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Tryptophan, an essential amino acid playing a pivotal role in various biological processes, stands as a focal point in our investigation. In this study, we introduce a groundbreaking electrochemical sensor that integrates a nanocomposite comprising carbon black (CB) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) for the selective detection of L-tryptophan (Trp). The synthesis of ZnO-NPs, accomplished through the sol-gel technique, was meticulously characterized using XRD, FTIR, and UV-visible methods to unveil their structural and optical properties. The construction of the sensing electrode involved the deposition of a CB/ZnO-NP nanocomposite onto a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) utilizing the drop-coating method. Rigorous evaluation and analysis of the modified glassy carbon electrode were carried out through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The resulting CB/ZnO-NPs/GCE electrode exhibited an augmented surface area and outstanding electrocatalytic activity. Significantly, the CB/ZnO-NP sensor displayed remarkable analytical performance for tryptophan detection over an extensive concentration range from 0.01 to 100 µmol.L−1, featuring a low detection limit of 0.017 µmol.L−1. Moreover, the proposed electrochemical sensor exhibited notable selectivity, specifically targeting tryptophan, emphasizing its potential for diverse analytical applications. This work not only expands our understanding of tryptophan detection but also offers a highly sensitive and selective tool with broad applications in biomedical and environmental fields, underscoring the significance of this innovative sensor in advancing analytical methodologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon-based conductive polymer composites have attracted wide attention as candidates for high-performance flexible electric heaters. Herein, a poly(m-phenylene isophthalamide) (PMIA)/carbon black (CB) composite is proposed as electric heating films that can successfully realize stable and safe operation at high temperatures of > 200°C under a safe voltage as low as 20 V. The conductive filler content has a significant effect on the microstructure and electrical properties of the PMIA/CB composites. An optimized CB content of 20 wt.% in the PMIA polymer matrix not only guarantees uniform spatial dispersion, but also provides sufficient and stable conductive networks. As a result, the PMIA/CB composites present high heating temperature, rapid heating ability, good heating uniformity, and excellent heating reliability. Meanwhile, taking advantage of the high thermal stability, superior mechanical strength, and excellent flame retardancy of the PMIA polymer matrix, the PMIA/CB composites exhibit superior thermal endurance and self-extinguishing capabilities, leading to significantly enhanced operating safety. This study will open new avenues for the development of high-performance electrothermal composite films for medium- to high-temperature applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pt2Ca nanoparticles with a mean size diameter of 6 nm can be prepared by heating K2PtCl6, CaH2, carbon black and KCl at 400–500 °C. A mechanism study suggests that the formation of the Pt2Ca phase at moderate temperature is enabled by the fast ion transport via the vacancies in the KCl–CaH2 solid solution. The Pt2Ca nanoparticles exhibit high performance for the oxygen reduction reaction in acid due to optimal adsorption energy of the oxygen intermediate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Absolute kinetics for reactions of C2H2 with a series of ∼60 individual carbon nanoparticles (NPs) from graphite, graphene, graphene oxide, carbon black, diamond, and nano-onion feedstocks were measured for temperatures (TNP) ranging from 1200 to 1700 K. All the NPs were observed to gain mass by carbon addition under conditions that varied with feedstock but with large variations in initial growth rate. Long reaction periods were studied to allow the evolution of growth rates over time to be observed. Diamond NPs were found to passivate against C2H2 addition if heated above ∼1400 K, and the highly variable initial reactivity for carbon nano-onions was found to depend on the presence of non-onion-structure surface carbon. For graphitic and carbon black NPs, three distinct growth modes were observed, correlated with the initial NP mass (Minitial). Smallest graphitic and carbon black NPs, with masses <∼25 MDa, initially grew rapidly but also passivated quickly after adding <4% of Minitial. NPs in the 20–50 MDa range also passivated but only after multiple waves of fast growth separated by periods of low reactivity, with up to ∼11% total mass gain before passivation. The largest carbon black and graphitic NPs, with Minitial >50 MDa, grew rapidly and continuously, adding up to ∼300% of Minitial with no sign of rate slowing as long as C2H2 was present. The efficiencies for C2H2 addition and etching by O2 are strongly correlated, but the correlation changes as the NPs passivate. Growth and passivation mechanisms are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to the widespread use and improper emissions of carbon black nanoparticles (CBNPs), the adverse effects of CBNPs on human health have attracted much attention. In toxicological research, carbon black is frequently utilized as a negative control because of its low toxicity and poor solubility. However, recent studies have indicated that inhalation exposure to CBNPs could be a risk factor for severe and prolonged pulmonary inflammation and fibrosis. At present, the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis induced by CBNPs is still not fully elucidated, but it is known that with small particle size and large surface area, CBNPs are more easily ingested by cells, leading to organelle damage and abnormal interactions between organelles. Damaged organelle and abnormal organelles interactions lead to cell structure and function disorders, which is one of the important factors in the development and occurrence of various diseases, including pulmonary fibrosis. This review offers a comprehensive analysis of organelle structure, function, and interaction mechanisms, while also summarizing the research advancements in organelles and organelle interactions in CBNPs-induced pulmonary fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, the primary focus for scientific authorities and regulatory departments revolves around water pollution. In this regard, photocatalysis has emerged as a highly effective, affordable, and goal‐oriented approach. Thus, recognizing the urgency of this issue, we focused our efforts towards developing a novel ternary photocatalytic structure based on mesoporous SrSnO3, combined with polypyrrole‐doped carbon black (PPC) and platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs). Pt NPs, PPC and SrSnO3‐based nanocomposite photocatalyst was developed through a very simple chemical method followed by ultrasonication and photoreduction techniques. XRD analysis confirmed orthorhombic phase of SrSnO3, while the formation of the ternary nanocomposite among Pt NPs, PPC and SrSnO3 has been confirmed by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed the presence of Pt NPs (5–15 nm), beads/dense cocoon like structures of PPC along with rod, spherical and needle shape nanostructures of SrSnO3 in newly created ternary photocatalyst. Diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) showed lowering of band gap energy in case of Pt@PPC/SrSnO3. Newly developed Pt@PPC/SrSnO3 nanocomposite worked efficiently when employed on colorless insecticide imidacloprid (IMD) and on colored methylene blue (MB) dye under UV‐light. Pt@PPC/SrSnO3 photocatalyst exhibited excellent performance with 96.03 % removal of pollutant IMD in only 20 min, almost 296 % more efficient than bare SrSnO3. Furthermore, the Pt@PPC/SrSnO3 ternary photocatalyst showed rapid removal of MB with almost total elimination of dye molecule in just 16 min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methodologies across the dispersion preparation, characterization, and cellular dosimetry of hydrophilic nanoparticles (NPs) have been developed and used extensively in the field of nanotoxicology. However, hydrophobic NPs pose a challenge for dispersion in aqueous culture media using conventional methods that include sonication followed by mixing in the culture medium of interest and cellular dosimetry. In this study, a robust methodology for the preparation of stable dispersions of hydrophobic NPs for cellular studies is developed