Plasticized, greaseproof chitin bioplastics with high transparency and biodegradability

A mixture of trifluoroacetic acid:trifluoroacetic anhydride (TFA:TFAA) was used to dissolve chitin from shrimp shells. Free-standing films were prepared by blending the chitin solution and glycerol at different percentages, followed by drop-casting, and the complete evaporation of the solvents. After this process, the chitin matrix showed an amorphous molecular structure, as determined by X-ray diffraction. Optical, mechanical, thermal, and antioxidant properties…

A technological approach based on engineered nanoclay composites for cesium and iodine retention

  The development of effective and environmentally friendly methods for separating hazardous radionuclides from waste poses a significant technological challenge. 137Cs and 131I are among the most important radionuclides discharged into the environment by nuclear power plants. One of the best ways to eliminate them involves adsorption on clay minerals. In this regard, studies have…

Mechanical treatments on design powder ceramic materials: Insight into the textural and structural changes

Mechanical treatment of porous ceramics, such as porous clay minerals, is a crucial step in ceramic processing. Among clay minerals, design swelling brittle micas have shown exceptional properties for further applications, although they exhibit low surface area and porosity. But, their mechanical activation could improve their textural properties and deserves to be investigated. Thus, the aim of this work…

Sustainable Integration of Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles: Enhancing Properties of Poly(ε-Caprolactone) Electrospun Nanofibers and Cast Films

This study investigated the impact of adding zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) to electrospun membranes and cast films made of poly(epsilon-caprolactone) (PCL). The physicochemical, mechanical, and morphological properties of the samples were analyzed. Physicochemical parameters included water contact angle (WCA), water vapor transmission rate (WVTR), permeance, water vapor permeability (WVP), light transmission (T-600), and transparency (T). Mechanical properties, such as maximum stress (6(max)), elongation (epsilon(max)), and Young’s modulus (MPa), were also evaluated. Morphological properties were…

Biodegradability Assessment of Prickly Pear Waste-Polymer Fibers under Soil Composting

Nowadays, solving the problems associated with environmental pollution is of special interest. Therefore, in this work, the morphology and thermal and mechanical properties of extruded fibers based on polylactic acid (PLA) and poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) added to prickly pear flour (PPF) under composting for 3 and 6 months were evaluated. The highest weight loss percentage (92 +/- 7%) was obtained after 6-month degradation of the PLA/PBAT/PPF/CO/AA blend, in which…

Plasmas and acoustic waves to pattern the nanostructure and chemistry of thin films

In this work, piezoelectric AWs and plasmas have been brought together during the growth of a thin film as a novel methodology of plasma-assisted thin film structuration. The ensuing effects have been investigated on a model system where SiO2 and SiOx (x<2) thin films have been deposited by magnetron sputtering at oblique angles (MS-OAD) on an electro-acoustically excited LiNbO3 piezoelectric substrate under resonant conditions. The microstructure of the resulting films was 2D patterned and depicted submillimeter size intermingled zones…

Microstructural characterization and thermal stability of He charged amorphous silicon films prepared by magnetron sputtering in helium

Sputtering of silicon in a Helium magnetron discharge has been reported as a bottom-up procedure to obtain amorphous Si films containing high amounts of gas-filled nanopores. Here we compare the microstructure and composition of Si-He nanocomposite films deposited by magnetron sputtering (MS) with 4He in DC or RF and 3He in RF operation modes. Electron…

The Role of Protective Surface Coatings on the Thermal Stability of Delithiated Ni-Rich Layered Oxide Cathode Materials

To achieve a broader public acceptance for electric vehicles based on lithium-ion battery (LIB) technology, long driving ranges, low cost, and high safety are needed. A promising pathway to address these key parameters lies in the further improvement of Ni-rich cathode materials for LIB cells. Despite the higher achieved capacities and thus energy densities, there…

Effect of Mo and W interlayers on microstructure and mechanical properties of Si3N4-nickel-base superalloy joints

Si3N4/nickel-base superalloy (Inconel-625) and Si3N4/Si3N4 joints with refractory metal (W and Mo) interlayers were vacuum brazed using a Ti-active braze Cu-ABA (92.75Cu-3Si-2Al-2.25Ti) at 1317 K for 30 min with the following interlayered arrangements: Si3N4/Mo/W/Inconel and Si3N4/Mo/W/Si3N4. The joints exhibited Ti segregation at the Si3N4/Cu-ABA interface, elemental interdiffusion across the joint interfaces, and sound metallurgical bonding.…