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Flexible perovskite light‐emitting diodes (f‐PeLEDs) have attracted increasing interest to realize true‐color, low‐cost, and light‐weight wearable optoelectronic and flexible display applications. However, their external quantum efficiency (EQE) and mechanical stability lag far behind because of the inherent surface and brittle issues of polycrystalline perovskite films. In this work, a multi‐functional polymeric‐termination surface of perovskite film is constructed for achieving efficient and mechanically stable f‐PeLEDs. It takes the roles to not only reduce defects through equipping coordination groups to improve emission properties, but also optimize film morphology and eliminate pinholes to solve the long‐standing issue of leakage current. Meanwhile, the polymeric‐termination surface with anchoring points and polymeric soft chains on perovskites demonstrates synergetic effects beyond the corresponding functional group‐only or polymer‐only strategies in reducing the Young's modulus and improving the mechanical flexibility. Ultimately, the record EQE of 22.1% and significantly enhanced mechanical stability of maintaining 82% of the initial performance after 2000 bending cycles with radius of 5 mm are achieved in pure‐green f‐PeLEDs. The work paves the way for the development of high‐performance flexible optoelectronic devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anthropogenic and climatic changes are continuously altering the freshwater plankton, necessitating an evaluation of the complex structure of plankton communities to understand and mitigate these impacts. In this context, the present study focuses on evaluating the structure of plankton communities, specifically Phytoplankton Functional Groups (FGs) for assessing the environmental sensitivity of wetlands under changing scenario. These FGs are defined by shared adaptive features rather than taxonomic traits. Over the period from 2016 to 2018, two ecologically distinct wetlands were examined, analysing their phytoplankton FGs and their relationship with water quality parameters. Ecohydrological data revealed significant seasonal variations (p ≤ 0.05) in key parameters such as water depth, temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, dissolved oxygen, total alkalinity, total hardness, NO3-N, and PO4-P. Notably, there were no significant differences observed among the sampling stations within each wetland. A total of 125 phytoplankton genera/species were classified into 23 FGs in the open wetland and 22 FGs in the closed wetland. Spatial and seasonal analyses of dominant FGs suggested both wetlands were experiencing pollution pressures. This study highlights the powerful role of phytoplankton functional groups (FGs) as bioindicators of wetland health, uncovering pollution pressures. In open wetlands, 15 phytoplankton FGs with 36 key taxa (Indicator Value ≥ 40%) emerged as critical indicators, while in closed wetlands, only 10 FGs with 17 taxa were identified. To assess eutrophication, the occurrence of these indicator species was evaluated using BVSTEP function analysis. The study recommends pollution reduction in catchment areas and restoration of riverine connectivity to enhance FG diversity. Phytoplankton FG methodologies are deemed effective for assessing the environmental sensitivity of wetlands significantly impacted by human activities. This research offers a scientific foundation for the evaluation and restoration of wetland ecosystems. Highlights: Phytoplankton functional groups (FGs) serve as precise bioindicators of wetland environmental sensitivity and pollution pressures. Seasonal and spatial assessments of water quality reveal insights into wetland ecological health. The response of phytoplankton FGs to environmental factors effectively indicates water quality. Key plankton species were identified as indicators of wetland ecological sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fungi play a crucial role in the development of rapeseed and influencing the functioning of agroecosystems. However, the fungal composition and function in spring rapeseed on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) remain unclear. Methods: The agronomic traits, rhizosphere soil properties, and fungal communities across multiple niches within seven cultivars of Brassica rapa L. and Brassica napus L. were investigated using cultivation, physiological assay, and high-throughput sequencing. Results: We found significant differences in growth indices, yields and fungal diversity among leaf, stem, and root compartments of B. napus, especially in late-maturing cultivars, compared to B. rapa. Interestingly, defense-related indices and fungal diversity in rhizosphere soil exhibited the opposite trend. A total of 12 phyla, 55 orders and 200 genera were identified. The predominant genera were Olpidium (66.29%), Lactarius (18.37%), Verticillium (1.99%), Mortierella (0.78%) and Cystofilobasidium (0.56%). The rhizosphere soil had a higher abundance of Olpidium and Mortierella than other ecological niches, while the stem harbored more Lactarius and Verticillium. In addition, 46 key genera were widespread across all niches and cultivars, and 19 biomarkers were significantly enriched, with saprotroph-symbiotroph, symbiotrophs and pathotroph-symbiotroph trophic groups dominating. Alternaria isolated from rapeseed, which was also identified as one of the most abundant, key and biomarker genera, effectively facilitated the germination of B. rapa under chilling and drought stress. Conclusions: The joint influence of numerous important fungal genera can promote the growth and yield of rapeseed. Our results provide valuable insights into the complex relationship between rapeseed and fungal communities on the QTP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seaweeds are important primary producers in marine ecosystems and often play keystone and significant structural roles in their communities. After almost a century of research, seaweed functional ecology has emerged as a key approach in seaweed biology with applications in environmental monitoring and rocky shore communities. Several models and functional groups have been proposed to compare and understand seaweed morphology, physiology, and ecology, but there is no consensus on preferred approaches, adequate model usage, and terminology. To address this problem and to provide a comprehensive model synopsis, we conducted a literature review on seaweed functional ecology research from 1934 to 2023. We selected the works that proposed general models for the functional ecology of seaweeds and the papers that tested them. We evaluated each model's strengths, limitations, and scope of application. We also identified the common issues in testing seaweed functional models and suggested a glossary to promote unified and clear terminology. We present hypotheses and classification tables, application flowcharts, and visual aids for each model. We show that most functional models remain untested but are nonetheless often used. After reviewing close to 90 years of research on seaweed functional ecology, we conclude the review by providing new perspectives and highlighting the open questions of the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Home range is an ecological concept that affects many aspects of the life of vertebrates and hence understanding how it varies between species is crucial. Mammalian home range size has been linked to body size and diet, but these studies were based predominantly on terrestrial species and most specifically excluded bats. As the only group of flying mammals, bats experience distinctly different constraints on movement, and hence home range. However, despite their diversity, relatively little is known about the home ranges of bats, and this is the first global review assessing correlates of their home range size. Our hypothesis is that home range will be impacted by different ecological conditions experienced by the bats and by the biological traits of the bats themselves. We performed a meta-analysis based on published data for 81 bat species to identify variables that contribute most to home range size. Sex, wing loading, functional group, colony size, dietary class, distance from the equator (latitudinal region), habitat type, and the interaction between habitat type and latitudinal region were all important explanatory variables. Wing loading was positively correlated with home range size—while females, open-air foragers, large colony sizes, and bats in temperate regions consistently had large home ranges. Understanding the correlates of home range has important implications, for example, for bat conservation and for assessing the risk of spillover of zoonotic pathogens from bats to humans and livestock. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the complex relationships between benthic algal communities and environmental factors is crucial for ecosystem management and conservation. In this study, we investigated benthic algal communities in the upper Red River Basin in China. We collected data on land use, topography and other factors at the watershed scales to gain a comprehensive understanding in the upper Red River Basin in China. Partial canonical correspondence analysis, partial redundancy analysis and variance partitioning analysis methods were used to assess the effects of watershed and local environmental factors on benthic algal communities and their variation. The percentage of landscape that was forest (F-PL), the percentage of landscape that was cropland (C-PL), the percentage of landscape that was water (W-PL), elevation, slope, pH and water level fluctuation (WF) were identified as significant factors affecting the distribution of benthic algal communities. The diversity of benthic algal communities were greatly affected by environmental factors as F-PL, W-PL, precipitation (Prcp), slope, permanganate index (CODMn) and index of substrate (IOS). Slope, F-PL and Prcp showed a positive correlation with species evenness and a negative correlation with community density. The characteristics of functional groups of benthic algae were also shown to be strongly influenced by C-PL and IOS. According to the variance decomposition (VPA) results, it can be seen that, although the explanatory power of individual local and watershed environmental factors was roughly similar, their joint explanatory power was relatively low. Therefore, the influence of watershed environmental factors on benthic algal communities should not be overlooked. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The deoxygenation process in water used in well injection operations is an important matter to eliminate corrosion in the petroleum industry. This study used molecular dynamics simulations to understand the behavior of siloxane surfaces by studying the surface properties with two functional groups attached to the end of siloxane and their effect on the deoxygenation process. The simulations were performed using LAMMPS to characterize surface properties. Jmol software version 14 was used to generate siloxane chains with (8, 20, and 35) repeat units. We evaluated properties such as total energy, surface tension, and viscosity. Then, we used siloxane as a membrane to compare the efficiency of deoxygenation for both types of functional groups. The results indicated that longer chain lengths increased the total energy and viscosity while decreasing surface tension. Replacing methyl groups with trifluoromethyl (CF3) groups increased all the above mentioned properties in varying proportions. Trifluoromethyl (CF3) groups showed better removal efficiency than methyl (CH3) groups but allowed more water to pass. Furthermore, the simulations were run using the class II potential developed by Sun, Rigby, and others within an explicit-atom (EA) model. This force field is universally applicable to the atomistic simulation of polymers, inorganic small molecules, and common organic molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arthropods play vital roles in ecosystem functions, yet their distribution is subjected to environmental factors. Hence, this study investigates the impact of habitat features on arthropod communities within cocoa smallholdings under different farming practices: agroforestry and monoculture systems. We conducted arthropod sampling using yellow sticky traps and assessed the habitat features at each plantation twice to capture temporal variations in arthropod populations. The study recorded 2945 individual arthropods belonging to eight different functional groups. The most abundant functional group was saprophagous, followed by phytophagous, parasitoid, predator, mycetophagous, frugivorous, palynivore, and nectarivorous group. Using Generalized Linear Mixed Models (GLMMs), we found that the abundance of phytophagous and predatory arthropods increases with leaf litter, while it decreases with saprophagous arthropods. Our findings suggest that tree-crop diversification within cocoa smallholdings can play a significant role in preserving higher arthropod biodiversity, particularly when these smallholdings remain free from chemical insecticide use. Canopy cover was also found to positively affect the variability of arthropods indicating that it is a crucial factor affecting arthropod biodiversity. This study underscores the significance of integrating agroforestry systems into cocoa production landscapes, particularly those utilizing agrochemicals, to support diverse arthropod communities and promote sustainable cocoa production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and objective Gypsum habitats create a stressful environment for plant and the establishment of plants is affected by ionomic toxicity. Shrub plants as nurse plants can safeguard their understory species in the harsh conditions of this habitat. These plants are more important in extreme environmental conditions because they use particular processes to modify the microhabitat conditions and assist the development of subordinate species. This study attempted to explore the biotic effect of Artemisia diffusa shrubs on its subordinate species in an altitude gradient in the gypsum habitat of Semnan province. Methodology For this purpose, four habitats with gypsum content above 40% were chosen based on their altitude gradient. These habitats include Talkheh, Sorkheh Down, Rameh and Sorkheh Up with altitudes 1302, 1358, 1431 and 1544 meters above sea level, respectively. In each habitat, 20 twin plots were established under a canopy of A. diffusa and their nearby open spaces and then, their percentage of cover was measured within the plots. The sampling unit is the shrub, which is considered as a patch. To investigate the response of the plants, they were divided into four functional groups: annual grasses, annual forbs, perennial forbs and shrubs. To analyze the soil parameters in each habitat, ten soil samples were collected as pairs under canopy of A. diffusa and their nearby open spaces and physicochemical properties including pH, EC, gypsum content, CaCO3, sand, silt, clay, phosphorus, organic carbon, nitrogen and sulfur were examined. The difference between treatments was examined using the generalized linear mixed model, and means were compared using Tukey's HSD test. Soil properties were examined using multivariate PCA analysis. All computations were performed with R program. The relative interaction index was developed to measure biotic interactions between plants. Results Based on the obtained results, 22 plant species from 16 families were recognized. The findings revealed that the altitude and location of the species under the patch and their nearby open spaces have a major impact on various ecosystems. In Talkheh (7.7±1.9), Sorkheh down (13.2±2.36), and Sorkheh up (12.75±5.3), the percentage of total cover of species under patch is greater than their nearby open spaces. Additionally, in Talkheh, the percentage of annual forbs (5.3±1.2) and at Sorkheh down annual grasses (8.3±2.3) and annual forbs (5±1.06) under patch, also in Sorkheh up shrubs (7.5±3.5) and annual grasses (3.15±0.84) were more abundant under patch than in their nearby open spaces. Also the results showed that the biotic interaction of A.diffusa facilitates all species in all environments, however the intensity decreased with increasing altitude (F=2.95; P<0.05). The study found that annual forbs facilitation declines with increasing altitude (F=10.01; P < 0.001), while shrub species only experience facilitation at high altitude (F = 5; P < 0.006). The model's results demonstrated that altitude, position, and their interactions had a considerable effect on soil properties. In the Talkhe habitat, the amount of sulfur (4.57±1.21), phosphorus (2.1±0.3), clay (17.12±2.24), silt (31.78±1.61), and carbon (4.17±0.78) was much higher under the patch than in their nearby open spaces and the amount of sand (71.8±3.22) and gypsum content (56.93±3.47) was lower than the nearby open spaces. In general, lower altitudes had less gypsum and higher acidity, while the opposite was true in the upper environment. Conclusion In general, Artemisia diffusa plants in Semnan province's gypsum ecosystem have enabling effects that decrease as altitude increases. Because as altitude and gypsum levels rise, environmental conditions grow more severe, increasing competition among plants for limited resources. Given that gypsum ecosystems feature unique and endemic species, it is critical to understand the types of interactions so that, if necessary, appropriate nurse species can be employed to restore these places. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the influence of gas mixture (O2/N2 and O2/N2/CO2) on the spontaneous combustion characteristics of coal, synchronous thermal analyzers, temperature programmed gas chromatography/infrared spectrometers were used to study the characteristic temperature, thermal effect/indicator gas, and functional group changes of coal under gas mixture. The results show that under O2/N2 atmosphere, with the increase of N2 volume fraction, the characteristic temperature point lags behind, TG, DTG, DSC all shift towards high temperature, heat release decreases, activation energy during combustion stage increases, final oxygen consumption and CO volume fraction of coal decrease, hydroxyl groups in coal increase, and the content of aliphatic hydrocarbons, oxygen-containing functional groups, and aromatic hydrocarbons shows a decreasing trend; under O2/N2/CO2 atmosphere, as CO2 increases, the characteristic temperature point shifts backward, the heat release decreases, the activation energy during the combustion stage decreases, the oxygen consumption and CO volume fraction both decrease, hydroxyl and fatty hydrocarbons increase, and the content of oxygen-containing functional groups decreases; when the volume fraction of O2 is the same, the peak weight loss rate, oxygen consumption, and CO volume fraction in the O2/N2/CO2 mixture are all lower than those in O2/N2; −OH is easily oxidized and undergoes dehydration reaction. Coal releases less heat in the initial stage of the reaction, but rapidly increases in the later stage. CO is mainly generated by −C=O.