by introducing continuous energy over time via stirring in the culture medium followed by dispersion characterization and cellular dosimetry. The stirring energy and the presence of proteins in the culture medium result in the formation of a protein corona around the NPs, stabilizing their dispersion, which can be used for in vitro cellular studies. The identification of the optimal stirring time is crucial for achieving dispersion and stability. This is assessed through a comprehensive stability testing protocol employing dynamic light scattering to evaluate the particle size distribution stability and polydispersity. Additionally, the effective density of the NPs is obtained for the stable NP dispersions using the volumetric centrifugation method, while cellular dosimetry calculations are done using available cellular computational modeling, mirroring approaches used for hydrophilic NPs. The robustness of the proposed dispersion approach is showcased using a highly hydrophobic NP model (black carbon NPs) and two culture media, RPMI medium and SABM, that are widely used in cellular studies. The proposed approach for the dispersion of hydrophobic NPs results in stable dispersions in both culture media used here. The NP effective density of 1.03–1.07 g/cm3 measured here for black carbon NPs is close to the culture media density, resulting in slow deposition on the cells over time. So, the present methodology for dispersion and dosimetry of hydrophobic NPs is essential for the design of dose–response studies and overcoming the challenges imposed by slow particle deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hansen Solubility Parameters (HSP), viewed in the context of similarity whenever dispersion is focused, offer valuable insights into the surface characteristics of nanoparticles. However, existing methods for determining HSP via the sedimentation of nanoparticles require multiple probe liquids, resulting in time‐consuming, costly experiments with potential health risks. To address this, we developed a two‐step strategy that enables a systematic selection of liquids. The key element of the approach is to first identify the rough location of the Hansen sphere in the three‐dimensional Hansen space using a well‐chosen set of probe liquids of different polarities and chemical structures. Then, depending on the outcome of the first step, a particular choice of liquids is made for the final HSP determination. Taken together, the introduced procedure reduces the amount of required liquids for experiments from currently more than ten to a maximum of seven chosen based on a well‐defined, coherent methodology. Validation was performed on carbon black, non‐pigmentary nano‐scale titania, silicon/carbon composites, and lanthanum cobaltite particles, i. e. relevant materials that are commonly utilized in fuel cells, batteries, cyclohexene oxidation, catalytic combustion, photocatalysis, and heterogeneous Fenton reactions. The study showcases the potential to save time, costs, and efficiently determine HSP values in a comparable manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon nanofiber (CNF) films or mats have great conductivity and thermal stability and are widely used in different technological processes. Among all the fabrication methods, electrospinning is a simple yet effective technique for preparing CNF mats, but the electrospun CNF mats are often brittle. Here, we report a feasible protocol by which to control the alignment of carbon black nanoparticles (CB NPs) within CNF to enhance the flexibility. The CB NPs (~45 nm) are treated with non-ionic surfactant Triton-X 100 (TX) prior to being blended with a solution containing poly(vinyl butyral) and polyacrylonitrile, followed by electrospinning and then carbonization. The optimized CB-TX@CNF mat has a boosted elongation from 2.25% of pure CNF to 2.49%. On the contrary, the untreated CB loaded in CNF displayed a lower elongation of 1.85% because of the aggregated CB spots created weak joints. The controlled and uniform dispersion of CB NPs helped to scatter the applied bending force in the softness test. This feasible protocol paves the way for using these facile surface-treated CB NPs as a commercial reinforcement for producing flexible CNF films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work describes the synthesis of an electroactive nanocomposite consisting of carbon black (CB) and polyaniline (PANI) obtained by in situ oxidative polymerization. Monomer P1 was used as a polyaniline precursor. P1 has surfactant properties that allow obtaining core–shell structures dispersed in an aqueous medium. The nanocomposite, together with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) as an electrocatalytic element, was used to modify the surface of a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for glucose detection. Electroactive areas were calculated using the Randles–Sevick equation. The results showed that the CB-PANI.1-1/AgNP nanocomposite exhibited a larger electroactive surface area (0.3451 cm2) compared to AgNP alone (0.0973 cm2) or the CB-PANI.1-1 composite (0.2989 cm2). Characterization of CB-PANI.1-1/AgNP, by cyclic voltammetry in the presence of glucose, showed a new oxidation peak with a maximum current close to 0.7 V due to the oxidation of glucose to gluconolactone. The amperometry test at 0.7 V showed a linear response with R2 of 0.999 as a function of the analyte concentration. The glucose sensor presented a linear detection range of 1 to 10 mM, a sensitivity of 41 µA mM−1 cm−2, and a limit of detection (LOD) of 520 µM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Case bonded solid rocket motors hold significant importance in both the defense and aerospace industries which typically consist of an insulating layer, a solid propellant, and a liner layer serving as an adhesive between the insulator and solid propellant. In this investigation, the aim was to assess the critical mechanical properties of five different HTPB based liner formulations under ambient conditions, as well as at elevated and reduced temperatures. The liner formulations incorporated micro carbon black, nano carbon black, nano silica, and nano titania as fillers. A comprehensive characterization study encompassing mechanical and thermal properties was conducted to evaluate the performance of these potential rocket motor liners. Mobility reduction of polymer chains and bond strengthening at lower temperatures led to the enhancement in mechanical properties of all filled and unfilled liners with decline in temperature. All mechanical properties of filled liner formulations increased significantly compared to unfilled formulation at all temperatures. Enhancements in mechanical properties were more pronounced with carbon blacks as fillers. Thermal analyses of each formulation revealed that there were improvements in the thermal properties of filled liners compared to unfilled one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Though nanomaterials based on carbon have been widely used for the preparation of high-performance polymeric nanocomposites, there are few works focused on the effect of carbon nanoparticle morphology on the performance of corresponding polymer nanocomposites. Therefore, four representative carbon nanoparticles, including fullerene, carbon nanotubes, graphene, and carbon black incorporated poly(styrene-b-isoprene-b-styrene) (SIS) elastomer nanocomposites were fabricated using the solvent casting method. In addition, the effect of carbon nanoparticle morphology on the rheological, mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of the obtained polymeric nanocomposites was systematically investigated. The results showed that the shape of carbon nanoparticles has a different effect on the properties of the obtained elastomer nanocomposites, which lays the foundation of carbon nanoparticle screening for high-performance polymer nanocomposite construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Laser-Induced Incandescence (LII) technique is widely used for the study of soot production in flames. More recently, it has also drawn attention also for the characterization of metal-oxide flame synthesis. To retrieve the particle volume fraction from the LII signal, information on the effective particle temperature and the absorption function E (m λ) depending on the wavelength are needed. In this study, a new approach is proposed to determine these parameters from LII measurements at a given laser fluence by accounting for the spectral shape of E (m λ) obtained from the estimated effective particle temperature. The feasibility of the