Utilization Of Materials Research Articles

Silver Microdisc Array Electrode Chip for Urea Detection in Saliva Samples from Patients with Chronic Nephritis.

Urea is an important biomarker for diagnosing various kidney and liver disorders. However, many existing methods rely on invasive blood sampling, which can potentially harm patients. Saliva has been recently recognized as a noninvasive and easily collectible alternative to blood for urea quantification. Electrochemical urea detection in saliva remains limited, with catalytic materials typically applied to the electrode surface via drop casting. This results in a random distribution of materials and potential aggregation on the electrode, which inevitably hinders the efficient mass transport of analytes, reducing both detection sensitivity and the utilization of catalytic materials. In this work, a silver nanoparticle (AgNP)-integrated microdisc array electrode chip was fabricated through the in situ growth of AgNPs on polydopamine (PDA) arrays, which were patterned using the microcontact printing (μCP) technique on an indium tin oxide (ITO) glassy substrate. The resulting AgNP microdisc array chip sensor exhibited much higher sensitivity toward urea sensing and greater material utilization as compared to traditional drop-cast electrodes, due to the enhanced mass transfer. Furthermore, the chip sensors demonstrated superior selectivity when challenged with potential interferences. More importantly, reliable urea quantification was achieved in clinical saliva samples from nephritis patients. These results indicate that the current sensor presents great opportunities for developing a noninvasive and sensitive liquid biopsy platform for urea determination in clinical diagnosis applications.

A Twist on Injection Molding: Injecting Conventional Resin Composites.

This article presents a different approach to injectable techniques. This technique uses conventional viscosity materials to achieve maximum strength and esthetics. The use of high-viscosity material which has the strongest physical properties is desirable since failure of anterior resin composite has been described as fracture and recurrent decay. By incorporating changes to the conventional injection technique, heating and making bigger access wholes on the matrix allows the utilization of higher conventional viscosity materials. The use of higher viscosity materials while using injectable techniques is possible by heating and providing a bigger access entrance to composite resin compules.

Polydopamine modified coconut shell biochar decorated with ZIF-8 for improved adsorption of malachite green and rhodamine B from aqueous solution.

Although various biochars from different biomass materials have been developed to remediate dye-contaminated environments, the removal capabilities of pristine biochar for dyes urgently require further enhancement due to insufficient surface adsorption sites. To introduce more adsorption sites, this work proposes a simple approach to fabricate coconut shell biochar (CSB) based adsorbent by anchoring zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) via the active sites provided by polydopamine (PDA)-coated CSB. The nucleation sites provided by the PDA layer promote the dispersion of ZIF-8 on the surface of CSB, resulting in sufficient adsorption sites for removing malachite green (MG) and rhodamine B (RB) from wastewater. The resulting CSB/PDA/ZIF-8 demonstrates a large specific surface area (749.54 m2∙g-1) and outstanding adsorption capacities for MG (1568 mg∙g-1) and RB (1496 mg∙g-1). Furthermore, CSB/PDA/ZIF-8 adsorbents can maintain a satisfactory removal rate for MG (91%) and RB (77%) even after five reuses. The analysis of the adsorption mechanism exhibits that electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonds, coordination bonds, and π-π stacking are of significance for adsorbing MG and RB. Therefore, CSB/PDA/ZIF-8 is a promising candidate for dye wastewater treatment, while this work provides guidance for the high-quality utilization of biomass materials.

