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Because of some defects such as holes and cracks, the corrosion resistance of micro-arc oxidation coating needs to be improved by surface modification. In this paper, LDH/MAO film with a micro-/nano-structure is constructed on the surface of AZ31 magnesium alloy by controlling the composition and concentration of the hydrothermal solution. The superhydrophobic surface is successfully constructed by coating an OTES modifier on the surface of LDH/MAO film by the spin-coating method. The surface morphologies, contact angles, and corrosion resistance of composite coatings are tested. The results show that the OTES-LDH/MAO composite coatings of magnesium alloy can seal the defects in the MAO film well to achieve a superhydrophobic effect and better corrosion resistance. Compared with a MgO ceramic film, the water contact angle of OTES-LDH/MAO composite coatings is increased from 38° to 155°; the corrosion potential increases by 0.7 V, the corrosion current density and polarization resistance decreases and increases by four orders of magnitude, respectively; and the corrosion resistance becomes much higher than that of MAO film. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Some experimental results regarding the direct electrodeposition of tin-reduced graphene oxide composite (Sn-rGO) compared to the electrodeposition of tin metal (Sn) from a deep eutectic solvent (DES), namely using choline chloride-ethylene glycol eutectic mixtures, are presented. Raman spectroscopy demonstrated that GO is also reduced during the tin electrodeposition. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the presence of incorporated graphene related material in the composite film. X-ray diffraction patterns showed that the presence of rGO in the deposit diminished preferred orientation of Sn growth along the planes (101), (211), (301), and (112). The analysis of current-time transients involving Scharifker & Hills model has shown that Sn-rGO composite deposition process corresponds to a nucleation and tridimensional growth controlled by diffusion, with nucleation evolving from progressive to instantaneous upon increasing the overpotential. Diffusion coefficients at 25 °C of 9.4 × 10−7 cm2 s−1 for Sn(II) species in the absence and of 14.1 × 10−7 cm2 s−1 in the presence of GO, were determined. The corrosion performance has been assessed through the analysis of the recorded potentiodynamic polarization curves and of the electrochemical impedance spectra during continuous immersion in aerated 0.5 M NaCl aqueous solution at 25 °C for 144 h. A slight improvement of the corrosion performance in the case of the Sn-rGO composite coatings was noticed, as compared to pure Sn ones. Furthermore, the solderability performance has been evaluated. The solder joints showed a proper adhesion to the substrate with no fractures, and wetting angles around 44° have been determined, suggesting adequate solderability characteristics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Solid state reaction is widely used in the synthesis of electrode materials, due to its low cost and good scalability. However, the traditional solid-state reaction is not suitable for the synthesis of materials with multiple elements, such as high entropy or medium entropy materials, due to the poor homogeneity of raw material mixing. Here, we prepared multi-element doped LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 (medium entropy) cathode material by two step solid state reaction. X-ray diffraction and Raman image show that the homogeneity of multi-element doped LiNi0.5Mn1.5O4 cathode has been greatly improved with this two-step method. As a result, the electrochemical performance is greatly improved, comparing to traditional solid-state reaction. First, the specific capacity at 0.1 C is increased from 126 mAh/g to 137 mAh/g. With a high current density of 10 C, the specific capacity is even increased from 64 mAh/g to 89 mAh/g with this two-step method. Second, the cycle stability is enhanced, with capacity retention of 86% after cycling at 1 C for 500 times (vs. 71% for the one-step method). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have been widely explored by researchers because of their abundant raw materials, uniform distribution, high-energy density and conductivity, low cost, and high safety. In recent years, theoretical calculations and experimental studies on SIBs have been increasing, and the applications and results of first-principles calculations have aroused extensive interests worldwide. Herein, the authors review the applications of density functional (DFT) theory in cathode materials for SIBs, summarize the applications of DFT in transition-metal oxides/chalcogenides, polyanionic compounds, Prussian blue, and organic cathode materials for SIBs from three aspects: diffusion energy barrier and diffusion path, energy calculation and structure, and electronic structure. The relationship between the structure and performance of the battery material will be comprehensively understood by analyzing the specific working principle of battery material through theoretical calculation and combining with high-precision experimental characterization technologies. Selecting materials with good performance from a large number of electrode materials through theoretical calculation can avoid unnecessary complex experiments and instrument characterizations. With the gradual deepening of research, the DFT calculation will play a greater role in the sodium-ion battery electrode field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vertically aligned WO3 nano-architectures on the transparent conducting substrate are produced via a hydrothermal method. The results revealed that different WO3 nano-architectures, including "nanoblocks", "nanosheet" and "nanobelt" structures, can be obtained by adjusting the composition of the precursor solution, that shows that solvent composition plays an important role in the adjustment of the prepared material morphology. The nanostructured array films with thicknesses of about 600 nm show remarkable enhancement of the electrochromic properties in the infrared region. The obtained WO3 films have good electrochromic properties in the near-infrared range. In particular, significant optical modulation of the WO3 nanosheets (72% at 1200 nm), fast switching speed (6.5 s for colored and 8.7 s for bleached), and excellent cycling stability (maintained 90.2% of the initial optical modulation after 1000 cycles). The improved electrochromic performance is mainly due to the vertically arranged structure, which makes it easier for ions to diffuse in the nanoarray, and also provides a larger surface area for charge transfer reaction. The research results provide a certain reference value for the research of electrochromic near-infrared performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pancreatitis (acute and chronic) is an inflammatory disease associated with significant morbidity, including a high rate of hospitalization and mortality. MicroRNAs (miRs) are essential post-transcriptional modulators of gene expression. They are crucial in many diseases' development and progression. Recent studies have demonstrated aberrant miRs expression patterns in pancreatic tissues obtained from patients experiencing acute and chronic pancreatitis compared to tissues from unaffected individuals. Increasing evidence showed that miRs regulate multiple aspects of pancreatic acinar biology, such as autophagy, mitophagy, and migration, impact local and systemic inflammation and, thus, are involved in the disease development and progression. Notably, multiple