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Search Results (3,644)

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Keywords = O&M optimization

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18 pages, 3192 KB  
Article
Study on Arc Characteristics and Structural Optimization of a 550 kV Environmentally Friendly Gas Circuit Breaker
by Nian Tang, Hanyue Zhao and Dongwei Sun
Plasma 2026, 9(2), 22; https://doi.org/10.3390/plasma9020022 (registering DOI) - 22 Jun 2026
Abstract
With increasingly stringent restrictions on SF6 greenhouse gas emissions, C4F7N-based gas mixtures have attracted considerable attention as promising alternatives for high-voltage circuit breakers; however, their relatively weaker arc-quenching capability poses significant challenges for interruption chamber design at high [...] Read more.
With increasingly stringent restrictions on SF6 greenhouse gas emissions, C4F7N-based gas mixtures have attracted considerable attention as promising alternatives for high-voltage circuit breakers; however, their relatively weaker arc-quenching capability poses significant challenges for interruption chamber design at high voltage levels. In this study, a 3.5% C4F7N/83.5% CO2/13% O2 gas mixture was used as the arc-extinguishing medium in a 550 kV environmentally friendly gas circuit breaker. Based on a magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) model considering PTFE nozzle ablation effects, systematic optimization studies were conducted on key structural parameters of the puffer-type interruption chamber, including the exhaust hole diameter, nozzle throat diameter and length, arcing contact diameter, and downstream expansion angle. Simulations under arcing times of 9.9 ms and 11.4 ms were performed to evaluate chamber pressure, axial temperature, extinction peak voltage, and post-arc conductance characteristics. The results indicate that extending the nozzle throat straight section to 70 mm, enlarging the exhaust hole, and increasing the moving contact radius can effectively enhance pressure buildup, reduce arc-core temperature, and improve dielectric recovery capability. Under the 11.4 ms arcing condition, the optimized structure achieved an extinction peak voltage of 6972.4 V and a G200 value of 0.731 mS, demonstrating substantially improved interruption performance. These findings reveal the synergistic relationship between arcing time and structural parameters and provide theoretical guidance for the engineering design of environmentally friendly high-voltage gas circuit breakers. Full article
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19 pages, 6695 KB  
Article
Optimizing Piezoelectric and Ferroelectric Properties in BCZT Ceramics via Nd/Mn Co-Doping and Sintering Engineering
by Wenhao He, Shaohua Su, Bijun Fang, Shuai Zhang, Xiaolong Lu and Jianning Ding
Ceramics 2026, 9(6), 62; https://doi.org/10.3390/ceramics9060062 (registering DOI) - 22 Jun 2026
Abstract
Lead-free [(Ba0.85Ca0.15)1−1.5xNdx][(Zr0.1Ti0.9)0.995Mn0.005]O3 (x mol% Nd/Mn BCZT, x = 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1 mol%) ceramics were prepared by the traditional solid-state reaction method, in which the synergistic [...] Read more.
Lead-free [(Ba0.85Ca0.15)1−1.5xNdx][(Zr0.1Ti0.9)0.995Mn0.005]O3 (x mol% Nd/Mn BCZT, x = 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1 mol%) ceramics were prepared by the traditional solid-state reaction method, in which the synergistic effects of sintering temperature and Nd/Mn co-doping on the phase structure, microstructural evolution, and electrical properties were systematically investigated. All ceramics exhibit a pure perovskite structure, with the tetragonal (P4mm) phase dominating at room temperature as confirmed by the X-ray diffraction Rietveld refinement. The sintering temperature (1475–1520 °C) is found to be the primary factor governing densification and grain growth, with the relative density peaking at 91.7% for the x = 0.5 mol% sample sintered at 1505 °C. Within this optimized processing window, increasing the Nd content induces a gradual migration of the Curie temperature (TC) toward lower temperatures, accompanied by enhanced relaxor behavior. A highlight of this work is the strategic balance between piezoelectric activity and mechanical quality factor through a “donor–acceptor” co-doping mechanism. Specifically, for the x = 0.5 mol% ceramics, an exceptionally high mechanical quality factor (Qm = 424.5) is achieved for samples sintered at 1490 °C, which is proposed to be associated with the temperature-modulated formation of MnTiVO defect dipoles, while a peak inverse piezoelectric coefficient d33* of 685.1 pm/V is maintained at a sintering temperature of 1520 °C. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Electronic Ceramics, 2nd Edition)
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26 pages, 2464 KB  
Article
Efficient Cr(VI) Removal from Acidic Wastewater by Tannic-Acid/Fe3O4-Modified Corn Straw Biochar: Performance and Mechanism
by Xiaohua Shu, Jiayi Xiao, Huimei Shan, Yunquan Liu and Sanxi Peng
Molecules 2026, 31(12), 2169; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31122169 (registering DOI) - 20 Jun 2026
Abstract
The problem of chromium contamination, especially Cr(VI), in acidic wastewater has drawn significant attention, requiring effective and sustainable remediation measures. In this study, tannic-acid/Fe3O4-modified corn straw biochar (Fe-TA-CSB) is prepared by a grinding-calcination method to remove Cr(VI). The factors [...] Read more.
