X-optogenetic inhibition of VTA GABA neurons for wireless deep-brain stimulation and suppression of scratching behavior in freely moving mice.

Innovative coatings for corrosion protection of historical aluminium alloys in aerospace heritage

Chickpea germination is a cost-effective method for producing bioactive peptides; however, the optimal temperature and pH conditions for maximizing proteolysis and bioactivity remain undefined. This study evaluated the effects of different pH and temperature conditions during germination on protease activity and the biological activity of resulting peptides. Using a 23 full-factorial experiment with surface response methodology, the optimal conditions were identified as 35°C and pH7.0, where the soluble protein content was 33.6% and proteolytic activity increased 1.4-fold after 48h of germination. Enzyme inhibition assays revealed that serine, cysteine, and aspartic proteases were responsible for storage protein hydrolysis, exhibiting optimal activity at pH6.0-7.0 and 35°C. Electrophoresis of protein isolates revealed that albumin and glutelin were susceptible to hydrolysis, with globulin-derived peptides predominating. These peptides demonstrated potent in vitro dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP-IV) inhibitory activity, with more than a fivefold increase in potency after complete colonic digestion (IC50 reduced from 16.31 to 3.40mg/mL). This was further supported by in silico analysis (A=0.50-0.78), highlighting their strong potential for managing type 2 diabetes. In addition, total protein isolated extracts exhibited cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitory activity, with higher inhibition efficiency before digestion (IC75=0.158mg soluble protein/mL of prepared extract) than after digestion (IC75=0.434-0.465mg soluble protein/mL of prepared extract). These findings suggest that optimized germination efficiently releases peptides with potential anti-inflammatory and antidiabetic properties. The scalability of this process underscores its potential for industrial application in the production of functional food ingredients.

Unraveling the redox-driven mechanisms of viral-bacterial interactions in modulating the fate of antibiotic resistance genes.

Green inhibition of microbiologically influenced corrosion on 316L stainless steel by Artemisia annua extract

A bio-inspired strategy using hydrophobic bacterial EPS for the design of ZIF-8-based anti-corrosion coatings with secondary sealing function.

Synthesis and characterization of two pyridazine N-aryl derivatives as corrosion inhibitors for carbon steel in 1 M HCl: Electrochemical, surface characterization and theoretical studies

A phthalocyanine-peptide conjugate for targeted photodynamic therapy of dental caries with concurrent tooth whitening effect.

This study evaluates the repurposed application of an expired non-sedating antihistamine drug (ENSAD), fexofenadine hydrochloride, as a high-performance "green" corrosion inhibitor for copper in 1.0M HCl. Gravimetric results demonstrate a concentration-dependent inhibition efficiency reaching 96.4% at 120 ppm, with remarkable long-term stability (> 92.5% efficiency after 72h). Adsorption behavior followed the Langmuir isotherm model, indicating the formation of a stable monolayer. The calculated Gibbs free energy (∆Goads =-33.8kJ mol- 1) confirms a comprehensive physicochemical adsorption mechanism involving both electrostatic attraction and chemical coordination. Thermodynamic investigations revealed that the addition of ENSAD increased the activation energy from 30.36 to 53.89kJ mol⁻¹, creating a substantial energy barrier against metallic dissolution. Electrochemical studies (PDP and EIS) confirmed ENSAD as a mixed-type inhibitor that significantly enhances charge transfer resistance (Rct). Quantum chemical parameters, including a low energy gap (ΔEg = 2.361eV) and high softness (S = 0.424 eV- 1), corroborate the high reactivity and electron-donating capability of the molecule's heteroatoms (N, O) and π-systems. Surface characterization (SEM/EDX) visually and chemically confirmed the presence of a robust organic film. These findings position ENSAD as a technically viable, thermally stable, and sustainable alternative for corrosion protection in industrial acid cleaning and low-temperature desalination stages.

