Material Preparation Process Research Articles

Study on design optimization, road performance verification and preparation process selection of hybrid fiber reinforced asphalt mixture composite

To achieve long-lasting, high-strength, and sustainable asphalt pavement, this study prepared a hybrid fiber asphalt mixture using micron-scale calcium sulfate whiskers (CSW) and millimeter-scale basalt fibers (BF). The response surface method was employed to optimize the mix design, develop a prediction model, and verify road performance. The preparation process was refined based on the optimal mix design. The findings revealed that the best overall road performance was obtained with 5 % CSW content, 6 mm BF length, and 0.32 % BF content. The mixture demonstrated optimal performance with CSW wet mixing and BF dry mixing. Additionally, testing the fiber asphalt mixture at the mixture level was found to be crucial, as results can vary from those obtained at the mastic level. This study provides an in-depth analysis of the hybrid fiber asphalt mixture’s action mechanisms in material optimization, performance verification, and preparation processes, offering valuable insights for related research and engineering applications of hybrid fibers.

Cabazitaxel-Loaded Thermosensitive Hydrogel System for Suppressed Orthotopic Colorectal Cancer and Liver Metastasis.

The treatment of colorectal cancer is always a major challenge in the field of cancer research. The number of estimated new cases of colorectal cancer worldwide in 2020 is 1 148 515, and the estimated number of deaths is 576 858, revealing that mortality accounted for approximately half of the disease incidence. The development of new drugs and strategies for colorectal cancer treatment is urgently needed. Thermosensitive injectable hydrogel PDLLA-PEG-PDLLA (PLEL) loaded with cabazitaxel (CTX) is used to explore its anti-tumor effect on mice with orthotopic colorectal cancer. CTX/PLEL is characterized by a solution state at room temperature and a hydrogel state at physiologic temperature. The excipients MPEG-PCL and PDLLA-PEG-PDLLA have good biocompatibility and biodegradability. The simple material synthesis and preparation process renders this system cost-effective and more conducive to clinical transformation. An orthotopic colorectal cancer model is established by transplantation subcutaneous tumors onto the cecum of mice. According to the results of experiments in vivo, CTX/PLEL significantly inhibits orthotopic colorectal cancer and liver metastasis in mice. The results indicate that CTX/PLEL nanoparticle preparations have high security and excellent anti-tumor effects, and have great application potential in colorectal cancer therapy.

Numerical study on the polydispersive effect of filler size distribution on the properties of thermal interface materials

Abstract Advanced thermal interface materials (TIMs) are indispensable for work reliability and lifespan assurance of high-power density electronic systems by facilitating timely and effective heat dissipation. A random algorithm consisting of diluting, dropping, and stirring processes is first proposed to simulate microstructures of TIMs with continuous particle size distribution, with an accessible maximum volume fraction of 55 vol%. Then the size polydispersity impact on the thermal performance and the fluidity of TIMs is numerically investigated. Simulation results reveal that as the particle size polydispersity increases, the thermal conductivity of TIMs improves, along with the improved fluidity. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the polydispersive impact of filler size distribution in actual production and optimize the material preparation process based on the actual distribution of particles. This work provides a deeper understanding of the influence of particle polydispersity on the co-optimization of the desired attributes of TIMs.

Simulation Analysis of the Freezing Process For Achieving Bidirectional Freezing Coating Via the Freeze-Casting Technique

To delve deeper into the shapes and positions of the solidification front, as well as the detailed temperature distributions under various solidification conditions, this study employed the commercial software ANSYS FLUENT to conduct a meticulous numerical simulation of the two-dimensional solidification process in freeze casting. As part of the research, the enthalpy-porous media solidification/melting model was chosen as the core theoretical framework, and the accuracy of the numerical calculations was verified by comparing them with locally measured temperature changes from experiments. Subsequently, we further examined the influence mechanisms of factors such as cold source temperature, solid content, mold depth, and mold thermal conductivity on the speed of the solidification front. This is crucial because, in the freeze casting process, the speed of the solidification front directly determines the formation and evolution of macropore structures. The results of the simulation analysis indicate that an increase in mold thermal conductivity, a decrease in cold source temperature, a shallower mold depth, and a higher solid content all lead to a corresponding increase in the movement speed of the solidification front. These simulation outcomes not only provide strong theoretical support for optimizing the process parameters of freeze casting but also aid in achieving more precise control over the microstructure of materials, thus enabling a more efficient and accurate material preparation process.

