Optimal Properties Research Articles

Vat photopolymerization for thermal energy storage applications using encapsulated phase change material suspended in photocurable resin

A novel approach to additively manufacture latent heat thermal energy storage heat exchangers through the development of microencapsulated phase change material (MEPCM) suspensions in photocurable resin for vat photopolymerization (VPP) 3D printing is presented. Using MEPCM addresses the leakage risks that have typically been associated with PCMs and subsequently makes the particulates a suitable additive for VPP 3D printing. In the current study, VPP was employed to fabricate functional composites with varying MEPCM mass fractions for thermal, rheological, microstructure, and chemical characterization. Microstructure visualization was conducted to assess the overall distribution of MEPCM within the 3D printed samples and to confirm the structural integrity of the encapsulated particles after printing. The influence of the base resin viscosity was explored by investigating two photocurable resins with different viscosities—a high-tensile UV photopolymer and an ABS-like resin—during the printing process. Thermal properties, such as latent heat of fusion, phase-change temperature, thermal conductivity, and decomposition temperature of the 3D printed samples were determined. Rheology was used to observe the effect of varying shear rates on the MEPCM-resin mixtures to identify the optimal viscoelastic properties for VPP 3D printing. It was determined that the ABS-like resin was able to contain a larger amount of PCM (40 wt%) while maintaining printability due to the lower viscosity of the corresponding pure resin. The 40 wt% MEPCM composite exhibited an average viscosity of 18,817 cPs, a maximum latent heat of fusion of 54.12 kJ/kg, and a 12.4 % reduction in thermal conductivity compared to the pure polymer.

Adsorption Effects of Isoniazid Drug Over Carbon Nanotube (C56H16) and Ab‐Initio Molecular Dynamics Simulation (ADMP) – A Computational Quantum Chemical Approach

AbstractTuberculosis (TB) is a deadly disease of global concern. The previous work studies the geometric optimization, vibrational analysis, TDDFT, and electronic properties of the TB pathogen drug isoniazid (ISO). This communication will discuss the changes in geometry, electronic properties, and shielding parameters of ISO‐absorbed carbon nanotube (CNT) (CNT‐ISO, C56H16). This study has used the DFT/B3LYP/6–311G (d, p) method for the first time to report ISO's electronic structure and interaction parameters on the CNT surface. The same level theory is used to discuss the thermodynamic stability of CNT‐ISO. The calculated UV spectra of CNT are compared with UV spectra of CNT‐ISO by using the same level theory in a water solvent, which provides a better comprehension of CNT as a drug delivery system after absorption of the ISO in the human body. The nature and strength of interactions have been discussed with the help of NBO and AIM analysis, and the frontier orbital highest occupied molecular orbital–lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (HOMO‐LUMO) gap, chemical softness, and chemical hardness have been calculated to understand its complete chemical properties. The characters of the frontier molecular orbitals are discussed and analyzed by comparing the DOS spectra of CNT with CNT‐ISO. It has also examined the scan plot of interaction with time using ab‐initio dynamics simulation (ADMP) calculations.

Temperature adaptive passive daytime radiative cooling: The impact of their essential properties on energy performance of different building types

Passive daytime radiative cooling (PDRC) materials can reduce building cooling demands during hot periods but increase heating needs in colder times, known as heating penalties, limiting their practicality. Temperature adaptive (TA) materials offer a solution, yet optimal TA PDRC properties, such as changes in reflectivity or emissivity from high surface temperature (HST) to low surface temperature (LST) states and the switch temperature at which these changes occur, are under-researched. To address this, a wavelength-dependent PDRC model was coupled with EnergyPlus to identify the optimal reflectivity or emissivity in HST and LST states and determine the appropriate switch temperature. Results show that different reflectivity and emissivity values are needed for various climates to maximize TA PDRC benefits. Switch temperatures from 15 °C to 30 °C primarily affect cooling benefits with minimal impact on heating penalties. Additionally, the heating penalty and cooling benefit of TA PDRC vary across building types, requiring alignment between TA PDRC operational characteristics and HVAC systems to optimize advantages. Among building types, malls benefit the most from PDRC application.

