Search Results (642)

Styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS) modifier can enhance the resistance of asphalt mixtures to load-induced deformation and fatigue cracking by constructing a three-dimensional physical gel network. However, a rigorous mechanical characterization of this mechanism remains lacking. This study elucidates the nonlinear fatigue damage evolution of SBS-modified asphalt mixtures with physical gel structures based on residual strain response analysis. Indirect tensile fatigue tests were conducted to characterize the residual strain response of SBS-modified asphalt mixtures. A damage-informed residual strain model was established, and a relative residual strain change rate was defined to analyze the correlation between fatigue cracking and residual strain response. Furthermore, the nonlinear fatigue damage evolution of SBS-modified asphalt mixtures was investigated based on the fatigue damage theory. The results demonstrate a strong correlation between fatigue cracking and a viscoplastic strain in the SBS-modified asphalt mixtures. The proposed residual strain model accurately describes the nonlinear fatigue damage evolution and residual strain response. The relative residual strain change rate serves as a rational indicator of the material’s resistance to fatigue cracking and residual strain accumulation. The SBS modifier enhances resistance to residual strain and fatigue cracking by forming a complex polymer network that establishes a three-dimensional physical gel structure. Full article

Silicon (Si) is a leading anode candidate for next-generation lithium-ion batteries owing to its high theoretical capacity (~4200 mAh/g), but its >300% volumetric expansion during lithiation causes particle pulverization, loss of electrical contact, and continuous solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) reformation, resulting in rapid capacity fade. Here, we report a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT)-templated porous Si/SiO₂ core–shell cylindrical hybrid anode synthesized by combining block copolymer-directed sol–gel assembly with controlled magnesiothermic reduction. SWNT bundles act as a three-dimensional structural template that directs the formation of a continuously interconnected cylindrical porous network, a geometry difficult to obtain by conventional particle-based compositing. The controlled, partial magnesiothermic reduction intentionally preserves residual amorphous SiO₂ within the porous shell as an electrochemically inactive mechanical buffer that suppresses Si volume expansion and stabilizes the electrode. A side-by-side comparison with a fully reduced, SiO₂-free counterpart of identical architecture isolates the role of the SiO₂ buffer in achieving long-term cycling stability. The SWNT-porous Si/SiO₂ hybrid delivers a reversible capacity of 1133 mAh/g in the first cycle and retains 90% of its initial capacity after 200 cycles at 1 C with 99.7% Coulombic efficiency, together with a rate capability of 482 mAh/g at 5 C. Post-cycling cross-sectional analysis confirms minimal electrode-level swelling (~2 μm) after 200 cycles, demonstrating the structural efficacy of the SWNT-templated porous architecture combined with the SiO₂ buffer for structurally stable Si anodes. Full article

