Experimental analysis of free-standing and substrate-constrained Ga-doped ZnO nanostructured thermoelectric films.

Developing thermoelectric films without substrates-free-standing films-eliminates substrate-induced effects on performance and meets the flexibility requirements of emerging wearable thermoelectric applications. This study investigates Gallium-doped Zinc Oxide (GZO), composed of abundant and non-toxic elements, to fabricate a substrate-free GZO film via 3D printing and compares its structural, chemical, and thermoelectric properties with those of a substrate-constrained GZO film produced through chemical deposition. Both films exhibited uniform crystal structures and phase purity; however, the substrate-constrained film displayed additional diffraction peaks, suggesting potential substrate interactions.

Polyolefin-Based Smart Self-Healing Composite Coatings Modified with Calcium Carbonate and Sodium Alginate.

Corrosion-related damage incurs significant capital costs in many industries. In this study, an anti-corrosive pigment was synthesized by modifying calcium carbonate with sodium alginate (SA), and smart self-healing coatings were synthesized by reinforcing the anti-corrosive pigments into a polyolefin matrix. Structural changes during the synthesis of the anti-corrosive pigment were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis.

The Fabrication of Halogen-Doped FeWO Heterostructure Anchored over Graphene Oxide Nanosheets for the Sunlight-Driven Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue Dye.

Rapid industrialization and urbanization are the two significant issues causing environmental pollution. The polluted water from various industries contains refractory organic materials such as dyes. Heterogeneous photocatalysis using semiconductor metal oxides is an effective remediation technique for wastewater treatment.

Sustainable Solution for Plastic Pollution: Upcycling Waste Polypropylene Masks for Effective Oil-Spill Management.

The use of Polypropylene PP in disposable items such as face masks, gloves, and personal protective equipment has increased exponentially during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, contributing significantly to microplastics and nanoplastics in the environment. Upcycling of waste PP provides a useful alternative to traditional thermal and mechanical recycling techniques. It transforms waste PP into useful products, minimizing its impact on the environment.

Non-Wettable Microporous Sheets Using Mixed Polyolefin Waste for Oil-Water Separation.

Mixed polyolefin-based waste needs urgent attention to mitigate its negative impact on the environment. The separation of these plastics requires energy-intensive processes due to their similar densities. Additionally, these materials cannot be blended without compatibilizers, as they are inherently incompatible and immiscible.

Development of BioPolyurethane Coatings from Biomass-Derived Alkylphenol Polyols-A Green Alternative.

Bio-based polyols were obtained from the thermochemical liquefaction of two biomass feedstocks, pinewood and , with conversion rates varying between 71.9 and 79.3 wt.

Reusable Macroporous Oil Sorbent Films from Plastic Wastes.

Plastic waste comprises 15% of the total municipal solid waste and can be a rich source for producing value-added materials. Among them, polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) account for 60% of the total plastic waste, mainly due to their low-end and one-time-use applications. Herein, we report reusable oil sorbent films made by upcycling waste PE and PP.

Superior Non-Invasive Glucose Sensor Using Bimetallic CuNi Nanospecies Coated Mesoporous Carbon.

The assessment of blood glucose levels is necessary for the diagnosis and management of diabetes. The accurate quantification of serum or plasma glucose relies on enzymatic and nonenzymatic methods utilizing electrochemical biosensors. Current research efforts are focused on enhancing the non-invasive detection of glucose in sweat with accuracy, high sensitivity, and stability.

Coal fly ash supported CoFeO nanocomposites: Synergetic Fenton-like and photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue.

Rapid industrialization is causing a serious threat for the environment. Therefore, this research was aimed in developing ceramic cobalt ferrite (CoFeO) nanocomposite photocatalyst coated with coal fly ash (CFA-CoFeO) using facile hydrothermal synthesis route and their applications against methylene blue. The pristine cobalt ferrite photocatalyst was also prepared, characterized, and applied for efficiency comparison.

Self-Healing Performance of Smart Polymeric Coatings Modified with Tung Oil and Linalyl Acetate.

This work focuses on the synthesis and characterization of polymeric smart self-healing coatings. A comparison of structural, thermal, and self-healing properties of two different polymeric coatings comprising distinct self-healing agents (tung oil and linalyl acetate) is studied to elucidate the role of self-healing agents in corrosion protection. Towards this direction, urea-formaldehyde microcapsules (UFMCs) loaded with tung oil (TMMCs) and linalyl acetate (LMMCs) were synthesized using the in-situ polymerization method.

Effect of Silicon Nitride and Graphene Nanoplatelets on the Properties of Aluminum Metal Matrix Composites.

This research work aims at investigating the influence of a fixed content of silicon nitride (SiN) and varied contents of graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) on the physical (density, structural, morphological) and mechanical properties (microhardness, nanoindentation) of Al-SiN-GNPs composites. The composites were fabricated by a microwave-assisted powder metallurgy route. The SiN concentration was fixed at (5 wt.

Cerium Dioxide Nanoparticles as Smart Carriers for Self-Healing Coatings.

