Preparation Parameters Research Articles

Dual-Responsive "Egg-Box" Shaped Microgel Beads Based on W1/O/W2 Double Emulsions for Colon-Targeted Delivery of Synbiotics.

In this study, for enhancing the resistance of probiotics to environmental factors, we designed a microgel beads delivery system loaded with synbiotics. Multiple droplets of W1/O/W2 emulsions stabilized with zein-apple pectin hybrid nanoparticles (ZAHPs) acted as the inner "egg," whereas a three-dimensional network of poly-L-lysine (PLL)-alginate-CaCl2 (Ca) crosslinked gel layers served as the outermost "box." ZAHPs with a mass ratio of 2:1 zein-to-apple pectin showed excellent wettability (three-phase contact angle = 89.88°). The results of the ζ-potentials and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy demonstrate that electrostatic interaction forces and hydrogen bonding were the main forces involved in the formation of ZAHPs. On this basis, we prepared W1/O/W2 emulsions with other preparation parameters and observed their microstructures by optical microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscope. The multi-chambered structures of W1/O/W2 emulsions were successfully visualized. Finally, the W1/O/W2 emulsions were coated with PLL-alginate-Ca using the solution extrusion method. The results of the in vitro colonic digestion stage reveal that the survival rate of probiotics in the microgel beads was about 75.11%, which was significantly higher than that of the free. Moreover, probiotics encapsulated in microgel beads also showed positive storage stability. Apple pectin would serve as both an emulsifier and a prebiotic. Thus, the results indicate that the "egg-box" shaped microgel beads, designed on the basis of pH-sensitive and enzyme-triggered mechanisms, can enhance the efficiency of probiotics translocation in the digestive tract and mediate spatiotemporal controlled release.

Preparation of Thermochromic Vanadium Dioxide Films Assisted by Machine Learning.

In recent years, smart windows have attracted widespread attention due to their ability to respond to external stimuli such as light, heat, and electricity, thereby intelligently adjusting the ultraviolet, visible, and near-infrared light in solar radiation. VO2(M) undergoes a reversible phase transition from an insulating phase (monoclinic, M) to a metallic phase (rutile, R) at a critical temperature of 68 °C, resulting in a significant difference in near-infrared transmittance, which is particularly suitable for use in energy-saving smart windows. However, due to the multiple valence states of vanadium ions and the multiphase characteristics of VO2, there are still challenges in preparing pure-phase VO2(M). Machine learning (ML) can learn and generate models capable of predicting unknown data from vast datasets, thereby avoiding the wastage of experimental resources and reducing time costs associated with material preparation optimization. Hence, in this paper, four ML algorithms, namely multi-layer perceptron (MLP), random forest (RF), support vector machine (SVM), and extreme gradient boosting (XGB), were employed to explore the parameters for the successful preparation of VO2(M) films via magnetron sputtering. A comprehensive performance evaluation was conducted on these four models. The results indicated that XGB was the top-performing model, achieving a prediction accuracy of up to 88.52%. A feature importance analysis using the SHAP method revealed that substrate temperature had an essential impact on the preparation of VO2(M). Furthermore, characteristic parameters such as sputtering power, substrate temperature, and substrate type were optimized to obtain pure-phase VO2(M) films. Finally, it was experimentally verified that VO2(M) films can be successfully prepared using optimized parameters. These findings suggest that ML-assisted material preparation is highly feasible, substantially reducing resource wastage resulting from experimental trial and error, thereby promoting research on material preparation optimization.

Diagnostic MRI for deep pelvic endometriosis: towards a standardized protocol?

