Thickness Of Interfacial Layer Research Articles

Evaluating the efficacy of newly synthesized amino acid derivatives as corrosion inhibitors in acidic solutions

Three benzimidazole derivatives, with tryptophan (BIT), tyrosine (BIY), and histidine (BIH) amino acid units, have remarkable protective properties as eco-friendly corrosion inhibitors for steel under severe acidic conditions. At a temperature of 303 K, the corrosion inhibition efficiency of BIT, BIY, and BIH at a concentration of 10 mM is 90.09 %, 92.53 %, and 93.43 %, respectively. Electrochemical tests indicate that the adsorption of these substances on the substrate leads to an increase in charge transfer resistance and interfacial electric double layer thickness. This effectively hinders the dissolution of metal and the evolution of hydrogen. The analysis of the surface structure and appearance using SEM-EDS indicates that the inhibitors have the ability to create a protective coating through both chemical and physical bonding, effectively protecting the metal from corrosive substances. Theoretical calculations, such as Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Natural Bond Orbital (NBO) analysis, along with FUKUI analysis, help identify active sites and adsorption configuration. This enhances our understanding of the corrosion mitigation mechanism. These findings align with the experimental conclusion that the formation of a stable protective film contributes to superior inhibition performance against acidic corrosion conditions.

High strength diffusion bonding of Ti2AlNb to GH4169 with (TiZrHfNb)95Al5 high entropy interlayer

A high entropy interlayer (TiZrHfNb)95Al5 was designed for vacuum diffusion bonding of Ti2AlNb to GH4169. The influence of bonding temperature on the interfacial microstructure morphology, mechanical properties and fracture behaviour of the resultant joints was investigated. The evolution of microstructure and fracture mechanism were revealed. The typical interface microstructure of Ti2AlNb/B2/Solid solution/(Ti, Zr, Hf)2(Ni, Nb)+(Ti, Zr, Hf)(Ni, Nb)+(Ti, Zr, Hf)(Ni, Nb)2+Solid solution/(Ti, Zr, Hf)(Ni, Nb)+(Cr, Ni, Fe)ss/(Cr, Ni, Fe)ss/Cr-rich(Cr, Ni, Fe)ss/Ni-rich(Cr, Ni, Fe)ss/GH4169 was formed. As the bonding temperature increased, the thickness of interfacial reaction layer gradually increased, and the shear strength gradually increased until 980 °C, then decreased sharply. The highest shear strength reached 376 MPa at 980 °C for 90 min. The highest microhardness region of 11.79 GPa existed on the GH4169 side, which was mainly composed of (Ti, Zr, Hf)(Ni, Nb) and (Cr, Ni, Fe)ss phases. Meanwhile, the elastic modulus dramatically changed interface formed near this region. The fracture surface morphology indicated typical brittle fracture characteristics such as cleavage steps, transgranular fracture and intergranular fracture. According to the fracture analyses, major cracks initiated in the (Ti, Zr, Hf)(Ni, Nb) phase+(Ti, Zr, Hf)2(Ni, Nb) phase and gradually extended to the (Cr, Ni, Fe)ss phase. Thus, the major crack emerged region was located at the elastic modulus dramatically changed interface.

Accurate 2-D analytical model for cylindrical gate-junctionless ferroelectric-nanowire (CG-JFe-NW) MOSFET with scaled channel length

In this article, we propose a 2D analytical-model of a cylindrical gate-junctionless ferroelectric-nanowire (CG-JFe-NW) MOSFET for evaluating central potential, electric field, threshold voltage, mobility and current voltage characteristics. Central potential, threshold voltage, and current in the linear and saturation regions are derived by solving the 2D Poisson’s equation employing the parabolic-potential- approximation (PPA) profile. The recommended model is appropriate for compact modelling as it includes the phenomenon of bulk conduction, surface conduction and ferroelectric negative capacitance in all the regions of the device operation. Ferroelectric properties are introduced by combining Silicon doped hafnium oxide (ferroelectric layer) with HfO2 and SiO2 (dielectric layers), and an extensive study has been performed to determine the effects of interfacial-layer thickness and variation of channel length on device performance. For all relevant device characteristics and for all the operational voltage ranges, it is demonstrated that the analytical model entirely corresponds with the numerical simulations. For simulations, the Atlas 3-D simulator has been taken into consideration.

