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Functionalized layered double hydroxides (LDHs) based on a multi-modifier system composed of itaconic acid (ITA) and titanate coupling agent (NDZ-201) were designed and fabricated in this paper with the aim to develop high-performance fire retardant paper. The structure of LDHs were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopic analysis, cone calorimetry, and laser particle size analysis. The results showed that carbonate anions were partially replaced by ITA, whereas the titanate coupling agent was attached to the surfaces of the hydrotalcites. The limiting oxygen index (LOI), TGA curves, total heat release rate (THR), and heat release rate (HRR) indicated that as the addition of hydrotalcites increased, the modified LDHs’ LOI value and thermal stability noticeably increased compared to the unmodified hydrotalcites, and the HRR and THR of the material decreased. When the addition amount was 25%, the LOI of ITA-LDHs was 26.9%. However, the Mg-Al hydrotalcites adversely affected the strength index of flame-retardant paper; the modified hydrotalcites clearly reduced this effect, and the whiteness of paper increased and reached 83%.

To enhance the laser performance of Yb3+-doped silica fiber for 1018-nm tandem-pumped technology, three series of Yb–Al, Yb-Al-P, and Yb–P co-doped silica glasses with a large size, high homogeneity, and precise composition control were prepared using a sol-gel method combined with high-temperature sintering technology. In addition, the effects of Al3+ and P5+ co-dopants on the absorption and emission properties of Yb3+-doped silica glasses at 1018 nm were investigated systematically. The normalized spectral characteristics of the glass samples with different doping series at 1018 nm were compared horizontally, and the results showed that the normalized emission intensity of the Yb-P-doped silica glass series samples at 1018 nm was significantly better than that of the other series. The emission subpeak was located near 1018 nm when the content of doped P was 5 mol%, and the position of the subpeak gradually blue-shifted as the content of the doped P increased. Using Raman spectroscopy combined with ultra-low temperature electron paramagnetic resonance (4K), the coordination environment of Yb3+ was accurately resolved at the atomic scale. In Yb3+-doped silica glasses, the coordination environment of Yb3+ was extremely different from the introduction of Al3+ and P5+, which is consistent with the influence of Al3+ and P5+ on the spectral properties of Yb3+ at 1018 nm.

The present study investigates a new solvent system for the dissolution of chitosan and a new method for preparing chitosan membranes. First, aqueous tartaric acid was used to pretreat chitosan. Then, the chitosan was precipitated with ethanol or other regenerating agents, and 1.5 mL of 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([EMIM]AC) was added to obtain translucent suspensions. The chitosan membranes were prepared by casting the suspensions on glass plates and allowing solvent evaporation. The structure and properties of the films were investigated by SEM, FT-IR, XRD and TGA. Also, the mechanical properties, as well as physical and chemical characteristics, of the chitosan films were evaluated. The results indicated that the optimum dissolution time was 10 min and the most suitable drying temperature was 60 °C. The thus-prepared film was moderately thick (about 0.02 mm) and had a smooth surface, without curling. The chitosan film prepared by ethanol regeneration had a tensile strength of up to 24 MPa, a minimum swelling degree of 78%, and a water vapor transmission rate of 270 g m−2 d−1 without the addition of plasticizer.