Varying Weight Percentages Research Articles

ZnO/Ag2ZrO3 nanocomposites: A tailored nanostructure for enhanced supercapacitor, photocatalytic & antimicrobial applications

The present study reported the synthesis of a novel ZnO/Ag2ZrO3 nanocomposite by a two-step method, involving hydrothermal synthesis followed by a co-precipitation method. As synthesized ZnO/Ag2ZrO3 nanocomposite was further used for the supercapacitor study, photocatalytic dye degradation, and antimicrobial applications. It was fairly challenging to enhance the supercapacitor performances of ZnO. Therefore, it was imperative to develop a novel approach utilizing a binary nanostructure composed of ZnO and Ag2ZrO3. This strategy aims to synergistically enhance the energy storage and conversion capabilities of inorganic materials, while simultaneously augmenting the photocatalytic and antimicrobial activity in the synthesized ZnO/Ag2ZrO3 nanocomposites. Among ZnO, Ag2ZrO3, and ZnO/Ag2ZrO3 nanocomposites with a varying weight percentage of Ag2ZrO3 (10 %, 20 %, 30 %, & 40 %), the ZnO/Ag2ZrO3 (20 %) electrode exhibited the highest specific capacitance (463.3 Fg–1) and energy density (10.2 Whkg–1) at current density 1 mAcm–2. Furthermore, we examined the photocatalytic activity, in the presence of persulfate ion (PS), the ZnO/Ag2ZrO3 (20 %) nanocomposite demonstrated superior degradation efficiency for Rhodamine B (RhB), Methyl Orange (MO), and Methylene Blue (MB). Almost 100 % degradation of RhB was observed in just 120 min of visible light irradiation, whereas only 27.6 %, 62.4 %, and 42.7 % of RhB degradation was observed on the pristine ZnO, ZnO/PS, and ZnO/Ag2ZrO3 (20 %) materials, respectively. This enhanced photocatalytic activity was attributed to the synergetic effect of photoinduced electron activating PS ions to form sulfate radicals (˙SO4̄), higher visible light harvesting by ZnO/Ag2ZrO3 nanocomposite, and better charge separation. Five cycles of reusability test with no significant loss in dye degradation efficiency, confirms the stability test of ZnO/Ag2ZrO3 (20 %) nanocomposite. Moreover, the synthesized ZnO/Ag2ZrO3 (20 %) nanocomposite possesses improved antimicrobial potential against both gram +ve and gram -ve bacteria.

Enhancement of Rheological Properties of Nano-Fe2O3-Modified Drilling Fluids

Summary In this study, we explore the potential of using nanoparticles (NPs) to enhance the properties of water-based drilling fluids (WBDFs). Specifically, we investigate the effects of nano-Fe2O3 on the rheological behavior of drilling fluid muds under high-temperature and high-pressure (HTHP) conditions to determine the optimal concentration of Fe2O3 NPs to maintain consistent rheology and improve drilling fluid systems. Results show that as temperature increases, the rheological properties of water-based muds (WBMs) decrease, leading to compromised structural integrity. To address this issue, nano-Fe2O3 is introduced into the system. We prepared and evaluated six WBM formulations with varying weight percentages of Fe2O3 NPs, and found that an optimal NP concentration of 2.5 g wt% resulted in a 13.8% reduction in American Petroleum Institute (API) filtrate volume and a 40% reduction in filter-cake thickness. Under conditions of 300°F temperature and 10,000 psi pressure, consistent reductions were observed in the rheological properties of plastic viscosity (PV), yield point (YP), and gel strength with the addition of Fe2O3 NPs. The YP-PV span was measured at 2.7, and the yield strength was determined to be 11 lb/100 ft2. Regarding fluid loss, Drilling Mudcake A containing 0.5 wt% NPs experienced a loss of 6 mL of fluid after 30 minutes, whereas Mudcake E containing 3 wt% NPs exhibited a fluid loss of 5.1 mL in the API filter press test. According to the Bingham plastic model, Muds E and F, containing 2.5 wt% and 3 wt% NPs, respectively, displayed the maximum shear stress vs. shear rate. This highlights the efficacy of nano-Fe2O3 in adjusting the properties of drilling fluids, presenting opportunities for enhanced performance and efficiency in drilling operations.