• Diatoms shaped by Si enrichment or low salinity accumulated more Cd and Cu. • Si-enriched cells under low salinity showed the highest instantaneous metal influx. • The adsorption capacity of diatoms is mediated by cell wall physicochemical traits. • Lower Si availability and salinity led to rougher cell walls with larger surface area. • Higher silicification level decreased cell surface potential with more silanol groups. Increasing nitrogen and phosphorus discharge and decreasing sediment input have made silicon (Si) a limiting element for diatoms in estuaries. Disturbances in nutrient structure and salinity fluctuation can greatly affect metal uptake by estuarine diatoms. However, the combined effects of Si and salinity on metal accumulation in these diatoms have not been evaluated. In this study, we aimed to investigate how salinity and Si availability combine to influence the adsorption of metals by a widely distributed diatom Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Our data indicate that replete Si and low salinity in seawater can enhance cadmium and copper adsorption onto the diatom surface. At the single-cell level, surface potential was a dominant factor determining metal adsorption, while surface roughness also contributed to the higher metal loading capacity at lower salinities. Using a combination of non-invasive micro-test technology, atomic force microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, we demonstrate that the diversity and abundance of the functional groups embedded in diatom cell walls vary with salinity and Si supply. This results in a change in the cell surface potential and transient metal influx. Our study provides novel mechanisms to explain the highly variable metal adsorption capacity of a model estuarine diatom. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An efficient, environmentally friendly, and economical polyphosphate/nitrogen-containing composite inhibitor (APNI) has been developed to prevent coal spontaneous combustion (CSC) disasters. Using temperature rise experiments during coal spontaneous combustion, mercury pressure experiments, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), the samples treated with the APNI were compared with those treated with MgCl2 and NH4H2PO4 inhibitors, and the inhibitory effects of the three inhibitors on CSC were studied. The results showed that the APNI effectively limited the reactions between the coal and oxygen, reduced the amount of CO gas generated, sealed most of the cracks, large pores and mesopores in the coal, and reduced the number of active functional groups in the coal. The APNI was more effective in preventing CSC than MgCl2 and NH4H2PO4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrical properties of acid‐treated CNT were investigated in terms of functional group and microstructure. A mixture of HNO3 and H2SO4 was used to acid treatment of CNT, and acid‐treated CNTs were synthesized by the mixture for 0 to 5 h. In crystal structure analysis, as acid treatment time was increased, the intensity of graphite diffraction peak was decreased and shifted to lower angle. It indicates a decrease in the crystallinity of CNT surface and lattice contraction by loss of carbon atoms. The distribution of oxygen on CNT surface was observed by TEM analysis confirming that functional groups and structural defects were formed. ID/IG ratio and average distance between defects (LD) were calculated using Raman spectroscopy to analyze the structural characteristics of CNT, and the greatest decrease was identified from p‐CNT to 2h‐CNT, resulting in the formation of functional groups and the changes in structural defects on CNT surface by acid treatment in the initial stage. Bonding state on CNT surface was analyzed through XPS analysis, and functional groups such as CO and COH were confirmed in acid‐treated CNT. Sheet resistance was measured to analyze the electrical properties of CNT, and 3h‐CNT showed the lowest sheet resistance at 25.28 Ω. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mariculture exerts a direct influence on planktonic eukaryotic microorganisms protists. Previous studies have focused on phytoplankton, while the heterotrophic and parasitic protistan groups are unknown. Currently, in Muping Marine Ranch (MR) which is along the littoral zone of northern Yellow Sea of China, environmental DNA methods were employed to investigate the diversity and seasonal dynamics of near shore planktonic protists in response to mariculture. Through an integrated analysis of functional groups and a comparison to adjacent sea areas, we found a dominance of harmful algae blooms (HAB) species nearshore MR, and a significant reduction in the diversity of planktonic protists including photosynthetic, heterotrophic and parasitic groups. High nutrient and low salinity were suggested to drive the dominance of HAB species nearshore MR, which in return might inhibit predators, saprophytes and algal parasites. Our investigations revealed an Olisthodiscus luteus outbreak in spring, as well as significant seasonal variations in the planktonic protist community, which might be caused by the changes of temperature. The offshore hypoxia reduced the abundance of phytoplankton but increased mixotrophs and animal parasites of the protistan community nearshore MR. This study highlights the influence of mariculture on the overall community function of planktonic protists, and is helpful to assess the mariculture's impact on water health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The disaster regularity of conveyor belt fire has always been the focus of mine fire prevention and control. In order to study the pyrolysis and combustion characteristics of different types of conveyor belts, the BET model was used to calculate the specific surface area and pore size distribution of conveyor belts. Various chemical bonds or functional groups contained in different types of conveyor belts were tested by infrared spectrum, and the structural parameters of infrared spectrum were calculated by split-peak fitting, so as to quantitatively analyze the change rule of the content of each active functional group. The microscopic morphology and element information of different types of conveyor belts were systematically studied by means of scanning electron microscope and energy spectrum analysis, which laid the foundation for the pyrolysis and combustion experiments of conveyor belts. The experimental results show that the order of specific surface area and average pore size is NFR>SC>PVC>PVG; The degree of hydroxyl oxidation of NFR and lignite samples is higher, and the degree of fat branching of NFR and PVG samples is higher, indicating that the samples have less soluble organic matter and loose structure; SC and NFR powder have similar internal space structure, but NFR conveyor belt has more hole structure than SC conveyor belt; The biggest difference between conveyor belt and lignite is the existence of Cl element. The derivative of Cl element can be considered as an early warning indicator of conveyor belt combustion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Entrepreneurship is crucial for students to navigate intense competition in the globalized era. Chemo-entrepreneurship (CEP) integrates chemistry education with the production of marketable products, which can serve as practical videos to illustrate the application and relevance of functional group materials in daily life, making chemistry learning more impactful when applied practically. This research aims to develop YouTube content in the form of practical videos on functional group material containing chemo-entrepreneurship. The method used in this research is research and development (R&D) with a define, design, develop, and disseminate (4-D) model. The products developed are assessed by material, media, and educational practitioner experts using product quality assessment sheets and student responses. The percentage of assessments from material, media experts, and reviewers are 87, 96, and 91%, respectively. Students responded positively to the practical video that was developed and obtained a percentage of 97%. Assessments from experts, reviewers, and students are in the very good category. Based on the data obtained, the practical video developed is suitable for use as an alternative media in practical learning of functional group material to improve students' entrepreneurial spirit.

