Modification Of Materials Research Articles

OLEOPHILIC SORBENTS BASED ON GRANULAR FOAMED SILICATE: PROPERTIES AND FEATURES OF REGENERATION

The solution to the problems of ecological safety when cleaning water objects from organic pollutants is indissolubly related to developing new sorbents and improving the technologies of their synthesis. Various materials in dispersed and granulated forms are successfully used in the production of sorbents. This article deals with the development and improvement of the technologies for producing the sorbents of petroleum and petroleum products. As a basis for the development of new sorbents, the properties of the granular foamed silicate obtained from the siftings of waste products from mining and processing plants were studied. The trial batches of oleophilic sorbents were obtained through thermochemical modification of hydrocarbons in the gas-vapour phase. It has been established that foamed silicate does not change its porous structure and amorphous state after thermo-chemical modification, retaining the high sorption activity. The nature of the porous structure of sorbents and the influence of porosity on their key properties, such as oil capacity, water absorption, and buoyancy, are investigated. The studies of the fractions of modified foamed silicate revealed low water-absorption capacity of the coarse- and middle-sized fractions. The minimum water absorption was determined for the fine fraction of the modified material, which is related to the absence of pores in these samples. Determination of oil capacity characteristics provides evidence of high oil receptivity and sorption capacity of the modified foamed silicate with respect to petroleum products. The results of experiments on sorbent regeneration after the end of its service life are presented. The developed semi-production experimental plant for the modification and regeneration of porous loose materials in the fixed bed is presented. The technological scheme of regeneration is proposed, allowing for regeneration and repeated modification of the used sorbent during one processing stage without any decrease in its sorption properties. The advantage of the developed technology of sorbent properties recovery is in the implementation simplicity and economic rationality. The repeatedly modified sorbent retains its characteristics and, first of all, sorption properties with respect to petroleum products. The practicability of developing new sorbents of petroleum products based on granular foamed silicate is demonstrated.

Graphene modified Sb2O3/porous carbon nanofibers via electrospinning treated in air for potassium-ion batteries with enhanced cycling stability

Sb2O3 is regarded as an ideal anode material for potassium-ion batteries for its high theoretical specific capacity. However, the potassiation and depotassiation during cycling causes large volume change which will result in cracking of the electrode and irreversible loss of capacity. Here, we prepared graphene-modified Sb2O3 porous carbon nanofiber by electrospinning and subsequent annealing in air as anode material of potassium-ion batteries. The mechanical properties of the electrode materials are greatly enhanced owing to the introduction of graphene with the Young's modulus increased to 3045.5 MPa from 1367.9 MPa. Ultimately, the as-prepared Sb2O3@GPCN-100 porous fibers delivered a high specific capacity of 327 mAh g−1 after 300 cycles at a current density of 500 mA g−1. Even at a high current density of 1000 mA g−1, the electrode exhibits a specific capacity of 292 mAh g−1 after 600 cycles, showing excellent reversible stability and high specific capacity. This graphene modification strategy can also provide a feasible solution for the modification of other anode materials for potassium-ion batteries.

Random field site inequality for ergodicity modification in BNT-based materials: From a phenomenological view

Achieving a simplified BNT-based composition with giant strain properties is challenging, since traditional chemical substitutions rely on trial-and-error experiments and complicates the composition. Herein, we comprehend the strain regulation mechanism from a view of relaxors and propose strain regulation rules based on classical relaxor theory. In BNT-based systems, site inequality of the random field for the ergodicity modification is observed, arising from the discrepant random field-driven (e.g., intensity and action position) structural distortions. From a phenomenological view, B-site substitution is effective in regulating relaxation behaviors due to the stronger lattice softening effect. This work points out the essence of regulating strain properties in BNT-based systems, and the proposed phenomenological relaxation regulation rules are believed to advance the development of actuator applications.

