Traditional Materials Research Articles

Multiple Energy Transfer Modes From o‐Carborane Dyad Induced by Synergetic Conformational Regulations and Intense Circularly Polarized Luminescence in Self‐Assembly Aggregates

AbstractPhotothermal modulated excited conformations in traditional optoelectronic materials have been extensively investigated for the manipulation of emissive properties. However, photoinduced molecular synergetic conformational changes, which are promising for controlling intramolecular energy transfer modes through molecular orbital breaking, are never been explored. Herein, a novel o‐carborane dyad composed of carbazole units as electron donors and triazine derivatives as electron acceptors is demonstrated to achieve conformation‐dependent emissions and abundant emissions via synergetic conformational changes. Notably, the resulting dyad exhibited multiple conformational changes that induced emissions through different energy transfer modes involved “through space” and “through bond.” Exactly, the electron spin from singlet to triplet state took a flip accompanied by molecular orbitals from π–π molecular orbitals in the space charge transfer style to π and σ molecular orbitals in the bond charge transfer mode. The circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) properties are systematically investigated, exhibiting intense CPL with large glum values. These results provide novel perspectives for elucidating the complicated emission changes in aggregated states, as well as unique perspectives on the relationship between molecular conformations, energy transfer modes, and molecular orbital breaking.

Novel ultrathin ferrous sulfide nanosheets: Towards replacing black phosphorus in anticancer nanotheranostics

Biodegradable two-dimensional nanomaterials could be a significant breakthrough in the field of oncology nanotheranostic agents, which are rapidly emerging as promising candidates for tumor theranostic applications. Herein, a novel biodegradable ferrous sulfide nanosheet (FeS NS) is developed. Compared to the traditional photothermal material, black phosphorus nanosheet (BP NS), FeS demonstrates superior degradability and enhanced photothermal performance, and making it ideal for efficient photothermal therapy (PTT) of tumors. In the acidic tumor microenvironment, FeS degrades and releases H2S, which inhibits mitochondrial respiration and ATP production. This process leads to a reduction in heat shock protein expression, lowering the resistance of tumor cells to photothermal stimulation, and improving the efficacy of PTT. The released Fe2+ exhibits efficient peroxidase activity, triggering ferroptosis in tumor cells. Furthermore, due to its superparamagnetic nature, FeS NSs could accumulate at the tumor site and provide a strong magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signal for imaging-guided tumor therapy. Overall, as a promising alternative to BP, the FeS NSs are a potentially innovative nanotheranostic agent of tumors, offering a synergistic approach to ferroptosis−PTT with MRI guidance.

Assessing the Impact of Façade Typologies on Life Cycle Embodied Carbon in University Building Retrofits: A Case Study of South Korea

This study examines the influence of façade typologies on Life Cycle Embodied Carbon (LCEC) in retrofitting university buildings in South Korea. By analyzing 28 cases across seven retrofit scenarios, four main façade types—PW-1, PW-2 (Punched Walls), WW (Window Walls), and CW (Curtain Walls)—were identified as key drivers in retrofit outcomes. PW-1 and PW-2 often require over-cladding due to demolition complexities, whereas WW and CW, despite undergoing full demolition and re-cladding, do not necessarily result in higher carbon emissions. The use of Exterior Insulation and Finish Systems (EIFS) can achieve up to a 35% reduction in LCEC compared to traditional materials like stone, particularly in cases requiring minimal structural reinforcement. By balancing sustainability with architectural integrity, this study offers valuable guidance for similar projects globally, providing insights into optimizing retrofit strategies for more sustainable building practices.

Tuning Crystalline Preferred Orientation of SnSe2 Anode by Co-doping to Enhance Pseudocapacitive Behaviors for High-Performance Sodium Storage.

SnSe2 has attracted great attention due to its unique 2D-layered structure, which makes it capable of sodium ion storage and higher theoretical capacities compared to traditional anode materials like hard carbon for sodium ion batteries (SIBs). However, SnSe2-based materials will cause structural damage due to volume expansion during ion storage, leading to poor cycle stability and rate capacity. In this work, Co-doped SnSe2 (Co-SnSe2) with preferred crystal orientation was fabricated by a one-step solvothermal method. It has been found that after doping Co, the lower (001) crystal plane located at 14.4° replaced the higher (101) plane at 30.7° as the dominant crystal plane in Co-SnSe2, which significantly promoted ion diffusion and enhanced the pseudocapacitance behavior. Therefore, this Co-SnSe2 anode achieves a high capacity of 504 mAh g-1 at 1 A g-1, and a high-rate cycle stability, delivering a reversible capacity of 302 mAh g-1 at 5 A g-1 after 1800 cycles with a retained capacity rate of 94%. Moreover, the Na3V2(PO4)3||Co-SnSe2 full cell exhibits a stable cycle performance of over 300 cycles at 1 A g-1, demonstrating great promise for practical applications. This work provides an effective reference for the exploration of high-performance sodium storage anode materials.

