Optimum Preparation Conditions Research Articles

Moderate-temperature curing of epoxidized soybean oil for highly efficient coated fertilizer

The use of bio-oil-based polymers in fertilizer coatings has drawn significant academic interest. However, the challenge remains to eliminate toxic chemicals while enhancing comprehensive properties. This study focused on synthesizing a degradable polymer from epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) without organic solvent at low temperature (120°C), accomplished through a modified curing agent (MCA). This MCA was made of an acidic eutectic mixture of phthalic anhydride (PA) and its glycerides, produced from inexpensive, low-toxic phthalic anhydride and glycerol. The process utilized a small quantity of zinc acetate (0.5 wt%) to facilitate the formation of phthalic triglyceride in the MCA and mitigate PA sublimation, resulting in the enhanced cross-link degree, superior mechanical properties and hydrophobicity of the ESO-based resin (ESOR). Under optimal preparation conditions, the solvent-free ESOR-coated fertilizer exhibited an extended longevity of 53 days, with an 80 % phosphorus release. This coating material can undergo hydrolytic degradation in soil and in-situ conversion into carboxylates. These findings hold significant potential for advancing the applications of ESOR in green and sustainable agriculture.

Organofluorosilicon Modified Polyacrylate with the Unidirectional Migration Promotion of Disperse Dyes toward Polyester Fabric for Wash-Free Digital Inkjet Dyeing.

The printing and dyeing industry is currently accelerating toward a direction of high efficiency, energy conservation, environmental protection, and integration with digitalization. Disperse dye wash-free digital inkjet dyeing is a revolutionary breakthrough for cleaning and coloring polyester fabric. Based on the solubility parameters and the hot-melt dyeing characteristics of disperse dyes, soft, hard, and functional monomers of acrylate were used as the main body. Moreover, single-vinyl fluorinated polysiloxane and divinyl polysiloxane with low solubility parameters were used as modified monomers. A modified polyacrylate (PFSMA) adhesive containing silicon in the main chain and fluorine silicon in the side chain was prepared via miniemulsion polymerization. Using disperse digital inkjet dyeing of polyester fabric without washing can realize energy saving, emission reduction, and carbon reduction. Results showed that the optimum preparation conditions of PFSMA were as follows: DVFS molecular weight of 957 g/mol and DVFS content of 2.5 wt %. Compared with that of polyacrylate (PA), the glass-transition temperature of PFSMA film decreased, and its water resistance, toughness, and adhesion enhanced. When the PFSMA content in the wash-free disperse red ink was 8 wt %, the color yields of the front and back of the PFSMA jet-dyed polyester fabric were 18.86 and 13.28, respectively. Moreover, the color yield of the front of PFSMA jet-dyed polyester fabric was 39.9% higher than that of the pure liquid disperse red jet-dyed fabric. The simulated fixation rate was 87.9%, approximately 2.9 times higher than that of the PA wash-free jet-dyed fabric. The color fastness to dry rubbing reached level 4 and the color fastness to wet rubbing reached level 3-4, which was one level higher than that of pure liquid disperse red jet-dyed fabrics. The color fastness to soaping reached grade 5 and the color fastness to heat compression reached grades 4-5 and above. The fabric was a little firmer but smoother. The color properties, color fastness, and hand feeling of the PFSMA wash-free jet-dyed polyester fabric exceeded the levels of commercially available adhesives.

Optimized Design of Material Preparation for Cotton Linters-Based Carbon Black Dispersion Stabilizers Based on Response Surface Methodology

Carbon black particles possess dimensions on the nanometer or sub-nanometer scale. When utilized, these particles have a tendency to aggregate, which compromises their stability under storage conditions. To address this issue, a dispersant was prepared using cotton short fibers as raw materials through etherification and graft polymerization with acrylamide (AM) and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) as raw materials. The dispersant was then used to disperse carbon black to test its dispersing performance. A response surface optimization test was utilized to ascertain the influence of AMPS monomer mass, AM monomer mass, and potassium persulfate (KPS) initiator mass on the dispersibility of carbon black during dispersant preparation, and a set of optimal preparation conditions were obtained. The dispersion stability of carbon black in water was assessed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), elemental analysis (EA), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), zeta potential analysis, high magnification scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and contact angle measurements. Results revealed that the optimum mass ratio of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) to AMPS to AM was 1:0.69:1.67, with the KPS initiator comprising 1.56% of the total monomer mass. By incorporating the dispersant at a concentration of 37.50%, the particle size of carbon black particles was observed to decrease from 5.350 μm to 0.255 μm, and no agglomeration of carbon black particles occurred even after 3 weeks of storage.

