Electron-Beam-Initiated Crosslinking of Methacrylated Alginate and Diacrylated Poly(ethylene glycol) Hydrogels.

An ideal wound dressing not only needs to absorb excess exudate but should also allow for a moist wound-healing environment as well as being mechanically strong. Such a dressing can be achieved by combining both a natural (alginate) and synthetic (poly(ethylene glycol) polymer. Interestingly, using an electron beam on (meth)acrylated polymers allows their covalent crosslinking without the use of toxic photo-initiators.

Differentiation between chemo- and radiotoxicity of Cs and Co on Lemna minor.

The uptake and effects of stable Cs and Co on L.minor were extensively studied, together with the effects of gamma radiation using a Cs or Co source. Innovative is that we combined external irradiation (from Cs or Co sources) with the direct uptake of certain amounts of stable Cs or Co to simulate the impact of the same mass of a radioisotope compared with that of the stable element.

Solution-gel-based surface modification of LiNiMnO with amorphous Li-Ti-O coating.

LNMO (LiNiMnO) is a high-energy density positive electrode material for lithium ion batteries. Unfortunately, it suffers from capacity loss and impedance rise during cycling due to electrolyte oxidation and electrode/electrolyte interface instabilities at high operating voltages. Here, a solution-gel synthesis route was used to coat 0.

Molecularly induced order promotes charge separation through delocalized charge-transfer states at donor-acceptor heterojunctions.

The energetic landscape at the interface between electron donating and accepting molecular materials favors efficient conversion of intermolecular charge-transfer (CT) states into free charge carriers (FCC) in high-performance organic solar cells. Here, we elucidate how interfacial energetics, charge generation and radiative recombination are affected by molecular arrangement. We experimentally determine the CT dissociation properties of a series of model, small molecule donor-acceptor blends, where the used acceptors (B2PYMPM, B3PYMPM and B4PYMPM) differ only in the nitrogen position of their lateral pyridine rings.

Intramolecular locking and coumarin insertion: a stepwise approach for TADF design.

Three novel TADF (thermally activated delayed fluorescence) emitters based on the well-studied Qx-Ph-DMAC fluorophore are designed and synthesized. The photophysical properties of these materials are studied from a theoretical and experimental point of view, demonstrating the cumulative effects of multiple small modifications that combine to afford significantly improved TADF performance. First, an extra phenyl ring is added to the acceptor part of Qx-Ph-DMAC to increase the conjugation length, resulting in BQx-Ph-DMAC, which acts as an intermediate molecular structure.

Polymeric Backbone Eutectogel Electrolytes for High-Energy Lithium-Ion Batteries.

This work introduces a polymeric backbone eutectogel (P-ETG) hybrid solid-state electrolyte with an -isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) backbone for high-energy lithium-ion batteries (LIBs). The NIPAM-based P-ETG is (electro)chemically compatible with commercially relevant positive electrode materials such as the nickel-rich layered oxide LiNiMnCoO (NMC622). The chemical compatibility was demonstrated through (physico)chemical characterization methods.

Partial Hydrolysis of Diphosphonate Ester During the Formation of Hybrid TiO Nanoparticles: Role of Acid Concentration.

The hydrolysis of the phosphonate ester linker during the synthesis of hybrid (organic-inorganic) TiO nanoparticles is important when forming porous hybrid organic-inorganic metal phosphonates. In the present work, a method was utilized to control the in-situ partial hydrolysis of diphosphonate ester in the presence of a titania precursor as a function of acid content, and its impact on the hybrid nanoparticles was assessed. Organodiphosphonate esters, and more specific, their hydrolysis degree during the formation of hybrid organic-inorganic metal oxide nanoparticles, are relatively under explored as linkers.

Novel Sol-Gel Synthesis of TiO Spherical Porous Nanoparticles Assemblies with Photocatalytic Activity.