Polarization fatigue mechanism of laminated hafnium zirconium oxide ferroelectric thin films

Laminated HfO2-based ferroelectric thin films (FE-HfO2) have offered unexpected opportunities to implement the high-density ferroelectric memory and on chip piezoelectric or pyroelectric devices. But the polarization fatigue performance is poor and the underlying mechanism is unknown. In this work, we comprehensively investigate the polarization fatigue behaviors of Hf0.5Zr0.5O2(HZO)/Al2O3/HZO laminated thin films. Several possible mechanisms for the fatigue performances are discussed in detail. On basis of the analysis of micro-structures and domain switching dynamics before and after fatigue, we confirm that domain wall pinning phenomenon exists in the fatigued laminated HZO, without field-induced phase transition as well as thickness and chemical properties changes of interfacial layers. Moreover, we discover by a pulse measurement method that domain wall pinning induced by the increase of Al2O3/HZO interface trap charge is responsible for the fatigue performances of the laminated films. This work will provide useful guidance for designing high-reliability laminated FE-HfO2, and contribute to understand the physical mechanisms of FE-HfO2.

Achieving optimal Ti content via interfacial reaction layer characteristics of diamond/Cu–Sn–Ti composites

Diamond/Cu–Sn–Ti composites as potential super-hard abrasive products were prepared in this work by spark plasma sintering at 1223 K. The effects of Ti content on the wettability, interfacial reaction layer thickness, and wear resistance of the bulk composite changes were systematically studied. The results revealed that when the Ti content was below 5 wt%, completely uncoated and partially coated diamond grains were still observed, indicating insufficient wettability, and the interfacial reaction layer appeared to be thin. When the Ti content was 5 wt%, all diamond grains were completely coated, and a continuous and stable interfacial reaction layer composed of TiC has been generated, in which the thickness reached a peak value of 1.72 μm. However, when the Ti content exceeded 5 wt%, the formation of brittle Cu41Sn11 phases was observed, which led to inferior wear resistance. The minimum weight loss was obtained at 5 wt% Ti content. Meanwhile, through FIB-TEM, confirmed that the interfacial reaction layer was mainly composed of continuous TiC layer adjacent to diamond and discontinuous TiC layer in the filler metal, and constitute the formation of a high strength metallurgical interfacial bonding layer.

The Allen–Cahn model with a time-dependent parameter for motion by mean curvature up to the singularity

In this article, we investigate the temporal evolution of arbitrary, simple, closed two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) interfaces under motion driven by mean curvature up to a singularity. To facilitate this investigation, we propose a novel Allen–Cahn (AC) model with a time-dependent interfacial thickness parameter. The original AC equation was developed to model the phase separation of a binary mixture. It is well known that a level set or interface of the solution of the AC equation obeys the dynamics of motion by curvature as the interfacial thickness parameter approaches zero. Generally, it is difficult to find a closed-form analytic solution of the AC equation with any initial condition. Therefore, we need to estimate the solution of the AC equation through computational approaches such as finite difference method (FDM), finite element method (FEM), Fourier-spectral method (FSM), and finite volume method (FVM). Any simple, closed curves and convex surfaces eventually shrink to a point due to motion by mean curvature. Therefore, it becomes necessary to use adaptive mesh techniques to resolve this small size problem. However, even though we use adaptive mesh techniques, we still confront the relatively thick interfacial transition layer when the curves or interfaces become very small. To avoid this problem, we can start with a very small mesh size for a small value of the interfacial parameter, which results in an extremely high computational cost even when using adaptive mesh techniques. To resolve these issues, we present the AC equation with a time-dependent interfacial parameter and develop an adaptive mesh refinement system. To show the superior performance of the proposed mathematical equation and its computational algorithm, we present various numerical experiments and investigate the motion by mean curvature up to the singularity of curves in 2D space and interfaces in 3D space.

