Simple Method For Preparation Research Articles

Cellulose-based water-in-salt ZnBr2 hydrogels with multiple functions for energy storage devices

A new simple preparation method for water-in-salt-type cellulose hydrogels filled with ZnBr2 is reported. The ZnBr2 hydrogel electrolyte can be applied to zinc-ion hybrid supercapacitors and Zn-Br interfacial batteries. The water-in-salt ZnBr2 hydrogel serves as a stable electrolyte for good electrochemical performance in zinc-ion hybrid supercapacitors without redox reactions and can participate in the charging/discharging process of the Zn‒Br interfacial battery through the redox reaction of halogen anions. The assembled zinc-ion hybrid supercapacitor exhibits a specific capacitance of 241.8 F g-1 at 0.5 A g-1. Furthermore, after a 10000-cycle-long charging/discharging test at 5 A g-1, the coulombic efficiency is found at nearly 100%. The interfacial battery reaches the highest energy efficiency of 66% at a current density of 3 mA cm-2 at 0–1.8 V and displays a good cycle life with an 88% average coulombic efficiency at 3 mA cm-2. This work expands the application of hydrogels and provides new possibilities for optimizing the high performance of electrolytes.

Microwave Absorption and Magnetic Properties of M-Type Hexagonal Ferrite Ba0.95Ca0.05Fe12−xCoxO19 (0 ≤ X ≤ 0.4) at 1–18 GHz

In order to improve the microwave-absorption performance of barium ferrite and broaden its microwave-absorption band, BaFe12O19, Ba0.95Ca0.05Fe12O19, and Ba0.95Ca0.05Fe12−xCoxO19 (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4, respectively) hexaferrites were synthesized by the solid-state reaction method, and the influence of Co ion substitution on the phase composition, microstructure, magnetic properties, and microwave-absorption ability of the ferrites in this system was studied. Introducing minor Co ions (x < 0.2) facilitated sintering and grain growth. At x ≥ 0.2, XRD revealed the emergence of the Co2X phase alongside the BaM phase. Increasing Co ion concentration and the secondary X-phase led to slight reductions in saturation magnetization (69 to 63.5 emu/g) and substantial decline in coercivity (2107.02 to 111.21 Oe), attributed to grain size growth and Co2X’s soft magnetic nature. Notably, Co2X incorporation significantly enhanced the microwave absorption and provided a tunable absorption band from the Ku to the C band. For a sample with a thickness of 2.0 mm and a doping level of x = 0.2, a minimum reflection loss of −59.5 dB was achieved at 8.92 GHz, with an effective absorption bandwidth of 3.31 GHz (7.07–10.38 GHz). The simple preparation method and good performance make Ba0.95Ca0.05Fe12−xCoxO19 (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.4, respectively) hexaferrites promising microwave-absorbing materials.

Enhanced Ornidazole Degradation via Peroxymonosulfate Activation Using Nano CoFe2O4‐Decorated Halloysite Nanotubes: A High‐Efficiency and Stable Catalyst Approach

AbstractThis study proposes a novel, cost‐effective nano CoFe2O4‐decorated halloysite nanotubes (CoFe2O4/HNT) catalyst, which effectively degrades the antibiotic ornidazole (ONZ) through peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation. By using a simple and economical preparation method, ultra‐low amounts of CoFe2O4 are uniformly loaded onto HNTs, significantly improving the activity and stability of the catalyst. The experimental results show that the CoFe2O4/HNT+PMS system can almost completely degrade ONZ within 1 h, with good pH adaptability and resistance to anion interference. The simple synthesis process and low cost of CoFe2O4/HNT make it highly practical for large‐scale applications. Mechanism studies have shown that the synergistic effect between Co and Fe greatly improves the activation efficiency of PMS, generating reactive oxygen species (such as 1O2) that play a key role in ONZ degradation. This work not only elucidates the activation mechanism, but also provides insightful information for advanced oxidation processes (AOP). The results indicate the practicality and importance of CoFe2O4/HNT catalyst in treating harmful pollutants in water, supporting effective and sustainable water purification technologies. In addition, the study emphasizes the elasticity and adaptability of this innovative catalyst system in managing various pollutants, indicating its broad potential for environmental applications.

