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Due to the unique structures and superior chemical and physical properties, onion carbon holds great appeal for various applications, such as lubrication, energy storage and catalysis. However, conventional synthesis methods for onion carbon are often complex, resulting in products of low purity and quantity. Here we report the one-step combustion synthesis of onion carbon with high purity and tunable particle size by employing naphthalene as the precursor, and investigated the effect of combustion temperatures on the formation mechanism of onion carbon, leading to the achievement of controlled preparation of onion carbon. The size of synthesized onion carbon particles ranges from 50 to 190 nm, which increases with the synthesis temperature and shows a wider distribution at higher temperatures. Owing to the abundant oxygen-containing functional groups, as-synthesized onion carbon exhibits prolonged stability and solubility in organic solvents such as ethanol and glycerol. Furthermore, we tested the friction performance of stainless steel coated with onion carbon films by ball-on-disk mode on the upper surface with different loads and sliding speeds. Deposited onion carbon film improved the friction performance of stainless steel at high load and sliding speed. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon carbide (SiC) substrates are widely used in semiconductor and photoelectric applications due to excellent electrical and chemical properties. However, due to its inherent hard-brittle properties and chemical inertness, traditional polishing processes are facing great challenges to obtain excellent surface and subsurface quality for the SiC substrates. In this work, a novel polishing process i.e. magnetorheological shear thickening polishing (MRSTP) was proposed to explore the feasibility for the polishing of the SiC substrates. The MRSTP experiments were conducted using multiple magnetic-pole-coupled tools. The magnetic field characteristics of the polishing area were investigated via finite element simulation and actual measurements. The magnetic-pole-coupled tool was capable of generating high magnetic induction strength in the polishing area. The MRSTP medium was designed and prepared. The media were formed magnetic brushes by the excited magnetic field. The MRSTP experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of processing parameters on the polished surface roughness. The optimum process parameters were determined as the spindle rotational speed of 700 rpm, the feed rate of 600 mm/min, the work gap of 0.5 mm and MRSTP media CIPs particle size of 100 μm. The surface roughness of the workpieces was improved from initial 1.414 μm to 27.6 nm. It is verified that the MRSTP is the feasible ultraprecision polishing process for the SiC substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phase stability of (Bi 1-x Y x) 2 O 3 (0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.275) solid state electrolytes synthesized using the sol-gel method was investigated over prolonged periods under ambient conditions. The cubic polymorph was found to be metastable under ambient conditions, particularly for 0.1 ≤ x ≤ 0.15 where significant cubic-to-tetragonal transformation occurred. Spontaneous minor formation of both the rhombohedral polymorph and a bismuth subcarbonate phase was evident across the doping range but with varied reproducibility. Aging was significantly more prevalent for samples that had only been calcined (at 450 °C) as compared to those that were subsequently annealed (at 750 °C). The more highly substituted annealed materials (0.25 ≤ x ≤ 0.275) were initially phase pure cubic and far more stable, yet some rhombohedral and bismuth subcarbonate phase formation was also seen. Although the initial source of carbon which leads to the formation of the subcarbonate phase is not known at this stage, several suggestions are made. Pelletisation with additional sintering, as well as annealing powder samples under an inert atmosphere, was also shown to enhance the long-term phase stability characteristics of the cubic phase. This is the first longer term (over 2 years) ambient phase aging study of substituted bismuth oxides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently in steel enterprises, the mass and heat of hot blast furnace slag (BFS) are not fully recovered, and the produced chrome-containing sludge (CCS) poses a significant threat to the ecological environment. In this work, CCS together with other ingredients is added into hot BFS to produce high value-added glass-ceramic (GC), after the mixed molten slag is cooled down. The obtained GC shows excellent physical and chemical properties (bulk density: 2.76 g cm−3, water absorption: 0.059 %, compressive strength: 78 MPa, Vickers hardness: 7.54 GPa, acid resistance: 98.63 %, alkali resistance: 99.84 %, thermal conductivity: 1.049 W m−1 °C−1, and thermal expansivity: 6.56 × 10−6 m m−1 °C−1). These excellent physical and chemical properties render the as-prepared GC a high value-added building material. In addition, the leaching concentrations of total Cr element and Cr(VI) in the as-prepared GC are 1.6 mg L−1 and 1.03 mg L−1, respectively, which are below the standard threshold for hazardous waste extraction toxicity. Compared with the traditional sintering method, the sensible heat of the hot BFS can be used as the thermal source in the molten slag cooling method, which can save a lot of energy. The use of hot BFS and CCS to produce high value-added GC not only fully utilizes the mass and heat of hot BFS but also fixes the Cr element in the CCS within the crystalline phase of GC, thereby eliminating the pollution of CCS to the environment. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The TiO 2 substrate coatings containing varied ZnO or ZrO 2 nanoparticles were made using the polymeric and microwave combustion methods and then thermally treated at various temperatures. Furthermore, before coating on the substrate, the produced nanoparticles undergo characterization and calcination to optimize the conditions for developing ZnO and ZrO 2 phases and track their composition. The X-ray diffraction method (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and infrared analysis (IR) are used to characterize the calcined produced nanoparticles. After heat treatment at 1000 °C, the TiO 2 substrate is prepared. The produced coated substrate is studied using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), infrared (IR), apparent porosity, bulk density, chemical corrosive properties and electrochemical measurement in 3.5 % NaCl and 1 M HCl solutions. The corrosion resistance of ZnO or ZrO 2 -covered TiO 2 substrate is ascertained by anticorrosive behaviors, which include weight loss, apparent porosity, corrosion rate, and SEM. The findings showed that 800 °C is the ideal temperature for preparing ZrO 2 -coated substrate, whereas 1000 °C is the perfect temperature for preparing ZnO-coated substrate. The microstructure reveals surface micro-cracks on the ZrO 2 -coated TiO 2 substrate. Good dispersion, homogeneity, and compaction were noted for the ZnO-coated substrate. Between 14 and 17 % of the ZnO-coated substrate and 20–21 % of the ZrO 2 -coated substrate, made via polymeric and microwave combustion techniques, had visible porosity when ZnO-coated samples exhibited greater corrosion resistance against NaCl media. In contrast, ZrO 2 -coated samples had much stronger anticorrosive qualities in HCl media than uncoated and Zn-coated samples. According to the electrochemical results, the ZnO-coated TiO 2 synthesized by polymeric technique at 1000 °C showed 99.86 % inhibitory efficiency against NaCl. An inhibitory efficiency of 94.4 % was observed in a ZrO 2 -coated TiO 2 substrate that was produced at 800 °C using a polymeric technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon dots (CDs) are a type of carbon-based nanomaterial that has gained a lot of attention in the field of electrochemical catalysis. They have unique physical and chemical properties, such as high specific surface area, defects, heteroatom doping ability, and functional groups on their surface. These properties make them particularly effective in electrocatalysis, including hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), oxygen evolution reaction (OER), oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), and carbon dioxide reduction (CO 2 RR). This review summarizes various methods for the preparation of CDs, including top-down methods and bottom-up methods, and analyzes their structure and properties in detail. It also delves into the role of CDs and their composites in specific electrocatalytic reactions, as well as the technical challenges they face in practical applications. Looking forward to the future, with the continuous progress of material science, nanotechnology and electrochemical theory, the potential applications of CDs and their composites in electrocatalysis are expected to be further expanded. • The preparation methods, structures and properties of CDs are introduced. • CDs are summarized as electrocatalysts for HER, OER, ORR and CO 2 RR. • The challenges of CDs in the field of electrocatalysis are summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titanium alloys are preferred metals as implant materials due to their advantageous combination of low density and high biocompatibility. However, the augmentation of implant surfaces with calcium-based coatings becomes essential to regulate corrosion rates and enhance the osteoconductive properties of the implant material. In this study, titanium alloys, specifically Ti6Al4V, underwent a transformative process wherein they were coated with calcium phosphate (CaP) ceramics doped with zinc (Zn) via micro-arc oxidation (MAO) technique, using varying concentrations of Zn compound in the electrolyte solutions. The chemical and physical properties of the freshly prepared samples were analyzed, both initially and after culturing them with Saos-2 cells. Furthermore, the antimicrobial efficacy against E. coli was examined. The findings unveiled the remarkable efficiency of the MAO technique in forming an uniformly distributed coat on Ti6Al4V, thereby enhancing its mechanical resilience and biocompatibility, depending upon the preparation parameters employed. It was shown that Zn doped calcium coating is very efficient to regulate various parameters such as corrosion rate and mechanical strength, and an increase in Zn content exhibited a favorable impact on cell attachment