With the surge in trade and investment between China and ASEAN nations, the need for international dispute resolution involving these parties is bound to grow. This research analyses the legal principles, institutional setups, and regulatory environments that impact the efficiency of commercial arbitration between China and ASEAN. It examines key factors that influence the cross-border enforcement of arbitral awards under the New York Convention, such as differences in arbitrability, procedures, ad hoc arbitration, and digital practices. The article highlights that the enforcement and execution of arbitral awards in the Asia-Pacific region stem from a lack of coordination among national courts, leading to varying enforcement standards and inconsistent outcomes. The analysis suggests that regional forums can help reduce fragmentation. Proposing to promote cooperation between institutions, develop model arbitration rules, and establish common digital standards. This approach would ultimately enhance legal certainty and increase the effectiveness of international arbitration in China and ASEAN countries.

This work evaluated the microstructural, electrochemical and anti-corrosion properties of Cu-doped diamond-like carbon (DLC) coatings deposited using the plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) technique. The coatings were synthesized with varying Cu concentrations (0.68, 2.25,10.28, 22.32, and 40.1 at.%) to investigate their effect on film characteristics. The structural and chemical composition of the coatings was analysed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The electrochemical performance was evaluated using open circuit potential (OCP), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and potentio dynamic polarization (PP) tests in a 3.5 wt% NaCl solution. The XPS and Raman analysis revealed that Cu incorporation altered the sp²/sp³ hybridization ratio, increasing graphitization at higher concentrations. The results demonstrated that DLC-Cu₂.₂₅ exhibited the lowest surface roughness (Ra = 7 nm), enhancing its corrosion resistance due to its dense, uniform structure and passivating CuO layer. The electrochemical results showed that the corrosion potential shifted towards a more noble direction (-640 mV), and the corrosion rate decreased to 0.003 mm/year, confirming improved stability. However, at higher Cu concentrations, Cu segregation led to increased roughness (Ra = 30 nm) and localized corrosion due to the formation of Cu-rich clusters. Incorporation of Cu improves the corrosion resistance of DLC coatings, although at higher Cu levels some corrosion still occurs. These findings highlight that moderate Cu incorporation optimally enhances protective performance, whereas excessive Cu content compromises corrosion resistance. A mechanistic description of the corrosion-resistance behaviour of Cu-DLC coatings is proposed.

Heteroatom nitrogen-doped defect engineering is considered an effective strategy for enhancing the microwave absorption performance of carbon-based hybrid materials. The focus of present work is to study the electromagnetic absorption properties of as-prepared Co0.1Ni0.4Zn0.5Fe2O4/NrGO/MWCNT (CNZF/NrGO/MWCNT) nanocomposites that could be facilely modulated by changing the doping nitrogen contents to create the defect-induced polarisations which can be utilised as a promising candidates for microwave absorption materials (MAMs) for high-frequencies. Moreover, CNZF/ NrGO/MWCNT nanocomposites are designed using a facile one-pot solvothermal method by varying nitrogen-doped content and configuration. It was found that the optimisation between pyrrolic-N and graphitic-N, rather than total nitrogen content unlike earlier reports, plays a decisive role in regulating the electron magnetic properties. The micromorphological analysis reveals the presence of interfacial defects within the as-prepared samples, which are beneficial for electromagnetic attenuation. The optimally nitrogen-doped CNZF/NrGO/MWCNT composite (S2), prepared using ethylenediamine (EDA=2 ml), exhibits the balanced dielectric magnetic loss behaviour and enhanced interfacial polarisation, exhibited superior microwave absorption performance, achieving a minimum reflection loss (RLmin) of -56.39 dB at 13.05 GHz with a thickness of 1.5 mm and a maximum effective absorption bandwidth (EABmax) of 4.21 GHz in Ku band. Thus, this work provides a scalable and cost-effective method through defect engineering for designing an efficient MAMs for high-frequency applications.

This paper reviews MAX phases (bulk) and their 2D derivative, MXenes, focusing on synthesis methods, properties, and applications. Traditional and advanced synthesis techniques, including solid-state synthesis and spark plasma sintering, are examined, emphasizing structural diversity. Key characteristics, such as thermal stability, electrical conductivity, and mechanical resilience, are explored alongside their mechanisms. The review also highlights advancements in energy harvesting applications, such as H 2 production, solar cells, energy storage, catalysis, spintronics, electronic devices, and environmental remediation. Additionally, future research directions are outlined to address existing gaps and enhance their role in next-generation technologies and environmental remediation.

