Oil Resistance Research Articles

Stable aqueous dispersions of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) polymer for barrier paper coating

The demand for alternatives to single-use, synthetic, and non-degradable plastic packaging is continuously increasing. Paper products offer an environmentally friendly solution, however, typically do not meet strict barrier and other physical property performance demands unless coated with polymeric films, typically conventional polyolefins. Replacement of the conventional plastic film coating with bio-based and biodegradable polymers, such as poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) could provide competitive packaging properties while meeting sustainability objectives. In this study, PHBV is dispersed and stabilized in water for further environmental and coatability benefits. Four 10 wt% solids waterborne dispersions of PHBV with sodium dodecyl sulfate surfactant and guar gum rheological modifier were prepared and remained stable for several weeks at room temperature when evaluated using rheological study and particle size analysis. Manila paper substrate was coated, evaluated, and compared to uncoated paper. A smooth, transparent film, with great substrate adhesion and flexibility was obtained. Wet mechanical properties, water vapor permeability, oil resistance, and water absorption all displayed excellent results for barrier packaging applications, with substantial improvement over uncoated paper. Overall, the waterborne PHBV dispersion and paper coating exhibited promising results as a sustainable packaging option.

Enhancing Stiffness and Oil Resistance of Fluorosilicone Rubber Composites through Untreated Cellulose Reinforcement.

Fluorosilicone rubber, essential in automotive and aerospace owing to its excellent chemical resistance, plays a pivotal role in sealing technology, addressing the industry's evolving demands. This study explores the preparation and properties of fibrillated cellulose-reinforced fluorosilicone rubber composites to enhance their stiffness and oil resistance. Fibrillated cellulose sourced as a wet cake and subjected to processing and modification is incorporated into a fluorosilicone rubber matrix. The resulting composites are analysed by tensile and compression tests, along with compressive stress-relaxation testing in air and in an oil-immersed environment. The findings demonstrate significant improvements in the mechanical properties, including an increased Young's modulus and elongation at break, whereas the tensile strength remained uncompromised throughout the testing procedures. Morphological analysis of the fracture surfaces revealed a remarkable interfacial affinity between the fibrillated cellulose and rubber matrix, which was attributed in part to the modified fatty acids and inorganic nanoparticles. The presence of fibrillated cellulose enhanced the stress-relaxation characteristics under oil-immersion conditions. These results contribute to the domain of advanced elastomer materials, with potential for applications requiring enhanced mechanical properties and superior oil resistance.

Reinforcement efficiency from weak polymer chain interaction between polyamide and hydrogenated nitrile: A comparative study of polyamide 1212 and polyamide 6

In polymer blends, the macroscopic properties are directly affected by the phase separation morphology. For polyamide/hydrogenated nitrile blends, the factors that influence the relationship between the reinforcement effect and the phase separation morphology are unclear. In this study, the reinforcing effects of polyamide 6 (short-chain polyamide) and polyamide 1212 (long-chain polyamide) in the hydrogenated nitrile (HNBR) matrix were comparatively analyzed. Deep analysis was performed on the mechanical properties, oil resistance, dynamic mechanical properties, and tribology properties of the blends. Results show that the interaction of polyamide 6 (PA6) with the HNBR chains was stronger than that of polyamide 1212 (PA1212). However, PA1212 exhibited a better enhancement effect than PA6 on the matrix. In the 20 wt% PA1212/HNBR blend, no friction marks were observed on the surface of the specimen. This phenomenon can be attributed to the synergistic effect of the uniformly dispersed particle and fibrous phase of PA1212 induced by the HNBR matrix. The formation of this special structure was closely related to the weaker physical interaction between two different phases (i.e., lower Tg, smaller wavenumber shift, and weaker heterogeneous nucleation effect). This result was creative and could provide theoretical and experimental support for the regulation of the phase separation morphology of PA/HNBR blends with high performance.

