Decoding ZnO: multifunctional properties via theory and experiment

The use of metal nanoparticles as building blocks toward thin film assembly creates intriguing opportunities for exploring multifunctional properties. Such an exploration requires the ability to engineer the size, shape, composition, and especially interparticle properties in nanoparticle assemblies for harnessing the collective properties of the nanoscale building blocks. This article highlights some of the important findings of our investigations of thin film assemblies of molecularly linked nanoparticles for exploiting their multifunctional and collective properties in molecular recognition and chemical sensing. The thermally activated processing approach presents a viable pathway for nanoengineering metal, alloy, and core-shell nanoparticles as building blocks. The molecular mediator-templating approach offers an effective strategy to thin film assemblies of the nanoscale building blocks that impart multifunctional properties. In such thin film assemblies, the interparticle interactions and structures dictate the correlation between the nanostructural parameters and the optical and electrical properties. By highlighting selected examples involving ligand-framework binding of ionic species at the film/liquid interface and electrical responses to molecular sorption at the film/gas interface, the multifunctional properties of the thin film assemblies are further discussed in terms of interparticle covalent, hydrogen bonding, ionic, or van der Waals interactions in a framework-type architecture for the creation of molecular recognition and chemical sensing sites that can be tuned chemically or electrochemically. Implications of these insights to expanding the exploration of nanoparticle thin film assemblies for a wide range of technological applications are also discussed.

Photo-curable bio-based comb/bottle brush epoxy resin/beeswax/copper foam phase change materials with high enthalpy value, high conductivity, and multifunctional properties

Relevance. Human albumin (HA) accounts for 60% of all plasma proteins and is an important component of extracellular fluids, including lymph, interstitial and cerebrospinal fluid. This protein has multifunctional properties — it supports oncotic blood pressure, regulates the immune system, stabilizes the endothelium and affects key pathophysiological mechanisms. The aim of the review is to determine the features of the structure, properties and use of HA in acute medicine with a primary focus on brain damage of hypoxic-traumatic origin. Literature was searched in the databases PubMed, Google Academic, Web of Science, RSCI by keywords: human albumin, critical conditions, brain hypoxia, reactive oxygen species and nitrogen, search depth of 10 years. An analysis of data on the structure and modifications of HA in hypoxia/ischemia under conditions of increased formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrogen (RNS) is presented. The informative value of HA modifications (“ischemia–modified albumin” — IMA and albumin oxidized by RNS from tyrosine — 3-nitrotyrosine — 3-HT residues) in the diagnosis and prognosis of various diseases is considered. One of the limitations of the use of HA in critical condition medicine is the lack of knowledge of the mechanisms of action of HA and modifications of endogenous and exogenous (injected) HA during infusion therapy. In the reduced state, HA has antioxidant activity and can neutralize the action of ROS and RNS formed during hypoxia. However, under conditions of hypoxia/ischemia and oxidative/nitrosative stress, HA is susceptible to oxidation and modification, which leads to the loss of its protective properties.

Surface modification of naturally dyed jute fabric to ameliorate its multifunctional properties and electrical conductivity

Liquid‐infused coatings are because of their fluidity of considerable technological importance for hydrophobic materials with multifunctional properties, such as self‐healing, transmittance, and durability. However, conventional coatings absorb viscous liquid into their sponge‐like structured surface, causing uncontrollable liquid layer formation or liquid transport. In addition, a hydrophobic‐liquid‐retained surface can cause instability and lead to limitation of the hydrophobicity, optical properties, and flexibility due to liquid layer evaporation. Here, we report a strategy for controllable liquid‐layer formation on smooth surfaces (R rms < 1 nm) by π ‐electron interactions. Using this technology, superoleophilic wetting of decyltrimethoxysilane results in the design of a surface with π ‐interaction liquid adsorption, smoothness, and hydrophobicity (SPLASH), that shows extraordinary hydrophobicity (CAH = 0.75°), and stable repellence for various water‐based solutions including micrometer‐sized mist. The smoothness of the solid under a liquid layer enabled the SPLASH to exhibit stable hydrophobicity, transparency (>90%), structure damage durability and flexibility, regardless of the liquid layer thickness by bending or evaporation. Furthermore, the patterned π ‐electrons' localization on the smooth coating enables controlled liquid‐layer formation and liquid transport. This strategy may provide new insights into designing functional liquid surfaces and our designed surface with multifunctional properties could be developed for various applications.

