Search Results (527)

In this work, graphite anodes and lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cathodes are used to examine the effects of sodium hexafluorophosphate (NaPF₆) and potassium hexafluorophosphate (KPF₆) electrolyte additives on the formation of the solid electrolyte interphase and the performance of lithium-ion batteries in both half-cell and full-cell designs. The objective is to assess whether these additives may increase cycle performance, decrease irreversible capacity loss, and improve interfacial stability. Compared to the control electrolyte (1.22 M Lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF₆)), cells with NaPF₆ and KPF₆ additives produced less SEI products, which decreased irreversible capacity loss and enhanced initial coulombic efficiency. Following the formation of the solid electrolyte interphase, the specific capacity of the control cell was 607 mA·h/g, with 177 mA·h/g irreversible capacity loss. In contrast, irreversible capacity loss was reduced by 38.98% and 37.85% in cells containing KPF₆ and NaPF₆ additives, respectively. In full cell cycling, a considerable improvement in capacity retention was achieved by adding NaPF₆ and KPF₆. The electrolyte, including NaPF₆, maintained 67.39% greater capacity than the LiPF₆ baseline after 20 cycles, whereas the electrolyte with KPF₆ demonstrated a 30.43% improvement, indicating the positive impacts of these additions. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy verified that sodium (Na⁺) and potassium (K⁺) ions were present in the SEI of samples containing NaPF₆ and KPF₆. While K⁺ did not intercalate in LFP, cyclic voltammetry confirmed that Na⁺ intercalated into LFP with negligible impact on the energy storage of full cells. These findings demonstrate that NaPF₆ and KPF₆ are suitable additions for enhancing lithium-ion battery performance in the popular artificial graphite/LFP system. Full article

Utilizing edible films/coatings promises to extend the shelf life of fruits by controlling various physiological parameters (e.g., respiration and transpiration rates), maintaining firmness, and delaying fruit senescence. The influence of composite-based edible coatings made from sodium or calcium caseinate: carboxymethyl chitosan (75:25) on the postharvest quality of fresh blueberries was assessed over a 28-day storage period, on the basis of weight loss and changes in pH, firmness, color, titratable acidity, soluble solids content, mold and yeast count, and respiration rate. The pH of the blueberries increased over the period of storage, with significant differences observed between uncoated and coated (e.g., pH was 3.89, 3.17, and 3.62 at the end of the storage time for uncoated, Ca 75-1% SO, and Na 75-1% SO, respectively. Desirable lower pH values at the end of storage were obtained with the calcium caseinate formulations. Over the duration of storage, other quality parameters (e.g., firmness) were better retained in coated fruits compared to the uncoated (control) one. At the last storage day, the firmness of the uncoated sample was 0.67 N·mm⁻¹ while the sodium and calcium caseinate was 0.63 and 0.81 N.mm⁻¹, respectively. Moreover, the microbial growth was reduced in coated fruits, indicating the effectiveness of coatings in preserving fruit quality. The mold /yeast count was 1.4 and 2.3 log CFU/g for CaCa 75-1% SO and NaCa 75-1% SO compared with uncoated with 4.2 log CFU/g. Adding soybean oil to the caseinate–carboxymethyl chitosan composite edible coating has the potential to positively influence retention of various quality parameters of blueberries, thereby extending their shelf life and maintaining overall quality. Further research could explore the optimization of coating formulations and application methods to enhance their effectiveness in preserving fruit quality during storage. Full article

Electrochromic (EC) devices are gaining increasing attention for next-generation smart windows and low-power displays due to their reversible color modulation, low operating voltage, and flexible form factors. Recently, electrochromic energy storage devices (EESDs) have emerged as a promising class of multifunctional systems, enabling simultaneous energy storage and real-time visual monitoring. In this study, we report a flexible dual-functional EESD constructed using polyaniline (PANI) films doped with anthraquinone-1-sulfonic acid sodium salt (AQS), coupled with a redox-active PVA-based gel electrolyte also incorporating AQS. The incorporation of AQS into both the polymer matrix and the gel electrolyte introduces synergistic redox activity, facilitating bidirectional Faradaic reactions at the film–electrolyte interface and within the bulk gel phase. The resulting vertically aligned PANI-AQS nanoneedle films provide high surface area and efficient ion pathways, while the AQS-doped gel electrolyte contributes to enhanced ionic conductivity and electrochemical stability. The device exhibits rapid and reversible color switching from light green to deep black (within 2 s), along with a high areal capacitance of 194.2 mF·cm⁻² at 1 mA·cm⁻² and 72.1% capacitance retention over 5000 cycles—representing a 31.5% improvement over undoped systems. These results highlight the critical role of redox-functionalized gel electrolytes in enhancing both the energy storage and optical performance of EESDs, offering a scalable strategy for multifunctional, gel-based electrochemical systems in wearable and smart electronics. Full article