To assess the diagnostic efficacy of an MRI protocol and patient preparation in detecting deep pelvic endometriosis (DPE). The cohort is from the ENDOVALIRM database, a multicentric national retrospective study involving women who underwent MRI followed by pelvic surgery for endometriosis (reference standard). Two senior radiologists independently analyzed MRI findings using the deep pelvic endometriosis index (dPEI) to determine lesion locations. The study evaluated the impact of bowel preparation, vaginal and rectal opacification, MRI unit type (1.5-T or 3-T), additional sequences (thin slice T2W or 3DT2W), and gadolinium injection on reader performance for diagnosing DPE locations. Fisher's exact test assessed differences in diagnostic accuracy based on patient preparation and MRI parameters. The final cohort comprised 571 women with a mean age of 33.3 years (± 6.6 SD). MRI with bowel preparation outperformed MRI without bowel preparation in identifying torus/uterosacral ligament (USL) locations (p < 0.0001) and rectosigmoid nodules (p = 0.01). MRI without vaginal opacification diagnosed 94.1% (301/320) of torus/USL locations, surpassing MR with vaginal opacification, which diagnosed 85% (221/260) (p < 0.001). No significant differences related to bowel preparation or vaginal opacification were observed for other DPE locations. Rectal opacification did not affect diagnostic accuracy in the overall population, except in patients without bowel preparation, where performance improved (p = 0.04). There were no differences in diagnostic accuracy regarding MRI unit type (1.5-T/3-T), presence of additional sequences, or gadolinium injection for any endometriotic locations. Bowel preparation prior to MRI examination is preferable to rectal or vaginal opacification for diagnosing deep endometriosis pelvic lesions. Accurate diagnosis and staging of DPE are essential for effective treatment planning. Bowel preparation should be prioritized over rectal or vaginal opacification in MRI protocols. Optimizing MRI protocols for diagnostic performance with appropriate opacification techniques will help diagnose deep endometriosis more accurately. Evaluating deep endometriosis in collapsible organs such as the vagina and rectum is difficult. Bowel preparation and an absence of vaginal opacification were found to be diagnostically beneficial. Bowel preparation should be prioritized over rectal or vaginal opacification in MRI protocols.

Efficient removal of tetrabromobisphenol A in the Mn1Fe0.5Al0.5-LDO@BC/peroxymonosulfate water purification system

Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) brominated flame retardants in water posed threat to the ecological system due to its persistence and biomagnification. In this work, an efficient water purification system based on sulfate radical-based advanced oxidation processes (SR-AOPs) with Mn1Fe0.5Al0.5-LDO@BC as the core was constructed by adjusting the key preparation parameters, optimizing catalyst performance and exploring operating conditions. Under the optimal conditions of Mn1Fe0.5Al0.5-LDO@BC/PMS system (calcination temperature of 600 oC, 0.1 g/L Mn1Fe0.5Al0.5-LDO@BC, 0.15 mM PMS, pH value of 7–), 15 mg/L TBBPA was almost completely degraded within 30 min. Mn1Fe0.5Al0.5-LDO@BC/PMS water purification system exhibited resistance to inorganic anions and humic acid. In addition, Mn1Fe0.5Al0.5-LDO@BC reflected better cycle stability and ecological environmental protection. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and quenching experiments verified the existence of a large number of dominant active species in the water purification system, especially the contribution of O2•– and 1O2 to the degradation of TBBPA. Finally, the catalytic mechanism and possible degradation pathway of TBBPA were elucidated, and the toxicity of the intermediates was predicted. This work provided novel insights into the efficient purification of TBBPA brominated flame retardants in wastewater.