Novel Application of Diffuse Coplanar Surface Barrier Discharge: Fast, Efficient and Controlled Surface Functionalization

Plasma chemistry is currently an interesting approach to surface modification of materials. In general plasma treatment is a fast process, affecting only the units of nanometers of the surface layer without altering the bulk properties. and has many potential benefits such as minimal waste and control of surface functionality. It represents a dry and environmentally friendly process that can achieve comparable results to wet chemical treatment. The research and development of plasma sources, mainly operating at atmospheric pressure, has been the main activity of the centre CEPLANT, Brno, Czech Republic for several decades. Our development is generally aimed at fast, efficient, and low-cost plasma treatments, easily implementable in industry, and flexibly responds to industrial requirements and current trends.One of our most versatile plasma source, the so-called Diffuse Coplanar Surface Barrier Discharge (DCSBD) has been developed for in-line surface modification of various materials, primarily for fabric materials. DCSBD produces a 0.3 mm thin layer of non-equilibrium, cold macroscopically diffuse plasma at atmospheric pressure (Fig. 1) in any working gas, including oxygen, hydrogen, or even water vapors. Due to its strongly non-equilibrium nature, operation at atmospheric pressure, and low temperatures, the DCSBD represents a unique plasma source suitable for surface modification of low-cost and temperature-sensitive materials [1-4].Unique results have been achieved in research on the practical application of flexible conductive layers on glass, with a focus on the deposition of transparent organic polymer coatings on ultra-thin flexible glass (UTFG). We have developed and optimized efficient and fast dry non-contact cleaning and activation of fragile and lightweight conductive glasses using DCSBD. The high-speed plasma treatment corresponding to the exposure times in the order of units of seconds leads to a synergistic balance between the efficient removal of impurities (carbohydrates) adsorbed on the UTFG surface and the formation of oxygen-based functional groups. Subsequent PEDOT:PSS-based coatings sprayed on plasma-treated UTFG surfaces achieve significantly higher electrical conductivity compared to the standard liquid-purified samples. This method combined with the unique properties of UTFG provides prospective results applicable in microelectronics, and optoelectronic devices like sensors or displays.In the field of composite materials research, we have discovered that plasma treatment of reinforcing fibers leads to improvement of the mechanical properties of laminated fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. Efficient functionalization of various commonly used reinforcement fibers (flax, aramid and glass) in atmospheric low-temperature DCSBD increases the interfacial adhesion at the fiber-matrix interface, which has a provable positive effect on the resulting mechanical properties.DCSBD plasma can also be utilized for the initiation of reducing chemical reactions. We have developed a simple and fast chemical-free fabrication method of 2D and 3D reduced graphene oxide (rGO) structures using an electrical plasma-triggered reduction & exfoliation of 3D porous graphene oxide (GO) aerogel-like materials [4] and also 2D GO paper-like films starting at temperatures not higher than 100 oC [5]. The plasma triggered the self-propagating reduction & exfoliation fast modification of GO into rGO, while the rGO structures retained their original shape without abrupt disintegration. We observed an approximately 105 fold decrease of the rGO paper resistivity compared to the unmodified GO paper. This novel method opens new opportunities for the production of conductive rGO and rGO-based composites for modern industrial applications.Innovative results were achieved in the fabrication of ZnO nanofibers by a novel calcination approach assisted by DCSBD. Exposition of the polyvinyl pyrrolidone/zinc acetate fibers to DCSBD before the thermal processing leads to the gentle low-temperature removal of organic material. Plasma pre-treated nanofibers are characterized by a smaller diameter and retain a defined fibrous structure during heat treatment. Moreover, the ZnO nanofibers prepared by a combination of plasma and heat treatment exhibited considerably higher photodegradation activity increasing with decreasing calcination temperature [6]. The low-temperature and high oxidation potential of plasma makes plasma-assisted calcination of the inorganic nanofibers an attractive alternative to conventional thermal annealing with potential application in optoelectronics or biosensors.The mentioned applications are only a small fragment of available cases of utilization of the DCSBD, which is now commonly established and applied in the field of surface modification of various materials (glass, metals, non-woven fabrics, polymers, paper, nanofibres) and biomaterials (seeds, grains, wood, natural leather).[1] M. Černák et al., Plasma Physics and Controlled Fusion 53 (2011) 1-8[2] R. Talviste et al., Surface and Interface 16 (2019) 2468-0230[3] T. Morávek et al., Open Chemistry 13 (2015) 236-244[4] R. Krumpolec et al., Flatchem 35 (2022)[5] F. Zelenák , Carbon N. Y. 215 (2023) 118436[6] V. Medvecká et al., Applied Surface Science, 581 (2022) 152384 Figure 1