miRs act on pancreatic acinar cells and regulate the transduction of signals between pancreatic acinar cells, pancreatic stellate cells, and immune cells, and provide a complex interaction network between these cells. Importantly, recent studies from various animal models and patients' data combined with advanced detection techniques support their importance in diagnosing and treating pancreatitis. In this review, we plan to provide an up-to-date summary of the role of miRs in the development and progression of pancreatitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural deep eutectic solvents (NDESs), as a new type of green solvent, are used in many fields, including industry in extraction processes, medicine, pharmaceuticals, metallurgy, electrodeposition, separations, gas capture, biocatalysis and nanotechnology. Mainly due to their properties, such as simple preparation, environmental friendliness, biocompatibility and multifunctionality, they are being used in various fields of industry. This review aims to provide insight into the applications of natural deep eutectic solvents, specifically in nanotechnology processes. It focuses on the description of NDES and how their physicochemical properties are used to obtain functional nanomaterials, including metals, metal oxides and salts. It highlights how the use of NDESs to obtain a wide range of inorganic nanoparticles enables the elimination of disadvantages of traditional methods of obtaining them, including reducing energy consumption and functionalising nanoparticles in situ. In conclusion, recent advances and future directions in the development and applications of NDESs in nanotechnology are discussed with the aim of identifying unexplained scientific questions that can be investigated in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this article, we present the performance of Copper (Cu)/Graphene Nano Sheets (GNS) and C—π (Graphite, GNS, and Nitrogen-doped Graphene Nano Sheets (N—GNS)) as a new battery electrode prototype. The objectives of this research are to develop a number of prototypes of the battery electrode, namely Cu/GNS//Electrolyte//C—π, and to evaluate their respective performances. The GNS, N—GNS, and primary battery electrode prototypes (Cu/GNS/Electrolyte/C—π) were synthesized by using a modified Hummers method; the N-doped sheet was obtained by doping nitrogen at room temperature and the impregnation or the composite techniques, respectively. Commercial primary battery electrodes were also used as a reference in this research. The Graphite, GNS, N—GNS, commercial primary batteries electrode, and battery electrode prototypes were analyzed using an XRD, SEM-EDX, and electrical multimeter, respectively. The research data show that the Cu particles are well deposited on the GNS and N—GNS (XRD and SEM—EDX data). The presence of the Cu metal and electrolytes (NH4Cl and MnO2) materials can increase the electrical conductivities (335.6 S cm−1) and power density versus the energy density (4640.47 W kg−1 and 2557.55 Wh kg−1) of the Cu/GNS//Electrolyte//N—GNS compared to the commercial battery (electrical conductivity (902.2 S cm−1) and power density versus the energy density (76 W kg−1 and 43.95 W kg−1). Based on all of the research data, it may be concluded that Cu/GNS//Electrolyte//N—GNS can be used as a new battery electrode prototype with better performances and electrical activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Co1−xZnxFe2O4 nanoparticles (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) have been synthesized via a green sol–gel combustion method. The prepared samples were studied using X-ray diffraction measurements (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman, and magnetic measurements. All samples were found to be single phases and have a cubic Fd-3m structure. EDS analysis confirmed the presence of cobalt, zinc, iron, and oxygen in all studied samples. Raman spectra clearly show that Zn ions are preferentially located in T sites for low Zn concentrations. Due to their high crystallinity, the nanoparticles show high values of the magnetization, which increases with the Zn content for x < 0.5. The magnetic properties are discussed based on Raman results. Co ferrite doped with 30% of Zn produced the largest SAR values, which increase linearly from 148 to 840 W/gMNPs as the H is increased from 20 to 60 kA/m. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fe and Pd thin film samples have been fabricated in a rapid fashion utilizing the versatile technique of dynamic hydrogen bubble template (DHBT) method via potentiostatic electrodeposition over a copper substrate. The morphology of the samples is dendritic, with the composition being directly proportional to the deposition time. All the samples have been tested as SERS substrates for the detection of Rhodamine 6G (R6G) dye. The samples perform very well, with the best performance shown by the Pd samples. The lowest detectable R6G concentration was found to be 10−6 M (479 μgL−1) by one of the Pd samples with the deposition time of 180 s. The highest enhancement of signals noticed in this sample can be attributed to its morphology, which is more nanostructured compared to other samples, which is extremely conducive to the phenomenon of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). Overall, these samples are cheaper, easy to prepare with a rapid fabrication method, and show appreciable SERS performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work aimed to develop a new type of deep eutectic solvent containing high concentrations of zinc ions as an electrolyte to improve the electrodeposition rate for zinc plating. Two typical deep eutectic solvent systems, choline chloride (ChCl)–urea and ChCl–ethylene glycol (EG), were combined to prepare a stable electrolyte at room temperature with a zinc ion concentration up to 2 M. Cyclic voltammetry experiments of the electrolyte at different temperatures were conducted. The effects of key electrodeposition parameters (bath temperature and current density) on the morphology, structure, and corrosion resistance of zinc coatings deposited on mild steel were investigated. It was found that the crystal orientation of the as-deposited zinc particle is related to the electrodeposition temperature and current density. The experimental results show that the zinc coating deposited at 60 °C and the current density of 4 mA·cm−2 exhibited the most compact and crack-free morphology, thus had the optimum corrosion resistance property. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The one-step nucleic acid amplification (OSNA) method allows for the quantitative evaluation of the tumor burden in resected lymph nodes (LNs) in patients with lung cancer. This technique enables to detect macro and micrometastases, facilitating the correct classification of patients for appropriate follow-up of the disease after surgery. Of 160 patients with resectable lung cancer whose LNs were examined by OSNA, H&E and CK19 IHC between July 2015 and December 2018, 110 patients with clinical stages from IA1 to IIIB were selected for follow-up. LN staging in lung cancer by pathological study led to understaging in 13.64% of the cases studied. OSNA allowed to quantify the tumor burden and establish a prognostic value. Patients with a total tumor load of ≥1650 cCP/uL were associated with a significantly increased likelihood of recurrence. Moreover, the survival of patients with <4405 cCP/uL was significantly higher than patients with ≥4405 cCP/uL. The OSNA assay is a rapid and accurate technique for quantifying the tumor burden in the LNs of lung cancer patients and OSNA quantitative data could