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Conductivity chromium‐free conversion coatings on aluminum substrates were achieved by utilizing Na2SnO3 and Mo/Ti solutions. The composition and morphology of the coatings were characterized using XPS, SEM, EDS, AFM, and Raman spectroscopies. The corrosion behavior of the coatings in 3.5‐wt% NaCl solution was investigated through a dynamic potential polarization method and EIS analysis. Mott–Schottky and UV–Vis analyses were used to determine the semiconductor properties of the coatings, including carrier concentration and band gap. The results revealed that the main components of the coating were Al2O3, SnO2, MoO3, and MoO2 and the coating presented a double‐layer structure, including a transition layer close to the substrate and a compact layer on the surface. The coating also exhibited the properties of a p‐type semiconductor. The electrical contact resistance value of adding Na2SnO3 decreased from 0.4331 to 0.1343 Ω/in2 (in 200 psi), while the band gap decreased from 2.281 to 2.232 eV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many next‐generation materials for Li‐ion batteries are limited by material instabilities. To stabilize these materials, ultrathin, protective coatings are needed that conduct both lithium ions and electrons. Here, we demonstrate a hybrid chemistry combining molecular layer deposition (MLD) of trimethylaluminum (TMA) and p‐hydroquinone (HQ) with oxidative molecular layer deposition (oMLD) of molybdenum pentachloride (MoCl5) and HQ to enable vapor‐phase molecular layer growth of poly(p‐hydroquinone) (PHQ)—a mixed electron and lithium ion conducting polymer. We employ quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) studies to understand the chemical mechanism and demonstrate controlled linear growth with a 0.5 nm/cycle growth rate. Spectroscopic characterization indicates that this hybrid MLD/oMLD chemistry polymerizes surface HQ monomers from the TMA‐HQ chemistry to produce PHQ. The polymerization to PHQ improves air stability over MLD TMA‐HQ films without crosslinking. Electrochemical measurements on hybrid MLD/oMLD films indicate electronic conductivity of ~10−9 S/cm and a Li‐ion conductivity of ~10−4 S/cm. While these coatings show promise for Li‐ion battery applications, this work focuses on establishing the coating chemistry and future studies are needed to examine the stability, structure, and cycling performance of these coatings in full Li‐ion cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The potential capabilities of the x‐ray spectral analysis method and the efforts of many researchers have ensured its widespread use in industry and scientific research. X‐ray fluorescence analysis (XRF) is one of the non‐destructive methods widely used to determine the chemical composition of automobile catalysts, solar panels, coins, jewelry, and so forth. In recent years, the problems of studying gold and silver objects of artistic value have attracted great interest. This paper presents a review of work on determining the chemical composition and thickness of single‐layer and multi‐layer coatings of artifacts and other objects of study with surfaces of complex configuration using the ratio of the intensities of characteristic x‐ray radiation of α‐ and β‐lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon dots (CDs) have garnered extensive attention owing to their excellent biocompatibility, elevated specific surface area, and facile functionalization, as well as their diverse methods of preparation. In recent times, CDs have been applied for anti‐corrosion and obtained some significant results. In this work, the preparation methods of CDs are first briefly introduced, and the relative merits of different approaches are highlighted. Subsequently, the application of CDs in the realm of corrosion inhibitors is discussed, and the corrosion inhibition effects and mechanism of nitrogen‐doped CDs, nitrogen and sulfur‐co‐doped CDs, as well as CDs functionalized with other elements and nitrogen‐co‐doped are summarized. Finally, the application of CDs and functionalized CD‐modified coatings for anti‐corrosion and their protective mechanism is analyzed in detail. This review summarizes recent progress in research related to CDs and heteroatom‐doped CDs in anti‐corrosion applications and anticipates the prospects and applications of CDs in corrosion protection. With their unique properties and versatile applications, CDs are expected to assume a progressively pivotal role in the advancement of cutting‐edge corrosion protection technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT To control mango postharvest deterioration, an edible coating based on pectin, glycerol, and oregano essential oil (OEO) was developed using a three‐step process involving optimization, validation, and comparison with a commercial fungicide. An extreme vertices mixture design approach was initially used to optimize the pectin, glycerol, and OEO concentrations in the coating formulation. We evaluated the impact of the coating components on the respiration rate, quality parameters, and anthracnose disease of mangoes. The optimal coating composition was 3.91% (w/v) pectin, 0.57% (w/v) glycerol, and 0.52% (w/v) OEO, with a desirability value of 0.8998. Model validation demonstrated that the measured values for all parameters fit the prediction interval of 95%, and the relative error varied between 0.88% and 12.28%. Validation experiments of the optimal coating compared to untreated mango and mango treated with a commercial fungicide showed that the optimal coating delayed ripening and effectively controlled the incidence of anthracnose for 18 days at 14°C and 85% relative humidity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) have received an abundance of attention because of their distinctive chiral nematic structure and exceptional optical characteristics. However, the use of free‐standing films is constrained by the inherent stiffness and brittleness. In this work, CNC films with robust mechanical properties are prepared by simply coating them with polymeric spherulites. Maleic anhydride‐grafted polypropylene (PP‐g‐MA) is used to coat CNC films. The optical properties of coated films were also analyzed using polarized optical microscope. It is observed that the circular extinction patterns for the coated CNC film were created by the radial symmetry of banded spherulites, which were responsible for the perception of the optical transmission bands of the CNC film. Interfacial anchoring plays a crucial role in enhancing the overall performance and properties of the composite system. The future development of numerous portable functional components needing improved optical, mechanical, and thermal qualities of CNC films is made possible by this protective coating approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crystallization fouling, a process where mineral scales form on surfaces, is of broad importance in nature and technology, negatively impacting water treatment and electricity production. However, a rational methodology for designing materials with intrinsic resistance to scaling and scale adhesion remains elusive. Here, guided by nucleation physics, this work investigates the effect of coating composition and surface structure on the nucleation and growth mechanism of scale on metallic heat transfer surfaces nanoengineered by large‐area techniques. This work observes that on hydrophilic nanostructured copper, despite its significantly enlarged surface area compared to smooth surfaces, scale formation is substantially suppressed leading to sustained, efficient cooling performance. This work reveals the mechanism through thermofluidic modeling coupled with in situ optical characterization and show that surface bubble formation through degassing is responsible for generating local hot spots enhancing supersaturation. This work then demonstrates a scalephobic nanostructured surface which reduces the accumulated surface scale mass 3.5× and maintains an 82% higher heat transfer coefficient compared to superhydrophobic surfaces with corresponding energy conversion savings. This work not only advances the understanding of fouling mechanisms but also holds promise for practical applications in industries reliant on efficient heat transfer processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review examines the state‐of‐the‐art sensors and sensing technologies employed for structural health monitoring (SHM) in aerospace composites, highlighting the shift from conventional nondestructive evaluation techniques to real‐time monitoring systems. The review discusses the challenges associated with composite materials, such as their anisotropic nature and susceptibility to invisible damage, and how these challenges have driven the improvement of SHM techniques. Fiber‐optic sensors, including interferometric, distributed, and grating‐based sensors, are analyzed for their high sensitivity and multiplexing capabilities, making them suitable for distributed sensing applications. Piezoelectric sensors are evaluated for their effectiveness in both active and passive