Melatonin Enhanced Drought Stress Tolerance and Productivity of Pelargonium graveolens L. (Herit) by Regulating Physiological and Biochemical Responses

As a type of abiotic stress, drought limits plant growth and productivity. The increased demand for the valuable essential oil extracted from geranium (Pelargonium graveolens L.) is mainly regulated by plant growth, which is adversely affected by drought. Melatonin (MT) has been used to enhance plant growth under various abiotic stresses, although its impact on overcoming drought stress in aromatic plants, including geranium, has not yet been investigated. In the current investigation, MT at 100 µM was applied at 100% (well-watered) or 50% (drought stress) field capacity to verify the role of MT in geranium under drought stress. Drought stress markedly reduced growth parameters, herb yield, and total chlorophyll content; however, MT alleviated these effects. The herb yield of the stressed plants was reduced by 59.91% compared to the unstressed plants, while this reduction was only 14.38% when MT was applied. In contrast, drought enhanced the essential oil percentage in geranium leaves. Despite the reduction in oil yield caused by drought, MT application mitigated this reduction and improved both oil yield and oil components. Moreover, the MT treatment enhanced the accumulation of total phenols, glutathione, and proline and improved the activity of ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, and glutathione reductase, resulting in the alleviation of drought-induced oxidative damage. Consequently, MT reduced both hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde accumulation by 71.11 and 48.30%, respectively, under drought, thereby maintaining the cellular structures’ integrity. Overall, this is the first report that reveals the ability of MT application to improve geranium oil yield and resistance to drought by enhancing the antioxidant defense system. The results enrich awareness regarding the potential benefits of the external application of MT and its roles that can help researchers to improve aromatic plants’ performance and productivity under drought stress.

Mechanism for the seleikctive adsorption of uranium from seawater using carboxymethyl-enhanced polysaccharide-based amidoxime adsorbent

Land-based uranium resources are becoming scarce because of the widespread development and use of nuclear energy. Therefore, to make up for the shortage of uranium resources, a new chitosan/carboxymethyl-β-cyclodextrin/quaternary ammonium salt–functionalized amidoxime carbon adsorbent (CSAOCF) was designed and synthesized for extracting uranium from seawater. Experimental studies show that the adsorption of uranium by CSAOCF is a spontaneous endothermic reaction and chemical adsorption. The theoretical maximum adsorption capacity of uranium can reach 726 mg/g at 308 K and pH = 6. Moreover, the adsorption efficiency and selectivity of CSAOCF for uranium were significantly improved after the introduction of the carboxymethyl group, and the selection and partition coefficient of CSAOCF for uranium and vanadium increased from 16-fold to 30-fold under the same conditions. This indicates that there is a synergistic effect between carboxyl and amidoxime groups, which can promote the adsorption of uranium by CSAOCF. Furthermore, CSAOCF exhibits good oil resistance and can be reused more than five times. Therefore, CSAOCF containing carboxymethyl and amidoxime functional groups can considerably improve the selective adsorption of uranium and has great potential in the extraction of uranium from seawater.

Application of Carboxy Terminated Liquid Natural Rubber as a polymeric compatibilizer in commercial nano silica filled NR/NBR and PVC/NBR blends

Blends of polymers are mixtures of two or more polymers, having different properties and require compatibilization. The compatibilization must ensure the improvement in morphological homogeneity and performance of materials in terms of its physical and mechanical characteristics. Maleic anhydride can be able to link chemically with depolymerized natural rubber to generate the Carboxy Terminated liquid Natural Rubber (CTNR). The utilization of the CTNR as a prospective and affordable compatibilizer and the usage of the commercial nano silica (NS) as a green, reinforcing and beneficial filler which could boost the tensile characteristics, ageing and oil resistance of both the NR/NBR and PVC/ NBR blend vulcanizates are described in this work. The properties of commercial NS filled NR/NBR and PVC/ NBR blend vulcanizates were compared with those containing amorphous silica. The effect of altering the quantity of CTNR on the properties of commercial NS filled NR/NBR and PVC/ NBR blend vulcanizates were also studied. The introduction of CTNR as a compatibilizer could enhance the tensile properties, ageing and oil resistance and upgrade the compression set of NS filled NR/NBR blend vulcanizates. The NS filled PVC/ NBR blend vulcanizates exhibit an improvement in the tensile properties, hardness, ageing and oil resistance by the use of CTNR as the compatibilizer. The addition of CTNR increases the crosslink density of both NS filled NR/NBR and PVC/NBR blend vulcanizates. Fruitful blending of NR/NBR and PVC/NBR was accomplished by the use of commercial NS and the production of CTNR through sunlight irradiation of NR and maleic anhydride.

TilhanTec-SUNH-1 (IIOSH-15-20): A new high seed and oil yielding and downy mildew resistant sunflower hybrid suitable for rainfed condition of India

Aim: To develop more heterotic hybrids for seed and oil yield coupled with resistant or tolerant to major disease (downy mildew) and insect pests (leafhoppers) for commercial cultivation in rainfed conditions and DNA profiling of the newly developed hybrid (TilhanTec-SUNH-1) along with 2 female lines, 4 male lines and 3 hybrids using sunflower specific simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. Methodology: Two parentages (ARM-243A and RGP-100) were utilized for the development of a new promising sunflower hybrid, TilhanTec-SUNH-1 (IIOSH-15-20). Performance of entry was assessed at 29 and 14 locations, respectively, during the kharif and rabi seasons over three years through All India Coordinated Trials (IHT, AHT-I & II) and a state multilocation trial at three locations. A total of nine quantitative observations were recorded. A total of 80 SSR primers were used on the 4 hybrids for DNA fingerprinting. Results: Considerable seed yield superiority (28.7% and 10.5%) was observed in AICRP trials over DRSH-1 and KBSH-44, respectively. Oil yield superiority was 27.1% and 27.3% compared to national checks DRSH-1 and KBSH-44. TilhanTec-SUNH-1 was found resistant (0%) to downy mildew and leafhoppers (1.1 grade) while tolerant to Alternariaster leaf spot. Four SSR markers, viz., ORS-57, ORS-203, ORS-1028 and ORS-598 can be confidently used for the identification of TilhanTec-SUNH-1 as well as for genetic purity tests. Interpretation: The results of this investigation revealed that TilhanTec-SUNH-1 is superior in terms of seed and oil yield and resistance to downy mildew and moderately resistant to leafhoppers and tolerant to Alternariaster leaf spot. It is notified and released by CVRC for commercial cultivation in rainfed conditions of the sunflower growing states of India. Key words: Downy mildew, Heterosis breeding, Molecular markers, Oil yield, Seed yield

Rice straw-based sustainable food packaging material with improved strength and barrier properties: Development and characterization

Sustainable food packaging paper with high barrier and strength properties was developed with rice straw nanocellulose materials. Pulping and bleaching of rice straw were performed using an organosolv pulping and DED (D: chlorine dioxide bleaching; E: sodium hydroxide extraction) bleaching sequence. Bleached rice straw pulp was refined to 90°SR using a laboratory Valley beater. The laboratory handsheets were prepared using pulp slurry at 40°SR and 90°SR. The handsheets of cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs) made of highly refined pulp (90°SR) were surface sized using alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) wax to increase the barrier properties of paper for selective food packaging applications. The paper samples were tested for mechanical, optical, surface, and barrier properties, including tensile index, burst index, tearing index, bending stiffness, elongation, porosity, apparent density, opacity, Cobb value, water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), oil and grease resistance, and contact angle. The refined pulp (90°SR) was analyzed using field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and it was observed that the morphology of the developed fibers changes to the nanoscale (<100 nm) for at least one dimension. The particle size distribution of the refined pulp using DLS analyzer also confirmed the cellulose fibers to near nanoscale. It was concluded that nanofibers were formed by a high degree of the mechanical pulp refining process and found to be much more economical than alternative processes in this direction. The sample handsheets of CNFs showed good strength and barrier properties. The barrier properties further increased when surface sizing was done using low-cost, nontoxic, and biodegradable AKD wax.