Unsymmetrical dimethylhydrazine (UDMH) is a widely used high-energy liquid propellant known for its extreme flammability and explosiveness. During storage or handling, any leakage of UDMH poses significant safety risks due to its volatility and reactivity, potentially resulting in fire or detonation. Conventional water spray methods are inefficient and consume excessive water, underscoring the urgent need for advanced decontamination techniques to address UDMH leaks. Graphene oxide (GO) presents a promising solution due to its unique two-dimensional nanoscale structure and adjustable surface functional groups, which enhance molecular capture capabilities. In this study, an aqueous dispersion of GO at a concentration of 18 mg mL−1 was synthesized using a modified Hummers' method and further functionalized through carboxylation via an SN2 nucleophilic substitution mechanism. The morphological and structural properties of the resulting material were systematically characterized using SEM, TEM, XRD, Raman, FT-IR, and XPS. The carboxyl-rich graphene oxide demonstrated strong inhibitory effects on UDMH vapor release, primarily through chemical adsorption. Specifically, 4 mL of the modified GO achieved a 23.1% inhibition efficiency against UDMH emissions from a 0.5 g L−1 solution. To improve decontamination performance, the decontaminant was formulated with Lewis acidic metal ions and the surfactant sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS). Metal ions such as Fe3+ and Cu2+ improved inhibition through acid–base neutralization, in situ coordination reactions, and interfacial modulation. Results showed that 10 mmol L−1 Fe3+ increased the inhibition rate to 36%, while 90 mmol L−1 Cu2+ raised it to 32.4%. SDBS contributed through micelle formation and interactions with the organic components of UDMH, enabling 0.5 g L−1 of SDBS to boost inhibition to 35.1%. This work demonstrates the potential of functionalized graphene oxide-based formulations as effective decontamination agents for hazardous energetic substances, offering a viable strategy for emergency response to energy leaks.

In this study, imidazolidinyl urea (IU) carrying multiple hydroxyl groups and amide groups was demonstrated by different means to display spontaneous adsorption on the zinc metal specimen surface in a ZnSO4 solution. Efficient corrosion inhibition performance and the mechanism of IU based on coplanarity, hydrogen bonding, amphilicity, and zincophilicity for a zinc metal plate in an aqueous ZnSO4 medium are presented and discussed. The corrosion reaction and isothermal adsorption of IU on a zinc metal plate in a ZnSO4 solution were further analyzed. It is shown that the hydrogen bond strength of the whole electrolyte system and zinc ion deposition could be regulated by an addition of trace IU to the electrolyte for zinc-ion batteries. Hence, IU could be used as an electrolyte additive in a ZnSO4 solution to enhance zinc anode stability in aqueous zinc-ion batteries. Therefore, additive IU might effectively inhibit corrosion and hydrogen evolution as well as generation and growth of zinc dendrites on the zinc anode surface. Consequently, the cycling of zinc-ion batteries might be improved by an introduction of dilute IU to the ZnSO4 electrolyte. For example, the symmetric Zn||Zn battery including the IU/ZnSO4 electrolyte could cycle stably for more than 5300 h at 1 mA cm-2 and 1 mAh cm-2, while the symmetric Zn||Zn battery including an electrolyte solution with only ZnSO4 could cycle stably for just 260 h.

The efficacy of expired dapagliflozin (DAP) as a sustainable and cost-effective corrosion inhibitor for copper (Cu) in 1.0M HNO₃ was investigated using a combination of experimental and theoretical approaches. Chemical and electrochemical methods were applied to assess the anticorrosion efficacy over a range of concentrations and temperatures. The results demonstrated that the anticorrosion efficiency of expired DAP is significant and increases with increasing inhibitor concentration but decreases as the temperature rises. This indicates that the inhibition process is primarily governed by the physical adsorption of expired DAP molecules onto the Cu surface. However, the observed change in βₐ suggests that the adsorption is not purely physical in nature but rather involves a mixed physical and chemical adsorption mechanism. Potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) results indicate that expired DAP functions as a mixed-type inhibitor, effectively suppressing both anodic metal dissolution and cathodic reduction reactions. Moreover, a pronounced positive shift in the pitting potential (Eₚiₜₜ) was observed, indicating a significant enhancement in resistance to pitting corrosion. The thermodynamic parameters associated with both activation and adsorption processes were evaluated and analyzed, offering deeper insight into the corrosion inhibition mechanism. The inhibition effect of expired DAP is attributed to the formation of a stable complex between DAP molecules and Cu²⁺ ions adsorbed on the metal surface. Conductometric titration indicates a 1:1 stoichiometric ratio for the Cu²⁺-DAP complex. The adsorption of this complex reduces the corrosion rate and enhances inhibition efficiency. Theoretical calculations further confirm that DAP exhibits a strong tendency to absorb onto the Cu surface, reflecting its remarkable inhibitory potential. Good agreement between the theoretical predictions and the experimental results highlights the consistency of the applied approaches and strengthens confidence in the reported results.

