Abstract:

Efficiently separating propene and propane is paramount for the chemical industry but notoriously difficult due to their minimal size and volatility differences. Here, we demonstrate a powerful strategy to overcome this separation challenge by designing bimetallic Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework (ZIF)-based mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs). We fabricated thin-film composites (TFCs) by integrating monometallic ZIF-8, ZIF-67, and a synergistic bimetallic ZIF-8-67 into a uniquely formulated ionic liquid-cellulose acetate (IL-CA) polymer matrix. Structural and morphological analyses confirmed the high crystallinity of the ZIF fillers and their seamless integration within the polymer. The resultant ZIF-8-67/IL-CA membrane exhibited exceptional separation performance, surpassing its monometallic counterparts by a threefold increase in both C₃H₆ permeance and C₃H₆/C₃H₈ ideal selectivity relative to the base membrane. Under industrially relevant mixed-gas testing, the membrane achieved an impressive separation factor of 8 for propene over propane. These findings reveal that the strategic integration of bimetallic nodes in ZIFs can unlock synergistic properties unattainable with single-metal frameworks. This work presents a robust and scalable platform for developing next-generation membranes that defy conventional performance trade-offs, a way for efficient membrane-based olefin/paraffin separations.

Abstract: It is of great significance to prepare carbon supported non-noble metal catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) via a sustainable method. Meanwhile, the enhanced metal-support interaction (MSI) is vital for promoting the catalytic activity of metal/carbon catalysts. Herein, we prepare biomass-derived porous carbon supported metal Ni catalyst (Ni/APC) with the enhanced MSI via atomic Ni-N4 sites utilizing agaric as a precursor. The highly dispersed Ni-N4 species preferentially adsorb dye molecules and reactant H2O, beneficial to efficient electron transfer and promoting H2O dissociation. Meanwhile, Ni nanoparticles undertake the active sites for H2 desorption. In virtue of the synergistic effect of metal Ni nanoparticles and atomic Ni-N4 for different roles of active sites, Ni/APC catalysts show more effective dye-sensitized photocatalytic HER activities, compared with pure Ni and pure APC. The Ni/APC catalyst with an optimal Ni loading amount exhibits a high AQY of 41.0 % with an excellent long-term stability in terms of both HER activity and structure. It is the first report of an application for biomass-derived carbon catalysts in dye-sensitization hydrogen production, and the synergistic effect of atomic Ni and particled Ni on the dye-sensitized photocatalytic HER is deeply investigated. This work provides new deep insight into the design of new non-noble metal/carbon materials by taking advantages of biomass materials.

Abstract:

A novel amide-containing AIE polymer was synthesized via condensation polymerization of pyrazine-2,5-dicarboxylic acid and naphthalene-1,5-diamine. The polymer showed strong fluorescence in aggregates and selective quenching for Fe³⁺, serving as an efficient probe. The chelation-enhanced quenching mechanism was studied. This work offers a simple approach to AIE-active polymeric probes for environmental and biological sensing.

Abstract: Alginate aerogels are attractive candidates for biomedical scaffolds because they combine high mesoporosity with biocompatibility and can be processed into open, interconnected macroporous networks suitable for tissue engineering. Here, we systematically investigate how CO₂-induced foaming parameters govern the hierarchical pore structure of alginate aerogels produced by subsequent supercritical CO₂ drying. Sodium alginate–CaCO₃ suspensions are foamed in a CO₂ atmosphere at 50 or 100 bar, depressurization rates of 50 or 0.05 bar·s⁻¹, temperatures of 5 or 25 °C, and, optionally, under pulsed pressure or with Pluronic F-68 as a surfactant. The resulting gels are dried using supercritical CO₂ and characterized by micro-computed tomography and N₂ sorption. High pressure combined with slow depressurization (100 bar, 0.05 bar·s⁻¹) yields a homogeneous macroporous network with pores predominantly in the 200–500 µm range and a mesoporous texture with 15–35 nm pores, whereas fast depressurization promotes bubble coalescence and the appearance of large (>2100 µm) macropores and a broader mesopore distribution. Lowering the temperature, applying pulsed pressure, and adding surfactant enable further tuning of macropore size and connectivity with a limited impact on mesoporosity. Interpretation in terms of Peclet and Deborah numbers links processing conditions to non-equilibrium mass transfer and gel viscoelasticity, providing a physically grounded map for designing hierarchically porous alginate aerogel scaffolds for biomedical applications.