A smart superwetting PET-Anthocyanin membrane for pH monitoring in water and emulsion separation

Smart superwetting membranes with anti-oil pollutions and process water pH monitoring show great potential before downstream processing. Herein, a flexible intelligent monitoring membrane with strong anti-oil fouling properties was developed by utilizing a PET-Anthocyanin mixed solution through electrospinning. Specifically, using waste PET plastic bottles as raw materials, a dual-solvent system is used to dissolve the PET, and then anthocyanins are added to blend to form an electrospinning solution. The obtained A/PET showed excellent porous morphology and wettability, and its underwater oil contact angle could reach up to 150°. The introduction of anthocyanins (5 %) rich in hydroxyl functional groups reduced the formation of hydrophobic domains and promoted the hydration layer on the membrane surface, showing excellent oil resistance property. Furthermore, the stress–strain test of the A/PET5 membrane shows that the strain is significantly enhanced after the yield phenomenon, which shows that the membrane has a flexible mechanical property. Most importantly, based on the pH-sensitivity of anthocyanins, it can be intuitively found that color response changes from the original pink to light pink, and then to white, showing excellent monitoring the pH of the continuous phase. Moreover, the developed membrane possesses water flux of 7440 L m-2h−1 and oil rejection up to 99.4 % for O/W emulsions, surpassing that of the superhydrophilic PET base membrane (956 L m-2h−1, 99.3 %). Briefly, this work provides a novel multifunctional smart membrane with excellent anti-fouling, flexible mechanical, and outstanding separation performance, which can visually monitor the separation process of oily wastewater.

Effect of carboxyl group introduction and graft modification on the thermal properties and Fe wall adsorption performance of HNBR

Hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR) has been widely used in petrochemical, aerospace, and other fields for its excellent properties. In this study, molecular dynamics methods were employed to construct molecular models of HNBR and hydrogenated carboxyl butadiene rubber (HXNBR). It was found that the introduction of carboxyl groups significantly enhanced the mechanical properties of the material, whereas the glass transition temperature of the material increased by 9.96% and the thermal conductivity decreased by 17.3%. Subsequently, the grafted hydrogenated carboxylated nitrile butadiene rubber (HXNBR-Rx) model and the HXNBR-Rx/Fe bilayer adsorption model, which incorporate grafting modifications with of C5H11OH, C10H21OH, C15H31OH, C20H41OH and C25H51OH, were constructed. In comparison between their thermal properties and the adsorption properties on the metal walls, we revealed that as the number of grafted side chain carbon atoms increased, both the mechanical properties and the glass transition temperature of the material showed a trend of first decreasing and then increasing, while the thermal conductivity of the material first increased and then decreased. Furthermore, the effect of grafting on the material properties was analyzed at the molecular level in terms of free volume fraction, interfacial interaction energy, and relative atomic concentration. The simulation results can provide some theoretical guidance for optimizing the thermal properties of HNBR materials and the adsorption capacity of the metal walls while maintaining their oil resistance and mechanical properties.

