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The synthesis of langbeinite-type phosphates with small cations such as Li+ or Na+via a high-temperature solid-state reaction is a challenging task due to the predominant formation of a related NaSICON-type phase. This work reports on the synthesis route, crystal structure, thermal behavior, and Na-conductive properties of the langbeinite-type NaZr2(PO4)3 prepared by a mechanochemically activated ion-exchange reaction between hydrothermally prepared NH4Zr2(PO4)3 and NaNO3. The crystal structure of NaZr2(PO4)3 is refined based on X-ray diffraction data and validated by Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy. NaZr2(PO4)3 is found to be stable up to 730 °C, undergoing a transformation into the NaSICON phase with further heating. Notably, in the 25–500 °C range, the material shows negative thermal expansion. The Na+ conductivity within the range of 50–225 °C amounts to 1.7 × 10−8 S cm−1 at 50 °C and 1 × 10−6 S cm−1 at 225 °C with an activation energy of 0.44 eV, accompanied by a sufficiently low (∼10−12 S cm−1) electronic conductivity. The bandgap of 4.44 eV and the electrochemical stability window covering the 1.39–4.18 V vs. Na/Na+ range are calculated using density functional theory. The obtained results open up opportunities for designing langbeinite-structured phosphates as potential solid electrolytes for Na-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis and characterization of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)‐based block copolymers using a metal‐free light‐catalyzed atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) approach are described. A PVDF macroinitiator with C─Br bonds at both ends of the chain is synthesized, and an organic photoredox catalyst (OPRC) is used to control the process. The metal‐free process expands the possibilities for the synthesis and application of PVDF‐based block copolymers, as it allows the use of monomers that is previously incompatible with classical ATRP due to their interaction with metal catalysts. The synthesized block copolymers are characterized structurally and thermally as powder materials and in thin films. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) analysis revealed that the crystalline phase of PVDF changes when thin films are formed. Specifically, the disappearance of the FT‐IR peaks related to the gamma phase and the presence of characteristic peaks related to the alpha and beta phases indicate that film formation rearranged the PVDF chains, leading to changes in their crystalline phases. These PVDF‐based block copolymers have unique properties, including high thermal stability, chemical resistance, and piezoelectricity, making them potential candidates for use in various fields, such as biomedical engineering, energy storage, and electronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infrared spectroscopy currently requires the use of bulky, expensive, and/or fragile spectrometers. For gas sensing, environmental monitoring, or other applications, an inexpensive, compact, robust on‐chip spectrometer is needed. One way to achieve this is through gradient permittivity materials, in which the material permittivity changes as a function of position in the plane. Here, synthesis of infrared gradient permittivity materials is demonstrated using shadow mask molecular beam epitaxy. The permittivity of the material changes as a function of position in the lateral direction, confining varying wavelengths of infrared light at varying horizontal locations. An electric field enhancement corresponding to wavenumbers ranging from ≈650 to 900 cm−1 over an in‐plane width of ≈13 µm on the flat mesa of the sample is shown. An electric field enhancement corresponding to wavenumbers ranging from ≈900 to 1250 cm−1 over an in‐plane width of ≈13 µm on the slope of the sample is also shown. These two different regions of electric field enhancement develop on two opposite sides of the material. This demonstration of a scalable method of creating in‐plane gradient permittivity material can be leveraged for the creation of a variety of miniature infrared devices, such as an ultracompact spectrometer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Levocetirizine dihydrochloride is an effective antiallergenic drug applied mostly orally; however, developing a topical formulation for localized treatment could be beneficial. To achieve this, a modified formulation technique is necessary to enhance bioavailability efficiency and minimize possible side effects. Therefore, levocetirizine particles were prepared by immobilization on mesoporous silica material. Both the dihydrochloride form and its free base of levocetirizine were fixed on a silica-type Syloid support. Immobilization of the active ingredient levocetirizine in a free base form on a Syloid support by mixing in a dichloromethane solution provides better surface coverage (65.5%) than immobilization in the dihydrochloride form in water or methanol (24.5% for both). The successful binding of levocetirizine was confirmed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and infrared measurements. The active ingredient in the form of hydrochloride is more likely to be in the pores, while the free base is bound to the surface in larger quantities. The time-dependent levocetirizine release showed that the liberation of the active ingredient from the Syloid is slower than the dissolution of the starting active ingredient itself, so it may be suitable for exerting a more reliable and prolonged local effect. A gel containing a Syloid-fixed levocetirizine free base was tested in vivo in a croton oil-induced ear edema mouse model. When compared to a reference gel, the half-dose formulation containing levocetirizine free base demonstrated a similar efficacy to Fenistil gel, indicating that the new formulation may offer superior effectiveness at lower doses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work permitted the understanding of processes in continental environments through the conditions of formation and deposition of alluvial clay materials in the Mbam Riverbanks (Central Africa). The Mbam River is the main tributary of the Sanaga River, one of the largest rivers in Central Africa. Twelve clay samples were collected from six wells, exhibiting different facies, and characterized using the Robinson-Köln pipetting, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray fluorescence. All the materials were classified as sandy clays. Their mineralogical assemblage is made of quartz, kaolinite, orthoclase, hematite/goethite, rutile, anorthite, and augite. The values for chemical, plagioclase, and mafic indices of alteration combined with those for Ba, Sr, and Rb/Sr ratio show that primary minerals like orthoclase, anorthite, and augite in source rocks are moderately altered. The studied materials are arkoses, wackes, shales, and Fe-Shales. Based on the index of compositional variability and on the SiO2/Al2O3 ratio, the associated sediments are considered immature. They are, according to Cr, Ni, and SiO2 contents, Al2O3/TiO2, Th/Sc, Th/Cr, and Cr/Ni ratios, and some binary provenance diagrams, from mafic, intermediate, and felsic sources. Values of the authigenic uranium, U/Th, V/Cr, and Ni/Co ratios permit to infer that they were deposited in an oxic environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic wound healing remains a challenging issue, necessitating advanced dressings with active therapeutic agents to reduce inflammation and promote healing. Ecklonia cava phlorotannin (ECP) possesses therapeutic potential for wound healing including anti‐microbial, antioxidant, and anti‐inflammatory properties. Our previous study demonstrates the therapeutic efficacy of ECP‐loaded nanofibers in an in vitro hyperglycemic wound model. The present paper focuses on the detailed characterization of the polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) blend nanofiber incorporated with ECP. The ideal ratio, PVA80:PVP20, is selected to incorporate with ECP via the blend electrospinning method. To confirm the successful loading of ECP (0.5% and 1%), physicochemical characterization is conducted using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermal analysis. Functionality assays are performed to evaluate their applicability as dressing biomaterials. Physicochemical analyses confirm the successful loading of ECP into the nanofibers. Overall, the ECP‐loaded PVA/PVP nanofiber membranes exhibit favorable wound dressing criteria, which attributed to high water absorption capacity (200%–400%), sufficient water vapor transmission rate (1550–1650 g/m2/d), high loading efficiency and slow release. Bioactivity tests indicate that the ECP's effectiveness is unaffected by the electrospinning process. Importantly, these membranes exhibit biocompatibility and nontoxicity to human dermal fibroblasts, indicating their potential as good diabetic wound dressings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Active coatings have been extensively studied due to their ability to contain active substances that can promote ab/adsorption and/or catalysis of compounds of interest. In this work, solution blow spraying (SBSp), which is a modification of the solution blow spinning (SBS), was used to produce active coatings via a multistep process: The first stage consisted in applying a cross‐linkable polymer layer (epoxy) to a metallic