Search Results (488)

This study developed high-oxygen-barrier active bilayer packaging films by combining corona-treated low-density polyethylene (LDPE) with chitosan/glycerol (CS/Gl) and carvacrol@natural zeolite (CV@NZ) nanohybrid layers using industrially scalable processes. LDPE film was surface-activated via ambient-pressure corona treatment (0.75 s/cm² at 45 kV, 30 W) and assembled with solution-cast CS/Gl or CS/Gl/CV@NZ monolayers via hot-pressing (110 °C, 1 min). Corona treatment enabled robust interfacial adhesion, evidenced by statistical equivalence between monolayer and bilayer mechanical properties. Incorporation of 10 wt.% CV@NZ nanohybrid increased elastic modulus by 60% (to ≈2970 MPa) and tensile strength by 30% (to ≈50 MPa). The LDPE-CS/Gl film achieved a 64-fold reduction in oxygen permeability; CV@NZ incorporation maintained excellent barrier performance (22-fold reduction). Antioxidant potency increased 16-fold upon CV@NZ incorporation. The LDPE-CS/Gl/CV@NZ film demonstrated exceptional antibacterial activity (5.08–5.30 log reductions; >99.999% kill) against both Listeria monocytogenes and Escherichia coli—substantially exceeding additive effects—confirming synergistic action between chitosan and carvacrol. In fresh minced pork preservation (8 days, 4 °C), the active film achieved a 1.73 log reduction in Total Viable Count (98.2% inhibition) and extended microbiological shelf life from 6 to beyond 8 days (33% increase). The bilayer configuration utilizes only 40% of the total thickness as biopolymer, aligning with circular economy principles. Unlike conventional high-barrier films (e.g., PA/PE) which require complex compatibilization for recycling, the water-soluble chitosan layer in this bilayer design can be readily separated from the LDPE backbone, enabling recovery of a pure polymer stream. This work demonstrates a feasible pathway for developing next-generation active packaging that combines a high oxygen barrier, potent antioxidant activity, and exceptional antimicrobial efficacy through industrially scalable manufacturing. Full article

Nanoimprint lithography (NIL) is highly dependent on imprinted film as a pattern-transfer medium. This paper systematically reviews the research progress of imprint film materials for NIL. Firstly, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and other single-polymer films are discussed, and their respective advantages (such as low surface energy, high optical transparency, water solubility) and inherent limitations (elastic deformation, demolding difficulties, humidity sensitivity)) are summarized. In order to overcome the above contradiction, researchers developed a composite imprint film structure, including an elastomer–rigid bilayer template and sandwich structure film, which achieved high resolution, conformal contact and facile demolding characteristics through mechanical function decoupling. At the same time, the emerging polymer/transparent electrode composite system (such as AgNWs/PVA, AgNWs/PDMS) gives the film active functions such as self-heating and antistatic ones, which effectively solves the key challenges in thermal management and electrostatic control. This paper comprehensively presents the evolution path from single-material to multi-functional composites, and provides guidance for the design of advanced imprint film for high precision, high reliability and large-scale NIL applications. Full article

Ultrathin ferrimagnetic heterostructures have emerged as promising platforms for next-generation spintronic devices, yet the role of two-dimensional substrates in modulating their magnetic properties remains underexplored. Here, we report a comprehensive study of the thickness- and temperature-dependent magnetic behavior of amorphous Fe₇₃Co₈Gd₁₉ films (4–32 nm) deposited on Si, WSe₂ bilayer, and WSe₂ monolayer substrates. Structural integrity and stoichiometry were confirmed via X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), X-Ray Reflectivity (XRR), Raman spectroscopy, and Energy-Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. In-plane magnetometry from 10–300 K reveals that monolayer WSe₂ promotes stronger interfacial spin alignment, with the 4 nm film exhibiting a sharp increase in coercivity below 50 K, where $H_c$ exceeds 23 mT and even surpasses thicker counterparts, alongside enhanced saturation magnetization (∼790 kA/m at 100 K). This dramatic enhancement of coercivity is the most significant result of this work, underscoring the dominant role of interfacial coupling in governing low-temperature magnetic hardness. Conversely, films on bilayer exhibit suppressed magnetization and soft magnetic behavior ($H_c$ < 10 mT) across all temperatures, making them attractive for ultralow-power and high-speed spintronic applications. These findings demonstrate that atomically thin WSe₂ interfaces can modulate coercivity, magnetization, and squareness through proximity effects, establishing a tunable and thermally stable platform for spintronic device applications. Full article