and antimicrobial efficacy. Surface modification of metallic implants via MAO technique can be applied in the production of advanced implant materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of (Mg 1- x Zn x) 3 (PO 4) 2 (x = 0.02–0.10) microwave dielectric ceramics were fabricated by the solid-state reaction method and investigated in terms of crystal structure, chemical bond properties, and dielectric properties were analyzed. The XRD data indicates that (Mg 1- x Zn x) 3 (PO 4) 2 samples belong to the monoclinic crystal with P 2 1 /c space group and no detectable secondary phases. The Rietveld refinement was employed to obtain crystal parameters. In addition, the results of chemical bond properties reveal that the lattice energy and ionicity of Mg (2)–O (3) bonds play a primary effect on the dielectric loss and dielectric constant, respectively. The bond energy of Mg(l)-O (2) bonds plays a dominant role in thermal stability. The far-infrared spectroscopy was employed to explore the intrinsic dielectric parameters, and the results showed that peaks below 400 cm-l contributed 78.9 % to ε′ and 99.1 % to ε″. The Raman data demonstrated that the Raman shift and FWHM exhibit an important influence on Q × f. The optimal performance was achieved in (Mg 0.94 Zn 0.06) 3 (PO 4) 2 ceramics: ε r = 5.00, Q × f = 84,674 GHz, τ f = −59.98 ppm/°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of biomaterials in medical applications triggers the foreign body response (FBR), a multi-stage immune reaction characterized by the formation of foreign body giant cells (FBGCs). Originating from the fusion of monocyte/macrophage lineage cells, FBGCs are pivotal participants during tissue-material interactions. This review provides an in-depth examination of the molecular processes during FBGC formation, highlighting signaling pathways and fusion mediators in response to both exogenous and endogenous stimuli. Moreover, a wide range of material-specific characteristics, such as surface chemical and physical properties, has been proven to influence the fusion of macrophages into FBGCs. Multifaceted biological activities of FBGCs are also explored, with emphasis on their phagocytic capabilities and extracellular secretory functions, which profoundly affect the vascularization, degradation, and encapsulation of the biomaterials. This review further elucidates the heterogeneity of FBGCs and their diverse roles during FBR, as demonstrated by their distinct behaviors in response to different materials. By presenting a comprehensive understanding of FBGCs, this review intends to provide strategies and insights into optimizing biocompatibility and the therapeutic potential of biomaterials for enhanced stability and efficacy in clinical applications. As a hallmark of the foreign body response (FBR), foreign body giant cells (FBGCs) significantly impact the success of implantable biomaterials, potentially leading to complications such as chronic inflammation, fibrosis, and device failure. Understanding the role of FBGCs and modulating their responses are vital for successful material applications. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the molecules and signaling pathways guiding macrophage fusion into FBGCs. By elucidating the physical and chemical properties of materials inducing distinct levels of FBGCs, potential strategies of materials in modulating FBGC formation are investigated. Additionally, the biological activities of FBGCs and their heterogeneity in responses to different material categories in vivo are highlighted in this review, offering crucial insights for improving the biocompatibility and efficacy of biomaterials. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cu 0·1 /S-1, Cu 0·1 Zn 0·01 /S-1, Cu 0.1 In x /S-1 (x = 0.01, 0.03, 0.05) and Cu 0·1 Ce 0·01 /S-1 were successfully prepared with S-1 as the carrier material and applied to methanol steam reforming (MSR) reaction. To further explore its chemical and physical properties, XRD, BET, SEM-EDS, ICP, FTIR, H 2 -TPR, NH 3 -TPD, CO 2 -TPD, and Raman were used to characterize the synthetic S-1 zeolite catalysts. The measured physicochemical properties revealed that utilizing S-1 zeolite as the carrier effectively altered the size of the metal particles, enhancing their dispersion and reduction characteristics. Compared with five different types of S-1 zeolite catalysts, the Cu 0·1 In 0·01 /S-1 catalyst has a large specific surface area and pore size. It exhibited superior active metal dispersion, with the lowest reduction temperature for the active metal CuO. The catalyst also showed a high Lewis acid content on its surface, forming the In-Lewis acid site. Consequently, the Cu 0·1 In 0·01 /S-1 catalyst exhibits exceptional performance in methanol steam reforming for hydrogen production reactions. It exhibited the best performance with a methanol conversion rate of 100%, H 2 selectivity of 100% under the conditions of 1 MPa, 250 °C, the S/C molar ratio of 2.5, and the WHSV of 0.5 h−1, which outperforms most of the reported catalysts in methanol steam reforming. © 2023 Hydrogen Energy Publications LLC. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. [Display omitted] • Cu 0 · 1 In 0 · 01 /S- 1 catalyst was prepared by wet impregnation method and applied to MSR reaction. • The synthesis method which In was employed as a promotor significantly improved the catalytic activity during MSR. • Excellent catalytic performance was achieved with methanol conversion of 100% and H 2 selectivity of 100% at 250 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Classical homocystinuria is a rare disease caused by mutations in cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) gene (OMIM 613381). CBS catalyzes the first step of the transsulfuration pathway that converts homocysteine (Hcy) into cystathionine (Cysta) via a number of co-substrates and mechanisms. Formation of Cysta by condensation of Hcy and cysteine (Cys) produces a molar equivalent of hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S). H 2 S plays important roles in cognitive and vascular functions. Clinically, patients with CBS deficiency present with vascular, ocular, neurological and skeletal impairments. Biochemically, CBS deficiency manifests with elevated Hcy and reduced concentration of Cysta in plasma and urine. A number of pathogenic variants of human CBS have been characterized by their residual enzymatic activity, but very few studies have examined H 2 S production by pathogenic CBS variants, possibly due to technical hurdles in H 2 S detection and quantification. We describe a method for the real-time, continuous quantification of H 2 S formed by wild-type and pathogenic variants of human recombinant CBS, as well as by fibroblast extracts from healthy controls and patients diagnosed with CBS deficiency. The method takes advantage of the specificity and high affinity of hemoglobin I of the clam Lucina pectinata toward H 2 S and is based on UV–visible spectrophotometry. Comparison with the gold-standard, end-point H 2 S quantification method employing monobromobimane, as well as correlations with CBS enzymatic activity determined by LC-MS/MS showed agreement and correlation, and permitted the direct, time-resolved determination of H 2 S production rates by purified human recombinant CBS and by CBS present in fibroblast extracts. Rates of H 2 S production were highest for wild-type CBS, and lower for pathogenic variants. This method enables the examination of structural determinants of CBS that are important for H 2 S production and its possible relevance to the clinical outcome of patients. [Display omitted] • Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S) is produced by transsulfuration enzymes and the microbiome. • Cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) is the major intracellular source of H 2 S. • The chemical properties of H 2 S challenge its quantitation in biological specimens. • Hemoglobin I of Lucina pectinata serves as a specific biosensor to detect H 2 S. • H 2 S formed by purified CBS and in human fibroblasts are quantifiable in real time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A salt of 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP) was commercialized some years ago. This so-called Dual Rinse (DR) HEDP has been tested for its combined actions and interactions with pure sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) solutions. The aim of this study was to assess DR interactions with NaOCl solutions containing proprietary additives. Designated endodontic NaOCl solutions that come at 2 different strengths (2% and 5.25%), and without or with additives (Chloraxid and Chloraxid Extra, respectively) were tested. Some of their key chemical and physical properties were determined in the presence or absence of HEDP (9%) in the solution. In addition, soft tissue dissolution efficacy of test and control solutions was assessed in extracted teeth (n = 10 per group, 90 teeth in total). The NaOCl content in the 2% Chloraxid solutions was slightly above, that in the 5.25% solutions below the labeled concentration. The additives in the Chloraxid Extra solutions neither altered their surface tension nor their viscosity. The addition of HEDP to any of the tested NaOCl solutions reduced their pH, and increased their surface tension and viscosity. HEDP-induced available chlorine loss over the first hour was similar between all NaOCl solutions. Soft tissue dissolution in the root canals was affected by NaOCl concentration, but neither by any proprietary NaOCl additive in the Chloraxid solutions, nor the addition of DR HEDP. Proprietary additives had no influence on any of the tested parameters, including surface tension of the "Extra" solutions. The increased viscosity of combined NaOCl/HEDP solutions deserves further attention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fireworks play a vital role in festive celebrations and entertainment. These fireworks industries are administered by the Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO), Nagpur, Government of India. Even though PESO prescribed the standard composition for various fireworks products, concerns persist regarding the potential deviation from these standards, particularly in the pursuit of increased noise levels to attract consumers. This change in the burning and reactive properties of chemicals could potentially lead to accidents and environmental pollution. The current work investigated the combustion characteristics of two unknown market flash powder samples and a PESO standard sample. The