Abstract: Silicon multilayer thin films consisting of alternating amorphous SiOx (a-SiOx) and nanocrystalline silicon (nc-Si) layers were fabricated on p-type silicon substrates using a sol-gel spin-coating method. Boron-doped silicon powders, prepared through pro-longed grinding, were mixed with a TEOS–ethanol sol-gel solution, and two nc-Si layers embedded in a-SiOx were sequentially deposited. The as-grown films were an-nealed at 100–400 °C and characterized using Raman spectroscopy, GXRD, FTIR, SEM, Resistivity and UV spectroscopy to analyze their structural, chemical, optical, and electronic properties. Annealing progressively enhanced crystallinity and increased the < 111> and < 110> grain sizes to ~11 nm and ~12 nm, respectively. Films annealed at higher temperatures showed a minimum mobility of ~37.5 cm²/V·s, maximum resis-tivity of ~7.35 Ω·cm, and a decreasing optical bandgap. Enhanced nanocrystal growth, reduced defects, and improved structural ordering intensified the 520 cm⁻¹ Raman peak. The multilayer architecture further strengthened these effects by offering addi-tional nucleation sites, controlled nanocrystal confinement, defect-relaxing interfaces, improved phonon transport, and enhanced Si diffusion, resulting in superior crystal-line quality.

Abstract:

The article presents the method how prepare of a green composite material composed of cellulose and lignin using an ionic liquid as a solvent. In the process, cellulose and lignin are dissolved in the ionic liquid and subsequently regenerated into a composite film via coagulation in ethanol/water bath. The research focused on evaluating the mechanical properties of the resulting composite, which exhibited a high tensile strength exceeding 100 MPa, demonstrating its robustness and potential for various applications. Additionally, the biodegradation behavior of the composite in soil was investigated, showing that it gradually decomposes, making it environmentally friendly. Toxicity tests on soil bacteria indicated that the composite does not adversely affect microbial activity, supporting its suitability for ecological use. Furthermore, the gas permeability and water vapor transmission of the composite film was assessed, providing insight into its barrier properties. Overall, the study highlights the potential of cellulose-lignin composites produced via ionic liquids as sustainable and biodegradable materials with promising mechanical and environmental properties.

Abstract:

Transparent conductive materials (TCMs) are essential for optoelectrical devices ranging from smart windows and defogging films to soft sensors, display technologies and flexible electronics. Materials such as indium tin oxide (ITO) and silver nanowires (AgNWs) are commonly used and offer high optical transmittance and electrical conductivity but suffer from brittleness, oxidation susceptibility, and require high-cost materials, greatly limiting their use. Carbon nanotube (CNT) networks provide a promising alternative, featuring mechanical compliance, chemical robustness, and scalable processing. This study reports an aqueous ink formulation composed of ultra-long mix walled carbon nanotubes (UL-CNTs), compatible for flow coating process, yielding uniform transparent conductive films (TCFs) on polyethylene terephthalate (PET), glass, and polycarbonate (PC). The resulting films exhibit tunable transmittance (85-88% for single layers; ~57% for three layers at 550 nm) and sheet resistance of 7.5 kΩ/□ to 1.5 kΩ/□ accordingly. These TCFs maintain stable sheet resistance for over 5,000 bending cycles and show excellent mechanical durability with negligible effects on heating performance. Post-deposition treatments,including nitric acid vapor doping or flash photonic heating (FPH), further reduce sheet resistance by up to 80% (7.5 kΩ/□ to 1.2 kΩ/□). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) results in reduced surface oxygen content after FPH. The photonic-treated heaters attain ~100 °C within 20 seconds at 100 V. This scalable, water-based process provides a pathway toward low-cost, flexible and stretchable devices in a variety of fields including printed electronics, optoelectronics and thermal actuators.