Nickel ferrite (NiFe₂O₄) is one of the most studied inverse-spinel ferrites because it combines moderate saturation magnetization, comparatively high electrical resistivity, chemical stability, and broad synthesis flexibility. Yet the literature shows that the measured structure and magnetism of NiFe₂O₄ are not intrinsic constants; they evolve strongly with dimensionality, size, thickness, strain state, cation distribution, surface spin disorder, and synthesis pathway. This review develops a unified theoretical and literature-based interpretation of how dimensionality reshapes the structural and magnetic behavior of NiFe₂O₄ across bulk ceramics, nanoparticles, one-dimensional nanostructures, polycrystalline thin films, and ultrathin epitaxial films. The review is anchored in the two uploaded nickel ferrite attachments and expanded using internet-sourced journal literature on spinel inversion, surface effects, mechanochemical synthesis, sputtered and pulsed laser deposited thin films, and epitaxial ultrathin-film anomalies. The central novelty of this article is the formulation of a dimensionality-dependent framework in which the observed magnetic response is governed by a competition among three coupled factors: (i) the cation-distribution function, which controls the A–B superexchange balance and therefore the net ferrimagnetic moment; (ii) the microstructural coherence function, which measures how crystallinity, strain, defects, and anti-phase boundaries preserve or degrade exchange continuity; and (iii) the surface/interface spin-order parameter, which quantifies the loss or reconfiguration of magnetic order at free surfaces and buried interfaces. Within this framework, bulk NiFe₂O₄ behaves as a near-equilibrium inverse spinel with relatively stable magnetization, whereas nanoscale NiFe₂O₄ experiences strong spin canting and finite-size suppression due to the growing fraction of disordered surface spins. Thin films introduce a distinct regime in which strain, texture, anti-phase boundaries, substrate mismatch, and growth kinetics determine both anisotropy and magnetization. In ultrathin epitaxial films, off-equilibrium cation redistribution and interface-controlled electronic reconstruction may even generate magnetization values far above bulk expectations. The review also compares major synthesis routes—solid-state reaction, sol–gel, co-precipitation, hydrothermal growth, reactive milling, combustion, pulsed laser deposition, and radio-frequency sputtering—and explains why each route biases the final dimensionality-dependent properties differently. A set of word-style equations is provided to formalize spinel inversion, finite-size suppression, anisotropy scaling, coercivity trends, and superparamagnetic crossover. Beyond summarizing the field, the review proposes a regime map linking dimensionality to characteristic structural defects and magnetic signatures, and it identifies unresolved questions concerning the true origin of enhanced magnetization in ultrathin NiFe₂O₄, the interplay between anti-phase boundaries and strain, and the distinction between intrinsic inversion changes and extrinsic substrate artifacts. The resulting article offers a submission-ready, originality-focused review that positions dimensionality as the master variable governing structure–magnetism correlations in nickel ferrite. Full article

Direct utilization of biomass-derived silica in neutral surfactant-templated mesoporous synthesis remains underexplored with respect to mesostructure control and functional integration. High-purity silica extracted from acid-treated rice husk ash (~98.4 wt% SiO₂) was employed as the sole precursor in a fluoride-assisted sol–gel route to synthesize MSU-X frameworks without chemical modification. Systematic parametric variation—pH, Si/surfactant ratio, hydrothermal temperature, and aging duration—establishes quantitative structure–processing correlations. Under optimized conditions (pH 2, Si/Tergitol = 8, 60 °C, 96 h), the resulting material exhibits a wormhole-like mesoarchitecture with a BET surface area of 816 m² g⁻¹, mean pore diameter of ~3.6 nm, and three-dimensionally interconnected channels, confirmed by SAXS, TEM, and N₂ sorption. EDXRF analysis confirms effective impurity removal and high silica incorporation efficiency (~95–96%); thermal stability persists to 700 °C, with incipient crystallization near 800 °C. As a functional demonstration, MSU-X served as an anti-agglomeration scaffold for ZIF-8 crystallization during DDT adsorption. Despite attenuated kinetics relative to pristine ZIF-8—where severe agglomeration occludes active imidazole nodes—the Z8/MSU-X composite achieved near-quantitative DDT removal (74.10 mg g⁻¹). This performance stems from the mesoporous matrix driving size-confined, highly dispersed ZIF-8 growth, thereby maximizing active-site exposure. Operating within a reagent-limited regime rather than a capacity-saturated boundary, this efficient depletion confirms that the scaffold successfully suppresses site loss. Ultimately, these findings validate biogenic silica as a directly integrable precursor for tailored mesostructure assembly, positioning agricultural waste as a high-performance feedstock for hierarchical adsorption architectures. Full article