Preparation and Immobilization Mechanism of Red Mud/Steel Slag-Based Geopolymers for Solidifying/Stabilizing Pb-Contaminated Soil

Pb-contaminated soil poses serious hazards to humans and ecosystems and is in urgent need of remediation. However, the extensive use of traditional curing materials such as ordinary Portland cement (OPC) has negatively impacted global ecology and the climate, so there is a need to explore low-carbon and efficient green cementitious materials for the immobilization of Pb-contaminated soils. A red mud/steel slag-based (RM/SS) geopolymer was designed and the potential use of solidifying/stabilizing heavy metal Pb pollution was studied. The Box–Behnken design (BBD) model was used to design the response surface, and the optimal preparation conditions of RM/SS geopolymer (RSGP) were predicted by software of Design-Expert 8.0.6.1. The microstructure and phase composition of RSGP were studied by X-ray diffractometer, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and the immobilization mechanism of RSGP to Pb was revealed. The results showed that when the liquid–solid ratio is 0.76, the mass fraction of RM is 79.82% and the modulus of alkali activator is 1.21, the maximum unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of the solidified soil sample is 3.42 MPa and the immobilization efficiency of Pb is 71.95%. The main hydration products of RSGP are calcium aluminum silicate hydrate, calcium silicate hydrate and nekoite, which can fill the cracks in the soil, form dense structures and enhance the UCS of the solidified soil. Pb is mainly removed by lattice immobilization, that is, Pb participates in geopolymerization by replacing Na and Ca to form Si-O-Pb or Al-O-Pb. The remaining part of Pb is physically wrapped in geopolymer and forms Pb(OH)2 precipitate in a high-alkali environment.

Preparation and Immobilization Mechanism of Red Mud/Steel Slag-Based Geopolymers for Solidifying/Stabilizing Pb-Contaminated Soil.

Pb-contaminated soil poses serious hazards to humans and ecosystems and is in urgent need of remediation. However, the extensive use of traditional curing materials such as ordinary Portland cement (OPC) has negatively impacted global ecology and the climate, so there is a need to explore low-carbon and efficient green cementitious materials for the immobilization of Pb-contaminated soils. A red mud/steel slag-based (RM/SS) geopolymer was designed and the potential use of solidifying/stabilizing heavy metal Pb pollution was studied. The Box-Behnken design (BBD) model was used to design the response surface, and the optimal preparation conditions of RM/SS geopolymer (RSGP) were predicted by software of Design-Expert 8.0.6.1. The microstructure and phase composition of RSGP were studied by X-ray diffractometer, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and the immobilization mechanism of RSGP to Pb was revealed. The results showed that when the liquid-solid ratio is 0.76, the mass fraction of RM is 79.82% and the modulus of alkali activator is 1.21, the maximum unconfined compressive strength (UCS) of the solidified soil sample is 3.42 MPa and the immobilization efficiency of Pb is 71.95%. The main hydration products of RSGP are calcium aluminum silicate hydrate, calcium silicate hydrate and nekoite, which can fill the cracks in the soil, form dense structures and enhance the UCS of the solidified soil. Pb is mainly removed by lattice immobilization, that is, Pb participates in geopolymerization by replacing Na and Ca to form Si-O-Pb or Al-O-Pb. The remaining part of Pb is physically wrapped in geopolymer and forms Pb(OH)2 precipitate in a high-alkali environment.

High-Efficiency Photo-Fenton-like Catalyst of FeOOH/g-C3N4 for the Degradation of PNP: Characterization, Catalytic Performance and Mechanism Exploration.

