In-situ reactive compatibilization of HDPE/GTR blends by dicumyl peroxide and phenolic resin without catalyst

In-situ reactive compatibilization of high-density polyethylene （HDPE）/ground tire rubber （GTR） blends by dicumyl peroxide （DCP） and HY-2045 - a kind of thermoplastic phenolic resin without catalyst was investigated by studying the mor-phology, stress and strain behavior, dynamic mechanical properties and crystallization performance of the blends. Scanning e-lectron microscopy （SEM） results show that there are a lot of fibrous materials distributing in the interface, which connects the dispersed phase with the matrix and obtains better interfacial strength for prominent mechanical properties. The addition of compatibilizers results in the decrease of crystallinity of the blends and the disappearance of an obvious yield phenomenon, which was proved by the differential scanning calorimeter （DSC） test and X-ray diffraction （XRD） characterization Although the crystallinity of the blends decreases,the tensile strength and tensile strain of the blends significantly increases, especially for the HDPE/GTR/DCP/HY-2045 blends, which is possibly attributed to the good compatibility of the blends owing to the in-situ interface crosslinking. In addition, it is found that the compatibilizing HDPE/GTR blends shows a higher tan^ peak temperature and a broaden transition peak for GTR phase.

IN SITU COMPATIBILIZATION OF LDPE/NYLON-6 BLEND USING LOW MOLECULAR WEIGHT INTERFACIAL AGENT AS A CHEMICAL COMPATIBILIZER

In situ, compatibilization of low density polyethylene (LDPE) (30%) and nylon-6 (70%) blends through one-step reactive extrusion using t-BuOOH as an initiator and low molecular weight interfacial agents as compatibilizers was studied. The compatibilizer contained a long chain hydrocarbon, double bond and two polar functional groups which was capable of reacting with both LDPE and nylon-6 in the presence of initiator to form a copolymer at the interface of the two polymer phases. The extruded blends exhibited significant enhancement in their compatibility based on morphological, thermal analysis and mechanical studies. The effect of the hydrocarbon chain length and structure of the functional group of the compatibilizer was also examined. It was found that blends prepared by using the compatibilizer containing longer hydrocarbon chain and amide group had better mechanical properties.

Compatibilization of PBT/PP Blends by Adding Side-chain Liquid Crystalline Ionomer with Quaternary Pyridinium Groups

A side-chain liquid crystalline ionomer（SLCI） was synthesized by grafting copolymerization of 4-（4-ethoxybenzoyloxy）-4＇-allyloxybiphenyl and N-allyl-pyridium bromide on polymethylhydrosiloxane. The SLCI was blended with polypropylene（PP） and polybutylene terephthalate（PBT） by melt mixing. The thermal behavior, liquid crystalline properties, morphological structure, and mechanical properties of the blends were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry（DSC）, polarizing optical microscopy（POM）, scanning electron microscopy（SEM）, and tensile measurement. When a proper amount of SLCI was added, fine configurations were formed in the PBT/PP/SLCI blend system, and the mechanical properties were improved due to improved adhesion at the interface. When excess SLCI was added, an inhomogeneous structure resulted, which caused the mechanical properties to deteriorate.

CROSSLINKING AND COMPATIBILIZATION IN BLENDS OF POLYSTYRENE AND POLYETHYLENE

This paper investigated the influences of butadiene rubber (BR) and dicumyl peroxide (DCP) on thermal and rheological behaviour, morphology and mechanical properties of PS/LLDPE/SBS blend. Addition of DCP alone was found to decrease the mechanical properties of PS/LLDPE/SBS blend due to the decomposition of PS. When BR was added together with DCP, it is found that the co-crosslinking of BR, SBS and PE takes place, and the decomposition of PS is reduced simultaneously because of the consumption of the free radicals in the crosslinking process. Synergism was thus realised which resulted in the improvement of the ductility of blend.

