n degrading methylene blue (MB). The most effective method to degrade MB was TiO2 > Ti70Si30 > Ti50Si50 > Ti40Si60 > SiO2. Under these conditions, PLA/Ti70Si30 improved the effectiveness of the photocatalytic activity of PLA.The use of a biosorbent based on residual biomass from brewing industry (Saccharomyces pastorianus) immobilized in a natural biopolymer (sodium alginate) was investigated for Methylene Blue removal from aqueous medium. Saccharomyces pastorianus, immobilized by a simple entrapment technique and by microencapsulation in alginate was characterized using SEM, EDAX, pHPZC and the biosorption behavior toward organic pollutant, such as cationic dye. The biosorption experiments were studied by assessing, in a first stage, the influence of the most important operational physical parameters on the efficiency of the biosorbent the initial concentration of the dye, the contact time between phases, the temperature, the dye solution pH, the biosorbent granule size, and the amount of biosorbent. The highest sorption capacity was obtained for the biosorbent obtained by microencapsulation, at pH 9, at biosorbent dose of 5.28 g/L and a contact time of about 100 min. The biosorption equilibrium was then studied by modeling the data on the Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin- Radushkevich isotherms. The Langmuir model is best suited for experimental data on both particle sizes leading to a maximum biosorption capacity of 188.679 mg/g at room temperature. The values of the adsorption energy, E, obtained with the help of the Dubinin-Radushkevich model-suggest that the type of mechanism (physical or chemical) involved in the biosorption process depends on the particle size of the biosorbent. The results confirm that the residual microbial biomass of Saccharomyces pastorianus immobilized in a polymeric matrix such as sodium alginate, can be considered an efficient biosorbent in retaining cationic organic dyes present in aqueous solutions in moderate concentrations.A novel and cost-effective method for the fabrication of highly conductive Al/Ag core-shell structured microspheres was proposed and investigated. The oxidative co-deposition of catechol and polyamine was firstly performed to modify the surface of the aluminum microsphere. Then, a two-step electroless plating was conducted to fabricate the Al/Ag microspheres. During the first step of the electroless plating process, the surface of the aluminum microsphere was deposited with silver nanoparticle seeds using n-octylamine and ethylene glycol. Then, during the second step of the electroless plating process, silver particles grew evenly to form a compact silver shell on the surface of aluminum via a silver mirror reaction. According to the scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive X-ray results, a compact and continuous silver layer was successfully generated on the surface of the aluminum. The valence of the sliver on the surface of the aluminum was confirmed to be zero, based on the X-ray photoelectron spectrometer and X-ray diffractometer analyses. As a result, the as-prepared Al/Ag microspheres exhibited a high conductivity of 10,000 S/cm. The Al/Ag/MVQ composite demonstrated low electrical resistivity of 0.0039 Ω·cm and great electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness at more than 70 dB against the X-band, and this result suggests that the as-prepared composite is a promising conductive and electromagnetic shielding material.To achieve a preferable compatibility between liquid silicone rubber (LSR) and cable main insulation in a cable accessory, we developed SiC/LSR nanocomposites with a significantly higher conductivity nonlinearity than pure LSR, whilst representing a notable improvement in space charge characteristics. Space charge distributions in polarization/depolarization processes and surface potentials of SiC/LSR composites are analyzed to elucidate the percolation conductance and charge trapping mechanisms accounting for nonlinear conductivity and space charge suppression. It is verified that SiC/LSR composites with SiC content higher than 10 wt% represent an evident nonlinearity of electric conductivity as a function of the electric field strength. Space charge accumulations can be inhibited by filling SiC nanoparticles into LSR, as illustrated in both dielectric polarization and depolarization processes. Energy level and density of shallow traps increase significantly with SiC content, which accounts for expediting carrier hopping transport and surface charge decay. Finite-element multiphysics simulations demonstrate that nonlinear conductivity acquired by 20 wt% SiC/LSR nanocomposite could efficiently homogenize an electric field distributed in high-voltage direct current (HVDC) cable joints. Nonlinear conductivities and space charge characteristics of SiC/LSR composites discussed in this paper suggest a feasible modification strategy to improve insulation performances of direct current (DC) cable accessories.The recycling and reuse of construction waste have not only effectively protected natural resources but also promoted the sustainable development of the environment. Therefore, in this article, waterborne polyurethane (WPU) as a promising new polymer reinforcement material was proposed to reinforce the road demolition waste (RDW), and the mechanical performance of WPU-reinforced RDW (named PURD) was investigated using triaxial unconsolidated and undrained shear (UU) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) tests. The results showed that under the same curing time and confining pressure, the shear strength of PURD increased with the increase in WPU content. When the WPU content was 6%, the WPU presented the best reinforcement effect on RA. The failure strain of PURD increased with the increase in confining pressure, but increased first and then reduced with the increase in