allow to establish prognostic values for recurrence-free survival and overall survival in this type of malignancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of Ni-MOF materials were synthesized via a simple hydrothermal method and can be employed as electrodes for supercapacitors (SCs). Different temperatures were selected to unveil the effect of temperature on the formation, structure, and electrochemical performance of Ni-MOF-x (x = 60, 80, 100, and 120). Ni-MOF-80 possessed a larger specific surface area with a cross-network structure formed on its surface. The synthesized Ni-MOF electrode delivered a specific capacity of 30.89 mA h g−1 when the current density reached 1 A g−1 in a three-electrode system. The as-fabricated Ni-MOF materials could be further designed and are expected to deliver satisfactory performance in practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electroless nickel plating with a nanofinished surface is used in space mirrors, automobile parts, aircraft components, optical instruments, and electronic equipment. Finishing of these components using conventional finishing techniques is limited due to size, shape, material, and process constraints. This work reports the nanofinishing of electroless nickel-plated surfaces using a magnetorheological finishing process where the surfaces are pre-treated with chemicals. The chemicals used in this work are hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and hydrofluoric acid (HF). The effect of exposure time and concentration on the microhardness and roughness is studied to understand the surface chemistry after chemical treatment. The hydrogen peroxide forms a passivated layer, and it helps in easy material removal. Hydrofluoric acid improves surface quality and also helps in the removal of contaminants. The finished surface is characterized to understand the effect of chemical treatment on the finishing rate and surface topography. Normal and tangential forces are mainly affected by the hardness and surface condition after the chemical treatment. The best combination of parameters (chemical treatment with 1% HF for 30 min) was obtained and finishing was carried out to obtain a nanofinished surface with its areal surface roughness (Sa) reduced to 10 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palladium (Pd) nanostructures are highly active non-platinum anodic electrocatalysts in alkaline direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs), and their electrocatalytic performance relies highly on their morphology and composition. This study reports the preparation, characterizations, and electrocatalytic properties of palladium-copper alloys loaded on the carbon support. XC-72 was used as a support, and hydrazine hydrate served as a reducing agent. PdxCuy/XC-72 nanoalloy catalysts were prepared in a one-step chemical reduction process with different ratios of Pd and Cu. A range of analytical techniques was used to characterize the microstructure and electronic properties of the catalysts, including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Benefiting from excellent electronic structure, Pd3Cu2/XC-72 achieves higher mass activity enhancement and improves durability for MOR. Considering the simple synthesis, excellent activity, and long-term stability, PdxCuy/XC-72 anodic electrocatalysts will be highly promising in alkaline DMFCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The three-dimensional (3D) structure of batteries nowadays obtains a lot of attention because it provides the electrodes a vast surface area to accommodate and employ more active material, resulting in a notable increase in areal capacity. However, the integration of polymer electrolytes to complicated three-dimensional structures without defects is appealing. This paper presents the creation of a flawless conformal coating for a distinctive 3D-structured NiO/Ni anode using a simple thermal oxidation technique and a polymer electrolyte consisting of three layers of PAN-(PAN-PVA)-PVA with the addition of Al2O3 nanoparticles as nanofillers. Such a composition with a unique combination of polymers demonstrated superior electrode performance. PAN in the polymer matrix provides mechanical stability and corrosion resistance, while PVA contributes to excellent ionic conductivity. As a result, NiO/Ni@PAN-(PAN-PVA)-PVA with 0.5 wt% Al2O3 NPs configuration demonstrated enhanced cycling stability and superior electrochemical performance, reaching 546 mAh g−1 at a 0.1 C rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corrosion protection systems based on hexavalent chromium are traditionally perceived to be a panacea for many engineering metals including magnesium alloys. However, bans and strict application regulations attributed to environmental concerns and the carcinogenic nature of hexavalent chromium have driven a considerable amount of effort into developing safer and more environmentally friendly alternative techniques that provide the desired corrosion protection performance for magnesium and its alloys. Part I of this review series considers the various pre-treatment methods as the earliest step involved in the preparation of Mg surfaces for the purpose of further anti-corrosion treatments. The decisive effect of pre-treatment on the corrosion properties of both bare and coated magnesium is discussed. The second section of this review covers the fundamentals and performance of conventional and state-of-the-art conversion coating formulations including phosphate-based, rare-earth-based, vanadate, fluoride-based, and LDH. In addition, the advantages and challenges of each conversion coating formulation are discussed to accommodate the perspectives on their application and future development. Several auspicious corrosion protection performances have been reported as the outcome of extensive ongoing research dedicated to the development of conversion coatings, which can potentially replace hazardous chromium(VI)-based technologies in industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, a novel ceramic precursor containing boron, silicon, and nitrides (named SiBCN) was synthesized from liquid ceramic precursors. Additionally, its pyrolysis, microstructure, and chemical composition were studied at 1600 °C. The results showed that the samples with different boron contents had similar structural composition, and both of the two precursors had stable amorphous SiBN structures at 1400 °C, which were mainly composed of B-N and Si-N and endowed them with excellent thermo-oxidative stability. With the progress of the heating process, the boron contents increased and the structures became more amorphous, significantly improving the thermal stability of the samples in high-temperature environments. However, during the moisture treatment, the introduction of more boron led to worse moisture stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of transition metal oxides/hydroxides in energy storage has long been studied by researchers. In this paper, the core-shell CNFs@Ni(OH)2/NiO composite electrodes were prepared by calcining carbon nanofibers (CNFs) coated with Ni(OH)2 under an N2 atmosphere, in which NiO was generated by the thermal decomposition of Ni(OH)2. After low-temperature carbonization at 200 °C, 250 °C and 300 °C for 1 h, Ni(OH)2 or/and NiO existed on the surface of CNFs to form the core-shell composite CNFs@Ni(OH)2/NiO-X (X = 200, 250, 300), in which CNFs@Ni(OH)2/NiO-250 had the optimal electrochemical properties due to the coexistence of Ni(OH)2 and NiO. Its specific capacitance could reach 695 F g−1 at 1 A g−1, and it still had 74% capacitance retention and 88% coulomb efficiency after 