Search Results (626)

Alkyd resins are among the most common coatings used for exterior wood joinery. In Romania, solvent-borne alkyd coatings are widely used to finish wood. The study aims to compare the performance after 7 years of outdoor exposure of two types of alkyd coatings, a semi-transparent brown stain with micronized pigments (Alk1) and an opaque white enamel (Alk2), applied directly on wood or wood pre-treated with three types of resins: acryl-polyurethane (R1), epoxy (R2), and alkyd-polyurethane (R3). Fir (Abies alba) wood served as the substrate. Cracking, coating adhesion, and biological degradation were periodically assessed through visual inspection and microscopy. Additionally, a cross-cut test was performed, and the loss of coating on the directly exposed upper faces was measured using ImageJ. The results indicated that resin pretreatments somewhat reduced cracking but negatively affected coating adhesion after long-term exposure. All samples pretreated with resins and coated with Alk1 lost more than 50% (up to 78%) of the original finishing film by the end of the test. In comparison, coated control samples lost less than 50%. The Alk2 coating exhibited a film loss between 2% and 12%, compared to an average loss of 9% for the coated control. Overall, samples pretreated with alkyd-polyurethane resin (R3) and coated with alkyd enamel (Alk2) demonstrated the best performance in terms of cracking, adhesion, and discoloration. Full article

Background and Objectives: Posterior chamber phakic implantable contact lenses (Phakic-ICL) are widely used for refractive correction due to their efficacy and safety, including minimal corneal endothelial cell loss. The Collamer-based EVO+ Visian implantable contact lens (ICL), manufactured from Collamer, which is a blend of collagen and hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA), has demonstrated excellent long-term biocompatibility and optical clarity. Recently, hydrophilic acrylic Phakic-ICLs, such as the Implantable Phakic Contact Lens (IPCL), have been introduced. This study investigated the material differences among Phakic-ICLs and their interaction with fibronectin (FN), which has been reported to adhere to intraocular lens (IOL) surfaces following implantation. The aim was to compare Collamer, IPCL, and LENTIS lenses (used as control) in terms of FN distribution and cell adhesion using a small number of explanted Phakic-ICLs. Materials and Methods: Three lens types were analyzed: a Collamer Phakic-ICL (EVO+ Visian ICL), a hydrophilic acrylic IPCL, and a hydrophilic acrylic phakic-IOL (LENTIS). FN distribution and cell adhesion were evaluated across different regions of each lens. An in vitro FN-coating experiment was conducted to assess its effect on cell adhesion. Results: All lenses demonstrated minimal FN deposition and cellular adhesion in the central optical zone. A thin FN film was observed on the haptics of Collamer lenses, while FN adhesion was weaker or absent on IPCL and LENTIS surfaces. Following FN coating, Collamer lenses supported more uniform FN film formation; however, this did not significantly enhance cell adhesion. Conclusions: Collamer, which contains collagen, promotes FN film formation. Although FN film formation was enhanced, the low cell-adhesive properties of HEMA resulted in minimal cell adhesion even with FN presence. This characteristic may contribute to the long-term transparency and biocompatibility observed clinically. In contrast, hydrophilic acrylic materials used in IPCL and LENTIS demonstrated limited FN interaction. These material differences may influence extracellular matrix protein deposition and biocompatibility in clinical settings, warranting further investigation. Full article

The applications of magnetic particles in anti-counterfeiting and anti-absorbing coatings and other functional materials are becoming increasingly widespread. However, due to their high density, the magnetic particles rapidly settle in organic resin media, significantly affecting the quality of the related products. Thereby, reducing the density of the particles is essential. To achieve this goal, high-density magnetic particles were coated onto the surface of hollow silica using anion–cation composite technology. Further, the silane coupling agent N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ethylenediamine was bonded to the surface of magnetic particles to form an amino-covered interfacial layer with a pH value of 9.28, while acrylic acid was polymerized and coated onto the surface of hollow silica to form a carboxyl-covered interfacial layer with a pH value of 4.65. Subsequently, the two materials were compounded to obtain a low-density composite magnetic material. The morphologies and structural compositions of the magnetic composite materials were studied by FTIR, SEM, SEM-EDS, XRD, and other methods. The packing densities of the magnetic composite materials were compared using the particle packing method, thereby solving the problem of magnetic particles settling in the resin solution. Full article