Nanostructured inclusions enhancing the thermoelectric performance of Higher Manganese Silicide by modulating the transport properties

Higher Manganese Silicides (HMS) are the best p-type materials beneficial for intermediate-temperature range thermoelectric device applications due to their high thermal stability and inexpensive constituent elements. Although the cost-effective HMS materials possess high thermal stability, they are concerned with high thermal conductivity values. The nanocomposite approach was promised to lower the thermal transport properties without affecting the electrical transport properties, which is experimented in the present work. The higher manganese silicide with varying weight percentages of nano-structured Si0.8Ge0.2B0.02 inclusions was experimented to decrease the thermal conductivity and to enhance the electrical properties. The lowest thermal conductivity value of ≃ 2.24 W/mK was reported with 2 wt% Si0.8Ge0.2B0.02 addition in HMS material. Also, the HMS-2 wt. % Si0.8Ge0.2B0.02 improved the transport properties, electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient values of ≃ 4 × 104 S/m and ≃ 220 μV/K respectively. Furthermore, various mathematical models were proposed here to simulate the composite approach results, which were then correlated with experimental results.

Development of CuS/C composite for microwave absorption using lignin biopolymer

In recent decades, electronic devices have become a crucial component of everyday life and an increasingly important aspect of national security. However, despite their convenience, the emission of electromagnetic (EM) radiation from these devices has created a pollution issue that demands urgent attention. In this study, the properties and performance of CuS/C composites as EM wave-absorbing materials were examined. The main technique employed involved modifying the surface structure and properties of a lignin biopolymer via a fiber laser to derive porous carbon as a microwave absorber in the X-band range. Flower-like CuS microspheres were integrated into the porous carbon to improve the electrical conductivity and promote internal reflections. In addition, multilayer microwave absorbers were developed using CuS/C/epoxy composites with varying weight percentages, which were fabricated through refluxing and annealing techniques. The return losses of the absorbers in single- and multi-layer modes were optimized by modified local particle swarm optimization (MLPSO). The minimum average return loss improved to −15 dB (96.8%) by optimization in the 4-layer mode with a thickness of 1.8 mm. The optimum absorption peak in the 3-layer structure was −54.52 dB at a frequency of 8.83 GHz. The shielding effectiveness assessments indicated that the CuS/C/epoxy composite significantly improved the shielding capabilities of porous C and CuS, resulting in an increase of the shielding effectiveness threshold (SET) from less than 2 dB in lignin to more than 10 dB in CuS/C/epoxy.

Preparation of polyurethane shell microcapsules containing isocyanate core by Pickering emulsion method using modified silica nanoparticles and investigation of their self-healing performance

Encapsulating repair agents are increasingly popular for repairing coating damage, with capsules being a common method to address surface scratches by releasing healing liquid into the fissure. However, creating microcapsules that are durable against environmental factors remains a key concern. Current research focuses on advancements in encapsulating healing agents and their production methods, particularly emphasizing the integration of capsules into coatings for external self-healing purposes. Polyurethane capsules containing isophorone diisocyanate were synthesized using the Pickering emulsion method with modified silica as a Pickering emulsion stabilizer in three different percentages and then dispersed in urea formaldehyde at varying weight percentages. The self-healing properties of this coating were then studied. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Soxhlet extraction, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were performed on the samples to ensure the success of the encapsulation process. The morphology of the capsules was investigated using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), revealing that the synthesized capsules possess a spherical shape and are adequately spaced apart. These capsules were spherical at micron scales, with differences observed based on the quantity of stabilizing nanoparticles employed. Furthermore, the capsules demonstrated robust thermal stability, as evidenced by the increase in IPDI evaporation temperature from approximately 140 °C to 240 °C.Immersion test results in saltwater solutions showed that coatings containing pickering capsules exhibited better corrosion resistance, further validating the success of the research. The shell strength of the capsules prepared using the Pickering method was increased, enhancing the stability of the microcapsules during the mixing process with the resin and demonstrating self-healing properties. These findings have significant practical implications, as they demonstrate the potential to improve the durability and lifespan of coatings in various applications.