Eco-friendly synthesis of CuO/Bi2O3 nanocomposite for efficient photocatalytic degradation of rhodamine B dye.

Plant-mediated synthesized materials are receiving more attention than conventional ones due to their wide availability, ease of access, simple preparation methods, environmental benign, and possess superior physicochemical properties. In this work, plant extract-mediated CuO, Bi2O3, and CuO/Bi2O3 nanocomposite samples were successfully synthesized using bamboo leaves extract as a capping agent. These materials were utilized for the photodegradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) dye, which served as a model organic dye pollutant. The physicochemical characterization techniques such as XRD, SEM-EDS, FTIR, and DRS-UV-vis spectrophotometry provide insight into the crystal structure, morphology, surface functional groups, and optical properties. These analyses confirm the effective formation of CuO, Bi2O3, and CuO/Bi2O3 materials. Surprisingly, upon calcination at 450°C for 4h, the color of the nanocomposite changed from pale green to gray greenish, providing evidence for the formation of the CuO in CuO/Bi2O3 nanocomposite. The photocatalytic optimization parameters such as pH (4), catalyst load (35mg), irradiation time (180min) and concentration of RhB (10 mg L-1) dye were investigated. By coupling CuO with Bi2O3 nanoparticles resulted in an improved photocatalytic property for the degradation of RhB dye under optimal conditions. As a result, CuO/Bi2O3 nanocomposite exhibited a significantly boosted photocatalytic degradation efficiency (95.6%) compared to pure CuO (40.2%) and Bi2O3 (80.5%) photocatalysts, with good reusability. For comparison purpose, the photocatalytic degradation of RhB dye using selected photocatalyst was evaluated under dark and sunlight systems. This eco-friendly approach holds great potential for synthesis new nanocomposite with modified properties, thereby enabling the practical application of high-efficiency photocatalysts. The plausible mechanism of the electrons and holes transfer was proposed.

Sulfuration-induced enhancement of photodetection performance of photoconductive detector based on Bi2O2Se thin film

Significant interlayer transmission obstacles and numerous interface barriers in two-dimensional material thin films impede charge transfer, degrading device performance. However, appropriate impurity ions can enhance charge mobility by creating transfer channels and regulating interface defect states. Herein, a series of Bi2O2SxSe1-x films were prepared by a one-step hydrothermal sulfurization method. The XRD and XPS measurement and analysis can confirm that the Se atoms have been replaced by the S atoms. The introduction of S atoms can effectively enhance the number of defects in Bi2O2Se, resulting in an increase in carrier concentration, thereby improving the conductivity of Bi2O2Se film. The photoconductive detectors fabricated from these Bi2O2SxSe1-x films showed improved detection performance compared to those made from the pristine Bi2O2Se film, and the responsivity is increased by nearly 1000 times. Notably, the detector based on Bi2O2S0.37Se0.63 film has high responsivity (47.7 mA/W) and fast response time (15 ms/25 ms). The simple thin film preparation method and good device performance make it have great potential for large-scale preparation.

Optical fiber fluorescence Cu2+ sensing technology based on CdSe/ZnS quantum dots: Large detection range, low detection limit

BackgroundCopper ion (Cu2+), a crucial heavy metal ion, is closely associated with human health and the ecological environment. Imbalances in Cu2+ can result in health issues for humans and damage to the ecosystem. Therefore, it is essential to detect Cu2+ in the environment. However, current Cu2+ sensors still face challenges such as limited detection range, poor detection limits, high costs, and complex preparation processes. Clearly, there is a need for a Cu2+ sensor with an extensive detection range, low detection limit, cost-effectiveness, and simple preparation methods that enable online monitoring and real-time measurement of Cu2+. ResultsIn this paper, a high-performance optical fiber fluorescent Cu2+ sensor based on polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) hydrogel encapsulated CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) is designed and fabricated. Due to the porous nature of PEGDA hydrogels, large-diameter CdSe/ZnS QDs are confined within the hydrogels, while small molecules Cu2+ are allowed to permeate them. Cu2+ reacts with QDs, resulting in the fluorescence quenching of QDs, which enables the detection of Cu2+. Experimental results show that the sensor can quantitatively analyze Cu2+ in the concentration range of 0.1–200 μM, with a limit of detection (LOD) of only 0.8 nM, and the fastest response time is only 5 s. Additionally, the sensor exhibits strong specificity, has been successfully applied to real water sample detection, demonstrates good stability, and shows great potential for real-time Cu2+ detection. SignificanceThe sensor possesses a large detection range and low LOD, and the synthesis of its core fluorescent probe is straightforward and expedient. Specifically, the fluorescent probe can be synthesized by subjecting a solution of hydrogel precursors doped with CdSe/ZnS QDs to UV irradiation for approximately 2 min. This method is particularly suitable for monitoring confined environments and holds significant implications for the production of Cu2+ sensors capable of real-time detection.