A Study of the Design of Lifting Trolley for the Suspending Agent Pouring Process in Chemical Industry

The raw material preparation process in the chemical industry is still done manually by pouring the suspending agent. Workers pour 20kg boxes with a frequency of 20-30 boxes every day. These activities have the potential to cause musculoskeletal injuries. The purpose of this study is to provide an assessment and design a lifter as a conveyance that has the potential to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders. This study used the Nordic questionnaire to determine the prevalence of musculoskeletal complaints, REBA to assess work posture, and QFD as an approach in designing the lifter. Based on the results of the questionnaire, the most complaints were felt in the upper body. And based on the assessment with the QEC method, the average total exposure received by workers is 64.63%. This is evidenced by the results of the assessment of 60 work postures during the suspending agent pouring process which obtained the highest REBA mode value with a score of 8 (high risk). Based on the QFD method, this lifting trolley produces 11 target specifications. After simulating the design of the lifting trolley, the REBA score decreased to 3 (low risk). This shows that the designed trolley has the potential to be applied to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders in workers in the chemical industry.

A new pavement crack repair sealant with two-way shape memory effect

To address the challenge of sealant debonding due to cyclic temperature variations, a new pavement crack repair sealant which can achieve two-way shape memory deformation is developed. The developed crack sealant is a shape memory liquid crystal elastomer (SMLCE), designed to exhibit the deformation characteristics of heat contraction and cold expansion. First, the material composition and preparation process of the developed SMLCE are given. Thermodynamic properties, phase transition temperatures and molecular structures are analyzed based on DSC and FITR. The effects of the crosslinker and chain extender ratios and the key preparation processes on the two-way shape memory deformation and mechanical performance of SMLCE are systematically analyzed. Based on the analysis, the optimum ratio of SMLCE is determined to be 1:15 and the optimum secondary crosslinking preparation process is 150% orientation stretching. Under the optimal solution, the developed SMLCE can achieve the multiple two-way shape memory reversible deformation with a maximum 46% deformation in the temperature range of -20°C∼120°C. At the same time, the developed SMLCE has excellent mechanical properties, with a tensile strength of 20.7Mpa and an elongation at break of 322%. It also exhibits good low-temperature deformation capabilities at -10°C and above. Finally, the suitability and application potential of the developed two-way SMLCE as a pavement crack sealant are assessed. The developed SMLCE has good adaptability in most climate zones, which indicates its great potential as a pavement crack sealant. This research provides a new way for the pavement crack repair.

Optimization of the One-Size-Fits-All Layout Problem Based on Preparing Material for Steel Bridges

Before the construction of a bridge begins, workers arrange the necessary parts and then cut and process them. The quality of the cutting layout directly affects the material utilization rate and the efficiency of the subsequent processes. During bridge construction, an intelligent part layout can improve work efficiency, save time, and reduce the labor intensity and production costs for the company. In this study, we studied a layout optimization algorithm, focusing on rectangular parts in the material preparation process. A mathematical model for the rectangular layout problem was constructed, and a hybrid genetic whale optimization algorithm is proposed that is a combination of the whale optimization algorithm and the genetic algorithm. Based on the “one size fits all” layout strategy, the materials are divided into strips, which are further divided into stacks, serving as the positioning strategy to determine the positional relationships of the parts. Test cases and actual engineering data were used to compare the layouts generated using different algorithms. The results show that the genetic whale algorithm proposed in this paper results in a high utilization rate and is highly effective.