A thermoreversible dynamic covalent network was constructed in recycled polyethylene terephthalate (RPET) via Diels–Alder (DA) chemistry to enhance mechanical performance, reprocessability, and self-healing. Furan-functionalized RPET (RPET-3F) was first prepared from maleated RPET (RPET-MA), followed by crosslinking with bismaleimide (BMI) at different feed ratios. FTIR spectra confirmed the successful grafting of furan groups and the formation of DA adducts. With increasing BMI content, the gel fraction and crosslink density increased substantially, whereas the swelling ratio decreased, indicating the progressive development of a three-dimensional network. RPET-3F-2B showed the highest network integrity among all samples. DSC analysis revealed a distinct retro-DA dissociation peak at 143 °C and a recrosslinking peak near 124 °C, confirming the thermal reversibility of the DA network. Owing to the optimized network structure, RPET-3F-2B exhibited the best mechanical properties and excellent reprocessability, retaining stable performance after three hot-pressing cycles. After repeated reprocessing, its tensile strength remained 74% higher than that of RPET-MA, while the elongation at break was still improved by about 10%. Moreover, the sample showed efficient thermally induced self-healing at 150 °C, with surface cracks nearly disappearing after 4 h. These results demonstrate that DA chemistry offers a promising route to the high-value reutilization of RPET into recyclable, multifunctional polymer materials. Full article

Recent advances in three-dimensional (3D)-bioprinted hydrogels show promise for overcoming the limitations of conventional techniques for dental tissue regeneration. This scoping review systematically analyses the physical, mechanical, and rheological properties of these hydrogels in dental applications, aiming to identify knowledge gaps, limitations, and current and future directions for advancing and translating hydrogel-based 3D bioprinting in dentistry. In accordance with PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted across Ovid, PubMed, EBSCOhost, and Web of Science up to January 2026. Included studies focused on (i) 3D-bioprinted hydrogels, (ii) quantitative characterisation, and (iii) dental tissue engineering. A total of twenty-one studies met the inclusion criteria. The findings revealed substantial variability in formulations and properties. Gelatine-based hydrogels reinforced with β-tricalcium phosphate demonstrated the highest compressive strength within the range of cancellous bone, whereas GelMA/PEGDA composites exhibited tunable stiffness suitable for soft tissue applications. Extrusion-based bioprinting emerged as the predominant method, with photocrosslinking and ionic crosslinking as the primary gelation techniques. Biodegradation rates varied notably with composition and regenerative objectives. This review uniquely consolidates the physical, mechanical, and rheological evaluations of 3D-bioprinted hydrogels for dental applications. The review highlights critical gaps in methodological standardisation and validation, emphasising the importance of biomaterial selection to optimise scaffolds and regenerative outcomes in periodontal, bone, and pulp tissue engineering. Full article

Petroleum hydrocarbons contamination in soil is difficult to remediate due to strong adsorption and limited bioavailability. This study investigated the coupled remediation of diesel contamination in an alkaline kaolin-based model substrate using a silica gel-loaded, iron-catalyzed sodium percarbonate composite (SPC^SF) and Bacillus subtilis. The alkaline model substrate was used as a simplified representation of difficult-to-reclaim hydrocarbon- and reagent-impacted matrices that may occur at oil drilling or production sites. In this study, a combined remediation strategy integrating a silica gel-loaded, iron-catalyzed sodium percarbonate composite (SPC^SF) with Bacillus subtilis ATCC 11774 was developed for diesel-contaminated soil. The remediation performance of chemical oxidation, microbial remediation, and their combined application was systematically evaluated. The simultaneous SPC^SF–microbial treatment achieved the highest removal efficiency, reaching 65.1% after 31 d, which was markedly higher than that of chemical oxidation (22.5%) or microbial remediation alone (31.1%). Within the mineral model substrate used in this study, SPC^SF effectively regulated pH and oxidation–reduction potential, creating conditions more favorable for microbial activity. Spectroscopic analyses (three-dimensional fluorescence spectrum, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy) indicated that SPC^SF promoted the transformation of diesel hydrocarbons into bioavailable intermediates, which were further converted by microorganisms into carboxyl-rich organic matter. Bacillus subtilis was associated with a higher Fe(II) proportion in the coupled system, which may have favored maintenance of Fe redox activity and sustained Fenton-like reactivity. However, direct measurements of reactive oxygen species and Fe(II)/Fe(III) dynamics were not performed; therefore, this interpretation should be regarded as a plausible hypothesis based on indirect evidence. The specific microbial contribution to Fe redox transformation was inferred from indirect evidence and may also have been influenced by medium-derived components or microbial metabolites. This study presents a coupled supported sodium percarbonate and microbial remediation strategy providing mechanistic evidence for the compatibility of supported chemical oxidation and microbial degradation in diesel-contaminated soil. Full article