During the operation of structures, the components and materials from which they are made are exposed to various environmental, technological, and operational impacts. In this context, the use of a modified water-dispersion composition containing finely dispersed fillers with enhanced protective and performance characteristics proves to be effective. This article examines the development of a paint-and-coating composition using hollow glass microspheres and modified diatomite as finely dispersed fillers. The influence of technological factors on the properties of coating materials based on a synthesized acrylic dispersion and fillers—such as modified diatomite and hollow glass microspheres ranging from 20 to 100 μm in size with a bulk density of 0.107–0.252 g/cm³—is analyzed. The optimal formulation of the coating materials was determined to ensure the required coating quality. Experimental results demonstrate the improved strength and hardness of the coating due to the use of acrylic dispersion obtained through an emulsifier-free method and modifiers in the form of finely dispersed fillers. It has been established that the resulting samples also exhibit high adhesion to mineral and metallic substrates, along with excellent corrosion resistance. Moreover, the incorporation of acrylic dispersion contributes to increased elasticity of the coating, resulting in improved resistance to washing and abrasion. The developed protective material can be applied to a variety of surfaces, including walls, ceilings, and roofs of buildings and structures, pipelines, and many other applications. Thus, modified water-dispersion compositions based on synthesized acrylic dispersion showed the following results: resistance to sticking—5, which is the best; chemical resistance and gloss level with standard single-phase acrylic dispersion—no destruction or change in gloss. The adhesion of coatings cured under natural conditions and under the influence of UV radiation was 1 point. The developed formulations for obtaining water-dispersion paint and varnish compositions based on synthesized polymer dispersions, activated diatomite, and hollow glass microspheres, meet all the regulatory requirements for paint and varnish materials in terms of performance, and in terms of economic indicators, the cost of 1 kg of paint is 30% lower than the standard. Full article

Acrylic resin is a polymer with strong crosslinking density and strength, and it is commonly used as a matrix in water-based coatings. Barium europium phosphate (Ba₃Eu(PO₄)₃) is a novel functional filler that is expected to provide anti-corrosive effects to coatings. In this study, Ba₃Eu(PO₄)₃ was prepared by the high-temperature solid-phase method and applied to acrylic anti-corrosion coatings. The influence of the molar ratio of reactants on Ba₃Eu(PO₄)₃ purity was studied. The anti-corrosion performance of the coating was investigated. It was found that, when BaCO₃:Eu₂O₃:(NH₄)H₂PO₄ = 3:0.5:3 and the reaction was carried out at 950 °C for 1000 min, high-purity Ba₃Eu(PO₄)₃ can be obtained, according to XRD and EDS tests. SEM shows that Ba₃Eu(PO₄)₃ has good crystal morphology and a porous morphology. TEM revealed that its structure was intact. When Ba₃Eu(PO₄)₃ was added to a relative resin content of 5 wt%, the anti-corrosion performance of the coating was the best after 168 h, with the lowest Tafel current density of 9.616 μA/cm² and the largest capacitance arc curvature radius. The salt spray resistance test showed that the corrosion resistance of the 5 wt% Ba₃Eu(PO₄)₃ coating was also the best, which is consistent with the results of the electrochemical test. Ba₃Eu(PO₄)₃ as a pigment and filler can effectively improve the anti-corrosion performance of water-based industrial coatings. Full article

In order to cope with the emergence of energy conservation and consumption reduction initiatives, we used an acrylic emulsion (as the adhesive), combined with silica aerogel (SA) and hollow glass microsphere (HGM) fillers, to synthesize thermal insulation coatings, which were found to have low thermal conductivity and excellent thermal insulation properties. These waterborne coatings are environmentally friendly and were synthesized without organic solvents. Comprehensive testing verified that the coatings met practical requirements. Specifically, the addition of 18% SA resulted in minimal thermal conductivity (0.0433 W/m·K), the lowest density (0.177 g/cm³), as well as a reduced gross calorific value. At a heating surface temperature of 200 °C, the 5 mm coating’s cooling surface temperature was 108.7 °C, yielding a 91.3 °C temperature difference and demonstrating remarkable thermal insulation performance. Furthermore, the coatings showed favorable results in terms of water resistance, corrosion resistance, wear resistance, and adhesion, achieving satisfactory engineering standards. In this work, the influence of different contents of SA on various properties of the coating was studied, with the aim of providing a reference for the modulation of the comprehensive performance of SA thermal insulation coatings. Full article

This review examines the chemical functionalization of Camelina, hemp, and rapeseed oils for the development of sustainable bio-based resins. Key strategies, including epoxidation, acrylation, and click chemistry, are discussed in the context of tailoring molecular structure to enhance reactivity, compatibility, and material performance. Particular emphasis is placed on overcoming the inherent limitations of vegetable oil structures to enable their integration into high-performance polymer systems. The agricultural sustainability and environmental advantages of these feedstocks are also highlighted alongside the technical challenges associated with their chemical modification. Functionalized oils derived from Camelina, hemp, and rapeseed have been successfully applied in various resin systems, including protective coatings, pressure-sensitive adhesives, UV-curable oligomers, and polyurethane foams. These advances demonstrate their growing potential as renewable alternatives to petroleum-based polymers and underline the critical role of structure–property relationships in designing next-generation sustainable materials. Ultimately, the objective of this review is to distill the most effective functionalization pathways and design principles, thereby illustrating how Camelina, hemp, and rapeseed oils could serve as viable substitutes for petrochemical resins in future industrial applications. Full article