2000 cycles at 5 A g−1. Additionally, the asymmetric supercapacitor (ASC) assembled from CNFs@Ni(OH)2/NiO-250 had excellent energy storage performance with a maximum power density of 4000 W kg−1 and a maximum functional capacity density of 16.56 Wh kg−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) to the primary tumor combined with epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EFGR-TKI) treatment may increase progression-free survival (PFS) by delaying resistance in patients with advanced EGFR-mutant non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In this prospective, single arm, phase II study, patients with advanced NSCLC were treated with EGFR-TKI (icotinib 125 mg tid or gefitinib 250 mg qd) for one month followed by SBRT (40–60 Gy/5–8 F/5–10 d) to the primary tumor with concurrent EGFR-TKI until disease progression. The primary endpoint was PFS and the patterns of failure. Overall survival (OS) and adverse effects (AEs) were secondary endpoints. Overall, 41 advanced NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations received treatment with 24.42 months of median follow-up time. On average, SBRT was initiated 1.49 months after EGFR-TKI administration. Tumors were found to have an average shrinkage rate of 42.50%. Median PFS was 15.23 months (95% CI 13.10–17.36), while median OS was 27.57 months (95% CI 23.05–32.09). Thirty-three patients were found to have disease progression, of which new site failure (NF) (22 patients, 66.66%) was the most common pattern, followed by original site failure (OF) (7 patients, 21.21%) and simultaneous OF/NF (ONF) (4 patients, 12.12%). There were no Aes equal to or greater than grade 3, with the most frequent AE being radiation pneumonitis. Therefore, administering therapy targeted at the primary tumor using early SBRT after EGFR-TKI initiation is a new potentially safe and effective approach to treat EGFR-mutant advanced NSCLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A Zn-Sn coating of ~30 µm thickness was prepared on an iron substrate by mechanical deposition using zinc and tin powders as raw materials. The Zn-Sn coating consists of zinc powder particles physically stacked with tin powder particles and filled with reduced tin, and the tin content in the coating is 20%–30%. The resulting Zn-Sn coating was characterized and analyzed with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), polarization curves (Tafel), electrochemical impedance (EIS), and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS). The results showed that the Zn powder was co-deposited with the Sn powder in a portable manner and the Sn powder was deflected and deformed to a great extent. The spot-flocculated reduced Sn also covered the surface of the Zn powder to fill the interstices of the coating to make the coating more compact. Compared with the pure Zn coating, the Zn-Sn coating has a positive shift of 68 mV in the self-corrosion potential in the polarization test, and the corrosion current was only 20% of that of the pure Zn coating. The reduced Sn had a shielding effect on the Zn powder and at the same time, in combination with inert tin powder, the polarization resistance of the plated layer increased to 1118 Ω/cm2. Furthermore, compared to the pure zinc layer, the time of white rust and red rust increased by 24 and 240 h, respectively. In addition, the XPS results showed that the Zn-Sn plating layer was clearly passivated, which was mainly due to the formation of Zn(OH)2 and Sn(OH)2. The results also emphasized that the tin element in the Zn-Sn plated layer can maintain the morphology of zinc powder, compact the plating layer, and prevent the release of corrosion products, thus improving the corrosion resistance of the Zn-Sn coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Brazil, with its remarkably diverse marine habitats, harbour one of the world's richest fish diversities. Consequently, the diversity of their trematode parasites is also expected to be extremely rich. However, our current knowledge on this group of animals is incomplete and there are many unknown trematode species that await discovery and genetic characterisation. The Hemiuridae (Digenea) is the second most speciose trematode family in marine fishes from Brazil; however, to date, it remains understudied. We examined forty-three specimens of nine fish species belonging to eight families (Carangidae, Clupeidae, Haemulidae, Muraenidae, Percophidae, Pinguipedidae, Trichiuridae, and Triglidae) collected from the coastal zone off Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and found hemiurid trematodes in the stomach of 14 fishes. Using morphological and molecular analyses, we identified eight species from four genera of the family Hemiuridae. One of these species is reported in Brazil for the first time, four are reported from new fish hosts, and four were genetically characterised for the first time. Our novel data contributes to the knowledge on marine biodiversity in Brazil and will further contribute to the classification of the family Hemiuridae. Brazil is a tropical country with remarkably diverse marine habitats that harbour a rich diversity of fish. Only a small portion of this fish diversity has been investigated for parasites, and thus the diversity of their trematode parasites remains unexplored. Moreover, only 5 out of 184 known digenean trematode species of marine fish in Brazil have been genetically characterised. The Hemiuridae Looss, 1899 is the second most speciose trematode family in marine fishes from Brazil but, in many ways, it remains a neglected group. Forty-three trematode specimens from nine fish species were collected from the coastal zone off Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Trematodes were found in the stomach of 14 specimens of 9 fish species belonging to 8 families (Carangidae, Clupeidae, Haemulidae, Muraenidae, Percophidae, Pinguipedidae, Trichiuridae, and Triglidae). Trematode specimens were studied using morphological and molecular genetic analyses. A total of eight hemiurid species from four genera, Ectenurus, Lecithochirium, Myosaccium, and Parahemiurus were identified. This paper reports on new host records for four species of hemiurids, adds a new record on the geographical distribution for one species, and provides the first DNA sequence data supplemented with the detailed description of morphology for five species. Phylogenetic analyses supported that the subfamily classifications of the Hemiuridae—based entirely on morphological characters—needs to be reconsidered, taking into account a wider range of information sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A choline chloride/urea natural deep eutectic solvent (ChCl NADES) was prepared via a green chemistry method and used to leach Zn and Mn oxides from conventional Zn–C scrap batteries. FTIR and 1H NMR spectroscopy were used to characterize the NADES. The leaching kinetics of the Zn and Mn oxides was monitored at isothermal conditions (80, 100, 125, and 150 °C) and at two solid/NADES ratios: 3.3 and 10 g dm−3. It was possible to dissolve Zn and Mn oxides under all of tested conditions, reaching more than a 95% recovery for both metals at 150 °C after 90 min, whereas, at 25 °C, it was possible to leach up to 90% of the Zn and 30% of the Mn after 4320 min (72 h). Furthermore, the leaching kinetics was controlled by the boundary layer, coincident with a shrinking core model. According to the Arrhenius plot, the activation energy for Zn ranges from 49.13 to 52.21 kJ mol−1, and that for Mn ranges from 46.97 to 66.77 kJ mol−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In the setting of a coronary care unit (CCU), the early