Search Results (355)

Facing the increasingly severe energy challenges and environmental problems, the development of thermally stable, lightweight, and thermal insulating materials is critical. Herein, we report an organic-inorganic composite strategy combined with a high-temperature carbonization step to fabricate aerogel-containing composites synergistically reinforced with chopped glass fibers and hollow glass microspheres. By systematically varying the ratio of acrylic emulsion to potassium silicate solution, we investigated the effects on the forming behavior, microstructure, hydrophobicity, thermal stability, and thermal insulation performance. Increasing the acrylic emulsion fraction substantially enhanced hydrophobicity, yielding a maximum water contact angle of 129.3°. Concurrently, the apparent density decreased from 0.18 g/cm³ to 0.09 g/cm³ and the thermal conductivity dropped from 57.9 mW/(m·K) to 29.0 mW/(m·K). Mechanical testing revealed that the compressive Young’s modulus decreased with increasing acrylic content, from 3.6 MPa for the purely inorganic sample to 0.55 MPa at 70% acrylic content, reflecting a trade-off between stiffness and organic-derived porosity. Microstructural characterization revealed a hierarchical porous network in which uniformly dispersed hollow glass microspheres and the aerogel-derived silica network form an efficient thermal barrier system. Thermogravimetric analysis demonstrated excellent thermal stability, with total weight loss below 5% up to 800 °C. Infrared thermography analysis showed that, after unilateral heating at 300 °C and 400 °C for 10 min, the backside surface temperature of the composites decreased as the acrylic emulsion content increased. At 300 °C, the temperature decreased from 176.1 °C for AP-1 to 151.0 °C for AP-4, while at 400 °C, it decreased from 228.5 °C to 199.3 °C. These results indicate that the composites exhibit effective thermal insulation and maintain structural stability under high-temperature exposure. Taken together, this facile and scalable approach yields these aerogel-containing composites that combine low density, low thermal conductivity, robust structural integrity, and good environmental resistance, as evidenced by a water contact angle of 129.3°, making them promising candidates for aerospace, building, and industrial high-temperature insulation applications. Full article

Nanocoating technology has emerged as a transformative strategy for enhancing the functional properties of food materials, packaging substrates, and food contact surfaces. This review explores the role of biopolymers as coating materials in nanocoating applications, with a particular focus on the food sector. Inorganic nanomaterials such as silver, titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, and silicon dioxide have been extensively studied for their antimicrobial, photocatalytic, and barrier-enhancing properties; however, concerns regarding toxicity and regulatory compliance continue to limit their direct food contact applications. Biopolymer-based nanocoatings present a safer and more sustainable alternative, offering biodegradability, biocompatibility, and GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) status. Key application areas reviewed include edible coatings for fresh and minimally processed fruits, vegetables, meat, cheese, and mushrooms; nanocoating of paper-based and polymeric packaging materials to improve gas barrier, mechanical, moisture resistance, and antimicrobial properties; nanocoating of glass or metal containers and active packaging systems, and nanocoating of food contact surfaces to prevent biofouling and microbial contamination. Recent studies confirm that biopolymer-based nanocoatings, particularly those based on chitosan, cellulose nanofibers, and alginate, can significantly extend shelf life, reduce weight loss, retard oxidation, and maintain sensory quality. Migration of nanomaterials from coatings into food systems is identified as a key safety concern. Challenges including scalability, coating durability, substrate compatibility, and incomplete toxicological profiling are critically discussed. This review underscores the need for standardized testing protocols, comprehensive regulatory frameworks, and continued research into durable, food-grade biopolymer nanocoatings as viable replacements for conventional synthetic coating systems in food preservation and packaging. Full article

With the rising interest in hydrogen technologies as a pathway toward lower-carbon energy systems, there is a growing need for proton exchange membranes that can operate reliably in the 120–200 °C window. This second part of the review examines mixed phosphate–silicate networks, composites, and hybrid membranes designed to move beyond the limitations of the single-anion glasses discussed in Part I. Rather than listing compositions only, the present analysis is organized around a comparative framework that links network chemistry, hydration management, pore-space morphology, interfacial proton transport, and durability under thermal/humidity cycling. Mixed-anion lattices, sol–gel-derived porous glasses, polymer-assisted interpenetrating networks, ionic-liquid-modified systems, fully inorganic composites, and mechanochemically prepared hybrids are evaluated with respect to conductivity, humidity tolerance, structural stability, and device relevance. Particular attention is paid to strategies that attempt to decouple proton conductivity from simple water uptake by combining acidic-site engineering with mesostructural control. The literature shows that recent progress is real but uneven. Conductivity gains are often achieved through better retention of hydrated proton pathways or acid-rich interphases, yet these benefits remain constrained by pore collapse, acid migration, gas crossover, interfacial losses, or insufficient long-term validation in membrane–electrode assemblies. The review, therefore, closes with a cross-class benchmarking matrix and a synthesis-oriented guide intended to support more critical comparison of future intermediate-temperature membrane designs. Full article