Corrosion of carbon steel in acidic environments represents a major challenge in many industrial operations, particularly during pickling, acidizing, mining, and cleaning processes. In this study, expired clarithromycin (CTM) was evaluated as a green corrosion inhibitor for carbon steel in 1.0M hydrochloric acid using complementary chemical (weight loss and hydrogen evolution) and electrochemical (potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy) techniques. Surface morphology and composition were analyzed via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The corrosion rate decreased progressively with increasing CTM concentration, with inhibition efficiency exceeding 90% at 5 mM and 298K. The protective effect is attributed to the adsorption of CTM molecules onto the steel surface, forming a stable and durable barrier. Thermodynamic analysis revealed negative ΔG°ads values ranging from - 33.88 to - 37.58kJ mol⁻¹, indicating spontaneous adsorption via a mixed physicochemical mechanism. A decrease in the adsorption equilibrium constant (Kads) at elevated temperatures suggested partial desorption of pre-adsorbed molecules. In contrast, high adsorption energy values confirmed strong interactions between CTM and the metal surface. These findings demonstrate the feasibility of repurposing expired pharmaceuticals as effective and environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitors. The study highlights a sustainable and cost-effective strategy for protecting carbon steel in acidic media, aligning with green chemistry principles and offering a practical approach to pharmaceutical waste valorization in corrosion inhibition technology.

Steel corrosion is effectively protected using plant-based inhibitors. However, organic inhibitors like plant extracts often show limited performance in neutral environments. To overcome this limitation, this study investigated the corrosion behavior of a combined organic-inorganic inhibitor, consisting of Lavandula angustifolia (LA) plant extract and zinc nitrate, for low-carbon steel in a 3.5% NaCl solution. Electrochemical techniques, including EIS and PDP, along with surface characterization and theoretical modeling, were employed to assess the corrosion inhibition efficiency of this hybrid system. The icorr value for the LA-Zn²⁺ inhibitor at 400 ppm LA and 400 ppm Zn decreased from 11.51 to 0.83 µA/cm², corresponding to an inhibition efficiency of 92%, and showed better performance than the individual inhibitors. This finding was further supported by EIS measurements, where the Rct increased from 862 to 5956 Ωcm². This indicated the formation of a highly protective interfacial layer. FTIR and UV-vis spectroscopy confirmed the interaction between LA's functional groups and Zn²⁺ ions. CA measurements (19.7° for the blank and 40.12° for the optimal sample) and SEM/EDS analyses further validated the formation of protective surface layers. Additionally, MC, MD, and QM simulations revealed the strong binding affinity and stability of the LA-Zn²⁺ complexes, offering insights into their protective behavior. This study presents LA-Zn²⁺ complexes as eco-friendly, efficient alternatives to traditional corrosion inhibitors.

