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Titanium dioxide (TiO2) and strontium titanate (SrTiO3) are widely used photocatalytic materials in photoelectrochemical (PEC) water-splitting processes. Recent advancements have aimed at improving energy conversion efficiency by loading cobalt oxide (CoOx) cocatalysts onto these materials' surfaces to enhance O2 evolution and capture photogenerated holes. Charge carrier recombination plays a crucial role in PEC reactions. This investigation explores the impact of CoOx loading on various crystal faces on the charge carrier recombination dynamics in TiO2 and SrTiO3 single crystals using the microwave photoconductivity decay (μ-PCD) technique. The results indicate that CoOx loading increases the charge carrier recombination for both TiO2 and SrTiO3 across all crystal faces, as observed from the decay curves. Additionally, different tendencies of the injected photon density and temperature dependence of the carrier lifetime, derived from μ-PCD curves, reveal that CoOx loading on TiO2 surfaces introduces the new surface recombination center that dominates the charge carrier recombination. In contrast, for SrTiO3, the surface recombination center remains unchanged across all crystal faces. Consequently, these findings suggest that while CoOx loading on SrTiO3 surfaces does not affect the charge carrier dynamics and remains effective for water splitting, it poses a risk of enhancing carrier recombination and reducing efficiency in TiO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study examines the impact of the incorporation of quantum-sized nickel (Ni) nanoparticles in TiO2 (titanium dioxide) matrix at 1%, 3%, and 5% weight percentages by straightforward, easy, and potentially effective synthesis strategy of direct doping. The structural, morphological, optical, and electrical characterization studies of synthesized films are systematically done and the photovoltaic, photocatalytic applications are evaluated. The integration of nickel into TiO2 influences its photovoltaic properties by enhancing the open-circuit voltage (Voc). However, higher concentrations lead to increased recombination and defects, decreasing efficiency. On conducting photocatalytic studies, TiO2 doped with 1 wt. % nickel exhibits superior photocatalytic efficiency, surpassing that of undoped TiO2. This improvement in photovoltaic and photocatalytic performance is attributed to better charge separation and reduced recombination. However, optimizing nickel levels is crucial for maximizing benefits for the applications using the performed synthesis strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rare-earth ion doped oxide thin films integrated on silicon substrates provide a route toward scalable, chip-scale platforms for quantum coherent devices. Erbium-doped TiO 2 is an attractive candidate: the Er 3 + optical transition is compatible with C-band optical fiber communications, while TiO 2 is an insulating dielectric compatible with silicon process technology. Through structural and optical studies of Er-doped TiO 2 thin films grown via molecular beam deposition on silicon, SrTiO 3 , and sapphire substrates, we have explored the impact of polycrystallinity and microstructure on the optical properties of the Er emission. Comparing polycrystalline TiO 2 (rutile)/Si with single-crystalline TiO 2 (rutile)/r-sapphire and polycrystalline TiO 2 (anatase)/Si with single-crystalline TiO 2 (anatase)/ SrTiO 3 , we observe that the inhomogeneous linewidth (Γ inh) of the most prominent peak in the Er spectrum (the Y 1 – Z 1 transition, 1520 and 1533 nm in rutile and anatase TiO 2) is significantly narrower in the polycrystalline case. This implies a relative insensitivity to extended structural defects and grain boundaries in such films (as opposed to, e.g., point defects). We show that the growth of an undoped, underlying TiO 2 buffer on Si can reduce Γ inh by a factor of 4–5. Expectedly, Γ inh also reduces with decreasing Er concentrations: we observe a ∼ 2 order of magnitude reduction from ∼ 1000 ppm Er to ∼ 10 ppm Er. Γ inh then gets limited to a residual value of ∼ 5 GHz that is insensitive to further reduction in the Er concentration. Based upon the above results, we argue that the optical properties in these thin films are limited by the presence of high "grown-in" point defect concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A deterministic, bright, room-temperature stable single-photon source (SPS) has been a major demand in the field of quantum photonics. Here, using computational and analytical techniques, we showed that the Mie-scattering moments of an all-dielectric cavity-cum-antenna help in shaping the spontaneous emission process of an embedded point-dipole emitter, the nanodiamond-based NV − and SiV color centers here. Our resonator-cum-antenna design comprises two top and bottom TiO 2 cylinders with a sandwiched polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) layer enclosing the nanodiamond crystal. The Cartesian multi-polar decomposition of the Mie-scattering moments of the sandwiched PVA layer (enclosing the dipole emitter) with subwavelength scale thickness showed strong electric-dipole (ED) resonance. This resulted in significant field confinement, making the PVA layer to act as a cavity, providing a Purcell enhancement of more than an order of magnitude for all dipole orientations. The top and bottom TiO 2 cylinders were observed to act as an antenna, and the far-field radiation pattern of the embedded dipole-emitter is controlled by the Mie-scattering moments of the TiO 2 cylinders. The radiation directionality along the vertical directions was found to be maximum at the Kerker point (electric dipole moment, ED = magnetic dipole moment), the collection efficiency (CE) being about 80%. For dipole emission coupled to the antenna, the quantum efficiency was observed to increase to a high value of 0.98 for nanodiamond NV − center, very close to an ideal case of purely radiative emission. Our scheme is shown to be universal and can be applied to any solid-state-based quantum emitters, for generating on-demand SPS for quantum-photonic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We studied the photoluminescence decay kinetics of three nanosized anatase TiO2 photocatalysts (particle diameter: 7, 25, or 200 nm) at the pico- and nanosecond timescales for elucidating the origin of the luminescence. Luminescence spectra from these photocatalysts obtained under steady-state excitation conditions comprised green luminescence that decayed on the picosecond timescale and red luminescence that persisted at the nanosecond timescale. Among the photocatalysts with different sizes, there were marked differences in the rate of luminescence decay at the picosecond timescale (<600 ps), although the spectral shapes were comparable. The similarity in the spectral shape indicated that self-trapped excitons (STEs) directly populated in the bulk of the particle by light excitation emit the luminescence in a picosecond timescale, and the difference in the rate of luminescence decay originated from the quenching at the particle surface. Furthermore, we theoretically considered excitation light intensity dependence on the quantum yield of the luminescence and found that the quenching reaction was not limited by the diffusion of the STEs but by the reaction at the particle surface. Both the spectral shape and time-evolution of the red luminescence from the deep trapped excitons in the nanosecond timescale varied among the photocatalysts, suggesting that the trap sites in different photocatalysts have different characteristics with respect to luminescence. Therefore, the relation between trap states and photocatalytic activity will be elucidated from the red luminescence study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ti-doped In 2 O 3 thin films with varying Ti contents are prepared by partial reactive co-sputtering using ceramic In 2 O 3 and metallic Ti targets and characterized by in situ x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, electrical conductivity, and Hall-effect measurements. For a substrate temperature of 400 ° C , the carrier concentration increases faster than the Ti content and saturates at ≈ 7.4 × 10 20 c m − 3 . Based on these results, it is suggested that Ti does not directly act as donor in In 2 O 3 but is rather forming TiO 2 precipitates and that the related scavenging of oxygen generates oxygen vacancies in In 2 O 3 as origin of doping. Neutralization of oxygen vacancies is, therefore, suggested to be origin of the limitation of the carrier concentration in Ti-doped In 2 O 3 films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the radiation enhancement effects of ultrasound-stimulated microbubbles (USMB) with X-rays and nanoparticles on pancreatic cancer cells in vitro. Methods: Sonazoid™ microbubbles were used for USMB treatment with a commercially available ultrasound unit. The characterization of the microbubbles before and after ultrasound