Advancements in metal oxide bio‐nanocomposites for sustainable food packaging: Fabrication, applications, and future prospectives

AbstractThe research on metal oxide bio‐nanocomposites for sustainable food packaging has witnessed significant advancements, offering a promising alternative to traditional food packaging materials. This review briefly describes their fabrication techniques, applications, superiority over conventional packaging, challenges, limitations, and potential trends. These new materials are derived by incorporating metal oxide nanoparticles into the biopolymers and show better properties, such as better antimicrobial properties, which are vital in food packaging. The advantages of using metal oxide bio‐nanocomposites over typical food packaging films include enhanced mechanical properties, better moisture and oxygen resistance, bacterial resistance, and light protection. These versatile materials not only serve the purpose of properly preserving the quality and possibly even the wholesomeness of packed food products, but they are also environmentally friendly. Moreover, the review presents current developments and areas of use of metal oxide bio‐nanocomposites in food packaging and it also proposes future developments to meet the modern challenge of the food industry in the development of advanced packaging technologies.

Application of MOFs in the Field of Photocatalysis

MOFs is the abbreviation of Metal organic Framework. Compared with the traditional inorganic metal materials, MOFs materials have the advantages of larger surface area, more diverse structure and function, and have been widely used in the field of photocatalysis. From the perspective of photocatalysis, this paper summarizes the application research process of MOFs material in the field of photocatalysis in the recent years, including photocatalytic decomposition of water to hydrogen production, photocatalytic decomposition of carbon dioxide, degradation of pollutants and so on. The application prospect of MOFs materials is prospected.

Effective elimination of internal phosphorus pollution with MgFe-LDHs hybrid material in eutrophic water: The chemical forms, transformation mechanism, and dynamic relationships

The internal phosphorus (P) pollution is a major cause of water eutrophication. Although the traditional powders materials, with good performance, were difficult to recycle due to its shape, and the reaction mechanism between materials and internal P was rarely elucidated. In this work, a hydrotalcite composite material (MgFe-LDHs hybrid gel microspheres) was prepared via chemical crosslinking to eliminate internal P pollution both in overlying water and sediments effectively. Benefiting from the strong coordination between iron hydroxide on the MgFe-LDHs surface and internal P, the P adsorption capacity was up to 1256.38 mg/kg under natural conditions, the IP (NaOH-P and HCl-P) and OP were 78 % and 22 %, respectively. During 40-days remediation experiment, with the addition of MgFe-LDHs hybrid gel microspheres, whatever in the mixed or the capped, promoted a conversion from stable P to soluble active P of NaOH-P in sediments, and thus contributing to an easy adsorption of NaOH-P by MgFe-LDHs hybrid gel microspheres (The NaOH-P in sediments decreased by 16 % and 22 %, respectively). Meanwhile, the excessive stable HCl-P (only a minor portion) that could not be adsorbed by MgFe-LDHs remained in the form of Ca-P in sediments. Additionally, the MgFe-LDHs hybrid gel microspheres improved the microbial community structure, and the microorganism was involved in the elimination of internal P simultaneously. In summary, this study proposed a promising remediation approach to resolve the problem of internal P pollution in eutrophic water with high efficiency, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly.

