Endowing rubber with intrinsic self-healing properties using thiourea-based polymer.

Self-healing polymers are extensively researched for the sustainability of materials. The introduction of dynamic networks instead of traditional cross-linkers for an autonomous healing mechanism in elastomers is a promising strategy for improving rubber properties. However, exchangeable covalent bonds in a dynamic network generally rely on external stimulants and fillers, which can compromise the material's performance.

Preparation and identification of a novel peptide with high antioxidant activity from corn gluten meal.

The antioxidant activity of corn peptides is related to their molecular weight and structure. Corn gluten meal (CGM) was hydrolyzed using a combination of Alcalase, Flavorzyme and Protamex, and the hydrolysates were subjected to antioxidant activity analysis after further fractionation. Corn peptides with molecular weights less than 1 kDa (CPP1) exhibited excellent antioxidant activity.

Study on Self-Assembled Morphology and Structure Regulation of α-Zein in Ethanol-Water Mixtures.

α-Zein has received widespread attention owing to its unique solubility, amphipathic, and self-assembly properties, which is because of its high proportion of nonpolar amino acids and unique amino acid sequence. The protein self-assembly is a significant and widely observed phenomenon in many scientific areas such as food and biomedicine, among many industries. In this study, we investigated the self-assembly behavior of α-zein and regulated the morphology and structure of the self-assembled α-zein by varying the experimental parameters like pH, ethanol content, induction time, and α-zein concentration during the self-assembly process in ethanol-water mixtures.

Modified melamine-formaldehyde resins improve tensile strength along with antifouling and flame retardancy in impregnation of cellulose paper.

In this study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and benzoguanamine (BG) modified melamine-formaldehyde (MF) resins were used to prepare two high-pressure laminates (HPLs) as well as a pure cellulose paper laminate and core sandwich laminates with the core material of aramid paper (AP) or polypropylene non-woven fabric (PPNF). The tensile strength, flame retardancy and antifouling properties of the modified MF resin laminates were studied and compared with the MF resin laminate. The tensile test results showed that the MF resins modified with BG and PVA improved the tensile strength of the impregnated paper.

Bioinspired catecholic activation of marine chitin for immobilization of Ag nanoparticles as recyclable pollutant nanocatalysts.

Being one type of the most abundant marine polysaccharides in nature, chitin has inert chemical properties and thus prolonged been hindered for high-value utilization. A mussel-inspired catecholic chemistry was found to be able to confer nature-derived mesoporous chitin aerogels with high and tunable surface activities. When further combining with their high porosity, high specific surface area, mechanical toughness and unique nanofibrous architecture, these catechol-activated chitin aerogels could be used as a unique supporting matrix to immobilize Ag nanoparticles.

Enhancing reducing ability of α-zein by fibrillation for synthesis of Au nanocrystals with continuous flow catalysis.

Green low-cost synthesis and efficient recyclability are two major hindrances for Au nanocrystals as catalysts applying in diverse industrial reaction processes. By the use of low-cost α-zein (i.e.

Single-crystal Au microflakes modulated by amino acids and their sensing and catalytic properties.

Single-crystal Au microflakes with the planar area over 10(3)μm(2) (i.e. being accessible to the human eye resolution) were synthesized in an environment-friendly route by directing two-dimensional growth of Au nanocrystals into macroscopic scales with amino acids as both reducing agents and capping agents.

Analysis of backscattering characteristics of objects for remote laser voice acquisition.

This study is focused on numerical simulation analysis and experimental study regarding the influence of backscattering characteristics of objects for long-range laser voice acquisition. Based on theoretical analysis, three parameters, including surface roughness of an object, incident angle, and refractive index, which will influence the performance of remote scattered reflection laser interference voice acquisition, are investigated and analyzed. After analysis and simulation, an experimental system is set up to demonstrate the influence of backscattering characteristics of an object.

Sustainable, heat-resistant and flame-retardant cellulose-based composite separator for high-performance lithium ion battery.

A sustainable, heat-resistant and flame-retardant cellulose-based composite nonwoven has been successfully fabricated and explored its potential application for promising separator of high-performance lithium ion battery. It was demonstrated that this flame-retardant cellulose-based composite separator possessed good flame retardancy, superior heat tolerance and proper mechanical strength. As compared to the commercialized polypropylene (PP) separator, such composite separator presented improved electrolyte uptake, better interface stability and enhanced ionic conductivity.

Renewable and superior thermal-resistant cellulose-based composite nonwoven as lithium-ion battery separator.

A renewable and superior thermal-resistant cellulose-based composite nonwoven was explored as lithium-ion battery separator via an electrospinning technique followed by a dip-coating process. It was demonstrated that such nanofibrous composite nonwoven possessed good electrolyte wettability, excellent heat tolerance, and high ionic conductivity. The cells using the composite separator displayed better rate capability and enhanced capacity retention, when compared to those of commercialized polypropylene separator under the same conditions.

Synthesis of nitrogen-doped MnO/graphene nanosheets hybrid material for lithium ion batteries.

Nitrogen-doped MnO/graphene nanosheets (N-MnO/GNS) hybrid material was synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method followed by ammonia annealing. The samples were systematically investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and atomic force microscopy. N-doped MnO (N-MnO) nanoparticles were homogenously anchored on the thin layers of N-doped GNS (N-GNS) to form an efficient electronic/ionic mixed conducting network.

Synthesis of nanostructured fibers consisting of carbon coated Mn3O4 nanoparticles and their application in electrochemical capacitors.

Nanostructured composite fibers consisting of carbon coated Mn3O4 nanoparticles (Mn3O4@C) were prepared from thermal decomposition of manganese alginate fibers produced by wet-spinning technique, and investigated with SEM, TEM, XRD, nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, and electrochemical tests toward energy storage. It is found that the as-obtained Mn304@C fibers consist of plenty of nano-sized Mn3O4 crystals with even diameter of 10-15 nm and carbon coating layer with a thickness of 1-2 nm. The composite fibers exhibit also a porous structure consisting of both micropores and mesopores.

Preparation and li storage properties of hierarchical porous carbon fibers derived from alginic acid.

One-dimensional (1D) hierarchical porous carbon fibers (HPCFs) have been prepared by controlled carbonization of alginic acid fibers and investigated with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, and electrochemical tests toward lithium storage. The as-obtained HPCFs consist of a 3D network of nanosized carbon particles with diameters less than 10 nm and exhibit a hierarchical porous architecture composed of both micropores and mesopores. Electrochemical measurements show that HPCFs exhibit excellent rate capability and capacity retention compared with commercial graphite when employed as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries.