High Storage Stability Research Articles

Study on a novel Al-B-Li alloy powder with high enthalpy of combustion

ABSTRACT To develop aluminum-based alloy fuels with high energy release levels and good storage stability, the series of Al-B-Li alloy powders were prepared using high-temperature gas atomization. Al-4B-5Li meets the batch preparation requirements, with the mass combustion enthalpy of 31,101 J/g, exceeding the theoretical value of pure Al powder. XRD, SEM/EDS, XPS, TG-DTA, and other methods were used to characterize the alloy powder. The results showed that at 680℃~800°C, “channels” favorable for oxygen diffusion are formed inside the particles, which promotes the complete oxidation of Al-4B-5Li at 1300°C. Al-4B-5Li exhibits a total heat release of 6317 mJ/mg and an oxidation weight gain ratio of up to 95.0%, compared to just 8.39% for pure Al powder. In addition, Al-4B-5Li has good storage stability and lower energy attenuation compared to Al-5Li. After being placed in air for two weeks, the mass combustion enthalpy still exceeds 29,500 J/g, with a decay rate of only 4.52%. And the attenuation rate of Al-5Li is 10.17%. Al-4B-5Li has excellent combustion heat, thermal oxidation performance, and storage stability, and has good application prospects in the field of energetic materials.

Synthesis of folate targeted theranostic cubosomal platform for co-delivery of bismuth oxide and doxorubicin to melanoma in vitro and in vivo

Liquid crystalline nanoparticles (LCNPs) have gained much attention in cancer nanomedicines due to their unique features such as high surface area, storage stability, and sustained-release profile. In the current study, a novel LCNP for co-encapsulation of Bi2O3 and hydrophilic doxorubicin (DOX) was fabricated and functionalized with folic acid (FA) to achieve efficient tumor targeting toward CT-scan imaging and chemotherapy of melanoma in vitro and in vivo. LCNPs Bi2O3 NPs were prepared using glycerol monooleate-pluronic F-127 (GMO/PF127/water). Firstly, GMO/water were homogenized to prepare LC gel. Then, the stabilizer aqueous solution (PF127/Bi2O3/DOX) was added to the prepared LC gel and homogenized using homogenization and ultrasonication. The formulated NPs exhibited superior stability with encapsulation efficiency. High cytotoxicity and cellular internalization of the FA-Bi2O3-DOX-NPs were observed in comparison with Bi2O3-DOX-NPs and the free DOX in folate-receptor (FR) overexpressing cells (B16F10) in vitro. Moreover, ideal tumor suppression with increased survival rate were observed in tumorized mice treated with FA–Bi2O3-DOX-NPs compared to those treated with non-targeted one. On the other hand, the CT-imaging ability of the Bi2O3-DOX-NPs was tested inB16F10 tumor-bearing mice. The obtained data indicated a high potential of the developed targeted theranostic FA-Bi2O3-DOX-NPs for diagnostics and treatment of melanoma.

Emulsification Characteristics of Insoluble Dietary Fibers from Pomelo Peel: Effects of Acetylation, Enzymatic Hydrolysis, and Wet Ball Milling.

To improve the application potential of pomelo peel insoluble dietary fiber (PIDF) in emulsion systems, acetylation (PIDF-A), cellulase hydrolysis (PIDF-E), and wet ball milling (PIDF-M) were investigated in this paper as methods to change the emulsification properties of PIDF. The impact of the methods on PIDF composition, structure, and physicochemical properties was also assessed. The results demonstrated that both acetylation modification and cellulase hydrolysis could significantly improve the emulsification properties of PIDF. The emulsions stabilized with PIDF-A and PIDF-E could be stably stored at 25 °C for 30 d without phase separation at particle concentrations above 0.8% (w/v) and had higher storage stability: The D4,3 increments of PIDF-A- and PIDF-E-stabilized emulsions were 0.98 μm and 0.49 μm, respectively, at particle concentrations of 1.2% (w/v), while the storage stability of PIDF-M-stabilized emulsion (5.29 μm) significantly decreased compared with that of PIDF (4.00 μm). Moreover, PIDF-A showed the highest water retention capacity (21.84 g/g), water swelling capacity (15.40 mL/g), oil retention capacity (4.67 g/g), and zeta potential absolute (29.0 mV) among the PIDFs. In conclusion, acetylation modification was a promising method to improve the emulsifying properties of insoluble polysaccharides.