Insights into the effects of biomass feedstock and pyrolysis conditions on the energy storage capacity and durability of standard biochar-based phase-change composites

Material selection and production conditions are imperative for determining the functional performances of composite materials. Phase-change composites obtained from phase-change materials (PCMs) and supporting matrices exhibit high thermal energy storage density. They are used to overcome the intermittency issues of wind and solar energy, as well as to reduce waste heat dissipation to the environment. However, the large-scale utilization of composite and pristine materials has severe drawbacks, primarily stemming from the complex fabrication routes of the encapsulating agents, leakage, and inadequate thermal stability. In this study, biochar-based phase-change composites were fabricated using vacuum infiltration techniques, and the effects of biomass feedstock and pyrolysis temperature on the performance of the composite were elucidated using different types of biowastes and temperatures. This approach has several advantages, including facile production techniques, low-cost carbon sources, and environmental friendliness. The PCM adsorption ratio of biochars derived from rice husk (RH) and Miscanthus straw linearly correlated with the pyrolysis temperature (550–700 °C), while RH700 resulted in a composite with a high enthalpy per unit mass of hexadecane (HXD) in RH700/HXD (250.9 J g−1) owing to the high surface area of RH700 (74.66 m2 g−1). The crystalline temperature increased slightly from 10.7 °C in RH550/HXD to 10.9 °C in RH700/HXD, suggesting improved molecular motion and crystal growth of HXD. Wheat straw biomass pyrolyzed at a low temperature (550 °C), displaying a reduced surface area at 700 °C (7.35 m2 g−1) and exhibiting the lowest energy storage density. The latent heat efficiency reached 99.5–100%, where RH700/HXD exhibited 100% efficiency. The composites demonstrated strong leakage resistance at high heating temperatures (60 °C, above the melting temperature of HXD), good chemical compatibility between the biochar and HXD, and high durability after 500 thermal cycles. Therefore, the extent of PCM loading and energy storage density improvements primarily depends on the pyrolysis conditions, feedstock used, and pore size distribution of the biochar samples. This research provides insights into the fabrication of phase-change composites and optimization of the carbonization process of different biomasses used for thermal management applications, such as building energy savings.Graphical

Experimental Study on Flexural Behaviour of Prefabricated Steel-Concrete Composite I-Beams Under Negative Bending Moment: Comparative Study.

The issues of numerous steel beam components and the tendency for deck cracking under negative bending moment zones have long been challenges faced by traditional composite I-beams with flat steel webs. This study introduces an optimized approach by modifying the structural design and material selection, specifically substituting flat steel webs with corrugated steel webs and using ultra-high-performance concrete for the deck in the negative bending moment zone. Three sets of model tests were conducted to compare and investigate the influence of deck material and web forms on the bending and crack resistance of steel-concrete composite I-beams under a negative bending moment zone. The findings indicate that, compared to a conventional steel-normal concrete composite I-beam, incorporating ultra-high performance concrete into the negative bending zone enhances the cracking load by 98%, resulting in finer and denser cracks, and improves the ultimate bearing capacity by approximately 10%. In comparison to the composite I-beam with flat steel webs, the longitudinal stiffness of the composite I-beam with corrugated steel webs is smaller, which can further enhance the bridge deck's resistance to cracking in the negative bending moment zone, and maximize the steel-strengthening effect of the lower flange of the steel I-beam. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended to use steel ultra-high-performance concrete composite I-beams with corrugated steel webs due to their superior crack resistance, bending strength, and efficient material utilization.

A Comprehensive Review on Advancements in Modification Strategies of Polymer Blends for Enhanced Carbon Dioxide Capture and Reuse

ABSTRACTCarbon dioxide (CO2) is emitted into the atmosphere through the combustion of fossil fuels and various industrial processes, and it is presently regarded as a significant factor in global warming. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) stands out as a prominent strategy put forward to address CO2 emissions. This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of recent developments in CO2‐based polymers, focusing on sustainable biopolymers, including copolymers and polymer blends. A thorough analysis of CO2 co‐polymers as components in polymer blends is conducted, focusing on the capture of CO2. In recent years, carbon capture technology has attracted considerable focus as a strategy to mitigate the negative effects of increasing CO2 levels in the environment. The process of developing polymer blends entails merging two or more polymeric substances to harness their distinct advantages. This investigation assessed polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyether sulfone (PES), polyurethane (PU), and polyimide (PI) based on their chemical properties as promising polymer blends for the efficient separation of CO2. Advances in polymer blend modifications for improved CO2 capture and reuse are highlighted in this review, with a focus on strategies such as chemical functionalization (e.g., amine or hydroxyl groups), the utilization of porous materials, and the integration of hybrid systems, delving into CO2 adsorption efficiency, selectivity, and reusability. The paper also examines novel materials' potential for CO2‐to‐product conversion, such as bio‐based polymers and nano‐engineered blends. The main obstacles and potential paths for applications that are sustainable and scalable are described.

