Search Results (1,464)

This study systematically investigated the influence of molecular weight (MW) and protein content (PC) on the interfacial behavior and foaming properties of soluble soybean polysaccharide (SSPS), aiming to elucidate the structure–function relationship for the targeted design of SSPS-based foam stabilizers. The results demonstrated that the low-MW group, particularly the LH sample (low MW, high PC), exhibited the highest foam expansion (FE = 272.5%), attributed to its smallest particle size, lowest zeta potential, and minimal surface tension, which facilitated rapid adsorption at the interface. Interfacial rheology revealed that all SSPS samples formed an elastic-dominated interfacial film (G′ > G″). The HM sample (high MW, moderate PC) showed the most rapid increase in G′ and the highest mechanical strength, while the LH sample (low MW, high PC) exhibited the strongest elastic response within the low-MW group, which contributed to its relatively high foam stability (FS = 69.9%). The interfacial viscoelasticity and foaming performance of SSPS are synergistically governed by its MW and PC. Low MW facilitates rapid adsorption and superior foam expansion, while high PC enhances interfacial film elasticity. Moreover, the long-term stability of foam depends not only on reduced interfacial tension but more critically on the mechanical strength and viscoelasticity of the interfacial film. These findings provide a crucial theoretical basis for optimizing SSPS applications in aerated foods. Full article

This study investigates the inhibitory effects of alkali metal chlorides lithium chloride, sodium chloride and potassium chloride (LiCl, NaCl, and KCl) on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) foams, focusing on the transition from interfacial to bulk-driven destabilization mechanisms. The research demonstrates that foam collapse at high electrolyte concentrations is governed by a massive increase in bulk cohesive pressure and specific ion-pairing (SIP), which leads to interfacial dehydration and the mechanical decoupling of the surface from the bulk phase. It is shown that while surface adsorption reaches a plateau, the thermodynamic state of the solvent becomes the primary driver for film drainage. The results indicate that KCl acts as the most potent defoamer due to its optimal matching of water affinities with the surfactant head groups. These findings provide a new theoretical framework for understanding foam stability in concentrated electrolytic environments, emphasizing the role of bulk cohesive stress over traditional interfacial elasticity. Full article

Anaerobic digestion (AD) of animal manures for biogas production faces challenges including nutritional imbalance, foaming, and process instability. This study evaluated bioaugmentation with surfactant-degrading microbial consortia and cell-free extracts derived from well-characterized oil-contaminated soils during cow and pig manure digestion. These previously analyzed soils contained distinct microbial communities dominated by Pseudomonas in acidic, high-PAH soils and Bacillus in neutral-pH soils with genetic potential for hydrocarbon degradation. Over 30 days, six treatments were assessed using the Automatic Methane Potential Test System (AMPTS II), with pH monitoring, foaming analysis, and 16S rRNA sequencing coupled with PICRUSt2 functional prediction. Supplementation with microbial consortia and extract markedly increased cumulative biogas outputs (cow manure: 407.76 to 603.28 mL/gVS and pig manure: 403.82 to 627.5 mL/gVS), biomethane by 30–50%, reduced digestion time by 5–6 days, and improved pH stability. Foaming reduction was substrate-specific: extracts reduced foam by up to 60% in pig manure, while consortia reduced it by up to 65% in cow manure. Microbial analysis revealed enrichment of fermentative and syntrophic taxa (Clostridium sensu stricto and Paludibacter) and upregulation of methanogenesis pathways (tetrahydromethanopterin S-methyltransferase). This study illustrates that tailored bioaugmentation utilizing consortia from hydrocarbon-contaminated soils provides an environmentally sustainable method to enhance methane yields, improve stability, and control foaming in manure AD, with outcomes significantly affected by the type of manure and amendment strategy employed. Full article