Mechanical, Thermal and Morphological Characterization of Graphene/Al2O3‐Reinforced Epoxy Hybrid Nanocomposites

AbstractThis work investigates the hybrid nanocomposites manufactured by direct mixing by dispersing varying weight percentages (wt.%) of graphene nanoparticles (GNPs) and Al2O3 NPs in epoxy resin. Their properties are then obtained using various mechanical (tensile, flexural, impact, and hardness) and thermal (thermogravimetric) analyses. Furthermore, their microstructure and functional groups are studied by SEM and FTIR, respectively. The hybrid nanocomposite, which contains 1.5 wt.% GNPs and 8.5 wt.% Al2O3 NPs, has excellent mechanical properties. Compared to a composite without GNPs, the tensile strength, flexural strength, impact strength, and shore D hardness improve by 95.12, 90.01, 171.43, and 19.75%, respectively. It is also found that hybrid nanocomposite exhibits enhanced thermal stability as GNPs increase, particularly at lower wt.% of Al2O3. The SEM of tensile fractured specimens of GNPs/Al2O3 epoxy hybrid nanocomposites reveals prominent failure mechanisms, including agglomeration of GNPs and debonding between the GNPs/Al2O3 and epoxy. The FTIR spectroscopy analysis reveals distinctive spectral peaks indicating successful incorporation of Al2O3 and GNPs into the epoxy‐based composite, with observed peaks corresponding to functional groups and bonds characteristic of each component. These findings suggest that the manufactured nanocomposite holds promise as a component in structural applications, particularly in automobiles, aerospace components, and sports equipment.

Preparation and characterization of bamboo based nanocellulose by ball milling and used as a filler for preparation of nanocomposite

In this research, bamboo-based nanocellulose was prepared and characterized using high-speed ball milling to reduce initial bamboo powder particle size for potential use in nanocomposites. FTIR analysis revealed structural modifications, including increased cellulose content and decreased lignin content post-treatment. XRD analysis indicated a shift from cellulose I to cellulose II, suggesting altered crystallinity and hydrogen-bonding networks. SEM analysis revealed distinct morphological changes between untreated and NaOH-treated bamboo fibers, with the latter exhibiting surface modifications indicative of effective treatment. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) images demonstrated a reduction in particle size to approximately 80 nm, with reduced aggregation and individualized nanofibrils. Tensile tests of bamboo nanoparticle-epoxy biocomposites with varying weight percentages (0.5 %, 1 %, 1.5 %, and 2 %) of nanoparticles showed enhanced tensile strength up to 1.5 % loading (83.92 ± 1.74 MPa), but a decrease at 2 % loading (70.24 ± 1.80 MPa), indicating increased strain-to-failure. SEM and TEM images illustrated a homogeneous distribution at 1.5 wt%, but increased agglomeration at higher contents, impacting microstructure. This study underscores bamboo-derived nanocellulose's potential for tailored applications and improved mechanical properties in nanocomposites, highlighting the critical role of filler content in material performance and microstructure.

Solar to Thermal Energy Conversion Potential of Carbon Nanotubes Modified Copper Oxide Nanocomposite Thin Film Solar Selective Absorbers

AbstractCarbon nanotubes modified copper oxide nanocomposite (CNTs–CuO NC) selective absorbers were prepared through a sol‐gel method by varying weight percentage of CNTs and coated on aluminum (Al) substrates using a dip coating technique to form thin films (TFs). The surface morphology of CNTs–CuO NC TF examined by scanning electron microscopy disclosed linear arrangement of CNTs–CuO NC TF with average particle diameter of 200±30 nm. The X‐ray diffractometer analysis of the CNTs–CuO NC TF revealed the presence of CuO in monoclinic crystal structure. Moreover, the X‐ray diffractometer analysis disclosed good crystalline quality of the CNTs–CuO NC TF and average crystallite size of the CuO and CNTs–CuO NC TF was found to be 69.38 and 85.94 nm, respectively. The energy dispersive X‐ray spectrum of CNTs–CuO NC TF ascertained the presence of Cu, O and C elements with atomic weight proportion of 71.07, 21.61 and 7.32 %, respectively. The functional groups investigation by FTIR spectroscopy exhibited distinct spectral features of CNTs and the peaks observed at 516.78 and 588.70 cm−1 correspond to the characteristic vibrations of metal‐oxygen (M−O) bond that indicates the presence of CuO in the hybrid CNTs‐CuO NC TF. The optical property of the CNTs–CuO NC TF with CNTs weight proportion of 0.5 % inspected through UV‐Vis‐NIR spectroscopy exhibited high solar absorptance and thermal emittance values of 85.9 and 4.3 %, respectively. The observed highest solar selectivity value of 19.98 suggests that the CNTs–CuO NC TF coating can be apparently used as solar selective absorber.