The Utilization of Inert Materials for the Control of Stored-Product Mites-A Mini Review.

Stored-product mites are important pests of stored products, while their presence in storage and processing facilities has a significant effect on public health. On the other hand, inert materials are promising alternatives to conventional pesticides in stored product protection and have provided very good results against storage insects. These formulations can be applied either directly on the product or on surfaces, as dusts or as slurry formulations. In the current paper, we review the factors that affect the efficacy of inert dusts, emphasizing in diatomaceous earths, against stored-product mites. Hence, we address the different biotic and abiotic factors that affect the acaricidal effect of inert materials against different mite species, but also the complexity of such an application, that often arises from the simultaneous presence of plant-feeding mites with their mite predators. Finally, we provide some insights for further research directions.

Zero-Waste Polyanion and Prussian Blue Composites toward Practical Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Closed-loop transformation of raw materials into high-value-added products is highly desired for the sustainable development of the society but is seldom achieved. Here, a low-cost, solvent-free and "zero-waste" mechanochemical protocol is reported for the large-scale preparation of cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). This process ensures full utilization of raw materials, effectively reduces water consumption, and simplifies the operating process. Benefiting from the synergistic effect between the cubic Prussian blue analogs (c-NFFHCF) and dehydrated polyanionic sulfates (m-NFS), the generated composite exhibits promising wide-temperature electrochemical performance and excellent practical application potential. The synergistic effect between m-NFS and c-NFFHCF in the composite is revealed through multiple in situ characterizations and density functional theory calculations. The proposed mechanochemical strategy can be scaled to a kilogram-grade level, providing a sustainable method for the value-added utilization of the by-products during Prussian blue analogs synthesis, advancing the design of "zero-waste" cathode materials for low-cost practical SIBs.

Long Cycle Life All-Solid-State Batteries Enabled by Medium Nanosized Catholytes.

Poor interfacial contact in a solid-state cathode is a major challenge in the development of high specific energy and long cycle life all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs). Herein, the influence of catholyte size on the electrochemical performance of ASSBs is inspected, and the size of Li6PS5Cl (LPSCl) catholyte is tuned for optimizing the ionic conduction and active material utilization in cathode. A medium nanosized LPSCl catholyte not only forms fast ionic transport network throughout the cathode but also provides high specific interfacial area to alleviate the electrochemo-mechanical coupling effect and thus benefits comprehensive improvement of electrochemical performance in ASSBs. As a result, the Li-In||NCM811 ASSBs with ∼500 nm LPSCl catholyte display an ultralong cycle life of 2400 cycles without much capacity decay at a high rate of 15C. This work confirms that optimization of catholyte size is a significant step toward the practical application of all-solid-state pouch cells.

Comparative Study on Environmental Impact of Electric Vehicle Batteries from a Regional and Energy Perspective