In oil and gas operations, hydrochloric acid pickling causes severe corrosion of N80 steel. Corrosion inhibitors offer protection. However, the mechanism by which unsaturated bonds enhance performance remains unclear. This study clarifies the role of a carbon-carbon (C═C) double bond. Two structurally similar Schiff-base inhibitors were compared: cfar (with an extra C═C) and cfab. They were synthesized from 4-aminoantipyrine with cinnamaldehyde and phenylpropionaldehyde, respectively. Their inhibition performance on N80 steel in 1 M HCl was evaluated using electrochemical tests, weight-loss measurements, and surface analysis methods. The underlying mechanisms were investigated via density functional theory (DFT), molecular dynamics (MD), mean square displacement (MSD), reduced density gradient (RDG), and electron density difference (EDD) simulations. At 200 mg/L and 298 K, cfar achieved a higher inhibition efficiency (90.71%) than cfab (88.10%). The superior performance of cfar is attributed to the synergistic effect of its C═C bond. Specifically, the C═C bond (1) enhances molecular reactivity and electron donation to the iron surface (DFT, EDD); (2) promotes a more compact, parallel adsorption layer with lower porosity (MD, MSD); and (3) strengthens noncovalent interactions (RDG), leading to a smoother and more hydrophobic surface upon adsorption (X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact angle). This work provides direct molecular-level evidence. Introducing a strategically placed C═C double bond significantly enhances the adsorption capacity and quality of the protective film of Schiff-base inhibitors. This offers a clear design principle for next-generation corrosion inhibitors.

Driven by the rapid development of 5G/6G communications, high-performance computing, and artificial intelligence, the metallization of high-aspect-ratio through-holes (THs) in printed circuit boards (PCBs) imposes stringent requirements on the thickness uniformity and interconnect reliability of electroplated copper layers. This study systematically investigates the application of a novel leveler, thiazolyl blue (MTT), for PCB THs' electroplating, successfully realizing high-quality conformal deposition in high-aspect-ratio (10:1) THs. Electrochemical analyses demonstrate that MTT significantly enhances the cathodic polarization and effectively inhibits the reduction of Cu2+. Meanwhile, microscopic morphological characterizations confirm that MTT exhibits excellent leveling capability, reducing the surface roughness of the copper deposit to as low as 0.147 μm. Furthermore, density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal that the high inhibitory efficiency of MTT originates from the dominant interfacial adsorption of MTT at the cathode, with the bulk cation-π interaction with Cu2+ contributing as a minor secondary effect at the microscopic level. Crystallographic and interfacial wettability analyses further indicate that MTT effectively refines the grain size and promotes the preferential growth of the Cu(200) plane while improving the wettability of the plating bath. In practical high-aspect-ratio through-hole plating tests, the introduction of MTT substantially increases the throwing power (TP) from 25.2% to 96.8%. Based on these results, a competitive interfacial polarization remodeling mechanism governed by multiphysics coupling is proposed to elucidate the intrinsic role of MTT in promoting conformal through-hole deposition. This work provides a solid theoretical foundation and practical engineering guidance for the fabrication of highly reliable, high-frequency 3D interconnected PCB structures.

The inhibitory performance of two polymeric compounds, polythiophene (PT) and polypyrrole (PPy), on the corrosion behavior of mild steel (MSt) in 1.0 M H2SO4 solution was systematically investigated using potentiodynamic polarization, potentiodynamic anodic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and weight loss measurements. The novelty of this study lies in its integrated approach, which correlates experimental chemical and electrochemical analyses with quantum chemical calculations and Monte Carlo simulations to provide a comprehensive understanding of the inhibition mechanism. The results demonstrate that both PT and PPy act as mixed-type inhibitors, significantly reducing corrosion through adsorption onto the MSt surface in accordance with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The inhibition efficiency increases with increasing inhibitor concentration, while it decreases with rising temperature, suggesting that the adsorption process is predominantly physical in nature. Polarization measurements further confirm that PT and PPy behave as mixed-type inhibitors and exhibit pitting inhibition behavior, as evidenced by the positive (noble) shift in the pitting corrosion potential with increasing inhibitor concentration. Thermodynamic parameters associated with activation and adsorption processes were determined and discussed in detail. In addition, a comparative study of PT and PPy adsorption on the Fe (110) surface was conducted using quantum chemical descriptors and Monte Carlo simulations. The combined electronic structure analysis and adsorption results consistently indicate that PPy forms a more stable and protective adsorbed layer, in excellent agreement with experimental findings, thereby identifying it as the more effective polymeric inhibitor for mild steel corrosion protection.