Screening highly efficient photoelectrochemical (PEC) materials such as organic semiconductors self-assembled by organic molecules was crucial for designing sensitive biosensors. The local chemical environment of an organic molecule, for example, a functional group, is a critical factor to be taken into account when improving the PEC properties. In this work, the functional groupanhydride, imide, and N-methylimideon the 3, 4, 9, and 10 positions of the perylene core was used to create different chemical environments and investigate the PEC properties. The three perylene derivatives were 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (PDA), 3,4,9,10-perylenetetracarboxylic diimide (PDI), and N,N′-dimethyl-3,4,9,10-perylenedicarboximide (PDI-CH3). They showed distinct photocurrent: PDI-CH3 > PDA > PDI. The results were illustrated with the intermolecular distance of cofacial π–π stacking of the perylene plane and self-assembly structure, which was caused by their different functional group. In the presence of the electron donor ascorbic acid (AA), the photocurrent of PDI-CH3 showed the largest enhancement among them. As a proof of concept, a self-powered PEC biosensor for alkaline phosphatase (ALP) detection using a PDI-CH3 self-assembly material as the PEC platform was successfully constructed with the linear range from 0.1 to 400 U·L–1. The PEC sensor showed good feasibility in a human serum sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study explores the effects of various temperatures on the surface modification of carbon fibers, as well as the effect of differing voltages and currents on the morphology, deposition rate, and thickness of the Ni plating layers. Post-treatment characterization of the samples was conducted utilizing scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) methods, thus facilitating a discussion on the mechanism of Ni plating. The findings demonstrate that at a temperature of 500 °C, the carbon fiber surface exhibits the highest concentration of functional groups, including hydroxyl (-OH), carboxyl (-COOH), and carbonyl (-C=O), resulting in the most efficacious modification. Specifically, exceeding 500 °C leads to significant carbon fiber mass loss, compromising the reinforcement effect. Under a stable voltage of 7.5 V, the Ni-plated layer on the carbon fibers appear smooth, fine, uniform, and complete. Conversely, at a voltage of 15 V, the instantaneous high voltage induces the continuous growth of Ni2+ ions along a singular deposition point, forming a spherical Ni-plated layer. In addition, a current of 0.6 A yields a comparatively uniform and dense carbon fiber coating. Nickel-plated layers on a carbon fiber surface with different morphologies have certain innovative significance for the structural design of composite reinforcements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polycarboxylate (PCE) superplasticizers play a crucial role in preventing cement coagulation by effectively adsorbing onto the surface of cement particles, enhancing dispersibility, and maintaining dispersion performance. This study delves into the potential interaction mechanisms between PCE superplasticizers and cement particles, focusing on various adsorption effects such as electrostatic repulsion, steric hindrance, extrusion emptying, wetting and lubricating, as well as bleed air isolation. Additionally, the paper comprehensively reviews recent advancements in understanding the impacts of five distinct functional groups—carboxyl, ester, siloxane, phosphate, and sulfonic groups—on the performance of PCE superplasticizers. The findings reveal that the carboxyl, siloxane, phosphate, and sulfonic groups contribute positively to the adsorption performance of PCE superplasticizers, with the optimal group density being a critical factor for enhancing overall performance. However, the presence of the ester group in PCE initially reduces the adsorption amount on cement particle surfaces. Upon later hydrolysis of the ester group, the adsorption amount gradually increases, resulting in enhanced fluidity of cement pastes. In general, this review provides a pertinent theoretical foundation and research guidance for the development of novel and highly efficient PCE superplasticizers tailored for cementitious materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, three hydration heat controlling materials (HHCMs), respectively, containing pure hydroxyl (polyvinyl alcohol, PVA), carboxylic (polyacrylic acid, PAA) and ester groups (maleic acid-ethylene glycol ester, P(MA-EG)) were synthesized and mixed with cement-based materials, and the hydration heat and setting time of cement pastes and the SEMI adiabatic temperature rise and strength of mortars were tested. The results showed that PAA and P(MA-EG) reduced the peak value of hydration exothermic rate by 77.45% and 62.28%, respectively, and prolonged 54.14 h and 15.56 h, respectively. Mechanism studies showed that HHCMs containing carboxylic or hydroxyl groups adsorbed on cement particles by Ca2+ complexation, while HHCMs containing ester groups hydrolyzed to carboxylic groups in alkaline cement pastes, which hydrolysis rate changed with the hydration temperature of cement-based materials to regulate the hydration process. This study aims to provide technical feasibility and theoretical basis for exploring new avenues of synthesizing HHCMs with different functional groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exploring the response of the diversity of phytoplankton species and functional groups to environmental variables is extremely important in maintaining biodiversity in aquatic ecosystems. Although there were more taxonomic units at the species level than at the functional group level, it remained unclear whether species diversity was more sensitive than functional group diversity to environmental variables. In this study, taxonomic composition and alpha–beta diversity of phytoplankton were investigated in 23 subtropical reservoirs located in the Han River Basin in South China during wet and dry seasons. Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) and Generalized Dissimilarity Modelling (GDM) were employed to validate the response of phytoplankton species and functional group alpha–beta diversities to environmental variables. The results indicated that the community compositions of phytoplankton in eutrophic reservoirs were similar between wet and dry seasons, while there were distinct differences for community composition in oligotrophic–mesotrophic reservoirs between the two seasons. Across all reservoirs, there were no significant differences in alpha and beta diversities of species and functional groups between wet and dry seasons. The SEM and GDM results revealed that total phosphorus was the primary driving factor influencing alpha and beta diversities of species and functional groups in the 23 reservoirs. Meanwhile, the non-linear results of species beta diversity were stronger than the non-linear results of functional group beta diversity, indicating that phytoplankton species exhibited a higher explanatory power in responding to environmental changes compared to that of functional groups. Compared to that of species beta diversity, the response of functional group beta diversity to environmental variables was significantly lower in the dry season. These research findings lead to re-evaluating the common practice relating to the use of phytoplankton functional groups to assess environmental conditions, which may overlook the explanatory power of subtle changes at the species level, especially during periods of habitat diversification in the dry season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The phenomenon of nitrogen deposition resulting in species loss in terrestrial ecosystems has been demonstrated in several experiments. Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), as major nutrients required for plant growth, exhibit ecological stoichiometric coupling in many ecosystems. The increased availability of nitrogen can exacerbate the ecological effects of phosphorus. To reveal the ecological effects of phosphorus under nitrogen-limiting and non-limiting conditions, we conducted a controlled N-P interaction experiment over 5 years in the Hulunbuir meadow steppe, where two nitrogen addition levels were implemented: 0 g N·m-2·a-1 (nitrogen-limiting condition) and 10 g N·m-2·a-1 (nitrogen-non-limiting condition), together with six levels of phosphorus addition (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 g P·m-2·a-1). The results showed that nitrogen addition (under nitrogen-non-limiting conditions) significantly decreased species diversity in the steppe community, which was exacerbated under phosphorus addition. Under nitrogen-limiting conditions, phosphorus addition had no marked impact on species diversity compared to the control; however, there were substantial differences between different levels of phosphorus addition, exhibiting a unimodal change. Under both experimental nitrogen conditions, the addition of 6 g P·m-2·a-1 was the threshold for affecting the community species diversity. Nitrogen addition reduced the relative biomass of legumes, bunch grasses, and forbs, but substantially increased the relative biomass of rhizomatous grasses. In contrast, phosphorus addition only markedly affected the relative biomass of forbs and rhizomatous grasses, with the former showing a unimodal pattern of first increasing and then decreasing with increasing phosphorus addition level, and the latter exhibiting the opposite pattern. The different responses of rhizomatous grasses and other functional groups to nitrogen and phosphorus addition were observed to have a regulatory effect on the changes in grassland community structure. Phosphorus addition may increase the risk of nitrogen deposition-induced species loss. Both nitrogen and phosphorus addition lead to soil acidification and an increase in the dominance of the already-dominant species, and the consequent species loss in the forb functional group represents the main mechanism for the reduction in community species diversity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nematodes adapt to variety of environments. Dynamics of a nematode community are highly associated with the soil condition, which can serve as an indicator for monitoring the impact of human activity on the soil ecosystem. However, a systematic study on nematode fauna is lacking in many regions across Taiwan. In this study, we provide morphological and molecular identification for the soil nematodes collected during the cultivation process of the first crop rice in Chiayi, Taiwan. Within the three-year survey, 26 morphospecies of 18 genera were identified in the soil from the rice paddy fields. Each morphospeices was initially identified based on morphology, and 11 were further examined using 18S rDNA sequences. Among these, nine predominant morphospeices represented over 90% of the abundance, while juveniles of the plant pathogenetic nematode, Meloidogyne, were the most abundant one. Bacterivore was the most diverse and abundant functional group in the nematode community. Eight morphospecies were supported by the molecular identification at the genus level, while three require further consideration due to inconsistencies between morphological and molecular analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To overcome the energy limitations of conventional Li‐ion batteries (LIB), renewed attention has been given to Li‐metal anodes, which provide the highest capacity and lowest anode potential. To realize Li‐metal batteries (LMBs), it is crucial to stabilize unwanted side reactions on the surface and to inhibit problematic dendrite growth, which causes short‐circuit issues. Herein, diverse pyrrolidone‐based molecular dipole additives controlled by different functional groups are introduced as trifunctional surface stabilizers. It is discovered that the Li–Li symmetric cell improves proportionally with the molar volume and corresponding polarizability values of the molecular dipoles. The highly polarizable pyrrolidone‐based molecular dipoles offer exceptional benefits, including surface flattening of the Li metal anode, controlling the growth direction of crystalline Li, and forming durable solid electrolyte interface (SEI) components. The study is based on polarizability‐controlled molecular dipoles, and offers an effective approach for designing advanced surface stabilizers to develop of high‐performance LMBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the more visible consequences of anthropogenic climate change is the ongoing retreat of glaciers worldwide. Rates of primary succession in the resulting glacial forelands are commonly calculated from a single measurement set using a single set of measurements across a landscape of varying age, but repeated measurements over decadal scales may be a more effective means of examining the rates and trends of colonization and community development. Repeated measurements of vegetation groups in a glacial foreland in southern Iceland demonstrate that successional changes are measurable, as shown by the calculation of the dissimilarity index at sites over a 15 year interval. Inter-site dissimilarity validates the essential paradigm of primary succession, where vegetative coverage increases in the glacial foreland as a function of time and supports earlier interpretations saying that species richness decreases on older surfaces, even as the total vegetation cover increases. However, successional processes are subject to major abiotic factors, such as aspect, which is controlled by landscape topography, and the substrate composition. The glacial moraines and outwash plain are underlain by different substrates which produce separate successional trajectories. Succession on the moraines ultimately produces a birch-shrub-heath community, while the outwash deposits promote development of a moss-heath community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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The effects of grazing on natural grasslands' plant composition, diversity, and productivity depend on the intensity of grazing. Besides grazing intensity, animal composition is also important. However, whether and how sheep grazing intensity affects the temporal biomass stability of plant communities is unclear. Here, we conducted a 5‐year grazing experiment to evaluate the effects of four grazing intensities on community biomass stability and the underlying mechanisms. Our results showed that the higher grazing intensity significantly decreased community biomass stability, community‐wide asynchrony, functional groups asynchrony, dominant species stability, and species dominance, but did not affect species richness. The results of structural equation modeling revealed that grazing decreased community biomass stability by decreasing dominant species stability and community‐wide asynchrony, which was attributable to the reduction in plant functional group asynchrony. Our results highlight the importance of functional group composition and dynamics in predicting the changes in community function in sheep grazing grassland ecosystems. Under continuous seasonal grazing conditions, the sustainable function and human services of grasslands in the agropastoral ecotone might decrease in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many population statistics describe the characteristics of populations within and among species. These are useful for describing population dynamics, understanding how environmental factors alter demographic patterns, testing hypotheses related to the evolution of life history characteristics and informing the effective management of populations.In this study, we propose a population statistic: the interstage flow. The interstage flow is defined as the product of the element in the ith row, the jth column of the population projection matrix and the jth element of the normalized stable stage distribution.The sum of the interstage flow matrix elements is equal to the population growth rate (PGR), which is the dominant eigenvalue of the population projection matrix. The interstage flow matrix elements allow decomposition of PGR into component contributions made by transitions between developmental stages.We demonstrate the utility of interstage flow matrices using matrix population models from the COMPADRE plant matrix database. We compared interstage flows among four life history/functional groups (FGs) (semelparous herbs, iteroparous herbs, shrubs and trees) and described how PGR reflected individual transitions related to stasis, fecundity and growth. We found that the individual flows are different among FGs.Synthesis. The proposed population statistic, the interstage flow matrix, describes the contribution of individual developmental stage transitions to the PGR. The flow of individuals between developmental stages differs in distinctive ways among different life histories and FGs. The interstage flow matrix is a valuable statistic for describing these differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combination of donor-acceptor (D–A) structures presents a viable strategy for fabricating covalent organic frameworks (COFs) with exceptional photocatalytic performances. Nevertheless, the selection of functional groups on donor or acceptor building blocks and their effect on the macroscopic properties of COFs are ambiguous. In this study, we tactfully synthesized a pair of Py-DBT-COFs from the same pyrene (Py) donor and 4,7-diphenylbenzo[c][1,2,5]thiadiazole (DBT) acceptor cores with distinct primitive functional groups. The primitive functional groups of building units determine the photocatalytic properties of corresponding Py-DBT-COFs. Specifically, Py-C-DBT-COF synthesized from Py-4CHO and DBT-2NH2 showcases a splendid H2 evolution rate as high as 21,377.7 µmol/(g·h) (with 5 wt.