Optimization of Extrusion Process Parameters of Recycled High-Density Polyethylene-Thermoplastic Starch Composite for Fused Filament Fabrication

High-density poly-ethylene (HDPE) is a nonbiodegradable recyclable plastic which is widely utilized in single use packaging applications. Consequently, it constitutes a significant amount of plastic waste found in landfills. From literature, it has been shown that parts produced using composites of HDPE with carbohydrate-based polymers, such as thermoplastic starch (TPS), experience mechanical degradation through hydrolytic degradation process. The possible utilization of recycled-HDPE (rHDPE) and TPS composite in nonconventional manufacturing processes such as Fused filament fabrication (FFF) has however not been explored. This study explores the potential application of rHDPE and TPS composites in FFF and optimizes the extrusion process parameters used in rHDPE-TPS filament production process. Taguchi method was utilized to analyze the extrusion process. The extrusion process parameters studied were the spooling speed, extrusion speed and the extrusion temperatures. The response variable studied was the filament diameter. In this research, the maximum TPS content achieved during filament production was 40 wt%. This filament was however challenging to use in FFF printers due to frequent nozzle clogging. Printing was therefore done with filaments that contained 0 - 30 wt% TPS. The experimental results showed that the most significant parameter in extrusion process was the spooling speed, followed by extrusion speed. Extrusion temperature had the least significant influence on the filament diameter. It was observed that increase in TPS content resulted in reduced warping and increased rate of hydrolytic degradation. Mechanical properties of printed parts were investigated and the results showed that increasing TPS content resulted in reduction in tensile strength, reduction in compression strength and increase in stiffness. The findings of this research provide valuable insights to plastic recycling industries and researchers regarding the utilization of recycled HDPE and TPS composites as substitute materials in FFF.

Fracture Characterization of High-Density Polyethylene Materials Using the Energetic Criterias

Impact behavior of polymers has received considerable attention in recent years,and much work based on fracture mechanic approaches has been carried out.In this paper,fracture behavior in large deformation of a high density polyethylene(HDPE)materials was investigated through experimental impact testing on single edge notched specimen(SENB)and by using theoretical and analytical fracture criteria concepts.Moreover,a review of the main fracture criteria is given in order to characterize the toughness of this polymer in the both cases(static and dynamic).The fractured specimens obtained from the Charpy impact test were characterized with respect to their fracture surfaces.Characteristic zones of the fracture surface can be assigned to different stages and mechanisms of the fracture process.Finally,for a better understanding of fracture and damage mechanisms and to provide the best estimation of fracture toughness in impact,an experimental approach based on microscopic observations(SEM)was used.

Micromechanical analysis on tensile properties prediction of discontinuous randomized zalacca fibre/high-density polyethylene composites under critical fibre length

In this research,the tensile properties'performance of compression moulded discontinuous randomized zalacca fibre/high-density polyethylene under critical fibre length was analysed by means of experimental method and micromechanical models.These investigations were used to verify the tensile properties models toward the effect of fibre length and volume fraction on the composites.The experimental results showed that the tensile properties of composites had significantly increased due to the enhancement of fibre length.On the contrary,a decline in the tensile properties was observed with the increase of volume fraction.A comparison was made between the available experimental results and the performances of Tsai-Pagano,Christensen and Cox-Krechel models in their prediction of composites elastic modulus.The results showed that the consideration of fibre's elastic anisotropy in the Cox-Krenchel model had yielded a good prediction of the composites modulus,nevertheless the models could not accurately predict the composites modulus for fibre length study.

