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• WPI and KGM could be used as emulsifiers to stabilize W/O/W emulsion gels. • The structure network of emulsion gels was more compact with the addition of KGM. • KGM improved the physical stabilities and gel properties of emulsion gels. • The addition of KGM reduced the digestion rate of protein and oil droplets. • WPI-KGM enhanced the bioaccessibility of GSP encapsulated in emulsion gels. In this work, the effects of konjac glucomannan (KGM) concentrations on microstructure, gel properties, stability and digestibility of water-in-oil-in-water emulsion gels stabilized by polyglycerol polyricinoleate and whey protein isolate were investigated. Visual appearance indicated that a non-layered double emulsion gel was formed when KGM increased to 0.75%. Emulsion gels with 1.5% KGM showed the highest encapsulation, freeze-thaw and photochemical stability due to the formation of the smallest droplets, which were supported by microscopic observations. Moreover, the addition of KGM improved water holding capacity, rheological and texture properties of emulsion gels. Particularly, at 1.5% or 1.75% KGM, color and potential of hydrogen showed the most stable level after 14 days of storage. During in vitro digestion, KGM delayed the hydrolysis of protein and oil droplets, and then improved the bioavailability of grape seed proanthocyanidin. These results promoted the application of KGM in emulsion gels and the encapsulation of nutraceuticals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ammonia has been recognized as a promising hydrogen mediator as it reduces the expense of the long-range transportation of hydrogen. However, methods to extract hydrogen from ammonia require improvements to decrease the overall cost. Ammonia electrolysis provides a convenient method to attain a low-cost hydrogen production. Here, we report that nickel-cobalt nitride nanosheets can achieve high electrocatalytic activity for the ammonia oxidation reaction (AOR) in non-aqueous solutions. The AOR onset overpotential of NiCo 2 N nanosheets is 0.55 V, which is about 0.25 V lower than that of the Pt/C electrocatalyst. Our ultraviolet–visible and mass spectroscopy studies reveal that NiCo 2 N nanosheets bypass the formation of the soluble metal-amine complex and preferentially oxidize ammonia to environmentally friendly diatomic nitrogen with a Faradic efficiency of over 90%. Theoretical simulation further indicates that the downshift of metal d-band on NiCo 2 N nanosheets surface helps retain a long-lasting electrocatalytic activity. Overall, this work introduces a new family of active and stable electrocatalysts for AOR that is based on earth-abundant transition metals, heralding the feasibility of using ammonia as a hydrogen mediator in hydrogen-based applications. ga1 • Metal nitride nanosheets were promising catalysts for efficient electrochemical ammonia oxidation. • The optimized NiCo 2 N nanosheets showed highest activity for ammonia electrochemical oxidation in acetonitrile solution. • The corrosion of the catalysts was suppressed by the formation of strong metal nitrogen chemical bonds in the catalysts. • Moderate d-band center of the NiCo 2 N nanosheets boosts ammonia electrochemical oxidation toward N 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Ag@AgPd x nanotriangulars were obtained by immobilizing Pd atoms onto Ag nanotriangulars. • Ag@AgPd 0.8 nanotriangulars has a regular triangular shape. • Ag@AgPd 0.8 shown the highest performance in H 2 production with 1980 mmol·g−1·h−1. • The mechanism of FA dehydrogenation has been confirmed by in-situ DRIFT analysis. Hydrogen with advantages of high energy density, zero pollution and zero carbon dioxide emissions is regarded as a carrier of clean energy for replacing fossil fuels. Therefore, the development of a high activity, selectivity and stability catalyst for H 2 production remains a great challenge. Herein, we report a new Ag@AgPd x nanotriangulars catalysts via immobilizing Pd atoms onto the surface of Ag nanotriangulars, for H 2 production from formic acid (FA) at room temperature, with superior catalytic activity and stability over commercial Pd/C and Pt/C. The in-situ DRIFT results shown the FA dehydrogenation process over Ag@AgPd 0.8 nanotriangulars, first the HCOOH* was rapidly converted to HCOO*, and finally to CO 2 *, which explained the fact that Ag@AgPd 0.8 nanotriangulars have high activity and selectivity for FA dehydrogenation. This strategy opens up a new way to design effective catalysts for efficient H 2 production from FA dehydrogenation to meet the requirement and applications of fuel cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Functionalized graphene/SiC nanowires hybrid skeletons were constructed. • Incorporating skeletons significantly improved the thermal conductivity of epoxy. • Functionalized hybrid skeleton revealed an enhanced synergistic