Abstract: This study examined the effects of laser shock peening (LSP) and LSP without protective coating (LSPwC) on the microstructure and corrosion behavior of 304L stainless steel using cyclic polarization testing. LSP enhanced corrosion resistance under mild sensitization (650°C; 5hrs) by inducing compressive stress and increasing dislocation density, stabilizing the passive film. Limited improvement was observed under severe sensitization (650°C; 24 hrs). Deformation-induced martensite detected by XRD was attributed to mechanical polishing, not LSP. In contrast, LSPwC reduced corrosion resistance across all conditions due to Fe-rich surface oxides that impaired passivation.

Abstract: This study examines the effects of hydrothermal and oleothermal treatments on the physical, mechanical, and colorimetric properties of Dabema wood. Samples were heated at 100, 160, and 220 °C for 2, 3.5, and 5 hours under both processing conditions. The physical properties changed markedly after treatment. The equilibrium moisture content decreased from 13.16% in the untreated wood to 7.50% after hydrothermal treatment at 160 °C for 5 hours, and to 4.80% after oleothermal treatment at 220 °C for 5 hours. Water absorption declined from 78% to 39% and then to 17%. Hydrothermal treatment darkened the wood, whereas oleothermal treatment preserved a lighter color. Mechanical performance improved. The modulus of elasticity (MOE) in compression increased from 33332.76 MPa to 70836.53 MPa after oleothermal treatment at 220 °C for 5 hours. Flexural strength reached 56 to 58 MPa. In tension, the MOE increased from 4271 MPa to 5527 MPa, and the maximum tensile strength reached 88 MPa. PCA and RSM analyses indicate that oleothermal treatment at 160 °C for 3.5 to 5 hours offers the most effective conditions for enhancing stiffness while controlling color variation. Thermogravimetric analyses (TG/DTG) show that hydrothermal treatment promotes hemicellulose degradation, whereas oleothermal treatment stabilizes the cellulose–lignin network. Overall, hydrothermal treatment improves dimensional stability, while oleothermal treatment provides an optimal balance between stiffness and color stability. Deep color differences arise from furanic resin formation in hydrothermal treatment, suppressed by oil in oleothermal processing.

Abstract: The formation of interfacial charge transfer (ICT) complexes between phenolic ligands and metal oxide surfaces enables surface functionalization strategies with potential applications in catalysis and bioconjugation. In this study, magnetite (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles were modified with two phenolic ligands, 5-aminosalicylic acid (5ASA) and caffeic acid (CA), to generate ICT complexes capable of covalent or non-covalent enzyme immobilization, respectively. The modified nanomaterials were structurally characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) was immobilized on these functionalized supports. Catalytic activity was evaluated using pyrogallol oxidation assays, with systematic variations in nanoparticle mass and enzyme concentration. The Fe₃O₄/5ASA–HRP system exhibited a maximum activity of 2.5 U per 20 mg of support (approximately 125 U/g), whereas Fe₃O₄/CA showed minimal activity under the same conditions. Data from enzyme loading studies confirmed that 5ASA-enabled covalent attachment resulted in significantly higher immobilization efficiency (up to 1068 mg/g) compared to the CA system. The magnetic properties of Fe₃O₄ allowed for rapid recovery of the biocatalysts using an external magnetic field. These results highlight the effectiveness of ICT-based functionalization for enzyme immobilization, positioning Fe₃O₄/5ASA as a promising platform for robust and reusable biocatalysts in environmental and industrial applications.