Rational Design of Highly Porous Donor-Acceptor Based Conjugated Microporous Polymer for Photocatalytic Benzylamine Coupling Reaction.

Conjugated microporous polymers (CMPs) are an important class of organic materials with several useful features like, inherent nanoscale porosity, large specific surface area and semiconducting properties, which are very demanding for various sustainable applications. Carbazole building blocks are extensively used in designing photocatalysts due to easy electron donation and hole transportation. In the current study, a new CMP material CBZ-CMP containing carbazole unit used for photocatalytic C═N coupling reaction under blue light irradiation is designed. The CBZ-CMP framework is made through the polycondensation of 4,4'-di(9H-carbazol-9-yl)-1,1'-biphenyl using FeCl3 as a catalyst. The CBZ-CMP shows very high BET surface area of 1536 m2 g-1 together with unimodal porosity (ca. 1.7nm supermicropore), nanowire-like particle morphology (16-18nm diameter), and low band gap property. The bi-phenyl moiety functions as the electron accepting center and the carbazole unit acts as the donor center, which accounts for the low band gap energy of CBZ-CMP. This nanoporous semiconducting CBZ-CMP material for photocatalytic benzylamine coupling reaction is explored, where it shows good conversion together with high selectivity under mild reaction conditions. This study offers simple method of preparation of a D-A-D-based porous photocatalyst for sustainable synthesis of value-added organics.

Synthesis, characterization, and application of films made from highly substituted N-perfluoroacylated chitosan

Highly substituted perfluoroacylated chitosan can alter the physicochemical properties of chitosan; however, the currently synthesized perfluoroacylated chitosan has a low degree of substitution. In this study, we present a simple method for the homogeneous preparation of highly substituted N-perfluoroacylated chitosan, conducted at room temperature without requiring strict anhydrous or oxygen-free conditions. Various perfluorocarbon chains were successfully attached to chitosan through a reaction between perfluorinated acid esters and amines, catalyzed by DBU. The synthesized N-perfluoroacylated chitosan, with high degree of substitution, demonstrated excellent solubility in common organic solvents. Comprehensive characterization was performed using elemental analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance (including two-dimensional NMR), gel permeation chromatography, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermal analysis. The resulting films exhibited high water contact angles. Notably, as the fluorocarbon chain length increased, tensile strength gradually decreased, while elongation at break improved. Additionally, water uptake, water vapor transmission rate, and oxygen transmission rate all exhibited a declining trend. The films exhibited good biocompatibility, and in the grape preservation experiment, HFBC treatment effectively delayed grape aging and deterioration while enhancing quality preservation. These results suggest that HFBC film holds promising potential for food packaging applications.

Solvent-mediated synthesis of 2D In-TCPP MOF nanosheets for enhanced photodynamic antibacterial therapy

Two-dimensional (2D) metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have emerged as promising photosensitizers in photodynamic therapy in recent years. In comparison to bulk MOFs, constructing 2D MOFs can increase the presence of active sites through increasing the surface area ratio. Herein, we report a simple solvent-mediated synthesis method for preparation of 2D porphyrin-based MOF (In-TCPP) nanosheets without the addition of any surfactants as an efficient photosensitizer for enhancing photodynamic antibacterial therapy. The accurate regulation of the morphology and size of 2D In-TCPP nanosheets can be achieved by varying the ratio of water to N,N-dimethylformamide solvent with the appropriate assistance of pyridine. The optimal synthesized 2D In-TCPP nanosheets exhibit a diameter of 70-120 nm and a thickness of 21.5-27.4 nm. Promisingly, 2D In-TCPP nanosheets produce a higher amount of 1O2 when exposed to 660 nm laser compared to the In-TCPP bulk, indicating that the smaller nanosheets possess more active sites for reactive oxygen species generation and can greatly improve the antibacterial photodynamic therapeutic effect. Both the in vitro and in vivo results prove that the In-TCPP nanosheets can be used as a photosensitizer for efficient photodynamic antibacterial therapy to kill S. aureus and promote wound healing.