% Pt) originating from better charge transfer capacity, which is significantly superior to that of Py-N-DBT-COF constructed from Py-4NH2 and DBT-2CHO. The distinct photocatalytic performances of the two COFs are demonstrated to originate from the different charge separation and transfer capabilities. This work supplies a new avenue for optimizing the photocatalytic performance of D–A COFs from the perspective of primitive functional group selections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The organic isooctyltriethoxysilane (TS) and inorganic nanosilicon dioxide (nano-SiO2) were combined to prepare monolithic superhydrophobic hydraulic concrete by "binary synergistic" biomimetic method, and the effects of TS dosage and curing conditions on the mechanical properties and hydrophobicity properties of concrete were investigated. The microscopic morphology, phase composition and hydrophobic modification mechanism of materials were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR). The results show that the curing conditions have a large influence on the hydrophobicity of concrete. Under natural curing conditions, when TS dosage reaches 3% (mass fraction), the concrete all exhibits superhydrophobicity, with a maximum contact angle of 155.6°. The incorporation of nanoparticles promotes cement hydration and enhances compressive strength of specimens. The modified hydraulic concrete has good hydrophobicity, and the water absorption rate decreases by 68.8% in 288 h immersion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil nutrients are ubiquitously heterogeneously distributed and such heterogeneity can greatly influence plant and population growth, interspecific competition and community structure and productivity. Despite these impacts, it is still unknown how soil nutrient heterogeneity affects community stability. We conducted a three-year experiment in an alpine meadow on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, involving one homogeneous and six heterogeneous treatments of N, P, and K addition. The heterogeneous treatments varied in patch size, patch contrast, and number of patch types. Community stability in the homogeneous treatment tended to be the highest, likely due to high asynchrony among functional groups. However, such effects varied with patch size, patch contrast and number of patch types. Also, the effects of patch contrast and number of patch types on community stability and asynchrony among functional groups depended on patch size. The grass proportion was significantly affected by soil nutrient heterogeneity, and greater number of patch types increased the grass proportion at the small patch size, but not at the large one. Additionally, species richness, Shannon-Weiner index and Simpson index were greater in high patch contrast compared to the homogeneous treatment, but community evenness was not. These results suggest that soil nutrient heterogeneity can influence community stability by modifying functional group asynchrony and community evenness, rather than biomass proportions or other plant diversity indices. Our findings highlight the importance of incorporating soil nutrient heterogeneity in modeling the responses of alpine ecosystems to continuous nitrogen deposition and climate warming.

Low molecular aromatic compounds are detrimental to the enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulose. However, the specific role of their functional groups remains unclear. Here, a series of nine aromatic compounds as additives were tested to understand their effect on the hydrolysis yield of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and alkaline pretreated wheat straw. Based on the results, the inhibition of aldehyde groups on MCC was greater than that of carboxyl groups, whereas for the alkaline pretreated wheat straw case, the inhibitory effect of aldehyde groups was lower than that of carboxyl groups. Increased methoxyl groups of aromatic compounds reduced the inhibitory effect on enzymatic hydrolysis of both substrates. Stronger inhibition of aromatic compounds on MCC hydrolysis was detected in comparison with the alkaline pretreated wheat straw, indicating that the substrate lignin can offset the inhibition to a certain extent. Among all aromatic compounds, syringaldehyde with one aldehyde group and two methoxyl groups improved the glucan conversion of the alkaline pretreated wheat straw.

Ultisol dry land is characterized by significantly low organic carbon content, an important factor influencing soil water content and physico-chemical dynamics. The addition of N fertilizer dissolved in seaweed liquid extract as an enrichment solution can change the character of biochar. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the characteristics of cogongrass biochar enriched with dissolved N fertilizer in seaweed extract of different species and assess its impact on soil water content in Ultisol. Urea was used as a nitrogen source, and biochar enriched with N fertilizer dissolved in seaweed liquid extract from Kappapychus alvarezii, Sargassum sp., and Ulva lactuca was tested. Biochar dose used was 20% of soil weight with a 10% extract concentration for each type. Furthermore, five-level treatments were tested in a pot experiment, namely (i) without biochar, (ii) biochar unenriched, (iii) enriched with N fertilizer dissolved in K. alvarezii extract, (iv) enriched with N fertilizer dissolved in Sargassum sp. extract, and (v) biochar enriched with N fertilizer dissolved in U. lactuca extract. Each treatment was repeated three times, following a randomized block design. The results showed that cogongrass biochar enriched with N fertilizer dissolved in seaweed extract had a more amorphous surface morphology structure. The proportion of elements and functional groups in cogongrass biochar changed. Enriched biochar increased Ultisol moisture levels, but water holding capacity and retention were lower than the unenriched sample.

In order to explore the influence law of igneous rock erosion on coal spontaneous combustion characteristics and structure, taking primary coal and igneous rock eroded coal in the same coal face of Shanxi Mine and Liaoning Mine as the samples, the oxidation characteristics, the limit parameters of the spontaneous combustion, the content of the active functional group and pore structure characteristics of coal were analyzed from macro and micro perspectives by temperature programmed test, FT-IR experiment, low temperature nitrogen adsorption experiment and mercury injection experiment respectively. The results of temperature programmed test showed that igneous rock erosion increased the spontaneous combustion risk of coal, igneous rock erosion could enhance the gas circulation inside the coal body, which is conducive to the oxidation reaction between oxygen and active groups inside the coal body, and the coal body of the igneous erosion had higher oxidizing activity. In addition, igneous rock erosion altered the occurrence conditions of coal seams, increased the difficulty of coal seams mining and the intensity of wind leakage in the mining airspace, prolonged the oxidation time of the residual coal in the “oxidized heating zone” in goaf, thus increasing the risk of spontaneous combustion of coal from the level of external influencing factors. The erosion of igneous rock changes the structure of coal itself and the external environmental factors of coal spontaneous combustion, which intensifies the spontaneous combustion risk of the eroded coal seam.