damage detection methods. At the same time, piezoresistive self‐sensing systems are explored for their potential to integrate sensing directly into composite materials. The review also addresses the challenges encountered in implementing SHM systems. It suggests solutions like protective coatings, advanced data processing algorithms, and modular system design to overcome these challenges. In conclusion, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the current SHM technologies for aerospace composites, underscoring the need for sustained research and development to improve sensor technology, expand data processing capabilities, and ensure seamless integration with aircraft systems, thus contributing to the safety and efficiency of aerospace operations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In almost all electrochemical systems for electrochemiluminescence (ECL) analysis, electrodes are connected with an external power source, either directly or via wireless energy transfer circuit. That is inconvenient and makes some applications impossible. Herein, we use galvanized iron with two different metals as both power source and electrodes to achieve a self‐powered ECL and exploit ECL for the imaging of the corrosion of protective coating of widely used metal (e.g. galvanized iron) for the first time. The self‐powered ECL enables the visualization of the deterioration of galvanic coating on iron using a smartphone and the detection of ascorbic acid with a linear range of 0.5–100 μM and a limit of detection of 0.31 μM. The devices based on self‐powered approach do not require external power supply, thus effectively reducing their volume and cost. The self‐powered ECL holds great promise for metal corrosion imaging and analytical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2024 aluminum alloy has high strength, processing performance, and good damage tolerance performance, but it is prone to intergranular corrosion and pitting. Therefore, the development of corrosion protective coatings is essential for the aluminum alloy. In this paper, cerium ion (Ce3+) was doped into chitosan‐modified montmorillonite (Ce‐CS‐MMT) by ion exchange method, and the corrosion protective performance of Ce‐CS‐MMT epoxy coating (Ce‐CS‐MMT/EP) was investigated. The electrochemical analysis of aluminum alloy in cerium‐containing solution showed the corrosion inhibition efficiency reached 95.52%. The result indicates the corrosion inhibition effect of cerium‐containing solution was better than pure NaCl solution and MMT solution. The corrosion study of the coating illustrates that the protection rate of Ce‐CS‐MMT/EP reached 95.82%, which was higher than that 91.83% of Ce‐MMT/EP. The result indicates the resistance of charge transfer was greater and the better shielding effect for electrolyte corrosion ions than MMT and Ce‐MMT epoxy coatings, and the corrosion protective performance was excellent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Next‐generation Li‐ion batteries are expected to exhibit superior energy and power density, along with extended cycle life. Ni‐rich high‐capacity layered nickel manganese cobalt oxide electrode materials (NMC) hold promise in achieving these objectives, despite facing challenges such as capacity fade due to various degradation modes. Crack formation within NMC‐based cathode secondary particles, leading to parasitic reactions and the formation of inactive crystal structures, is a critical degradation mechanism. Mechanical and chemical degradation further deteriorate capacity and lifetime. To mitigate these issues, an artificial cathode electrolyte interphase can be applied to the active material before battery cycling. While atomic layer deposition (ALD) has been extensively explored for active material coatings, molecular layer deposition (MLD) offers a complementary approach. When combined with ALD, MLD enables the deposition of flexible hybrid coatings that can accommodate electrode material volume changes during battery operation. This study focuses on depositing TiO2‐titanium terephthalate thin films on a LiNi0.8Mn0.1Co0.1O2 electrode via ALD‐MLD. The electrochemical evaluation demonstrates favorable lithium‐ion kinetics and reduced electrolyte decomposition. Overall, the films deposited through ALD‐MLD exhibit promising features as flexible and protective coatings for high‐energy lithium‐ion battery electrodes, offering potential contributions to the enhancement of advanced battery technologies and supporting the growth of the EV and stationary battery industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, protective coatings have become crucial in graphene‐based chemical studies. This research investigates the anticorrosive properties of coatings created by co‐depositing carbon compounds. Electroless Ni−P‐PAA@F‐GO coatings were applied to stainless steel by adding various amounts of PAA@F‐GO particles to the Ni−P bath. The coated samples were analyzed using X‐ray diffraction and micro‐hardness tests, revealing a peak hardness of 764 HV at 30 mg/L PAA@F‐GO, compared to 521 HV for standard Ni−P coatings. Corrosion performance was evaluated in a 3 % sodium chloride solution, showing that despite a higher corrosion‐erosion rate. Although the coated samples exhibited a corrosion‐erosion rate 4.7 times higher than untreated samples, the mass loss was notably more pronounced in the untreated samples. The study found that adding PAA@F‐GO particles improved corrosion resistance and durability, with optimal results at a specific particle concentration. The enhanced performance is attributed to the increased roughness, impermeability, and hydrophobicity of the functionalized graphene oxide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current goals for implementing the hydrogen economy have highlighted a need to further optimize water‐splitting technologies for clean hydrogen production. Proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) is a leading technology, but further optimizations of anode materials including the porous transport layer (PTL) and the adjacent catalyst layer (CL) are required to increase overall cell performance and reduce cost. This literature review describes advances in PTL development and characterization, highlighting early PTL characterization work and most common methods including capillary flow porometry and mercury intrusion porometry, optical imaging, neutron and x‐ray radiography, and x‐ray computed tomography. The article also discusses PTL protective coatings and their characterizations, focusing on platinum group metal (PGM)‐based coatings, alternative non‐PGM‐based coatings, post‐treated PTLs, and investigations into thin PGM‐based coatings. Furthermore, it highlights the integration of the PTL and the adjacent CL along with associated characterization challenges. Lastly, this review discusses future developments in the characterization needed to improve PEMWE's performance and long‐term durability are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have broadly dealt with TiAlSiN coatings that exhibit promising characteristics as surface protective layers for antiwear and antioxidation applications. In this regard, revealing the correlations among coating composition, structure, and properties is vitally important for developing advanced TiAlSiN coatings. The present work addresses the issue by studying the structure and properties of TiAlSiN coatings by tailoring Al/(Al + Ti) ratios. To this end, TiAlSiN coatings are produced by arc deposition with the Al/(Al + Ti) ratios of 0.31, 0.42, 0.51, and 0.62, respectively. The results show that, when the Al/(Al + Ti) ratio ranges from 0.31 to 0.51, the phase structure is mainly TiN phase, and the hardness, wear resistance and oxidation resistance of the films are increased with the rise in the Al/(Al + Ti) ratio. When the Al/(Al + Ti) ratio reaches 0.62, the oxidation resistance of the coating does not improve significantly, while the mechanical and wear properties of the coating are deceased due to the formation of w‐AlN phase. Therefore, the appropriate Al/(Al + Ti) ratio at 0.51 provides overall improvements including mechanical properties, and wear and oxidation resistances under operation conditions. These findings show that optimizing the Al/(Al + Ti) ratio is a promising way to develop TiAlSiN coatings with advanced structure and properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Corrosion is a major problem and protective coatings offer an effective solution. However, organic coatings are often associated with microcracks caused by the evaporation of solvents during coating preparation. This study investigates the use of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles as a coating additive to protect mild steel surfaces. Additionally, doping TiO2 with tin (Sn) is believed to enhance its properties due to the reduced size of the nanoparticles. These nanoparticles were synthesised using the sol–gel method and subjected to various analyses. The coated mild steel samples were prepared using the dip‐coating method and immersed in 3.5 wt.% sodium chloride (NaCl) solution for 30 days. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Tafel polarisation showed that the Sn‐doped TiO2 nanoparticles as an additive improved the corrosion resistance, as evidenced by a positive shift in corrosion potential (Ecorr) and reduced corrosion current density (Icorr). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal corrosion is a challenge for the world with heavy impacts on the economy. Study on the development of effectiveness anticorrosion additives is a promising strategery for the protection industry. This research focuses on the modification of hydrotalcite Mg−Al (HT) loading tannic acid (TA) with 3‐(trimethoxy silyl) propyl methacrylate organo‐silane (TMSPM) for applicating as an anti‐corrosion additive for epoxy coating on the steel substrate. The suitable ratio of HT and modifiers was investigated and the suitable content of modified HT in epoxy matrix was found based on mechanical properties of the epoxy‐based coating. The characteristics of modified HT were assessed through infrared (IR) spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction pattern (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal gravimetry analysis (TGA), water contact angle (WCA), dynamic light scattering (DLS). Detailly, HT‐TA3‐S3 shows good stability in distilled water when HT/TA was modified with TMSPM which makes Zeta potential decreases significantly. Besides, SEM analysis presented HT‐TA‐S has a cylindrical shape about of 500 nm. Moreover, the crystallite size of HT/TA after being modified by TMSPM decreases sharply. All of these prove successfully synthesize HT loading TA with modified TMSPM. Water contact angle (WCA) decreases in case of loading TA and increases in case of modifying with TMSPM (WCA changed from HT (116.3°) to HT‐TA (102.4°) and HT‐TA‐S (120.1°) which indicates the increased hydrophobicity of the sample. The obtained results showed HT/TA was modified successfully with TMSPM. The modification affected the size distribution and surface properties of HT nanoparticles while it did not impact on the crystal structure of HT. After incorporating modified HT/TA into the epoxy coating, the adhesion of coating to steel substrate was improved significantly. Consequently, the adhesion of epoxy/3 wt. % modified HT/TA coating was increased 3 times as compared to epoxy neat (from 0.76 MPa to 2.77 MPa). In addition, the relative hardness and gloss retention of epoxy/3 wt. % modified HT/TA coating reached the maximum values as compared to the others. Owing to salt spraying results, the epoxy/3 wt. % modified HT/TA exhibited an excellent anticorrosion ability for the steel substrate. All the above results show the potential of HT nanoparticles loading TA modified with TMSPM as anticorrosive additives for protective coatings on steel substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyurea (PU) elastomers have attracted considerable attention in the field of protective polymeric coatings. In this work, a dithiol‐terminated boronic ester was synthesized and used to incorporate dynamic boron–oxygen (B–O) bonds in the PU main chain based on thiol isocyanate while amino‐terminated polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was introduced to retain good chain flexibility. The modified PU elastomer was found to have a microphase‐separated structure in which the hard blocks served as physical crosslinks. The glass transition temperature (Tg) slightly increases when dynamic B–O bonds exist while further introduction of PDMS soft segment can lower Tg to −55.63 °C. The introduction of dynamic B–O bonds and diminished hydrogen bonding led to a decrease in mechanical strength and elongation at break. Interestingly, the simultaneous incorporation of PDMS and dynamic B–O bonds is favorable for strain rate dependence and suppressing stress relaxation. The potential for bond‐exchange interactions between the dynamic B–O bonds and hydroxyl groups on metal surfaces substantially improved the adhesion of the PU elastomer to metal substrates. Therefore, our work can offer valuable insights for the structural design of functional PU coatings tailored for anti‐impact applications. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its remarkably low redox potential and high specific capacity, the lithium metal anode has long been regarded as the ultimate choice for anode in lithium‐ion cells. However, its practical application has been impeded by two major challenges: poor Coulomb efficiency and the inevitable formation of lithium dendrites during charging/discharging processes. In this study, we propose a method to address these issues by fabricating a protective layer for the lithium metal anode using a polyethylene separator that has been modified with a composite of zinc nanoferrite and porous carbon (referred to as ZnFe2O4@PE). By employing this approach, we aim to achieve enhanced stability during anode cycling. The ZnFe2O4@PE serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it effectively reduces the local current density, thereby mitigating the drastic volume changes that occur during charging and discharging. Additionally, the nano‐ZnFe2O4 possesses a favorable affinity for lithium ions, facilitating their homogeneous deposition and suppressing the growth of lithium dendrites. As a result, the lithium metal anodes coated with the ZnFe2O4@PE protective layer exhibit excellent cycling stability, maintaining stable performance for 250 h. This innovative strategy offers a promising application pathway for lithium metal anodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To construct an efficient regulating layer for Zn anodes that can simultaneously address the issues of dendritic growth and side reactions is highly demanded for stable zinc metal batteries (ZMBs). Herein, we fabricate a hydrogen‐bonded organic framework (HOF) enriched with zincophilic sites as a multifunctional layer to regulate Zn anodes with controlled spatial ion flux and stable interfacial chemistry (MA‐BTA@Zn). The framework with abundant H‐bonds helps capture H2O and remove the solvated shells on [Zn(H2O)6]2+, leading to suppressed side reactions. The HOF layer also helps form electrolyte‐philic surfaces and expose Zn (002) crystal planes which benefit for rapid conduction and uniform deposition of Zn2+, and weakened sides reactions. Additionally, the electrochemically active zincophilic sites (C=O, −NH2 and triazine groups) favor the targeted guidance and penetration of Zn2+ and provide advantageous sites for uniform Zn deposition. High Young's modulus of the HOF layer further contributes to a high interfacial flexibility and stability against Zn plating‐associated stress. The MA‐BTA@Zn symmetric cells thereby obtain a substantially extended battery life over 1000 h at 4 mA cm−2. The MA‐BTA@Zn||Cu half‐cell demonstrates a highly reversible Zn stripping/plating process over 1500 cycles with impressive average Coulombic efficiency (CE) of 99.5 % at 10 mA cm−2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To enhance the energy density of Li‐ion batteries, high‐capacity and high‐voltage cathode materials are needed. Recently, Ni‐rich layered oxides have attracted attention as they can offer ≈200 mAh g−1 when cycled up to 4.3 V. However, cycling these materials in their full capacity range often leads to excessive reactivity with the electrolyte, resulting in particle cracking, transition metal dissolution, and oxygen loss. In this study, the use of lithium hydridoaluminates as electrolyte additives is explored for lithium‐ion batteries based on nickel‐rich cathode materials. Being mild reducing agents, these additives act as HF scavengers, avoiding transition metal dissolution from the cathode. Additionally, their oxidation results in the formation of an Al‐rich protective layer on the cathode, which dampens the surface reactivity, preventing surface reconstruction and impedance build‐up. This study further stresses the important role of the cathode‐electrolyte interface phenomena on the capacity degradation of Ni‐rich cathode materials and provides a novel avenue for controlling this reactivity, thus extending their cycling life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intrinsically self‐healing coatings are compelling candidates for highly reliable anti‐corrosion technologies because of their easy implementation, low cost, and repeatable self‐healing. However, most of these coatings require intervention to initiate healing due to the locking of their chain segments under ambient conditions (to provide sufficient mechanical strength). Herein, a "soft + hard" hybrid architecture strategy of preparing oleogel‐based protective coatings with room‐temperature and repeatable self‐healing is proposed by embedding "soft" self‐healing and viscoelastic oleogel microspheres (OMs) in "hard" waterborne epoxy matrix. Such a decoupled design affords both instantaneous healing without external stimuli (crack narrowing within 10 min and protection recovered within 5 h) and good mechanical properties (improved wear resistance with an 80% reduction in friction coefficient, a 63% reduction in wear volume, as well as a maintained adhesion strength of 96%). The