TiO2/CNT/GO heterostructure nanocomposite was synthesized by solvothermal method for the removal or degradation of methylene blue (MB). The physical and chemical characteristics were assessed by various characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) confirmed the external and internal morphology of the heterostructure materials with irregular shapes. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) showed that the internal structure was preserved after incorporating CNTs and GO into TiO2, and the average particle size distribution was determined using an SEM histogram with an average particle size of 85.5 nm. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) was performed to evaluate the elemental mapping of heterojunction confirm the presence of C, O, and Ti. X-ray diffraction (XRD) revealed a crystalline nature and the size of as synthesized material was calculated as 17.08 nm. UV–vis spectroscopy (UV–vis) was conducted to observe the optical behavior and light scattering phenomena of heterostructure materials. Various factors, such as different doses of heterostructure (0.1, 0.2, and 0.3 g), dye concentration (10, 20, and 30 ppm), irradiation time (0, 30, 60, 90, and 120 min), were carried out at 25 °C. The TiO2/ CNT/GO heterostructure induced 91% methylene blue (MB) degradation in 120 min with superior cycling stability after regeneration for four cycles. The optimal reaction conditions were adopted to obtain the highest degradation rate using 0.2 g of the heterostructure, 30 ppm MB concentration, 120 min of light irradiation, and 25 °C reaction temperature. The TiO2/ CNT/GO photocatalyst exhibited enhanced kinetic performance, catalytic stability, structural reliability, and reactivity for 91% degradation efficiency of MB.

The focus of this study is to develop and employ a barium hexaferrite/graphitic carbon nitride nanocomposite, abbreviated as BaFe/gCN NC, for photocatalytic degradation of Congo red (CR) under visible light illumination. Barium hexaferrite and graphitic carbon nitride were prepared using sol–gel and thermal polymerization methods to achieve an even distribution and good contact at the interface. The nanocomposite was then prepared through the sonication method. The properties of synthesized materials were confirmed by the examination of their physicochemical properties. By employing an X-ray diffractometer (XRD), the structure analysis of the synthesized materials provided a hexagonal form. It was also observed that the band gap of this composite was estimated to be 2.7 eV using UV–visible spectroscopy analysis. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed the vibrational modes along with the chemical structure and bonding present in the samples. The characteristics of BaFe/gCN nanocomposite reveal that the hexagonal grain boundary is probably distributed all over the surface of g-C3N4 nanosheets, as observed from high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR-SEM). It was confirmed from the XPS analysis that the elements and chemical states of BaFe/gCN NCs are present in the form of Ba 3d, Fe 2p, O 1s, N 1s, and C 1s. Finally, 50 mg of the produced material is degraded with the help of BaFe/gCN photocatalyst, removing 90% of CR dye at 10 mg/L initial dye concentration in 150 min. Moreover, the removal ability for CR by BaFe/gCN NC was maintained more than 88% during three test cycles. As a result of increased light absorption properties of BaFe/gCN and the prevention of electron and hole recombination, active oxygen species were produced, and hence the photocatalytic activity increases.

Multivalent ions in natural aqueous solutions—such as seawater, brackish water, and freshwater—can negatively affect the performance of ion exchange membranes (IEMs) used in electrochemical energy and environmental devices. In this study, a pore-filling cation exchange membrane (CEM) permeable to multivalent ions was fabricated to minimize performance degradation caused by such ions. To achieve this, multilayer pore-filling CEMs were prepared by performing two impregnation processes using monomer electrolyte solutions of different compositions (varying deionized water content and monomerto- crosslinker ratios). As a result, a highly crosslinked electrolyte polymer formed on the internal side of the CEM, while a low-crosslinked polymer formed on the external side. Due to the presence of the low-crosslinked outer polymer layer, the multilayer pore-filling CEM exhibited a smaller increase in resistance caused by Mg2+ ions. Furthermore, based on the correlation between permselectivity and resistance measured in a 0.45 M NaCl + 0.05 M MgCl2 solution, which simulated the Mg2+ concentration in seawater, an optimal structure of multilayer pore-filling CEM was identified, and it exhibited a minimized increase in resistance and a permselectivity of over 90 %.

