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Confining materials within nanoscale volumes alters their physical and chemical properties, with positive consequences for energy storage, conversion, and catalysis. The pore structure and composition of scaffolds are essential variables for optimizing these properties, with carbon-based materials being preferred due to their tunable porous structures and chemical versatility. This study investigates the influence of surface functional groups on the dehydrogenation kinetics of nanoconfined NaAlH4 using zeolite-templated carbons (ZTCs). We focus on oxygen functional groups commonly present as intrinsic impurities on carbon scaffolds, analyzing three ZTC scaffolds to determine how their concentrations and configurations affect dehydrogenation behavior. Our findings reveal that carbonyl groups enhance charge transfer and destabilize Al–H bonds more effectively than ether or phenol groups. This indicates that the type of oxygen functional group is more critical than the quantity, highlighting the importance of properly tailoring oxygen defects to improve hydrogen storage performance in nanoconfined systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractTo further understand the effects of fiber type on the properties of different asphalt mastic, basalt fiber (BF), glass fiber (GF) and polyester fiber (PF) were utilized to prepare the corresponding fiber reinforced asphalt mastic samples. Cohesion-adhesion and rheological properties of fiber reinforced asphalt mastic were evaluated by the self-designed low-temperature tensile test, binder bond strength test, temperature sweep test and frequency sweep test. At the same time, the interfacial interaction ability between the fiber and asphalt mastic was quantitatively analyzed based on the complex shear modulus coefficient index. The results showed that adding fibers can significantly improve the ultimate tensile force and tensile fracture energy of the asphalt mastic at low temperature. Fiber has a certain improvement effect on the interface adhesion strength between asphalt mastic and aggregate. Meanwhile, the addition of fiber significantly improves the high-temperature of asphalt mastic. The difference of complex shear modulus of asphalt mastic before and after adding fibers under low-frequency condition is more obvious compared with the high-frequency condition. Furthermore, the type of fiber presents a significant impact on the interfacial interaction between fiber and asphalt mastic, which is also affected by the service temperature. These findings are helpful for understanding the reinforcing mechanism of fibers in asphalt mastic and can guide the selection of fibers in asphalt materials. It is also of great importance for the optimal design and application of fiber-asphalt mixtures as well as for promoting the use of fibers in asphalt pavements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyurethane (PU) is one of the important industrial polymers. PU and its composites can be used in different applications. This paper examines the potential of PU/copper sulphide (CuS) nanocomposites (NCs) for application as green mulching films in agriculture. Castor oil-based PU NCs were fabricated by varying the CuS concentration viz., 0.0%, 1.0%, 2.0%, 4.0% and 8.0%. The NCs were characterised for microcrystalline nature by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy used for examining spectral characteristics, morphological assessment by scanning electron microscopy and elemental analysis by energy-dispersive x-ray Spectroscopy. The NCs were characterised for tensile properties, which revealed that a 4% PU/CuS nanocomposite (NC) exhibited high elongation at break of 399.72 MPa, suitable for mulching applications. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to examine the thermal stability and degradation. The chemical resistance and water absorption were evaluated in various atmosphere. The biodegradability was investigated through the soil and cow dung burial test. The pot study experiment is conducted to investigate the effect of NC on growth rate of the plants, which showed that beans treated with PU/CuS NC showed a 43% increase in height within 7 days and a 32% increase within 35 days, with an increase of about 62.5% in leaf width within 7 days and continues to increase until the 35th day and shows considerably more branches and stem diameter than the control. This work concludes that PU/CuS NCs have high potential as green mulching films for application in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geogrid-reinforced calcareous sand (GRCS) is an attractive alternative to enhance the bearing capacity and stability of geotechnical structures in island and coastal areas. Understanding the geogrid–particle interaction and shear mechanical behavior is the current challenge. This work investigated the shear mechanical behavior of the GRCS under the influence of inclination angle, stress level, geogrid type, and the number of geogrids employing large-scale direct shear tests. The results revealed that the shear strength of the three-layer inclined reinforcement increased by an average of 81% and 59% compared to the unreinforced and horizontally reinforced conditions, respectively. The internal friction angle and the pseudo cohesion at the