Synergistic Interaction Research Articles

Elementomics of 32 elements in cord serum depicts the risk of orofacial clefts: a case-control study in Shanxi, China

Maternal exposure to various metallic and non-metallic elements has been linked to the occurrence of orofacial clefts (OFCs), yet there remains a dearth of comprehensive research on the potential ramifications of simultaneous exposure to multiple elements. In this study, we investigated the individual and combined effects of element exposure on OFCs in a cohort of 168 pregnant women (49 cases and 119 controls) in the Shanxi province of northern China from 2010 to 2015. Cord serum samples were obtained from all participants to analyze the levels of 32 elements using inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. The study examined the independent correlation between element concentrations and OFCs using two machine screening models, Boruta and Least Absolute Shrinkage and Selection Operator. Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) was utilized to determine the combined effects of key exposure elements on OFCs and to clarify the interaction between exposed elements through the generalized additive model (GAM). The screening models identified lead (Pb), tin (Sn), iron (Fe), and cesium (Cs) as the most significant risk factors for OFC development in offspring. In the BKMR model, the probability of OFCs increased with higher overall levels of these risk elements, with Pb emerging as the primary contributor to the combined effect of the mixture. The findings of the GAM indicated that the combined exposure to Pb and Sn had a synergistic effect on the risk of developing OFCs. Analysis of elemental exposure in umbilical cord serum suggested that Pb exposure may have detrimental effects on OFC development in offspring, which may be further intensified by a synergistic interaction between Sn and Pb in the occurrence of OFCs.

Combined Treatment with Tauroursodeoxycholic Acid and SCD Probiotics Reduces Oxidative Stress in Lung Tissue of Aged Rats

Aging is associated with an increased level of oxidative stress, resulting from an elevated production of reactive oxygen species, which can lead to cellular and tissue damage, particularly in the lungs. This study examined the effects of Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) and SCD Probiotics, both individually and in combination, on oxidative stress markers in the lung tissue of aged Sprague-Dawley rats. The primary objective was to assess the potential of these agents in reducing malondialdehyde (MDA), advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) levels, which are indicative of oxidative damage and inflammation. The results showed that TUDCA significantly decreased MDA and AOPP levels, suggesting its role in maintaining mitochondrial stability and inhibiting apoptotic pathways. SCD Probiotics also demonstrated a reduction in AOPP levels, highlighting their immunomodulatory and antioxidant effects. Furthermore, the combined treatment of TUDCA and SCD Probiotics led to a more pronounced decrease in both MDA and AOPP levels, along with a significant reduction in MPO activity. This suggests a synergistic interaction that enhances the antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties of the individual treatments. These findings support the therapeutic potential of TUDCA and SCD Probiotics in mitigating oxidative damage in aging lung tissues, proposing that their concurrent use could be an effective strategy against age-related oxidative stress. Further research is warranted to explore these effects across different models and long-term applications.

The influence of residue interaction on thermal stability of lipase based on dynamic graph embedding

Lipases with high thermal stability have greater application in industrial production. Focusing on wild-type lipase and their thermotolerant mutants, this study employs dynamic graph embedding to explore the change of spatiotemporal characteristics in residue-residue interactions, analyzing the relationship between residue mutations and the thermal stability of lipase. K-means clustering is used to analyze the synergistic relationships between residues, revealing that thermotolerant mutants achieve higher thermal stability by enhancing the synergistic interactions between secondary structures, resulting in a more balanced and tightly-knit internal structure. Critical residues are identified using anomaly node detection methods, showing that residues with spatiotemporal instability are mainly distributed on highly flexible loop regions. Specifically, mutations at Tyr89 and Asp132 restrict the motion range of the loops, making the lipase structure more stable. The study demonstrates that mutating highly flexible regions to increase structural rigidity can effectively enhance the thermal stability of lipases.

Evolutionary Insights from Association Rule Mining of Co-Occurring Mutations in Influenza Hemagglutinin and Neuraminidase.

