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This study demonstrated the performance of Fe2O3 nanorods-loaded carbon nanofiber sheet (Fe2O3/CNF) as a heterogeneous Fenton-like catalyst for simultaneous removal of various organic and inorganic contaminants without external energy input and chemical reagents. Fe2O3/CNF exhibited notable activities for spontaneous oxidative degradation and reductive transformation in ambient solution, with a synergistic effect for removing dual contaminants (organic||inorganic). The synergistic redox conversions on Fe2O3/CNF were facilitated by the in-situ generation of oxidant and reductant. The additional oxidant can be generated by the reaction of chromium species with in-situ produced H2O2 while the additional reductant can be generated by the incomplete oxidation of organic contaminants. Various spectroscopic characterizations and mechanistic analyses suggest that simultaneous redox conversions are induced by spontaneous electron transfers on Fe2O3/CNF. Furthermore, a flow-reactor equipped with Fe2O3/CNF achieved the simultaneous removal of dual contaminants, making it an effective reactive filter that operates without chemical reagents for water treatment.

A coral-like network carbon aerogel was synthesized by introducing acid-modified carbon nanofibers (a-CNF) into phenolic (PR) aerogel through chemical grafting, followed by high-temperature carbonization. The bonding interaction between a-CNF and PR was analyzed by FT-IR spectroscopy. The microstructure of a-CNF/PR composite aerogel (a-CNF/PRA) was studied by SEM and pore structure analysis. The results showed that introducing 5 wt% of a-CNF was most favorable for forming a porous network of a-CNF/PRA. SEM photographs and pore structure analysis indicated that a-CNF/C composite aerogel (a-CNF/CA) developed a stable porous skeletal structure during carbonization. TEM images revealed that the complete porous skeleton consisted of a-CNF encapsulated by carbon layers. The carbonization shrinkage of a-CNF/CA was only 26.53% due to the presence of a-CNF as the skeleton support. Compared to carbon aerogel, a-CNF/CA exhibited lower density (0.072 g cm−3), thermal conductivity (0.0452 W m−1 K−1), and higher compressive strength (up to 3.26 MPa) up to 3.26 MPa than that of carbon aerogel (1.21 MPa). These findings confirmed the excellent mechanical and thermal insulation properties of a-CNF/CA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Li–S batteries are promising large-scale energy storage systems but currently suffer from performance issues; a major reason is the dissolution of polysulfides in electrolytes. To this end, we report a high-energy-density Lithium–Sulfur (Li–S) battery that combines a catholyte and a sulfur-free carbon nanofiber (CNF) cathode. The cathode was synthesized by carbonizing binder-free polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers, affording a high surface area. In the catholyte, added polysulfides acted as both conductive Li salts and active materials. Investigating the electrochemical performance of this concept in both Swagelok- and pouch-type cells afforded energy densities exceeding 3 mAh cm−2 at a discharge rate of 0.1 C. This combination could also be utilized in high-capacity pouch cells with capacities of up to 250 mAh g−1. Both cell types exhibited good cycle performance. Adding LiNO3 to the electrolyte suppressed the redox shuttle reactions. Moreover, the cathode being binder-free increased the energy density and simplified cathode fabrication. Characterizing the cathode before and after cycling revealed that deposition was reversible, and that cell reactions at least partially formed sulfur as the end product, resulting in high sulfur amounts in the cell. We expect our concept to greatly aid in the development of practically applicable Li–S cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hybrid supercapacitor/battery device is proposed by integrating Na3V2(PO4)2F3 and multi‐walled carbon nanotubes as the battery electrode and carbon nanofiber as a supercapacitor electrode. The device made via the slurry casting of electrode material on foldable thin nickel foils leads to a robust, mechanically flexible sodium‐ion capacitor/battery (supercapattery) as a hybrid energy storage system. The device exhibits a specific capacitance of 136 F g−1 with a corresponding specific capacity of 95 C g−1 at a potential scan rate of 1 mV s−1, a maximum working voltage of 0.70 V, and a power density of 15 kW kg−1 at 2.50 Wh kg−1. Mechanical flexibility tests show practically unperturbed electrochemical properties at significant bending angles of up to 160°, indicating excellent robustness during large‐scale device deformation. The current study offers new avenues to develop energy storage systems for next‐generation portable and wearable energy storage devices that can be integrated into a variety of platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The catalytic dehydrogenation of NaBH4 for the generation of H2 has a lot of potential as a reliable and achievable approach to make H2, which could be used as a safe and cost-effective energy source in the near future. This work describes the production of unique trimetallic NiCrPd-decorated carbon nanofiber (NiCrPd-decorated CNF) catalysts using electrospinning. The catalysts demonstrated exceptional catalytic activity in generating H2 through NaBH4 dehydrogenation. The catalysts were characterized using SEM, XRD, TEM, and TEM-EDX analyses. NiCrPd-decorated CNF formulations have shown higher catalytic activity in the dehydrogenation of NaBH4 compared with NiCr-decorated CNFs. It is likely that the better catalytic performance is because the three metals in the NiCrPd-decorated CNF structure interact with each other. Furthermore, the NiCrPd-decorated CNFs catalyzed the dehydrogenation of NaBH4 with an activation energy (Ea) of 26.55 KJ/mol. The kinetics studies showed that the reaction is first-order dependent on the dose of NiCrPd-decorated CNFs and zero-order dependent on the concentration of NaBH4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to their excellent chemical properties, mechanical strength and electrical conductivity, carbon nanofibers (CNFs)‐doped materials show immense potential in energy storage, electromagnetic shielding, aerospace, and other fields. In this study, we propose a new highly conductive chalcogenide glassy composites: 0.6[40GeS2‐60Sb2S3]−0.4(AgI)‐xCNFs (GSSA‐xCNFs), where x = 0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 wt%. The mechanical behaviors of the glass composites were significantly improved due to the strong cohesive bonding at the CNFs/glass interfaces. The introduction of 2.0 wt% CNFs has raised the hardness from 1.35 to 1.66 GPa; meanwhile, Young's modulus increased from 22.3 to 25.8 GPa. The doped Ag ions endow the chalcogenide glass with excellent electrical properties. Moreover, the introduction of CNFs further enhanced the DC conductivity of glassy composites from 2.79 × 106 to 4.48 × 10−5 S/m at 293 K due to a percolation network of CNFs formed when its concentration from 0 to 2.0 wt%. Additionally, positive temperature dependence of resistance was observed in the glassy composites, possible mechanisms have been discussed based on the determined thermodynamic features, microscopic morphology, and structural characteristics of the composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we describe a facile and eco-friendly method rationally designed to synthesize N-containing carbon nanofibers from polydopamine (PDA)-decorated bacterial cellulose (BC) nanofibers using freeze-drying and carbonization processes. The poor electrical conductivity of the pristine bacterial cellulose-derived carbon nanofiber (BCNF-0) limits its performance in supercapacitor applications. This may be overcome by this promising strategy, without any metal doping and only by surface modification of BC nanofibers with a coating of PDA in an alkaline medium. The optimized PDA-coated carbon, BCNF-2, with a surface area of 353 m2/g and 3.9 and 5.6 atom % of N and O, respectively, exhibits good electrochemical performance. The BCNF-2 electrode delivers a significant specific capacitance of 536 F/g, an energy density of 60.3 Wh/kg, and a power density of 450.4 W/kg at a current density of 1 A/g in a 1 M H2SO4 electrolyte. It also shows high cyclic stability; after 5000 