Search Results (713)

This study addresses the challenge of separating powdered zeolite adsorbents by developing biomass-supported composites via in situ crystallization of zeolites NaA (LTA) and NaX (FAU) within lead tree wood. Wood was mixed with precursor gels and subjected to hydrothermal treatment, yielding composites and external zeolite powders. Phase formation and morphology were confirmed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The zeolite content in the composites was estimated from TGA to be approximately 10 wt.% for LTW–NaA and ~2 wt.% for LTW–NaX. Cu(II) adsorption was evaluated under controlled conditions and analyzed using Langmuir and Freundlich models together with Giles classification. The NaA powder showed the highest capacity (q_m ≈ 210 mg g⁻¹), while composite performance reflected zeolite loading. When normalized by zeolite mass, the composites exhibited comparable or enhanced capacities relative to powders, suggesting improved accessibility of active sites. NaA-based materials displayed H-type isotherms, whereas NaX-based materials showed L-type behavior, indicating different adsorption mechanisms. These results demonstrate that framework topology and biomass confinement jointly influence adsorption and that the composites are promising, easily recoverable adsorbents, with further work required to assess regeneration and long-term stability. Full article

Biobased hybrid semiconducting composites are attracting significant attention as sustainable alternatives to traditional inorganic photocatalysts for environmental remediation and energy-related applications. Recent research progress in biobased hybrid photocatalytic systems is critically reviewed to outline their design strategies, photocatalytic mechanisms, and environmental applications. These composites integrate bioderived polymers with metal oxide semiconductors, forming hybrid architectures that improve interfacial contact at the molecular level, enhance charge transfer efficiency, and impart higher structural flexibility. The polymer matrix not only provides mechanical adaptability and functional surface groups, but also serves as an environmentally friendly support that can modulate surface electronic states and influence the photoinduced electron–hole dynamics in the inorganic phase. By controlling the molecular interactions between the polymer chains and metal oxide surfaces, these hybrids can mitigate key limitations of conventional metal oxides, such as rapid electron–hole recombination and restricted visible-light absorption. This review first summarizes the fundamental electronic and structural properties of widely employed metal oxide semiconductors and highlights their intrinsic limitations in photocatalytic processes. It then examines the role of biopolymers from the perspective of molecular structure, charge transport pathways, and interfacial interaction mechanisms with the inorganic component. Various synthesis strategies—including sol–gel, hydrothermal, in situ nanoparticle generation, green synthesis, and surface functionalization—are discussed, with emphasis on their ability to tune the nanoscale morphology and interfacial chemistry of the hybrids. Applications of these biohybrid systems in dye degradation, pharmaceutical pollutant removal, heavy metal reduction, and antimicrobial photocatalysis are analyzed alongside mechanistic insights into charge separation efficiency and band alignment at the molecular interface. Furthermore, challenges related to long-term stability, reproducibility, scalability, and performance in real wastewater matrices are also addressed. Overall, this review provides a thorough discussion on the design principles, photocatalytic mechanism, and environmental applications of biobased hybrid semiconductors, while emphasizing future opportunities for the development of efficient and sustainable photocatalytic systems. Full article

Additive engineering has become a critical strategy for optimizing the morphology and performance of bulk heterojunction (BHJ) organic solar cells (OSCs), while volatile solid additives have been widely employed to control nanoscale phase separation during film formation. Concerns regarding reproducibility, residual solvent effects, and long-term stability have stimulated increasing interest in non-volatile solid additives. In recent years, solid additive engineering has emerged as a promising approach for modulating molecular packing, regulating phase separation, enhancing charge transport, and improving device stability. However, a systematic analysis of its material design principles and performance impact remains limited. This review summarizes recent progress in solid additive engineering for OSCs, categorizing reported additives into non-volatile, volatile and nanomaterials. The effects of these additives on key photovoltaic parameters, including open-circuit voltage (Voc), short-circuit current density (Jsc), fill factor (FF), and power conversion efficiency (PCE), are comparatively analyzed based on the reported data. Particular emphasis is placed on morphology and structural performance relationships and stability enhancement mechanisms. Finally, current challenges, including the lack of universal molecular design rules and limited mechanistic understanding of additive host interactions, are discussed, and future research directions are proposed. This review aims to provide a comprehensive perspective on the material-level role of solid additives and to guide the rational design of next-generation high-performance and stable organic solar cells. Full article

