A MAX phase (TiAlC) as a performance enhancer for poly(lactic acid) electrospun membranes in steam generation and solar desalination.

Clean water and sanitation issues motivate researchers to develop water evaporators for freshwater generation. The composite membrane evaporator was electrospun herein based on poly(lactic acid) (PLA) and TiAlC MAX phase as a property enhancer. As a precursor for the MXenes synthesis, the MAX phase has never been explored with PLA for water evaporator potential.

Ethyl cellulose composite membranes containing a 2D material (MoS) and helical carbon nanotubes for efficient solar steam generation and desalination.

With the increasing water consumption, water evaporators have been investigated for clean water production. Herein, the fabrication of electrospun composite membrane evaporators based on ethyl cellulose (EC), with the incorporation of light-absorption enhancers 2D MoS and helical carbon nanotubes, for steam generation and solar desalination is described. Under natural sunlight, the maximum water evaporation rate was 2.

Toughening Polylactide Stereocomplex by Injection Molding with Thermoplastic Starch and Chain Extender.

The high cost, low heat resistance, and brittleness of poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) is a significant drawback that inhibits its diffusion into many industrial applications. These weaknesses were solved by forming a polylactide stereocomplex (ST) and blending it with thermoplastic starch (TPS). We blended poly (L-lactide)(PLLA), up to 30% thermoplastic starch, and a chain extender (2%) in an internal mixer, which was then hand-mixed with poly (D-lactide)(PDLA) and injection molded to form specimens, in order to study mechanical, thermal, and crystallization behavior.