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ABSTRACT In order to attain improved mechanical properties of the carbon fiber (CF) reinforced polyoxymethylene (POM) composite, maleamidic acid treated carbon nanotube (CNT) was deposited on carbon fiber. The mechanical properties of composites have been investigated. The tensile strength values of the treated CF/POM composites at all CNT mixing ratios are found to be higher than that of untreated one. The surface morphologies of the fractured surfaces of the composites were recorded using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to gain information about the fiber–matrix interfacial adhesion in the composites. The friction coefficient of all the CF/POM/CNT composites decrease as the load increases from 10 to 20 N under the same sliding speed of 1000 r/min. XPS results showed that the formation of C–O, C=O, and O–C=O based species give rise to chemical bonds of the CF and the POM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polylactic acid (PLA) composites reinforced with 10 wt% of flax (FF) or bamboo (BF) fibers were prepared via an internal mixer and/or twin-screw extrusion. Alkali pretreated fibers were soaked in silane to improve adhesion between fibers and matrix. 0.8 wt% of Joncryl™, a grafted copolymer acting as PLA chain extender, was also used alone or in combination with silane treatment of fibers to improve interfacial adhesion. The influence of silane treatment and/or Joncryl on the composite materials on mechanical, thermal and thermomechanical properties of materials processed through injection molding was investigated. Improved adhesion of the fibers to the matrix was shown using a scanning electron microscope. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy indicated that chemical bonds were formed between the silane coupling agent and fibers. X-ray Photo-electron Spectroscopy confirmed that fibers and silane derivatives were effectively coupled. XPS also highlighted that silane coupling agent reacted in higher amounts on bamboo than flax fibers, probably due to a higher amount of lignin in the case of bamboo fibers. Thermogravimetric analyses indicated that silane-treated flax and bamboo increased the thermal stability of the corresponding composites (PLA-SFF and PLA-SFB) compared to non-treated fiber composites. The incorporation of Joncryl alone entailed a degradation of the thermal stability of the corresponding composites (PLAJ-FF and PLAJ-FB) but enhanced the PLA/fibers interfacial adhesion. The combination of Joncryl and silane treatment resulted in strong improvements of thermal stability and interfacial adhesion for the PLAJ-SFF and PLAJ-SBF composites. Increase in tensile moduli and decrease in tensile strengths with the incorporation of the pristine fibers were noted. For silane-treated fibers, the tensile modulus and the strength of the corresponding composites were improved when adding Joncryl alone or in combination with silane. From also rheological and molar weight measurements, it could be concluded that Joncryl acts both as PLA chain extender and coupling agent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Electrically conductive fiberfibre/fabric composites (ECFCs) are competitive candidates for use in wearable electronics. Therefore, it is essential to develop mechanically robust ECFC strain sensors with sensing performance. In this study, MXene assembly and hot-pressing were combined to prepare strong yet breathable ECFCs for strain and temperature sensing. Hydrogen bonding between MXene and polyurethane (PU) and ultrasonication-induced interfacial sintering were responsible for MXene nanosheets assembly on the PU nanofibers. MXene decoration made PU nanofibers electrically conductive, resulting in a conductive network. Hot-pressing improved interface adhesion among the conductive nanofibers. Thus, the mechanical properties of the nanofiber composites, including tensile strength, toughness and fracture energy, were enhanced. The nanofiber composites exhibited surface stability and durability. When the nanofiber composites were used as strain sensors, they showed breathability with a linear resistance response ranging from 1 % to 100 % and cycling stability. In addition, they produced stable sensing signals over 1000 cycles when a notch was present. They could also monitor temperature variations with a negative temperature coefficient (−0.146 %/°C). This study provides an interfacial regulation method for the preparation of multi-functional nanofiber composites with potential applications in flexible and wearable electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to successfully prepare a new advanced TiAlSiN gradient coating with Ti content gradually decreased but Al content gradually increased from the cemented carbide substrate to the outermost coating surface by arc ion plating, we deeply investigated the influence mechanisms of two important process parameters. These parameters include substrate bias voltage and arc current, which affect the mechanical properties and microstructure of the gradient coating. The results show that bias voltage and arc current directly affect the particle accumulation effect on the coating surface and the re-sputtering effect caused by high-energy ion bombardment, thus affecting the deposition efficiency of the coating and the formation of defects such as macro-particles and pits on the coating surface. The increase of bias voltage is conducive to the increase of the density of columnar crystals and nanocrystals. While the increase of arc current makes the coating with high Al content transform from columnar crystals to nanocrystals. The hardness and interfacial adhesion of the gradient coatings showed a tendency of firstly increasing and then decreasing with the increase of both bias voltage and arc current. When the bias voltage and arc current are -80 V and 160 A respectively, the coating has the best mechanical properties, its surface hardness reaches 36.94 GPa, and the interfacial adhesion exceeds 120 N. In addition, with the increase of bias voltage and arc current, particles are deposited on the surface of the coating with higher energy, which leads to the preferential orientation transition from (111) to (200) plane. The high hardness of TiAlSiN coating is mainly due to the formation of high Al content of fcc-TiAlN crystals and amorphous Si 3 N 4 in the gradient-coated surface layer. The results have important theoretical and practical significance for developing new high-performance gradient coating tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Root caries is the main cause of oral pain and tooth loss in the elderly. Protecting root lesions from environmental disturbances, resisting pathogens, and facilitating remineralization over time are essential for addressing root caries, but are challenging due to the irregular root surface and the complex oral environment. Hagfish secretes slime when facing danger, which converts into gels upon contact with seawater, suffocating the predators. Inspired by hagfish's defense mechanism, a fluid-hydrogel conversion strategy is proposed to establish a mechanical self-regulating multifunctional platform for root caries treatment. The fluid system (silk fibroin-tannic acid-black phosphorene-urea, ST-BP-U), in which urea disrupts the hydrogen bonds between silk fibroin and tannic acid, can easily spread on the irregular root surface and permeate into dentinal tubules. Upon contact with the surrounding water, urea diffuses, prompting the hydrogel re-formation and creating intimate attachments with micromechanical inlay locks. Meanwhile, BP increases the crosslinking of the re-formed hydrogel network, resulting in reinforced cohesion for robust wet adhesion to the tooth root. This process establishes a structured platform for effective antimicrobial phototherapy and dentin remineralization promotion. This water-responsive fluid-hydrogel conversion system adapts to the irregular root surface in the dynamic wet environment, holding promise for addressing root caries. Root caries bring a heavy burden to the aging society, but the irregular root surface and dynamic moist oral environment always hinder non-surgical therapeutic effects. Here, we propose a water-responsive fluid-hydrogel conversion strategy aimed at mechanical self-regulation on the irregular and wet root interface to construct a functional structural platform. The liquid system (ST-BP-U) that prebreak intermolecular hydrogen bonds can easily spread on irregular surfaces and dentin tubules. When encountering water, hydrogen bonds re-form, and BP increases the crosslinking of the hydrogel formed in situ. Based on this firm wet-adhesion platform, it provides powerful phototherapy effects and promotes dentin remineralization. This fluid-hydrogel conversion system turns the disadvantages of wet environment into advantages, offering a promising strategy for root caries. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing interest in sustainable and biodegradable materials has prompted significant attention towards natural fiber-reinforced composites (FRC) due to their lower environmental impacts. In a similar sustainable vein, this study fabricated composite materials utilizing bagasse fibers with the 3D SLA (Stereolithography) printing method. To start with, a novel fiber extraction process was adopted for extracting fiber from the bagasse stem in three distinct methods (Process-1, Process-2, and Process-3). The fiber extraction process includes washing, sun-drying, manual collection of rind fibers, immersion of rind fibers in NaOH at specific concentrations for specific durations, combing, and drying. In Process-1, the rind fibers were immersed in 5% NaOH for 15 h, while in Process-2 and Process-3, the rind fibers were immersed in 1% NaOH, but the soaking time varied: 25 h for Process-2 and 18 h for Process-3.for 25 h, and in Process-3, the rind fibers were immersed in 1% NaOH for 18 h. The resulting bagasse fibers underwent comprehensive property assessment with a focus on functional group analysis, diameter measurement, and tensile strength assessment. Subsequently, these fibers were used to fabricate composite materials via the 3D SLA printing technique after being treated in a NaOH solution. The Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy results clearly showed that a fraction of hemicellulose and lignin was removed by NaOH, resulting in improved tensile strength of the bagasse fibers. Three-dimensional-printed composites reinforced with bagasse fibers extracted through the P1 method showed the highest improvement in tensile strength (approximately 70%) compared to specimens made from pure resin. The lack of pores in the composite and the observable fiber fracture phenomena clearly indicate that 3D printing technology effectively enhances the quality of the interface between the fiber and the matrix interfacial bonding, consequently resulting in improved tensile properties of the composites. The 3D-printed composites reinforced with bagasse fiber showcased impressive tensile properties and provided solutions to the limitations of traditional composite manufacturing methods. This sets the stage for developing innovative composite materials that combine natural fibers with cutting-edge fabrication techniques, offering a promising path to tackle present and future economic and ecological challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a discussion on the method, mechanism, and application of adhesive hydrogel in enhancing epidermal signal, focusing on the interface between hydrogel and skin. Due to its excellent conductivity and high adaptability to the skin, the hydrogel is exceptionally suitable for detecting human-machine interfaces, particularly epidermal electromyographic signals. However, the detection of the high epidermal signal is hindered by the gap and low adhesion between hydrogel and skin. This paper addresses these challenges by introducing approaches to reduce the interface gap and increase interface adhesion, thereby enabling the development of hydrogel-based epidermal signal detection arrays with enhanced resolution and detection performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition metal disulfide compounds (TMDCs) emerges as the promising candidate for new‐generation flexible (opto‐)electronic device fabrication. However, the harsh growth condition of TMDCs results in the necessity of using hard dielectric substrates, and thus the additional transfer process is essential but still challenging. Here, an efficient strategy for preparation and easy separation‐transfer of high‐uniform and quality‐enhanced MoS2 via the precursor pre‐annealing on the designed graphene inserting layer is demonstrated. Based on the novel strategy, it achieves the intact separation and transfer of a 2‐inch MoS2 array onto the flexible resin. It reveals that the graphene inserting layer not only enhances MoS2 quality but also decreases interfacial adhesion for easy separation‐transfer, which achieves a high yield of ≈99.83%. The theoretical calculations show that the chemical bonding formation at the growth interface has been eliminated by graphene. The separable graphene serves as a photocarrier transportation channel, making a largely enhanced responsivity up to 6.86 mA W−1, and the photodetector array also qualifies for imaging featured with high contrast. The flexible device exhibits high bending stability, which preserves almost 100% of initial performance after 5000 cycles. The proposed novel TMDCs growth and separation‐transfer strategy lightens their significance for advances in curved and wearable (opto‐)electronic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhancing interfacial adhesion between functional coatings and target surfaces facilitates long‐term stable service by mitigating interferences of mechanical mismatches. Design of mechanical interlocks affords an effective strategy to strengthen the interfacial bonding with durability and compatibility, but the in‐depth investigations are still lacked. Herein, a gecko‐inspired hierarchical strategy realized by hybrid laser direct writing is proposed, which incorporates an armored frame scale for surface protection and a riveted anchor scale for interlocks. Such dual‐scale configurations endow the functional coatings with the stronger adhesion to the targets than the pristine and mono‐scale cases, resulting in 2 orders of magnitude enhancement resistant to tape peeling tests. Utilizing this scheme, a laser‐induced integrated deicing system is in situ manufactured on thermoplastics, primarily comprising superhydrophobic structures, carbon‐based sensors as well as adhesive copper (Cu) interconnects and heaters, where Cu‐based devices exhibit superior resistance to water impacts and stress fatigue. Interfacing with signal processing modules, such an all‐in‐one system demonstrates real‐time temperature monitoring and high efficiency in deicing (4.24 folds faster than the control group). The facile route for intensified adhesion holds promise in the interfaces within advanced equipment and under harsh scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhancing interfacial adhesion in polypropylene (PP)/recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) blends is crucial for the effective mechanical recycling of these commercial plastic wastes. This study investigates the reactive extrusion of PP/rPET blends using a dual compatibilizer system comprising maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (PP-g-MA) and various glycidyl methacrylate (GMA)-based compatibilizers. The effects of backbone structure and reactive group on the morphological, mechanical, and thermal characteristics were systematically studied. This study sheds light on the effective compatibilization mechanisms using characterization methods such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and morphological analyses (SEM). The results indicate that GMA-based compatibilizers play a bridging role between rPET and PP-g-MA, resulting in improved compatibility between the blend components. A combination of 3 phr PP-g-MA and 3 phr ethylene-methyl acrylate glycidyl methacrylate terpolymer (EMA-GMA) significantly improves interfacial adhesion, leading to synergistic enhancements of mechanical performance of the blend, up to 217% and 116% increases in elongation at break and impact strength, respectively, compared to the uncompatibilized sample. Moreover, a significant improvement in onset temperature for degradation is observed for the dual compatibilized sample, with 40 °C and 33 °C increases in onset temperature relative to the uncompatibilized and the single compatibilized samples. These findings underscore the immense potential of tailored multi-component compatibilizer systems for upgrading recycled plastic waste materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tires and conveyor belts are among the most prominent examples of cord-rubber composites in which, synthetic fibers are extensively used as reinforcing material. Although, it passes a long time from utilization of cord-rubber composites in rubber industry, yet, adhesion of cord to rubber remains an important challenge in this area, as it determines the quality of the final product. Accordingly, present work attempts to optimize adhesion of dipped Polyester/Polyamide 66 fabrics through identification and controlling of effective process parameters by the means of Design of Experiment (DoE). To accomplish this target, fractional factorial design, 2 IV 7 - 2 , has been implemented with seven process parameters, namely, Styrene-Butadiene-Rubber (SBR) content, curing temperature and time, type and thickness of fabric, Dip Pick Up and type of adhesive in two variation levels. Subsequently, 32 experiments have been carried out through 4 blocks. Analyze of experiments showed that curing temperature and activation of fabrics/fibers before dip coating are the most important factors on adhesion of cord to rubber. The quality of fitting in applied model has been, eventually, checked using additional experiments. Pairwise Pearson Correlation coefficient demonstrated strong linear correlation between calculated data from the model and corresponding test results in laboratory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, the impact modifier of poly(butyl acrylate) grafted poly(styrene‐co‐acrylonitrile) (PBA‐g‐SAN) with 60% rubber content was prepared by emulsion grafting polymerization and subsequently blended with styrene–acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN) resin to construct acrylate styrene acrylonitrile (ASA) resins. The effects of acrylonitrile content of PBA‐g‐SAN copolymer and PBA size on the ASA resins' mechanical properties were investigated. Experimental results revealed that ASA resin's highest impact strength reached 27.75 kJ/m2. The lap shear adhesion test suggested that the PBA‐g‐SAN copolymer with 21% AN content exhibited excellent interfacial adhesion with SAN resin. The PBA‐g‐SAN particles with 100 and 400 nm poly (butyl acrylate) as core rubbers demonstrated a synergistic toughening effect for SAN resin. The high blackness ASA resin with excellent impact resistance was obtained when the 100 nm and the 400 nm poly (butyl acrylate) particle mass ratio reached 8/2. Highlights: The ASA resin with 27.75KJ/m2 impact strength was prepared.The synergistic toughening mechanisms were investigated.The high blackness ASA resin was constructed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the effect of different surface structures on the aggregation level and interfacial adhesion, nano-Sb2O3 particles were treated with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), silane coupling agent KH550 and their compounds (CTAB + KH550). The surface properties and morphologies of the nano-Sb2O3 particles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The aggregation level and interfacial adhesion of nano-Sb2O3 particles within PBT matrix were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and quantitatively evaluated by some semi-empirical parameters including aggregates size (Dagg), real filling degree (Vre), interfacial adhesion ( B ) and aggregated interfacial adhesion (Bagg) from the tensile strength and the Young's modulus measurements. The results showed that the highest interfacial adhesion and lowest aggregation level were obtained for the CTAB + KH550 modified nano-Sb2O3/PBT composites followed by the KH550 modified, CTAB modified and bare nano-Sb2O3/PBT composites, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multilayer plastic (MP) commonly used in food and beverage packaging is difficult to recycle due to its layered structure, resulting in its accumulation over time; the consequent environmental harm is further exacerbated by its short lifespan. This study investigates recycled low-value MP as a modifier for polymer-modified bitumen (PMB). However, the difference in polarity between MP and PMB mixtures is a challenge, resulting in their poor compatibility and reduced mechanical properties. To overcome this, low-value MP was treated with atmospheric cold plasma and thermal oxidation to enhance its compatibility with PMB. The results indicate that plasma and thermal treatments increase the hydrophilicity of low-value MP through the formation of low-molecular-weight oxidized molecules containing hydrophilic hydroxyl (-OH) and carbonyl (C = O) groups that act as an intermediary boundary layer between the low-value MP and asphaltene-rich bitumen. Further, the optimal oxidation conditions for MP are revealed as 60 s of plasma treatment followed by heating at 150 °C for 60 min. Mixtures of PMB and optimally oxidized MP have optimal compositions of 1 wt.%, with ductility and penetration values of 87.7 cm and 57.4 mm, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyacrylonitrile pre-oxidized fiber（PANOF）is an emerging flame retardant material with low cost and high performance，showing a promising application potential as thermal protection materials in the aerospace field.Pretreated PANOF（t-PANOF）was obtained by the process of oil removing with acetone and surface modification using silane coupling agent KH570 in turn.Scanning electron microscopy（SEM），Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy（FT-IR）and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy（XPS）were employed to figure out the changes of morphology and chemical structure of the fibers before and after pretreatment and their interfacial properties with silicone rubber（SR）.Effects of t-PANOF on the mechanical and thermal performances of SR were further investigated. With the presence of ceramic forming agent（CFA），the ablation responsive behaviors of CFA/t-PANOF/SR ternary composites were researched as well.The results show that the level of interfacial adhesion between fibers and rubber is significantly enhanced contributed from the pretreatment of PANOF，and the tensile strength of the composites is improved accordingly.However，with the increasing content of t-PANOF，the comprehensive mechanical properties of t-PANOF/SR composites show the trend that increase first and then decrease，indicating that the optimal dosage of the fibers is 5 to 10 phr.t-PANOF skeleton helps to not only enhance the dimensional stability of SR in high temperature and oxygen-rich environment，but also improve the ablation performance of CFA/t-PANOF/SR composites.The antioxidation ceramic layer with fiber skeleton as the main structure is formed on the surface of CFA/t-PANOF/SR composites under the high temperature aerobic gas with the heat flux density of 2 MW/m2，the corresponding linear and mass ablation rate are only 0.02 mm/s and 0.02 g/s respectively，which is expected to be utilized as an ablation material to satisfy the demands of the new generation of aerospace vehicles.