In this study, Ti-Co-Ce getter films were deposited via magnetron sputtering to investigate their activation mechanism—the thermal removal of surface passivation layers to restore gas sorption capability. The morphology before and after film activation was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The oxygen content on the film surface before and after activation was measured using an energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS), and gas desorption during activation was monitored with a quadrupole mass spectrometer (QMS). The combined results confirmed the absence of O₂ desorption during activation, suggesting oxygen migration into the film bulk. Crucially, in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) combined with controlled Ar⁺ ion sputtering depth profiling (0–30 nm) was employed to directly probe the chemical-state evolution within the thin film before and after thermal activation at 400 °C, thereby providing direct evidence of the activation dynamics. The data reveal that within the 0–10 nm near-surface region, a strong oxygen chemical potential gradient drives rapid oxide reduction and inward migration of lattice oxygen. At depths of 20–30 nm, moderate reduction coupled with oxygen enrichment induces phase separation, while around 30 nm, a dynamic equilibrium between oxygen inflow and outflow is established. These findings provide a theoretical basis for optimizing activation processes and guiding the development of low-temperature getter materials. This work is particularly relevant for MEMS, vacuum electronics, and other applications with stringent thermal budgets, expanding the design possibilities for heat-sensitive device integration. Full article

Zirconia-based hybrid blends at various molecular or nanometer scales have attracted significant interest from a technological perspective. In particular, several inorganic-organic hybrids are being applied in the biomedical field. In this context, inorganic ZrO₂ and hybrids composed of ZrO₂, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) have been synthesized through the sol–gel process and characterized from both morphological and spectroscopic viewpoints to explore their potential as hybrid biomaterials. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) has enabled a quantitative assessment of the surface roughness of bioactive sol–gel-based materials. The findings indicated an increase in material porosity in relation to the amount of PEG present in the systems, underscoring the important role of PEG in influencing the morphological characteristics of zirconia-based blends. AFM images display the typical globular structure of PEG spread across the surface of all systems. All hybrid systems seem to be uniform, and no phase separation is evident, thereby validating that the produced materials are hybrid nanostructured ones. The simultaneous presence of both inorganic and organic phases was verified using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). FT-IR deconvolution in 850–550 cm⁻¹ region showed that PEG progressively perturbs the Zr–O–Zr network, increasing disorder and establishing more flexible inorganic domains at high PEG content. Increasing polymer amount enhanced cell viability against NIH-3T3 cell line, while antibacterial activity decreased, with pure ZrO₂ showing the strongest inhibition against Escherichia coli (E. coli). Full article

Homopolymer addition is a widely used strategy to dilate the microdomain spacing of block copolymers, yet the attainable dilation is often limited by macrophase separation in conventional blends at elevated homopolymer loading. In this work, we investigate an architectural route to suppress macrophase separation while retaining homopolymer-driven dilation: a covalently hybridized bottlebrush copolymer (CH-BBC), a copolymacromer-like bottlebrush architecture in which symmetric AB diblock side chains and A-type homopolymer side chains are covalently grafted to a common backbone. Using dissipative particle dynamics (DPD) simulations, we directly compare the phase behavior of CH-BBC melts with that of composition-matched blends of symmetric AB diblocks and A-type homopolymers. Across the explored window, CH-BBC exhibits microphase morphologies and disorder without an observable two-phase region, whereas the corresponding blends show extensive two-phase coexistence at elevated homopolymer loading. Lamellar analysis and one-dimensional density decompositions further reveal that CH-BBC enables substantially larger microphase dilation and stronger selective swelling of the A-rich domain because tethered A-type homopolymer segments preferentially occupy and dilate the A-rich domain interior while diblock A segments remain localized near interfaces. Full article