shear plane were particularly sensitive to the inclined reinforcement condition, with maximum values of 54.7° and 55 kPa, respectively. The increased inclination angle and geogrids enhanced the initial volume shrinkage and maximum dilation during the shear process, which is essentially governed by the rotation and alignment of the particles. The shear stress level primarily influenced particle crushing, with a maximum relative breakage index of 2.18%. In addition, a simplified calculation of the equivalent additional stress provided by the geogrid–particle interface was further developed under the horizontal and inclined reinforcements. Further, the potential correlations between the shear stress transfer coefficient and the determined parameters were clarified by analyzing the force and deformation characteristics of the geogrids. The presented findings are highly significant for understanding the geogrid–particle interaction mechanisms and the future application of reinforced geostructures in calcareous sand regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The highly toxic substances contained in spent cathode carbon blocks (SCCB) pose a serious threat to human health and the ecological environment, and are difficult to recycle. To address this issue, we utilize H2O2 to oxidize cyanides and grow hydroxyapatite (HAP) on spent cathode carbon blocks to adsorb fluoride ions, achieving controlled removal of cyanides and fluorides. Subsequently, the hydroxyapatite‐spent cathode carbon block composite material (H‐SCCB) is applied to modified asphalt, and simulations of the interaction between hydroxyapatite interfaces and asphalt components are conducted. The results indicate that the total cyanide and fluoride ion concentrations in the experimental wastewater meet the discharge standards for industrial wastewater in China. Hydroxyapatite successfully grows on SCCB, presenting a rich porous structure and significantly increased surface area. Mechanical testing shows that 4% H‐SCCB exhibits optimal performance, with a 23.28% increase in complex modulus (G*) compared to the matrix asphalt. Creep recovery capability (R) increases by 54.32% and 7%, respectively. Additionally, molecular dynamics simulations reveal that the interface adsorption between hydroxyapatite and asphalt binder is primarily influenced by electrostatic forces. Under the influence of hydroxyapatite, the diffusion abilities of asphalt four components are as follows: resin > aromatic > saturate > asphaltene. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atomically thin monolayer (ML) GeSb 2 Te 4 (GST) holds promising prospects in non-volatile memory applications because of its high non-homogeneous crystallization rate. In GST-based devices, the interaction between GST and metals is crucial, as it affects the electronic properties. Herein, based on first-principles calculations, we investigate the interaction and Schottky barrier height of contacts formed by the combination of ML GST with various metals. It is found that the interfaces of GST with Pt, Pd, Ir and W exhibit strong interaction, characterized by large binding energies ranging from 1.394 to 1.015 eV , and the interfaces between GST and Cu, Ag and Au display weak interaction. For the seven contacts, Ag and W form Ohmic contacts with ML GST, while Cu, Au, Pd, Ir, and Pt form n-type Schottky contacts, with Schottky barrier heights ranging from 0.029 to 0.353 eV . The strong Fermi level pinning at GST-metal interface is observed with a pinning factor of 0.378. Additionally, altering the interfacial distance and optimizing the layers of GST enable a transition from Ohmic contact to Schottky contact. These findings provide crucial guidance for the design and optimization of electronic devices based on phase change materials like GST. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Asphalt modified with treated waste tires has good environmental protection and application value. However, the nano-modification mechanism of crumb rubber (CR) with asphalt is still unclear. This research investigates the mechanism, aging, and interfacial interaction with the aggregate of CR modification asphalt (CRMA). The base asphalt and CRMA (original and aged) and two typical aggregate models were constructed. The accuracy of the model was verified through multiple indicators. The effects of CR and aging on the physical properties (density, compatibility, and diffusion coefficient), mechanical properties, component interaction behavior, and interfacial interactions with aggregates of CRMA were systematically analyzed. The results showed that the CR reduced the diffusion coefficient of asphalt by about 31%. The CR inhibited the movement of the components of asphalt (especially saturate and aromatic), which significantly improved the mechanical properties of asphalt. The compatibility between asphalt and CR significantly deteriorated after aging. The difference in the solubility parameter was about four times that before aging. It is instructive for the regeneration of CRMA. Aging led to a decrease in the shear modulus and Young's modulus of both base asphalt and CRMA, which verified and quantified the adverse effects of aging on the mechanical properties. Comparing the two aggregates, CaCO3 had a greater adhesion with asphalt than SiO2. The difference