samples were openly ignited in a controlled atmosphere, and video recordings of the resulting chemical flames were analyzed to determine fire area, flame intensity, and motion magnitude. The residues were also collected for EDAX and SEM analysis. Fire pixels from video frames are segmented to create a comprehensive database detailing flame area and motion magnitude under different circumstances. From the flame area profile, motion magnitude and SEM/EDAX analysis, it is found that PESO standard sample combustion is better than the unknown flash powder combustion. • Burning flame of fireworks chemicals captured by CCD. • Flame area and volume had been found by Digital Image Processing. • Residue analysis was carried out. • Through flame analysis and residue analysis, fuel properties had been explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterogeneous elements doping in carbon materials has been an effective strategy to promote their chemical properties. In this work, fluorine atoms with strong electronegativity are doped on the surfaces of bamboo-shaped carbon nanotubes (FBCNTs) which serve as carriers for MgH 2 nanoparticles (MgH 2 @FBCNTs) to improve the reversible hydrogen storage properties. Detailed experiments indicate that MgH 2 @FBCNTs begin to release hydrogen at 197.8 °C, and can release 5.36 wt% H 2 at 275 °C within 30 min, and quickly absorb 3.48 wt% H 2 at 100 °C under hydrogen pressure of 80 bar. In addition, cycling performance is significantly enhanced in the case of fluorinated Mg-based system. The mechanism of fluorine catalysis is mainly ascribed to the formation of C-F bonds, accelerating the dissociation or combination of hydrogen atoms, offering more active sites for the de/hydrogenation and preventing the growth and agglomeration during cycling. It is also important that fraction of F is consumed and form new phases MgF 2 /MgF 2-x H x , which offers another pathway for H atoms. • Fluorinated bamboo-shaped carbon nanotubes were used as carriers for MgH 2. • MgH 2 @FBCNTs release 5.80 wt% H 2 at 250 °C(5 min) and quickly absorb 3.48 wt% H 2 at 100 °C(30 min). • Catalytic mechanism is ascribed to the formed MgF 2 and MgF 2-x H x acting as electron transfer medium resembling a "gate". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical looping reforming of CH 4 coupled with CO 2 reduction stands out as a promising method for the syngas production. In this process, it is significant to design the oxygen carrier with high reactivity and stability. In this work, a highly efficient oxygen carrier is obtained by physically mixing Metal-modified ZSM-5 with LaFe 0.85 Ni 0.15 O 3 (LFN). The physical and chemical properties of the oxygen carriers are characterized by XRD, Raman, XPS, BET, TEM, NH 3 -TPD, CO 2 -TPD and CH 4 -TPD techniques. It is noted that mesoporous structures are formed over the Ni modified ZSM-5, due to that part of Ni elements replace Al in the silicaluminate framework. The structure change of the ZSM-5 promotes the gas adsorption capacity. CH 4 and CO 2 cannot be adsorbed on the surface of ZSM-5, while Ni-modified ZSM-5 enhances the adsorption capacity for CO 2 to a large degree. Moreover, Ni species are acted as active sites to facilitate the activation of CH 4 and CO 2 during the redox process. The aggregation-redispersion of Ni particles during the reduction-oxidation process inhibits the deactivation of Ni particles, which improves the stability of the oxygen carrier. Among all the obtained samples, LFN/10 wt% Ni-ZSM-5 exhibits the highest yields of syngas (8.38 mmol g−1) and CO (2.42 mmol g−1). [Display omitted] • Modifying ZSM-5 with Ni changed the pore structures and acid sites. • Ni-modified ZSM-5 promoted the adsorption capacity towards CO 2. • The activation of CH 4 and CO 2 could be improved over Ni-modified ZSM-5. • Ni particles maintained active by aggregation-redispersion under redox atmospheres. • LFN/10 wt% Ni-ZSM-5 exhibited high stability either in the activity or structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diamond films possess numerous extraordinary physical and chemical properties, but their high-temperature applications are limited by its poor thermal stability. Herein, we fabricated the undoped microcrystalline diamond (MCD) film and heavy boron-doped diamond (h-BDD-1, 2.94 × 1021 atoms·cm−3; h-BDD-2, 9.10 × 1021 atoms·cm−3) films to investigate the effect of boron doping on the thermal stability of diamond films. A series of evidences, including air annealing experiments, thermogravimetric-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC) analysis, and in-situ ultra-high-temperature confocal laser-scanning microscope (CLSM), demonstrated that the thermal stability of diamond films was obviously enhanced by boron doping. Consequently, the h-BDD-2 film exhibited the best thermal stability with an initial oxidation temperature above 900 °C, which was much higher than that of MCD film (709 °C). By deconvolving the X-ray photoelectron spectra, we believed that the transition of B–C bonds to stable oxy-boron carbide complexes (B 4 O–C, B 3 O–C) is the key to improving the thermal stability. These results not only reveal a new antioxidant mechanism of boron-doped diamond films but also pave a way for the application of diamond in high-temperature environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxygen molecules accept electrons from the respiratory chain in the mitochondria and are responsible for energy production in aerobic organisms. The reactive oxygen species formed via these oxygen reduction processes undergo complicated electron transfer reactions with other biological substances, which leads to alterations in their physiological functions and cause diverse biological and pathophysiological consequences (e.g., oxidative stress). Oxygen accounts for only a small proportion of the redox reactions in organisms, especially under aerobic or hypoxic conditions but not under anaerobic and hypoxic conditions. This article discusses a completely new concept of redox biology, which is governed by redox-active supersulfides, i.e., sulfur-catenated molecular species. These species are present in abundance in all organisms but remain largely unexplored in terms of redox biology and life science research. In fact, accumulating evidence shows that supersulfides have extensive redox chemical properties and that they can be readily ionized or radicalized to participate in energy metabolism, redox signaling, and oxidative stress responses in cells and in vivo. Thus, pharmacological intervention and medicinal modulation of supersulfide activities have been shown to benefit the regulation of disease pathogenesis as well as disease control. [Display omitted] • Supersulfides are key players in cell signaling. • Reactive hydropersulfides scavenge cellular electrophiles, such as 8-nitro-cGMP. • Inflammatory responses are regulated by supersulfides. • Radical scavenging properties of hydropersulfides enable their prevention of lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis. • Supersulfides regulate and contribute to mitochondrial respiration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the pressing environmental issue of efficiently removing methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solutions, this study introduces a novel approach utilizing activated carbon (AC) synthesized via a two-stage activation process involving zinc chloride (ZnCl 2) and ammonium sulfate ((NH 4) 2 SO 4). SEM analysis confirms the development of a porous structure at distinct activation temperatures (700 °C and 260 °C), while comprehensive characterizations, including FTIR, BET, TGA, CHNOS, and XRD, provide valuable insights into the structural and chemical properties of the synthesized AC. Optimization of the activation process at the second stage using (NH 4) 2 SO 4 yields a remarkable surface area of 939.63 m2/g, crucially enhancing functional groups such as Hydroxyl (O-H) and Carbonyl (C O). The experimental design involved optimizing various parameters, including contact time (0–180 mins), initial concentration (200–500 ppm), temperature (25–55 °C), pH (4−10), and adsorbent dosage (0.4–0.65 g). Batch adsorption optimization experiments demonstrate exceptional efficiency, achieving 99.91 % MB removal and a 90.827 mg/g capacity. Furthermore, Langmuir and second-order kinetic model fitting indicate favorable adsorption behavior, supported by thermodynamic analysis revealing an endothermic process. Notably, AC exhibits excellent regenerative potential over four cycles, emerging as a promising candidate for advancing water purification practices; the modified AC achieves WHO standards for MB removal in drinking water. [Display omitted] • Unique 2-stage ZnCl 2 & (NH 4) 2 SO 4 activation enhances activated carbon AC for methylene blue MB removal. • (NH 4) 2 SO 4 treatment enhances crucial functional groups, porosity, and surface area. • AC achieves 99.91 % MB removal, 90.827 mg/g adsorption from 500 ppm. • Analytical techniques reveal crucial insights into adsorbents' structure and properties. • Achieving WHO-standard drinking water quality by removing 500 ppm of MB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presented work explores detail information about surface modification of BNNTs with ZrO 2 through isothermal hydrolysis process for reducing its hydrophobic property and enhancing the wettability as BNNTs possess hydrophobicity & poor wettability in its raw form as it agglomerates during fabrication of composites, ultimately prohibits usage of BNNTs as a prime reinforced material and for other utilization. HRTEM, EDX, E.M confirmed thin coating layer of ZrO 2 whereas X-ray diffraction and FE-SEM determined the morphological structure of BNNTs in its raw form comparing with properties of BNNTs@ZrO 2. Contact angle test displays increased wettability of synthesised BNNTs where Zeta Potential provides upgraded stability and dispersibility of coated BNNTs in aqueous medium. Confirmation of coating, improved surface architecture and chemical properties of coated BNNTs than non-treated BNNTs is observed via FTIR. BNNTs@ ZrO 2 showing thermally stable and constant throughout temperature beyond 800 °C through TGA. Present study describes the features of BNNTs and BNNTs@ZrO 2 enriching morphological and thermal characteristics followed by confirmation of coating layer through isothermal hydrolysis process, improvement in wettability and hydrophobicity for further future approach towards reinforcement in MMCs, in a nut shell very effectively applicable in aerospace and automobile industrial utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapidly evolving communication field demands higher data capacity, faster transmission speeds, and improved anti-interference capabilities. However, the physical limitations of silicon-based photonics technology hinder the realization of photodetectors and other active devices. The discovery of two-dimensional (2D) materials, such as graphene, has opened promising opportunities for on-chip photodetection, showcasing distinctive physical and chemical properties and ultrathin nature. In this review, we first describe several representative 2D materials, including graphene, black phosphorus, and transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs). These materials offer diverse band structures and properties, presenting a plethora of options for varied applications. Then we highlight the utilization of these 2D materials in the development of high-performance photodetection devices, including photodiodes, field-effect transistors, and photodetectors. Furthermore, we delve into the practical applications of photodetectors, including room-temperature imaging, visual sensors, spectrometers, ranging, and other optoelectronic integrated systems. These real-world applications vividly demonstrate the versatility and potential of 2D materials across diverse fields. Overall, the unique structures and properties of 2D materials offer new possibilities for applications across various domains. Future research should be devoted to further explore the properties and applications of 2D materials to advance their development in the field of science and technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Periodic redox condition changes in acidic paddy soils substantially induce the biogeochemical redox cycling, and consequently affect Cd availability. However, the underlying biogeochemical mechanisms of the complicated redox processes in paddy soil remain poorly understood. Thus, we investigated the dynamics of Cd fractions under anoxic (0–40 days) and oxic (40–55 days) conditions. The available Cd content was evaluated using the diffusive gradients in thin film (DGT) technique, and the results show it decreased from 6.3 μg L–1 to below 0.1 μg L–1 under anoxic conditions, but rapidly increased to 13.5 μg L–1 under oxic conditions. Both sequential extraction procedures and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) analyses found that majority of available Cd transformed to organic matter complex and Fe-Mn oxides fractions, rather than bounded with sulfides. The soil chemical properties further evaluated, and the correlation analysis and principal component analysis results suggested that the key factors in soils for the available Cd was the SO 4 2–, pH, and surface site concentration. The reduction of SO 4 2– could generate sulfides which may precipitate with dissolved Cd. The biogeochemical redox cycling of Fe/N/S determined the changes of soil pH and consequently influenced adsorption behavior of Cd. The breakdown of the soil aggregations changed the surface site concentration, which may affect the immobilization of Cd. A process-based kinetic model was established, and it found that iron biogeochemical redox cycling dominated the changes of soil pH, and thereby contributed to majority Cd retention by Fe-Mn oxides (34.4 %) and organic matter (33.7 %). In addition, sulfur biogeochemical redox cycling only contributed to 13.6 % of the total Cd contents, because of relatively low Cd solubility in contaminated soils and the competition with other cations for limited sulfides. The findings provide robust targets for interpreting the iron and sulfur biogeochemical processes for Cd availability and would be helpful for developing the precise and effective remediation strategies in Cd-contaminated soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceramic materials with excellent radiation resistance stability play an indispensable role in the treatment of nuclear waste. This article uses spark plasma sintering (SPS) to synthesize high-entropy (HE) Y 0.6 Gd 0.6 Sm 0.6 Eu 0.6 Dy 0. 6 Fe 5 O 12 (HEG) and traditional garnet Y 1.2 Nd 1.8 Fe 5 O 12 (YIG). Studied the effects of 2 MeV He2+ irradiation (1 × 1014 ions/cm2 - 1 × 1017 ions/cm2) on the crystal structure, mechanical properties, and chemical stability of ceramics. Research shows that the surface of YIG becomes completely amorphous under ∼30dpa irradiation. Under irradiation at∼30dpa, HEG underwent a small amount of amorphization (with an amorphization rate of 38 %), maintaining the structure of garnet, and the lattice expansion rate of HEG caused by irradiation was lower than that of YIG. After irradiation, the mechanical properties of HEG were improved, while YIG's hardness decreased due to its amorphous state. Radiation has almost no effect on the chemical stability of HEG, and its long-term release mechanism is dominated by diffusion. This study identified HEG as an ideal candidate substrate for immobilizing high-radioactive waste (HLW) the perspective of radiation resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel low- ε r Zn 3 Ga 2 SnO 8 ceramic was prepared, and the phase composition and microstructural evolution were investigated. According to Rietveld refinement, TEM, and Raman spectroscopy, Zn 3 Ga 2 SnO 8 ceramics had a cubic spinel structure in which Zn1 occupied the tetrahedral sites, and Zn2/Ga1/Sn1 occupied the octahedral sites. The relative density and packing fraction significantly influence the ε r and Q × f of Zn 3 Ga 2 SnO 8 ceramics, respectively. Meanwhile, the P–V–L theory indicates that the contribution rate of Sn–O bonds to bond ionicity is 29.2 %, and that of Ga–O bonds to lattice energy is 37.5 %. The Zn 3 Ga 2 SnO 8 ceramics exhibit the best microwave dielectric properties (ε r = 10.6, Q × f = 88,725 GHz, and τ f = −25.1 ppm/°C) when sintered at 1320 °C. Given these advantages, Zn 3 Ga 2 SnO 8 ceramic has certain potential applications in millimeter-wave technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, granite wastes based glass-ceramics containing Eu 2 O 3 as simulated radionuclides is successfully synthesized via solid-state sintering method. The structure, mechanical properties and chemical durability are deeply investigated. The main phase in this glass-ceramics is oxyapatite (Ca 2 Eu 8 (SiO 4) 6 O 2), which is dispersed homogenously in glass matrix. The density dominates the properties of Vickers hardness and bending strength. The glass-ceramics containing 40 wt % of Eu 2 O 3 has the optimal mechanical properties, with the Vickers hardness, bending strength and density of 5.12 GPa, 79.44 MPa and 98.77 %, respectively. The 28 days leaching experiments show that the glass-ceramics containing 40 wt % of Eu 2 O 3 possess excellent chemical durability. The leaching rate of Al3+, Si4+, Fe3+, Ca2+, Eu3+ are 2.3 × 10−4 g m−2 d−1, 6.0 × 10−4 g m−2 d−1, 1.2 × 10−7 g m−2 d−1, 1.4 × 10−4 g m−2 d−1, 3.6 × 10−8 g m−2 d−1, respectively. This study indicates that granite wastes based glass-ceramics have excellent chemical stability and mechanical properties, which provides a novel idea for the immobilization of radioactive wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tibetan Plateau, known as the "Third Pole", is currently in a state of perturbation caused by intensified human activity. In this study, 56 samples were obtained at the five sampling sites in typical area of Lhasa city and their physical and chemical properties were investigated by TEM/EDS, STXM, and NEXAFS spectroscopy. After careful examination of 3387 single particles, the results showed that Fe should be one of the most frequent metal elements. The Fe-containing single particles in irregular shape and micrometer size was about 7.8% and might be mainly from local sources. Meanwhile, the Fe was located on the subsurface of single particles and might be existed in the form of iron oxide. Interestingly, the core-shell structure of iron-containing particles were about 38.8% and might be present as single-, dual- or triple-core shell structure and multi-core shell structure with the Fe/Si ratios of 17.5, 10.5, 2.9 and 1.2, respectively. Meanwhile, iron and manganese were found to coexist with identical distributions in the single particles, which might induce a synergistic effect between iron and manganese in catalytic oxidation. Finally, the solid spherical structure of Fe-containing particles without an external layer were about 53.4%. The elements of Fe and Mn were co-existed, and might be presented as iron oxide–manganese oxide–silica composite. Moreover, the ferrous and ferric forms of iron might be co-existed. Such information can be valuable in expanding our understanding of Fe-containing particles in the Tibetan Plateau atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We review the structural properties and fabrication strategies of Ti-based MXenes and abstract the methods to improve the photocatalytic activity toward the fields of energy, environmental science and biomedicine. [Display omitted] • We summarize the structural properties and fabrication strategies of Ti-based MXenes. • The key characterization techniques of Ti-based MXenes are summarized and analyzed, and improvement strategies are proposed to address the existing problems. • We summarize and analyze the in-situ characterization and DFT calculations and their limitations, which are inextricably linked to the experiments. • We present some critical strategies for improving the performance of Ti-based MXenes in emerging photocatalytic applications. • The main challenges and prospects of applying Ti-based MXenes to photocatalysis are discussed. Two-dimensional transition metal carbides/nitrides (MXenes) hold significant promise across diverse domains such as energy, catalysis, environmental science, and life sciences due to their distinct physical and chemical properties. This review focuses on the utilization of Ti-based MXenes specifically for photocatalytic applications. It critically evaluates the structural properties, fabrication strategies, and theoretical simulations of Ti-based MXenes tailored for photocatalysis. Firstly, the structural, electronic and optical properties of Ti-based MXenes are highlighted. Secondly, this review compares the merits and demerits of different fabrication techniques, offering a broad overview of fabrication methods for Ti-based MXenes. Afterwards, strategies aimed at enhancing photocatalytic performance, including interface engineering, defect introduction, heteroatom doping, and morphology control, are summarized. Then