“Acid + Oxidant” Treatment Enables Selective Extraction of Lithium from Spent NCM523 Positive Electrode

With the rapid development of new energy vehicles and energy storage industries, the demand for lithium-ion batteries has surged, and the number of spent LIBs has also increased. Therefore, a new method for lithium selective extraction from spent lithium-ion battery cathode materials is proposed, aiming at more efficient recovery of valuable metals. The acid + oxidant leaching system was proposed for spent ternary positive electrode materials, which can achieve the selective and efficient extraction of lithium. In this study, 0.1 mol L−1 H2SO4 and 0.2 mol L−1 (NH4)2S2O8 were used as leaching acid and oxidant. The leaching efficiencies of Li, Ni, Co, and Mn were 98.7, 30, 3.5, and 0.1%, respectively. The lithium solution was obtained by adjusting the pH of the solution. Thermodynamic and kinetic studies of the lithium leaching process revealed that the apparent activation energy of the lithium leaching process is 46 kJ mol−1 and the rate step is the chemical reaction process. The leaching residue can be used as a ternary precursor to prepare regenerated positive electrode materials by solid-phase sintering. Electrochemical tests of the regenerated material proved that the material has good electrochemical properties. The highest discharge capacity exceeds 150 mAh g−1 at 0.2 C, and the capacity retention rate after 100 cycles exceeds 90%. The proposed new method can extract lithium from the ternary material with high selectivity and high efficiency, reducing its loss in the lengthy process. Lithium replenishment of the delithiation material can also restore its activity and realize the comprehensive utilization of elements such as nickel, cobalt, and manganese. The method combines the lithium recovery process and the material preparation process, simplifying the process and saving costs, thus providing new ideas for future method development.

Facile synthesis of coral-like nitrogen and sulfur co-doped carbon-encapsulated FeS2 for efficient electroreduction of nitrate to ammonia

Electro-reduction of nitrate (NO3–) to ammonia is a promising method to transform the environmental contaminant NO3– to value-added ammonia. Since diverse end-products might be formed and a convenient material preparation process is preferable, it is of great importance to facilely synthesize a high-performance electro-catalyst towards ammonia generation with high selectivity. Herein, a coral-like nitrogen (N) and sulfur (S) co-doped carbon-encapsulated FeS2 composite material (FeS2@NSC) was successfully fabricated for effective electro-reduction of high-concentration of NO3– to ammonia through a simple one-step pyrolysis method. The FeS2@NSC-400 material exhibited remarkable electrocatalytic NH3 production performance with the NH3 yield of 4428.35 μg h−1 cm−2 and NH3 Faraday efficiency of 84.75 % at −1.4 V vs. Ag/AgCl, which outperforms many of the reported electrocatalysts. The unique small cluster coral-like core–shell structure, N, S co-doping and the interaction between inner FeS2 and the outer carbon layer greatly enhanced the electrical conductivity and stability of the material and the adsorption of NO3– and intermediate products, thereby facilitating the electrocatalytic performance of nitrate-to-ammonia. The FeS2@NSC material induced the electrocatalytic reduction of NO3– mainly through direct electron transfer instead of the indirect atomic H* mediation, and the main reduction product NH3 was speculated to derive from the pathway of NO3–* → NO2–* → NO* → HNO* → H2NO* → H2NOH* → NH3.

Food waste as a raw material for production of polyhydroxyalkanoates: State and prospects

The growing problem of environmental pollution by plastic leads to the search not only for the most promising biodegradable polymer, but also for optimal raw materials for its production. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) — biodegradable polymers with physical and mechanical properties close to traditional plastics — are considered a potential solution to this problem. The production of PHA can be organized according to the principles of circular bioeconomy through biotechnological processing of secondary raw materials to produce a product with added value. However, an important component of the expansion of PHA production is the need to find the most promising secondary raw materials for its production. The PHA market in Russia and the global market have been analyzed, highlighting the demand in the packaging and food industries, biomedicine and agro- industry as the fundamental factor for the growth of PHA production. Bibliographic analysis using the PRISMA scheme and VOSviewer program allowed identifying three main directions of PHA research: search for optimal secondary raw materials among food waste, analysis of challenges in PHA production, and the ecological and economic effects of its implementation. Promising types of secondary raw materials have been revealed: vegetable oil production waste, fruit and vegetable process- ing waste, dairy whey, sugar and starch industry waste, spent coffee grounds and coffee oils extracted from them. Advantages and disadvantages of using secondary raw materials, options for improving their use in the production of PHA, and the main strains-producers were determined. To optimize the cost and processes of PHA production, further studies of food waste are required, aimed at developing approaches to increase the polymer yield, including through the use of secondary raw material preparation processes, and the search for the most productive strains synthesizing PHA.