Optical transmission trajectories in single tapered fibers of TOFA by numerical simulation and experimental verification

Tens of millions or billions of single tapered fibers are independent optical transmission elements of tapered optical fiber array (TOFA) for imaging. The optical transmission trajectories of these single tapered fibers, which directly affect imaging qualities of TOFA, are rarely analyzed. This paper provides a method to numerically simulate it for fibers located at different positions along the radial direction of TOFA. The tapered curves of TOFA were firstly simulated by Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software and experimentally verified by the same preparation parameters. It is shown that the slope of tapered curve increases with stretching length. Meanwhile, the taper angle gets greater, and the profile of tapered deformation zone expands outward, while the radius of straight zone remains stable. Based on these, the optical transmission trajectory of single tapered fibers located from center to edge in TOFA was simulated, and then further verified by a self-developed instrument. Both simulation and experiment illustrate that the relative transmittance of single tapered optical fiber is decreased along the radial direction within the same TOFA. In comparison with the transmittance of the central axial fiber, the simulated and experimental unevenness on relative transmittance of peripheral fibers is within 7.11% and 9.74%, respectively. With the relative transmittance at the central position of the optical fiber being identical, the difference of relative transmittance (ΔT) between the simulation and experiment is gradually increased from center to peripheral regions along the radial direction of TOFA, reaching the maximum ΔT of 4.23%. The simulated results are well in agreement with the experimental ones.

Optimization of electrophoretic deposition and thermal treatment of Cu–Mn spinel matrix for spinel/perovskite composite coating used as SOC metallic interconnect

The electrophoretic deposition of a mixture of copper-manganese spinel oxide matrix with perovskite oxide dispersion phase and subsequent two-step sintering was investigated as a means of obtaining a new spinel/perovskite composite coating for application in metallic interconnects for solid oxide cell (SOC) technologies. The effect of a number of factors was examined, including electrophoretic deposition parameters such as solvent type, time, voltage, and dispersant content as well as different heat treatment conditions on the quality of the matrix of the coating material. A solution of ethanol-acetone (25/75 v/v) and 2.0 g L−1 of iodine dispersant with a deposition time of 60 s and a voltage of 60 V provided the thickest, most uniform coating as deposited. SEM observations showed that a dense coating of Cu–Mn spinel was obtained after 8 h of reduction at 1000 °C followed by 6 h of oxidation at 850 °C. Selected preparation parameters were applied to deposit composite coatings with a Cu–Mn spinel matrix and the addition of LNF, LSC and LSCF perovskites.

Response model between nanobubble preparation parameters and properties: Controllable preparation & its application example

Nanobubbles have attracted much attention in recent years due to their excellent properties. However, the uncontrollable preparation of nanobubble properties limits its application. In this study, the relationship between the preparation parameters (including water pressure, gas flow, and shearing time) of nanobubbles and their properties was systematically investigated. The preparation parameters with different mechanisms have different effects on nanobubble properties, including density (1.93 × 107–1.52 × 108/mL), zeta potential (−33.6 to −13.5 mV), dissolved oxygen (6.8–10.1 mg/L), oxidation-reduction potential (194–262 mV), viscosity (0.88–0.95 mPa·s), and surface tension (49–57 mN/m). Then, the controllable preparation of nanobubble properties was achieved through constructing a mathematical model between preparation parameters and nanobubble properties. According to the multi-objective optimization prediction of the model (maximizing bubble density and minimizing surface tension), the optimal preparation parameters were determined as follows: shearing time (9.5 min), air flow (0.1 L/min), and water pressure (0.1 MPa). And nanobubbles with a bubble density of 1.95 × 108/mL and a surface tension of 55 mN/m were prepared. The nanobubbles were tried to be applied to boost the leaching efficiency of organic pollutants, which are difficult to migrate in groundwater and soil environments. At 300 min, the total elution volume of oil droplets in sample with nanobubbles was 91 % higher than that of the control. The response model constructed in this study can support the targeted preparation of nanobubbles to meet the need of specific application scenarios and achieve quality and efficiency improvement in different application scenarios.

Compressive Properties of Basalt Fibers and Polypropylene Fiber-Reinforced Lightweight Concrete.

