Search Results (1,954)

Preventing spoilage in food products, particularly in those highly susceptible to rapid deterioration like mutton, has been a persistent challenge in the food industry. In this study, an Active Biological Film (ABF) was developed using chitosan (CS) and whey protein isolate (WPI), with the addition of 0.01 wt% titanium dioxide (TiO₂) and 0.1 wt% white pepper essential oil (WPEO). This ABF was applied to preserve fresh mutton at super-chilling temperatures of −1.7 ± 0.2 °C. The effects of ABF on myofibrillar protein (MP) oxidation and structural characteristics, as well as on the microbial status, physicochemical properties, and sensory quality of mutton, were systematically evaluated. The results demonstrated that, compared to the control group (CK), ABF treatment significantly enhanced the total sulfhydryl content, protein solubility, and zeta potential of MPs, while reducing carbonyl content, surface hydrophobicity, and particle size. MPs in the ABF group showed a higher α-helix proportion and a lower random coil content, along with a notable increase in intrinsic fluorescence intensity. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed a denser gel structure. Additionally, ABF effectively inhibited microbial growth in mutton, delayed pH increase, reduced thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N), and improved sensory scores, extending mutton shelf life by over 10 days. Therefore, the ABF effectively inhibited oxidation in MPs, maintained their structural integrity, and preserved mutton quality during super-chilling storage. Full article

In the fabrication of ultrathin multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCCs), the long-term stability of ceramic slurries is a critical yet often overlooked factor that can significantly influence coating uniformity, interfacial adhesion, and process reproducibility. Despite its industrial importance, the time-dependent evolution of slurry dispersion structures during storage and its direct impact on green sheet properties remain insufficiently understood. This study examined the time-dependent physicochemical evolution of barium titanate (BaTiO₃)-based green sheet slurries, which behave as colloidal gel-like dispersion systems, and their influence on the structural, optical, and interfacial properties of the resulting sheets. Dynamic light scattering revealed progressive yet uniform particle aggregation, while viscosity measurements indicated a gradual ~10% decrease over 960 h, reflecting reduced dispersion stability and progressive weakening of the slurry gel network during extended storage. The slurry, consisting of BaTiO₃ particles, polymeric binders, and plasticizers, forms a three-dimensional transient gel network, in which particle–particle and particle–binder interactions govern rheological behavior. The observed viscosity decrease and turbidity reduction indicate gel network relaxation and partial gel–sol–like transition behavior driven by aggregation. Cross-sectional scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that these changes produced a measurable reduction in final green sheet thickness, despite identical processing conditions. Furthermore, peel tests revealed that interfacial adhesion strength increased with storage time, attributable to localized solid enrichment within the slurry gel matrix and enhanced bonding at the release film interface. The reduced coating thickness also contributed to lower optical haze, reflecting a shortened light-transmission path. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that even moderate aggregation in a ceramic network-forming dispersion system substantially alters coating behavior, adhesion, and optical performance. The results underscore the importance of managing gel-network stability and rheology to ensure reliable green sheet fabrication and storage in MLCC manufacturing. Full article

Vanadium–titanium magnetite is a strategically important resource for iron, vanadium, and titanium production, yet its utilization in conventional blast furnace–basic oxygen furnace routes is limited by the dilution of titanium into low-value slag. This study investigates an integrated process route combining pellet preparation, hydrogen-based shaft furnace reduction conducted in the temperature range of 800–1000 °C, and subsequent electric furnace smelting for efficient recovery of Fe, V, and Ti. Pellets prepared from 100 wt.% vanadium–titanium magnetite exhibited sufficient mechanical strength but showed poor reducibility and severe low-temperature reduction disintegration, rendering them unsuitable for hydrogen-based shaft furnace operation. To overcome these limitations, systematic ore blending was applied. An optimized pellet composition comprising 40 wt.% vanadium–titanium magnetite, 50 wt.% high-grade iron ore, and 10 wt.% titanium concentrate achieved reduction degrees above 90%, acceptable swelling and bonding behavior, and low reduction disintegration indices meeting industrial HYL requirements. Industrial trials in a hydrogen-based shaft furnace demonstrated stable operation and consistent product quality, producing direct reduced iron with controlled metallization and enrichment of titanium and vanadium. Subsequent electric furnace smelting achieved clear slag–metal separation, yielding hot metal with high iron and vanadium recovery and a TiO₂-rich slag containing approximately 45 wt.% TiO₂. Recovery rates of Fe, V, and Ti exceeded 90%, confirming the technical feasibility of the proposed process route. Full article

