively low oxygen permeability, but when it comes to water vapor, they fall short compared to traditional packaging plastics like LDPE. To tackle this challenge, researchers have been crafting composites by blending cellulose nanofibers with inorganic nanoparticles, such as Montmorillonite clay, which helps to curb water vapor permeability. However, this clever addition comes with a catch — it further complicates the already tricky drainage process during layer formation via vacuum filtration. This review delves into the complex world of nano cellulose-nano-MMT (Montmorillonite) composites, examining their preparation processes, unique characteristics, wide-ranging uses, and their significant contribution to promoting circular economy principles. By combining cellulose nanomaterials with MMT, a synergistic approach is taken to develop a new composite material with improved mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties. Various fabrication techniques are explored, including solution blending, in-situ polymerization, and electrospinning, allowing for customized design and optimization of the composite material. The review discusses how the nano cellulose-MMT composite demonstrates enhanced mechanical strength, thermal stability, and barrier properties, positioning it as a sustainable option compared to traditional materials. The review also showcases the diverse applications of these nano-composites in fields like packaging, biomedical devices, and environmental cleanup, emphasizing their alignment with circular economy principles. By examining the entire life cycle of these composites, from production to use and eventual disposal or recycling, the review underscores their role in supporting a circular economy. In light of the ongoing efforts by the scientific community and various industries to identify environmentally sustainable solutions, it is imperative to comprehend the synthesis, properties, and applications of nano cellulose-MMT composites. This understanding is essential for advancing sustainable processing for green material development.

A chemometric approach using I-optimal design for optimising Pb(II) removal using bentonite-chitosan composites and beads

This paper reports adsorption studies of Pb(II) ions onto Bentonite-Chitosan (Bt-Ch) composites or beads when using an I-optimal design experiment approach. Three adsorption factors (pH, adsorbent dosage, and initial concentration) were optimised whilst simultaneously investigating multiple adsorbents. The Bt-Ch composites and beads (type A and B) adsorbents were made using weight ratios 90%/10% and differed characteristically due to their preparation methods of solution blending and precipitation, respectively. A batch procedure was used for adsorption experiments, and the amounts of Pb(II) ions (adsorbed onto Bt-Ch composites/beads) were analysed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). Adsorption experimental parameters were analysed and optimised by using a response surface method (I-optimal design) generated from Design-Expert® 13.0 software. The main achievements of this study were to intensify the understanding and application of I-optimal experimental designs, which allow simultaneous determination of adsorption capacities and efficiencies across multiple adsorbents in an economical manner. A reduced quadratic model provided the best fit for the experimental data and exhibited minimal deviation between predicted and experimental values. This was evidenced by the very small covariance (CV) values of 1.81% and 1.33% observed for adsorption capacity and adsorption efficiency, respectively, also suggesting high reproducibility. It was observed that the adsorption factors studied (pH, adsorbent dose, and initial concentration) have a more pronounced effect on the adsorption capacity (F-value = 714.37) compared to adsorption efficiency (F-value = 140.62). Adsorbent dosage was found to have the greatest effect on adsorption capacity, while the initial pH of Pb(II) solution had the greatest effect on adsorption efficiency. Under optimal conditions, the adsorption capacities of beads-A (73.2 mg/g) and beads-B (77.6 mg/g) were found to be higher than that of the corresponding composite (51.7 mg/g). Whilst the optimum adsorption efficiency values for all three adsorbents were ∼100% (with ranges of pH 2–5, initial concentrations 50–200 mg/L, and adsorbent dosage 0.05–0.5 mg). The desirability indexes for the optimised conditions for these respective responses (and each adsorbent) were found to be within the ranges of 0.892–0.974 and 0.945–0.967 for adsorption capacity and adsorption efficiency, respectively. These high desirability index values for both responses indicate that the optimised conditions lead to very good performance for both measures. The information obtained in this study provides detailed understanding of the adsorption phenomena of the adsorbents studied. It gives confidence in the use of I-optimal designs to be applied as a chemometric tool for the specific adsorbents studied herein and others.