Abstract: Uric acid (UA), the end product of purine metabolism in humans, is a crucial biomarker closely associated with various diseases. This study developed a novel enzyme-free colorimetric sensing platform based on starch-derived nitrogen-doped biochar (NC) for the highly sensitive and selective detection of UA in human body fluids. The NC material with a high specific surface area and abundant nitrogen active sites was prepared via a two-step strategy involving hydrothermal synthesis followed by high-temperature pyrolysis, using starch and urea as raw materials. It efficiently catalyzed dissolved oxygen to generate reactive oxygen species (·O2- and 1O2) under mild conditions, which oxidized 3,3',5,5'-tetramethylbenzidine (TMB) to produce a blue-colored product (TMBox). UA reduced TMBox back to colorless TMB, resulting in a decrease in absorbance at 652 nm, enabling the quantitative detection of UA. Key reaction conditions were systematically optimized. Material characterization and mechanistic investigations confirmed the catalytic performance. The method demonstrated a wide linear range of 10-500 μmol·L-1 and a low detection limit of 4.87 μmol·L-1, along with excellent selectivity, stability, and reproducibility. Practical application in human serum and urine samples yielded results consistent with clinical reference ranges, and spike-recovery rates ranged from 95.5% to 103.6%, indicating great potential for real-sample analysis.

Abstract: In this study, a straightforward strategy for the preparation of functional carbon-based materials for hydrazine oxidation (HzOR) is presented. A highly efficient, cost-effective iron (Fe) and manganese-iron (MnFe) supported nitrogen-doped carbon (N-C) material was developed using a hydrothermal synthesis method. Meanwhile, N-C material was obtained from biomass – birch-wood chips – using hydrothermal carbonisation (HTC), followed by the activation and nitrogen doping of the resulting hydrochar. The material has a large specific surface area of 2431 m2 g−1 and a micro-mesoporous structure con-taining over 50% mesopore volume. The morphology, structure, and composition of the MnFe, MnFe/N-C, and Fe/N-C catalysts were determined using scanning electron micros-copy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The activity of the catalysts for the HzOR in an alkaline medium was evaluated using cyclic voltammetry (CV). The deposition of MnFe particles on N-C has been shown to result in a significant enhancement of electrocatalytic activity for HzOR in comparison with pure MnFe particles. The hydrazine oxidation current density values, measured at an electrode potential of 1.6 V vs. RHE, were found to be approximately 7 and 9 times higher on the Fe/N-C and MnFe/N-C catalysts, respectively, than on the MnFe catalyst.

Abstract: Carbon materials are important for the commercial production of supercapacitors and they are very crucial electrode materials. The porous carbon prepared with biomass materials as the precursor is of significance due to the sustainable supply, environmental friendly, and low cost. Biomass-derived carbon (BDC) has been widely investigated and reported as the electrode of supercapacitors. In this work, the recent advancement of BDC for supercapacitors in the last three years is reviewed. The energy storage mechanism, synthesis techniques and biomass classification of BDC are summarized at the beginning of this work. Some new typical cases with different biomass resources as raw materials are addressed. Then, effective strategies to further improve the specific capacitance of BDC including heteroatom doping, designing composites, novel processes, enhancing graphitic degree and unique preparation methods are concluded in detail. Finally, the challenges and future perspectives of porous BDC for supercapacitors are outlined.