Titanium-based implants are widely used in orthopedic and trauma surgery; however, postoperative infections remain a major cause of implant failure due to early bacterial adhesion. Localized antibiotic delivery from surface coatings offers a promising strategy to prevent initial colonization during the critical postoperative period. In this study, a self-organized TiO₂ nanotubular oxide layer was fabricated on Ti-407 by electrochemical anodization in a glycerol/NH₄F electrolyte at 40–60 V. SEM revealed vertically aligned single-walled nanotubes with diameters and lengths of ~80 nm and ~10 µm respectively. XPS analysis verified TiO₂ formation with Al–O, V–O, and fluorine incorporation. Ceftriaxone was successfully loaded into the nanotubular structure, as identified by FT-IR. UV–Vis measurements showed a biphasic release profile consisting of an initial burst followed by sustained release determined by nanotube geometry. In vitro antibacterial activity was evaluated against Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Escherichia coli using optical density, CFU quantification, and an agar diffusion assay. Unloaded surfaces showed no inhibition, whereas ceftriaxone-loaded nanotubes significantly reduced bacterial growth up to ~6% and generated clear inhibition zones. These findings demonstrate, for the first time, that TiO₂ nanotubular coatings derived from Ti-407 support drug loading and demonstrate effective in vitro antibacterial activity, highlighting their potential for infection-resistant orthopedic implants. Full article

Fe composites are highly valued for their unique mechanical and magnetic properties, making them essential in various industrial applications. This study represents the first reported attempt to combine PZT into an Fe matrix, aiming to develop novel Fe-PZT composites. The primary objective was to assess how the concentration of PZT influences the properties of these composites. The results show that increasing the PZT content in Fe-xPZT composites (where x = 1, 5, and 10 wt.%) reduces the relative sintered density. Microstructural analysis reveals that the composites with higher PZT levels contained numerous large, irregularly shaped pores due to a pronounced Kirkendall effect and limited densification. Furthermore, the evaporation of the volatile PbO compound was observed to affect the thermal stability of the PZT system, leading to reduced composite homogeneity. SEM analysis showed the formation of intermetallic compounds corresponding to Fe₂Ti, FeTi, and FeZr₂. Finally, an increase in PZT content tends to degrade the tensile and mechanical properties of the Fe-xPZT composites, though they still do not fail catastrophically. These preliminary findings prove the concept of the feasibility of producing Fe-PZT composites and set the basis for the optimization of their manufacturing process. This should eventually unlock the possibility of producing multifunctional materials. Full article

The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus (HPAIV) is widely distributed worldwide and causes significant economic losses. Transmission of HPAIV occurs through direct contact between infected and susceptible birds or indirectly via contaminated materials. In recent years, airborne transmission of HPAIV has also been reported, underscoring the need for novel approaches to effectively inactivate airborne HPAIV. Photocatalysts have attracted significant attention as potential antiviral agents. In this study, we demonstrated that a TiO₂-mediated photocatalytic reaction inactivated HPAIV and H1N1 seasonal influenza viruses in liquid, reducing their infectivity by 90.7% and 94.4%, respectively, after 60 min. Mechanistic analyses revealed decreased virion size and surface structure disruption, as determined by transmission electron microscopy. Additional evidence of viral protein and genome damage was obtained using Western blotting and RT-qPCR, respectively. Given the broad antiviral activity of photocatalysts, these findings suggest that they can inactivate influenza viruses regardless of strain or subtype. Notably, photocatalysts inactivated 80% of aerosolized H1N1 seasonal influenza viruses within 5 min. These results provide strong evidence that photocatalysts are capable of inactivating airborne influenza viruses. This study represents the first demonstration that photocatalysts can inactivate HPAIV and aerosolized influenza viruses. These findings provide strong evidence that photocatalysts represent a promising countermeasure against HPAIV, with potential applicability across different strains and subtypes. Full article