Conching of dark chocolate – Processing impacts on aroma-active volatiles and viscosity of plastic masses

The conching process plays a key role in determining the sensory and rheological properties of dark chocolate. To further understand this process, changes in the chocolate mass during plastic conching were investigated on a time-resolved basis with varying conching temperature, shear direction, and with or without the presence of residue from previous trials (pre-charge) on the conche vessel wall. Six selected odorants (acetic acid, benzaldehyde, linalool, 2,3,5,6-tetramethylpyrazine, 2-phenylethanol, 2-phenylethyl acetate) were quantified in fat and particle phases of chocolate masses. Particularly at elevated conching temperature, the odorant concentrations were found to decrease (up to 78.0% in the fat phase). The highest concentrations of desired odorants were determined mostly after conching without pre-charge. During conching, odorants were observed to accumulate increasingly in the fat phase (up to 91.7%) with decreasing odorant polarity. Similarly, it was found that conching temperature and the absence of pre-charge had the highest impact on the rheological properties of the chocolate mass, resulting in lowest and highest complex viscosity, respectively. In conclusion, some positive outcomes of conching, namely the retention of desired odorants and the reduction of viscosity, were inversely related at elevated temperature or in the absence of pre-charge, necessitating compromises to achieve optimal flow properties and flavor. Our results contribute to a deeper understanding of the influence of conching on the quality of dark chocolate by providing insights into the complexity of aroma migration and rheological changes during conching.

The use of 1D carbon nanotube interacting with caffeine molecules for applications in solar cells: structure optimisation, Raman analysis and optoelectronic properties

This study proposes a promising candidate for organic solar cells through the creation of a novel nano-hybrid system composed of caffeine molecules encapsulated within a semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotube known as NT14 (14,0). The stability and optoelectronic properties of this hybrid system, designated as CA@NT14, were thoroughly investigated. We determined the optimal diameter for the NT14 nanotube using molecular mechanics, Density Functional Theory, spectral moment’s method, and bond polarizability model, finding it to be approximately 1.18 nm. The encapsulation’s impact on the Raman-active modes, specifically the radial breathing mode and tangential mode, was analyzed through Raman spectra calculations, revealing structural stability and charge transfer from CA to NT14. Notably, the NT14’s Fermi level position increased upon encapsulation, indicating charge transfer and a type-II band alignment. The study further examined the bandgap characteristics of the hybrid system, finding that the encapsulation of CA within semiconducting NT14 nanotubes minimally impacts the nanotube’s bandgap, thus retaining its excellent visible light absorption properties. Conversely, encapsulating CA within metallic nanotubes significantly reduces their bandgap, limiting their light absorption range. The nonresonant Raman responses of NT14 pre- and post-encapsulation corroborated the charge transfer between CA and NT14. Future research will focus on computing the electronic transport characteristics, transmission spectra, I-V characteristics, and yield of CA@NT14 using DFT and Non-Equilibrium Green’s Function ( formalism. An experimental study will be conducted to validate these theoretical findings. These results indicate the potential of CA@NT14 hybrids as effective active layers in organic solar cells, highlighting their significance in advancing optoelectronic applications.

Enhanced energy storage properties of BaTiO3 ceramics: Effect of doping Bi(Mg0.25Zn0.25Ti0.5)O3 on microstructure, dielectric and ferroelectric properties

(1-x) BaTiO3 – x Bi(Mg0.25Zn0.25Ti0.5)O3 (x = 0.00, 0.06, 0.12, 0.20,molar ratio) ceramics were prepared by solid sintering method. The effects of Bi(Mg0.25Zn0.25Ti0.5)O3 (BMZT) doping on microstructure, dielectric, ferroelectric and energy storage properties of BaTiO3 (BTO) were studied. With BMZT addition, the sintering temperature gradually decreases, the grain size reaches a minimum at x = 0.12 and the phase structure changes from tetragonal to cubic. And dielectric properties changed from temperature-dependent to temperature-insensitive. Additionally, higher cubic phase content induced slim polarization and electric field (P-E) loop and low remnant polarization (Pr). Therefore, 0.88 BaTiO3 - 0.12 Bi(Mg0.25Zn0.25Ti0.5)O3 ceramics achieved recoverable energy storage density (Wrec) of 702.7 mJ/cm3 and high energy efficiency of 87.3 % under electric field of 93 kV/cm. It exhibited optimum properties, including a minimum grain size (0.620 μm), superior dielectric properties (εr = 1811.3, tanδ = 0.0552 at 1150 °C), a high maximum polarization strength (14.3 μC/cm2), and the maximum dielectric breakdown strength (93 kV/cm), as identified in the present study. It simultaneously maintains high energy storage density and efficiency over a wide electric field range and large temperature range (room temperature - 90 °C). Thus (1-x) BaTiO3 – x Bi(Mg0.25Zn0.25Ti0.5)O3 ceramics are a promising material for energy storage applications.