Seasonal influenza viruses continuously evolve via antigenic drift. This leads to recurring epidemics, globally significant mortality rates, and the need for annually updated vaccines. Co-occurring mutations in hemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) are suggested to have synergistic interactions where mutations can increase the chances of immune escape and viral fitness. Association rule mining was used to identify temporal relationships of co-occurring HA-NA mutations of influenza virus A/H3N2 and its role in antigenic evolution. A total of 64 clusters were found. These included well-known mutations responsible for antigenic drift, as well as previously undiscovered groups. A majority (41/64) were associated with known antigenic sites, and 38/64 involved mutations across both HA and NA. The emergence and disappearance of N-glycosylation sites in the pattern of N-X-[S/T] were also identified, which are crucial post-translational processes to maintain protein stability and functional balance (e.g., emergence of NA:339ASP and disappearance of HA:187ASP). Our study offers an alternative approach to the existing mutual-information and phylogenetic methods used to identify co-occurring mutations, enabling faster processing of large amounts of data. Our approach can facilitate the prediction of critical mutations given their occurrence in a previous season, facilitating vaccine development for the next flu season and leading to better preparation for future pandemics.

Grazing and precipitation addition interactions alleviate dominant species overgrowth and promote community productivity and biodiversity in a typical steppe

Grazing and precipitation are pivotal factors influencing the productivity and biodiversity of grassland ecosystems, largely through their effects on the growth and reproduction of dominant species. Approximately 50 % of terrestrial ecosystems are concurrently affected by grazing and precipitation addition (PA), yet the interactive effects of these factors remain underexplored. To elucidate the combined impacts of grazing and PA on the growth of dominant species and their influence on community structure and function, we initiated a four-year combined grazing and PA experiment based on a long term of grazing experiment in a typical steppe. The synergistic interaction between PA and grazing enhanced canopy diameter (CD), tiller density (TD), and seedling density (SD) in dominant species, while decreasing reproductive branch density (RB). Conversely, an antagonistic interaction increased plant height (PH) and TD but reduced SD. These responses suggest that dominant species adapt to combined grazing and PA pressures by shifting growth strategies towards lateral growth and asexual reproduction. The growth characteristics of dominant species exhibited four response patterns to grazing and PA interactions: full saturation, sufficient saturation, equal saturation, and deficit saturation, each with three corresponding thresholds: adaptation, optimum, and saturation points. Grazing decreased the precipitation response thresholds for PH, CD, RB, and population density, while increasing the optimal points for TD and SD. These changes in the growth of the dominant species resulted in a 33 % reduction in the aboveground biomass (AGB) of the community and triggered a 18 % increase in the coupling index between AGB and species richness within the community. Our findings highlight the role of dominant species in facilitating community adaptation to increased precipitation and rotational grazing, offering critical insights for developing sustainable grazing strategies under climate change.

Synergistic activation of peroxymonosulfate for tetracycline hydrochloride degradation with SrTiO3/Ti3C2Tx photocatalyst

Peroxymonosulfate (PMS) is a promising technology for increasing the oxidation capacity and promoting the production of active species in the photocatalytic system. SrTiO3, a material with a perovskite crystal structure in a cubic form, can activate PMS on its surface and generate non-radical 1O2. Herein, SrTiO3/Ti3C2Tx (ST) composites were successfully synthesized using a hydrothermal method based on SrTiO3 materials. The photocatalytic activation of PMS resulted in the degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride (TC-HCl), with the ST-10 (10 wt% SrTiO3/Ti3C2Tx) composite showing the highest efficiency in TC removal and rapid degradation kinetics, achieving complete TC removal within 10 min. The synergistic interaction between the two components in ST-10 significantly enhanced the activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS), leading to an increased production of free radicals. The larger specific surface area and presence of –OH groups in the composite material facilitated the adsorption and chemical bonding of PMS molecules, thereby improving their overall performance. Quench experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance analysis identified •SO4−, •OH, •O2– and 1O2 as the primary active species responsible for the degradation of TC. Additionally, the degradation pathway of TC was elucidated through mass spectrometry analysis. This study provides valuable insights for the development of effective photocatalysts as promising PMS catalysts in environmental applications.