Differentiable selections of multifunctions and their applications

The present study addresses the design of an innovativemagneto-luminescentnanocomposite by coating cobalt ferrite nanoparticles with an organiclayer, enhancing their multifunctional properties. Fourier transforminfrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy (Raman), and X-rayphotoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses confirm the successful formationof an organic layer rich in functional groups, including hydroxyls,carbonyls, and amines. These groups influenced the surface charge,resulting in positive ζ-potential at acidic pHs and negativeζ-potential at alkaline ones. Nitrogen adsorption measurementsand Brunauer–Emmet–Teller (BET) and Barrett–Joyner–Halenda(BJH) analyses revealed a decrease in surface area but an increasein pore size and volume. The nanocomposite particles exhibited a 26%increase in magnetization at room temperature compared to that ofcobalt ferrite, attributed to their larger size. Additionally, theorganic coating conferred luminescent properties, enabling the detectionof β-lactam antibiotics, as evidenced by luminescence enhancement.For amoxicillin, a detection limit of 26 μmol/L (0–500μmol/L) was determined. The adsorption kinetics experimentsconducted with 0.2 g of the nanocomposite per liter of solution withcontaminant at room temperature and pH 6.8 indicate that the processfollows a pseudo-second-order (PSO) model (qe = 149.4 ± 0.4 mg·g–1). The thermodynamictests indicate that the interaction between the nanocomposite andamoxicillin is spontaneous at low temperatures. Finally, the nanocompositedemonstrated the dual capability of detecting and magnetically removingamoxicillin from aqueous solutions, highlighting its potential forenvironmental remediation applications.

Yogurts enriched with milk proteins: Texture properties, aroma release and sensory perception

Understanding and controlling defect formation during the assembly of nanoparticles is crucial for fabrication of self-assembled nanostructured materials with predictable properties. Here, time-resolved small-angle X-ray scattering was used to probe the temporal evolution of strain and lattice contraction during evaporation-induced self-assembly of oleate-capped iron oxide nanocubes in a levitating drop. We show that the evolution of the strain and structure of the growing mesocrystals is related to the formation of defects as the solvent evaporated and the assembly process progressed. Superlattice contraction during the mesocrystal growth stage is responsible for the rapidly increasing isotropic strain and the introduction of point defects. The crystal strain, quantified by the Williamson–Hall analysis, became more anisotropic due to the formation of stress-relieving dislocations as the mesocrystal growth was approaching completion. Understanding the formation of the transformation of defects in mesocrystals and superlattices could assist in the development of optimized assembly processes of nanoparticles with multifunctional properties.

The increasing power and harsh operating conditions of modern gasoline and diesel engines place increasing demands on the quality of modern motor oils. To ensure long-term and reliable operation of vehicles, the purchase and production of high-quality oils is increasing. Modern equipment cannot function without high-quality engine oils. Improving the quality of engine oils with effective additives is one of the most modern and promising methods. Scientific and technical progress in engine production is closely related to the development of high-quality lubricants that meet the requirements of modern and advanced technology. Only base oils with additives with different functional properties can have a wide range of performance characteristics, since base oils, regardless of their production and refining methods, do not meet all requirements. The most commonly used additives are alkylphenolate additives. Alkylphenolate additives have multifunctional properties and are one of the main components of motor oils. Therefore, the synthesis of high-quality alkylphenolate additives, the organization of their production and the creation of high-quality motor oils are among the most pressing problems of the petrochemical industry. In this regard, a new calcium salt of the condensation product of dodecylphenol, formaldehyde and sodium disulfide - AKI-55 additive was obtained. The structure of the additive was confirmed by IR spectroscopy and its physicochemical and functional properties were studied using standard methods. Compared to the production of industrially produced sulfur-containing alkylphenolates TsIATIM-339, VNIINP-714 and OLOA-218A, the method of obtaining the AKI-55 additive is simple and environmentally friendly. It has been shown that the functional properties of the AKI-55 additive are superior to its analogues and as an inhibitor it stops the oxidation chain of cumene

