These bilayer films were synthesized using the solvent casting methodology. Between 47 and 83 micrometers, the PLA/CSM bilayer film's total thickness was found. In this bilayer film, the PLA layer's thickness comprised 10%, 30%, or 50% of the total film's thickness. Evaluations were conducted on the mechanical properties of the films, along with their opacity, water vapor permeability, and thermal characteristics. Since PLA and CSM are both agricultural by-products, sustainable, and biodegradable, the potential of the bilayer film as an eco-friendly food packaging alternative is evident, significantly reducing plastic waste and microplastic contamination. Additionally, the use of cottonseed meal has the potential to increase the worth of this cotton byproduct, offering a possible economic gain for cotton farmers.
Considering the efficiency of using tree extracts like tannin and lignin for modifying materials, this corroborates the global trend of reducing energy usage and preserving the environment. AUPM-170 Hence, a bio-based, biodegradable composite film, with polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) as the primary component and tannin and lignin as additives, was developed (designated TLP). Its simple preparation process sets it apart industrially from some bio-based films, which have a more complex preparation method, like cellulose-based films. Furthermore, the smooth, pore-free, and crack-free nature of the tannin- and lignin-modified polyvinyl alcohol film surface was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanical characterization of the film revealed that incorporating lignin and tannin elevated its tensile strength to 313 MPa. FTIR and ESI-MS spectroscopic analyses uncovered chemical reactions that accompanied the physical blending of lignin and tannin with PVOH, thereby diminishing the strength of the dominant hydrogen bonding in the PVOH film. Subsequently, the incorporation of tannin and lignin endowed the composite film with excellent resistance to ultraviolet and visible light (UV-VL). Subsequently, the film displayed biodegradability, marked by a mass loss of approximately 422% after 12 days of Penicillium sp. contamination.
A continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) system is a paramount solution for achieving optimal blood glucose management in diabetic patients. The design of flexible glucose sensors with exceptional glucose responsiveness, high linearity, and a broad detectable range remains a difficult task in the field of continuous glucose monitoring. A hydrogel sensor, based on Concanavalin A (Con A) and incorporating silver, is proposed to resolve the cited issues. Using Con-A-based glucose-responsive hydrogels, the proposed flexible enzyme-free glucose sensor was constructed by integrating green-synthesized silver particles onto laser-direct-written graphene electrodes. Within a glucose concentration range of 0-30 mM, the sensor demonstrated reproducible and reversible measurements, exhibiting a sensitivity of 15012 /mM and a high degree of linearity, as seen from the R² value of 0.97. The proposed glucose sensor's superior performance and easily replicated manufacturing process make it a standout among existing enzyme-free glucose sensors. This technology shows strong potential for advancing CGM device development.
Experimental investigation of methods to enhance the corrosion resistance of reinforced concrete was conducted in this research. The concrete in this study incorporated silica fume and fly ash, at precisely 10% and 25% by cement weight, respectively, alongside 25% polypropylene fibers by concrete volume, and a 3% by cement weight concentration of the commercial corrosion inhibitor, 2-dimethylaminoethanol (Ferrogard 901). An examination of the corrosion resistance of three reinforcement types—mild steel (STt37), AISI 304 stainless steel, and AISI 316 stainless steel—was undertaken. The effects of diverse coatings, such as hot-dip galvanizing, alkyd-based primer, zinc-rich epoxy primer, alkyd top coating, polyamide epoxy top coating, polyamide epoxy primer, polyurethane coatings, a dual layer of alkyd primer and alkyd top coating, and a dual layer of epoxy primer and alkyd top coating, on the reinforcement surface's properties were analyzed. Stereographic microscope images, combined with the results from accelerated corrosion and pullout tests on steel-concrete bond joints, enabled the determination of the corrosion rate in the reinforced concrete. Samples with pozzolanic materials, corrosion inhibitors, and the concurrent application of both materials manifested a remarkable improvement in corrosion resistance, increasing it by 70, 114, and 119 times, respectively, when measured against the control group. Corrosion rates for mild steel, AISI 304, and AISI 316 were 14, 24, and 29 times lower, respectively, compared to the control; in contrast, polypropylene fibers decreased corrosion resistance by 24 times relative to the control.