Background: Nanomedicine approaches for cancer therapy face significant challenges, including a poor tumor accumulation, limited therapeutic efficacy, and systemic toxicity. We hypothesized that controlling the clustering of poly(acrylic acid-co-maleic acid) (PAM)-coated superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) would enhance their magnetic properties for improved targeting, while enabling a pH-responsive drug release in tumor microenvironments. Methods: PAM-stabilized SPION clusters were synthesized via arrested precipitation, characterized for physicochemical and magnetic properties, and evaluated for doxorubicin loading and pH-dependent release. A dual targeting approach combining antibody conjugation with magnetic guidance was assessed in cellular models, including a novel alternating magnetic field (AMF) pre-treatment protocol. Results: PAM-SPION clusters demonstrated controlled size distributions (60–100 nm), excellent colloidal stability, and enhanced magnetic properties, particularly for larger crystallites (13 nm). The formulations exhibited a pH-responsive drug release (8.5% at pH 7.4 vs. 14.3% at pH 6.5) and a significant enhancement of AMF-triggered release (17.5%). The dual targeting approach achieved an 8-fold increased cellular uptake compared to non-targeted formulations. Most notably, the novel AMF pre-treatment protocol demonstrated an 87% improved therapeutic efficacy compared to conventional post-treatment applications. Conclusions: The integration of targeting antibodies, magnetic guidance, and a pH-responsive PAM coating creates a versatile theranostic platform with significantly enhanced drug delivery capabilities. The unexpected synergistic effect of the AMF pre-treatment represents a promising new approach for improving the therapeutic efficacy of nanoparticle-based cancer treatments. Full article

Anti-icing glass is particularly important for applications where ice formation can pose safety risks or impair functionality. The challenge of anti-icing modification for glass lies in maintaining water repellency while addressing the issue of transparency and durability. In this work, leveraging the robustness and wear resistance of inorganic/organic composite materials, a highly transparent coating, with strong adhesive properties to glass substrates and repellency to liquids has been developed. Briefly, 3-glycidoxypropyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (GPOSS) is employed as a precursor to fabricate a high-strength, high-transparency coating through modification with acrylic acid and perfluorooctyl acrylate. The inorganic component imparts strength and wear resistance to the coating, while the organic component provides hydrophobic and near oleophobic features. Furthermore, a custom-built mechanical test instrument evaluated the absolute value of the de-icing shear force. The results reveal that at −20 °C, the fluorinated modified coating only exhibit a minimum de-icing pressure of 40.3 kPa, which is 75% lower than the unmodified glass substrate. As-prepared coating exhibits a transmittance of up to 99% and can endure a high-pressure water impact of 30 kPa for 1 min without cracking. Compared to existing anti-icing coating methods, the core innovation of the fluorinated GPOSS-based coating developed in this study lies in its inorganic/organic composite structure, which simultaneously achieves high transparency, mechanical durability, and enhanced anti-icing performance. Full article

With growing interest in wearable technologies, the development of flexible sensors and products that can monitor the human body while being comfortable to wear is gaining momentum. While various textile-based strain sensors have been proposed, their implementation in practical, exercise-specific applications remains limited. In this study, we developed a knitted strain sensor that monitors elbow angles, focusing on dumbbell exercise, which is a basic exercise in sports, and verified its performance. The material of the developed knitted strain sensor with a plain stitch structure comprised a silver-coated nylon conductive yarn and an acrylic/wool blended yarn. To evaluate the electrical and physical characteristics of the developed sensor, a textile folding tester was used to conduct 100 repeated bending experiments at three angles of 30°, 60°, 90° and speeds of 10, 30, 60 cpm. The system demonstrated excellent elasticity, high sensitivity (gauge factor = 698), fast responsiveness, and reliable performance under repeated stress, indicating its potential for integration into wearable fitness or rehabilitation platforms. Full article

