Advanced Composites and Hybrid Materials最新文献

In recent years, as wearable electronics continue to advance toward flexible, lightweight, and versatile designs, flexible pressure sensors with wide response ranges and high sensitivity have shown tremendous research value and application potential. In this study, we fabricated TPU-based flexible pressure sensors with a multistage gradient porous structure using layer-by-layer freezing and solvent templating techniques. Due to the layered differences in Young’s modulus from varying porosities, these sensors exhibit high pressure sensitivity (S, S_MAX = 34.08 MPa⁻¹) and can accurately distinguish stresses across a wide range (0–1.2 MPa). Additionally, they demonstrate rapid response and recovery times (140 ms), durability over 3000 compression cycles, and the ability to detect both subtle movements (facial expressions and swallowing) and larger actions (joint bends, walking, and running). Furthermore, we developed a smart glove using these gradient-structured pressure sensors combined with a K-nearest neighbor (KNN) algorithm, enabling accurate identification of various fruit types. Notably, the TPU sensors also exhibit excellent thermal insulation and Joule heating properties, making them effective for human thermal management even in extreme temperatures.

Nano copper sulfide (CuS) is a kind of good thermal insulation nanomaterial with low visible light absorption and high infrared light blocking rate. In this study, sodium sulfide (NaS), thiourea, copper chloride dihydrate (CuCl₂·2H₂O), and copper nitrate trihydrate (Cu(NO₃)₂·3H₂O) were used as sulfur source and copper source to prepare two kinds of nano CuS by hydrothermal method, and the surface of the nano CuS was treated with alkoxysilane (KH570). And then, with polyvinyl butyral (PVB) melt blending extrusion pelleting, PVB composite film was prepared, and the light transmittance, heat insulation performance, and mechanical properties were studied. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to characterize the nano CuS, and the results showed that the nano CuS exhibited two morphologies, flake and hollow, respectively. The PVB composite film doped with hollow CuS has higher visible light transmittance and lower thermal conductivity, which are 82.7% and 0.191 W/(m·K), respectively. Meanwhile, the mechanical properties of the film are significantly improved with the rate 0.3/100 for hollow CuS/PVB.

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In this study, two forms of nano CuS were used as fillers and fused with PVB to form glass intermediate films, and the light transmittance, thermal insulation, and mechanical properties of the glass intermediate film were studied.

The rapid degradation of the environment, which includes water pollution and soil depletion, presents significant challenges to global sustainability efforts. According to a United Nations report, approximately 2 billion people do not have access to safe drinking water associated with declining soil quality which threatens agricultural productivity. In order to tackle these pressing societal issues, it is essential to focus on creating adaptable materials for remediation and sustainable resource management. Concurrently, the scientific community is confronted with the task of harmonising the effectiveness, financial feasibility and ecological footprint of these technologies. Here, we review the preparation methods and applications of biochar composites with a focus on pyrolysis, co-precipitation and ball milling techniques. The study highlights biochar composites achieve removal rates exceeding 98% for toxic metals like Cr(VI) and Pb(II) and improve soil fertility through nutrient retention mechanisms. Biochar composites exhibit promising potential in the energy sector for enhancing supercapacitor and lithium-ion battery performance. Breakthroughs in microwave-assisted pyrolysis have led to the development of energy-efficient synthesis methods, while innovative co-precipitation techniques have been discovered for pollutant adsorption. However, despite these promising developments, the high preparation costs and material stability challenges have limited large-scale implementation. Our analysis provides a roadmap for future research on low-cost synthesis methods and long-term stability. Ultimately, biochar composites can play a pivotal role in environmental remediation, energy storage and sustainable agriculture.