EFFECTS OF STYRENE-ETHYLENE/PROPYLENE DIBLOCK COPOLYMER (SEP) ON THE COMPATIBILIZATION OF PP/PS BLENDS

The effects of styrene-ethylene/propylene (SEP) diblock copolymer on the morphology and mechanical propertiesof polypropylene/polystyrene (PP/PS) blends were investigated. The results showed that SEP diblock copolymer, acting as acompatibilizer in PP/PS immiscible blends, can diminish the coalescence of the dispersed particles, reduce their averageparticle size, change their phase morphologies significantly, and increase the mechanical properties. It was found that SEP has better compatibilization effects on the PP/PS (20/80) blends.

Reactive Compatibilization of Short-Fiber Reinforced Poly(lactic acid)Biocomposites

Poor interfacial adhesion between biobased thermoplastics and natural fibers is recognized as a major drawback for biocomposites.To be applicable for the large-scale production,a simple method to handle is of importance.This work presented poly(lactic acid)(PLA)reinforced with short-fiber and three reactive agents including anhydride and epoxide groups were selected as compatibilizers.Biocomposites were prepared by one-step meltmixing methods.The influence of reactive agents on mechanical,dynamic mechanical properties and morphology of PLA biocomposites were investigated.Tensile strength and storage modulus of PLA biocomposites incorporated with epoxide-based reactive agent was increased 13.9%and 37.4%compared to non-compatibilized PLA biocomposite,which was higher than adding anhydride-based reactive agent.SEM micrographs and Molau test exhibited an improvement of interfacial fiber-matrix adhesion in the PLA biocomposites incorporated with epoxide-based reactive agent.FTIR revealed the chemical reaction between the fiber and PLA with the presence of epoxide-based reactive agents.

Structural Engineering of Hierarchical Magnetic/Carbon Nanocomposites via In Situ Growth for High-Efficient Electromagnetic Wave Absorption

Materials exhibiting high-performance electromagnetic wave absorption have garnered considerable scientific and technological attention,yet encounter significant challenges.Developing new materials and innovative structural design concepts is crucial for expanding the application field of electromagnetic wave absorption.Particularly,hierarchical structure engineering has emerged as a promising approach to enhance the physical and chemical properties of materials,providing immense potential for creating versatile electromagnetic wave absorption materials.Herein,an exceptional multi-dimensional hierarchical structure was meticulously devised,unleashing the full microwave attenuation capabilities through in situ growth,selfreduction,and multi-heterogeneous interface integration.The hierarchical structure features a three-dimensional carbon framework,where magnetic nanoparticles grow in situ on the carbon skeleton,creating a necklace-like structure.Furthermore,magnetic nanosheets assemble within this framework.Enhanced impedance matching was achieved by precisely adjusting component proportions,and intelligent integration of diverse interfaces bolstered dielectric polarization.The obtain Fe_(3)O_(4)-Fe nanoparticles/carbon nanofibers/Al-Fe_(3)O_(4)-Fe nanosheets composites demonstrated outstanding performance with a minimum reflection loss(RLmin)value of−59.3 dB and an effective absorption bandwidth(RL≤−10 dB)extending up to 5.6 GHz at 2.2 mm.These notable accomplishments offer fresh insights into the precision design of high-efficient electromagnetic wave absorption materials.

Optimizing 3d spin polarization of CoOOH by in situ Mo doping for efficient oxygen evolution reaction

Transition-metal oxyhydroxides are attractive catalysts for oxygen evolution reactions(OERs).Further studies for developing transition-metal oxyhydroxide catalysts and understanding their catalytic mechanisms will benefit their quick transition to the next catalysts.Herein,Mo-doped CoOOH was designed as a high-performance model electrocatalyst with durability for 20 h at 10 mAcm−2.Additionally,it had an overpotential of 260 mV(glassy carbon)or 215 mV(nickel foam),which was 78 mV lower than that of IrO_(2)(338 mV).In situ,Raman spectroscopy revealed the transformation process of CoOOH.Calculations using the density functional theory showed that during OER,doped Mo increased the spin-up density of states and shrank the spin-down bandgap of the 3d orbits in the reconstructed CoOOH under the electrochemical activation process,which simultaneously optimized the adsorption and electron conduction of oxygen-related intermediates on Co sites and lowered the OER overpotentials.Our research provides new insights into the methodical planning of the creation of transition-metal oxyhydroxide OER catalysts.