The problem of chromium contamination, especially Cr(VI), in acidic wastewater has drawn significant attention, requiring effective and sustainable remediation measures. In this study, tannic-acid/Fe3O4-modified corn straw biochar (Fe-TA-CSB) is prepared by a grinding-calcination method to remove Cr(VI). The factors influencing the removal effect of Fe-TA-CSB are investigated through static adsorption experiments. The removal mechanism is explored by combining adsorption kinetics, isothermal adsorption, and thermodynamics, as well as characterization methods. The results show that the removal efficiency of Cr(VI) increases with the increase in pH, contact time (t), and solid–liquid ratio (m/v), but decreases with the increase in initial concentration (C0). Under optimal conditions of TA/Fe3O4 mass ratio = 12.5%, pH = 3.0, m/v = 1.0 g/L, and C0 = 10 mg/L, the removal efficiency value is 94.02%, which is approximately 81.44% after four adsorption–desorption cycles. The adsorption behavior is fitted well by the Sips isotherm model and Elovich kinetics model, suggesting the adsorption process of heterogeneous monolayer chemisorption. The removal mechanism of Cr(VI) by Fe-TA-CSB involves electrostatic interaction with Cr(VI), reduction in Cr(VI) to Cr(III) through C–O and Fe(II), and complexation of reduced Cr(III) with the introduced Fe–O and phenolic hydroxyl groups. Fe-TA-CSB is an environmentally friendly and renewable adsorbent with good potential for the treatment of acidic wastewater. Full article
21 pages, 19854 KB  
Article
Microbubble-Assisted Catalytic Ozonation of Tetracycline-Class Antibiotics Using Granular MIL-101(Fe)/γ-Al2O3
by Shuai Wang, Peiyao Chen, Wenqi Cui, Yingning Wang, Xiongwei Liang, Yufeng Zhao and Yang Yang
Catalysts 2026, 16(6), 563; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16060563 (registering DOI) - 18 Jun 2026
Viewed by 136
Abstract
Tetracycline-class antibiotics are persistent contaminants in aquatic environments and are difficult to remove by conventional treatment processes. In this study, a recoverable granular MIL-101(Fe)/γ-Al2O3 catalyst was prepared through ligand anchoring followed by secondary Fe-MOF growth on spherical γ-Al2O [...] Read more.
Tetracycline-class antibiotics are persistent contaminants in aquatic environments and are difficult to remove by conventional treatment processes. In this study, a recoverable granular MIL-101(Fe)/γ-Al2O3 catalyst was prepared through ligand anchoring followed by secondary Fe-MOF growth on spherical γ-Al2O3 and applied to catalytic ozonation of tetracycline (TC) under ordinary-bubble and microbubble-assisted operation. Structural characterization supported the formation of Fe-containing MOF domains on the alumina support, accompanied by an increase in BET surface area from 164.28 to 210.05 m2 g−1 and enhanced Lewis-acid-related pyridine-IR signals. Under conventional bubbling ozonation, the optimized catalyst achieved 67.93% apparent UV–Vis-based TC removal during an overall 50 min run consisting of 30 min dark adsorption followed by 20 min ozonation. In a 12 L microbubble reactor, the catalyst-assisted system reached 93.74% apparent UV–Vis-based TC removal at pH 6 with 100 g catalyst and 6 mg min−1 fed ozone, showing higher apparent removal than ordinary ozonation, microbubble ozonation, and ordinary-bubble catalytic ozonation under the tested configuration. Phosphate-blocking and radical-quenching experiments were consistent with the involvement of Lewis-acid-related sites, hydroxyl radicals, and superoxide-related pathways, but these tests are interpreted as indirect mechanistic evidence. LC-MS analysis suggested possible hydroxylation, demethylation, deamidation, ring opening, and low-molecular-weight product formation. The system also transformed chlortetracycline, oxytetracycline, and doxycycline and reduced COD and TOC in a simulated mixed-antibiotic matrix. Because parent-compound HPLC/LC-MS time-series quantification, ozone utilization/off-gas ozone measurement, bubble-size/kLa analysis, and ICP-based Fe loading/leaching data were not available, the present work is positioned as an apparent catalyst–reactor coupling study rather than a complete catalytic, hydrodynamic, or process-level demonstration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Catalysts for Wastewater/Sewage Treatment)
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20 pages, 3210 KB  
Article
Annealing-Regulated Co3(PO4)2 for Enhanced Electrochemical Kinetics in Asymmetric Supercapacitors
by Pritam J. Morankar, Aviraj M. Teli and Sonali A. Beknalkar
Molecules 2026, 31(12), 2154; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31122154 - 18 Jun 2026
Viewed by 145
Abstract
Thermal regulation of electrode materials offers an effective strategy for optimizing electrochemical kinetics in phosphate-based energy-storage systems. In this work, cobalt phosphate (Co3(PO4)2) (CoP) electrodes were directly synthesized on nickel foam through a hydrothermal route and subsequently [...] Read more.