Significant enhancement of mechanical properties for glass fiber fabric‐reinforced polyamide 6 composites by improving interfacial bonding

AbstractIn fiber‐reinforced composites, the interfacial bonding between fibers and the matrix is crucial for determining the material's performance. A vacuum‐assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM) process was utilized in this work to fabricate glass fiber fabric‐reinforced polyamide 6 (GFF/PA6) composites through in‐situ polymerization using caprolactam (CL) as the precursor. To enhance the fiber‐matrix interfacial bonding, polyethylene glycol (PEG) was incorporated into the polymerization system, improving the hydrogen bonding between the matrix and fibers. Morphological observations and interface layer analysis revealed that the introduction of PEG resulted in improved interfacial bonding and increased interface layer thickness. Molecular dynamics simulations indicated that the amino formate groups formed by the reaction with PEG exhibited more hydrogen bonds with the hydroxyl groups on the glass fiber surface, thereby promoting interfacial bonding between the matrix and fibers. When the PEG content was 10 wt%, the tensile strength and the elongation at break of the corresponding composite increased by 160% and 300% compared to GFF/PA6 composites without PEG. This study presents a promising strategy for enhancing the fiber‐matrix interfacial bonding by modifying the matrix, offering a prospective approach for developing high‐strength thermoplastic composites.Highlights GFF/PA6 composites were fabricated via the VARTM method. The addition of PEG for matrix modification improved the interfacial bonding. The modification enhances the hydrogen bonding between the matrix and fibers. Good interfacial bonding can greatly promote the crystallization of the matrix. The composites exhibited a significant increase in strength and toughness.

Study on dopant activation and EOT impact in HKMG stacks using microwave annealing with different frequencies

In this paper, we have examined the dopant activation levels in various materials (Si, SiGe, and Ge) annealed using two different microwave annealing (MWA) frequencies, 2.45 GHz and 5.8 GHz, with rapid thermal annealing serving as a comparative counterpart. The aim is to identify a material-specific annealing method that minimizes the high thermal budget typically required in the annealing process. For the dopant activation of Si wafer with B doping, there are two different frequencies (2.45 GHz and 5.8 GHz) MWA methods were compared. As the results of electrical measurement, the high activation level by 5.8 GHz MWA shows the material-targeted annealing method to reduce the thermal budget of the device. Additionally, we fabricated a high-k/metal gate (HKMG) MOSCAP structure, which was annealed using 2.45 GHz and 5.8 GHz MWA as part of the post-metallization annealing process. The results show that MWA at 2.45 GHz is more efficient than HF 5.8 GHz MWA at 3000 W in minimizing the interface trapped charge and the reduction in leakage current density. The highest capacitance (1.73 μF cm−2) was observed for MWA 2700 W at 2.45 GHz. However, there is a slight clear reduction in capacitance as the frequency increased to 5.8 GHz increasing in interfacial layer thickness. The post-metallization annealing of gate-last MOSCAPs using MWA at 2.45 GHz not only inhibits the growth of the equivalent oxide thickness and Al diffusion but also preserves the effects of pre-thermal annealing on doping activation at 5.8 GHz. Due to undesirable effects such as Al diffusion into the dielectric layer, the MWA at 5.8 GHz and 2.45 GHz demonstrates great a potential candidate, respectively as doping activation and as a post-metallization annealing method for HKMG structures.

Development and characterization of novel ultra-stable high internal phase Pickering emulsions gel: Interface structure, stabilization mechanism, and applications