Graphical Abstract

A series of ZnCoIn-LDOs were successfully prepared by the calcination of ZnCoIn-LDH precursors under different Zn/Co ratios and temperatures. The composition, structure, and visible light response of the composites were systematically investigated. A photoelectric catalytic performance test showed that the optimal Zn/Co/In ratio and calcination temperature were 2:1:1 and 550 °C, respectively. After 100 min of photoelectrocatalytic reaction under simulated sunlight exposure, Cr(VI) conversion rate reached 100%. According to the characterization of ZnCoIn-LDOs, it was revealed that the composites had typical p-n heterojunction structure which was beneficial for the transfer and transmission of photogenerated electrons and suppressing the complexation of electron–hole pairs effectively. In addition, appropriate Zn/Co/In ratio and calcination temperature significantly reduced the forbidden band width of the composites and thus improved the electron leap and the photocatalytic performance on the reduction of Cr(VI). Finally, a possible mechanism for the reduction of Cr(VI) was proposed by free radical analysis. It can be concluded that ·H plays an important role in the catalytic reduction of Cr(VI) in solution. In summary, the present work provides a promising method for the preparation of efficient photocatalytic electrode using ZnCoIn-LDOs, which can be used in photoelectrocatalytic reduction field.

Developing new clean energy sources and equipment to replace fossil fuel usage is an urgent global priority. However, one such essential method, electrolytic water hydrogen production’s characteristics of slow kinetics and high potential barrier of the anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER), hinders the large-scale application of such an approach. While precious metal catalysts have shown excellent catalytic activity, their high cost limits their feasibility for large-scale implementation. As a result, the development of stable and low-cost oxygen evolution reaction catalysts is critical. Transition metal layered hydroxides (TM LDHs) have been widely studied as a promising candidate for water electrolysis catalysis for their unique two-dimensional layered structure, high specific surface area, great electron exchangeability, and densely distributed active sites. Here in this research, we have synthesized nickel cobalt phosphide LDH (P-NiCo-LDH) that maximizes the utilization of foam nickel as the conductive substrate while protecting the phosphated LDH. This work proposes a practical approach for developing LDH as an OER catalyst and contributes to the ongoing efforts to advance sustainable clean energy sources.

Array-patterned anisotropic conductive films (A-ACFs) possessing periodically arranged conductive particles distributed in curable resins can have high circuit-bonding precision; however, the preparation of A-ACFs is a challenging work. On the other hand, the traditional electrolysis coating of metal on polymer cores as the conductive particles needs long preparation steps. Herein, a new simplified approach uses polyaniline (PANI) as an intermediate layer to wrap the polystyrene (PS) microspheres and also chelate silver to prepare silver-coated PS microspheres (PS@PANI@Ag). Through a series of experimental regulation, neat PS@PANI@Ag microspheres with an average diameter of 4.73 ± 0.13 μm possessing a silver layer of about 65 nm and weight percentage of 23.6% were prepared. For developing A-ACFs, an approach is loading the prepared particles into the microcavities with a diameter of 6 μm and depth of 4 μm in silicon template through rubbing assembly process, transferring these particles onto the surface of a kind of chosen polymerizable acrylate resin to keep their periodicity, and embedding these particles in the polymeric resin films. These A-ACFs were used to bond indium-tin-oxide (ITO) and flexible-printed circuits (FPC) with 200-μm spacing to achieve low connection resistance of 1.78 ± 0.03 Ω/0.4 mm² and high insulation resistance over 200 MΩ. After aging at 85 °C and 85% relative humidity condition for 120 h, the connection resistance change is less 9.8%, showing the bonded device’s good environmental stability. The anisotropic property was also demonstrated using a homemade device through turning LEDs on or off. Therefore, the conductive particles’ and A-ACFs’ preparation methods may provide new insights for ACFs’ designing strategy and application in industry.

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Quinolone antibiotics have become prominent organic contaminants in aquatic ecosystems, significantly threatening the environment and human health. Efficient removal of these pollutants in an eco-friendly manner still remains a challenge. In this study, a simple and environmentally friendly bamboo-based magnetic biochar was prepared by KOH-activated magnetized hydrothermal method to remove the antibiotics norfloxacin (NOR) from water. The characterization results demonstrated that the KOH activation significantly increased the specific surface area of bamboo biochar, with KMDBC reaching 1253.66 m²·g⁻¹. The adsorption process of NOR by KMDBC followed the Pseudo-second order kinetic model and Langmuir isothermal model, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 458.43 mg·L⁻¹. Based on the thermodynamic results, the adsorption process was exothermic, spontaneous, and involved chemisorption, likely through π-π interactions, hydrogen bonding, and electrostatic repulsion. This study demonstrates that KMDBC is an effective and recyclable material for NOR removal, offering valuable insights into utilizing forest resources for environmental remediation.