Decorative Wood Fiber/High-Density Polyethylene Composite with Canvas or Polyester Fabric

Wood-plastic composite is an environmentally friendly material,due to its use of recycled thermoplastics and plant fibers.However,its surface lacks attractive aesthetic qualities.In this paper,a method of decorating wood fiber/high-density polyethylene(WF/HDPE)without adding adhesive was explored.Canvas or polyester fabrics were selected as the surface decoration materials.The influence of hot-pressing temperature and WF/HDPE ratio on the adhesion was studied.The surface bonding strength,water resistance,and surface color were evaluated,and observation within the infrared spectrum and under scanning electron microscopy was used to analyze the bonding process.The results showed that the fabric and WF/HDPE substrate could be closely laminated together depending on the HDPE layer accumulated on the WF/HDPE surface.The molten HDPE matrix penetrates canvas more easily than polyester fabric,and the canvasveneered composite shows a greater bonding strength than does the polyester fabric-veneered composite.A higher proportion of the thermoplastic component in the substrate improved the bonding.When the hot-pressing temperature exceeded 160°C,the fabric-veneered WF/HDPE panels had greater water resistance,although the canvas fabric changed more obviously in terms of fiber shape and color,compared with the polyester fabric.For the canvas fabric,140°C–160°C was a suitable hot-pressing temperature,whereas 160°C–180°C was more suitable for polyester fabric.The proportion of the thermoplastic component in the composite should be not less than 30%to achieve adequate bonding strength.

Characterization and Comparison of Rheological Properties of Agro Fiber Filled High-Density Polyethylene Bio-Composites

The rheological behavior of composites made with high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and different agro fiber by-products such as corncob (CCF), Rice hull (RHF), Flax shives (FSF) and Walnut shell (WSF) flour of 60 - 100 mesh were studied. The experimental results were obtained from samples containing 65 vol.% agro fiber and 3 wt.% lubricant. Particle sizes distribution of the agro fibers was in the range of 0.295 mm to ?0.125 mm. SEM showed evidence of complete matrix/fiber impregnation or wetting. The melt rheological data in terms of complex viscosity (η*), storage modulus (G'), loss modulus (G"), and loss tangent (tanδ) were evaluated and compared for different samples. Due to higher probability of agglomeration formation in the samples containing 65 vol.% of agro fillers, the storage modulus, loss modulus and complex viscosity of these samples were high. The unique change in all the samples is due to the particle size distribution of the agro fibers. The storage and loss modulus increased with increasing shear rates for all the composites, except for Walnut shell composite which exhibited unusual decrease in storage modulus with increasing shear rate. Damping factor (tanδ) decreased with increasing shear rate for all the composites at 65 vol.% filler load although there were differences among the composites. Maximum torque tended to increase at the 65 vol.% agro fiber load for all composites. Corncob and Walnut shell composites gave higher torque and steady state torque values in comparison with Flax shives and Rice hull composites due to differences in particle sizes distribution of the agro fibers.

Studies on the Effects of Bentonite (Nanoclay) on the Mechanical Properties of High-Density Polyethylene

In this work, the effect of Bentonite (Nanoclay) on the mechanical and mor-phology properties of HDPE/Nanoclay composite pipe material was investi-gated. This led to the development of a composite material with improved me-chanical properties. The HDPE/nanoclay composites were produced using an injection moulding machine at 200?C and rotor speed of 50 rpm. The compati-bilizer used in this study was Polyethylene-graft-Maleic Anhydride. Different compositions of nanoclay reinforcements were prepared and added to HDPE resin. A particle size of 425 μm was used in proportions of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20% on weight fraction basis. All the composites samples were characterized by Zwick Roell tensile testing machine and Scanning Election Microscopy (SEM). Experimental results obtained showed improvements in the tensile strength, and modulus at the expense of elongation. The maximum tensile strength and modulus was obtained at 10% filler composition. These enhanced properties are due to the homogenous dispersion of nanoclay in HDPE matrix, which is evident from the structure that was evaluated using SEM.