The traditional Yikeyin dwellings in central Yunnan exhibit a distinctive spatial layout and skywell design that passively adapt to the mild plateau monsoon climate through natural ventilation. Although their courtyard-based configuration and skylight design are widely recognized for climatic adaptability, the quantitative relationship between courtyard orientation and ventilation performance remains insufficiently explored. This study integrates on-site environmental monitoring with validated Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations to investigate how different courtyard orientations influence airflow organization and the indoor thermal environment. Based on detailed field surveys and measured data, three representative orientation schemes were established. The RNG k-ε turbulence model was adopted, and one-way coupled simulations using OpenFOAM and EnergyPlus were conducted to evaluate seasonal ventilation behavior and indoor thermal comfort. The findings reveal synergistic design principles between building orientation and courtyard spatial configuration, as well as spatial differentiation patterns contributing to thermal environment stability. Three orientation types—leeward, windward, and transitional—were identified, each demonstrating distinct advantages and limitations. The study quantitatively confirms the effectiveness of Yikeyin dwellings in utilizing natural ventilation for environmental regulation during both summer and winter seasons. These results provide scientific evidence and design support for modern buildings seeking to achieve enhanced ventilation performance and climatic adaptability. Full article

The NiCo₂O₄/nickel cobalt sulfide (NiCoS) electrode was constructed on a nickel foam (NF) substrate using a combination of hydrothermal synthesis and constant potential electrodeposition. The NiCo₂O₄ prepared via an in situ hydrothermal method followed by calcination served as an intermediate layer, providing structural support and abundant active sites for the subsequent electrodeposition of the NiCoS top layer. The NiCoS loading amount was optimized by adjusting the deposition time. The optimized NiCo₂O₄/NiCoS electrode delivered an areal specific capacitance (Cs) of 6.94 F cm⁻² at a discharge current density of 2 mA cm⁻² with a coulombic efficiency of 98.85%. It retained 64.52% of its initial capacitance as the current density increased from 2 to 80 mA cm⁻² and exhibited an equivalent series resistance (R_ESR) of 1.06 Ω cm⁻². Furthermore, the NiCo₂O₄/NiCoS electrode retained 88.24% of its initial capacitance after 700 charge/discharge cycles, eventually stabilizing at 81.25% within 4000 cycles. Full article

To investigate how the content of silica fume (SF) influences the performance of foam concrete (FC) after high-temperature exposure and the underlying mechanisms, this study prepared standard FC cube specimens with SF contents of 0%, 0.15%, 0.2%, 0.25%, and 0.3%. The working properties of the material at room temperature were systematically tested, and the mass loss, residual compressive strength, failure mode, microstructure and acoustic emission (AE) data at different temperatures (100 °C, 200 °C, 300 °C and 400 °C) were analyzed. The test results indicate that increasing the SF content reduces the fluidity of the fresh paste yet significantly enhances the compressive strength and lowers the water absorption of FC at room temperature. After high-temperature exposure, the effect of SF exhibits a dual character: at 200 °C and below, SF effectively mitigates the performance degradation of FC. However, when the temperature reaches 300–400 °C, specimens with an excessively high SF content (e.g., 0.3%) experience rapidly built-up internal steam pressure that cannot escape in time, which triggers the formation and propagation of a microcrack network and leads to a sharp drop in strength. Based on AE detection and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image analysis, the failure process of silica fume foam concrete (SFFC) proceeds through three stages: free water evaporation at low temperatures, dehydration shrinkage of the C-S-H gel at medium temperatures, and finally, structural failure marked by the collapse of the C-S-H gel network at high temperatures. This study indicates that an SF content of 0.25% allows FC to achieve an optimal balance between mechanical properties and high-temperature stability. The findings provide a theoretical basis for optimizing FC mix proportions and enhancing fire prevention design. Full article