Thermal regulation of electrode materials offers an effective strategy for optimizing electrochemical kinetics in phosphate-based energy-storage systems. In this work, cobalt phosphate (Co3(PO4)2) (CoP) electrodes were directly synthesized on nickel foam through a hydrothermal route and subsequently annealed at different temperatures (300, 400, and 500 °C) to investigate the influence of thermal treatment on structural evolution and supercapacitive behavior. X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of crystalline CoP, while FESEM analysis revealed a strong dependence of morphology on annealing temperature, with CoP-400 exhibiting a well-developed interconnected plate-like architecture favorable for ion transport. XPS and elemental mapping verified the successful incorporation and uniform distribution of Co, P, and O species. Electrochemical investigations demonstrated that annealing temperature critically governs charge-storage behavior, ion diffusion, and mass transport properties. Among all electrodes, CoP-400 exhibited the best electrochemical performance, delivering a high areal capacitance of 28.62 F/cm2 at 20 mA/cm2, together with the highest ionic diffusion coefficient, lowest equivalent series resistance (0.39 Ω), and dominant diffusion-controlled charge-storage contribution (89%). Furthermore, CoP-400 retained 84.44% capacitance after 12,000 cycles. An asymmetric supercapacitor assembled using CoP-400//AC achieved an areal capacitance of 302 mF/cm2, an energy density (ED) of 0.094 mWh/cm2, and excellent cycling stability. These findings highlight annealing-engineered CoP as a promising electrode material for high-performance asymmetric supercapacitors. Full article
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20 pages, 2759 KB  
Article
Sulfur Supply Modulates Selenium Biofortification, Yield, and Nutritional Quality in Leafy Greens Grown in an Indoor Vertical Farm
by Aysenur Bayrak and Umit Baris Kutman
Agronomy 2026, 16(12), 1193; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy16121193 - 18 Jun 2026
Viewed by 179
Abstract
Selenium (Se) is essential for human health, but its dietary intake remains insufficient in many regions, increasing interest in biofortification strategies. Indoor hydroponic systems offer a controlled and resource-efficient approach for producing Se-enriched leafy greens. Sulfur (S), an essential macronutrient for plants, affects [...] Read more.