Background/Objectives: Triptolide (TP), a potent natural diterpenoid, exhibits anti-glioma activity, but faces significant clinical translation challenges, including poor water solubility, systemic toxicity such as hepatotoxicity, and inadequate tumor targeting. This study aimed to develop a novel epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-targeted liposomal formula-tion, designated as TP-CTX-Lip (where CTX denotes cetuximab), to enhance the deliv-ery efficiency and therapeutic window of TP. Methods: The formulation was optimized using a uniform design approach (four factors, six levels) and prepared via thin-film hydra-tion–ultrasonication. The encapsulation of TP was supported by Fourier transform in-frared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermal analysis (DSC/TGA), which revealed molecu-lar interactions (e.g., hydrogen bonding) with lipid components and a marked en-hancement in thermal stability, consistent with successful incorporation into the lipo-somal bilayer. The physicochemical properties, including the size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, encapsulation efficiency, and drug loading, were characterized. In vitro release kinetics were evaluated in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4), and cytotoxicity was assessed in high-EGFR (U87-MG) and low-EGFR (SW1088) glioma cells. In vivo efficacy and developmental toxicity were investigated using zebrafish models. The op-timized TP-CTX-Lip demonstrated favorable characteristics: size = 131.3 ± 4.5 nm, PDI = 0.24 ± 0.006, zeta potential = −23.37 ± 0.27 mV, encapsulation efficiency = 85.83% ± 1.81%, and drug loading = 13%. In vitro release followed first-order kinetics dominated by Higuchi diffusion (79.0% ± 4% at 24 h). After 48 h of treatment, TP-CTX-Lip exhib-ited significantly enhanced cytotoxicity in U87-MG cells (IC50 = 10.4 ± 0.2 nM), com-pared with IC50 values of 42.8 nM in SW1088 cells and 45.3 nM for non-targeted lipo-somes. In the 3T3-L1 non-cancerous cell line, the 48 h IC50 value of TP-CTX-Lip (8.433 ± 0.954µM) was higher than that of the TP solution (2.173 ± 0.181µM) but lower than that of TP-Lip (25.78 ± 2.691µM). Specifically, in 3T3-L1 cells, the 48 h IC50 of TP-CTX-Lip (8.43 µM) was approximately 4-fold higher than that of free TP (2.17 µM), confirming its substantially reduced cytotoxicity against non-cancerous cells. Results: In comparison to TP-Lip and free FITC solution, the uptake rate of TP-CTX-Lip in U87-MG cells exhibited a significantly higher level. Specifically, the uptake rate for the TP-CTX-Lip group (57.46 ± 5.44%) was statistically significantly higher than that of TP-Lip (13.7 ± 2.33%) and the free FITC solution group (20.97 ± 1.60%) (p < 0.01). In zebrafish, TP-CTX-Lip reduced developmental toxicity, with LC50 increased 1.26 times to 5.733 μg/mL, and suppressed orthotopic U87-MG xenograft growth (p < 0.001), in-dicating an improved therapeutic window as reflected by the LC50/IC50 ratio. Conclusions: the EGFR-targeted TP-CTX-Lip significantly enhances the tumor selectivity and safety of TP, providing a promising strategy for targeted glioma therapy. Full article

Bilayer scattering films offer a practical route to independently controlling transmission and reflection in transparent optical systems, yet the separate roles of nanoparticle loading and stacking order remain underexplored. In this work, Al₂O₃/poly(methyl methacrylate) bilayer films with four concentration pairs (5/15, 15/5, 5/30, and 9/30 wt%) were fabricated by sequential spin-coating and characterized by wavelength-dependent transmittance, reflectance, integrating-sphere haze decomposition, and optical surface interferometry under both glass-side (G-incident) and scattering-layer-side (SL-incident) illumination. Two independent design parameters govern the optical response: (i) the maximum nanoparticle concentration sets the overall scattering regime, and (ii) the layer stacking order controls the partitioning between parallel transmittance (PT) and diffuse transmittance (DT). Bilayers with a maximum loading of 15 wt% maintained total transmittance (TT) ≈ 99% and moderate haze (25%–40%), while reciprocal 5/15 and 15/5 wt% pairs exhibited a ~15 percentage-point shift in PT despite identical total loading. Incorporation of a 30 wt% layer shifted films into a diffusion-dominant regime (DT > 68%, haze > 70%), and positioning this layer at the incident side under SL illumination suppressed visible reflectance below 1%. These results provide a practical composition–sequence design map for transparent optical coatings in display, privacy, and anti-glare applications. Full article

