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Bulk density and porosity have great influence on the technical performance of an emulsified asphalt mixture, so in order to enhance the strength of the asphalt mixture, bulk density should be improved and porosity should be reduced. Considering the forming process of the emulsified asphalt mixture, the decrease in porosity can ensure the state of the mixture. In order to reduce the porosity of the emulsified asphalt mixture, an innovative forming process is proposed to improve the performance of the emulsified asphalt mixture, and its strength formation mechanism is explored in this paper. Three groups of emulsified asphalt mixtures (ARC-8 + SBR, SMA-5 + EVA, SMA-5 + SBR) were prepared by a conventional mixing process and novel mixing process. Marshall test of the emulsified asphalt mixture, CT scanning test of the emulsified asphalt mixture, workability test and analysis were manufactured and tested. The results show that, compared with conventional methods, the innovative forming method can increase the bulk density of the mixture and reduce the porosity, and thus improve its technical performance. The reason is that most of the water in the mixture of the innovative forming method sticks to the outer surface of the fine aggregate, and the water is more easily discharged. Secondly, the fine aggregate of the innovative forming method is directly mixed with the emulsion, and the volume is smaller. The emulsion wraps the fine aggregate in it due to the surface tension, which enhances the adhesion effect, thus improving the strength of the mixture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nanostructure of the photocatalyst plays a crucial role in determining its catalytic ability. In this paper, a 2D/2D WO3/ZnIn2S4 S-scheme heterojunction was successfully prepared through a simple hydrogen reaction. Under UV–vis light irradiation, the yield of CO in the CO2 photoreduction process using WO3/ZnIn2S4 as the catalyst reached about 44.61 μmol·g–1, which was about 3.9 times higher than that obtained with ZnIn2S4 alone. Cycling experiments demonstrated that the binary composite exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity and material stability. Photoelectrochemical measurements revealed that the 2D/2D WO3/ZnIn2S4 S-scheme heterojunction significantly enhanced the separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers and effectively improved the redox ability of the photocatalyst. Density functional theory calculations were employed to analyze the electron transfer pathways and the formation of the built-in electric field at the 2D/2D WO3/ZnIn2S4 interface, confirming that the heterojunction structure accelerated the transfer of photogenerated electrons from WO3 to ZnIn2S4. The CO2 photoreduction process was further investigated by in situ FTIR. Finally, a possible S-scheme electron transfer mechanism at the 2D–2D WO3/ZnIn2S4 interface during the CO2 photoreduction reaction was proposed and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defect‐induced recombination dynamics remain an essential factor hindering the efficiency and stability of perovskite solar cells (PSCs). Herein, an upgraded solvent posttreatment strategy is proposed to simultaneously improve the quality and related electronic properties of absorbers by introducing the black phosphorus–graphene oxide (BP–GO) composites with a unique microscopic heterojunction stacking structure, high charge mobility, tunable bandgap, and excellent surface chemical properties into the grain boundaries and surface of the perovskite. The BP–GO composites block the layer‐to‐layer diffusion of active ions while directionally passivating uncoordinated defects in the perovskite, thereby accelerating the carrier extraction/transfer at the perovskite interface, ultimately significantly reducing the nonradiative recombination and interfacial charge recombination losses of the devices. The BP–GO composites improve Oswald ripening, guaranteeing the formation of high‐crystallinity and large‐grain perovskites, thereby significantly enhancing the lattice stability, interface quality, and light‐harvesting capacity of the absorbers. Benefiting from the synergistic action of the unique lattice structure of BP–GO, excellent passivation/isolation effect, and enhanced charge dynamics, the photovoltaic output performance of the BP–GO‐modified PSCs is significantly higher than that of conventional n–i–p planar PSCs, and the corresponding unencapsulated device exhibits good stability. This work provides theoretical and technical guarantees for achieving more efficient and stable planar PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recycling critical elements from spent batteries has always placed an emphasis on green chemistry. However, the reduction or minimization of the input of chemicals, secondary waste and energy consumption still needs to explore new technologies. In this work, we propose a paired electrolysis process to concurrently treat lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2, as a cathode) and lithium iron phosphorate (LiFePO4, as an anode) in sulfuric acid solution. In this process, LiCoO2 is reduced to release Co2+ and Li+ into the electrolyte through a surface chemical reaction control process. The activation energies of Li and Co are 23.38 and 28.70 kJ mol−1. LiFePO4 is oxidized to FePO4 while releasing Li+ through a surface chemical reaction control process with an activation energy of 14.95 kJ mol−1. Through this approach, both leaching efficiencies of Li and Co reach above 98%. Since two electrode reactions simultaneously proceed in one electrolytic cell, the paired electrolysis has the benefit of maximizing energy efficiency, as well as reducing the amount of chemicals and secondary waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the rapid development of 6G wireless communication, research on highly integrated and multifunctional miniature electronic components has