In-situ preheating: Novel insights into thermal history and microstructure of directed energy deposition-arc of hot-work tool steels

Directed Energy Deposition-Arc (DED-Arc/M) represents a promising approach to the production of complex and medium-sized parts, eliminating the need for specific tooling and the minimization of resource use. However, the inherent thermal conditions of DED-Arc/M, characterized by high cooling rates and successive reheating cycles, result in microstructures distinctly different from those observed in traditional cast materials. Nevertheless, the influence of thermal history on DED-Arc/M processed hot-work tool steels remains an insufficiently addressed topic in previous studies. Therefore, this work systematically investigates the effects of heat input and accumulation through assessing the thermal history and resulting microstructural changes during DED-Arc/M processing of the hot-work tool steel AISI H13 (X40CrMoV5-1). Accordingly, layer-wise heat input results in heat accumulation, leading to high interpass temperatures, significantly impacting the solidification and, thus, the microsegregation as well as the overall chemical homogeneity. By employing an innovative statistical approach that incorporates quantitative EDS data, the distribution of chemical elements was investigated. Furthermore, a novel computational procedure through the utilization of empirical and thermodynamic calculations was used to identify microstructural effects on the thermodynamic stability of retained austenite. This research offers vital insights into the microstructural dynamics of tool steels processed through DED-Arc/M, underlining the pivotal role of precise thermal management in tailoring material microstructures and, consequently, influencing the properties for unlocking the full potential of additive manufacturing for industrial applications.

Preparation and properties of bio-based PA56/SiO2–NH2 composite nanofiber membranes for high efficiency oil-water separation

With the continuous development of environmental protection and resource recycling demands, the development of bio-based separation membrane materials has increasingly attracted attention. Bio-based polyamide 56 (PA56), exhibiting excellent hydrophilicity, spinnability, and mechanical properties, is expected to complement and replace traditional separation membrane materials. In this study, the electrospinning preparation and structural control of PA56 nanofiber membranes were achieved through the optimization of PA56 content and mixed solvent ratios. The study found that when the PA56 content was 16 wt% and the formic acid to acetone ratio in the mixed solvent was 8:2, the nanofiber diameter distribution was the most uniform. Building on this, amino-functionalized modified silica (SiO2–NH2) nanoparticles were introduced to prepare PA56/SiO2–NH2 composite nanofiber membranes featuring a cobweb-like nanofiber network and micro-nodule structure. The effects of the addition of SiO2–NH2 nanoparticles on the morphology, structure, and properties of the fiber membranes were studied. The results indicate that the control of the mixed solvent ratio and the addition of SiO2–NH2 nanoparticles led to the formation of a cobweb-like nanofiber network and micro-nano nodular structure on the nanofiber surface, enhancing the hydrophilicity of PA56 nanofiber membranes. The M − 3 membrane with a nanoparticle addition amount of 0.8 wt% exhibited high hydrophilicity and underwater superoleophobic properties, achieving efficient separation of stable oil-in-water emulsions with a separation efficiency of 99.8 %. This work provides a new bio-based membrane material and its preparation method for treating oily wastewater using the membrane separation method.

Insight on physical–mechanical properties of one-part alkali-activated materials based on volcanic deposits of Mt. Etna (Italy) and their durability against ageing tests

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in one-part alkali-activated materials, which utilize solid-form alkali activators, within the construction industry. This approach is becoming popular due to its simpler and safer application for cast-in-situ purposes, as compared to the conventional two-part method. At this purpose, we have pioneered the use of volcanic deposits of Mt. Etna volcano (Italy) as precursor for the synthesis of a unique one-part formulation. This was done to assess its performance against both traditional and two-part alkali-activated materials. The study employed a comprehensive range of investigative techniques including X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, hydric tests, mercury intrusion porosimetry, ultrasound, infrared thermography, spectrophotometry, contact angle measurements, uniaxial compressive strength tests, as well as durability tests by salt crystallization and freeze–thaw cycles. The key findings on the studied samples are as follows: i) small size of pores and slow absorption-drying cycles; ii) satisfying compactness and uniaxial compressive strengths for building and restoration interventions; iii) high hydrophily of the surfaces; iv) lower heating dispersion than traditional materials; v) significant damage at the end of the salt crystallization test; vi) excellent resistance to freeze–thaw cycles. These newly developed materials hold promises as environmentally friendly options for construction applications. They offer a simplified mixing process in contrast to the conventional two-part alkali-activated materials, thus providing an added advantage to this class of materials.

Electromagnetic Interference Shielding Films: Structure Design and Prospects.