this review encapsulates the first-principles calculations and in-situ characterizations related to the fabrication process and photocatalytic mechanism of Ti-based MXenes. Furthermore, it extensively explores the emerging applications of Ti-based MXenes in energy, environmental remediation, and biomedicine. Forward-looking perspectives and insights are finally provided to stimulate innovative ideas and research methodologies for the design, synthesis, and integration of Ti-based MXenes into photocatalytic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To develop a novel glass ionomer cement (NGIC) with enhanced mechanical and chemical properties and assess its biocompatibility, mechanical strength, and ion release. Nanosilver doped bioactive glass (NanoAg BAG) was synthesized by sol-gel method and characterized by scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The NanoAg BAG, together with poly(vinylphosphonic acid) (PVPA), alumino-fluorosilicate glass and poly-acrylic acid were used to synthesize NGIC. The optimal PVPA concentration for NGIC was determined by PVPA modified GIC's biocompatibility and mechanical properties and used to prepare NGIC specimens. NGIC specimens with NanoAg BAG at 0%, 1%, 2%, and 5% were allocated into Groups NGIC0, NGIC1, NGIC2, and NGIC5, respectively. The biocompatibility, surface morphology, elemental composition, surface topography, chemical properties, compressive strength, diametral tensile strength, and ion release of the NGIC were assessed. A conventional glass ionomer cement (GIC) was used as a control. A granular BAG with nano silver particles attached on its surface were found, indicating the successful synthesis of NanoAg BAG. PVPA at 10% presented the best effect in enhancing the biocompatibility and mechanical properties of PVPA modified GIC and was used to prepare NGIC specimens. NGIC1 showed similar biocompatibility, surface morphology and topography to GIC. Chemical properties results showed that NGICs showed the same adsorption peaks to GIC. The compressive strength (mean±SD in MPa) was 168.1 ± 29.7, 205.5 ± 29.5, 221.8 ± 46.8, 216.6 ± 59.3 and 167.7 ± 36.4, and the diametral tensile strength (mean±SD in MPa) was 14.1 ± 1.7, 18.3 ± 4.9, 21.2 ± 2.2, 17.2 ± 3.8 and 13.3 ± 3.3 for GIC, NGIC0, NGIC1, NGIC2 and NGIC5 respectively. NIGC0, NGIC1 and NGIC2 showed higher compressive and diametral tensile strength than GIC (p < 0.01). NGIC2 and NGIC5 showed higher release of fluoride, calcium, phosphate and silver ion than GIC and NGIC0 (p < 0.05). A biocompatible NGIC with enhanced mechanical properties were developed. It presented enhanced fluoride, calcium, phosphate and silver ion release compared to conventional GIC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SiC reinforced Al (SiC/Al) composites have outstanding advantages in different fields including aerospace. However, the current mechanical and chemical properties of Al–SiC composites are still not up to expectations because of the problems such as wettability, interface reaction, sintering time and SiC size and distribution. Microwave rapid sintering has a promising prospect for the preparation of high performance Al–SiC, however, the lack of process observation leads to the unclear relationship of energy, microstructure and material properties. Therefore microwave rapid sintering of Al–SiC has not been fully explored and applied. In the present paper, the whole process of Al–SiC microstructure evolution was observed accurately by in situ SR-CT experiment during microwave rapid sintering process. Based on the joint analysis of energy-structure-performance, it was found that the spherical SiC located at the neck of Al particles in the microwave field effectively increased the diffusion rate of Al–SiC samples, which inhibited the growth of grains and the densification process was basically completed in a short time. It was revealed that a region with high electric field strength and uniform distribution formed due to SiC with different structural characteristics, thus achieved the rapid densification of the Al–SiC in microwave sintering. The formation and regulation mechanism of rapid densification of Al–SiC during microwave rapid sintering were researched by the relationship between energy-structure and performance, which would provid more understanding for the preparation of high-performance Al–SiC based on microwave rapid sintering technology, and provide the possibility for the preparation of more functional materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents a design of experiment (DoE) approach to optimize the electrophoretic deposition (EPD) parameters for chitosan (CS), gelatin (Gel), and whitlockite (WH) composite coatings on titanium substrate. The suspension for EPD was prepared by dissolving CS and Gel in acetic acid and WH nanoparticles (NPs) were dispersed in ethanol. Afterward, both (CS, Gel solution, and WH suspension) were mixed and the suspension stability was evaluated using zeta potential. Deposition parameters like voltage, concentration of WH, and time were optimized using Taguchi L 16 orthogonal array with four control factors. The statistical data obtained confirmed that a higher time with average voltage and WH concentration is ideal to achieve deposits with maximum yield and minimum signal-to-noise ratio. Tea tree oil (TTO) in different concentrations was added to these optimized conditions. Different physiochemical characterization like x-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), in-vitro degradation, surface adhesion, and wettability tests were done to evaluate the coating stability, adhesion, surface and chemical properties. The obtained data confirmed that coatings were mechanically strong, chemically stable, and possessed good adhesion strength to the substrate. To further confirm the bone tissue regeneration potential of the coatings, in-vitro bioactivity, cell viability, and cell proliferation tests were done. The obtained data confirmed that CS/Gel/WH composite is highly bioactive and promotes osseointegration. TTO at lower concentrations facilitates cell proliferation but it is toxic at higher concentrations. TTO interacted with the coating matrix via non-covalent interactions that resulted in its slow and sustained release over 28 days. TTO showed antibacterial effect when tested with E. coli bacteria. Hence, in this work, experimental, statistical, physiochemical, and biological analyses are discussed in detail based on the current knowledge of WH coatings and the effect of TTO on cytocompatibility as well as biofilm prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dense environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) are urgently needed to protect SiC-based ceramic matrix composites (SiC CMCs) in future gas turbine engines, and multi-component rare-earth (Re) disilicates are attracting attention due to their excellent thermal-mechanical properties and chemical compatibility. In this paper, first-principles calculations were performed on ten different crystal structures and elastic constants of (Re 0.5 Yb 0.5) 2 Si 2 O 7 (Re Sc, Y, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu) and (Sc x Yb 1-x) 2 Si 2 O 7 (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1.00) disilicate materials. Meanwhile, five bulk disilicate ceramics of Yb 2 Si 2 O 7 , (Sc 0.5 Yb 0.5) 2 Si 2 O 7 , (Er 0.5 Yb 0.5) 2 Si 2 O 7 , (Sc 0.33 Er 0.33 Yb 0.34) 2 Si 2 O 7 , and (Sc 0.25 Ho 0.25 Er 0.25 Yb 0.25) 2 Si 2 O 7 were prepared and tested for thermal-mechanical properties. The prepared bulk ceramics exhibit superior thermal stability at 1823 K, with no phase transformation or grain coarsening occurring. Compared to Yb 2 Si 2 O 7 , (Sc 0.5 Yb 0.5) 2 Si 2 O 7 exhibits a smaller unit cell volume, average Re–O bond length, grain size, and thermal conductivity. It also shows increased ion mass disorder, lattice distortion, ion radius disorder, coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), microhardness, and Young's modulus. However, (Er 0.5 Yb 0.5) 2 Si 2 O 7 mainly exhibits opposite behaviors. Most of the thermal-mechanical properties of (Sc 0.33 Er 0.33 Yb 0.34) 2 Si 2 O 7 and (Sc 0.25 Ho 0.25 Er 0.25 Yb 0.25) 2 Si 2 O 7 are intermediate between those of (Sc 0.5 Yb 0.5) 2 Si 2 O 7 and (Er 0.5 Yb 0.5) 2 Si 2 O 7. These findings of this study may accelerate the development of medium-entropy or high-entropy disilicates with controlled polymorphic phases and customized thermal-mechanical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, cesium lead halide perovskites such as CsPb 2 Br 5 and CsPbBr 3 have drawn the attention of researchers because of their unique optical, electronic, and chemical properties. To improve the photo and/or chemical performance of such CsPb 2 Br 5 (termed as CPB hereafter), we have realized multiple facile routes for its combination with UV-active TiO 2 nanoparticles. Resultantly developed binary nanocomposites of TiO 2 , CPB perovskites and TiO 2 /CPB-nanocomposite (TiO 2 /CPB-NC) offered a meaningful photochemical contrast between pseudo-successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (p -SILAR) and electrostatic self-assembly methods for targeting photocatalytic degradation of toxic dyes under solar irradiation and resulted significant performance as reactant for oxygen evolution (OER) as revealed by extensive electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). In parallel to extensive material-based characterization using SEM, XRD, and UV Vis. etc, the study was further extended to the theoretical investigation of the structure of CsPb 2 Br 5 , and antibacterial activity against gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria namely Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). RhB degradation of TiO 2 increased from 13% to 58% by deposition of CPB, in parallel to 100% inhition zone growth. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to irreparable crises for nature and people, replacing fossil fuel-based energy with green energy sources is a necessity for nature and humanity. Hydrogen is considered a clean energy transport due to its high energy density, environmental friendliness, high efficiency, and recyclable nature. This study generated hydrogen through NaBH 4 ethanolysis. In hydrogen production studies, there are very few studies with magnetic nano catalysts and very few studies with cheap transition metals. In order to contribute to the literature in this field, in this study, Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 @EDDHA-Fe was produced for the first time and used in hydrogen production studies. Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 @EDDHA-Fe synthesis was successfully carried out and hydrogen production was successfully implemented. The study also utilized FT-IR, XRD, VSM, BET, and SEM-EDX methods to characterize the structural, physical, and chemical properties of MNCs. The average particle diameter and magnetization value of Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 @EDDHA-Fe were 12.81 nm and 30.6 emu/g, respectively. The catalysis experiment designed with 50 mg Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 @EDDHA-Fe and 93.75 mM NaBH 4 generated 840 mL H 2 /g NaBH 4 298 K and 947 mL H 2 /g NaBH 4 318 K in 5-min duration, respectively. At room temperature, the hydrogen generation rate (HGR) and activation energy (Ea) of Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 @EDDHA-Fe reaction were calculated as 1040 mL H 2 /gcat·min and 5.39 kJ/mol, respectively. After the sixth cycle, the reusability test of Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 @EDDHA-Fe reaction still retained approximately 87% of the initial hydrogen production volume. The study concluded that Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 @EDDHA-Fe is a promising catalyst in hydrogen production from NaBH 4 ethanolysis, as it is affordable and easy to prepare compared to other expensive catalysts. [Display omitted] • Fe 3 O 4 @SiO 2 @EDDHA-Fe (MNCs) were produced for the first time. • The hydrogen production activity efficiency of MNCs has been found to be excellent. • It was found that the reuse efficiency in hydrogen production activity was 87% higher after 6 cycles of MNCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Mg-based LDHs are the most prominent and common LDHs, with attractive features such as hydrophilicity, porous structure, high surface area, adjustable interlayer space, and ion exchange capability. • These properties make Mg-based LDHs highly applicable in membrane separation processes. • Polymeric membranes, commonly used in separation processes, have limitations such as high fouling, light permeability, and weakness in separation. • The use of effectual additives like LDHs, especially Mg-based LDHs, is a promising method to overcome these limitations. • Extraordinary properties of Mg-based LDHs and their good processability have created strategies to improve the performance of flat sheet mixed matrix polymer membranes in wastewater treatment and brackish water desalination processes. Magnesium (Mg) is a widely used and attractive metal, known for its unique physical and chemical properties, and it has been employed in the manufacture of many practical materials. Layered Double Hydroxides (LDHs), particularly Mg-based LDHs, rank among the most prevalent two-dimensional materials utilized in separation processes, which include adsorption, extraction, and membrane technology. The high popularity of Mg-based LDHs in separation applications can be attributed to their properties, such as excellent hydrophilicity, high surface area, ion exchangeability, and adjustable interlayer space. Currently, polymer membranes play a pivotal role in semi-industrial and industrial separation processes. Consequently, the development of polymer membranes and the mitigation of their limitations have emerged as compelling topics for researchers. Several methods exist to enhance the separation performance and anti-fouling properties of polymer membranes. Among these, incorporating additives into the membrane polymer matrix stands out as a cost-effective, straightforward, readily available, and efficient approach. The use of Mg-based LDHs, either in combination with other materials or as a standalone additive in the polymer membrane matrix, represents a promising strategy to bolster the separation and anti-fouling efficacy of flat sheet mixed matrix polymer membranes. This review highlights Mg-based LDHs as high-potential additives designed to refine flat sheet mixed matrix polymer membranes for applications in wastewater treatment and brackish water desalination. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ti 2 GaC is a novel ternary layered ceramic with unique physical and chemical properties such as excellent thermal conductivity, low density, high-temperature oxidation resistance, and corrosion resistance. However, the relatively low strength and hardness of Ti 2 GaC hinder its practical applications as a structural component. To strengthen the mechanical properties of Ti 2 GaC and extend its application range, in this study, (Ti 1-x V x) 2 GaC MAX phase solid solutions with x ranging up to 0.25 were successfully synthesized using a two-step sintering method. (Ti 1-x V x) 2 GaC solid solutions grains showed a typical lamellar structure, where the a lattice constant of (Ti 1-x V x) 2 GaC decreased from 3.0660 to 3.0326 Å and c decreased from 13.3223 to 13.1520 Å. The effects of V content on the solid solution microstructure, crystal structure, mechanical strength, and resistance to friction and wear were evaluated in detail. In addition, the solid solution formation mechanism and fracture damage modes of these materials were discussed. The crystal structure, mechanical properties, electronic properties, and chemical bonding of (Ti 1-x V x) 2 GaC continuous solid solution at x = 0–1 were calculated by DFT. The solid solution enhancement mechanism of (Ti 1-x V x) 2 GaC was explained by analyzing the relationship between the structure and properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the CuCl/KNO 3 and AgCl/KNO 3 mixed molten salts were selected to prepare chemically strengthened Cu containing glasses and Ag–Cu containing glasses at 460–500 °C used two-step ion-exchange method. The effects of treatment temperature on ions concentration distribution, transmittance, strengthening effect, chemical stability and ion release of samples were studied, the antimicrobial activity of samples was evaluated. The results demonstrated that K+ ions, Ag+ ions and Cu+ ions were successfully introduced onto the surface of the glass. Cu and Ag existed mainly in the form of monovalent ions, but the metal Cu or metal Ag formed when the temperature was high, making the glass appear pink or yellow, respectively. The surface compressive stress of Cu containing glasses was 508–602 MPa, and that of Ag–Cu containing glasses was 587–672 MPa, both of which showed stress relaxation at temperatures above 480 °C. The samples' Vickers hardness rose by 4–16 %, the density and chemical stability were also improved. Ion-exchanged glass was capable of releasing Cu+ ions or Ag+ ions steadily in an aqueous environment, which had a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of staphylococcus aureus with favorable antimicrobial effect. Compared with the original glass, the ion-exchanged glass prepared in our work was not only incorporated two antibacterial active ions (Ag+ ions, Cu+ ions), but also has improved mechanical properties and chemical stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ZnNb 2- x V x /2 O 6-1.25 x (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6) ceramics were synthesized using a conventional solid phase reaction technique. The terahertz dielectric performances of ZnNb 2- x V x /2 O 6-1.25 x (x = 0.1, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6) ceramics have been investigated using Rietveld refinement, scanning electron microscopy, first principles, and terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. XRD and mapping data indicate that the replacement of Nb5+ ions with V5+ ions induces variations in inter-ion interactions. Combined analysis with scanning electron microscopy indicated that the authigenic low melting point phase (ZnV 2 O 6) had a positive effect on the densification of the specimen (ZnNb 1.8 V 0.1 O 5.75) at low temperatures. However, more low melting point phases (ZnV 2 O 6 and Zn 2 V 2 O 7) adversely affect the densification and terahertz dielectric performances of the specimens as the V5+ content increases. In addition, the dielectric constant of the specimen is mainly affected by the ionicity of the Nb–O bond, while the dielectric loss is jointly affected by the covalency of the Nb–O bond and the grain size. The developed materials are expected to be used in LTCC terahertz application due to the low sintering temperature (950 °C) and excellent dielectric performance (dielectric constant of ∼20 and dielectric loss of 0.02–0.04). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, porous, and hollow nanorods of NiTiO 3 (NiTiO 3 NRs-p: 2–3 μm in length and 400 nm in diameter) are successfully prepared using an ethylene glycol-mediated approach at room temperature (25 °C), followed by calcination at 700 °C in air environment. Their rough surfaces and accumulated holes are advantageous for adsorption and subsequent photoreduction of carbon dioxide (CO 2) under UV–vis irradiation. The NiTiO 3 NRs-p exhibit superior performance in terms of photoconversion of CO 2 (purity 99.999 %, 100 mL/min) into gaseous CO (57.833 μmolg−1 h−1) and CH 4 (24.33 μmolg−1 h−1) with an overall CO 2 selectivity (S CO2) of 89 %. In contrast, the solid NiTiO 3 nanorods (NiTiO 3 NRs) exhibit moderate performance in CO 2 reduction, producing CO (30.33 μmolg−1 h−1) and CH 4 (11.50 μmolg−1 h−1) with a CO 2 selectivity of S CO2 = 60 %. NiTiO 3 NRs-p exhibits superior photocatalytic activity against CO 2 over other NiTiO 3 morphologies with similar physical and chemical properties (such as nanoparticles (NPs) and nanofibers (NFs). This enhancement in photocatalytic activity can be attributed to the porous texture and hollow rod-like structure of NiTiO 3 NRs-p, which provides a larger number of active sites to promote rapid mass transport. This unique one-dimensional (1D) structure also facilitates the separation of photogenerated electron-hole pairs, as demonstrated experimentally. This study opens a new room for a simple and facile routes for the photocatalytic conversion of CO 2 into solar fuels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive research has been conducted on silver niobite (AgNbO 3)-based antiferroelectric ceramics for their promising applications in energy storage applications, with various compositional modifications explored to improve their energy storage capabilities. In this theoretical study, we have systematically investigated the electronic, structural, and chemical bonding properties of AgNb 1- x Ta x O 3 (x = 0.00, 0.125, 0.25, 0.375, 0.50, abbreviated as ANT100 x) solid solutions based on first-principles calculation. Our results