Selenium (Se) is essential for human health, but its dietary intake remains insufficient in many regions, increasing interest in biofortification strategies. Indoor hydroponic systems offer a controlled and resource-efficient approach for producing Se-enriched leafy greens. Sulfur (S), an essential macronutrient for plants, affects Se uptake and metabolism due to their chemical similarity. In this study, we investigated the effects of Se supplementation (2 µM Na2SeO4) under two S levels (0.65 and 1.3 mM, supplied as MgSO4) on Se accumulation, yield, and nutritional quality in lettuce, rocket, and basil grown in an indoor nutrient film technique (NFT) system. High S supply increased biomass in lettuce and basil by 16% and 25%, respectively, while rocket remained unaffected. The effect of Se on biomass depended on S status and species. Under low S conditions, Se increased lettuce biomass but reduced basil biomass, whereas no significant effects were observed under high S. Sulfur strongly reduced Se accumulation in all species, leading to lower contributions to the recommended daily allowance (RDA). Under low S conditions, Se-biofortified lettuce, rocket, and basil provided 111%, 179%, and 37% of the RDA per serving, respectively, whereas these values decreased to 56%, 64%, and 20% under high S. Sulfur and Se treatments also influenced macro- and micro-nutrient composition in a species-dependent manner. Se supplementation consistently reduced total phenolic content and antioxidant capacity (DPPH and FRAP) across all species. Total ascorbic acid was affected only in rocket, with the highest levels observed under high S without Se. These findings highlight a clear antagonistic interaction between S and Se in hydroponic systems and demonstrate the need to optimize S supply to balance yield and Se biofortification without compromising nutritional quality in leafy greens grown in indoor systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Horticultural and Floricultural Crops)
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11 pages, 233 KB  
Article
Sub-Tenon Block with Bolus-Free Dexmedetomidine Sedation for Penetrating Keratoplasty: A Retrospective Clinical Case Series of 50 High-Risk Patients
by Margita Lucic, Borivoje Savic, Jelena Kostic, Sanja Petrovic Pajic, Tiana Petrovic, Dolika D. Vasovic and Tanja Kalezic
Life 2026, 16(6), 1019; https://doi.org/10.3390/life16061019 - 17 Jun 2026
Viewed by 154
Abstract
Background: Penetrating keratoplasty (PK) is a technically demanding corneal transplant procedure frequently performed in elderly patients with substantial systemic comorbidities. In this population, an anesthetic strategy that ensures hemodynamic stability, cooperative sedation, adequate analgesia, and preserved spontaneous ventilation is highly desirable. Dexmedetomidine, [...] Read more.
Background: Penetrating keratoplasty (PK) is a technically demanding corneal transplant procedure frequently performed in elderly patients with substantial systemic comorbidities. In this population, an anesthetic strategy that ensures hemodynamic stability, cooperative sedation, adequate analgesia, and preserved spontaneous ventilation is highly desirable. Dexmedetomidine, a highly selective alpha2-adrenergic agonist, provides “cooperative” sedation with minimal risk of respiratory depression and additional sympatholytic benefits. Methods: This single-center retrospective observational case series included 50 consecutive patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists [ASA] II–III, age 50–90 years) undergoing PK under sub-Tenon block combined with continuous dexmedetomidine infusion. Dexmedetomidine was administered without a loading bolus at 0.7 mcg/kg/h for 10–15 min, then reduced to 0.5 mcg/kg/h, targeting a Ramsay Sedation Scale (RSS) score of 2–3. The sub-Tenon block was performed using a mixture of levobupivacaine 0.5% and lidocaine 2% (3–5 mL). Heart rate (HR), mean arterial pressure (MAP), oxygen saturation (SpO2) and RSS were recorded in nine predefined perioperative phases. Data were analyzed descriptively. Results: The mean age was 72 ± 9 years; 52% of patients were ASA III. Hypertension was present in all patients; 30% had cardiovascular disease, 28% diabetes mellitus type II, and 30% chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Progressive, controlled bradycardia was observed (mean HR decreased from 76 to 57 beats/min during graft transplantation), while MAP gradually decreased from hypertensive baseline values (150–160 mmHg) to an optimal intraoperative range of 115–130 mmHg, without episodes of clinically significant hypotension. SpO2 remained stable at 98–99% throughout all phases, with no episodes of desaturation or need for airway intervention or supplemental oxygen. Target sedation (RSS 2–3) was achieved in all patients (median RSS 3), with preserved spontaneous breathing and cooperation. Sub-Tenon block-related bulging occurred in 6% of cases. No episodes of clinically significant bradycardia, malignant arrhythmia, respiratory compromise, or need to discontinue dexmedetomidine were recorded. No opioids or non-steroidal analgesics were required intraoperatively or in the early postoperative period. Conclusions: The combination of sub-Tenon block and continuous dexmedetomidine sedation without a loading bolus represents a hemodynamically stable and respiratory-safe anesthetic strategy for PK in elderly, high-risk patients. These preliminary, hypothesis-generating findings suggest that the protocol provides stable surgical conditions and a favorable safety profile, justifying future prospective randomized controlled trials to establish its comparative efficacy against general anesthesia or standard sedative regimens. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Medical Research)
19 pages, 4200 KB  
Review
Optimized Air-Conditioning Strategy Employing a Circular-Vent-Hole-Assisted Battery Thermal Management System for Electric Vehicles
by Wandee Onreabroy and Amornrat Kaewpradap
World Electr. Veh. J. 2026, 17(6), 311; https://doi.org/10.3390/wevj17060311 - 17 Jun 2026
Viewed by 182
Abstract
Lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles (EVs) are highly sensitive to temperature variations, and excessive heat accumulation can adversely affect their performance, lifespan, and safety. Therefore, an effective battery thermal management system (BTMS) is essential for maintaining safe operating conditions. This study proposes [...] Read more.
Lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles (EVs) are highly sensitive to temperature variations, and excessive heat accumulation can adversely affect their performance, lifespan, and safety. Therefore, an effective battery thermal management system (BTMS) is essential for maintaining safe operating conditions. This study proposes a novel air-cooled BTMS incorporating circular vent holes in an acrylic enclosure to enhance airflow distribution and convective heat transfer around LiNiCoMnO2 batteries. A computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model was developed to investigate the effects of discharge rate (1C–2C), inlet air velocity (1.0–3.0 m/s), and inlet air temperature (25–35 °C) on thermal behavior. The results indicate that the proposed BTMS effectively maintains battery temperatures below the critical limit of 40 °C. Optimal cooling performance was achieved at inlet air temperatures of 25–35 °C, 25–30 °C, and 25 °C for discharge rates of 1C, 1.5C, and 2C, respectively. The proposed design provides a simple, effective, and practical BTMS solution for EV applications. These findings confirm that the combination of forced air cooling and optimized vent design significantly improves thermal management performance. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Storage Systems)
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33 pages, 3372 KB  
Article
A Genomics-Guided Multimodal Contrastive Learning Framework for Clinically Significant Prostate Cancer Risk Stratification with Missing Clinical Data
by Abdullah, Muhammad Shahid, Muhammad Ateeb Ather, Zulaikha Fatima, Carlos Guzmán Sánchez Mejorada, Miguel Jesús Torres Ruiz, Rolando Quintero Téllez, Miguel Félix Mata-Rivera and Roberto Zagal-Flores
Cancers 2026, 18(12), 1952; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18121952 - 16 Jun 2026
Viewed by 225
Abstract
Background: Heterogeneous data integration remains a major challenge in intelligent information systems, particularly under missing-modality and cross-domain conditions. Existing multimodal fusion approaches often rely on complete datasets and weak alignment mechanisms, limiting their robustness and practical applicability. Objectives: This study aims to develop [...] Read more.
Background: Heterogeneous data integration remains a major challenge in intelligent information systems, particularly under missing-modality and cross-domain conditions. Existing multimodal fusion approaches often rely on complete datasets and weak alignment mechanisms, limiting their robustness and practical applicability. Objectives: This study aims to develop and evaluate a genomics-guided multimodal representation learning framework that enables robust heterogeneous data fusion, reliable cross-modal correspondence, and accurate prediction under incomplete-data conditions. Methods: We propose a multimodal learning architecture that models genomics as the primary biological anchor and learns conditional projections to imaging modalities, including multiparametric MRI and whole-slide histopathology (WSI). The framework formulates multimodal fusion as a genomics-guided contrastive learning problem, incorporates domain-specific optimization constraints, and learns a latent shared-state representation to support inference without requiring fully paired datasets. Evaluation was conducted using public datasets, including TCGA-PRAD and TCIA, across low-risk versus higher-risk/clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa) discrimination, Gleason-based risk stratification, and clinically significant outcome prediction tasks under realistic multimodal and missing-modality scenarios. Results: In the adequately powered Genomics+WSI cohort (n = 486), the framework achieved an AUROC of 0.985 ± 0.005 for low-risk versus higher-risk/csPCa discrimination (p < 0.001). Exploratory analysis in a small, matched Genomics+MRI cohort (n = 28) yielded an AUROC of 0.980 ± 0.006 for the same endpoint; these findings are reported descriptively with bootstrap confidence intervals due to limited sample size. Because the negative reference group consisted of low-risk prostate cancer cases rather than cancer-free controls, results are interpreted as within-cancer risk discrimination rather than de novo cancer detection. The framework achieved weighted accuracy up to 92.1%, Cohen’s κ up to 0.86, and reduced critical decision errors by 58%. Calibration remained strong (ECE 0.021–0.024), and decision-curve analysis indicated improved utility with reduced unnecessary invasive workups in retrospective modeling. Robustness analysis demonstrated AUROC degradation below 0.04 under domain shifts. Single-modality inference using genomics alone maintained AUROC > 0.90. Interpretability analysis revealed feature attributions aligned with domain-relevant genomic markers. Conclusions: The proposed framework provides a scalable and generalizable solution for heterogeneous multimodal data fusion, supporting reliable prediction, robustness to missing modalities, and applicability to complex information systems beyond the studied domain. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Molecular Cancer Biology)
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17 pages, 3020 KB  
Article
Photocatalytic Performance of g-C3N4 for Organic Peroxide Production Wastewater Under Visible Light
by Zichun Yan, Banban Qiang, Wankai Yan, Hongfu Li and Hao Zhang
Molecules 2026, 31(12), 2119; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31122119 - 16 Jun 2026
Viewed by 182
Abstract
To explore the treatment-efficient photocatalytic system for organic peroxide production wastewater under visible light, the g-C3N4 catalyst, synthesized via thermal polycondensation, exhibited distinct optical absorption properties confirmed by UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–vis DRS). Operational parameters—specifically pH, catalyst loading, light [...] Read more.