Designing long-wavelength emissive carbon dots (CDs) with high photoluminescence quantum yield (PL QY) is an inevitable component for lighting applications. However, it is still challenging to develop an efficient CDs with excitation-independent emission in long-wavelength regions. In this work, we developed an excitation-independent yellow emissive CD (y-CDs) with PL emission centered at 568 nm via a facile solvothermal treatment of citric acid and melamine using toluene as solvent. The synthesized, y-CDs contain a high degree of conjugated sp2- carbon domains (fused rings) with different surface groups, which serve as a center for photon absorption. The addition of melamine improves the degree of sp2- conjugated carbon domain and surface groups thereby switching the emission of y-CDs from excitation-dependent to excitation-independent emission with excellent PL QY of 80.2%, UV stability, and large Stoke shift. This work not only developed an efficient yellow emissive CD but also explored the possible mechanism of excitation-independent emission and used it for the development of phosphor-converted LEDs. The LED shows warm yellow light with CIE coordinates of (0.48, 0.49), CCT of 2983 K, excellent color purity of 94%, and high thermal stability. This study promotes the development of cost-effective and ecofriendly optoelectronic devices for smooth lighting applications.

A considerable amount of the food is wasted each year, creating an urgent global problem with negative economic and environmental effects. Livestock manure, a by-product of intensive animal farming, can contribute to environmental issues if not properly managed. While biochar, a product of pyrolysis, can speed up the composting process and improve compost quality, sawdust is frequently used in composting to balance the carbon-to-nitrogen ratio. This study aimed to investigate the effects of biochar on compost quality in co-composting food waste and swine manure and the influence of raw materials in obtaining good quality ecofriendly compost. Experimental manipulations were conducted both with feedstock materials present and absent. The findings revealed that a biochar concentration of 6% had a positive impact on the composting process. Furthermore, the presence or absence of feedstocks influenced the composting rate and the quality of the compost. Through the addition of biochar, moisture balance and porosity were improved, promoting the growth of beneficial microorganisms. Organic waste can be managed more sustainably and agricultural systems may be improved by keeping it out of landfills and composting it with biochar. According to this study, a proper balance of feedstock composition is equally important to the addition of biochar. The study contributes to the understanding of the composting process and the role of balancing feedstock components for the production of good quality compost.

Wearable thermoelectric devices offer a transformative approach to energy harvesting, providing sustainable solutions for powering next-generation technologies. In pursuit of efficient, flexible, biocompatible, and cost-effective thermoelectric materials, zinc oxide (ZnO) has emerged as a distinctive candidate due to its unique combination of favorable properties. This study explores the growth and optimization of ZnO nanorods on conductive carbon fabric (CF) using a simple microwave-assisted solvothermal technique. This method circumvents traditional complex processes that typically involve high temperatures or lengthy growth times, offering advantages such as rapid, uniform, and controllable volumetric heating. By systematically varying growth parameters, including microwave power and reaction time, we established conditions that promote the vertical alignment of ZnO nanorods, essential for enhancing thermoelectric performance. Structural and morphological analyses highlight the pivotal influence of the seed layer and growth parameters in achieving dense, uniform growth of ZnO nanorods. Interestingly, at higher microwave power levels, a transformation from nanorod structures to sheetlike morphologies was observed, likely due to Ostwald ripening, where larger particles grow at the expense of smaller ones. The optimized growth conditions for achieving superior growth and thermoelectric performance were identified as 15 min of growth at 100 W microwave power. Under these conditions, ZnO nanorods exhibited enhanced crystallinity and a higher growth rate, contributing to an improved thermoelectric power factor of 777 nW/mK2 at 373 K. This work underscores the importance of precise parameter control in tailoring ZnO nanostructures for wearable thermoelectric applications and demonstrates the potential of scalable, low-cost methods to achieve high-performance energy-harvesting materials.

Enhancing the energy storage capabilities of supercapacitors (SCs) while preserving their electrochemical performance is crucial for their widespread application. Our research focuses on developing Sb-modified tin oxide (ATO) nanoparticles via a scalable hydrothermal process, offering substantial potential in this domain. The tetragonal nanoparticle structure provides abundant active sites and a highly porous pathway, facilitating rapid and efficient energy storage. Additionally, tin's varied oxidation states significantly enhance redox capacitance. Electrochemical measurements demonstrate ATO's promise as an advanced SC electrode, achieving a peak specific capacitance of 332 F/g at 3 mA/cm2, with robust redox capacitance confirmed through kinetic analysis. Moreover, the ATO electrode exhibits exceptional capacitance retention over 2000 cycles. This study establishes ATO as a leading candidate for future energy storage applications, underscoring its pivotal role in advancing energy storage technologies.