method is first demonstrated on a carbon black nanoparticle aerosol in a non-reactive cold environment. A good agreement with the literature data for E (m λ) is found. The developed approach is then applied to TiO 2 nanoparticles produced by flame synthesis. The obtained spectral response of E (m λ) is in line with the literature results for TiO 2 . The proposed approach represents an essential step toward in-situ estimation of particle volume fraction from the LII signal, which can be a valuable tool for further characterization of metal-oxide flame synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this experimental study , two units are held and studied: the traditional tubular solar still (TTSS) and the developed tubular solar still (DTSS). The influence of a developed solar parabolic concentrator (DSPC) employed with carbon black nanoparticles (CBNs), a V-corrugated Aluminum basin (VCAB), and wick martial on the thermal efficiency and productivity was investigated in four cases: (Case A): DTSS with DSPC, (Case B): DTSS with DSPC and CBNs, (Case C): DTSS with DSPC and V-corrugated Aluminum basin (VCAB), and CBNs, (Case D): DTSS with DSPC and VCAB and CBNs by using factors such as air temperature, cover temperature, water temperature, air speed, and sun radiation. It was found that case four was the best case, where it had the highest hourly efficiency at 18:0 for each of the traditional unit and the modified unit, and that the energy efficiency, exergy efficiency, and daily productivity increased by 129.8%, 365.44%, and 120.536%, respectively, compared to the traditional unit, its cost, which was 0.026$, was reduced by 23%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coalescence behavior of soot and carbon black has not been so much discussed. The coalescence rate was obtained from the previous experimental results which measured the decrease in mobility diameter by re-heating with tandem differential mobility analyzer. Employing the rate expression used for sintering metallic and inorganic nanoparticles, it was found that the ease of coalescence varied with particle size. It was also suggested that the mechanism of coalescence may differ depending on the temperature. A model of coalescence kinetics based on crystallinity could not represent experimental coalescence kinetics. [Display omitted] • Estimation of coalescence rate constants for carbon nanoparticles. • Conventional formula greatly overestimates coalescing rate. • Coalescence was multi-staged, different mechanism from metal nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study is devoted to investigating the mechanical characteristics of a novel natural rubber (NR)-based elastomer nanocomposite reinforced with carbon black and alumina nanoparticles acting as partial and primary reinforcements, respectively. Before conducting various mechanical tests on the specimens, the vulcanization properties of this elastomer nanocomposite was surveyed. It is demonstrated that adding the alumina nanoparticles to the NR-based elastomer matrix can significantly reduce the cure time and improve the quality of the vulcanizates. Then, the influence of alumina nanoparticles on the modulus, tensile strength, elongation at break, and energy absorption capacity of the elastomer nanocomposite were assessed, and the ideal nanoparticles' weight percentage was determined to be 10%. This is supported by calculating the Reinforcing Efficiency Parameter (REP), indicating that the elastomer nanocomposite with 10% alumina has the best reinforcing efficiency in tensile properties. Also, using the Split Hopkinson Pressure Bar (SHPB), it was found that the material is exceptionally strain-rate sensitive, and the specimens exhibited much higher values of stiffness and energy absorption under high strain-rate loading. It is inferred from the results that the elastomer nanocomposite reinforced with the optimal amount of alumina nanoparticles can be an excellent candidate for energy absorption applications under high strain-rate loadings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticles are extensively used in industrial products or as food additives. However, despite their contribution to improving our quality of life, concerns have been raised regarding their potential impact on occupational and public health. To speed up research assessing nanoparticle-related hazards, this study was undertaken to identify early markers of harmful effects on the lungs. Female Sprague Dawley rats were either exposed to crystalline silica DQ-12 with instillation, or to titanium dioxide P25, carbon black Printex-90, or multi-walled carbon nanotube Mitsui-7 with nose-only inhalation. Tissues were collected at three post-exposure time points to assess short- and long-term effects. All particles induced lung inflammation. Histopathological and biochemical analyses revealed phospholipid accumulation, lipoproteinosis, and interstitial thickening with collagen deposition after exposure to DQ-12. Exposure to the highest dose of Printex-90 and Mitsui-7, but not P25, induced some phospholipid accumulation. Comparable histopathological changes were observed following exposure to P25, Printex-90, and Mitsui-7. Comparison of overall gene expression profiles identified 15 potential early markers of adverse lung outcomes induced by spherical particles. With Mitsui-7, a distinct gene expression signature was observed, suggesting that carbon nanotubes trigger different toxicity mechanisms to spherical particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the biofouling potential of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based sensor materials in the context of marine environments. Uncoated and monolithic commercial gold (Au) silicon nanopillar array SERS substrates, Au-coated carbon black nanoparticle (AuCB NP) substrates, uncoated and Au sputter-coated in-house SERS, and uncoated and Au sputter-coated glass controls were tested for biofouling potential using Ulva spp. as model biofouling organisms. The mean percentages of Ulva spp. zoospores that adhered per mm2 (×103) on the uncoated and coated Au silicon nanopillar array, AuCB NP, uncoated and Au sputter-coated in-house, and uncoated and Au sputter-coated glass substrates were 10.28%, 5.45%, 10.49%, 3.25%, 24.84%, 12.86% and 7.78%, respectively. Results indicated that surface properties such as hydrophobicity, roughness, Au sputter-coating and the presence of micro-refuges on nano- and microstructured substrates were critical to the biofouling formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When a system comprised of cells, carbon black nanoparticles, and delivery molecules is irradiated with a laser beam, the nanoparticles can absorb and dissipate the laser-delivered energy, producing thermal and acoustic output and fluid mechanical forces. These can then interact with the nearby cell membrane, forming membrane pores that exogenous molecules can diffuse through and access the cytosol. This process, "nanoparticle-mediated photoporation," can cause bio-effects like intracellular delivery of molecules and, at more extreme conditions, loss of cell viability. Through this work, we found that carbon black and carbon nanotubes generated greater bio-effects compared to graphite, diamond, or non-carbon materials, probably due to their more efficient laser energy absorption. Examining the dependence of bio-effects on energy absorption parameters like total energy absorbed, energy absorbed per nanoparticle, and energy absorbed per nanoparticle mass produced poor correlations. However, the correlation of bio-effects was much better with energy transduction parameters more closely related to the energy form transferred to cells like peak temperature, size, and number of vapor bubbles generated by the nanoparticles heated by the laser. A power-law relationship involving these three parameters indicated that peak nanoparticle temperature was the strongest determinant of bio-effects followed by bubble number and radius. This study provides a better understanding of the roles of energy absorption and transduction parameters on bio-effects during nanoparticle-mediated photoporation and facilitates the design of photoporation parameters that achieve desired bio-effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel nanofluid of modified carbon black (MCB) nanoparticles was initially developed for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) in low permeability reservoirs. The MCB nanoparticles were obtained via a three-step reaction involving modification by oxidation, acyl chlorination, and activated grafting. MCB nanoparticles were spherically