With the development of high-rise and large-scale modern structures, traditional concrete has become a design limitation due to its excessive dead weight. High-strength lightweight concrete is being emphasized. Lightweight concrete has low density and the characteristics of a brittle material. This is an important factor affecting the strength and ductility of the lightweight concrete. To improve these shortcomings and proffer solutions, a three-phase composite lightweight concrete was prepared using a combination of tumbling and molding methods. This paper investigates the various influencing factors such as the stacking volume fraction of GFR-EMS, the type of fiber, and the content and length of fiber in the matrix. Studies have shown that the addition of fibers significantly increases the compressive strength of the concrete. The compressive strength of concrete with a 12 mm basalt fiber (BF) (1.5%) admixture is 9.08 MPa, which is 62.43% higher than that of concrete without the fiber admixture. The compressive strength was increased by 27.53 and 21.88% compared to concrete containing 3 mm BF (1.5%) and 0.5% BF (12 mm), respectively. Fibers can fill the pore defects within the matrix. Mutually overlapping fibers easily form a network structure to improve the bond between the cement matrix and the aggregate particles. The compressive strength of lightweight concrete with the addition of BF was 16.71% higher than that with the addition of polypropylene fiber (PPF) with the same length and content of fibers. BF has been shown to be more effective in improving the mechanical properties of concrete. In this work, the compressive mechanism and optimum preparation parameters of a three-phase composite lightweight concrete were analyzed through compression tests. This provides some insights into the development of lightweight concrete.

Optimization of mechanical properties and dimensional stability of densified wood using response surface methodology

Wood has gained popularity as a building and decorative material due to its environmentally friendly and sustainable characteristics. Yet, its long maturation time poses a limitation on meeting the growing demand for wood products. This challenge has led to the plantation of fast-growing wood as an alternative solution. Unfortunately, the poor mechanical properties of fast-growing wood hinder its application. In this study, we developed novel densification-modified wood by combining alkali chemical pretreatment, cyclic impregnation, and mechanical hot-pressing techniques. Additionally, the response surface method was employed to rapidly determine the optimal preparation parameters, reducing the cost of preparation under various conditions. The optimized parameters resulted in densification-modified wood with a flexural strength and modulus of elasticity of 337.04 MPa and 27.43 GPa, respectively. Furthermore, the densified wood achieved excellent dimensional stability by reducing the water-absorbing thickness swelling to 1.15 % for 72-h water soaking. The findings indicated that the densification-modified wood possessed high tensile strength and elastic modulus, along with excellent dimensional stability. The proposed densified wood modification technology in this study offers new perspectives and design guidance for the application of outdoor engineering structures, energy-efficient buildings, and decorative materials.

Infrared light responsive shape memory tracheal stent based on TPU6/PCL4/PANI composites

3D printed tracheal stent based on light-responsive shape memory composites (SMC) has a good application prospect due to its remote, non-contact drive and the ability to adapt to complex environments. This paper detailed the fabrication, characterization, and infrared light (IR) actuating shape memory effects of the SMC based on the thermal polyurethane (TPU)/poly(caprolactone) (PCL)/polyaniline (PANI)/composites. Herein, the experiments have explored the preparation and process parameters and 3D printing properties (e.g., filament-molding temperature, 3D printing temperature, and speed) on the premise of smooth printing of the composites. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry analysis (DSC), micro-morphology, and tensile testing was operated to characterize the properties of the TPU6/PCL4/PANI composites. Additionally, shape memory performance has shown that the shape memory fixation rate of the prepared IR-responsive SMC was about 99%, and the shape recovery ratio was approximately 95%. Therefore, this work customized the tracheal scaffold based on TPU6/PCL4/PANI composites by 3D printing technology (FDM), which possesses excellent IR-triggered remote-controlling structure deformation performance. Moreover, by collaborating with minimally invasive surgery, 3D printed IR-actuating SMC structures can expand the application scope in the biomedical field and provide a new way for personalized implantable medical devices.