Porous thin-film getters are extensively utilized in the field of MEMS vacuum packaging. Nevertheless, their effectiveness is frequently constrained by the comparatively modest effective surface area of conventional planar structures. In this work, a porous Au/Ti thin-film getter based on a three-dimensional black silicon scaffold is developed to enhance the effective surface area and improve gettering performance. The fabrication of black silicon nanostructures is achieved through an SF₆/O₂-based inductively coupled plasma (ICP) etching process, followed by the deposition of Au/Ti bilayer films by DC magnetron sputtering. The morphological evolution of the Ti film on the nanostructured substrate and the activation behavior of the Au/Ti bilayer are systematically investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results demonstrate that the shadowing effect during sputtering leads to the formation of a porous film with increased surface roughness and an open structure. XPS analysis demonstrates that there is a significant increase in the oxygen content on the surface at higher activation temperatures. This suggests that effective sorption capability is achieved following activation. In comparison with planar substrates, the three-dimensional black silicon scaffold has been demonstrated to promote the formation of a more open and functional structure. The results obtained from this study indicate that the proposed fabrication strategy offers a feasible and MEMS-compatible approach for the construction of porous thin-film getters, thereby enhancing their effective surface area. Full article

The emergence of membrane boundaries represents a decisive transition in the origin of life, yet the molecular nature of the earliest abiotic membranes remains uncertain. Existing models based on simple fatty acids, while experimentally tractable, often lack the environmental robustness required under fluctuating prebiotic conditions. Furthermore, the absence of clear pathways linking primitive amphiphiles to later phospholipid systems highlights the need for chemically continuous intermediate frameworks. Here, we explore borate-bridged amphiphile–carbohydrate conjugates as plausible intermediates between simple prebiotic surfactants and modern lipid bilayers. These conjugates arise from low-molecular-weight polyols—including glycerol, butane-1,2,3,4-tetraol, pentane-1,2,3,4,5-pentaol, and hexane-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexitol—reacting with long-chain alkyl ethers and borate species under alkaline conditions, enabling reversible coupling to ribose and other vicinal diol-containing sugars. This chemistry integrates three essential properties for early compartmentalization: hydrolytically robust ether-linked hydrophobic domains, multivalent and highly hydrated headgroups, and environmentally responsive borate coordination. Comparative physicochemical analysis suggests that single-tail alkylglycerol derivatives preferentially form micelles and interfacial films, while di- and tri-tail tetritol and pentitol conjugates favor lamellar assemblies and vesicle formation across realistic prebiotic pH and salinity ranges. Hexitol-based systems, particularly those bearing three hydrophobic chains, may act as membrane-stabilizing components that enhance rigidity and reduce permeability under extreme conditions. We propose that heterogeneous mixtures dominated by two-tail polyol diethers, supplemented by tri-tail stabilizers and surface-active alkylglycerols, could provide mechanically robust, pH-tunable, and sugar-decorated abiotic membranes. Such borate-mediated amphiphiles offer a chemically coherent framework linking carbohydrate stabilization, ether lipid persistence, and dynamic self-assembly, potentially representing a transitional stage in the evolutionary pathway from primitive amphiphilic films to biologically encoded membranes. Full article

Composite ZnO/Fe nanostructured thin films are synthesized via physical vapor deposition using radio frequency magnetron sputtering in conventional, as well as in glancing angle deposition (GLAD) geometries. ZnO is employed as a compact nanocolumnar template to direct Fe growth in bilayer and multilayer architectures. Morphological analysis reveals well-defined ZnO/Fe interfaces for normal deposition geometry, with diminished interface clarity and reduced layer thickness in GLAD samples. Crystallographic characterization indicates clear ZnO-{002} and α-Fe-{110} texture. Magnetostatic characterization investigates the effects of morphology on coercivity and domain nucleation. GLAD-deposited Fe films exhibit clear in-plane magnetic anisotropy, with remanence to saturation magnetization (M_REM/M_SAT) equal to 1 for the easy axis and equal to 0.24 for the hard axis, consistent with inclined nanocolumn morphology. Our findings show that deposition geometry, rather the ZnO template, mostly affects the morphology of Fe films. The above, highlight the potential of engineered ZnO/Fe nanocomposites for magnetic, spintronic, and magnetoplasmonic applications, by tuning morphology and interface quality through deposition parameters. Full article

