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Cobalt hydroxide and cobalt oxychloride are very promising materials for batteries and electrocatalysis, but the reaction mechanism for inducing the formation of both using epoxides is currently unclear. This study focused on synthesizing cobalt oxychloride and cobalt hydroxides from CoCl 2 ⋅ 6 H2O using a precipitation reaction triggered by propylene oxide (PO) in ethanol and water. The precipitation reaction process was described using hitherto unexplored UV–Vis technology. In the water system, Co 2 + existed as [Co(H2O)6] 2 + with octahedral coordination, while in alcohol, it was [CoCln(H2O) 6 − n ] 2 − n . The water content and pH of the reaction system played crucial roles in determining the coordination compounds formed by Co 2 + ions, impacting the reaction's course. These findings provide both experimental groundwork and theoretical insights for effectively regulating the synthesis of products in such systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In a hypergravity environment, the complex stress conditions and the change in gravity field intensity will significantly affect the interaction force inside solid- and liquid-phase materials. In particular, the driving force for the relative motion of the phase material, the interphase contact interaction, and the stress gradient are enhanced, which creates a nonlinear effect on the movement mode of the phase material, resulting in a change in the material's behavior. These changes include increased stress and contact interactions; accelerated phase separation; changes in stress distribution; shear force and phase interface renewal; enhanced interphase mass transfer and molecular mixing; and increased volume mass transfer and heat transfer coefficients. These phenomena have significant effects on the synthesis, structural evolution, and properties of materials in different phases. In this paper, the basic concepts of hypergravity and the general rules of the effects of hypergravity on the synthesis, microstructure evolution, and properties of materials are reviewed. Based on the development of hypergravity equipment and characterization methods, this review is expected to broaden the theoretical framework of material synthesis and mechanical property control under hypergravity. It provides theoretical reference for the development of high-performance materials under extreme conditions, as well as new insights and methods for research and application in related fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nicotine, an exceedingly noxious alkaloid, has been reported as an emerging anthropogenic waste water contaminant for decades. The current study investigated the photocatalytic degradation of nicotine in aqueous medium. Novel g-C3N4/ZnO-W/Snx composites were fabricated by impregnation of g-C3N4 with ZnO-W and SnCl2.H2O. The XRD and FTIR data strappingly evidenced the proficient blending of g-C3N4, metal oxide and the metal used as dopant. SEM and EDS micrographs showed agglomerated morphology; layered structure with loopholes, which invetrate the elementalconfiguration of fabricated nanocomposites. Spectroscopic analysis shows red shift in the vicinity of 240–270 nanometre as a confirmation of increased Sn content. Optical analysis shows band gap tailoring (2.32–1.78 eV) with increased dopant metal content, which constrains the electron hole pair recombination. This results in the production of more ROS species in the reaction system, leading to significant increase in photoactive nicotine degradation from 24% g-C3N4/ZnO-W to 98% g-C3N4/ZnO-W/Sn(0.011). The rate constant R2 values 0.985, 0.988, 0.990, 0.992, 0.996 and 0.997 for the synthesised composites confirmed the pseudo-first-order kinetics and maximum photodegradation in acidic medium. Efficient outcomes of 98% degradation under visible light and striking recyclability results for the grown composite g-C3N4/ZnO-W/Sn (0.011) even after the fifth cycle was 93% evidenced that synthesised composite exhibits high reusability and mechanical stability. Inclusively, the present research provides an innovative approach for the fabrication of photo-catalysts in wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ruddlesden‐Popper (RP) oxides have emerged as a promising alternative to Ni cermet electrodes for high‐temperature steam electrolysis due to their superior oxide ion mobility and conductivity. Combining RP with perovskite (P) can provide superior electrocatalytic activity toward hydroxide oxidation and reduction reaction, driving higher efficiency in solid oxide cells (SOC). This work provides a novel approach to enhancing SOC performance by employing A‐site Ce‐substituted Sr0.6Pr0.4‐xCexMnO3 (x = 0.1‐0.3) electrodes, investigating their phase evolution, crystal properties, and cation oxidation states under oxidizing and reducing atmospheres. X‐ray diffraction analysis of heat‐treated powder in a reducing atmosphere revealed forming mixed P and RP structures at 600–800 °C for x = 0.1 and 0.2, which provides excellent conductivity and electrocatalytic activity. Consequently, outstanding cell performance is achieved, with low polarization resistances of 0.053 ± 0.004 Ω cm2 at 800 °C. The voltage response at different current densities in an electrolyte‐supported cell revealed a high power density of 1.084 W cm−2 in fuel cell operation and a current density of 1.00 A cm−2 at the thermoneutral voltage at 850 °C in steam electrolysis. Moreover, a low overpotential degradation rate of 45 mV kh−1 demonstrated the remarkable potential of the SPCM electrode as a promising Ni‐free candidate for SOC application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacteria are present in the environment around us, including in the air, water, and soil. Moreover, infection-causing bacteria are transmitted indirectly through the air, food, and water, as well as through direct contact. Upon entering the human body, they multiply and cause various discomforts or diseases. To combat such diseases, antibiotics are the current choice of the primary treatment. However, their overuse has led to a major issue referred to as bacterial resistance. Metal NPs possess great potential in microbial detection along with disease diagnosis and treatment. Zinc is an essential trace element crucial for human growth and development, and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) are an inorganic material with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. Therefore, in this review article, we provide a detailed overview of the antibacterial mechanisms of ZnONPs, thereby providing theoretical support for their application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent days, the modified material and composite is playing an indispensable part in advanced manufacturing industries. The entire material properties are being varied with the addition of other materials and reinforcement