Traditional methods for preparing rare-earth-doped TiO₂ nanotubes are multi-step and often result in uneven dopant distribution, while pure TiO₂ is limited by its wide bandgap and rapid charge recombination. In this study, a one-step in situ synchronous anodization strategy is developed to fabricate gadolinium (Gd)-doped TiO₂ nanotube arrays directly on a titanium substrate. By adding gadolinium nitrate to an ethylene glycol–NH₄F electrolyte, Gd incorporation and nanotube growth are achieved simultaneously, reducing the processing steps by over 60%. The obtained Gd–TiO₂ nanotubes exhibit extended visible-light absorption with an edge beyond 500 nm and show a methylene blue degradation efficiency of 90% within 60 min, which is 50% higher than that of undoped TiO₂. Scavenger experiments reveal that ·OH radicals play the predominant role in the photocatalytic process. First-principles calculations further confirm significant bandgap narrowing from 2.89 eV to 2.46 eV after Gd doping. This work provides a simple, efficient, and scalable synthesis route for high-performance TiO₂-based photocatalysts with enhanced solar-driven activity. Full article

Iodine-based contrast agents (ICMs) are crucial substances in medical imaging because of their potent X-ray characteristics and chemical stability. However, their persistence and poor removal in conventional wastewater treatment have led to increasing environmental concern. Although ICMs exhibit low acute toxicity, their transformation during water disinfection can generate iodine-based disinfection by-products (I-DBPs), like iodo-trihalomethanes, which display notable cytotoxic, genotoxic, and ecotoxic effects and compromise drinking water quality. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) have become promising methods for breaking down persistent ICMs and limiting the formation of I-DBPs. Techniques including ozonation, UV/H₂O₂, UV/chlorine, photocatalysis with TiO₂, Fenton reactions, and electrochemical oxidation utilize highly reactive radicals to decompose persistent compounds like iopamidol, iohexol, iopromide, and diatrizoate. Despite high degradation efficiencies under laboratory conditions, limitations such as incomplete mineralization, secondary product formation, and elevated operational costs hinder large-scale implementation. Future research should focus on optimizing AOP conditions under realistic water matrices, evaluating by-product toxicity, and developing cost-effective hybrid systems. Advancing these technologies is critical to reducing the environmental burden of ICMs and safeguarding aquatic ecosystems and public health. Full article

EPDM is widely used as the polymer matrix for solid rocket motor (SRM) internal thermal protection because of its low density, chemical inertness, and ability to form carbonaceous residue. Practical performance is frequently limited by weak char integrity and barrier properties, char oxidation, mechanical stripping in gas-dynamic flow, and by the poor comparability of published results due to non-uniform test conditions and reporting. This review systematizes studies on 0D nanofillers in EPDM ablatives and harmonizes the key metrics, including linear and mass ablation rates (LAR, MAR), back-face temperature (T_back), and solid residue yield. The major 0D additives-nSiO₂, nTiO₂, nZnO, and carbon black (CB) are compared, and their dominant mechanisms are summarized: degradation-layer structuring, reduced gas permeability, thermo-oxidative stabilization, and effects on vulcanization. Several studies report larger improvements for hybrid systems, where CB enhances char cohesion and retention, while oxide nanoparticles improve barrier performance and resistance to oxidation. Finally, an application-oriented selection matrix is proposed that accounts for thermal protection efficiency, processability, agglomeration limits, and density penalties to support EPDM coating design and improve comparability. Full article