gained significant attention. Li2MgTi3O8 (LMT) ceramics are excellent microwave dielectric materials. However, their high sintering temperature and low flexural strength limit their application in LTCC devices. Therefore, in this study, TiN-doped LMT ceramics were prepared using a traditional solid-state reaction method, and the effects of TiN addition on the LMT ceramics were investigated. The best performance of Q × f = 67 275 GHz, τf = −6.02 ppm °C−1, εr = 24.53, and σf = 174.7 MPa was obtained for LMT ceramics doped with 0.2 wt% TiN sintered at 1025 °C. The addition of 1 wt% LiF and 1 wt% MgO to LMT + 0.3 wt% TiN (LMT-NFM) ceramics reduced the sintering temperature, increased the density, and enhanced the flexural strength of the ceramics. When the sintering temperature was 850 °C, the material exhibited the best performances with Q × f = 53 477 GHz (at 7.48 GHz), τf = −9.50 ppm °C−1, εr = 24.94, and σf = 200.98 MPa. The LMT-NFM ceramic could coexist with the Ag electrode, indicating that it is a promising material for manufacturing ceramic multilayer packaging substrates and various functional components. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High pressure is an effective means to optimize the thermoelectric (TE) performance by sharply improving the electrical properties of materials. Studying the carrier effective mass (m*) is a feasible way to uncover the basic reason for superior electrical properties under high pressure. However, it is still difficult to obtain the m* under pressure in experiments. Thus, in this work, the m* of α-PbSe (F m 3 ̄ m) under high pressure is calculated by band dispersion relation based on the density functional theory. It is found that the high pressure decreases m* of α-PbSe, which is the cause for excellent electrical properties. Moreover, the isotropy of m* enhances with the increase in the pressure, which means the high pressure further optimizes the isotropy of the carrier migration in the structure. It is reveled that the higher the pressure, the more beneficial to improve the electrical properties of α-PbSe, thus optimizing the TE performance before the phase transition pressure (4.5 GPa). This work is of great significance for exploring the mechanism of in situ high-pressure TE properties in the future, as well as the prediction and selection of high-performance TE materials under high pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anti-dandruff agents in hair care products, such as zinc pyrithione (ZPT), piroctone olamine (OCT) and climbazole, can deposit on the scalp and inhibit Malassezia growth to achieve anti-dandruff effect. However, it is always taking a long time and high cost to get accurate test results for evaluating the clinical efficacy of anti-dandruff agents. In this study, the effects of anti-dandruff agents were evaluated by quantitative suspension method in vitro. The test results showed that, there was significant difference in inhibition rate against Malassezia among different anti-dandruff agents. The results of inhibition rate showed that, the antifungal activity of different anti-dandruff agents in different products (shampoo and scalp care serum, etc.) against Malassezia was dose- and time-dependent. In a short period of time, there was no significant decrease of Malassezia. It inferred that anti-dandruff agents needed to deposit on the scalp or repeatedly deposit to play a long-term anti-dandruff effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel ultra-low loss NaLn(WO4)2 (Ln = La (NLW), Nd (NNW), Sm (NSW)) (NLnW) microwave dielectric ceramics were prepared by a reaction sintering method. The sintering process of the samples was investigated by TG-DSC. XRD refinement and Raman spectra results ascertained that the NLnW ceramics have scheelite structure with space group of I41/a. The microwave dielectric properties of NLnW ceramics and the relationship between the structure and performances were studied. The relationship between lattice vibration and Qf were analyzed by Raman spectroscopy. Especially, the NSW ceramics sintered at 1100 ℃ for 4 h show outstanding microwave dielectric properties of εr = 10.07, Qf = 73,734 GHz (at 12.21 GHz), τf = -42.6 ppm/°C, which providing a promising application in fifth generation communications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thoracic myelopathy caused by ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL) in the thoracic spine is usually progressive and responds poorly to conservative therapy, making surgery the only effective treatment option. A variety of surgical procedures have been developed to treat thoracic OPLL. However, the optimal surgical approach for removal of thoracic OPLL remains unclear. In the present study, we described a newly modified posterior approach for the removal of OPLL: circular decompression via dural approach, and complete removal of OPLL can be achieved under direct vision and without neurological deficit. Three patients with beak-type thoracic OPLL presented with progressive thoracic myelopathy and leg weakness. Magnetic resonance imaging showed the spinal cord severely compressed. The surgical management of the three patients involved the 'cave-in' circular decompression and transdural resection of OPLL. Transdural circumferential decompression was successfully performed in all three patients. Clinical outcome measures, including pre- and postoperative radiographic parameters, were assessed. All of the patients were followed up for an average of 12 months (ranging from 10 to 15 months), and no surgery-related complications occurred. Weakness relief and neural function recovery were satisfactorily achieved in all patients by the final follow-up. Transdural circumferential decompression was an effective method for thoracic spinal stenosis caused by concurrent beak-type OPLL, by which OPLL could be safely removed. It is especially useful when there is a severe adhesion between the dura OPLL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]