For this study, the synthesis of TiO nanomaterials was performed via a novel sol-gel method employing titanium butoxide as a metal precursor, Pluronic F127 as a templating agent, toluene as a swelling agent, and acidic water or ethanol as the reaction solvents. The method was designed by tailoring certain reaction parameters, such as the sequence of toluene addition, magnetic stirring, the type of reaction solvent, and the calcination conditions. Analysis of the specific surface area and porosity was carried out via N physisorption, whereas the morphological features of the solids were investigated via transmission electron microscopy.

Altering Mechanical Properties to Improve Electrode Contacts by Organic Modification of Silica-Based Ionogel Electrolytes for Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) are a possible candidate to create safe, sustainable, and cost-effective batteries. Solid sodium-ion conducting organically modified ionogel electrolytes are investigated. Silica-based ionogels typically consist of an ionic liquid electrolyte (ILE) confined within a silica matrix and possess high thermal stability, good ionic conductivity, safety, and good electrochemical stability.

Hydrogels with Reversible Crosslinks for Improved Localised Stem Cell Retention: A Review.

Successful stem cell applications could have a significant impact on the medical field, where many lives are at stake. However, the translation of stem cells to the clinic could be improved by overcoming challenges in stem cell transplantation and in vivo retention at the site of tissue damage. This review aims to showcase the most recent insights into developing hydrogels that can deliver, retain, and accommodate stem cells for tissue repair.

Balanced Energy Gaps as a Key Design Rule for Solution-Phase Organic Room Temperature Phosphorescence.

Metal-free organic emitters that display solution-phase room temperature phosphorescence (sRTP) remain exceedingly rare. Here, we investigate the structural and photophysical properties that support sRTP by comparing a recently reported sRTP compound (BTaz-Th-PXZ) to two novel analogous materials, replacing the donor group by either acridine or phenothiazine. The emissive triplet excited state remains fixed in all three cases, while the emissive charge-transfer singlet states (and the calculated paired charge-transfer T state) vary with the donor unit.

3D Perovskite Passivation with a Benzotriazole-Based 2D Interlayer for High-Efficiency Solar Cells.

2H-Benzotriazol-2-ylethylammonium bromide and iodide and its difluorinated derivatives are synthesized and employed as interlayers for passivation of formamidinium lead triiodide (FAPbI) solar cells. In combination with PbI and PbBr, these benzotriazole derivatives form two-dimensional (2D) Ruddlesden-Popper perovskites (RPPs) as evidenced by their crystal structures and thin film characteristics. When used to passivate n-i-p FAPbI solar cells, the power conversion efficiency improves from 20% to close to 22% by enhancing the open-circuit voltage.

Plasmon enhanced fluorescence from meticulously positioned gold nanoparticles, deposited by ultra sonic spray coating on organic light emitting diodes.

Enhancement of the spontaneous emission of fluorophores aided by plasmonic nanoparticles (PNPs) prompts the growth of plasmonic organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs). Together with the spatial dependence of the fluorophore and PNPs on enhanced fluorescence, the surface coverage of the PNPs controls the charge transport in OLEDs. Hence, here, the spatial and surface coverage reliance of plasmonic gold nanoparticles is controlled by a roll-to-roll compatible ultrasonic spray coating technique.

Fabrication of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) Fibers Using Centrifugal Fiber Spinning: Structure, Properties and Application Potential.

Biobased and biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are currently gaining momentum. Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx) polymer has a useful processing window for extrusion and injection molding of packaging, agricultural and fishery applications with required flexibility. Processing PHBHHx into fibers using electrospinning or centrifugal fiber spinning (CFS) can further broaden the application area, although CFS remains rather unexplored.

Self-Induced and Progressive Photo-Oxidation of Organophosphonic Acid Grafted Titanium Dioxide.

While synthesis-properties-performance correlations are being studied for organophosphonic acid grafted TiO , their stability and the impact of the exposure conditions on possible changes in the interfacial surface chemistry remain unexplored. Here, the impact of different ageing conditions on the evolution of the surface properties of propyl- and 3-aminopropylphosphonic acid grafted mesoporous TiO over a period of 2 years is reported, using solid-state P and C NMR, ToF-SIMS and EPR as main techniques. In humid conditions under ambient light exposure, PA grafted TiO surfaces initiate and facilitate photo-induced oxidative reactions, resulting in the formation of phosphate species and degradation of the grafted organic group with a loss of carbon content ranging from 40 to 60 wt %.