Crushing behavior and energy absorption of node self-locked Kagome honeycomb

This work proposes a self-locked Kagome honeycomb (SLKH) structure to realize better balance between energy absorption and cost efficiency. The structure uses a simple and creative bending preparation method to form a triangle nested self-locking pattern with distinct layers, rich shapes, easy assembly, flexibility and efficiency. The quasi-static experiments and numerical simulations are employed to investigate the energy absorption behavior and dynamic response. Numerical analysis is conducted to reveal the influence of cell size, angle at the connecting plate, and number of bent plates on the energy absorption performance of SLKH. Additionally, a theoretical estimation model for mean crushing force of SLKH structure is established, providing guidance for efficient parameter design and selection. The results demonstrate that the SLKH exhibits superior energy absorption performance with low cost.

Ultrathin Ga2O3 Photodetector with Fast Response and Trajectory Tracking Capability Fabricated by Liquid Metal Oxidation.

Low-dimensional Ga2O3 demonstrates a unique ultraviolet photoresponse and could be used in various electronic and optical systems. However, the low-dimensional Ga2O3 photodetector is faced with the challenges of a complex preparation process and poor device performance. In this work, ultrathin Ga2O3 layers with ∼7 nm thickness are prepared on quartz rods by UV exposure to liquid gallium. Benefiting from low-density oxygen vacancy defects cured by UV exposure, the low-dimensional Ga2O3 photodetector exhibits a high response speed (rise: 64.7 μs; fall: 51.4 μs) and an exceptional linear dynamic range of 120 dB. Furthermore, the photodetector array based on these ultrathin Ga2O3 shows an effective trajectory tracking capability by monitoring UV source motion. This work develops a simple preparation method to construct a low-dimensional UV photodetector array with fast response and useful trajectory tracking capability, exhibiting the significance of ultrathin Ga2O3 in UV optoelectronics.

Facile One-Pot Preparation of Polypyrrole-Incorporated Conductive Hydrogels for Human Motion Sensing.

Conductive hydrogels have been widely used in soft robotics, as well as skin-attached and implantable bioelectronic devices. Among the candidates of conductive fillers, conductive polymers have become popular due to their intrinsic conductivity, high biocompatibility, and mechanical flexibility. However, it is still a challenge to construct conductive polymer-incorporated hydrogels with a good performance using a facile method. Herein, we present a simple method for the one-pot preparation of conductive polymer-incorporated hydrogels involving rapid photocuring of the hydrogel template followed by slow in situ polymerization of pyrrole. Due to the use of a milder oxidant, hydrogen peroxide, for polypyrrole synthesis, the photocuring of the hydrogel template and the growing of polypyrrole proceeded in an orderly manner, making it possible to prepare conductive polymer-incorporated hydrogels in one pot. The preparation process is facile and extensible. Moreover, the obtained hydrogels exhibit a series of properties suitable for biomedical strain sensors, including good conductivity (2.49 mS/cm), high stretchability (>200%), and a low Young's modulus (~30 kPa) that is compatible with human skin.