reinforcing effect. Functionalized graphene nanoplatelets/SiC nanowires (f-GnP/SiCnw) and unmodified (u-GnP/SiCnw) hybrid skeletons with different amounts of SiCnw were successfully constructed through a vacuum-assisted self-assembly technique. Subsequently, the hybrid skeletons were incorporated into an epoxy resin to fabricate nanocomposites with excellent thermal and thermomechanical properties. The study revealed that the f-GnP/SiCnw hybrid skeletons exhibit a more pronounced reinforcing effect than the f-GnP-only skeleton without SiCnw and the unmodified (u-GnP/SiCnw) counterparts at the same filler loading. Incorporating the f-GnP/SiCnw hybrid skeleton with 5 wt% SiCnw resulted in through-plane and in-plane thermal conductivity of the epoxy composites as high as 1.58 W/m·K and 6.20 W/m·K, which is 690 and 3000% higher than that of the neat epoxy, respectively. Meanwhile, the storage modulus and glass transition temperature of the epoxy composites were also evidently enhanced after the introduction of the hybrid skeletons. This work provides an insight into the fabrication of high-performance thermally conductive composites. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A reliable UMAT subroutine of selected constitutive model of asphalt mixture is developed and applied to characterize the three-stage rutting behavior of asphalt pavement by using ABAQUS. It is indicated that the heavier traffic load not only induces the greater rutting depth, but also accelerates the rutting rate, causing the pavement earlier enter into rutting failure with shortened service life. The damage evolution and axle-load conversion are further discussed. Results show that the pavement subjected to heavier axle loads has the greater damage and faster damage evolution. The axle-load conversion index is 5.97 according to rut equivalence principle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Chitin was investigated for the first time as dielectric film capacitors. • Chitin/BNNS composites were fabricated through dissolution/regeneration process. • The dielectric properties of composites were improved by the incorporation of BNNS. • The composites also showed enhanced mechanical properties and thermal stability. Polymer-based film capacitors have attracted considerable attention owing to their important applications in both electronics and electrical systems. However, ever-growing environmental challenges stimulate a great demand for exploring renewable dielectric materials. Herein, flexible film dielectrics based on regenerated chitin and boron nitride nanosheets (BNNSs) were fabricated, for the first time, through a straightforward low-temperature dissolution/regeneration process, in which a "green" KOH/urea aqueous system was chosen as both the solvent of chitin and the exfoliation agent of BNNSs. Benefit from the excellent intrinsic properties of embedded BNNS, substantially elevated dielectric performances were achieved, including much suppressed dielectric loss along with significantly enhanced breakdown strength. Particularly, an ultrahigh charge-discharge efficiency of above 90% could be well-maintained in composites with only 6 wt% BN loading, even the applied electric field up to 400 MV m−1, therefore resulting in a marvelous discharge energy density of 8.67 J cm−3. Furthermore, aside targeted excellent dielectric properties, the resultant composites also possessed improved mechanical and thermal properties. This strategy developed here not only broadens the application of chitin, but also opens a new window for the establishment of next-generation environment-friendly dielectrics with superb dielectric properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The damage or degeneration of spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) can impair the auditory signals transduction from hair cells to the central auditory system, and cause significant hearing loss. Herein, a new form of bioactive hydrogel incorporating topological graphene oxide (GO) and TEMPO-oxidized bacterial cellulose (GO/TOBC hydrogel) was developed to provide a favorable microenvironment for SGN neurite outgrowth. As the network structure of lamellar interspersed fiber cross-linked by GO/TOBC hydrogels well simulated the structure and morphology of ECM, with the controllable hydrophilic property and appropriate Young's modulus well met those requirements of SGNs microenvironment, the GO/TOBC hybrid matrix exhibited great potential to promote the growth of SGNs. The quantitative real-time PCR result confirmed that the GO/TOBC hydrogel can significantly accelerate the development of growth cones and filopodia, by increasing the mRNA expression levels of diap3 , fscn2 , and integrin β1. These results suggest that GO/TOBC hydrogel scaffolds have the potential to be used to construct biomimetic nerve grafts for repairing or replacing nerve defects. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]