ranged from 22.5% to 39.9%, which quantified the difference in the adhesion properties of acid base aggregates with asphalt. This study can provide theoretical guidance for the modification and application of CRMA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Using three methods show the wettability between four aggregates and coal tar pitch. • Employing a novel approach to prepare substrate in test. • Physicochemical properties of aggregates impact the wettability of coal tar pitch. • Providing a theoretical foundation for reusing residual anodes. The wettability of coal tar pitch is significantly influenced by the type of carbonaceous aggregate, directly impacting its effectiveness as a binder in industrial applications. This study systematically investigates the wetting behavior between various carbonaceous aggregates and coal tar pitch, providing critical insights into the physicochemical properties that influence the interaction. Specifically, we examine the potential of utilizing residual anodes as alternative aggregates. The rheological property of coal tar pitch was characterized to evaluate its suitability as a binder. Subsequently, the wettability of coal tar pitch on multiple carbonaceous aggregates was characterized by single particle wettability experiments, static wettability tests, and dynamic contact angle measurements. The results indicate that coal tar pitch exhibits the highest wettability with calcined coke, followed by residual anode, anthracite coal, and spent pot lining. Static wettability experiment revealed an inverse relationship between the specific surface area of the carbonaceous aggregates and their wettability. The Super-Depth-of-Field Microscope denoted that decreasing surface roughness improves the wettability of car tar pitch when the composition of aggregates is similar. X-ray diffraction and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy tests showed that higher ideal graphite carbon content (I g), decreased height of the crystallite (L c), and increased surface functional groups (CN/CO/CS) all contribute to improve wettability. This study not only provides a comprehensive framework for selecting optimal carbonaceous aggregates but also delivers theoretical support for the reuse of residual anodes in industrial processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of carbon nanotubes in materials science is rapidly expanding, leading to an increasingly urgent demand for large-scale synthesis. Central to the growth of carbon nanotubes is the development of effective catalysts; thus, the large-scale production of these catalysts becomes crucial for successful carbon nanotube synthesis. Extensive research has been conducted on the mechanisms and regulation of interfacial interactions between metals and supports during catalyst synthesis. This paper is based on the interface interactions between common metal catalysts such as Fe, Co, Ni, and Al 2 O 3 , and Fe-Co, Fe-Ni, and Fe-Co-Ni metal catalysts were prepared by a one-step method. The catalysts were synthesized through a "one-step process," and the formation mechanisms of bimetallic and trimetallic catalysts, as well as the influence of interfacial interactions on catalyst formation and catalytic activity, were thoroughly investigated. The results indicate that with the involvement of Fe, Co and Ni on the surface of Al 2 O 3 maintain a small size morphology due to interfacial interaction. Meanwhile, the nanoparticles form a doped structure with Al 2 O 3 , effectively avoiding the deactivation of nanoparticles caused by agglomeration. In addition, the three catalysts for growing CNTs were analyzed in order to investigate the effects of different concentrations of metal ratios and time of carbon source on the catalytic activity, which provides new ideas for improving the catalyst design system. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• LiClO4-OCP is designed to act as an electroactive supercapacitor electrode substrate. • LiClO4-OCP keeps more intensive interaction and interfacial adsorption than LiClO4-CP. • LiClO4-OCP with Faradaic reactivity reveals higher capacitance than LiClO4-CP. • Experimental measurement is well consistent with theoretical simulation calculation. The lithium perchlorate-interacted oxygen-containing carbon paper (LiClO4-OCP) is designed to act as electroactive supercapacitor electrode substrates for the energy storage application. The OCP is fabricated through hydrothermal activation treatment of carbon paper in H 2 O 2 reaction medium. The OCP is composed of graphite pitches with ultra-thin graphene structure of top layer, showing the improved graphitization degree. The LiClO4-OCP with the polarized electrostatic force-induced interfacial adsorption reveals much more intensive interaction than LiClO4-CP with van der Waals force-induced interfacial adsorption, contributing to promoting interfacial charge transfer of LiClO4-OCP. LiClO4-OCP reveals more effective interface charge transfer and more feasible electrolyte diffusion than LiClO4-CP, contributing to higher electrochemical double-layer capacitance. LiClO4-OCP with oxygen-containing groups conducts reversible redox process to supply additional Faradaic capacitance. Mean response current is increased from 0.10 ∼ 1.34 mA cm-2 for LiClO4-CP to 0.19 ∼ 2.31 mA cm-2 for LiClO4-OCP