reveal that the bandgap increases from 1.82 eV to 1.89 eV, due to the higher energy level of Ta 5 d orbitals compared to Nb 4 d orbitals. The enlarged bandgap, accompanied with oxygen vacancy formation energy (Δ E f , v a c ), contributes to the enhancement of E b. The Ta substitution of Nb site suppresses the cation displacement, oxygen octahedral distortion, and bond length and angles, indicating an improved stability of antiferroelectric phase. In addition, the electron localization function (ELF) and Bader charge values show weakened covalent bonding of Ta−O bonds compared to Nb−O bonds. These theoretical findings have the potential to aid in the advancement and creation of novel energy storage applications using lead-free AFE perovskites, as well as facilitate the manipulation of their breakdown electric field through bandgap engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tröger's-based polymeric membranes have received tremendous attention for their inherent high free volume and excellent gas permeability. However, its selectivity was still unable to meet their industrial demand. In effort to achieve an optimization comprehensive performance, a set of homogeneous polymer chains was synthesized to fine-tune the free volume. These membranes were designed by copolymerization diamine moiety of 3, 3′-dimethylbiphenyl-4, 4′-diamine and 2, 2-bis [4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl] hexafluoropropane. Significant characterizations of their physical properties and chemical structures were carried out by FTIR, TGA, XRD, and mechanical strength. The effects of variation diamine content ratio were studied. An available simulation was carried out to elucidate the influence of introduced diamine. The permselectivity of membranes was evaluated by H 2 , CO 2 , O 2 , N 2 , and CH 4. The objective performances of feed gas pressure, test temperature, and aging stability on membranes were further studied. The exciting results demonstrated that our membranes exhibit improved gas performance. Notably, for H 2 separation, the H 2 /N 2 and H 2 /CH 4 selectivity was significantly enhanced by 125.7% (from 27.20 to 61.40) and 126.9% (from 30.41 to 69.02) with the addition of 30 mol% fluorinated diamine moiety while without much-compromising gas permeability was observed. These findings enlighten a facile and effective strategy in Tröger's-based polymer design towards high-purity gas separation. • Composite Tröger's-based polymeric membrane was prepared for gas separation. • Fluorinated aryl ether moiety diamine was used to tuning the free volume of membranes. • The H 2 /N 2 and H 2 /CH 4 selectivity was enhanced by 125.7 % and 126.9 % with the addition of 30 mol% diamine. • The attracted H 2 /CH 4 performance was very approached to the 2008 Robeson's upper bound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• PdPtV nanoparticles (NPs) are synthesized using the oil-phase co-reduction strategy. • The PdPtV/CeO 2 −ZrO 2 catalyst performs the best in ethylbenzene (EB) oxidation. • PdPtV/CeO 2 −ZrO 2 shows large EB adsorption capacity, good reducibility, and strong surface acidity. • TPD and in situ DRIFTS are used to study the reversible poisoning of PdPtV/CeO 2 −ZrO 2 by SO 2. • V doping to PdPt NPs protects the active PdPt sites from being poisoned by SO 2. The PdPtVO x /CeO 2 −ZrO 2 (PdPtVO x /CZO) catalysts were obtained by using different approaches, and their physical and chemical properties were determined by various techniques. Catalytic activities of these materials in the presence of H 2 O or SO 2 were evaluated for the oxidation of ethylbenzene (EB). The PdPtVO x /CZO sample exhibited high catalytic activity, good hydrothermal stability, and reversible sulfur dioxide-poisoning performance, over which the specific reaction rate at 160°C, turnover frequency at 160°C (TOF Pd or Pt), and apparent activation energy were 72.6 mmol/(g Pt ⋅sec) or 124.2 mmol/(g Pd ⋅sec), 14.2 sec−1 (TOF Pt) or 13.1 sec−1 (TOF Pd), and 58 kJ/mol, respectively. The large EB adsorption capacity, good reducibility, and strong acidity contributed to the good catalytic performance of PdPtVO x /CZO. Catalytic activity of PdPtVO x /CZO decreased when 50 ppm SO 2 or (1.0 vol.% H 2 O + 50 ppm SO 2) was added to the feedstock, but was gradually restored to its initial level after the SO 2 was cut off. The good reversible sulfur dioxide-resistant performance of PdPtVO x /CZO was associated with the facts: (i) the introduction of SO 2 leads to an increase in surface acidity; (ii) V can adsorb and activate SO 2 , thus accelerating formation of the SO x 2− (x = 3 or 4) species at the V and CZO sites, weakening the adsorption of sulfur species at the PdPt active sites, and hence protecting the PdPt active sites to be not poisoned by SO 2. EB oxidation over PdPtVO x /CZO might take place via the route of EB → styrene → phenyl methyl ketone → benzaldehyde → benzoic acid → maleic anhydride → CO 2 and H 2 O. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Water-soluble brown carbon (BrC) in PM 2.5 was extracted in the resource-dependent cities. • The optical properties, chemical compositions and sources of BrC were characterized.ac • Humic-like and protein-like substances were the predominant according to EEM and PARAFAC. • WS-BrC revealed the difference of energy consumption in developing and developed regions. As a vital type of light-absorbing aerosol, brown carbon (BrC) presents inherent associations with atmospheric photochemistry and climate change. However, the understanding of the chemical and optical properties of BrC is limited, especially in some resource-dependent cities with long heating periods in northwest China. This study showed that the annual average abundances of Water-soluble BrC (WS-BrC) were 9.33±7.42 and 8.69±6.29 µg/m3 in Baotou and Wuhai and the concentrations, absorption coefficient (Abs 365), and mass absorption efficiency (MAE 365) of WS-BrC presented significant seasonal patterns, with high values in the heating season and low values in the non-heating season; while showing opposite seasonal trends for the Absorption Ångström exponent (AAE 300-400). Comparatively, the levels of WS-BrC in developing regions (such as cities in Asia) were higher than those in developed regions (such as cities in Europe and Australia), indicating the significant differences in energy consumption in these regions. By combining fluorescence excitation-emission matrix (EEM) spectra with the parallel factor (PARAFAC) model, humic-like (C1 and C2) and protein-like (C3) substances were identified, and accounted for 61.40%±4.66% and 38.6%±3.78% at Baotou, and 60.33%±6.29% and 39.67%±4.17% at Wuhai, respectively. The results of source apportionment suggested that the potential source regions of WS-BrC varied in heating vs. non-heating seasons and that the properties of WS-BrC significantly depended on primary emissions (e.g., combustion emissions) and secondary formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cheese presents extensive variability in physical, chemical, and sensory characteristics according to the variety of processing methods and conditions used to create it. Relationships between the many characteristics of cheeses are known for single cheese types or by comparing a few of them, but not for a large number of cheese types. This case study used the properties recorded on 1,050 different cheeses from 107 producers grouped into 37 categories to analyze and quantify the interrelationships among the chemical and physical properties of many cheese types. The 15 cheese traits considered were ripening length, weight, firmness, adhesiveness, 6 different chemical characteristics, and 5 different color traits. As the 105 correlations between the 15 cheese traits were highly variable, a multivariate analysis was carried out. Four latent explanatory factors were extracted, representing 86% of the covariance matrix: the first factor (38% of covariance) was named Solids because it is mainly linked positively to fat, protein, water-soluble nitrogen, ash, firmness, adhesiveness, and ripening length, and negatively to moisture and lightness; the second factor (24%) was named Hue because it is linked positively to redness/blueness, yellowness/greenness, and chroma, and negatively to hue; the third factor (17%) was named Size because it is linked positively to weight, ripening length, firmness, and protein; and the fourth factor (7%) was named Basicity because it is linked positively to pH. The 37 cheese categories were grouped into 8 clusters and described using the latent factors: the Grana Padano cluster (characterized mainly by high Size scores); hard mountain cheeses (mainly high Solids scores); very soft cheeses (low Solids scores); blue cheeses (high Basicity scores), yellowish cheeses (high Hue scores), and 3 other clusters (soft cheeses, pasta filata and treated rind, and firm mountain cheeses) according to specific combinations of intermediate latent factors and cheese traits. In this case study, the high variability and interdependence of 15 major cheese traits can be substantially explained by only 4 latent factors, allowing us to identify and characterize 8 cheese type clusters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titanium nitride (TiN) thin films continue to attract unprecedented attention due to their favourable mechanical, thermal, electrical and chemical properties. These properties depend, among others, on the morphology and the architecture of the thin film, which can be tuned with different configurations of the deposition parameters. This study presents an experimental investigation to tune the properties of TiN thin film deposited using reactive High-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) at different deposition temperatures (without heating (RT) and 400 °C) and substrate bias potentials (of floating, ground, −20 V, −40 V and −60 V). It is demonstrated that the morphological, structural, and mechanical properties of TiN can be tailored by controlling the deposition temperature and substrate potential bias to deposit dense thin films. A maximum hardness of 30 GPa was achieved for the thin film deposited at RT with a bias voltage of −60 V. The failure mechanism of the fracture toughness exhibited an isotropic behaviour at an applied load of 1 and 2 N respectively, for thin films deposited at RT. In contrast, an anisotropic behaviour was observed in the thin film deposited at a temperature of 400 0C.Overall, the thin film deposited at a temperature of 4000C showed an improved fracture toughness resistance (K IC) than the