Along with the growth in the production of metallurgical grade silicon and high-silicon ferrous alloys, there is a significant increase in the formation of microsilica, which is an ultra-fine technogenic waste. The direct application of microsilica in ore-thermal furnaces is hindered by low bulk density, poor gas permeability, and high dusting. This paper explores the thermophysical and microstructure properties of briquettes based on microsilica, which includes various types of carbonaceous reducing agents such as semi-coke and coal. For manufacturing, the liquid glass was used as the inorganic binder for the preparation of microsilica briquettes. The best variants were chosen based on strength tests carried out during preliminary studies. In the laboratory tests, the stability of the briquettes at elevated temperatures was evaluated. Samples were heated to 1000–1500 °C and subjected to impact testing. Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) was used to investigate the microstructure and local elemental distribution. It was revealed that the calcinated briquettes of the microsilica–semi-coke mixture have better thermal stability compared to the samples with coal and withstand the temperature range up to 1500 °C. The microstructure of the briquette from the microsilica-semi-coke mixture is characterized by the formation of a more uniform silicate matrix with the presence of a homogeneously distributed carbonaceous component. Coal-based samples show higher heterogeneity and porosity. Therefore, it can be stated that the selection of carbonaceous reductants is one of the key factors influencing the thermal stability of microsilica briquettes. Full article

Lignin is an abundant aromatic biopolymer, but its conversion into high-performance fibers remains challenging due to intrinsically poor spinnability, structural heterogeneity, and inefficient stress transfer in lignin-rich systems. In this study, a processing and structure strategy is demonstrated to overcome these limitations by transforming industrial black-liquor kraft lignin into a spinnable and load-bearing fiber component. Kraft lignin recovered from black-liquor waste was extracted and subsequently purified using a hot-water treatment to remove inorganic impurities and thermally unstable fractions, increasing lignin purity to 95.9% through extensive deionized water purification using a water-to-lignin ratio of 300:1. The purified lignin was then blended with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), wet-spun into continuous filaments, and subjected to post-spinning hot drawing to induce molecular orientation. This sequential extraction, purification, blending, spinning, and drawing approach enables stable wet spinning and the continuous formation of lignin-rich lignin/PVA filaments without filament breakage, directly addressing the primary processing bottleneck of lignin-based fibers. Molecular-level miscibility between lignin and PVA is confirmed by the presence of a single glass transition temperature at 88.3 °C, indicating the formation of a homogeneous amorphous phase. SEM observations reveal composition-dependent surface roughness and non-circular cross-sectional morphologies arising from differential coagulation and shrinkage, demonstrating that lignin actively participates in the load-bearing fiber network rather than acting as a passive filler. As a result of purification-enabled spinnability, true blend miscibility, and post-spinning hot drawing, fibers with a lignin-to-PVA composition of 40:60 achieve a maximum tensile strength of 2.8 GPa, approaching the performance range of commercial high-strength polymer fibers. This work establishes a clear relationship between material structure, processing strategy, and resulting properties, highlighting the potential of industrial lignin waste as a sustainable precursor for advanced fiber applications. Full article

With non-rainfall water (NRW), principally dew and fog, serving as an important water source, especially in arid and semiarid regions, factors that may increase the NRW yield may have important hydrological and ecological consequences. On the other hand, dew and fog may also have hazardous effect on inorganic and human-made materials that may undergo corrosion and/or degradation. It has long been noted that dew and fog are affected by neighboring objects, the effect of which was, however, only barely explored. Hypothesizing that it may principally be linked to the sky view factor (SVF) (determining, in turn, substrate temperature and heat flow) and, therefore, to the angle that is formed between the collecting substrate and the height of the neighboring objects, a set of square boxes (30 × 30 or 60 × 60 cm) was constructed. The boxes had variable heights, forming angles of 15°, 30°, 45°, 60°, and 75° between 6 × 6 × 0.1 cm cloth attached to a substratum (10 × 10 × 0.2 cm glass plate overlying 10 × 10 × 0.5 cm plywood) at the center of each box and the top walls of the box. NRW that accumulated at the cloths was compared with cloths placed in the open, serving as control. Another set served to measure the plate temperatures. A clear decrease in NRW, with an angle corresponding to a third-degree polynomial equation, was found (r² = 0.998). Taking 0.1 mm as the threshold for vapor condensation (dew), and taking the average maximal NRW as measured for two years in the Negev (0.20 mm), angles of ≥45° will suffice to impair condensation. However, with the projected decrease in NRW with global warming, even angles of ≥30° may impair condensation in 1–2 decades. While it may decrease the dew amounts and subsequently negatively affect the vegetation in forest clearings and wadis or canyons, it may decrease the exposure of construction materials to corrosion and/or degradation, thus exerting a positive effect on construction materials in urban settings. Full article