slippery and hydrophobic OMs also bring anti‐biofouling, interfacial water repellency, and inhibitor loading‐release features, leading to coatings with superior corrosion protection (>1010 Ω cm2 impedance modulus throughout 110 d) rather than just their self‐healing. This work demonstrates a feasible approach to integrating room‐temperature repeatable self‐healing and sufficient mechanical strength in future coating design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nickel‐rich LiNi0.8Co0.1Mn0.1O2 (NMC 811) cathode offers high voltage and high specific capacity, making it promising for high energy density batteries. However, large‐scale manufacturing of aqueous‐processed NMC 811 electrodes remains challenging due to proton exchange causing material decomposition and capacity loss. This work addresses this issue by constructing an in situ nanocellulose protective layer for NMC 811 particles via electrostatic interactions during the slurry preparation. For the first time, the interatomic spacing between inter‐chains of nanocellulose is measured through wide‐angle X‐ray scattering and demonstrate the ability to effectively confine interlayer water using atomistic simulations. Moreover, this nanocellulose coverage simultaneously minimizes Li+ surface segregation and mitigates water infiltration. Owing to less material decomposition during the aqueous processing, nanocellulose‐protected NMC electrodes exhibit higher initial coulombic efficiency (83% vs 62% at 0.1C) and capacity (133 vs 59 mAh g−1 at 6C) than unprotected electrodes. Additionally, optimized aqueous‐processed NMC electrodes offer comparable or even superior electrochemical properties compared to the electrodes fabricated using the conventional toxic organic solvent, N‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidone. Consequently, the developed approach enables affordable, sustainable aqueous processing for Nickel‐rich NMC 811 cathodes with excellent electrochemical performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving reversible plating/stripping of zinc (Zn) anodes is crucial in aqueous Zn‐ion batteries (AZIBs). However, undesired dendrite growth and parasitic side reactions severely deteriorate battery lifespan. The construction of stable protective coating is an effective strategy to enhance anode stability. In this study, a multifunctional nanodiamond (ND) inorganic layer is designed and constructed on both Zn and Cu electrodes that can both effectively inhibit dendrite growth and suppress Zn anode corrosion. Experimental results and theoretical calculations demonstrate that this artificial protective layer, with ultra‐high surface energy, enables the controlled creation of abundant nucleation sites (in the order of 1012 cm−2) for the homogenization of ion flux and electric field on the anode. It is found that zinc ions preferentially adhere to the diamond surfaces with lower diffusion barriers, leading to uniform zinc deposition. A symmetric cell with the ND‐protected Zn (Zn‐ND) anode exhibits reversible plating/stripping behavior for an impressive duration of over 3600 h at 1 mA cm−2. Furthermore, the MnO2||Zn full battery retains 90% of its initial capacity after 3500 cycles at 2 A g−1, and assembled hybrid capacitor operates smoothly over 65 000 cycles at 10 A g−1. These results underscore the potential of this coating as a promising solution for achieving highly stable Zn anodes for aqueous batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon (Si)‐based anodes hold great potential for next‐generation lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) due to their exceptional theoretical capacity. However, their practical application is hindered by the notably substantial volume expansion and unstable electrode/electrolyte interfaces during cycling, leading to rapid capacity degradation. To address these challenges, we have engineered a porous nitrogen/sulfur co‐doped carbon layer (CBPOD) to uniformly encapsulate Si, providing a multifunctional protective coating. This innovative design effectively passivates the electrode/electrolyte interface and mitigates the volumetric expansion of Si. The N/S co‐doping framework significantly enhances electronic and ionic conductivity. Furthermore, the carbonization process augments the elastic modulus of CBPOD and reconstructs the Si‐CBPOD interface, facilitating the formation of robust chemical bonds. These features collectively contribute to the high performance of the Si‐CBPOD anodes, which demonstrate a high reversible capacity of 1110.8 mAh g−1 after 1000 cycles at 4 A g−1 and an energy density of 574 Wh kg−1 with a capacity retention of over 75.6% after 300 cycles at 0.2 C. This study underscores the substantial potential of the CBPOD protective layer in enhancing the performance of Si anodes, providing a pathway for the development of composite materials with superior volumetric energy density and prolonged cyclic stability, thereby advancing high‐performance LIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium dendrites are among the most significant threats associated with the practical application of lithium metal anode in lithium batteries. Lithium dendrites are caused by the slow Li‐ion diffusivity in the bulk lithium, which results in a non‐uniform electric field‐cum‐uneven Li plating/stripping at the electrode/electrolyte interface over prolonged cycling. Herein, a facile chemical reduction method is utilized to construct a Li‐ion diffusive Li–Sn protective layer on the electrolyte‐exposed surface of lithium metal to overcome the aforementioned challenge. A systematic study on the SnCl4 precursor concentration variation demonstrated that 25 mM SnCl4 concentration is the most effective and displays a cumulative areal capacity beyond 700 mAh cm−2 at 1 mA cm−2 for 1 h. Moreover, it exhibits superior cumulative capacities than bare Li metal at higher current densities of 2 and 3 mA cm−2. In situ optical microscopy reveals more uniform lithium deposition on the Li–Sn‐modified electrode, while mossy and dendritic lithium growth is observed on the bare lithium electrode. Full cells fabricated with Li–Sn modified anode and NMC532 cathode exhibited 83% capacity retention after 150 cycles, outperforming bare Li‐containing cells, which shows a catastrophic decay post 100 cycles, illustrating the propensity for safer Li metal batteries with Li–Sn modified anode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In response to the need to employ recyclable materials for food packaging, the resurgence of paper as a primary flexible packaging material is driven by consumer trust in paper and its renewable wood fibre composition, strengthened by a well‐established recycling infrastructure. A diverse range of coated papers and coatings has become accessible in the market, specifically tailored for applications in horizontal and vertical form‐fill sealing. Within the framework of the CORNET‐TETRA project HBC.2021.0288 REPAC2, a careful selection of 16 food‐grade coated papers and/or coatings, slated for introduction to the market either presently or within the next 2 years, has been undertaken. This study focused on evaluating the processing window for superior hot tack and cooled seal performance of coated papers, in relation with the composition of paper coatings as identified using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) measurements, and their thermal softening or melting characteristics as identified through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Thermal behaviour in DSC thermograms is used to categorize the commercial coated papers into distinct classes. Class I papers, mainly with acrylic‐based coatings, exhibit high hot tack strengths (0.2–0.7 N/mm) and a glass transition temperature (Tg) close to the seal initiation temperature but do not considerably gain strength with further cooling. Class II papers are thermally inert in DSC with minimal thermoplastics, leading to weak seals. In contrast, classes III and IV, including wax‐based and polyolefin‐based or polyvinylalcohol‐based (PVOH) coatings, respectively, show low initial hot tack strengths that considerably increase upon adequate cooling. Particularly, the Class IV papers with polyolefin‐based coatings have well‐performing seals. Despite having relatively low hot tack strengths after cool times of 0.1 s, below 0.3 N/mm, high strengths can be obtained after adequate cooling with outliers reaching 0.74 and 1.14 N/mm. Additionally, the influences of seal parameters on seal performance were evaluated. The study reveals that cool time, seal pressure and, to a lesser extent, seal time significantly impact hot tack strength, consistent with prior research. The critical role of jaw temperature in heat conductive sealing is affirmed, as it dictates the efficacy of other seal parameters. Seal initiation occurs at 75°C for four papers, and nine others necessitate temperatures equal to or exceeding 100°C, with one paper only displaying seal initiation at 195°C. This variation highlights the requisite for tailored temperature windows for effective sealing of these papers. As such, deeper insights into the intricate