"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).

Alginate/organo-selenium composite hydrogel beads: Dye adsorption and bacterial deactivation.

Post-COVID-19, the risk and spread of germs, coupled with wastewater contamination, have become critical concerns. Wastewater contains waterborne bacteria and various contaminants like dye molecules, threatening water safety. Traditional adsorption methods address pollutant removal or pathogen inactivation separately, but a dual-action solution is increasingly essential.

Selenium Bandages and Cotton Cloth That Kill Microorganisms in Wounds.

Introduction: The material of a bandage plays an important role in wound management. Microorganisms can colonize the dressing and release toxins, which create dead cells in the wound. This allows the microorganisms to bind the dead cells and infect the wound.

Upcycling Low-Quality Cotton Fibers into Mulch Gel Films in a Fast Closed Carbon Cycle.

Low-quality cotton fibers, often overlooked as low-value materials, constitute a marginalized waste stream in the cotton industry. This study endeavored to repurpose these fibers into mulch gel films, specifically exploring their efficacy in covering moisture-controlled soil beds. Through a meticulously designed series of processing methods, cellulose/glycerol film was successfully fabricated by regenerating cellulose hydrogels in N,N-dimethylacetamide/lithium chloride solutions, followed by plasticization in glycerol/water solutions and hot pressing.

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.