substrate, followed by heating at 50°C to promote partial cross‐linking; in the second step, particle suspensions containing zinc oxide (ZnO) and/or bentonite/ZnO were sprayed over the resin layer so that particles adhered to the surface rather than embedded in, what would reduce surface activity. Primarily, rheology of the suspensions and resin cure were characterized by rheometry and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), respectively. Infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy of the ZnO synthesized by the Pechini method was performed. Coatings were analyzed by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and x‐ray diffraction (XRD). Based on the suspension studies, the optimized particle concentration was found to be 10 wt% in water. Thermal analysis of resin showed the ideal time and temperature of 16 min or 33 min at 50°C. Using these variables, active coatings with ZnO and bentonite/ZnO particles exposed to the surface were successful produced by SBSp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When a poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) wire experiences overload failure, the internal structure of the insulation changes to become overloaded insulation and the fire hazard changes. In this study, the thermo‐oxidative degradation behavior of new and overloaded PVC insulation materials was analyzed using coupled thermogravimetric‐Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (TG‐FTIR). The thermo‐oxidative degradation results show that the first two stages of thermo‐oxidative degradation of PVC insulation are important stages for measuring fire hazard. In addition, the onset temperature of thermo‐oxidative degradation of overloaded PVC insulation was increased. The activation energies of the first two stages of the overloaded PVC insulation increased by 7.7% and 27.0%, respectively, compared to the new PVC insulation. And the reaction mechanism is changed. The FTIR results indicate that the increased amount of volatile organic compounds and CO2 generated during the pyrolysis of the overloaded PVC insulation may result in the generation of more heat and smoke during combustion, thus increasing the fire hazard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nine varieties of lotus root (Suining, Xinhe, Zaohua, Zhonghua, L0014, L0013, Cuiyu, L0011, and Zhenzhu) were selected as the research materials to compare their differences in physical, chemical, and starch characteristics before and after boiling, frying, and microwaving. The results showed that Zhenzhu, Xinhe, L0013, Cuiyu, and Zhonghua belong to the crispy lotus root type, while L0011, L0014, Zaohua, and Suining belong to the powdery lotus root type. Furthermore, the nine varieties were characterized for their starch by optical micrograph (OM), polarized micrograph (PM), scanning electron micrograph (SEM), attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), carbon-13 cross-polarization/magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (13C CP/MAS NMR), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The starch granule of powdery lotus root appeared to be larger than that of crispy lotus, and ATR-FTIR studies revealed that the outer layer of starch granules from nine different varieties of lotus root had a highly organized structure. Moreover, XRD and 13C CP/MAS NMR analyses revealed that starch from eight lotus varieties (Suining, Xinhe, Zaohua, Zhonghua, L0014, L0013, Cuiyu, L0011) belong to the A-crystal type, while starch from Zhenzhu belongs to the CA-crystal type. The starch from powdery lotus root exhibited higher crystallinity, as well as increased gelatinization temperature and enthalpy, indicating that its crystal structure was relatively superior compared to that of crispy lotus starch. The short-range order degree, crystallinity, gelatinization temperature, and heat enthalpy of lotus starch decreased after boiling and frying but increased to varying extents after microwaving. Additionally, the heat resistance and stability of starch particles from crispy lotus root were improved after microwave treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Removing fat from whole milk and adding water to milk to increase its volume are among the most common food fraud practices that alter the characteristics of milk. Usually, deviations from the expected fat content can indicate adulteration. Infrared spectroscopy is a commonly used technique for distinguishing pure milk from adulterated milk, even when it comes from different animal species. More recently, portable spectrometers have enabled in situ analysis with analytical performance comparable to that of benchtop instruments. Partial Least Square (PLS) analysis is the most popular tool for developing calibration models, although the increasing availability of portable near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has led to the use of alternative supervised techniques, including support vector machine (SVM). The aim of this study was to develop and implement a method based on the combination of a compact and low-cost Fourier Transform near infrared (FT-NIR) spectrometer and variable cluster–support vector machine (VC-SVM) hybrid model for the rapid classification of milk in accordance with EU Regulation EC No. 1308/2013 without any pre-treatment. The results obtained from the external validation of the VC-SVM hybrid model showed a perfect classification capacity (100% sensitivity, 100% specificity, MCC = 1) for the radial basis function (RBF) kernel when used to classify whole vs. not-whole and skimmed vs. not-skimmed milk samples. A strong classification capacity (94.4% sensitivity, 100% specificity, MCC = 0.95) was also achieved in discriminating semi-skimmed vs. not-semi-skimmed milk samples. This approach provides the dairy industry with a practical, simple and efficient solution to quickly identify skimmed, semi-skimmed and whole milk and detect potential fraud. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sesamin, a lignan component of sesame seed oil, has shown pharmacologic benefits, such as anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory qualities. However, the amount of data available to the field is surprisingly sparse, as for instance there is no known spectroscopic characterization of sesamin. This work provides the first experimental infrared spectrum of sesamin. Sesamin powder was subjected to experimental Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and the resulting spectrum was compared to quantum chemical calculations of sesamin's stereoisomers in various hydration states. Major peaks of sesamin were assigned vibrational modes through comparison of computed and observed spectra. Multiple sesamin species may be present in a typical powder sample, coexisting with potential trace hydration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fabry disease (FD) is a rare X-linked lysosomal storage disorder marked by alpha-galactosidase-A (α-Gal A) deficiency, caused by pathogenic mutations in the GLA gene, resulting in the accumulation of glycosphingolipids within lysosomes. The current screening test relies on measuring α-Gal A activity. However, this approach is limited to males. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy is a technique that can generate fingerprint spectra of a biofluid's molecular composition and has been successfully applied to screen numerous diseases. Herein, we investigate the discriminating vibration profile of plasma chemical bonds in patients with FD using attenuated total reflection Fourier-transform IR (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. Results: The Fabry disease group (n = 47) and the healthy control group (n = 52) recruited were age-matched (39.2 ± 16.9 and 36.7 ± 10.9 years, respectively), and females were predominant in both groups (59.6% and 65.4%, respectively). All patients had the classic phenotype (100%), and no late-onset phenotype was detected. A generated partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) classification model, independent of gender, allowed differentiation of samples from FD vs. control groups, reaching 100% sensitivity, specificity and accuracy. Conclusion: ATR-FTIR spectroscopy harnessed to pattern recognition algorithms can distinguish between FD patients and healthy control participants, offering the potential of a fast and inexpensive screening test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single-mode semiconductor laser operating near the 2 μm wavelength is of great interest for trace-gas detection, remote sensing, and infrared spectroscopy. Here, we present the 2 μm-wavelength-range laser sources with high output power, precise wavelength control, and narrow spectral linewidth enabled by hybrid integration of a GaSb-based gain chip with silicon nitride Bragg gratings. Low-kappa gratings are used as the laser feedback component to accurately select the lasing wavelength and increase the photon lifetime to achieve narrow-linewidth laser emission. The hybrid laser outputs 33.7 mW optical power with a side mode suppression ratio better than 40 dB near the 2 μm wavelength at room temperature. More than 20 lasers with an excellent wavelength spacing of 2.68 nm is demonstrated. The wavelength deviation is less than ±0.1 nm for all lasers. The intrinsic linewidth of the hybrid integrated external cavity laser with a 4.35 mm long feedback grating is measured to be ∼8.8 