interplay between coating composition, thermal properties and seal performance are obtained in order to support advances in sustainable packaging technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The light absorption enhancement (Eabs) of black carbon (BC) coated with non‐BC materials is crucial in the assessment of radiative forcing, yet its evolution during photochemical aging of plumes from biomass burning, the globe's largest source of BC, remains poorly understood. In this study, plumes from open burning of corn straw were introduced into a smog chamber to explore the evolution of Eabs during photochemical aging. The light absorption of BC was measured with and without coating materials by using a thermodenuder, while the size distributions of aerosols and composition of BC coating materials were also monitored. Eabs was found to increase initially, and then decrease with an overall downward trend. The lensing effect dominated in Eabs at 520 nm, with an estimated contribution percentages of 47.5%–94.5%, which is far greater than light absorption of coated brown carbon (BrC). The effects of thickening and chemical composition changes of the coating materials on Eabs were evaluated through comparing measured Eabs with that calculated by the Mie theory. After OH exposure of 1 × 1010 molecules cm−3 s, the thickening of coating materials led to an Eabs increase by 3.2% ± 1.6%, while the chemical composition changes or photobleaching induced an Eabs decrease by 4.7% ± 0.6%. Simple forcing estimates indicate that coated BC aerosols exhibit warming effects that were reduced after aging. The oxidation of light‐absorbing CxHy compounds, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), to CxHyO and CxHyO>1 compounds in coating materials may be responsible for the photobleaching of coated BrC. Plain Language Summary: Understanding how black carbon (BC) coated with non‐BC materials affects light absorption is crucial for assessing its impact on the Earth's climate. However, there is limited knowledge about how this process changes when BC, particularly from biomass burning, is exposed to light. Biomass burning is a significant global source of BC. This study investigated the changes in light absorption of BC from burning corn straw as it aged in a controlled environment. We measured the light absorption of BC with and without its coating materials. Our results showed that the main cause of increased light absorption was the lensing effect of the coating materials, which was more significant than the light absorption by the coating materials themselves. We also discovered that as the coating materials thickened, BC absorbed more light. However, changes in the chemical composition of the coating materials led to a decrease in total absorption. These findings suggest that while coated BC initially has a warming effect on the climate, this effect diminished as the BC ages. The decrease is likely due to the breakdown of light‐absorbing compounds in the coating materials, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Key Points: Photochemical evolution of light absorption enhancement (Eabs) of black carbon from corn straw burning was studied in a chamberAfter an initial increase Eabs decreased and then remained unchanged during photochemical agingThe photobleaching impacted more on Eabs than the thickening of coating aerosols during photochemical aging [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal hexacyanoferrates (HCFs) are regarded as promising cathode materials for potassium‐ion batteries (PIBs) on account of their low cost and high energy density. However, the difficult‐to‐remove [Fe(CN)6] vacancies and crystal water lead to structural instability and capacity deterioration as well as the stereotype of poor thermostability of conventional HCFs. Herein, we report (100) face‐oriented potassium magnesium hexacyanoferrate (KMgHCF) nanoplates with low [Fe(CN)6] vacancies and high crystallinity, enabling thermostability up to 550 °C, high‐temperature carbon coating and crystal water elimination. The as‐obtained KMgHCF/C nanoplates exhibit superior potassium storage properties, including a large reversible capacity of 84.6 mAh g−1, a high voltage plateau of 3.87 V, excellent long‐term cycling performance over 15000 cycles and high rate capability at 5 A g−1. The unprecedented cycling stability of KMgHCF/C is attributed to the synergistic effect of a highly reversible two‐phase reaction, low [Fe(CN)6] vacancies and no crystal water, a specially exposed steady (100) surface, and a protective carbon coating. This work provides a new material selection and modification strategy for the practical application of HCFs in PIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

LiNi0.8Co0.1‐Mn0.1O2 (NMC811) is widely used in high energy density lithium‐ion batteries, while dynamic variation of liquid‐solid interface induced by oxygen release/evolution results in unexpected performance decay. Surface coating is an effective strategy in promoting the stability of NMC811 materials, and both coating composition and nanostructure arrangement would substantially impact the dynamic variation of liquid‐solid interfaces. To understand such dynamic variation, here evolution and stability of two selected NMC811 materials coated with oxides (the same oxide composition but different nanostructure arrangements) are compared, i.e., concentration uniform core‐shell NMC811 (CUCS811) and concentration gradient core‐shell NMC811 (CGCS811). The gas evolution from the home‐setup operando gas monitors (at 45 and 65 °C) implies that CUCS811 presents more operation and thermal stability because of less amount of CO2 and CH4 along with prolonged interval time in gas production. Composition variation of interfaces indicates that CUCS811 presents more stable interfacial evolution behaviors since more F‐ and P‐rich species for stabilizing the solid‐electrolyte interfaces are detected. The stability analysis suggests that uniform arrangement of Al2O3 and boride in the coating is prone to prevent the interface from degradation upon dynamic interface variation, which is useful in promoting the performance stability of NMC811 positive electrode materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simultaneously achieving high‐energy‐density and high‐power‐density is a crucial yet challenging objective in the pursuit of commercialized power batteries. In this study, atomic layer deposition (ALD) is employed combined with a coordinated thermal treatment strategy to construct a densely packed, electron‐ion dual conductor (EIC) protective coating on the surface of commercial LiNi0.5Co0.2Mn0.3O2 (NCM523) cathode material, further enhanced by gradient Al doping (Al@EIC‐NCM523). The ultra‐thin EIC effectively suppresses side reactions, thereby enhancing the stability of the cathode‐electrolyte interphase (CEI) at high‐voltages. The EIC's dual conduction capability provides a potent driving force for Li+ transport at the interface, promoting the formation of rapid ion deintercalation pathways within the Al@EIC‐NCM523 bulk phase. Moreover, the strategic gradient doping of Al serves to anchor the atomic spacing of Ni and O within the structure of Al@EIC‐NCM523, curbing irreversible phase transitions at high‐voltages and preserving the integrity of its layered structure. Remarkably, Al@EIC‐NCM523 displays an unprecedented rate capability (114.7 mAh g−1 at 20 C), and a sustained cycling performance (capacity retention of 74.72% after 800 cycles at 10 C) at 4.6 V. These findings demonstrate that the proposed EIC and doping strategy holds a significant promise for developing high‐energy‐density and high‐power‐density lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous zinc‐ion batteries (AZIBs) possess high theoretical capacity and good safety, making them highly hopeful for large‐scale energy storage applications. Nevertheless, the uncontrolled growth of Zn dendrites on anode significantly reduces the cycle life of AZIBs. In this study, a series of porphyrin‐based porous organic polymers (CuTAPP‐NTCDA‐POP and ZnTAPP‐NTCDA‐POP) are synthesized using aminophenylporphyrin (TAPP) and aromatic dianhydride, which are served as porous protective coating layers for Zn anode. The coating effectively prevents the formation of Zn dendrites and guides the deposition of Zn2+ because of the abundance of zincophilic sites. As expected, the symmetric cells equipped with the optimum ZnTAPP‐NTCDA‐POP@Zn anode demonstrate a longer cycle life of over 1200 h at 0.5 mA cm−2 compared to bare Zn (64 h). Moreover, when the ammonium vanadate (NHVO) cathode is coupled with ZnTAPP‐NTCDA‐POP@Zn anode, the resulting full cell displays superior cycle stability that sustains over 350 cycles with a higher invertible capacity (225 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1). This performance surpasses that of a full cell equipped with just a bare Zn anode. This work proposes a viable strategy to address Zn dendrites, presenting a promising horizon for the widespread application of AZIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights Polyimide composites are easily degraded in high