Structural Modification Strategy for Enhancing Electrochemical Performance of Electrodes Under High Current Cycling and First Principle Computational Research for Electrode Materials

Recently, there has been significant interest in advancing lithium-ion battery technology due to its widespread use in various applications. Our research delves into this domain, focusing on enhancing the electrochemical properties of batteries through structural modification of electrode materials. Our work demonstrates the significant enhancements of electrochemical performance under high current cycling using structurally modified electrode materials . In first work, crumpled graphene oxide anode proves to be an effective strategy for enhancing its electrochemical properties, attributed to its advantageous crumpled morphology. This morphology allows for improved electrode stability and easier access for lithium ions, enabling them to interact with its larger specific surface area. In second work, we describe enhanced the drawback of reduced electrochemical performance during high-rate cycles by synthesizing multidimensional LFP-based carbon composite. The lithium ion diffusivity and electrode stability of the prepared composite are significantly improved in charging and discharging cycles by introducing graphene quantum dots alongside CNTs, exhibiting superior electrochemical properties even at high current densities. In third work, density functional theory simulation is employed for demonstrating the enhanced electrochemical properties of prepared electrodes by exploring their properties. Our research provides insights into electrode material design as an effective approach to enhancing the electrochemical properties of lithium-ion batteries.Acknowledgement:This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF-2021R1A2C1008272). This work was supported by Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, KEIT, under the project title"International standard development of evaluation methods for nano-carbon-based high-performance supercapacitors for electric vehicles" (project # 20016144).

(Invited) Carbon Sulfonation Using Plasma: Trial to Enlarge Treatment Capacity

Heterogeneous catalysis is a promising technology in conversion of biomass to biofuels because of its high reactivity, easy post-separation, and great recyclability compared to homogeneous catalysis. Various functionalized catalytic materials have emerged as promising alternatives to the homogeneous liquid acid catalyst, such as carbon materials, metal–organic frameworks, and metal nanoparticles. Among them, carbon materials such as carbon nanotube, graphene oxide, carbon black, and so on have been investigated as catalysts for cellulose hydrolysis to produce glucose.Carbon materials show considerable catalytic activity by functionalization with active acidic groups including hydroxyl groups (-OH), carboxyl groups (-COOH), and sulfonic groups (-SO3H). Hydroxyl and carboxyl groups on the carbon catalysts act as connection center to access cellulose, where sulfonic group serves as the active site to cut off the linkage between glucose units in cellulose. So, the surface modification of carbon materials with these functional groups, namely, carbon sulfonation process, becomes the determining step to producing efficient carbon acid catalysts. Conventional methods for the carbon sulfonation are the hydrothermal and reflux method, in which hazardous chemicals are necessary, such as concentrated sulfuric acid (95–98%), chlorosulfonic acid, fuming sulfuric acid, or 4-benzenediazoniumsulfonate under elevated temperature for dozens of hours.As a green and effective carbon sulfonation process, we have utilized plasma generated in contact with dilute sulfuric acid. Recently, we have investigated the mechanism of carbon sulfonation in GLIP processes. Active species produced near the gas–liquid interface such as •OH, SO3, and HOSO2• probably play important roles in carbon sulfonation. We are currently trying to enlarge the treatment capacity of carbon sulfonation by two methods, namely parallel plasma generation with ballast capacitors and large-area plasma generation by a dielectric barrier discharge. Also, effects of gases used for plasma generation such as air and Ar on the carbon sulfonation are investigated.This work was partially supported by the Environment Research and Technology Development Fund (JPMEERF20223R01) of the Environmental Restoration and Conservation Agency of Japan.

Endowing Three-Dimensional Porous Wood with Hydrophobicity/Superhydrophobicity Based on Binary Silanization.