particles to the base alloy. Tin composite is fabricated by stir casting technique and unconventional machinability behaviors under different input constrain has been investigated. Copper and silicon carbide (SiC) is the major role in Tin composite. Material synthesis, characterization and machinability analysis are conducted in the synthesized composite. The laser machining (LM) and electro chemical machining (ECM) is used to analysis the machinability behaviors. The maximum metal removal for laser machining is achieved by the input constrains level of 5 m/min of cutting speed, 400 W of laser power and 10 bar of gas pressure. The optimal metal removal for ECM is attained voltage of 10 V, flow rate of 20LPM and pressure of 5 bar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacteria are present in the environment around us, including in the air, water, and soil. Moreover, infection-causing bacteria are transmitted indirectly through the air, food, and water, as well as through direct contact. Upon entering the human body, they multiply and cause various discomforts or diseases. To combat such diseases, antibiotics are the current choice of the primary treatment. However, their overuse has led to a major issue referred to as bacterial resistance. Metal NPs possess great potential in microbial detection along with disease diagnosis and treatment. Zinc is an essential trace element crucial for human growth and development, and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles (NPs) are an inorganic material with broad-spectrum antibacterial activity. Therefore, in this review article, we provide a detailed overview of the antibacterial mechanisms of ZnONPs, thereby providing theoretical support for their application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autonomous experiments for material synthesis have been developing with increasing speed. With the expanding search space for accessible materials, the efficient collection of prior knowledge, particularly synthesis conditions, before autonomous experiments is crucial in reducing the number of trials. In this study, we developed a workflow that systematically extracts synthesis conditions from scientific literature. We constructed a knowledge graph to test the simple hypothesis that significant correlations exist between the physical properties and synthesis conditions that appear nearby in a text. The performance of this scheme was demonstrated by extracting the appropriate thin-film synthesis conditions for conductive Nb-doped TiO2. The proposed methodology is expected to accelerate autonomous material synthesis experiments.

Cadmium oleate is widely used as a cation precursor in the synthesis of cadmium chalcogenide nanocrystal quantum dots (QDs) for a broad range of photonic and optoelectronic applications. Cd oleate can noncovalently assemble to form a supramolecular coordination gel, or metallogel, in solvents commonly used to disperse oleate-capped QDs. The gelation severely impedes the purification of oleate-capped QDs from excess Cd oleate, resulting in a gelled product that cannot be reliably characterized or used in further synthesis reactions. Here, we investigate the Cd oleate gel to gain insights into its viscoelastic properties and behavior under conditions relevant to QD synthesis, purification, and storage. We then examine how to effectively mitigate gelation by adding oleylamine as an additional ligand to disrupt noncovalent assembly. We synthesize PbS/CdS core/shell QDs via cation exchange as a case study to illustrate gelation of the reaction product and further demonstrate how this issue can be resolved through a better understanding of the supramolecular gel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical CO2 reduction presents a promising approach for synthesizing fuels and chemical feedstocks using renewable energy sources. Although significant advancements have been made in the design of catalysts for CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR) in recent years, the linear scaling relationship of key intermediates, selectivity, stability, and economical efficiency are still required to be improved. Rare earth (RE) elements, recognized as pivotal components in various industrial applications, have been widely used in catalysis due to their unique properties such as redox characteristics, orbital structure, oxygen affinity, large ion radius, and electronic configuration. Furthermore, RE elements could effectively modulate the adsorption strength of intermediates and provide abundant metal active sites for CO2RR. Despite their potential, there is still a shortage of comprehensive and systematic analysis of RE elements employed in the design of electrocatalysts of CO2RR. Therefore, the current approaches for the design of RE element‐based electrocatalysts and their applications in CO2RR are thoroughly summarized in this review. The review starts by outlining the characteristics of CO2RR and RE elements, followed by a summary of design strategies and synthetic methods for RE element‐based electrocatalysts. Finally, an overview of current limitations in research and an outline of the prospects for future investigations are proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the era of increasing environmental pollution and energy crisis, the development of thermoelectric materials to achieve the reuse of waste heat energy is of great significance. SnTe, as an environmentally friendly thermoelectric material, its high electronic-thermal conductivity and coupled high electrical conductivity originated from intrinsic high carrier hole concentration leads to the unsatisfactory thermoelectric properties. With a lot of research going on to optimize thermoelectric performance by decoupling the thermo-electrical contradiction, the entropy engineering strategy, which can independently modulate lattice thermal conductivity is proved to be feasible by increasing the internal configurational entropy through doping. However, due to the uncontrollable growth microscopic process and the perturbation of film quality, the desired precise phase doping remains a challenge. In this work, we report an instantiation of the entropy increase of SnSe-doped SnTe alloy thin films prepared by two-step magnetron sputtering and selenization method. The microstructure and physical properties of thin films were investigated for replaying and controlling the growth evolution of in-situ selenization substitution. When the reaction temperature and duration were adjusted to 300℃ and 30 mins respectively, the desired pure phase doping was obtained. This work provides a new method of doping modification of SnTe materials, and the product as a new functional material expands the thermoelectric material library. In particular, it has positive reference significance for the development of synthesis controllability and structure establishment of complex polycrystalline materials.

