Search Results (3,331)

Traditional research was mostly focused on the effects of emulsions on the mechanical properties and durability of cement mortar, while studies on the regulation mechanism of emulsions on the rheological properties of cement-based materials and the coupling mechanism with the hydration process were rarely conducted. In this paper, a novel core–shell structured emulsion was prepared by free radical polymerization. The regulation of cement mortar yield stress, creep recovery, dynamic viscosity, and thixotropy by different dosages (0–10%) of the emulsion admixture was systematically investigated, and combined with characterization by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), the microscopic action mechanism of the emulsion was elucidated. It was demonstrated that the Bingham fluid behavior of cement mortar was not altered by the core–shell emulsion, whereas a significant dosage-dependent regulatory effect on its rheological parameters was observed, and a critical regulation interval of 4–6% was identified. At an emulsion dosage of 10%, the yield stress of the mortar was increased by 937.0% compared to that of the control group. At dosages of 2–4%, the static structural stability and construction flowability of the mortar were synergistically optimized, and the weakest thixotropy and the best structural stability were exhibited at an emulsion dosage of 4%. A more pronounced shear-thinning behavior was shown by all modified mortars, and their high-shear flowability was not affected. Microstructural analysis confirmed that no chemical reaction occurred between the emulsion and the cement hydration products. Through the triple effects of “hydration retardation by physical coating, pore filling and densification, and composite network enhancement”, a film was formed on the surface of cement particles by the emulsion, which hindered the diffusion of water and ions, thereby regulating the cement hydration process and microstructural evolution. Full article

Saline-affected soils exhibit poor mechanical properties and are prone to durability degradation under environmental disturbances, severely hindering infrastructure development in saline-affected regions. This study adopted a synergistic consolidation treatment for sulfate-salinized soils using a guar gum (GG) and Portland cement composite system, formulating 25 mix designs with GG content ranging from 0% to 2% and cement content from 0% to 12%. The unconfined compressive strength (UCS), dry–wet cycle durability, and repeated load fatigue performance of the stabilized soils were systematically tested. Combined with microstructural characterization techniques including X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and CT scanning, the evolution patterns of the solidified soil’s mechanical properties and the macro-micro interaction mechanisms were revealed. Results indicate that cement is the primary strength source in cement-stabilized soil: at a cement dosage of 12%, the UCS reaches 2.53 MPa, a 41-fold increase compared to the native soil. A significant synergistic strengthening effect exists between cement and GG at the optimal GG dosage of 0.5%–1.0%, with the optimal mixture ratio being 6%–9% cement blended with 0.5%–1.0% GG. With this optimized ratio, the stabilized soil shows a strength retention rate of 87.2% after 10 dry–wet cycles, and its fatigue life extends to 1986 cycles (a 42.6% increase compared to pure cement-stabilized specimens). Microstructural analysis suggests that the stabilization process is fundamentally governed by interfacial micro-coating mechanisms. The reaction between cement aluminates and soil sulfates generates abundant ettringite, which is hypothesized to form a rigid skeletal framework. Simultaneously, GG forms a hydrogel network that acts as a dense, protective organic–inorganic micro-coating on the surface of soil aggregates and cement phases. This interfacial encapsulation optimizes the pore structure, reducing porosity to 1.43% and fundamentally blocking inward water infiltration pathways at the aggregate interface. However, excessive GG (>1.5%) coats cement particles, hinders hydration reactions and induces structural defects, ultimately leading to performance degradation. This study elucidates the macro-micro coupled mechanism of GG-cement composite consolidation for saline–alkali soils, providing theoretical foundations and technical solutions for saline–alkali soil consolidation engineering. Full article