Against the backdrop of the global goal of “carbon neutrality”, the advancement of electric vehicles (EVs) holds substantial importance for diminishing the reliance on fossil fuels, mitigating vehicular emissions, and fostering the transition of the automotive sector towards a sustainable, low-carbon paradigm. The wide application of electric vehicles not only reduces the dependence on non-renewable resources such as oil, but also concurrently effectuates a substantial reduction in carbon emissions within the transportation sector. In the realm of electric vehicles, ternary lithium batteries (NCM) and lithium iron phosphate batteries (LFP) are two widely used batteries. This study examines the resource utilization and environmental repercussions associated with the production of 1 kW ternary lithium batteries and lithium iron phosphate batteries, employing a life cycle assessment (LCA) framework. The importance of clean energy in reducing environmental pollution and global warming potential is revealed by introducing five different power generation types and the regional power generation structure in China into the power battery production process. The findings of the investigation indicate that lithium iron phosphate batteries exhibit pronounced superiority in terms of environmental sustainability, while ternary lithium batteries are more advantageous in terms of performance. The mitigation of environmental pollution associated with battery production can be significantly achieved by the holistic integration of clean energy sources and the systematic optimization of manufacturing processes. Specific interventions encompass enhancing the energy efficiency of the production process, incorporating renewable energy sources for power generation, and minimizing the utilization of hazardous materials. By implementing these strategies, the battery sector can advance towards a more environmentally benign and sustainable trajectory.

Adopting additive manufacturing: spotlight on sustainability and material utilization

Adopting additive manufacturing: spotlight on sustainability and material utilization

Environmental applications of metal-organic framework-based three-dimensional macrostructures: a review.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) hold considerable promise for environmental remediation owing to their exceptional performance and distinctive structure. Nonetheless, the practical implementation of MOFs encounters persistent technical hurdles, notably susceptibility to loss, challenging recovery, and potential environmental toxicity arising from the fragility, insolubility, and poor processability of MOFs. MOF-based three-dimensional macrostructures (3DMs) inherit the advantageous attributes of the original MOFs, such as ultra-high specific surface area, tunable pore size, and customizable structure, while also incorporating the intriguing characteristics of bulk materials, including hierarchical structure, facile manipulation, and structural flexibility. Consequently, they exhibit rapid mass transfer and exceptional practicality, offering extensive potential applications in environmental remediation. This review presents a comprehensive overview of recent advancements in utilizing MOF-based 3DMs for environmental remediation, encompassing their fascinating characteristics, preparation strategies, and characterization methods, and highlighting their exceptional performance in pollutant adsorption, catalysis, and detection. Furthermore, existing challenges and prospects are presented to advance the utilization of MOF-based materials across various domains, particularly in environmental remediation.

Poplar transformation with variable explant sources to maximize transformation efficiency

For decades, Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated plant transformation has played an integral role in advancing fundamental and applied plant biology. The recent omnipresent emergence of synthetic biology, which relies on plant transformation to manipulate plant DNA and gene expression for novel product biosynthesis, has further propelled basic as well as applied interests in plant transformation technologies. The strong demand for a faster design-build-test-learn cycle, the essence of synthetic biology, is, however, still ill-matched with the long-standing issues of high tissue culture recalcitrance and low transformation efficiency of a wide range of plant species especially food, fiber and energy crops. To maximize the utility of plant material and improve the transformation productivity per unit plant form, we studied the regeneration and transformation efficiency of different types of explants, including leaf, stem, petiole, and root from Populus, a woody perennial bioenergy crop. Our results show that root explants, in addition to the above-ground tissues, have considerable regeneration capacity and amenability to A. tumefaciens and, the resulting transformants have largely comparable morphology, reporter gene expression, and transcriptome profile, independent of the explant source tissue. Transcriptome analyses mapped to regeneration stages and transformation efficiencies further revealed the expression of the auxin and cytokinin signaling and various developmental pathway genes in leaf and root explants undergoing early organogenesis. We further report high-potential candidate genes that may potentially be associated with higher regeneration and transformation efficiency. Overall, our study shows that explants from above- and belowground organs of a Populus plant are suitable for genetic transformation and tissue culture regeneration, and together with the underlying transcriptome data open new routes to maximize plant explant utilization, stable transformation productivity, and plant transformation efficiency.

Overcoming the conversion reaction limitation at three-phase interfaces using mixed conductors towards energy-dense solid-state Li-S batteries.

