Search Results (947)

Paper’s inherent hydrophilicity and porosity cause inadequate barrier properties, failing under high humidity/temperature. This study successfully developed a hydrophobic nanocoating agent (xLNPs-OTS) through silanization modification using D276 (lignin nanoparticles with a diameter of 276 nm) as the substrate and OTS (octadecyltrichlorosilane) as the functionalizing agent. By applying the coating to paper surfaces followed by a hot-pressing process, the paper achieved comprehensive performance enhancements, including superior water, oil, and vapor barrier properties, thermal stability, mechanical strength, frictional resistance, and self-cleaning capabilities. The Cobb 60 value of LOTSC3.5T120t30 (the coating made from the OTS silanized lignin with the coating amount of 3.5 g/m² and a hot-pressing at 120 °C for 30 min) coated paper is as low as 3.75 g/m², and can withstand hot water at 100 °C for 60 min. The Cobb 60 value of the LOTSC20T120t30 (the coating made from the OTS silanized lignin with the coating amount of 20 g/m² and a hot-pressing at 120 °C for 30 min) coated paper is reduced to 0.9 g/m², the Kit grade is 6, and all coated papers are endowed with self-cleaning features. This study advances lignin’s high-value utilization, driving sustainable packaging and supporting eco-friendly paper material development. Full article

Separating azeotropes is an important, difficult, and expensive task, in particular for the 2-propanol–water mixture. The literature on the problem is rich in modeling studies but often lacking even the simplest experimental confirmation. In this paper, extractive distillation, liquid–liquid equilibrium-based extraction, and salting-out were experimentally tested for the desired separation. Among the four tested extractive distillation entrainers, none was able—in the investigated experimental setup—to push the system over the azeotropic composition threshold. Four novel hydrophobic deep eutectic extraction media were tested for the desired separation, and those based on menthol or thymol with decanoic acid were found most promising. Among 16 tested salting-out agents, 5 of them produced two-liquid phases, and only 4 hydrophilic inorganic salts promoted 2-propanol separation, with sodium carbonate being the most promising candidate. The purity of the products was tested with FTIR and ¹H-NMR. The experimental findings were compared with COSMO-RS model predictions, with moderate success. Full article

Electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction reaction (CO₂RR) is a crucial technology for achieving carbon cycling and renewable energy conversion, yet it faces challenges such as complex reaction pathways, competition for intermediate adsorption, and low product selectivity. In recent years, molecular modification has emerged as a promising strategy. By adjusting the surface properties of catalysts, molecular modification alters the electronic structure, steric hindrance, promotes the adsorption of reactants, stabilizes intermediates, modifies the hydrophilic–hydrophobic environment, and regulates pH, thereby significantly enhancing the conversion efficiency and selectivity of CO₂RR. This paper systematically reviews the modification strategies and mechanisms of molecularly modified materials in CO₂RR. By summarizing and analyzing the existing literature, this review provides new perspectives and insights for future research on molecularly modified materials in electrocatalytic CO₂ reduction. Full article

The use of astaxanthin (AST) is expanding from its origins as a food coloring to health-related applications. This paper evaluates the efficiency of its extraction from dried Xanthophyllomyces dendrorhous using two combined and consecutive techniques. First, cell membrane permeation is achieved with the application of pulsed electric fields (PEFs). Solid–liquid extraction is then performed with hydrophobic eutectic solvents (hESs) prepared by mixing components of essential oils (linalool, l-menthol, eugenol, geraniol, cinnamyl alcohol, or thymol) and oleic acid. The hESs were characterized by measuring of several thermophysical properties at 25 °C and 0.1 MPa. An initial screening was performed to choose the best solvent and the extraction conditions (composition, extraction time, and temperature) were evaluated using the response surface methodology. The results showed the importance of the electroporation as a preliminary step to the extraction. The more hydrophobic and less compact the hES, the more effective the solvent. Thus, the equimolar mixture of l-menthol and oleic acid achieved an efficiency of 77% for untreated biomass, 83% for that treated with PEF, and 92% for that treated with PEF and later incubated. Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrated the importance of the hydrophobic interactions between AST and the components of the best solvent. Full article