Thermal conversion of aviation oils

These days, strict requirements to aeronautical equipment are imposed to enhance reliability, durability, and environmental compatibility. Aeronautical equipment operation reliability depends not only on its structural and technologic abilities, but also on the fact how aviation oils, fuels and technical fluid meet quality requirements during operation. During the aircraft engine operation, oils are subjected to the thermal impact. As a consequence, their properties and composition change which can affect the engine operation, on the whole. The most promising means of improving thermal resistance of aviation oils is developing new ones and improving available oil compositions. Therefore, it is feasible to analyze the kinetic properties of the oil thermal conversion which will make it possible to predict their resistance within the extensive temperature range. The paper investigates thermal decomposition kinetics of aviation oils MS-8P, TN-98 and TN-600 used on different types of aircraft in civil aviation of the Republic of Belarus by the method of a thermo-gravimetric analysis. The composition of oil samples has been researched into by IR spectroscopy, chromatography-mass spectroscopy methods. A comparative analysis of research results of new oils and oils drained from aircraft engines indicates that even under insignificant overheat during the operation, a change in the hydrocarbon composition occurs, and the hydrocarbon content of basic types varies to some extent. The oil thermolysis research reveals that potential overheat after engine shutdown complies with the temperatures at which the decomposition commences. Thermal conversion products of oil carbohydrates will contribute to the defect formation in friction subunits. As a result of test data processing of thermal conversion of aviation oils MS-8P, TN-98, TN-600, the principles of their decomposition as well as macrokinetic parameters, allowing us to precisely evaluate the effect of oils operation temperature conditions on their conversion rate, have been specified. It is essential while simulating the aircraft engine operation and predicting variations of oil quality properties during their operation.

Recyclable oil resistant paper with enhanced water resistance based on alkyl ketene dimer modified sodium alginate

Abstract Sustainable coatings exhibit potential in enhancing oil resistance of packaging paper. Alkyl ketone dimer (AKD) was used to esterify sodium alginate (SA) to prepare water and oil resistant agent SAD. As SAD was coated on paper, it reduced the surface energy and blocked the fiber pores of paper, thus improving the barrier performance of paper. The oil resistance grade can reach grade 6 at coating amount of 2.13 ± 0.26 g/m2, which is qualified for food packaging. The coated paper also showed good barrier to hot castor oil. Resistance to organic solvent and water were also enhanced with initial water contact angle (WCA) increased to 69.2°. Compared with base paper, SAD coated paper had better mechanical properties and more importantly, coated paper can be effectively recycled to achieve green recycling.

One-step fabrication of eco-friendly multi-functional amphiphobic coatings for cellulose-based food packaging

Plastic and fluorine-containing oil and water resistant packaging materials have been gradually replaced by non-toxic and harmless bio-based materials because of their hazard to environment and human health. In this study, chitosan/carnauba wax emulsions (CS/CWs) were firstly prepared by one-step and used as oil and water resistant coating for cellulose-based food packaging paper. The impacts of emulsion components on stability of the emulsions and barrier performance of the coated paper were investigated. The results showed that the viscosity, particle size and polydispersity index of the emulsions were greatly dependent on the concentration of CS and CW, and the coated paper had the best comprehensive performance in water and oil resistance when the concentration of CS was 3 % and the amount of CW was 90 % of the total solid content (CS3/CW90). The particle size of CS3/CW90 was in the range of 0.5–0.7 μm, and the Cobb60 value, water contact angle and the kit ratings of paper coated with CS3/CW90 achieved 7.5 g/m2, 130.9° and 12/12, respectively, and the coated paper also exhibited excellent thermal stability and high antibacterial rate of 99.1 %, demonstrating its great potential for application in multi-functional food packaging.

Potato Starch Based Paper Coatings For Sustainable Packaging Applications

As global environmental concerns continue to rise, there is an urgent need for sustainable alternatives in the packaging industry to reduce the environmental impact of traditional packaging materials. This research explores the potential of potato starch-based coatings as an eco-friendly alternative for paper-based packaging applications. The study investigates the feasibility of using locally sourced potato starch to create biodegradable and cost-effective coatings for paper packaging. In this research, a simple and accessible method is employed to extract and process potato starch. The extracted starch is then used to develop paper coatings through a straightforward application process. The study examines the physical properties of these coatings, such as their tensile strength, oil resistance and water resistance. These properties are crucial for ensuring the durability and functionality of the packaging material. Preliminary findings indicate that potato starch-based paper coatings exhibit promising adhesive properties and reasonable resistance to moisture, making them suitable for a variety of packaging applications. This research provides valuable insights into the potential of potato starch-based coatings as a sustainable alternative for paper packaging. The findings could have far-reaching implications for the packaging industry, offering a greener and more environmentally responsible solution to meet the growing demand for sustainable packaging materials.

