Explore the vast range of titles available.

Rational construction of carbon‐based materials with high‐efficiency bifunctionality and low cost as the substitute of precious metal catalyst shows a highly practical value for rechargeable Zn‐air batteries (ZABs) yet it still remains challenging. Herein, this study employs a simple mixing‐calcination strategy to fabricate a high‐performance bifunctional composite catalyst composed of N‐doped graphitic carbon encapsulating Co nanoparticles (Co@NrC). Benefiting from the core‐shell architectural and compositional advantages of favorable electronic configuration, more exposed active sites, sufficient electric conductivity, rich defects, and excellent charge transport, the optimal Co@NrC hybrid (Co@NrC‐0.3) presents outstanding catalytic activity and stability toward oxygen‐related electrochemical reactions (oxygen reduction and evolution reactions, i.e., ORR and OER), with a low potential gap of 0.766 V. Besides, the rechargeable liquid ZAB assembled with this hybrid electrocatalyst delivers a high peak power density of 168 mW cm−2, a small initial discharge‐charge potential gap of 0.45 V at 10 mA cm−2, and a good rate performance. Furthermore, a relatively large power density of 108 mW cm−2 is also obtained with the Co@NrC‐0.3‐based flexible solid‐state ZAB, which can well power LED lights. Such work offers insights in developing excellent bifunctional electrocatalysts for both OER and ORR and highlights their potential applications in metal‐air batteries and other energy‐conversion/storage devices. The newly developed catalyst composed of N‐doped graphitic carbon encapsulating Co nanoparticles (Co@NrC) shows excellent electrocatalytic activity toward oxygen reduction and evolution reactions (ORR and OER). It is promising for application in rechargeable Zn‐air batteries and other electrochemical systems involving oxygen electrocatalysis.

Transition metals have been recognized as excellent and efficient catalysts for the electrochemical nitric oxide reduction reaction (NORR) to value‐added chemicals. In this work, a class of core–shell electrocatalysts that utilize nickel nanoparticles in the core and nitrogen‐doped porous carbon architecture in the shell (Ni@NC) for the efficient electroreduction of NO to ammonia (NH3) is reported. In Ni@NC, the NC prevents the dissolution of Ni nanoparticles and ensures the long‐term stability of the catalyst. The Ni nanoparticles involve in the catalytic reduction of NO to NH3 during electrolysis. As a result, the Ni@NC achieves a faradaic efficiency (FE) of 72.3% at 0.16 VRHE. The full‐cell electrolyzer is constructed by coupling Ni@NC as cathode for NORR and RuO2 as an anode for oxygen evolution reaction (OER), which delivers a stable performance over 20 cycles at 1.5 V. While integrating this setup with a PV‐electrolyzer cell, and it demonstrates an appreciable FE of >50%. Thus, the results exemplify that the core–shell catalyst based electrolyzer is a promising approach for the stable NO to NH3 electroconversion. Drastically reduced overpotential for NO to NH3 electroconversion on a core–shell electrocatalyst enables an energy‐efficient NORR in a PV‐assisted NO full‐cell electrolyzer. The carbon shell in the catalyst protects the Ni core from dissolution, thereby promoting better selectivity toward NH3 electrosynthesis in acidic medium.

Hybrid organic‐inorganic nanoflowers (NFs) have recently emerged as a critical tool in enhancing the stability and activity of biomolecules due to their expansive surface area and porosity. The delicate petal‐like features of NFs offer innumerable sites for biomolecule adsorption, including but not limited to proteins, amino acids, and enzymes. Cu‐BTC, a copper‐based Metal‐Organic Framework (MOF) has been hindered in its potential for diverse applications by its instability in humid and aqueous conditions. To overcome this limitation, this study explores the stabilization of Cu‐BTC via the mineralization of its surface with the formation of copper phosphate nanoflowers (NFs). To initiate the mineralization process and provide a template for the growth of the NFs, a physiologically rich amino acid medium is employed. The inclusion of amino acids in the RPMI medium played a crucial role in the preservation of the Cu‐BTC hierarchical structure by facilitating the self‐assembly of copper phosphate nanoflowers on its surface, thereby producing a Cu‐BTC@Cu3(PO4)2 core‐shell structure. The innovative mechanism behind the formation of copper phosphate nanoflowers in this study and its consequential stabilization of the Cu‐BTC MOF structure underscore its novel nature. The stability of Cu‐BTC MOF in aqueous media is enhanced through the formation of a highly porous nanotextured copper phosphate nanoflowers onto its surfaces. This process is facilitated by the presence of positively charged amino acids in the physiologic media. The formed BTC@Cu3(PO4)2 MOF Core‐Shell Nanoflower Hierarchical Hybrid Composites have a potential in a wide range of applications.