The popularity of portable and wearable flexible electronic devices, coupled with the rapid advancements in military field, requires electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials with lightweight, thin, and flexible characteristics, which are incomparable for traditional EMI shielding materials. The film materials can fulfill the above requirements, making them among the most promising EMI shielding materials for next-generation electronic devices. Meticulously controlling structure of composite film materials while optimizing the electromagnetic parameters of the constructed components can effectively dissipate and transform electromagnetic wave energy. Herein, the review systematically outlines high-performance EMI shielding composite films through structural design strategies, including homogeneous structure, layered structure, and porous structure. The attenuation mechanism of EMI shielding materials and the evaluation (Schelkunoff theory and calculation theory) of EMI shielding performance are introduced in detail. Moreover, the effect of structure attributes and electromagnetic properties of composite films on the EMI shielding performance is analyzed, while summarizing design criteria and elucidating the relevant EMI shielding mechanism. Finally, the future challenges and potential application prospects of EMI shielding composite films are prospected. This review provides crucial guidance for the construction of advanced EMI shielding films tailored for highly customized and personalized electronic devices in the future.

Efficient Catalytic Conversion of Acetate to Citric Acid and Itaconic Acid by Engineered Yarrowia lipolytica

The bioconversion of agricultural and industrial wastes is considered a green and sustainable alternative method for producing high-value biochemicals. As a major catalytic product of greenhouse gases and a by-product in the fermentation and lignocellulose processing industries, acetate is a promising bioconversion raw material. In this work, endogenous and heterologous enzymes were manipulated in Yarrowia lipolytica to achieve the conversion of acetate to high-value citric acid and itaconic acid, respectively. After the combinational expression of the key enzymes in the acetate metabolic pathway, the citric acid synthesis pathway, and the mitochondrial transport system, acetate could be efficiently converted to citric acid. Coupled with the down-regulation of fatty acid synthase expression in the competitive pathway, more acetyl-CoA flowed into the synthesis of citric acid, and the titer reached 15.11 g/L with a productivity of 0.51 g/g acetate by the engineered Y. lipolytica, which is comparable to the results using glucose as the substrate. On this basis, the heterologous cis-aconitate decarboxylase from Aspergillus terreus was introduced into the engineered Y. lipolytica to achieve the catalytic synthesis of itaconic acid from acetate. Combined with investigating the effects of multiple enzymes in the synthesis pathway, the titer of itaconic acid reached 1.87 g/L with a yield of 0.43 g/g DCW by the final engineered strain, which is the highest reported titer of itaconic acid derived from acetate by engineered microbes in shake flasks. It is demonstrated that acetate has the potential to replace traditional starch-based raw materials for the synthesis of high-value organic acids and our work lays a foundation for the rational utilization of industrial wastes and the catalytic products of greenhouse gases.

Review of the research status of practical superconducting materials and their current carrying performance

Abstract Superconducting materials hold great potential in high field magnetic applications compared to traditional conductive materials. At present, practical superconducting materials include low-temperature superconductors such as NbTi and Nb3Sn, hightemperature superconductors such as Bi-2212, Bi-2223, YBCO, iron-based superconductors and MgB2. The development of low-temperature superconducting wires started earlier and has now entered the stage of industrialized production, showing obvious advantages in mechanical properties and cost under low temperature and middle-low magnetic field. However, due to the insufficient intrinsic superconducting performance, low-temperature superconductors are unable to exhibit excellent performance at high temperature or high fields. Further improvement of supercurrent carrying performance mainly depends on the enhancement of pinning ability. Hightemperature superconductors have greater advantages in high temperature and high field, but many of them are still in the stage of further performance improvement. Many high-temperature superconductors are limited by the deficiency in their polycrystalline structure, and further optimization of intergranular connectivity is required. In addition, it is also necessary to further enhance their pinning ability. The numerous successful application instances of high-temperature superconducting wires and tapes also prove their tremendous potential in electric power applications.

Composites in Ballistic Applications Focused on Ballistic Vests—A Review

The development of ballistic materials has improved very rapidly in the last few years. Body armor plays an important role in protecting individuals during military threats. Body armor can be divided into hard and soft variants depending on the trade-offs between protection levels and wearer agility. Current research aims to optimize strength-to-weight ratios by using different combinations of synthetic or natural fibers or their combinations to achieve increasingly demanding requirements for ballistic materials. Moreover, it examines the various types of fibers utilized in the construction of body armor, ranging from traditional materials like metal and ceramic to synthetic and natural fibers. This paper discusses ongoing research efforts aimed at further enhancing the performance of these materials, such as the incorporation of modified natural fibers into advanced composite systems. The review provides a comprehensive analysis of the current state of the materials utilized in ballistic protection.