Microbial Contributions to Heavy Metal Phytoremediation in Agricultural Soils: A Review.

Phytoremediation is a sustainable technique that employs plants to reinforce polluted environments such as agroecosystems. In recent years, new strategies involving the plant microbiome as an adjuvant in remediation processes have been reported. By leveraging this microbial assistance to remediate soils contaminated with heavy metals such As, Pb, Cd, Hg, and Cr, plants can sequester, degrade, or stabilize contaminants more efficiently. Remarkably, some plant species are known for their hyper-accumulative traits in synergy with their microbial partners and can successfully mitigate heavy metal pollutants. This sustainable biotechnology based on plant-microbe associations not only aids in environmental cleanup but also enhances biodiversity, improves soil structure, and promotes plant growth and health, making it a promising solution for addressing agro-pollution challenges worldwide. The current review article emphasizes the potential of synergistic plant-microbe interactions in developing practical and sustainable solutions for heavy metal remediation in agricultural systems, which are essential for food security.

Physical and mechanical properties of fiberboard produced with shredded waste office paper

This study investigated the effects of shredded waste office paper as a raw material on the physical and mechanical properties of fiberboard. Two amounts of urea formaldehyde (UF) resin (10 and 15%) and five shredded waste office paper/wood fiber mixing ratios (0/100, 25/75, 50/50, 75/25, and 100/0) were selected. The findings showed that all characteristics of boards were improved with an increase in resin content at various wastepaper participation ratios. The 15% UF-bonded board with 100% wood fiber had the highest modulus of rupture (MOR) value, but there was no statistically significant difference between it and the board with 50% wastepaper. The modulus of elasticity (MOE) values of the 15% UF-bonded boards increased as the wastepaper participation ratio increased, and the highest was obtained from the board with 75% wastepaper. The highest internal bond (IB) strength value was also recorded from the 15% UF-bonded board with 50% wastepaper. This was due to the presence of sufficient bonding potential and smoother surfaces in the shredded wastepaper, which allowed for a synergistic interaction between the wastepaper and wood fiber.

Synergistic interaction behavior of deformation mechanisms in a new metastable β-Ti alloy with high strain hardening rate

The present study successfully designed a novel metastable β titanium alloy, Ti–8.8Cr–1.9Sn, exhibiting exceptionally high strain-hardening rate (∼2.4 GPa) as well as significant total elongation (∼48.2 %). Detailed analysis of the microstructure revealed that the successive activation of primary mechanical twins and primary SIM α" within β phases, along with secondary mechanical twins and secondary SIM α" within twinning zones during deformation, which results in a highly intricate network of deformation microstructures. Meanwhile, during deformation the microstructure undergoes dynamic refinement through the continuous occurrence of mechanical twinning and phase transformations, leading to a reduction in dislocation mean free path, thereby enhancing the strain-hardening rate. Importantly, the microstructural heterogeneity is formed due to generation of numerous heterogeneous interfaces, including β/α'', β/twin, α''/twin as well as twin/twinnano, thereby inducing additional HDI hardening resulting from the formation of GNDs for accommodating strain gradients near these interfaces. Furthermore, the relative mobile dislocation density ρm/ρm0 is significantly high during deformation, due to a reduced exhaustion rate and a high nucleation rate of mobile dislocations. The values of activation volume Va and V∗ typically range from 1b3–100b3, indicating the occurrence of cross-slip and dislocation nucleation. The interaction and accumulation between GNDs and mobile dislocations further contribute to the improvement of strain hardening rate. Therefore, the synergistic interaction activities of multiple deformation mechanisms lead to enhanced strain-hardening rate along with the large plasticity.