detection of pneumonia is of paramount important to prevent severe complications. This study was designed aiming to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of lung ultrasound (LUS) in the detection of pneumonia and compared with chest X-ray (CXR). Method: We enrolled 110 consecutive patients admitted to the CCU of Federico II University Hospital. Each patient underwent CXR and bedside LUS on admission. The final diagnosis (pneumonia vs. no pneumonia) was established by another clinician reviewing clinical and laboratory data independent of LUS results and possibly prescribing chest contrast-enhanced CT (n = 34). Results: The mean age was 70 ± 11 years old, and 68% were males. Pneumonia was clinically diagnosed in 26 (23%) patients. LUS was positive for pneumonia in 24 patients (sensitivity 92%, specificity 81%). Chest radiography was positive for pneumonia in nine patients (sensitivity 43%, specificity 95%). Using CT scan as a reference, LUS exhibited 92% sensitivity and a specificity of 96%. In ROC curve analysis, the diagnostic accuracy of CXR and LUS for the diagnosis of pneumonia was 0.86 (95% CI 0.77–0.94), which was higher than CXR 0.68 (95% CI 0.55–0.84), p < 0.05. Conclusion: Based on the findings of the present study, the accuracy of LUS in the detection of pneumonia was significantly higher than chest X-ray with comparable sensibility to CT scan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As green, safe, and cheap solvents, deep eutectic solvents (DESs) provide tremendous opportunities to open up attractive perspectives for electrocatalysis. In this review, the achievement of DESs in the preparation of catalysts for electrolytic water splitting is described in detail according to their roles combined with our own work. DESs are generally employed as green media, templates, and electrolytes. A large number of hydrogen bonds in DESs result in supramolecular structures which have the ability to shape the morphologies of nanomaterials and then tune their performance. DESs can also serve as reactive reagents of metal electrocatalysts through directly participating in synthesis. Compared with conventional heteroatom sources, they have the advantages of high safety and designability. The "all-in-one" transformation strategy is expected to realize 100% atomic transformation of reactants. The aim of this review is to offer readers a deeper understanding on preparing DES-mediated electrocatalysts with higher performance for water splitting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Among many electrode materials, cobalt-based nanomaterials are widely used in supercapacitors because of their high natural abundance, good electrical conductivity, and high specific capacitance. However, there are still some difficulties to overcome, including poor structural stability and low power density. This paper summarizes the research progress of cobalt-based nanomaterials (cobalt oxide, cobalt hydroxide, cobalt-containing ternary metal oxides, etc.) as electrode materials for supercapacitors in recent years and discusses the preparation methods and properties of the materials. Notably, the focus of this paper is on the strategies to improve the electrochemical properties of these materials. We show that the performance of cobalt-based nanomaterials can be improved by designing their morphologies and, among the many morphologies, the mesoporous structure plays a major role. This is because mesoporous structures can mitigate volume changes and improve the performance of pseudo capacitance. This review is dedicated to the study of several cobalt-based nanomaterials in supercapacitors, and we hope that future scholars will make new breakthroughs in morphology design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Precision oncology and immunotherapy have revolutionized the treatment of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Emerging studies show that targeted therapies are also beneficial for patients with driver alterations such as epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations in early-stage NSCLC (stages I–IIIA). Furthermore, patients with elevated programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression appear to respond favorably to adjuvant immunotherapy. To determine the frequency of genomic alterations and PD-L1 status in early-stage NSCLC, we retrospectively analyzed data from 2066 unselected, single-center patients with NSCLC diagnosed using next-generation sequencing and immunohistochemistry. Nine-hundred and sixty-two patients (46.9%) presented with early-stage NSCLC. Of these, 37.0% had genomic alterations for which targeted therapies have already been approved for advanced NSCLC. The frequencies of driver mutations in the early stages were equivalent to those in advanced stages, i.e., the rates of EGFR mutations in adenocarcinomas were 12.7% (72/567) and 12.0% (78/650) in early and advanced NSCLC, respectively (p = 0778). In addition, 46.3% of early-stage NSCLC cases were PD-L1-positive, with a tumor proportion score (TPS) of ≥1%. With comparable frequencies of driver mutations in early and advanced NSCLC and PD-L1 overexpression in nearly half of patients with early-stage NSCLC, a broad spectrum of biomarkers for adjuvant and neoadjuvant therapies is available, and several are currently being investigated in clinical trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the last few decades, the microelectronics industry has actively been investigating the potential for the functional integration of semiconductor-based devices beyond digital logic and memory, which includes RF and analog circuits, biochips, and sensors, on the same chip. In the case of gas sensor integration, it is necessary that future devices can be manufactured using a fabrication technology which is also compatible with the processes applied to digital logic transistors. This will likely involve adopting the mature complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) fabrication technique or a technique which is compatible with CMOS due to the inherent low costs, scalability, and potential for mass production that this technology provides. While chemiresistive semiconductor metal oxide (SMO) gas sensors have been the principal semiconductor-based gas sensor technology investigated in the past, resulting in their eventual commercialization, they need high-temperature operation to provide sufficient energies for the surface chemical reactions essential for the molecular detection of gases in the ambient. Therefore, the integration of a microheater in a MEMS structure is a requirement, which can be quite complex. This is, therefore, undesirable and room temperature, or at least near-room temperature, solutions are readily being investigated and sought after. Room-temperature SMO operation has been achieved using UV illumination, but this further complicates CMOS integration. Recent studies suggest that two-dimensional (2D) materials may offer a solution to this problem since they have a high likelihood for integration with sophisticated CMOS fabrication while also providing a high sensitivity towards a plethora of gases of interest, even at room temperature. This review discusses many types of promising 2D materials which show high potential for integration as channel materials for digital logic field effect transistors (FETs) as well as chemiresistive and FET-based sensing films, due to the presence of a sufficiently wide band gap. This excludes graphene from this review, while recent achievements in gas sensing with graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), phosphorene, and MXenes are examined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium–sulfur