Silica particles are promising multifunctional drug delivery platforms; however, when in contact with blood or other biological fluids, proteins rapidly adsorb to their surface, forming the protein corona that modulates their biological interactions. In this study, silica microparticles were coated with lipid bilayers using two approaches: the lipid film hydration method and the on-particle solvent-assisted lipid coating (OPSALC) technique. We investigated how phospholipids with varying charges (zwitterionic, anionic, and cationic) and membrane phase influence coating formation and protein corona adsorption. The coating coverage and aggregation were characterized by fluorescence microscopy. The lipid film hydration method enabled coating with a broad range of lipids, but was highly dependent on the membrane phase and electrostatic interactions between lipid head group and particle surface. Pure anionic coatings were not achievable with this method; however, when combining the OPSALC method with a pre-silanization step, fully anionic coatings of silica microparticles were successfully obtained. Assessment by SDS-PAGE revealed differences in protein corona profiles modulated by the lipid compositions on the particles’ coatings. Overall, this study highlights the dependence of coating formation and protein corona composition on the phospholipid coatings’ properties. Full article

Cr-Al composite coatings were fabricated on Ti-6Al-4V alloy substrates via mechanical alloying using a high-energy planetary ball mill. The coatings exhibited a distinctive bilayer architecture comprising an inner layer with coarse reinforcing particles and an outer layer featuring a refined, homogenized microstructure. Systematic investigations were conducted to elucidate the influence of rotational speed on coating formation, microstructural evolution, phase composition, and high-temperature oxidation performance. The findings revealed that insufficient milling speeds failed to facilitate adequate powder deposition, resulting in poor interfacial adhesion and the formation of porous or thin coatings. Conversely, excessive rotational speeds induced surface roughening and coating delamination. Optimization studies identified 250 r/min as the optimal milling speed, yielding dense, well-adherent coatings with superior oxidation resistance. Cyclic oxidation testing at 850 °C demonstrated that coated specimens exhibited significantly reduced mass gain compared to uncoated substrates. Post-oxidation characterization confirmed the formation of a protective corundum-type oxide scale (α-Al₂O₃ and Cr₂O₃) and revealed a four-layered structure in the oxidized coating: (I) a dense oxide film serving as an oxygen barrier, (II) a dense alloyed layer, (III) a porous alloyed layer, and (IV) an inner diffusion zone. These results demonstrate that the mechanically alloyed Cr-Al coatings provide effective protection against high-temperature oxidation for Ti-6Al-4V alloy substrates. Full article

Objectives Breast cancer remains a major cause of female cancer-related deaths, with current therapies limited by poor tumor targeting and an immunosuppressive microenvironment. This study designed CA/ZYII-siP-c-L—an asymmetric lipid bilayer-coated calcium/aluminum (CA)-core nanoparticle—to co-deliver PD-L1 siRNA (siP) and ziyuglycoside II (ZYII) to boost therapeutic efficacy. Methods CA/ZYII-siP-c-L was fabricated through modified microemulsification to first construct the CA cores, followed by thin-film hydration for encapsulation of ZYII within the hydrophobic domain, and via hybridization of the outer lipid layer with DSPE-PEG1000-PAMAM to finally enable specific adsorption of siP. The characterization of CA/ZYII-siP-c-L was performed to get size distribution, zeta potential and in vitro release behavior. In vitro cytotoxicity of the nanoparticles to NIH3T3 and 4T1 cells was detected by the CCK-8 method. The uptake capacity to 4T1 breast cancer cells was determined using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography. Pharmacokinetic studies and tissue distribution experiments were performed. In BALB/c mice bearing orthotopic 4T1 tumors, efficacy evaluations were conducted with the detection of tumor immune microenvironment; meanwhile, organ damage was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining of major organs and detection of routine biochemical indicators. Results CA/ZYII-siP-c-L was characterized by dynamic light scattering (mean size ~185.7 nm) and zeta potential analysis (~9.35 mV). In vitro, the nanoparticle exhibited low cytotoxicity in NIH3T3 normal cells, high uptake by 4T1 breast cancer cells, and pH-responsive release. For the pharmacokinetic study, CA nanoparticle system could significantly enhance the systemic exposure of ZYII, compared to free ZYII suspension. In BALB/c mice with orthotopic 4T1 tumors, CA/ZYII-siP-c-L accumulation in tumors was 3.5-fold higher than that of free drugs, significantly enriching helper T cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes while reducing regulatory T cells and suppressive dendritic cells in the tumor immune microenvironment; this immunomodulatory effect, combined with PD-L1 silencing at protein levels, contributed to ~62% inhibition of tumor growth with no organ damage (confirmed by hematoxylin and eosin staining of major organs and normal biochemical indices). Conclusions CA/ZYII-siP-c-L integrates safety, targeting, and codelivery capabilities, offering a promising strategy for breast cancer treatment by combining siP-mediated immunity regulation and the antitumor effects of ZYII. Full article