The composite photocatalyst FeOOH/g-C3N4 was prepared through thermal polycondensation and co-precipitation methods, followed by XRD, SEM and UV-vis characterization. The stability of FeOOH/g-C3N4 was explored by the recycling test. The active species in the reaction system were investigated by the capture experiment. The results indicated that the optimal preparation condition for g-C3N4 involved calcination at 600 °C for 4 h. XRD analysis revealed that g-C3N4 exhibits a high-purity phase, and Fe in FeOOH/g-C3N4 exists in a highly dispersed amorphous state. SEM analysis showed that FeOOH/g-C3N4 has a rough surface with an irregular layered structure. Element composition analysis confirmed that the content of elements in the prepared catalyst is consistent with the theoretical calculation. FeOOH/g-C3N4 possesses the largest specific surface area of 143.2 m2/g and a suitable pore distribution. UV-vis DRS analysis showed that the absorption intensity of FeOOH/g-C3N4 is stronger than that of g-C3N4. When the catalyst dosage was 1.0 g/L, the H2O2 dosage was 4 mmol/L, the PNP initial concentration was 10 mg/L and the initial pH value was 5, the PNP removal could reach 92% in 120 min. Even after 5 cycles, the efficiency of PNP removal by FeOOH/g-C3N4 remains nearly 80%. The capture experiment indicated that both •OH and •O2- play roles in the photocatalytic degradation of PNP, with •OH being more significant. These findings affirm that FeOOH has been successfully incorporated into g-C3N4, resulting in a conspicuous catalytic effect on the degradation of PNP in the visible light-assisted Fenton-like reaction.

Preparation of Carbon Materials by Vapor Deposition with Fe3+-Modified Nickel Foam from Biomass Pyrolysis Gas

Biomass carbon materials have attracted attention in various fields due to their excellent properties. In this study, CH4 derived from biomass pyrolysis was utilized as a carbon source gas to synthesize carbon materials by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) in a two-stage reactor with purification system, with Fe3+-loaded nickel foam as the substrate under an argon atmosphere, using a self-designed experimental platform. The reaction process was optimized by examining the effects of the catalyst type, reaction temperature, reaction time, and gas flow rate on the structure and morphology of the carbon materials. The optimal preparation condition was to use FeCl3 ethanol solution as catalyst, with CH4 flow rate of 50 ml/min at 1000°C for 25 min. The high quality carbon materials with uniform diameters (250-500 nm) were obtained on nickel foam substrate. The carbon materials obtained under optimal conditions were characterized and analyzed to investigate their excellent properties. Surface morphology and structure of as-formed carbon materials were characterized by SEM. The analysis of the XRD spectra and the Raman spectroscopy showed that the graphite diffraction peak (002) at 26.6°, the calculated intensity ratios for ID/IG and I2D/IG were 0.257 and 0.545, respectively, indicated high degree of graphitization and purity of the carbon materials. Furthermore, the growth mechanism of carbon materials on the nickel foam substrate was discussed.

Fabrication of Polydopamine/Graphene Oxide Composite Membranes for Effective Radionuclide Removal

As the energy consumption surges in the past few decades, the utilization of reliable and cost-effective energy resources with minimum greenhouse gas emission is highly desirable, for which nuclear energy has gained intensive attention. The proper treatment of radioactive process water yet remains challenging, but is of vital importance due to its significant threats to environment and public health. In this work, a polydopamine/graphene oxide (PDA/GO) membrane was developed for radionuclide-contaminated water treatment. By the incorporation of PDA, the interlayer spacing of the GO membrane is regulated, as well as an improved anti-swelling property is achieved. At optimal preparation conditions, the PDA/GO has exhibited a high rejection of 99.9% towards thorium ions with a satisfying water flux of 5.0L·m-2h-1. Moreover, the influence of solution pH and thorium concentration on the membrane separation performance is studied. Results have indicated that the PDA/GO membrane presents a new promise for the treatment of radionuclide-contaminated water.