This study aims to explore the preparation process and properties of unburned lightweight aggregate using red mud synergistically with fly ash, granulated blast-furnace slag, and other multi-source solid wastes. Curing regimes and alkali-activated systems were controlled. Their effects on physical properties and environmental safety of lightweight aggregate were systematically evaluated. Results show that curing temperature and alkali activator exert significant synergistic effects on physical properties of lightweight aggregates. Steam curing performs better than standard curing. Performance improves with increasing steam temperature. Sodium silicate solution with a modulus of 1.0 is determined as the optimal activator. Under 90 °C steam curing, Sample D2 achieves the best overall performance. Its cylinder compressive strength reaches 6.92 MPa. 1 h water absorption is 14.8%. Softening coefficient is 0.93. Porosity is as low as 31.07%. Microscopic analysis reveals that higher curing temperature significantly accelerates the hydration reaction of the RMLWA system. It promotes the formation of abundant cementitious products such as C-S-H gel. These products fully fill internal pores and microcracks of the aggregate. A dense three-dimensional network skeleton structure is finally formed. For environmental safety, heavy metal leaching concentrations of steam-cured samples are generally lower than those of standard-cured samples. This study realizes high-value resource utilization of industrial solid wastes. It also provides a new technical route for the development of green building lightweight aggregate. Full article

Vascular–osteogenic coupling plays a central regulatory role in bone regeneration, but it is frequently impaired under pathological conditions, including aging, ischemia, and chronic inflammation, which compromises efficient bone repair. Gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogels, which combine extracellular matrix-like bioactivity, adjustable mechanical properties, and compatibility with three-dimensional biomanufacturing, have become a widely used material platform for vascularized bone regeneration. From the perspective of vascular–osteogenic coupling, this review reframes and synthesizes GelMA-based approaches for vascularized bone regeneration, grouping existing strategies into three categories: (i) intrinsic material design, in which pore architecture, microchannels, dynamic networks, and interfacial functionalization are used to guide vascular ingrowth; (ii) exogenous bioactive delivery, involving growth factors, extracellular vesicles, cells, and inorganic ions to enhance vascularization; and (iii) smart responsive strategies, including ROS/pH-responsive systems, sequential release, and external stimulation, which aim to recapitulate the evolving microenvironment during bone repair. This review further compares these strategies in terms of evidence level, reproducibility, and translational potential. Exogenous delivery systems currently have the strongest preclinical support, but issues related to dose standardization, burst release, and long-term safety remain unresolved. Intrinsic material programming is less extensively studied, yet may be more compatible with manufacturing consistency, sterilization, and engineering translation. Most stimuli-responsive systems, by contrast, remain largely at the small-animal or proof-of-concept stage. Future GelMA-based systems should therefore shift from increasing functional complexity toward improving predictability, reproducibility, and clinical feasibility. Compositionally defined and structurally controllable GelMA composites that integrate vascular regulation with mechanical support may provide a more realistic path for vascularized bone regeneration. Full article