Passive daytime radiative cooling (PDRC) is a promising thermal management technology, yet its widespread application is hindered by the high production costs and poor durability of traditional organic-based materials. Here, we presented a hierarchically porous, all-inorganic PDRC coating synthesized from industrial waste glass and alumina microparticles via low-temperature (600 °C) processing. Rather than serving merely as a cheap substitute, the alkali oxides inherent in waste glass act as natural fluxes, enabling partial melting. Concurrently, the steric hindrance of alumina restricts full densification, spontaneously constructing a highly scattering random photonic network. The optimized composite (50 wt.% waste glass/50 wt.% alumina) achieves 96% solar reflectance and 95% atmospheric window emittance. Field tests confirmed sub-ambient cooling of ~4.0 °C (day) and ~4.5 °C (night), yielding a peak net cooling power of 108.1 W/m². Accelerated weathering and thermal shock (1000 °C) tests demonstrated sustained optical stability under extreme environmental stress. Full article

Skeletal muscle myopathy remains a significant cause of disability with limited treatment strategies. Advancements in tissue engineering have led to the development of borophosphate bioactive glasses (BPBGs) capable of enhancing skeletal muscle structure and function. Using a mouse model of severe myopathy (D2.mdx), we investigated muscle force, regeneration, angiogenesis and inflammation at 14, 70 and 140 days post-treatment (dpt). Tibialis anterior (TA) muscles of D2.mdx mice that received a single injection of cobalt oxide-doped BPBG (CoO-TRIM) particles exhibit greater active force, myofiber size, and regeneration through 70 dpt compared to control D2.mdx mice injected with Saline. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was elevated up to 70 dpt in D2.mdx CoO-TRIM mice followed by increased muscle vascularity. As a marker of inflammation, interleukin (IL)-6 increased in D2.mdx CoO-TRIM mice compared to D2.mdx Saline controls at 14 dpt, with no differences at 70 or 140 dpt. No differences were observed in outcome measures between wild-type (WT) CoO-TRIM mice and WT Saline controls. We report that CoO-TRIM can stimulate VEGF production and promote restoration of muscle structure and function when inflammation is present. Local injection of an inorganic biomaterial alone can benefit myopathic skeletal muscle. Full article

Polymer–ceramic composites based on cyanate ester resins have attracted increasing attention for high-frequency electronic applications due to their low dielectric loss, thermal stability, and dimensional reliability; however, achieving a targeted dielectric constant while maintaining low loss remains a key challenge. In this study, transparent glass powders and BaTiO₃ ceramic fillers were incorporated into a cyanate ester matrix to systematically investigate structure–property relationships and optimize dielectric performance for antenna-related applications. Transparent glass powders were synthesized via a melt-quenching route and combined with submicron BaTiO₃ particles, while both fillers were surface-modified using 3-triethoxysilylpropyl isocyanate (TESPI) to enhance interfacial compatibility. Composite samples containing 5–30 wt% total filler were fabricated and characterized by XRD, FTIR, tensile testing, dielectric measurements, and SEM/EDX analyses. The results demonstrate that TESPI surface modification promotes strong interfacial bonding and homogeneous filler dispersion within the cyanate ester matrix. An optimal balance between mechanical integrity and dielectric performance was achieved at 15 wt% total filler loading (K3), exhibiting a dielectric constant close to 10 and the lowest dielectric loss (tan δ ≈ 0.0047 at 1 MHz). Microstructural observations confirm that excessive filler loading leads to agglomeration and increased dielectric loss. Overall, the combined use of transparent glass and BaTiO₃ fillers, together with effective interfacial engineering, enables precise tuning of dielectric properties in cyanate ester composites for high-frequency electronic applications. Full article