The need to reduce polyurethane (PU) foam waste has encouraged the development of sustainable foam formulations based on recycled raw materials and environmentally friendly additives, addressing both waste management and comparable foam properties to those based on fossil resources. In the present investigation, more sustainable water-blown rigid PU foams were investigated using recycled polyol and halogen-free flame retardants (FRs) for fire-resistant insulation applications. Two series of foam formulations were prepared: a first series with virgin polyol and the inclusion of a halogen-free FR additive (6 wt%) and a second series with recycled polyol (10% added respect to the total polyol) and halogen-free FR additives (6 wt%). Two types of FR were used: FR900, specifically identified as 3,9-Dimethyl-2,4,8,10-tetraoxa-3,9-diphosphaspiro[5.5]undecane-3,9-dioxide, in powder form with 24% phosphorus content and reactive polyol based FR140, an oligomeric ethyl ethylene phosphate, in liquid form with 19% phosphorus content. The density, cellular structure, aged thermal conductivity, dimensional and hydrolytic stability, fire properties, and mechanical properties were characterized for novel foamed systems. Rigid foamed materials with very low densities around 50 kg/m³ were obtained. On the one hand, the inclusion of FR900 into the PU formulation containing virgin polyol generated foam with the lowest thermal conductivity (36.10 mW/mK) due to the smaller open cell content (11.7%) and cell size reduction (433 microns). On the other hand, the inclusion of recycled polyol reduced the foam density by 6 kg/m³ (44.1 kg/m³), increased the cell size average (848 microns) and open cell content (15.1%), maintained thermal conductivity (38.73 mW/mK), slightly improved the fire properties, and worsened the mechanical properties in comparison with the PU reference containing only virgin polyol. The results obtained by the foam containing recycled polyol and 6% FR900 are remarkable, presenting an increase in density (50.3 kg/m³) and in open cell content (73%), but a very high reduction in cell size (465 microns) and thus a low value of thermal conductivity of 37.04 mW/mK with respect to the reference material containing recycled polyol. Moreover, this PU foam containing recycled polyol and FR900 offered improved fire resistance (148.2 kW/m² of Maximum Average Rate of Heat Emission (MARHE), 179.1 kW/m² of Maximum Heat Release Rate (HRRmax), and 24.6 MJ/m² of Total Heat Release (THR)) and mechanical properties (6.97 MPa of Young’s modulus and 0.24 MPa of collapsed stress) for the construction sector. The inclusion of FR140 does not improve the properties of the foam system containing recycled polyol, mainly due to the deterioration of the cellular structure (in the open cell content and cell size). Full article

Corn glutelin is the main protein component of corn processing by-products, with a wide range of sources and low cost. However, its hydrophobic molecular structure, poor solubility, foaming and emulsifying properties limit its application in the food industry. Enzymatic hydrolysis can effectively improve its solubility, but the functional properties of hydrolysis products still need further improvement. The plastein reaction is a mild enzymatic modification method that can recondense small peptides in hydrolysis products under the catalysis of protease, meanwhile introducing exogenous amino acids to achieve the targeted regulation of product structure and function. Corn glutelin was hydrolyzed to obtain corn glutelin hydrolysate (CGH). Corn glutelin hydrolysate (CGH) with exogenous amino acids (valine, tyrosine, cysteine and threonine) was mediated by plastein reaction in order to gain modified products enriched with these amino acids, which are Val-CGH, Tyr-CGH, Cys-CGH and Thr-CGH, respectively. This study mainly investigated the functional properties and structural characteristics of these modified peptides. Simultaneously, the modified peptides with superior solubility, foaming ability and foaming stability were screened and applied to bread formulas to evaluate potential application of plastein reaction modifiers in the baking field. The effects of modified peptides on the specific volume of dough, texture and sensory properties of bread were assessed. Among the modified peptides, Cys-CGH had the best foaming property and foaming stability, and fine solubility. Compared with CGH, the solubility of Cys-CGH increased by 4.16%, foaming performance (FC) increased by 41.5%, foaming stability at 10 min (FS10) increased by 10.44%, foaming stability at 20 min (FS20) improved by 12.67%, and bubble stability at 30 min (FS30) improved by 16.63%. In addition, the baking loss rate of the bread sample containing 0.5% Cys-CGH decreased by 0.93%, the specific volume enhanced by 0.27 cm³/g, the hardness lowered by 0.3 N, the springiness raised by 1.03, the chewiness improved by 7.5 N. The sensory acceptance of bread samples with 0.5% Cys-CGH was significantly optimized. In brief, this also demonstrates that adding modifiers with good functional properties can improve the quality of baked products, highlighting their potential as a green food additive in baked goods. Full article

The selective removal of HCl from industrial HCl/SiF₄ mixtures was investigated using a series of alcohol-based and deep eutectic solvents (DESs). Among them, glycerol (GL) exhibited superior selectivity for HCl despite a moderate total capacity. Absorption at 60 °C ensured stable operation with minimal foaming. Desorption analysis revealed that both HCl and SiF₄ underwent partial irreversible absorption under N₂ stripping, while staged vacuum desorption enabled efficient and selective recovery—SiF₄ was fully removed at 70 °C and 6 kPa, followed by nearly complete HCl desorption at 90 °C. Cyclic tests confirmed excellent solvent stability and rapid regeneration, with complete desorption achieved within 10–15 min. A conceptual process was proposed based on these findings, demonstrating a practical and energy-efficient route for selective HCl recovery from acid–gas mixtures. Full article