While both protein-polysaccharide complexes and continuous phase gelation showed great potential for stabilizing high internal phase Pickering emulsions (HIPPEs), it is not known which strategies are more effective and adaptive. In this work, HIPPEs gel was prepared by Ca2+-induced continuous phase gelation of ovalbumin (OVA)-low methoxyl pectin (LMP) electrostatic complexes particles (OLECP)-stabilized HIPPEs. The microstructure, rheological properties, stability, and application of HIPPEs and HIPPEs gel were systematically investigated and compared at different LMP concentrations. The results showed that, compared to HIPPEs, continuous phase gelation effectively improved the viscoelasticity, water binding capacity, and hardness of HIPPEs gel due to its robust and developed interface architecture. CLSM and cryo-SEM observations revealed that OLECP interconnected with each other in the continuous phase to form an advanced network architecture in HIPPEs. Whereas, a firm gel network structure and a thick interfacial layer were found in HIPPEs gel. More importantly, with increasing pectin concentration, the cross-linking phenomenon of OLECP mainly at the interface, transformed into the gelation behavior of excess pectin molecules dominating in the continuous phase. LMP contributed to the formation of a finer 3D gel network structure and a firmer interfacial layer, providing a smaller oil droplet size and superior stability for HIPPEs gel. The photochemical stability of curcumin was increased from 16.1 ± 1.5 % to 93.7 ± 2.2 % after encapsulation in HIPPEs gel. In vitro digestion results testified that HIPPEs gel (10:15, w/w) can promote fat hydrolysis (from 32.35 ± 3.06 % to 45.52 ± 2.75 %) and enhance the bioaccessibility of curcumin (from 20.1 ± 1.5 % to 32.8 ± 2.6 %) compared to bulk oil. Besides, compared with HIPPEs, HIPPEs gel showed poor printability because of improper printing adaptability and liquidity. In a nutshell, our work provides valuable information for developing novel HIPPEs gels for various food applications.

A comparative analysis of spherically and cylindrically shaped nanoparticles containing nanofluid flows over a permeable rotating disk affected by nanoparticles radius and nanolayer

The aim of this paper is to present a comparative analysis of spherically and cylindrically shaped nanoparticles immersed separately in a graphene oxide/water nanofluid mixture over a rotating disk influenced by Hall current. The disk’s surface is permeable with suction/injection impact. In order to reveal the thermal integrity of the flow, the effect of nanoparticle diameter and the liquid–solid interfacial layer at the molecular level is also introduced. Estimates of thermal conductivity, interfacial layer thickness and the radius of both spherical and cylindrical particles are taken from experimental studies and utilized to investigate the thermal behavior of the flows. The Tiwari–Das model for nanofluid flow is considered that incorporates the thermal radiative impact in the energy equation. The equations obeying boundary layer theory are resolved to ordinary differential equations using a transformation, and further numerically computed with the bvp4c scheme. The velocities and the temperature profiles are graphically demonstrated versus the dimensionless parameters. Quantities of physical interest such as surface heat flux and surface drag coefficient are tabulated numerically. The results show that the surface drag is larger for nanofluids having cylindrical particles than for nanofluids containing spherical particles. Is also found that the heat transfer rate is greater for nanofluids containing cylindrical particles than spherical particles at higher interfacial layer thicknesses.

Effect of BN interfacial layer on the mechanical behavior of SiC fiber reinforced SiC ceramic matrix composites

AbstractBoron nitride (BN) interfacial layer with controlled thickness and structure was prepared on the surface of near stoichiometric ratio SiC fiber preforms by a chemical vapor deposition process, and the SiC/SiC composites were obtained by polymer precursor infiltration and pyrolysis process. The microstructure of the BN interfacial layer and SiC/SiC composites was tested by scanning electron microscopy, and the mechanical behavior of SiC/SiC composites was characterized by a mechanical properties test. Results showed that BN interfacial layer was evenly distributed in the fiber preforms with excellent thickness consistency. As the thickness of the BN interfacial layer increased, the deflection path of the crack increased gradually, resulting in the flexural strength first increasing and then decreasing. The mechanical behavior mentioned above was mainly attributed to the dual effects of load transfer and crack propagation of the BN interfacial layer; that was, the crack propagation of ceramic matrix under external load lengthened the path of load transfer and formed a large number of fibers bridging and pulling out successively, which contributed to the energy dissipation mechanism.