Formulation of rhamnolipid‐containing cosmetics without sulfate surfactants: A rheology and stability study

AbstractSulfate surfactants in cosmetic products raise concerns due to their skin irritating impact and sustainability. Rhamnolipid, a green and safe biosurfactant, was studied from the perspective of rheology to help develop a formulation with natural and effective ingredients for cosmetics. The viscosity of rhamnolipids was investigated by changing pH, concentration and adding additives like inorganic salts (NaCl, MgCl2) and polymers (Carbopol® Ultrez 20, Carbopol® Aqua SF‐1, Carbopol® 940 and cationic guar gum), showing that the viscosity of rhamnolipid had a positive correlation with the increase of concentration, a negative correlation with the increase of pH, and that polymers instead of inorganic salts were suitable for thickening rhamnolipid. Further rheology tests indicated that Carbopol® Aqua SF‐1 imparted gel properties of rhamnolipid while cationic guar gum determined the liquid properties. In addition, the rhamnolipid‐containing moisturizing cream consisting of stearic acid/squalane ratios all showed shear‐thinning and gel behavior the same as the commercial ones. Visual appearance and particle size analysis indicated that all formulations exhibited high storage stabilities. The knowledge gained from this study may be useful for designing “sulfonate‐free” shampoo and cream with rheological properties that can be tailed for specific commercial cosmetic applications.

Migration of Nutrient Substances and Characteristic Changes of Chicken White Soup Emulsion from Chicken Skeleton during Cooking

The protein and fat in chicken skeleton can be emulsified in a boiling state to form milky white chicken soup. White chicken soup has a delicious taste, good nutritional value, a beautiful color, and volatile flavor compounds. However, cooking time significantly impacts the quality of white chicken soup. Herein, we investigated the influence of cooking time (30, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180, and 210 min) on the migration of nutrient substances and characteristics changes in white chicken soup from chicken skeletons. The results showed that nutrients such as total lipids, water-soluble protein, total sugars, solid matter, and oligopeptides in the chicken skeletons’ tissue continuously migrated into the soup during the cooking process. The total nutrient content in the chicken soup was highest after cooking for 180 min. Simultaneously, the white chicken soup obtained after cooking for 180 min had low interfacial tension and high whiteness, viscosity, and storage stability. The high stability index was associated with increased ζ potential and decreased particle size. The contact angle analysis results also indicated that the stability of the white chicken soup was improved when the cooking time reached 180 min. This research provides basic information for the production of high-quality white chicken soup.

Coaxial 3D printing for customized orodispersible film based on an embedding system with curcumin liposome and phycocyanin

Based on customization trends, research on customized functional foods using 3D printing is being actively conducted. In this study, two functional materials with different properties, curcumin and phycocyanin, were printed simultaneously using a coaxial nozzle. Using a coaxial nozzle, curcumin encapsulated in liposomes was included in the outer core (OC) and phycocyanin in the inner core (IC). Analyzing the physicochemical characteristics of the liposome indicates that curcumin was efficiently encapsulated, and that the liposomes were stable and suitable for use. The most important factor when using coaxial nozzles is IC printability. To determine the optimal IC properties, samples at various concentrations were analyzed for rheological properties, printability, and optical microscopy, showing that an IC of 9 % was most suitable for the coaxial nozzle. Finally, stability and storage test results showed that IC was double protected by OC and matrix, showing high storage stability. In conclusion, this study confirmed not only the possibility of embedded 3D printing using coaxial nozzles, but also the high stability and storability of functional materials. These research results can be expected to be applied in the fields of personalized health functional foods and pharmaceuticals.