kHz using the phase noise demodulation method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines the feasibility of extracting cellulose from tissue paper wastes (TPW’s) using several methods: sonication (SC), subcritical (SU), microwave (MC), and microwave with diluted acid (MA). The chemical characterisation and morphological properties of nanocrystal cellulose were investigated using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-Ray analysis (SEM-EDX). TPW’s have a relatively high crystallinity index (CrI = 61.02%). It was found to be lower than that for cellulose extracted using SU and SC MC, MA methods, where CrI to 65.65%, 68.07%, 69.21% and 73.42%, respectively. The MA method yielded cellulose with the highest CrI and altered surface morphology. This cellulose was selected for cellulose acetate synthesis. After acetylation, the CrI decreased to 61.45%, and the morphological aspect was changed. In conclusion, nanocrystal cellulose was successfully extracted from TPW’s and effectively changed to its esterified form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous organic cobaltocenium‐containing particles are scarce in literature but highly interesting for their electrochemical properties and reusability in, for example, catalysis or magnetic systems. In this work, we present a scalable one‐pot strategy to introduce tailorable amounts of cobaltocenium on a porous substrate, adjusting the electrochemical switching capability. For this purpose, 3‐(triethoxysilyl)propan‐1‐amine (APTES) and ethynyl cobaltocenium hexafluorophosphate is used as functionalization agents for in‐situ catalyst‐free hydroamination, followed by silane condensation at the particles' surface. Functionalized particles are characterized by attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy (ATR‐IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS), powder X‐ray diffraction (PXRD) and cyclic voltammetry (CV) showing excellent control over the degree of functionalization, i. e., the added cobaltocenium reagents. The electrochemical stability and good addressability while preserving the porous structure are shown. By utilizing higher amounts of APTES, the overall cobaltocenium amount can be reduced in favor of additional amine groups, strongly affecting the electrochemical behavior, making this functionalization strategy a good platform for metallopolymer immobilization and tailored functionalization. Additionally, thermal treatment of the synthesized metallopolymer microparticles paves the way to magnetic properties with tailorable microporous architectures for end‐of‐life and upcycling aspects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study by femtosecond infrared spectroscopy the ultrafast and persistent photoinduced phase transition of the Rb0.94Mn0.94Co0.06[Fe(CN)6]0.98 ⋅ 0.2H2O material, induced at room temperature by a single laser shot. This system exhibits a charge‐transfer based phase transition with a 75 K wide thermal hysteresis, centred at room temperature, from the low temperature Mn3+−N−C−Fe2+ tetragonal phase to the high temperature Mn2+−N−C−Fe3+ cubic phase. At room temperature, the photoinduced phase transition is persistent. However, the out‐of‐equilibrium dynamics leading to this phase is multi‐scale. Femtosecond infrared spectroscopy, particularly sensitive to local reorganizations through the evolution of the frequency of the N−C vibration modes with the different characteristic electronic states, reveals that at low laser fluence and on short time scale, the photoexcitation of the Mn3+−N−C−Fe2+ phase creates small charge‐transfer polarons [Mn2+−N−C−Fe3+]* within ≃250 fs. The local trapping of photoinduced intermetallic charge‐transfer is characterized by the appearance of a polaronic infrared band, due to the surrounding Mn2+−N−C−Fe2+ species. Above a threshold fluence, when a critical fraction of small CT‐polarons is reached, the macroscopic phase transition to the persistent Mn2+−N−C−Fe3+ cubic phase occurs within ≃ 100 ps. This non‐linear photo‐response results from elastic cooperativity, intrinsic to a switchable lattice and reminiscent of a feedback mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon with depleted d13C (down to − 25.6‰ VPDB) found in > 3.7 billion year old metamorphic sediments from the Isua Supracrustal Belt, Southwestern Greenland, has been proposed to represent the oldest remains of life on Earth. Graphitic inclusions within garnet porphyroblasts from this locality have been shown to associate with elements consistent with biogenic remains. In this report, we focus on certain liquid inclusions found in the Isua garnets, characterizing their chemical composition using atomic force microscopy, AFM-based infrared spectroscopy, optical photothermal infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. Our results show that the liquid inclusions contain functional groups consisting of carbon, nitrogen, and oxygen in a configuration similar to amide functional groups. We suspect that the amide groups formed from N, O and C-containing volatile components that were released from the original kerogenous material enclosed in the garnets, as this was graphitized during thermal maturation. This is consistent with the observed inclusion assemblage of solid graphitic and viscous fluid inclusions alike. Our observations are compatible with the inclusions forming from biogenic precursor material, and when considered alongside previous reports on the carbonaceous material in the Isua metamorphic sediments, these and our study collectively indicate that the carbonaceous material in the Isua metasediments represents the oldest traces of life on Earth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Acetylacetone, double‐deuterated acetylacetone and hexafluoroacetylacetone were isolated in inert matrices and investigated by means of Raman scattering and infrared absorption spectroscopic methods, combined with theoretical calculations. The ability of Raman spectroscopy to access low wavenumber modes enables the study of vibrational modes involved in internal hydrogen bonds that are challenging to observe with infrared absorption spectroscopy. An almost complete set of vibrational modes for the studied molecules was observed experimentally, facilitating a comprehensive assessment of different computational approaches. The large dataset obtained allowed for an improved assignment of vibrational bands and firmly confirmed the existence of only one chelated isomer of acetylacetone, double‐deuterated acetylacetone and hexafluoroacetylacetone in matrices. The experimental data also highlighted the effects of deuteration and fluorination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study investigated the influence of catalyst concentration, co-catalyst loading ratio, sacrificial agent concentration, irradiation time, irradiation intensity and different pretreatments of sacrificial agent on hydrogen production, using multistage porous Pd/TiO 2 as the catalyst and kelp as the sacrificial agent. The morphological and structural changes in the catalyst, sacrificial agent, and their mixtures before and after the photocatalysis were analyzed using Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopy. Based upon single-factor experiments, it was confirmed that mannitol was the primary substance acting as a sacrificial agent in kelp. Orthogonal experiments were conducted to determine the optimum conditions for hydrogen production with a reaction liquid volume of 100 mL. The highest hydrogen production efficiency was achieved for the following conditions: kelp sacrificial agent's concentration of 1.5 g/L; concentration of multistage porous Pd/TiO 2 catalyst of 3.5 g/L; Pd loading ratio of 1 wt%. Under these conditions, hydrogen production reached the value of 121.1 μmol in 4 h. Under the same conditions, replacing the kelp sacrificial agent with kelp treated with 4% alkali, resulted in a corresponding hydrogen production of 141.0 μmol in 4 h. Compared to other common biomass sacrificial agents, the use of kelp as a sacrificial agent for photocatalytic water splitting demonstrates superior hydrogen production performance. • Kelp is a suitable sacrificial agent for photocatalytic hydrogen production. • Synthesizes multistage porous Pd/TiO 2 for improved hydrogen production. • The primary substance acting as a sacrificial agent in kelp is mannitol. • Alkaline pretreatment optimizes kelp for photocatalytic hydrogen production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Craniofacial bone regeneration represents a dynamic area within tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Central to this field, is the continual exploration of new methodologies for template fabrication, leveraging established bio ceramic materials, with the objective of restoring bone integrity and facilitating successful implant placements. Methods: Photopolymerized templates were prepared using three distinct bio ceramic materials, specifically a wet chemically synthesized bioactive glass and two commercially sourced hydroxyapatite variants. These templates underwent comprehensive characterization to assess their physicochemical and mechanical attributes, employing techniques including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and nano-computed tomography. Evaluation of their biocompatibility was conducted through interaction with primary human osteoblasts (hOB) and subsequent examination