Atomic Force Microscopy Measurement in the Lignosulfonate/Inorganic Silica System:From Dispersion Mechanism Study to Product Design

Designing and preparing high-performance lignin-based dispersants are crucial steps in realizing the value-added utilization of lignin on an industrial scale.Such process depends heavily on an understanding of the dispersion mechanism of lignin-based dispersants.Here,atomic force microscopy(AFM)is employed to quantitatively investigate the dispersion mechanism of a lignosulfonate/silica(LS/SiO_(2))system under different pH conditions.The results show that the repulsive force between SiO_(2)particles in LS solution is stronger than it is in water,resulting in better dispersion stability.The Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek(DLVO)formula as well as the DLVO formula combined with steric repulsion is utilized for the fitting of the AFM force/distance(F/D)curves between the SiO_(2)probe and substrate in water and in LS solution.Based on these fitting results,electrostatic and steric repulsive forces are respectively calculated,yielding further evidence that LS provides strong steric repulsion between SiO_(2)particles.Further studies indicate that the adsorbance of LS on SiO_(2)(Q),the normalized interaction constant(A),and the characteristic length(L)are the three critical factors affecting steric repulsion in the LS/SiO_(2)system.Based on the above conclusions,a novel quaternized grafted-sulfonation lignin(QAGSL)dispersant is designed and prepared.The QAGSL dispersant exhibits good dispersing performance for SiO_(2)and real cement particles.This work provides a fundamental and quantitative understanding of the dispersion mechanism in the LS/inorganic particle system and provides important guidance for the development of high-performance lignin-based dispersants.

Synthesis, Properties and Dispersion Mechanism of Sulphonated Acetone-formaldehyde Superplasticizer in Cementitious System

The synthesis, properties and dispersion mechanism of sulphonated acetone-formaldehyde superplasticizer （SAF） were presented. This superplasticizer was synthesized by the reaction among acetone, formaldehyde, sodium sulfite and pyrosulfite. The structure and property were respectively characterized by IR and surface tension measurement. Performance of SAF in cement was evaluated by paste flow as well as heat calorimetry. The dispersion mechanism was identified via adsorption and zeta potential measurement. The results show that cement paste mixed with SAF shows good fluidity. SAF exerts little retarding effect on cement paste and it behaves like a typical polycondensate superplasticizer. The main dispersion mechanism of SAF is attributed to electrostatic repulsion.

Clarification of the dispersion mechanism of cathode slurry of lithium-ion battery under effects of both poly vinylidene fluoride/carbon black ratio and mixing time

This paper presents the effects of both poly vinylidene fluoride(PVDF)/carbon black(CB)ratio(m PVDF:m CB)and mixing time t on the dispersion mechanism of the cathode slurry of lithium-ion battery(LIB).The dispersion mechanism is deduced from the electrochemical,morphological and rheological properties of the cathode slurry by using electrical impedance spectroscopy(EIS),scanning electron microscopy and rheology methods,respectively.From the perspective of EIS method,static simulation models are established in the COMSOL Multiphysics software;meanwhile,the simulated results are used to verify the correctness of the electrochemical properties of the cathode slurry.As a result,the following conclusions are able to be obtained.Firstly,in the case of the mass ratio m PVDF:m CB=5:10,LiCoO2 particles are completely coated by the mixture of CB and PVDF to form a stable polymer gel structure.Higher or lower m PVDF:m CB leads to the larger impedance and worse dispersion status for the cathode slurry.Secondly,when t=6 min,a good gel-like conductive network structure is formed by coating the thinner evenly dispersed CB–PVDF double layer around LiCoO2 particles.Finally,a strategy regarding to both m PVDF:m CB and t in experimental scale is proposed,which has the capability of improving the performance of LIB.

Dispersive Ability of Carboxylated Cellulose Nanofibrils for Aqueous Monolayer Montmorillonite Dispersion:Influence of Na^(+) and Ca^(2+) Concentrations

Carboxylated cellulose nanofibrils(CNFs)have emerged as effective green dispersants for monolayer montmorillonite(MMT)dispersions.However,their dispersion capability is sensitive to the metal ion concentration in aqueous solutions.Hence,this study investigated the effects of Na^(+) and Ca^(2+) concentrations on the dispersive ability of carboxylated CNFs for monolayer MMTs in water.Quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring(QCM-D)and atomic force microscopy(AFM)were utilized to explore the interfacial interactions between the carboxylated CNFs and monolayer MMTs under different Na^(+) and Ca^(2+) concentrations.When the concentration of Na^(+) reached 0.1 mmol/L,the adhesion mass of carboxylated CNFs on MMT-coated wafer peaked at 24.47 mg/m^(2),higher than control sample(carboxylated CNF-dispersed monolayer MMT dispersion without metal ions,16.03 mg/m^(2)).Moreover,the electrostatic shielding effect promoted a better dispersion of monolayer MMTs by carboxylated CNF dispersant.With a further increase in the Na^(+) concentration,the surface charge of CNFs and MMTs would be reversed resulting from the improved electrostatic shielding effect,which weaken the dispersive ability of carboxylated CNFs.The addition of Ca^(2+) reduced the dispersive ability of carboxylated CNFs for monolayer MMTs,because Ca^(2+) required a lower concentration for the onset of charge reversal compared to Na^(+).This study provides interfacial scale insights into the influence of metal ion concentration on carboxylated CNF-dispersed monolayer MMT dispersions.It also provides a strategy to enhance the dispersive ability of carboxylated CNFs for monolayer MMTs.