Immobilized cold-active enzymes onto magnetic chitosan microparticles as a highly stable and reusable carrier for p-xylene biodegradation

Stability and reusability properties are the two most important factors that determine an enzyme’s application in industry. To this end, cold-active crude enzymes from a psychrophile (xylene monooxygenase (XMO) and catechol 1,2-dioxygenase (C1,2D) were immobilized on magnetic chitosan microparticles for the first-time using glutaraldehyde as a linker. The potential application of enzyme-loaded magnetic particles to remove and detoxify dissolved p-xylene from water confirmed the synergistic mechanism of degradation for in-situ bioremediation in soil and water. Immobilization was optimized based on four variables, such as magnetic particle (MPs), chitosan, glutaraldehyde, and enzyme concentrations. The immobilized enzymes were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The immobilized enzymes showed improved pH tolerance ranging from 4.0 to 9.0, better temperature stability ranging from 5 to 50, higher storage stability (∼70% activity after 30 days of storage), and more importantly, reusability (∼40% activity after 10 repetitive cycles of usage) compared to their free form. Also, the immobilization of enzymes increased the effectiveness of the enzymatic treatment of p-xylene in soil (10,000 mg/kg) and water (200 mg/L) samples. As a result of the superior catalytic properties of immobilized XMO and C1,2D, they offer great potential for in situ or ex-situ bioremediation of pollutants in soil or water.

Oleosome interfacial engineering to enhance their functionality in foods

This study aimed to increase the physical stability of native sunflower oleosomes to expand their range of applications in food. The first objective was to increase the stability and functionality of oleosomes to lower pH since most food products require a pH of 5.5 or lower for microbial stability. Native sunflower oleosomes had a pI of 6.2. One particularly effective strategy for long-term stabilization, both physical and microbial, was the addition of 40% (w/w) glycerol to the oleosomes plus homogenization, which decreased the pI to 5.3 as well as decreasing oleosome size, narrowing the size distribution and increasing colloidal stability. Interfacial engineering of oleosomes by coating them with lecithin and the polysaccharides xanthan and gellan, effectively increased stability, and lowered their pI to 3.0 for lecithin and lower than 3.0 for xanthan. Coating oleosomes also caused a greater absolute value of the ζ-potential; for example, this amount was shifted to −20 mV at pH 4.0 for xanthan and to −28 mV at pH 4.0 for lecithin, which provides electrostatic stabilization. Polysaccharides also provide steric stabilization, which is superior. A significant increase in the diameter of coated oleosomes was observed with lecithin, xanthan and gellan. The oleosome sample with 40% glycerol showed high storage stability at 4 °C (over three months). The addition of glycerol also decreased the water activity of the oleosome suspension to 0.85, which could prevent microbial growth.

Preparation, stability and digestive properties of tea polysaccharide nanoparticles

This study aimed to investigate the storage stability and functional properties of different sizes of tea polysaccharides, and explore the relationship between sizes and digestive properties, so as to provide reference for the subsequent utilization of tea polysaccharides. In this study, TPS-NPs of about 200 nm and 400 nm were prepared by electrostatic interaction with TPS and EDTA ratios of 6:1 and 100:1, respectively. The structural properties of TPS-NPs were investigated by a series of characterization analyses. The results showed that the major functional groups of TPS-NPs did not change significantly with particle size, but the CO stretching vibrations in the methylated carboxyl group were more pronounced. However, their DPPH free radical scavenging ability and antioxidant activity of TPS were decreased in vitro because of the destruction of the apparent structure of tea polysaccharides nanoparticles during preparation. Stability measurements revealed that TPS-NPs have high storage, temperature, pH and ionic concentration stability, especially for TPS-NPs with a particle size of 200 nm. The digestibility of 400 nm TPS-NPs was improved to 3.89% compared to TPS. The results showed that the TPS-NPs has excellent stability and digestibility, which contributed to the development of TPS applications in the food industry and related products.