exposure with different mechanical parameters was evaluated microscopically. Two pancreatic cancer cell lines, MIAPaCa-2 and PANC-1, were treated with different concentrations of microbubbles in combination with 150 kVp X-rays and hydrogen peroxide-modified titanium dioxide nanoparticles. Cell viability was evaluated using a water-soluble tetrazolium dye and a colony formation assay. In addition, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) induced by the combined treatment were assessed. Results: The number of burst microbubbles increased with ultrasound's higher mechanical index and the exposure time. A significant radiation enhancement effect with a significant increase in ROS levels was observed in MIAPaCa-2 cells treated with USMB and 6 Gy X-rays, whereas it was not significant in PANC-1 cells treated with the same. When a higher concentration of USMB was applied with X-rays, no radiation enhancement effects were observed in either cell line. Moreover, there was no radiation enhancement effect by USMB between cells treated with and without nanoparticles. Conclusions: The results indicate that USMB treatment can additively enhance the therapeutic efficacy of radiation therapy on pancreatic cancer cells, while the synergistic enhancement effects are likely to be cell type and microbubble concentration dependent. In addition, USMB did not improve the efficacy of nanoparticle-induced radiosensitization in the current setting. Keywords: Microbubbles, nanoparticles, radiation therapy, radiosensitizer, ultrasound, Author(s): Masao Nakayama (corresponding author) [1,2,3]; Ayaha Noda [4]; Hiroaki Akasaka [1,5]; Takahiro Tominaga [4]; Giulia McCorkell [2]; Moshi Geso [2]; Ryohei Sasaki [1] INTRODUCTION Microbubbles have been used clinically [...]

The increasing demand for functional nanodevices in sustainable energy applications necessitates the development of innovative approaches. In this study, we present the fabrication and characterization of three-dimensional (3D) structures coated with titanium dioxide (TiO 2) nanorods (NRs). These novel devices are created through the integration of four distinct techniques, multi-photon lithography, post-thermal treatment, pulsed laser deposition, and an aqueous chemical growth, enabling their unique properties and functionalities in photocatalysis. The photocatalytic performance of the 3D devices is evaluated through the degradation of organic pollutants, such as methylene blue and stearic acid, showcasing their efficiency in reducing pollutant concentrations. The devices demonstrate a remarkable decomposition coefficient (k = 0.059 min − 1 ), highlighting their enhanced photocatalytic efficiency. Additionally, we propose a rapid fabrication technique using 3D holographic printing to create large-area TiO 2 -coated micro-structured photocatalytic devices at the mesoscale regime. This approach increases the active surface area, further enhancing the devices' photocatalytic capabilities. By combining additive micro-manufacturing, TiO 2 NR coating, and holographic printing, our work introduces a promising avenue for the development of advanced nanodevices with superior photocatalytic performance in sustainable energy applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of advanced photocatalyst for the complete and sustainable removal of emerging organic pollutants such as pharmaceuticals in wastewater is still challenging. Thus, a new three-dimensional cauliflower of TiO2 immobilised on a bio sourced activated carbon (AC/3D-TiO2) was successfully synthesised by a hydrothermal method. Its morphological and physicochemical properties were well-characterised with a pure 3D-TiO2 anatase phase, a high surface area (763 m2.g−1) and a cauliflower-shaped morphology composed of TiO2 tubes in a radial direction at a micrometric scale. 3D-TiO2-AC photocatalytic activity on carbamazepine (CBZ), in water showed that around 90% of CBZ elimination is obtained after 4 h of exposure, that is 1.5 times more efficient than commercial TiO2 P25. This was confirmed on five pharmaceuticals (CBZ, ketoprofen, sulfamethoxazole, ciprofloxacin and diclofenac) by measuring their adsorption, elimination, and mineralisation in wastewater highlighting the promising application of AC/3D-TiO2 in the treatment of wastewaters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigations have shown the traces of antibiotics in surface water, groundwater, wastewater treatment plants, and drinking water. However, conventional wastewater treatment is not entirely effective for vancomycin degradation. Advanced oxidation is one of the most widespread methods of antibiotic degradation in aqueous media. Vancomycin was quantified by high-performance liquid chromatography. The Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based on Central Composite Design (CCD) was used to explore and optimise the effect of the independent variables on vancomycin degradation. Independent variables were as follows: pH (3–11), vancomycin concentration (15–75 mg/L), TiO2–clinoptilolite (25–125 mg in 250 mL reactor volume), the temperature (25–45°C), and the reaction time (15–75 min). The validity and adequacy of the model were confirmed by the corresponding statistics (F–value = 111.5, correlation coefficient R2 = 0.98, adjusted R2 = 0.97, and prediction R2 = 0.95). The vancomycin degradation efficiency was 97% under optimal conditions (pH = 5, vancomycin concentration = 30 mg/L, TiO2-clinoptilolite content = 50.2 mg in a 250 mL reactor volume, temperature = 32.24°C, and reaction time = 50.9 min). This process followed the zero-order reaction kinetics model (R2 = 0.98), and the removal rate of Total Organic Carbon (TOC) under optimal conditions was 56%. The results indicated that supporting TiO2 on clinoptilolite particles could increase the photocatalytic properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dielectric loss (tan δ) value of stoichiometric SrTiO 3 (ST), prepared using the solid-state reaction method, exhibits a random variation between 0.0006 and 0.01968 at room temperature and a frequency of 1 kHz in the literature. This variability makes it challenging to obtain reliable and reproducible performance for ST-based devices, especially when the underlying reasons are not yet completely understood. This work reports the significant effects of different raw materials, with various forms of TiO 2 , on the dielectric and electrical properties of ST ceramics. The results show that the purity of SrCO 3 and TiO 2 ultimately leads to distinct differences in dielectric properties, impedance properties, activation energy across the ST ceramics. Crystal comparison demonstrates that anatase TiO 2 is more suitable for dielectric applications. These results provide a reasonable explanation for the large variations in reported ST properties in the literature, which emphasizes the critical importance of selecting suitable reagents in ST-based ceramics. This insight opens up a new avenue for design optimization and highlights the promising potential of ST-based ceramics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Derived from Ti 3 C 2 T x , TiO 2 acts as a carrier, effectively avoiding agglomeration. • The generation rate of H 2 under light reaches 496 mmol g−1 h−1. • This provides a new idea for solar photothermal conversion. Methane dry reforming (DRM) can consume greenhouse gases (CH 4 and CO 2) to produce valuable Fischer-Tropsch syngas (CO and H 2). However, conventional thermally driven DRM consume large amounts of energy and face problems such as catalyst sintering and carbon deposition leading to insufficient catalytic activity. In this study, a photothermal synergistic TiO 2 /CeO 2 /Ru catalyst with high efficiency was designed. Under the light condition, the yields of H 2 and CO reached 496.3 mmol g−1 h−1 and 522.4 mmol g−1 h−1, respectively. In addition, the catalyst demonstrated excellent stability after 100 h cyclic stability test. In-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (IS-XPS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed that the heterojunction interface formed by TiO 2 /CeO 2 /Ru is favourable for capturing photogenerated electrons and suppressing the recombination rate of photons and holes, thus improving the photocatalytic performance. Furthermore, light-induced metal-to-metal charge transfer (MMCT) accelerated oxygen migration, which not only improved the catalytic activity, but also suppressed the formation of carbon deposits on the catalyst surface, thereby enhancing the cycling stability. This study explores the mechanism of photothermally synergistic DRM, which provides a new pathway for the efficient use of solar energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Soft materials, particularly elastomers, are extensively studied, but investigations into purely soft gel contact systems are limited due to their complex dual phases consisting of polymer and free liquids. While Dual Wavelength-Reflection Interference Confocal Microscopy (DW-RICM) is effective for noninvasively