Mixed Oxide High-K Dielectrics - from Gate Dielectrics to Non-Volatile Memories to SSI-LEDs

Metal oxides were first used as the high-k gate dielectrics in thin film transistors (TFTs). In late 1990s, they were applied to MOSFETs to solve the high leakage current problem in the ultra-thin SiO2 gate dielectric. HfO2 was identified as a viable solution for this application due to its relatively large effective k value and low leakage current. However, HfO2 is subject to crystallization at a relative low temperature of about 600ºC. We introduced the doping method, i.e., by adding a third element to the metal oxide, to solve this problem. The crystallization temperature, the effective k value, the interface state density, and the interface layer thickness of the new film were influenced by the concentration of the added element (1). Eventually, we demonstrated that the 12% Zr doped HfO2, i.e., ZrHfO, had a crystallization temperature higher than 900ºC and many good dielectric properties. The ZrHfO thin film can be sputter deposited.In this talk, structures, preparation methods, operation principles, and characteristics of the following devices will be discussed and new developments will be addressed. < 1 nm EOT ZrHfO gate dielectric layers (2),nanocrystals embedded ZrHfO NVMs in which electrons and holes could be stored separately based on the type of nanocrystal material (3), andsolid state incandescent LEDs (SSI-LEDs) which are formed from the thermal excitation of the simultaneous formation of a large number of nano-resistors during the dielectric breakdown process (4,5,6). J.-Y. Tewg, Y. Kuo, and J. Lu, Electrochem. Solid-State Letters, 8(1), G27-G29 (2005).Yan, Y. Kuo, and J. Lu, Electrochem. Solid-State Letts., 10(7), H199-H202 (2007).Zhang and Y. Kuo, ECS Trans., 66(4), 195-202 (2015).Y. Kuo and S. Zhang, ECS J. Solid State Sci. Technol., 8(12), Q223-Q225 (2019).W.-S. Lin and Y. Kuo, ECS J. Solid State Sci. Technol., 10, 126001 (2021).A. Samuel and Y. Kuo, Solid State Electronics, 204, 108651 (2023).

Benzothiazole-based ionic liquids as environment-friendly and high-efficiency corrosion inhibitors for mild steel in HCl: Experimental and theoretical studies

Two benzothiazole ionic liquids – (E)-3-ethyl-2-(4-hydroxystyryl) benzo[d]thiazol-3-ium iodide ([EHSBT]I) and (E)-3-ethyl-2-(4-hydroxystyryl)benzo[d]thiazol-3-ium bromide ([EHSBT]Br) generate the outstanding protection when employed as green corrosion inhibitors for the steel against aggressive acid solution at different temperatures. The corrosion efficiency of [EHSBT]I and [EHSBT]Br with the low dosage of 0.2 mM is 98.16 % and 89.68 %, respectively, at 303 K. The corrosion inhibition efficiency of [EHSBT]I decreases with the increased temperature and [EHSBT]Br is the opposite. Fortunately, both [EHSBT]I and [EHSBT]Br exhibit the inhibition efficiency of greater than 95 % even when it achieves 333 K, which is ascribed to the dominant chemical adsorption. Likewise, the electrochemical investigation presents the increasement of the charge transfer resistance and interfacial electric double layer thickness due to their adsorption on the substrate, restraining the metal dissolution and hydrogen evolution. The findings of the surface structure and appearance using UV–vis, FT-IR, XPS, SEM-EDS, AFM suggest that the inhibitors can form the complex film ([EHSTB]I-Fe, [EHSTB]Br-Fe) to shield the metal from corrosive particulates via chemical bonding. The confirmation of the active sites and adsorption configuration through theoretical calculation such as DFT and MD, along with RDF, promotes a further comprehension of the corrosion mitigation mechanism, which coincides with the experimental conclusion that the preparation of a stable protective film realizes the superior inhibition performance against high temperature acid corrosion.

Glycation-induced enhancement of yeast cell protein for improved stability and curcumin delivery in Pickering high internal phase emulsions