One-component epoxy resin adhesive featured with high storage stability based on microencapsulation

Epoxy resin (EP) adhesive is an essential thermosetting polymer used in coating. A curing agent is typically added to the epoxy system during the curing process in order to obtain a three-dimensional network structure. Therefore, existing commercial adhesives are two-component systems containing EP and the curing agent separately. However, the curing agent is prone to oxidation in air, and two-component systems reveal rapid viscosity changes and poor storage stability. On the other hand, microcapsules possess special encapsulation properties that can isolate the curing agent from the air. Mixing EP and microencapsulated curing agent directly results in a one-component epoxy resin adhesive that is easy to store and use. In this paper, methyl ethyl disubstituted diamine (DMEDDM), namely a novel curing agent was microencapsulated adopting solvent evaporation method with thermoplastic resin polyetherimide (PEI) as the shell material. It is found that the microencapsulated DMEDDM (Mic-DMEDDM) reveals smooth and compact spherical appearance with mean particle size about 13.65 µm. Moreover, the encapsulation efficiency of Mic-DMEDDM can reach up to 70%. After recycling the residual water phase seven times, the surface-regularized Mic-DMEDDM can still be obtained. Compared with two-component epoxy adhesive, the Mic-DMEDDM in one-component epoxy adhesive effectively extends the storage period to 43 days at 45 ℃. It is expected to find wide applications in coatings, electronic packaging materials and composite materials.

Development of thiolated xanthan gum-stearylamine conjugate based mucoadhesive system for the delivery of biochanin-A to melanoma cells

Recently, instead of creating new active compounds, scientists have been working to increase the bioavailability and residence time of existing drugs by modifying the characteristics of the delivery systems. In the present study, a novel mucoadhesive bioconjugate (SN-XG-SH) was synthesized by functionalizing a polysaccharide xanthan gum (XG) with cysteamine hydrochloride (CYS) and a lipid stearylamine (SN). FTIR, CHNS and 1H NMR studies confirmed the successful synthesis of SN-XG-SH. Mucoadhesion of the thiolated XG was enhanced and evaluated by different methods. Disulfide bond formation between thiolated XG and skin mucus enhances mucoadhesive behavior. The mucoadhesive bioconjugate was used to prepare nanoparticles for the delivery of hydrophobic biochanin-A (Bio-A) for the treatment of melanoma. The thiolated xanthan gum nanoparticles also demonstrated high drug entrapment efficiency, sustained drug release, and high storage stability. The drug loaded nanoparticles (Bio-A@TXNPs) significantly improved the cytotoxicity of Bio-A against human epidermoid cancer cells (A431 cells) by inducing apoptosis and changing mitochondrial membrane potential. In conclusion, thiolation of XG improves its mucoadhesive properties and prolongs the release of Bio-A. Thus, thiolated XG conjugate has a high potential for use as a bioadhesive agent in controlled and localised delivery of drugs in different skin diseases including melanoma.

Evaporable Fullerene Indanones with Controlled Amorphous Morphology as Electron Transport Layers for Inverted Perovskite Solar Cells.

Fullerenes are among the most commonly used electron-transporting materials (ETMs) in inverted perovskite solar cells (IPSCs). Although versatile functionalized fullerene derivatives have shown excellent performance in IPSCs, pristine [60]fullerene (C60) is still the most widely used in devices mainly because of its uniform morphology by thermal deposition. However, thermally evaporable fullerene derivatives have not yet been achieved. Herein, we developed a series of evaporable fullerene derivatives, referred to as fullerene indanones (FIDOs), affording IPSCs with high power conversion efficiency (PCE) and long-term storage stability. The FIDOs were designed with a unique architecture in which the fullerene moiety and a benzene ring moiety are linked via a five-membered carbon ring in benzene ring plane. This molecular arrangement affords exceptional thermal stability, allowing the FIDOs to withstand harsh thermal deposition conditions. Moreover, by manipulating the steric bulk of the functional groups, we could control the state of the organic film from crystalline to amorphous. Subsequently, we used FIDOs as an electron transport layer (ETL) in IPSCs. Thanks to the suitable energy level and dual-passivation effect of FIDOs compared with a reference ETL using C60, the device using FIDOs achieved an open-circuit voltage of 1.16 V and a fill factor of 0.77. As a result, the PCE reached 22.11%, which is superior to 20.45% of the best-performing reference device. Most importantly, the FIDO-based IPSC devices exhibited exceptional stability in comparison to the reference device due to the stability of the amorphous ETL films.