Interleukin signaling in the regulation of natural killer cells biology in breast cancer.

In the field of breast cancer treatment, the immunotherapy involving natural killer (NK) cells is increasingly highlighting its distinct potential and significance. Members of the interleukin (IL) family play pivotal regulatory roles in the growth, differentiation, survival, and apoptosis of NK cells, and are central to their anti-tumor activity. These cytokines enhance the ability of NK cells to recognize and eliminate tumor cells by binding to specific receptors and activating downstream signaling pathways. Furthermore, interleukins do not function in isolation; the synergistic or antagonistic interactions between different interleukins can drive NK cells toward various functional pathways, ultimately leading to diverse outcomes for breast cancer patients. This paper reviews the intricate relationship between NK cells and interleukins, particularly within the breast cancer tumor microenvironment. Additionally, we summarize the latest clinical studies and advancements in NK cell therapy for breast cancer, along with the potential applications of interleukin signaling in these therapies. In conclusion, this article underscores the critical role of NK cells and interleukin signaling in breast cancer treatment, providing valuable insights and a significant reference for future research and clinical practice.

Integration and Characterization of Synthetic Biodegradable Polymer (PVA) with Graphite Oxide (GO) for Performance Assessment in Sustainable Electrochemical Devices

AbstractIn recent years, the demand for sustainable materials in electrochemical devices has driven the exploration of innovative composites. This study focuses on the integration and characterization of synthetic biodegradable polymer polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) with graphite oxide (GO) to evaluate their performance in sustainable electrochemical applications. PVA, known for its biodegradability and biocompatibility, was combined with GO to leverage its excellent electrical conductivity and large surface area. Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) represent a promising electrochemical biosynthesis technology that harnesses the enzymatic activities using microbes to produce energy from organic substrates. This renewable energy approach relies on the synergistic interaction between electrochemically active bacteria and electrode materials to facilitate electron transfer and power generation. Applications of MFCs range from wastewater treatment to sustainable power generation in remote or resource-limited settings. This study explores recent advances in MFC technology, challenges in scaling up for practical applications, and prospects for integrating MFCs into renewable energy strategies. The nano composite membrane was evaluated for structural, morphological, crystalline, and thermal properties by using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopic (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), and UV- visible spectroscopy. Additionally, the biodegradability of the composite was assessed, confirming that it maintains its environmental benefits while offering improved performance for potential applications in sustainable energy storage and conversion devices. This work provides a promising avenue for the development of eco-friendly electrochemical devices with optimized performance characteristics.

In-Depth Study on Synergic Interactions and Thermo-Kinetic Analysis of (Wheat Straw and Woody Sawdust) Biomass Co-Pyrolysis over Mussel Shell-Derived CaO Catalyst Using Coats–Redfern Method

The behavior of wheat straw biomass (WS), woody sawdust biomass (WB), and their blends during catalytic co-pyrolysis are analyzed in the presence of CaO catalyst, which is obtained from the calcination of mussel shells. Synergy analysis of blends and pure materials is measured by studying the difference between theoretical and experimental values of wt.%/min, (RL%), and (WL%), which correspond to maximum weight loss rate, residue left, and weight loss, respectively. The Coats–Redfern method is utilized for evaluating the thermo-kinetic properties. The chemical reaction order model F1 is the best model that describes the Ea of 60.05 kJ/mol and ∆H, ∆G, and ∆S values of 55.03 kJ/mol, 162.26 kJ/mol, and −0.18 kJ/mol.K, respectively, for the optimum blend 80WS−20WB, reducing the thermo-kinetic properties. Model D3 showed better results for the Ea, ∆H, ∆G, and ∆S for the 5% CaO blend, which certified the viability of co-pyrolysis of WS and WB, while DTG indicated that exothermic and endothermic reactions occur together.