Acid-functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs-CO2H) were successfully modified with a benzimidazole heterocyclic scaffold, producing novel functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotube materials, BI@MWCNTs, in this research. To characterize the synthesized BI@MWCNTs, a battery of analytical techniques including FTIR, XRD, TEM, EDX, Raman spectroscopy, DLS, and BET analyses was employed. Studies were conducted to determine the efficiency of the prepared material in removing cadmium (Cd2+) and lead (Pb2+) ions from solutions containing either metal individually or both metals together. The adsorption method's key determinants—duration, pH, initial metal concentration, and BI@MWCNT dosage—were investigated for each metal ion. Concurrently, Langmuir and Freundlich models accurately depict adsorption equilibrium isotherms; however, pseudo-second-order kinetics describe intra-particle diffusion BI@MWCNTs demonstrated an endothermic and spontaneous adsorption mechanism for Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions, exhibiting a high affinity due to the negative Gibbs free energy (ΔG), positive enthalpy (ΔH), and positive entropy (ΔS) values. The prepared material effectively eliminated Pb2+ and Cd2+ ions from the aqueous solution, achieving complete removal at 100% and 98%, respectively. The BI@MWCNTs, notably, have a high adsorption capacity, are amenable to a straightforward regeneration process, and can be reused for six cycles, thus rendering them a cost-effective and efficient absorbent material for the elimination of these heavy metal ions from wastewater.
Aimed at a thorough examination of interpolymer system behavior, this research investigates the properties of acidic (polyacrylic acid hydrogel (hPAA), polymethacrylic acid hydrogel (hPMAA)) and basic (poly-4-vinylpyridine hydrogel (hP4VP), specifically poly-2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine hydrogel (hP2M5VP)) rarely crosslinked polymeric hydrogels within aqueous media or lanthanum nitrate solutions. Ionization transitions within the developed interpolymer systems of hPAA-hP4VP, hPMAA-hP4VP, hPAA-hP2M5VP, and hPMAA-hP2M5VP polymeric hydrogels induced substantial modifications to the electrochemical, conformational, and sorption behavior of the initial macromolecules. In these systems, the subsequent mutual activation effect causes substantial swelling in both hydrogels. The sorption of lanthanum by the interpolymer systems yields efficiencies of 9451% (33%hPAA67%hP4VP), 9080% (17%hPMAA-83%hP4VP), 9155% (67%hPAA33%hP2M5VP), and 9010% (50%hPMAA50%hP2M5VP). A key benefit of interpolymer systems over individual polymeric hydrogels is a substantial (up to 35%) improvement in sorption capacity, directly related to elevated ionization levels. Interpolymer systems represent a novel generation of sorbents, promising enhanced industrial application for the highly effective capture of rare earth metals.
The environmentally friendly, biodegradable, and renewable hydrogel biopolymer pullulan demonstrates potential use in food, medicine, and cosmetic applications. Endophytic Aureobasidium pullulans, identified with accession number OP924554, was employed to carry out pullulan biosynthesis. In a novel manner, the fermentation process was optimized for pullulan biosynthesis using Taguchi's approach and the decision tree learning algorithm to discover important variables. A comparison of the Taguchi method and the decision tree model revealed a high degree of consistency in their assessments of the seven variables' relative importance, thus substantiating the reliability of the experimental design. The decision tree model implemented a 33% reduction in medium sucrose, resulting in financial benefits without compromising pullulan biosynthesis. Optimum nutritional conditions, including sucrose (60 or 40 g/L), K2HPO4 (60 g/L), NaCl (15 g/L), MgSO4 (0.3 g/L), and yeast extract (10 g/L) at pH 5.5, and a short incubation time of 48 hours, resulted in a pullulan yield of 723%. AUPM-170 The structural integrity of the isolated pullulan was ascertained using FT-IR and 1H-NMR spectroscopy. This initial report details the application of Taguchi methods and decision trees to study pullulan production using a novel endophyte. Investigating the potential of artificial intelligence for enhancing fermentation yields through additional research is encouraged.
The traditional cushioning materials, Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) and Expanded Polyethylene (EPE), were derived from petroleum, a substance detrimental to the environment. The escalating human energy demands, coupled with the depletion of fossil fuels, necessitate the creation of renewable, bio-based cushioning materials to replace the existing foam-based alternatives. We unveil an effective strategy for fabricating anisotropic elastic wood incorporating spring-like lamellar structures. After freeze-drying, the samples undergo a simple chemical treatment and subsequent thermal treatment, selectively removing lignin and hemicellulose to produce an elastic material possessing excellent mechanical properties. AUPM-170 Elasticity in the compressed wood is evident in its 60% reversible compression rate and noteworthy elastic recovery (99% height retention after 100 cycles at a 60% strain).