Influence of curing time and temperature on the mechanical properties of resins manufactured through stereolithography

Abstract Additive manufacturing technologies are widely used and provide unique advantages over other manufacturing techniques. However, to achieve the optimal properties of an additive manufactured product, knowledge about the specific tool and parameters is required. A suitable approach to understand the parameters and the influence on the final properties is to investigate the variations of a mechanical property based on the fluctuation of the manufacturing parameters. This study focuses on determining the influence of the curing temperature and time under UV light (405nm wavelength) on the tensile properties of specimens obtained through stereolithography (SLA). This aspect was attained by manufacturing batches of specimens from a urethane dimethacrylate (UDMA) based resin (commercial name Formlabs Tough 2000®) and then curing them for different periods of time (from uncured up to 180 minutes). The samples were tested and, based on the resulting stiffness and strength, the optimal curing time of 90 minutes was established. The value of this parameter was used to investigate the influence of the temperature at which the specimens are cured, with a variation from 25 °C to 80 °C, resulting with an optimal curing temperature of 60 °C. The study also concluded that after a certain temperature, the stiffness is declining, even though the strength of the specimens reaches a plateau-like region.

A ranking improved teaching-learning-based optimization algorithm for parameters identification of photovoltaic models

Solar energy is an important clean energy source, primarily applied for photovoltaic (PV) power generation. The precise identification of PV system parameters is critical for system control and simulation, posing a challenge due to the models' non-linearity, implicitness, and multiple optimal properties. So, a ranking improved teaching-learning-based optimization (RITLBO) is developed in this work to solve the problem of identifying the parameters of the PV model. RITLBO is a meta-heuristic algorithm based on teaching-learning-based optimization (TLBO) that simulates classroom teacher-student interaction. In RITLBO, learners are classified into inferior and superior groups based on their fitness ranking. During the teacher phase, superior learners emulate the top three agents with the highest fitness for local search, while inferior learners engage in guided mutual learning for global search, effectively utilizing computing resources. In the learner phase, superior learners receive guided information, while inferior learners engage in broader information exchange, balancing exploration and exploitation. RITLBO and fourteen algorithms are used to identify the parameters for five different PV models to confirm that the RITLBO is effective. Statistical results and analysis demonstrate that RITLBO is accurate and reliable in identifying PV model parameters. RITLBO offers promising prospects in optimizing PV system parameters through its unique strategies.

Enhanced low‐field energy storage performance in Nd3+‐doped (Bi0.40K0.2Na0.2Sr0.2)TiO3 high‐entropy ceramics

AbstractThe burgeoning requirement for compact electronic devices has intensified research into lead‐free dielectric ceramics that offer superior recoverable energy storage density and efficiency at low electric fields. In this study, we report the synthesis of Nd3+‐doped (Bi0.4K0.2Na0.2Sr0.2)TiO3 perovskite ceramics via the solid‐state reaction technique. The synthesized ceramics adopted a tetragonal crystal structure. As the concentration of Nd3+ ions increased, both the maximum dielectric constant (εm) and its corresponding temperature (Tm) decrease. The incorporation of Nd3+ ions perturbed the long‐range ferroelectric order, leading to diminished maximum polarization (Pm) and remanent polarization (Pr). The ceramics achieved optimal properties with 12 mol% Nd3+ doping, showcasing a significant recoverable energy storage density of 1.50 J/cm3 at a low electric field of 140 kV/cm, along with an exceptional storage efficiency of 94.6%. This research not only highlights a promising candidate for dielectric materials in low electric field applications but also introduces an innovative approach to enhance energy storage performance.