using scanning electron microscopy. Results: The results demonstrated that composite showed intramolecular hydrogen bonding interactions with the photopolymer, while computerized tomography unveiled the porous morphology and distribution within the templates. A relatively higher porosity percentage (31.55 ± 8.70%) and compressive strength (1.53 ± 0.11 MPa) was noted for bioactive glass templates. Human osteoblast cultured on bioactive glass showed higher viability compared to other specimens. Scanning micrographs of human osteoblast on templated showed cellular adhesion and the presence of filopodia and lamellipodia. Conclusion: In summary these templates have the potential to be used for alveolar bone regeneration in critical size defect. Photopolymerization of bioceramics may be an interesting technique for scaffolds fabrication for bone tissue engineering application but needs more optimization to overcome existing issues like the ideal ratio of the photopolymer to bioceramics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sugarcane peel waste (SPW) modified by combustion was used as a sorbent for methylene blue (MB) in aqueous medium under the influence of parameters such as pH of the medium, initial MB concentrations, contact time, SPW dosage, and temperature using batch experiments. The microstructure of the adsorbent was analyzed using Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and X-ray diffractometer (XRD). The quantity (mg/g) of adsorbed MB increased with increased contact time, rise in dye concentration, as well as the solution pH. Similarly, the temperature of the system improved the sorption effectiveness with maximum sorption capacity of 65.4 and 81.2% at 45 °C and 55 °C for USPW and MSPW, respectively. At an initial MB concentration of 100 mg/L, temperature of 45 °C and 55 °C, pH of 4, and reaction times of 80 and 60 min for unmodified sugarcane peel waste (USPW) and modified sugarcane peel waste (MSPW), respectively, optimal MB adsorption of 22.6 and 33.2 mg g-1, respectively, was achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research explored the isolation of cellulose from coconut shells using ultrasound. It involved two types of cellulose isolation: alkali and bleached cellulose (ABC) and ultrasound-alkali-assisted isolated cellulose (UAIC). The products were characterized using various techniques, including attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATRFTIR), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The ATR-FTIR results confirmed the effective removal of lignin and hemicellulose in the ABC and UAIC samples. Field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed the production of micro-sized cellulose. The TGA and XRD results showed improved thermal stability and crystallinity in ABC and UAIC, attributed to the elimination of non-cellulosic constituents. However, the thermal stability and crystallinity of UAIC were lower compared to ABC, likely due to the cavitation effect caused by sonication. The findings suggest that ultrasonication is an efficient and promising method for isolating cellulose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of mineral filler weight ratio on the low-temperature performance of hot asphalt mixtures with continuous gradation has been a subject of significant interest in the field of pavement engineering. This study focused on testing mastic, which is a bitumen mixture with mineral filler passing through a No. 200 sieve, using various tests, such as the bending beam rheometer test (BBR), direct tensile (DT) test, Infrared spectroscopy test (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) test, and semi-circular bending (SCB) test. Different weight ratios of mineral filler to useful bitumen ranging from 0.4 to 1.6 were investigated for PG 70-16 bitumen. According to the SHRP-A-407 standard, the weight ratio of mineral filler to useful bitumen plays a crucial role in determining the low-temperature performance of asphalt mixtures. The research findings confirm this fact, indicating that the weight ratio of mineral filler to bitumen plays a crucial role in determining the low-temperature performance of asphalt mixtures. As the filler-to-bitumen ratio increased, the stiffness of the bituminous mastic increased, leading to reduced fracture strain and decreased low-temperature cracking life. The optimal filler-to-bitumen ratio was recommended to be a maximum of 0.8 to balance performance and control low-temperature behavior. The results of this study underscore the importance of considering the rheological properties of bitumen mastic in addition to bitumen and asphalt mix when evaluating low-temperature performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclic olefin copolymer (COC) is recognized as a prospective material for thermal insulation foam in the construction industry. Nonetheless, enhancing its flame retardancy is problematic due to the carbon and hydrogen elements present in its macromolecular chains. In this study, we introduce a boric acid-modified zeolite socony mobil No. 5 (BZ5) as a synergist to develop an intumescent flame retardant (IFR) COC composite. We employed scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), the limiting oxygen index (LOI), cone calorimetry testing (CCT), and fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to investigate the composite's surface morphology, distribution of flame retardants, and the characteristics of the carbon residue's structure and morphology. The incorporation of BZ5 as a synergist significantly improved the LOI value to a maximum of 28.5%, surpassing the 15.3% observed in the unmodified COC. Additionally, the char residue content increased from 0.97% to 19.7% with BZ5 in the COC composite. SEM and FTIR analyses revealed a denser microscopic carbon residue structure post-boron modification. Our findings indicate that an appropriate content of boric acid modification effectively enhances the flame retardancy of COC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pure, Ni-doped, and Ni/Co–co-doped magnetite nanoparticles at different Co concentrations (1%, 2%, and 3%) and a constant concentration value of Ni were fabricated by the hydrothermal method. The nanoparticles were investigated by X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, a vibrating sample magnetometer, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, and UV–visible spectroscopy. The X-ray diffraction showed that pure Fe3O4, Ni-Fe3O4, and 3%Ni-3%Co-Fe3O4 have cubic inverse-spinel structures, while the samples co-doped with Ni:Co (1%, 2%) revealed orthorhombic structure. The doping resulted in a reduction of the average crystalline size values from 47.755 to 9.927 nm. The morphology of all the samples was spherical, with a mean diameter in the range of 75–120 nm. The presence of Ni, Co, Fe, and O in a lattice of Ni/Co–co-doped Fe3O4 was confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. The FTIR spectrum displayed two bands at 400–50 cm−1 and 520–480 cm−1, which were present in all samples. These vibration bands correlate to the ferrite spinel lattice vibration. The UV–visible absorption spectra of doped and co-doped samples showed a blue shift in the absorption edge as compared to undoped (pure) magnetite nanoparticles. The energy gap increased with doping and co-doping, from 1.5 to 2.6 eV. The measurement of the magnetic characteristics of pure Fe3O4 (Ms = 82.7 emu g−1, Mr = 8.4 emu g−1, and HC = 60 Oe). While in the case of Ni-doped and Ni/Co–co-doped samples, all the extracted magnetic parameters declined in comparison to pure Fe3O4. Furthermore, the hemolysis assay of all samples with concentrations ranging between 100 and 800 µg/ml was used in this study. After completing the study of hemolytic activity for all samples, the results revealed that the activity was concentration-dependent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanism of the mechanically assisted mineral carbonation of commercial olivine under the flow of a carbon dioxide (CO2)/nitrogen (N2) mixture has been elucidated by ex situ powder X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The overall CO2 conversion depends on the rotational frequency of the mill's engine, and it reaches 85% within 90 min of mechanical treatment at a flow rate of 2.5 L min−1. By tuning the frequency of rotation, the kinetics of CO2 conversion unveil a complex reaction pathway involving subsequent steps. Structural analyses suggest that clinochlore, a magnesium (Mg-)- and iron (Fe-)-containing aluminosilicate gathered among the components of olivine, is formed and consumed in different stages, thus promoting the CO2 sequestration that eventually results in the formation of hydrated and anhydrous Mg-based carbonates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ancient Roman town of Turris Libisonis was located on the northern coast of Sardinia and was known in the past as an important naval port. Located in the Gulf of Asinara, it was a Roman colony from the 1st century BCE and became one of the richest towns on the island. Among the archaeological finds in the area, the cippus exhibited in the Antiquarium Turritano is of great interest for its well-preserved traces of polychromy. The artefact dates back to the early Imperial Age and could have had a funerary or votive function. The artefact was first examined using a portable and non-invasive protocol involving multi-band imaging (MBI), portable X-ray fluorescence (p-XRF), portable FT-IR in external reflectance mode (ER FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopy. After this initial examination, a few microfragments were collected and investigated by optical microscopy (OM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy in ATR mode (ATR FT-IR) and micro-ATR mode (μATR FT-IR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy/Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) to improve our knowledge and characterize the materials and to determine their provenience. The results contribute to a better understanding of the provenance of materials and shed light on pigments on stone and their use outside the Italian peninsula and, in particular, Roman Sardinia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The crystal structure, thermal behavior, and vibrational spectra of the anthropogenic analogue of boussingaultite, (NH4)2Mg(SO4)2·6H2O, and its dehydrated counterpart efremovite, (NH4)2Mg2(SO4)3, were studied in detail. The sample from the Chelyabinsk burning coal dumps has the composition of (NH4)1.92(Mg1.02Mn0.01Fe0.01)∑1.04(SO4)2·6H2O and crystallizes in the space group P21/a, with a = 9.3183(4), b = 12.6070(4), c = 6.2054(3) Å, β = 107.115(5)°, V = 696.70(5) Å3 (at 20 °C), Z = 2. The thermal evolution steps are as follows: boussingaultite (NH4)2Mg(SO4)2·6H2O (25–90 °C) → X-ray amorphous phase (100–150 °C) → efremovite (NH4)2Mg2(SO4)3 (160–340 °C) → MgSO4 Cmcm + Pbnm (340–580 °C) → MgSO4 Pbnm (580–700 °C). Thermal expansion is anisotropic, with the coefficients (×106 °C−1) α11 = 52(2), α22 = 68(2), α33 = –89(3), and αv = 31(3) at T = –123 °C; and α11 = 53(2), α22 = 67(2), α33 = 15(1), and αv = 136(3) at T = 60 °C. The maximal thermal expansion is along the b-axis and is due to straightening of corrugated pseudolayers (within the ab plane) of Mg(H2O)6 octahedra and SO4 tetrahedra with NH4 groups in the interlayer space. Vibrational spectroscopy outlines the general trend of dehydration and deammonization as the difference in the temperature intervals of these transformation steps allows separation of O–H and N–H vibrations in the process of dehydration by infrared and Raman spectroscopy. The intermediate partially dehydrated modification of boussingaultite was detected by in situ Raman spectroscopy at 110 °C that may correspond to ammonium leonite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/Objectives: Nanoparticles derived from medicinal plants are gaining attention for their diverse biological activities and potential therapeutic applications. Methods: This study explored the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumoral, and antimicrobial properties of green synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the aqueous leaf and root extracts of Saussurea costus (S. costus). The physicochemical characterizations of both biosynthesized AgNPs using the aqueous leaf extract (L-AgNPs) and root extract (R-AgNPs) were examined using UV spectroscopy, fluorescence spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, dynamic light scattering, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. The antioxidant activity measured using ABTS, DPPH, and FRAP assays showed that AgNPs, particularly from roots, had higher activity than aqueous extracts, attributed to phenolic compounds acting as capping and antioxidant agents. Results: Enzyme inhibition studies indicated that AgNPs exhibited remarkable anti-inflammatory effects, inhibiting COX-1, 5-LOX, and secreted PLA2 enzymes by over 99% at 120 µg/mL, comparable to standard drugs. The anti-tumoral effects were evaluated on the human cancer cell lines HCT-116, LoVo, and MDA-MB-231, with AgNPs inhibiting cell proliferation dose-dependently and IC50 values between 42 and 60 µg/mL, demonstrating greater potency than extracts. The AgNPs also showed enhanced antimicrobial activities against various microbial strains, with IC50 values as low as 14 µg/mL, which could be linked to nanoparticle interactions with microbial cell membranes, causing structural damage and cell death. Conclusions: These findings suggest that S. costus-derived AgNPs are promising natural, biodegradable agents for various biological applications and potential new therapeutic agents, necessitating further research to explore their mechanisms and applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interaction between soy hull polysaccharide and intestinal mucus is influenced by different ions. This study investigates the effects of various concentrations of Na+/K+ on the stability, interfacial activity, and viscoelasticity of the microwave-assisted ammonium oxalate extraction of soy hull polysaccharide (MASP) in simulated intestinal fluids (SIFs) in terms of particle size, zeta potential, surface hydrophobicity, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, shear rheology, and microstructure. Results showed that 1.5 % Na+/K+ causes MASP and mucin in SIFs to bind through physical adsorption; the average particle size of the MASP/SIF miscible system increases from 1,659 to 1,881 and 1,736 nm. When the ion strength is 0.5 %, MASP rapidly reduces the SIF interfacial tension. The addition of Na+/K+ causes a slight redshift in the protein amide I band and an increase in the α-helix content with respect to the decrease in the β-turn and β-sheet corner content. Furthermore, 0.5 % content of Na+ and K+ causes small MASP particles to adsorb onto the surface of mucin, while 1.5 % content of Na+ and K+ causes MASP particles to arrange above mucin after 12 h. These findings provide reference for a deeper understanding of the selection of macroelements (sodium and potassium) in the intake of polysaccharide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interaction of phytopathogenic organisms and plants generates physiological and biochemical changes in the latter. However, the effects on the plants are rarely visible in the infection first stages. Novel optical techniques can help to improve the early detection of phytopathogenic organisms in tomato without the plant sacrifice. In this work, infrared spectroscopy and chemometric methods were used to determinate the effects of Fusarium oxysporum in tomato plants cultivated in pots, analyzing fully expanded leaves. Fusarium oxysporum was molecular identified and its pathogenicity was tested in vitro. Three plants treatments were evaluated for 55 days post infection in pots in greenhouse under semi-controlled conditions: control, water stress, and fungal inoculated (1 × 108 conidia/mL). Phenotypical results were followed twice a week for eight weeks; the phenotypical characteristics were very similar in almost all sampling times except in height, especially in the first 27 days post infection, after this time the height was similar in the three treatments. The stalk and root-dried matter analysis do not show statistical differences; however, the infrared results, acquired from the adaxial surface of leaves, show differences in peaks associated with salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, abscisic acid, and proline in the first 27 days post infection. The principal component analysis–linear discriminant analysis were used to distinguish subtle biochemical changes between the three treatments, facilitating the early detection of the pathogen and its monitoring over time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a micro-solid-phase extraction technique employing polylactic acid (PLA)/ZnO-chitosan bio-nanocomposites was developed to isolate selected triazines from aqueous environments. Subsequently, the isolated analytes were injected into gas chromatography–mass spectrometry instrument following solvent desorption. The PLA bio-nanocomposites, incorporating varying concentrations of synthesized ZnO-chitosan, were fabricated utilizing the solvent casting method. The PLA/ZnO-chitosan bio-nanocomposites and ZnO-chitosan hybrid nanoparticles were analytically characterized by the use of field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, tensile testing, and X-ray diffraction. Tensile tests showed that adding ZnO-chitosan hybrid nanoparticles to PLA increased both its tensile strength and elongation at break. Key parameters of the extraction process involving PLA/ZnO-chitosan bio-nanocomposites such as nanoparticle concentration, ionic strength, sample pH, extraction duration, and solvent choice were meticulously examined and optimized. The refined extraction device exhibited high sensitivity and rapidity, achieving analytical parameters with a detection limit ranging from 0.85 to 2.5 ng L−1 and a quantification limit between 5 and 10 ng L−1. Equilibrium was attained within 20 min. Over a concentration range of 10–1000 ng L–1, the method showed linearity, with a correlation value higher than 0.9997. Having a relative standard deviation between 4 and 8%, repeatability was confirmed at 100 ng L−1. Ultimately, the proposed extraction device's effectiveness was confirmed by successfully recovering specific analytes from natural water samples, with relative recovery percentages ranging from 98 to 102%, indicative of negligible matrix interference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: The study undertakes a comparative analysis of four distinct semi-fluorinated chiral Organic Active Ferroelectric Liquid Crystals (OAFLCs). The comparative analysis of the compounds is done by using various