dispersed, with an average size of 72.3 nm. Compared with carbon black (CB) nanoparticles, dispersed MCB nanoparticles can effectively reduce the oil--water interfacial tension (IFT) to 10-2 mN/m and change the surface wettability of sand particles. Based on the results of core flooding experiments, the MCB nanoparticles exhibited a better EOR capacity than surfactants and CB nanoparticles, and the final oil recovery was significantly increased by 27.27%. The core scanning test showed that the MCB nanoparticles could plug high permeability channels by adsorbing onto the surfaces of sand particles and forming larger aggregates that bridge across pores or throats, resulting in a higher swept volume. The synergistic effects of improved swept volume and oil displacement efficiency were the EOR mechanisms of the MCB nanoparticles. The studies indicate that these MCB nanoparticles have excellent potential for EOR in low permeability reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A preparation method of nanocomposites based on poly (3-octylthiophene-2,5-diyl) (POT) and carbon black (CB) as the transducer of an all-solid potassium ion selective electrode is proposed. POT is used as the dispersant of CB, and the obtained nanocomposites have unique characteristics, including high conductivity, high capacitance and high stability. The potassium ion selective electrode based on POT and CB was characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and chronopotentiometry. The results showed that the detection limit of potassium ions was 10−6.2 M, and the slope was 57.6 ± 0.8 mV/façade. The water layer test and anti-interference test show that the electrode has high hydrophobicity, the static contact angle reaches 139.7° and is not easily affected by light, O2 and CO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flow reactors are widely used to study the formation of various nanoparticles, such as carbon black, soot, nickel, titania, and silica. Such reactors provide well-controlled conditions, making them a favored laboratory tool to investigate the details of particle formation. Here we present NanoParticle Flow Reactor (NanoPFR), a detailed model to simulate nanoparticle synthesis in flow reactors. The model predicts the agglomerate fractal-like morphology and size distribution with a 2-variable sectional population balance model coupled with gas-phase chemistry. The particle formation processes employed in the code are tested using detailed discrete element modeling simulations and then used to predict carbon black formation from ethylene pyrolysis experiments from the literature. The code is a robust flow reactor predictive tool with a strong foundation that can serve as a basis for further development, including the simulation of other nanoparticles formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elastomeric nanoparticles (ENPs) are rubber nanoparticles that have different effects than carbon black (CB) when added to rubber composites. To further understand the effects of ENPs on rubber composites, the morphologies, viscoelasticity, mechanical properties, and interactions with rubber were carefully studied. The results revealed that ENPs and CB differed in terms of their dispersion states and reinforcing effects on rubber. The addition of ENPs can reduce the free chain ends of rubber composites, which helps reduce the rolling resistance, making it a possible way to develop energy‐saving tires. Compared with current techniques for lowering the free chain ends of vulcanisates, it is easier and simpler to add ENPs to rubber composites. The results also show that ENPs and CB had a synergistic effect on rubber reinforcement. The optimal ENP content, considering the vulcanisate characteristics, was approximately 10 phr. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the advent of nanotechnology, the use of nanoparticles as drug delivery system (DDS) has attracted great interest. We aimed to apply carbon nanohorns (CNHs) as DDS in the development of new treatments for bone diseases. We evaluated the in vitro and in vivo cellular responses of CNHs in bone-related cells compared with carbon blacks (CBs), which are similar in particle size but differ in surface and structural morphologies. Although in vitro experiments revealed that both CNHs and CBs were incorporated into the lysosomes of RAW264-induced osteoclast-like cells (OCs) and MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells (OBs), no severe cytotoxicity was observed. CNHs reduced the tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase activity and expression of the differentiation marker genes in OCs at noncytotoxic concentrations, whereas the alkaline phosphatase activity and differentiation of OBs increased. Under calcification of OBs, CNHs increased the number of calcified nodules and were intra- and extracellularly incorporated into calcified vesicles to form crystal nuclei. The in vivo experiments showed significant promotion of bone regeneration in the CNH group alone, with localized CNHs being found in the bone matrix and lacunae. The suppression of OCs and promotion of OBs suggested that CNHs may be effective against bone diseases and could be applied as DDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR TEM) is used to identify the size, shape, and interface structure of platinum nanoparticles and carbon support of a fuel cell catalyst. Using these insights, models accessible to quantum chemical methods are designed in order to rationalize the observed features. Thus, basal plane and prism face models of the carbon black material are considered, interacting with Pt clusters of sizes up to 1 nm. Particular attention is paid to the electronic structure of the carbon support, namely, the radical character of graphene zig-zag edges. The results show that a stronger interaction is found when the nanoparticle is at the zig-zag edge of a basal plane due to the combination of dispersion interaction with the support structure and covalent interaction with carbon atoms at the edge. In this case, a distortion of both the Pt nanoparticle and the carbon support is observed, which corresponds to the observations from the HR TEM investigation. Furthermore, the analysis of the charge transfer upon interaction and the influence of the potential on the charge states and structure is carried out on our model systems. In all cases, a clear charge transfer is observed from the carbon support to the Pt nanoparticle. Finally, we show that changing the potential not only can change the charge state of the system but can also affect the nature of the interaction between Pt nanoparticles and carbon supports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon black (CB) particles tend to aggregate in aqueous solutions, and finding an optimum dispersing condition (e.g., selection of the type of dispersant) is one of the important tasks in related industries. In the present study, three types of styrene maleic acid (SMA) copolymer dispersants were synthesized, labeled respectively 'SMA-1000', 'SMA-2000', and 'SMA-3000', which have 1, 2, and 3 styrene groups in their repeating units. Then, asymmetrical flow field-flow fractionation (AsFlFFF) was employed to measure the particle size distributions of the aqueous CB dispersions. For the particle size analysis of the CB dispersions, dynamic light scattering (DLS) showed relatively lower reproducibility than AsFlFFF. AsFlFFF showed that the use of SMA-3000 yielded a CB dispersion with the most uniform particle size distribution. When the SMA-3000 dispersant was used, the particle size tended to increase after 1 h of milling as the milling time increased, probably due to the re-agglomeration of the particles by excessive milling. The particle size distributions from AsFlFFF were consistent with the colorimetric observations. With the SMA-3000 dispersant, the lowest L ∗ value was observed after 1 h of milling. The AsFlFFF and colorimetric analyses suggest that a stable CB dispersion can be obtained by either 3-h of milling with the SMA-2000 or 1-h of milling with the SMA-3000. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the results of a complex investigation of structure and properties of nanodiamond soot (NDS) of detonation synthesis are presented. Size distribution of NDS particles, dispersed in different liquid media, was investigated using dynamic light scattering and laser diffraction analysis methods. The results of the investigation, as well as the results of zeta-potential measurements, allowed us to characterize the agglomeration process of the NDS particles as independent of the medium, making NDS a good model filler for research of composite-modified nanosized particles. Additional data obtained using scanning electron microscopy, scanning tunneling microscopy, atomic force microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman spectroscopy, demonstrated that in NDS the spherical nanodiamond (ND) particles with diameter ~5 nm are densely packed into strong-coupled aggregates with diameter ~300 nm, surrounded by graphite nanoribbons. X-ray diffraction analysis estimated the volume fraction of NDs in NDS as ~45 vol.%, simultaneously showing that the graphite is not defective, which was confirmed with the electron diffraction method. It was demonstrated that this structure of NDS allows to efficiently use NDS as a filler for polymer composites to increase polymer characteristics such as electrical conductivity or tribological characteristics, similarly to conventionally applied fillers such as carbon black. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among the different air pollutants, particulate matter (PM) is of great concern due to its abundant presence in the atmosphere, which results in adverse effects on the environment and human health. The different components of PM can be classified based on their physicochemical properties. Carbonaceous particles (CPs) constitute a major fraction of ultrafine PM and have the most harmful effects. Herein, we present a detailed overview of the main components of CPs, e.g., carbon black (CB), black carbon (BC), and brown carbon (BrC), from natural and anthropogenic sources. The emission sources and the adverse effects of CPs on the environment and human health are discussed. Particularly, we provide a detailed overview of the reported toxic effects of CPs in the human body, such as respiratory effects, cardiovascular effects, neurodegenerative effects, carcinogenic effects, etc. In addition, we also discuss the challenges faced by and limitations of the available analytical techniques for the qualitative and quantitative detection of CPs in atmospheric and biological samples. Considering the heterogeneous nature of CPs and biological samples, a detailed overview of different analytical techniques for the detection of CPs in (real-exposure) biological samples is also provided. This review provides useful insights into the classification, toxicity, and detection of CPs in biological samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, polymer matrix composites with the compositions PTFE/KFTO(H) and PTFE/KFTO(H)@CB and with filler volume fractions of 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 15, and 30% (without and with carbon modification at a content of 2.5 wt.% regarding ceramic material) were produced by calendering and hot pressing and studied using FTIR, SEM, and impedance spectroscopy methods. Ceramic filler (KFTO(H)) was synthesized using the sol–gel Pechini method. Its structure was investigated and confirmed by the XRD method with following Rietveld refinement. The carbon black (CB) modification of KFTO(H) was carried out through the calcination of a mixture of ceramic and carbon materials in an argon atmosphere. Afterwards, composites producing all the components' structures weren't destroyed according to the FTIR results. The effect of carbon additive at a content of 2.5 wt.% relating to ceramic filler in the system of polymer matrix composites was shown, with permittivity increasing up to ε' = 28 with a simultaneous decrease in dielectric loss (tanδ < 0.1) at f = 103 Hz for composites of PTFE/KFTO(H)@CB (30 vol.%). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Waste PET bottles converted to carbon black for supercapacitors via 450 °C pyrolysis. • Sodium acetate WIS electrolyte gave highest potential window, capacitance at 2.4 V. • Supercapacitors achieved 233 F/g capacitance and 186.6 Wh/kg energy density. • CB showed 89.2 % crystallinity, 60 nm particles, and layered structure. • Demonstrates sustainable method to recycle PET waste into valuable energy materials. This study explores the conversion of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste into carbon black for its use in supercapacitors, offering a sustainable solution to waste management and energy storage needs. PET bottles were pyrolysed in an inert environment to produce carbon black. This plastic waste derived carbon was then characterised and used for electrode fabrication to explore its potential in supercapacitor applications. The supercapacitive properties of these electrodes were evaluated using cyclic voltammetry and charge–discharge techniques in various "Water-in-salt" electrolytes (WIS). WIS are the electrolytes in which the concentration of water is less than the concentration of salts by weight and volume. electrolytes. Sodium acetate (CH 3 COONa) exhibited the highest potential window and specific capacitance among the tested electrolytes. The derived carbon black demonstrated promising electrochemical performance, with a specific capacitance of 233 F/g and an energy density of 186.6 Wh/kg. These findings underscore the potential of carbon black derived from waste PET bottles as an effective material for supercapacitors, contributing to sustainable energy storage solutions and waste reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Pt&M/NC (M = Fe, Co) catalysts with an ultralow Pt loading (<3 wt%) are prepared. • In Pt&M/NC (M = Fe, Co), Pt is in the individual nanoparticles with the size < 2 nm. • M is conducive to create the spatial confinement effect to anchor Pt nanoparticles. • Synergistic effect of Pt, M and NC cause the good catalytic performance of Pt&M/NC. • This work provides a new method to reduce Pt use for ORR catalysts. In this work, we have prepared Pt and M nanoparticles on nitrogen-doped carbon catalysts (Pt&M/NC, M = Fe, Co) with an ultralow Pt loading (<3 wt%) from room reduction of Pt and 3d transition metals by sodium borohydride on NC, where NC is firstly from pyrolysis of carbon black together with melamine. In Pt&M/NC (M = Fe, Co), Pt and 3d transition metals are in the individual nanoparticles with the size < 2 nm, where M is conducive to create the spatial confinement effect to anchor Pt nanoparticles. Meanwhile, Pt&M/NC (M = Fe, Co) has more internal defects than those of Pt/NC and M/NC. Owing to the synergistic effect of Pt and M together with NC, electrochemical results show that Pt&Co/NC has the ORR peak potential and half wave potential of 0.863 and 0.840 V vs. RHE, respectively, where they are 0.848 and 0.827 V vs. RHE for Pt&Fe/NC, more positive than that of Pt/NC. The average electron transfer number of Pt&M/NC (M = Fe, Co) is more than 3.8, close to the four-electron transfer way. This work provides a new method to reduce Pt use for ORR catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• OER catalyst NiCoO x @CB was prepared successful through a spray-drying method. • The method is simple, environmentally friendly and easily scaled up. • NiCoO x particles exhibited average size <8 nm, offering numerous active site. • Wrapped structure could prevent active component from agglomerating during OER. • NiCoO x nanoparticles exist as an alloy oxide, promoting interatomic synergies. The search for the simple and convenient design method of a non-precious metal oxygen evolution catalyst is still an emerging strategy today. Usually, nano-alloy oxide can enhance the catalytic activity for large specific surface area and active site, which have been widely studied for the purpose of developing active electrocatalysts for water splitting, while, nanoparticles are fundamentally less stable and prone to substantial size growth in long-term operations. Therefore, a framework of hierarchical porous composite microsphere with NiCoO x nanoparticles wrapped by Carbon Black (NiCoO x @CB) was fabricated successfully through spray-drying in this paper. Benefitting from the porous nanostructure and 0 D nano-alloy oxide active site, a remarkable OER performance with a low overpotential for 241 mV at 10 mA·cm−2 in alkaline media was exhibited. And, from the support of wrapped structure, NiCoO x @CB showed a superior durability with 90 h for nanoparticles were prevented to reunion during the reaction. Also, the heterogeneous interfaces with strong charge transfers between CB and NiCoO x nanoparticles could enhance OER performance (NiCoO x showed 265 mV at 10 mA·cm−2). The proposed method in this paper work provide a facile route to construct the porous composite microsphere with excellent OER electrocatalytic activity based on non-noble metal oxide wrapped by CB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In respiratory