Influence of granite micro particles on the mechanical, damping and antimicrobial properties of silk–sisal hybrid composites

This paper focuses on the effect of granite-micro-filler on static mechanical properties, damping behavior, and physical characteristics of silk-sisal hybrid composite. The composites structures are fabricated by using three layers of plain weaves mat with varying weight percentages (2, 4, and 6 wt%) of granite-micro-filler by hand layer process. The effect of granite-micro-filler on silk-sisal is analyzed and results are compared with pure silk-sisal (without granite-Micro-filler) hybrid composite. The results infer that; the tensile strength and flexural strength value of the developed silk-sisal hybrid composites are increased with the increase in wt% of granite-micro-filler content than pure silk–sisal, approximately 5% and 9% improved value in order by adding 6 wt% granite-micro-filler on silk–sisal. The tensile and flexural fracture morphology analysis indicated that composed plain weave of silk–sisal fiber mat with two (longitudinal and transverse) directions possesses higher mechanical properties and also observed that, granite-micro-filler dispersed on silk–sisal fiber mat and resin with closely packed. The improved damping factor is obtained by adding 6 wt% of granite-micro-filler content, which is approximately 75.8% higher than pure silk–sisal. The physical properties of silk–sisal hybrid composite have also been analyzed and well discussed in this paper.

Spectroscopic analysis of defect-induced luminescent and dielectric properties of MgO-based composites on varying dopant concentration

In this novel study, we prepared MgO matrix composites reinforced with varying weight percent ZnO using a solid-state reaction (SSR) method at 500 °C. We aimedto explore the potentialof these composites for high-frequency electronic devices.We conducted a comprehensive structural analysis of these MgO-based composites using various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Thisinclusive analysis revealed the morphology, particle size, elemental composition, valence states of elements, and defects in the composites. The Rietveld refinement of XRD data confirmed the presence of binary phase and the phase % of the constituents of composites. XPS spectra demonstrated the isovalent character of Zn/Mg elements and the presence of low-coordinated oxygen ions at the surface of the composites. The UV–visible-based spectroscopic techniques (Absorption and Photoluminescence) further supported the presence of low-coordinated surface O2– ions and F-center defects that caused a significant reduction in the bandgap of the samples. Photoluminescence (PL) analysis suggested the passivation of F-center defects in composites. We also investigated the effect of ZnO concentration and multiple excitation energies on the site-specific localized F-center defects to understand the defect distribution in the composites relative to the host.The dielectric properties of ZnO/MgO composites were assessed through impedance spectroscopy. We observed a significant enhancement in the dielectric constant (∼ 28.69–32.60) of the composites compared to pure MgO (∼12.2) at 1 kHz. This enhancement along with the smaller impedance of the composites relative to the host, as endorsed by the PL results,suggests areduction in F-centers (electrical barriers). This exciting finding paves the way forthe synthesis of ceramic composites with excellent dielectric and optical properties, indicating their potential applications in high-frequency electronic devices.

Development and characterization of powder metallurgy processed Al/Fe/SiC/MoS2 hybrid composites

This study explores hybrid aluminum matrix composites through powder metallurgy, incorporating silicon carbide, iron, and molybdenum disulfide at varying weight percentages (5%, 10%, and 15%). Defect-free hybrid composites with a uniform distribution of reinforcing particles were fabricated and characterized for microstructure, hardness, density, and wear. The EDX spectra show peaks consistent with Al, Fe, SiC, and MoS2, confirming their presence in developed hybrid composites. The pure aluminum sample presents a relative density higher than that of hybrid composites, while its hardness is lower (25%–41%) than that of hybrid composites. The wear rate decreased with the amount of reinforcing particles. The presence of hard silicon carbide, iron, particles, and lubrication by molybdenum disulfide effectively enhanced the wear behavior of hybrid composites.