parameters, including thermodynamic, non-linear optical, electrical, atomic charge distribution, and atomic orientations. We use optimization algorithms to look at chemical reactivity, electrical properties, intermolecular interactions, and static hyperpolarizability. Sample 4 is the best choice for a wide range of display applications. This research contributes to understanding the nuanced properties of semi-fluorinated chiral OAFLCs and highlights Sample 4's potential for novel applications in display technology, owing to its superior stability and optimized properties. This study helps to enhance our understanding of the comparative analysis of semi-fluorinated chiral OAFLCs for potential advancements in display technologies by incorporating findings from key studies. Method: The simulations are performed using density functional theory (DFT) with the B3LYP functional for predicting molecular properties, and Vibrational Energy Distribution Analysis (VEDA) software is used to perform the vibrational analysis of the molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nano-ferrites of Cu1–xNixFe2O4 (x = 0 to 1 with step 0.2) system was synthesized utilizing the flash auto combustion process annealed at 600oC for 3 h. The structural characterization for synthesized samples was carried out using x-ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier transition infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The hardness of the prepared material was measured using micro-indentation creep technology. XRD pattern verified the creation of a single-phase cubic spinel structure. The undesired CuO phase forms around for pure Copper ferrite and decreases with increasing Ni content. The average crystalline size decreases from 27.92 nm to 13.28 nm by doping process from x = 0.2 to x = 1 which retards the growth of crystalline size. FTIR spectra are distinguished by the presence of two prominent absorption bands, ν2 for the octahedral site and ν1 for the tetrahedral site, in the range of approximately 593 and 471 cm− 1, respectively. FTIR analysis verified the formation of the ferrite system's spinel structure. The TEM images show a nanocrystalline nature with some agglomeration and the crystallites are spherical in shape which their sizes are agrees well with that obtained from XRD measurements. The hardness decreases as the dwell time increases. The hardness and yield strength (Y) values were significantly improved due to the decrease in the crystallite size after Ni doping. The stress exponent (n) value increases by increasing Ni content which means that the mechanical properties improved due to increment of resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five new coordination polymers, namely [Ln(L)(NO3)2] n (Ln = La (1), Pr (2) and Sm (3)), [Eu(L)(NO3)2·1.5H2O] n (4) and [Tb(L)(OAc)2(H2O)·3H2O] n (5) (HOAc = CH3COOH), were synthesised by reaction of lanthanide nitrates with 1,3-bis(4-carboxybenzyl)benzimidazolium chloride (H2L+Cl−) under solvothermal conditions. All the coordination polymers were characterised by powder X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, elemental analysis and single crystal X-ray diffraction. Complexes 1 – 5 exhibit two different 2-D structures due to the variation in reaction temperature. Complexes 1 – 4 are isostructural and crystallised in the monoclinic system, C 2/ c space group, showing a two-dimensional layer with Ln chains linked by L− ligands. Complex 5 crystallised in the P 21/ n space group, featuring a 2-D layer different from 1 – 4 with Tb dimers linked by L− ligands through carboxylates. Further, the luminescence properties of complexes 3 – 5 were investigated. In addition, the fluorescence lifetime and quantum efficiency of complex 4 were measured. Five two-dimensional complexes were obtained and the structures of 1 – 4 differ from that of 5 owing to the distinct coordination modes of the ligand H2L+Cl− at specific reaction temperatures. Further, the luminescence properties of complexes 3 – 5 were investigated. Additionally, the fluorescence lifetime of complex 4 was tested. (Image credit: Li-Xin You.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Innovative chiral capillary silica monoliths (CSMs) were developed based on DNA nanoflowers (DNFs). Baseline separation of enantiomers such as atenolol, tyrosine, histidine, and nefopam was achieved by using DNF-modified CSMs, and the obtained resolution value was higher than 1.78. To further explore the effect of DNFs on enantioseparation, different types of chiral columns including DNA strand containing the complementary sequence of the template (DCT)-modified CSMs, DNF2-modified CSMs, and DNF3-modified CSMs were prepared as well. It was observed that DNF-modified CSMs displayed better chiral separation ability compared with DCT-based columns. The intra-day and inter-day repeatability of model analytes' retention time and resolution kept desirable relative standard deviation values of less than 8.28%. DNF2/DNF3-modified CSMs were able to achieve baseline separation of atenolol, propranolol, 2′-deoxyadenosine, and nefopam enantiomers. Molecular docking simulations were performed to investigate enantioselectivity mechanisms of DNA sequences for enantiomers. To indicate the successful construction of DNFs and DNF-modified CSMs, various charaterization approaches including scanning electron microscopy, agarose gel electrophoresis, dynamic light scattering analysis, electroosmotic flow, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy were utilized. Moreover, the enantioseparation performance of DNF-modified CSMs was characterized in terms of sample volume, applied voltage, and buffer concentration. This work paves the way to applying DNF-based capillary electrochromatography microsystems for chiral separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) are toxic pollutants that are prevalent in wastewater and pose a serious threat to the natural environment. In this study, a new immobilized bacterial microsphere (CYB-SA) was prepared from corn stalk biochar and Klebsiella grimontii by sodium alginate encapsulation and vacuum freeze-drying technology. The removal effect of CYB-SA on Pb(II) and Cd(II) in a monometallic contaminated solution was studied. The results showed that the removal of Pb(II) and Cd(II) by CYB-SA was 99.14% and 83.35% at a dosage of 2.0 g/L and pH = 7, respectively, which was 10.77% and 18.58% higher than that of biochar alone. According to the Langmuir isotherm model, the maximum adsorption capacities of Pb(II) and Cd(II) by CYB-SA at 40 °C were 278.69 mg/g and 71.75 mg/g, respectively. A combination of the kinetic model, the isothermal adsorption model, scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses showed that the main adsorption mechanisms of CYB-SA encompass functional group complexation, ion exchange, electrostatic attraction and physical adsorption. The findings of this study offer practical and theoretical insights into the development of highly efficient adsorbents for heavy metals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminum alloys, characterized by their low density and high mechanical strength, are widely applied in the manufacturing sector. However, the application of aluminum alloys in extreme environments presents severe corrosion challenges. Sol–gel organic coating techniques have garnered significant attention due to their excellent stability, barrier properties, and cost-effectiveness, as well as their simpler processing. Nevertheless, conventional sol–gel coatings are unable to withstand the corrosive effects of high-chloride and high-halide ion environments such as marine conditions, owing to their inherent structural defects. Therefore, this study proposes the utilization of a simple method to synthesize catechol (CA) and meta-phenylenediamine (MPD)-derived catecholamine compounds to modify sol–gel coatings. Surface characteristics of the modified coatings were analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The thickness of the modified coating was approximately 6.8 μm. The CA/MPD-modified substance effectively densifies the sol–gel coating, enhancing its corrosion protection performance. A 3.5 wt% NaCl solution was used to simulate a marine environment, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was conducted using an electrochemical workstation to evaluate the coating's protective properties over a long-term period. The results indicate that the modified coating provides protection for 3003 aluminum alloy for a minimum of 30 days under corrosive conditions, outperforming unmodified sol–gel coatings in terms of corrosion resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cordyceps militaris solid medium polysaccharides (CMMPs) were extracted using an ultrasound-assisted enzyme method, and the process conditions were optimized via response surface methodology (RSM). The CMMPs were separated into four components named CMMP−1, CMMP−2, CMMP−3 and CMMP−4 using ethanol fractional precipitation, and their monosaccharide composition and structural properties were analyzed by molecular weight analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT–IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Congo red test, ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV-vis), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). RSM could predict the yield of the CMMP (R2 = 0.9928), and the polysaccharide yield was 15.43% under