Fabrication of a Hydrophilic Al2O3/AlN EP Coating with Self‐Cleaning and High‐Efficiency Anti‐Corrosion Properties

AbstractCurrently, with the gradual development of anticorrosive coatings, the pursuit of simple preparation methods and the improvement of anticorrosive coatings’ properties have become the major research trends. This study successfully prepared a hydrophilic super anticorrosive coating through a simple mixing method. The coating has a contact Angle of 67.8° and a rolling Angle greater than 20°. This coating can withstand 180 days of salt spray test with no bubble or rust formation when placed on a Q 235 substrate in a 3.5 wt % NaCl solution, demonstrating the excellent corrosion resistance of the AO0.4AN0.6EP coating. Furthermore, after being immersed in a 3.5 wt % NaCl solution for 3 days, the AO0.4AN0.6EP coating exhibited the largest impedance diameter (2.07×108 Ω⋅cm2), almost three times larger than other coatings, and possessed the highest Bode modulus value, one order of magnitude higher than other coatings. After immersion in a 3.5 wt % NaCl solution for 7 days, the AO0.4AN0.6EP coating had the largest Ecorr and the smallest icorr, indicating its superior corrosion resistance. In addition to corrosion resistance, the AO0.4AN0.6EP coating showed no signs of cracking, discoloration, or decomposition after being exposed to ultraviolet aging lights for 30 days, demonstrating its excellent UV resistance. Moreover, neither dry soil particles nor muddy water could adhere to the coating surface, proving its good self‐cleaning ability. Therefore, this coating holds promising applications in the field of super corrosion‐resistant coatings.

Preparation of coconut oil/aluminum nitride/expanded graphite composite phase change materials with high thermal conductivity and stable shape for thermal energy storage

Preparation of coconut oil/aluminum nitride/expanded graphite composite phase change materials with high thermal conductivity and stable shape for thermal energy storage

A novel coarse-grained modeling and simulation for microstructure and shear evolution of induced dipole dominant electrorheological fluid

Induced dipole dominant electrorheological fluid (ID-ERF) is a new type of ERF. After high energy ball milling (HEBM) process, dielectric particles produce a large number of oxygen vacancies, and the dipoles formed by the polarization of these oxygen vacancies provide excellent ER properties. ID-ERF has the advantages of high shear stress, low current density, long service life, anti-sedimentation, simple preparation method, etc. It should be a new generation of ERF material suitable for practical application. In this work, facing at the shortcomings of traditional particle MD simulation of ERF system, a coarse-grained molecular dynamics (CGMD) model is constructed. The evolution of ID-ERF is simulated under the conditions of no electric field and 5 kV/mm electric field. Proves that there is an adsorption layer of carrier liquid on the surface of ER particles, and shows BCT lattice arrangement under electric field. The sinusoidal shear strain is applied to the model, and calculate the variation of strain amplitude, loss factor, storage modulus and loss modulus. In addition, we prepared ID-ERF and tested its performance to compare with the simulation results.

Development of Binder–free Ni3S2/CoS2 nano–composite as electrode material for Energy Storage Application

Global energy crisis imposes immense obstacles leading towards development of innovative devices, and supercapacitors (SCs) are thought to be a viable energy storage technology. The engineering of nanostructured materials with a distinct and consistent morphological design is seen as a better option for various range of electrochemical energy sources. This study reports novel binder-free Ni3S2/CoS2 electrode material that acquires higher energy, higher energy density, as well as its simple preparation method, low cost, and earth–abundant resources. The morphological, structural, and textural characteristics resulted in surface area of 46 m2 g–1 of Ni3S2/CoS2 that will increase active sites also. The synthesized nanocomposite has particle size of 41.1 nm that leads to enhanced active sites and greater surface area as confirmed through BET analysis. Ni3S2/CoS2 nanocomposite has high specific capacity around 828.14 F g–1 at 5 mV s–1 sweep rate using 2 M KOH, a high energy density around 115.01 Wh kg–1, and power density of 1000 Wh kg–1. Ni3S2/CoS2 acquires higher ionic conductivity of 5 S m-1, this will enhance the inter-layer transference of electrons, and these results perfectly correlates with EIS, resulting in charge transfer resistance value of 0.9 Ω for nano-composite. These enhanced electrochemical capabilities of Ni3S2/CoS2 hold significant potential in practical viability.