diseases, the induction of allergic asthma has gradually aroused public concerns. Co-exposures of environmental risk factors such as nanoparticles and high humidity could play important roles in the development of allergic asthma. However, the relevant researches are still lacking and the involved mechanisms, especially metabolic changes, remain unclear. We took the lead in studying the combined induction effect and underlying mechanisms of carbon black nanoparticles (CB NPs) and high humidity on allergic asthma. In this work, murine models of allergic asthma were established with ovalbumin under the single and combined exposures of 15 μg/kg CB NPs and 90% relative humidity. The two risk factors, particularly their co-exposure, exhibited adjuvant effect on airway hyperresponsiveness, remodeling, and inflammation in Balb/c mice. Untargeted metabolomics identified the potential biomarkers in lung for asthma occurrence and for asthma exacerbation caused by CB NPs and high humidity. The significantly dysregulated metabolic pathways in asthmatic mice were proposed, and the disturbed metabolic pathways under the exposures of CB NPs and/or high humidity were mainly implicated in asthma symptoms. This work sheds light on the understanding for health risks of NP pollutions and high environmental humidity and contributes to useful biomarker identification and asthma control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of the content of carbon black with the particle size of 18–20 nm and compatibilizers on the specific electrical conductivity of composites based on such polyolefins as high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene–hexene copolymer, and random polypropylene copolymer was studied. High-density polyethylene and polypropylene, both functionalized with maleic anhydride, were used as compatibilizers. One of the goals was to study the mechanism of formation of conducting chain structures and clusters in the objects under consideration. The carbon black concentration was varied in the interval 1–30 wt %. Examination of electron-microscopic images showed that carbon particles are distributed mainly in the interspherulite amorphous space to form a chain structure responsible for the electronic or tunneling conductivity. The higher is the degree of crystallinity of the initial polyolefin, the lower is the carbon content at which the maximal specific electrical conductivity of the composites is reached. The influence of the degree of crystallinity of the polymer matrix on the specific electrical conductivity of the composites was studied with blends of high-density polyethylene and ethylene–propylene–diene rubber as an example. The specific electrical conductivity of the composites decreases as the content of ethylene–propylene–diene elastomer in high-density polyethylene filled with carbon black is increased from 10 to 70 wt %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been associated with respiratory diseases in humans, yet the mechanisms through which PFAS cause susceptibility to inhaled agents is unknown. Herein, we investigated the effects of ammonium perfluoro(2-methyl-3-oxahexanoate) (GenX), an emerging PFAS, on the pulmonary immune response of mice to carbon black nanoparticles (CBNP). We hypothesized that pulmonary exposure to GenX would increase susceptibility to CBNP through suppression of innate immunity. Male C57BL/6 mice were exposed to vehicle, 4 mg/kg CBNP, 10 mg/kg GenX, or CBNP and GenX by oropharyngeal aspiration. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected at 1 and 14 days postexposure for cytokines and total protein. Lung tissue was harvested for histopathology, immunohistochemistry (Ki67 and phosphorylated (p)-STAT3), western blotting (p-STAT3 and p-NF-κB), and qRT-PCR for cytokine mRNAs. CBNP increased CXCL-1 and neutrophils in BALF at both time points evaluated. However, GenX/CBNP co-exposure reduced CBNP-induced CXCL-1 and neutrophils in BALF. Moreover, CXCL-1, CXCL-2 and IL-1β mRNAs were increased by CBNP in lung tissue but reduced by GenX. Western blotting showed that CBNP induced p-NF-κB in lung tissue, while the GenX/CBNP co-exposed group displayed decreased p-NF-κB. Furthermore, mice exposed to GenX or GenX/CBNP displayed increased numbers of BALF macrophages undergoing mitosis and increased Ki67 immunostaining. This was correlated with increased p-STAT3 by western blotting and immunohistochemistry in lung tissue from mice co-exposed to GenX/CBNP. Pulmonary exposure to GenX suppressed CBNP-induced innate immune response in the lungs of mice yet promoted the proliferation of macrophages and lung epithelial cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Epidemiological emerging evidence shows that human exposure to some nanosized materials present in the environment would contribute to the onset and/or progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The cellular and molecular mechanisms whereby nanoparticles would exert some adverse effects towards neurons and take part in AD pathology are nevertheless unknown. Results: Here, we provide the prime evidence that titanium dioxide (TiO2) and carbon black (CB) nanoparticles (NPs) bind the cellular form of the prion protein (PrPC), a plasma membrane protein well known for its implication in prion diseases and prion-like diseases, such as AD. The interaction between TiO2- or CB-NPs and PrPC at the surface of neuronal cells grown in culture corrupts PrPC signaling function. This triggers PrPC-dependent activation of NADPH oxidase and subsequent production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that alters redox equilibrium. Through PrPC interaction, NPs also promote the activation of 3-phosphoinositide-dependent kinase 1 (PDK1), which in turn provokes the internalization of the neuroprotective TACE α-secretase. This diverts TACE cleavage activity away from (i) TNFα receptors (TNFR), whose accumulation at the plasma membrane augments the vulnerability of NP-exposed neuronal cells to TNFα -associated inflammation, and (ii) the amyloid precursor protein APP, leading to overproduction of neurotoxic amyloid Aβ40/42 peptides. The silencing of PrPC or the pharmacological inhibition of PDK1 protects neuronal cells from TiO2- and CB-NPs effects regarding ROS production, TNFα hypersensitivity, and Aβ rise. Finally, we show that dysregulation of the PrPC-PDK1-TACE pathway likely occurs in the brain of mice injected with TiO2-NPs by the intra-cerebro-ventricular route as we monitor a rise of TNFR at the cell surface of several groups of neurons located in distinct brain areas. Conclusion: Our in vitro and in vivo study thus posits for the first time normal cellular prion protein PrPC as being a neuronal receptor of TiO2- and CB-NPs and identifies PrPC-coupled signaling pathways by which those nanoparticles alter redox equilibrium, augment the intrinsic sensitivity of neurons to neuroinflammation, and provoke a rise of Aβ peptides. By identifying signaling cascades dysregulated by TiO2- and CB-NPs in neurons, our data shed light on how human exposure to some NPs might be related to AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effects of silicon carbide (SiC) nanoparticles as a secondary filler on the filler networking in carbon black (CB)/SiC hybrid filled styrene‐butadiene rubber (SBR) were investigated in detail. It was shown that there was a critical loading in the low‐loading range of SiC, which can significantly improve the final dispersion state in the hybrid composite. It was discussed that in the critical loading of SiC due to the surface energy mismatch between CB and SiC the kinetics and the extent of filler networking in the SBR matrix were decreased. It was demonstrated how CB/SiC hybrid filler networking results in synergistic effects in dynamic, and tribological properties of SBR composites. Obtained results demonstrated that the use of nano SiC as a secondary filler in CB filled rubber composites can open up new opportunities to manufacture rubber composites with integrated dynamic‐mechanical and tribological performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improved strategies are required for testing nanomaterials (NMs) to make hazard and risk assessment more efficient and sustainable. Including reduced reliance on animal models, without decreasing the level of human health protection. Acellular detection of reactive oxygen species (ROS) may be useful as a screening assay to prioritize NMs of high concern. To improve reliability and reproducibility, and minimize uncertainty, a standard operating procedure (SOP) has been developed for the detection of ROS using the 