Waterborne two-component (2K) coatings are attractive for spray-applied wood finishing because crosslinking can provide durable films while reducing VOC emissions; however, practical use is often limited by short post-mixing workability, viscosity drift after activation, and restricted film-forming feasibility under ambient conditions. This study established a stepwise formulation strategy by sequentially screening emulsion Tg distribution, neutralizer–pH conditions, methacrylic acid (MAA) content, hardener type, and rheology packages. Increasing shell Tg progressively raised minimum film-forming temperature, whereas gel time increased sharply beyond an intermediate range, defining a practical trade-off between ambient film formation and post-mixing workability. Neutralizer identity strongly affected the gel time–pH response, and a practical condition around pH 6.6 was selected for subsequent screening. Increasing MAA reduced particle size but also increased viscosity and, above 3 wt%, caused pronounced foaming after activation. Hardener screening showed that film-forming viability had to be satisfied before viscosity stability could be used for ranking; an HDI/IPDI-based hardener gave the lowest viscosity drift among the film-forming candidates. Final validation showed stable appearance and largely unchanged film properties from 0 to 7 h after mixing, with the first measurable deviations appearing at 8 h. Full article

Material extrusion (MEX) additive manufacturing can produce material-dependent variations in dimensional fidelity, internal structure, and deposition stability, even under identical processing conditions. In this study, a comprehensive experimental investigation is conducted on MEX-printed specimens manufactured from a broad set of PLA-based composite materials to quantify these variations and assess their mutual interdependence. Dimensional behavior, internal structural characteristics, and process behavior were systematically investigated using complementary geometric, physical, and deposition-related descriptors. All properties were determined from replicated specimens to ensure statistical robustness, and the resulting datasets were examined using both conventional metrics and multivariate 3D correlation approaches. Compact PLA-based formulations exhibit consistent internal packing, characterized by relative density (RD) values of approximately 0.40–0.46, porosity (ϕ) levels around 55–60%, reduced (≤0.15%) density variability (CV), and small (−0.4–0.0%) volumetric deviations (ΔV). These features reflect stable extrusion and predictable dimensional response. In contrast, foamed, fiber-reinforced, and organic-filled composites display reduced internal packing (RD < 0.40), increased ϕ (>60%), elevated CV (0.27–0.58%), and systematically larger positive ΔV (up to +1.4%), indicating a higher sensitivity to process-induced heterogeneity. Multivariate correlations further reveal that volumetric dimensional distortion is jointly governed by internal packing efficiency and extrusion stability. Overall, the results demonstrate that dimensional accuracy in MEX of PLA-based composites arises from coupled structure–process interactions rather than isolated material or process parameters. The experimental framework proposed here provides quantitative guidance for material selection and process optimization aimed at enhancing geometric fidelity in composite filament fabrication. Full article

Benefiting from their outstanding porosity, considerable specific surface area, and natural flexibility, cellulose nanofibers (CNFs)/MOF materials have emerged as competitive candidates for advanced flexible energy storage devices. However, conventional CNFs/MOFs aerogels or films often suffer from poor recoverability under compression, bending, and folding, accompanied by severe plastic deformation that compromises the cycling and structural stability of devices. To address this issue, we report a rationally designed flexible PU/CNFs/ZIF-8/PANI composite foam with an interconnected micro-mesoporous structure. Using polyurethane foam as a soft substrate and CNFs/ZIF-8 as building blocks, the composite was fabricated through a combined strategy of impregnation, in situ ZIF-8 growth, hot-pressing, and in situ aniline polymerization with simultaneous etching of the ZIF-8. The incorporation of carboxylated CNFs enhances the hydrophilicity of the PU skeleton. This, in combination with the hot-pressed framework, establishes an interconnected 3D network, thereby effectively preventing the agglomeration of active materials. Meanwhile, the hierarchical pores derived from the sacrificial ZIF-8 template provide abundant electroactive sites, accelerate ion transport, and facilitate high PANI loading. By virtue of this synergistic architectural effect, the resultant electrode achieves a high specific capacitance of 449 F/g at 0.2 A/g, with 97% capacitance retention after 2000 cycles at 5 A/g. Furthermore, the composite foam demonstrates excellent mechanical flexibility, with a tensile strength of 0.87 MPa and an elongation at break of 230%. This work offers a feasible approach for developing high-performance flexible supercapacitors and provides novel perspectives for the rational design of portable energy storage devices. Full article