the selected conditions of 3.1% cellulase enzyme addition, a liquid–solid ratio of 42:1, an extraction temperature of 61 °C, and an extraction time of 60 min. Glucose and galactose were the main constituents of the four fractional precipitated polysaccharides. Furthermore, four components exhibited antioxidant activity, and CMMP−1 demonstrated stronger antioxidant activity in vitro. This study demonstrates the possibility of developing a natural antioxidant food from Cordyceps militaris solid medium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Native mass spectrometry of membrane proteins relies on non‐ionic detergents which protect the protein during transfer from solution into the gas phase. Once in the gas phase, the detergent micelle must be efficiently removed, which is usually achieved by collision‐induced dissociation (CID). Recently, infrared multiple photon dissociation (IRMPD) has emerged as an alternative activation method for the analysis of membrane proteins, which has led to a growing interest in detergents that efficiently absorb infrared light. Here we investigate whether the absorption properties of synthetic detergents can be tailored by merging structural motifs of existing detergents into new hybrid detergents. We combine gas‐phase infrared ion spectroscopy with density functional theory to investigate and rationalize the absorption properties of three established detergents and two hybrid detergents with fused headgroups. We show that, although the basic intramolecular interactions in the parent and hybrid detergents are similar, the three‐dimensional structures differ significantly and so do the infrared spectra. Our results outline a roadmap for guiding the synthesis of tailored detergents with computational chemistry for future mass spectrometry applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many non-destructive optical testing methods are currently used for material research, providing various information about material parameters. At RECENDT, a multimodal experimental setup has been designed that combines terahertz (THz) spectroscopy, optical coherence tomography (OCT), infrared (IR), and Raman spectroscopy with a tensile test stage. This setup aims to gather material information such as crystallinity and optical parameters of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) during a tensile test. The setup compares common IR and Raman spectroscopy and the less common optical methods THz and OCT. Complementarity is achieved through different frequency ranges and measurement approaches, resulting in different measured optical material parameters and depths. During tensile testing, HDPE samples with varying crystallinity were analysed, and the determined optical parameters such as refractive index, birefringence, scattering coefficient of decay, and penetration depth can be correlated with the change in crystallinity. These findings demonstrate that the optical methods and their outcomes can be interconnected. With further optimization of the experimental setup, it would be possible to observe the alignment of fibres in fibre composite panels and the stress distribution of polymers effectively. This opens interesting possibilities for polymer characterization in the future, including quality control during moulding processes and material testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some studies have used physical techniques for the assessment of bone structure and composition. However, very few studies applied multiple techniques, such as those described below, at the same time. The aim of our study was to determine the chemical and mineralogical/organic composition of bovine tibial bone samples using geophysical/geochemical reference techniques. X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry (TG), Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry with attenuated total reflectance accessory (FTIR-ATR), inductively coupled mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) were applied to measure the organic and inorganic composition of 14 bovine bone samples. In addition, peripheral quantitative CT (QCT) was used to assess BMD in these bones. We were able to define the total composition of the studied bone samples. ICP-OES and ICP-MS techniques were used to determine the major and trace element composition. The X-ray analysis could detect inorganic crystalline compounds of bones, such as bioapatite, and its degree of ordering, indicating whether the bones belong to a younger or older individual. The total volatile content of the samples was calculated using TG and resulted in about 35 weight% (wt%). This, together with the 65 wt% total resulting from the chemical analysis (i.e., inorganic components), yielded a total approaching 100 wt%. As a large portion of the volatile content (H2O, CO2, etc.) was liberated from the organic components and, subordinately, from bioapatite, it could be concluded that the volatile-to-solid ratio of the examined bone samples was ~35:65. The FTIR-ATR analysis revealed that the organic portion consists of collagens containing amide groups, as their typical bands (OH, CH, CO, NC) were clearly identified in the infrared spectra. Numerous parameters of bone composition correlated with BMD as determined by QCT. In conclusion, we performed a complex evaluation of bovine bones to test multiple geophysical/geochemical techniques in bone research in association with QCT bone densitometry. From a medical point of view, the composition of the studied bones could be reliably examined by these methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anti-wear and anti-oxidation abilities are two key properties of lubricants that play a crucial role in ensuring long-term stable equipment operation. In this study, we aimed to develop a base oil with good anti-oxidation and anti-wear properties for use under extreme pressure. The as-prepared metallocene polyalphaolefin (mPAO) was chemically modified using the trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TfOH) catalysis through an alkylating reaction with triphenyl phosphorothioate (TPPT). During the experiments, when the reaction temperature exceeded 70 °C or the concentration of TfOH exceeded 2.67%, the β -scission reaction in the alkylation process became significantly more pronounced. The physical and chemical properties of TPPT-modified mPAO (T-mPAO) were evaluated by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, Fourier trans-form infrared spectroscopy, gel–permeation chromatography, and ASTM standards. T-mPAO showed significantly improved antioxidant capacity, with the initial oxidation temperature increasing by 32 °C compared to the base oil, and it exhibited the slowest increase in acid number in the 96-h oven oxidation test. The tribological tests showed that T-mPAO had the lowest friction coefficient, wear track, and wear rate (72.7% lower than that of mPAO) as well as the highest PB (238 kg) and PD (250 kg) among all tested samples. Compared to mPAO, the average friction coefficient of TPPT-modified mPAO in the four-ball friction test was reduced by 30.5%, and by 16.4% in the TE77 reciprocating friction test. Based on the experimental results, T-mPAO had strong anti-oxidation ability and excellent lubricating performance.The successful synthesis of multifunctional mPAO has enabled lubricant base oil additization, making it possible to use it in more demanding work scenarios, greatly broadening its application scope and making lubricant formulation blending more flexible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Preparing electrospun fibers by applying a potential difference between a polymeric solution and a contacting substrate is increasingly attracting attention in tissue engineering applications. Among the numerous polymers, polycaprolactone (PCL) bioscaffold has been widely investigated due to its biocompatibility and biodegradability. Bioactive powder can be added to further improve its performance. In the present study, bioactive glass powder modified by adding 0–6 wt.