Titanium sheets are used in various electrochemical applications because of their excellent corrosion resistance and electrical stability. In this study, the effects of changes in surface roughness on sheet resistance and corrosion behavior of non-porous and porous titanium sheets were compared. In the as-received condition, the surface roughness (Ra) values of the non-porous and porous sheets were 0.06 and 2.41 μm, respectively, and the corresponding sheet resistance values were 4.82 and 10.62 mΩ/□. Potentiodynamic polarization tests performed in 0.5 M H2SO4 showed that the corrosion potentials (Ecorr) of the non-porous and porous sheets were -0.301 and -0.362 V, respectively, while the corrosion current densities (Icorr) were 0.117 and 0.812 μA・cm-2, respectively. The porous sheet showed a higher Icorr than the non-porous sheet, indicating relatively lower corrosion resistance. As surface roughness was increased by polishing with SiC sandpapers (G100-G1200), the sheet resistance increased in both sheets. In addition, the corrosion current density increased. EIS analysis also showed a decreasing tendency in polarization resistance (Rp).
Corneal blindness is a significant cause of visual loss worldwide and its treatment poses substantial clinical and scientific challenges. Various strategies have been investigated to repair or regenerate damaged corneal tissue. In this study, a scaffold for epithelial cell growth and proliferation was developed using different ratios of silk fibroin (SF) and fish vitreous humor (VH), two natural biocompatible biomaterials. Hydrogels of pure SF, SF/VH (9:1), and SF/VH (1:1) were cross-linked with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDC) and then characterized by infrared spectroscopy, optical transparency, swelling behavior, degradation profile, mechanical properties, and in vitro cell studies. Spectrophotometric analysis showed that scaffolds with higher SF content exhibited superior transparency and light transmission. Increasing the SF content also enhanced mechanical strength while reducing both swelling and degradation rates. Higher VH content improved elasticity and promoted cell adhesion, proliferation, and overall viability. Among the tested formulations, the SF/VH (9:1) hydrogel demonstrated the best balance of physicochemical, mechanical, and biological properties, indicating its strong potential as a scaffold for regenerating corneal epithelial tissue.
Since the first mechanical exfoliation of graphene in 2004, two-dimensional materials have been extensively studied due to their distinctive electrical and optical properties combined with atomic-scale thickness. Black phosphorus has emerged as a promising two-dimensional material because of its thickness-dependent bandgap, relatively high carrier mobility, and intrinsic in-plane anisotropy. It was first synthesized in 1914 using high-pressure techniques involving several gigapascals. A mineralizer-assisted synthesis method was introduced in 2007, enabling growth under ambient pressure without the use of highly toxic reagents. Despite these advances, black phosphorus obtained by conventional methods is typically in bulk form and the growth mechanism in the ampoule remains unclear. In this study, the growth location and behavior of black phosphorus are investigated using a quartz ampoule-based mineralizer-assisted synthesis method. The growth location and morphology of black phosphorus are dependent on the experimental configuration, particularly the presence of mineralizer-related compounds and metal-coated substrates. We demonstrate that Sn-P-I compounds and metal-induced reactions can effectively control the growth location, and provide insights toward thin-film black phosphorus synthesis.
Lead halide perovskite semiconductors have attracted significant attention because of their defect tolerance, tunable bandgap, and excellent optoelectronic properties. In this work, symmetric and asymmetric multiple quantum wells (MQWs) based on CsPbBr3 were fabricated using a thermal evaporation process, and their photoluminescence (PL) properties were systematically investigated. TPBi (2,2′,2″-(1,3,5-benzenetriyl)-tris(1-phenyl-1H-benzimidazole)) and BCP (bathocuproine) were employed as barrier materials to form Type I and Type II band alignments, respectively, resulting in distinct optical characteristics and carrier recombination behaviors in the MQW structures. Despite using the same CsPbBr3 material, the MQWs exhibited significantly different PL characteristics depending on the band alignment and structural configuration. In particular, asymmetric MQWs with Type I and Type II band alignments exhibited completely different carrier dynamics in temperature-dependent PL measurements. The Type I structures exhibited thermally activated carrier redistribution, whereas the Type II structures showed dominant energy funneling toward the lowest energy states. These results demonstrate that carrier dynamics and optical properties in perovskite MQWs can be effectively controlled by band alignment and structural asymmetry, providing a direct physical basis for designing quantum well-based optoelectronic devices.
Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) is attracting attention for its low cost, excellent stability, and eco-friendliness. However, LFP has a relatively low theoretical capacity, operating voltage, and low electrical conductivity. To improve the disadvantages of LFP, LFP carbon coating technology is essential. In this paper, a double carbon coating was performed on LFP using a mechanofusion process. The synthesized carbon coating LFP was structurally analyzed, and the electrochemical performance was evaluated by manufacturing a thick electrode. The optimized composition, LFP@C5, exhibited the lowest charge transfer resistance (423 Ω), excellent rate performance of 21.3 mAh g-1 at 5.0 C, and an improved capacity retention of 29.4 % after 100 cycles at 1.0 C. LFP@C5 has a continuous conductive network within the electrode that reduces electrode/electrolyte interfacial resistance and improves electrochemical performance in the thick film electrode. As a result, the mechanofusion-based dual carbon coating strategy enhances the cycling stability and high-rate performance of thick LFP electrodes.
The microstructural transitions of aggregated magnetic inks under shear flow were characterized using a microstructure-based model and validated by experimental data. To describe the shear-dependent viscosity and structural dynamics, an elastic floc model was developed within the context of weakly aggregated dispersions. This approach enabled the determination of aggregate dimensions relative to the applied shear rate, providing insight into the structural response of magnetic inks. Findings indicate that floc size is inversely proportional to the particle volume fraction, yet it is surprisingly insensitive to long-range magnetic interactions. We report two shear-induced yielding regimes: the first corresponds to the breakage of the network’s physical connectivity, where inter-floc interactions maintain a residual framework, while the second corresponds to the total rupture of flocs. A comparison of the steady and dynamic shear measurements suggests that the linear viscoelastic region is fundamentally limited by the secondary yielding threshold. This model provides a comprehensive understanding of shear thinning as a synergistic effect of floc deformation and disintegration.
In this study, phospho-silica (SiO2) particles with different characteristic particle sizes were added as raw materials to manufacture β-hemihydrate gypsum (β-HPG) through high-temperature firing and pulverization. The effect of patterns and mechanisms of nano-SiO2 with different particle sizes and loading levels (0 to 1.5 %) on the hydration and curing processes of semi-hydrated gypsum, as well as the macroscopic properties and microstructure of cured products, were systematically investigated. The phase composition, chemical structure, pyrolysis behavior, and microstructure evolution of hydrated products were comprehensively characterized by combining them with microscopic analysis methods through tests of macroscopic properties. Results show that the addition of nano-SiO2 significantly reduced the standard consistent moisture requirement of β -semi-hydrated gypsum and optimized the rheological properties of the slurry, while effectively improving the physical properties of cured products, reducing moisture absorption and improving water resistance. Among them, nano-SiO2 with a particle size of 30 nm showed an optimal comprehensive modification effect. The novelty of this study lies in the systematic evaluation of particle-size-dependent effects (15 nm-2 μm) of ultrafine SiO2 on the hydration, mechanical performance, and water resistance of β-hemihydrate gypsum, and the elucidation of why 30 nm particles exhibit optimal comprehensive modification. This study provides a systematic theoretical basis and technical support for the high-value utilization of phosphogypsum and the development of high-performance gypsum-based building materials.
Nanoporous semiconductor structures provide a large interfacial area and tunable surface properties, enabling effective control of material/interface interactions. In this study, nanoporous GaN (NP GaN) was employed as an electron transport layer (ETL) to incorporate CsPbBr3, and the resulting interfacial and optical characteristics were systematically investigated. NP GaN with a controlled pore fraction (ρpore = 3.7~36.8 %) was fabricated via electrochemical (EC) etching. Cross-sectional SEM analysis revealed that the pore morphology evolves significantly with etching time, forming vertically aligned porous networks with increased pore density, connectivity, and diameter, which enables efficient infiltration of the CsPbBr3 precursor into the NP framework. Consequently, CsPbBr3 on NP GaN exhibits higher photoluminescence (PL) intensity, reduced full width at half maximum (FWHM), and improved internal quantum efficiency (IQE) from 4.9 % to 15.6 %. Temperature-dependent PL (TDPL) analysis revealed suppressed thermal quenching, accompanied by increased activation energy and reduced non-radiative recombination. These results demonstrate that NP GaN effectively modulates interfacial structure and carrier recombination behavior, providing a viable strategy for enhancing the optical performance of perovskite materials.