A simple in-situ PZT oxide's decomposition: Realizing synergistic tailoring of electrical and thermal transport properties of BiCuSeO thermoelectric ceramics through band and phonon engineering

BiCuSeO, an oxide thermoelectric material with a superlattice structure, presents the advantages of affordability, low toxicity, and environmental friendliness. However, its intrinsic low electrical conductivity has impeded its possible applications. To address this challenge, we put tiny PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3 (PZT) with varying weight percentages (x = 0, 5, 7, 9, 11) into BiCuSeO (BCSO) to fabricate thermoelectric nanocomposites. Through the spark plasma sintering process, PZT particles underwent in-situ decomposition, generating nano-sized second phases such as PbO2, TiO2, and PbZrO3, which are homogenously distributed within BCSO matrix (validated by XRD and TEM). The introduced PbO2, TiO2, and PbZrO3 second phases served a dual purpose: inhibiting the grain growth of BCSO and introducing additional nano-grain boundaries. This resulted in more effective phonon scattering sites, thereby reducing lattice thermal conductivity. Simultaneously, the Pb element derived from PZT decomposition was doped into the Bi site of the BCSO matrix, causing a reduction in the band gap of BCSO from 0.49 eV to 0.388 eV and a significant increase in carrier concentration. Consequently, this doping enhanced the electrical conductivity of BCSO-based composites, with the composite with 11 wt% PZT additive amount exhibiting a remarkable 318-fold increase, reaching 550 S/cm compared to pristine BCSO. Notably, the composite with 7 wt% PZT additive amount achieved an exceptionally low lattice thermal conductivity of 0.333 W m−1 K−1 at 823 K. Through the synergistic optimization of electrical and thermal transport properties, the BCSO-based composite with 7 wt% PZT additive amount obtained a ZT value of ∼0.9 at 873 K, representing a 2.45-fold increase compared to pristine BiCuSeO. This straightforward method presents a cost-effective and scalable approach to enhance the thermoelectric performance of various materials, opening new avenues for potential commercial applications.

Quantitative and deep learning based fourier transform infrared radiation and tensile characteristics study on chemically treated hibiscus rosa-sinensis plant fibers

Incorporation of natural fibers with Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRPs) is a promising avenue for sustainable and high-performance composite materials. The fibers, derived from outer bark portion of plants, offer significant merits such as renewability, low cost, and eco-friendly. Unique mechanical and physical properties, and widespread availability of Hibiscus Rosa-sinensis have made them subject of intense research interest. The present study investigated the chemically treatment of HRS Fibers using Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH), Potassium Permanganate (KMnO4), and Acetic Acid (CH3COOH) bat varying weight percentages (3, 4, 5 Wt%) and solutionizing times (1, 2, 3 h) based on Taguchi’s L27 orthogonal array. Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) analysis revealed significant changes in O–H, C–H stretching, C=O moiety, aromatic ring, and C–O/C–C stretching. Potassium Permanganate treatment at 4 Wt% and 3 h of solutionizing time has yielded the best results. Multi-Layer Perceptron Artificial Neural Network (MLP-ANN) has been successfully applied to accurately predict the output physical characteristics of chemically treated HRS fibers using experimental data. Further Single Fiber Pull-out test results in Potassium Permanganate at 4 Wt% and 3 h solutionizing time as best sample with highest Tensile Strength and Modulus. This research underscores the effectiveness of the chemical treatment process in enhancing the properties of HRS plant fibers for potential composite applications.

Synthesis and tribological characterization of cold-sprayed Ni-based composite coatings containing Ag, MoS2 and h-BN

The tribo components often fail to perform in a desired way due to absence of adequate lubrication in severe conditions and may cause loss of material. Even under room temperature (RT), it is desirable to maintain the proper lubrication for efficient functioning. In recent years, many efforts have been made to develop a coating material which can facilitate low friction and wear properties in diverse working conditions. The proper use of the solid lubricants can deliver utmost lubricity and, therefore, minimize the loss of materials. Solid lubricating coatings have found various industrial applications in harsh environmental conditions, such as in internal combustion engine, gas turbine and aircraft. As far as development of coating is concerned, cold spray (CS) technology has been observed to develop the coatings at relatively low temperature (avoids decomposition) as compared to conventional thermal spray technologies (plasma spray & high velocity oxy fuel). In the current investigation, synergistic response of the participating solid lubricants viz. silver (Ag), molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) on the tribological properties of the developed coatings were studied in various working regime of loads. The tribological characteristics of different composite coatings, such as NiAl-MoS2-Ag (NB0), NiAl-MoS2-Ag-5 wt. % hBN (NB5), NiAl-MoS2-Ag-7.5 wt % hBN (NB7.5) and NiAl-MoS2-Ag-10 wt % hBN (NB10) against alumina ball were explored at various loads (6, 11, 16 and 21 N) and at a fixed speed of 0.3 m/s under room temperature (RT). The fixed concentration of Ag and MoS2 with varying weight percentage of h-BN (0, 5, 7.5 and 10 wt %) were introduced as solid lubricants for evaluating the lubricating potential of h-BN. During the tests, coefficient of friction (COF) and wear rate were observed to lessen as the load increased from 6 to 16 N. However, increased COF and wear rate were noticed for all the participating coatings at higher load (21 N). The ideal content of hBN in the deposited coatings was ascertained in order to get the utmost favourable lubricating conditions. It was observed that NB7.5 coating exhibited the enhanced tribological characteristics under the aforesaid operating conditions. Coating NB7.5 shows the best friction and wear characteristics during each testing load and reached a COF (0.19) and wear rate (2.1 × 10−5 mm3/Nm) at 16 N load. The observed wear mechanisms were analysed on the basis of the synergy shown by Ag, MoS2, and hBN as well as the optimal hBN level in the coating (NB7.5) which helped in attaining the improved tribological properties.