batteries (LSBs) represent a promising next-generation energy storage system, with advantages such as high specific capacity (1675 mAh g−1), abundant resources, low price, and ecological friendliness. During the application of liquid electrolytes, the flammability of organic electrolytes, and the dissolution/shuttle of polysulfide seriously damage the safety and the cycle life of lithium–sulfur batteries. Replacing a liquid electrolyte with a solid one is a good solution, while the higher mechanical strength of solid-state electrolytes (SSEs) has an inhibitory effect on the growth of lithium dendrites. However, the lower ionic conductivity, poor interfacial contact, and relatively narrow electrochemical window of solid-state electrolytes limit the commercialization of solid-state lithium–sulfur batteries (SSLSBs). This review describes the research progress in LSBs and the challenges faced by SSEs, which are classified as polymer electrolytes, inorganic solid electrolytes, and composite electrolytes. The advantages, as well as the disadvantages of various types of electrolytes, the common coping strategies to improve performance, and future development trends, are systematically described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For p-type semiconductor nanoparticles, such as the cobalt oxide spinel, enhancing the nanoparticle geometry can expose more of the surface and bring up the sensitivity and applicability, pointing to even more advantageous behaviour in comparison to n-type semiconductors which are known for a somewhat faster reactivity. Here, we present a strategy that relies on fostering a simple synthetic route that can deliver reasonably or comparably performing p-type-semiconducting partially 1D-Co3O4 material prepared under less technically and economically demanding conditions. Structurally monophasic Co3O4 nanoparticles with a spinel structure were indicated by powder X-ray diffraction, while the presence of traces of organic-phase residuals in otherwise chemically homogeneous material was observed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Scanning electron microscopy further showed that the observed fine nanoparticle matter formed agglomerates with the possible presence of rod-like formations. Interestingly, using transmission electron microscopy, it was possible to reveal that the agglomerates of the fine nanoparticulated material were actually nanostructured, i.e., the presence of 1D-shaped Co3O4 rods embedded in fine nanoparticulated matrix was confirmed. In conjunction with the N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms, discussion about the orientation, exposure of nanostructured rod domains, and derivative geometry parameters was possible. The nanostructured Co3O4 material was shown to be stable up to 800 °C whereat the decomposition to CoO takes place. The specific surface area of the nanostructured sample was raised. For the purpose of testing the photoactivity of the prepared samples, simple sorption/photodegradation tests using methylene blue as the model pollutant were performed. The degradation performance of the prepared nanostructured Co3O4 was better described by a pseudo-second-order fit, suggesting that the prepared material is worth further development toward improved and stable immobilized photocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Composites of MnO2 nanosheet arrays vertically grown on the surface of vapor-grown carbon fibers (VGCFs) are fabricated by a low-temperature redox reaction between KMnO4 and the VGCFs. An assembled AC/0.5 M K2SO4/MnO2@VGCF electrochemical capacitor exhibits a higher specific capacitance, as well as a better rate capability, at a fast-current density compared to the capacitor built on hydrothermally prepared, standalone MnO2. Electrochemical tests revealed that VGCFs act as a conducting matrix, which effectively improves the conductivity of MnO2 nanosheets during cycling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Li-ion batteries are in demand due to technological advancements in the electronics industry; thus, expanding the battery supply chain and improving its electrochemical performance is crucial. Carbon materials are used to increase the cyclic stability and specific capacity of cathode materials, which are essential to batteries. LiFePO4 (LFP) cathodes are generally safe and have a long cycle life. However, the common LFP cathode has a low inherent conductivity, and adding a carbon nanomaterial significantly influences how well it performs electrochemically. Therefore, the major focus of this review is on the importance, current developments, and future possibilities of carbon-LFP (C-LFP) cathodes in LIBs. Recent research on the impacts of different carbon sizes, LFP's shape, diffusion, bonding, additives, dopants, and surface functionalization was reviewed. Overall, with suitable modifications, C-LFP cathodes are expected to bring many benefits to the energy storage sector in the forthcoming years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of rubber in dynamic contacts often results in severe degradation and wear of the rubber surface, which is why dynamic rubber seal contacts are usually oil lubricated to ensure their functionality. However, the increasing demand for more convenient and environmentally friendly sealing solutions has prompted the development of dry low-friction rubber coatings. In this work, and for the first time, Ni-P and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) particles were co-deposited by electroless plating on Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR), as a low-cost solution to improve the NBR tribological behavior. A cationic surfactant, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), was added to the plating bath to ensure a homogeneous and efficient incorporation of PTFE into the Ni-P. The optimized PTFE incorporation reached 6.8%, and the composite coating adhesion to NBR was 20% higher than that of nickel-phosphorous (Ni-P) films. The tribological properties of the coatings evaluated by pin-on-disk tests showed a marginal decrease in the coefficient of friction (CoF) (10%, 1 N load), compared to that of Ni-P. However, the tested PTFE-based coatings displayed significantly smoother surfaces with less debris and cracks, clearly demonstrating the benefits of the PTFE in terms of wear resistance for loads up to 5 N. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing salinization of agricultural soils urges us to find alternative and sustainable farming systems in order to allow the exploitation of areas that are otherwise becoming less suitable for conventional crops. Thanks to their adaptation to extreme saline conditions, halophytes are promising plants for resilient farming systems, such as intercropping with glycophytes, to ameliorate their productivity in saline soils. This research aimed to evaluate whether the nutritional profile and the content of some health-promoting compounds of the edible portion of Salicornia europaea were influenced by its cultivation in consociation with tomato plants. Moreover, the antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-inflammatory properties of S. europaea were studied to characterize its bioactivity. The farming system did not influence the concentration of nutrients and bioactive compounds, except for flavonoids. The antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties of Salicornia extract suggested the importance of this halophyte for animal and human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To maximize the performance of energy storage systems more effectively, modern