To explore the treatment-efficient photocatalytic system for organic peroxide production wastewater under visible light, the g-C3N4 catalyst, synthesized via thermal polycondensation, exhibited distinct optical absorption properties confirmed by UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (UV–vis DRS). Operational parameters—specifically pH, catalyst loading, light intensity, and reaction time—were systematically optimized. Under optimal conditions (pH 5, g-C3N4 dosage 1.0 g/L, light intensity 1300 W/m2, reaction time 4 h), the system removed 72.8% of the COD, significantly enhancing the wastewater biodegradability (B/C ratio increased from 0.118 to 0.193). Analytical techniques, including gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, verified the effective decomposition of organic contaminants. Furthermore, radical quenching assays identified superoxide radicals (·O2) and photogenerated electrons (e) as the primary reactive species driving the photocatalytic process, highlighting the potential of g-C3N4 for industrial wastewater pretreatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Green Catalysis Technology for Sustainable Energy Conversion)
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26 pages, 10337 KB  
Article
Advanced TiO2–SiO2–Biochar Thin-Film Nanocomposite Membranes for High-Performance Removal of Dyes and Heavy Metals from Wastewater
by Muhammad Shahid Sami, Fida Hussain, Ammarah Mushtaq, Jalal Shah, Sang-Eun Oh and Aneela Anwar
Water 2026, 18(12), 1480; https://doi.org/10.3390/w18121480 - 16 Jun 2026
Viewed by 284
Abstract
Next-generation wastewater treatment and recycling rely on membrane-based processes, but they face a trade-off among permeability, selectivity, and fouling resistance. In the present study, thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes were fabricated by incorporating a ternary TiO2-SiO2-biochar nanofiller into a polysulfone [...] Read more.
Next-generation wastewater treatment and recycling rely on membrane-based processes, but they face a trade-off among permeability, selectivity, and fouling resistance. In the present study, thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes were fabricated by incorporating a ternary TiO2-SiO2-biochar nanofiller into a polysulfone (PSf) support using nonsolvent-induced phase separation, after which m-phenylenediamine and trimesoyl chloride were used via interfacial polymerization to produce a selective polyamide layer. The membrane compositions were M1 (22 wt.% PSf), M2 (22 wt.% PSf/0.5 wt.% TiO2/0.5 wt.% SiO2/0.5 wt.% biochar), and M3 (polyamide-coated M2). FTIR, XRD, SEM, contact-angle, porosity, and mechanical analyses supported successful membrane formation and changes in morphology, wettability, and structural strength after nanofiller incorporation and TFC coating. The addition of a nanofiller increased the hydrophilicity of the membranes by decreasing the water contact angle from 98.6 ± 0.8° for pristine PSf to 35.6 ± 1.5° for the nanocomposite membrane. Consequently, the pure-water permeability increased from 21 to 37 L m−2 h−1 bar−1. After polyamide layer formation, the optimized TFN membrane maintained a contact angle of 55.4 ± 3.8° and achieved a high Congo red rejection of 98% with permeate flux of 7–9 L m−2 h−1 bar−1. The membrane also showed good antifouling performance, with flux recovery ratios exceeding 90%. For heavy-metal-containing solutions, the optimized membrane showed apparent removal efficiencies of 78–98% for multivalent heavy metals (Pb2+, Hg2+, Cd2+, Mn2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Fe3+, As3+, and Cr6+). Static adsorption tests showed the order M2 > M3 > M1, confirming that exposed TiO2-SiO2-biochar sites contribute to pollutant uptake, while the superior filtration performance of M3 is attributed to the combined effect of the polyamide selective layer and adsorption-assisted interactions. Overall, the TiO2-SiO2-biochar-based TFN membrane provides a promising platform for dye removal and preliminary heavy-metal attenuation from contaminated water. Full article
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20 pages, 2474 KB  
Article
Eco-Friendly ZnO Nanocarriers for Sustainable Corrosion Protection
by Salman Saeidlou
Sustainability 2026, 18(12), 6157; https://doi.org/10.3390/su18126157 - 15 Jun 2026
Viewed by 263
Abstract
The use of environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitors in corrosive solutions has attracted considerable attention over the past few decades. However, the uncontrolled use of such inhibitors in aggressive environments can lead to a reduction in the long-term corrosion protection performance of the system. [...] Read more.