at scan rates of 5∼100 mV s-1, indicating the improved electrochemical activity of LiClO4-OCP. The cyclic voltammetry-based capacitance increases from 19.91 ∼ 13.01 mF cm-2 mF g-1 for LiClO4-CP to 37.76 ∼ 23.06 mF cm-2 for LiClO4-OCP. The galvanostatic charge/discharge-based capacitance decreases from 13.84 ∼ 3.97 mF cm-2 for LiClO4-CP to 29.71 ∼ 12.92 mF cm-2 for LiClO4-OCP. Density-functional theory-based simulation calculation proves LiClO4-OCP with such a short molecular distance is allowed to occur strong electrostatic interaction which is caused by the perchlorate ion-induced polarization of oxygen-containing groups. The LiClO4-OCP has lower interfacial energy, lower band gap and higher density of states at Fermi energy level than LiClO4-CP, indicating the improved interfacial interaction and electrical conductivity of LiClO4-OCP. The experimental measurement and theoretical calculation achieve the consistent results of higher electrochemical activity of LiClO4-OCP electrode substrate to present its superior capacitance performance. The LiClO 4 -interacted oxygen-containing carbon paper is designed to act as electroactive supercapacitor electrode substrates for energy storage application, which involves the polarized electrostatic force-induced interfacial effect between LiClO 4 and hydroxyl and epoxy groups of OCP substrate. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial superstructures with advanced physicochemical properties and electronic interfaces are of great importance for capacitive energy storage. Herein, by one-step phase transition and interfacial bridging, we achieve thermodynamically stable synthesis of the 1T-MoS 2 /graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) superstructure, where the carbon atoms of g-CN are covalently bridged on molybdenum atoms of the 1T phase molybdenum disulfide (1T-MoS 2 ) interface via C-Mo bonds. The DFT and MD calculations reveal that the 1T-MoS 2 /g-CN superstructure with a strong interfacial interaction (covalent character: 97%), superior electron conduction (d-band center: -1.2 eV), abundant accessible channels (free volume: 53% whole space), and expedited redox kinetics (reaction energy barriers: 0.9 eV) can enhance interfacial charge transfer and faradaic ion accumulation. Therefore, the 1T-MoS 2 /g-CN superstructure delivers a high specific capacitance of 2080 F g -1 and excellent structural stability in KOH solution. Moreover, the solid-polymer-electrolyte chip-based 1T-MoS 2 /g-CN supercapacitors can achieve a large energy density (73 mWh g -1 ), outstanding cycling stability (91% capacitance retention after 10,000 cycles), and desired self-powered application.

This study provides an in-depth exploration of the mechanisms by which vitamin C enhances interfacial stability in organic solar cells (OSCs) and perovskite solar cells (PSCs). In OSCs, vitamin C interacts with ZnO (O-H···O and C═O···Zn 2+ ) and Y6 (O-H···F), forming a robust interface. The ZnO/vitamin C devices maintained 80% of their original efficiency (T 80 lifetime) for 4437 h for PM6:Y6 (binary) and 6028 h for PM6:Y6:PC 71 BM (ternary) at 65 °C in a N 2 atmosphere. Under AM1.5G one-sun illumination in a N 2 atmosphere, the binary devices maintained 85% of their efficiency for 2100 h, while the ternary devices had a T 80 lifetime of 1,680 h. In PSCs, vitamin C stabilized the NiO x (O-H···O, C═O···Ni 3+ ) and perovskite layer (C═O···Pb 2+ ), achieving a T 80 lifetime of 1198 h at 65 °C in a N 2 atmosphere. These results demonstrate that vitamin C, as an interfacial stabilizer, offers a universal strategy to improve the practicality of photovoltaic devices.

The interfacial properties and environmental behavior of microplastics (MPs) will change with weathering. A new idea to study the interfacial properties of MPs is provided based on fluorescence response and light scattering changes. Submicron microspheres (PS-AA) obtained by soap-free emulsion polymerization have a well-defined composition and clean surface with carboxyl groups. The interfacial properties of PS-AA changed after Fenton and UV aging, and the sharp edges became blurred. Information on the interfacial interactions of leaf-derived carbon dots (R-CDs) and citrate carbon dots (B-CDs) with aged PS-AA was obtained by recording fluorescence and scattering changes. R-CDs can fluorescently respond to carrying contaminants on aged PS-AA, and their correlation increases with the degree of aging (R 2 =0.8388). The scattering peak of PS-AA decreased after aging, and the change in scattering/fluorescence ratios with concentration had a good linear relationship under the coexistence of B-CDs (R 2 =0.9983). Aging of PS-AA increases the contamination-carrying capacity and decreases the optical properties, which may be attributed to the increased oxygen-containing functional groups, ring opening of substituted benzene, and shell decomposition. The response mechanism of carbon dots (CDs), the aging process of PS-AA, and the interfacial behavior were further explained based on the density functional theory (DFT). This study reveals the changes in interfacial properties of submicron plastics with the aging process based on fluorescence response and scattering changes., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2025 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)