cycles, the capacitance retention is 106%, which indicates notable robustness of the electrode material. A solid-state symmetric supercapacitor designed from BCNF-2 using a PVA/H2SO4 gel electrolyte gives a capacitance of 123 F/g at a current density of 0.2 A/g. The device shows significant Coulombic efficiency of ca. 89% after 1500 cycles. A mass loading of 3.25 mg/cm2 is capable of lighting a 3 V green light-emitting diode bulb for 8 min. This metal-free approach to fabricate electrodes from an inexpensive green source is a step forward to sustainable and high-performance bioengineered energy storage technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of carbon nano fiber (CNF) along with organically modified nanoclay (OMMT) on the final properties of high density polyethylene (HDPE) hybrid nanocomposites has been investigated. The hybridized nanocomposites were prepared in a twin screw extruder by melt mixing to achieve better dispersion. The effect of nano fillers on the mechanical, thermal, rheological, and morphological properties has been reported. The incorporation of OMMT along with CNF slightly improved the mechanical properties of the resultant hybrid nanocomposite due to the good adhesion between the filler and matrix. On the other hand, as shown in DSC results, increasing reinforcing filler quantity has no significant influence on the thermal properties such as melting and crystallization temperatures. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results have shown that increasing filler content in the hybrid nanocomposite matrix has enhanced drastically the thermal stability of the neat HDPE. Similarly, the rheological behavior of the hybrid system showed significant increase in the viscosity due to the synergetic effect. A marginal increase in moduli and complex viscosity was observed in the hybrid system, while loss tangent was found to be decreased due to the increase in the stiffness. The morphological features of nanocomposites were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The nanoscale images showed the well dispersion of filler nanoparticles without any prominent aggregation, which further indicates the compatibilizing ability of nanofillers within the HDPE matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron-based anode materials usually exhibit an unsatisfactory rate performance and poor cycle stability during Li+ storage. Herein, ultrathin hexagonal Fe3O4 nanosheets are embedded in nitrogen-doped carbon nanofibers (hexa-Fe3O4@N-CNF), boosting the Li+ diffusion kinetics and maintaining cycling stability. The ultrathin hexa-Fe3O4 nanosheets possess a short Li+ diffusion pathway, while N-CNF displays excellent conductivity, both of which contribute to the rapid insertion/extraction of Li+. The iron-induced thermal-catalyzed N-CNF manifests enhanced mechanical stability due to its increased graphitization degree, which effectively alleviates the mechanical stress resulting from the volume change of the hexa-Fe3O4 during Li+ storage, thereby enhancing the cyclic stability of hexa-Fe3O4@N-CNF. The compressed anode of hexa-Fe3O4@N-CNF presents a high mass loading (3.3 mg cm–2) and is coupled with a flexible cathode (activated carbon casted onto N-CNF) to assemble the quasi-solid-state lithium-ion hybrid capacitor (LIHC), enabling the attainment of high volumetric power/energy density (66.5 W h L–1 at 117.9 W L–1 and 38.5 W h L–1 at 11785.7 W L–1). When the LIHC is bent at 180°, its Li+ storage performance illustrates a negligible degradation. Additionally, LIHC features a low self-discharge rate (∼14.2 mV h–1). Overall, the long-term cycle stability, high power/energy density, low self-discharge rate, as well as mechanical robustness render this LIHC a suitable candidate for flexible energy storage applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advancement of technologies for producing chemicals and materials from non‐fossil resources is of critical importance. An illustrative example is the dehydrogenation of glucose, to yield gluconic acid, a specialty chemical. In this study, we propose an innovative production route for gluconic acid while generating H2 as a co‐product. Our concept involves a dual‐function membrane, serving both as a catalyst for glucose dehydrogenation into gluconic acid and as a means to efficiently remove the produced H2 from the reaction mixture. To achieve this two membranes were developed, one catalytically active and one dense aimed at H2 removal. The catalytic membrane showed significant activity, yielding 16 % gluconic acid (t=120 min) with a catalyst selectivity of 93 % and stable performance over five consecutive cycles. Incorporating the H2 separating membrane showed the significance of H2 removal in driving the reaction forward. Its inclusion led to a twofold increase in gluconic acid yield, aligning with Le Chatelier's principles. As a future prospect the two layers can be combined into a dual‐layer membrane which opens the way for a new production route to simultaneously produce gluconic acid and H2, using high‐throughput reactors such as hollow‐fiber systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Insomnia is a neurological illness that poses a significant threat to both physical and mental health. It results in the activation of neuroglial cells, heightened neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and disruptions in the Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal (HPA) axis. Ligusticum Chuanxiong (CX) and Finger citron (FC) are frequently utilized botanicals for addressing sleeplessness. Both herbs possess notable anti-inflammatory properties in their volatile oils. However, their effectiveness is hindered by the nasal mucosal irritation and instability they exhibit. (2) Methods: This study involved the preparation of a nanofiber composite system using carbon nanofiber (CNF) suspensions containing essential oils of Ligusticum chuanxiong–Finger citron (CXEO-FCEO-CNF). The effects and mechanisms of these essential oils in improving insomnia were investigated using an insomnia mouse model after encapsulation. (3) Results: The CXEO-FCEO-CNF had an average particle size of 103.19 ± 1.64 nm. The encapsulation rates of essential oils of Ligusticum chuanxiong (CXEO) and essential oils of Finger citron (FCEO) were 44.50% and 46.15%, respectively. This resulted in a considerable improvement in the stability of the essential oils over a period of 30 days. The essential oils effectively decreased the irritation of the nasal mucosa following encapsulation. Furthermore, CXEO-FCEO-CNF enhanced voluntary activity and sleep in mice with insomnia, notably boosted the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced the concentration of lipoxidized malondialdehyde (MDA), decreased the levels of hormones associated with the HPA axis, and regulated the levels of neurotransmitters, resulting in a beneficial therapeutic outcome. CXEO-FCEO-CNF contains a total of 23 active ingredients, such as alpha-Asarone, (E)-methyl isoeugenol, and Senkyunolide. These ingredients primarily work by modulating the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) signaling system to decrease oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions. (4) Conclusions: This study presented initial evidence that the combination of CXEO and FCEO in nanofiber formulations effectively reduces the nasal mucosal irritation and instability of essential oils. Furthermore, it demonstrated the potential anti-neuroinflammatory and therapeutic effects of these formulations in treating insomnia. Overall, this study provides a theoretical foundation for developing new essential oil formulations derived from herbs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Replicating the tactile sensing mechanisms, conformity, and feel of real skin is essential for next-generation human–machine interfaces. However, producing tissue-like multilayered geometries and integrating them as e-skin systems requires simplifying and standardizing their manufacture. Here, we present a scalable and cost-effective cure-on-demand strategy for 3D printing nanocomposite silicone rubbers and integrating them into complex soft structures with 1200 % enhanced pressure-strain sensitivity. By utilizing a controlled in-situ mixing of catalyst-cured silicones and shear-driven alignment of carbon nanofibers (CNF), we construct percolated networks with conductivities up to 130 S m−1 layer-by-layer. We investigate the influence of ink composition, printing parameters, geometrical design, and material density on the mechanical properties, stretchability, sensitivity, and antimicrobial activity of 3D printed piezoresistive sensors and build skin-like interfaces that detect minimal deformations like human physiological signs. This customizable, biocompatible, and robust e-skin holds promise for cost-effective integration in rehabilitation medicine, smart robotics applications, and extended reality (XR) interactive experiences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewable and non-renewable energy harvesting and its storage are important components of our everyday economic processes. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), with their rechargeable features, high open-circuit voltage, and potential large energy capacities, are one of the ideal alternatives for addressing that endeavor. Despite their widespread use, improving LIBs' performance, such as increasing energy density demand, stability, and safety, remains a significant problem. The anode is an important component in LIBs and determines battery performance. To achieve high-performance batteries, anode subsystems must have a high capacity for ion intercalation/adsorption, high efficiency during charging and discharging operations, minimal reactivity to the electrolyte, excellent cyclability, and non-toxic operation. Group IV elements (Si, Ge, and Sn), transition-metal oxides, nitrides, sulfides, and transition-metal carbonates have all been tested as LIB anode materials. However, these materials have low rate capability due to weak conductivity, dismal cyclability, and fast capacity fading owing to large volume expansion and severe electrode collapse during the cycle operations. Contrarily, carbon nanostructures (1D, 2D, and 3D) have the potential to be employed as anode materials for LIBs due to their large buffer space and Li-ion conductivity. However, their capacity is limited. Blending these two material types to create a conductive and flexible carbon supporting nanocomposite framework as an anode material for LIBs is regarded as one of the most beneficial techniques for improving stability, conductivity, and capacity. This review begins with a quick overview of LIB operations and performance measurement indexes. It then examines the recently reported synthesis methods of carbon-based nanostructured materials and the effects of their properties on high-performance anode materials for LIBs. These include composites made of 1D, 2D, and 3D nanocarbon structures and much higher Li storage-capacity nanostructured compounds (metals, transitional metal oxides, transition-metal sulfides, and other inorganic materials). The strategies employed to improve anode performance by leveraging the intrinsic features of individual constituents and their structural designs are examined. The review concludes with a summary and an outlook for future advancements in this research field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein we report the catalytic ethanol decomposition over cobalt catalyst synthesized using conventional solution combustion synthesis (SCS). The reaction pathway proposed in-situ DRIFT analysis shows that the decomposition reaction proceeds through the formation of surface ethoxy intermediates that transformed into acetates and aldehydes which further decompose to releases CH 4 , H 2 and CO 2 with some deposition of carbon on the catalyst surface. The catalytic reaction shows 100 % ethanol conversion at 420 °C, with high selectivity of H 2 in the output. The structural transformation of the catalyst and deposited carbon was analyzed using high-resolution transmission electron microscope (HRTEM). Presence of small Co nanoparticles (size <30 nm) surrounded with graphene and larger metal nanoparticles trapped inside MWCNTs was visible during a stability run over 50 h that motivates in proposing the reaction mechanism of the fluctuating metal nanoparticle along with carbon on the catalyst surface. Moreover, this work opens up the possibility of synthesizing highly dispersed Co nanoparticles in an efficient way without any complex experimental procedures and equipment that can further be used as effective catalysts in many industrial reactions. • Catalytic reaction shows 100 % ethanol conversion at 420 °C on cobalt catalyst. • Transformation on particle and carbon structure during stability run is seen. • Co nanoparticles between 10 and 30 nm with graphene layer were observed. • Metal nanoparticles trapped inside MWCNTs after 50 h of ethanol conversion. • Proposed mechanism describes the metal nanoparticle fluctuation with carbon structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An efficient 3D bifunctional nanofiber electrocatalyst with synergistic multiple active sites for high-performance aqueous/solid ZABs was developed by electrospinning and MOF/COF in-situ growth strategy. [Display omitted] Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted growing attention in electrochemical energy storage and conversion systems (e.g., Zn-air batteries, ZABs) owing to their structural tunability, ordered porosity and high specific surface area. In this work, for the first time, the three-dimensional (3D) highly open catalyst (CNFs/CoZn-MOF@COF) possessing hierarchical porous structure and high-density active sites of uniform cobalt (Co) nanoparticles and metal-N x (M-N x , M = Co and Zn) is demonstrated, which is fabricated using electrospinning technique in combination with MOF/COF hybridization strategy and direct pyrolysis. Benefiting from the well-designed branch-leaf nanostructures, plentiful and uniform active sites on the MOF/COF-derived carbon frameworks, as well as the synergistic effect of multiple active sites, CNFs/CoZn-MOF@COF catalyst achieves superior electrocatalytic activity and stability towards both oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with a small potential gap (ΔE = 0.75 V). In situ Raman spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results indicate that the CoOOH intermediates are the main active species during OER/ORR. Significantly, both aqueous and all-solid-state rechargeable ZABs assembled with CNFs/CoZn-MOF@COF as the air cathode show high open-circuit potential, outstanding peak power density, large capacity and long cycle life. More impressively, the obtained all-solid-state ZAB also displays superb mechanical flexibility and device stability under different, showcasing great application deformations potential in portable and wearable electronics. This work provides a new insight into the design and exploitation of bifunctional catalysts from MOF/COF hybrid materials for energy storage and conversion devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing severity of urban noise pollution poses a threat to the physical and mental health of residents, prompting the need for the development of effective sound-absorbing materials. Herein, we present a versatile method to fabricate ultralight and flexible graphene-based aerogels by introducing one-dimensional carbon fibers as reinforcements. These carbon nanofiber-reinforced graphene aerogels (CNF/GAs) were obtained by the carbonization of freeze-casted bacterial cellulose/graphene oxide (BC/GO). Our CNF/GAs possess a low apparent density (∼3.05 mg cm−3) and exhibit broad-band sound absorption performance with a superior noise reduction coefficient (NRC) as high as 0.65 at a thickness of 30 mm. Meanwhile, their excellent elasticity endows the CNF/GAs with strain-sensing capability, enhancing their capacity for detecting deformations when utilized as sound absorbers in engineering applications. Additionally, the highly porous structure makes the CNF/GAs excellent thermal insulators, with a thermal conductivity as low as 0.011 W m−1 K−1, further expanding their environmental reliability. Therefore, our approach develops CNF/GAs with excellent broad-band sound absorption performance and mechanical-environmental reliability, showing significant practical potential. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relationship between the temperature of the electric field treatment (EFT) and the improvement of the effective thermal conductivity (TC) in the out‐of‐plane direction of the carbon nanofiber (CNF)/cured silicone rubber composite sheet was investigated to elucidate the appropriate operation of the EFT. Two types of silicone rubber precursors, with viscosities of 1.3 and 58 Pa∙s, were used. The effective TC gradually increased as the temperature during EFT increased from 40 to 80 °C. However, beyond 80 °C, the effective TC started to decrease and reached the same value as that of the sheet without EFT at 100 °C. This trend was observed regardless of the rubber species or CNF content. The influence of the EFT temperature was also discussed regarding the temperature dependency of the viscoelastic properties: storage modulus, loss modulus, and complex viscosity of the uncured precursor solution. When the temperatures were set at 80 °C, no significant changes were observed in the three‐viscoelastic properties for 60 min. On the other hand, a significant increase in the viscoelastic properties was observed after 10 min at 100 °C because of the start of the curing reaction, which supported the relationship between the temperature of the EFT and effective TC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, an amperometric dopamine sensor based on carbon nanofibers (CNF), Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe3O4NP), and silver nanoparticles (AgNP) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was developed. In order to determine the optimum surface composition, the effects of CNF amount, Fe3O4 amount and the electrodeposition step of AgNP were investigated. Optimum experimental parameters such as working potential and pH of test solution were also explored. The morphological and electrochemical properties of the AgNP/CNF − Fe3O4NP/GCE were studied using scanning electron microscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and chronoamperometry. The AgNP/CNF − Fe3O4NP/GCE showed linear response to dopamine between 2.0 × 10−7 and 5.5 × 10−4 M with a detection limit of 1.8 × 10−7 M and sensitivity of 37.24 μA mM−1. Analytical performance characteristics such as reproducibility, reusability, and selectivity were also investigated for the presented dopamine sensor. The sensor was successfully applied to the detection of dopamine in dopamine hydrochloride injection samples using the standard addition method and good recoveries were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, an electrochemical biosensor based on carbon nanofibers (CNF) and ferrocene carboxylic acid (FcA) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) was fabricated for xanthine determination. Xanthine oxidase (XO) was further immobilized onto the FcA/CNF/GCE for the fabrication of the biosensor. The morphologic appearance of the XO/FcA/CNF/GCE was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements were also performed to determine the electrochemical characteristics of the modified electrode. The XO/FcA/CNF/GCE biosensor exhibited linear response for xanthine in the concentration range of 6.0 × 10–7 to 2.0 × 10–4 M with a sensitivity of 6.04 µAmM−1 and a detection limit of 1.7 × 10–7 M. The xanthine biosensor also exhibited the advantages of high reproducibility, anti-interference ability and good long-term stability. Furthermore, the XO/FcA/CNF/GCE was used for the determination of xanthine in fish meat and the satisfactory results indicated that the FcA/CNF matrix is a promising candidate for electrode modification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Capacitive deionization (CDI) is an emerging technique of seawater desalination technology with high efficiency and low energy consumption. Prussian blue (PB) is considered to be an excellent candidate for CDI intercalation electrode materials due to its spacious three-dimensional ion diffusion channels and available low-cost raw materials. However, the agglomerate tendency and inferior electronic conductivity of PB are the main factors which lead to lower capacity and poor cycling stability. Herein, a Prussian blue nanoparticle/carbon nanofiber (PB/CNF) composite material was synthesized by electrospinning and coprecipitation for capacitive deionization. The conductive CNFs bridged the PB nanoparticles with a size of ca. 50 nm to form a 3D conductive network structure, which can boost the diffusion kinetics of salt ions and electrons simultaneously in the PB/CNF electrode. The ion storage process by the combination of capacitance-controlled and diffusion-controlled behaviors allows the PB/CNF-5 composite to achieve a salt adsorption capacity (SAC) of 51.81 mg g–1 in a 500 mg L–1 NaCl solution at 1.4 V, and it has excellent cycle stability for 80 cycles. Remarkably, it also shows an excellent salt adsorption performance of 97.35 mg g–1 in a 3000 mg L–1 NaCl solution. Overall, the strategy of antiaggregation and enhanced electronic conductivity not only improved the desalination performance of PB nanoparticles but also provided a technical guideline for nanometer-sized materials and helped to facilitate better CDI electrode design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Facile synthesis of highly-dispersed Pt-based electrocatalysts on porous carbon supports with strong durability is extremely desirable for oxygen reduction reaction but remains challenging. The influence of pores in carbon supports on the stability and activity of catalysts is ambiguous and needs to be elucidated. Targeting this aim, herein, we prepared a series of carbon nanofibers with tunable pore diameter and specific surface area using the resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) resins as a model system. Homogeneous composite precursors composed of RF resins and silica colloids were synthesized by the surfactant-assisted simultaneous polycondensation of RF resins and tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS). The diameter of the pores induced by removal of silica could be controllable tailored through thermal treatment of the composite under various target temperatures. Pt 3 Co alloy nanoparticles loaded on the as-synthesized porous carbon nanofibers were prepared by an optimized wet-impregnation method. The experimental results indicated that the carbon nanofibers with pore size distribution focused on ∼1.27 nm and ∼2.34 nm provided the best stability without limiting current density decay, and negative shift of half-wave potential (E 1/2) and mass activity (MA) loss of Pt after 20000 potential cycles are relatively mild. Conversely, negative shift of 21 mV, 15 mV and 22 mV in E 1/2 and mass activity loss of 51.8%, 30.2% and 33.0% were observed for the Pt 3 Co nanoparticles supported on MC-60, MC-100 and MC-140 matrices which have pore size distribution focused on ∼2.73 nm, ∼2.73 nm as well as ∼4.66 nm, and ∼4.66 nm, respectively. This work demonstrates the importance of micropores and small mesopores for activity and long-term stability enhancement of carbon supported Pt-based electrocatalysts. Porous carbon nanofibers with tunable pore size distribution were synthesized by combining the surfactant-assisted simultaneous polycondensation of resorcinol-formaldehyde resins and TEOS with elaborate designed thermal treatment. Pt 3 Co nanoparticles loaded on the carbon with pore size distribution focuses on ∼1.27 nm and ∼2.34 nm provided the highest activity and best stability with no performance decay for ORR after 20000 potential cycles. [Display omitted] • Composite fibers of RF resins and Silica were synthesized by the developed surfactant-assisted polycondensation strategy. • Diameters of the mesopores in the synthesized carbon fibers could be controllable tuned. • Mesopores with diameter of ∼2.34 nm are efficient for boosting the stability of the carbon supported Pt 3 Co for the ORR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and graphene nanosheets (GNs) are introduced to obtain nano-sized TiC particles in a novel additive manufactured Ni-Co-based superalloy. The double strengthening effects of reaction-induced TiC and remaining CNFs/GNs are conceptualized in the present paper. The CNFs and GNs act as heterogeneous nucleation sites for the formation of uniformly distributed TiC nanoparticles, which inhibits the crack and homogenize the microstructure. Interestingly, the existence of remaining GNs/CNFs is revealed via 3D atom-by-atom tomographic reconstruction technology for the first time. This unique combination of nanoparticles and residual CNFs/GNs nanofillers has great potential to develop superalloys with excellent properties.