A novel series of BaZnP2-xWxO7+x/2 ceramics with high Q×f values and low sintering temperatures

In this work, a series of BaZnP2-xWxO7+x/2 (0.005 ≤ x ≤ 0.04) ceramics were synthesized within the temperature range of 850-925°C, any of which exhibited a single triclinic phase. The introduction of an optimal amount of non-equivalent W6+ ions promoted grain growth and densification, which also influenced the and . The analysis revealed that the lattice energy and bond energy of the P|W-O bond contributed the most to and , respectively. Subsequently, the relationships between and , as well as between and , were thoroughly investigated. At 900°C, the relative density of BaZnP1.99W0.01O7.005 ceramics reached 97.8%, exhibiting optimal properties: ∼9.01, ∼104,959 GHz, and ∼-17.73 ppm/°C. Compared to pure BaZnP2O7 ceramics, the value improved by 86.9%, while the value demonstrated a 38.2% enhancement.

Mechanical properties of seaweed/banana fiber/hBN filled epoxy composites using Box–Behnken method

Natural particulate reinforced polymer (NPRP) composites are developed to replace synthetic fibers, aiming to reduce costs and environmental impact. Industries such as automotive, electronics, construction and aerospace are turning to filler-reinforced polymer composites and natural bio-fibers to enhance structural properties and develop eco-friendly products. This article presents research on epoxy-based composites fortified with natural and ceramic micro-sized fillers, including seaweed filler (SF), banana fiber (BF) and hexagonal boron nitride (hBN), fabricated using the hand layup technique. Through experiments, the effect of filler loading on the enhancement of mechanical properties such as tensile strength (TS), toughness (T), Young's modulus (YM), resilience (R) and yield strength (YS) of multiphase hybrid composites is investigated. Incorporating mixtures of ceramic filler and natural fillers into the epoxy matrix improves mechanical properties. The results demonstrated that the interlaced composites achieved optimum mechanical properties for S6 sample, including a TS of 24.85 MPa, T of 25.47 MJ/m3, YM of 7.15 GPa, R of 0.698 MJ/m3 and YS of 3.34 MPa. In comparison with S11 samples, the mechanical properties such as TS, T, YM, R and YS of the S6 composite sample are increased by 110.95%, 57.8%, 450%, 501.7% and 292.9%, respectively. The tensile fracture's scanning electron images reveal a homogenous surface with the formation of a fractured surface and defects. Statistical analysis at a 96% confidence level revealed the significance of the interaction between natural and ceramic micro particulate on the TS of the developed interlaced composite material, with a p-value of 0.007.

Exploring the optimal mechanical properties of triply periodic minimal surface structures for biomedical applications: A Numerical analysis

Currently, cutting-edge Additive Manufacturing techniques, such as Selective Laser Melting (SLM) and Electron Beam Melting (EBM), offer manufacturers a valuable avenue, especially in biomedical devices. These techniques produce intricate porous structures that draw inspiration from nature, boast biocompatibility, and effectively counter the adverse issues tied to solid implants, including stress shielding, cortical hypertrophy, and micromotions. Within the domain of such porous structures, Triply Periodic Minimal Surface (TPMS) configurations, specifically the Gyroid, Diamond, and Primitive designs, exhibit exceptional performance due to their bioinspired forms and remarkable mechanical and fatigue properties, outshining other porous counterparts. Consequently, they emerge as strong contenders for biomedical implants. However, assessing the mechanical properties and manufacturability of TPMS structures within the appropriate ranges of pore size, unit cell size, and porosity tailored for biomedical applications remains paramount. This study aims to scrutinize the mechanical behavior of Gyroid, Diamond, and Primitive structures in solid and sheet network iterations within the morphological parameter ranges suitable for tasks like cell seeding, vascularization, and osseointegration. A comparison with the mechanical characteristics of host bones is also undertaken. The methodology revolves around Finite Element Method (FEM) analysis. The six structures are originally modeled with unit cell sizes of 1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5 mm, and porosity levels ranging from 50% to 85%. Subsequently, mechanical properties, such as elasticity modulus and yield strength, are quantified through numerical analysis. The results underscore that implementing TPMS designs enables unit cell sizes between 1 and 2.5 mm, facilitating pore sizes within the suitable range of approximately 300–1500 μm for biomedical implants. Elasticity modulus spans from 1.5 to 33.8 GPa, while yield strength ranges around 20–304.5 MPa across the 50%–85% porosity spectrum. Generally, altering the unit cell size exhibits minimal impact on mechanical properties within the range above; however, it's noteworthy that smaller porosities correspond to heightened defects in additively manufactured structures. Thus, for an acceptable pore size range of 500–1000 μm and a minimum wall thickness of 150 μm, a prudent choice would involve adopting a 2.5 mm unit cell size.

