Rational design of a multifunctional bimetallic ZIFs-V2C MXene nanohybrid for enhanced mechanical durability and EMI shielding in polymeric coatings

Preparation of a carbon fiber brush for solid-phase microextraction of petroleum hydrocarbons from environmental water samples.

Mechanical properties, durability, and life cycle assessment of recycled brick powder concrete reinforced with different fibers

Gold tailings sand to prepare eco-friendly ultra-high performance concrete matrix: A synergistic approach to fine aggregate-cementitious material packing density for performance enhancement

Incorporating bio-based residues into cementitious materials offers a promising pathway toward sustainable construction. This study investigates the combined effects of biochar (BC, 0–25%), fly ash (FA), and ladle furnace slag (LFS) on the fresh and hardened properties of cementitious grouts. Twenty grout mixes were designed with Portland cement (PC) replacement levels of up to 60%. Mechanical performance and durability-related properties were evaluated after 28 days of water curing and after 210 days of air curing —under sealed and unsealed conditions. Hydration kinetics and microstructural evolution were assessed using isothermal calorimetry, XRD, and TGA. The results indicate that moderate BC incorporation (≤15%) maintained acceptable workability, particularly when combined with FA. Under air curing, higher BC contents resulted in compressive strength ( f c ) reductions of up to 40% compared to the 100% PC reference. High BC dosage diluted the hydrating matrix and delayed the onset of hydration, reducing silicate reactions and f c . The kinetic differences were also reflected in the XRD data, showing differences in the intensities of the reflections rather than the type of assemblages. Sealed air curing enhanced the f c of all mixes compared to the unsealed condition (25–80%) and reduced water absorption by 15% —especially in ternary systems— by sustaining hydration and mitigating carbonation. Strength Activity Index showed that BC-containing mixes performed relatively better under air curing than water curing, benefiting from the internal curing effect of BC. Flexural strength of BC+LFS mixes reached a comparable value to the reference (≥8 MPa). FA-containing mixes reduced shrinkage (by 22% compared to 100PC) while BC-containing mixes with PC ≥60% showed limited carbonation depth (<5 mm). Overall, optimal performance was achieved in ternary blends with BC contents up to 15%, demonstrating a viable strategy to balance mechanical performance, durability, and sustainability (showing reduced embodied carbon by 68% comparted to the reference) in low-carbon cementitious grouts. • BC incorporation up to 15% in ternary grout systems provided balanced workability, strength, and low embodied carbon. • Sealed curing increased compressive strength by 25–80% compared with unsealed conditions. • BC+LFS ternary blends exhibited higher flexural performance than FA counterparts. • Strength Activity Index indicated improved performance of BC blends under air curing relative to water curing.

Engineering high–performance SCC through multidimensional tradeoffs: Co–optimizing mechanical property, workability, and durability

The development of low-carbon binders requires optimized formulations that balance mechanical performance, durability, and environmental impact. This study investigates the multi-criteria optimization of slag-based geopolymer mortars incorporating ground granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS), cement kiln dust (CKD), and glass powder (GP) as ternary precursors. A multifactorial Central Composite Design (CCD) coupled with Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was employed to evaluate the individual and interactive effects of CKD and GP (0–30%) on fresh, mechanical, dimensional, microstructural, and environmental properties. Nine formulations were produced and tested for flow spread, compressive strength (7 and 28 days), open porosity, drying shrinkage (56 days), mass loss, and carbon footprint. The developed statistical models showed high reliability (R² = 0.94–0.97; p < 0.01). Incorporation of 15% GP reduced open porosity from 14.23% to 11.1% and increased 28-day compressive strength by 20.3%. In contrast, 30% CKD increased porosity to 17.85% and drying shrinkage above 1.10‰. GP at 30% minimized shrinkage to 0.82‰ and reduced mass loss to 3.2%. Multi-response optimization identified an optimal composition of 17.91% CKD and 25.34% GP, achieving 47.67 MPa at 28 days, 185.26 mm flow spread, 13.86% porosity, 962 µm/m shrinkage, and a carbon footprint of 143.8 kg CO 2 /m 3 . Microstructural analyses (XRD, DTG, SEM–EDX) confirmed the formation of hybrid C-(N)-A-S-H gels responsible for matrix densification. The novelty of this work lies in the integrated mechanical–microstructural–dimensional–environmental optimization of a ternary geopolymer system through a statistically validated multi-response framework, providing a comprehensive methodology for sustainable construction materials design. • Ternary geopolymer mortars based on GBFS, CKD, and GP were optimized using CCD. • Synergistic CKD–GP interactions improved strength and matrix densification. • ∼15% GP increased compressive strength and reduced porosity and shrinkage. • Alkaline activators dominated the environmental footprint.