Electrochemical and microscopic study of a rotating disk Gold-Film electrode for voltammetric determination of arsenic (III)

This article is dedicated to the fabrication and thorough examination of the properties of a gold-film electrode (AuFE) intended for arsenic (III) determination using square-wave anodic stripping voltammetry (SWASV). The gold-film electrode was prepared ex-situ by potentiostatic electrodeposition of a gold layer onto a rotating glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Various deposition parameters were investigated and optimized, including the concentration of HAuCl4 solution (0.25 – 4 mM), deposition potential (0 – −600 mV), deposition time (120 – 1200 s), and electrode rotation speed (600 – 1500 rpm). Gold films prepared under different conditions were characterized using cyclic voltammetry (CV), optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The influence of AuFE characteristics on the parameters of the As(III) stripping peak was studied. Using the optimized AuFE, sensitivity and detection limit for As(III) of 0.468 μA/μg·L−1 and 1 μg/L, respectively, were achieved. The effects of interfering ions (Fe(III), Mn(II), Pb(II), Cu(II), Sn(IV), Tl(I)) on the As(III) response were investigated. The analytical utility of the optimized AuFE was validated for the quantitative determination of arsenic in tap water and seafood. The proposed procedure provides optimal conditions for the electrochemical preparation of gold-film electrodes aimed at routine arsenic monitoring.

Degradation of oily sludge by microwave–ultrasound-immobilized bacterial agent technique

In order to more effectively remove petroleum hydrocarbons from oily sludge, in this study, we proposed a microwave ultrasound immobilized bacterial agent oily sludge degradation technology, and through experiments to explore the various factors affecting the degradation, the best process conditions were obtained to improve the oil degradation rate in oily sludge. The results of microwave ultrasonic pretreatment showed that under the optimized conditions, the maximum removal rate of oil and gas substances was 53.23%, and the crude oil recovery rate was 31.03%. The oil removal effect was significantly improved compared with the single treatment and the treatment without optimized reaction conditions. The results of further treatment with immobilized bacterial agent showed that the highest oil removal rates of biochemical sludge and oil sludge scum were 92.04% and 35.56%, respectively, after the optimal compound ratio of composite bacteria and the optimized preparation conditions of immobilized bacterial agent were used, and the oil removal effect was further improved. This study proved that microwave and ultrasound combined with a variety of microbial technologies can effectively improve the removal rate of petroleum hydrocarbons in oily sludge after optimizing the process conditions.

Low temperature offers better foam stability.

The foam's structural longevity, linked to the effectiveness of sclerotherapy, depends on preparation conditions. The factors enhancing the treatment's effectiveness and efficacy are still under discussion. We conducted an invitro preclinical research, which included 144 independent trials. A total of 8 combinations involving 18 trials were designed according to settings of +4°C and room temperature (20-22°C), liquid-to-air ratios of 1/1 and 1/4, and polidocanol concentrations of 0.5% and 1% using the modified Tessari method. Our study aimed to examine the effect of air ratio, agent temperature, and polidocanol concentration on stability by assessing the foam half-time (FHT) and defining the optimal preparation conditions. The mean FHT was 117 ± 30.4 s. The longest FHT was in a 1:4 air-to-sclerosant ratio at +4°C, regardless of the sclerosant concentration (for %0.5 mean FHT: 146.2 ± 13.9 s, for % 1 mean FHT: 146.9 ± 18 s). There was a significant interaction among the three variables on FHT (p = 0.001). Temperature emerged as the primary factor (F(1, 136) = 124, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.477), with lower temperatures markedly enhancing the longevity (p < 0.001). Preparation at a temperature of 4°C resulted in an extended FHT of 32.5 s compared to 22°C (95% CI: 24.06-41.04 s). The temperature, agent concentration, and gas ratio significantly influence the stability of the physician-compounded foam. The low temperature at +4°C may offer better FHT for sclerotherapy.

Immobilization of zirconium-modified activated carbon in an alginate matrix for the removal of atrazine: Preparation, performances and mechanisms