Ten‐Million‐Fold Increase in the Electrical Conductivity of a MOF by Doping of Iodine Into MOF Integrated Mixed Matrix Membrane

AbstractThe development of electrically conductive membranes is essential for advancing future technologies like electronic devices, supercapacitors, and batteries. Newly synthesized doubly interpenetrated 3D‐Cd‐MOF (Metal‐Organic‐Framework) containing angular tetra‐carboxylate is found to display very poor electrical conductivity (10−11 S cm−1). However, it exhibits an exceptional ability to adsorb I2 (I2@Cd‐MOF) which shows increased electrical conductivity of the order of 10−8 S cm−1. Following these results, the Cd‐MOF is integrated into the PVDF‐PVP (Polyvinylidene fluoride‐Polyvinylpyrrolidone) polymeric mixed matrix membrane (MMM) and explores their I2 adsorption capabilities and electrical conductivities before and after I2 adsorption. Four polymeric MMMs with the loading of Cd‐MOF 0, 20, 40, and 50% are tested for their I2 adsorption ability and their respective electrical conductivities. The 50% Cd‐MOF‐loaded MMM is found to exhibit higher adsorption of I2 (685 mg g−1) and significant enhancement in conductivity from 10−11 to 10−4 S cm−1. The raise in the electrical conductivity by 10 million times is attributed to the synergistic interactions between I2, Cd‐MOF, PVDF, and PVP polymers as well as the increase in the concentration of charge carriers (holes) within the frameworks. This work serves as blueprint for controlling charge transfer in MMM to tune their electrical conductivity which opens a large window for advanced device applications.

Synergistic interaction of S-type heterojunction and sulfur vacancies in g-C3N5@Sv-ZnIn2S4 composites: Simultaneous promotion of complete 2,4-dichlorophenol mineralization and Cr(VI) reduction

Constructing efficient heterojunction photocatalysts is an effective measure for degrading pesticides and reducing heavy metals. In this study, g-C3N5@Sv-ZnIn2S4 (g-C3N5@Sv-ZIS) composite with large specific surface area has been successfully prepared by a simple low-temperature water bath method. The g-C3N5@Sv-ZIS composite showed complete mineralization of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) and reduction of Cr(VI) within 60 min. The results of electron spin resonance spectroscopy, photoelectrochemical characterization, and energy band structure calculations indicated the formation of an S-type heterojunction at the interface of g-C3N5 and Sv-ZIS. In situ XPS analysis showed the transfer of photogenerated charges from g-C3N5 to Sv-ZIS. The molecular structure of 2,4-DCP was analyzed using frontier molecular orbital and electrostatic potential calculations. The possible degradation pathways of 2,4-DCP were proposed based on liquid chromatography– mass spectrometry results. Biotoxicity simulations of the intermediates revealed decreased toxicities. Furthermore, The kinetic rate constant of CZSv-200 for degrading 2,4-DCP and Cr(Ⅵ) in deionized water was approximately 2.20, 3.10 and 2.46, 4.03 times higher than that in lake and sewage plant water, respectively. The composites designed in this study provide reliable theoretical support for the removal of composite pollutants.

Synergistic Interactions of Bulk Polarization and Built-In Electric Field Inducing 2D/2D S-Scheme Homojunction Toward Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance.