The electroplating of copper layers on acrylonitrile–butadiene–styrene (ABS) polymer surfaces is a common need in industrial applications. The development of new eco-friendly techniques to promote ABS–copper adhesion is crucial due to the harsh and expensive chemicals used in the existing processes. The initial path involves establishing a better understanding on chemistry-dependent ABS–copper adhesion mechanisms. By formulating the material with more functional groups, the adhesion between ABS and the coated copper layer was characterized through a multiscale approach. At the atomic scale, we performed ab initio density functional theory simulations to obtain the variations in the adsorption energy. At the nano and micro scales, we adopted atomic force microscopy to measure the adhesion forces on the bulk polymer surfaces. At the macro scale, we compared these adhesion results with both 90-degree peeling tests and finite element model analyses. This study presents the first comprehensive approach for bridging information gaps across the scales (from nano to macro) with computational and experimental data, facilitating the design of formulated ABS additives.

Background The apple peel is one of the byproducts of apple beverage production that is still underutilized. While considerable information regarding apple peel extract is available, its utilization remains limited. Yet, apple peel contains numerous bioactive components that offer various health benefits. Based on this, information regarding the bioactive components in apple peel and their health potential is required. Methods The research consisted of two stages, namely Stage 1, which involved in silico analysis of the bioactive content in apples and predicted the potential of ant nests using the Structural Activity Relationship (SAR) approach Pass Online. In Stage 2, in vitro analysis of apple peel extraction as a natural antioxidant source was conducted using treatment time radiation (3 minutes, 6 minutes, 9 minutes, and 12 minutes). The extract was characterized based on phenolic, flavonoid, antioxidant activity, quercetin, and functional groups using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Results Stage 1: gave results that several bioactive were identified such as chlorogenic acid, epicatechin, phloridzin, catechin, hyperoside, quercitrin, quercetin, and pectin. Based on SAR, the bioactive compounds have functional potential as anti-inflammatory, lipid metabolism regulators, free radical scavengers, lipid peroxidase inhibitors, antihypercholesterolemic, and insulin promoters. Stage 2: Radiation times of the MAE method had a significant effect (PMalus sylvestris. Radiation time for 12 minutes of MAE gave higher phenolic, flavonoid, and antioxidant activity of Malus sylvestris peel extract. The IR spectra of the Malus sylvestris extract increased as the radiation time increased. Conclusions The optimum radiation time was at 12 minutes with the result of phenolic content at 14.73 mg GAE/g, flavonoid content at 29,62 ppm, antioxidant activity at 95,09%, and the IR spectra at 1031.92 cm −1, 1390.68 cm −1, 2833.43 cm −1, 2945.3 cm −1, 3346.5 cm −1, 3354.21 cm −1.

Global primary energy consumption, which heavily depends on fossil fuels, is on track for depletion, with projections suggesting exhaustion by 2100. This trajectory is further compounded by the persistent rise in atmospheric CO2 levels, currently at 420 ppm, which significantly contributes to climate change and its detrimental environmental consequences. To address this urgent challenge, various strategies have been proposed, including CO2 capture and storage, as well as its conversion into usable fuels. Leveraging the abundance of CO2 as a carbon source, coupled with sustainable energy resources such as solar, wind, and thermal energy, holds promise for generating value-added goods while mitigating environmental harm. This review focuses on the electrochemical reduction of CO2, presenting a dual-pronged approach aimed at decreasing atmospheric CO2 levels. The imperative to simultaneously combat declining atmospheric CO2 concentrations and advance cleaner, sustainable energy sources underscores the urgency of this endeavor. Specifically, we highlight the pivotal role of diverse polymer electrolytes, encompassing cation, anion, and bipolar membranes, in facilitating electrochemical CO2 reduction. Exploring the impact of functional groups within these membranes on CO2 reduction reaction provides insights into potential advancements in synthesis of eco-friendly fuel from conversion of CO2.

The erosion of igneous rocks affects the structural and spontaneous combustion characteristics of coal. A series of tests were conducted, including programmed heating, thermogravimetric analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, low-temperature nitrogen adsorption, and pressed mercury experiments on samples from primary coal and coal eroded by igneous rocks from the Tashan Mine and Xiaonan Mine within the same coal seam. Based on these experiments, we analyzed various properties of coal, such as the oxidation characteristics, spontaneous combustion limit, active functional group content, chemical structure, and pore structure, from both macroscopic and microscopic perspectives. The results indicated significant trends after the erosion of igneous rocks: (1) there were increases in the oxygen consumption rate, as well as the CO and CO2 release rates; (2) the upper limit of air leakage intensity increased, the minimum thickness of floating coal decreased, and the lower limit of oxygen volume fraction decreased; (3) there was a decrease in the activation energy required for coal ignition; (4) there was a decrease in the active functional group content while improving the structural stability; and (5) there were the alterations in the pore structure of coal. These promoted the oxidation reactions between oxygen and the active groups within the coal matrix, increasing the propensity for spontaneous combustion, particularly in the igneous rocks with low oxidation activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Protozoa are the most abundant phagotrophic group in the biosphere and play an important ecological role in aquatic ecosystems. However, the effects of environmental stressors such as temperature changes, eutrophication, and pesticide pollution, on the protozoan communities in fresh waters remain poorly understood. The results of our study show that warming and eutrophication considerably promote an increase in protozoan biomass, and the combination of warming and pesticides can remarkably reduce the abundance, biomass and diversity of protozoa. Warming, eutrophication, and pesticide pollution affect protozoan diversity, community structure, and functional groups, either independently or interactively. To explore the impacts of multiple environmental stressors on animal communities in aquatic ecosystems, we selected protozoa—a highly sensitive group of organisms—to assess the effect of environmental change. To conduct this simulation we conducted a three-factor, outdoor, mesocosm experiment from March to November 2021. Changes in the community structure and functional group composition of protozoan communities under the separate and combined effects of these three environmental stressors were investigated by warming and the addition of nitrogen, phosphorus, and pesticides. The results were as follows: (1) Both eutrophication and pesticides had a considerable promotional effect on the abundance and biomass of protozoa; the effect of warming was not considerable. When warming was combined with eutrophication and pesticides, there was a synergistic effect and antagonistic effect, respectively. (2) Eutrophication promoted α diversity of protozoa and affected their species richness and dominant species composition; the combination of warming and pesticides remarkably reduced the α diversity of protozoa. (3) Warming, eutrophication, and pesticides were important factors affecting the functional groups of protozoa. Interaction among different environmental factors could complicate changes in the aquatic ecological environment and its protozoan communities. Indeed, in the context of climate change, it might be more difficult to predict future trends in the protozoan