Deciphering the transfer mechanisms for CO2 absorption into binary blended solutions

A thorough understanding of the mechanisms involved in CO2 chemical absorption is crucial for the development of efficient CO2 capture technologies. Due to the insufficient insight into the interaction mechanism of different components in blended solutions, CO2 absorption reactions were often categorized as unidirectional transfer between absorption products. In this study, the CO2 absorption performance of binary blended solutions, including piperazine (PZ)/n-methyldiethanolamine (MDEA), ethanolamine (MEA)/MDEA, ammonia (NH3)/MDEA, PZ/potassium carbonate (K2CO3), and NH3/K2CO3, was investigated using a combination of experimental and computational methods. The CO2 absorption mechanisms of “competitive reaction”, “transfer reaction” and “parallel reaction” in the binary blended solution system were proposed. Kinetic experiments revealed that different blended solutions had varying impacts on the process of CO2 absorption. Among them, PZ/MDEA and MEA/MDEA solutions reduced the absorption rates by an average of 8% and 25%, respectively, compared to PZ or MEA component solutions. NH3/MDEA and PZ/K2CO3 solutions had absorption rates similar to those of single NH3/PZ component solutions. NH3/K2CO3 solutions, on the other hand, exhibited an average increase of 17% in absorption rates compared to NH3 solutions. Quantum mechanical (QM) methods were employed to evaluate of the absorption products and key processes in terms of kinetics and thermodynamics. Quantitative 13C NMR analyses were conducted to further investigate the interactions between components and the pathways of mass transport in blended solutions, which demonstrated proton transfer and CO2/-COO transfer between adsorption products. This study highlights an accurate description of the transfer mechanisms of various blended systems for the enhanced CO2 capture.

Thermal, mechanical, and morphological properties of oil palm cellulose nanofibril reinforced green epoxy nanocomposites

In this study, significant improvements in mechanical properties have been seen through the efficient inclusion of Oil Palm Cellulose Nanofibrils (CNF) as nano-fillers into green polymer matrices produced from biomass with a 28 % carbon content. The goal of the research was to make green epoxy nanocomposites utilizing solution blending process with acetone as the solvent with the different CNF loadings (0.1, 0.25, and 0.5 wt%). An ultrasonic bath was used in conjunction with mechanical stirring to guarantee that CNF was effectively dispersed throughout the green epoxy. The resultant nanocomposites underwent thorough evaluation, comparing them to unfilled green epoxy and evaluating their morphological, mechanical, and thermal behavior using a variety of instruments. Field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) was used to validate findings, which showed that the CNF were dispersed optimally inside the nanocomposites. The thermal degradation temperature (Td) of the nanocomposites showed a marginal decrement of 0.8 % in temperatures (from 348 °C to 345 °C), between unfilled green epoxy (neat) and 0.1 wt% of CNF loading. The mechanical test results, which showed a 13.3 % improvement in hardness and a 6.45 % rise in tensile strength when compared to unfilled green epoxy, were in line with previously published research. Overall, the outcomes showed that green nanocomposites have significantly improved in performance.

Coal allocation optimization based on a hybrid residual prediction model with an improved genetic algorithm

The objective of the coal blending optimization problem is to find an optimal coal blending in the feasible domain such that the blended coal meets the quality requirements at the end of the coking process and the cost of coal blending is minimized. This paper proposes a hybrid residual prediction model and an improved genetic algorithm to solve this problem and predict coke quality. For this purpose, a hybrid residual prediction model is used to predict coke quality. The model first uses a random forest feature extraction method to reduce the dimensionality of the data, and then trains several prediction models such as eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), Adaboost and Light Gradient-Boosting Machine (lightGBM) for different coke indicators an improved genetic algorithm based on the adaptive weighted genetic algorithm (awGA) and another improved genetic algorithm based on a priori knowledge and adaptive random initialization method were designed and implemented to solve the optimization problem under strict constraints (P-awGA). The experimental results show that using the hybrid residual prediction model and the improved genetic algorithm can accurately predict the coke quality and use less time to obtain a lower-cost coal blending solution.

3D printing of shape memory magnetorheological elastomers composites

Three-dimensional (3D) printing has been widely used to process smart composites, due to their excellent flexibility and low cost. However, it still has challenge to prepare magnetorheological elastomer (MRE) with the shape-memory properties. Here, we report a 3D direct writing (DIW) printing technology for shape-memory magnetorheological elastomer (SMRE). SMRE inks with mass fractions of 50%, 60% and 70% magnetic particles were prepared by solution blending method. Then, the SMRE was prepared by DIW technology under the magnetic field, and the influence of different process parameters on the printing quality of the material was studied. Meanwhile, the electrical conductivity, shape memory and magnetic assisted driving properties of SMRE are studied. The experimental results show that SMRE can be prepared by DIW technology and driven by temperature, electricity and magnetic fields. Magnetic field assisted programming realizes the driving of soft gripper and increases the speed of SMRE windmill by 280%.