Synthesis and characterization of core–shell high-nickel cobalt-free layered LiNi0.95Mg0.02Al0.03O2@Li2ZrO3 cathode for high-performance lithium ion batteries

High-nickel cobalt-free layered cathode is regarded as a highly potential cathode material for the next generation lithium ion batteries (LIBs) because of its high energy density, low cost and environmentally benign. However, the poor cycle performance caused by its intrinsic unstable structure and chemo-mechanical instability frustrates its practical applications. Herein, we have developed a new core–shell high-nickel cobalt-free layered LiNi0.95Mg0.02Al0.03O2@Li2ZrO3 (LZO-NMA9523) cathode for high-performance LIBs. The Li2ZrO3 coating layer firstly helps to suppress and reduce the degree of Li+/Ni2+ cation mixing during the material preparation process. In addition, the Li2ZrO3 coating layer can not only accommodate the volume variations and enhance the electricity of the active materials, but also effectively inhibit the harmful irreversible phase transition during the charging/discharging process, thus greatly stabilizing the structure of the high-nickel cobalt-free cathode. As an advanced cathode for LIBs, the LZO-NMA9523 exhibits an excellent reversible capacity of 146.9 mAh g−1 after 100 cycles at 0.5 C with capacity retention of about 80%. This study provides a possible high-nickel cobalt-free layered cathode material for the next generation LIBs.

Magnetic Field Induction ZnFe2O4@Carbon for Construction of a PVDF‐HFP‐Based 3D Dielectric Network

AbstractFunctional fillers in the polymerization system cannot be arranged in an orderly manner when exposed to natural conditions. The application of magnetic fields in the material preparation process has been shown to greatly enhance the distribution of functional fillers, leading to the organized alignment of functional fillers and the production of polymer matrix composites with remarkable characteristics. In this experiment, rod‐like ZnFe2O4 was synthesized by reverse microemulsion method, and amorphous carbon was coated on the surface of ZnFe2O4 by freeze‐drying method to obtain ZnFe2O4@Carbon core‐shell particles. The composite films were prepared by dispersing ZnFe2O4 with different volume contents into P(VDF‐HFP) matrix. The external parallel magnetic field was used to manipulate the ZnFe2O4@C/P(VDF‐HFP) composite film during the hot‐pressing process, resulting in an oriented ZnFe2O4@C/P(VDF‐HFP) composite film. The experiment revealed that when ZnFe2O4@C is aligned with the film orientation, the dielectric constant of the composite film is 50(50 Hz), which is 130 % higher than that of the unoriented composite film and 290 % higher than that of pure P(VDF‐HFP). When the filling amount is 40 Vol.%, the energy storage density of ZnFe2O4@C/P(VDF‐HFP) composite film is 1.18 times higher than that of unoriented composite material and 1.32 times higher than that of pure P(VDF‐HFP).

Experimental Investigation of the Three-Point Bending Property of a Sandwich Panel with a Metal Rubber Core