The fabrication of superhydrophobic sponges with multifunctionality is of great importance in various practical fields. Herein, a fluorine-free, durable, and photothermal superhydrophobic polyurethane (PU) sponge is obtained using a dual-layer design, consisting of acetylene black (AB) via the adhesion of epoxy resin and lignin microparticles (LMPs) via the adhesion of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS). The introduction of AB and LMPs not only creates hierarchical surface roughness on the skeletons of the PU sponge but also acts as photothermal absorbers. The as-prepared superhydrophobic PU sponge possesses excellent chemical resistance, hydrothermal and photothermal stabilities, and mechanical durability. Due to surface superhydrophobicity and superoleophilicity, it exhibits high adsorption capacities up to 56.3 g/g for various oils and organic solvents, and shows high separation efficiencies up to 99.9%. Benefiting from an enhanced photothermal property caused by introducing AB and LMPs, the superhydrophobic PU sponge displays a maximum surface temperature of 75.8 °C under 1 sun irradiation. Consequently, it can rapidly adsorb a droplet of viscous crude oil (1 mL) within 70 s (1 sun), and achieve an ice-free property at -18.5 °C (0.5 sun). Furthermore, the superhydrophobic PU sponge can effectively separate water-in-oil (or oil-in-water) emulsions and adsorb five types of microplastics (PE, PP, PET, PS, and PVC) due to the rich functional surface groups. This work provides a dual-layer design for fabricating fluorine-free, durable, and photothermal superhydrophobic PU sponge, and opens a new avenue for preparing superhydrophobic sponges with multifunctionality for diverse practical applications.

Food safety surveillance for fresh produce requires analytical tools that operate directly on wet, curved plant and fruit surfaces, yet gold-standard methods and flexible surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates are often destructive or unsuitable for in vivo use. Here, we present a bottom-up absorptive ultrathin plasmonic tape-SERS-active functional elastomeric (SAFE) tape-that conforms to wet surfaces and absorbs/transports analytes to plasmonic hotspots for quantitative, multiplex in vivo SERS readouts without substrate inversion. SAFE tape swells within seconds and achieves detection limits of 1 nM for pesticides and 1 μM for plant hormones, while maintaining high signal uniformity, mechanical durability, and long-term stability. Predictive models accurately quantify mixtures across a broad range (1 μM to 1 mM). The tape also detects Penicillium spp. up to two days before visible symptoms and enables real-time monitoring of pesticide and preservative degradation during growth and storage, providing a low-cost, field-deployable platform for food safety monitoring.

Ag2Se is widely recognized as a leading n-type thermoelectric material for flexible and wearable applications owing to its narrow band gap, intrinsically low lattice thermal conductivity, and unusual room-temperature plasticity. This review systematically summarizes recent advances in Ag2Se-based thermoelectrics, beginning with its fundamental crystal structures, defect chemistry, and electronic band features that govern its semiconducting and superionic transport behavior. Advanced performance-enhancement strategies are discussed in detail, including nanostructuring, stoichiometry tuning, doping, and the incorporation of inorganic or organic second phases. The progress in fabrication techniques, including vacuum-assisted filtration, screen printing, magnetron sputtering, thermal evaporation, and additive manufacturing, has also been highlighted. Scalability, flexibility, and mechanical durability are emphasized. Furthermore, the assembly and application of Ag2Se-based flexible thermoelectric devices are reviewed, covering thermoelectric generators, Peltier coolers, electronic skins, and photo-thermoelectric hybrids. These devices demonstrate strong potential for energy harvesting, localized cooling, and smart sensing. Additionally, the challenges of device stability, large-area integration, and multifunctional system design are assessed. This review links material-level insights with device-level applications to accelerate the deployment of Ag2Se-based thermoelectrics in sustainable energy and wearable electronics.