High-Density Polyethylene Based on Exfoliated Graphite Nanoplatelets/Nano-Magnesium Oxide: An Investigation of Thermal Properties and Morphology

In this study, high-density polyethylene (HDPE)/exfoliated graphite nanoplatelet (xGnP) composites reinforced with a 2 wt.% concentration of nano-magnesia (n-MgO) were fabricated using an injection moulding machine. The thermal properties and morphological structures of the composites were investigated. The XRD results showed the peaks of xGnP and n-MgO, where the intensity of the xGnP peaks became stronger with adding increasing amounts of xGnP into the polymermatrix. In terms of morphology, some agglomeration of particles was observed within the matrix, and the agglomeration decreased the thermal properties of the composites. The nanocomposites showed less thermal stability than the pristine polymer. The reduction in the onset temperature compared to that of neat HDPE was attributed to less adhesion between the fillers and the matrix. In addition, the crystallinity was reduced by the addition of fillers.

One step graft copolymerization of acrylic acid and sodium styrene sulfonate onto high-density polyethylene film by preirradiation method

High-density polyethylene (HDPE) films were irradiated by 60Co gamma ray with a dose of 100 kGy in air and then immersed in aqueous solution of acrylic acid (AA) and sodium styrene sulfonate (SSS) at different temperature. The effects of grafting conditions such as temperature, reaction time, Mohr’s salt concentration, and total concentration of monomer on grafting yield were studied. Both grafting yield of AA and SSS onto HDPE respectively increases with total concentration of monomers. The highest grafting yield was observed at 3 mol/L monomers where the grafted PE swelled to the largest extent in the monomers mixture. The grafting yield increases with reaction time and then levels off. At higher temperature, the grafting yield decreases with Mohr’s salt concentration, but increases at low temperature when Mohr’s salt concentration is 0.083%. Which can be interpreted that in the presence of Fe2+ diperoxides and hydroperoxides may decompose at low temperature to form radical which can initiate the grafting. The physical and chemical properties of grafting films were also investigated.

Structure,Characterization and Thermal Properties of the Form-Stable Paraffin/High-Density Polyethylene/Expanded Graphite/Epoxy Resin Composite PCMs for Thermal Energy Storage

The form-stable paraffin/high-density polyethylene/expanded graphite/epoxy resin composite phase change materials(CPCMs),exhibiting suitable thermal properties,including low melting temperature,high conductivity and high phase change enthalpy,was developed in this work.Herein,paraffin(PA)was utilized as a core PCM.High-density polyethylene(HDPE)was utilized for the shape stabilization and preventing the PCMs leakage.Expanded graphite(EG)was used to increase its thermal conductivity and act also in the porous supporting material.Epoxy resin(ER)was used to provide flexible encapsulated scaffold morphology and keep a highly tight network structure of the PCMs.However,the physical architecture,the chemical architecture and thermal behavior properties of specimens were investigated by using the spectroscopy and calorimetry techniques.The scanning electron microscope(SEM),X-ray diffraction(XRD)and fourier transform infrared spectrometer FTIR tests have shown good uniformity structure and good compatibility of components.In addition,the thermal conductivity tests revealed that the thermal conductivity of PA,initially 0.31 W/(m·K)improved up to 1.9 times by adding the 6 wt%mass fraction of EG in composite PCMs.Furthermore,the differential scanning calorimeter(DSC)measurements indicated that PA melting enthalpy,initially 231 J/g decreased up to 125 J/g with the increase of the amount of HDPE which was due to the limitation caused by the atomic network constructed by the base material.The thermogravimetric analyzer(TGA)and leakage-proof revealed the enhancement of the degradation of PA with the raise of amount of the HDPE into the CPCMs.Therefore,the proposed form-stable CPCMs are a great candidate for the thermal regulation and thermal energy storage employment.