The contribution of the environment to protein folding seems obvious. The aqueous environment directs protein folding towards generating a centric hydrophobic core with a polar shell. The cell membrane environment—in which numerous proteins are anchored—to stabilise the arrangement, expects the exposure of hydrophobic residues and the concentration of polar residues in the central part—a channel for the transport of numerous molecules. The influence of these environments seems evident due to the persistent residence of proteins in their surroundings providing an external force field for structure stabilisation. Structural forms are also obtained with the participation of supporting proteins—such as proteins from the heat shock protein group—which accompany the folding process and temporarily provide an appropriate external force field in which the protein, having obtained the correct structure for its activity, is released from interaction with the supporting protein. This paper discusses an example of the contribution of Hsp104 to casein folding and the effect of disaggregase preventing inappropriate aggregation. For this purpose, a model called the fuzzy oil drop (FOD-M) was used, which takes hydrophobic interactions into account in the assessment of protein structure status. Their distribution in the protein body highlights the contribution and influence of the external force field—originating from Hsp104 and the disaggregase in this case. Full article

The production of solid biofuels from torrefied biomass holds significant potential for renewable energy applications. Durable pellet formation from severely torrefied biomass is hindered by the loss of natural binding properties, yet studies on mild torrefaction that preserves sufficient binding capacity for pellet production without external binders or changes to die conditions remain scarce. This paper investigated the production of fuel pellets from torrefied biomass without using external binders or adjusting pelletization parameters. Experiments were conducted using a mild torrefaction temperature (230 °C and 250 °C) and shorter residence time (10, 15, and 30 min). The torrefied materials were then subjected to pelletization using a single-pellet press; and the influence of torrefaction on the mechanical durability, hydrophobicity, and fuel characteristics of the pellets was examined. Results indicated that the mass loss ranging from 10 to 20% among the mild torrefaction treatments was less than the typical extent of mass loss due to severe torrefaction. Pellets made from torrefied biomass (torrefied pellets) had improvement in the hydrophobicity (moisture resistance) when compared to pellets made from untreated biomass (untreated pellets). Improved hydrophobicity is important for storage and transportation of pellets that are exposed to humid environmental conditions, as it reduces the risk of pellet degradation and spoilage. Thermogravimetric analysis of the pyrolysis and combustion behaviour of torrefied pellets indicated the improvement of fuel characteristics in terms of a much higher comprehensive pyrolysis index and greater thermal stability compared to untreated pellets, as evidenced by the prolonged burnout time and reduced combustion characteristics index. Residence time had a more significant impact on pellet durability than temperature, but the durability of the torrefied pellets was lower than that of the untreated pellets. Further research is required to explore the feasibility of producing binder-free durable pellets under mild torrefaction conditions. Overall, the study demonstrated that mild torrefaction could enhance the fuel quality and moisture resistance of biomass pellets, offering promising advantages for energy applications, despite some trade-offs in mechanical durability. Full article

This paper proposes a new functionalized oligosiloxane as a comonomer for polyester, designed to provide hydrophobic surface properties and enhance low-temperature impact resistance. The functionalization of polymer resin itself has attracted attention in the context of monomaterialization. Chemically designing the primary structure of not only polymers but also monomers is crucial for enhancing the intrinsic performance of the resin. However, little is known about oligosiloxane monomers for polyester that can provide oligosiloxane-like properties such as hydrophobicity and flexibility at low temperatures. Here, we report the functional design of a polyester material through silicone copolymerization. A novel comonomer was designed and synthesized to optimize both the molecular structure and the compatibility of the silicone segments, promoting uniform copolymer formation. Incorporating silicone into the polymer matrix reduced surface energy, thereby improving water repellency. Furthermore, the flexibility imparted by the silicone components effectively mitigated the brittleness of polyester at sub-zero temperatures, resulting in superior impact resistance. Structural analysis, contact angle measurements, and low-temperature impact tests were conducted on the copolymers. The results confirmed that optimizing comonomer design enables significant enhancement of both hydrophobicity and impact durability, contributing to the development of high-performance polyester materials suitable for demanding environments. Full article