In situ forming injectable MSC-loaded GelMA hydrogels combined with PD for vascularized sweat gland regeneration

Dear Editor,Three dimensional(3D)bioprinted extracellular matrix(ECM)can be used to provide both biochemical and biophysical cues to direct mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)differentiation,and then differentiated cells were isolated for implantation in vivo using surgical procedures.However,the reduced cell activity after cell isolation from 3D constructs and low cell retention in injured sites limit its application[1].Methacrylated gelatin(GelMA)hydrogel has the advantage of fast crosslinking,which could resemble complex architectures of tissue construct in vivo[2].Here,we adopted a noninvasive bioprinting procedure to imitate the regenerative microenvironment that could simultaneously direct the sweat gland(SG)and vascular differentiation from MSCs and ultimately promote the replacement of glandular tissue in situ(Fig.1a).

Genesis of the Nuri Cu-W-Mo Deposit,Tibet,China:Constraints from in situ Trace Elements and Sr Isotopic Analysis of Scheelite

The Nuri deposit is the only Cu-W-Mo polymetallic deposit with large-scale WO3 resources in the eastern section of the Gangdese metallogenic belt,Tibet,China.However,the genetic type of this deposit has been controversial since its discovery.Based on a study of the geological characteristics of the deposit,this study presents mineralization stages,focusing on the oxide stage and the quartz-sulfide stage where scheelite is mainly formed,referred to as Sch-A and Sch-B,respectively.Through LA-ICP-MS trace element and Sr isotope analyses,the origin,evolutionary process of the oreforming fluid and genesis of the ore deposit are investigated.Scanning Electron Microscope-Cathodoluminescence(SEMCL)observations reveal that Sch-A consists of three generations,with dark gray homogenous Sch-A1 being replaced by relatively lighter and homogeneous Sch-A2 and Sch-A3,with Sch-A2 displaying a gray CL image color with vague and uneven growth bands and Sch-A3 has a light gray CL image color with hardly any growth band.In contrast,Sch-B exhibits a‘core-rim’structure,with the core part(Sch-B1)being dark gray and displaying a uniform growth band,while the rim part(Sch-B2)is light gray and homogeneous.The normalized distribution pattern of rare earth elements in scheelite and Sr isotope data suggest that the early ore-forming fluid in the Nuri deposit originated from granodiorite porphyry and,later on,some country rock material was mixed in,due to strong water-rock interaction.Combining the O-H isotope data further indicates that the ore-forming fluid in the Nuri deposit originated from magmatic-hydrothermal sources,with contributions from metamorphic water caused by water-rock interaction during the mineralization process,as well as later meteoric water.The intense water-rock interaction likely played a crucial role in the precipitation of scheelite,leading to varying Eu anomalies in different generations of scheelite from the oxide stage to the quartz-sulfide stage,while also causing a gradual decrease in oxygen fugacity(fO2)and a slow rise in pH value.Additionally,the high Mo and low Sr contents in the scheelite are consistent with typical characteristics of magmatic-hydrothermal scheelite.Therefore,considering the geological features of the deposit,the geochemical characteristics of scheelite and the O-H isotope data published previously,it can be concluded that the genesis of the Nuri deposit belongs to porphyry-skarn deposit.

Development of in situ characterization techniques in molecular beam epitaxy

Ex situ characterization techniques in molecular beam epitaxy(MBE)have inherent limitations,such as being prone to sample contamination and unstable surfaces during sample transfer from the MBE chamber.In recent years,the need for improved accuracy and reliability in measurement has driven the increasing adoption of in situ characterization techniques.These techniques,such as reflection high-energy electron diffraction,scanning tunneling microscopy,and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy,allow direct observation of film growth processes in real time without exposing the sample to air,hence offering insights into the growth mechanisms of epitaxial films with controlled properties.By combining multiple in situ characterization techniques with MBE,researchers can better understand film growth processes,realizing novel materials with customized properties and extensive applications.This review aims to overview the benefits and achievements of in situ characterization techniques in MBE and their applications for material science research.In addition,through further analysis of these techniques regarding their challenges and potential solutions,particularly highlighting the assistance of machine learning to correlate in situ characterization with other material information,we hope to provide a guideline for future efforts in the development of novel monitoring and control schemes for MBE growth processes with improved material properties.