Wood, as a natural biomass material, has long been a research focus. Superhydrophobic modified wood, in particular, has shown great promise in a myriad of engineering applications such as architecture, landscape, and shipbuilding. However, commercial development has encountered significant resistance due to preparation difficulties and sometimes unsatisfactory performance. In this study, hydrophobic/superhydrophobic wood comodified with methyltrimethoxysilane (MTMS) and 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltrimethoxysilane (PFDTMS) was fabricated by a one-step sol-gel method that uses an in situ growth process. Low-molecular-weight MTMS was allowed to permeate the three-dimensional porous wood interior. Then, acid-base catalysts were used to regulate the hydrolytic condensation process of MTMS and PFDTMS composite silanes to generate micro/nano hierarchical structures with low surface energy on the wood surface. The physicochemical characteristics of modified wood were investigated and the reaction mechanism established. The modified wood displayed excellent internal hydrophobicity/surface superhydrophobicity, water-moisture resistance, and dimensional stability at low fluorine concentrations. The resulting superhydrophobic surface provided stain resistance, self-cleaning ability, and loading capacity in water while exhibiting good mechanochemical stability; wood mechanical strength was also enhanced. This methodology created a superhydrophobic surface and bulk hydrophobization of wood in one step. Beyond wood, this approach is expected to provide a promising approach for functional modification of other porous composite materials.

Electronic Structure and Functions of Carbon Nitride in Frontier Green Catalysis.

ConspectusGraphitic carbon nitride-based materials have emerged as promising photocatalysts for a variety of energy and environmental applications owing to their "earth-abundant" nature, structural versatility, tunable electronic and optical properties, and chemical stability. Optimizing carbon nitride's physicochemical properties encompasses a variety of approaches, including the regulation of inherent structural defects, morphology control, heterostructure construction, and heteroatom and metal-atom doping. These strategies are pivotal in ultimately enhancing their photocatalytic activities. Previous reviews with extensive examples have mainly focused on the synthesis, modification, and application of carbon nitride-based materials in photocatalysis. However, there has been a lack of straightforward and in-depth discussion to understand the electronic characteristics and functions of various engineered carbon nitrides as well as their precise tailoring strategies and ultimately to explain the regularity and specificity of their improved performance in targeted photocatalytic systems. In the past ten years, our group has conducted extensive investigations on carbon nitride-based materials and their application in photocatalysis. These studies demonstrate the close yet intricate relationship between the electronic structure of carbon nitride materials and their photocatalytic reactivity. Understanding the electronic structure and functions of carbon nitride, as well as different engineering strategies, is essential for the improvement of photocatalytic processes from fundamental study to practical applications.To this end, in this Account, we first delve into the nature of the electronic properties of carbon nitride, highlighting the electronic structures, including band structure, density of states, molecular orbitals, and band center, as well as its electronic functions, such as the charge distribution, internal electric field, and external electric force. Subsequently, based on recent research in our group, we present a detailed discussion of the strategic modifications of carbon nitride and the consequential impacts on the physicochemical properties, particularly the optical properties and intrinsic electronic characteristics, for enhancing the photocatalytic performance. These modifications are categorized as follows: (i) component changing, which involves intralayer and interface heterojunctions as well as homojunctions, to modulate the band-edge potentials and reactivity of photoinduced electrons and holes toward surface redox reactions; (ii) dimensional tuning, which engineers the dimensional structure of carbon nitride, to influence the electron transfer direction; (iii) defect and heteroatom modification, which introduces a symmetry break in the carbon nitride framework, to promote charge redistribution for altering the charge density and electronic structure; and (iv) anchoring of single-atom metals to facilitate orbital hybridization and charge transfer enhancement through the unique metal-N coordination configurations. Finally, we propose an appraisal of the prospects and challenges in the precise manipulation and characterization of the electronic structure and functions of carbon nitride. The integration of in situ electronic structure analysis, theoretical calculation based on machine learning, and precise mechanism study may propel its substantial development in the light-driven circular economy. We hope this Account aspires to offer novel insights and perspectives into the operational mechanisms and tailored structure of carbon nitride-based materials in photocatalysis.