Tungsten trioxide (WO3) is a highly desired semiconductor metal oxide (SMO) to detect acetone gas which is present at high levels in the breath of diabetic patients. Current research in the biosensor field is focused on the synthesis of sensing material at room temperature to ease fabrication and reduce energy requirements for operations. In this context, hydrogen doping aids in increasing the baseline conductivity of WO3. Therefore, the current research aimed to synthesise H‐doped WO3 at ambient conditions via an ultrasonication‐assisted hydrogenation route. Besides, the independent effects of other factors on hydrogenation were studied. These include synthesis temperature (room temperature to 80°C) and zinc precursor loading (0.8 to 2.0). By varying the concentrations of WO3 for the synthesis, it was determined that the highest degree of hydrogenation was achieved at 10 mg/ml. This was indicated by a visible colour change to dark blue and the highest conductivity. The findings revealed that hydrogenation is less effective at higher temperatures. The most optimum zinc loading was found to be 1.6 where the maximum attainable conductivity was 116.1 mS/cm. This H‐doped WO3 sample was subsequently subjected to diluted acetone sensing performance. The sample showed a significant reduction in resistance towards diluted acetone of 1000 ppm compared to undoped WO3. Thus, findings from this work offer a potential room temperature‐based synthesis method for acetone detection at low concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Potassium fertilizer is indispensable for ensuring crop production, which in turn supports global food supply and safe farming practices. Potassium resources are primarily located in the Northern Hemisphere, leading to a current shortage of affordable potash and severe soil deficiencies in certain regions of the Southern Hemisphere. There is a shift away from mined salts in favor of locally available potassium resources. Utilizing potassium-rich silicates, for instance, could be a viable option to address this situation. The imperative of enhancing crop productivity and quality necessitates either increasing potassium availability or utilizing potassium more efficiently. Geneticists may find the development of plants that use potassium more effectively to be a valuable pursuit. Nanomaterials are increasingly becoming part of people's professional lives as a novel material category. This technology is gradually finding applications in agriculture to boost crop yields while reducing environmental pollution. This paper reviews the applications of common potassium-containing materials, explores the effects and mechanisms of nano-fertilizers on plants, and offers insights into future applications of nano-potassium fertilizers in agriculture. All in all, the application of nanotechnology in the production and utilization of potassium fertilizers is both necessary and effective. However, there are still many gaps in the current field of nano-potassium fertilizer application that require further research. It is hoped that this review can serve as a valuable reference for researchers working in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of sodium‐ion battery (SIB) anodes is still hindered by their rapid capacity decay and poor rate capabilities. Although there have been some new materials that can be used to fabricate stable anodes, SIBs are still far from wide applications. Strategies like nanostructure construction and material modification have been used to prepare more robust SIB anodes. Among all the design strategies, the hollow structure design is a promising method in the development of advanced anode materials. In the past decade, research efforts have been devoted to modifying the synthetic route, the type of templates, and the interior structure of hollow structures with high capacity and stability. A brief introduction is made to the main material systems and classifications of hollow structural materials first. Then different morphologies of hollow structural materials for SIB anodes from the latest reports are discussed, including nanoboxes, nanospheres, yolk shells, nanotubes, and other more complex shapes. The most used templates for the synthesis of hollow structrual materials are covered and the perspectives are highlighted at the end. This review offers a comprehensive discussion of the synthesis of hollow structural materials for SIB anodes, which could be potentially of use to research areas involving hollow materials design for batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-doped silver selenide colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) that harness intraband transition as a major electronic transition in steady-state have emerged as an alternative mid-infrared (IR)-sensitive material to Pb or Hg-based CQDs. Comparable to the previously reported hot-injection and cation-exchange methods for the self-doped Ag2Se CQDs synthesis, a facile synthesis method of the self-doped AgxSe (x ≥ 2) CQDs is reported that does not require high reaction temperature, reduces the cost of material synthesis, and enables widespread use of the self-doped nontoxic CQDs in various environments and applications. Through careful investigation of the crystal structure, compositional analysis, mid-IR absorption, photoluminescence, and photocurrent response, we demonstrate that the as-synthesized AgxSe CQDs exhibit peculiar optical and electrical properties of the self-doped CQDs, potentially highlighting