The rational design of S-scheme photocatalysts, achieved by serially integrating two different semiconductors, represents a promising strategy for efficient charge separation and amplified photocatalytic performance, yet it remains a challenge. Herein, ZnIn2S4 (ZIS) and oxygen-doped ZnIn2S4 (O-ZIS) nanosheets are chosen to construct a homojunction catalyst architecture. Theoretical simulations alongside comprehensive in situ and ex situ characterizations confirm that ZIS and O-ZIS with noncentrosymmetric layered structures can generate a polarization-induced bulk-internal electric field (IEF) within the crystal. A robust interface-IEF is also created by the strong interfacial interaction between O-ZIS and ZIS with different work functions. Owing to these features, the O-ZIS/ZIS homojunction adopts an S-scheme directional charge transfer route, wherein photoexcited electrons in ZIS and holes in O-ZIS concurrently migrate to their interface and subsequently recombine. This enables spatial charge separation and provides a high driving force for both reduction and oxidation reactions simultaneously. Consequently, such photocatalyst exhibits an H2 evolution rate up to 142.9µmol h-1 without any cocatalysts, which is 4.6- and 3.4-fold higher than that of pristine ZIS and O-ZIS, respectively. Benzaldehyde is also produced as a value-added oxidation product with a rate of 146.9µmol h-1. This work offers a new perspective on the design of S-scheme systems.

Organic Heterophase Composites Induced Sulfur Vacancies and Internal Electric Field Enhancement for Advanced Magnesium Storage of Copper Sulfide Cathodes

AbstractRechargeable magnesium‐ion batteries (MIBs) hold significant promise for safe and efficient large‐scale energy storage, but the lack of high‐performance cathodes hinders their development for practical applications. In this work, a series of nanocomposites consisting of π‐conjugated perylene‐3,4,9,10‐tetracarboxylic dianhydride annealed at 450 °C and copper sulfide (CuSP) are synthesized solvothermally to explore their utility as a host for Mg2+ storage in MIBs. The carbonyl organics in the hybrid materials modify the predominant CuS phase, expanding interlayer spacing and enriching sulfur vacancies through modifications of the internal electric field. This synergistic interaction enhances magnesium storage performance and accelerates reaction kinetics. Using chlorine‐free Mg[B(hfip)4]2/DME electrolytes, the CuSP91 cathode containing an appropriate organic content displays a remarkably high reversible capacity of 285 mAh g−1 at 50 mA g−1, and demonstrates a stable capacity of 220 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1, surpassing pure CuS cathode in terms of shorter activation time. The CuSP91 cathode maintains a discharge capacity of 55 mAh g−1 over 1000 cycles at 500 mA g−1. A co‐redox mechanism is revealed through in/ex situ investigations and analyses. Overall, this research contributes valuable insights targeting the development of advanced organic–inorganic hybrid composite cathode materials in next‐generation energy storage systems.

K0.9Rb2.1B8PO16: Design and Synthesis of a Deep-Ultraviolet Nonlinear Optical Crystal with Balanced Performance Derived from π-Conjugated and Non-π-Conjugated Groups.

A new deep-ultraviolet (DUV) nonlinear optical (NLO) material K0.9Rb2.1B8PO16 (KRBPO) has been designed and synthesized by adjusting the B/P molar ratio to 8:1. The KRBPO crystals were synthesized by a flux method and crystallized in noncentrosymmetric (NCS) and polar space group Cc. This compound exhibits a double-layer structure in which the A layer is composed of [B2O5] and [BO4] units and the B layer is formed by interconnected [B3O7] and [BO3] groups, and the two layers are connected by [PO4] tetrahedron. The theoretical calculations and experiments show that the synergistic interaction of π-conjugated and non-π-conjugated units leads to relatively well-balanced NLO properties of the title compound, including moderated SHG (0.7 × KDP), short UV cutoff edge (λcutoff < 190 nm), and a large band gap of 6.16 eV. Specifically, the coplanar arrangement of B-O groups in double-layer makes the KRBPO display a large birefringence (0.075@532 nm) and enables the shortest phase-matched wavelength to reach an important laser output wavelength of 266 nm.