Abstract Nanofibers are investigated to be superiorly applicable in different purposes such as drug delivery systems, air filters, wound dressing, water filters, and tissue engineering. Herein, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) is thermally treated for autocatalytic cyclization, to give optically active PAN-nanopolymer, which is subsequently applicable for preparation of nanofibers through solution blow spinning. Whereas, solution blow spinning is identified as a process for production of nanofibers characterized with high porosity and large surface area from a minimum amounts of polymer solution. The as-prepared nanofibers were shown with excellent photoluminescence and microbicide performance. According to rheological properties, to obtain spinnable PAN-nanopolymer, PAN (12.5–15% wt/vol, honey like solution, 678–834 mPa s), thermal treatment for 2–4 h must be performed, whereas, time prolongation resulted in PAN-nanopolymer gelling or rubbering. Size distribution of PAN-nanopolymer (12.5% wt/vol) is estimated (68.8 ± 22.2 nm), to reflect its compatibility for the production of carbon nanofibers with size distribution of 300–400 nm. Spectral mapping data for the photoluminescent emission showed that, PAN-nanopolymer were exhibited with two intense peaks at 498 nm and 545 nm, to affirm their superiority for production of fluorescent nanofibers. The microbial reduction % was estimated for carbon nanofibers prepared from PAN-nanopolymer (12.5% wt/vol) to be 61.5%, 71.4% and 81.9%, against S. aureus, E. coli and C. albicans, respectively. So, the prepared florescent carbon nanofibers can be potentially applicable in anti-infective therapy.

Carbon nanofiber (CNF) films prepared by traditional methods have limited capacity; thus, they cannot meet the requirements of high-performance flexible supercapacitors. Compounding CoNi layered double hydroxides (CoNi-LDHs) with flexible CNF films should be a promising strategy to increase energy density and maintain high power density and durable stability. Here, the flexible CNF films were obtained by electrospinning polyacrylonitrile films treated by an acetate-assisted alcohol thermal method and then carbonized at high temperatures. Subsequently, sulfur-doped CoNi-LDH/CNF composite films are prepared by a hydrothermal method. The CNF films provide a three-dimensional (3D) conductive network structure, ensuring that the redox-active center of CoNi-LDH nanosheets has excellent electron and ion transport properties and sufficient active sites. Sulfur doping can not only provide more anchoring sites for loading CoNi-LDH nanosheets but also further improve its electronic conductivity, thereby reducing the electrochemical impedance. The synergistic effect of the doping effect and structural advantage is beneficial to improve electrochemical performance and cycle stability. The S-CoNi-LDH/CNF composite film has an ultrahigh specific capacitance of 1618 F g–1 at 1 A g–1. Besides, the S-CoNi-LDH/CNF composite film and activated carbon (AC) are assembled into S-CoNi-LDH/CNF//AC asymmetric supercapacitors with a maximum energy density of 61.7 Wh kg–1 at 400 W kg–1. It also has excellent cycle stability (90.3% capacitance retention) over 10,000 charge–discharge cycles. This work provides an effective strategy for designing flexible supercapacitors with a high energy density and excellent cycle stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In advancing lithium-ion batteries to achieve high energy densities, prolonged cycling lifespan, and enhanced charging rates, electrode materials with high specific capacities play a crucial role. In this study, we have developed a porous carbon substrate using coaxial electrostatic spinning to enhance the electrochemical properties of the carbon-based anode. This porous structure exposes numerous active sites for Li+ ions and reduces the Li+/e– transport pathway, thereby improving the kinetics of Li+/ion and electron transfer. The symbiotic interaction between N and Fe3C nanoparticles facilitates the formation of hollow channels and dual conductive pathways. These Fe3C nanoparticles, along with hollow carbon nanofibers, enhance long-term cycling stability at room temperature, promote the formation of stable SEI layers, and improve interfacial compatibility. The Fe3C hollow multichannel carbon fibers (Fe3C/HMCFs) were subjected to analysis using a magnetic measurement system to investigate the charge transfer phenomenon. The observed charge transfer behavior confirms the conductivity of the magnetic Fe3C materials. These Fe3C/HMCFs exhibit favorable electrochemical characteristics, including an initial capacity of 1130 mAh g–1 at a current density of 2 A g–1 and a second charge/discharge capacity of 706 mAh g–1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovations in fuel cells bring important developments in obtaining energy. Especially with the anodic reactions of fuel cells and the catalysts used in the anodic part, it provides an increase in energy efficiency. With this study, modification of durable and high catalytic activity targeted carbon nanofibers (CNFs) with Platinum nanostructures (CNF@Pt) developed for alcohol oxidation was provided. Further, CNF@Pt was characterized by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and X-ray Diffraction (XRD). According to Debye Scherrer, the crystalline particle size was approximately 2.27 nm, and the CNF diameter was measured as 161.57 nm according to the TEM results. Besides, the anodic reactions of methanol, ethanol, and 2-Propanol for direct alcohol fuel cells (DAFC) were investigated. Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), Chronoamperimetry (CA), and recycling performance tests were demonstrated in ideal operating rates of the catalyst. One of the highest anodic peak currents were measured as 145.43, 101.56, and 34.54 mA.cm− 2 for methanol, ethanol, and 2-propanol at a scanning speed of 50 mV/s, respectively. The CNF@Pt catalyst was also very stable and durable in stability tests. In this study, it has been seen that carbon-based fiber materials are an ideal catalyst to increase efficiency in fuel cells and to make sense of the results obtained in their use in different alcohol types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to develop a highly sensitive flexible temperature sensor,a temperature sensitive conductive core-spun yarn constructed by conductive polymer and carbon nanomaterials was prepared by electrospinning. The morphology structure,electrical property,temperature sensitivity,reusability,humidity resistance and bending deformation interference resistance of the prepared temperature sensitive conductive core-spun yarn were tested. The results showed that the conductivity of the temperature sensitive conductive core-spun yarn was the highest and reaching 1 099.53 S/m when the mass fraction of PAN was 12 % and the mass fraction of rGO was 1.5 %. It showed better electrical property.The temperature sensitive conductive core-spun yarn prepared in the experiment had a high sensitivity response of 1.6 s compared with water of a difference of 1 °C at room temperature. The temperature sensitive conductive core-spun yarn prepared in the experiment had better humidity resistance and better bending deformation resistance. It is considered that the temperature sensitive conductive core-spun yarn prepared in the experiment is expected to replace the traditional metal conductive yarn.It has wide application prospect in wearable intelligent device, intelligent garment, temperature inspection and so on. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and graphene nanosheets (GNs) are introduced to obtain nano-sized TiC particles in a novel additive manufactured Ni-Co-based superalloy. The double strengthening effects of reaction-induced TiC and remaining CNFs/GNs are conceptualized in the present paper. The CNFs and GNs act as heterogeneous nucleation sites for the formation of uniformly distributed TiC nanoparticles, which inhibits the crack and homogenize the microstructure. Interestingly, the existence of remaining GNs/CNFs is revealed via 3D atom-by-atom tomographic reconstruction technology for the first time. This unique combination of nanoparticles and residual CNFs/GNs nanofillers has great potential to develop superalloys with excellent properties. The formation of nano-sized dispersion TiC particles is induced by the introduction of carbon nanofibers and graphene nanosheets in additive manufactured superalloy, which inhibits the crack and homogenizes the microstructure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Electrocatalytic hydrogenation (ECH) reduction provides an environment-friendly alternative to conventional method for the upgrade of furfural to furfuryl alcohol. At present, exploring superior catalysts with high activity and selectivity, figuring out the reduction mechanism in aqueous alkaline environment are urgent. In this work, zinc cobalt bimetallic oxide (ZnMn 2 O 4) with surface-derived Zn2+ vacancies supported by carbon nanofibers (d- ZnMn 2 O 4 -C) was fabricated. The d- ZnMn 2 O 4 -C exhibited excellent performance in electrocatalytic reduction of furfural, high furfuryl alcohol yield (49461.1 ± 228 µmol g−1) and Faradaic efficiency (95.5 ± 0.5 %) was obtained. In-depth research suggested that carbon nanofiber may strongly promoted the production of adsorbed hydrogen (H ads), and Zn2+ vacancies may significantly lowered the energy barrier of furfural reduction to furfuryl alcohol, the synergistic effect between carbon nanofiber and d- ZnMn 2 O 4 probably facilitated the reaction between H ads and furfuryl alcohol radical, thereby promoting the formation of furfuryl alcohol. Furthermore, the reaction mechanism was clarified by inhibitor coating and isotope experiments, the results of which revealed that the conversion of furfural to furfuryl alcohol on d- ZnMn 2 O 4 -C followed both ECH and direct electroreduction mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the booming of telecommunication and microelectronics, it is essential to develop electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding materials with low reflectivity characteristics to avoid the secondary pollution from electromagnetic waves (EMWs). Herein, we fabricated a series of hierarchical polypyrrole/carbon nanofiber (PPy/CF) composites with multilayer PPy films. The EMI shielding performance can be adjusted by attaching different layered PPy films. The EMI shielding efficiency (SE) of PPy/CF composite films can reach to 74.59 dB with an electrical conductivity of 3.02 × 10–3 S/mm. Moreover, in order to make the composite film have excellent strength and flexibility, we specially designed an acetone-soluble polyimide (PI) resin to encapsulate PPy/CF. After packaging with PI, the composite films are imparted with high flexibility and mechanical properties with the tensile strength and modulus of 4.65 and 153.03 MPa, respectively. Moreover, the resultant PI/PPy/CF composite films also possess favorable Joule heating performance and sensing monitoring. The Joule heating temperature of PI/PPy/CF films reaches 131.0 °C within 15 s when the applied voltage is 5 V. The fabricated composite films are promising for applications in the fields of aerospace, telecommunication, and microelectronic engineering and multifunctional wearable devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanofibers are investigated to be superiorly applicable in different purposes such as drug delivery systems, air filters, wound dressing, water filters, and tissue engineering. Herein, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) is thermally treated for autocatalytic cyclization, to give optically active PAN-nanopolymer, which is subsequently applicable for preparation of nanofibers through solution blow spinning. Whereas, solution blow spinning is identified as a process for production of nanofibers characterized with high porosity and large surface area from a minimum amounts of polymer solution. The as-prepared nanofibers were shown with excellent photoluminescence and microbicide performance. According to rheological properties, to obtain spinnable PAN-nanopolymer, PAN (12.5–15% wt/vol, honey like solution, 678–834 mPa s), thermal treatment for 2–4 h must be performed, whereas, time prolongation resulted in PAN-nanopolymer gelling or rubbering. Size distribution of PAN-nanopolymer (12.5% wt/vol) is estimated (68.8 ± 22.2 nm), to reflect its compatibility for the production of carbon nanofibers with size distribution of 300–400 nm. Spectral mapping data for the photoluminescent emission showed that, PAN-nanopolymer were exhibited with two intense peaks at 498 nm and 545 nm, to affirm their superiority for production of fluorescent nanofibers. The microbial reduction % was estimated for carbon nanofibers prepared from PAN-nanopolymer (12.5% wt/vol) to be 61.5%, 71.4% and 81.9%, against S. aureus, E. coli and C. albicans, respectively. So, the prepared florescent carbon nanofibers can be potentially applicable in anti-infective therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lightweight and low-cost one-dimensional carbon materials, especially biomass carbon fibers with multiple porous structures, have received wide attention in the field of electromagnetic wave absorption. In this paper, graphene-coated N-doped porous carbon nanofibers (PCNF) with excellent wave absorption properties were successfully synthesized via electrostatic spinning, electrostatic self-assembly, and high-temperature carbonization. The obtained results showed that the minimum reflection loss of the absorbing carbon fiber obtained under the carbonization condition of 800 °C is −51.047 dB, and the absorption bandwidth of reflection loss below −20 dB is 10.16 GHz. This work shows that carbonization temperature and filler content have a certain effect on the wave-absorbing properties of fiber, graphene with nanofiber, and the design and preparation of high-performance absorbing materials by combining the characteristics of graphene and nanofibers and multi-component coupling to provide new ideas for the research of absorbing materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Calcium carbonate is one of the most common scaling minerals. In this paper we have used different electrical current modes (direct current [DC], pulsed DC, and alternating current [AC]) to control the amount, morphology, and distribution of calcium carbonate deposit on electroconductive epoxy/carbon nanofiber (CNF) coating. The effect of different current modes on surface scaling was visualized using scanning electron microscopy. It has been shown that both AC and DC anodic polarization limited scale deposition on epoxy/CNF coated surfaces, although the mechanisms of scale inhibition during AC and DC polarization were different. DC polarization of the coating at +2 V resulted in the smallest scale buildup without leading to coating degradation, while DC polarization at potentials as high as +5 V caused the coating to degrade. Interestingly, application of pulsed DC with high pulse frequency (50 Hz) inhibited the degradation. The type of current applied affected also the morphology of the precipitate at the cathode. The results presented in this work show, for the first time, how different modes of electrical current applied to electroconductive composite coatings can be used to control the morphology and distribution of calcium carbonate scale, and how the organic coating degradation at high polarization potentials can be avoided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Among various technologies, electrochemical water splitting is one of the most effective and promising techniques for obtaining hydrogen fuel. The low content of nickel–platinum (Ni‐Pt) nanoparticles (NPs) decorated on carbon nanofibers (CNFs) have been developed by the electrospinning technique and subsequent carbonization process for use in an effective hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in both acidic and alkaline mediums. Results: The Ni‐Pt ions are reduced to Ni‐Pt NPs during the carbonization process, while polyacrylonitrile nanofibers are simultaneously changed into carbon nanofibers. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE‐SEM) with energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis of the prepared Ni‐Pt/CNFs shows that the low content of Ni and Pt NPs is evenly dispersed on the carbon nanofibers. This implies that for close contacts, there is an effective charge transfer between the NPs and the CNFs system. The obtained Ni‐Pt/CNFs exhibit enhanced HER performance along with onset potential (η1/23 mV in ~0 pH and η1/33 mV in ~14 pH) and overpotential (η10/128 mV in pH ~0 and η10/152 mV in pH ~14) versus RHE. Furthermore, stability for a long time was attained without considerable decay by 24 h. The turnover frequency (TOF) value was 3.431 s−1 in acidic and 1.174 s−1 in alkaline electrolytes. Conclusion: The enhanced HER performance could be ascribed to the synergetic effects between the carbon fibers and the Ni‐Pt NPs. This work demonstrates an easy technique for producing highly effective electrocatalysts for water splitting and has significant implications for renewable energy. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the iodination process for the preparation of water‐soluble polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)‐based carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and their electrochemical properties. Iodinated nanofibers were carbonized at different temperatures (600°C, 800°C) under an argon (Ar) atmosphere. Morphology and physical properties of fiber mats were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), while electrical conductivity measurements were done using four probes. As a freestanding anode in half‐cell lithium batteries, the CNFs were prepared by electrospinning of PVA and PVA–CNT blend, which was exposed to iodine vapor at various temperatures (60, 80, and 100°C). Iodine vapor treatment at 80°C and subsequent carbonization at 800°C provided a 29% carbon yield. The resulting CNT‐containing optimized CNFs exhibited superior flexibility, electrical conductivity (2.16 S/cm), and handleability, making them a promising, binder‐free environmentally friendly carbon source for lithium‐ion batteries with high capacity (672 mAh/g at 50 mA/g). The study clearly showed that PVA might be an alternative precursor for the production of carbon micro‐ and nanofibers. Highlights: Anodic performance of PVA‐based carbon nanofibers was analyzed.PVA precursor offers economic and environmental option for binder‐free electrodes.PVA–CNT composite nanofibers with optimized iodination and carbonization time identified as a promising high carbon yield carbon source for lithium‐ion batteries.CNT‐containing optimized carbon nanofibers exhibited superior flexibility and electrical conductivity (2.16 S/cm).Freestanding fiber anodes exhibited a higher capacity of 672 mAh/g, at 50 mA/g compared to conventional graphite anode (372 mAh/g). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, an electrospinning method was used to produce highly conductive freestanding carbon nanofibers (CNFs). The freestanding CNFs are compatible with hierarchical growth techniques, such as hydrothermal processes, for the nanostructure engineering of supercapacitor electrodes with enhanced electrochemically active sites. Therefore, the flower-like FeMoO 4 @CNF nanosheets were investigated to improve the electrochemical performance using aqueous and neutral electrolytes (Na 2 SO 4 and K 2 SO 4). The optimized FeMoO 4 @CNF electrode exhibits areal capacitances of 252 and 220 mF·cm−2 at a high current density of 2.5 mA·cm−2 with Na 2 SO 4 and K 2 SO 4 electrolytes, respectively. The wide potential window (1.6 V) of the symmetric supercapacitor delivered maximum energy densities of 22.4 and 19.6 μWh·cm−2 at a power density of 2 mW·cm−2 for Na 2 SO 4 and K 2 SO 4 electrolytes, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Internally or self-doped oxygen–nitrogen–phosphorus heteroatoms are useful in increasing the hydrophilicity, wettability, and conductivity of supercapacitor cell electrodes. These properties are positively related to electrochemical supercapacitive behavior. Therefore, this study aimed to examine activated green resources from black tiger shrimp shells (BTS) to produce O-N-P self-co-doped carbon (C) nanofibers for a high-performance supercapacitor. KOH was used to determine the content of heteroatoms in the carbon matrix. The results showed that the composition of BTS contained 10.01 wt% nitrogen, 40.92 wt% carbon, 23.16 wt% oxygen, and 4.92 wt% phosphorus, confirming the presence of O-N-P self-doping. Furthermore, the carbon matrix exhibited a nanofiber structure with the presence of nanopores (micro-mesopore co-extension), which showed the highest specific capacitance of 315 F/g at 1 mV/s in 1 M H2SO4 solution. BTS supercapacitor cells designed on a symmetrical electrode system achieved a specific power of 323 W/Kg at a specific energy of 9.59 Wh/Kg. These results indicated that internal heteroatoms doping was a strategy for improving the electrochemical performance of environmentally friendly, efficient, economical, and sustainable supercapacitor cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer, the second-leading cause of death worldwide after cardiovascular diseases, is a deadly disease caused by numerous mutations that affect cell growth and differentiation. While there is no definitive cure for cancer yet, new target molecules are being identified with the help of developing technology, and appropriate treatment protocols are being developed. Since both normal and malignant cells are exposed to cytotoxic effects in traditional treatment methods, the development of less-side-effect and targeted treatment methods has become important. With the development of nanotechnology, the development of various nanodrug delivery systems (DDSs) has been targeted. In our study, we investigated the antiproliferative and antimicrobial activities of rutin-modified carbon nanofiber (ACNFr)-based aerogels loaded with krill oil (KO) (ACNFr-KO). Our results showed that ACNFr-KO aerogels were observed to have a significant anti-proliferative effect on the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. In addition to this, ACNFr-KO aerogels were found to have antimicrobial activity against the gram-positive bacterium E. faecalis ATCC 29212. The results of our study suggest that rutin-modified CNF-based aerogels loaded with KO, which act as a DDS, have the potential to enhance targeted drug delivery and improve therapeutic outcomes in biomedical applications.

