"Snakeskin" Bioinspired Design for Polymer Composite with Enhanced Positive Temperature-Dependent Thermal Conductivity.

Albeit there is widespread application of thermally conductive polymer composites, one challenge is their typical negative temperature dependence on thermal conductivity (TDTC) due to the mismatch in thermal expansion between the polymer and fillers, creating voids at the interfaces. Inspired by the hierarchical structure of snakeskin, where rigid scales and a soft intergap manage expansion, we designed a segregated structure by coating a high-expansion high impact polystyrene (HIPS)/graphite (Gt) composite with a copper alloy. We hypothesize that the Cu alloy restricts the thermal expansion of HIPS/Gt while forming a pseudoconductive network, enhancing TDTC and thermal conductivity (TC).

Innovating Environmentally Sustainable Materials Platforms by Harnessing Coastal Marine Tunicates.

The most influential technological innovations and societal progress lie at the intersection of scientific disciplines. Today, more than ever, biology assumes a more central and participatory role at this confluence. Within the context of this scientific inter-disciplinarity, the current effort was undertaken to explore the ecology of invasive tunicates, marine invertebrates increasingly considered a nuisance to the ecology of coastal ecosystems, yet potentially a resource for diverse applications in materials chemistry, construction, composites, and engineering.

Lignin Structural Characterization and Its Antioxidant Potential: A Comparative Evaluation by EPR, UV-Vis Spectroscopy, and DPPH Assays.

The natural aromatic polymer lignin and its lignin-like oligomeric fragments have attracted attention for their antioxidant capacity and free radical scavenging activities. In this study, a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay was employed to assess the antioxidant capacity of fractionated and partially depolymerized organosolv lignin by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The results show significant antioxidant activity for both the lignin and oligomeric fragments, with the EPR measurements demonstrating their efficiency in quenching the free radicals.

Bamboo fiber reinforced poly (acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylic)/chlorinated polyethylene via compabilization.

In the quest to enhance the performance of natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites, achieving optimal dispersion of fiber materials within a polymeric matrix has been identified as a key strategy. Traditional approaches, such as the surface modification of natural fibers, often necessitate the use of additional synthetic chemical processes, presenting a significant challenge. In this work, taking poly (acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylic) (ASA) and bamboo fiber (BF) as a model system, we attempt to use the elastomer-chlorinated polyethylene (CPE) as a compatibilizer to tailor the mechanical properties of ASA/CPE/BF ternary composites.