Global CO₂ emissions from the cement sector account for approximately 8% of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, underscoring the urgent need for sustainable concrete alternatives based on supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). This study evaluates the mechanical performance, durability, and environmental impacts of green concrete mixtures incorporating bentonite, either alone or in combination with fly ash and silica fume as partial replacements for ordinary Portland cement (OPC). An experimental program encompassing 22 mixtures assessed workability, compressive strength at multiple ages, and resistance to seawater sulfate attack. A comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted using One Click LCA(tm) software to quantify environmental-mechanical trade-offs, with a case study application to the Damietta University Hospital project in Egypt. The results demonstrate that cement contributes 83-95% of the global warming potential (GWP) across all mixtures, confirming it as the dominant driver of environmental impact. Mixtures containing 50% fly ash achieved a GWP reduction of up to 50.1%. Mix 20 (4% bentonite + 15% silica fume) exhibited the highest compressive strength (49.0MPa at 28 days, 54.27MPa at 56 days) and superior seawater sulfate resistance, emerging as the structural optimum. In contrast, Mix 12 delivered the best environmental performance. Crucially, no single mixture simultaneously optimized both mechanical and environmental indicators, underscoring the need for context-dependent mixture selection guided by the Pareto frontier framework developed in this study.

Maintaining personal comfort through effective antibacterial action, moisture regulation, and thermal management is crucial for wearable textiles, especially during prolonged physical activity, extreme temperatures, and heavy sweating conditions. Herein, we report a multifunctional Janus fabric (PAM-Textile) engineered by integrating a hydrophobic polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) layer with a hydrophilic silver-decorated MXene (Ag@MXene). This asymmetric structure enables highly efficient unidirectional water transport, rapidly drawing sweat away from the skin while preventing reverse flow, thereby maintaining a dry, breathable microenvironment. The PAM-Textile exhibits remarkable wetting contrast: at 0 s, the hydrophobic side shows a water contact angle (WCA) of 120°, while the hydrophilic side measures only 56°. Water droplets transfer from hydrophobic to hydrophilic side within 3 s and are completely absorbed within 4 s, evidenced by a rapid drop in WCA from 120° to 0°. Additionally, the fabric demonstrates excellent thermal regulation, with high solar reflectivity (∼99.9%) in the wavelength range of 0.3-3µm, an emissivity of 94.3% within the atmospheric transparency window of 8-20µm, reducing the skin temperature up to ∼12.1°C under artificial sunlight and ∼9.8°C under direct sunlight. Moreover, the PAM-Textile shows broad-spectrum antibacterial performance against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), attributed to the synergistic effect of Ag nanoparticles, MXene nanosheets, and PVDF. The fabric also exhibits strong mechanical stability and wash durability, retaining its multifunctional performance after 10 washings and 20 abrasion cycles. This work presents a scalable and high-performance approach to smart textile design, offering a robust platform for next-generation wearable applications in healthcare, sportswear, and personal protective clothing.

Silane-functionalized silica (SFS) materials are widely used in catalysis, chromatography, filtration, and energy conversion, yet their long-term stability remains poorly understood despite extensive technological relevance. Here, we report the first experimental assessment of the decadal (20-year) stability of grafted silica (C8-SFS) under different storage conditions, including atmospheric exposure and continuous contact with water under repeated high-pressure intrusion-extrusion cycling up to 30MPa. Remarkably, all aged samples preserved their structural integrity and hydrophobic character, showing only a minor decrease in intrusion pressure and in intrusion-extrusion hysteresis compared to pristine silica. Surprisingly, the sample hermetically encapsulated with water under high-pressure cycling performed slightly better than the atmosphere-exposed sample. Thermogravimetric analysis confirmed the persistence of covalently bonded silanes, while SEM imaging revealed no particle fracture even after hundreds of compression cycles. Slight reductions in extrusion pressure correlated with marginal increases in silane mass loss, consistent with minor hydrolysis or conformational rearrangement of grafted chains. These results demonstrate strong chemical and mechanical durability of C8-SFS, highlighting that water exposure under moderate temperature and neutral pH does not compromise the intrusion-extrusion performances of the material over decades. The findings have direct implications for the long-term reliability of silica-based materials in chromatographic, damping, and energy storage systems.