The dynamic self-assembly and phase separation of donor–acceptor blends are processes that dictate the nanoscale morphology in organic solar cells. Here, we employ a fluidics-inspired framework, integrating dissipative particle dynamics simulations with percolation theory, to investigate the morphogenesis of two non-fullerene systems: P3HT-PPerAcr and P3HT-PFTBT. We analyze monomeric and homopolymer blends, and copolymer macrostructures, focusing on how key parameters such as temperature and polymer chain flexibility govern the dynamic evolution towards percolating networks. Our simulations captured the fundamental fluidic behavior and universal scaling near the critical percolation threshold (χ_c). The critical exponent β revealed distinct universality classes dictated by system compatibility and flexibility: monomeric and flexible homopolymer blends below the critical temperature (T_c) exhibit mean field behavior (β ≈ 1). In contrast, monomeric systems above χ_c and flexible copolymers below χ_c display 3D percolation behavior (β ≈ 0.45). In the case of flexible copolymeric macromolecules, above percolation threshold a quasi-bidimensional behavior emerge with (β ≈ 0.1). Notably, semi-rigid and rigid homopolymeric and copolymeric linear architectures induce a dimensional crossover, yielding quasi-2D (β ≈ 0.14) and quasi-1D (β ≈ 0.0) morphologies. These findings establish a direct link between tunable fluidic interactions, chain dynamics, and the emergence of optimal bicontinuous percolation networks. Full article

Neurodegenerative diseases feature diverse pathological protein aggregates, including Lewy bodies in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and skein-like filaments in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The physical mechanisms underlying this morphological diversity remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that aggregation of the prion-like domain of hnRNPA1 (A1PrD), implicated in AD and ALS, is driven by solution composition and phase transition dynamics. Utilizing 3D timelapse and fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy, we show that solution conditions modulate phase separation, gelation, and fibrillation, resulting in distinct structures such as fibril, gel, and starburst morphologies. Homotypic and heterotypic interactions between A1PrD and RNA were observed to shift the balance between pathological and physiological condensates. Importantly, amyloid-rich starbursts displayed prion-like infection capabilities toward amyloid-poor condensates. Our findings highlight how the interplay between solution composition and kinetic balances of liquid-liquid phase separation, gelation, and fibrillation shapes the diverse pathological aggregate morphologies characteristic of neurodegenerative diseases. Full article

Anther-derived somatic embryogenesis is a valuable approach in rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) breeding; however, its effectiveness is highly influenced by the developmental stage of the microspores. The present investigation focused on male flower buds of the cultivar Reyan 73397 at successive developmental stages to examine the relationship between visible bud characteristics and internal microspore development, assess how microspore developmental stage affects callus induction and somatic embryo formation, and identify the stage with the greatest embryogenic potential. Cytological observations distinguished six well-defined phases of microspore development, spanning from microspore mother cells to fully mature pollen grains, each reliably linked to particular bud diameters, coloration, and anther morphology. Anthers corresponding to each developmental phase were cultured in vitro, and their ability to initiate callus and produce somatic embryos was systematically evaluated. Anthers containing uninucleate microspores exhibited the highest rates of both callus formation and somatic embryogenesis, with the early-uninucleate stage showing the strongest response. This stage consistently matched flower buds measuring 1.42–1.57 mm in transverse diameter and displaying a green to yellowish-green appearance. In contrast, anthers collected at the microspore mother cell and tetrad stages did not produce embryogenic responses. Histological evidence has indicated that both callus and somatic embryos originate from diploid somatic tissues of the anther wall, particularly connective parenchyma cells, rather than from microspores themselves. Based on these findings, a rapid, non-destructive selection method integrating bud diameter, bud color, and sieve-based size separation was developed to identify responsive explants efficiently. Overall, this study defines the optimal developmental window for anther culture in rubber trees, verifies the somatic origin of embryogenic tissues, and provides a practical morphological and cytological basis for improving anther culture efficiency in rubber tree breeding programs. Full article