Graphite cores in nuclear reactors are critical components subjected to severe irradiation conditions. Despite the known susceptibility of graphite to radiation-induced damage, detailed microstructural analyses are limited. Existing works of literature have identified changes in crystallite morphology and orientation as early indicators of structural degradation, but the precise micro-mechanisms are not fully understood. This research explicates these micro-mechanisms using advanced analytical transmission electron microscopy (TEM) to examine irradiated graphite at doses up to 1 dpa (displacements per atom). TEM imaging and diffraction analysis captured detailed changes in crystallite structure. Even at low radiation doses (~ 0.1 dpa), a 15% alteration in crystallite morphology and orientation was observed. Significant crystal lattice rotations up to 5 degrees and micro-deformations were also detected. Additionally, the formation of micro-kinks and kink bands, ranging from 50 to 200 nm, were identified as potential deformation processes, consistent with phenomena in other layered materials. These results advance our understanding of the micro-mechanisms driving structural degradation and deformation in irradiated graphite. This research has significant implications for developing improved models and strategies to enhance the performance and longevity of graphite cores in nuclear reactors, contributing to the advancement of nuclear energy technology.

Targeted protein degradation (TPD) is an emerging therapeutic strategy that leverages the natural protein degradation systems of cells to eliminate disease-associated proteins selectively. Unlike traditional small molecule inhibitors, which merely suppress protein activity, TPD degrades target proteins directly, offering a novel approach to addressing undruggable proteins. The two most extensively studied TPD technologies, proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) and molecular glues (MGs), utilize the ubiquitin–proteasome system to induce TPD. PROTACs function as bifunctional molecules that recruit an E3 ubiquitin ligase (E3 ligase) to a target protein, leading to its ubiquitination and subsequent degradation, while MGs enhance protein–protein interactions to facilitate ubiquitination and protein clearance. These approaches have shown promising therapeutic potential in treating cancer, neurodegenerative disorders, and autoimmune diseases, with several compounds currently undergoing clinical trials. Despite these advances, challenges such as limited bioavailability, pharmacokinetic constraints, and target selectivity remain obstacles to the widespread application of TPDbased therapies. Recent developments, including the discovery of novel E3 ligases, linker optimization, and AI-driven drug design, have addressed these limitations, paving the way for the next generation of precision-targeted therapeutics. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the mechanisms, applications, and future directions of PROTACs and MGs in drug discovery, highlighting their potential to revolutionize modern targeted therapy.

This study investigated the behavior and environmental impact of expanded polystyrene (EPS) in a simulated marine environment, focusing on the effects of UV exposure. Through a series of controlled experiments, it was found that UV-induced weathering increased the formation of smaller EPS degradation products, leading to higher concentrations of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in the seawater. Additionally, it was suggested that the assembly behavior of dissolved organic matter (DOM) contributed to the reduction of DOC levels over time. The EPS layer exhibited slightly higher DOC concentrations compared to the seawater, likely due to hydrophobic interactions that retained degradation products near the EPS. Analysis of the soil layer revealed that EPS particles and degradation products settled or adsorbed more extensively under UV conditions, indicating a greater risk of sediment contamination. Soil layer elution experiments further confirmed that EPS particles and their degradation products could migrate through soil pores, posing a potential contamination risk to other environments. UV exposure resulted in a twentyfold increase in DOC release from EPS compared to dark conditions. These findings highlight the persistent pollution potential of EPS in marine environments, especially under UV exposure, and emphasize the need for effective EPS waste management and further research into its environmental impacts.

해양경찰청 경비함정의 선박용 디젤기관은 MTU와 Pielstick사의 고출력 엔진으로 윤활유의 성능이 매우 중요하다. 경비함정 엔 진의 부하변동이 많고 운행시간 등이 증가되면서 열에 의한 산화 및 연료유, 수분 등 혼입으로 동점도 등 윤활유 성질이 변할 수 있다. 본 연구에서는 윤활유의 열화요인 및 영향을 파악하기 위해 경비함정 윤활유를 사용 시간별(100, 200, 300, 400 hr)로 채취하였다. 채취된 윤활유로 열화요인 분석 위해 연료 혼입량 등을 측정하였다. 또한 열화 영향 분석을 위해 동점도 등을 측정하였다. 특히 윤활유의 산화 여부를 분석하기 위해 산화 안정도 등을 확인하였다. 열화의 외부요인인 연료 혼입량의 경우 사용 시간이 늘어나면서 5.1%에서 14.0%로 증가하였으며, 이에 따라 동점도는 낮아지는 결과를 보였다. 윤활유의 사용 시간이 늘어나면서 열 및 수분 혼입에 의한 산화는 확인할 수 없었다.