Poly(butylene‐adipate‐co‐terephthalate) (PBAT)/Kenaf fiber composites was prepared by the melt processing technique with various compositions to investigate the general properties. While the Young's modulus of the composite was profoundly improved, the tensile strength and elongation at break exhibited a significant diminished with the incorporation of kenaf fibers due to the poor interfacial adhesion between PBAT and Kenaf fibers. The Halpin‐Tsai model was applied, and the similar behavior of Young's modulus for the composite as compared to experimental results was calculated. The micro‐voids and cavitation were clearly confirmed by morphological observation. Reactive compatibilization with HDI improved the compatibility between PBAT and Kenaf fibers, and the mechanical performance was significantly enhanced due to improved interfacial adhesion. The PBAT/Kenaf composites with a reactive compatibilization showed considerable improvement of storage modulus, G′ in terminal region as well. The stable thermal stability could be also beneficial for thermal processing technique. The addition of Kenaf fiber resulted in a liquid‐like behavior decreasing elasticity of the PBAT/Kenaf composites. The HDI had a profound effect on increasing elasticity with solid‐like behavior resulting in enhancing the G′ and η* of the PBAT/Kenaf fiber composites due to the improved interfacial adhesion as confirmed from the morphological observation. Highlights: Kenaf fiber has a great effect on improvement of the modulus for PBAT/Kenaf compositesThe optimized PBAT/Kenaf composite composition is 96/4 wt% ratio for the compositeHDI is found to be a good compatibilizer for PBAT and Kenaf fiberReactive compatibilization enhances the interfacial adhesion between PBAT and Kenaf fiberThe compatibilized PBAT/Kenaf composites have the better mechanical performance [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This paper aims to investigate the strengthening mechanism of laser shock peening on the interfacial bonding properties between TiN coatings and TC4 titanium alloy substrates. The different surface textures were induced by LSP on a TC4 titanium alloy substrate. Subsequently, titanium nitride (TiN) coatings were deposited on the surface texture. A scratch test and reciprocating sliding wear assessment were conducted to evaluate the impact of LSP on the interfacial bonding properties and wear performance of the coatings. The experimental results demonstrated that the adhesion of TiN coatings deposited on the surface texture formed by laser shock peening was significantly enhanced. The efficacy of laser shock treatment in reducing wear rates was found to be significantly enhanced in cases of both increased spot overlapping rate and increased laser power density. The surface texture created using laser parameters of 6.43 GW/cm2 and a 50% overlapping rate was found to have the most significant effect on improving the adhesion and anti-wear properties of the coating. The laser shock texture was identified as the main contributor to this improvement, providing a large interfacial contact area and a mechanical bond between the coating and the substrate. This bond inhibited the initiation and propagation of micro-cracks caused by the concentration of internal stress and interfacial stress of the coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interface performance between clay–sand mixtures and concrete structures is governed by the mixture's composition and its physical properties. Moisture content and particle-size distribution play important roles in deciding the mixture's arrangement of soil particles, porosity, hydraulic conductivity and behaviour under various mechanical loadings. Application of a polymer interfacial coating can improve the bond performance between soils and concrete mainly via interfacial friction/mechanical interlocking. The present work analyses the development of interfacial strength between clay–sand mixtures and a polymer coating with changes in particle gradation. The multi-scale mechanisms at the interface are investigated, giving primary attention to soil porosity. A 50:50 clay–sand mixture exhibited a greater interfacial adhesive performance compared to other soil mixtures. In addition, the moisture-controlled pores and gradation-controlled pores demonstrated differences in macroscale interfacial strength. Both mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and 129 Xe nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) were utilized to detect the pore structure of the mixtures. 129 Xe-NMR revealed the pore distribution of the mixtures as ranging from macropores to nanopores, and MIP complemented the pore information by determining the critical pore entry diameter in the macropore regime. Mesopores dominated with increasing fine sand content until a threshold value was reached; thereafter, merging of pores occurred and macropores dominated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Joining thermoplastic polymers (TPMs) and metals to form lightweight hybrid structures is of growing industrial and commercial importance. The performance of such materials relies on the bonding strength and endurance of the formed TPM–metal interfaces. The available joining technologies and the mechanisms that govern interfacial adhesion are reviewed in this contribution, highlighting thermal bonding as a commercially attractive joining method. By focusing on molecular interactions to optimize interfacial adhesion, the use of dopamine as a building block to form polydopamine (PDA) based adhesive interlayers in such interfaces is discussed. This work also highlights the potential of PDA to be applied as a load‐bearing adhesive—a notion considered to date unfeasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Discovering macromolecules and understanding the associated mechanisms involved in underwater adhesion are essential for both studying the fundamental ecology of benthos in aquatic ecosystems and developing biomimetic adhesive materials in industries. Here, we employed quantitative proteomics to assess protein expression variations during the development of the distinct adhesive structure - stolon in the model fouling ascidian, Ciona robusta. We found 16 adhesive protein candidates with increased expression in the stolon, with ascidian adhesive protein 1 (AAP1) being particularly rich in adhesion-related signal peptides, amino acids, and functional domains. Western blot and immunolocalization analyses confirmed the prominent AAP1 signals in the mantle, tunic, stolon, and adhesive footprints, indicating the interfacial role of this protein. Surface coating and atomic force microscopy experiments verified AAP1′s adhesion to diverse materials, likely through the specific electrostatic and hydrophobic amino acid interactions with various substrates. In addition, molecular docking calculations indicated the AAP1′s potential for cross-linking via hydrogen bonds and salt bridges among Von Willebrand factor type A domains, enhancing its adhesion capability. Altogether, the newly discovered interfacial protein responsible for permanent underwater adhesion, along with the elucidated adhesion mechanisms, are expected to contribute to the development of biomimetic adhesive materials and anti-fouling strategies. Discovering macromolecules and studying their associated mechanisms involved in underwater adhesion are essential for understanding the fundamental ecology of benthos in aquatic ecosystems and developing innovative bionic adhesive materials in various industries. Using multidisciplinary analytical methods, we identified an interfacial protein - Ascidian Adhesive Protein 1 (AAP1) from the model marine fouling ascidian, Ciona robusta. The interfacial functions of AAP1 are achieved by electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions, and the Von Willebrand factor type A domain-based cross-linking likely enhances AAP1's interfacial adhesion. The identification and validation of the interfacial functions of AAP1, combined with the elucidation of adhesion mechanisms, present a promising target for the development of biomimetic adhesive materials and the formulation of effective anti-fouling strategies. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stretchable hybrid systems have been attracting tremendous attention for their essential role in soft robotics, on-skin electronics, and implantable devices. Both rigid and soft functional modules are typically required in those devices. Consequently, ensuring stable electrical contact between rigid and soft modules is a vital part. Here, we propose a simple, universal, and scalable strategy for the stretchable hybrid system through a highly precise printable liquid metal particle-based conductor and adhesive fluorine rubber substrate. The properties of liquid metal particle-based conductors could be easily tuned to realize high-precision patterning, large-scale printing, and the ability to print on various substrates. Additionally, the fluorine rubber substrate could form strong interfacial adhesion with various components and materials through simply pressing and heating, hence enabling stable electrical contact. Furthermore, we prepared a stretchable hybrid light-emitting diode (LED) display system and employed it in on-skin visualization of pressure levels, which perfectly combined rigid and soft modules, thus demonstrating the promising potential applications in complex multifunctional stretchable hybrid systems for emerging technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The weak interfacial adhesion of aramid fibers (AFs) in rubber composites can be improved by modifying their surface structure. Herein, modified AFs with a high grafting rate were prepared by modification using glycidyl polyhedral silsesquioxane (POSS) assisted with supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2). X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the chemical bonding between AFs and glycidyl POSS. Thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy images showed that POSS was grafted uniformly and the surface roughness enhanced obviously. After grafting the rubber with 5 wt% glycidyl POSS assisted with scCO2, the surface grafting rate reached 12.26% and surface crystal spacing increased. The grafted layer on the modified AF surface was uniform, and the tensile strength of the modified fiber increased by 7.98%. Short AF‐reinforced carbon black/styrene butadiene rubber (AF/CB/SBR = 2/50/100 phr) composites were prepared to investigate the adhesion strength between modified AFs and SBR. The reduction in tan δ of the composites confirmed the improvement in the interfacial adhesion strength. The tensile strength and modulus at 100% elongation of the composites increased by 15.13% and 25.77%, respectively, and the relative interface slip increased by 23.26%. Moreover, the cutting resistance of the composites showed a dramatic improvement, particularly for grafting with 5% glycidyl POSS assisted with scCO2. © 2024 Society of Industrial Chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Towards the goal of developing renewable, biocompatible and intelligent polymer materials, natural Eucommia ulmoides gum (EUG) was modified via epoxidation and then the epoxidized EUG (EEUG) was compounded with another sustainable and biobased polymer, polylactic acid (PLA), to develop shape memory thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPVs) through reactive blending. The prepared PLA/EEUG TPVs displayed not only enhanced toughness but also greatly improved shape recovery ability, which was generated from the co‐continuous phase structure and excellent interfacial adhesion induced by in situ compatibilization during reactive blending. It is shown that dicumyl peroxide content exerted little influence on the toughness of the TPVs. However, heat‐triggered shape memory effects of the TPVs were significantly affected by the dicumyl peroxide content with a decrease in deformation ratio (Δε) from 163.51% to 128.36% and an increase in shape recovery ratio (Rr) from 73.32% to 91.93%. The findings of the present study offer an idea for the industrialization of biocompatible and smart materials for biomedical applications. © 2024 Society of Industrial Chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the potential of mussel shells (MS) as biogenic fillers in polymer composites. The chemical composition and crystal structures of MS were characterised. To improve MS filler dispersion and adhesion within a polypropylene (PP) matrix, three surface modification methods were evaluated: polydopamine (PDA) coating, maleic anhydride-grafted polypropylene (MAPP) modification, and PDA/MAPP co-modification. The PDA coating, inspired by the adhesive properties of mussel foot proteins, successfully functionalized the MS surface, as confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Thermodynamic analysis, based on contact angle measurements, revealed that MAPP and PDA/MAPP modifications reduced surface energies and potential energy differences. These changes enhanced filler dispersion and interfacial bonding by increasing hydrophobicity and reducing agglomeration in the PP matrix. Consequently, PP composites with 20% PDA/MAPP-modified MS fillers exhibited a 2.9% increase in tensile strength and a 7.5% increase in flexural strength compared to neat PP. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) also showed reduced filler-matrix debonding and fewer voids. The proposed mechanism attributes these macroscopic property enhancements to the ability of the PDA coating to facilitate chemical and hydrogen bonding between MS fillers and MAPP.

Abstract Transition metal disulfide compounds (TMDCs) emerges as the promising candidate for new‐generation flexible (opto‐)electronic device fabrication. However, the harsh growth condition of TMDCs results in the necessity of using hard dielectric substrates, and thus the additional transfer process is essential but still challenging. Here, an efficient strategy for preparation and easy separation‐transfer of high‐uniform and quality‐enhanced MoS2 via the precursor pre‐annealing on the designed graphene inserting layer is demonstrated. Based on the novel strategy, it achieves the intact separation and transfer of a 2‐inch MoS2 array onto the flexible resin. It reveals that the graphene inserting layer not only enhances MoS2 quality but also decreases interfacial adhesion for easy separation‐transfer, which achieves a high yield of ≈99.83%. The theoretical calculations show that the chemical bonding formation at the growth interface has been eliminated by graphene. The separable graphene serves as a photocarrier transportation channel, making a largely enhanced responsivity up to 6.86 mA W−1, and the photodetector array also qualifies for imaging featured with high contrast. The flexible device exhibits high bending stability, which preserves almost 100% of initial performance after 5000 cycles. The proposed novel TMDCs growth and separation‐transfer strategy lightens their significance for advances in curved and wearable (opto‐)electronic applications.

Multilayer plastic (MP) commonly used in food and beverage packaging is difficult to recycle due to its layered structure, resulting in its accumulation over time; the consequent environmental harm is further exacerbated by its short lifespan. This study investigates recycled low-value MP as a modifier for polymer-modified bitumen (PMB). However, the difference in polarity between MP and PMB mixtures is a challenge, resulting in their poor compatibility and reduced mechanical properties. To overcome this, low-value MP was treated with atmospheric cold plasma and thermal oxidation to enhance its compatibility with PMB. The results indicate that plasma and thermal treatments increase the hydrophilicity of low-value MP through the formation of low-molecular-weight oxidized molecules containing hydrophilic hydroxyl (–OH) and carbonyl (C = O) groups that act as an intermediary boundary layer between the low-value MP and asphaltene-rich bitumen. Further, the optimal oxidation conditions for MP are revealed as 60 s of plasma treatment followed by heating at 150 °C for 60 min. Mixtures of PMB and optimally oxidized MP have optimal compositions of 1 wt.%, with ductility and penetration values of 87.7 cm and 57.4 mm, respectively.