Extrusion-based three-dimensional food printing requires inks that can be smoothly extruded while maintaining sufficient structural stability after deposition. In this study, gelatin and κ-carrageenan were first mixed and then subjected to post-mixing pH regulation before spray drying, producing composite powders with different structural states. These powders were incorporated into yellow peach pulp gels to prepare fruit-based printing inks, and their printing performance, extrusion behavior, mechanical properties, particle-size distribution, and microstructure were systematically evaluated. The results showed that the structural state formed during gelatin–κ-carrageenan powder preparation was closely associated with the extrusion stability and shape retention of the final inks. Among the tested formulations, the ink prepared with gelatin–κ-carrageenan powder pre-regulated to pH 4.0 exhibited the best overall printability. Although its pore-area fidelity was slightly lower than that of the sample pre-regulated to pH 3.5, it produced more stable multilayer cylinders and better-defined lattice structures. In addition, the pH 4.0 sample showed the lowest and most stable extrusion force and the highest Young’s modulus, indicating a favorable balance between extrusion flowability and post-deposition support. Microstructural observations and particle-size analysis suggested that pH regulation altered the aggregation state and local morphology of the gelatin–κ-carrageenan system. Samples prepared at higher pH values tended to form larger and less uniform aggregates, which was unfavorable for stable extrusion and shape retention. Overall, post-mixing pH regulation of gelatin–κ-carrageenan provides a practical strategy for improving the printing-related properties of fruit-based gel inks. Full article

Aerogels derived from microbial exopolysaccharides are useful in the food, pharmaceutical, and environmental sectors, but their application in anticancer therapy is constrained by inadequate characterization, especially regarding effects on normal cells. This study used ethanol precipitation and trichloroacetic acid deproteinization to extract crude exopolysaccharide from the fermentation broth of Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SQ-2. The pure fraction, EPS-3791, was obtained using Sephadex G-100 gel filtration chromatography and DEAE cellulose ion exchange. The weight–average molecular weight of EPS-3791 was 64.4 kDa. Monosaccharide analysis indicated fructan as the dominant component, which was consistent with the results of methylation analysis and NMR spectroscopy, confirming that EPS-3791 is a fructan mainly linked by →1)–Fruf–(2→bonds. UV scanning indicated high purity. FTIR analysis revealed functional groups including hydroxyl, carbonyl, and C–O–C groups. EPS-3791 exhibited a porous three-dimensional network morphology by SEM, with a decomposition temperature of 191.61 °C by TGA. Additionally, aerogels were prepared by freeze drying. EPS-3791 aerogels demonstrated minimal cytotoxicity to normal L929 cells while inhibiting the growth of human lung cancer A549, breast cancer MCF–7, and cervical cancer HeLa cells in a dose-dependent manner. Scratch wound healing experiments revealed that EPS-3791 aerogels hindered HeLa cell migration while promoting L929 wound closure. These findings identify EPS-3791 as a fructan-type exopolysaccharide aerogel with specific anticancer properties. Full article

NASICON-type Na₃V₂(PO₄)₃ (NVP) is widely regarded as a promising cathode for sodium-ion batteries owing to its robust three-dimensional framework and high operating voltage (~3.4 V vs. Na⁺/Na). However, NVP suffers severe capacity degradation under fast-charging conditions due to its intrinsically low electronic conductivity, which critically impedes its practical deployment. Herein, we systematically investigate the fast-charging failure mechanism of NVP and propose a trace Sm³⁺ doping strategy (x = 0.03) to address this limitation. Undoped NVP retains only 13.5% and 56.62% of its initial capacity after 1000 cycles at 5000 mA g⁻¹ and 1307 cycles at 2000 mA g⁻¹, respectively. Post-cycling scanning electron microscopy (SEM) reveals extensive crack formation and particle pulverization, providing direct morphological evidence for structural failure. To overcome this, Sm³⁺-doped Na₃V_1.97Sm_0.03(PO₄)₃/C (NVPSM) is synthesized via a sol–gel method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirms that the NASICON phase is preserved. Raman spectroscopy reveals an improved graphitization degree (I_D/I_G = 0.97 vs. 1.02 for NVP), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) verifies the V³⁺ oxidation state and the incorporation of Sm³⁺. Electrochemically, NVPSM achieves capacity retentions of 60.3% after 2300 cycles at 5000 mA g⁻¹ and 83.89% after 1436 cycles at 2000 mA g⁻¹. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy confirms reduced charge-transfer resistance, and post-cycling SEM shows markedly improved structural integrity. These results demonstrate that trace rare-earth doping effectively mitigates fast-charging-induced structural failure in NVP-based cathodes. Full article