visualizing interfaces from a bottom view, it faces challenges in gel studies due to close refractive indices of polymeric networks and free liquids. We hypothesize that modulating the refractive index of soft gels using nanoparticles (NPs) enhances the visualization of contact zone beneath the free surface, providing insights into the configuration of phase-separated free oil within gel-on-gel contact systems. Gel-on-gel contact systems were fabricated using immiscible organogels and hydrogels. Titanium dioxide (TiO 2) NPs were introduced into the organogel to modulate refractive indices. Given the lack of prior studies on the hidden contact zone between gels, various techniques, including DW-RICM, side-view imaging, and inverted optical microscopy, were employed to observe and validate our findings. Comparative analyses were conducted with elastomer-on-rigid, elastomer-on-gel, and gel-on-rigid contact systems. Our investigation demonstrated that a minimal amount of TiO 2 NPs effectively delineates the direct contact radius between organogel polymeric networks and hydrogel surfaces. Comparative experiments showed that TiO 2 addition did not alter the gels' mechanical and surface properties but significantly enhanced information on gel contact deformation. This enhanced visualization technique has the potential to advance our understanding of adhesive contacts in gels, providing valuable insights into interface phenomena involving biological soft tissues and cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of efficient water purification technologies is a critical research focus driven by the crucial role of clean water sources for ecological sustainability. This study explores the strategic incorporation of nanoparticles within polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes as a promising approach to enhance membrane performance for wastewater remediation. PVDF membranes containing varying ratios of graphene (GR) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanocomposites were fabricated via phase inversion method. Characterization techniques including XRD, FTIR, and FESEM‐EDX revealed that the 80% GR nanocomposite membrane exhibited desirable structural and functional properties with pronounced sponge‐like morphology and homogenous nanoparticle distribution. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy and x‐ray diffraction analysis confirmed the 80% GR membrane retained PVDF crystallinity while uniquely eliminating TiO2 crystallinity. Subsequently, performance testing demonstrated the 80% GR nanocomposite membrane had the highest water flux and methylene blue dye rejection rates compared to other ratios and the pristine PVDF membrane. Both fabricated membranes exhibited sufficient reusability and antifouling properties. However, 80% GR ratio exhibited superior antifouling properties, indicating its potential as an optimal material for improving membrane hydrophilicity and overall water purification technologies. These findings underscore the strategic utility of GR‐TiO2 nanocomposites for enhancing PVDF membrane performance in sustainable wastewater treatment applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanostructured‐based photocatalysts have always exhibited the potential to solve various environmental issues resulting from global urbanization and industrialization. The creation of nanostructured materials has given humans access to various techniques for treating the numerous inorganic and organic contaminants found in wastewater from multiple sources. Due to their exceptional photocatalytic activity, semiconductor materials, among various other materials have different environmental uses. Studying nanocomposites of titanium dioxide (TiO2) and carbon‐based material, particularly graphene‐based material, is one of the burgeoning research areas of visible‐light‐driven photocatalysts. It has been demonstrated that the combination of graphene‐based material with titanium dioxide is more successful than titanium dioxide alone in photocatalysis. TiO2/graphene‐based nanocomposites stand out due to their superior physical and chemical characteristics, such as their moderate band gap, high specific surface area, nontoxic, low cost, high corrosion resistance, high photoactivity, stability, and ease of handling in various configurations. Designing high‐performance TiO2/graphene‐based photocatalysts has drawn more and more attention. This study has evaluated TiO2/graphene‐based nanocomposites for photocatalytic environmental applications from 2022 to 2024. These nanocomposites' diverse preparation methods have been discussed. The recent discoveries in TiO2/graphene‐based nanocomposite composites and their uses in photocatalysis, such as wastewater treatment to remove contaminants and photoconversion of CO2 into renewable fuels are also briefly discussed in this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of photocatalytic materials with good adsorption capacity and high visible light activity is essential for efficient and stable photocatalytic hydrogen production from formic acid dehydrogenation. The wide band gap of TiO 2 photocatalyst materials limits their application in the field of visible light catalysis. In this work, a new composite material, Pd/CQDs/TiO 2 –NH 2 , is developed. Here, Pd is attached to amine-functionalized mesoporous titanium dioxide modified with carbon quantum dots (CQDs). This configuration is designed to enhance the catalytic activity for formic acid dehydrogenation when exposed to visible light. The Pd/CQDs-1/TiO 2 –NH 2 catalyst exhibited outstanding performance under visible light, achieving a turnover frequency (TOF) of 2666.1 h−1 at 308 K and perfect hydrogen selectivity. Compared to the Pd/TiO 2 –NH 2 catalyst with a TOF of 1715.5 h−1, this is a significant improvement. The data implies that the addition of CQDs significantly increases light efficiency, aids in the separation of photogenerated charge carriers, and enhances hydrogen production. Ultimately, the experiments clarified how the combined action of Pd, CQDs, and TiO 2 –NH 2 synergistically boosts the catalytic dehydrogenation of formic acid under visible light. The findings present an innovative approach to improving Pd/TiO 2 schottky materials. • Ultrafine Pd nanoparticles were immobilized on CQDs/TiO 2 –NH 2. • Pd/CQDs-1/TiO 2 –NH 2 catalyst showed the best photocatalytic FA dehydrogenation under full-spectrum light. • The superior photocatalytic activity is due to the introduction of CQDs and the Mott-Schottky effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With advancement, green hydrogen energy is prospective for energy applications, and recently, it has been produced from wastewater to microalgae via a gasification process. The uneven growth of microalgae feedstock processed with the gasification process limits hydrogen production and leads to carbon monoxide formation. The research aims to enhance hydrogen production and limit carbon formation. The novelty of current research enhancing the microalgae growth gathering from municipal wastewater via titanium dioxide (TiO 2), which is the source of hygienic feedstock for hydrogen production via a gasification process under the gasification temperature of 450–650 °C at 30–90 min processing duration and operated with potassium hydroxide (KOH). The influence of gasification input parameters on the functional characteristics of hydrogen production is investigated. Microalgae from municipal wastewater treated with 0.2 % TiO 2 found higher growth rate of 0.99μ/day utilized and 10% KOH configured gasifier operated by 650 °C at 90 min offered maximum hydrogen molar fraction (48.7%), hydrogen yield (32.8 mol/kg), better hydrogen selectivity (27.8 %), and improved gasification efficiency (GE) (55.7 %) and hydrogen efficiency (HE) (45.9 %). The produced hydrogen is suggested as an alternative fuel for energy applications. • Microalgae from municipal wastewater treated with titanium dioxide nanoparticles. • Higher TiO 2 concentration influences maximum microalgae growth (0.99 μ/day). • Potassium hydroxide (KOH) catalyst enriches the hydrogen syngas production (32.8 mol/kg). • The gasifier functioned with KOH catalyst/650 °C at 90min is found maximum efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inorganic-organic composite proton exchange membranes (PEMs) are promising substitutes in proton exchange membrane fuel cells. To improve the compatibility between inorganic fillers and polyelectrolytes, along with alleviating filler aggregation, a series of composite PEMs incorporating both sulfonated titanium dioxide nanotubes (sTiNT) and graphitic carbon nitride nanosheets (g-C 3 N 4) into sulfonated poly (aryl ether sulfone) s (SPAES) have been prepared. The distinct morphology of sTiNT and g-C 3 N 4 , coupled with their respective sulfonic acids and amine/imine functionalities, endow the fillers with exceptional compatibility and dispersivity within SPAES. The obtained SPAES/sTiNT/g-C 3 N 4 membranes exhibit superior thermal, size and mechanical stability, robust oxidative resistance, together with high proton conductivity. The SPAES/sTiNT/g-C 3 N 4 (1/3) membrane particularly exhibits proton conductivity of 202 mS/cm and swelling below 10% (90 °C), a hydrogen fuel cell output of 512 mW/cm2 (80 °C), which is 1.6 times of the SPAES membrane. The results suggest the great potential of multi-filler compositing strategy for alternative PEMs exploration. [Display omitted] • Sulfoalkoxyl-functionalized titanium nanotubes (sTiNT) have been synthesized. • STiNT and g-C 3 N 4 nanosheets are co-doped into SPAES matrix to prepare PEMs. • 1D/2D fillers co-doped PEMs exhibit exceptional compatibility and dispersivity. • Enhanced dimensional stability and conductivity result from co-doping strategy. • SPAES/sTiNT/g-C 3 N 4 (1/3) has 1.2 times higher σ and 1.6 times better power output. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self‐cleaning hydrophobic films were developed using polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), enhanced with titanium dioxide (TiO2), bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI), and a BiOI/α‐Fe2O3 heterojunction. This is the first study to analyze the photoactivity of BiOI and BiOI/α‐Fe2O3 immobilized into PHB. Alternative solvents for dissolving PHB were investigated. Additionally, formation methods such as casting in Petri dishes, as well as controlled thickness casting through non‐solvent‐induced phase separation (NIPS), and evaporation‐induced phase separation (EIPS), were employed and compared. Despite differing morphologies, both NIPS and EIPS films exhibited similar photocatalytic activity, suggesting that only the catalyst on the external surface of the film is active. The highest pseudo first‐order apparent kinetic constant (0.1468 ± 0.0015 min−1 g−1) was found in films with the lowest polymer and catalyst concentrations analyzed (5% wPHB/wCHCl3 and 3% wTiO2/wPHB). A double‐layer film preparation method was proposed to enhance photocatalytic activity, resulting in a 70% increase in the kinetic constant (0.2506 ± 0.0019 min−1 g−1). Double‐layer composite films with BiOI and BiOI/α‐Fe2O3 showed photocatalytic activity comparable to TiO2 under UV–visible light. Furthermore, their photocatalytic activity under visible light was confirmed, unlike TiO2, which exhibits a negligible kinetic constant in this wavelength range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

"Boro-mullite" is the name for mullites produced through the synthesis of boron-rich material and playing a critical role in producing high-performance materials. Also, the stability of the anatase phase in the glaze and against temperature has been addressed and improved by many studies. In situ boro-mullite crystals generated using various glass-ceramic glaze compositions that contain TiO 2 and their impact on the transformation of anatase into a rutile phase were examined in this study. Additionally, the samples' water absorption, bulk density, apparent porosity and shrinkage, Vickers hardness, and optical properties were evaluated at various Al 2 O 3 and B 2 O 3 amounts at 700 °C, 800 °C, 900 °C, 1000 °C and 1100 °C. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed that as the temperature and Al 2 O 3 ratio rose, it triggered the boro-mullite phase formation. On the other hand, increasing the Al 2 O 3 ratio led to a rise in the samples' sintering temperature and delayed the anatase to rutile phase transformation. Furthermore, the presence of corundum crystals retarded the anatase crystal size growth during the remodelling process of the conversion of anatase to rutile. While the increase in the B 2 O 3 ratio sharpened the peaks of albite crystals, the formation of rutile crystals accelerated with the increase in temperature and caused inhibition of albite formation. The albite phase's presence facilitated the creation of the liquid phase and achieved the 0.010 % water absorption and 0 % apparent porosity values as well the highest bulk density and microhardness with 2.476 g/cm3 and 550 H V. The yellowness (+b∗) values were found to be the highest at 1100 °C where the rutile crystals reached their maximum size. The anatase-rutile conversion is postponed and the increase in the yellowness value is prevented by the glaze's formation of boro-mullite. FESEM-EDS analysis showed that the temperature was the driving force in the transformation of acicular boro-mullite crystal into highly acicular prismatic needle crystal and spherical anatase crystals into the rod shape rutile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Refractory metal oxides such as titanium dioxide (TiO 2), tantalum oxide (Ta 2 O 5), and niobium oxide (Nb 2 O 5) coated-titanium and its alloys for medical applications have recently gained significant attention due to their remarkable properties, including high hardness, strong chemical inertness, and excellent biocompatibility. However, comparative studies among them remain scarce. In this study, thin films of Ta 2 O 5 , Nb 2 O 5 , and TiO 2 were deposited on Ti6Al4V titanium alloy using radio frequency sputtering technology. Their properties were comparably evaluated through a series of tests, including scratching, nanoindentation, friction and wear, potentiodynamic polarization, and cell cultivation experiments. The results revealed that all three coatings, with a thickness of approximately 2.6–2.8 μm, exhibited an amorphous columnar growth pattern with dense surfaces resembling cauliflower. The bonding force of the TiO 2 coating exceeds 50 N, which is 26.2 times and 14.5 times greater than that of Ta 2 O 5 and Nb 2 O 5 , respectively. Furthermore, all coated samples demonstrate superior wear resistance, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility compared to bare Ti6Al4V. Among the coatings, TiO 2 showed the best performance, followed by Ta 2 O 5 , while Nb 2 O 5 exhibited the least favorable performance. These findings revealed the performance differences among the three ceramic coatings on Ti6Al4V samples and offer valuable insights for further research and the selection of coatings to enhance the properties of Ti6Al4V titanium alloy for biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research examined the effect of adding carbon-based materials, including graphitic carbon nitride (g-C 3 N 4) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO), to titanium dioxide (TiO 2) particles for photocatalytic applications using a simple and cost-effective mechanical grinding method. The results indicated that the composite samples had larger crystallite sizes (19.28–22.86 nm) and lower strain than the TiO 2 sample. Morphological analysis showed that, while the addition of g-C 3 N 4 and rGO did not alter the spherical shape of the TiO 2 particles, it did reduce their average size. The TiO 2 particles exhibited oxygen-poor stoichiometry, which was further intensified by the incorporation of g-C 3 N 4 and rGO. Optical analysis revealed that the TiO 2 sample has an optical energy band gap of approximately 2.94 eV, which was increased by adding of g-C 3 N 4 and rGO. Additionally, the composite samples showed lower radiative recombination compared to the TiO 2 sample. The photocatalytic experiment demonstrated a maximum degradation of 98 % of methylene blue by the g-C 3 N 4 /rGO/TiO 2 sample under UV illumination after 90 min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current efficiency records for generating green hydrogen via solar water splitting are held by indium phosphide (InP)‐based photo‐absorbers, protected by TiO2 layers grown through atomic layer deposition (ALD). InP is also a leading material for photonic integrated circuits and computing, where ultrafast near‐surface behavior is key. A previous study described electronic pathways at the phosphorus‐rich (P‐rich) surface of p‐doped InP(100) using time‐resolved two‐photon photoemission (tr‐2PPE) spectroscopy. Here, the intricate electron pathways of the P‐rich InP surface modified with ALD‐deposited TiO2 are explored. Photoexcited bulk InP electrons migrate through a bulk‐to‐surface transition cluster of states and surface states and inject into the TiO2 conduction band (CB). Energy levels and occupation dynamics of CB states in P‐rich InP and TiO2 adlayers are observed, with discrete states preserved up to 10 nm TiO2 deposition. Thermalization lifetimes of excited electrons > 0.8 eV above the InP conduction band minimum (CBM) are preserved for layer thicknesses up to 2.5 nm. Annealing at 300 °C to achieve crystalline TiO2 reconstructions destroys interfacial states, affecting charge transfer. These observations enable innovative engineering of the P‐rich InP/TiO2 heterointerface, opening new possibilities for studying hot‐carrier extraction, adsorbate effects, surface plasmons, and improving photovoltaic and PEC water‐splitting devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Inorganic ultraviolet filters such as titanium dioxide nanoparticles are frequently used in sunscreens. Numerous toxicological studies in