Abstract: High-entropy alloys (HEAs) are a class of multi-principal element materials composed of five or more elements in near-equimolar ratios. This unique compositional design generates high configurational entropy, which stabilizes simple solid solution phases and reduces the tendency for intermetallic compound formation. Unlike conventional alloys, HEAs exhibit a combination of properties that are often mutually exclusive, such as high strength and ductility, excellent thermal stability, superior corrosion and oxidation resistance. The exceptional mechanical performance of HEAs is attributed to mechanisms including lattice distortion strengthening, sluggish diffusion, and multiple active deformation pathways such as dislocation slip, twinning, and phase transformation. Advanced characterization techniques such as transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atom probe tomography (APT), and in-situ mechanical testing have revealed the complex interplay between microstructure and properties. Computational approaches, including CALPHAD modeling, density functional theory (DFT), and machine learning, have significantly accelerated HEA design, allowing prediction of phase stability, mechanical behavior, and environmental resistance. Representative examples include the FCC-structured CoCrFeMnNi alloy, known for its exceptional cryogenic toughness, Al-containing dual-phase HEAs, such as AlCoCrFeNi, which exhibit high hardness and moderate ductility and refractory HEAs, such as NbMoTaW, which maintain ultra-high strength at temperatures above 1200°C. Despite these advances, challenges remain in controlling microstructural homogeneity, understanding long-term environmental stability, and developing cost-effective manufacturing routes. This review provides a comprehensive and analytical study of recent progress in HEA research (focusing on literature from 2022–2025), covering thermodynamic fundamentals, design strategies, processing techniques, mechanical and chemical properties, and emerging applications, through highlighting opportunities and directions for future research. In summary, the review’s unique contribution lies in offering an up-to-date, mechanistically grounded, and computationally informed study on the HEAs research-linking composition, processing, structure, and properties to guide the next phase of alloy design and application.

Abstract: Biodegradable polymeric composites reinforced with natural fillers represent one of the most promising routes toward low-impact, circular, and resource-efficient materials. In recent years, a growing number of studies has focused on the valorization of plant- and animal-derived organic waste, ranging from agricultural residues and natural fibers to marine and livestock by-products. This review provides a comprehensive and compar-ative overview of these systems, analyzing the nature and origin of the waste-derived fillers, their pretreatments, processing strategies, and the resulting effects on mechanical, thermal, functional, and biodegradation properties. Particular attention is dedicated to the role of filler composition, morphology, and surface chemistry in governing interfacial adhesion and end-use performance across different polymeric matrices, including PLA, PCL, PBS, PHA, PHB, PBAT, and commercial blends such as Mater-Bi®. The emerging applications of these biocomposites, such as packaging, additive manufacturing, agri-culture, biomedical uses, and environmental remediation, are critically discussed. Overall, this work provides fundamental insights to support the development of the next generation of biodegradable materials enabling the sustainable valorization of organic waste within a circular-economy perspective.

Abstract: This study aims to develop a formulation for bio-resins derived from Sengon bark for application in plywood products. The research results demonstrated that bio-resin formulas for plywood applications include Bark Extract (E): Tapioca (T): Resorcinol (R): Formaldehyde (F) = (1.00 : 0.025 : 0.50 : 0.1) % and E : T : R : F : Resin (PF) = (1.00 : 0.025 : 0.025 : 0.1 : 0.025) %. Laboratory trials show that both adhesive formulations technically have potential for plywood production applications. Bio-resin adhesives exhibit high moisture resistance. Sengon bark extract, tapioca starch, resorcinol, and formaldehyde can be formulated into bio-resins with alkaline catalysts or PF fortifiers, maintaining a final pH of 10–11. The resulting adhesives show potential for plywood production, exhibiting high moisture resistance.

Abstract: In this work, the sintering behavior of tapes prepared via tape casting from stainless-steel and zirconia powders is investigated by optical – as well as push-rod – dilatometry. Both methods are compared in terms of sample preparation, measurement conditions and advantages and disadvantages. The experimental work shows the advantages of optical dilatometry in characterizing of the sintering behavior of load free sintering tapes and the possibilities of simultaneous observation of sample warpage and deformation. Push-rod dilatometry requires a constant load on the sample, which influences the sintering process in the case of tapes with lower mechanical stability but has advantages because of the higher accuracy in measuring dimensional changes. In the case of warpage, the shrinkage due to sintering of the sample is superimposed by an irregular deformation process that can be separated by analytical methods. No in-plane shrinkage anisotropy of the tapes is observed for either type of tape. In the case of the push-rod dilatometer, an additional peak in the shrinkage rate is observed in the early stage of compaction and a slight shift and increased maximum of the compaction rate. This is most likely due to the effects of the contact pressure of the push-rod.