their application as IR-active materials for mid-IR-based optoelectronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experimental and calculated Raman spectrum of PuCl3 has been reported for the first time. PuCl3 is a primary species found in plutonium metal refinement, specifically in pyrochemical salt processes including multicycle direct oxide reduction, metal chlorination, and electrorefining. As such, Raman signatures of PuCl3 could serve as potential forensic indicators of material process history. A novel technique for synthesizing PuCl3 from the in situ chlorination of plutonium metal with HCl was developed to establish these signatures. Cerium metal surrogates were utilized to ensure optimization of the plutonium experiments and to minimize personnel exposure, and all experiments were carried out in a Raman reaction chamber designed for air‐tight, high vacuum environments. In situ Raman spectroscopy was employed in conjunction with density functional theory (DFT) to investigate the vibrational modes of PuCl3. Associated mixed oxy and hydroxyl phases are also reported. The combined Raman and DFT results have eliminated inconsistencies in Raman mode assignments for the MX3 family of metal chlorides having P63/m symmetry, and IR modes derived from the DFT calculations are additionally presented. The data observed in this study are of potential interest to nuclear forensic analyses, nuclear sample aging, nuclear energy, plutonium processing, and stockpile stewardship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitosan, a biocompatible and nontoxic heteropolymer derived from chitin, offers various applications. However, its limited solubility above pH 6.5 hinders its broader applications. Chemical, physical, and enzymatic modifications have greatly improved chitosan properties, producing water-soluble chitosan (WSC) and derivatives. WSC and its derivatives possess unique structures, properties, and water solubility, meeting the demands of functional materials. This review highlights native chitosan characteristics, modification strategies for WSC and emphasizes its applications in food production, wastewater treatment, biomedical, and agriculture. Future perspectives for WSC and its derivatives are also discussed at the end of this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three-dimensional solid computational representations of natural heterogeneous materials are challenging to generate due to their high degree of randomness and varying scales of patterns, such as veins and cracks, in different sizes and directions. In this regard, this paper introduces a new architecture to synthesise 3D solid material models by using encoding deep convolutional generative adversarial networks (EDCGANs). DCGANs have been useful in generative tasks in relation to image processing by successfully recreating similar results based on adequate training. While concentrating on natural heterogeneous materials, this paper uses an encoding and a decoding DCGAN combined in a similar way to auto-encoders to convert a given image into marble, based on patches. Additionally, the method creates an input dataset from a single 2D high-resolution exemplar. Further, it translates of 2D data, used as a seed, into 3D data to create material blocks. While the results on the Z-axis do not have size restrictions, the X- and Y-axis are constrained by the given image. Using the method, the paper explores possible ways to present 3D solid textures. The modelling potentials of the developed approach as a design tool is explored to synthesise a 3D solid texture of leaf-like material from an exemplar of a leaf image.

This comprehensive review investigates the multifaceted applications of machine learning in materials research across six key dimensions, redefining the field's boundaries. It explains various knowledge acquisition mechanisms starting with supervised, unsupervised, reinforcement, and deep learning techniques. These techniques are transformative tools for transforming unactionable data into insightful actions. Moving on to the materials synthesis, the review emphasizes the profound influence of machine learning, as demonstrated by predictive models that speed up material selection, structure-property relationships that reveal crucial connections, and data-driven discovery that fosters innovation. Machine learning reshapes our comprehension and manipulation of materials by accelerating discovery and enabling tailored design through property prediction models and structure-property relationships. Machine learning extends its influence to image processing, improving object detection, classification, and segmentation precision and enabling methods like image generation, revolutionizing the potential of image processing in materials research. The most recent developments show how machine learning can have a transformative impact at the atomic level by enabling precise property prediction and intricate data extraction, representing significant advancements in material understanding and innovation. The review highlights how machine learning has the potential to revolutionize materials research by accelerating discovery, improving performance, and stimulating innovation. It does so while acknowledging obstacles like poor data quality and complicated algorithms. Machine learning offers a wide range of exciting prospects for scientific investigation and technological advancement, positioning it as a powerful force for influencing the future of materials research.