The continuous emission of persistent and bioaccumulative pollutants into aquatic environments has become a critical global issue. Among these, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are of particular concern due to their exceptional stability, extensive industrial use, and adverse impacts on ecosystems and human health. Their resistance to conventional physical, chemical, and biological treatments stems from the strength of the carbon–fluorine bond, which prevents efficient degradation under standard conditions. This review provides a concise and updated assessment of emerging advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) for PFAS remediation, with emphasis on heterogeneous photocatalysis and electrochemical oxidation. Photocatalytic systems based on In₂O₃, Bi-based oxyhalides, and Ga₂O₃ exhibit high PFAS degradation under UV light, while heterojunctions and MOF-derived catalysts improve defluorination under solar irradiation. Electrochemical oxidation—particularly using Ti₄O₇ reactive electrochemical membranes and BDD anodes—achieves near-complete mineralization with comparatively low specific energy demand. Energy consumption (E_EO) was calculated from literature data for UV- and simulated-solar-driven photocatalytic systems, enabling a direct comparison of their energy performance. Although solar-driven processes offer clear environmental advantages, they generally exhibit higher E_EO values, mainly due to lower apparent quantum yields and less efficient utilization of the incident solar photons compared to UV-driven systems. Hybrid systems coupling photocatalysis and electro-oxidation emerge as promising strategies to enhance degradation efficiency and reduce energy requirements. Overall, the review highlights key advances and future research directions toward scalable, energy-efficient, and environmentally sustainable AOP-based technologies for PFAS removal. Full article

The trend toward developing sustainable nanotechnology has driven researchers to explore environmentally friendly techniques for nanomaterial fabrication. This review examines the utilisation of Commelina benghalensis plant extracts as an effective biological tool for the green synthesis of various nanomaterials. The procedures involve reducing metal salt precursors with aqueous or polar solvent extracts rich in phytochemicals such as flavonoids and polyphenols, followed by a calcination step that yields crystalline products. The findings show that the properties of ZnO, TiO₂, Ag, NiO, and their composites are directly influenced by synthesis factors, including solvent, plant component, and extract concentration. This directly influenced their specific sizes, morphologies, and phases. Furthermore, these C. benghalensis-mediated nanomaterials showed high efficiency in the photocatalytic degradation of textile dyes and pharmaceuticals, as well as potential antibacterial and antioxidant properties. The Commelina benghalensis plant is flexible and renewable for efficient nanomaterial synthesis; nevertheless, issues with standardisation and scalability must be overcome to fully realise its promise for commercial and industrial uses. Full article

MXenes, a family of two-dimensional transition metal carbides and nitrides, exhibit exceptional electrical conductivity, tunable surface chemistry, and strong broadband light absorption. However, their practical implementation is often limited by structural instability, such as restacking and surface oxidation. In this study, we propose a strategy for the design of hybrid nanocomposites based on exfoliated Ti₃C₂T_x MXene embedded within a porous silica (SiO₂) matrix and further functionalized with cerium dioxide (CeO₂) nanoparticles. The SiO₂ matrix, synthesized via a sol–gel approach, ensures homogeneous dispersion, increased porosity, and thermal stability, effectively reducing MXene restacking. Simultaneously, CeO₂ nanoparticles create surface oxygen vacancies and enhance interfacial reactivity. Comprehensive structural, morphological, surface, and optical characterizations confirm the formation of stable, light-responsive nanoarchitectures with tailored textural properties. Furthermore, the obtained material exhibit promising photothermal-catalytic properties. This work offers a materials-oriented approach for engineering multifunctional MXene-based architectures with enhanced photothermal performance, exemplified by their potential application in the photothermo-catalytic CO₂ conversion into solar fuels, showcasing the broader possibilities enabled by these materials. Full article