Polydicyclopentadiene (PDCPD), an emerging environmentally friendly material, has been widely applied in lightweight structural shells; however, its extension to high-value electronic applications remains challenging. In this work, we developed a novel vinyl-SiO₂@NaNbO₃ (VSN) core–shell structure with a high surface vinyl concentration (1.26 mmol/g) and excellent thermal stability, making it highly suitable for co-polymerization with polymers. Through ring-opening metathesis polymerization, the influence of VSN on the mechanical, thermal, and dielectric properties of PDCPD composites was systematically investigated. The vinyl groups on the VSN surface provide strong interfacial compatibility with the PDCPD matrix. With only 1.0 wt% loading, the composites show significant performance improvements: the heat deflection temperature and glass transition temperature increased to 139.3 °C and 150.43 °C, respectively, while the dielectric constant at 1 kHz rises to 4.13 with an ultralow dielectric loss of 0.035%. Meanwhile, the composites maintain high mechanical strength and solvent resistance. This study not only establishes a facile strategy for fabricating highly compatible inorganic additives but also offers new opportunities for expanding PDCPD into advanced dielectric and electronic applications. Full article

The sea surface microlayer (SML) is a critical biogeochemical boundary, playing a key role in air–sea exchange processes, yet its sampling remains challenging due to potential dilution from subsurface water layers, susceptibility to contamination and labor- and time-consuming procedures. The design, development and operational verification of a research unmanned surface vehicle (USV), equipped with samplers for collecting both sea surface microlayer and subsurface water samples (SSW), are described in this study. The InterSeA autonomous vessel is of the catamaran type, equipped with an SML sampler consisting of rotating glass discs and a peristaltic pump for collecting SSW samples. Verification analysis with traditional manual sampling techniques (glass plate and mesh screen) revealed that the InterSeA achieved comparable results in terms of reproducibility and contamination control for both the inorganic and organic analytes examined. The results obtained highlight the effectiveness of autonomous platforms in achieving reliable, low-contamination SML sampling, emphasizing their suitability for broader use in marine biogeochemical research demanding high resolution and minimally disturbed interface measurements. InterSeA is one of the smallest and lightest USVs using rotating glass discs for SML sampling. Full article

The structural application of Fiber-Reinforced Polymers (FRP) is significantly hindered by their inherent thermal sensitivity. This paper presents a comprehensive review of the fire performance of FRP materials and FRP-concrete systems, spanning from material-scale degradation to structural-scale response. Distinct from previous studies, this review explicitly distinguishes between the fire behavior of internally reinforced FRP-reinforced concrete members and externally applied systems, including Externally Bonded Reinforcement (EBR) and Near-Surface Mounted (NSM) techniques. The thermal and mechanical degradation mechanisms of FRP constituents—specifically reinforcing fibers and polymer matrices—are first analyzed, with a focused discussion on the critical role of the glass transition temperature T_g. A detailed comparative analysis of the pros and cons of organic (epoxy-based) and inorganic (cementitious) binders is provided, elaborating on their respective bonding mechanisms and thermal stability under fire conditions. Furthermore, the effectiveness of various fire-protection strategies, such as external insulation systems, is evaluated. Synthesis of existing research indicates that while insulation thickness remains the dominant factor governing the fire survival time of EBR/NSM systems, the irreversible thermal degradation of polymer matrices poses a primary challenge for the post-fire recovery of FRP-reinforced structures. This review identifies critical research gaps and provides practical insights for the fire-safe design of FRP-concrete composite structures. Full article