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH2-DA) assay. The SOP has undergone an inter- and intra-laboratory comparison, to evaluate robustness, reliability, and reproducibility, using representative materials (ZnO, CuO, Mn2O3, and BaSO4 NMs), and a number of calibration tools to normalize data. The SOP includes an NM positive control (nanoparticle carbon black (NPCB)), a chemical positive control (SIN-1), and a standard curve of fluorescein fluorescence. The interlaboratory comparison demonstrated that arbitrary fluorescence units show high levels of partner variability; however, data normalization improved variability. With statistical analysis, it was shown that the SIN-1 positive control provided an extremely high level of reliability and reproducibility as a positive control and as a normalization tool. The NPCB positive control can be used with a relatively high level of reproducibility, and in terms of the representative materials, the reproducibility CuO induced-effects was better than for Mn2O3. Using this DCFH2-DA acellular assay SOP resulted in a robust intra-laboratory reproduction of ROS measurements from all NMs tested, while effective reproduction across different laboratories was also demonstrated; the effectiveness of attaining reproducibility within the interlaboratory assessment was particle-type-specific. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical sensors to quantify concentrations of emerging pollutants have attracted great attention from the industry and scientific community. Nanomaterials such as carbon black have been applied in sensors to identify substances that are toxic to the environment and human health due to their excellent electroanalytical properties. The aim of the study was to develop a novel electrochemical sensor for the endocrine disruptor hormone determination. To our knowledge, for the first time the synthesis of material based on carbon black containing immobilized palladium nanoparticles, with the application for the hormone ethinylestradiol, is reported in the literature. The material was synthesized, characterized, and applied to the determination in tap water and human urine of the synthetic hormone 17α‐ethinylestradiol (EE2), which is currently considered an emerging pollutant. The morphology, structure and electrochemical performance of the sensors were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and cyclic voltammetry (CV). Differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) in sodium phosphate buffer solution at pH 5.0 allowed the generation of a method to quantify the concentration of 17α‐ethinylestradiol in a linear range of 0.5–119.0 μmol L−1, obtaining 81.0 nmol L−1 of calculated limit of detection (LOD). The system was efficient in detecting 17α‐ethinylestradiol in real urine samples and showed no interferences for ascorbic acid, uric acid, progesterone, and dopamine. It is noteworthy that the results obtained showed good recovery values, considering that the urine samples were not previously treated or pre‐concentrated, which suggests the development of an electrochemical sensor that works in situ and in real time to monitor relevant substances in the control clinical and environmental, with the possibility of point‐of‐care analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Active research has been conducted in recent years on heating construction materials using nanotechnology to solve the problem of black ice, which is often the cause of frequent traffic accidents during winter. To determine the optimal heating construction material, this study analyzed the heating performance of carbon-based nanomaterials, such as multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), conductive carbon black (CB), and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs). Heating and electrical resistance experiments were performed based on the parameters of the selected nanomaterial, concentrations, and curing days to analyze the heating efficiency. Results showed that compared with OPC, the heating performances of GNP, CB, and MWCNT cementitious composites improved by 132, 171, and 224 times, respectively. Furthermore, the MWCNT cementitious composite exhibited excellent heating efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Re nanoparticles are prepared by a joint reduction method of carbon and hydrogen. • The as-obtained Re nanoparticles are only about 108.6 nm with a slight C and O. • The presence of carbon black can significantly reduce the particle size of products. • A further reduction of hydrogen can decrease the contents of C and O residues. Ultrafine powders are crucial for the preparation of high-performance Re-based materials via low-temperature sintering. In this work, a joint reduction method of carbon and hydrogen is proposed to prepare Re nanopowder for the first time. The former carbon black can significantly reduce the particle size of final products, and the latter hydrogen reduction can decrease the contents of carbon and oxygen residues. And the as-obtained rhenium nanopowder is only about 108.6 nm with a slight carbon (0.019 wt%) and oxygen (0.03 wt%). This method is straightforward, easy to implement, low-cost and conducive to the large-scale industrial production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we evaluated the processing and reinforcement characteristics of both carbon black (CB) and graphene nanoplatelets (GNPs) within a nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) matrix. The aspect ratio of the GNPs was measured using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and related to the dispersion and agglomeration within the NBR matrix, as observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The relationship between GNP aspect ratio and mechanical properties was studied by micromechanical modelling. The tensile and tear properties of NBR after compounding with GNPs were enhanced to a greater extent compared to carbon black, while curing times were smaller and scorch times longer, indicating some of the advantages of using GNPs. Overall, the inherent properties of GNPs along with their geometry led to the production of better-performing rubber compounds that can replace their CB-filled counterparts in applications where flexibility, tear strength and compliance are important. The influence of processing on dispersion, orientation and agglomeration of flakes was also highlighted with respect to the Young's modulus of the NBR compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the polyvinylidenefluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene P(VDF-HFP) as electroactive polymers (EAPs) has been known to have great potentials in micro electro mechanical systems (MEMs) due to their light weight, low cost, and large electrical field-induced strain. In order to enhance their electromechanical properties, the modified P(VDF-HFP) with various conducting polymers such as polypyrrole (PPy) and carbon black (CB) is considerably required. In this work, the P(VDF-HFP) as matrix was doped with different loading of PPy/CB (< 1 wt%) and the composites films were obtained by using solution casting method. The influence of filler content on the dielectric properties and the conductivity of these thin films was investigated by using LCR meter. The maximum dielectric constant of the P(VDF-HFP)/PPy-CB was 2 times larger than the pure P(VDF-HFP) without conductive fillers. At low frequency, the both dielectric loss and conductivity were found to be slightly increased as consequence of the conducting polymers, but the conductive phase has not been achieved yet. In addition, a complete set of electromechanical properties were systemically explored using the result of strain displacement under the low electric field (< 5 MV/m). During the applied electric field, the average voltage peak-to-peak was attributed to the strain yield of approximately 0.08% at 2 MV/m. These observations indicate that the synergistic effect of conductive fillers induce their electric polarization and it can be considered as one of the promising candidates for actuator applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Elastomer reinforcement with nanofillers has been a main rubber technology topic since the discovery of rubber vulcanization. Starting from carbon black, many researchers studied the correlations between the reinforcement of rubber and the colloidal properties of the reinforcing filler. The advent of silica allowed the experimentation of a playground of chemistries at the filler-rubber interface. In the increasing complexity of nowadays car manufacturer requests, reinforcing fillers