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) all-solid-state batteries (ASSBs) hold great promise for next-generation safe, durable and energy-dense battery technology. However, solid-state sulfur conversion reactions are kinetically sluggish and primarily constrained to the restricted three-phase boundary area of sulfur, carbon and solid electrolytes, making it challenging to achieve high sulfur utilization. Here we develop and implement mixed ionic-electronic conductors (MIECs) in sulfur cathodes to replace conventional solid electrolytes and invoke conversion reactions at sulfur-MIEC interfaces in addition to traditional three-phase boundaries. Microscopic and tomographic analyses reveal the emergence of mixed-conducting domains embedded in sulfur at sulfur-MIEC boundaries, helping promote the thorough conversion of active sulfur into Li2S. Consequently, substantially improved active sulfur ratios (up to 87.3%) and conversion degrees (>94%) are achieved in Li-S ASSBs with high discharge capacity (>1,450 mAh g-1) and long cycle life (>1,000 cycles). The strategy is also applied to enhance the active material utilization of other conversion cathodes.

2D monolayer electrocatalysts for CO2 electroreduction.

The electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CO2RR) is an attractive method for converting atmospheric CO2 into value-added chemicals and fuels. In order to overcome the low efficiency and durability that hinder its practical application, a significant amount of research has been dedicated to designing novel catalysts at the nanoscale and even the atomic scale. Two-dimensional (2D) monolayer materials inherit the merits of both 2D materials and single-atom materials. Through bridging the gap between heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis, 2D monolayer materials exhibit great potential in the CO2RR due to their unique structural/electronic properties, high atom utilization, low mass transfer resistance and uniform active sites. Here, we systematically overview the development and application of 2D monolayer catalysts for the electrocatalytic CO2RR. First, an overview of the CO2RR technology is presented. Subsequently, a comprehensive discussion is undertaken on various types of 2D monolayer electrocatalysts, such as 2D graphene-based materials, 2D monolayer metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), 2D monolayer covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and 2D monolayer metal-based materials. Their respective electrocatalytic performances are also systematically analyzed. More importantly, novel perspectives on the primary challenges and opportunities associated with the utilization of 2D monolayer materials in the CO2RR are presented. Achieving high-quality 2D monolayer materials and producing highly selective multi-carbon products remain the two major challenges in the design, synthesis and application of 2D monolayer electrocatalysts. Addressing these synthesis-related and performance-related issues is significant for the progression and practical utilization of 2D monolayer materials in the CO2RR.

Elevating Red and Near-Infrared Detectivity With CsSnI3 Perovskite Photodetectors Featuring GO and PCBM as Charge Transport Layers.

This study focuses on enhancing the performance of photodetector through the utilization of inorganic perovskite material. It emphasizes that the unique properties of perovskite materials contribute to the superior performance of the photodetector. The focus is on the design and enhancement of CsSnI3-based photodetector having graphene oxide (GO) and PCBM as charge transport layer, analysing their potential for improved operation. The design process involves a series of optimizations to the device layers, particularly the absorber layer's thickness and defects, which is critical for enhanced efficiency. The designed photodetector exhibits a better responsivity and detectivity in red and near infrared region and maximum responsivity of 0.68 A/W and detectivity of 9 × 1012 Jones. The SCAPS-1D tool is employed to facilitate the design analysis, enabling the fine-tuning of the device parameters. The findings highlight the effectiveness of perovskite materials in boosting photodetector performance.

Tailoring catalysis at the atomic level: trends and breakthroughs in single atom catalysts for organic transformation reactions.

The utilization of precise materials in heterogeneous catalysis will provide various new possibilities for developing superior catalysts to tackle worldwide energy and environmental issues. In recent years, single atom catalysts (SACs) with excellent atom utilization and isolated active sites have progressed dramatically as a thriving sector of catalysis research. Additionally, SACs bridge the gap between homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts and overcome the limitations of both categories. Current research on SACs is highly oriented towards the organic synthesis of high-significance molecules with promising potential for large-scale applicability and industrialization. In this context, this review aims to comprehensively analyze the state-of-the-art research in the synthesis of SACs and analyze their structural, electronic, and geometric properties. Moreover, the unprecedented catalytic performance of the SACs towards various organic transformation reactions is succinctly summarized with recent reports. Further, a detailed summary of the current state of the research field of SACs in organic transformation is discussed. Finally, a critical analysis of the existing challenges in this emerging field of SACs and the possible countermeasures are provided. We believe that SACs have the potential to profoundly alter the chemical industry, pushing the boundaries of catalysis in new and undiscovered territory.