The effectiveness of thiamine hydrochloride and thiamine pyrophosphate as corrosion inhibitors for steel in 1.0 M hydrochloric acid medium was assessed through electrochemical techniques supported by theoretical calculations. The results indicate that both compounds exhibit significant corrosion inhibition efficiency in HCl, with thiamine hydrochloride providing better protection for the steel surface than thiamine pyrophosphate. According to the results obtained from electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, at a concentration of 5 × 10−3 M, the inhibition performance of thiamine hydrochloride reached 87.87%, whereas thiamine pyrophosphate exhibited an efficiency of 85.28%. Potentiodynamic polarization measurements reveal that both thiamine hydrochloride and thiamine pyrophosphate act as mixed-type inhibitors. The inhibition ability of the compounds tends to decrease with increasing temperature, indicating a reduction in the stability of the adsorbed protective layer on the steel surface at elevated temperatures. Adsorption isotherm analysis suggests that the adsorption behavior of thiamine hydrochloride and thiamine pyrophosphate molecules on the steel surface is well described by the Langmuir adsorption model. Surface morphology observations show that the steel sample subjected to immersion in a thiamine hydrochloride solution exhibits significantly less surface damage compared with the sample in the presence of thiamine pyrophosphate. Theoretical analysis and molecular dynamics simulations further indicate that thiamine hydrochloride has a stronger interaction and better surface coverage on the Fe surface than thiamine pyrophosphate. These findings are consistent with the experimental data, confirming that thiamine hydrochloride outperforms thiamine pyrophosphate in mitigating the steel corrosion process in hydrochloric acid medium.

The corrosion inhibition performance of 5-amino-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiol (5ATT) toward ductile iron in 1.0 M HCl solution was systematically investigated using complementary experimental and theoretical approaches, including weight loss measurements, potentiodynamic polarization, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and surface characterization (SEM/EDX), supported by density functional theory (DFT) calculations and Monte Carlo (MC) simulations. The results show that the inhibition efficiency increases markedly with inhibitor concentration, reaching ~ 81%, which indicates effective adsorption of 5ATT molecules on the ductile iron surface. Electrochemical measurements revealed a marked decrease in corrosion current density and a significant increase in charge transfer resistance, confirming the formation of a protective adsorbed film, which was further supported by surface analysis. Importantly, the present study provides a clear correlation between the molecular electronic properties and adsorption behavior of 5-ATT and its experimentally observed inhibition performance. Adsorption studies indicated strong interaction between the inhibitor molecules and the metal surface, while thermodynamic parameters suggested a mixed physisorption–chemisorption mechanism. Furthermore, theoretical calculations supported the experimental findings, demonstrating that both the electronic structure and adsorption configuration of 5-ATT play a key role in its corrosion inhibition efficiency. Therefore, 5-ATT exhibits high inhibition performance and strong adsorption capability, highlighting its potential as an effective corrosion inhibitor for ductile iron in acidic environments.

For mild steel (MS), Vachellia nilotica leaf extract (VNL) was used as a corrosion inhibitor in 1M HCl. Mass loss (ML) and electrochemical methods were used in the inquiry. Increasing the VNL concentration and decreasing the temperature will increase the inhibition efficiency. Electrochemical techniques, including potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), revealed that VNL effectively inhibited both cathodic and anodic corrosion reactions. With a good fit, VNL follows the Langmuir isotherm. At 150 ppm, the inhibition efficiency of the VNL inhibitor reaches 91.8% at 298K. However, it decreased with elevating temperatures and prolonged exposure. A high activation energy (55.1kJ/mol) for the inhibited solution than that of the blank solution (29.5kJ/mol) and the free energy of adsorption (-19.3 to -18.4kJ mol-1) provides evidence for physical adsorption mechanisms in the interaction of the VNL inhibitor with the steel surface. The efficiency of the extract improved with concentration, achieving optimal values of 93.9% (POD) and 92.2% (EIS) at 150 ppm. Furthermore, the negative free energy values confirm the spontaneous nature of this adsorption process. To find out how the VNL inhibitor affected the MS surface, researchers employed Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), which confirmed the formation of a protective film on the metal surface. Optimized molecular structures of phytochemicals confirmed their inhibitory properties via Quantum chemical calculations (DFT), which showed the molecular inhibitory action of VNL.