Lightweight resin lattice structures are prone to instability and failure under compressive loading, which leads to limited load bearing capacity and energy absorption performance. In this study, tough resin triply periodic minimal surface (TPMS) lattice scaffolds were fabricated using stereolithography-based 3D printing, and polyurethane foam (PUF) was subsequently infiltrated into three representative topologies, namely Schwarz Primitive (P), I-Wrapped Package (IWP), and Gyroid (G), to form interpenetrating phase composites (IPC). Quasi-static compression results show that PUF infiltration significantly improves the compressive response of all IPC architectures. The stress level in the plateau region is increased, while the magnitude of local stress drops is reduced, leading to a more stable progressive compression behavior. By comparing the stress–strain responses of IPC with the linear superposition of the pure resin scaffold and PUF phases, it is found that the actual energy absorption of IPC exceeds the predicted additive response, indicating a pronounced synergistic effect between the two phases. Among them, the IWP-based IPC achieves a specific energy absorption of 11.72 J/g. These results demonstrate that interpenetrating phase architectures can maintain lightweight characteristics while enhancing load bearing stability and energy absorption efficiency, providing useful guidance for topology selection and lightweight design of TPMS-based energy absorbing composite structures. Full article

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) are renewable and biodegradable nanomaterials that can stabilize Pickering emulsions through steric hindrance and electrostatic repulsion. However, pristine CNCs show limited interfacial anchoring because of their strong hydrophilicity and high surface charge density, making the emulsions susceptible to coalescence, phase separation, and structural instability under environmental stresses. This review summarizes two major strategies for stabilizing and functionally regulating CNC-based Pickering emulsions: chemical modification and synergistic stabilization. Chemical modification regulates CNC surface charge, wettability, interfacial anchoring, and functional group composition through oxidation, amination, esterification, graft copolymerization, desulfation, and etherification, whereas synergistic stabilization constructs composite interfacial films or continuous-phase networks through noncovalent interactions between CNCs and proteins, polysaccharides, cyclodextrins, surfactants, inorganic nanomaterials, or functional molecules. The ability of these emulsion systems to compartmentalize oil-soluble bioactives within structured droplets also provides a basis for improving bioactive stability and release behavior in food-related formulations. These strategies improve emulsion stability and introduce antibacterial, antioxidant, responsive, and controlled-release properties, highlighting the potential of CNC-based Pickering emulsions in active food systems, including food preservation, active packaging, and the stabilization, protection, and release regulation of food bioactives. Remaining challenges in green preparation, structural regulation, release mechanisms, scalable production, and practical evaluation are also discussed. Full article

The production of high-purity hydrogen from chemical hydrogen storage materials such as sodium borohydride (NaBH₄) has been identified as a particularly promising candidate due to its high hydrogen storage capacity and environmentally benign hydrolysis products. The incorporation of tungsten (W), thereby developing W-promoted NiMo catalytic systems, results in the enhance activity toward NaBH₄ hydrolysis, thereby developing ternary NiMoW catalytic systems. The synthesis of NiMoW-coated copper catalysts (NiMoW/Cu) containing 3–11 wt.% of W was accomplished using a cost-effective and efficient electroless deposition method from citrate-based plating baths containing Ni²⁺, Mo⁶⁺, and W⁶⁺ ions. Morpholine borane was utilized as the reducing agent in this process. The catalytic activity of the prepared coatings toward alkaline NaBH₄ hydrolysis increased as the tungsten content decreased within the investigated range of 3–11 wt.%. The highest hydrogen generation rate, reaching 9.87 L min⁻¹ gcat⁻¹, was achieved using the NiMoW/Cu catalyst containing 3 wt.% of W at 343 K. The corresponding apparent activation energy was calculated to be 52 kJ mol⁻¹. In addition, the catalyst demonstrated notable 89.1% stability, maintaining a high degree of catalytic activity after undergoing five successive hydrolysis cycles. The enhanced catalytic performance was attributed to synergistic interactions between Ni, Mo, and W and to the favorable surface morphology of the multicomponent coating, which promoted the hydrogen generation reaction. Full article