Sandwich structures and porous materials have been applied widely in various fields due to their excellent mechanical performance, and multifunctional composites will have a significant engineering demand in the future. Studying damped composites’ mechanical properties and failure forms has significant engineering value and significance. However, the current connecting processes for sandwich panels and porous materials must be improved. Therefore, to explore the ambiguity of the connection interface between the core material and panel in sandwich panels, as well as the mechanical properties of such structures, a sandwich panel with a metal rubber core material was prepared using vacuum brazing and cementing processes. Microscopic examinations using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive spectroscopy were conducted to observe the physical bonding mechanism at the interface of the sandwich panel. The results indicate that the brazed sandwich panels exhibited a more uniform and continuous interface than the cemented sandwich panels. This work designs three-point bending compression experiments to investigate the effects of core material thickness, density, and preparation process on the bending mechanical properties of the sandwich panel. Failure modes of the sandwich panel during the experiments are analyzed. The experimental results show that the failures of the brazed sandwich panels are attributable to the bending deformation of the panel and the shear failure of the metal wire core material. The cemented sandwich panels exhibit separation failures in the area below the indenter and at both ends of the panel. The core material’s thickness and density significantly influence the bending performance of the sandwich panels. An increase in the core material’s thickness and density effectively enhances the sandwich panels’ peak load and energy absorption capacity.

Development and analysis of a herbal bath bomb for its antifungal properties

Fungal skin infections are a prevalent health issue that requires investigation into safe and efficient alternative remedies. Herbal components are a good option for cosmetics formulations because they have historically shown antifungal capabilities. Building on this idea, the research seeks to create a novel antifungal herbal bath bomb by utilizing the medicinal properties of plants.The aim of this project is to develop evaluate a herbal bath bomb, with an emphasis on its antifungal qualities. The main goal is to create a bath bomb with carefully chosen herbal elements that have been suggested to have antifungal properties.The study employed a systematic approach to construct the herbal bath bomb, including a variety of herbal ingredients recognized for their antifungal properties. Precise measurement and blending were necessary during the material preparation process to ensure optimal efficacy. The effectiveness of the herbal bath bomb against common fungus strains was evaluated in the lab along with antifungal testing.The results reveal promising antifungal properties of the developed herbal bath bomb, as evidenced by its efficacy against common fungal strains. This study contributes valuable insights into the potential of herbal-based hygiene products for combating fungal skin conditions. The findings support the conclusion that the formulated bath bomb holds promise as a natural and effective solution, paving the way for further exploration and development in the realm of herbal skincare products.

Process Investigation on Robust Electrospinning of Non-Aligned and Aligned Polyvinylidene Fluoride Nanofiber Mats for Flexible Piezoelectric Sensors.

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofiber mats have played a significant role in wearable electronic devices that have been in great demand in recent decades. Although manifold PVDFbased freely stacked or well-aligned nanofiber mats created via the electrospinning process have been demonstrated to achieve multisensory capabilities with high sensitivity and long detection range, rarely have any of them proved their ability with a stable process and accurate processing parameters. In this work, we successfully developed freely stacked and well-aligned PVDF nanofiber mats with diameters ranging from micrometers to nanometers, providing stable performance for wearable electronic devices. Through in-depth investigations into material preparation, electrospinning, and fiber collection processes, we revealed the relationship between the nanofiber morphology, β-phase fraction, and piezoelectric output with various process parameters. Characterized by analytical methods, we have established a mature, reliable nanofiber mat fabrication system capable of mass-producing PVDF nanofibers with the required diameter and consistent properties. At 18 kV voltage and 60% RH humidity, the uniformity of the fiber diameter and β-phase content was maintained in a favorable range. When the drum speed increased to 2000 r/s, the fiber orientation and β-phase content increased. We assembled aligned PVDF nanofiber mats with conductive fabric in a flexible piezoelectric sensor that successfully monitored different body movements and produced an output voltage of 0.1 V. This study provides the necessary process parameters for the large-scale production of high-quality PVDF nanofiber mats and provides clear guidance for beginners in the field of nanofiber mat manufacturing.

Fire Resistance of Foamed Concrete for Discontinuous Partition Filling.

Lightweight concrete exhibits many advantages over traditional concrete such as lower density and thermal conductivity and an easier, cheaper, less energy-consuming manufacturing process. In order to extend its applications, there is a need to study its behavior in fire situations. Due to that, the aim of this study was to assess the fire resistance of foam concrete, depending on its thickness and the foaming process applied. Fire resistance was assessed according to EN 1363-1. The results indicate the usefulness of foam concrete in terms of isolating fire temperatures for discontinuous partition filling that are consequently a real alternative to dedicated solutions in the field of passive fire protection. The density of foam concrete was shown to have a large effect on the ability to insulate fire temperatures with a standard material preparation process. It was also noted that changing the method to continuous foam feeding may result in the achievement of similar values while maintaining foam concrete low density.

Preface

With the continuous changes in material demand and the development of related disciplines driven by economic and social development, in recent years, material research has shown some new trends. The deep integration of material technology with nanotechnology and information technology has deepened our understanding of material structure and performance, leading to more precise control over the material preparation process and functionality.The conference shares practical experiences and enlightening ideas from mateirals physics and appliacations and will be of interest to researchers in and practitioners everywhere. Keynote speakers includes Prof. Ling Zang, from University of Utah, USA, Prof. Karamanis Dimitrios from University of Patras, Greece, Prof. Run Zhang from University of Queensland, Australia.The proceedings present papers from the International Conference on Materials Physics and Applications, held in Xi’an during 1–3 December 2023. All papers were carefully reviewed by the technical program committee (TPC) and reviewers, bearing in mind the quality, novelty, breadth and depth of the research themes which fall into the ICMPA scope. Furthermore, we are very grateful to everyone, especially the program committee members and reviewers, who devoted time to assess the papers.Our particular thanks and regards also go to the Journal of Physics: Conference Series, for supporting this conference.List of Conference Committees are available in this pdf.

Recent Advances in Metal-Hydride-Based Disease Treatment.

In comparison to traditional antioxidant treatment methods, the use of hydrogen to eliminate reactive oxygen species from the body has the advantages of high biological safety, strong selectivity, and high clearance rate. As an energy storage material, metal hydrides have been extensively studied and used in transporting hydrogen as clean energy, which can achieve a high hydrogen load and controlled hydrogen release. Considering the antioxidant properties of hydrogen and the delivery ability of metal hydrides, metal-hydride-based disease treatment strategies have attracted widespread attention. Up to now, metal hydrides have been reported for the treatment of tumors and a range of inflammation-related diseases. However, limited by the insufficient investment, the use of metal hydrides in disease treatment still has many shortcomings, such as low targeting efficiency, limited therapeutic activity, and complex material preparation process. Particularly, metal hydrides have been found to have a series of optical, acoustic, and catalytic properties when scaled up to the nanoscale, and these properties are also widely used to promote disease treatment effects. From this new perspective, we comprehensively summarize the very recent research progress on metal-hydride-based disease treatment in this review. Ultimately, the challenges and prospects of such a burgeoning cancer theranostics modality are outlooked to provide inspiration for the further development and clinical translation of metal hydrides.

Performance magnesia porous insulation materials preparation process research

Performance magnesia porous insulation materials preparation process research

Facile preparation of a lightweight multifunctional interlayer for high-performance Li-S batteries.

The construction of functional interlayers for separator modification in Li-S batteries has been proven to be a feasible and effective strategy to alleviate the shuttle effect. However, several challenging issues in interlayer design and fabrication, including the tedious material preparation process and high weight loading of the interlayer on the pristine separator, jeopardize the battery energy density. In this work, a nitrogen-abundant nanoporous carbon/graphene (NC/G) composite was synthesized by a facile method and fabricated into a lightweight membrane, which was investigated as a multifunctional interlayer in a Li-S battery. The abundant nitrogen sites and nanoporous structure of NC/G can effectively anchor and trap polysulfides; graphene (G) can create an excellent conductive network in NC/G. These attributes of NC/G are able to efficiently boost the sulfur redox reaction kinetics and significantly suppress the shuttle effect, leading to superb battery performance. More importantly, the low density of NC/G was conducive to reducing the load on the separator, thus reducing the decline in battery energy density, which is promising for practical applications. Even at an ultra-low loading of NC/G on the pristine separator (0.08 mg cm-2), the battery showed a competitive electrochemical performance compared with many reported materials. We believe this work provides a strategic guidance for the future fabrication of promising functional interlayers for practical Li-S battery applications.