Size controlled synthesis of hydrous TiO2 spheres by a thiol structure directing agent and its application in photocatalysis and efficient DSSC cells

In this work, hydrated TiO2 spheres (HTS) of the submicron order have been developed. Normally, the group of amines, such as dodecylamine, hexadecylamine, methylamine, and NH3, had been the main structure-directing agents (SDAs) used in the sol–gel process to obtain monodisperse hydrated TiO2 spheres. Even though progress has been made in the synthesis of HTS, it is crucial to include new SDAs capable of synthesizing monodisperse HTS with improved or new properties for practical applications. In this work, for the first time we demonstrate that a thiol, 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA), can be used as an effective SDA to synthesize monodisperse hydrous TiO2 spheres with a controllable particle diameter between 150 to 950 nm. Experimental preparation parameters such as Ti concentration, [MPA]/[Ti] and [Water]/[Ti] molar ratio in the precursor solution (Titanium (IV) butoxide—MPA—ethanol—water) were thoroughly optimized to get both high yield and high monodispersity. Remarkably, a wide range in the [Water]/[Ti] molar ratio, 17 to 118, was achieved, which is much wider than the typical Rw range of the amines group of 2 to 16, thus giving more control for choosing the HTS final size. The controlled growth of hydrated TiO2 nanospheres was explained according to the LaMer and DVLO theory. To demonstrate the applicability of the HTS synthesized using MPA as SDA, the development of efficient dye-sensitized solar cells getting an energy conversion greater than 9% as well as of an effective photocatalytic degradation process of the analgesic acetaminophen under concentrated solar radiation was conducted.

Study on preparation and properties of supported compound desulfurizer for Bayer dissolution

In view of the serious harm caused by sulfur ion to alumina production and the high cost of desulfurization in Bayer dissolution process of high sulfur bauxite leaching at high temperature and high pressure, the supported compound desulfurizer was prepared by melt infiltration method to realize simultaneous desulfurization in Bayer dissolution process. In this paper, Zn(NO3)2·6H2O and Cu(NO3)2·3H2O as the main components, kaolin, sepiolite, activated alumina as the active carrier, the supported compound desulfurizer was prepared. The active carrier was optimized and the optimum preparation parameters were determined by means of DSC, IR, TG, SEM and XRD. The results show that kaolin is more suitable as the active carrier of compound desulfurizer. The best melting temperature of the precursor is 100 °C, the best calcination temperature is 400 °C, and the best calcination time is 2 h. The supported compound desulfurizer mainly consists of ZnO, CuO, AlOOH, SiO2 and Mullite. The results provide a basis for the active preparation of the supported compound desulfurizer.

Recover the tensile strength of hard aluminum alloy through laser assisted cold spray

In the present study, Al6061/Al2O3 composite coating was produced to repair the notched Al7075 substrate by cold spraying (CS) and laser assisted cold spray (LACS) technology. The preparation process and parameter selection of high-performance coating were discussed by combining simulation and experiment. Results showed that the LACS experiment guided by simulation results achieved high-quality bonding of single particle with the substrate. In addition, the tensile strength of samples repaired by LACS recovered to the level of original substrate, and the ductility was significantly higher than that of CS process. This is attributed to the introduction of laser irradiation heating, which improves the plastic deformation ability of particles and produces atomic-level metallurgical bonding between the particles. This study provides a possibility for the repair and remanufacture research of high-quality components, and has great development potential in future research.

Self-powered high-sensitivity piezoelectric sensors for end-fixture force sensing in surgical robots based on T-ZnO

The lack of clamping force detection function of the surgical robot's end effector poses a challenge to the operation of doctors, which requires sensing and rapid response to transient forces during surgery. Therefore, it is necessary to design a surgical robot with a clamping force detection function. In this paper, the piezoelectric sensor was prepared with tetrapod-like zinc oxide (T-ZnO) as the primary raw material. The performance of the sensors was enhanced by adjusting the preparation parameters, and the prepared sensors were characterized by high sensitivity (182.5 mV/N). This work is the first to apply the piezoelectric sensor made of T-ZnO to the end fixtures of surgical robots, and the results show that the sensor's output voltage in the end fixture of the surgical robot increases with the increase of pressure, and the sensor has different responses to the clamped object with different stiffness. The sensor can be applied to the end fixture of surgical robots.