Flexibility and abrasion tolerance of superamphiphobic coatings with rigid core–shell particles

Superamphiphobic coatings maintain surfaces clean even facing severe oil contamination, which is crucial for ensuring the lifespan of materials in highly polluted environments. Achieving excellent wear resistance and flexibility individually on superamphiphobic surfaces is relatively simple, but simultaneously obtaining both properties is challenging and often requires compromises. In this study, we develop an innovative approach inspired by “overcoming firmness by gentleness” to create superamphiphobic composite coatings with flexibility and abrasion tolerance. This innovative strategy combines a soft polyurethane resin with rigid diatomite/aluminum hydroxide (core–shell) particles, resulting in a coating structure resembling karst topography. Depositing aluminum hydroxide enhances the reactivity and content of hydroxyl groups on diatomite particles, simultaneously improving the hardness and 1H,1H,2H,2H-Perfluorodecyltrichlorosilane (FDTS) grafting degree of the core–shell particles. Residual hydroxyl groups on the semi-fluorination core–shell particles chemically bond with the isocyanate groups in the waterborne polyurethane resin, leading to enhanced crosslinking density and improved wear resistance of the coating. The top coating of F-SiO2 particles leads to a reduction in the surface energy of the core–shell coating. The obtained core–shell coating demonstrates excellent oil resistance even after 800 cycles of Taber abrasion under a load of 250 g and 1000 cycles of 360° bending, demonstrating remarkable wear resistance and flexibility simultaneously. This approach provides valuable insights for developing superamphiphobic composite coatings with flexibility and abrasion tolerance and opens new possibilities for their applications in flexible electronics and droplet manipulation.

Effect of crosslinking agent dosage on the morphology and properties of thermoplastic vulcanizates based on hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber and thermoplastic polyester elastomer

This work aims to develop heat- and oil-resistant thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) based on hydrogenated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR) and thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE) using dynamic vulcanization and following a masterbatch procedure. It focuses on the effect of the cross-linking agent dosage on the morphology and properties of HNBR/TPEE-TPVs. An increase in the peroxide dosage yields a higher cross-linking degree of the HNBR, a smaller size and a more uniform distribution of the HNBR domains, and a stronger rubber network. Consequently, the elasticity and high-temperature oil resistance of the TPV increases, but its flowability in the molten state, tensile properties, and heat resistance decrease. It turns out that a peroxide dosage of 1.5 phr is preferred for the preparation of HNBR/TPEE-TPV under the specified processing conditions to achieve a more comprehensive TPV performance.

Suppressing thermo-induced peroxidation products in peroxidatively-susceptible frying oils by the employment of culinary oil blend formulations

The consumption of highly polyunsaturated fatty acid rich (PUFA)-culinary oils is of growing concern, knowing that they are highly susceptible to thermo-oxidation, which renders them a richer source of mutagenic and cytotoxic epoxy-fatty acid and aldehydic lipid oxidation products (LOPs). To observe the effects on the resistance of PUFA-rich oils to thermo-oxidation, sunflower oil was blended with coconut and/or macadamia oils. These oil blends were continuously thermally stressed at 180 ℃, whilst undergoing stirring at 250 rpm. The chemical compositions of the thermo-oxidised culinary oils and oil blends were monitored for 300 min using high-field NMR. Analysis indicated macadamia-sunflower oil blends gave rise to a higher LOP suppressive activity than that observed with coconut-sunflower oil blends, despite coconut oil being highly saturated and therefore more highly resistant to thermo-oxidation than macadamia oil. Overall, this study highlights the practical importance in selecting the most suitable culinary oil, as well as correctly evaluating the volumetric proportional amount added for reducing the evolution of genotoxic and carcinogenic LOPs in an oil blend. It also suggests that the mechanisms by which LOP evolution can be retarded by blending requires further investigation.