Pickering high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) have gained significant attention for various applications within the food industry. Yeast cell protein (YCP), derived from spent brewer's yeast, stands out as a preferred stabilizing agent due to its cost-effectiveness, abundance, and safety profile. However, challenges persist in utilizing YCP, notably its instability under high salt concentration, thermal processing, and proximity to its isoelectric point. This study aimed to enhance YCP's emulsifying properties through glycation with glucose and evaluate its efficacy as a stabilizer for curcumin (CUR)-loaded HIPEs. The results revealed that glycation increased YCP's surface hydrophobicity, exposing hydrophobic groups. This augmentation, along with steric hindrance from grafted glucose molecules, improved emulsifying properties, resulting in a thicker interfacial layer around oil droplets. This fortified interfacial layer, in synergy with steric hindrance, bolstered resistance to pH changes, salt ions, and thermal degradation. Moreover, HIPEs stabilized with glycated YCP exhibited reduced oxidation rates and improved CUR protection. In vitro digestion studies demonstrated enhanced CUR bioaccessibility, attributed to a faster release of fatty acids. This study underscores the efficacy of glycation as a strategic approach to augment the applicability of biomass proteins, exemplified by glycated YCP, in formulating stable and functional HIPEs for diverse food applications.

Aggregate Size Modulates the Oil/Water Interfacial Behavior of Myofibrillar Proteins: Toward the Thicker Interface Film and Disulfide Bond.

Myofibrillar protein (MP) aggregate models have been established to elucidate the correlation between their aggregate sizes and interfacial properties. The interfacial layer thickness was measured by the polystyrene latex method and quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation measurement. Interfacial conformations were then characterized in situ (front-surface fluorescence spectroscopy) and ex situ (reactive sulfhydryl group and secondary structure measurement following MP displacement). The viscoelasticity of the interfacial film and its resistance to surfactant-induced competitive displacement were reflected by the dilatational rheology and dynamic interfacial tension with the bulk phase exchange. Finally, we compared the findings of competitive displacement before/after adding a sulfhydryl-blocking agent, N-ethylmaleimide, to highlight the role of S-S linkage on interfacial film formation and stability. We substantiated that the aggregate size of the MP governed their interfacial properties. Small-sized aggregates exhibited more ordered secondary structures on the oil-water interface, which was conducive to the adsorption ratio of the protein and the adsorption dynamics. Although larger aggregates lowered the diffusion rate during interfacial film formation, they allowed the thicker and more viscoelastic interfacial film to be constructed afterward through more disulfide bond formation, resulting in greater resistance to surfactant-induced competitive displacement.

Study on the nano-structure characteristics of particle before and after diesel oxidation catalyst for diesel engines

ABSTRACT Diesel Oxidation Catalyst (DOC) is the most important and advanced part of the after-treatment technology route. After the exhaust passes through DOC, CO, and HC will be significantly reduced, while particles are mainly captured by the Diesel Particulate Filter (DPF) device behind. In order to further investigate the effect of DOC on the nano-structure characteristics of diesel emission particles. The particles before and after DOC of 186FA diesel engine at 2700 r/min, 100% load, and 3600 r/min, 100% load are collected. The nano-structure characteristics of particles are investigated using field emission transmission electron microscopy (FETEM) combined with small angle X-ray scattering radiation technique (SAXS). Based on FETEM and SAXS analysis of particles, a nano-scale particle spatial structure model including particle size, pores, and visual boundary layer is proposed. The results show that the average radius, interface layer thickness, and fractal dimension of the particles are reduced after the DOC. In contrast, the specific surface area of the particles is increased after the DOC. At 3600 r/min 100% load, the average radius is reduced from 23.3 to 21.5 nm, accounting for 7.8%. Interface layer thickness is reduced from 13.3 to 12.9 nm. The specific surface area of the particles is increased from 0.146 to 0.166 m2/mm3. The research results provide a theoretical basis for the regeneration and oxidation of particles in DPF.

Interface Engineering and Electron-Hole Wave Function Overlap of InAs/AlSb Superlattice Infrared Detectors

InAs/AlSb is a material system that can be used as a low-noise avalanche detector and operates in the short-wave infrared band. The interface parameters determine the wave function overlap (WFO). Maximizing the WFO of InAs/AlSb superlattices improves the quantum efficiency (QE) of infrared avalanche photodetectors (APDs). However, this remains a huge challenge. Here, the 8-band k·p perturbation method based on Bloch wave envelope function approximation was used to calculate the energy level structure of InAs/AlSb superlattices. The results indicate that the WFO is enhanced with increasing InSb interface thickness or when the InSb (or AlAs) interface is far from the intersection of InAs and AlSb. As the AlAs interface thickness increases, the WFO enhances and then reduces. The maximum increase in WFO is 15.7%, 93%, and 156.8%, respectively, with three different models. Based on the stress equilibrium condition, we consider the interface engineering scheme proposed for enhancing WFO with an increase of 16%, 114%, and 159.5%, respectively. Moreover, the absorption wavelength shift is less than ±0.1 μm. Therefore, the interface layer thickness and position can be designed to enhance the WFO without sacrificing other properties, thereby improving the QE of the device. It provides a new idea for the material epitaxy of APDs.