Ground tire rubber (GTR) is composed of high-quality components; therefore, searching for new technologies for GTR recycling and upcycling is fully justified. In this work, the effect of micronized ground tire rubber content on the rheological, mechanical, thermal, and morphological properties, electrical conductivity, and electrochemical behavior of thermoplastic polyurethane/carbon black was investigated. The application of micronized ground tire rubber in the range of 5–20 wt% reduces the manufacturing cost by 5.6–22.6% and improves the electrical conductivity and electrochemical properties of composites. The results showed that higher contents of ground tire rubber increased the electrical conductivity of the studied materials from 11.7 to 33.8 S/m. This phenomenon is due to two factors: (i) additional carbon black present in GTR and (ii) phase separation that promotes local carbon-rich domains and facilitates conductive pathway formation. Electrochemical analysis revealed that the studied composites after laser activation can be used as flexible sensors. This research work confirms that using a ground tire rubber as a low-cost and valuable source of raw materials is a promising approach for the sustainable development of soft electronics. Full article

Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based films are promising biodegradable alternatives to petroleum-derived plastics; however, their high rigidity and moisture sensitivity limit practical applications. In this study, PVA/carnauba wax (CW) films were prepared via solution casting and systematically modified using four plasticizers: glycerol (GLY), sorbitol (SOR), glucose (GLU), and sucrose (SUC), at concentrations of 0.1–0.5% (v/w, relative to PVA). Thermal analysis showed that GLY and SOR effectively reduced the glass transition temperature from 52.35 °C (control) to as low as 49.14 °C (0.2% GLY) and 50.70 °C (0.4% SOR), while SUC and SOR plasticized films exhibited improved thermal stability, with the highest melting temperature observed for 0.3% SUC (80.6 °C). SEM micrographs revealed that GLY at moderate concentrations (0.2–0.3%) produced the most homogeneous film morphology, whereas SUC at higher concentrations led to surface roughness and phase separation. Water contact angle measurements showed increased surface hydrophobicity at low plasticizer contents, with 0.1% GLY and 0.2% GLU exhibiting contact angles above 100° compared to the control film (<90°). Mechanical testing demonstrated that SUC at 0.2% had the highest tensile strength (3.03 MPa) compared to 0.73 MPa (control), while GLY at 0.3% yielded the highest elongation at break (9.26%), compared to 0.62% for the unplasticized film. These results demonstrate that precise control of plasticizer type and concentration enables effective tuning of PVA/CW film properties, offering a viable strategy for designing biodegradable films tailored for packaging and agricultural applications. Full article

In bulk heterojunction (BHJ) organic solar cells (OSCs) employing perylene diimide (PDI)-based non-fullerene acceptors, excessive intermolecular interactions among PDI units lead to severe aggregation and pronounced donor–acceptor phase separation, both of which critically limit device performance. To address these issues, numerous structurally engineered PDI derivatives have been developed. In particular, twisted multi-PDI architectures designed to suppress intermolecular aggregation have shown improved morphological control; however, such twisted structures are often highly amorphous, which reduces electron-transport efficiency and constrains OSC performance. In this work, we introduce a mixed-acceptor strategy combining a twisted PDI dimer (SF-PDI₂) with a planar monomeric PDI (m-PDI) to balance aggregation and morphological uniformity. Ternary blend OSCs consisting of PTB7-Th as the donor and these two PDI acceptors exhibit systematic performance variations depending on their relative ratios. At the optimized composition (SF-PDI₂:m-PDI = 90:10 by weight), the device outperforms single-acceptor systems, which is attributed to controlled aggregation arising from the complementary structural features of the two PDI acceptors. This study demonstrates that combining mixed PDI acceptors with similar molecular moieties enables precise control of aggregation, improving both morphology and photovoltaic performance. Full article