Nanotechnology offers transformative potential for wastewater treatment, yet its full-scale implementation remains bottlenecked by the “lab–reality gap”. While bench-scale studies using idealized matrices report outstanding pollutant removal efficiencies, performance routinely deteriorates in authentic wastewater due to complex matrix interferences, natural organic matter (NOM) competitive binding, fouling dynamics, and unpredictable nano–bio transformations. Moving beyond traditional reviews that focus heavily on material synthesis and theoretical capacities, this review provides a novel, systems-oriented, and function-driven perspective on environmental nanotechnology. We critically evaluate the operational stability and behavior of nano-enabled systems under realistic conditions, categorizing nanomaterial roles into reactive interfaces, selective barriers, signal generators, and biological modulators. Crucially, this work examines the synergistic integration of nanotechnology with advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), membrane bioreactors, and digital intelligence—including artificial intelligence (AI) and real-time nanosensing—to achieve smart fouling management and circular resource recovery. Finally, we propose a comprehensive, multidimensional evaluation framework that simultaneously assesses technical efficiency, stability, scalability, economic feasibility, environmental safety, and system compatibility. This review delivers a pragmatic roadmap to bridge the chasm between isolated laboratory discovery and robust, sustainable, field-scale wastewater engineering. Full article

Asphalt concrete pavements in many regions suffer from premature deterioration caused by low-temperature cracking and rutting resistance under heavy traffic loads and high summer temperatures. While polymer-modified bitumen is widely used to improve pavement performance, the high cost of commercial polymers restricts its extensive application. This study evaluates the potential of polymer waste as an alternative modifier for asphalt binders to enhance mechanical performance while reducing economic and environmental costs. Experimental results demonstrate that an optimal plastic waste content of 1.0–1.5% significantly improves rutting resistance and increases binder rigidity. The incorporation of 1.5% low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) enhances deformation resistance, elastic modulus, and temperature stability. LDPE exhibits better compatibility with bitumen and dissolves more readily, contributing to improved binder homogeneity, whereas HDPE provides higher stiffness and thermal stability. The combined use of polymer waste with styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) produces a pronounced synergistic effect, leading to improvements in physical and mechanical properties exceeding 25% compared to Kazakhstan regulatory standards. Increasing polymer waste content further enhances the rigidity of both the binder and asphalt concrete, thereby improving rutting resistance and plastic deformation at elevated temperatures. The proposed approach offers a cost-effective and sustainable solution for road construction, promoting plastic waste recycling, reducing reliance on virgin polymers, and improving pavement durability, particularly under the climatic and traffic conditions of Kazakhstan. Full article

With the rapid advancement of wearable technologies, high-performance flexible sensors have garnered significant research interest. This study presents a PAM-5 hydrogel characterized by exceptional tensile strain (425%), superior compressive modulus (325 kPa), and notable ionic conductivity (1.1 S/m), serving as a robust mechanical framework and electrical foundation for developing advanced sensors. The PNP-5 integrated hydrogel sensor fabricated from this material demonstrates an extensive sensing range (2–53 kPa), remarkable sensitivity, and rapid response time (~321 ms), with its outstanding performance attributed to the synergistic structural design. Furthermore, the sensor exhibits excellent durability, maintaining consistent voltage output (~6.5 mV) across 1000 compression cycles, confirming its long-term operational stability. Through real-time monitoring of physiological signals and biomechanical movements including finger bending, respiration, and grasping, combined with spatial pressure mapping experiments using a 5 × 5 array touchpad, the device’s potential applications in wearable sensing platforms and human–machine interface systems are effectively demonstrated. This self-powered hydrogel sensor not only advances the performance metrics of flexible electronic devices but also establishes a solid experimental basis for future development of intelligent materials in health monitoring and interactive technologies. Full article

To solve the drawbacks of conventional long-cycle wear tests for miniature standing- wave linear ultrasonic motors, an accelerated equivalent wear model and test system were proposed in this work. After primary screening of multiple pair materials, graphite and Al₂O₃ were adopted to modify epoxy films. The optimal friction pair is composed of 6061 hard anodic oxidation film and ECA105 composite film. The matched pair exhibits excellent driving stability and low wear loss, with fatigue wear as the main wear form. Graphite and Al₂O₃ exert synergistic anti-wear and load-bearing effects via forming a stable transfer film on the friction interface. Experimental results confirm that the accelerated test is equivalent to a full-life durability test. The presented method and optimized friction pair can effectively guide the development of high-performance ultrasonic motors. Full article