Atomic Precision Processing of Two-Dimensional Materials for Next-Generation Microelectronics.

The growth of the information era economy is driving the pursuit of advanced materials for microelectronics, spurred by exploration into "Beyond CMOS" and "More than Moore" paradigms. Atomically thin 2D materials, such as transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs), show great potential for next-generation microelectronics due to their properties and defect engineering capabilities. This perspective delves into atomic precision processing (APP) techniques like atomic layer deposition (ALD), epitaxy, atomic layer etching (ALE), and atomic precision advanced manufacturing (APAM) for the fabrication and modification of 2D materials, essential for future semiconductor devices. Additive APP methods like ALD and epitaxy provide precise control over composition, crystallinity, and thickness at the atomic scale, facilitating high-performance device integration. Subtractive APP techniques, such as ALE, focus on atomic-scale etching control for 2D material functionality and manufacturing. In APAM, modification techniques aim at atomic-scale defect control, offering tailored device functions and improved performance. Achieving optimal performance and energy efficiency in 2D material-based microelectronics requires a comprehensive approach encompassing fundamental understanding, process modeling, and high-throughput metrology. The outlook for APP in 2D materials is promising, with ongoing developments poised to impact manufacturing and fundamental materials science. Integration with advanced metrology and codesign frameworks will accelerate the realization of next-generation microelectronics enabled by 2D materials.

Cooling performance enhancement of electric vehicle film capacitor for ultra-high temperatures using micro-channel cold plates thermal management system

The increasing voltage and power density demands of electric vehicles pose notable challenges to the high-temperature resistance performance of film capacitors within motor controllers. Existing methods primarily focus on material modifications and conventional thermal management designs, often tested at 85 °C, which fail to meet the escalating demands for high-temperature operations. This paper presents the design and optimization of a thermal management system for film capacitors through simulations and experiments under ultra-high temperatures. ANSYS electro-thermal coupled simulation was used to analyze the temperature distribution of the capacitor under different ripple currents, leading to the development of a thermal management system based on internal micro-channel cold plates (IMCPs). These IMCPs were optimized using response surface and genetic algorithms to enhance cooling performance. Experimental and simulation comparisons were made between standard capacitors and those with IMCPs under ripple currents of 120 A and 180 A at 85 °C. Further examinations were conducted at ultra-high temperatures of 125 °C and 140 °C with a ripple current of 180 A. The findings show that capacitors with IMCPs had average temperature reductions of 45.50 °C and 48.45 °C at 85 °C under 120 A and 180 A ripple currents, respectively. Additionally, standard capacitors developed cracks or exploded at 125 °C and 140 °C under 180 A ripple current, while capacitors with IMCPs maintained normal functionality. These results indicate that capacitors integrated with IMCPs meet the rigorous high-temperature operational standards required for motor controllers in high-voltage electric vehicles.

Adsorption and ion exchange of toxic metals by Brazilian clays: clay selection and studies of equilibrium, thermodynamics, and binary ion exchange modeling.

In this study, four Brazilian clays (Bofe, Verde-lodo, commercial Fluidgel, and expanded commercial vermiculite) were evaluated for their adsorptive capacity and removal percentage in relation to different toxic metals (Ni2+, Cd2+, Zn2+, and Cu2+). The best results were obtained by expanded vermiculite, with cadmium removal reaching values of 95%. The most promising clay was modified by the sodification process, and the metal cadmium was used to evaluate the ion exchange process. The clays expanded vermiculite (EV) and VNa-sodified vermiculite were evaluated by equilibrium study at 25, 35, and 45 °C. At 25 °C, EV obtained a maximum adsorption capacity of 0.368 mmol/g and sodified vermiculite 0.480 mmol/g, which represents an improvement of 30.4% in modified clay capacity. At 45 °C, the sodified vermiculite reached 0.970 mmol/g adsorption capacity. The Langmuir, Redlich-Peterson Freundlich, and Dubinin-Raduskevich models were adjusted to the results. Langmuir provided the best fit among the models. The thermodynamic quantities (ΔS, ΔH, and ΔG) demonstrated that the process is spontaneous and endothermic and the metal is captured by physisorption and chemisorption in the studied temperature range. For the ion exchange equilibrium, the binary Langmuir and binary Langmuir-Freundlich models were adjusted to the expanded vermiculite and sodified vermiculite isotherms, respectively. Both models were predictive. Thermal analysis indicated good heat resistance even after material modification. The apparent and real densities demonstrated that after each treatment or contamination, the clayey material undergoes contraction in its structure. An improved efficiency of the adsorbent was found after sodification.