% antibacterial zinc element (coded as ZBG) was prepared through the sol–gel process. Furthermore, PCL bioscaffolds with various ZBG additions were prepared using the electrospinning technique. The zinc-doped bioactive glass powder and electrospun PCL/ZBG bioscaffolds were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy to determine their structural properties. Additionally, in vitro bioactivity, biocompatibility and antibacterial performance were investigated. Experimental results showed that sol–gelled ZBG powder possessed superior bioactivity and 0.8 g ZBG was the optimal addition to prepare PCL/ZBG bioscaffolds with. All the electrospun PCL/ZBG bioscaffolds were biocompatible and their antibacterial performance against two S. aureus strains (SA133 and Newman) improved with increasing zinc concentration. Electrospun PCL/ZBG bioscaffolds exhibited excellent bioactivity and have great potential for biomedical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hybrid nanocomposites combining biopolymer fibers incorporated with nanoparticles (NPs) have received increasing attention due to their remarkable characteristics. Inorganic NPs are typically chosen for their properties, such as magnetism and thermal or electrical conductivity, for example. Meanwhile, the biopolymer fiber component is a backbone, and could act as a support structure for the NPs. This shift towards biopolymers over traditional synthetic polymers is motivated by their sustainability, compatibility with biological systems, non-toxic nature, and natural decomposition. This study employed the solution blow spinning (SBS) method to obtain a nanocomposite comprising poly(vinyl pyrrolidone), PVA, and gelatin biodegradable polymer fibers incorporated with magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles coated with poly(acrylic acid), PAA2k, coded as γ-Fe2O3-NPs-PAA2k. The fiber production process entailed a preliminary investigation to determine suitable solvents, polymer concentrations, and spinning parameters. γ-Fe2O3-NPs were synthesized via chemical co-precipitation as maghemite and coated with PAA2k through the precipitation–redispersion protocol in order to prepare γ-Fe2O3-NPs-PAA2k. Biopolymeric fibers containing coated NPs with sub-micrometer diameters were obtained, with NP concentrations ranging from 1.0 to 1.7% wt. The synthesized NPs underwent characterization via dynamic light scattering, zeta potential analysis, and infrared spectroscopy, while the biopolymer fibers were characterized through scanning electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. Overall, this study demonstrates the successful implementation of SBS for producing biopolymeric fibers incorporating iron oxide NPs, where the amalgamation of materials demonstrated superior thermal behavior to the plain polymers. The thorough characterization of the NPs and fibers provided valuable insights into their properties, paving the way for their potential applications in various fields such as biomedical engineering, environmental remediation, and functional materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyurethane foam (PUF) pads are widely used in semiconductor manufacturing, particularly for chemical mechanical polishing (CMP). This study prepares PUF composites with microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) to improve CMP performance. MCC and NCC were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD), showing average diameters of 129.7 ± 30.9 nm for MCC and 22.2 ± 6.7 nm for NCC, both with high crystallinity (ca. 89%). Prior to preparing composites, the study on the influence of the postbaked step on the PUF was monitored through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). After that, PUF was incorporated with MCC/NCC to afford two catalogs of polyurethane foam composites (i.e., PUFC-M and PUFC-N). These PUFCs were examined for their thermal and surface properties using a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA), and water contact angle (WCA) measurements. Tgs showed only slight changes but a notable increase in the 10% weight loss temperature (Td10%) for PUFCs, rising from 277 °C for PUF to about 298 °C for PUFCs. The value of Tan δ dropped by up to 11%, indicating improved elasticity. Afterward, tensile and abrasion tests were conducted, and we acquired significant enhancements in the abrasion performance (e.g., from 1.04 mm/h for the PUF to 0.76 mm/h for a PUFC-N) of the PUFCs. Eventually, we prepared high-performance PUFCs and demonstrated their capability toward the practical CMP process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A dispersive liquid‐liquid microextraction based on hydrophobic deep eutectic solvent (hDES) was developed for the extraction and quantification of four cinnamic acid derivatives in traditional Chinese medicines coupled with high‐performance liquid chromatography‐ultraviolet detection. In this method, a hDES (tetrabutylammonium chloride‐hexanoic acid, molar ratio of 1:2) was prepared as the extractant. It only took 15 s to handle multiple samples simultaneously by hand‐assisted dispersion. The use of a narrow‐bore tube reduced the amount of the hydrophobic extractant with easier recovery. The approach was influenced by several key parameters, including the composition and consumption of the DES, sample phase pH, salt amount, extraction time, and centrifugation time, all of which had been investigated and optimized. Moreover, the formation of the DES was characterized by Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry. Under the optimal conditions, enrichment factors of the target analytes ranged from 135 to 220. Satisfactory linearities (r ≥ 0.9977), detection limits (0.2–0.4 ng/mL), precision (<8.5%), and accuracy (recoveries: 90.0%–104.6%) were obtained. The method has been successfully applied to the simultaneous extraction and preconcentration of four cinnamic acid derivatives in Chinese medicinal samples with rapidness, high efficiency, and convenience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Present work was conducted to prepare amidoximated based nanocomposites (A-PAMM) could be applied as novel nanoadsorbents for the removal of Cu(II) from aqueous environments. The nanoadsorbents were synthesized via chemical grafting of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) onto surface of ethylenediamine-functionalized montmorillonite (EDA-MMT). The as-synthesized nanoadsorbents were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET). The polymerization of monomer was carried out using 2 wt0% initiator benzoyl peroxide (BPO, C14H10O4). The prepared A-PAMM nanoadsorbents were further modified with hydroxylamine hydrochloride. The amidoximation process enhances the adsorption capacity of nanocomposites by introducing amidoxime functional groups, which facilitate stronger interactions with Cu(II) through chelation and electrostatic attraction, leading to improved adsorption efficiency. The effects of pH, contact time at different temperature and adsorbent dosage on rate of Cu (II) adsorption was evaluated and the maximum adsorption was obtained with pH 5.4 and contact time of 180 min at 40°C with A-PAMM 5%. The kinetic analysis indicated a pseudo-second-order model for adsorption, with amidoxime-modified samples exhibiting higher rates due to additional amine sites. The Freundlich model best described the adsorption data, particularly for A-PAMM 5%, which had a greater affinity for Cu(II) than EDA-MMT. These findings highlight the effectiveness of amidoxime-modified nanocomposites for Cu(II) removal in wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Finger limes (Citrus australasica) are an Australian native and traditional food that are known for their caviar‐like pearls often referred to as "Citrus Caviar". This study aimed to spectrally characterise finger lime varieties sourced across South‐East Queensland and Northern New South Wales. The varieties investigated demonstrated a wide diversity in their phenotypic appearance; however, their infrared spectra were similar. The NIR spectra of the samples were collected using a portable instrument and the data analysed using principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares (PLS) regression. Differences in the PCA score plot were observed associated with the different varieties analysed. The cross‐validation statistics obtained for the prediction of adulteration of finger with Tahitian lime were R2CV and SECV 0.96% and 7%, respectively (using 8 PLS factors), using PLS regression. This study demonstrated that a portable handheld NIR instrument is able to identify finger lime varieties using both whole fruits and the corresponding peel samples. This study also showed that NIR was able to identify the level of adulteration of finger lime with Tahitian lime. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Four candesartan cilexetil-loaded mesoporous silica dispersions were prepared through solvent immersion. • Dissolution in vitro of four formulations were evaluated using flow-through cell dissolution method. • Pore size and surface area of carriers played key roles in drug loading and release. • CC-XDP 3150 exhibited a 1.88-fold larger release of CC as compared to crystalline drug. • The relative bioavailability of CC-XDP3150 in rats was enhanced 326 % in comparison with CC. Candesartan cilexetil (CC) is one of well-tolerated antihypertensive drugs, while its poor solubility and low bioavailability limit its use. Herein, two mesoporous silica (Syloid XDP 3150 and Syloid AL-1 FP) and the corresponding amino-modified products (N-XDP 3150 and N-AL-1 FP) have been selected as the carriers of Candesartan cilexetil to prepare solid dispersion through solvent immersion, and characterized through using powder X-ray diffraction analysis, infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, etc. The state of CC changed from crystalline to amorphous after loading onto the silica carriers, in which no interactions between CC and silica existed. Then, the dissolution behaviors in vitro were studied through using flow-through cell dissolution method. CC-XDP 3150 sample exhibited the most extensive dissolution, and the cumulative release of CC from it was 1.88-fold larger than that of CC. Moreover, the pharmacokinetic results in rats revealed that the relative bioavailability of CC-XDP 3150 and CC-N-XDP 3150 solid dispersions were estimated to be 326 % % and 238 % % in comparison with CC, respectively. Clearly, pore size, pore volume, and surface properties of silica carrier have remarkable effect on loading, dissolution and bioavailability of CC. In brief, this work will provide valuable information in construction of mesoporous silica-based delivery system toward poorly water-soluble drugs. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]