This paper investigated the cross‐linking network structure of epoxy asphalt (EA) with the different ratio of composite curing agents, and further determined the effect of photooxidation aging on the tensile and interfacial adhesion behavior of EA with different cross‐linking network structures through molecular simulation. Based on the molecular models of EA and the interface model between EA and aggregate, the crosslinking network structural characteristics and tensile mechanical behavior were determined. The interfacial adhesion behavior and the mechanization were further studied. The results indicate that 20‐EA and 6‐EA have an epoxy resin cross‐linked network with uniform pore structure and phase distribution. 2‐EA showed a denser cross‐linking network and uneven aggregation phenomenon. Photooxidative aging alleviated the aggregation phenomenon. A dense cross‐linking network improved the tensile strength and the ability of tensile performance to resist photooxidation aging. The interface of EA‐quartz exhibited higher adhesion strength than EA‐calcite due to the closer distance and stronger nonbonding interactions between EA and quartz. The low anhydride content and photooxidation aging made EA approach to the aggregate interface, increasing nonbonding interaction and interfacial adhesion strength. In addition, quartz aggregates were more suitable for application in EA mixtures due to the higher interfacial adhesion strength and lower water sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A complex study of the adhesion of multi-walled carbon nanotubes to a titanium surface, depending on the modes of irradiation with He+ ions of the "MWCNT/Ti" system, was conducted using atomic force microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. A quantitative assessment of the adhesion force at the interface, performed using atomic force microscopy, demonstrated its significant increase as a result of treatment of the "MWCNT/Ti" system with a beam of helium ions. The nature of the chemical bonding between multi-walled carbon nanotubes and the surface of the titanium substrate, which causes this increase in the adhesion of nanotubes to titanium as a result of ion irradiation, was investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. It was established that this bonding is the result of the formation of chemical C–O–Ti bonds between titanium and carbon atoms with the participation of oxygen atoms of oxygen-containing functional groups, which are localized on defects in the nanotube walls formed during ion irradiation. It is significant that there are no signs of direct bonding between titanium and carbon atoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to broaden the potential applications of polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) by incorporating graphene oxide (GO)-grafted glass fiber (GF) to enhance the mechanical properties of liquid crystal polymer (LCP)/PPS composites. The surface of GF was modified using γ-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (KH550), allowing for the grafting of GO. Subsequently, GO-GF/LCP/PPS composites were prepared through extrusion injection molding. The properties of the composites were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, and thermogravimetric analysis. The findings indicate that the interfacial adhesion between GF and composites is significantly improved with the addition of GO, The mass fractions of GO used were 0.1%, 0.5%, and 0.7%. The incorporation of GO-grafted GF proves to be an effective approach in enhancing the tensile and flexural strengths of LCP/PPS composites. Additionally, a reduction in wear volume and tribological coefficient is observed compared to composites without GO-treated GF. Notably, when the GO content is 0.5 wt%, the mechanical properties of the composites show significant improvement, with a 50% increase in impact strength compared to the composite without GO, and a decrease in friction coefficient from 0.28 to 0.22. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the landscape of mobility trends continues to evolve, concerted efforts have been made to incorporate Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) into automotive components. However, the substantial increase in cost relative to the achieved weight reduction has limited its widespread adoption. Consequently, research endeavors have focused on exploring alternative composite materials, adapting fibers such as glass fibers, natural fibers, and recycled fibers, to reduce the cost of composite components. Of particular interest in the automotive industry is the utilization of Glass Fiber Reinforced Plastic (GFRP) in chassis components like leaf springs. Nevertheless, the development of GFRP leaf springs encounters a significant challenge related to the adhesive strength at the interface between epoxy resin and glass fibers, which is crucial for enhancing fatigue durability. While glass fibers were traditionally paired with unsaturated polyester or vinyl ester matrices, the pursuit of improved durability has led to the adoption of epoxy matrices. Regrettably, this transition has not consistently yielded the expected gains in interfacial adhesion.In light of these challenges, this study systematically compares the interfacial adhesion strength and fatigue endurance performance. For comparison, two coupling agents widely used commercially, amino silane and epoxy silane, were selected. Glass fibers treated with each coupling agent were purchased commercially, and glass fiber-reinforced plastic (GFRP) specimens were fabricated using the HP-RTM (High-Pressure Resin Transfer Molding) method. Static property evaluations and fatigue durability assessments were conducted using the fabricated specimens. The results showed that when epoxy silane was used as the coupling agent, the interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) increased by approximately 7 %. Furthermore, SEM(Scanning Electron Microscopes) analysis confirmed a significant enhancement in interfacial adhesion, providing support for the ILSS evaluation results. Consequently, the fatigue durability performance improved by approximately six-fold. This confirms that the improvement in interfacial adhesion due to the change in coupling agents led to enhanced fatigue durability performance.

Recycled aggregate (RA) and recycled concrete powder (RCP) hold significant potential as environmentally sustainable raw materials for asphalt mixtures. In this study, a comprehensive investigation was conducted on the bonding properties between RA and RCP-filled asphalt mastic (RCPAM). This investigation utilized an image processing-assisted modified water boiling test, binder bond strength (BBS) tests, and the surface free energy (SFE) method. The results indicate that the boiling water test method, even with the assistance of 2D image processing analysis, cannot adequately evaluate the adhesive characteristics of the RA-RCPAM interface. This limitation could be attributed to the relatively small number of samples tested and the significant variation in surface properties of RA. Increasing both the filler-to-asphalt (F/A) ratio and RCP replacement ratio adversely affected the interfacial bond strength of the RA-RCPAM interface. On the other hand, an increase in RA surface roughness contributed to a higher bond strength. Based on the experimental results, a best-fit multivariate mixed model was proposed to predict the interfacial bond strength between RCP-filled asphalt mastic and recycled aggregate within a given range of RCP replacement ratio, surface roughness, and filler-to-asphalt (F/A) ratios. The analysis of SFE suggested that moisture damage to RCPAM was caused by both cohesive and adhesive failure. Additionally, the minimal impact of adhesion work in wet condition with increasing RCP content suggested that adhesion failure energy was only marginally affected by the inclusion of RCP, even in the presence of moisture. These findings are expected to enhance the understanding of interfacial adhesion characteristics and moisture susceptibility of the RA-RCPAM interface.

Abstract Joining thermoplastic polymers (TPMs) and metals to form lightweight hybrid structures is of growing industrial and commercial importance. The performance of such materials relies on the bonding strength and endurance of the formed TPM–metal interfaces. The available joining technologies and the mechanisms that govern interfacial adhesion are reviewed in this contribution, highlighting thermal bonding as a commercially attractive joining method. By focusing on molecular interactions to optimize interfacial adhesion, the use of dopamine as a building block to form polydopamine (PDA) based adhesive interlayers in such interfaces is discussed. This work also highlights the potential of PDA to be applied as a load‐bearing adhesive—a notion considered to date unfeasible.

Abstract As an emerging processing technology, transfer printing enables the assembly of functional material arrays (called inks) on various substrates with micro/nanoscale resolution and has been widely used in the fabrication of flexible electronics and display systems. The critical steps in transfer printing are the ink pick‐up and printing processes governed by the switching of adhesion states at the stamp/ink interface. In this review, we first introduce the history of transfer printing in terms of the transfer methods, transferred materials, and applications. Then, the fundamental characteristics of the transfer printing system and typical strategies for regulating the stamp/ink interfacial adhesion strength are summarized and exemplified. Finally, future challenges and opportunities for developing the novel stamps, inks, and substrates with intelligent adhesion capability are discussed, aiming to inspire the innovation in the design of transfer printing systems.