Polystyrene infused with functionalized reduced graphene oxide as a reusable oil sorbent

Adsorption has been reported to be optimal among oil spill cleanup methods due to its simplicity, low capital and operational cost, high removal efficiency and environmental friendliness. However, its continuous usage has been linked to generation of enormous waste, after oil spill cleanup, to which use of reusable oil sorbents has been proposed as a possible solution. Synthetic organic oil sorbents have high mechanical properties compared to other categories of oil sorbents, but they suffer low adsorptive capacities. To address this problem, among other nanoparticles, rGO have been infused in polymeric materials to produce composite oil sorbents characterized with high adsorptive capacities. In this research, surface modified rGO was infused in waste expanded polystyrene, to produce electrospun PS/FrGO composite sorbents by solution blending and electrospinning method. Adsorptive capacities of produced composites were evaluated in four oil samples. Functionalization of rGO was found to cause removal of residual oxygen containing functional groups such as hydroxyl (–OH), and resulted in more hydrophobic surface. Infusion of FrGO, in waste expanded polystyrene resulted into composites with increased surface area, from 71.50 m2/g for pure PS20 to 353.45 m2/g, 429.18 m2/g, 456.14 m2/g for PS20 infused with 1, 2 and 4wt% of FrGO. Increase in oil sorption capacities of the composite, observed in four oil samples corresponds to improved surface area. Produced composites show good recyclability in the four oil samples, at least up to the third sorption cycle.Graphical

Study on the Relationship between Electron Transfer and Electrical Properties of XLPE/Modification SR under Polarity Reversal.

The insulation of high-voltage direct-current (HVDC) cables experiences a short period of voltage polarity reversal when the power flow is adjusted, leading to sever field distortion in this situation. Consequently, improving the insulation performance of the composite insulation structure in these cables has become an urgent challenge. In this paper, SiC-SR (silicone rubber) and TiO2-SR nanocomposites were chosen for fabricating HVDC cable accessories. These nanocomposites were prepared using the solution blending method, and an electro-acoustic pulse (PEA) space charge test platform was established to explore the electron transfer mechanism. The space charge characteristics and field strength distribution of a double-layer dielectric composed of cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) and nano-composite SR at different concentrations were studied during voltage polarity reversal. Additionally, a self-built breakdown platform for flake samples was established to explore the effect of the nanoparticle doping concentration on the breakdown field strength of double-layer composite media under polarity reversal. Therefore, a correlation was established between the micro electron transfer process and the macro electrical properties of polymers (XLPE/SR). The results show that optimal concentrations of nano-SiC and TiO2 particles introduce deep traps in the SR matrix, significantly inhibiting charge accumulation and electric field distortion at the interface, thereby effectively improving the dielectric strength of the double-layer polymers (XLPE/SR).

Experimental study on CO2 absorption in aqueous solutions and water–oil emulsions of TEA and blended MEA/DEA–TEA

ABSTRACT The CO2 absorptions in aqueous solutions and water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions of TEA, MEA–TEA, and DEA–TEA were investigated. By applying an experimental setup, the effects of reactant concentration (0.25–1 M for TEA, 0.1–0.3 M for MEA/DEA), temperature (15–35°C), volume fraction of the dispersed phase (0.4–0.6), and pressure (100–400 kPa) on capacity and rate of CO2 absorption were measured and compared. The CO2 absorption capacity in a TEA solution with a low/medium concentration (0.25–0.5 M) is more than the theoretical value while these values are approached to each other in the high concentration (1 M). The CO2 absorption capacity of blended solutions (MEA/DEA–TEA) is higher than that of the TEA solution. By increasing the temperature, the CO2 absorption capacities of the TEA and blended solutions are decreased by increasing the temperature. For the emulsion solutions, increasing the volume fraction of the dispersed phase causes a decrement in the capacity of absorption. In the low concentration of MEA/DEA (0.1 M), the aqueous solution has a higher absorption capacity than that of the emulsion while this trend is reverse in the high concentration of MEA/DEA (0.2–0.3 M). The CO2 absorption rates of emulsions are higher than the rates of their corresponding aqueous solutions. For the TEA solutions, the rate of CO2 absorption is controlled by the reaction rate while the shuttle mechanism enhances the absorption rate for the blended solutions. The CO2 absorption capacity and rate for the TEA and blended solutions are increased by pressure while this increment is more significant for the emulsions.