temperature and high humidity environments for long service, which reduces their reliability and stability in aerospace, electronic components, weapons, and other fields. In this paper, the inorganic and organic multiphase double‐layer coating was prepared. The insulating layer was made of vinyl polysilazane resin as the base material and hollow glass microspheres as the filler. The hydrophobic layer consisted of polydimethylsiloxane as the base material, hollow phenolic microspheres, and nano‐TiO2 as the filler. The heat resistance, hydrophobic properties, and aging resistance of the coated polyimide resin matrix composites were studied. The results showed that the thickness of the double‐layer coating was about 200 μm. Under the 200°C thermal insulation test, the maximum temperature drop can be achieved at 59.7°C. After adding 5 wt% TiO2, the static contact angle of composites was increased from 86.2° to 127.7°. Significantly, the hydrophobic performance was improved by 48.1%, which was due to the construction of micro‐nano structures in the surface layer coating. In the accelerated hydrothermal aging tests, the bending properties of coated composite materials can be improved by 8.5%, 3.2%, and 8.7% in water, alkali, and acid environments, respectively. The moisture absorption of glass fiber and the pyrolysis of polyimide led to the degradation of the mechanical properties. The existence of heat‐resistant and hydrophobic coating could effectively eliminate this adverse effect, which was of great significance for polyimide composites to cope with various service environments. A novel coating consisting of thermal insulating and hydrophobic layers was developed on glass fiber reinforced polyimide composites (G/PI) composites. The maximum temperature drop of coating can be achieved at 59.7°C. The static contact angle of coated G/PI composites was increased from 86.2° to 127.7°. In the aging tests, the protective effect of the coating resulted in improved mechanical strengths of G/PI composites. The microscopic damage morphology was performed to analyze the anti‐aging properties of the coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional metallic biomaterials including titanium and its alloys, stainless steel, cobalt‐chromium alloys, magnesium alloys are gold standards for load bearing hard tissue applications, because of adequate mechanical properties such as elastic modulus, ductility and strength for long term support and stability. However, metallic implants suffer from poor osteointegration and early degradation in host body, owing to an array of factors which include stress shieling effect, corrosion, metal toxicity, microbial contamination and low bioactivity. Therefore, to improve integration of implants with host tissue and overall mechanical and biological functions, metallic implants are coated with bioactive glasses (BG). BG are one of the most promising implant coating materials used for bone repair and reconstruction, mainly because of excellent angiogenic, osteoconductive, osteoinductive, corrosion resistance, resorbability, biocompatibility, bioactivity and anti‐microbial properties. Various BG compositions are employed for diverse biomedical applications ranging from wound healing, bone formation, corrosion resistance, drug delivery to scaffolds in tissue engineering and different methods are used for coating BG on implants to enhance stability and bond strength between implant and coating. This narrative review gives a detailed overview on metallic implants, issues of metal alloys when used in implants and how metallic implants are improved by various BG compositions and coating methods. This review provides an updated information on advantages of different BG compositions in implants fabrication in order to address challenges and tailor mechanical and biological properties of implants for future applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish species of the genus Amphiprion (Perciformes: Pomacentridae) seek protection from predators among the tentacles of sea anemones as their natural habitat, where they live essentially unharmed from stinging by the host's nematocysts. The skin mucus of these anemonefish has been suggested as a protective mechanism that prevents the discharge of the nematocysts upon contact. Whereas some anemonefish species seem to produce their own protective mucous coating, others may acquire mucus (or biomolecules within) from the sea anemone during an acclimation period. In controlled experiments, we show that Amphiprion ocellaris acclimated successfully to their natural host anemone species Stichodactyla gigantea, and also to Stichodactyla haddoni, and in some cases Heteractis crispa, neither of which are natural host species. No symbiosis was observed for three other anemone species tested, Entacmaea quadricolor, Macrodactyla doreensis, and Heteractis malu. We explored the skin mucous protein profile from naive and experienced A. ocellaris during their acclimation to natural and unnatural host anemones. We confidently report the presence of metabolic and structural proteins in the skin mucus of all samples, likely involved in immunological defense, molecular transport, stress response, and signal transduction. For those anemonefish that established symbiosis, there was a clear increase in ribosomal‐type proteins. We additionally provide evidence for the presence of anemone proteins only in the skin mucus of individuals that established symbiosis. Our results support previous speculation of the role of skin mucous–associated proteins in anemonefish–anemone symbiosis. Further exploration of these mucosal proteins could reveal the mechanism of anemonefish acclimation to host anemones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mankind has erected monoliths and stone structures for millennia to ensure stories and culture are passed on to future generations. In the modern era, monuments and architecture are designed with the intention of lasting several decades to hundreds of years and may utilize an arrangement of natural and synthetic materials. Choice of substrate helps ensure the longevity of these structures, but coatings are utilized to provide additional characteristics and subsequent protection to the finished product. Protective coatings come in a variety of base materials and are utilized to address specific degradation concerns. Advances in this field focus on protection of the surface while preventing any unintended damage to the substrate. This mini review summarizes the advances in protective coatings useful for historical monuments and architecture up to January 2024. © 2024 The Authors. Polymer International published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Industrial Chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrogen is a favored alternative to fossil fuels due to the advantages of cleanliness, zero emissions, and high calorific value. Large‐scale green hydrogen production can be achieved using proton exchange membrane water electrolyzers (PEMWEs) with utilization of renewable energy. The porous transport layer (PTL), positioned between the flow fields and catalyst layers (CLs) in PEMWEs, plays a critical role in facilitating water/gas transport, enabling electrical/thermal conduction, and mechanically supporting CLs and membranes. Superior corrosion resistance is essential as PTL operates in acidic media with oxygen saturation and high working potential. This paper covers the development of high‐performance titanium‐based PTLs for PEMWEs. The heat/electrical conduction and mass transport mechanisms of PTLs and how they affect the overall performances are reviewed. By carefully designing and controlling substrate microstructure, protective coating, and surface modification, the performance of PTL can be regulated and optimized. The two‐phase mass transport characteristics can be enhanced by fine‐tuning the microstructure and surface wettability of PTL. The addition of a microporous top‐layer can effectively improve PTL|CL contact and increase the availability of catalytic sites. The anticorrosion coatings, which are crucial for chemical stability and conductivity of the PTL, are compared and analyzed in terms of composition, fabrication, and performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuning the color of Au has been a longstanding problem in the luxury industry. Conventional approaches, involving Au alloying, compromise purity and demand distinct alloy compositions for each hue. This study demonstrates a lithography‐free method for generating structural colors on a gold surface by adjusting the thickness of titanium dioxide, a high‐index dielectric. While color tuneability is limited if TiO2 is coated directly on the Au surface, a range of vivid colors can be generated if a 50−100 nm thick AuAl2 underlayer is used. AuAl2, an accepted alloy for purple gold, broadens the color gamut, providing a protective coating without diminishing gold purity. The reflectance dip of the bilayer structure exhibits a significant red shift with increasing thickness of the TiO2 layer, allowing diverse colors by TiO2 insulator tuning. Simulation studies