batteries/supercapacitors not only require high energy density but also need to be fully recharged within a short time or capable of high-power discharge for electric vehicles and power applications. Thus, how to improve the rate capability of batteries or supercapacitors is a very important direction of research and engineering. Making low-tortuous structures is an efficient means to boost power density without replacing materials or sacrificing energy density. In recent years, numerous manufacturing methods have been developed to prepare low-tortuous configurations for fast ion transportation, leading to impressive high-rate electrochemical performance. This review paper summarizes several smart manufacturing processes for making well-aligned 3D microstructures for batteries and supercapacitors. These techniques can also be adopted in other advanced fields that require sophisticated structural control to achieve superior properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal substrates are widely used in engineering production. However, material life reduction and economic loss due to chemical and electrochemical corrosion are a major problem facing people. Electrochemical corrosion is the main corrosion mode of metals, such as seawater corrosion. It is found that the superhydrophobic surface treated by laser texturing plays an important role in the corrosion resistance of the substrate, with the laser texturing process and post-treatment affecting the corrosion resistance. The corrosion resistance is positively correlated with the superhydrophobic property of the surface. For the mechanism of corrosion resistance, this paper summarizes the effect of micro-nano structure, surface-modified coating, oxidation layer or new product layer, surface inhomogeneity, crystal structure, and slippery surface on corrosion resistance. Superhydrophobic surface and slippery surface are two common types of bioinspired, special wetting surfaces. In order to prepare better superhydrophobic and corrosion-resistant surfaces, this paper summarizes the selection and optimization of laser parameters, surface structure, processing media, and post-treatment from the point of view of mechanism and law. In addition, after summarizing the corrosion resistance mechanism, this paper introduces a series of characterization experiments that can measure the corrosion resistance, providing a reference for preparation and evaluation of the surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) have been widely employed in automobiles, mining operations, space applications, marine vessels and submarines, and defense or military applications. As an anode, commercial carbon or carbon-based materials have some critical issues such as insufficient charge capacity and power density, low working voltage, deadweight formation, short-circuiting tendency initiated from dendrite formation, device warming up, etc., which have led to a search for carbon alternatives. Transition metal oxides (TMOs) such as NiO as an anode can be used as a substitute for carbon material. However, NiO has some limitations such as low coulombic efficiency, low cycle stability, and poor ionic conductivity. These limitations can be overcome through the use of different nanostructures. This present study reviews the integration of the electrochemical performance of binder involved nanocomposite of NiO as an anode of a LIB. This review article aims to epitomize the synthesis and characterization parameters such as specific discharge/charge capacity, cycle stability, rate performance, and cycle ability of a nanocomposite anode. An overview of possible future advances in NiO nanocomposites is also proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Topics include electrochemical coatings, conversion coatings, anodizing, vapor deposition processes, laser coatings/surface coatings, and organic coatings. Therefore, studies [[18]] analyzed the corrosion effects of PEO coatings applied to aluminum and its alloys and the effect of carbon allotropes on corrosion. [[12]] reviewed the influence of nanomaterials on the anti-corrosion performance of polymer coatings and reviewed recent studies on the corrosion resistance of these nanocomposite coatings. Nanocomposite coatings based on the addition of inorganic nanofillers to polymer matrices are a new class of corrosion protection with better corrosion resistance and mechanical performance compared to conventional composite coatings. [Extracted from the article]

a-C/a-C:Ti multilayer films were deposited on medical Ti6Al4V alloy using a closed field unbalanced magnetron sputtering system with various substrate bias duty cycle. The tribological and corrosion behaviors of the multilayer films in Hank's solution were evaluated by a ball-on-disk tribometer and an electrochemical workshop. The duty cycle has a significant effect on the bonding structure, and mechanical and tribological properties of the films. The polarization resistance of the films on Ti alloy is approximately ten times more than that of Ti6Al4V which indicates that higher corrosion resistance can be achieved in Hank's solution at 37 °C. However, the polarization resistance and corrosion current do not change so much with the variation of duty cycle, implying that its influence on corrosion behavior of these a-C/a-C:Ti multilayer films is not so obvious. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As an advanced strategy for water treatment, electrosorb technology has attracted extensive attention in the fields of seawater desalination and water pollution treatment due to the advantages of low consumption, environmental protection, simplicity and easy regeneration. In this work, the related adsorption mechanism, primary architectures, electrode materials, and applications of different electrosorption systems were reviewed. In addition, the developments for advanced electrosorb technology were also summarized and prospected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-purity TiO2 and CuO powders were synthesized by the Pechini method, an inexpensive and easy-to-implement procedure to synthetize metal oxides. The variables of synthesis were the ethylene glycol:citric acid molar ratio and the pH. High reproducibility of the anatase and tenorite phase was obtained for all synthesis routes. The degree of purity of the powders was confirmed by XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis absorption and XPS spectra. SEM and TEM images revealed the powders are composed of micrometer grains that can have a spherical shape (only in the TiO2) or formed by a non-compacted nanocrystalline conglomerate. FTIR spectra only displayed vibrational modes associating TiO2 and CuO with nanoparticle behavior. UV-Vis absorption spectra revealed the values of maximum absorbance percentage of both systems are reached in the ultraviolet region, with percentages above 83% throughout the entire visible light spectrum for the CuO system, a relevant result for solar cell applications. Finally, XPS experiments allow the observation of the valence bands and the calculation of the energy bands of all oxides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Large cations such as potassium ion (K+) and sodium ion (Na+) could be introduced into the lithium-ion (Li-ion) battery system during material synthesis or battery assembly. However, the effect of these cations on charge storage or electrochemical performance has not been fully understood. In this study, sodium ion was taken as an example and introduced into the lithium titanium oxide (LTO) anode through the carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) binder. After the charge/discharge