Suppressed Internal Intrinsic Stress Engineering in High-Performance Ni-Rich Cathode Via Multi layered In Situ Coating Structure

LiNi_(x)Co_(y)Al_(z)O_(2)(NCA)cathode materials are drawing widespread attention,but the huge gap between the ideal and present cyclic stability still hinders their further commercial application,especially for the Ni-rich LiNi_(x)Co_(y)Al_(z)O_(2)(x>0.8,x+y+z=1)cathode material,which is owing to the structural degradation and particles'intrinsic fracture.To tackle the problems,Li_(0.5)La_(2)Al_(0.5)O_(4)in situ coated and Mn compensating doped multilayer LiNi_(0.82)Co_(0.14)Al_(0.04)O_(2)was prepared.XRD refinement indicates that La-Mn co-modifying could realize appropriate Li/Ni disorder degree.Calculated results and in situ XRD patterns reveal that the LLAO coating layer could effectively restrain crack in secondary particles benefited from the suppressed internal strain.AFM further improves as NCA-LM2 has superior mechanical property.The SEM,TEM,XPS tests indicate that the cycled cathode with LLAO-Mn modification displays a more complete morphology and less side reaction with electrolyte.DEMS was used to further investigate cathode-electrolyte interface which was reflected by gas evolution.NCA-LM2 releases less CO_(2)than NCA-P indexing on a more stable surface.The modified material presents outstanding capacity retention of 96.2%after 100 cycles in the voltage range of 3.0-4.4 V at 1C,13%higher than that of the pristine and 80.8%at 1 C after 300 cycles.This excellent electrochemical performance could be attributed to the fact that the high chemically stable coating layer of Li_(0.5)La_(2)Al_(0.5)O_(4)(LLAO)could enhance the interface and the Mn doping layer could suppress the influence of the lattice mismatch and distortion.We believe that it can be a useful strategy for the modification of Ni-rich cathode material and other advanced functional material.

Lunar In Situ Large-Scale Construction:Quantitative Evaluation of Regolith Solidification Techniques

Lunar habitat construction is crucial for successful lunar exploration missions.Due to the limitations of transportation conditions,extensive global research has been conducted on lunar in situ material processing techniques in recent years.The aim of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review,precise classification,and quantitative evaluation of these approaches,focusing specifically on four main approaches:reaction solidification(RS),sintering/melting(SM),bonding solidification(BS),and confinement formation(CF).Eight key indicators have been identified for the construction of low-cost and highperformance systems to assess the feasibility of these methods:in situ material ratio,curing temperature,curing time,implementation conditions,compressive strength,tensile strength,curing dimensions,and environmental adaptability.The scoring thresholds are determined by comparing the construction requirements with the actual capabilities.Among the evaluated methods,regolith bagging has emerged as a promising option due to its high in situ material ratio,low time requirement,lack of hightemperature requirements,and minimal shortcomings,with only the compressive strength falling below the neutral score.The compressive strength still maintains a value of 2–3 MPa.The proposed construction scheme utilizing regolith bags offers numerous advantages,including rapid and large-scale construction,ensured tensile strength,and reduced reliance on equipment and energy.In this study,guidelines for evaluating regolith solidification techniques are provided,and directions for improvement are offered.The proposed lunar habitat design based on regolith bags is a practical reference for future research.

Analytical investigations of in situ stress inversion from borehole breakout geometries