The utilization of self-healing cerium dioxide nanoparticles (CeO), modified with organic corrosion inhibitors (dodecylamine (DDA) and n-methylthiourea (NMTU)), in epoxy coating is an efficient strategy for enhancing the protection of the epoxy coating and increasing its lifetime. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis was used to confirm the loading and presence of inhibitors in the nanoparticles. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) measurement studies revealed the amount of 25% and 29.

Self-Healing Performance of Multifunctional Polymeric Smart Coatings.

Multifunctional nanocomposite coatings were synthesized by reinforcing a polymeric matrix with halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) loaded with corrosion inhibitor (NaNO) and urea formaldehyde microcapsules (UFMCs) encapsulated with a self-healing agent (linseed oil (LO)). The developed polymeric nanocomposite coatings were applied on the polished mild steel substrate using the doctor's blade technique. The structural (FTIR, XPS) and thermogravimetric (TGA) analyses reveal the loading of HNTs with NaNO and encapsulation of UFMCs with linseed oil.

Development and Properties of Polymeric Nanocomposite Coatings.

Polymeric-based nanocomposite coatings were synthesized by reinforcing epoxy matrix with titanium nanotubes (TNTs) loaded with dodecylamine (DOC). The performance of the developed nanocomposite coatings was investigated in corrosive environments to evaluate their anti-corrosion properties. The SEM/TEM, TGA, and FTIR analysis confirm the loading of the DOC into the TNTs.

Advances in osteobiologic materials for bone substitutes.

A significant challenge in the current orthopedics is the development of suitable osteobiologic materials that can replace the conventional allografts, autografts, and xenografts and thereby serve as implant materials as bone substitutes for bone repair or remodelling. The complex biology behind the nanostructure and microstructure of bones and their repair mechanisms, which involve various types of chemical and biomechanical signalling amongst different cells, has set strong requirements for biomaterials to be used in bone tissue engineering. This review presents an overview of various types of osteobiologic materials to facilitate the formation of the functional bone tissue and healing of the bone, covering metallic, ceramic, polymeric, and cell-based graft substitutes, as well as some biomolecular strategies including stem cells, extracellular matrices, growth factors, and gene therapies.

Using B₄C Nanoparticles to Enhance Thermal and Mechanical Response of Aluminum.

In this work, Al-B₄C nanocomposites were produced by microwave sintering and followed by hot extrusion processes. The influence of ceramic reinforcement (B₄C) nanoparticles on the physical, microstructural, mechanical, and thermal characteristics of the extruded Al-B₄C nanocomposites was investigated. It was observed that the density decreased and porosity increased with an increase in B₄C content in aluminum matrix.

A mixed iron-manganese based pyrophosphate cathode, Na2Fe0.5Mn0.5P2O7, for rechargeable sodium ion batteries.

The development of secondary batteries based on abundant and cheap elements is vital. Among various alternatives to conventional lithium-ion batteries, sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are promising due to the abundant resources and low cost of sodium. While there are many challenges associated with the SIB system, cathode is an important factor in determining the electrochemical performance of this battery system.

Hierarchical porous carbon by ultrasonic spray pyrolysis yields stable cycling in lithium-sulfur battery.

Utilizing the unparalleled theoretical capacity of sulfur reaching 1675 mAh/g, lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries have been counted as promising enablers of future lithium ion battery (LIB) applications requiring high energy densities. Nevertheless, most sulfur electrodes suffer from insufficient cycle lives originating from dissolution of lithium polysulfides. As a fundamental solution to this chronic shortcoming, herein, we introduce a hierarchical porous carbon structure in which meso- and macropores are surrounded by outer micropores.

Anomalous manganese activation of a pyrophosphate cathode in sodium ion batteries: a combined experimental and theoretical study.

Sodium ion batteries (SIBs) have many advantages such as the low price and abundance of sodium raw materials that are suitable for large-scale energy storage applications. Herein, we report an Mn-based pyrophosphate, Na(2)MnP(2)O(7), as a new SIB cathode material. Unlike most Mn-based cathode materials, which suffer severely from sluggish kinetics, Na(2)MnP(2)O(7) exhibits good electrochemical activity at ~3.

Tailoring a fluorophosphate as a novel 4 V cathode for lithium-ion batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries, which have been widely used to power portable electronic devices, are on the verge of being applied to new automobile applications. To expand this emerging market, however, an electrode that combines fast charging capability, long-term cycle stability, and high energy density is needed. Herein, we report a novel layered lithium vanadium fluorophosphate, Li(1.

Site-specific transition metal occupation in multicomponent pyrophosphate for improved electrochemical and thermal properties in lithium battery cathodes: a combined experimental and theoretical study.

As an attempt to develop lithium ion batteries with excellent performance, which is desirable for a variety of applications including mobile electronics, electrical vehicles, and utility grids, the battery community has continuously pursued cathode materials that function at higher potentials with efficient kinetics for lithium insertion and extraction. By employing both experimental and theoretical tools, herein we report multicomponent pyrophosphate (Li(2)MP(2)O(7), M = Fe(1/3)Mn(1/3)Co(1/3)) cathode materials with novel and advantageous properties as compared to the single-component analogues and other multicomponent polyanions. Li(2)Fe(1/3)Mn(1/3)Co(1/3)P(2)O(7) is formed on the basis of a solid solution among the three individual transition-metal-based pyrophosphates.