Deep eutectic solvent-programmed interphase for tunable strength, stiffness-damping balance, and moisture durability in bamboo fiber/polyhydroxyalkanoate composites.

The development of superhydrophobic and water-repellent surfaces utilizing a facile, economic and environmental-friendly way constitute an important scientific challenge since these materials find applications in a great number of industrial sectors as manufacturing, healthcare, and everyday consumer products. In this work, two-dimensional layered MXenes are utilized as functional additives for the development of superhydrophobic and water-repellent coatings prepared using waterborne nanocomposite formulations, which contain a low surface energy, short-chain perfluoroalkyl silanol, to provide the appropriate hydrophobicity; the nanoadditives are introduced to create the necessary surface roughness. While traditional methods typically employ 0D nanoparticles to achieve surface nanostructuring, the flake-like structure of Ti3C2T x MXenes introduces roughness that extends into the micron-scale. Different smooth substrates were coated by a one-step spraying process and the surface properties were investigated as a function of the additive content. Moreover, ternary nanocomposite coatings were developed with MXenes and alumina nanoparticles by a single-step spraying of an aqueous suspension. This combination results in hierarchical surface structures (with micrometer- and nanometer-scale roughness), achieving excellent water repellence with significantly lower additive concentration than the one needed when single-type of nanoadditives were used. Due to the low Ti3C2T x MXene content, the use of our approach extends beyond dark-colored applications, even in cases where the aesthetic result is critical. The nanohybrid coated surfaces exhibited mechanical and chemical durability, retaining their hydrophobicity after repeated abrasion cycles and under extreme pH conditions (pH 2 or 13). This study highlights the potential of MXenes as an innovative additive for next-generation water-repellent coatings.

Flexible artificial synapses featuring broadband perception capabilities and minimal energy dissipation are pivotal for advancing soft or wearable neuromorphic visual systems. Herein, we present the design and construction of a broadband optoelectronic synapse based on a P3HT:Y6 bulk heterojunction. Compatible with both rigid and flexible substrates, this device exhibits robust perceptual capabilities across a broad spectral range from deep-ultraviolet to near-infrared (265-1300 nm) radiation. By tuning the proportion of P3HT and Y6, an optimal device attains enhanced synaptic characteristics with prominent short- to long-term memory capacities. Notably, the near-infrared perception capability beyond the intrinsic optical absorption range of the two components is enabled by intermolecular charge transfer between them. Crucially, both rigid and flexible synapses hold ultralow energy consumption down to 0.113 fJ per synaptic event, surpassing the efficiency of biological synapses (1-100 fJ). The flexible device further displays an exceptional mechanical robustness and bending durability. Leveraging the outstanding synaptic properties, the device was successfully implemented in optoelectronic reservoir computing, achieving a recognition accuracy of 100% for dynamic trajectory recognition. The present synaptic device may find potential application in emerging neuromorphic visual systems requiring low power, flexibility, and broadband apperceiving ability.

Interfacial light reflection often compromises the efficiency of optical systems, prompting the continuous demand for high-performance anti-reflective (AR) coatings. Porous silica or textured AR coatings usually offer excellent optical properties but suffer from poor adhesion to many organic substrates, especially under high humidity conditions, limiting their use in flexible device applications. To overcome the limitations, the AR coating should possess a low refractive index and mechanical robustness under highly humid conditions. Here, we report a crosslinked fluoropolymer for moisture-resistant, mechanically flexible AR coating fabricated via a single-step, solvent-free polymer deposition method, initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD). The 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl acrylate (C6FA) monomer, enabling a low refractive index and flexibility, was copolymerized with a 1,3,5-trivinyl-1,3,5-trimethylcyclotrisiloxane (V3D3) monomer to impart mechanical durability against humid conditions. The resulting copolymer p(C6FA-co-V3D3) (pFV) exhibited a remarkably low refractive index (n < 1.38). Leveraging the nanometer-scale thickness control inherent to the iCVD process, the coating achieved a two-fold reduction in reflectance compared to the bare substrate across the entire visible spectrum. The compositional optimization enabled the pFV film to retain nearly 100% of its original thickness, refractive index, and smooth surface morphology even after the autoclave test (120 °C, 1 h, 0.3 bar). Optical transmittance exceeding 90% was retained over 10 000 bending cycles at a bending radius of 2 mm without crack or delamination. All these results collectively verified the pFV copolymer film as a promising candidate for next-generation AR coatings demanding simultaneous optical performance, moisture resistance, and mechanical robustness.