vitro and in vivo have been conducted using pristine standard reference nanomaterials of these inorganic filters. While convenient, this approach is not realistic because the complex environment of sunscreen formulations could change the physicochemical properties of the nanoparticles and lead to vastly different toxicological outcomes. Therefore, this study focused on characterizing nanoparticles extracted from commercial sunscreen and evaluating the associated toxicological impacts upon exposure to human keratinocytes and human skin explants. Results: Titanium dioxide nanoparticles were extracted from commercial sunscreens and thoroughly characterized. The identity of the associated molecular corona on the extracted nanoparticles was also evaluated. Cell metabolic and proliferation profiles, mitochondrial superoxide activity, reactive oxygen species levels, and genotoxicity induced through exposure to the nanoparticles were studied in vitro using a human keratinocyte cell line. The cell response was significantly different after treatment with pristine nanoparticles compared to corresponding sunscreen-extracted nanoparticles. Pristine spherical nanoparticles resulted in more pronounced toxicity in 2D cultured keratinocytes compared to extracted nanoparticles but did not impact wound-edge migration significantly in 3D ex vivo human skin explant models. Additionally, extracted rod-shaped nanoparticles had greater toxic impacts in keratinocytes in vitro and retarded wound-edge migration in the ex vivo model compared to the extracted spherical nanoparticles. Nevertheless, these heightened cell responses were not associated with any increase in phosphorylated γH2AX (which is indicative of DNA damage) both in vitro and ex vivo. Conclusions: This study shows the feasibility of extracting nanoparticles from personal care products such as sunscreens to obtain relevant forms to model real-life exposure scenarios. Overall, sunscreen-extracted nanoparticles were found to be less toxic compared to pristine equivalents but retarded wound-edge migration more significantly. Skin explant cultures provide a more realistic alternative to monolayer cell cultures, although the differential outcomes between the models need more in-depth evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized using the reduction precipitation method, verified by powder x-ray diffraction (PXRD) with an average crystallite size of 62 nm and an average particle size of 135 nm from SEM images. Rheological studies of brake fluid with nanoparticle additives revealed that while the fluid generally maintains consistent behavior, a 2 wt.% concentration showed non-Newtonian behavior at 120 °C. Viscosity increased slightly with nanoparticle addition and decreased with rising temperature, with the 0.5 wt.% sample demonstrating the most notable increase of 18.18% at 120 °C. At 30 °C, the 1 wt.% sample exhibited a 4.06% increase. The observed viscosity changes are attributed to higher internal shear stress and the need to manage dispersion solid elements. The Herschel-Bulkley model was effective in predicting sample behavior, and all samples conformed to Reynolds' equation μ 0 = b e − aT . This research indicates that TiO2 nanoparticles can be effectively used as brake fluid additives, offering potential benefits for high-temperature applications in vehicles. Further optimization using mathematical models such as response surface methodology (RSM) is suggested for improved performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon based composite has gained interest as a photothermal conversion material for interfacial solar vapor generation towards the generation of clean water through solar– thermal conversion. In this study, successful synthesis of a carbon/ceramic composite containing sawdust hydrochar (SHC) and titanium dioxide (TiO2) was obtained through a simple mixing method. The SHC/TiO2 composite was characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), Fourier-Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and ultraviolet–visible spectrophotometry (UV–Vis). SEM showed the simple mixing method only minimally damaged the SHC structure, while TEM revealed the integration of TiO2 on the surface of SHC. The existence of the TiO2 elements and various functional groups detected in the EDX, FTIR, and XPS proved the successful integration of TiO2. UV-Vis displayed the SHC/TiO2 had improved light absorption ability in contrast to the SHC and TiO2. The SHC/TiO2 based solar absorber (SHC/TiO2–SA) was fabricated using dip-coating method and utilized for interfacial solar vapor generation in seawater desalination. The interfacial solar vapor generation was conducted outdoors with an average solar intensity of 1.15 kW/m2 where the SHC/TiO2–SA showed the highest average efficiency (76.3 ± 4.6%) and evaporation rate (1.29 ± 0.15 kg/m2.h). While the salinity (180 ppm) and pH (6.97) of the collected clean water was within the World Health Organization drinking water standard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the thermal properties of hybrid nanofluids composed of titanium dioxide (TiO2) and silicon dioxide (SiO2), synthesized via the sol–gel method at varying pH levels. The nanofluids, with concentrations between 0.1 and 0.5%, were prepared using a two-step process and characterized using a hydrometer, viscometer and rapid hot-wire technique. FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectra) analysis confirmed the formation of Ti–O and Ti–O–Si bonds, enhancing TiO2's structural and thermal properties due to SiO2 incorporation. The results showed significant thermal conductivity improvements, even at low concentrations, with performance increasing as concentration rises. Notably, a maximum specific heat capacity of 4177.02 J kg−1 K−1 was achieved at a 0.1% volume concentration, while thermal conductivity reached 0.62 W m−1 K−1 at a 0.5% volume concentration. Overall, the TiO2–SiO2 nanofluids demonstrated exceptional thermal properties, particularly under high-solar-energy conditions, making them promising for efficient thermal management applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Metal implants are increasingly used in children for trauma and deformity correction. This review outlines the current knowledge on the types of metals used and explores reasons for removal and the potential for long-term health issues of metal implants. Methods: The literature pertaining to these aspects was studied and summarised in this review. Results: Types of metals used have evolved as well as the development of children-specific implants. Improvements in deformity correction are measurable with likely improved outcomes and reduced health costs. Indications for metal implant removal following successful treatment remain ill-defined; however, the risks of removal are known with a minimum 6% complication rate. Health costs could be reduced by around 6% by judicious decisions to leave metal in place. Implant removal should only be encouraged in the presence of infection, mechanical failure or symptoms that are truly attributable to the implant. In the domain of spinal implants, there is evidence of significant metal ion release, most notably titanium which remains elevated to many times baseline levels beyond 2 years. The detection of titanium at low levels requires special techniques. The long-term health effects on patients and/or their offspring are not well defined, although well described in animal models. Conclusion: The risks of metal removal are significant. Clinicians need to be aware of potential health risks in the use of metal implants and the potential for covert toxicity effects in children especially with their long life ahead. There is a need for greater awareness of metal alloy composition and implant design to minimise risks. Level of evidence: Level V. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Seven types of inclusions are observed in the Al‐deoxidized steel followed by Ti‐deoxidized steel, while ten types of inclusions are found in Al–Ti simultaneous deoxidized steel. Three special inclusions are only found in Al‐deoxidized steel followed by Ti‐deoxidized steel as Al2TiO5–TixOy, Al2TiO5–Al2O3–TiS, and Al2TiO5–Al2O3–TixOy–TiS. The precipitation order of inclusions in Al–Ti‐deoxidized steel is very dependent on the value of [%Ti]/[%Al] or [%S]/[%O]. The critical value of [%Ti]/[%Al] for the precipitation of inclusions from large to small is TixOy > Al2TiO5 > Al2O3, and the critical value of [%S]/[%O] for the precipitation of inclusions from large to small is TiS > TixOy. The critical value of [%Ti]/[%Al] for the precipitation of TixOy prior to Al2TiO5, and the precipitation of Al2TiO5 prior to Al2O3 has a close relationship with the content of [%Al]. In addition, the critical value of [%S]/[%O] for the precipitation of TiS prior to TixOy inclusions increases with an increasing content of [%O] and increased with the decreasing of temperature. The precipitation order of inclusions in the two types of steel is Al2TiO5 or Al2O3 → Ti3O5 → TiO2 → Ti2O3 → TiS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research we proposed and tested a solution for improving lightfastness of paperboard electrophotographic prints – enhancing the printed material with inks containing pearlescent pigments. The goal was to analyze how pearlescent pigments' composition and the size of their particles affect lightfastness, and to assess whether this important property is influenced by the tone value of the initial ink layer. Therefore, lightfastness of the unprinted paperboard and the paperboard printed in electrophotography with medium and full coverage of black ink was measured before and after overprinting with pearlescent inks. The results indicate that pearlescent pigments can be efficiently used to prevent light induced degradation of both paperboard and the corresponding prints. The most significant improvements in lightfastness were noticed when pearlescent inks were printed directly onto the paperboard and on the prints with 50 % black coverage. The best protection from light was achieved with pigments containing only two layers – mica and ferric oxide. Pigments containing mica, titanium dioxide, and tin oxide provided satisfactory lightfastness of the printed paperboard even with the small surface coverage. No significant correlation was found between the size of pearlescent pigment particles and the lightfastness of the paperboard prints to which they are applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, an attempt was made to develop surface cladding on SS-304 steel by utilising a mixture of EWAC (70% nickel-based powder as an early warning and caution), 20% Si, and 10% TiO2 (Titanium dioxide) powder via microwave energy. The microwave cladding process on the SS-304 (stainless steel-304) was carried out in the in-house developed set-up on the microwave. The microwave cladding process was carried out at 900 W with a 2.45 GHz frequency for 120 s. The microstructure image of the developed surface showed the presence of TiO2 particles. A uniform cladding layer with fewer dark pixels has been observed. Higher homogeneity of the cladding layer and cladding surface reduces the dimensional deviation of the developed cladding surface. The XRD of the cladding surface shows the presence of FeNi3, NiSi2, Ni3C, NiC, Ni2Si, FeNi, and TiO2 phases. Uniform hardness distribution for the cladding layer and cladding surface was observed, while hardness distribution in SS-304 after solidification a severe variability. The hardness of SS-304 was improved by about 42.42% after the microwave cladding of Ni, 20% Si, and 10% TiO2. The main reason for the increase in hardness is the formation of different hard phases such as Ni3C, NiC, and TiO2 phases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The technology for the resourceful utilization of electrolytic manganese residue (EMR) in the production of superior performance glass-ceramics has garnered significant interest for its potential to maximize the consumption of waste residues in the Mn metal industry. In this study, utilizing the unique chemical composition of high-Mn EMR, superior performance glass-ceramics were prepared via a melting method, with TiO 2 utilized as a nucleating agent. The influence of the TiO 2 doping amount on the crystalline characteristics, microstructure and properties of the glass-ceramics were systematically evaluated. Additionally, the curing mechanism of Mn in glass-ceramics was scrutinized. The results show that TiO 2 enhances the precipitation of Ca(Ti,Mg,Al) (Si,Al) 2 O 6 predominant crystalline phase in the glass-ceramics. This phase transitions from a spherical to an interlocking and dense dendritic morphology. The glass-ceramics containing 10 wt% TiO 2 , which was heat-treated by nucleation at 750 °C for 2 h followed by crystallization at 900 °C for 3 h, exhibits enhanced mechanical properties and chemical stability. Its bending strength exceeds 40 MPa, with a water absorption of 0.11 %. Additionally, the acid resistance of glass-ceramics is rated at higher than 97 %, while the alkali resistance is over 99.7 %. Notably, the superior performance in Mn leaching toxicity is achieved in T10 (1.39 mg/L), which is attributable to the fact that Mn is physically coating between the crystalline and glassy phases. This technology has the potential to address the issue of heavy metal release from EMR, and provides a theoretical foundation for the industrial production path of glass-ceramics from high-Mn EMR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the effect of organic electrolytes on the photocurrent performance of TiO 2 nanotubes, four kinds of fluoride containing electrolyte were prepared. This work focuses on the effect of electrolyte on the photocurrent response of TiO 2 nanotubes. The results show that the electrolyte is an important influence on the photocurrent response. Appropriate proportion of polyethylene glycol (PEG) organic solvent can improve the performance of photocurrent response. The addition of excessive organic solvent will make TiO 2 nanotubes lose the ability of photocurrent response. Suitable surface porosity is a necessary condition for the sample to have photocurrent response. Too low porosity hinders the photoelectric property. The reason for the better photoelectric properties of the sample prepared in 50 wt% PEG electrolyte is explained by the ionic current and electronic current theory. The results show that a more stable ratio of accumulated charge by ionic and electronic currents per unit area creates a more stable photocurrent response when the voltage is increased from 40 V to 60 V. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper delves into the transformative impact of varying titanium dioxide (TiO 2) content on the sinterability, physical, and mechanical properties, as well as scratch behavior, of zirconia-toughened alumina (ZTA) ceramic composites. By adjusting TiO 2 content from 0 wt% to 5 wt% and employing advanced microwave sintering at 1150 °C, the study aims to lower the sintering temperature of ZTA. Microwave sintering, known for its efficiency and rapid processing, enables significant enhancements in material properties at reduced temperatures. Notably, incorporating TiO 2 into ZTA yields remarkable improvements in physical and mechanical attributes, with the optimal TiO 2 content determined to be 3 wt%. At this concentration, the composite achieves exceptional properties: a relative density of ∼99 %, microhardness of ∼2002 HV, and an indentation fracture toughness of ∼6.13 MPa m0.5. These enhancements represent increases of over 120 % in hardness and 61 % in toughness compared to TiO 2 -free ZTA. Additionally, the highest scratch resistance is observed at 3 wt% TiO 2 , evidenced by a minimal scratch depth of ∼7.53 μm. However, exceeding the 3 wt% solubility limit results in the formation of secondary phases, such as tialite (Al 2 TiO 5) and zirconium titanate (ZrTiO 4), which degrade the composite's properties. This research underscores the potential of TiO 2 doping and microwave sintering to elevate the performance of ZTA ceramics, offering a pathway to superior materials for advanced applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oxidation behavior and oxidation mechanism of Ti 3 SiC 2 /Cu composites were investigated using constant temperature oxidation method. The Ti 3 SiC 2 /Cu composites were prepared at different sintering temperatures. Results showed that the relationship between the oxidation reaction rate of Ti 3 SiC 2 /Cu composites in air at 700 °C–900 °C and the oxidation temperature was in accordance with the parabolic law of oxidation kinetics. The oxidation weight gain and oxide layer thickness of Ti 3 SiC 2 /Cu composites at 700 °C and 800 °C were insignificant, with oxidation reaction rates of 3.0692 × 10−9 kg2m−4h−1 and 6.9856 × 10−9 kg2m−4h−1, respectively, and the oxidation rate of Ti 3 SiC 2 /Cu composites at 900 °C was enhanced to 1.00907 × 10−8 kg2m−4h−1. Ti 3 SiC 2 /Cu composites oxidized at 900 °C formed a protective oxide layer, which was mainly a multilayer structure composed of different kinds of oxides: the outer layer was mainly composed of TiO 2 ; the intermediate layer mainly consisted of CuO; the inner layer mainly made up of TiO 2 and SiO 2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extensive studies on TiO 2 -based colossal permittivity (CP, dielectric constant ε' >103) materials have focused on the cation doping of metal elements; however, little attention has been paid to nonmetallic dopants. Compared to metallic elements, nonmetallic atoms with small radii and high activities, such as H, C, B, and N, can be used as anion-doping elements. Their incorporation into the TiO 2 lattice includes interstitial and substitutional doping, which can influence the bandgap of TiO 2 and its electron transport performance differently, thereby exhibiting considerable potential in TiO 2 -based applications. In this study, different N-containing compounds (BN and NH 4 Cl) were