Thermo-mechanical,Wear and Fracture Behavior of High-density Polyethylene/Hydroxyapatite Nano Composite for Biomedical Applications:Effect of Accelerated Ageing

The objective of this work is to demonstrate how the viscoelastic, thermal, rheological, hardness, wear resistance and fracture behavior of bioinert high-density polyethylene （HDPE） can be changed by the addition of hydroxyapatite （HAP） nano particles. Also the effects of accelerated thermal ageing on the composite properties have been investigated. Different weight fractions of HAP nano particles up to 30 wt% have been incorporated in HDPE matrix by using melt blending in co-rotating intermeshing twin screw extruder. The fracture toughness results showed a remarkable decrease in proportion to the HAP content. The differential scanning calorimetry results indicated that the melting temperature and crystallinity were affected by the addition of HAP nano particles into the matrix. The complex viscosity increased as the percentage of HAP increased due to the restriction of the molecular mobility. The dynamic mechanical analysis results revealed that higher storage modulus （8.3 1011 Pa） could be obtained in the developed HDPE/HAP in 30 wt% compared to neat HDPE （5.1 1011 Pa）. Finally, the hardness and wear resistance of HDPE were improved significantly due to the addition of HAP nano particles. The changes in the HDPE and its nano composite properties due to ageing showed that the HDPE and its nano composites crystallinity increased while the fracture toughness, hardness, wear resistance, storage and loss modulus decreased.

Infusing High-density Polyethylene with Graphene-Zinc Oxide to Produce Antibacterial Nanocomposites with Improved Properties

Nanocomposites of high-density polyethylene(HDPE)modified with 0.2 phr graphene-zinc oxide(GN-ZnO)exhibited optimal mechanical properties and thermal stability.Two other nano-materials—GN and nano-ZnO—were also used to compare them with GN-ZnO.increasing the content of GN-ZnO gradually enhanced the antibacterial and barrier properties,but the addition of 0.3 phr GN-ZnO led to agglomeration that caused defects in the nanocomposites.Herein,we investigated the antibacterial and barrier properties of HDPE nanocomposites infused with different nanoparticles(GN,ZnO,GN-ZnO)of varying concentrations.HDPE and the nanoparticles were meltblended together in a Haake-Buchler Rheomixer to produce a new environment-friendly nano-material with improved physical and chemical properties.The following characterizations were conducted:tensile test,thermogravimetric analysis,morphology,differential scanning calorimetry,X-ray diffraction,antibacterial test,and oxygen and water vapor permeation test.The results showed that the crystallinity of HDPE was affected with the addition of GN-ZnO,and the nanocomposites had effective antibacterial capacity,strong mechanical properties,high thermal stability,and excellent barrier performance.This type of HDPE nanocomposites reinforced with GN-ZnO would be attractive for packaging industries.

Tandem hydroalkylation and deoxygenation of lignin-derived phenolics to synthesize high-density fuels

Lignin is the most abundant naturally phenolic biomass,and the synthesis of high-performance renewable fuel from lignin has attracted significant attention.We propose the efficient synthesis of high-density fuels using simulated lignin cracked oil in tandem with hydroalkylation and deoxygenation reactions.First,we investigated the reaction pathway for the hydroalkylation of phenol,which competes with the hydrodeoxygenation form cyclohexane.And then,we investigated the effects of metal catalyst types,the loading amount of metallic,acid dosage,and reactant ratio on the reaction results.The phenol hydroalkylation and hydrodeoxygenation were balanced when 180℃ and 5 MPa H_(2)with the alkanes yield of 95%.By extending the substrate to other lignin-derived phenolics and simulated lignin cracked oil,we obtained the polycyclic alkane fuel with high density of 0.918 g·ml^(-1)and calorific value of41.2 MJ·L^(-1).Besides,the fuel has good low-temperature properties(viscosity of 9.3 mm^(2)·s^(-1)at 20℃ and freezing point below-55℃),which is expected to be used as jet fuel.This work provides a promising way for the easy and green production of high-density fuel directly from real lignin oil.

