Calcium peroxide and composite microbial inoculant synergistically promote compost humification by enhancing lignocellulose degradation and modulating microbial communities

A spin transition in the organic diradical PyPBN is associated with a structural phase transition around 330 K, producing thermochromic and thermomagnetic responses, including a pronounced decrease in χmT upon heating that resembles a reverse spin-transition phenomenon. The exchange coupling parameters were experimentally determined as 2J/kB ≫ +300 K and +121(4) K for the α and β phases, respectively, and estimated by DFT calculations to be +1448 K and +79 K. These results indicate drastic quenching of ferromagnetic coupling in the high-temperature phase. Crystallographic analysis reveals that the two phases differ primarily in the nitroxide-benzene torsion. Increased torsion suppresses π-delocalization, thereby destabilizing the triplet state. The resulting enthalpic penalty is partially compensated by the spin-entropy gain associated with the phase transition. A triplet state competes with two independent doublet spins (each S = 1/2), and the system possesses an intrinsic spin-entropy difference of R ln(4/3).

Organic-inorganic hybrid metal halides (OIHMHs) provide a highly tunable platform for engineering optical properties thanks to their rich structural diversity and chemical versatility. Herein, we report a zero-dimensional Mn-based OIHMH that undergoes a thermally driven reconstructive phase transition via the breaking of coordination bonds between the organic cations and the metal center. This transition not only activates second harmonic generation (SHG) in the high-temperature phase but also induces a pronounced blue shift in photoluminescence from approximately 630 to 550 nm and a great reduction of lifetime from 5.23 to 2.22 ms. The resulting remarkable photoluminescence tunability is further demonstrated in applications such as temperature sensing and anticounterfeiting. This study offers a compelling example of an OIHMH whose SHG and photoluminescence properties can be significantly modulated via a reconstructive phase transition, providing valuable insights for the design of stimuli-responsive materials for next-generation sensing and smart devices.

Molecularly engineered naphthalimide-based room-temperature liquid crystals (NIH1 and NIH2) were developed that unify mesomorphism, organogelation, ambipolar charge transport, and bioimaging within a single soft-matter platform. The dimeric derivative NIH1 acts as a thermo-responsive organogelator in polar organic solvents (ethyl acetate and n-butanol) and stabilizes a room-temperature columnar rectangular phase through efficient π-π stacking and dense space filling. In contrast, the tris(naphthalimide) analog NIH2 forms a high-temperature columnar hexagonal phase and exhibits ambipolar charge transport with balanced hole and electron mobilities, highlighting its potential as a soft semiconductor. Both derivatives display intense blue fluorescence in solution and condensed phases and stain MCF-7 human breast cancer cells with bright intracellular emission, confirming efficient uptake and low cytotoxicity at imaging-relevant doses. The combination of high thermal stability (Td > 365°C), well-defined discotic mesophases, reversible gelation, and biocompatible fluorescence positions these naphthalimide-based liquid crystals as promising candidates for next-generation organic electronic and bioimaging applications.

Thermal treatment-regulated decomposition and phase transformation of soda residue: product construction and mechanism of simultaneous removal of Cd2+ and Pb2+ from wastewater.

X ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) is a key technique routinely employed for the chemical analysis of alloy surfaces, enabling precise nanoscale characterization of near surface elemental composition and chemical states. This review outlines the fundamental principles of XPS, typical data analysis workflows, and critical analytical considerations specific to alloy systems. Given the propensity for oxidation, multicomponent nature, and heterogeneous phase characteristics of alloys, standardized protocols are reviewed for sample preparation, binding energy calibration, peak fitting, quantitative analysis, and depth profiling. For conductive alloys, calibration using the Fermi edge or gold reference standards is specified, and the use of Auger parameters is highlighted to improve the reliability of chemical state identification. This article also systematically summarizes applications of XPS in corrosion protection, high temperature oxidation, surface modification, phase transformation, and failure analysis. It is emphasized that near surface chemical information must be validated in combination with bulk phase, microstructural, and electrochemical characterization to rationally establish relationships between surface chemistry and macroscopic performance. Finally, recent advances in near ambient pressure, in situ, high resolution, and intelligent XPS techniques are reviewed, providing a standardized reference and technical support for alloy research.