Enhancing the TiO2 light harvesting ability boosted by Sr2FeTeO6 additives in DSSCs

In this work, novel surface defected lead-free double perovskite oxide (Sr2FeTeO6) has been introduced in dye sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) for the first time. The Sr2FeTeO6 material prepared by solid state method treated at 1200 °C. The DSSC was performed with varying weight percentage (0.01 wt%, 0.03 wt%, 0.05 wt%) of Sr2FeTeO6 additives incorporated with titanium di-oxide (TiO2) photoanode for light harvesting under AM 1.5 solar irradiation. The inorganic double perovskite oxide material as promising additive would be in the future developing 3rd generation solar cell technologies.

Experimental Investigation on the Effect of Graphene Addition on Mechanical Properties of Al8011-T6 Based Fiber Metal Laminate

Abstract: In the present study, the tensile and flexural properties of lightweight fiber metal laminates composed of Al8011-T6 and carbon fiber/epoxy resin filled with varying weight percentages of graphene (0.0, 0.3, 0.6, 0.9, and 1.2 wt%) were examined under quasi-static loadings for automobile applications. Fibre-metal laminates having different stacking sequences of the same layer thickness are manufactured using the hand layup process. Surface treatment was performed on Al8011-T6 sheet in order to get good adhesion between aluminium and epoxy. With the optimum content of 0.6 and 0.9 wt% of graphene, the tensile and flexural strengths were improved by 15% and 25%, respectively, compared to aluminium fiber metal laminates without graphene for 0/0 fiber layup orientation.

On low velocity impact response of Sandwich composite with jute/epoxy facesheet and cenosphere reinforced functionally graded Core: Experimental and finite element approach

AbstractThe assessment of energy absorption behavior has a vital role in determining suitability of lightweight composites for impact protection applications. This study focuses on evaluating the energy absorption characteristics of cenosphere reinforced epoxy syntactic foam core and jute epoxy facesheet sandwich composite subjected to low velocity impact. The syntactic foam is composed of lightweight cenospheres embedded within an epoxy matrix, resulting in a high‐strength and lightweight composite material. Low velocity impact tests were conducted using a drop tower apparatus to simulate realistic impact conditions. The impact force, energy absorption and damage mitigation of the syntactic foam specimens with varied weight percentage of Cenosphere (0%, 10%, 20% and 30%) were measured and analyzed to assess the energy absorption behavior. The gradation revealed that the weight of top layer when compared to bottom layer is 50.49%, 70.23% and 95.74% less in syntactic foam core with 10, 20 and 30 wt% Cenosphere respectively, indicating gradation. The study demonstrates that the addition of Cenosphere up to 20 wt% enhances the energy absorption capacity of the sandwich composites by 59.37%–93.44% compared to sandwich without Cenosphere reinforced core. However, beyond this threshold, a decline in energy absorption is observed when subjected to low‐velocity impact (LVI). Fractography analysis demonstrates that the incorporation of Cenosphere induces a rough fracture surface with deep river‐like topography, indicative of greater energy absorption during impact loading. This substantiates the conclusion that Cenosphere‐reinforced syntactic foams exhibit enhanced impact resistance, making them promising materials for structures subjected to low‐velocity impact events.Highlights Development of functionally graded core sandwich composite for low velocity impact applications. Assessing the performance of developed composites under low velocity impact loading. Determining the optimal weight percentage of cenospshere in functionally graded core. Studying the fractography of developed sandwich composites. Corelation between experimental and finite element studies.