cycles, these ions doped into the LTO lattice and improved both the lithium-ion diffusivity and the electronic conductivity of the anode. The sodium ion's high concentration (>12.9%), however, resulted in internal doping of Na+ into the LTO lattice, which retarded the transfer of lithium ions due to repulsion and physical blocking. The systematic study presented here shows that large cations with an appropriate concentration in the electrode would be beneficial to the electrochemical performance of the Li-ion battery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, TiN, TiCN, and Ti-diamond-like carbon (Ti-DLC) films were coated on 316 L stainless steel (AISI 316 L) substrate surface by physical vapor deposition. The biocompatibility of the three films (TiN, TiCN, and Ti-DLC) and three metals (AISI 316 L, Ti, and Cu) was compared on the basis of the differences in the surface morphology, water contact angle measurements, CCK-8 experiment results, and flow cytometry test findings. The biocompatibility of the TiN and TiCN films is similar to that of AISI 316 L, which has good biocompatibility. However, the biocompatibility of the Ti-DLC films is relatively poor, which is mainly due to the inferior hydrophobicity and large amount of sp2 phases. The presence of TiC nanoclusters on the surface of the Ti-DLC film aggravates the inferior biocompatibility. Compared to the positive Cu control group, the Ti-DLC film had a higher cell proliferation rate and lower cell apoptosis rate. Although the Ti-DLC film inhibited cell survival to a certain extent, it did not show obvious cytotoxicity. TiN and TiCN displayed excellent performance in promoting cell proliferation and reducing cytotoxicity; thus, TiN and TiCN can be considered good orthodontic materials, whereas Ti-DLC films require further improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The zinc–manganese alloy coatings have been obtained without and with superimposition of a 0.3 T magnetic field in a parallel direction to the working surface electrode. The electrodeposition during 30 min, for two applied potentials (E = −1.6 V/SCE and E = −1.8 V/SCE) in an electrochemical bath with the (Zn2+)/(Mn2+) concentration ratio equal to 0.5. The structural, the morphological, and the chemical composition characteristics of the deposits have been studied. It has been found that the applied potentials modify the structural properties of the deposits, η phase-rich deposits elaborated for E = −1.6 V/SCE, and MnZn3-rich deposits elaborated for E = −1.8 V/SCE. The magnetohydrodynamic convection favors the manganese content of the deposit. The corrosion behavior of these coatings has been analyzed in 3.5% NaCl solution by free corrosion potential measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The different results show that the corrosion resistance of these zinc–manganese alloy coatings is linked to their structure, to their composition, and to the magnetic field amplitude used during the electrodeposition process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Today, two-dimensional materials are one of the key research topics for scientists around the world. Interest in 2D materials is not surprising because, thanks to their remarkable mechanical, thermal, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties, they promise to revolutionize electronics. The unique properties of graphene-like 2D materials give them the potential to create completely new types of devices for functional electronics, nanophotonics, and quantum technologies. This paper considers epitaxially grown two-dimensional allotropic modifications of single elements: graphene (C) and its analogs (transgraphenes) borophene (B), aluminene (Al), gallenene (Ga), indiene (In), thallene (Tl), silicene (Si), germanene (Ge), stanene (Sn), plumbene (Pb), phosphorene (P), arsenene (As), antimonene (Sb), bismuthene (Bi), selenene (Se), and tellurene (Te). The emphasis is put on their structural parameters and technological modes in the method of molecular beam epitaxy, which ensure the production of high-quality defect-free single-element two-dimensional structures of a large area for promising device applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multichannel-porous carbon derived from wood can serve as a conductive substrate for fast charge transfer and ion diffusion, supporting the high-theory capacitance of pseudocapacitive materials. Herein, NiCo2O4 nanosheets, which are hierarchically porous, anchored on the surface of carbonized wood via electrodeposition for free-binder high-performance supercapacitor electrode materials, were proposed. Benefiting from the effectively alleviated NiCo2O4 nanosheets accumulation and sufficient active surface area for redox reaction, a N-doped wood-derived porous carbon-NiCo2O4 nanosheet hybrid material (NCNS–NCW) electrode exhibited a specific electric capacity of 1730 F g−1 at 1 A g−1 in 1 mol L−1 KOH and splendid electrochemical firmness with 80% capacitance retention after cycles. Furthermore, an all-wood-based asymmetric supercapacitor based on NCNS–NCW//NCW was assembled and a high energy density of 56.1 Wh kg−1 at a watt density of 349 W kg−1 was achieved. Due to the great electrochemical performance of NCNS–NCW, we expect it to be used as an electrode material with great promise for energy storage equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) thin film with thermal annealing as an ionic storage layer for electrochromic devices is presented in our study. The V2O5 thin film was deposited on an ITO glass substrate by an RF magnetron sputtering. The electrochromic properties of the film were evaluated after various thermal annealing temperatures. The structural analysis of the film was observed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The structure of the V2O5 thin film transformed from an amorphous to polycrystalline structure with directions of (110) and (020) after 400 °C thermal annealing. The electrochromic properties of the film improved compared with the unannealed V2O5 thin film. We obtained a charge capacity of 97.9 mC/cm2 with a transparent difference ΔT value of 31% and coloration efficiency of 6.3 cm2/C after 400 °C thermal annealing. The improvement was due to the polycrystalline orthorhombic structure formation of V2O5 film by the rearrangement of atoms from thermal energy. Its laminate structure facilitates Li+ ion intercalation and increases charge capacity and transparent difference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The CrZrN/CrZrSiN multilayer coatings at a bilayer period range decreasing from 1.35 μm to 0.45 μm were synthesized on a Si (100) wafer and WC-6 wt.% Co substrate using a closed-field unbalanced magnetron sputter, and the thickness effects on the mechanical properties and thermal stability were investigated. The CrZrN/CrZrSiN multilayer coatings showed high hardness and elastic modulus in the ranges of 28 to 33 GPa and 255 to 265 GPa, respectively, and the friction coefficient showed the lowest value of 0.24 on the multilayer coating with a bilayer period of 0.54 μm. The bilayer periods affected the adhesion strength of the multilayer coatings. From the scratch test, the critical load (Lc2) steadily increased with the decreasing of the bilayer period, and the CrZrN/CrZrSiN multilayer coating with a bilayer period of 0.45 μm showed the highest critical load (Lc2) of 79 N. In the case of the annealing test, the bilayer periods affected the thermal stability of the multilayer coatings, and the CrZrN/CrZrSiN multilayer coatings with 0.54 μm showed a maximum hardness value of approximately 30 GPa up to 800 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]