The use of environmentally friendly corrosion inhibitors in corrosive solutions has attracted considerable attention over the past few decades. However, the uncontrolled use of such inhibitors in aggressive environments can lead to a reduction in the long-term corrosion protection performance of the system. Moreover, the need for frequent re-dosing of the inhibitor increases the overall cost. One of the effective approaches for controlled and smart release of inhibitors in corrosive media is the use of nanocarriers, in which the inhibitor molecules are adsorbed onto the surface of nanoparticles and subsequently desorbed into the corrosive electrolyte through a specific release mechanism. Among the commonly used methods to obtain such eco-friendly inhibitors is the extraction of plant-based compounds, which are abundant and cost-effective. In this study, zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were green-synthesised using a plant extract and employed as nanocarriers for the controlled release of phytochemicals in 1 M HCl solution. The corrosion behaviour of carbon steel (St37) was investigated using electrochemical polarisation techniques. Results revealed that the system acts as a mixed-type inhibitor, achieving an inhibition efficiency of approximately 85% at optimal concentration, demonstrating its potential as a sustainable and cost-effective alternative for corrosion protection. Full article
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15 pages, 1119 KB  
Article
Chemo-Enzymatic Synthesis of the Key Chiral Intermediate of d-Biotin
by Chang-Li Xu, Xiao-Mei Wu, Bao-Di Ma and Yi Xu
Catalysts 2026, 16(6), 552; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16060552 - 15 Jun 2026
Viewed by 201
Abstract
The (3aS, 6aR)-lactone serves as the key chiral intermediate for the synthesis of d-biotin. A promising approach involves the asymmetric hydrolysis of meso-dimethyl ester catalyzed by an esterase to yield the (4S, 5R)-monomethyl ester, which [...] Read more.
The (3aS, 6aR)-lactone serves as the key chiral intermediate for the synthesis of d-biotin. A promising approach involves the asymmetric hydrolysis of meso-dimethyl ester catalyzed by an esterase to yield the (4S, 5R)-monomethyl ester, which is subsequently reduced and cyclized to afford (3aS, 6aR)-lactone. This study first optimized the fermentation medium and culture conditions for the recombinant E. coli pET21a-EstSIT01 harboring the Microbacterium esterase gene, which exhibits high selectivity for the asymmetric synthesis of (4S, 5R)-monomethyl ester. Under optimal conditions (fermentation medium: glycerol 25 g/L, yeast extract 15 g/L, NaCl 10 g/L, MgSO4•7H2O 5 g/L; induction was initiated 2 h post-inoculation at 30 °C and pH 7.2), the enzyme activity increased 5.1-fold compared to the initial level, reaching 1072.7 U/L. Secondly, the reaction conditions for the whole-cell synthesis of (4S, 5R)-monomethyl ester catalyzed by EstSIT01 were optimized. The results indicated that organic solvents adversely affected enzyme stability, while high buffer salt concentration negatively impacted enzyme activity at elevated substrate concentrations. The optimal reaction strategy involved maintaining the pH of the aqueous reaction system at 7.5 by the controlled addition of aqueous ammonia to neutralize the (4S, 5R)-monomethyl ester produced during the reaction. Using 17.5 g/L cells and 200 mM substrate meso-dimethyl ester in deionized water, with the reaction pH mentioned at 7.5, complete conversion (100%) was achieved within 4 h at 30 °C. The space–time yield reached 441.6 g/L/d, exceeding the typical requirement for industrial biotransformation (>100 g/L/d), with 99.1% enantiomeric excess (ee) of (4S, 5R)-monomethyl ester. Finally, (4S, 5R)-monomethyl ester was reduced using sodium borohydride to synthesize (3aS, 6aR)-lactone with an ee value of 98.7%. The overall yield from meso-dimethyl ester to (3aS, 6aR)-lactone was 86.2%. These results demonstrate that this integrated chemo-enzymatic approach constitutes a greener method with promising potential for industrial application. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue 15th Anniversary of Catalysts: The Future of Enzyme Biocatalysis)
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12 pages, 4550 KB  
Article
Effect of Laser Power on Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of GH4141 + 0.2 wt.% Y2O3 Alloy Fabricated by Laser Powder Bed Fusion
by Hongsong Song, Yu Wu, Zijun Zhao, Yu Pan and Bingqing Chen
Coatings 2026, 16(6), 712; https://doi.org/10.3390/coatings16060712 - 15 Jun 2026
Viewed by 182
Abstract
GH4141 + 0.2 wt.% Y2O3 superalloy was fabricated using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) technology and subjected to solution and ageing heat treatments. The effects of laser power (1100, 1300, 1500 W) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the [...] Read more.