Commercial V₂O₅ powders typically exhibit a lamellar morphology with limited structural stability and sluggish electron/ion transport, which restricts their discharge performance in thermal batteries. This work aims to enhance the discharge performance of V₂O₅ cathodes by constructing a robust spherical architecture via a scalable spray drying strategy combined with carbon modification. The as-prepared V₂O₅/C cathode delivers a high initial discharge voltage of 2.45 V, a specific capacity of 261.06 mAh g⁻¹, and an energy density of 591.05 Wh kg⁻¹ at 0.1 A cm⁻² and 500 °C (cut-off voltage of 1.9 V), outperforming those of commercial V₂O₅ cathodes. Pulse discharge tests and resistance evolution analyses further demonstrate enhanced voltage stability and reduced interfacial resistance. These improvements originate from the synergistic effect of the spherical architecture and conductive carbon network, which facilitates continuous electron/ion transport and reinforces structural integrity under high-temperature discharge conditions. This work provides a scalable design strategy for high-tap-density spherical V₂O₅ cathodes and offers insight into the coupling among morphology, conductivity, and stability in cathode materials for thermal battery. Full article

With the construction of transportation networks in mountainous areas under the Western Development Strategy, double-row pile foundations on slopes have been widely applied. However, due to the distortion of the soil stress field, their load distribution mechanism under bidirectional loading is extremely complex. To investigate the internal force distribution laws and deformation and failure modes, a systematic study was conducted utilizing theoretical derivation: 60 scale indoor physical model tests, and 3D refined finite element numerical simulations. The results show that the force distribution of double-row piles in slope environments differs significantly: the upper-row piles, affected by active earth pressure and sliding thrust, bear significantly higher load than the lower-row piles; meanwhile, the lower-row piles, constrained by stronger deep soil, can more fully utilize their vertical bearing capacity. Parametric analysis indicates that the terrain slope has a nonlinear amplification effect on the displacement difference at the pile top, with 50° being the critical mutation slope that triggers the failure of connection joints. In addition, the deformation mode of double-row piles undergoes a change when the pile spacing exceeds 5 times the pile diameter. Therefore, in practical engineering design, the traditional concept of symmetrical reinforcement should be abandoned in favor of differentiated bending reinforcement targeting the shallow surface layer of the upper-row piles and the deep inflection point of the lower-row piles. For working conditions with a slope greater than 50°, additional measures such as prestressed anchor cables must be applied to reduce the sliding load. Meanwhile, the row spacing should be strictly controlled within 5 times the pile diameter to fully ensure the diaphragm effect and the overall synergistic stability of the structure. Full article

Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) mediates arginine methylation of a wide range of proteins and plays context-dependent oncogenic or tumor-suppressive roles. In cancer, PRMT5 represses several tumor suppressor genes, including E-cadherin, TP53BP1, ST7, PTEN, and RB (retinoblastoma). Elevated PRMT5 expression has been reported across multiple cancer types, notably triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). In TNBC, high PRMT5 levels are associated with enhanced cancer stem cell self-renewal, increased tumor growth and metastasis, and reduced patient survival. Mechanistically, PRMT5 promotes breast cancer stem cell maintenance and proliferation through stabilization of the transcription factors KLF4 and KLF5. Disruption of the PRMT5–KLF4 axis results in significant tumor reduction in TNBC models. Moreover, increased PRMT5 expression has been linked to resistance to chemotherapy and immunotherapy in TNBC. Notably, PRMT5 inhibitors demonstrate synergistic anticancer activity when combined with inhibitors of key oncogenic signaling pathways, including EGFR, PARP, and AKT. While several PRMT5 inhibitors are currently being evaluated in clinical trials for other malignancies, no clinical trials have yet been initiated specifically for TNBC. Full article