Emissions trading, corporate social responsibility, and innovation quality -based on the perspective of formal and informal institutions

ABSTRACT High-quality green innovation plays a significant strategic support role in high-quality economic developments. Drawing upon institutional theory and property rights theory, this paper investigates the drivers of green innovation quality (GIQ) from the perspectives of formal and informal institutions. Emissions Trading Schemes (ETS) represent formal institutions designed and implemented by governments, while Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) represents informal institutions. The study finds that ETS significantly enhances GIQ. Moreover, CSR significantly and positively moderated the relationship between ETS and GIQ, indicating that the synergistic interaction between formal and informal institutions stimulates superior innovation quality. This paper contributes to the understanding of the relationship among government regulations, corporate ethics and responsibility, and innovation quality. This paper offers recommendations for environmental policy and management strategies.

Hybrid effects of graphene oxide-zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 (GO@ZIF-67) nanocomposite on mechanical, thermal, and microstructure properties of cement mortar

The addition of two-dimensional nanomaterials, such as graphene oxide (GO), and three-dimensional nanomaterials, such as zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 (ZIF-67), has shown great promise in improving the characteristics of cement-based systems. Consequently, a thorough understanding of the synergistic interactions between 2D and 3D nanomaterials in cement-based mortars is necessary. However, there is a lack of research on the use of graphene oxide-zeolitic imidazolate framework-67 (GO@ZIF-67) nanocomposites. Accordingly, this study investigated the hybrid effects of GO@ZIF-67 nanocomposites on the mechanical strength, hydration kinetics, shrinkage performance, and microstructural features of cement mortars. The GO@ZIF-67 nanocomposite was synthesized and added to the cement mortar at various concentrations (0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 wt %). The developed nanocomposite cement mortar was characterized using SEM-EDS, XRD, and DSC-TGA. The results indicated that the hybrid GO@ZIF-67 slightly improved the compressive strength of the cement paste, with a synergistic effect observed at specific concentrations. However, microstructural analysis revealed that the presence of hybrid nanomaterials did not facilitate the assembly and regulation of hydration crystal growth, nor did it significantly impede growth, resulting in minimal effects on the properties of cement mortar. Additionally, the nanocomposite influenced the hydration reactions and the formation of specific hydration products, introduced defects, and weakened the microstructure of the cement mortar. Moreover, an increase in the hybrid nanocomposite content led to higher drying shrinkage and water absorption, indicating a reduced durability of the cement mortar. Further research is required to optimize the use of GO@ZIF-67 nanocomposites in cement mortars to achieve the desired balance of properties.

Simultaneous improvement in mechanical properties, corrosion resistance and antibacterial properties of Ti-Ag sintered alloy with gradient nanostructure

Bioinert titanium (Ti) with antibacterial properties is crucial for bone implantations. Alloying Ag can endow Ti with antibacterial properties, while the mechanical, corrosion and antibacterial properties of Ti-Ag alloys are not satisfactorily balanced. In this work, Ti-x wt%Ag alloys (x=0.5, 1 and 3) were sintered by spark plasma sintering and then subjected to a surface mechanical rolling treatment (SMRT). The Ti-Ag alloys are composed of Ti, Ti-Ag and Ti2Ag phases. After SMRT, a gradient nanostructured (GNS) layer formed on the Ti-Ag surface, the mean grain size is ∼ 6 nm at the top surface and increases gradually with depth. The GNS layer endows Ti-Ag alloys with better wettability, higher nano-roughness and compressive residual stress. Incorporating limited Ag (≤1 wt%) in Ti can effectively enhance its mechanical (surface hardness, wear resistance and compressive strength) and anti-corrosion properties, and they can be further improved by forming a GNS layer. The antibacterial efficiency of Ti-Ag is positively proportional to Ag content, and they are significantly enhanced after surface nanocrystallization. The bacteriostatic mechanism is the synergistic interaction between leach Ag+ and nano Ag-containing phases of GNS Ti-Ag alloy. Both Ti-Ag and GNS Ti-Ag alloys possess good cytocompatibility, the GNS layer has the potential to encourage early differentiation of osteoblasts. The GNS Ti-Ag alloy with 1 wt% Ag has excellent comprehensive properties, which shows larger potential in orthopedic applications.