Guardrail concrete in cold regions frequently suffers from corrosion due to icing and solutions, significantly shortening the service life of the guardrail. This paper proposed a cement-based composite coating for concrete protection. The hydrophobic agent was synthesized using nano-silica, tetraethyl orthosilicate and perfluorodecyltrimethoxysilane and used for coating modification as an additive or by impregnation. Also, a commercial hydrophobic agent was used for comparison. The modified coating was characterized by wettability, mechanical properties, chemical stability and icephobicity tests. The results showed that the coating prepared with the synthetic hydrophobic agent presented a higher contact angle than that prepared with the commercial one during the above tests. Moreover, it featured excellent icephobicity by effectively delaying the time of icing on concrete and reducing the icing mass and ice adhesion strength. In addition, the hydrophobic agent used by impregnation was a better choice for concrete surface protection. Chemical composition and morphology analysis of the coating showed that hydrophobicity and icephobicity were mainly attributed to F-containing functional groups and rough structure with low surface energy. This study provided an application potential of modified cement-based composite coating for anti-/de-icing of guardrail concrete. Full article

Meloxicam is a promising non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) for acute and chronic pain prevention and treatment. Due to its poor water solubility, the clinical use of meloxicam is limited. In addition, for transdermal applications, the impermeability of the skin makes it difficult to conceive an appropriate NSAID-based delivery system that can penetrate through the skin barrier. Hydrophilic/hydrophobic gels, designed as transdermal drug delivery systems, can considerably improve other drug administration types (such as oral or intravenous), avoiding or limiting the side effects. The main purpose of this paper is to present some physicochemical and pharmaceutical considerations about meloxicam and to review the most important research concerning the gels used for the transdermal delivery of meloxicam. Thus, smart polymeric networks, semi-solid systems (lipogels, emulgels), β-cyclodextrin-based gels, liposomes (ethosomes, niosomes, flexosomes, transferosomes, menthosomes, invasomes), and nanostructured lipid carriers, with analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity, are discussed. The key objective of this study was to highlight various gel formulations with enhanced properties, which could be used in a minimally invasive manner for the sustained administration of meloxicam. Full article

Magnesium ions (Mg²⁺) play an important role in animal health, with their concentration in the bloodstream serving as a key indicator for hypomagnesemia diagnosis. In this study, a flexible hydrophobic paper-based microfluidic field-effect biosensor was developed for point-of-care Mg²⁺ detection, which integrated flexible hydrophobic paper, semiconducting single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) and a Mg²⁺-specific RNA-cleaving DNAzyme(RCD)-based DNA nanostructure. Flexible hydrophobic paper was synthesized by using cellulose paper and octadecyltrichlorosilane, improving mechanical strength and decreasing biological interference. To achieve high sensitivity, the Mg²⁺-specific RCD was functionalized with SWNTs, and then repeatedly self-assembled two different Y-shaped DNAs to construct a DNA nanostructure based on a similar DNA origami technique. This proposed biosensor exhibited a linear detection range from 1 μM to 1000 μM, with a detection limit of 0.57 μM, demonstrating its great stability, selectivity, and anti-interference performance. This innovative design offers promising potential for Mg²⁺ monitoring in real applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Diabetes mellitus is a group of chronic metabolic disorders characterized by persistent hyperglycemia. Aldose reductase, the first enzyme in the polyol pathway, plays a key role in the onset of long-term diabetic complications. Aldose reductase inhibition has been widely established as a potential pharmacotherapeutic approach to prevent and treat diabetes mellitus-related comorbidities. Although several promising aldose reductase inhibitors have been developed over the past few decades, they have failed in clinical trials due to unacceptable pharmacokinetic properties and severe side effects. This paper describes the design, synthesis, and pharmacological evaluation of four novel 5-halogenated N-indolylsulfonyl-2-fluorophenol derivatives (3a-d) as aldose reductase inhibitors. Methods: The design of compounds was based on a previously published lead compound (IIc) developed by our research group to enhance its inhibitory capacity. Compounds 3a-d were screened for their ability to inhibit in vitro partially purified aldose reductase from rat lenses, and their binding modes were investigated through molecular docking. Results: The presence of a sulfonyl linker between indole and o-fluorophenol aromatic rings is mandatory for potent aldose reductase inhibition. The 5-substitution of the indole core with halogens resulted in a slight decrease in the inhibitory power of 3a-c compared to IIc. Among halogens, bromine was the most capable of filling the selectivity pocket through hydrophobic interactions with Thr113 and Phe115 residues. Conclusions: Although our strategy to optimize the inhibitory potency of IIc via inserting halogen atoms in the indole scaffold was not fruitful, aromatic ring halogenation can be still utilized as a promising approach for designing more potent aldose reductase inhibitors. Full article