Abstract: Graphitic carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) is a promising metal-free photocatalyst, yet its efficiency remains limited by rapid charge recombination. Heteroatom doping offers an effective means to tailor its electronic structure and enhance photocatalytic performance. In this study, structural and electronic modifications in triazine-based g-C₃N₄ (g-CN1) induced by phosphorus incorporation were systematically investigated through a combination of experimental characterization and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, providing complementary insights into the atomic-scale bonding and electronic properties of pristine and phosphorus-doped g-C₃N₄ (P@g-CN1). Both pristine g-CN1 and P@g-CN1 were synthesized via thermal polycondensation of melamine using H₃PO₄ as the dopant source. Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and photoluminescence spectroscopy reveal that phosphorus doping preserves the fundamental lattice topology while inducing lattice relaxation, surface corrugation, and flake extension—features that are well rationalized by the Topology Conservation Theorem. Phosphorus incorporation markedly suppresses charge recombination and enhances charge separation efficiency in the P@g-CN1 composite. DFT analysis confirms that phosphorus atoms induce downward shifts of the valence and conduction bands and introduce localized midgap states near the Fermi level, thereby enhancing electronic delocalization and facilitating carrier transport. The P@g-CN1 system retains its semiconducting character with pronounced σ–π hybridization between carbon and nitrogen 2p orbitals. The strong agreement between experimental results and theoretical analysis underscores the high degree of complementarity between these approaches. This provides a coherent understanding of the structure–property relationships in phosphorus-doped g-C3N4, thereby guiding the rational design of next-generation, metal-free two-dimensional photocatalysts and photovoltaic materials.

Abstract: SERS is an emerging technique for the rapid sensing of key bioactive molecules, such as glucose, which has relatively low signal levels using normal Raman spectroscopy. SERS of glucose at extremely low concentration levels or high enhancement factors (EFs) is demonstrated here using relatively inexpensive, commercial multilayer graphene nanoplatelet (GNP) substrates produced from natural graphite. Three approaches for modifying the GNPs for SERS were used: the first method involved drop-coating of gold nanoparticles from solution on the GNPs, the second method used a combination of drop-coating the gold nanoparticles followed by the deposition of tri-ethylene glycol (TEG) layers to partition the glucose on the surfaces of the gold nanoparticles to further increase the SERS signal, and the third method used irradiation of the GNPs in a nitrogen-argon radio frequency (RF) plasma to create nitrogenous defect sites on the graphene layers to increase the SERS signal. Glucose in aqueous solutions was detected at concentrations down to 10-8 M, 10-10 M and 10-11 M, respectively, with corresponding high enhancement factors (EFs) for the three types of modified GNP substrates.

Abstract:

This study examines the influence of sintering temperature on the structural and transport properties of GdBa₂Cu₃O₇ (Gd123) superconductors prepared from nano-sized precursors via the co-precipitation method. The metal-oxalate precursor (average particle size <50 nm) was calcined at 900 °C for 12 hours, then the prepared pellets were sintered in oxygen at 920–950 °C for 15 hours. All samples showed metallic properties and a sharp superconducting transition. Critical temperatures T_C(R=0) were 94–95 K, with higher sintering temperatures steadily boosting critical current density. X-ray diffraction confirmed orthorhombic Gd123 as the dominant phase, with its phase fraction increasing from 92% to 99.8% as the sintering temperature increased. SEM micrographs showed large, densely packed grains, with higher sintering temperatures promoting improved grain connectivity and reduced porosity. The sample sintered at 950 °C exhibited the most favorable transport performance, attributed to enhanced intergranular coupling and the presence of nanoscale secondary phases acting as effective flux-pinning centers. Overall, these results demonstrate that careful control of sintering temperature can significantly optimize the microstructure and superconducting properties of Gd123 materials, supporting their advancement for practical electrical and magnetic applications.