Material innovation plays a very important role in technological progress and industrial development. Traditional experimental exploration and numerical simulation often require considerable time and resources. A new approach is urgently needed to accelerate the discovery and exploration of new materials. Machine learning can greatly reduce computational costs, shorten the development cycle, and improve computational accuracy. It has become one of the most promising research approaches in the process of novel material screening and material property prediction. In recent years, machine learning has been widely used in many fields of research, such as superconductivity, thermoelectrics, photovoltaics, catalysis, and high-entropy alloys. In this review, the basic principles of machine learning are briefly outlined. Several commonly used algorithms in machine learning models and their primary applications are then introduced. The research progress of machine learning in predicting material properties and guiding material synthesis is discussed. Finally, a future outlook on machine learning in the materials science field is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfite auto-oxidation catalyzed by cobalt complexed with ammonia deposited on silica (CoNSi) was used to generate sulfate radicals. The material was characterized by ATR–FTIR, suggesting that the silica structure did not change, and SEM–EDS, indicating an uniform dispersion of cobalt across the material surface according with XRD results. BET analysis provided information on a mesoporous material (type IV isotherm) with regular morphology (H1 hysteresis). The DSC analysis showed that CoNSi is thermally stable under the studied conditions. Quantitative analysis of Fipronil (FIP) was performed by HPLC-DAD, where the applied method was selective and linear. The Box–Behnken experimental design (BBD) method was used to define the best condition for removing the analyte in water. It was found that in 60 min, 76% removal of 1.8 mg L−1 of FIP was reached by adding 0.30 g of the material and 0.30 g of the sulfite in a solution under stirring, aeration, pH 8.0, and room temperature and protected from radiation. However, analysis of cobalt leaching into the solution by FAAS showed a small amount of the metal (0.44 mg L−1) informing that the synthesis of the material must be improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boehmite (γ-AlOOH) and gibbsite (α-Al-(OH)3) are important archetype (oxy)hydroxides of aluminum in nature that also play diverse roles across a plethora of industrial applications. Developing the ability to understand and predict the properties and characteristics of these materials, on the basis of their natural growth or synthesis pathways, is an important fundamental science enterprise with wide-ranging impacts. The present study describes bulk and surface characteristics of these novel materials in comprehensive detail, using a collectively sophisticated set of experimental capabilities, including a range of conventional laboratory solids analyses and national user facility analyses such as synchrotron X-ray absorption and scattering spectroscopies as well as small-angle neutron scattering. Their thermal stability is investigated using in situ temperature-dependent Raman spectroscopy. These pure and effectively defect-free materials are ideal for synthesis of advanced alumina products.

Conventional manganese oxide (MnO2)‐based supercapacitors struggle to achieve theoretical capacitance due to the material's low conductivity and large particle size. Consequently, researchers have improved MnO2's properties by incorporating conductive carbonaceous materials to obtain high‐performance composite materials. Herein, the full process of engineering a MnO2‐graphene oxide (GO) composite and its application as a positive electrode for asymmetric supercapacitors (ASC) is presented. First, GO using a novel gas expansion precursor allowing an efficient chemical exfoliation of pristine graphite is synthesized. Afterward, size‐weakened MnO2 nanoparticles are synthesized and deposited onto the GO sheets by a self‐assembly redox reaction method using different MnO2/GO mass ratios. Multiple characterization methods are used to investigate the textural and structural properties of each material. A general electrochemical characterization is conducted using a three‐electrode cell; therefore, the synthesized MnO2‐GO composite achieves 150 F g−1 at 10 mV s−1. Furthermore, an ASC in an aqueous electrolyte using GO and MnO2 or MnO2‐GO as negative and positive electrodes, respectively, is assembled. The fabricated ASC based on MnO2‐GO composite exhibits a high specific capacitance of 38 F g−1 at 1 A g−1, excellent cycling stability after 36 000 cycles, and a steady electrochemical impedance behavior after 120 h of floating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heating techniques have underpinned the progress of the material and manufacturing industries. However, the explosive development of nanomaterials and micro/nanodevices has raised more requirements for the heating technique, including but not limited to high efficiency, low cost, high controllability, good usability, scalability, universality, and eco-friendliness. Carbothermal shock (CTS), a heating technique derived from traditional electrical heating, meets these requirements and is advancing at a high rate. In this review, the CTS technique, including the material to support CTS, the power supply to generate CTS, and the method to monitor CTS, is introduced, followed by an overview of the progress achieved in the application of CTS, including the modification and fabrication of nanomaterials as well as many other interesting applications, e.g., soldering/welding of micro- and macroscopic carbon materials, sintering of ceramic electrolytes, recycling of Li-ion battery, thermal tips, actuators, and artificial muscle. Problems and challenges in this area are also pointed out, and future developing directions and prospects are presented.

Lightweight alloys have great importance for car manufacturers that aim to produce safer, lighter, and more environmentally friendly vehicles. As a result, it is essential to develop new lightweight alloys, with superior properties to conventional ones, respecting the demands of the market. Al and its alloys are good candidates for reducing the overall weight of vehicles. The objective of this research was to understand the possibility to synthesize different Al alloys and intermetallics by implementing the plasma system and using two different Al-Ni and Al-Mo powder systems. This was done by separately injecting non-reacted raw Al-Ni and Al-Mo composite powder systems into the plasma reactor. In the first step, the milling parameters were optimized to generate Al-Ni and Al-Mo composite powders, with sizes over about 30 µm, having, respectively, a homogeneous mixture of elemental Al and Ni, and Al and Mo in their particles. Each of the composite powders was then injected separately into the plasma system to provide conditions for the reaction of their elements together. The obtained Al-Ni and Al-Mo powders were then studied using different methods such as scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, and energy dispersive X-ray analysis. Regardless of the initially used powder system, the obtained powders were consisting of large spherical particles surrounded by a cloud of fine porous particles. Different phases such as Al, AlNi3, Al3Ni2, and AlNi were detected in the particles of the Al-Ni powder system and Al, Mo, AlMo3, MoO3, and MoO2 in the Al-Mo powder system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research discusses the merged effect on the peristaltic mechanism of hyperbolic tangent fluid in a curved channel of the wall properties and heat/mass transference. The mathematical model is examined by considering small number of Reynolds and long wavelength. For small Weissenberg number using perturbation technique, solution of stream function, concentration, temperature, velocity and heat transfer coefficient are achieved. With the aid of graphs, the related parameters used are discussed. It is worth mentioning that velocity and temperature profiles are parabolistic, amplitude of temperature increases upon increasing the wall parameters, behavior of heat transfer coefficient is oscillatory and the scale of trapped bolus increased with the curvature parameter.