One of the many applications of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) is their use as adsorbents for removing emerging contaminants, such as ciprofloxacin (CIP), a fluoroquinolone-class antibiotic, from aqueous environments. We selected the copper-based MOF HKUST-1 and coupled it with TiO₂, then immobilized the composite on glass beads (TiO₂/HKUST-1@GB) to produce a reusable photocatalyst. The immobilization of the composite on glass beads improved the structural strength as well as the reusability of the photocatalyst. Together, these properties pave the way for scale-up for commercial applications in continuous-flow water treatment systems. Herein, we used XRD, FTIR, and SEM to characterize the immobilized catalyst and assess its structural, morphological, and optical properties. Photocatalytic experiments showed 98% degradation in 45 min under UV irradiation at pH 6 and a CIP concentration of 200 μgL⁻¹. The TiO₂/HKUST-1@GB composite showed higher degradation compared to pristine TiO₂ and HKUST-1 due to enhanced charge–carrier separation and synergistic interfacial effects. The reusability of the composite over five cycles was observed, with high stability and negligible Cu and Ti leaching, indicating promising environmental performance. Thus, TiO₂/HKUST-1@GB provides an efficient and sustainable approach for removing ciprofloxacin from aqueous solutions. The degradation performance, reusability, and ability to work simultaneously in adsorption and photocatalytic processes make TiO₂/HKUST-1@GB a promising candidate for the advanced treatment of aqueous-phase antimicrobial compounds such as ciprofloxacin. Full article

The ability to precisely control the morphology of polylactide (PLA) microparticles is crucial for their biomedical applications, yet it is a challenge due to the interdependent nature of key parameters such as size, porosity, and surface topology. This study presents a systematic approach to fabricating PLA microparticles with tunable architecture via emulsion-solvent evaporation by investigating the interplay of polymer molecular weight (44–442 kDa), solution concentration (0.5–20% w/v), and porogen type (PEG, alkanes, lithium salts). We achieved precise size control from 5 to 500 μm, dictated by solution viscosity and the polymer’s crystallization tendency, with poly(L-lactide) yielding irregular particles and poly(D,L-lactide) forming perfect spheres. Furthermore, porogen selection was critical for porosity: alkanes enabled tailored pore networks, with longer chains (e.g., decane) producing larger pores via enhanced phase separation, whereas the double-emulsion method with Li₂CO₃ proved superior for macroporosity due to its slow leaching kinetics. This work provides a foundational guideline for the rational design of PLA microparticles with customized properties for targeted applications in drug delivery and tissue engineering. Full article

Bio-epoxy composites were fabricated by casting a resin–hardener–filler mixture into 3D-printed molds, using different sea-originated secondary raw materials: mussel shell powder (MSP) (63–83 μm) and Posidonia oceanica short fibers (POF) (1–2 mm). Monofiller composites were prepared with 5 or 10 wt.% MSP, or 5 or 10 wt.% POF. Hybrid formulations were also produced, containing both MSP and POF in two combinations, where the total amount of filler again summed up at 10 wt.%. A subset of the samples was conditioned by immersion in a 35 ‰ NaCl solution reproducing seawater composition until saturation was reached. Characterization was carried out on unconditioned and conditioned samples by Shore D hardness and Charpy impact tests while performing three-point flexural loading only on unconditioned ones. Fracture morphology was also investigated. Adding MSP slightly enhanced resin hardness, whereas impact absorption exhibited, to a variable extent, a two-phase behavior, reproducing crack initiation and propagation. The MSP6-POF4 hybrid configuration provided the greatest improvement in absorbed energy (25–30% higher), which was retained after conditioning. The introduction of fillers, first separately, then in combination, resulted in a reduction in flexural strength to a similar extent for all unconditioned configurations. Finally, composite panels containing 10 wt.% MSP, 10 wt.% POF, and a 6MSP–4POF hybrid formulation, intended for prospective boat deck applications, were fabricated and compared with neat bio-epoxy, showing satisfactory consolidation. Density and post-molding dimensional shrinkage were measured on the panels. Full article