Shear Mechanism and Optimal Estimation of the Fractal Dimension of Glass Bead-Simulated Sand

Spherical glass beads weaken the influences of particle morphology, surface properties, and microscopic fabric on shear strength, which is significant for revealing the relationship between macroscopic particle friction mechanisms and the particle size distribution of sand. This paper explores the shear mechanical properties of glass beads with different particle size ratios under different confining pressures. It obtains the particle size ratio and fractal dimension D through an optimal mechanical response. Simultaneously, we explore the range of the fractal dimension D under well-graded conditions. The test results show that the strain-softening degree of Rs is more obvious under a highly effective confining pressure, and the strain-softening degree of Rs can reach 0.669 when the average particle size d¯ is 0.5 mm. The changes in the normalized modulus ratio Eu/Eu50 indicate that the particle ratio and arrangement are the fundamental reasons for the different macroscopic shear behaviors of particles. The range of the peak effective internal friction angle φ is 23 °~35 °, and it first increases and then decreases with the increase in the effective confining pressure. As the average particle size increases, the peak stress ratio MFL and the peak effective internal friction angle φ first increase and then decrease, and both can be expressed using the Gaussian function. The range of the fractal dimension D for well-graded particles is 1.873 to 2.612, and the corresponding average particle size d¯ ranges from 0.433 to 0.598. Under the optimal mechanical properties of glass beads, the particle size ratio of 0.25 mm to 0.75 mm is 23:27, and the fractal dimension D is 2.368. The study results provide a reference for exploring friction mechanics mechanisms and the optimal particle size distributions of isotropic sand.

Spin-coating ANF based multilayer symmetric composite films for enhanced electromagnetic interference shielding and thermal management

The demand for flexible composite films with electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding capabilities is rapidly increasing. Balancing high EMI performance with flexibility and portability has become a critical research focus in practical applications. In this study, an optimized strategy for aramid nanofibers (ANF) films was developed using spin-coating and sol–gel techniques. The resulting film features a smooth surface and excellent mechanical properties. ANF, initially an insulator, was transformed into a conductor through the in-situ polymerization of ion-doped polypyrrole (PPy). Leveraging a multilayer structural strategy, we prepared a symmetric composite film, ANF@PPy-(TA-MXene)-AgNWs-(TA-MXene)-ANF@PPy (PMA), using vacuum-assisted filtration and lamination hot pressing. This film, composed of ANF@PPy (PA) as the matrix, tannic acid (TA) modified MXene, and silver nanowires (AgNWs) as fillers, exhibited multiple shielding mechanisms as electromagnetic wave (EMW) passed through its various layers. This multilayer configuration provides significant flexibility in EMW shielding. Moreover, TA-modified MXene expands the lamellar spacing, enhancing the scattering efficiency of EMWs within the film, and serves as a medium connecting the upper and lower layers. This results in the efficient integration of the multilayer structure, synergistically improving both EMI shielding performance and mechanical properties. When the ratio of PA/MXene/AgNWs was 1:3:1, the film demonstrated optimal properties, including an EMI shielding effectiveness of 70.2 dB, thermal conductivity of 4.62 W/(m•K), and tensile strength of 50.2 MPa. Due to the exceptional EMI shielding and thermal properties of the PMA composite film, it holds great potential for applications in artificial intelligence, wearable heaters, and military equipment.