The growing consumer trend toward plant-based diets is prompting the food industry to seek alternatives to animal protein. Chickpea protein (CPP) stands out for its high protein content (14.9–24.6%) and represents a sustainable alternative. Therefore, this study evaluated and compared the techno-functional performance of CPP and whey protein isolate (WPI), with a focus on their emulsifying capabilities for plant-based food development. CPP was extracted via alkaline extraction and isoelectric precipitation. The techno-functional properties were evaluated, including solubility index (%), foaming capacity (%), emulsion activity index (EAI), gelling, and interfacial properties. Additionally, CPP was used as an emulsifier in plant-based emulsions, and the emulsion stability was compared with WPI for two months. Although CPP exhibited a lower solubility index (60 ± 1.0%) than WPI (95 ± 0.3%), its foaming capacity was identical (CPP: 57 ± 6%; WPI: 58 ± 4%) and exhibited a significantly higher emulsion activity index (22 ± 0.3 m²/g) than WPI (15 ± 0.8 m²/g). In terms of gelation, WPI formed stronger gels (1.2–2.1 N) than CPP (0.05–0.06 N), at the same concentrations. Interfacial tension measurements showed that, while CPP exhibited a higher interfacial saturation concentration (0.055 g/L vs. 0.023 g/L), it was more effective at reducing equilibrium interfacial tension than WPI. Finally, emulsion stability over two months was similar when using CPP or WPI as emulsifiers. CPP demonstrates a competitive functional profile; however, its implementation as a sustainable ingredient will require physical or chemical modifications to improve its functional properties for complex food matrices. Full article

To investigate the interlayer contact mechanism of foamed cold-recycled asphalt mixture under static loads, a three-layer asphalt pavement discrete element model (DEM) was established, with the surface layer composed of asphalt concrete-13 (AC-13), asphalt concrete-20 (AC-20) and asphalt-treated base-25 (ATB-25) foamed cold-recycled asphalt mixture and cement-stabilized macadam as the base. Based on mortar theory, the pavement was divided into coarse aggregate, asphalt mastic and air void phases, and the Burgers Model, Linear Parallel Bond Model and Linear Model were adopted to characterize the bonding of asphalt-aggregate, cement contact interface and subgrade-surface layer, respectively. Static loads of 0.7 MPa, 1.1 MPa, 1.5 MPa and 1.9 MPa were applied to analyze the mechanical responses of asphalt-based and cement-based pavement systems from tensile strain, vertical compressive stress and vertical displacement. Results showed that mechanical indices of the pavement increase monotonically with static load and present obvious layered distribution. The cement-stabilized macadam base provides rigid support, significantly reducing tensile strain (TS) and vertical displacement (VD) of asphalt layers, while the asphalt-based system has flexible stress transfer and superior stress dissipation in the bottom layer. The two systems exhibit respective structural advantages, with the cement-based system outstanding in deformation control and the asphalt-based system suitable for flexible stress adaptation working conditions. Full article

Municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) fly ash is classified as hazardous waste due to its enrichment of heavy metals and dioxins. This article systematically reviews its generation pathways, physicochemical characteristics, and potential environmental risks, based on the literature from 2010 to 2025 sourced from Web of Science, Scopus, ScienceDirect and China National Knowledge Infrastructure. Emphasis is placed on heavy metal stabilization, dioxin degradation and resource recovery from MSWI fly ash. The mechanisms, technical advantages, and application limitations of three mainstream detoxification, including solidification/stabilization, extraction and thermal treatment, were emphasized. For instance, geopolymer achieves >99.6% Pb immobilization and electrodialytic removal rates of Cd up to 98%, while vitrification reduces the MSWI fly ash volume by >50%. A comprehensive exploration of MSWI fly ash resource utilization was conducted, covering the preparation of ceramic tiles, synthesis of glass ceramic and glass ceramic foams, processing of road substrates, and modification of cement-based composite materials. The current technological system still faces challenges such as high costs, excessive energy consumption, and secondary pollution. Future research should focus on developing green, low-carbon, and low-cost processes, improving long-term environmental stability of products and strengthening pollution source reduction control. Full article