doped into rutile TiO 2 , while homogeneous ceramics of single-phase rutile TiO 2 were prepared via solid-state sintering. The effects of co-doping N, Cl, and N, B on the dielectric properties of rutile TiO 2 ceramics were investigated. While N and Cl doping showed no considerable effect on the dielectric properties of rutile TiO 2 ceramics, the co-doping of N and B doping in rutile TiO 2 considerably increased the dielectric constant to >104 with suppressed tan δ in a wide frequency range from 1 kHz to 10 MHz. These ceramics exhibited excellent frequency stability (up to 100 MHz) and temperature stability (153–513 K), which outperforms most reported transition metal co-doped TiO 2 ceramics, thereby highlighting the untapped potential of the non-metallic dopants in enhancing dielectric materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the impact of flash-lamp-annealing (FLA) on the structural evolution of amorphous titania (TiO 2) films produced by DC reactive magnetron sputtering. TiO 2 films were grown at room-temperature at different oxygen partial pressure (P O2) and subsequently annealed as a function of the FLA energy density. X-ray diffraction confirms that FLA induces phase formation from the initial amorphous state with a general transition from anatase to rutile by increasing the FLA energy density (temperature). Interestingly, the transformation onset of anatase to rutile is achieved at lower energy densities for higher P O2. On the contrary, films with a highly resilient anatase phase can be produced at relatively low P O2. A detailed analysis of the pristine amorphous structure carried out by X-ray absorption near-edge structure indicates the role of oxygen sites in the observed phase transformation. In particular, oxygen vacancies seem to stabilize the anatase phase at high temperatures. The results show the relevance of subtle changes in the initial amorphous structure for phase selectivity in TiO 2 films upon FLA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focuses on the development and characterization of polyurethane coatings using castor oil as a renewable source. Most castor oil-based polyurethane paints have a rather long curing process. Therefore, this study focused on the preparation of a polyurethane paint based on raw castor oil without the need for chemical modifications, in a quick and cost-effective manner. The methodology involved the preparation of the paint using castor oil, isocyanate, calcium carbonate, titanium dioxide, additives and solvents. The coatings were then characterized and compared with industrial polyurethane paint in terms of thermal properties, rheology, UV degradation, adhesion, water resistance, and resistance to salt spray corrosion. Results showed that the castor oil-based paint exhibited comparable rheological behavior to the commercial paint, with superior thermal stability. However, the industrial paint showed better performance in UV degradation and similar behavior in the adhesion tests. In the water resistance test, the castor oil-based paint proved to be superior to the commercial paint. The salt spray corrosion test revealed that the castor oil-based paint had superior corrosion resistance due to the higher proportion of castor oil in the formulation, which increases the crosslinking of the chains. This work offers a simple and fast method to prepare and substitute petrochemical polyols with castor oil in order to use renewable sources with promising properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most prevalent cancer. Ongoing research aims to uncover the causes of CRC, with a growing focus on the role of gut microbiota (GM) in carcinogenesis. The GM influences CRC development, progression, treatment efficacy, and therapeutic toxicities. For example, Fusobacterium nucleatum and Escherichia coli can regulate microbial gene expression through the incorporation of human small noncode RNA and potentially contribute to cancer progression. Metallic nanoparticles (MNPs) have both negative and positive impacts on GM, depending on their type. Several studies state that titanium dioxide may increase the diversity, richness, and abundance of probiotics bacteria, whereas other studies demonstrate dose‐dependent GM dysbiosis. The MNPs offer cytotoxicity through the modulation of MAPK signaling pathways, NF‐kB signaling pathways, PI3K/Akt signaling pathways, extrinsic signaling pathways, intrinsic apoptosis, and cell cycle arrest at G1, G2, or M phase. MNPs enhance drug delivery, enable targeted therapy, and may restore GM. However, there is a need to conduct well‐designed clinical trials to assess the toxicity, safety, and effectiveness of MNPs‐based CRC therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remediation of antibiotics by photocatalysis technique has been regarded as a promising route to tackle with the environmental pollution affecting human survival and development. In this work, brookite TiO2 nanorods with different oxygen vacancy have been synthesized through tailoring the volume of ethylene glycol by hydrothermally treatment with NaTiOx-nanoassembly. After constitute and morphology confirmation with different characterizations, their photocatalytic performances are evaluated via ciprofloxacin (CIP) antibiotic degradation experiments. The result shows that the TiO2-0 has the highest photocatalytic efficiency towards CIP degradation, comparing with TiO2-15 and TiO2-30 samples. Although the TiO2-30 has high concentration oxygen vacancy, it exhibits excellent adsorption ability in the dark, rather than CIP degradation rate. The photo/electrochemical tests suggest the photo-generated electron lifetime, charge transfer ability, and the effective active sites on the material's surface are inversely proportional to the concentration of oxygen vacancies. It also concludes that rational fabrication conditions tailoring of the photocatalyst could optimize the corresponding capability in the antibiotic degradation process. In addition, the possible degradation pathway is also proposed based on the high resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS), and the acute toxicity changes in the degradation process are also predicted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isotactic polypropylene (iPP) is the most prominent form of polypropylene, and β-phase is the most resistant to impact compared to the crystalline forms. However, β-phase is the least frequently obtained under conventional operating conditions. TiO2 nanoparticles were functionalized with dicarboxylic acids as nucleating agents to promote β-crystal formation in iPP. The effects of three dicarboxylic acids – glutaric, pimelic, and azelaic – were characterized on TiO2-modified surfaces. Additionally, the interactions between TiO2 and water molecules, crucial for the formation of chelating or bridging linkages, were analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy. For pimelic and azelaic acids at the polymer processing temperature, the carboxyl group band disappeared, suggesting a transition of the acid-calcium union from a bridging to a chelating linkage due to the presence of water molecules. These molecules help maintain the stability of the chains during processing. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed a higher content of β-crystalline structures in iPP when modified with pimelic and azelaic acids. The research indicates that water molecules, desorbed during manufacturing, facilitate the chelating form, thereby enhancing β-nucleation and improving the surface properties of iPP composites. These β-nucleated PP composites represent a promising material solution for medical device applications, offering a compelling combination of enhanced properties and cost-effectiveness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous sustainable water processing techniques have been widely investigated and are capable of boosting the quality of water. Among these techniques, photonanocatalysis has stood tall with great promises in the last few decades. Nonetheless, a major challenge in the environmental remediation of photocatalyst technology is to develop an ideal photocatalyst that must have excellent photocatalytic efficiency, large specific surface area, maximum harvesting of solar energy, high durability and recyclability. Due to their stability, low toxicity, low cost and superhydrophilicity TiO2 has been used by researchers as an efficient photocatalyst for the degradation of organic pollutants. Unfortunately, it suffers greatly due to its high band gap with 3.2 eV, insufficient visible light response, fast photogenerated electrons and holes recombination rate and serious agglomeration. Keeping these views, the present review highlights the principal results of studies on current practical synthesis and photocatalytic activity of graphene-based TiO2 nanocomposite materials for the treatment of water. The amalgamation of graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) with nanoscale TiO2 particles results in synergistic