Ceramic fibers are promising candidates for lightweight thermal insulation in extreme environments; however, their practical applicability is often constrained by high-temperature phase transitions that trigger rapid grain coarsening and structural degradation. Simultaneously achieving long-term thermal stability and strong infrared reflectivity remains particularly challenging, as these functionalities tend to deteriorate under sustained thermal loading. Here, we develop a strong ligand-coordination strategy in which reactive metal precursors are stabilized by carboxylic acids to form a homogeneous multicomponent sol. Assisted by buffering phase zirconia between the alumina skeleton and infrared-reflective titanium oxide species, the resulting ceramic nanofibers exhibit mechanical robustness, outstanding thermal insulation capability, and infrared reflection under harsh conditions. Notably, the fibers sustain reliable operation at temperatures up to 1300°C even at high titania loading, which is attributed to the collective lattice confinement effect of the alumina matrix and zirconia strengthening phase. Furthermore, thermal conductivity measurements conducted on dense pellets prepared from grounded fibers with the transient laser flash method reveal a continuous decrease in thermal conductivity, giving direct evidence of intensified phonon scattering at elevated temperatures. This work provides an effective strategy for designing flexible ceramic fibers integrating exceptional thermal insulation and multifunctionality for operation in extreme environments.

To develop a high-performance inorganic fireproof coating suitable for steel structures, this study utilized magnesium phosphate cement (MPC) as the matrix and introduced expanded perlite (EP) as a lightweight aggregate. The effects of EP content (40-55%) and magnesium-to-phosphorus ratio (M/P = 4:1-7:1) on the dry density, compressive strength, bond strength, and fire resistance of the coating were systematically investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were employed to reveal the phase evolution and microstructure evolution mechanisms at high temperatures. The results indicate that increasing EP content significantly reduces the dry density and thermal conductivity of the coating, enhancing thermal insulation performance. However, excessive incorporation leads to the deterioration of mechanical properties, with an optimal EP content of 45%. The M/P ratio influences the interfacial bond strength and high-temperature structural stability by regulating the proportion of the hydration product K-struvite (KMgPO4·6H2O) and residual MgO. Compressive strength peaked at M/P = 6:1 (0.80 MPa), while bond strength was optimal at M/P = 5:1 (0.097 MPa), corresponding to the best fire resistance (back-side temperature of 180.4 °C). At high temperatures, K-struvite dehydrates and transforms into anhydrous KMgPO4, which, together with residual MgO and crystallized SiO2 from EP, forms a dense ceramic skeleton, ensuring the structural integrity of the coating. Comprehensive performance evaluation determined the optimal mix ratio as M/P = 5:1 and EP content = 45%. The coating with this ratio exhibits a dry density of approximately 560 kg/m3, a 14-day compressive strength of 0.53 MPa, a bond strength of 0.097 MPa, and a back-side temperature of 180.4 °C under flame exposure, demonstrating a favorable balance of lightweight character, mechanical integrity, and thermal insulation performance suitable for steel structure fire protection applications.

High thermal conductivity versus robust mechanical properties: exploring synergistic effects and pathways in AlN-ZrN ceramics

Numerical simulation of autoignition characteristics of methane/ n-dodecane dual fuel

Abstract The study investigated the high-temperature thermal cycling stability of Al-Si alloys with different silicon compositions. The microstructures of these alloys were characterized after 0, 60, and 120 melting-solidification cycles, enabling a comprehensive analysis of their transformations. The findings revealed notable alterations in the microstructures due to thermal cycling, which significantly influenced the alloys’ stability. Among the compositions studied, the Al-12Si alloy exhibited the most stable microstructure, showing minimal degradation.