Recent progress in high-voltage P2-Na x TMO2 materials and their future perspectives.

P2-type layered materials (Na x TMO2) have become attractive cathode electrodes owing to their high theoretical energy density and simple preparation. However, they still face severe phase transition and low conductivity. Current research on Na x TMO2 is mostly focused on the modification of bulk materials, and the application performances have been infrequently addressed. This review summarizes the information on current common P2-Na x TMO2 materials and discusses their sodium-storage mechanisms. Furthermore, modification strategies to improve their performance are addressed for practical applications based on a range of key parameters (output voltage, specific capacity, and lifespan). We also discuss the future development trends and application prospects for P2 cathode materials.

Enhanced Dye Adsorption on Cold Plasma-Oxidized Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes: A Comparative Study.

The oxidation of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) using cold plasma was investigated for their subsequent use as adsorbents for the removal of dyes from aqueous solutions. The properties of MWCNTs after plasma modification and their adsorption capacities were compared with pristine and chemically oxidized nanotubes. The modification process employed a reactor where plasma was generated through dielectric barrier discharges (DBD) powered by high-voltage nanosecond pulses. Various modification conditions were examined, such as processing time and pulse voltage amplitude. The degree of oxidation and the impact on the chemistry and structure of the nanotubes was investigated through various physicochemical and morphological characterization techniques (XPS, BET, TEM, etc.). Maximum oxidation (O/C = 0.09 from O/C = 0.02 for pristine MWCNTs) was achieved after 60 min of nanopulsed-DBD plasma treatment. Subsequently, the modified nanotubes were used as adsorbents for the removal of the dye methylene blue (MB) from water. The adsorption experiments examined the effects of contact time between the adsorbent and MB, as well as the initial dye concentration in water. The plasma-modified nanotubes exhibited high MB removal efficiency, with adsorption capacity proportional to the degree of oxidation. Notably, their adsorption capacity significantly increased compared to both pristine and chemically oxidized MWCNTs (~54% and ~9%, respectively). Finally, the kinetics and mechanism of the adsorption process were studied, with experimental data fitting well to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm model. This study underscores the potential of plasma technology as a low-cost and environmentally friendly approach for material modification and water purification.

Regulating electronic structure of anionic oxygen by Ti4+ doping to stabilize layered Li-rich oxide cathodes for Li-ion batteries

Abstract Layered Li-rich oxide cathodes enable to activate lattice oxygen anions redox in the charge compensation process and provide superior high specific capacity over 250 mAh g−1 due to their unique configuration, and thus attracting great attentions as promising cathode candidates for Li-ion batteries. However, how to better stabilize the bulk lattice oxygen framework and surface structure, and slow down the release of oxygen, is still major bottleneck to develop high performance Li-rich materials. Transition metal ions with outer d0 electronic configuration have distortable configuration, which can accommodate the local structure and chemical environment of the material, and then improve structural stability. Herein this work, the d0 transition metal Ti4+ is used as doping element to improve the chemical and structural stability, capacity retention and lithium ion diffusion kinetics of Li-rich material. The role of Ti in the material modification is revealed through synchrotron-based soft x-ray absorption spectroscopy, XRD, XPS and electrochemical tests. The improvement in structural stability can be attributed to that Ti doping can adjust the hybridization of O2p and TM3d to regulate the local electronic structure of both bulk lattice oxygen and surface oxygen vacancies. It is hoped that this work should shed light on the development of high-performance cathode materials for Li-ion Batteries.