GH4141 + 0.2 wt.% Y2O3 superalloy was fabricated using laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) technology and subjected to solution and ageing heat treatments. The effects of laser power (1100, 1300, 1500 W) on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the ODS nickel-based superalloy were investigated. The results indicate that as the laser power increased from 1100 W to 1300 W, defects such as cracks and pores in the specimens decreased, the grains were refined, and the microstructure became more uniform; when the laser power was further increased to 1500 W, the grain size coarsened significantly, precipitation phases at the grain boundaries became coarser or locally aggregated, and crack sensitivity increased. EDS analysis revealed enrichment of C, Cr, Mo and Ti in the dark phases at the grain boundaries, which may be associated with MC-type and M23C6-type carbides; no significant agglomeration of Y2O3 particles was observed in the matrix. Room-temperature tensile properties exhibited a pattern of initially increasing and then decreasing with increasing laser power. The tensile strength and elongation after fracture of the specimens were relatively similar under 1100 W and 1500 W conditions, whilst the specimen tested at 1300 W achieved the optimal balance of strength and toughness, with a tensile strength of 1460 MPa and an elongation after fracture of 14.3%, representing increases of approximately 9.8% and 54% compared to the 1100 W and 1500 W conditions, respectively. At 760 °C, the 1300 W specimens still maintained excellent high-temperature strength. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Surface Welding Techniques for Metallic Materials)
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26 pages, 3825 KB  
Article
Biogenic Silica as a Direct Sol–Gel Precursor for High-Efficiency MSU-X Mesostructure Assembly: Closing the Loop from Rice Husk Waste to Functional Wormhole Frameworks
by Ngo Ha-Son, Le Van-Duong, Cong Ngoc-Thang and Nguyen Thi-Linh
Nanomaterials 2026, 16(12), 748; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16120748 - 15 Jun 2026
Viewed by 194
Abstract
Direct utilization of biomass-derived silica in neutral surfactant-templated mesoporous synthesis remains underexplored with respect to mesostructure control and functional integration. High-purity silica extracted from acid-treated rice husk ash (~98.4 wt% SiO2) was employed as the sole precursor in a fluoride-assisted sol–gel [...] Read more.
Direct utilization of biomass-derived silica in neutral surfactant-templated mesoporous synthesis remains underexplored with respect to mesostructure control and functional integration. High-purity silica extracted from acid-treated rice husk ash (~98.4 wt% SiO2) was employed as the sole precursor in a fluoride-assisted sol–gel route to synthesize MSU-X frameworks without chemical modification. Systematic parametric variation—pH, Si/surfactant ratio, hydrothermal temperature, and aging duration—establishes quantitative structure–processing correlations. Under optimized conditions (pH 2, Si/Tergitol = 8, 60 °C, 96 h), the resulting material exhibits a wormhole-like mesoarchitecture with a BET surface area of 816 m2 g−1, mean pore diameter of ~3.6 nm, and three-dimensionally interconnected channels, confirmed by SAXS, TEM, and N2 sorption. EDXRF analysis confirms effective impurity removal and high silica incorporation efficiency (~95–96%); thermal stability persists to 700 °C, with incipient crystallization near 800 °C. As a functional demonstration, MSU-X served as an anti-agglomeration scaffold for ZIF-8 crystallization during DDT adsorption. Despite attenuated kinetics relative to pristine ZIF-8—where severe agglomeration occludes active imidazole nodes—the Z8/MSU-X composite achieved near-quantitative DDT removal (74.10 mg g−1). This performance stems from the mesoporous matrix driving size-confined, highly dispersed ZIF-8 growth, thereby maximizing active-site exposure. Operating within a reagent-limited regime rather than a capacity-saturated boundary, this efficient depletion confirms that the scaffold successfully suppresses site loss. Ultimately, these findings validate biogenic silica as a directly integrable precursor for tailored mesostructure assembly, positioning agricultural waste as a high-performance feedstock for hierarchical adsorption architectures. Full article
(This article belongs to the Section Synthesis, Interfaces and Nanostructures)
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