Mesenchymal Stem Cell-Based Biomimetic Liposome for Targeted Treatment of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a systemic autoimmune disorder that severely compromises joint health. The primary therapeutic strategy for advanced RA aims to inhibit joint inflammation. However, the nonspecific distribution of pharmacological agents has limited therapeutic efficacy and heightens the risks associated with RA treatment. To address this issue, we developed mesenchymal stem cell (MSC)-based biomimetic liposomes, termed MSCsome, which were composed of a fusion between MSC membranes and liposomes. MSC some with relatively simple preparation method effectively enhanced the targeting efficiency of drug to diseased joints. Interaction between lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 enhanced the affinity of the MSCsome for polarized macrophages, thereby improving its targeting capability to affected joints. The effective targeted delivery facilitated drug accumulation in joints, resulting in the significant inhibition of the inflammation, as well as protection and repair of the cartilage. In conclusion, this study introduced MSCsome as a promising approach for the effective treatment of advanced RA, providing a novel perspective on targeted drug delivery therapy for inflammatory diseases.

Supramolecular Composite Hydrogel Loaded with CaF2 Nanoparticles Promotes the Recovery of Periodontitis Bone Resorption.

Treatments to reduce periodontal inflammation and rescue periodontitis bone resorption have been of interest to researchers. Bone tissue engineering materials have been gradually used in the treatment of bone defects, but periodontal bone tissue regeneration still faces challenges. Considering the biocompatibility factor, constructing bionic scaffolds with natural extracellular matrix properties is an ideal therapeutic pathway. Based on the pathological mechanism of periodontitis, in this study, short peptide and nanometer inorganic particles were comingled to construct NapKFF-nano CaF2 supramolecular composite hydrogels with different ratios. Material characterization experiments confirmed that the composite hydrogel had suitable mechanical properties and a three-dimensional structure that can function in the resorption region of the alveolar bone and provide spaces for cell proliferation and adhesion. The release of low concentrations of fluoride and calcium ions has been shown to have positive biological effects in both in vivo and in vitro experiments. Vitro experiments confirmed that the composite hydrogel had good biocompatibility and promoted osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Microbiological experiments confirmed that the composite hydrogel inhibited the activity of periodontal pathogenic bacteria. In animal studies, composite hydrogel applied to periodontitis rats in vivo can effectively repair alveolar bone resorption. This composite hydrogel has a simple preparation method and is inexpensive to produce, yet it has antibacterial and osteogenesis-promoting incremental effects, which makes it well suited for the treatment of periodontitis bone resorption, providing a new strategy for periodontal bone tissue engineering.

Wavelength Modulation and Fast Response of Mixed-Phase β-Ga2O3:Zn/SnO2 in-Plane Heterojunction Ultraviolet Photodetectors.

Ultraviolet photodetectors based on wide bandgap mixed-phase β-Ga2O3:Zn/SnO2 thin films formed through doping on the c-sapphire substrate (c-Al2O3) are prepared to construct in-plane heterojunctions employing a low-cost and simple preparation method. The mixed-phase thin film photodetectors have a low dark current of 0.74 nA, and the photo-to-dark current ratio ranges from 36.43 to 642.38 at 10 V. The photodetectors also have wavelength modulation, with response peaks ranging from 260 nm (4 mA/W) to 295 nm (1.63 A/W). Furthermore, the photodetectors have a fast response time with a rise time of 0.07 s/0.22 s and a decay time of 0.04 s/0.22 s at 1 V. The excellent performance of the devices is attributed to the reduction of VO and the establishment of multiple electric fields in the mixed-phase films, which indicates the feasibility of implementing wavelength-modulated and fast-response β-Ga2O3 photodetectors using the sol-gel method.

Application of N-doped NiCo2O4/NiO/Co3O4 composites rich in oxygen vacancies in electromagnetic wave absorption

In this work, N-doped and oxygen vacancy-rich NiCo2O4/NiO/Co3O4composites are synthesized by the direct calcination method. Noticeably, by changing the additive concentrations of urea dissolved in DMF (N-N dimethylformamide), the electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorption abilities of NiCo2O4/NiO/Co3O4composite effectively. A maximum reflection loss (RLmax) value at 12.94 GHz for a 2.8 mm thick sheet is -29.76 dB, while its effective absorption bandwidth (RL < -10 dB) reaches 4.21 GHz. In-depth research of possible mechanisms of EMW absorption enhancement. Owing to its simple preparation method and superb EMW absorption properties, the NiCo2O4/NiO/Co3O4composites have a chance to be suitable candidates for high-property EMW absorbers.