thin films deposited at RT. The use of bias potential was also observed to be beneficial for improving the K IC of the TiN thin films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of efficient catalysts for the hydrolysis of ammonia borane (NH 3 BH 3 , AB) is a matter of critical importance and immediate necessity, as it is currently considered a promising approach for the production of hydrogen. The synergy of interactions between different metals has been widely applied in the hydrolysis of AB. In this work, we first applied Cs [ closo -B 6 H 7 ] as the reductant to prepare a series of Ni x Pd y Mo z NPs catalysts using a simple in-situ reduction method. The structural and physical chemical properties of the as-prepared catalysts are investigated employing a multitude of various characterizations. Utilizing the optimal catalyst Ni 0·3 Pd 0·7 Mo 0.2 NPs, AB hydrolysis can be completed at room temperature in just 21 s. This catalyst exhibits a lower activation energy (Ea = 52.3 kJ mol−1) and relatively higher activity (TOF = 252.7 mmolH 2 ·mmol metal −1min−1), which greatly outperforms many previously reported similar or corresponding catalysts. The enhancement in catalytic activity is ascribed to the moderate reducibility of Cs [ closo -B 6 H 7 ] and the synergistic interaction among Ni, Pd, and Mo. These results suggest the promise of multi-metal catalysts derived from Cs [ closo -B 6 H 7 ] for the hydrolytic dehydrogenation of hydrogen storage materials. • Uniformly dispersed NiPdMo NPs reduced by Cs [ closo -B 6 H 7 ] was synthesized. • The NiPdMo NPs exhibited an extremely high catalytic activity toward AB hydrolysis. • A very high turnover frequency of 252.7 mmolH 2 ·mmol metal −1min−1 toward AB hydrolysis was obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alkali metal amidoboranes have been intensively investigated as potentially highly attractive candidates for solid-state hydrogen storage. In this family, sodium amidoborane NaNH 2 BH 3 occupies a special place, due to its unique properties. From one side, its high hydrogen content (9.4 wt.%) and low dehydrogenation temperature (89 °C) make it very perspective in this regard. However, detailed studies revealed a number of very serious drawbacks, which consequently led to a dramatic reduction of the initial research hype, although potentially very interesting innovative aspects of its use beyond hydrogen storage have also been discovered. However, a critical insight to the entire field of metal amidoborane chemistry, especially in the technologically relevant context of solid-state hydrogen storage, is lacking. Thus, by this review, we want to fill this gap. Accordingly, this review brings a detailed and critical comparative discussion of synthesis and chemical properties of sodium amidoborane. They are considered not exclusive through technological, but also environmentally relevant optics with respect of their utilization in real-world advanced and sustainable energy systems. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diffusion of hydrogen (H) in silicate glasses plays a critical role in many applications because already at small concentrations the presence of H and its mobility have significant effects on the physical and chemical properties of materials. Although many of these applications such as weathering and alteration occur at low temperatures (e.g., <600 °C), a quantification of diffusion rates at associated conditions have been hindered due to analytical and experimental difficulties in the past. This is especially problematic because it is not clear whether an extrapolation of high-temperature data across the glass transition to low temperatures based on an Arrhenius law is valid. A recently developed experimental technique has now made it possible to report here diffusion rates of H in anorthite-diopside (50/50 mol%) glass between 150 and 600 °C and pressures of 1 atm and 2 kbar. Numerical modelling was used to extract diffusion rates from nanoscale diffusion profiles measured by Nuclear Resonance Reaction Analysis in our thin-film diffusion couples that were produced by pulsed laser deposition. We considered different boundary conditions that are related to the experimental techniques applied and tested two models (i) a single-diffusant species model with different dependencies on total water concentration (H 2 O t) , (ii) a speciation-diffusion model that considers the coexistence of molecular H 2 O and OH as species withing the glass. An exponential dependency on H 2 O t in model (i) describes the measured profiles adequately. Diffusion coefficients for H 2 O t that we obtained from the single-diffusant, and the speciation-diffusion model show minor differences (∼0.2 log units). Our results include three major findings: (i) The diffusivity-temperature relationship between 150 and 600 °C does not follow an Arrhenius law. Instead, the trend exhibits a marked change in slope between 350 and 450 °C. A change in activation energy of diffusion is likely related to a change from a glass to a supercooled melt, which can be fit by a modified Vogel-Fulcher-Tammann (VFT) equation. (ii) All experiments at higher temperatures (≥450 °C) are better fitted within the scope of a two-species model considering OH to be mobile. (iii) A comparison with published diffusion data reveals that a change in activation energy is much more pronounced in depolymerized melts (e.g., basalt) than in polymerized melts (e.g., rhyolite). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The availability of analytical methods for the characterization of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for in-vivo intracellular delivery of nucleic acids is critical for the fast development of innovative RNA therapies. In this study, analytical protocols to measure (i) chemical composition, (ii) drug loading, (iii) particle size, concentration, and stability as well as (iv) structure and morphology were evaluated and compared based on a comprehensive characterization strategy linking key physical and chemical properties to in-vitro efficacy and toxicity. Furthermore, the measurement protocols were assessed either by testing the reproducibility and robustness of the same technique in different laboratories, or by a correlative approach, comparing measurement results of the same attribute with orthogonal techniques. The characterization strategy and the analytical measurements described here will have an important role during formulation development and in determining robust quality attributes ultimately supporting the quality assessment of these innovative RNA therapeutics. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• SEN alloys are developed by adding small amounts of Ca and Y to Mg–Al-based alloys. • SEN alloys exhibit enhanced oxidation, ignition, and corrosion resistances. • SEN9 alloy has superior tensile properties and comparable fatigue properties to AZ91 alloy. • The formation of brittle Mg 17 Al 12 DPs during aging is suppressed in SEN alloys. • SEN9–0.5MM alloy exhibits excellent extrudability with a maximum speed of 12 mm/s. This review article provides overall understanding of stainless, environment-friendly, and nonflammable Mg alloys (SEN alloys) recently developed at the Korea Institute of Materials Science. SEN alloys are produced by adding small amounts of Ca and Y (each <1 wt%) into commercial Mg–Al based alloys, resulting in exceptional ignition and corrosion resistances and impressive mechanical properties. Their main advantages of SEN alloys are as follows. (1) A dense multi-oxide layer of SEN alloys comprising MgO, CaO, and Y 2 O 3 impedes the outward dispersion of Mg vapor and the inward penetration of O 2 during oxidation, thereby enhancing the oxidation and ignition resistances. (2) The presence of Ca- and Y-based second-phase particles in SEN alloys can enhance their corrosion resistance because Ca-containing particles prevent the spread of corrosion, and the replacement of Al-containing particles with less noble ones containing Y (e.g., Al–Mn–Y or Al–Y particles) retards corrosion. (3) The addition of minor amounts of Ca and Y renders excellent mechanical properties due to improved strengthening effects. These enhanced properties are attributed to more pronounced dynamic recrystallization and grain refining behaviors caused by the second-phase particles during extrusion. (4) Despite the presence of various types of second-phase particles, the fatigue properties of SEN9 alloys are similar to those of commercial AZ91 alloys. (5) Simultaneous introduction of Ca and Y suppresses the formation of Mg 17 Al 12 discontinuous precipitates during aging, leading to the enhanced elongation of aged SEN alloys. (6) Adding mischmetal into the SEN9 alloy leads to a six-fold enhancement in extrudability. Consequently, the studies conducted on SEN alloys demonstrate their excellent ignition and corrosion resistances and mechanical properties, which broaden the industrial applications of Mg alloys by addressing their inherent weaknesses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sequential chlorination and electrochemical reduction process is demonstrated to convert Na–doped iridium oxide nanoparticles into useful IrIIICl 6 3− (aq) serving as the precursor for the fabrication of bio–stimulating electrode. The Na–doped iridium oxide nanoparticles are treated in 35 wt% hydrochloric acid at 70 °C for 18 h to form IrIVCl 6 2− (aq) with pH of 0.3, so the latter could be readily reduced to IrIIICl 6 3− (aq) at a potentiostatic mode of 0.6 V (vs. SCE). The oxidation state and the nature of complexing ligands for the regenerated IrIIICl 6 3− and IrIVCl 6 2−, as well as commercially available IrIIICl 6 3− are validated by X–ray Absorption Spectroscopy. UV–Vis profiles of regenerated IrIVCl 6 2− (aq) are recorded and the absorbance at 487 nm signal is benchmarked against that of standard IrIVCl 6 2− (aq) to obtain the effective regeneration ratio of 68.6%. X–ray diffraction patterns of Na–doped iridium oxide nanoparticles before and after the annealing treatment indicate the amorphous structure facilitates the chlorination step. The regenerated IrIIICl 6 3− is reused to synthesize Na–doped iridium oxide thin film serving as a bio–stimulating electrode for implantable bio–electronics. The regenerated Na–doped iridium oxide thin film reveals a charge-storage capacity of 0.32 mC/cm2-nm and impressive stability that are comparable to those of fresh Na–doped iridium oxide thin film derived from commercially available IrIIICl 6 3−. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]