WPU content. The specimens with 5% WPU content showed the best ductility. At the curing time of 7 and 28 days, the internal friction angle and cohesion of PURD increased with the increase in WPU content, and they reached a maximum when the WPU content was 6%. The internal friction angle barely budged, but the cohesion increased obviously. The enhancement effect of WPU was attributed to the spatial reticular membrane structure produced by wrapping and bonding particles with the WPU film. https://www.selleckchem.com/products/nd646.html Microscopic analysis showed that with the increase in WPU content, the internal pore and crack size of PURD gradually decreased. As the WPU content increased, the WPU film became increasingly thicker, which increased the adhesion between WPU and RA particles and made the structure of PURD become increasingly denser.An extremely efficient lubrication system is achieved in synovial joints by means of bio-lubricants and sophisticated nanostructured surfaces that work together. Molecular bottlebrush structures play crucial roles for this superior tribosystem. For example, lubricin is an important bio-lubricant, and aggrecan associated with hyaluronan is important for the mechanical response of cartilage. Inspired by nature, synthetic bottlebrush polymers have been developed and excellent aqueous boundary lubrication has been achieved. In this review, we summarize recent experimental investigations of the interfacial lubrication properties of surfaces coated with bottlebrush bio-lubricants and bioinspired bottlebrush polymers. We also discuss recent advances in understanding intermolecular synergy in aqueous lubrication including natural and synthetic polymers. Finally, opportunities and challenges in developing efficient aqueous boundary lubrication systems are outlined.The liner of reinforced thermoplastic composite pipes (RTPs) used for oil and gas gathering and transportation experienced blister failure due to gas permeation. Few reports have appeared on the problem of gas permeation in thermoplastics with absorbed crude oil. Accordingly, the permeability of CH4 in polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) containing crude oil was studied at the normal service conditions by molecular simulations. The results showed that the solubility coefficients of CH4 in PVDF containing crude oil were much lower than those in pure PVDF. It can be concluded that the crude oil molecules absorbed into PVDF occupied certain adsorption sites, resulting in a decrease in the adsorption capacity of CH4 molecules in PVDF. The diffusion coefficients of CH4 in oil-containing PVDF were significantly greater than in PVDF. This is because the absorption of oil molecules leads to the volume swelling of PVDF and then increases the free volume for diffusion. The permeation process showed that CH4 molecules were selective-aggregate adsorbed in the region with low potential energy in oil-containing PVDF firstly, and then they vibrated within the holes of PVDF containing oil in most cases and jumped into the neighboring holes at high temperatures and pressures.Molecular dynamics (MD) simulation was used to study the influence of electric field on Glucagon-like Peptide-2 (GLP-2). Different electric field strengths (0 V/nm ≤ E ≤ 1 V/nm) were mainly carried out on GLP-2. The structural changes in GLP-2 were analyzed by the Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD), Root Mean Square Fluctuation (RMSF), Radius of Gyration (Rg), Solvent Accessible Surface Area (SASA), Secondary Structure and the number of hydrogen bonds. The stable α-helix structure of GLP-2 was unwound and transformed into an unstable Turn and Coil structure since the stability of the GLP-2 protein structure was reduced under the electric field. Our results show that the degree of unwinding of the GLP-2 structure was not linearly related to the electric field intensity. E = 0.5 V/nm was a special point where the degree of unwinding of the GLP-2 structure reached the maximum at this electric field strength. Under a weak electric field, E < 0.5 V/nm, the secondary structure of GLP-2 becomes loose, and the entropy of the chain increases. When E reaches a certain value (E > 0.5 V/nm), the electric force of the charged residues reaches equilibrium, along the z-direction. Considering the confinement of moving along another direction, the residue is less free. Thus, entropy decreases and enthalpy increases, which enhance the interaction of adjacent residues. It is of benefit to recover hydrogen bonds in the middle region of the protein. These investigations, about the effect of an electric field on the structure of GLP-2, can provide some theoretical basis for the biological function of GLP-2 in vivo.Commercial filaments of poly(lactic acid) (PLA) composites with particulate filler, carbon fiber, and copper powder with different contents were fabricated by FDM 3D printing in XZ-direction at bed temperatures of 45 °C and 60 °C. The effects of additives and bed temperatures on layer adhesion, fracture behavior, and mechanical performance of the PLA composites 3D printing were evaluated. Rheological properties informed viscous nature of all filaments and interface bonding in the PLA composites, which improved printability and dimensional stability of the 3D printing. Crystallinity of the PLA composites 3D printing increased with increasing bed temperature resulting in an improvement of storage modulus, tensile, and flexural properties. On the contrary, the ductility of the 3D printing was raised when printed at low bed temperature. Dynamic mechanical properties, the degree of entanglement, the adhesion factor, the effectiveness coefficient, the reinforcing efficiency factor, and the Cole-Cole analysis were used to understand the layer adhesion, and the interfacial interaction of the composites as compared to the compression molded sheets.