Background: Dry eye disease is a multifactorial disease of the ocular surface and/or tear film. It is one of the leading causes of ocular morbidity worldwide. Current therapy primarily consists of topical application of artificial tears and anti-inflammatory drugs. Autologous serum eye drops are an alternative treatment typically reserved for severe dry eyes mainly due to the limitations associated with access, storage, and the need for frequent application. Methods: Herein we describe the design and characterization of a bilayer carboxymethylcellulose/serum ocular insert that may expand the utility and accessibility of this treatment method. The insert, designed to be placed in the inferior fornix of the eye, has a unique carboxymethylcellulose backing layer to enhance comfort and direct protein release to the ocular surface. Results: Released serum proteins were able to protect corneal cells in vitro after treatment with hydrogen peroxide, demonstrated by a significantly higher cell viability compared to both serum eye drops and untreated cells. Our in vivo studies showed that the ocular inserts were able to deliver epitheliotrophic growth factors to treated animals at a level similar to standard serum eyedrops at an 8-fold reduction in dosing frequency that was well-tolerated in the treated eyes. In comparison to the control, serum ocular inserts demonstrated improvement in dry eye signs and symptoms in a rabbit model. Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that the novel inserts prolong the delivery of key proteins and growth factors for treating dry eye disease and significantly enhance shelf stability. Full article

The corrosion behavior and passive-film stability of a β-TiZrNbTa (β-TZNT) alloy were investigated in artificial seawater (ASW), focusing on the effects of pH, temperature, immersion time, fluoride ion concentration, and potential scan rate. In addition to electrochemical methods such as open-circuit potential (OCP), potentiodynamic polarization (PDP), and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were employed for surface characterization. The establishment of a stable and efficient passive layer enriched in Zr-, Nb-, and Ta-oxides was responsible for the β-TZNT alloy’s superior corrosion resistance in fluoride-free ASW when compared to commercially pure titanium. Reduced passive-film resistance resulted from corrosion kinetics being greatly accelerated by decreasing the pH and increasing the temperature. The presence of fluoride ions strongly affected the passivity of the alloy due to the chemical dissolution of TiO₂ through the formation of soluble fluoride complexes, resulting in an increase in the corrosion current densities by more than one order of magnitude. A bilayer passive structure with a compact inner barrier layer and a porous outer layer was identified by EIS analysis. The stability of this structure gradually decreased with increasing fluoride concentration and acidity. Over time, passive-film degradation was dominant in fluoride-free seawater, whereas prolonged exposure in fluoride-containing media promoted partial re-passivation. Overall, these results highlight the potential and limitations of the β-TZNT alloy for marine and offshore applications by offering new mechanistic insights into the synergistic effects of fluoride ions and environmental factors on corrosion performance. Full article

Parylene C films are subjected to inadequate corrosion resistance due to their relatively low adhesion and structural defects. To address this challenge, the CVD Parylene C film (10 μm thick) was composited with Al₂O₃ film (30 nm thick) prepared with atomic layer deposition (ALD) technology in this work. Optical microscopic results indicate uniform thickness of the films and the reduced adhesion of Parylene C based thick films. SEM-EDX and AFM results show that the composite films have more blurred mounds morphology than the individual films, and Al₂O₃ film decreases the surface roughness of Parylene C film; compared with the single-layer film, the R_a value of the bilayer film decreased by approximately 6%. XPS, FTIR and XRD analyses confirm the structural components of Al₂O₃ and Parylene C films and the annealing effect of ALD process on Parylene C film. Tafel polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy tests reveal that the 304-Parylene C–Al₂O₃ system exhibits the optimal corrosion resistance; its corrosion current density (i_corr) is 8.099 × 10⁻⁵ μA/cm² and the ALD Al₂O₃ thin film uniformly coats the Parylene C film, enhancing its physical barrier and chemical passivation under corrosive conditions. Full article

Meat products are prone to spoilage during storage and transportation due to the decomposition of amino acids and proteins, which generates volatile amines and elevates pH levels. In recent years, research on pH indicator labels for food has significantly increased. This study investigates a functional film with a bilayer structure for real-time freshness monitoring of meat. Utilizing Tara gum (TG) and Gellan gum (GG) as the base material and nanocellulose composite GG/blueberry anthocyanins as the sensing layer, titanium dioxide was incorporated to effectively block ultraviolet radiation. Through response surface methodology, the cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs) preparation process was optimized to address issues such as insufficient mechanical properties, hydrophobicity, and thermal stability of the composite film. Results showed that the composite film achieved optimal performance when CNC content was 6%. This research provides a simple and effective solution for real-time freshness monitoring of meat products, offering advantages such as low cost, environmental friendliness, and user-friendly operation. Full article