Resource utilization of hazardous materials: Highly efficient separation and recovery of tin and copper of the tin refining sulfur slag

Resource utilization of hazardous materials: Highly efficient separation and recovery of tin and copper of the tin refining sulfur slag

Fabrication of glipizide loaded polymeric microparticles; in-vitro and in-vivo evaluation.

Controlled-release microparticles offer a promising avenue for enhancing patient compliance and minimizing dosage frequency. In this study, we aimed to design controlled-release microparticles of Glipizide utilizing Eudragit S100 and Methocel K 100 M polymers as controlling agents. The microparticles were fabricated through a simple solvent evaporation method, employing various drug-to-polymer ratios to formulate different controlled-release batches labeled as F1 to F5. Evaluation of the microparticles encompassed a range of parameters including flow properties, particle size, morphology, percentage yield, entrapment efficiencies, percent drug loading, and dissolution studies. Additionally, various kinetic models were employed to elucidate the drug release mechanism. Furthermore, difference and similarity factors were utilized to compare the dissolution profiles of the tested formulations with a reference formulation. The compressibility index and angle of repose indicated favorable flow properties of the prepared microparticles, with values falling within the range of 8 to 10 and 25 to 29, respectively. The particle size distribution of the microparticles ranged from 95.3 to 126 μm. Encouragingly, the microparticles exhibited high percent yield (ranging from 66 to 77%), entrapment efficiency (80 to 96%), and percent drug loading (46 to 54%). All formulated batches demonstrated controlled drug release profiles extending up to 12 hours, with glipizide release following an anomalous non-Fickian diffusion pattern. However, the drug release profiles of the reference formulation and various polymeric microparticles did not meet the acceptable limits of difference and similarity factors. In-vivo studies revealed sustained hypoglycemic effects over a 12-hour period, indicating the efficacy of the controlled-release microparticles. Overall, our findings suggest the successful utilization of polymeric materials in designing controlled-release microparticles, thereby reducing dosage frequency and potentially improving patient compliance.

The addition of vermiculite reduced antibiotic resistance genes during composting: Novel insights based on reducing host bacteria abundance and inhibiting plasmid-mediated conjugative transfer.

Antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) are prevalent in raw materials used for composting. The utilization of eco-friendly materials for the removal of ARGs is regarded as an economically effective method. Therefore, this study focused on the impact of incorporating different proportions of vermiculite (0% (CK), 5% (T1), and 10% (T2)) on the dynamics of ARGs during composting. In comparison to CK, the total absolute abundances of ARGs decreased by 14.17% and 31.52% in T1 and T2, respectively. Potential human pathogenic bacteria, including Acinetobacter, Corynebacterium, and Lactobacillus, were identified as core hosts of ARGs. The addition of vermiculite effectively inhibited proliferation of ARG hosts by extending the thermophilic phase of composting and reducing bioavailable copper concentrations. Incorporation of vermiculite decreased the absolute abundances of transposons and integrons, such as intI1 and Tn916/1545, which were significantly positively correlated with most ARGs. Adding vermiculite simultaneously enhanced the removal of common environmental plasmids (e.g., Inc.P, Inc.W), and downregulated expression of genes associated with bacterial conjugation and plasmid replication (e.g., trBbp, trfAp), thereby inhibiting the dissemination of ARGs. Taken together, this study provides novel insights that the incorporation of vermiculite can effectively enhance the reduction rate of ARGs during composting by reducing the host of ARGs and inhibiting their dissemination.