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In this paper, h-BN was firstly exfoliated into functionalized BNNS by ball milling and liquid phase exfoliation techniques. BNNS/PVA composite fiber film was subsequently obtained by electrostatic spinning to realize the directional arrangement of BNNS in the PVA matrix, and BNNS/PVA/PS composite film was obtained by filling the pores inside the fiber film with PS solution. To further improve the thermal conductivity of the composite, carboxylated MWCNT was selected as the second thermally conductive filler, and the MWCNT/PVA/PS composite film was prepared by the same preparation method as BNNS/PVA/PS composite film. Finally, the MWCNT/PVA/PS composite film was placed in the middle layer, the BNNS/PVA/PS composite film was placed in the outer layer, and the thermally conductive composite materials with a novel sandwich structure were obtained by lamination. The combination of electrostatic spinning and hot pressing technology enabled the efficient construction of a high thermal conductivity network with BNNS and MWCNT, and the sandwich structure achieved a balance between high thermal conductivity and electrical insulation. The composite achieved a significant improvement in its in-plane thermal conductivity due to the realization of the directional arrangement of the filler in the in-plane direction. At a filler content of 14.75 wt%, the in-plane thermal conductivity of the composite was increased to 4.69 W/mK, which is nearly 23 times higher than that of the pure polymer. Due to the strict control of the spatial distribution form of MWCNT, the composites still have excellent insulation properties even at high filler content.

There is an urgent need to develop high-performance absorbing materials to address the challenges of military stealth and daily electromagnetic pollution. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are considered promising candidates due to their high porosity, large specific surface area, and tunable chemical structures. MOFs can be templates or precursors to transform into porous carbon, porous oxides, and metal-carbon composites at elevated temperatures. This paper reviews the synthesis strategies and recent advancements in MOF-derived carbon-based composites. The impact of various components and unique microstructures on these composites’ microwave absorption (MA) properties is analyzed. The discussion encompasses a range of composites, including porous carbon (PC) composites (such as metal/PC, metal oxide/PC, and metal/metal oxide/PC), as well as MOF derivatives combined with graphene, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), and carbon fibers (CFs). Additionally, the challenges and future directions regarding developing carbon-based microwave-absorbing materials (MAMs) derived from MOFs are discussed. This review aims to provide researchers with a comprehensive understanding of the design techniques pertinent to MOF-derived carbon-based composites in high-efficiency MAMs. 

The development of functional and sustainable materials for additive manufacturing is a rapidly expanding area of interest. In this context, composite blends of chitosan—including commercial low and medium molecular weight variants, as well as laboratory-extracted chitosan from shrimp head and shell waste—and polylactic acid (PLA) were prepared using extrusion molding. Filament characterization was conducted to explore the effects of chitosan molecular weight and content on the filament properties using melt flow index, tensile testing, dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The morphology of the extruded filaments was analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Additionally, the possibility of incorporating a high ratio of metal into the composite filaments without compromising their printability and structural integrity was investigated. The results indicated that certain compositions of chitosan-PLA composite filaments enable the effective incorporation of nickel, highlighting their potential as innovative catalyst supports. The filaments were 3D printed in a molten state, and the resulting specimens were subsequently examined using micro-CT. This approach seeks to create an innovative material from food waste, offering a sustainable and circular solution for transforming seafood waste into advanced functional materials. The successful integration of shrimp waste-derived chitosan into PLA filaments not only enhances the material properties, but also demonstrates the potential for creating high-value products from bio-waste, contributing to environmental sustainability and advancing the field of eco-friendly additive manufacturing. This work highlights the promising application of composite filaments in various industrial sectors, emphasizing their role in promoting a circular economy.