Photocatalytic Performance of Undoped and Al-Doped ZnO Nanoparticles in the Degradation of Rhodamine B under UV-Visible Light:The Role of Defects and Morphology.

Quasi-spherical undoped ZnO and Al-doped ZnO nanoparticles with different aluminum content, ranging from 0.5 to 5 at% of Al with respect to Zn, were synthesized. These nanoparticles were evaluated as photocatalysts in the photodegradation of the Rhodamine B (RhB) dye aqueous solution under UV-visible light irradiation.

Ultra-precise photothermal measurements reveal near unity photoluminescence quantum yields of molecular emitters in solution.

Molecules with a photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) approaching unity enable new applications such as efficient luminescent solar concentrators and spectral redistributors. Moreover, they have the potential for thermally assisted photon upconversion and optical refrigeration, for which the slightest amount of non-radiative loss is detrimental. However, when the PLQY is within a few percent of 100%, it cannot be precisely determined using standard techniques.

Nanobodies for the Early Detection of Ovarian Cancer.

Ovarian cancer ranks fifth in cancer-related deaths among women. Since ovarian cancer patients are often asymptomatic, most patients are diagnosed only at an advanced stage of disease. This results in a 5-year survival rate below 50%, which is in strong contrast to a survival rate as high as 94% if detected and treated at an early stage.

The Influence of Synthesis Method on the Local Structure and Electrochemical Properties of Li-Rich/Mn-Rich NMC Cathode Materials for Li-Ion Batteries.

Electrochemical energy storage plays a vital role in combating global climate change. Nowadays lithium-ion battery technology remains the most prominent technology for rechargeable batteries. A key performance-limiting factor of lithium-ion batteries is the active material of the positive electrode (cathode).

Stretchable printed device for the simultaneous sensing of temperature and strain validated in a mouse wound healing model.

Temperature and strain are two vital parameters that play a significant role in wound diagnosis and healing. As periodic temperature measurements with a custom thermometer or strain measurements with conventional metallic gauges became less feasible for the modern competent health monitoring, individual temperature and strain measurement modalities incorporated into wearables and patches were developed. The proposed research in the article shows the development of a single sensor solution which can simultaneously measure both the above mentioned parameters.

Nanocelluloses as skin biocompatible materials for skincare, cosmetics, and healthcare: Formulations, regulations, and emerging applications.

Nowadays, skin biocompatible products are fast-growing markets for nanocelluloses with increasing number of patents published in last decade. This review highlights recent developments, market trends, safety assessments, and regulations for different nanocellulose types (i.e.

A limitation map of performance for porous electrodes in lithium-ion batteries.

Driven by expanding interest in battery storage solutions and the success story of lithium-ion batteries, the research for the discovery and optimization of new battery materials and concepts is at peak. The generation of experimental (dis)charge data using coin cells is fast and feasible and proves to be a favorite practice in the battery research labs. The quantitative interpretation of the data, however, is not trivial and decelerates the process of screening and optimization of electrode materials and recipes.

Extrusion and Injection Molding of Poly(3-Hydroxybutyrate-co-3-Hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx): Influence of Processing Conditions on Mechanical Properties and Microstructure.

Biobased and biodegradable polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) have great potential as sustainable packaging materials. However, improvements in their processing and mechanical properties are necessary. In this work, the influence of melt processing conditions on the mechanical properties and microstructure of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx) is examined using a full factorial design of experiments (DoE) approach.

Screen Printed Antennas on Fiber-Based Substrates for Sustainable HF RFID Assisted E-Fulfilment Smart Packaging.

Intelligent packaging is an emerging technology, aiming to improve the standard communication function of packaging. Radio frequency identification (RFID) assisted smart packaging is of high interest, but the uptake is limited as the market needs cost-efficient and sustainable applications. The integration of screen printed antennas and RFID chips as smart labels in reusable cardboard packaging could offer a solution.