As an organic herbicide widely used in agriculture, atrazine has the characteristics of environmental persistence, high mobility and long half-life period, posing potential risks to the ecological environment. The materials commonly used to remove atrazine are powdered activated carbon and its modified materials, which have problems such as difficulty in recycling and secondary contamination. In order to solve the above problems, in this study, a new functional material EI-Zr@AC was prepared by immobilizing zirconium-modified activated carbon powder (Zr@AC) in an alginate matrix via the embedding immobilization (EI) technique, and was employed for removing atrazine in water. At the optimal preparation conditions of 2.5 % sodium alginate, 4.0 % CaCl2, 1.0 % Zr@AC and 2.0 % bentonite, the prepared EI-Zr@AC beads had the characteristics of high porosity, dense reticulation, and a large number of functional groups with optimal mechanical strength and mass transfer properties. When solution pH 3.0, temperature 25°C, and EI-Zr@AC dosage of 16 g/L, the removal efficiency of atrazine by EI-Zr@AC was 91.9 %. It showed that the atrazine removal by EI-Zr@AC was mainly the chemisorption and multimolecular layer adsorption. In addition, the EI-Zr@AC could be recycled after simple recycling method, and the removal of atrazine at 5.0 mg/L by the beads was still 55.5 % after five cycles, and the structure of the beads remained intact and Zr ion leaching rate was very low. The results showed that EI-Zr@AC was a kind of environmental remediation material with high application value.

Antibacterial mechanism of whey protein isolated-citral nanoparticles and stable synergistic antibacterial eugenol encapsulated Pickering emulsion for grapes preservation

The purpose of this study was to prepare Pickering emulsion with synergistic antibacterial effect using whey protein isolated-citral (WPI-Cit) nanoparticles with eugenol for grape preservation. In this emulsion, eugenol was encapsulated in oil phase. The particle size, ζ–potential, and antibacterial mechanism of the nanoparticles were characterized. The rheological properties, antibacterial effects and preservation effects of WPI-Cit Pickering emulsion were measured. The results showed that the optimal preparation condition was performed at WPI/Cit mass ratio of 1:1, WPI-Cit nanoparticles were found to damage the cell wall and membrane of bacteria and showed more effective inhibition against S. aureus. Pickering emulsion prepared with WPI-Cit nanoparticles exhibited a better antibacterial effect after eugenol was encapsulated in it, which extended the shelf life of grapes when the Pickering emulsion was applied as a coating. It demonstrated that the Pickering emulsion prepared in this study provides a new way to extend the shelf life.

Optimization of preparation conditions and performance of a new degradable soil water retaining agent

Using polyaspartic acid (PAsp) and bentonite (BT) as the main raw materials, a new type of degradable soil water retaining agent (PAsp-AA/BT) was synthesized by microwave radiation. The optimum synthesis conditions and comprehensive properties of PAsp-AA/BT were discussed and the structure and surface characteristics of PAspsp-AA/BT were characterized by FTIR, SEM, XRD and TGA in the paper. The results showed that the optimum synthesis conditions of PAsp-AA/BT were as follows: the dosages of polyaspartic acid (PAsp), bentonite (BT), initiator potassium persulfate, crosslinking agent N,N′-methylene bisacrylamide was 5, 3, 0.3, 0.03%, respectively, the neutralization degree of acrylic acid was 75%, and the microwave power was 490W. Under this condition, the absorption ratio of the synthesized PAspsp-AA/BT in deionized water and 0.9% NaCl solution was 953 and 164 g/g, respectively. The synthesized PAsp-AA/BT had a high water absorption rate, good water retention and repeated water absorption, and the degradation rate in soil within 30 days reached 32.75%, with good degradation effect. The analysis of SEM, FT-IR, XRD and TGA showed that: the surface of PAsp-AA/BT was rough and had obvious pore structure, which was conducive to the diffusion of water molecules; polyaspartic acid, bentonite and acrylic acid were polymerized; the cross-linking structure was formed between polyaspartic acid, bentonite and acrylic acid; the product of PASP-AA/BT had good thermal stability. This study provides a new soil water retaining agent, which is helpful for the better development of soil water retaining agent research.

Electroadsorption desalination performance of carbon materials derived from coconut shell without membrane separation

This study investigated coconut shells, an abundant and low-cost raw material, as the precursor for activated carbon preparation, and applied a carbonization activation method to prepare carbon materials under different activation conditions. The differences in the performance of biomass derived carbon materials as capacitive deionization (CDI) electrodes were studied under conditions of different activators, activator doses, and activation temperatures. Compared with commercial coconut shell activated carbon, studies have shown that biomass derived carbon electrodes obtained under the optimal preparation conditions of NaOH as the activator, a carbonizer to activator ratio of 1:3, and an activation temperature of 800 ℃ have an excellent electro adsorption performance and the potential to be used as a CDI electrode material. The salt adsorption capacity (SAC) of activated carbon made with coconut shell derived carbon materials after 20 min of electro adsorption reached a maximum of 11.47 mg/g. After 10 repeated uses, its SAC remained at the original 90.58%, demonstrating an excellent cycling stability.