Surface engineering of carbon nanotube-carbon fiber networks for enhanced strength in additive manufacturing of nylon composites

This work quantifies the impact of chemical functionalization of carbon nanotubes and carbon fibres on the interfacial shear strength, tensile and interlaminar shear strength properties of additively manufactured nylon composites. The surface chemistry of functionalized carbon materials was evaluated through infrared spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Single carbon fibre was dip-coated in a suspension of nanotubes and embedded into a nylon matrix. The fibres were pulled out to measure the interfacial shear strength, and the fibres with attached neat, carboxylated, and silanized nanotubes increased it by up to 67 %, 112 %, and 216 %, respectively. Composite samples were manufactured using a novel hybrid additive manufacturing method, which was able to deposit nylon layers and a suspension containing carbon reinforcement. The use of chemically functionalized nanotubes in the suspension led to carbon layers that improved tensile strength by 49 % and tensile modulus by 126 % over neat nylon. Functionalization of carbon reinforcement increased the interlaminar shear strength by up to 63 %. Overall, this paper demonstrates the importance of chemical modification in composite materials containing a large interface area of carbon materials.

Rational regulation and one-step electrodeposition realization of surface textures and free energy to create mechanochemically durable superhydrophobicity for the enhanced anti-icing properties

The quest for durable superhydrophobic materials with exceptional water-repellent properties remains a pressing challenge. This study introduces an innovative methodology that exploits one-step electrodeposition realization of surface textures and free energy to create robust superhydrophobic surfaces. Leveraging copper, nickel, and polytetrafluoroethylene nanoparticles, a dendritic microstructure is fabricated. An unprecedented feature of this process is the controlled partial melting of polytetrafluoroethylene during sintering, enabling the connection of discrete polymer particles and the formation of a resilient coating skeleton. This pioneering method grows low-energy materials in situ between coatings and gives the surface greater robustness. The surface prepared by this method showed excellent non-wettability, highlighted by a remarkable water contact angle of 163.1°. The surface shows outstanding anti-icing performance: water droplets resist freezing for up to 1173 s at −20 °C with negligible ice adhesion (only 34 kPa). Importantly, this technique is amenable to large metal surfaces. This study presents a novel and effective solution to face the durability challenges (The sample can withstand 400 linear wear and is resistant to acids, alkalis and ultraviolet). It underscores the innovative fusion of micro-nanostructure construction and low surface energy material modification, promising both enhanced adhesion and the preservation of surface durability.

Porous Silica Nanomaterials as Carriers of Biologically Active Natural Polyphenols: Effect of Structure and Surface Modification.

For centuries, humans have relied on natural products to prevent and treat numerous health issues. However, biologically active compounds from natural sources, such as polyphenols, face considerable challenges, due to their low solubility, rapid metabolism, and instability, which hinder their effectiveness. Advances in the nanotechnologies have provided solutions to overcoming these problems through the use of porous silica materials as polyphenol carriers. These materials possess unique properties, such as a high specific surface area, adjustable particle and pore sizes, and a surface that can be easily and selectively modified, which favor their application in delivery systems of polyphenols. In this review, we summarize and discuss findings on how the pore and particle size, structure, and surface modification of silica materials influence the preparation of efficient delivery systems for biologically active polyphenols from natural origins. The available data demonstrate how parameters such as adsorption capacity, release and antioxidant properties, bioavailability, solubility, stability, etc., of the studied delivery systems could be affected by the structural and chemical characteristics of the porous silica carriers. Results in the literature confirm that by regulating the structure and selecting the appropriate surface modifications, the health benefits of the loaded bioactive molecules can be significantly improved.

Effects of Phosphorus Doping on Amorphous Boron Nitride's Chemical, Sorptive, Optoelectronic, and Photocatalytic Properties.