Dapoxetine (DPX) is the drug of choice for the specific treatment of premature ejaculation. DPX is characterized by relatively low bioavailability (42%) and short half-life (1.5 h). The aim of this study was to improve DPX bioavailability and delivery across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) using a nanostructured DPX formulation for improved DPX efficacy and patient satisfaction. DPX-loaded polymeric micelles (PMs) formulations (F1-F3) were characterized for particle sizes, entrapment efficiencies, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic and transmission electron microscopic evaluations. In addition, diffusion profiles of the prepared formulations were investigated. Animal model pharmacokinetic parameters in plasma and brain tissues were investigated and compared with commercial DPX tablets. Particle size analysis revealed that formulations of DPX PMs showed a narrow range of 62.7±9.3-45.45±9.1 nm for F1-F3. In addition, DPX PMs showed a sustained release pattern with 91.27%±7.64%, 79.43%±7.81%, and 63.78%±5.05% of DPX content permeated after 24 h for F1, F2, and F3, respectively. Plasma pharmacokinetic parameters for DPX PMs showed significant increase ( <0.05) for the area under drug concentration-time curves in plasma and brain tissues compared with commercial DPX tablets. DPX formulations in the form of PMs improved bioavailability and efficacy across the BBB. This DPX formulation provided improved brain delivery in order to enhance the convenience and compliance of patients.

Traditional tertiary oil recovery methods are fraught with challenges such as significant reagent adsorption, voluminous injection requirements, limited sweep efficiency, and inadequate intelligent targeting. These issues lead to suboptimal displacement of residual oil, resulting in the inability to mobilize substantial crude oil resources and thus yielding low recovery rates. Microcapsules—spherical particles with micron or nanometer scale diameters—have been extensively utilized across various sectors, including food storage, targeted drug encapsulation, and fragrance containment, owing to their distinct advantages in controlled release, isolation, and targeted delivery. These applications have successfully achieved industrialization and commercialization. In recent years, numerous researchers have explored the application of microcapsule preparation processes to diverse facets of oil extraction, with the aim of further enhancing oil recovery (EOR). This article elucidates the mechanism of action of microcapsules, their preparation methods (encompassing in situ polymerization, interfacial polymerization, spray drying, solvent evaporation, phase separation, and supercritical CO2‐assisted techniques), characterization and evaluation methodologies, among other aspects. It encapsulates the current status and principal challenges associated with the application of microcapsule preparation processes in oilfield development and probes the potential and pivotal research directions for their oilfield applications. This article comprehensively reviews the mechanisms of action, preparation methods, characterization techniques, and related applications of microcapsules in oilfields and other sectors. With their exceptional isolation characteristics, controlled and sustained‐release functions, and other advantages, the preparation process of microcapsules has been extensively applied in the fields of food processing and biomedicine, attracting the interest and research of numerous scholars and researchers. In comparison, the application of microcapsules in the field of oil development requires further efforts from researchers, with many studies still in the laboratory theoretical phase, some distance from commercialization and industrialization.