Natural fibre–polymer composites are widely used because they are economical and ecologically beneficial in a variety of applications. In order to improve its performance, this study focuses on examining the mechanical characteristics of an epoxy composite material that has been reinforced with banana fibre mats that have undergone NaOH treatment. Additionally, using various configurations both with and without eggshell powder (ESP), the compression moulding method was used to fabricate and investigate the impact of ESP on these mechanical qualities. The results showed that the composite with 25 weight percent banana fibre and 2.5 weight percent ESP had the maximum tensile strength (31.21 MPa), bending strength (33.69 MPa), and impact strength (2.84 kJ/m2). Strong interfacial adhesion between the banana and eggshell components was discovered via the microscopic examination of shattered surfaces. Notably, compared to untreated banana composites, the alkaline-treated banana materials showed fewer occurrences of pull-outs and fractures, leading to noticeably better mechanical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Due to the high brittleness of poly (3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV), ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) was incorporated to prepare PHBV/EVA blends by melt blending, and the compatibility of the blends was improved by benzoyl peroxide (BPO). The research found that the addition of BPO triggered the production of free radicals in the PHBV and EVA polymers, followed by the recombination of the radicals to form the chemical cross-linking. The resultant PHBV/EVA/BPO blends showed improved mechanical properties and compatibility. At the optimal BPO content (0.5 phr), the elongation at break increased from 1.24% to 4.47%, the impact strength increased from 7.50 kJ/m2 to 17.75 kJ/m2, and the tensile toughness increased from 15.96 MJ/m3 to 70.00 MJ/m3. The gel content of the blends also reached the maximum value (13.88%) at 0.5 phr of BPO addition. This improvement was primarily attributed to interfacial adhesion between PHBV and EVA due to the chemical cross-linking, the hydrogen bonding interactions and the blends chain entanglements. Therefore, this research can improve the poor mechanical properties of PHBV and expand its potential application value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glass fibers (GFs) are frequently employed as reinforcement fibers for polymer resins such as epoxy and polyester. The mechanical behaviors of GFs polymer composites are nevertheless constrained by weak interfacial adhesion between polymer matrix and GFs. Herein, we invented a cross‐linking modified sizing agent using polyethyleneimine and bisphenol A epoxy emulsion, and studied the effect of cross‐linking extent on GF surface characteristics and GF/epoxy interfacial adhesion. The treatment of GFs with cross‐linking modified sizing agent facilitated the formation of interpenetrating polymer networks in composites for strengthening interface interaction. The results show that the modified GFs have a rough surface and improved interfacial adhesion with epoxy matrix. When sizing agents with cross‐linking extent of the 23.0%, the GF/epoxy composites show advanced interfacial shear strength (IFSS) and transverse fiber bundle tension (TFBT) strength. This work demonstrates that the cross‐linking extent of sizing agent could regulate interfacial adhesion, which is a facile and promising strategy in reinforcing glass fiber polymer composites. Highlights: Crosslink the sizing agent to enhance GF mechanical properties was reported.GF surface energy was enhanced and thickness of GF/epoxy interphase increased.IFSS and TFBT strength of the GF/resin composites increased by 23.65% and 30.54%, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural fibre reinforced polymer composites nowadays are considered to be attractive cheap, safe and ecofriendly materials. The main problem of such composites related to the hydrophilicity of plant fibres may be successfully solved by chemical modification of their surface. However, some characteristics of the materials may be suppressed after this procedure. Therefore, the aim of the research is to find out the impact of chemical modification of filler on thermooxidative stability, tensile and flexural strength, as well as on biodegradability of polymer composites. The novelty of this work is in the examining new materials on the basis of Si-containing epoxyurethanes and chemically treated hemp woody core (HWC). Woody core that is the side product of hemp industry requiring its apropriate utilization was exposed to mercerization with sodium hydroxide solution and to further functionalization with epoxidized soybean oil (ESO) or 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS). Raw and surface treated HWC was used as reinforcement for two types of organic-inorganic epoxyurethane matrices made from sodium silicate, polyurethane prepolymer based on polyisocyanate and castor oil, and either diglycidyl ether of bisphenol-A (DGEBA) or ESO as epoxy component. Functionalization of HWC led to better mechanical properties of composites. Compared to the corresponding materials including untreated filler, maximum increase in flexural strength (26 %) was observed for the samples with ESO-containing epoxyurethane and silanized HWC, while maximum increase in tensile strength (53 %) was revealed for the ones with DGEBA-containing epoxyurethane and oil treated HWC. Thermooxidative stability was also higher for composites reinforced with functionalized HWC. The specimens with APS-treated HWC performed the best at thermal decomposition. The values of their T50% were up to 68 °C more than those for composites with unmodified filler. At the same time, the samples based on APS- or ESO-treated HWC were the most resistant to biodegradation, which may be concluded from their smallest weight loss during soil burial test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the problem of porous surface, high water absorption and aged surface coated with dust of steel slag aggregates, scanning electron microscope and fluorescence microscope were used to study the aggregate surface morphology and asphalt-aggregate interfacial bonding structure. X-ray computed tomography was used to conduct a quantitative analysis on the relation between the asphalt penetration depth and the open pore diameter on the surface of steel slag aggregate. After blended with asphalt binder and immersed in asphalt binder, the change of effective density and asphalt absorption rate over time was studied. The adhesion property between steel slag aggregate and asphalt binder was tested by using rolling bottle method. The test results show that the surface of steel slag aggregate exhibits a special porous structure and aging production layer. The latter prevents asphalt film from directly bonding with the surface of steel slag. The experimental results indicate that there is a unique porous structure and aging product layer on the surface of steel slag aggregate, which hinders the direct bonding between asphalt and steel slag aggregate, forming a sandwich structure at the interface, and easily causing the asphalt film to peel off under the action of dynamic water friction. The degree of absorption and filling is strongly dependent on the shape and size of the open pores. The asphalt penetration depth is about 0. 6 times of the open pore diameter. There is a good linear relation between the water absorption and asphalt absorption of steel slag aggregate and the linear slope is about 0. 39. After blended with asphalt binder, the asphalt absorption in a long term will result in an increase of less than 5% on the effective density of steel slag aggregate. It is concluded that the aggregate surface characteristics of steel slag have a significant effect on the volumetric properties and moisture damage resistance of asphalt mixtures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the surface of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) was functionalized with amide group to improve the interfacial adhesion and dispersion of the SWCNT within an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) polymer matrix. The UHMWPE/SWCNTs nanocomposites were prepared by ultra-sonication mixing and hot press molding methods. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results confirm the amide functionalization. The prepared nanocomposites were characterized based on morphology, structure, and mechanical properties by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and a Universal Testing Machine, respectively. The crystallinity, crystal size, space between atomic lattice and lattice constant were calculated from XRD spectra. The results show an increase in the UHMWPE crystallinity when adding pristine SWCNTs and Amide-SWCNTs (1–5 wt %) due to changing the nucleation type of the UHMWPE from homogeneous to heterogeneous nucleation, which led to accelerating the nucleation process and the formation of more crystalline grains. The tensile test results show an increase in toughness of ~ 95% when adding 4 wt % Amide-SWCNTs. This indicates that the amide group achieved good interfacial adhesion and dispersion compared to pristine SWCNTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights A class of hydrogel electrolytes that couple high adhesion and anti-freezing properties is developed. Zn/Li hybrid capacitors based on the hydrogel electrolyte can tolerate low temperatures and accommodate dynamic deformations across a temperature range of 25 to − 60 °C. This work highlights an advancement for promoting next-generation energy storage system with low-temperature capability and mechanical durability.

The growing interest in sustainable and biodegradable materials has prompted significant attention towards natural fiber-reinforced composites (FRC) due to their lower environmental impacts. In a similar sustainable vein, this study fabricated composite materials utilizing bagasse fibers with the 3D SLA (Stereolithography) printing method. To start with, a novel fiber extraction process was adopted for extracting fiber from the bagasse stem in three distinct methods (Process-1, Process-2, and Process-3). The fiber extraction process includes washing, sun-drying, manual collection of rind fibers, immersion of rind fibers in NaOH at specific concentrations for specific durations, combing, and drying. In Process-1, the rind fibers were immersed in 5% NaOH for 15 h, while in Process-2 and Process-3, the rind fibers were immersed in 1% NaOH, but the soaking time varied: 25 h for Process-2 and 18 h for Process-3.for 25 h, and in Process-3, the rind fibers were immersed in 1% NaOH for 18 h. The resulting bagasse fibers underwent comprehensive property assessment with a focus on functional group analysis, diameter measurement, and tensile strength assessment. Subsequently, these fibers were used to fabricate composite materials via the 3D SLA printing technique after being treated in a NaOH solution. The Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy results clearly showed that a fraction of hemicellulose and lignin was removed by NaOH, resulting in improved tensile strength of the bagasse fibers. Three-dimensional-printed composites reinforced with bagasse fibers extracted through the P1 method showed the highest improvement in tensile strength (approximately 70%) compared to specimens made from pure resin. The lack of pores in the composite and the observable fiber fracture phenomena clearly indicate that 3D printing technology effectively enhances the quality of the interface between the fiber and the matrix interfacial bonding, consequently resulting in improved tensile properties of the composites. The 3D-printed composites reinforced with bagasse fiber showcased impressive tensile properties and provided solutions to the limitations of traditional composite manufacturing methods. This sets the stage for developing innovative composite materials that combine natural fibers with cutting-edge fabrication techniques, offering a promising path to tackle present and future economic and ecological challenges.