Hot section components of gas turbines are exposed to a high operating temperature environment. To protect these components, thermal barrier coatings (TBC) are applied to their surfaces. Yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ), which is widely used as a TBC material, faces limitations at temperatures above 1200 °C. To mitigate these issues, research has focused on adding lanthanide rare earth oxides and tetravalent oxides to prevent the phase-transformation of the monoclinic phase in zirconia. This study investigated the effects of varying TiO2 content in Nd2O3 and Yb2O3 co-doped YSZ composites. Increasing TiO2 content effectively suppressed formation of the monoclinic phase and increased the thermal degradation resistance compared to YSZ in environments over 1200 °C. These findings will aid in developing more thermally stable and efficient TBC materials for application in high-temperature environments.

본 연구는 대기 중 장기간 노출로 인해 열화된 Ni-rich NCM811(LiNi₀.₈Co₀.₁Mn₀.₁O₂) 양극 소재의 계면 저항 증가 및 전기화학적 성능 저하 문제를 해결하기 위해, 물리적 열처리 방법을 제안하였다. NCM811 양극 소재는 대기 중 수분 및 이산화탄소와의 반응에 의해 표면에 불순물이 형성되기 쉬우며, 이는 고체전해질과의 계면 저항을 증가시켜 전고 체전지 시스템에서의 성능 저하를 초래한다. 이러한 문제를 해결하기 위해, 열화된 NCM811 양극 소재를 O₂ 분위기 에서 열처리하여 표면의 불순물을 효과적으로 제거하고 양극 표면의 전도성을 향상시킴으로써, 양극-고체전해질 간의 계면 저항을 현저히 감소시키는 결과를 얻었다. SEM, XRD, ICP 분석을 통해 열화된 NCM811 양극 소재의 표면 특성 변화를 분석하였으며, 열처리 후 NCM811 소재의 계면 특성이 개선됨에 따라 전기화학적 성능 또한 상용 NCM811 소재와 유사한 수준으로 회복되는 것을 확인하였다. 특히, O₂ 분위기의 물리적 열처리 방법은 Ni-rich NCM811 양극 소재의 열화를 효과적으로 억제하고 고체전해질과의 계면 접촉을 개선하여, 황화물계 전고체전지의 전기화학적 성능 을 획기적으로 향상시킬 수 있는 유망한 기술임을 입증하였다. 이러한 결과는 전고체전지 상용화를 위한 핵심 전략으 로 적용될 수 있을 것으로 기대된다.

Activated carbon has broad application prospects for treating pollutants due to its easy availability, low cost and good adsorption. In our work, nano-activated carbons (NAC) with abundant functional groups are obtained by the oxidation modification of HNO3, ( NH4)2S2O8, and KMnO4, which are used to construct the particle electrodes to degrade NDEA in a continuous flow electrochemical reactor, and the influence of relevant factors on the performance of NDEA removal is discussed. The experimental data show that the optimal degradation efficiency is 42.55% at the conditions of 3 mL/min influent water flow, 0.21 M electrolyte concentration, 10 mA/cm2 current density, and 10 μg/mL initial NDEA concentration. The degradation of NDEA conforms to a quasi second order kinetic equation. The electrocatalytic mechanism of NAC electrodes for removing NDEA is firstly discussed. The effects of different free radicals on the degradation of NDEA are also demonstrated through free radical quenching experiments, indicating that the degradation of NDEA is dominated by ⋅OH. The degradation pathway of NDEA and final products are obtained using GC–MS. NAC particle electrodes as the cheap and efficient electrocatalyst in continuous flow electrochemical reactor system provide a greener solution for the removal of disinfection by-products from drinking water.

Hydrothermal and ultrasonic processes were used in this study to synthesize a single-atom Cu anchored on t-BaTiO3. The resulting material effectively employs vibration energy for the piezoelectric (PE) catalytic degradation of pollutants. The phase and microstructure of the sample were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and it was found that the sample had a tetragonal perovskite structure with uniform grain size. The nanomaterial achieved a considerable increase in tetracycline degradation rate (approximately 95 % within 7 h) when subjected to mechanical vibration. In contrast, pure BaTiO3 demonstrated a degradation rate of 56.7 %. A significant number of piezoinduced negative charge carriers, electrons, can leak out to the Cu-doped BaTiO3 interface due to Cu’s exceptional conductivity. As a result, a single-atom Cu catalyst can facilitate the separation of these electrons, resulting in synergistic catalysis. By demonstrating a viable approach for improving ultrasonic and PE materials this research highlights the benefits of combining ultrasonic technology and the PE effect.