Amorphous porous boron nitride (BN) represents a versatile material platform with potential applications in adsorptive molecular separations and gas storage, as well as heterogeneous and photo-catalysis. Chemical doping can help tailor BN's sorptive, optoelectronic, and catalytic properties, eventually boosting its application performance. Phosphorus (P) represents an attractive dopant for amorphous BN as its electronic structure would allow the element to be incorporated into BN's structure, thereby impacting its adsorptive, optoelectronic, and catalytic activity properties, as a few studies suggest. Yet, a fundamental understanding is missing around the chemical environment(s) of P in P-doped BN, the effect of P-doping on the material features, and how doping varies with the synthesis route. Such a knowledge gap impedes the rational design of P-doped porous BN. Herein, we detail a strategy for the successful doping of P in BN (P-BN) using two different sources: phosphoric acid and an ionic liquid. We characterized the samples using analytical and spectroscopic tools and tested them for CO2 adsorption and photoreduction. Overall, we show that P forms P-N bonds in BN akin to those in phosphazene. P-doping introduces further chemical/structural defects in BN's structure, and hence more/more populated midgap states. The selection of P source affects the chemical, adsorptive, and optoelectronic properties, with phosphoric acid being the best option as it reacts more easily with the other precursors and does not contain C, hence leading to fewer reactions and C impurities. P-doping increases the ultramicropore volume and therefore CO2 uptake. It significantly shifts the optical absorption of BN into the visible and increases the charge carrier lifetimes. However, to ensure that these charges remain reactive toward CO2 photoreduction, additional materials modification strategies should be explored in future work. These strategies could include the use of surface cocatalysts that can decrease the kinetic barriers to driving this chemistry.

Advanced functional materials as reliable tools for capturing food-derived peptides to optimize the peptidomics pre-treatment enrichment workflow.

Peptidomics strategies with high throughput, sensitivity, and reproducibility are key tools for comprehensively analyzing peptide composition and potential functional activities in foods. Nevertheless, complex signal interference, limited ionization efficiency, and low abundance have impeded food-derived peptides' progress in food detection and analysis. As a result, novel functional materials have been born at the right moment that could eliminate interference and perform efficient enrichment. Of note, few studies have focused on developing peptide enrichment materials for food sample analysis. This work summarizes the development of endogenous peptide, phosphopeptide, and glycopeptide enrichment utilizing materials that have been employed extensively recently: organic framework materials, carbon-based nanomaterials, bio-based materials, magnetic materials, and molecularly imprinted polymers. It focuses on the limitations, potential solutions, and future prospects for application in food peptidomics of various advanced functional materials. The size-exclusion effect of adjustable aperture and the modification of magnetic material enhanced the sensitivity and selectivity of endogenous peptide enrichment and aided in streamlining the enrichment process and cutting down on enrichment time. Not only that, the immobilization of metal ions such as Ti4+ and Nb5+ enhanced the capture of phosphopeptides, and the introduction of hydrophilic groups such as arginine, L-cysteine, and glutathione into bio-based materials effectively optimized the hydrophilic enrichment of glycopeptides. Although a portion of the carefully constructed functional materials currently only exhibit promising applications in the field of peptide enrichment for analytical chemistry, there is reason to believe that they will further advance the field of food peptidomics through improved pre-treatment steps.

Morphology Characterization and Refractive Index Analysis of Subsurface Ultrashort‐Pulsed Laser Modifications in ZnS

A parameter study of ultrashort pulse laser‐induced modifications in the bulk of ZnS crystals is reported. Experimental results on these modifications and their dependence on the pulse energy, writing speed, and depth are presented, with an emphasis on cross‐sectional morphology and induced refractive index changes. Localized permanent material modifications have been inscribed in the bulk of the crystal using a laser with a center emission wavelength of 2.09 μm and a pulse duration of ≈4 ps. The morphology strongly depends on the laser and optical focusing parameters, in particular, on the pulse energy and processing speed, with a significant shift in depth dependence for short pulse‐to‐pulse separations. Depending on the applied pulse energy, distortions of the lateral profile of the refractive index changes appear in the form of oscillatory features in the transverse plane relative to the inducing laser beam. The true extent of the modified material is revealed by the alternating lateral profile with largest induced negative refractive index change, Δn, of −3.88 × 10−2 ± 0.18. Such parametric insight is of critical importance for the understanding and optimization of the fabrication process and for realizing compact 3D photonic devices in the bulk of materials in a reproducible manner.