Effects of acupuncture combined with indirect moxibustion at navel on maximum follicle diameter and high-temperature phase score in patients with inadequate luteal function infertility

LiNO3-based high-temperature phase change materials (PCMs), owing to their specific advantages, e.g., high thermal stability and high latent heat, have been recognized as promising candidates for mitigating or preventing thermal runaway in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). However, the large variety of possible formulations necessitates the rapid and efficient selection of the optimal PCM to enhance battery safety. In this study, 12 LiNO3-based PCMs were characterized using laser-induced plasma spectroscopy (LIPS), and an interpretable deep learning framework based on a self-attention-enhanced one-dimensional convolutional neural network (1D CNN) was employed to accurately discriminate among the samples and reveal the relationships between spectral features and thermal properties, namely, onset temperature and latent heat. Comparisons with conventional approaches, including principal component analysis (PCA)-based dimensionality reduction combined with support vector machine (SVM) classification and global variable importance analysis, highlight the superior performance and interpretability of the deep learning approach in linking spectral signatures to material performance. Our results indicate that the high-performing PCM candidates exhibit lower onset temperatures, higher latent heat, and the strongest K/Na spectral intensity ratios. Consequently, the Na-normalized K emission intensity is identified as the rapid spectroscopic probe for screening optimal LiNO3-based PCMs, providing a simple, fast, and potentially transformative complementary approach to traditional thermal analysis methods for PCM screening.

High-temperature phase stability of Ruddlesden-Popper barium stannate under fuel-processing-relevant atmospheres to proton ceramic cells

The self-assembly of DNA-functionalized gold nanoparticles is often hindered by kinetic traps arising from excessively strong interparticle interactions, leading to structural defects. To address this, we propose a novel temperature-cycling strategy that reversibly modulates hydrogen bonding between DNA strands (Thigh/Tlow). The high-temperature phase supplies energy to escape metastable and misbound states, enhancing particle mobility for local reorganization, while the low-temperature phase promotes hydrogen bond reformation and defect reorganization, driving the system toward a more stable state. By combining theoretical modeling, coarse-grained molecular dynamics simulations, and experimental validation, we demonstrate that this strategy delivers sustained, periodic energy input leveraging cooperative interparticle effects to perturb defect regions. This guides the system across free energy barriers, enabling the efficient formation of defect-free crystals. This work elucidates the assembly kinetics via this nonequilibrium pathway, highlighting the potential for broader applications in other self-assembly systems plagued by kinetic traps.

Zirconium dioxide (ZrO2) is widely used as a structural ceramic and in various technological applications, where performance often depends on stabilizing the high-temperature t-ZrO2 phase under ambient conditions. However, green synthesis routes using benign precursors typically yield phase mixtures dominated by the thermodynamically stable m-ZrO2 phase. Here, in situ X-ray scattering is used to investigate the solvothermal synthesis of ZrO2 nanoparticles across different solvents (methanol, ethanol, 2-propanol, ethylene glycol, and water) and temperatures (150–400 °C). The metastable t-ZrO2 phase forms initially as a kinetic phase in all syntheses except water before the transition into the m-ZrO2 phase in a solid-state transformation. The conditions required to isolate a phase-pure t-ZrO2 product are established, demonstrating the in situ solvothermal synthesis as an efficient screening tool. Ex situ continuous-flow solvothermal synthesis is then employed to reproduce the required conditions, enabling the isolation of phase-pure t-ZrO2. Continuous flow solvothermal synthesis is an efficient green method for production of nanoparticles, and the fast heating rate and flexible design provide versatility to reach the short reaction time required in this case.