This study presents a hierarchical conductive-network strategy to overcome the performance trade-off in cement structural supercapacitors (CSSCs). By incorporating one-dimensional carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and two-dimensional graphene oxide (GO) into Portland cement, we simultaneously enhance its electrochemical and mechanical properties. The approach exploits the complementary roles of the two nanomaterials: CNTs establish a three-dimensional percolation network that facilitates electron transport, while GO promotes formation of a denser calcium silicate hydrate (C-S-H) gel and refines the pore structure by complexing with calcium ions, thereby improving ionic pathways. The k12gc sample attains a specific capacitance of 66.8 F g⁻¹ at 0.1 mA cm⁻², a 58.4% rise in conductivity and a 63% reduction in charge-transfer resistance. At the same time, the composite reduces harmful macropores by 27.9% and strengthens the material, with compressive and flexural strengths increasing by 4.8% and 8.3%, respectively. This work establishes a rational design principle based on functional division between CNTs and GO for developing high-performance, multifunctional CSSCs. Full article

To compare the structure and properties of hydroxypropyl starch/carrageenan blends with different amylose/amylopectin contents, two types of hydroxypropyl starch—a high-amylose type (amylose content > 70%) and a high-amylopectin type (amylopectin content > 95%)—were used. These starches had similar molecular weights, degrees of hydroxypropyl substitution, and other properties, differing only in their amylose and amylopectin contents. Each starch was blended with carrageenan via a solution blending method, and the resulting blends were systematically characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis, rheological tests, texture analysis, mechanical property tests, contact angle analysis, and UV-Vis spectrophotometry. The results showed that, upon blending with carrageenan, the hydroxypropyl starch transformed from a weak viscoelastic solution into an elastic, strong gel. FTIR and XRD analyses confirmed that the hydroxypropyl starch and carrageenan formed a homogeneous, compact, three-dimensional network via hydrogen bonding. This significantly enhanced the mechanical strength and stability of the blends. The influence of starch molecular structure on the blend system’s properties exhibited a pronounced state dependence. In the gel state, hydroxypropyl amylopectin effectively filled the carrageenan network due to its high swelling capacity, thereby improving the thermal stability and textural properties of the blends. However, in the film state, hydroxypropyl amylose with higher crystallinity and denser molecular packing contributed to superior tensile strength, hydrophobicity and light transmittance. Furthermore, the optimal mass ratio of hydroxypropyl starch to carrageenan was found to be in the range of 2:1 to 4:1. With this ratio, excessive cross-linking and poor compatibility could be avoided, resulting in improved mechanical performance, hydrophobicity, and light transmittance. This study reveals the relationship between starch molecular structure, system state and macroscopic properties, providing a theoretical basis for the rational design and regulation of the properties of hydroxypropyl starch/carrageenan blends. Full article

Marine biomucus, a complex biomolecular gel, plays a pivotal role in defense against biofouling, mitigation of environmental stress, and regulation of biomineralization. This study conducts a comparative analysis of the physicochemical properties of mucus secreted by three distinct tissues—labial palps, mantle, and gills—of the Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas), alongside their freeze-dried counterparts. By integrating amino acid profiling, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), we explored potential correlations between chemical composition, microstructure, and hypothesized macroscopic functional properties. Our findings inspire distinct tissue-specific structural characteristics that suggest potential structure–function relationships: The structure of labial palps mucus leads to the hypothesis that it may act as a viscous barrier-like property; mantle mucus shows features that could potentially support the formation of continuous films by a dense hydrogen-bond network; and gill mucus exhibits a porous three-dimensional network that potentially facilitates the process of respiratory and feeding. This work not only explores the material basis and potential structure–function relationships of C. gigas mucus as a natural biopolymer but also provides a potential theoretical framework for the design of novel marine-inspired biomimetic materials. Full article