Kinetic-Thermodynamic Promotion Engineering toward High-Density Hierarchical and Zn-Doping Activity-Enhancing ZnNiO@CF for High-Capacity Desalination

Despite the promising potential of transition metal oxides(TMOs)as capacitive deionization(CDI)electrodes,the actual capacity of TMOs electrodes for sodium storage is significantly lower than the theoretical capacity,posing a major obstacle.Herein,we prepared the kinetically favorable Zn_(x)Ni_(1−x)O electrode in situ growth on carbon felt(Zn_(x)Ni_(1−x)O@CF)through constraining the rate of OH^(−)generation in the hydrothermal method.Zn_(x)Ni_(1−x)O@CF exhibited a high-density hierarchical nanosheet structure with three-dimensional open pores,benefitting the ion transport/electron transfer.And tuning the moderate amount of redox-inert Zn-doping can enhance surface electroactive sites,actual activity of redox-active Ni species,and lower adsorption energy,promoting the adsorption kinetic and thermodynamic of the Zn_(0.2)Ni_(0.8)O@CF.Benefitting from the kinetic-thermodynamic facilitation mechanism,Zn_(0.2)Ni_(0.8)O@CF achieved ultrahigh desalination capacity(128.9 mgNaCl g^(-1)),ultra-low energy consumption(0.164 kW h kgNaCl^(-1)),high salt removal rate(1.21 mgNaCl g^(-1) min^(-1)),and good cyclability.The thermodynamic facilitation and Na^(+)intercalation mechanism of Zn_(0.2)Ni_(0.8)O@CF are identified by the density functional theory calculations and electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring,respectively.This research provides new insights into controlling electrochemically favorable morphology and demonstrates that Zn-doping,which is redox-inert,is essential for enhancing the electrochemical performance of CDI electrodes.

Vertically aligned montmorillonite aerogel-encapsulated polyethylene glycol with directional heat transfer paths for efficient solar thermal energy harvesting and storage

The conversion and storage of photothermal energy using phase change materials(PCMs)represent an optimal approach for harnessing clean and sustainable solar energy.Herein,we encapsulated polyethylene glycol(PEG)in montmorillonite aerogels(3D-Mt)through vacuum impregnation to prepare 3D-Mt/PEG composite PCMs.When used as a support matrix,3D-Mt can effectively prevent PEG leakage and act as a flame-retardant barrier to reduce the flammability of PEG.Simultaneously,3D-Mt/PEG demonstrates outstanding shape retention,increased thermal energy storage density,and commendable thermal and chemical stability.The phase transition enthalpy of 3D-Mt/PEG can reach 167.53 J/g and remains stable even after 50 heating-cooling cycles.Furthermore,the vertical sheet-like structure of 3D-Mt establishes directional heat transport channels,facilitating efficient phonon transfer.This configuration results in highly anisotropic thermal conductivities that ensure swift thermal responses and efficient heat conduction.This study addresses the shortcomings of PCMs,including the issues of leakage and inadequate flame retardancy.It achieves the development and design of 3D-Mt/PEG with ultrahigh strength,superior flame retardancy,and directional heat transfer.Therefore,this work offers a design strategy for the preparation of high-performance composite PCMs.The 3D-Mt/PEG with vertically aligned and well-ordered array structure developed in this research shows great potential for thermal management and photothermal conversion applications.

Detection of internal crack growth in polyethylene pipe using guided wave ultrasonic testing

Despite the success of guided wave ultrasonic inspection for internal defect detection in steel pipes,its application on polyethylene(PE)pipe remains relatively unexplored.The growth of internal cracks in PE pipe severely affects its pressure-holding capacity,hence the early detection of internal cracks is crucial for effective pipeline maintenance strategies.This study extends the scope of guided wave-based ultrasonic testing to detect the growth of internal cracks in a natural gas distribution PE pipe.Laboratory experiments and a finite element model were planned to study the wave-crack interaction at different stages of axially oriented internal crack growth with a piezoceramic transducer-based setup arranged in a pitch-catch configuration.Mode dispersion analysis supplemented with preliminary experiments was performed to isolate the optimal inspection frequency,leading to the selection of the T(0,1)mode at 50-kHz for the investigation.A transmission index based on the energy of the T(0,1)mode was developed to trace the extent of simulated crack growth.The findings revealed an inverse linear correlation between the transmission index and the crack depth for crack growth beyond 20%crack depth.