Delivery systems designed to enhance stability and suitability of lipophilic bioactive compounds in food processing: A review

Lipophilic compounds, such as flavors, fat-soluble vitamins, and hydrophobic nutrients possess vital properties including antioxidant effects, functional attributes, and nutritional value that can improve human health. However, their susceptibility to environmental factors including heat, pH changes, and ionic strength encountered during food processing poses significant challenges. To address these issues, diverse bioactive delivery systems have been developed. This review explores delivery systems designed to optimize the stability and suitability of lipophilic bioactive compounds in food processing. Extensive literature analysis reveals that tailoring delivery systems with various biopolymers can protect bioactives through steric hindrance and formation of thick interfacial layers on the emulsion surfaces. Thus, the access of oxygen, prooxidants, and free radicals at the emulsion interface could be inhibited, resulting in enhanced processing suitability of bioactives as well as chemical stability under diverse environmental conditions. The insights presented in this review hold immense value for the food and beverage industries.

Preparation and properties of copper-aluminum composite strips and foils by horizontal continuous composite casting and rolling

Cu-Al composite strips and foils show broad application prospects in electric power, new energy and other fields. However, they are difficult to prepare because of brittle interfacial intermetallic compounds and deformation ability difference between two matrix metals. In this study, Cu-Al composite strips and foils with the thickness of 350 µm and 50 µm are successfully prepared by horizontal continuous composite casting and rolling. Moreover, the effects of as-cast interfacial layer thickness on the properties of Cu-Al composite strips are studied. In the rolling, the as-cast interfacial layer is broken into fragments, so as to promote the Cu-Al matrix bonding at atomic scale. The local solid-state amorphous transformation is also observed at the newly formed Cu-Al interface. Therefore, with the as-cast interfacial layer thickness decreasing from 400 µm to 25 µm, the peeling strength of Cu-Al composite strips increasing from 15.1 N/mm to 17.5 N/mm. With the as-cast interfacial layer thickness decreasing from 400 µm to 65 µm, the conductivity of Cu-Al composite strips increases from 62.36%IACS to 72.58%IACS because the size of interfacial layer fragments is reduced. However, with the as-cast interfacial layer thickness decreasing from 65 µm to 25 µm, the conductivity decreases from 72.58%IACS to 68.65%IACS because the copper layer thickness after rolling is reduced. Large interfacial layer fragments hinder current conduction, but a suitable interfacial layer thickness can inhibit the coordinated deformation of Cu and Al, so as to increase the proportion of copper layer thickness in the entire composite strip.

Structural and magnetic properties of YIG thin films deposited by pulsed laser deposition and RF magnetron sputtering technique

Yttrium iron garnet (YIG) has been extensively explored for its potential avenues in spintronic applications. A majority of these studies employ thin films grown by PLD at high substrate temperature, which generally leads to an interfacial dead layer with cations interdiffusion hindering their technological implications. In this communication, we report the growth of YIG thin films at room temperature by PLD and RF sputtering techniques. Detailed structural investigation confirms the thin films’ single-phase growth and epitaxial nature. We have a further detailed investigation of magnetic properties by dc magnetization, magneto-optical Kerr effect and FMR techniques. Although our thin films exhibit a comparatively lower magnetic performance in terms of saturation magnetization and damping constant, we have obtained a significantly lower interfacial dead layer thickness of ∼1 nm, which is quite promising for spin transport applications. The present study, therefore, calls for future studies for simultaneous optimization of magnetic performance and interfacial dead layer with room temperature grown YIG thin films by both PLD and RF sputtering methods.