A wide ranging experimental and kinetic modeling study of TMEDA pyrolysis and oxidation

Traditional liquid propellants like unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine include several issues, such as toxicity, short storage time and preservation difficulty at low temperatures. For this reason, exploring green and stable propellant fuels is imperative in the development of propellants. Tetramethyl ethylenediamine (TMEDA) is considered to be a promising green propellant fuel with high specific impulse, non-toxicity, and long-term storage stability. Thus, investigating the combustion characteristics of TMEDA and constructing a detailed chemical kinetic mechanism are of fundamental importance in describing its combustion in computational fluid simulation. For this work, ignition delay times of TMEDA were measured in a shock tube at equivalent ratios of 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0, at pressures of 2, 10, and 20 bar, and in the temperature range of 870–1500 K with fixed fuel concentration at 2 %. After the reflected shock at 990–1500 K, the pyrolysis products of 2000 and 5000 ppm TMEDA in Argon were also measured at 5 and 10 bar conditions in a single pulse shock tube. In addition, laminar flame speeds of TMEDA were measured at initial pressures of 1 bar, initial temperatures of 333 and 353 K, and equivalence ratios ranging from 0.8 to 1.5 in a constant volume reactor. The experimental results were simulated using a detailed TMEDA kinetic mechanism. Reaction path analysis and sensitivity analysis were provided to clarify the chemical kinetics of TMEDA oxidation and pyrolysis. The current work provides new experimental data and fundamental analyses for understanding the oxidation and pyrolysis characteristics of TMEDA, and sheds light on optimal directions for future models.

Development of an electrochemical biosensor utilizing a combined aptamer and MIP strategy for the detection of the food allergen lysozyme.

This study aims to develop a MIP-Apt-based electrochemical biosensor for the sensitive and selective determination of Lysozyme (Lyz), a food allergen. For the development of the sensor, in the first stage, modifications were made to the screen-printed electrode (SPE) surface with graphene oxide (GO) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) to increase conductivity and surface area. The advantages of using aptamer (Apt) and molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) technology were combined in a single biointerface in the prepared sensing tool. Surface characterization of the biosensor was performed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), X-ray photoelectron spectrometry (XPS), contact angle measurements, cyclic voltammetry (CV), differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). A wide linear range from 0.001 to 100pM was obtained under optimized conditions for the determination of Lyz detection usingthe proposed MIP-Apt sensing strategy. The limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) for Lyz were 3.67 fM and 12 fM, respectively. This biosensor displays high selectivity, repeatability, reproducibility, and long storage stability towards Lyz detection. The results show that a sensitive and selective sensor fabrication is achieved compared with existing methods.

Simultaneous generation and immobilization of silver nanoparticles on cellulose membranes by hydrogen bond-assisted in-situ reaction for colorimetric detection of mercury ions and hydrogen peroxide

The present study has verified that silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) can be simultaneously generated and immobilized in the micro-nanopores of regenerated cellulose membranes (CMs) via a simple in-situ synthesis, which can be used for colorimetric detection of mercury ions (Hg2+) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). The findings showed that the high-loose interpenetrating porous structure and abundant hydroxyl groups of CMs can serve as both micro-reaction spaces and immobilized sites for the in-situ synthesis of AgNPs. The Ag@CMs, composed of well-dispersed, firmly-fixed, and quantity controlled AgNPs functionalized CMs, have excellent Hg2+ colorimetric detection capabilities with a visual limit of detection (VLOD) as low as 5 nM. It can efficiently complete early-warning and semi-quantitative Hg2+ recognition, and exhibits high storage stability for more than 180 days. Moreover, the Ag@CMs exhibited peroxidase mimic behavior and catalyzed the oxidation reaction of 3,3,5,5-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) by H2O2 to produce a blue solution. This work proposes a simple “green” approach for the heterogeneous synthesis of controllable and stable AgNPs immobilized on CMs and explores their application in chemosensing.