The increasing concentration of atmospheric CO₂ has intensified the urgent need for efficient and sustainable carbon capture technologies. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have emerged as a highly promising class of porous crystalline materials for CO₂ adsorption and separation owing to their structural tunability, high surface area, and precisely designable pore environments. This review summarizes recent advances in COF-based CO₂ capture systems, covering pristine COFs, functionalized frameworks, composite materials, and membrane-based architectures. In pristine COFs, CO₂ adsorption is mainly governed by micropore confinement and physisorption within well-defined channels, where surface area and pore size distribution play key roles. Functionalized COFs introduce additional active sites, including amine groups, heteroatoms, ionic functionalities, and alkali metal centers, which significantly enhance CO₂ affinity through stronger electrostatic and acid–base interactions, often leading to mixed physisorption–chemisorption behavior. Composite COFs and mixed-matrix membranes further improve performance through synergistic effects, interfacial engineering, and enhanced mass transport. Despite these advantages, challenges remain in achieving an optimal balance between capacity, selectivity, and regenerability under realistic conditions such as humidity, low CO₂ partial pressure, and multicomponent gas streams. Issues related to scalable synthesis, structural stability, and processability also limit practical applications. Overall, this review highlights key structure–property relationships and outlines future directions, including humid-stable COFs, direct air capture, computational design strategies, and advanced membrane technologies, for next-generation CO₂ capture materials. Full article

Heterogeneous hydrogels capable of complex, programmable deformation are highly desirable for soft actuators, yet general strategies that simultaneously impart structural anisotropy, rapid responsiveness, and mechanical robustness remain limited. Here, a gradient anisotropic natural rubber-poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (NR-PNIPAM) composite hydrogel is developed through a simple one-pot polymerization strategy by coupling pH-regulated colloidal stability with gravity-directed redistribution of natural rubber latex particles. Under an optimized pH window, NR nanoparticles gradually migrate during gelation and are fixed as a continuous gradient within the PNIPAM network, generating built-in structural asymmetry for nonuniform deformation. Meanwhile, NR nanoparticles act as soft reinforcing domains to improve mechanical strength, while water-soluble graphene nanosheets provide efficient photothermal conversion for remotely-controlled near-infrared (NIR)-responsive actuation. Benefiting from this synergistic design, the hydrogel exhibits programmable bending and localized folding with high actuation rates of 129° s⁻¹ and 46° s⁻¹, respectively, along with a tensile strength of 0.32 MPa and an active lifting capability exceeding 70 times its own weight. The material further enables biomimetic gripping and lifting under NIR stimulation. This work establishes a general route to robust gradient hydrogels by integrating colloidal regulation, structural anisotropy, and photothermal actuation, offering a versatile platform for high-performance soft intelligent systems. Full article

The conversion of bio-waste into functional energy materials provides a robust platform for addressing both environmental and energy challenges. In this paper, discarded absorbent pads are transformed into carbon-rich frameworks, which is followed by the fabrication of composites through the incorporation of Cu₄SnS₄ (CSS) for dual electrochemical applications. Integrating CSS into the waste-derived carbon matrix induces strong synergistic effects, improving electrical conductivity, increasing active-site availability, and accelerating charge-transfer kinetics. Comprehensive physicochemical analyses confirmed the successful formation of a well-integrated heterostructure composite with favorable structural and surface characteristics. Electrochemical evaluations further demonstrated that CSS-modified carbon exhibits superior bifunctional performance. In a two-electrode configuration, the composite delivers an energy density of 12.08 Wh kg⁻¹ at a power density of 250 W kg⁻¹ along with excellent cycling stability in supercapacitor applications. As an electrocatalyst, it achieves a low overpotential of 268 mV at −10 mA cm⁻² and a small Tafel slope of 75 mV dec⁻¹, reflecting efficient reaction kinetics. The strong durability observed in both systems underscores the structural integrity and long-term operational stability of the material. Overall, this paper advances a sustainable waste-to-resource strategy for fabricating multifunctional carbon-based composites, offering a promising platform for integrated energy-storage and hydrogen-generation technologies. Full article