The application of superhydrophobic (SH) coatings in road construction has attracted growing attention due to their potential to improve surface durability, reduce cracking, and enhance skid resistance. Among various materials, SiO₂ nanoparticles have emerged as key components in SH coatings by contributing essential surface roughness and hydrophobicity. This review paper analyzes the role of SiO₂ nanoparticles in enhancing the water-repellent properties of coatings applied to road surfaces, particularly concrete and asphalt. Emphasis is placed on their influence on road longevity, reduced maintenance, and overall performance under adverse weather conditions. Furthermore, this review compares functionalization techniques for SiO₂ using different hydrophobic modifiers, evaluating their efficiency, cost effectiveness, and scalability for large-scale infrastructure. In addition to highlighting recent advancements, this study discusses persistent challenges—including environmental compatibility, mechanical wear, and long-term durability—that must be addressed for practical implementation. By offering a critical assessment of current approaches and future prospects, this short review aims to guide the development of robust, high-performance SH coatings for sustainable road construction. Full article

The aim of this scoping review is to investigate the potential development of an alternative material derived from renewable biological resources such as goldenberry calyx and modified cassava starch as the matrix. Moreover, this paper reviews the impact of combining starch and lignocellulosic fiber on improving the properties of bioplastic materials. The goldenberry calyx is a type of lignocellulosic waste with a low moisture content, which offers logistical advantages, as a high moisture content can accelerate waste deterioration. However, studies on the utilization of goldenberry calyx are scarce. In addition, due to its low cost and availability, starch is the main polysaccharide for biofilm development as a matrix. Combining these two materials can result in a composite material with suitable and adequate properties for packaging applications, although no studies have been published on this specific combination. Starch and lignocellulosic fiber are complementary as the properties of starch biopolymers improve when a hydrophobic material (lignocellulosic fibers) is incorporated. Moreover, starch strengthens fibers by enhancing their biodegradability through its water absorption capacity. In this study, modified cassava starch, with its higher amylose content, is suggested for use, as the proportion of amylose correlates with enhanced bioplastic properties. Full article

In this study, a preparation method of superhydrophobic composite coating based on a titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V) substrate is proposed. The micro-scale pit array structure was fabricated via laser etching technology. Utilizing the synergistic effects of epoxy resin (EP), polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), and fluorinated nanosilica (F-SiO₂), we successfully prepared an EP@PDMS@F-SiO₂ composite coating. The effects of the contents of EP, PDMS, and F-SiO₂ on the surface wettability, mechanical stability, and UV durability were studied by optimizing the coating ratio through orthogonal experiments. The results show that the micro–nano composite structure formed by laser etching can effectively fix the coating particles and provide excellent superhydrophobicity on the surface. The coating retains high hydrophobicity after paper abrasion (1000 cm under a 200 g load), demonstrating the mechanical stability of the armor-like structure, High-content F-SiO₂ coatings exhibit greater UV durability. In addition, the coating surface has low droplet adhesion and self-cleaning capabilities for efficient contaminant removal. The research provides theoretical and technical support for the design and engineering application of a non-fluorinated, environmentally friendly superhydrophobic coating. Full article

Previously, we reported that microplastic volatile organic compounds are present within the Chrysaora chesapeakei of Chesapeake Bay, MD. In this study, we report the presence of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) on the hydrophobic surface of microplastic (MP) particles extracted from the C. chesapeakei, detected by Raman spectroscopy and identified by Wiley’s KnowItAll Software with IR & Raman Spectral Libraries. C. chesapeakei encounters various microplastics and emerging contaminants as it floats through the depths of the Patuxent River water column. This study identifies subsuming CECs found directly on microplastics from within C. chesapeakei in the wild using Raman spectroscopy. Among the extracted microplastics, some of the emerging contaminants found on the different microplastics were pesticides, pharmaceuticals, minerals, food derivatives, wastewater treatment chemicals, hormones, and recreational drugs. Our results represent the first of such findings in C. chesapeakei, obtained directly from the field, and indicate C. chesapeakei’s relationship with microplastics, with this species serving as a vector of emerging contaminants through the marine food web. This paper further illustrates a relationship between different types of plastics that attract dissimilar types of emerging pollutants in the same surrounding environmental conditions, underscoring the urgent need for further research to fully understand and mitigate the risks that MPs coexist with contaminants. Full article