Similarity between seed rain and neighbouring mature tree communities in an old-growth temperate forest

Seed distribution and deposition patterns around parent trees are strongly aff ected by functional traits and therefore infl uence the development of plant communities.To assess the limitations of seed dispersal and the extent to which diaspore and neighbouring parental traits explain seed rain,we used a 9-year seed data set based on 150 seed traps in a 25-ha area of a temperate forest in the Changbai Mountain.Among 480,598 seeds belonging to 12 families,17 genera,and 26 species were identifi ed,only 54%of the species with mature trees in the community were represented in seeds collected over the 9 years,indicating a limitation in seed dispersal.Understory species were most limited;overstory species were least limited.Species with wind-dispersed seed had the least limitation,while the lowest similarity in species richness was for animal-dispersed species followed by gravity-dispersed species;fl eshy-fruited species had stronger dispersal limitations than dry-fruited species.Generalized linear mixed models showed that relative basal area had a signifi cant positive eff ect on seed abundance in traps,while the contribution of diaspore traits was low for nearly all groups.These results suggest that tree traits had the strongest contribution to seed dispersal and deposition for all functional groups examined here.These fi ndings strengthen the knowledge that tree traits are key in explaining seed deposition patterns,at least at the primary dispersal stage.This improved knowledge of sources of seeds that are dispersed could facilitate greater understanding of seedling and community dynamics in temperate forests.

Recent advances and future challenges in the use of nanoparticles for the dispersal of infectious biofilms

Increasing occurrence of intrinsically antimicrobial-resistant,human pathogens and the protective biofilm-mode in which they grow,dictates a need for the alternative control of infectious biofilms.Biofilm bacteria utilize dispersal mechanisms to detach parts of a biofilm as part of the biofilm life-cycle during times of nutrient scarcity or overpopulation.We here identify recent advances and future challenges in the development of dispersants as a new infection-control strategy.Deoxyribonuclease(DNase)and other extracellular enzymes can disrupt the extracellular matrix of a biofilm to cause dispersal.Also,a variety of small molecules,reactive oxygen species,nitric oxide releasing compounds,peptides and molecules regulating signaling pathways in biofilms have been described as dispersants.On their own,dispersants do not inhibit bacterial growth or kill bacterial pathogens.Both natural,as well as artificial dispersants,are unstable and hydrophobic which necessitate their encapsulation in smart nanocarriers,like p H-responsive micelles,liposomes or hydrogels.Depending on their composition,nanoparticles can also possess intrinsic dispersant properties.Bacteria dispersed from an infectious biofilm end up in the blood circulation where they are cleared by host immune cells.However,this sudden increase in bacterial concentration can also cause sepsis.Simultaneous antibiotic loading of nanoparticles with dispersant properties or combined administration of dispersants and antibiotics can counter this threat.Importantly,biofilm remaining after dispersant administration appears more susceptible to existing antibiotics.Being part of the natural biofilm life-cycle,no signs of"dispersant-resistance"have been observed.Dispersants are therewith promising for the control of infectious biofilms.

Correlation Analysis between Visceral Manifestation Theories on Xuanfa and Effect of Adrenergic Receptors

Chinese visceral manifestation theory states that lung dominates qi,regulates breathing,and governs Xuanfa（dispersing）and Sujiang（descending）.Clarifying this theory with modern physiological and pathological knowledge has been considered as an important part of complementary and alternative medicine therapy.Previous studies found that most Xuanfa drugs contained pharmacodynamic ingredients related to adrenergic receptors（ARs）signal transduction.The association of Xuanfa,with the control of breath movement,nutrient transfer,spreading heat to regulate temperature,and helping the heart control blood circulation,coincides with the physiological function of organs dominated by ARs-regulated sympathetic postganglionic fibers.Therefore,we hypothesize that Xuanfa is closely related to ARs-regulated signal transduction.By modern biological knowledge,we tried to evaluate and expound the correlation between the molecular mechanisms of modern physiology or pathology and Xuanfa or Sujiang theory.Ultimately,the research and development of modern drugs should fully expect the guidance from Chinese visceral manifestation theory,and the application of this principle will guide the prevention and clinical treatment of a variety of refractory diseases caused by a change in environment,climate,or lifestyle.