Surimi products are popular due to their high protein and low fat content. However, traditional processing methods rely on high concentrations of salt (2–3%) to maintain texture and stability, contributing to excessive sodium intake. As global health trends advance, developing green and low-salt technologies while maintaining product quality has become a research focus. Alkaline amino acids regulate protein conformation and intermolecular interactions through charge shielding, hydrogen bond topology, metal chelation, and hydration to compensate for the defects of solubility, gelation, and emulsification stability in the low-salt system. This article systematically reviews the mechanisms and applications of alkaline amino acids in reducing salt and maintaining quality in surimi. Research indicates that alkaline amino acids regulate the conformational changes of myofibrillar proteins through electrostatic shielding, hydrogen bond topology construction, and metal chelation, significantly improving gel strength, water retention, and emulsion stability in low-salt systems, with the results comparable to those in high-salt systems. Future research should optimize addition strategies using computational simulations technologies and establish a quality and safety evaluation system to promote industrial application. This review provides a theoretical basis for the green processing and functional enhancement of surimi products, which could have significant academic and industrial value. Full article

To examine how reaction media influence the copolymerization processes of acrylamide-based copolymers, [BMIM]Oac and water were utilized as the reaction media. Four copolymers P(AM-SSS) (H₂O), P(AM-UA) (H₂O), P(AM-SSS) (ILs), and P(AM-UA) (ILs) were synthesized using the soluble monomer sodium p-styrene sulfonate (SSS), the insoluble monomer 10-undecylenoic acid (UA), and acrylamide (AM). The properties of the copolymers were characterized using infrared spectroscopy and ¹H NMR, and the copolymerization rates of the monomers and the segment sequences of the copolymers were calculated. The results indicated that copolymerization of SSS in ionic liquids could reduce the length of the continuous units of AM in the copolymer’s molecular chain from 231.2866 to 91.1179, with a more uniform distribution within the molecular chain. The thermal stability and micro-morphology of the copolymers were tested using a synchronous thermal analyzer and scanning electron microscopy, and the resistance of the copolymer solutions to temperature, salt, and shear were evaluated. Comparisons revealed that the three-dimensional spatial structure formed by the copolymers in ionic liquids is robust and loose. When AM and SSS polymerize in [BMIM]Oac, the resulting copolymer exhibits a higher viscosity retention rate in temperature and shear resistance tests, with a thermal decomposition temperature reaching 260 °C. Conversely, when AM and UA polymerize in [BMIM]Oac, the copolymer demonstrates good salt resistance, maintaining a viscosity retention rate of 259.04% at a Na⁺ concentration of 200,000 mg/L. Therefore, the ionic liquid [BMIM]Oac can enhance the various application performances of copolymers formed by monomers with different solubilities and AM. Full article

Every year, diarrhoea is responsible for >1 million deaths in children with ages from 0 to 5 years, with rotavirus as the leading cause. The regions most affected lack routine rotavirus diagnosis due to high cost, lack of necessary equipment and shortage of trained-personnel for Enzyme-Link-Immunosorbent-Assay (ELISA) and molecular methods. We report the development and evaluation of a cheap, nanoparticle-based immunoassay for routine machine-free rotavirus diagnosis. In this work, optimal conditions for oxidation of cotton swabs and aldehyde production for kit development was confirmed by Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Lactoferrin (LF) needed to bind the virus to the cotton swab was immobilised on activated cotton swabs, followed by the capture of commercial rotavirus antigen on LF-immobilised swabs. This was dipped in coloured nanobeads covalently coupled to rotavirus-group-specific monoclonal antibody for visual rotavirus detection. Subsequently, rotavirus detection by nanoassay, commercial ELISA and quantitative reverse transcription PCR were compared using same set of 186 stool samples and subjected to statistical analyses. Optimal oxidisation condition was observed using 48 mg/mL NaIO₄ in 0.1 M sodium acetate buffer at 35 °C for 9 h. Rotavirus detection was confirmed visually by blue colour retention on swabs after several washings. Sensitivity, specificity, positive-predictive-value and negative-predictive-value of ELISA in rotavirus detection were 60%, 84%, 53% and 88%, respectively, while our immunoassay showed performance at 88%, 94%, 82% and 96%. This immunoassay will provide effective rotavirus public health interventions in low-and-middle-income countries with high morbidity/mortality. Full article