A novel strategy to break through the strength-ductility trade-off of titanium matrix composites

This study used a solution blending method to coat Ti64 alloy particles with an organopolysilazane (OPSZ) precursor, creating (TiC + Ti3Si)/Ti64 composites via spark plasma sintering (SPS). During SPS, OPSZ decomposes, releasing silicon, carbon, and nitrogen. Nitrogen exits as NH3 and N2, while carbon and silicon partially dissolve in the matrix and partially react with titanium to form TiC and Ti3Si particles. The composite with 0.5 wt% OPSZ exhibited a tensile strength of 1135 MPa and an elongation of 19.0 %, 18.2 % and 28.5 % higher than commercial Ti64 alloy, respectively. The strength increase is attributed to grain refinement, solid solution strengthening, Orowan strengthening, and L phase strengthening. The improved ductility results from fine precipitates promoting dislocation multiplication, the dislocation storage effect of the interface L-phase, and matrix purification by H2 and NH3 from OPSZ decomposition.

Fabrication of multifunctional ZnO@tannic acid nanoparticles embedded in chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol blend packaging film

The current study explores biodegradable packaging materials that have high food quality assurance, as food deterioration is mostly caused by UV degradation and oxidation, which can result in bad flavor and nutrition shortages. Thus, new multifunctional zinc oxide nanoparticles/tannic acid (ZnO@TA) with antioxidant and antibacterial activities were incorporated into polyvinyl alcohol/chitosan (PVA/CH) composite films with different ratios (1%, 3%, and 5% based on the total dry weight of the film) via a solution blending method in a neutral aqueous solution. Additionally, ZnO nanoparticles have unique antibacterial mechanisms through the generation of excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) that may lead to intensify pathogen resistance to conventional antibacterial agents. Thus, minimizing the negative effects caused by excessive levels of ROS may be possible by developing unique, multifunctional ZnO nanoparticles with antioxidant potential via coordination bond between tannic acid and ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO@TA). ZnO@TA nanoparticles were examined using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effect of the incorporation of ZnO@TA nanoparticles on the barrier, mechanical, thermal, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and UV blocking characteristics of chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol (ZnO@TA@CH/PVA) films was investigated. The lowest water vapor and oxygen permeability and the maximum antioxidant capacity% are 31.98 ± 1.68 g mm/m2 kPa day, 0.144 ± 5.03 × 10–2 c.c/m2.day, and 69.35 ± 1.6%, respectively, which are related to ZnO@TA(50)@CH/PVA. Furthermore, ZnO@TA(50)@CH/PVA film exhibits the maximum UV shielding capacity of UVB (99.994). ZnO@TA(50) @PVA/CH films displayed better tensile strength and Young`s modulus of 48.72 ± 0.23 MPa and 2163.46 ± 61.4 MPa, respectively, than the other film formulations. However, elongation % at break exhibited the most reduced value of 19.62 ± 2.3%. ZnO@TA@CH/PVA film exhibits the largest inhibition zones of 11 ± 1.0, 12.3 ± 0.57, and 13.6 ± 0.57 mm against Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus flavus, and Candida albicans, respectively. In accordance with these results, ZnO@TA@CH/PVA films could be utilized for food preservation for the long-term.

Unraveling the Solution Aggregation Structures and Processing Resiliency of High-Efficiency Organic Photovoltaic Blends.

The solution aggregation structure of conjugated polymers is crucial to the morphology and resultant optoelectronic properties of organic electronics and is of considerable interest in the field. Precise characterizations of the solution aggregation structures of organic photovoltaic (OPV) blends and their temperature-dependent variations remain challenging. In this work, the temperature-dependent solution aggregation structures of three representative high-efficiency OPV blends using small-angle X-ray/neutron scattering are systematically probed. Three cases of solution processing resiliency are elucidated in state-of-the-art OPV blends. The exceptional processing resiliency of high-efficiency PBQx-TF blends can be attributed to the minimal changes in the multiscale solution aggregation structure at elevated temperatures. Importantly, a new parameter, the percentage of acceptors distributed within polymer aggregates (Ф), for the first time in OPV blend solution, establishes a direct correlation between Ф and performance is quantified. The device performance is well correlated with the Kuhn length of the cylinder related to polymer aggregates L1 at the small scale and the Ф at the large scale. Optimal device performance is achieved with L1 at ≈30nm and Ф within the range of 60±5%. This study represents a significant advancement in the aggregation structure research of organic electronics.