Facile fabrication of electrospinning cellulose acetate/graphene composite nanofiber membrane with high solar-to-thermal conversion and oil resistance performance for efficient solar-driven water evaporation

Solar-driven water evaporation is a promising approach to solve the issue of water resource shortage. Herein, a cellulose acetate (CA)/graphene(G) nanofiber membrane evaporator with superior oil resistance was prepared by electrospinning and subsequently with the deacetylation process. The as-fabricated d-CA/G composite nanofiber membranes possess high solar absorption, high porosity, and low thermal conductivity. The evaporation rate of d-CA/G composite nanofiber membrane with a graphene concentration of 3 % for pure water can reach 1.38 kg m−2 h−1 with the corresponding efficiency of 88.4 % under one sun illumination. Moreover, the d-CA/G composite nanofiber membrane possesses super hydrophilic and underwater superoleophobicity. Thus, the d-CA/G composite nanofiber membrane can resist fouling by oils and dissolve the concentrated salt back into bulk water, resulting in efficient purification capacity for oil-in-water emulsion and stable desalination performance for seawater in the long term. The evaporation rate of the d-CA/G evaporator can approach 1.37 kg m−2 h−1 when used for the purification of oil-in-water emulsion. This study provides a facile way for the development of multifunctional nanofiber membrane evaporators with highly efficient and sustainable for seawater desalination and wastewater treatment.

Multifunctional biomineralized superhydrophilic coating materials with high transparency and outstanding anti-oil-fouling property for diverse applications

Superhydrophilic/underwater superoleophobic materials are promising for diverse applications including oil/water separation, self-cleaning, anti-fogging, and biomedicine. The integration of different functions, particularly oil resistance and optical transparency, to design superhydrophilic coatings with multifunctionality is still rare and highly desirable. Here, a transparent and multifunctional superhydrophilic coating was prepared by a simple combination of co-deposition and biomineralization strategy. The mineralized coating exhibits high transparency with a light transmission of approximately 90 % and excellent superhydrophilicity with a water contact angle of nearly 0°. The homogeneous nanostructure and strong hydration capabilities of amorphous calcium carbonate endow the coating with outstanding anti-oil-fouling properties. The coated porous membranes could effectively separate various immiscible oil/water mixtures and oil-in-water emulsions due to its excellent resistance to oil fouling. Furthermore, the transparent superhydrophilic coating demonstrates superior anti-fogging capabilities. With its multifunctionality, independent-substrate universality, and straightforward preparation process, this coating has excellent potential for a wide range of practical applications, such as oil spill remediation and underwater optics, particularly in complex operating environments.

Recent Advances of Lignin Functionalization for High-Performance and Advanced Functional Rubber Composites.

The biomass lignin is the only large-volume renewable feedstock that is composed of aromatics but has been largely underutilized and is sought for valorization as a value-added material. Recent research has highlighted lignin as a promising alternative to traditional petrol-based reinforcements and functional additives for rubber composites. This review summarized the recent advances in the functionalization of lignin for a variety of rubber composites, as well as the compounding techniques for effectively dispersing lignin within the rubber matrix. Significant progress has been achieved in the development of high-performance and advanced functional rubber/lignin composites through carefully designing the structure of lignin-based additives and the optimization of interfacial morphologies. This Review discussed the effect of lignin on composite properties, including mechanical reinforcement, dynamic properties, antiaging performance, and oil resistance, and also the advanced stimuli-responsive performance in detail. A critical analysis for the future development of rubber/lignin composites is presented as concluding remarks.