Against the backdrop of drastic global climatic change, personal thermal management (PTM) textiles have emerged as a critical safeguard for human comfort and safety. However, the inherent trade-off between moisture management and active heating functionality significantly impedes their widespread application. Herein, a flexible Janus graphene fiber fabric (J-GFF) was fabricated via wet spinning, selective filtration, Ca2+-induced fiber fusion, and floating polymer modification strategies. By tailoring the interfacial fusion degree and surface treatment, J-GFF exhibited an excellent water vapor transmission (WVT) rate of 233.5g m-2 h-1 and superior evaporative cooling performance, benefiting from the formed hierarchical structures and adjusted wetting behavior. Thus, when the J-GFF was used as artificial wearable textiles, the temperature of the human skin surface decreased by 4.5°C under normal conditions, and even up to 14°C under heavy perspiration. Moreover, the produced fabric demonstrated extraordinary heating efficiency and flame retardancy, where fabrics could be heated to 175°C at a high heating rate of 690°C s-1 to withstand ∼500°C firing for over 15s. Thus, this work offers a novel avenue for developing next-generation all-weather and multifunctional PTM textiles with evaporative cooling, breathability, mechanical durability, and Joule heating and safety.

Living organisms in nature can sensitively perceive environmental stimuli and respond through rapid adaptive deformation. Inspired by this functionality, self-sensing hydrogel actuators have been developed, offering broad potential in areas such as information encryption, flexible wearables, and human-machine interfaces. Here, we report a versatile strategy for fabricating self-sensing hydrogel actuators with simultaneously high electrical conductivity and excellent mechanical durability. A robust interpenetrating network is constructed between surface-functionalized MXene nanomonomers (T-MXene) and modified cellulose nanocrystals (CNC-Vi), which markedly enhances the stability of poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAm) hydrogel. In addition, incorporation of poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) further enhances the composite's electrical conductivity while simultaneously improving the environmental adaptability. The resulting hydrogel exhibits high conductivity (14.92 S m-1), remarkable strain sensitivity (GF of 2.17 to 7.23), and outstanding durability. Leveraging these features, we realize reliable information encryption and storage, as well as wearable motion sensors capable of sensitive and precise motion detection. Moreover, the hydrogel system serves as an excellent platform for constructing high-performance self-sensing actuators. By inducing a gradient alignment of T-MXene/CNC-Vi under a direct-current (DC) electric field, we develop a shape-programmable hydrogel actuator that combines rapid responsiveness, remote light-driven actuation, and intrinsic self-sensing capability. This study not only provides a paradigm for designing advanced tactile and self-sensing materials but also establishes a foundation for achieving closed-loop, remotely controlled soft actuators for next-generation intelligent mechanical systems.

ABSTRACT Accurate evaluation of varnish hardness, particularly considering the polymer structure of the coating, is essential for predicting the mechanical performance, durability, and scratch resistance of wood coatings used in the furniture industry. Furthermore, the adoption of sustainable testing methods that minimize material consumption and environmental impact is important in ensuring efficient and responsible characterization processes. This study aimed to determine the most appropriate hardness testing method for thin varnish films applied to wood by comparing two standardized techniques: the Shore D hardness test (ASTM D2240-15) and the Pendulum (König) hardness test (ASTM D4366-16). Four types of varnishes (acrylic, polyurethane, water-based (non-acrylic), and cellulosic) were applied to Eastern beech (Fagus orientalis) panels under controlled laboratory conditions. Hardness values obtained from both methods were compared with scratch resistance data (ASTM D7027-20) to assess their validity. Statistical analyses (ANOVA and Pearson correlation) indicated that the Pendulum method showed a strong positive Pearson correlation with scratch resistance (r = 0.77), whereas the Shore D method exhibited a weak correlation (r = 0.22). Overall, the findings indicate that the pendulum method provides a more reliable evaluation of thin varnish coatings, as Shore D measurements are affected by indenter penetration into the wood substrate, leading to misinterpretation of coating hardness.