Rapid removal of chemically diverse organic pollutants remains a major challenge in aqueous decontamination. In this study, atmosphere-controlled defect engineering was used to activate anatase TiO₂ as a rapid adsorbent operating on the minute scale, exhibiting low charge selectivity under the investigated conditions. A reduced black TiO₂ (B–TiO₂), produced by inert annealing, achieved ≈100% removal of cationic methylene blue within ~6 min and ≈91% uptake of anionic methyl orange within ~3 min, whereas pristine and air-annealed TiO₂ showed only marginal adsorption under identical conditions. Correlative structural and surface-sensitive analyses indicated that this behaviour was associated with a chemically activated near-surface region enriched in reduced titanium contributions, defect-associated or non-lattice oxygen environments and a locally perturbed anatase framework, together with finely dispersed carbon-related motifs integrated within the oxide matrix. Adsorption kinetics were described, within experimental resolution, by pseudo-second-order fitting, while intraparticle diffusion analysis supported sequential regimes initiated by rapid interfacial attachment. Equilibrium analysis yielded apparent maximum capacities of 6.116 mg g⁻¹ for methylene blue and 2.950 mg g⁻¹ for methyl orange, reflecting adsorption governed by surface heterogeneity for cationic species and an apparent saturation-type response for anionic uptake. Overall, controlled surface non-stoichiometry emerges as a viable strategy to enhance adsorption kinetics in TiO₂, providing a transferable design framework for developing oxide-based adsorbents for sustainable water-treatment applications. Full article

Little is known of a large black shale belt within the Naij Tal Group in the East Kunlun region, which hosts polymetallic deposits, including manganese, vanadium, and cobalt. The recently discovered Dagangou vanadium mineralization is the first black rock series-type vanadium deposit in the East Kunlun region and Qinghai Province and represents a significant find owing to its intermediate scale. This study investigated the mineralogy, major and trace elements, rare earth elements, and platinum group element geochemistry of the Dagangou vanadium deposit. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy revealed that the main vanadium-bearing minerals are micas, followed by limonite, clay minerals, feldspar, and jarosite. The SiO₂/Al₂O₃, Co/Zn, Sr/Ba, and Pd/Ir ratios, as well as the Ir content of the ores, indicated strong involvement of hydrothermal activity in the mineralization process. The V/Cr, Ni/Co, and U/Th ratios, as well as the δU values and significant negative δCe anomalies, suggested that the vanadium-bearing black rock series formed in a strongly anoxic reducing environment. The Al₂O₃/(Al₂O₃ + Fe₂O₃) and MnO/TiO₂ ratios, along with weak positive δEu anomalies and strong enrichment of heavy rare earth elements, indicated that mineralization occurred in an extensional tectonic setting. The black shale-hosted vanadium polymetallic deposit formed in a setting that transitioned from an open oceanic deep-sea environment to a progressively shallower continental margin. Full article

The increasing environmental release of nano-titanium dioxide (nTiO₂) due to its widespread industrial application raises concerns about its potential effects on aquatic ecosystems, particularly marine organisms. Fertilization, a critical reproductive process for broadcast-spawning bivalves, is highly sensitive to environmental pollutants. In the present investigation, we explored the effects of nTiO₂ at environmentally relevant concentrations on oocyte quality and the fertilization process in the economically important marine bivalve Tegillarca granosa. nTiO₂ exposure significantly reduced fertilization success and sperm–egg fusion efficiency, while markedly increasing polyspermy incidence. Mechanistically, nTiO₂ triggered oxidative stress in oocytes, elevating ROS and MDA levels and causing structural damage to the oocyte membrane. Moreover, nTiO₂ exposure disrupted cellular energy metabolism by inhibiting PK and PFK activities, depleting ATP content, and reducing MMP. Additionally, nTiO₂ exposure impaired Ca²⁺ homeostasis by suppressing Ca²⁺-ATPase activity, which reduced intracellular Ca²⁺ levels. These cellular disruptions collectively compromised the cortical reaction by inhibiting cortical granule exocytosis and microfilament migration. Our findings suggest that nTiO₂-induced oxidative stress, coupled with an imbalance in energy and Ca²⁺ homeostasis, impairs the cortical reaction and fertilization capacity in T. granosa. This study provides valuable insights into the mechanistic pathway underlying the reproductive toxicity of nTiO₂ in marine invertebrates, offering a basis for evaluating the ecological risks associated with the presence of nanomaterials in marine environments. Full article