Influence of Nd3+ ions modified CoAl2O4 nanomaterials for high efficiency dye degradation application

This study aims to elucidate the possible application of cobalt aluminate nanoparticles (CoAl2O4) as a photocatalyst for the removal of organic dyes. The sol-gel method was employed to synthesise Ndx/CoAl2O4 nanoparticles with varying weight percentages (x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 wt %). The experimental investigation focused on the photocatalytic destruction of colour, employing a visible light irradiation source. The structural and optical properties of the synthesised nanoparticle were examined through various analytical techniques, including X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Ultra Violet-Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (UV-DRS), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Tunnelling Electron Microscopy (TEM), and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). The cubic spinel structure was confirmed through the study of the X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the Ndx/CoAl2O4 nanoparticles. For the compositions x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6, the nanoparticles exhibited average crystallite sizes of 23.73, 22.99, 21.69, and 21.65 nm, respectively. The synthesised nanoparticle exhibited heterogeneous photocatalytic potential when employed as a model pollutant for the oxidative destruction of crystal violet dye. The experimental findings validated that the CoAl2O4 nanoparticle exhibited a dye degradation rate of 64 % during a 100-min timeframe. Additionally, the 0.6 wt % Nd CoAl2O4 nanoparticle shows a quick dye degradation rate of 91 % for crystal violet dyes when exposed to visible light sources. Hence, the synthesised nanoparticle exhibits catalytic activity and holds potential for utilisation in the treatment of hazardous contaminants in industrial wastewater.

Development and Evaluation of 3D-Printed PLA/PHA/PHB/HA Composite Scaffolds for Enhanced Tissue-Engineering Applications

Recently, tissue engineering has been revolutionised by the development of 3D-printed scaffolds, which allow one to construct a precise architecture with tailored properties. In this study, three different composite materials were synthesised using a combination of polylactic acid (PLA), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB) and hydroxyapatite (HA) in varying weight percentages. Morphological properties were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy showing a uniform distribution of HA particles throughout the matrix, indicating good compatibility between the materials. Furthermore, the printed scaffolds were tested under pressure using a load cell to examine mechanical strength. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed favorable dispersion, biological compatibility together with enhanced bioactivity within the PHB/PHA/PLA/HA composite matrixes. Thus, this paper demonstrates the successful design and implementation of these composite structures for tissue-engineering applications and highlights the effective development of biocompatible scaffold designs with improved functionality.

Adaptive mechanisms of dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) in response to oral disease: Evaluating chitosan-calcium zirconium nanoparticle biomaterials for tissue engineering

This study aims to investigate the adaptive strategies employed by dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs) in response to oral disease conditions, focusing on their survival and proliferation. DPSCs possess regenerative potential and play a crucial role in the repair and regeneration of dental tissues. The study explores the coping mechanisms of DPSCs under oral disease conditions using a chitosan-based biomaterial reinforced with calcium zirconium nanoparticles (CZNP). The investigation assesses the viability and proliferation of DPSCs in the presence of oral disease conditions and evaluates the performance of the chitosan-CZNP biomaterial. The study presents the characterization and performance evaluation of drug-loaded biomaterials with varying weight percentages of CZNP. Parameters such as porosity, drug release, fracture toughness, tensile strength, degradation rate, and apatite formation are examined. The results demonstrate that increasing the weight percentage of CZNP leads to higher porosity and drug release while maintaining or enhancing fracture toughness, tensile strength, and apatite formation. Notably, the biomaterial containing 7.5 wt% CZNP exhibits the highest drug release, fracture toughness, and apatite formation. These findings suggest that the chitosan-CZNP biomaterial effectively supports the survival and proliferation of DPSCs under oral disease conditions. An artificial neural network (ANN) is employed to predict the properties of samples with different weight percentages and apatite formation. The ANN successfully estimates the degradation rate, tensile strength, fracture toughness, drug release, and porosity of the samples. This research enhances our understanding of the coping mechanisms of DPSCs and highlights the potential of chitosan-CZNP biomaterials in oral tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Further investigations are warranted to explore the long-term effects and clinical applications of these biomaterials in the treatment of oral diseases.