High‐performance dielectric capacitors are essential components of advanced electronic and pulsed power systems for energy storage. Because of their high breakdown strength and excellent flexibility, polymer‐based capacitors are regarded as auspicious energy storage material. However, the energy storage capacity of polymer‐based capacitors is severely limited due to their low polarisation and low dielectric permittivity. The modified Stöber method was used to construct two types of CNT@SiO2 (CS) one‐dimensional core‐shell structured nanowires with different shell thicknesses. By integrating the procedures of solution mixing, melt blending, hot‐stretching orientation and hot pressing, sandwich‐structured poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)‐based composites were fabricated. The CS core‐shell nanowires dispersed in the inter‐layer serve as electron donors, leading to a high permittivity, while two PVDF outer layers provide the favourable overall breakdown strength. The insulating SiO2 shell can effectively limit the migration of carriers and keep the dielectric loss at a relatively low level in the composites. The CS/PVDF composite exhibited an enhanced discharged density (~6.1 J/cm3) and breakdown strength (~241 kV/mm) when the interlayer filled with as small as 1 wt% CS nanowires with the SiO2 shell thickness of 8 nm, which is 203% and 18.7 % higher than pure PVDF (~2.01 J/cm3 at 203 kV/mm), respectively. This research presents a practical strategy for designing and fabricating advanced polymer film capacitor energy storage devices.

Polypropylene (PP), with high breakdown strength, low dissipation and good processibility, is one of the most widely used dielectric material for power equipment, especially in power capacitors and power cables. The improvement of PP-based dielectric material can benefit the properties enhancement of power capacitors and cables, and thus to meet with the rapid development of the power system. Nanocomposite provided a promising orientation to reach the target and recent research approaches of PP nanocomposite for power equipment were reviewed in this paper. In this paper, we linked the nanofillers to the improved properties of PP nanocomposite, and categorised the research works into nanoclay/PP composites, metal oxide/PP nanocomposite, conductive particles/PP nanocomposite, and PP core–shell nanocomposites chronologically, corresponding to the enhanced thermal and mechanical property, breakdown strength property and energy storage property, respectively. Based on the achieved approaches, prospective for future research was proposed, providing a worth-considering direction for the future work.

Background/Objectives: Magnetic nanoparticles, particularly iron oxide-based materials, such as magnetite (Fe3O4), have gained significant attention as contrast agents in medical imaging This study aimsto syntheze and characterize Fe3O4-based core–shell nanostructures, including Fe3O4@TiO2 and Fe3O4@SiO2, and to evaluate their potential as tunable contrast agents for diagnostic imaging. Methods: Fe3O4, Fe3O4@TiO2, and Fe3O4@SiO2 nanoparticles were synthesized via co-precipitation at varying temperatures from iron salt precursors. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used to confirm the presence of Fe–O bonds, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) was employed to determine the crystalline phases and estimate average crystallite sizes. Morphological analysis and particle size distribution were assessed by scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Magnetic properties were investigated using vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM). Results: FTIR spectra exhibited characteristic Fe–O vibrations at 543 cm−1 and 555 cm−1, indicating the formation of magnetite. XRD patterns confirmed a dominant cubic magnetite phase, with the presence of rutile TiO2 and stishovite SiO2 in the coated samples. The average crystallite sizes ranged from 24 to 95 nm. SEM and TEM analyses revealed particle sizes between 5 and 150 nm with well-defined core–shell morphologies. VSM measurements showed saturation magnetization (Ms) values ranging from 40 to 70 emu/g, depending on the synthesis temperature and shell composition. The highest Ms value was obtained for uncoated Fe3O4 synthesized at 94 °C. Conclusions: The synthesized Fe3O4-based core–shell nanomaterials exhibit desirable structural, morphological, and magnetic properties for use as contrast agents. Their tunable magnetic response and nanoscale dimensions make them promising candidates for advanced diagnostic imaging applications.

Inorganic hollow spheres find a growing number of applications in many fields, including catalysis and solar cells. Hence, a simple fabrication method with a low number of simple steps is desired, which would allow for good control over the structural features and physicochemical properties of titania hollow spheres modified with noble metal nanoparticles. A simple method employing sol–gel coating of nanoparticles with titania followed by controlled silver diffusion was developed and applied for the synthesis of Ag-modified hollow TiO2 spheres. The morphology of the synthesized structures and their chemical composition was investigated using SEM and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. The optical properties of the synthesized structures were characterized using UV–vis spectroscopy. Ag–TiO2 hollow nanostructures with different optical properties were prepared simply by a change of the annealing time in the last fabrication step. The synthesized nanostructures exhibit a broadband optical absorption in the UV–vis range.