This study aims to investigate the feasibility of deriving in situ horizontal stresses from the breakout width and depth using the analytical method.Twenty-three breakout data with different borehole sizes were collected and three failure criteria were studied.Based on the Kirsch equations,relatively accurate major horizontal stress(sH)estimations from known minor horizontal stress(sh)were achieved with percentage errors ranging from 0.33%to 44.08%using the breakout width.The Mogi-Coulomb failure criterion(average error:13.1%)outperformed modified Wiebols-Cook(average error:19.09%)and modified Lade(average error:18.09%)failure criteria.However,none of the tested constitutive models could yield reasonable sh predictions from known sH using the same approach due to the analytical expression of the redistributed stress and the nature of the constitutive models.In consideration of this issue,the horizontal stress ratio(sH/sh)is suggested as an alternative input,which could estimate both sH and sh with the same level of accuracy.Moreover,the estimation accuracies for both large-scale and laboratory-scale breakouts are comparable,suggesting the applicability of this approach across different breakout sizes.For breakout depth,conformal mapping and complex variable method were used to calculate the stress concentration around the breakout tip,allowing the expression of redistributed stresses using binomials composed of sH and sh.Nevertheless,analysis of the breakout depth stabilisation mechanism indicates that additional parameters are required to utilise normalised breakout depth for stress estimation compared to breakout width.These parameters are challenging to obtain,especially under field conditions,meaning utilising normalised breakout depth analytically in practical applications faces significant challenges and remains infeasible at this stage.Nonetheless,the normalised breakout depth should still be considered a critical input for any empirical and statistical stress estimation method given its significant correlation with horizontal stresses.The outcome of this paper is expected to contribute valuable insights into the breakout stabilisation mechanisms and estimation of in situ stress magnitudes based on borehole breakout geometries.

In situ formation of an intimate solid-solid interface by reaction between MgH_(2) and Ti to stabilize metal hydride anode with high active material content

MgH_(2) and TiH_(2) have been extensively studied as potential anode materials due to their high theoretical specific capacities of 2036 and 1024 mAh/g,respectively.However,the large volume changes that these compounds undergo during cycling affects their performance and limits practical applications.The present work demonstrates a novel approach to limiting the volume changes of active materials.This effect is based on mechanical support from an intimate interface generated in situ via the reaction between MgH_(2) and Ti within the electrode prior to lithiation to form Mg and TiH_(2).The resulting Mg can be transformed back to MgH_(2) by reaction with LiH during delithiation.In addition,the TiH_(2) improves the reaction kinetics of MgH_(2) and enhances electrochemical performance.The intimate interface produced in this manner is found to improve the electrochemical properties of a MgH_(2)-Ti-LiH electrode.An exceptional reversible capacity of 800 mAh/g is observed even after 200 cycles with a high current density of 1 mA/cm^(2) and a high proportion of active material(90 wt.%)at an operation temperature of 120℃.This study therefore showcases a new means of improving the performance of electrodes by limiting the volume changes of active materials.

Exploring the Cation Regulation Mechanism for Interfacial Water Involved in the Hydrogen Evolution Reaction by In Situ Raman Spectroscopy

Interfacial water molecules are the most important participants in the hydrogen evolution reaction(HER).Hence,understanding the behavior and role that interfacial water plays will ultimately reveal the HER mechanism.Unfortunately,investigating interfacial water is extremely challenging owing to the interference caused by bulk water molecules and complexity of the interfacial environment.Here,the behaviors of interfacial water in different cationic electrolytes on Pd surfaces were investigated by the electrochemistry,in situ core-shell nanostructure enhanced Raman spectroscopy and theoretical simulation techniques.Direct spectral evidence reveals a red shift in the frequency and a decrease in the intensity of interfacial water as the potential is shifted in the positively direction.When comparing the different cation electrolyte systems at a given potential,the frequency of the interfacial water peak increases in the specified order:Li+<Na^(+)<K^(+)<Ca^(2+)<Sr^(2+).The structure of interfacial water was optimized by adjusting the radius,valence,and concentration of cation to form the two-H down structure.This unique interfacial water structure will improve the charge transfer efficiency between the water and electrode further enhancing the HER performance.Therefore,local cation tuning strategies can be used to improve the HER performance by optimizing the interfacial water structure.

Direct observation of shock-induced phase transformation in polycrystalline iron via in situ x-ray diffraction

Phase transition of polycrystalline iron compressed along the Hugoniot is studied by combining laser-driven shock with in situ x-ray diffraction technique.It is suggested that polycrystalline iron changes from an initial body-centered cubic structure to a hexagonal close-packed structure with increasing pressure(i.e.,a phase transition fromαtoε).The relationship between density and pressure for polycrystalline iron obtained from the present experiments is found to be in good agreement with the gas-gun Hugoniot data.Our results show that experiments with samples at lower temperatures under static loading,such as in a diamond anvil cell,lead to higher densities measured than those found under dynamic loading.This means that extrapolating results of static experiments may not predict the dynamic responses of materials accurately.In addition,neither the face-centered cubic structure seen in previous molecular-dynamics simulations or twophase coexistence are found within our experimental pressure range.