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), used since the 1940s, are persistent and carcinogenic pollutants. Water is a major exposure route; effective removal is essential. While nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO) are effective but costly, ultrafiltration (UF) membranes offer advantages such as lower cost and higher flux, but their relatively large pore size makes them ineffective for PFAS compounds like perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). Since PFAS removal depends on both pore size and surface properties, this study investigates the effect of polyelectrolyte multilayer coatings using poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) on the zeta potential of UF membranes. Pristine UF membranes showed limited performance (UP150: ~2% for both PFOS and PFOA; UP020: 34.4% PFOS, 24.1% PFOA), while coating significantly enhanced removal (coated UP150: 45.3% PFOS, 43.4% PFOA; coated UP020: 77.8% PFOS, 73.3% PFOA). The modified UF membranes achieved PFAS removal efficiencies significantly closer to NF membranes, though still below those of RO (e.g., BW30XLE: up to 91.0% PFOS, 88.3% PFOA; NP030: up to 81.0% PFOS, 79.3% PFOA). Findings emphasize the importance of membrane surface charge and suggest that modified UF membranes offer a promising, low-cost alternative for PFAS removal under low-pressure conditions. Full article

Sealing treatment is widely used as a simple and low-cost process to improve the long-term corrosion resistance of Fe-based amorphous coatings. In this study, an eco-friendly graphene modified waterborne acrylic sealant(WFS) with strong permeability was prepared by emulsion polymerization and GO@SiO₂ was introduced as a reinforcing material to increase the withstand resistance of the hybrid sealant to Cl⁻. A combination of ultrasonic excitation and vacuum sealing effectively promotes the penetration of the waterborne hybrid sealant into the pores of the coating. A 3D X-ray scan confirmed the sealant penetration depth of 160 μm. The natural properties of the emulsion were characterized by a particle size analyzer, FTIR, TGA-DSC and TEM. Potentiodynamic polarization curves and AC impedance spectroscopy analysis showed that GO@SiO₂ has a strong blocking ability to Cl⁻, which greatly promotes the integrity of the passive film. It is anticipated that the novel eco-friendly waterborne hybrid sealants with strong permeability will find applications in a variety of porous hard coatings. Full article

This study examines the surface-dependent formation of interpolymer complexes (IPCs) by the layer-by-layer (LBL) deposition method. The materials used in this analysis are poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) combined with cellulose ethers, namely methyl cellulose (MC), hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC), and hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), and poloxamers PX188 and PX407. PMMA, PS, and glass surfaces have been used to study the influence of hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity on IPC growth and its properties. Through contact angle measurements, PMMA and PS were found to be hydrophobic and glass hydrophilic. It was revealed by gravimetric analysis that IPC films reveal the highest growth on PMMA substrates, followed by PS and glass. Both the molecular weight of HEC and the hydrophobicity of the surface considerably affected the growth. Hydrogen-bonded complexation was evident by means of FTIR spectroscopy, while changes in some characteristic absorption bands demonstrated the extent of interactions between polymers. Scanning electron microscopy showed that variations in the microstructure of surfaces occur; PAA-MC and poloxamer complex layers were well organized on hydrophobic substrates. Thus, the experimental results showed surface properties, especially hydrophobicity, to be important for IPC growth and structure. These findings contribute to the understanding of IPC behavior on different substrates, thus giving insights into applications in drug delivery, coatings, and functional films. Full article

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) have emerged as a promising antimicrobial agent in dentistry due to their distinctive physicochemical characteristics and broad-spectrum biocidal activity. For example, silver nanoparticles can be incorporated into oral hygiene products in preventive dentistry, composite resins in restorative treatment, irrigation solutions in endodontic treatment, membranes for guided tissue regeneration in periodontal treatment, acrylic resins and porcelains in prosthodontic treatment, coatings in dental implant treatment, and brackets and wires in orthodontic treatment. This paper focuses on summarizing the current knowledge on the antimicrobial use of silver nanoparticles in dentistry, highlighting their antimicrobial mechanism and potential applications in clinical treatment. The literature indicates that silver nanoparticles are a promising antimicrobial agent in dentistry. However, there are still many issues including fundamental antibacterial mechanisms that need to be completely elucidated before clinical applications. Full article

The water-based binder has the advantages of non-toxic, non-flammable, small odor, and no pollution to the environment. However, there are problems such as low bond strength and poor battery cycle life of commonly used binders on the market. In this paper, the acrylic binder is modified. In addition, acrylic acid/methacrylic acid, acrylonitrile, and octadecyl acrylate/octadecyl methacrylate are copolymerized at high temperature, and a new binder for graphite anode is successfully developed. The binder can significantly improve the affinity between the graphite anode and the electrolyte and the integrity of the graphite particles during the cycle, so that the battery has better electrochemical performance. During the charge and discharge cycle of 1 C, the graphite anode coated with PAANa as a binder was able to cycle 360 cycles and remain stable, which is far better than the 192 cycles of the commercial binder LA133. It is proved that the experimental formula has a certain commercial application prospect. Full article