Fly shale dust (FSD) is a fine secondary powder that is produced during the firing of shales in a rotary kiln. Its use is relatively limited, and therefore it is usually landfilled, despite its chemical composition being similar to chamotte. The main challenge is the wide firing temperature range. As a result, the material partially retains plastic properties and at the same time contains high-temperature phases. The second challenge is the significant fineness of the material, which makes it impossible to burn it in a rotary kiln. To evaluate its suitability, FSD powder was granulated with water and subsequently fired at temperatures ranging from 800 °C to 1650 °C to produce a refractory aggregate. Analysis of the high-temperature product confirmed a high mullite content and low porosity, as well as high refractoriness, which was further improved by the addition of alumina. The next part of the work was focused on the use of FSD for metakaolin production, where granulated material was calcined at 600-850 °C. The sample with the highest pozzolanic activity was selected for geopolymer preparation. Potassium or sodium water glass was used as the activator, blast furnace slag or cement as the hardener, and chamotte aggregate as the filler. The obtained material reached the compressive strength of concrete class C60/75. The results provided important information about the key steps of FSD processing and confirmed its potential for practical application.

The peak figure of merit (ZT) of GeTe-based thermoelectric (TE) materials is typically attained in the high-temperature cubic phase, where the inevitable phase transition raises concerns over interfacial instability during operation. Therefore, developing high-performance rhombohedral GeTe below the phase transition temperature represents a more viable path toward practical applications. Herein, we propose a facile nanocomposite strategy to enhance the TE performance of rhombohedral GeTe by incorporating high-modulus TiB2 nanoparticles into Ge0.94Bi0.05Te matrix. We demonstrate that the nanoparticle-induced interfacial constraint effect contributes to increasing longitudinal elastic modulus and decreasing equivalent deformation potential, accounting for improved carrier mobility. Additionally, these TiB2 inclusions form heterogeneous interfaces that promote charge depletion and generate substantial thermal resistance, concurrently suppressing the heat transfer by carriers and phonons. Consequently, an extraordinary ZT of 2.66 at 613 K and a superior average ZT of 1.29 (300 ~ 613 K) are obtained in the rhombohedral GeTe-based composite. This work shows a paradigm for synergistically optimizing the electrical and thermal transports of emerging TE systems with nanoinclusions.

Magnetic and structural transitions can interact significantly, leading to an enhanced magnetocaloric effect (MCE), also known as the giant or colossal effect. In this study, we investigate how subtle microstructural changes impact the magnetocaloric behavior of a MnCoGeB0.02 alloy fabricated via suction casting. We obtained conical samples and analyzed them to understand their structure and magnetic properties. X-ray diffraction patterns revealed a coexistence of a metastable high-temperature hexagonal phase and a stable low-temperature orthorhombic phase in different regions of each cone. The presence and proportion of these phases determine the degree of magneto-structural coupling, which in turn influences the MCE. The magnetic entropy change (|ΔSPeak|) varied notably among the samples, ranging from 12.3 to 6 Jkg-1K-1 under a magnetic field change of Δµ0H = 5.0 T. These findings demonstrate that even minor microstructural changes caused by differences in solidification during suction casting can lead to noticeable variations in magnetocaloric performance. Understanding and controlling these microstructural details is vital for optimizing the functional behavior of MnCoGe-based materials.

Excitonic band structure is critical for investigating exciton dynamics. Theoretically, quantum effects from exchange scattering between electron-hole pairs significantly modulate exciton dispersion. Here, we report the direct observation of dimensionality-dependent exciton dispersion in a single-band Mott insulator Nb_{3}Cl_{8} through high-resolution electron energy loss spectroscopy. In the high-temperature phase, the exciton in Nb_{3}Cl_{8} hosts an exceptionally large binding energy, and exhibits clear quasi-two-dimensional massless linear dispersion. In contrast, in the low-temperature phase, the exciton splits into two bands, both displaying three-dimensional parabolic dispersion. These dramatic changes in the exciton dispersion stem from the dimensional mutation driven by a substantial enhancement of interlayer coupling across the phase transition. This Letter provides a clear and typical example of how exciton behavior evolves with dimensionality.