Lipase-Responsive Lignin Composite Nanoparticles for the Delivery of Insoluble Bioactives.

Low solubility and chemical instability are the main problems with insoluble bioactives. Lignin, with its exceptional biological properties and amphiphilicity, holds promise as a delivery system material. In this study, glycerol esters were incorporated into alkali lignin (AL) through ether and ester bonds, resulting in the successful synthesis of three hydrophobically modified alkali lignins (AL-OA, AL-OGL, and AL-SAN-OGL). Subsequently, lignin composite nanoparticles (LNPs@BC) encapsulating β-carotene were prepared using antisolvent and sonication techniques. The encapsulation rates were determined to be 37.69 ± 2.21%, 84.01 ± 5.55%, 83.82 ± 5.23%, and 83.11 ± 5.85% for LNP@BC-1, LNP@BC-2, LNP@BC-3, and LNP@BC-4, respectively, with AL, AL-OA, AL-OGL, and AL-SAN-OGL serving as the wall materials under optimized preparation conditions. The antioxidant properties and UV-absorbing capacity of the four lignins were characterized, demonstrating their efficacy in enhancing the oxygen and photostability of β-carotene. Following 6 h of UV irradiation, LNP@BC-4 exhibited a retention rate of 83.03 ± 2.85% for β-carotene, while storage under light-protected conditions at 25 °C for 7 days retained 73.33 ± 7.62% of β-carotene. Furthermore, the encapsulated β-carotene demonstrated enhanced thermal and storage stability. In vitro release experiments revealed superior stability of LNPs@BC in simulated gastric fluid (SGF), with β-carotene retention exceeding 77% in both LNP@BC-3 and LNP@BC-4. LNP@BC-4 exhibited the highest bioaccessibility in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) at 46.96 ± 0.80%, that LNP@BC-1 only achieved 10.87 ± 0.90%. The enzymatic responsiveness of AL-OGL and AL-SAN-OGL was confirmed. Moreover, LNPs@BC exhibited no cytotoxicity toward L929 cells and demonstrated excellent hemocompatibility. In summary, this study introduces a novel enzyme-responsive modified lignin that has promising applications in the fields of food, biomedicine, and animal feed.

Optimizing preparation conditions and characterizing for CoxPt1-x alloy cylindrical nanowires fabricated by electrodeposition on nanoporous polycarbonate membranes

This study investigated the influence of the preparation conditions on the Co composition, crystal structure, and magnetic and electric conduction properties of cylindrical CoxPt1-x alloy nanowires having 0.08 ≤ x ≤ 0.90, which were electrodeposited on nanoporous templates. When prepared with an optimal concentration ratio of Co and Pt aqueous solutions and electrodeposition potentials, highly oriented crystal structures of fcc Co-Pt (111) was obtained in CoxPt1-x nanowires (0.58 ≤ x ≤ 0.80). Nanowires with (111)-oriented fcc Co-Pt crystals exhibited average lengths and diameters of 5.8–10.8 μm and 130 nm, respectively, and showed an easy axis of magnetocrystalline anisotropy in the longitudinal direction of the nanowire. These results indicate a direct correlation between the crystal structure and magnetic properties. The concentration ratio of Co and Pt in the electrolytes and the electrodeposition potentials for fabricating CoxPt1-x alloy nanowires using the diluted Co composition (0.08 ≤ x ≤ 0.25) were determined. These nanowires were polycrystalline and had a small saturation magnetization. Furthermore, the anisotropic magnetoresistance (AMR) for a single CoxPt1-x nanowire was measured to estimate the domain wall (DW) width in the single CoxPt1-x nanowire. The value of the magnetoresistance (MR) ratio for the single nanowire (0.58 ≤ x ≤ 0.80) with highly (111)-oriented fcc Co-Pt crystal was 0.082–0.23 %, and the estimated value of DW width was 17–25 nm. These findings provide valuable information for constructing three-dimensional magnetic memory devices.