Ultrasound-assisted glycation on ovalbumin fibrosis: A novel, efficient immobilization for lipase

Amyloid fibrils have gradually become a focus of attention due to their particular functionalities. In this study, the combined effects of ultrasound pretreatment (UP) and glycation on heat-induced amyloid fibrosis of ovalbumin (OVA) were evaluated. Free amino group and browning degree results indicated that ultrasound promoted OVA glycation. While, circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy tests further reflected that the OVA conformation was changed. TEM demonstrated that OVA fibrosis was evident after the ultrasound treatment. These findings suggested that the method of ultrasound-glycation modification, as a potentially excellent technique, may have a complex effect on the formation of fibrosis on OVA, which can be used to modulate protein fibrosis. Furthermore, OVA amyloid fibrils were successfully used to immobilize lipase with high thermal and storage stability. This research expands the application of OVA in food industry, also provides a functional reagent in immobilizing enzymes.

Alginate-Based Hydrogels Enriched with Lavender Essential Oil: Evaluation of Physicochemical Properties, Antimicrobial Activity, and In Vivo Biocompatibility.

Owing to its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities, in the last few years, lavender essential oil (LVO) has been used in medical applications as a promising approach for treating infected wounds. However, the practical applicability of LVO is limited by its high volatility and storage stability. This study aimed to develop a novel hybrid hydrogel by combining phytic acid (PA)-crosslinked sodium alginate (SA) and poly(itaconic anhydride-co-3,9-divinyl-2,4,8,10-tetraoxaspiro[5.5] undecane (PITAU) and evaluate its potential effectiveness as an antibacterial wound dressing after incorporating LVO. The influence of the mass ratio between SA and PITAU on the properties and stability of hydrogels was investigated. After LVO loading, the effect of oil addition to hydrogels on their functional properties and associated structural changes was studied. FTIR analysis revealed that hydrogen bonding is the primary interaction mechanism between components in the hybrid hydrogels. The morphology was analyzed using SEM, evidencing a porosity dependent on the ratio between SA and PITAU, while LVO droplets were well dispersed in the polymer blend. The release of LVO from the hydrogels was determined using UV-VIS spectroscopy, indicating a sustained release over time, independent of the LVO concentration. In addition, the hybrid hydrogels were tested for their antioxidant properties and antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Very good antimicrobial activity was obtained in the case of sample SA_PITAU3+LVO10% against S. aureus and C. albicans. Moreover, in vivo tests showed an increased antioxidant effect of the SA_PITAU3+LVO10% hydrogel compared to the oil-free scaffold that may aid in accelerating the healing process of wounds.

Novel nanomicelle butenafine formulation for ocular drug delivery against fungal keratitis: In Vitro and In Vivo study