Arsenic (As) and cadmium (Cd) in rice grains are major global food safety concerns. Iron (Fe) can help reduce both, but current Fe treatments suffer from poor stability, low leaf absorption, and fast soil immobilization, with unclear underlying mechanisms. To address these issues, an Fe-based metal–organic framework (MIL-88) was modified with sodium alginate (SA) to form MIL-88@SA. Its stability as a foliar inhibitor and its leaf absorption were tested, and its effects on As and Cd accumulation in rice were compared with those of soluble Fe (FeCl₃) and chelating Fe (HA + FeCl₃) in a field study on As–Cd co-contaminated rice paddies. Compared with the control, MIL-88@SA outperformed or matched the other Fe treatments. A single foliar spray during the tillering stage increased the rice yield by 19% and reduced the inorganic As and Cd content in the grains by 22.8% and 67.8%, respectively, while the other Fe treatments required two sprays. Its superior performance was attributed to better leaf affinity and thermal stability. Laser ablation inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA–ICP–MS) and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM) analyses revealed that Fe improved photosynthesis and alleviated As–Cd stress in leaves, MIL-88@SA promoted As and Cd redistribution, and Fe–Cd co-accumulation in leaf veins enhanced Cd retention in leaves. Full article

Prussian blue and its analogs (PBAs), considered potential cathode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs), still confront multiple challenges. For example, many defect vacancies and high crystal water content are generated during the fast crystallization of PBAs, impairing the rate performance. The stress accumulation during Na⁺ insertion/extraction destabilizes the lattice framework and then damages the electrochemical performance. Herein, iron-based Prussian blue with an open-pore skeleton structure (PB-3) is prepared using a facile template method which employs PVP and sodium citrate to control the crystallization rate and adjust the particle morphology. The prepared materials exhibit excellent kinetic properties and are conducive to mitigate the volume changes during ion insertion/extraction processes. PB-3 electrode not only exhibits a superior rate performance (92 mAh g⁻¹ reversible capacity at 2000 mA g⁻¹), but also presents superior cycling performance (capacity retention remained at 90.2% after 600 cycles at a current density of 500 mA g⁻¹). The highly reversible sodium ion insertion/extraction mechanism of PB-3 is investigated by ex situ XRD tests, which proves that the stabilized lattice structure can enhance the long cycling performance. In addition, the considerable capacitance contributes to the rate performance. This study provides valuable insights for the subsequent development of high-performance and stable cathodes for SIBs. Full article

Salinity has significant impacts on crops, a problem that is exacerbated under climate change conditions. For this reason, research is focused on possible ways to mitigate the impacts by adapting cultivation methods such as administering appropriate materials or formulations to plants. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of calcium (Ca²⁺) supplementation on the growth, physiology, and chemical composition of pomegranate plants (Punica granatum L. cv. ‘Wonderful’) grown under salinity stress. Young self-rooted plants were cultivated in pots containing a sand/perlite (1:1) mixture and irrigated with Hoagland’s nutrient solution amended with NaCl (0, 60, or 120 mM) and CaCl₂·2H₂O (0 or 10 mM). Salinity significantly reduced the fresh and dry weight of aboveground tissues; photosynthetic performance; chlorophyll content; and potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) concentrations, particularly under high NaCl levels. Sodium (Na) accumulation increased in all plant parts, while nitrogen (N), manganese (Mn), and zinc (Zn) concentrations were elevated in basal leaves. Calcium supplementation mitigated several of these adverse effects, especially under moderate salinity. It helped maintain leaf biomass, supported K⁺ retention in roots, partially improved chlorophyll concentration, and limited Na⁺ accumulation in certain tissues. However, Ca²⁺ application did not consistently reverse the negative impacts of severe salinity (120 mM NaCl), and in some cases, interactions between Ca²⁺ and other nutrients such as Mg²⁺ were antagonistic. These findings confirm the inherent salt tolerance of pomegranate and demonstrate that calcium plays a partially protective role under salinity, particularly at moderate stress levels. Further research is needed to optimize Ca²⁺ use in saline agriculture and enhance sustainable cultivation of pomegranate in salt-affected soils. Full article