Pickering Emulsion Edible Film Loaded With Oregano Essential Oil and Application in Muffin Preservation

ABSTRACTA functional edible film containing Pickering emulsion (PE) loaded with oregano essential oil (OEO) was developed. The sustained release of OEO in muffins significantly delayed muffin decay at 25°C (p &lt; 0.05). According to the influence of oxygen permeability, antibacterial activity and mechanical properties of the active film, the optimum preparation conditions of PE were determined by orthogonal experiment. Peroxide values (POVs), total viable count (TVC) and yeast and mould count (YMC) were significantly lower compared with the blank group. On Day 6, the POV in the experimental group was 63% that of the blank group. TVC and YMC were 3.20 and 1.86 lg CFU/g on Day 9, respectively (TVC ≤ 1500 CFU/g; YMC ≤ 100 CFU/g), extending muffins shelf life to 6–7 days in practical preservation at 25°C. Thus, the edible PE loaded with OEO film provided sustained release, effectively slowing muffin quality deterioration and extending shelf life, making it a promising choice for future high‐fat food packaging.

Process Optimization of Scaled-Up Production and Biosafety Evaluation of the Dimethyl-Dioctadecyl-Ammonium Bromide/Poly(lactic acid) Nano-Vaccine.

Nano-adjuvant vaccines could induce immune responses and enhance immunogenicity. However, the application and manufacturing of nano-adjuvant is hampered by its challenging scale-up, poor reproducibility, and low security. Therefore, the present study aimed to optimize the preparation nanoparticles (NPs) using FDA-approved biopolymer materials poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and cationic lipid didodecyl-dimethyl-ammonium bromide (DDAB), develop the scale-up process, and evaluate the stability and biosafety of it. The optimum preparation conditions of DDAB/PLA NPs on a small scale were as follows: DDAB amount of 30 mg, aqueous phase volume of 90 mL, stirring rate at 550 rpm, and solidifying time of 12 h. Under the optimum conditions, the size of the NPs was about 170 nm. In scale-up preparation experiments, the vacuum rotary evaporation of 6 h and the Tangential flow ultrafiltration (TFU) method were the optimum conditions. The results suggested that DDAB/PLA NPs exhibited a uniform particle size distribution, with an average size of 150.3 ± 10.4 nm and a narrow polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.090 ± 0.13, coupled with a high antigen loading capacity of 85.4 ± 4.0%. In addition, the DDAB/PLA NPs can be stored stably for 30 days and do not have side effects caused by residual solvents. For biosafety, the acute toxicity experiments showed good tolerance of the vaccine formulation even at a high adjuvant dose. The local irritation experiment demonstrated the reversibility of muscular irritation, and the repeated toxicity experiment revealed no significant necrosis or severe lesions in mice injected with the high-dose vaccine formulation. Overall, the DDAB/PLA NPs exhibit potential for clinical translation as a safe candidate vaccine adjuvant.

Fabrication of cement-based superhydrophobic coatings with enhanced self-cleaning property, chemical stability, and UV-radiation resistance

Superhydrophobic coatings (SCs) can potentially reduce dust accumulation on the structure surfaces and mitigate environmental corrosion.In this study, a superhydrophobic coating composed of nano-SiO2, N-octyltriethoxysilane, and silane coupling agent was prepared for cement-based structures by green sol–gel method. By means of SEM, FTIR, XRD, EDS, and XPS, it was proved that cement-based superhydrophobic coatings were successfully formed on the surface of cement-based substrate. Two different techniques (brushing and replication) were used for fabricating cement-based superhydrophobic coatings (CBSCs), and their optimum preparation conditions were determined via orthogonal experiments. The obtained results revealed that the contact angle (CA) and sliding angle (SA) of the fabricated SCs reached 153° and 4°, respectively. Furthermore, the CBSCs exhibited outstanding self-cleaning properties and mechanical stability. Moreover, the chemical stability and UV-radiation resistance of the fabricated CBSCs were significantly improved compared with ordinary concrete.