Fungal keratitis (FK) is a serious infectious corneal disease that leads to blindness. Butenafine (BTF) is an allylamine drug with high antifungal activity, but its poor water solubility and low bioavailability limit its clinical application in ophthalmology. To increase its aqueous solubility and corneal permeability, butenafine was encapsulated in d-ɑ-tocopheryl polyethylene glycol succinate (TPGS) polymeric nanomicelles to improve the bioavailability of the drug for the treatment of FK. Butenafine was successfully fabricated into nanomicelles with a high EE of 96.34 ± 1.65 % and DL of 6.71 ± 0.099 %. The BTF-NM showed an average particle size of 13.12 ± 0.24 nm, a zeta potential of -0.56 ± 0.44 mV and a narrow PDI of 0.12 ± 0.02 with a nearly spherical shape. The characterization results of FTIR, XRD and DSC indicated that BTF was encapsulated in the TPGS nanomicelles. The BTF-NM formulation also showed high storage stability, and the in vitro drug release study showed typical biphasic-release characteristics. In addition, the BTF-NM formulation displayed good cellular tolerance and excellent ocular tolerance in rabbits. Significantly elevated in vitro antifungal activity was also observed in the BTF-NM formulation, and remarkable improvements regarding in vivo corneal permeation were observed compared with the BTF suspension formulation. Finally, the in vivo antifungal activity studies indicated that the BTF-NM formulation had a good therapeutic effect on FK and had similar efficacy to that of commercial natamycin suspension eye drops. These results suggest that the BTF-NM ophthalmic formulation could be a promising ocular drug delivery system for the treatment of FK.

Experimental and theoretical study on the role of 2D Ti3C2Tx MXenes on superior charge transport and ultra-broadband photodetection in MXene/Bi2S3 nanorod composite through local Schottky junctions

2D MXenes have garnered widespread attention in the fields of photocatalysis, energy conversion etc. because of their unique properties. Integration of semiconductor nanostructures with 2D MXene can be a promising approach for high-performance photodetection. Herein, we adopted an in-situ hydrothermal approach for in-situ anchoring of Ti3C2Tx MXene nanosheets on 1D Bi2S3 nanorods and fabricated a Bi2S3/Ti3C2Tx (1D/2D) Schottky junction broadband photodetector (PD) with outstanding performance. The mechanism behind the excellent performance and formation of the local Schottky junction was investigated through density functional theory (DFT) calculations and validated through various microscopic and spectroscopic tools. In particular, the DFT analysis reveals that the partial density of states of Bi2S3 is altered with additional electronic states in the band-gap region due to attachment of Ti3C2O2, which helps in the efficient charge transport and charge separation across the local junctions. Ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy elucidates the nature of band alignment and interfacial charge transfer across the Bi2S3/Ti3C2Tx MXene junction locally. The low-cost PD exhibits an excellent broadband responsivity spanning from ultraviolet to near-infrared region (300–1550 nm) with a peak responsivity of 36.7 A/W and 26.2 A/W at 300 nm and 780 nm, respectively. Further, the device exhibited an external quantum efficiency of ∼3.9 × 103 %, and a fast response of ∼300 μs under 3 V bias, which are remarkable. Finally, the fabricated PD demonstrates a very high long-term storage stability in ambient condition. This work provides a deeper insight into the superior charge transport and ultra-broadband photodetection in MXenes based composites for high-performance optoelectronic applications.

A hydrophilic Lignin-Based carbon fiber sizing agent assembled with CNTs towards strengthening epoxy resin

The sizing agent has attracted growing attention to improve the interfacial compatibility of carbon fiber reinforced epoxy resin composites (CF/EP), but suffered from poor interfacial adhesion and environmental problems. Here, a hydrophilic lignin-based sizing agent (OLBEDKC) with remarkable storage stability and sizing effect on CF was obtained by the modifying oxidized lignin rich in hydrophilic groups and compounding with carbon nanotubes (CNTs). After treatment with 2.5% OLBEDKC, the hairiness of the CF fabric was reduced by 73.5%, and the surface energy was increased by 43.7%. Moreover, the use of OLBEDKC in CF/EP composites can lead to an increase in their interlaminar shear strength (ILSS), interface shear strength (IFSS), flexural strength, and flexural modulus by 58.4%, 64.8%, 87.9%, and 24.6%, respectively, compared to those without sizing treatment. This increase is attributed to the π-π conjugation and hydrogen bonding among the OLBEDKC, CF, and EP. Furthermore, the mechanical interlocking between the sized CF and EP effectively enhances their interfacial strength. In summary, this study presents a promising and eco-friendly hydrophilic sizing agent based on lignin that possesses high storage stability and exhibits an excellent sizing effect for CF reinforced EP composites.