This correction notice from Frontiers in Materials addresses an error in the Funding statement of an article on the antibacterial properties of nanoscale zinc oxide particles. The correct funding information has been provided, and the authors assure that this error does not impact the scientific conclusions of the study. The article has been updated to reflect the accurate funding details. [Extracted from the article]

This work focuses on the effect of the of Mn3+/Mn4+ ratio in the reactants on the structure and electrochemical properties of NaMn 0.9 Cu 0.1 O 2 cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries. By systematically varying the manganese valence states in the reactants, we observed a phase transition from the β-phase to the P2-phase with increasing Mn3+ concentrations in the reactants, contrary to the expected favorability of the β-phase at higher Mn3+ levels. This finding suggests a complex interplay between the valence states of the reactants and phase formation mechanisms, which needs further investigation. Additionally, electrochemical testing indicated that the phase composition significantly impacts the electrochemical performance of the material. Specifically, the M0 sample, possessing the optimal P2/β ratio, exhibited excellent electrochemical performances, achieving a high initial discharge capacity of 155.1 mA h g−1 and remains 88.1 % after 40 cycles. These results emphasize the importance of precursor selection and valence management in the development of high-performance cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries. • Mn's initial valence state in reactants influences product structure and performance. • In contrast to experience, Mn4+ favors the formation of the β-phase over Mn3+. • First discovery of the P2/β bi-phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elemental doping has been widely adopted to enhance the photoactivity of graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4). Correlating photocatalytic performance with experimental conditions could improve upon the current trial-and-error paradigm, but it remains a formidable challenge. In this study, we have developed machine learning (ML) models to link experimental parameters with hydrogen (H 2) production rate over element-doped graphitic carbon nitride (D-g-C 3 N 4). Material synthesis parameters, material properties, and H 2 production conditions are fed to the ML models, and the H 2 production rate is derived as the output. The trained ML models are effective in predicting the H 2 production rate using experimental data, as demonstrated by a satisfactory correlation coefficient for the test data. Sensitivity analysis is performed on input features to elucidate the ambiguous relationship between H 2 production rate and experimental conditions. The ML model can not only identify important features that are well-recognized and widely investigated in the literature, which supports the efficacy of the developed models but also reveals insights on less explored parameters that might also demonstrate significant impacts on photocatalytic performance. The method described in the present study provides valuable insights for the design of elemental doping strategies for g-C 3 N 4 to improve the H 2 production rate without conducting time-consuming and expensive experiments. Our models may be used to revolutionize future catalyst design. [Display omitted] • Hydrogen generation on element-doped g-C 3 N 4 was modeled by machine learning. • The developed model demonstrated high prediction accuracy of H 2 production rate. • The relative importance of controllable experimental conditions was ranked. • Preferred experimental conditions for each input feature was identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background It is known that a number of parameters can influence the post-printing properties of bone tissue scaffolds. Previous research has primarily focused on the effect of parameters associated with scaffold design (e.g., scaffold porosity) and specific scaffold printing processes (e.g., printing pressure). To our knowledge, no studies have investigated variations in post-printing properties attributed to the techniques used to synthesize the materials for printing (e.g., melt-blending, powder blending, liquid solvent, and solid solvent). Methods Four material preparation techniques were investigated to determine their influence on scaffold properties. Polycaprolactone/nano-hydroxyapatite 30% (wt.) materials were synthesized through melt-blending, powder blending, liquid solvent, and solid solvent techniques. The material printability and the properties of printed scaffolds, in terms of swelling/degradation, mechanical strength, morphology, and thermal properties, were examined and compared to one another using Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric statistical analysis. Results Material prepared through the liquid solvent technique was found to have limited printability, while melt-blended material demonstrated the highest degree of uniformity and lowest extent of swelling and degradation. Scaffolds prepared with powder-blended material demonstrated the highest Young’s modulus, yield strength, and modulus of resilience; however, they also demonstrated the highest degree of variability. The higher degree of inhomogeneity in the material was further supported by thermal gravimetric analysis. While scaffolds printed from melt-blended, powder-blended, and solid solvent materials demonstrated a high degree of micro-porosity, the liquid solvent material preparation technique resulted in minimal micro-porosity. Conclusions Study results indicate that specific techniques used to prepare materials influence the printing process and post-printing scaffold properties. Among the four techniques examined, melt-blended materials were found to be the most favorable, specifically when considering the combination of printability, consistent mechanical properties, and efficient preparation. Techniques determined to be favourable based on the properties investigated should undergo further studies related to biological properties and time-dependent properties beyond 21-days.