properties thereby tuning and increasing the functionality of the composite. In this regard, the review also addressed the progress and insight into graphene-based TiO2 nanocomposite in photocatalytic removal of organic pollutants including basis mechanism, possible key strategies of the composite, and an overview of how to elevate efficacy. Finally, brief challenges and future perspectives in this field are also presented. Indeed, this work illustrated that graphene-based TiO2 composite nanomaterials can be a green signal in the future of photocatalysis targeting water pollution remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is of great significance to design photoelectrodes with high carrier separation and transport efficiency in photocatalytic water separation systems. In this study, we used a simple electrochemical deposition method to regulate the load of co‐catalyst CoP on TiO2 nanorods to improve the photoelectrochemical properties. The photocurrent density of TiO2/CoP (20) photoanode at 1.23 V increases to 1.57 mA/cm2, which is 3.4 times that of original TiO2. Long‐term photoelectrolysis reveals that this electrode has excellent stability. Mechanistic studies support the role of CoP nanoparticles in improving photoelectrochemical property and imply that the excellent photoelectrochemical property of TiO2/CoP photoanode is mainly ascribed to the suppress of surface photogenerated electrons and holes recombination due to the construction of built‐in electric field between TiO2 and CoP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Successful preparation of cathode materials through doping and interface engineering has enhanced Li–S battery performance synergistically. • Nitrogen-nickel co-doped MXene nanosheets were employed as a conductive framework to successfully in-situ synthesize a TiO 2 homojunction structure containing both anatase and rutile phases. • Employing an in-situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) technique allowed us to observe the growth process of the homojunction for the first time, revealing its temperature-dependent behavior. • The assembled ART@NNM cathode in the Li–S cell exhibits outstanding performance, effectively alleviating shuttle effects and promoting sulfur conversion reactions. The commercialization of lithium-sulfur (Li–S) batteries has faced challenges due to the shuttle effect of soluble intermediate polysulfides and the sluggish kinetics of sulfur redox reactions. In this study, a synergistic catalyst medium was developed as a high-performance sulfur cathode material for Li–S batteries. Termed A/R-TiO 2 @ Ni-N-MXene, this sulfur cathode material features an in-situ derived anatase–rutile homojunction of TiO 2 nanoparticles on Ni-N dual-atom-doped MXene nanosheets. Using in-situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) technique, we observed the growth process of the homojunction for the first time confirming that homojunctions facilitated charge transfer, while dual-atom doping offered abundant active sites for anchoring and converting soluble polysulfides. Theoretical calculations and experiments showed that these synergistic effects effectively mitigated the shuttle effect, leading to improved cycling performance of Li–S batteries. After 500 cycles at a 1C rate, Li–S batteries using A/R-TiO 2 @Ni-N-MXene as cathode materials exhibited stable and highly reversible capacity with a capacity decay of only 0.056 % per cycle. Even after 150 cycles at a 0.1C rate, a high-capacity retention rate of 62.8 % was achieved. Additionally, efficient sulfur utilization was observed, with 1280.76 mA h/g at 0.1C, 694.24 mA h/g at 1C, alongside a sulfur loading of 1.5–2 mg/cm2. The effective strategy based on homojunctions showcases promise for designing high-performance Li–S batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An innovative charge self-regulation strategy is proposed to construct a strongly interacting 2D/2D ReS 2 -MoS 2 in-plane hetero-cocatalyst, which collectively enables the activation of H 2 O molecules and subsequent H 2 evolution. [Display omitted] • A in-plane 2D/2D ReS 2 -MoS 2 hetero-catalyst was developed via molten salt methods. • H 2 -evolution rate of TiO 2 can be greatly improved by ReS 2 -MoS 2 hetero-cocatalyst. • The high activity of ReS 2 -MoS 2 was due to the formed Re(4−δ)+ and S(2−δ)− sites. • A charge self-regulation mechanism of ReS 2 -MoS 2 was proposed. The rationally designing and constructing atomic-level heterointerface of two-dimensional (2D) chalcogenides is highly desirable to overcome the sluggish H 2 O-activation process toward efficient solar-driven hydrogen evolution. Herein, a novel in-plane 2D/2D molybdenum disulfide-rhenium disulfide (ReS 2 -MoS 2) heterostructure is well-designed to induce the charge self-regulation of active site by forming electron-enriched Re(4−δ)+ and electron-deficient S(2−δ)− sites, thus collectively facilitating the activation of adsorbed H 2 O molecules and its subsequent H 2 evolution. Furthermore, the obtained in-plane heterogenous ReS 2 -MoS 2 nanosheet can powerfully transfer photoexcited electrons to inhibit photocarrier recombination as observed by advanced Kelvin probe measurement (KPFM), in-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy (fs-TAS). As expected, the obtained ReS 2 -MoS 2 /TiO 2 photocatalyst achieves an outperformed H 2 -generation rate of 6878.3 μmol h−1 g−1 with visualizing H 2 bubbles in alkaline/neutral conditions. This work about in-plane 2D/2D heterostructure with strong free-electron interaction provides a promising strategy for designing novel and efficient catalysts for various applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Photocatalysis is a promising sustainable technology to remove organic pollution and convert solar energy into chemical energy. Titanium dioxide has drawn extensive attention in this field owing to its high activity under UV light, good chemical stability, large availability, low price and low toxicity. However, the poor quantum efficiency derived from fast electron/hole recombination, the limited utilization of sunlight, and a weak reducing ability still hinder its practical application. Among the modification strategies of TiO 2 to enhance its performance, the construction of heterojunctions with other semiconductors is a powerful and versatile way to maximise the separation of photogenerated charge carriers and steer their transport toward enhanced efficiency and selectivity. Here, the research progress and current status of TiO 2 modification are reviewed, focusing on heterojunctions. A rapid evolution of the understanding of the different charge transfer mechanisms is witnessed from traditional type II to the recently conceptualised S-scheme. Particular attention is paid to different synthetic approaches and interface engineering methods designed to improve and control the interfacial charge transfer, and several cases of TiO 2 heterostructures with metal oxides, metal sulfides and carbon nitride are discussed. The application hotspots of TiO 2 -based photocatalysts are summarized, including hydrogen generation by water splitting, solar fuel production by CO 2 conversion, and the degradation of organic water pollutants. Hints about less studied and emerging processes are also provided. Finally, the main issues and challenges related to the sustainability and scalability of photocatalytic technologies in view of their commercialization are highlighted, outlining future directions of development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to investigate the dual effects of (3‐aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES)‐grafted‐GO (A‐g‐GO), and titanium dioxide (TiO2) on the novel chitosan (CS) packaging nanocomposite films developed via the solution‐casting method. The chemical properties of GO and A‐g‐GO were assessed using FTIR and XRD. Subsequently, the chemical, structural, and physical attributes of all chitosan packaging nanocomposite films were analyzed through FTIR, XRD, TGA, DSC, AFM, water contact angle analysis, and food packaging tests. Successful silanization of GO by APTES was first confirmed. The highest surface roughness value was observed in the CS/A‐g‐GO/TiO2 film (16.574 nm) compared to pristine CS and other nanocomposite films. Incorporating GO into the CS matrix improved its thermal stability, suggesting robust bonding between GO and the polymer matrix. The addition of A‐g‐GO slightly decreased the contact angle value (107.7° for CS/A‐g‐GO), whereas TiO2 increased contact angles (117.3° for CS/GO/TiO2 and 119.4° for CS/A‐g‐GO/TiO2), suggesting a more hydrophilic structure with GO and A‐g‐GO and a more hydrophobic structure with TiO2. Bread samples showed no structural distortion over 40 days. Therefore, the dual impacts of A‐g‐GO and TiO2 on the pristine CS film imply that the resulting CS/A‐g‐GO/TiO2 film exhibits potential as an exceptionally efficient packaging material for prolonging the freshness of bread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]