play a pivotal role in determining the set of properties, which make a specific compound suitable for its applications. This effort of continuous improvement of rubber compound properties is pushing the tire industry towards novel solutions, and the silica/CB filler reinforcing technology will likely soon accept at least a third reinforcing filler as a major constituent of rubber compounds. While all major tire manufacturers build continuous knowledge on candidates such as carbon allotropes and 2-D nanoclays, Pirelli is paving the way for Sepiolite-derived nanofillers. Being Sepiolite naturally sourced, safe, and chemically playful, this unique 1-D phyllosilicate bears the promise of changing the game of elastomer nano-reinforcement, with the optional characteristic of giving mechanical anisotropy to the rubber compound. In this review, the historical progress on rubber reinforcement with sepiolite will be summarized, with an example of application in a commercially available Pirelli product, progenitor of the Smart-Net Silica® technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Positive temperature coefficient (PTC) composites are usually made of crystalline plastics and conductive fillers, but they are not suitable for flexible electronic devices because of their high rigidity. Rubber‐based PTC composites are flexible but their PTC intensity is low. In this work, based on the effect of crosslinking reaction on the electrical conductivity of silicone rubber composites, silicone rubber/conductive carbon black composites with an obvious PTC effect were prepared. Compared with the hydrosilylation crosslinking reaction, the peroxide crosslinking reaction has much more obvious decrease in electrical conductivity of the composites. The conductive percolation threshold of the composites was 4.98%. A composite filled with 5.98% conductive carbon black showed obvious PTC effect at circa 150°C, which can be attributed to the re‐aggregation of conductive carbon black in silicone rubber during the crosslinking process. The composite with an obvious PTC effect was well used in an overheating protection device. The composite exhibited an excellent pressure‐sensitivity of conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, an optimized model is proposed for predicting the effective conductivity of nanocomposites, which contains conductive spherical fillers above the percolation threshold. The influence of filler properties, interphase regions, filler concentrations, elemental cell sizes as well as contact area on the effective conductivity of nanocomposites was investigated and discussed in detail. The developed model is verified by using the experimental data reported in the literatures, and it is found that the prediction results are fitted well with the experimental results at different particle concentrations. In addition, high levels of filler conductivity, particle concentration, and elemental cell size led to a good conductivity. The maximum conductivity of nanocomposite with σeff = 1,500,000 S/m, Vf = 0.07, r = 10−4 nm, and D = 1250 nm is obtained at Ri = 40 nm and d = 10 nm. Furthermore, the conductivity of nanocomposite is not sensitive to interphase thickness, when d is larger than 25 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxic effects of nanoparticles on female reproductive health have been documented but the underlying mechanisms still need to be clarified. Here, we investigated the effect of carbon black nanoparticles (CB NPs) on the pituitary gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), which are key regulators of gonadal gametogenesis and steroidogenesis. To that purpose, we subjected adult female mice to a weekly non-surgical intratracheal administration of CB NPs at an occupationally relevant dose over 4 weeks. We also analyzed the effects of CB NPs in vitro , using both primary cultures of pituitary cells and the LβT2 gonadotrope cell line. We report here that exposure to CB NPs does not disrupt estrous cyclicity but increases both circulating FSH levels and pituitary FSH β-subunit gene (Fshb) expression in female mice without altering circulating LH levels. Similarly, treatment of anterior pituitary or gonadotrope LβT2 cells with increasing concentrations of CB NPs dose-dependently up-regulates FSH but not LH gene expression or release. Moreover, CB NPs enhance the stimulatory effect of GnRH on Fshb expression in LβT2 cells without interfering with LH regulation. We provide evidence that CB NPs are internalized by LβT2 cells and rapidly activate the cAMP/PKA pathway. We further show that pharmacological inhibition of PKA significantly attenuates the stimulatory effect of CB NPs on Fshb expression. Altogether, our study demonstrates that exposure to CB NPs alters FSH but not LH expression and may thus lead to gonadotropin imbalance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we developed a simple and effective one-pot method to synthesize the Pd-based bimetallic nanoparticles (NPs) in the presence of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). By using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS) mapping and X-ray diffraction (XRD), the morphologies and compositions of the as-prepared bimetallic NPs were investigated in detail. Furthermore, this approach was also used to achieve the highly dispersive Pd-based bimetallic NPs directly on the carbon black. Significantly, the as-obtained carbon-supported Pd-based bimetallic NPs showed excellent electrocatalytic activity for the methanol oxidation. Among the Pd-based bimetallic NPs and the commercial Pd–C, the PdPt–C displayed the best electrocatalytic activity and stability, which may be mainly attributed to the specific nanostructure and the synergetic effect between Pt and Pd atoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Dose effect of CBNPs exposure to three life stages of mice were observed. • Testicular oxidative stress and inflammation had time/dose-dependent effects. • Testicular damage structurally happened with exposure dose effects. • Sperm qualities functionally decreased with exposure dose effects. Environmental carbon black nanoparticles (CBNPs) can enter into various organs including testes through the respiratory tract. However, there are few studies describing reproductive toxicity of CBNPs after respiratory exposure. In this study, male KM mice were exposed to CBNPs in their natural breathing state. Four-, 8-, and 12-week-old mice were exposed to 0, 9, 18 and 27 mg/m3 of CBNPs for 4 weeks in order to examine the relationship between CBNP exposure and age. Eight-week-old mice were exposed to CBNPs at the same four concentrations for 1–4 weeks in order to examine the effects of CBNP exposure time. After CBNP exposure, testicular oxidative stress and inflammation increased significantly, and these effects varied with exposure time. Seminiferous tubule diameter (STD), seminiferous epithelium height (SEH), the number of spermatogenic and Leydig cells, sperm motility, and sperm speed decreased significantly, and these effects varied with exposure dose. Data analyses suggested that increased oxidative stress and inflammation in testes damaged testicular morphology, spermatogenesis, and testosterone secretion, and decreased sperm quality. Morphological damage to the testes was also closely related to decreased the sperm quantity. These findings are of significance for evaluating the reproductive toxicity of CBNPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrical properties of conductive carbon black (CB) nanoparticles (0.1wt percent) doped thin films made of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) filled with varying amounts of the electrolyte potassium alum salt and doped with conductive carbon black (CB) nanoparticles (0.1wt percent) have been investigated. The dependence of the activation energy of the composites on frequency, temperature, and filler content was studied using the AC impedance technique. The current research looked at how activation energy changed with frequency (200-1000 kHz) and temperature (30-55oC) for composites with varied potassium alum salt concentrations: 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, and 16 wt. percent. The activation energy (Ea) values measured exhibited frequency, temperature, and filler content relationships. According to polarization processes, the activation energy of the produced sheets decreases with the potassium alum salt content in the composite and decreases with the temperature. With increasing frequency, the activation energy of the produced thin films decreases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]