High-mass loaded redox-active lignin functionalized carbonized wood collector to construct sustainable and high-performance supercapacitors

Traditional electrode materials for supercapacitors often face issues like high toxicity, cost, and non-renewability. To address these drawbacks, biomass-based alternatives are being explored, aligning with green development trends. Herein, carbonized wood (CW) with rich pore structure and redox-active lignin are combined to fabricate an all-wood-based sustainable supercapacitor electrode material. Due to its inherent porous structure, CW provides a larger surface area for accommodating active materials ion, enabling the electrode to achieve a higher lignin loading capacity of 2.82–11.68 mg/cm2. Furthermore, the utilization of lignin as a substitute for conventional transition metal-based pseudocapacitor material functionalized CW endows the electrode with exemplary electrochemical performance while guaranteeing the comprehensive sustainability of the electrode. This synergy confers the electrode with exceptional electrical performance, yielding an areal capacitance of 960.7 mF/cm2 at a current density of 1 mA/cm2. The symmetric supercapacitors (SSC) manufactured by this composite electrode can achieve a notable areal energy density of 0.14 mWh/cm2 and a power density of 15.98 mW/cm2, while maintaining an outstanding capacitance retention rate of 81 % after 50,000 cycles at 20 mA/cm2. The manufacture of CW-lignin electrode underscores the potential of utilizing renewable biomass resources as alternatives for developing high-performance energy storage applications, thereby reducing negative environmental impacts.

Alkali Activation of Metakaolin and Wollastonite: Reducing Sodium Hydroxide Use and Enhancing Gel Formation through Carbonation

Alkali activated materials (AAMs) offer significant advantages over traditional materials like Portland cement, but require the use of strong alkaline solutions, which can have negative environmental impacts. This study investigates the synthesis of AAMs using metakaolin and wollastonite, aiming to reduce environmental impact by eliminating sodium silicate and using only sodium hydroxide as an activator. The hypothesis is that wollastonite can provide the necessary silicon for the reaction, with calcium from wollastonite potentially balancing the negative charges usually countered by sodium in the alkaline solution. This study compares raw and carbonated wollastonite (AAM-W and AAM-CW) systems, with raw materials carefully characterized and binding networks analyzed using TGA, FT-IR, and XRD. The results show that while wollastonite can reduce the amount of sodium hydroxide needed, this reduction cannot exceed 50%, as higher substitution levels lead to an insufficiently alkaline environment for the reactions. The carbonation of wollastonite enhances the availability of silicon and calcium, promoting the formation of both N-A-S-H and C-A-S-H gels.

The chemical composition, antioxidative and antimicrobial potentials of Toona sinensis essential oils from different regions of China

Toona sinensis is one of the traditional Chinese medicinal materials with rich physiological activities. This study aimed to investigate the chemical composition differences of the essential oils from the tender leaves and shoots of T. sinensis, collected from four main producing areas in China, and to verify their anti-listeria and antioxidant properties. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis was conducted on the essential oils obtained by hydro-distillation. The results indicated that compounds such as β-elemene (3.5∼8.1%), α-caryophyllene (3.7∼7.2%), and trans-caryophyllene (4.0∼9.7%) were the main common components of T. sinensis essential oils (TSEO) from four producing areas. The results of DPPH and ABTS showed that the essential oil from Dazhou, Sichuan, China had the best antioxidant effect. At a concentration of 1.25 mg/mL, the antioxidant activity of TSEO-DZ from Sichuan was comparable to 0.08 mg/mL of BHT and was only slightly lower than 0.06 mg/mL of VC. The broth dilution method showed that the essential oil from Tai ‘an, Shandong, China, showed better antibacterial effect, with the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MLC) values of 1.25 μL/mL and 2.54 μL/mL, respectively. This study demonstrates that TSEO possesses promising application potential in antioxidant and anti-listeria activities, and it confirms that the growth environment of T. sinensis significantly influences the quality, content, and biological activity of the essential oil.