Microstructures evolution and properties of titanium vacuum sintering on metal injection molding 316 stainless steel via dip coating process

Enhancing the surface coating of 316 L stainless steel, fabricated via metal injection molding, is crucial for its application in cost-effective, mass-produced components. This study investigated the titanium coating on 316 L stainless steel to address its limitations in mechanical performance. Titanium was coated on the 316 L stainless steel via a dip coating process, followed by vacuum sintering at temperatures of 1100 °C, 1150 °C, and 1200 °C. The optimal mechanical properties were achieved with a 100 μm thick coating sintered at 1200 °C, which exhibited uniformity and good bonding strength. The microstructure results demonstrated an average yield strength of 342.63 MPa and a polarization impedance of 968.48 Ω·cm2. Electron probe microanalysis confirmed the uniform diffusion of titanium into the stainless steel substrate, forming intermetallic phases such as Fe2Ti and NiTi. In addition, this study conducted a heat treatment process for the as-coated specimens. It was found that annealing at 750 °C for 4 h oil quenched and a 550 °C three-hour aging treatment the polarization impedance increases to 1243.3 Ω·cm2 without compromising the yield strength. These findings indicate that the titanizing process enhances the mechanical properties of 316 L stainless steel, making it more suitable for demanding applications.

Impact of Lattice Strain on the Electronic and Thermoelectric Properties of CoAs3 Skutterudite Material

Using density functional theory (DFT) combined with semi‐classical Boltzmann transport theory, the electronic and thermoelectric properties of binary skutterudite CoAs3 material are investigated up to 30 GPa. Elastic properties calculations confirm the mechanical stability at 0 GPa and under varying hydrostatic pressures, with ductility influenced by pressure. To ensure dynamical stability, the phonon dispersion frequencies are computed at both 0 and 30 GPa. Electronic band structure calculations, using the GGA + TB‐mBJ approximation, indicate that CoAs3 initially exhibits a direct band gap at its equilibrium lattice constant, which shifts to become indirect under increasing pressure. To assess the impact of pressure on the thermoelectric properties of CoAs3, the Seebeck coefficient, thermal conductivities, and figure of merit (ZT) are calculated at pressures of 5, 10, 20, and 30 GPa for various temperatures (300, 600, 900, and 1200 K). These computations provide valuable insights into how varying pressures influence the material's thermoelectric performance. The optimal thermoelectric properties in CoAs3 material are achieved at 5 GPa and 1200 K for n‐doping (20 GPa and 600 K for p‐doping), with an ideal doping concentration of 1.5 × 1021 cm−3 (5.5 × 1018 cm−3). Under these conditions, the material reaches a high figure of merit (ZT) value of 0.52 for n‐doping and 0.49 for p‐doping. These findings underscore CoAs3 as a promising candidate for applications in energy harvesting and optoelectronic systems, showcasing its robust thermoelectric performance under precise pressure and temperature conditions.

Enhanced DC and AC Soft Magnetic Properties of Fe-Co-Ni-Al-Si High-Entropy Alloys via Texture and Iron Segregation

The microstructure and soft magnetic properties under direct current (DC) mode and alternating current (AC) mode of FeCoNiAl1−xSix (x = 0.2, 0.4, 0.6) high-entropy alloys (HEAs) are investigated. All the studied HEAs show body-centered cubic (BCC) structures, and the [100] texture is formed in the x = 0.4 HEA. The iron (Fe) segregation at the grain boundaries is helpful in increasing the soft magnetic properties under DC. The FeCoNiAl0.6Si0.4 (x = 0.4) HEA exhibits optimal DC and AC soft magnetic properties, primarily due to the formation of the texture along the easy magnetization axis. The x = 0.4 HEA shows the highest permeability (μi = 344 and μm = 1334) and the smallest coercivity (Hc = 51 A/m), remanence (Br = 132 mT), and hysteresis loss (Pu = 205 J/m3). In comparison to the x = 0.2 HEA and x = 0.6 HEA, the total loss (AC Ps) at 50 Hz of the x = 0.4 HEA is decreased by 15% and 18%, and it is reduced at 950 Hz by 13% and 7%. Our findings can provide a useful approach for developing novel HEAs with increased soft magnetic properties by tuning ferromagnetic elemental segregation and forming the texture along the easy magnetization axis.