corroborate experimental results, affirming that coating a TiO2 layer on the AuAl2 underlayer yields a wide range of colors. This method, based on thin‐film interference, shows promise for widespread use, offering a broad spectrum of structural colors in an industry striving for diverse Au color representation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The enormous therapeutic potential of selective ribonucleic acid (RNA) interference has recently been manifested by the approval of several small interfering RNA (siRNA)‐based drugs. However, the efficacy of siRNA delivery is still limited, and an extensive search for alternative and highly effective delivery approaches is ongoing. With this aim, three generations of non‐viral vectors based on modified nanodiamonds (NDs) have been gradually developed in the past decade. They show great promise due to the negligible toxicity of the ND core. Here, a robust methodological approach is presented to enable the evaluation of new vector nanomaterials. Using a new type of third‐generation ND vector coated with a copolymer with tunable charge density, variables such as colloidal stability, surface electrostatic properties, the molecular composition of the copolymer, and the mode of complexation with siRNA are optimized. Using an innovative data processing strategy, the results are related to biological potency, toxicity, and cell proliferation. Finally, the optimized composition of a coating copolymer consisting of a cationic component, 2‐dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, and an electroneutral biocompatible component, N‐(2‐hydroxypropyl) methacrylamide, is evaluated. The optimized NDs vectors are colloidally and biologically stable siRNA delivery tools with broad potential for RNA interference‐based therapeutics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spider silk is renowned for its exceptional mechanical properties, surpassing those of other natural and many synthetic fibers. Yet, replicating its remarkable properties through synthetic production remains a challenge. The variability in the mechanical properties of synthetic spider silks lacking protective coatings, exacerbated by factors such as spinning conditions and humidity levels, poses an additional challenge, impacting their application potential. Bioconjugation offers a versatile synthetic method to modify protein structures, enhancing their pharmacokinetics, solubility, stability, and immune response. In particular, polyethylene glycol (PEG)‐ylation has emerged as a successful strategy with numerous marketed PEG–protein conjugates. This study introduces synthetic spider silk—multiarm PEG bioconjugates, facilitating spidroin crosslinking, and chemical functionalization while retaining a biomimetic spinning approach. Two different examples demonstrate the potential of this approach to improve the fiber's tensile strength and extensibility, respectively, both leading to an increased toughness modulus. Furthermore, the approach could allow the tuning of fiber mechanical properties without developing a new mini‐spidroin construct and fiber coating with lipids attached to multiarm PEG, potentially mitigating the impact of environmental conditions on synthetic spider silk fibers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article provides a brief overview of the use of zeolites as environmentally safe anticorrosion pigments for organic coatings on metals. The number of studies on zeolite‐based inhibiting pigments has increased significantly in recent years, due to the need to replace chromates and reduce the content of phosphate corrosion inhibitors. Based on the results available in the literature, an assessment was conducted on the inhibitory properties of complex zeolite pigments obtained by various methods. Emphasis is placed on the advantages and disadvantages of ion exchange modification of zeolites with inhibitory substances and mechanochemical synthesis of pigments. Zeolites have a wide perspective in anticorrosion technologies due to their porous structure, large surface area, high pore volume, and the ability to accumulate inhibitory ions and molecules. Such properties of zeolites make possible their use for the development of self‐healing or "smart" polymer coatings. Considering the environmental safety of zeolites and their excellent thermal and chemical stability, anti‐corrosion polymer coatings inhibited by zeolite pigments could become an effective environmentally friendly alternative to chromate‐based protective coatings. The main trends and prospects for the development of research in this domain are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)‐based hydrogels are emerging as promising functional materials for biomedical applications. However, the shelf‐time of DNA hydrogels in biological media is severely shortened by nucleases, which limit the application of DNA hydrogels. Herein, a DNA hydrogel with long shelf‐time is reported for 3D cell culture. Poly‐(L‐lysine) (PLL) is introduced as both a cross‐linker and a protectant. The electrostatic interaction between PLL and DNA drove the formation of hydrogel. PLL coating on DNA increased the steric hindrance between DNA and nucleases, thus weakening the digestion of nucleases toward phosphodiester bond. As a result, the shelf‐time of DNA/PLL hydrogel for 3D cell culture is extended from generally 1 day to longer than 15 days, which has not been achieved previously. Notably, poly‐AS1411‐aptamers are integrated to DNA/PLL hydrogels for anchoring U87 cells, and the cell encapsulation efficiency of the DNA/PLL hydrogels with aptamer is 4‐time higher than that of the hydrogels without aptamer. DNA/PLL hydrogel provided a favorable microenvironment to support the proliferation of cells, which formed cell spheroid in 15 days. This protective coating strategy solves the long‐standing problem on the shelf‐time of DNA hydrogel, and is envisioned to promote the development of DNA hydrogel in more biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polymer–ceramic composites (PCCs) are promising functional materials with applications in energy technology, microelectronics, sensor technology, protective coatings, wastewater treatment or for biomedical purposes. Unfortunately, ceramics require high‐temperature sintering, while polymers only have a limited thermal stability. Therefore, PCC fabrication is quite complex and requires strict process control. This severely limits the efficiency and economy of the process and the reproducibility of the desired materials properties. Powder aerosol deposition (PAD) is a spray‐coating process in which ceramic powders are accelerated by a pressure difference using a carrier gas. They are then deposited as nanocrystalline, dense coatings onto a substrate without the need for additional sintering. In the current PAD research, the focus is ceramic powders. Yet there are also examples of polymer and ceramic particles that have been codeposited. Much of this works is trial‐and‐error, and a general concept for deposition of PCCs by PAD is not yet available. This review revisits the fundamentals of PAD and the most important process parameters that were studied experimentally and in silico. It connects these with recent work on the combination of polymers and ceramics in the PAD process to highlight and evaluate the future of this field from a polymer science perspective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous Zn batteries, which use metallic Zn as anodes, have gained significant attention due to their affordability and high safety standards. However, these Zn anodes are plagued by issues such as Zn dendritic growth and side reactions, including corrosion and hydrogen evolution. One straightforward yet effective approach to mitigate these issues is to apply protective coatings to the Zn anodes to enhance their reversibility. It is generally believed that these protective layers should have a high affinity for Zn. Contrarily, this study proposes that non‐conductive coatings should form a strong binding with H+ ions while maintaining a weaker interaction with Zn2+ ions, thereby ensuring a higher selectivity for H+ over Zn2+. This concept is illustrated using zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), an ionic conductor that meets these criteria and effectively curbs side reactions and dendritic growth of Zn. Remarkably, Zn anodes coated with ZrO2 layer demonstrate a lifespan exceeding 6000 h at 1 mA cm−2 and 1 mAh cm−2, significantly outperforming uncoated ones, which last <200 h. This discovery introduces a novel design principle for insulating surface coatings, potentially applicable not only for Zn but also for other metal anodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aqueous Zn batteries, which use metallic Zn as anodes, have gained significant attention due to their affordability and high safety standards. However, these Zn anodes are plagued by issues such as Zn dendritic growth and side reactions, including corrosion and hydrogen evolution. One straightforward yet effective approach to mitigate these issues is to apply protective coatings to the Zn anodes to