Immuno-scanning electron microscopy of islet primary cilia.

The definitive demonstration of protein localization on primary cilia has been a challenge for cilia biologists. Primary cilia are solitary thread-like projections that have a specialized protein composition, but as the ciliary structure overlays the cell membrane and other cell parts, the identity of ciliary proteins are difficult to ascertain by conventional imaging approaches like immunofluorescence microscopy. Surface scanning electron microscopy combined with immunolabeling (immuno-SEM) bypasses some of these indeterminacies by unambiguously showing protein expression in the context of the three-dimensional ultrastructure of the cilium. Here, we apply immuno-SEM to specifically identify proteins on the primary cilia of mouse and human pancreatic islets, including post-translationally modified tubulin, intraflagellar transport (IFT)88, the small GTPase Arl13b, as well as subunits of axonemal dynein. Key parameters in sample preparation, immunolabeling and imaging acquisition are discussed to facilitate similar studies by others in the cilia research community.

Preparation of molecularly imprinted polymer for the specific adsorption and selective extraction of alkylresorcinols from whole wheat flour

Alkylresorcinols are important biomarkers for evaluating whole wheat foods. However, their structures encompass a broad spectrum of homologs, making isolating and analyzing individual alkylresorcinol notably challenging. Herein, we synthesized highly selective molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) utilizing a facile and cost-effective precipitation polymerization method and 5-heneicosylresorcinol (ARC21:0) as the template molecule. Various crucial preparation parameters were systematically optimized, such as different porogens, functional monomers, imprinting ratios, and polymerization time. The polymers were characterized through scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and their adsorption performances were thoroughly evaluated. MIPs exhibited a notably enhanced adsorption capacity compared with that of non-imprinted polymers, reaching an optimal adsorption amount of 71.75 mg·mL−1 and imprinting factor of 2.02. Altogether, the synthesized MIPs showed superior affinity and selectivity for ARC21:0, as confirmed by their selective extraction, suggesting their potential applications in the analysis, separation, and monitoring of ARC21:0 in whole wheat foods.

Ultrasound-induced yield increase of yuba (protein-lipid film from soybean milk) and changes in structural, physicochemical, and digestive properties during film-peeling process

Yuba, as a traditional soybean food, is protein-lipid film from soybean milk. This study proposed a novel ultrasound-assisted yuba preparation strategy and investigated the structural, physicochemical, and digestive properties of yuba during the film-peeling process. The process parameters of yuba preparation were optimized using response surface method and Box-Behnken design. The results showed that total yield of 5 yuba films was 39.8 ± 0.3% under the optimum conditions (315 W ultrasound power, 8 min ultrasound time, and 1:9 solid-to-liquid ratio) with an increase rate of 12.6%, compared with that of the control group. With the increasing yuba film-peeling times, protein and lipid contents in yuba decreased, whereas carbohydrate content displayed an increasing trend. The analyses of mechanical properties, protein secondary structure, X-ray diffraction, disulfide bond, and microstructure showed that the protein network structure of yuba films became looser with film-peeling progression. Furthermore, in vitro simulated digestion experiments indicated that yuba obtained in the early film-peeling stage (the first four films) exhibited better protein degradation performance and higher degree of lipid hydrolysis. This study provides technical references for the process innovations of yuba and theoretical basis for systematically evaluating yuba quality and better utilizing its nutritional value.

Inherent Behavior of Electrode Materials of Lithium-Ion Batteries.