Heat and mass transfer in MHD flow of SWCNT and graphene nanoparticles suspension in Casson fluid

AbstractThe exceptional mechanical properties of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene nanoparticles, particularly their high aspect ratio and flexibility, position them as highly promising materials for the next generation of armor technology. Their incorporation into protective wear, such as bullet‐proof vests, offers the potential for significant improvements in both performance and cost efficiency. By replacing traditional materials with CNTs and graphene, the durability and maintenance of these protective devices could be substantially enhanced, leading to more effective and sustainable solutions for personal safety. This study focuses on the complex phenomena of heat and mass transport within a suspension of CNTs and graphene nanoparticles dispersed in a Casson fluid, particularly under the influence of an applied magnetic field. The analysis begins by reformulating the governing equations using similarity variables to transform them into a dimensionless form to simplify the problem. The resulting dimensionless equations are then solved using the three‐stage Lobatto IIIa finite difference method, a robust numerical technique well‐suited for solving boundary value problems in fluid dynamics. The results of this investigation highlight a significant 78.41% reduction in skin friction when compared with traditional CNT‐water nanofluid systems. This considerable decrease in skin friction not only reveals the superior performance of the CNT‐graphene nanofluid suspension but also opens up new possibilities for the design and development of advanced protective materials. These findings contribute to the growing body of knowledge on nanofluid applications and offer valuable insights for future research in the field of advanced armor technology.

A Novel Inorganic Curing Foam for the Prevention of Spontaneous Coal Combustion and Its Characterization

ABSTRACT Aiming at the shortcomings of traditional inorganic curing foam materials, this paper carries out process optimization and ratio selection of inorganic curing foam through orthogonal test and single factor experimental. The performance of the improved inorganic curing foam was also tested by compression test, flexural test, and thermal insulation test. The experimental results show that the curing layer of inorganic curing foam can effectively insulate the heat generated by the spontaneous combustion of coal. The surface temperature of the inorganic curing foam under different heat sources was below 30 degrees. With the increase of hydration reaction time, the compressive strength of the material increased continuously, and the maximum compressive strength reached 3.36 Mpa at 28 days. In addition, the formula for calculating the porosity of inorganic curing foam materials was theoretically derived, and a prediction model for the compressive strength was established based on the porosity calculation formula.

Association of umbilical cord care practices with neonatal infection in Katsina, northwest Nigeria

Background: Significant numbers of neonatal deaths occurring each year are caused by infections that can be directly associated with improper and unhygienic umbilical cord care practices. The objectives of this study were to describe the umbilical cord care practices among mothers whose babies were admitted for suspected sepsis at the Federal Teaching Hospital and Turai Umaru Yar’adua Maternal and Children Hospital Katsina, Nigeria, assess the relationship between umbilical cord care practices and neonatal sepsis, and the influence of home delivery on this relationship. Methodology: This was a hospital-based descriptive observational study of 60 selected neonates with clinical features of sepsis admitted into the special care baby unit (SCBU) of the two hospitals between July and December 2022. The study involved the collection and microbiological analysis of blood samples using the BacT/Alert microbial detection system, and the administration of a structured questionnaire on the mother of each enrollee to collect relevant information about cord care practices. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22.0. The Chisquare (x2) test and Odds ratio (with 95% confidence interval) were used to determine the association of risk factors with culture-confirmed sepsis, and a p value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Of the 60 neonates blood samples, 31 (51.7%) were culture-positive for neonatal sepsis while 29 (48.3%) were culture-negative. There was no statistically significant association between risk factors such as application of traditional materials for cord care and place of delivery, and culture-confirmed neonatal sepsis (p>0.05). However, neonates whose mothers use traditional materials for cord care were more likely to develop sepsis than those who do not (OR=2.027, 95% CI=0.716-5.736). Concerning place of delivery, which is an important determinant of umbilical cord hygiene, babies delivered at home were almost 3 times more likely to have culture-confirmed sepsis than those delivered in the hospital (OR=2.975, 95% CI=1.040-8.510). A total of 26 out of the 60 (45.3%) mothers of the neonates agreed to have used unhygienic and traditional materials for cord care, with charcoal (39.0%), local herbs (27.0%), cow dung/urine concoction (19.0%), and others (15.0%), such as lubricants, ash, and balm, being the most commonly used materials for cord care. Conclusion: Neonatal infection is common among newborns in Federal Teaching Hospital and Turai Umaru Yar’adua Maternal and Children Hospital (TUYMCH), Katsina, northwest Nigeria, with a prevalence of culture-confirmed neonatal sepsis of 51.7%. Although there was no statistically significant association between unhygienic cord practices and neonatal sepsis in this study, babies whose mothers use traditional materials for cord care were more likely to develop sepsis. There is a high rate of use of harmful and unhygienic traditional materials for cord care in our environment. This habit can be discouraged through health education using the mass media and health talks in health facilities. The use of chlorhexidine, the recommended antiseptic for cord care by the World Health Organization and the Nigeria Federal Ministry of Health, should be encouraged.