Investigation of an electrode-driven hydrogen plasma method for in situ cleaning of tin-based contamination

To prolong the service life of optics,the feasibility of in situ cleaning of the multilayer mirror(MLM)of tin and its oxidized contamination was investigated using hydrogen plasma at different power levels.Granular tin-based contamination consisting of micro-and macroparticles was deposited on silicon via physical vapor deposition(PVD).The electrodedriven hydrogen plasma at different power levels was systematically diagnosed using a Langmuir probe and a retarding field ion energy analyzer(RFEA).Moreover,the magnitude of the self-biasing voltage was measured at different power levels,and the peak ion energy was corrected for the difference between the RFEA measurements and the self-biasing voltage(E_(RFEA)-eV_(self)).XPS analysis of O 1s and Sn 3d peaks demonstrated the chemical reduction process after 1 W cleaning.Analysis of surface and cross-section morphology revealed that holes emerged on the upper part of the macroparticles while its bottom remained smooth.Hills and folds appeared on the upper part of the microparticles,confirming the top-down cleaning mode with hydrogen plasma.This study provides an in situ electrode-driven hydrogen plasma etching process for tin-based contamination and will provide meaningful guidance for understanding the chemical mechanism of reduction and etching.

In Situ Raman Monitoring of Trace Antibiotics in Different Harsh Water Environments

In situ surface-enhanced Raman scattering(SERS)is a widely used operando analytical technique,while facing numerous complex factors in applications under aqueous environment,such as low detection sensitivity,poor anti-interference capability,etc.,resulting in unreliable detectability.To address these issues,herein a new hydrophobic SERS strategy has been attempted.By comprehensively designing and researching a SERS-active structure of superhydrophobic ZnO/Ag nanowires,we demonstrate that hydrophobicity can not only draw analytes from water onto substrate,but also adjust"hottest spot"from the bottom of the nanowires to the top.As a result,the structure can simultaneously concentrate the dispersed molecules in water and the enhanced electric field in structure into a same zone,while perfecting its own anti-interference ability.The underwater in situ analytical enhancement factor of this platform is as high as 1.67×10^(11),and the operando limited of detection for metronidazole(MNZ)reaches to 10^(-9)M.Most importantly,we also successfully generalized this structure to various real in situ detection scenarios,including on-site detection of MNZ in corrosive urine,real-time warning of wrong dose of MNZ during intravenous therapy,in situ monitoring of MNZ in flowing wastewater with particulate interference,etc.,demonstrating the great application potential of this hydrophobic platform.This work realizes a synergistic promotion for in situ SERS performance under aqueous environment,and also provides a novel view for improving other in situ analytical techniques.

Zn Dissolution-Passivation Behavior with ZnO Formation via In Situ Characterizations

In this study,ZnO formation during the dissolution-passivation process of Zn anodes is observed via in situ Raman and optical characterization.The Zn passivation during galvanostatic anodization merely follows the dissolution-precipitation model,whereas that of potentiodynamic polarization exhibits different behaviors in different potential ranges.Initially,the Zn electrode is gradually covered by a ZnO precipitation film and then undergoes solid-state oxidation at~255 mV.The starting point of solid-state oxidation is well indicated by the abrupt current drop and yellow coloration of the electrode surface.During the pseudo passivation,an intense current oscillation is observed.Further,blink-like color changes between yellow and dark blue are revealed for the first time,implying that the oscillation is caused by the dynamic adsorption and desorption of OH groups.The as-formed ZnOs then experience a dissolution-reformation evolution,during which the crystallinity of the primary ZnO film is improved but the solid-state-formed ZnO layer becomes rich in oxygen vacancies.Eventually,oxide densification is realized,contributing to the Zn passivation.This study provides new insights into the Zn dissolution-passivation behavior,which is critical for the future optimization of Zn batteries.