For independency from the fossil fuels and to save environment, we need to move toward the green energies, which requires better energy storage devices, especially for usage in electric vehicles. Li-ion and beyond-lithium insertion batteries are promising to this aim. However, they suffer from some inherent limitations which must be understood to allow their development and pave the way to find suitable energy storage alternatives. It is found that each positive or negative electrode material (cathode or anode) of the intercalation batteries has its own behavioral (charge-discharge) properties. The modification of preparation parameters (composition, loading density, porosity, particle size, etc.) may improve some aspects of the electrode performance, but cannot change the intrinsic property of the electrode itself. Accordingly, these properties are called as the "inherent behavior characteristics" of the active material. It is concluded that the behavior of a specific electrode substance, even following different preparation routes, depends only on diffusion mechanisms. This work shows that the inherent electrode properties can be visualized by representation of current density vs. capacity.

Preparation of amorphous coal-based activated coke via a two-step process of carbonization and steam activation

The coal-based activated coke (AC) is suitable for desulfurization and denitrification in coal-fired power plants. However, the current studies on millimeter-sized amorphous AC are limited. To evaluate the preparation parameters of millimeter-sized amorphous AC, two typical middle-low rank coal samples, Fugu coal and Datong coal, are selected as the raw materials. The effects of carbonization/activation parameter, particle size and steam flow rate on the yield and pore structure of AC are studied. Samples are analyzed by the synchronous thermal analyzer and the fully automatic rapid specific surface and porosity analyzer. The results show that carbonization and the long-time steam activation at a low temperature can make the internal pores of samples fully developed, significantly increasing the specific surface area and pore volume. The coke yield, specific surface area and mesoporous proportion of Fugu AC obtained by activation at 700 °C for 3 h are 60.95 %, 429.54 m2/g and 29.60 %, respectively. The corresponding values of Datong AC obtained at 850 °C for 3 h are 53.19 %, 892.20 m2/g and 23.01 %, separately. Both of Fugu AC and Datong AC belong to the hierarchical porous AC. The influence of particle sizes on the performance of AC at the millimeter level is within the acceptable range. Therefore, the same carbonization and activation parameters can be chosen to prepare Fugu AC and Datong AC with different particle sizes, respectively. The water vapor flow rate has a significant effect on the pore structure of AC. There is a moderate flow rate (0.03 mL min−1 at this study’s experimental conditions) for preparing the hierarchical porous amorphous AC. The study shows that it is feasible to prepare the amorphous AC with the hierarchical pore structure by employing the millimeter-sized medium–low rank coal particles. The AC could be applied for the pollutants removal in the coal-fired power plants.

Soft yet mechanically robust injectable alginate hydrogels with processing versatility based on alginate/hydroxyapatite hybridization

The salient gelling feature of alginate via forming the egg-box structure with calcium ions has received extensive interests for different applications. Owing to the interfacial incompatibility of rigid inorganic solids with soft polymers, the requirement of overall stereocomplexation with calcium released from uniformly distributed solids in alginate remains a challenge. In this study, a novel alginate-incorporated calcium source was proposed to tackle the intractable dispersion for the preparation of injectable alginate hydrogels. Calcium phosphate synthesis in alginate solution yielded CaP-alginate hybrids as a calcium source. The physicochemical characterization confirmed the CaP-alginate hybrid was a nano-scale alginate-hydroxyapatite complex. The colloidally stable CaP-alginate hybrids were uniformly dispersed in alginate solutions even under centrifugation. The calcium-induced gelling of the CaP-alginate hybrids-loaded alginate solutions formed soft yet tough hydrogels including transparent sheets and knittable threads, confirming the homogeneous gelation of the hydrogel. The gelation time, injectability and mechanical properties of the hydrogels could be adjusted by changing preparation parameters. The prepared hydrogels showed uniform porous structure, excellent swelling, wetting properties and cytocompatibility, showing a great potential for applications in different fields. The present strategy with organic/inorganic hybridization could be exemplarily followed in the future development of functional hydrogels especially associated with the interface integration.