In the field of engineering, Biologically-inspired propulsion systems are getting the utmost importance. The theoretical analysis explores the effect of heterogeneous-homogeneous reactions on heat and thermal transfer analysis for incompressible Sutterby fluid. Using low Reynolds number and long wavelength assumptions, the governing system of equations of fluid transport problem is abridged and solved using the perturbation technique. The Nusselt number and skin friction coefficient are also incorporated in this contemplation. Particular attention is given to elastic parameters and Brinkman number and plotted their graph for velocity profile, temperature distribution, and concentration profile. It is initiated that momentum distribution profile is enhanced for higher values of elastic parameters, which is because less resistance occurs at the channel walls. The impact of heterogeneous and homogeneous reactions shows reverse bearing on the concentration field. Brinkman number (viscous dissipation effects) contributes to boosts the thermal profile for all the cases. Moreover, augmentation in skin friction is noticed by escalating the parametric values of damping and rigidity. The present study has a wide range of applications in biomedical engineering and biological functions i.e. electromagnetic peristaltic micro pumps.

The fabrication of stable perovskite nanofilm patterns is important for the development of functional optical devices. However, current production approaches are limited by the requirement for strict inert gas protection and long processing times. Here, a confined flash printing synthesis method is presented to generate perovskite nanofilms under ambient conditions, combining precursor transfer, perovskite synthesis, crystallization, and polymer protection in a single step within milliseconds. A laser simultaneously prints and induces the flash synthesis, confined in a polymer nanofilm, under normal ambient conditions. Due to its simplicity and flexibility, the method enables the combination and screening of many different perovskite precursor materials on various substrates. Besides for the development of novel perovskite materials and devices, the nanofilms can be applied for biodetection. The unique H 2 O 2 -responsive property of the ultrathin perovskite quantum dot film is applied for biomolecule detection based on oxidase-catalyzed enzymatic reactions., (© 2024 The Author(s). Advanced Materials published by Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

This study focuses on designing and evaluating scaffolds with essential properties for bone regeneration, such as biocompatibility, macroporous geometry, mechanical strength, and magnetic responsiveness. The scaffolds are made using 3D printing with acrylic resin and iron oxides synthesized through solution combustion. Utilizing triply periodic minimal surfaces (TPMS) geometry and mask stereolithography (MSLA) printing, the scaffolds achieve precise geometrical features. The mechanical properties are enhanced through resin curing, and magnetite particles from synthesized nanoparticles and alluvial magnetite are added for magnetic properties. The scaffolds show a balance between stiffness, porosity, and magnetic responsiveness, with maximum compression strength between 4.8 and 9.2 MPa and Young's modulus between 58 and 174 MPa. Magnetic properties such as magnetic coercivity, remanence, and saturation are measured, with the best results from scaffolds containing synthetic iron oxides at 1% weight. The viscosity of the mixtures used for printing is between 350 and 380 mPas, and contact angles between 90° and 110° are achieved. Biocompatibility tests indicate the potential for clinical trials, though further research is needed to understand the impact of magnetic properties on cellular interactions and optimize scaffold design for specific applications. This integrated approach offers a promising avenue for the development of advanced materials capable of promoting enhanced bone regeneration., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Background: The biomaterials engineering goal is to manufacture a biocompatible scaffold that adequately supports or improves tissue regeneration after implantation of the biomaterial in the injured area. Many requirements are demanded for a biomaterial, such as biocompatibility, elasticity, degradation time, and a very important factor is its cost of importation or synthesis, making its application inaccessible to some countries. Studies about biomaterials market show that Polylactic acid (PLLA) is one of the most used polymers, but expensive to produce. It becomes important to prove the biocompatibility of the new PLLA and to find strategies to produce biocompatible biopolymers at an acceptable production cost. Methods: In this work, the polylactic acid biomaterial was synthesized by ring-opening polymerization. The polymer was submitted to initial in vivo biocompatibility studies in 12 New Zealand female rabbits, assigned to two groups: (1) Lesion and PLLA group (n = 6), (2) Lesion No PLLA group (n = 6). Each group was divided into two subgroups at six and nine months post-surgical time. Before euthanasia clinical and biochemical studies were performed and after that tomographic (CT), histological (Hematoxylin and Eosin and Masson's trichrome) and histomorphometric analyses were performed to evaluate the injury site and prove biocompatibility. The final cost of this polymer was analyzed. Results: The statistical studies of hemogram and hepatocyte enzymes, showed that there were no significant differences between the groups for any of the times studied, in any of the variables considered and the results of CT and histology showed that there was an important process of neoregeneration. The cost analysis showed the biopolymer synthesis is between R$3,06 - R$5,49 cheaper than the import cost. Conclusions: It was possible to synthesize the PLLA biopolymer by cyclic ring opening, which proved to be biocompatible, potential osteoregenerative and cheaper than other imported biopolymers.