Hard coatings are required to have a long lifetime without performance degradation when used in tough working environments. In this study, quaternary Ti–Si–B–C coatings with various Si contents were synthesised at a relatively low temperature of 600°C by a plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition. Effect of the Si/(Si+B) ratio on the microstructure and mechanical properties of the Ti–Si–B–C coatings was systematically investigated. Instrumental analyses, such as EPMA, XRD, XPS and HR-TEM, revealed that the microstructure was changed from a huge crystalline structure with an hexagonal close-packed (HCP) (Ti,C)B2 phase into a nanocomposite structure that consists of nano-sized HCP (Ti,C)B2 crystallites and amorphous SiC/TiC phases by a percolation effect with the Si addition. As the Si content increased, hardness of the Ti–Si–B–C coatings varied from 18.8 to 35.6 GPa. In addition, the tribology and anti-oxidation properties of the Ti–Si–B–C coatings with the characteristic microstructural evolution were fairy improved compared with Ti–B–C coatings. The Ti–Si–B–C coatings had excellent multifunctional properties, including high hardness, low friction coefficient and high temperature oxidation resistance.

Bioactive anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, conductive multifunctional scaffold based on MXene@CeO2 nanocomposites for infection-impaired skin multimodal therapy

Recent advances in ZnO-based electrochemical sensors for food safety monitoring.

Topological materials are considered as a novel quantum state of matter, which can be characterized by symmetry-protected Dirac interfacial states, and exhibit an exotic phenomenon when combined with the other phases. The topological phase in the perovskite structures is important since it can provide various heterostructure interfaces with multifunctional properties. Alpha-(α-) phase cesium-based halide perovskites CsSnX3 (X = I, Br, Cl) can be considered as a promising candidate for topological semiconductors under hydrostatic pressures. The narrow bandgap of these compounds (≤1.83 eV) has made them interesting materials for the electronic, optoelectronic, and photovoltaic applications. In the current research, we systematically carry out first-principles density functional theory (DFT) to study the effects of hydrostatic pressure on the electronic structure of CsSnX3 (X = I, Br, Cl) compounds. The topological phase of these compositions is investigated using the Fu–Kane and Wilson loop methods in order to identify the Z2 topological invariants for each structure. The topological surface states (TSSs) of the (001) plane of these compounds are investigated using the semi-infinite Green's function. These TSSs guarantee the nontrivial nature of CsSnX3 compounds under pressure. With respect to the engineering applications, three important mechanical properties of these compounds including elastic anisotropy, ductility, and hardness are also investigated.

Over the last two decades, large molecule biologics such as MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES (mAbs) have emerged as alternatives to small molecule chemical drugs for treating a wide range of human diseases, including AUTOIMMUNITY and cancer. There are currently over 50 mAbs and 4 Fc-fusion proteins (consisting of an endogenous RECEPTOR molecule linked to the Fc fragment of human IgG) currently approved for human use. Thirty one of these target immunological diseases such as RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS (RA), MULTIPLE SCLEROSIS (MS), SYSTEMIC LUPUS ERYTHEMATOSUS (SLE), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ASTHMA and organ transplant rejection [1]. The success of mAb-based therapeutics is due to their exquisite specificity, which, in combination with their multifunctional properties, high potency, long HALF-LIFE (permitting intermittent dosing and prolonged pharmacological effects) and general lack of off-target toxicity, makes them ideal therapeutics. Over time, knowledge has been acquired to understand what may limit the EFFICACY of mAbs such as immunogenicity and the challenges of certain routes of administration and to have a better understanding of the mechanism of action. This chapter aims to give a general introduction to the immune diseases and inflammatory pathways being targeted by mAbs, focusing on those that are approved or in late-stage clinical development.