Electromagnetic pollution and heat dissipation problems are becoming increasingly worthy of attention due to the rapid development of electronic devices, which puts forward an urgent demand for microwave absorbers with excellent thermal management performance. Herein, high-performance Co/carbon nanofiber (Co/CNF) microwave absorbers with high thermal conductivity were fabricated by facile step-by-step method. The microwave absorption properties can be readily tuned by adjusting the content and size of Co nanoparticles through concentration gradient adsorption. Benefiting from the formation of dielectric and magnetic coupling network, Co/CNF composites possess intensive dipole polarization, interface polarization, and magnetic loss. The optimal Co/CNF composites exhibit outstanding microwave absorption performance with a minimum reflection loss (RL) of −53.0 dB at 11.44 GHz, and a maximum effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of 5.5 GHz. In addition, the thermal conductivities of the Co/CNF-natural rubber (Co/CNF-NR) composites are significantly improved. This work may inspire the exploration of high-efficiency heat-conduction microwave absorbers based on CNF.

Li–S batteries are promising large-scale energy storage systems but currently suffer from performance issues; a major reason is the dissolution of polysulfides in electrolytes. To this end, we report a high-energy-density Lithium–Sulfur (Li–S) battery that combines a catholyte and a sulfur-free carbon nanofiber (CNF) cathode. The cathode was synthesized by carbonizing binder-free polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibers, affording a high surface area. In the catholyte, added polysulfides acted as both conductive Li salts and active materials. Investigating the electrochemical performance of this concept in both Swagelok- and pouch-type cells afforded energy densities exceeding 3 mAh cm−2 at a discharge rate of 0.1 C. This combination could also be utilized in high-capacity pouch cells with capacities of up to 250 mAh g−1. Both cell types exhibited good cycle performance. Adding LiNO3 to the electrolyte suppressed the redox shuttle reactions. Moreover, the cathode being binder-free increased the energy density and simplified cathode fabrication. Characterizing the cathode before and after cycling revealed that deposition was reversible, and that cell reactions at least partially formed sulfur as the end product, resulting in high sulfur amounts in the cell. We expect our concept to greatly aid in the development of practically applicable Li–S cells.

(1) Background: Insomnia is a neurological illness that poses a significant threat to both physical and mental health. It results in the activation of neuroglial cells, heightened neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, and disruptions in the Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal (HPA) axis. Ligusticum Chuanxiong (CX) and Finger citron (FC) are frequently utilized botanicals for addressing sleeplessness. Both herbs possess notable anti-inflammatory properties in their volatile oils. However, their effectiveness is hindered by the nasal mucosal irritation and instability they exhibit. (2) Methods: This study involved the preparation of a nanofiber composite system using carbon nanofiber (CNF) suspensions containing essential oils of Ligusticum chuanxiong–Finger citron (CXEO-FCEO-CNF). The effects and mechanisms of these essential oils in improving insomnia were investigated using an insomnia mouse model after encapsulation. (3) Results: The CXEO-FCEO-CNF had an average particle size of 103.19 ± 1.64 nm. The encapsulation rates of essential oils of Ligusticum chuanxiong (CXEO) and essential oils of Finger citron (FCEO) were 44.50% and 46.15%, respectively. This resulted in a considerable improvement in the stability of the essential oils over a period of 30 days. The essential oils effectively decreased the irritation of the nasal mucosa following encapsulation. Furthermore, CXEO-FCEO-CNF enhanced voluntary activity and sleep in mice with insomnia, notably boosted the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced the concentration of lipoxidized malondialdehyde (MDA), decreased the levels of hormones associated with the HPA axis, and regulated the levels of neurotransmitters, resulting in a beneficial therapeutic outcome. CXEO-FCEO-CNF contains a total of 23 active ingredients, such as alpha-Asarone, (E)-methyl isoeugenol, and Senkyunolide. These ingredients primarily work by modulating the Janus kinase-signal transducer and activator of transcription (JAK-STAT) signaling system to decrease oxidative stress and inflammatory reactions. (4) Conclusions: This study presented initial evidence that the combination of CXEO and FCEO in nanofiber formulations effectively reduces the nasal mucosal irritation and instability of essential oils. Furthermore, it demonstrated the potential anti-neuroinflammatory and therapeutic effects of these formulations in treating insomnia. Overall, this study provides a theoretical foundation for developing new essential oil formulations derived from herbs.

Renewable and non-renewable energy harvesting and its storage are important components of our everyday economic processes. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), with their rechargeable features, high open-circuit voltage, and potential large energy capacities, are one of the ideal alternatives for addressing that endeavor. Despite their widespread use, improving LIBs’ performance, such as increasing energy density demand, stability, and safety, remains a significant problem. The anode is an important component in LIBs and determines battery performance. To achieve high-performance batteries, anode subsystems must have a high capacity for ion intercalation/adsorption, high efficiency during charging and discharging operations, minimal reactivity to the electrolyte, excellent cyclability, and non-toxic operation. Group IV elements (Si, Ge, and Sn), transition-metal oxides, nitrides, sulfides, and transition-metal carbonates have all been tested as LIB anode materials. However, these materials have low rate capability due to weak conductivity, dismal cyclability, and fast capacity fading owing to large volume expansion and severe electrode collapse during the cycle operations. Contrarily, carbon nanostructures (1D, 2D, and 3D) have the potential to be employed as anode materials for LIBs due to their large buffer space and Li-ion conductivity. However, their capacity is limited. Blending these two material types to create a conductive and flexible carbon supporting nanocomposite framework as an anode material for LIBs is regarded as one of the most beneficial techniques for improving stability, conductivity, and capacity. This review begins with a quick overview of LIB operations and performance measurement indexes. It then examines the recently reported synthesis methods of carbon-based nanostructured materials and the effects of their properties on high-performance anode materials for LIBs. These include composites made of 1D, 2D, and 3D nanocarbon structures and much higher Li storage-capacity nanostructured compounds (metals, transitional metal oxides, transition-metal sulfides, and other inorganic materials). The strategies employed to improve anode performance by leveraging the intrinsic features of individual constituents and their structural designs are examined. The review concludes with a summary and an outlook for future advancements in this research field.

Hollow structured carbon nanofibers (HCNFs) are one of porous carbon nanofiber materials. They exhibit high specific surface areas, developed pore structure, and more active sites. They are widely used in energy storage devices, filtration and adsorption materials, catalyst carriers, and other emerging fields. In this paper, the development of HCNFs were reviewed. The preparation methods of HCNFs were briefly introduced, including uniaxial electrospinning and coaxial electrospinning. The recombination and doping of HCNFs were mainly introduced. Changing or improving the performances of HCNFs can expand the application fields of HCNFs. In addition, the application prospects of HCNFs in the fields of the lithium-ion battery, catalysis, supercapacitor, and adsorption were emphatically introduced. The development direction of HCNFs in the future is prospected to provide a reference for the research and development of HCNFs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]