This research discusses the merged effect on the peristaltic mechanism of hyperbolic tangent fluid in a curved channel of the wall properties and heat/mass transference. The mathematical model is examined by considering small number of Reynolds and long wavelength. For small Weissenberg number using perturbation technique, solution of stream function, concentration, temperature, velocity and heat transfer coefficient are achieved. With the aid of graphs, the related parameters used are discussed. It is worth mentioning that velocity and temperature profiles are parabolistic, amplitude of temperature increases upon increasing the wall parameters, behavior of heat transfer coefficient is oscillatory and the scale of trapped bolus increased with the curvature parameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many great breakthroughs have been made in the past five years in understanding the mechanism of bismuth compounds. However, the actual efficiency achieved with this material to date is far away from the theoretical conversion efficiency. The structure and morphology have been proven to be vital factors to enhance the electronic migration to influence photocatalytic performance. Bismuth compounds with different structures and morphologies have certain application prospects in environmental governance due to their small band gap and strong visible light response. This review is aimed at summarizing the recent experimental and bandgap computational breakthroughs in photocatalytic properties of bismuth oxides and halides, in the meanwhile, compared with the band gap adjustment, the recombination of photoexcited electron–hole (e−–h+) pairs is one of the most important factors for the photocatalytic performance. Although bismuth compounds photocatalyst has been used for environmental applications, our understanding on the degradation mechanism of organic matters is limited. The target location and the degree of mineralization for different pollutants are not yet clear. Moreover, photocatalytic material needs to match the potential of the photogenerated e−–h+ pairs to the potential required to degrade the pollutant to be oxidized or reduced. We aim to provide guidelines for the rational design and fabrication of highly efficient bismuth compounds materials for water treatment. Additionally, the potential applications of bismuth compounds in environment are presented for future research directions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• SnTe-SnSe x novel functional alloy material was demonstrated by two-step magnetron sputtering and selenization method. • The growth evolution of in-situ selenization substitution process was replayed and controlled. • The crystal phase composition of the alloy can be controlled by adjusting the experimental parameters. • The pure SnTe-SnSe phase doping was obtained adjusting reaction temperature and duration to 300 °C and 30 mins. In the era of increasing environmental pollution and energy crisis, the development of thermoelectric materials to achieve the reuse of waste heat energy is of great significance. SnTe, as an environmentally friendly thermoelectric material, its high electronic-thermal conductivity and coupled high electrical conductivity originated from intrinsic high carrier hole concentration leads to the unsatisfactory thermoelectric properties. With a lot of research going on to optimize thermoelectric performance by decoupling the thermo-electrical contradiction, the entropy engineering strategy, which can independently modulate lattice thermal conductivity is proved to be feasible by increasing the internal configurational entropy through doping. However, due to the uncontrollable growth microscopic process and the perturbation of film quality, the desired precise phase doping remains a challenge. In this work, we report an instantiation of the entropy increase of SnSe-doped SnTe alloy thin films prepared by two-step magnetron sputtering and selenization method. The microstructure and physical properties of thin films were investigated for replaying and controlling the growth evolution of in-situ selenization substitution. When the reaction temperature and duration were adjusted to 300℃ and 30 mins respectively, the desired pure phase doping was obtained. This work provides a new method of doping modification of SnTe materials, and the product as a new functional material expands the thermoelectric material library. In particular, it has positive reference significance for the development of synthesis controllability and structure establishment of complex polycrystalline materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Balsalazide detected using recycled core–shell carbon/CdO nanoparticles. • The limit of detection for Balsalazide was determined as 2.20 × 10−9 M. • Electrochemical-oxidation mechanism of Balsalazide was elucidated. In this report, a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with carbon-based core–shell structures (CSC) with CdO nanoparticles has been prepared and performed for the electrochemical detection of Balsalazide (BLZ). The electrochemical investigation of BLZ was carefully examined using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) on the bare GCE, and CSC-CdO/GCE. Compared to bare GCE, the proposed CSC-CdO/GCE sensor can remarkably enhance the electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of BLZ with an increase in the anodic peak currents. For the optimum of experimental conditions, the influence of supporting electrolyte, the pH, concentration of the nanosensor, and scan rate on the peak potentials and current were investigated on the current response of BLZ before the electrochemical determination of BLZ in commercial human serum and urine samples for GCE, and CSC-CdO/GCE. The limit of detection (LOD) for BLZ in the linear range of 8.00 × 10−9 – 8.00 × 10−5 mol/L was determined as 2.20 × 10−9 mol/L. Recovery measurements assessed the accuracy of the proposed sensor in serum and urine samples. The developed sensor indicated high sensitivity and great stability toward BLZ. Core-shell structures are frequently preferred in sensor applications due to their perfect shapes, active catalytic sites, rapid interfacial transport of pores at different length scales, and their ability to reduce or shorten diffusion action paths. CSC was used as a modification material in this study due to its superior properties and advantages. Since CSC has a high surface area during the electron transfer process, it enables more efficient charge transfer between the electrode and the electrolyte. In the study, CdO nanoparticle modification on the CSC was ensured for a synergistic effect to enhance the surface area, electroactivity, and selectivity. After morphological, physical, and chemical characterization of composite material, electrochemical experiments showed that it is extremely promising because of its wide linear concentration range, low LOD, and nearly no interference with some interfering compounds and ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]