community. Therefore, our results provide a scientific basis for the protection and restoration of shallow lake ecosystems; they also offer valuable insights in predicting changes in shallow lakes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Supercapacitors, also known as electric double-layer capacitors, have gained substantial attention for their remarkable energy storage capabilities, making them vital for numerous applications, including portable electronics, electric vehicles, and renewable energy systems. This review delves into the intricate world of carbon electrodes in supercapacitors, highlighting the diverse carbon materials used, such as activated carbons, carbon blacks, zeolite-template carbons, and graphene meso-sponges, and their significant impact on supercapacitor performance. Some research explores the synthesis of carbon electrodes using zeolite templates, which provide precise control over structural properties for enhancing performance in high-rate applications. The review also provides a comprehensive understanding of the fundamental principles of electrochemical cells, emphasizing the critical factors affecting carbon electrode performance, including surface functional groups, electrolyte composition, voltage range and stability, cycle life, operating temperature, current density, and rate capability. Recognizing the interconnected nature of these factors is essential for optimizing supercapacitor technology. This knowledge forms the foundation for ongoing research and innovation needed to advance supercapacitors, providing sustainable and efficient solutions to pressing energy challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous crosslinked aromatic polyamides were prepared in a single-step process by reacting a triacid chloride monomer with a diamine monomer having COOH groups via a precipitation polymerization method. The resulting materials were agglomerates of polyamide particles having COCl and COOH groups with average diameters of 30–70 nm and average pore diameters in the range of ca. 20–40 nm. The concentration of COCl groups and the porous structure were significantly affected by the monomer ratio, the total monomer concentration and the reaction solvent. These COCl groups were subsequently modified by reaction with 1,8-diaminooctane in three different solvents, and the extent of modification depended strongly on the solvent. This modification produced aromatic polyamides having two types of crosslinking, based on of the 1,8-diaminooctane and the aromatic polyamide product, which were cleaved in different temperature ranges. The COCl groups introduced were found to have high reactivity and react with NH2 groups even in water, prior to hydrolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

La1-xGdxFeO3 (x = 0 to 0.25) nanoparticles are prepared by microwave combustion process (MCP) with L-alanine as a fuel. The synthesized samples were characterized by XRD, TEM, SAED, XPS, FE-SEM, EDX, FTIR, DRS-UV and VSM analysis. XRD and FT-IR confirmed that lanthanum ferrite has an orthorhombic structure with an average crystallite size ranging from 57.8 to 37.9 nm. The energy gap values were estimated using UV–vis spectra and it is in the range between 2.17 and 2.43 eV. The elements Gd, La, Fe and O are present in EDX and XPS analysis. FE-SEM images reveal aggregated spherical morphology. VSM analysis shows strong ferro magnetic behavior of La1-xGdxFeO3 nanoparticles. The Ms and Mr values are in the range between 5.63 to 6.54 and 0.76 to 1.71 emu/g for La1-xGdxFeO3 respectively. The experimental results of this work hold promise for further advancements and novel uses in various fields of technology and industry, include solid oxide fuel cells, oxygen separation membranes, gas sensors, catalysis, magnetic devices, electrochemical devices, and potential use in environmental and thermoelectric applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The degree of irregularity and complexity of the pore structure are comprehensively reflected in the fractal dimension. The porosity of coal was determined by its fractal dimension, where a larger dimension indicates a lower porosity. Fractal theory and the Frenkel–Halsey–Hill (FHH) model were applied to explore the variation rules of concentration on functional groups and pore structure in this study. Combined with infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and low-temperature nitrogen adsorption, a starch-polymerized aluminum sulfate composite fracturing fluid was prepared, which plays an important role in methane adsorption and permeability of coal samples. The test results showed that, compared with the original coal, the pore volume and specific surface area of each group of coal samples were reduced, the average pore diameter was initially enlarged and then declined, and fractal dimension D1 dropped by 5.4% to 15.4%, while fractal dimension D2 gained 1.2% to 7.9%. Moreover, the nitrogen adsorption of each group of coal samples was obviously lower than the original coal, and the concentration of starch-polymerized aluminum sulfate solution existed at a critical optimal concentration for the modification of the coal samples, and the nitrogen adsorption reached a minimum value of 0.6814 cm3/g at a concentration of 10%. The novel composite solution prepared by the combination of starch and flocculant in this paper enhanced the permeability of the coal seam, which is of great significance in improving the efficiency of coalbed methane mining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidation products of monoterpenes (C10H16) play a significant role as precursors for secondary organic aerosol formation. They contain several structural isomers with multifunctional groups. However, only a few of these isomers have been identified experimentally. We describe a measurement technique for identifying oxygen-containing functional groups (carbonyl, carboxyl, and hydroxyl groups) included in monoterpene oxidation products. This technique involves (i) three derivatization reactions (oximation of carbonyls by O-(2,3,4,5,6-pentafluorobenzyl) hydroxylamine, methyl esterification of carboxylic acids by trimethylsilyl diazomethane, and acylation of alcohols by acetic anhydride), (ii) no preseparation high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and (iii) collision-induced dissociation. This technique was applied to functional group analysis of ozonolysis products for α-pinene. Multifunctional groups of known ozonolysis products were accurately identified. Furthermore, we successfully estimated the multifunctional groups of products that have not been previously reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultisol dry land is characterized by significantly low organic carbon content, an important factor influencing soil water content and physicochemical dynamics. The addition of N fertilizer dissolved in seaweed liquid extract as an enrichment solution can change the character of biochar. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the characteristics of cogongrass biochar enriched with dissolved N fertilizer in seaweed extract of different species and assess its impact on soil water content in Ultisol. Urea was used as a nitrogen source, and biochar enriched with N fertilizer dissolved in seaweed liquid extract from Kappapychus alvarezii, Sargassum sp., and Ulva lactuca was tested. Biochar dose used was 20% of soil weight with a 10% extract concentration for each type. Furthermore, five-level treatments were tested in a pot experiment, namely (i) without biochar, (ii) biochar unenriched, (iii) enriched with N fertilizer dissolved in K. alvarezii extract, (iv) enriched with N fertilizer dissolved in Sargassum sp. extract, and (v) biochar enriched with N fertilizer dissolved in U. lactuca extract. Each treatment was repeated three times, following a randomized block design. The results showed that cogongrass biochar enriched with N fertilizer dissolved in seaweed extract had a more amorphous surface morphology structure. The proportion of elements and functional groups in cogongrass biochar changed. Enriched biochar increased Ultisol moisture levels, but water holding capacity and retention were lower than the unenriched sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]