Gel-polymer electrolytes offer a promising route toward safer and more stable sodium-ion batteries, but conventional polymer systems often suffer from low ionic conductivity and limited voltage stability. In this study, we developed composite GPEs by embedding methylammonium lead chloride (CH₃NH₃PbCl₃, MPCl) into a UV-crosslinked ethoxylated trimethylolpropane triacrylate (ETPTA) matrix, with sodium alginate (SA) as an ionic conduction enhancer. Three types of membranes—GPE-P, GPE-El, and GPE-Eh—were synthesized and systematically compared. Among them, the high-MPCl formulation (GPE-Eh) exhibited the best performance, achieving a high ionic conductivity of 2.14 × 10⁻³ S·cm⁻¹, a sodium-ion transference number of 0.66, and a wide electrochemical window of approximately 4.9 V vs. Na⁺/Na. In symmetric Na|GPE|Na cells, GPE-Eh enabled stable sodium plating/stripping for over 600 h with low polarization. In Na|GPE|NVP cells, it delivered a high capacity retention of ~79% after 500 cycles and recovered ~89% of its initial capacity after high-rate cycling. These findings demonstrate that the perovskite–polymer composite structure significantly improves ion transport, interfacial stability, and electrochemical durability, offering a viable path for the development of next-generation quasi-solid-state sodium-ion batteries. Full article

Background/Objectives: The precise control of drug absorption through the nasal mucosa following intranasal administration can be achieved through optimal formulation development that considers the nasal retention properties of the administered dosage form. This study aimed to quantitatively elucidate the effect of formulation type on nasal residence time in vivo. Methods: The nasal residence behavior of various formulation types, including solutions, particulates, and powders, was estimated in rats. Furthermore, the effect of mucoadhesive polymers on the nasal residence time was investigated using gel and powder dosage forms of sodium alginate. Results: The nasal retention behavior of the formulation in the nasal cavity differed depending on the dosage form. The polystyrene microparticles and lactose powder, a non-adhesive powder, were quickly eliminated into the nasopharynx, whereas the solution remained in the nasal cavity longer than the other formulations. The clearance behavior of the solution was investigated, and it was found that the solution was quickly transported to the stomach without being retained in the esophagus. The disappearance of the gel and powder with the mucoadhesive polymer was different, with the powder clearing faster. This difference in clearance is thought to be due to the powder being cleared before dissolving and diffusing into the nasal mucus. Conclusions: It has been clearly shown that the nasal residence behavior differed depending on the dosage forms. The addition of mucoadhesive polymers was effective in improving the nasal residence of the drug, and more-effective formulations for nasal application can be developed by combining optimal dosage forms, such as powders and gels. Full article

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have been considered as a promising alternative to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) for large-scale energy storage. However, the commercial graphite anode is not suitable for SIBs due to its low Na⁺ ion storage capability. Currently, hard carbon has been considered a promising anode material for SIBs. Herein, the surface porousized hard carbon anode materials have been prepared by using hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) with a hydrothermal method (HC-HO) and utilized as the anode material for SIBs. The porous structure of HC-HO provides more storage space for Na⁺ ions and enhances the intercalation/deintercalation reversibility and diffusion rate of Na⁺ ions. Moreover, HC-HO can effectively alleviate the particle volume expansion and generate a thin and stable SEI film during charge/discharge processes. Thus, the HC-HO exhibits a high reversible capacity (314.4 mAh g⁻¹ with an ICE of 92.3% at 0.05 C), excellent rate performance (241.4 mAh g⁻¹ at 3 C), and outstanding cycling stability (a capacity retention of 78.6% after 500 cycles at 1 C). The preparation of porous hard carbon provides new ideas for the future development direction of hard carbon. Full article

The prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a well-established target for radiotheranostics in prostate cancer. We previously demonstrated that 4-(p-astatophenyl)butyric acid (APBA), an albumin-binding moiety (ABM) labeled with astatine-211 (²¹¹At), enables the modulation of pharmacokinetics and enhancement of therapeutic efficacy when combined with the post-administration of an albumin-binding competitor. However, this strategy has not been explored in PSMA-targeting ligands. We designed and synthesized [²¹¹At]6, a novel PSMA ligand structurally analogous to PSMA-617 with APBA. The compound was obtained via a tin–halogen exchange reaction from the corresponding tributylstannyl precursor. Comparative cellular uptake and biodistribution studies were conducted with [²¹¹At]6, its radioiodinated analog [¹²⁵I]5, and [⁶⁷Ga]Ga-PSMA-617. To assess pharmacokinetic modulation, sodium 4-(p-iodophenyl)butanoate (IPBA), an albumin-binding competitor, was administered 1 h postinjection of [¹²⁵I]5 and [²¹¹At]6 at a 10-fold molar excess relative to blood albumin. The synthesis of [²¹¹At]6 gave a radiochemical yield of 15.9 ± 7.7% and a radiochemical purity > 97%. The synthesized [²¹¹At]6 exhibited time-dependent cellular uptake and internalization, with higher uptake levels than [⁶⁷Ga]Ga-PSMA-617. Biodistribution studies of [²¹¹At]6 in normal mice revealed a prolonged blood retention similar to those of [¹²⁵I]5. Notably, post-administration of IPBA significantly reduced blood radioactivity and non-target tissue accumulation of [¹²⁵I]5 and [²¹¹At]6. We found that ABM-mediated pharmacokinetic control was applicable to PSMA-targeted radiotherapeutics, broadening its potential for the optimization of radiotheranostics. Full article

Antioxidant gel foams are promising materials for coal mine fire prevention due to their unique physicochemical properties. To address the limitations of conventional suppression methods under high-temperature conditions, this study investigates a newly developed antioxidant gel foam and its mechanism in inhibiting coal spontaneous combustion. A novel antioxidant gel foam was formulated by incorporating TBHQ and modified montmorillonite into a sodium alginate-based gel system. This formulation enhances the thermal stability, water retention, and free radical scavenging capacity of the gel. This study uniquely combines multi-scale experimental methods to evaluate the performance of this material in coal fire suppression. Multi-scale experiments, including FTIR, leakage air testing, programmed temperature rise, and small-scale fire extinction, were conducted to evaluate its performance. Experimental results indicate that the antioxidant gel foam exhibits excellent thermal stability in the temperature range of 200–500 °C. Its relatively high decomposition temperature enables it to effectively resist structural damage in high-temperature environments. During thermal decomposition, the gel releases only a small amount of gas, while maintaining the integrity of its internal micro-porous structure. This characteristic significantly delays the kinetics of coal oxidation reactions. Further research revealed that the spontaneous combustion ignition temperature of coal samples treated with the gel was significantly higher, and the oxygen consumption rate during spontaneous combustion was significantly reduced, indicating that the gel not only effectively suppressed the acceleration of the combustion reaction but also significantly reduced the release of harmful gases such as HCl. Scanning electron microscope analysis confirmed that the gel maintained a good physical structure under high temperatures, forming an effective oxygen barrier, which further enhanced the suppression of coal spontaneous combustion. These findings provide important theoretical and practical guidance for the application of antioxidant gel foams in coal mine fire prevention and control, confirming that this material has great potential in coal mine fire safety, offering a new technological approach to improve coal mine safety. Full article

Sodium-ion batteries are renowned for their abundant reserves, cost-efficiency, safety, and eco-friendliness and are prime candidates for large-scale energy storage applications. The development of cathode materials plays a crucial role in shaping both the commercialization path and the ultimate performance capabilities of SIBs. To overcome the intricate synthesis challenges associated with pure-phase sodium-ion cathode materials, this study introduces an innovative and streamlined electrochemical Li⁺/Na⁺ exchange process, successfully fabricating a high-capacity Ni-rich cathode material. This cathode material boasts a remarkable reversible capacity of 180 mAh g⁻¹ at 0.1 C and retains a high-rate capacity of 115 mAh g⁻¹ even at 5 C. Additionally, it exhibits exceptional cycling stability, retaining about 85% of its capacity at 1 C after 50 cycles and still maintaining a capacity greater than 60% after 100 cycles. The Na-NMA85 full cell preserves a discharge capacity of 110 mAh g⁻¹ after 100 cycles, with a capacity retention rate of 80%. This research underscores innovative strategies for designing ion-intercalation-based cathode materials that enhance battery performance, providing fresh perspectives for advancing high-performance battery technologies. Full article