Valorization of Vaccinium corymbosum waste from the extraction of bioactive compounds: Nanoparticles synthesis and applications

This study presents the biogenic synthesis of silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs), zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs), and iron oxide nanoparticles (FeO NPs) using V. corymbosum extracts as a reducing agent, varying the ultrasound extraction times (t1 = 20 min, t2 = 15 min, t3 = 10 min). Ag NPs exhibited an antimicrobial efficiency of 98.2 %, being most effective with t2 due to their smaller size. ZnO NPs demonstrated the best thermal stability with t1, and FeO NPs showed optimal magnetic properties with t3. The reduction of methylene blue by ZnO and FeO NPs was significant, with ZnO-t1 and FeO-t3 standing out. The nanoparticles exhibited distinctive optical characteristics and adequate morphology, depending on the extraction time. This work highlights the feasibility of using natural extracts to synthesize nanoparticles, promoting sustainable methods in nanoscience and nanotechnology. Future research should focus on the functionalization of NPs to expand their applications.

Oleogels loaded with lycopene structured using Zein/EGCG/Ca2+ complexes: Preparation, characterization and potential application

Oleogels have attracted considerable attention due to their excellent viscoelasticity and high content of polyunsaturated fatty acid. This study explored the potential of Zein/(−)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate/Ca2+ complexes oleogels loaded with lycopene as potential substitute for solid fats in biscuit formulations. Utilizing an emulsion-templated method, oleogels were prepared and characterized for visual appearance, droplet size, microstructure, and rheological properties. The incorporation of lycopene indicated a dose-dependent effect on these characteristics, achieving optimal properties at a concentration of 0.3 mg/mL. At this concentration, oleogels exhibited higher encapsulation efficiency (> 90 %), lower oil loss (< 2 %), and denser network structures. Rheological analysis highlighted the shear-thinning behavior, gel-like structure, and thixotropic recovery of oleogels. Substituting of margarine with lycopene-loaded oleogels in biscuits yielded products with regular appearance, uniform color, and potential health benefits, demonstrating the viability of these oleogels as a healthier alternative to traditional solid fats in baking.

Multi-objective optimization of micro crystalline cellulose and montmorillonite filled poly lactic acid bio–composite and its characterizations

In this research study, the synthesis of poly lactic acid (PLA) based bio composite material factors contributions were investigated through the Taguchi-based grey relational analysis (GRA) technique. Effects of micro crystalline cellulose (MCC) and montmorillonite (MTT) nano clay filler, sorbitol (S) plasticizer, and temperature (T) operating factor on the PLA matrix through melt-mixing preparation method. The tensile strength (TS), Young modulus (YM), flexural strength (FS), flexural modulus (FM), hardness, impact strength (IS), water absorption (WA), and density properties of bio composite material were investigated for each experimental setup (orthogonal array, L16). Additionally, neat PLA and optimal sample structural, thermal, and morphological properties were examined through Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-Ray diffraction (X-RD), thermal gravimetry analysis/differential thermal gravimetry (TGA/DTG), and DSC and SEM analyses. The obtained result for optimal mechanical and physical properties of MCC/MTT/S/PLA bio composite was MCC at level 3 (6%), MTT at level 4 (9%), S at level 2 (10%), and T at level 4 (175 °C). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) shows that MTT has the greatest significant effect on mechanical and physical properties of MCC/MTT/S/PLA bio composite followed by MCC, T, and S. The confirmation test indicates that the improvement of weighted grey relational grade (GRG) from 0.7896 to 0.846 and the FTIR, XRD, thermal gravimetry/differential scanning calorimetry (TG/DSC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) results indicates that the good interaction between PLA and fillers, improvement of thermal and morphological properties of optimal (6MCC/9MTT/10S/175 °C) bio composite samples. Therefore, the multi-response characteristics of MCC/MTT/S/PLA bio composite can be highly improved by this technique.