enhance their reversibility. It is generally believed that these protective layers should have a high affinity for Zn. Contrarily, this study proposes that non‐conductive coatings should form a strong binding with H+ ions while maintaining a weaker interaction with Zn2+ ions, thereby ensuring a higher selectivity for H+ over Zn2+. This concept is illustrated using zirconium dioxide (ZrO2), an ionic conductor that meets these criteria and effectively curbs side reactions and dendritic growth of Zn. Remarkably, Zn anodes coated with ZrO2 layer demonstrate a lifespan exceeding 6000 h at 1 mA cm−2 and 1 mAh cm−2, significantly outperforming uncoated ones, which last <200 h. This discovery introduces a novel design principle for insulating surface coatings, potentially applicable not only for Zn but also for other metal anodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyaniline (PANI) is considered as one of the most promising corrosion inhibitors because of its unique redox and environmental stability. Pyridine and its derivatives can chelate metal ions during corrosion, forming an inert protective layer on the metal surface to achieve the anticorrosion effect. Therefore, polyaniline is combined with pyridine together to achieve deep anticorrosion in this work. 4‐((2,2′:6′,2″‐terpyridin)‐4′‐yl)aniline (TPY) and 1,3,5‐benzenetricarbonyl chloride (TMC) were applied to synthesize a novel corrosion inhibitor N1, N3, N5‐tri (4‐((2,2′: 6′, 2′‐tri‐pyridine)‐4′‐yl) phenyl) benzene‐1,3,5‐tri‐formamide (TBT). Then, TBT was in situ loaded onto the PANI surface to obtain the composite TPANI. The TPANI was successfully dispersed in epoxy resin (EP) at various dosages to prepare composite coatings. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and salt fog tests were employed to evaluate the performance of the coatings. After experimentation, we discovered that when the TPANI content was 0.25 wt%, the impedance value remained stable at 5.83 × 109 Ω cm2 after immersing the coatings in a 3.5 wt% NaCl solution for 28 days. In contrast, the EP coating exhibited a resistance decrease ranging from 9.56 × 109 to 7.8 × 108 Ω cm2 within the same soaking time, decreasing by an order of magnitude, while the TPANI‐0.25% coating still maintaining a high order of magnitude. These results indicated that the TPANI filler effectively preserved long‐term stability and provided persistent protection against corrosion. The protective mechanism of TPANI composite coatings was further elucidated through detailed analysis. Overall, the incorporation of TPANI into the epoxy resin yielded promising results, demonstrating its potential as an effective corrosion inhibitor for protective coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article focused on the preparation of Cu, Co (II)‐containing linoleic‐based poly(ester amide) resin and studied their use as new binders for paint formulation. The metal‐containing LPEA was carried out by in situ condensation polymerization reaction between hydroxyethyl linoleic fatty amide diol (HELA), phthalic anhydride (PA), and Cu, Co acetate. The structure of the prepared resins was confirmed by FTIR and 1H NMR spectral studies. Physicochemical, thermal analysis (TGA), surface morphology (SEM), and elemental composition (EDX) were studied by standard methods. The physicomechanical, antimicrobial, and corrosion/chemical resistance performance tests were also conducted to evaluate their coating properties. These studies revealed that (i) the incorporation of Cu, Co (II) has a significant influence on structural and physicochemical aspects. The paint formulation based on Cu, Co (II) containing LPEA showed very good results according to the corrosion resistant test evalution. (iii) Antimicrobial tests of all prepared resins were performed by agar diffusion method against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, and pathogenic fungal strain using standard controlled medication, ciprofloxacin/fluconazole for the comparison. (iv) Cu, Co (II) containing LPEA serve as novel binders and promising candidates for use as binders for protective coating material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precise design and tuning of Zn hopping/transfer sites with deeper understanding of the dendrite‐formation mechanism is vital in artificial anode protective coating for aqueous Zn‐ion batteries (AZIBs). Here, we probe into the role of anode‐coating interfaces by designing a series of anhydride‐based covalent organic frameworks (i.e. PI‐DP‐COF and PI‐DT‐COF) with specifically designed zigzag hopping sites and zincophilic anhydride groups that can serve as desired platforms to investigate the related Zn2+ hopping/transfer behaviours as well as the interfacial interaction. Combining theoretical calculations with experiments, the ABC stacking models of these COFs endow the structures with specific zigzag sites along the 1D channel that can accelerate Zn2+ transfer kinetics, lower surface‐energy, homogenize ion‐distribution or electric‐filed. Attributed to these superiorities, thus‐obtained optimal PI‐DT‐COF cells offer excellent cycling lifespan in both symmetric‐cell (2000 cycles at 60 mA cm−2) and full‐cell (1600 cycles at 2 A g−1), outperforming almost all the reported porous crystalline materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Functional coating of battery powders – Development of ultra‐thin layers to increase the service life of batteries Two coating processes, atomic layer deposition (ALD) on the one side and wet‐chemical spray drying on the other, were selected to provide active materials with protective coatings. Various coating materials were synthesised using both the ALD process and spray drying and investigated in terms of composition and coating thickness and their electrochemical properties. Rate tests and long‐term tests of thin Al2O3 ALD layers on LNMO indicate positive effects. For the LNMO sample coated with only 1 nm, the loss is low compared to the uncoated sample. In contrast, 5 nm Al2O3 already shows a considerable isolation of the material. The spray‐drying tests of NMC811 with Li2O·WO3 show an accumulation of tungsten on the powder surface and along the grain boundaries after the calcination. The electrochemical rate capability and cycle stability of the active material is significantly improved by coating with 0.5 mol% Li2O·WO3. Scaling up the coating processes ALD as well as spray drying process to a technical scale is considered as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rechargeable aqueous zinc‐ion batteries are considered as promising candidates for safe and green energy storage. Yet, Zn anodes still suffer from serious challenges. Herein, an effective cation‐sieve of polyethersulfone‐modified sulfonated polyether ether ketone is developed as protective coating layer of the Zn anodes. Cation‐only transmission and dense property of the layer can protect the Zn from active water and anions, inhibiting corrosion, hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), and passivation. Zincophilic property of the layer can homogenize Zn2+ flow, and promote uniform plating of Zn. Therefore, protected symmetric Zn||Zn cell can maintain as long as 5600 h with a low polarization at 1.0 mA cm−2 and 0.5 mAh cm−2, and still long as 800 h at 5.0 mA cm−2 and 5.0 mAh cm−2. It is found that not only the dendrites but also the popular existed passivation product of Zn4SO4(OH)6·5H2O can be inhibited effectively. In asymmetric Zn||Ti cells, average Coulombic efficiency can reach 98.2%, suggesting corrosion and HER are restrained effectively. Matched with MnO2 cathode, full cells using coated Zn exhibit much better cycling performance than that using bare Zn. Moreover, Zn4O3(SO4)·7H2O (ZSH)‐assisted reversible conversion mechanism between the ZSH and ZnxHyMnO2 is revealed through operando Raman. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dissolution mechanism of phases c‐Ti0.5Al0.5N, c‐aluminium nitride (AlN), c‐TiN, and Al2Ti, and elements of the Ti1–xAlxN coatings (for x < 0.6) in 3 wt.% NaCl solution is described based on the results of X‐ray diffraction analysis, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscope and previous electrochemical tests. Researchers studied the protective effectiveness of Ti1–xAlxN coatings in 3 wt.% NaCl solution by analyzing the factors: composition, thickness, porosity, total energy of ground state, stresses, structure, and texture. It was first established that the additional c‐TiN phase with Rpmax and Ecormax, and secondary phase Ti0.70–0.82N formed after Al's dissolution in the main phase c‐Ti0.5Al0.5N increases the N content and prevents the Ti dissolution in the Ti1–xAlxN coatings. The phase c‐AlN with icormin reduces the dissolution rate of Al in the c‐Ti0.5Al0.5N phase. The stoichiometric c‐Ti0.5Al0.5N is the most thermodynamically stable phase. The described phase transformations in Ti1–xAlxN coatings during phases dissolution in 3 wt.% NaCl can predict the coating protective effect. A multilayer coating with layers of c‐AlN, c‐TiN, and c‐Ti0.5Al0.5N is recommended for industrial use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]