The increasing impact of global warming is predominantly driven by the extensive use of fossil fuels, which release significant amounts of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This has led to a critical need for alternative, sustainable energy sources that can mitigate environmental impacts. Photovoltaic technology has emerged as a promising solution by harnessing renewable energy from the sun, providing a clean and inexhaustible power source. Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are a class of hybrid organic–inorganic solar cells that have recently attracted significant scientific attention due to their low cost, relatively high efficiency, low–temperature processing routes, and longer carrier lifetimes. These characteristics make them a viable alternative to traditional fossil fuels, reducing the carbon footprint and contributing to the fight against global warming. In this study, the SCAPS–1D numerical simulator was used in the computational analysis of a PSC device with the configuration FTO/ETL/BaZr(S_0.6Se_0.4)₃/HTL/Ir. Different hole transport layer (HTL) and electron transport layer (ETL) material were proposed and tested. The HTL materials included copper (I) oxide (Cu₂O), 2,2′,7,7′–Tetrakis(N,N–di–p–methoxyphenylamine)9,9′–spirobifluorene (spiro–OMETAD), and poly(3–hexylthiophene) (P₃HT), while the ETLs included cadmium suphide (CdS), zinc oxide (ZnO), and [6,6]–phenyl–C₆₁–butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM). Finally, BaZr(S_0.6Se_0.4)₃ was proposed as an absorber, and a fluorine–doped tin oxide glass substrate (FTO) was proposed as an anode. The metal back contact used was iridium. Photovoltaic parameters such as short circuit density (I_sc), open circuit voltage (V_oc), fill factor (FF), and power conversion efficiency (PCE) were used to evaluate the performance of the device. The initial simulated primary device with the configuration FTO/CdS/BaZr(S_0.6Se_0.4)₃/spiro–OMETAD/Ir gave a PCE of 5.75%. Upon testing different HTL materials, the best HTL was found to be Cu₂O, and the PCE improved to 9.91%. Thereafter, different ETLs were also inserted and tested, and the best ETL was established to be ZnO, with a PCE of 10.10%. Ultimately an optimized device with a configuration of FTO/ZnO/BaZr(S_0.6Se_0.4)₃/Cu₂O/Ir was achieved. The other photovoltaic parameters for the optimized device were as follows: FF = 31.93%, J_sc = 14.51 mA cm⁻², and V_oc = 2.18 V. The results of this study will promote the use of environmentally benign BaZr(S_0.6Se_0.4)₃–based absorber materials in PSCs for improved performance and commercialization. Full article

Dental composites are commonly used for the restoration of hard tooth tissues, but their low fracture toughness may limit their lifespan. In this study, the effect of liquid rubber modification on the mechanical properties and fracture mechanisms of two types of dental composites, flow and classic, was evaluated. The study used experimental composites containing a mixture of dimethacrylate resins: BisGMA (20% by weight), BisEMA (30% by weight), UDMA (30% by weight), and TEGDMA (20% by weight). Composites were reinforced with Al-Ba-B-Si glass, Ba-Al-B-F-Si glass with particle sizes of 0.7 and 2 μm respectively, as well as pyrogenic silica (20 nm). The inorganic phase was introduced in an amount of 50% vol. for flow material and 80% vol. for classic composite. As a modifier, Hypro 2000X168LC VTB liquid rubber (Huntsman International LLC, USA) was used in an amount of 5% by weight relative to the matrix. The flexural strength, Young’s modulus, and fracture toughness were evaluated. Numerical FEM analysis allowed for the evaluation of stress distribution in the filling area. The results confirmed that the modification of composites with liquid rubber contributes to an increase in fracture toughness. For the flow-type material, the fracture toughness increased from 1.04 to 1.13 MPa·m^1/2. At the same time, a decrease in flexural strength from 71.90 MPa to 61.48 MPa and in Young’s modulus from 2.98 GPa to 2.53 GPa. In the case of the classical composite, the modification with liquid rubber also improved the resistance to fracture, increasing it from 1.97 to 2.18 MPa·m^1/2 while the flexural strength decreased from 102.30 MPa to 90.96 MPa, and the modulus dropped from 7.33 GPa to 6.16 GPa. FEA analysis confirmed that modified composites exhibit a more favorable stress distribution with lower tensile stress levels (approximately 20 MPa in contrast to 25 MPa for the classic composite). Mechanisms of fracture and strengthening were also identified. The main fracture mechanism was intermolecular cracking with crack deflections. Modification with liquid rubber resulted in the formation of elastic bridges and plastic shear zones at the front of the crack. Full article

Globally, over 350 million tonnes of thermoplastic waste are generated annually, with more than 60% either landfilled or mismanaged. This attracts innovative pathways to increase their recyclability, among which particulate-filled recycled thermoplastic composites (RTCs) are emerging as a potential waste reuse strategy for diverse civil and industrial applications. This review systematically analyses the current understanding of the physical, mechanical, and durability performance of RTCs, focusing on how various particulate filler types, content, and interfacial compatibility influence key properties. Reported studies show that incorporating particulate organic or inorganic fillers such as waste glass, sand, wood flour, etc., can increase density by 10–45%, tensile and flexural moduli by 30–120%, and thermal stability by up to 40%, though strength and ductility often decrease by 15–50% due to poor filler–matrix adhesion. This review further evaluates durability enhancements under prolonged exposure to water, thermal, and UV radiation, where filler addition reduces water absorption and UV degradation by 20–60%. Despite these advancements, challenges remain in optimising interfacial bonding, long-term performance modelling, and scalability for civil infrastructure. This review also outlines research directions to advance high-performance, sustainable RTCs through a structured review approach using defined keywords on recycled thermoplastics, fillers, and durability. Full article