Enhancing interfacial adhesion in polypropylene (PP)/recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET) blends is crucial for the effective mechanical recycling of these commercial plastic wastes. This study investigates the reactive extrusion of PP/rPET blends using a dual compatibilizer system comprising maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (PP-g-MA) and various glycidyl methacrylate (GMA)-based compatibilizers. The effects of backbone structure and reactive group on the morphological, mechanical, and thermal characteristics were systematically studied. This study sheds light on the effective compatibilization mechanisms using characterization methods such as Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and morphological analyses (SEM). The results indicate that GMA-based compatibilizers play a bridging role between rPET and PP-g-MA, resulting in improved compatibility between the blend components. A combination of 3 phr PP-g-MA and 3 phr ethylene-methyl acrylate glycidyl methacrylate terpolymer (EMA-GMA) significantly improves interfacial adhesion, leading to synergistic enhancements of mechanical performance of the blend, up to 217% and 116% increases in elongation at break and impact strength, respectively, compared to the uncompatibilized sample. Moreover, a significant improvement in onset temperature for degradation is observed for the dual compatibilized sample, with 40 °C and 33 °C increases in onset temperature relative to the uncompatibilized and the single compatibilized samples. These findings underscore the immense potential of tailored multi-component compatibilizer systems for upgrading recycled plastic waste materials.

This paper aims to investigate the strengthening mechanism of laser shock peening on the interfacial bonding properties between TiN coatings and TC4 titanium alloy substrates. The different surface textures were induced by LSP on a TC4 titanium alloy substrate. Subsequently, titanium nitride (TiN) coatings were deposited on the surface texture. A scratch test and reciprocating sliding wear assessment were conducted to evaluate the impact of LSP on the interfacial bonding properties and wear performance of the coatings. The experimental results demonstrated that the adhesion of TiN coatings deposited on the surface texture formed by laser shock peening was significantly enhanced. The efficacy of laser shock treatment in reducing wear rates was found to be significantly enhanced in cases of both increased spot overlapping rate and increased laser power density. The surface texture created using laser parameters of 6.43 GW/cm2 and a 50% overlapping rate was found to have the most significant effect on improving the adhesion and anti-wear properties of the coating. The laser shock texture was identified as the main contributor to this improvement, providing a large interfacial contact area and a mechanical bond between the coating and the substrate. This bond inhibited the initiation and propagation of micro-cracks caused by the concentration of internal stress and interfacial stress of the coating.

A novel environmentally friendly resorcinol–formaldehyde-free impregnation solution was successfully developed to enhance the interfacial adhesion of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber cords with rubber. The UHMWPE fiber cords were first treated by dopamine (DA) and N-(β-aminoethyl)-γ-aminopropylmethyldimethoxysilane (KH602), followed by impregnation in a mixture of glycerol triglycidyl ether (GTE), diethylenetriamine (DETA) and vinyl pyridine latex. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to characterize the chemical composition of the fiber cords surface. The results showed that the impregnation process successfully modified the surface of the UHMWPE fiber cords and did not deteriorate the fiber strength. The H pull-out results showed that the adhesion strength between the modified UHMWPE fiber cords and the rubber increased by 257 % compared to the untreated cords. In addition, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM-EDS) was employed to characterize the interface morphology of the fiber cords/rubber composites. The formation of a transition layer and the migration of the curatives contributed to the improvement in the interfacial adhesive properties.

Highlights: A class of hydrogel electrolytes that couple high adhesion and anti-freezing properties is developed. Zn/Li hybrid capacitors based on the hydrogel electrolyte can tolerate low temperatures and accommodate dynamic deformations across a temperature range of 25 to − 60 °C. This work highlights an advancement for promoting next-generation energy storage system with low-temperature capability and mechanical durability. Solid-state zinc-ion capacitors are emerging as promising candidates for large-scale energy storage owing to improved safety, mechanical and thermal stability and easy-to-direct stacking. Hydrogel electrolytes are appealing solid-state electrolytes because of eco-friendliness, high conductivity and intrinsic flexibility. However, the electrolyte/electrode interfacial contact and anti-freezing properties of current hydrogel electrolytes are still challenging for practical applications of zinc-ion capacitors. Here, we report a class of hydrogel electrolytes that couple high interfacial adhesion and anti-freezing performance. The synergy of tough hydrogel matrix and chemical anchorage enables a well-adhered interface between hydrogel electrolyte and electrode. Meanwhile, the cooperative solvation of ZnCl2 and LiCl hybrid salts renders the hydrogel electrolyte high ionic conductivity and mechanical elasticity simultaneously at low temperatures. More significantly, the Zn||carbon nanotubes hybrid capacitor based on this hydrogel electrolyte exhibits low-temperature capacitive performance, delivering high-energy density of 39 Wh kg−1 at −60 °C with capacity retention of 98.7% over 10,000 cycles. With the benefits of the well-adhered electrolyte/electrode interface and the anti-freezing hydrogel electrolyte, the Zn/Li hybrid capacitor is able to accommodate dynamic deformations and function well under 1000 tension cycles even at −60 °C. This work provides a powerful strategy for enabling stable operation of low-temperature zinc-ion capacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrochemical oxidation of carbon fiber (CF) is used to enhance the interfacial adhesion of CF-reinforced polyaryletherketone (CF/PAEK) composites. The effect of current intensity parameter on surface structure of CF and interfacial properties of the corresponding thermoplastic composites are deeply investigated. The results show that the current intensity in the range of 80 A–300 A does not lead to a decrease in the mechanical property of CFs. When the current intensity is 200 A, CF/PAEK composites have the highest interfacial performance, which is mainly due to the improvement of CF surface roughness, wettability, and oxygen content. In addition, the degree of graphitization of CF surface is also a crucial factor affecting the interfacial properties of CF/PAEK. The higher the content of carboxyl groups, the more disordered the structures exist on the CF surface, which are not conducive to the strong adhesion of CF to PAEK resin. Therefore, balancing the wettability and graphitization degree of the CF surface is the key to enhancing the CF/PAEK interfacial properties by electrochemical treatment techniques. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]