Serum cystatin C,monocyte/high-density lipoprotein-C ratio,and uric acid for the diagnosis of coronary heart disease and heart failure

BACKGROUND Coronary heart disease(CHD)and heart failure(HF)are the major causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide.Early and accurate diagnoses of CHD and HF are essential for optimal management and prognosis.However,conventional diagnostic methods such as electrocardiography,echocardiography,and cardiac biomarkers have certain limitations,such as low sensitivity,specificity,availability,and cost-effectiveness.Therefore,there is a need for simple,noninvasive,and reliable biomarkers to diagnose CHD and HF.AIM To investigate serum cystatin C(Cys-C),monocyte/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio(MHR),and uric acid(UA)diagnostic values for CHD and HF.METHODS We enrolled 80 patients with suspected CHD or HF who were admitted to our hospital between July 2022 and July 2023.The patients were divided into CHD(n=20),HF(n=20),CHD+HF(n=20),and control groups(n=20).The serum levels of Cys-C,MHR,and UA were measured using immunonephelometry and an enzymatic method,respectively,and the diagnostic values for CHD and HF were evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis.RESULTS Serum levels of Cys-C,MHR,and UA were significantly higher in the CHD,HF,and CHD+HF groups than those in the control group.The serum levels of Cys-C,MHR,and UA were significantly higher in the CHD+HF group than those in the CHD or HF group.The ROC curve analysis showed that serum Cys-C,MHR,and UA had good diagnostic performance for CHD and HF,with areas under the curve ranging from 0.78 to 0.93.The optimal cutoff values of serum Cys-C,MHR,and UA for diagnosing CHD,HF,and CHD+HF were 1.2 mg/L,0.9×10^(9),and 389μmol/L;1.4 mg/L,1.0×10^(9),and 449μmol/L;and 1.6 mg/L,1.1×10^(9),and 508μmol/L,respectively.CONCLUSION Serum Cys-C,MHR,and UA are useful biomarkers for diagnosing CHD and HF,and CHD+HF.These can provide information for decision-making and risk stratification in patients with CHD and HF.

Efficient and selective removal of Pb(Ⅱ) from landfill leachate using L-serine-modified polyethylene/polypropylene nonwoven fabric synthesized via radiation grafting technique

In this study,to efficiently remove Pb(Ⅱ) from aqueous environments,a novel L-serine-modified polyethylene/polypropylene nonwoven fabric sorbent(NWF-serine)was fabricated through the radiation grafting of glycidyl methacrylate and subsequent L-serine modification.The effect of the absorbed dose was investigated in the range of 5–50 kGy.NWF-serine was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy,thermogravimetric analysis,and scanning electron microscopy.Batch adsorption tests were conducted to investigate the influences of pH,adsorption time,temperature,initial concentration,and sorbent dosage on the Pb(Ⅱ) adsorption performance of NWF-serine.The results indicated that Pb(Ⅱ) adsorption onto NWF-serine was an endothermic process,following the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm model.The saturated adsorption capacity was 198.1 mg/g.NWF-serine exhibited Pb(Ⅱ) removal rates of 99.8% for aqueous solutions with initial concentrations of 100 mg/L and 82.1% for landfill leachate containing competitive metal ions such as Cd,Cu,Ni,Mn,and Zn.Furthermore,NWF-serine maintained 86% of its Pb(Ⅱ) uptake after five use cycles.The coordination of the carboxyl and amino groups with Pb(Ⅱ) was confirmed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and extended X-ray absorption fine structure analysis.

Predictive value of intracranial high-density areas in neurological function

BACKGROUND Intracranial high-density areas(HDAs)have attracted considerable attention for predicting clinical outcomes;however,whether HDAs predict worse neurological function and mental health remains controversial and unclear,which requires further investigation.In this prospective study,96 patients with acute ischemic stroke(AIS)who accepted endovascular mechanical thrombectomy(EMT)were included.The enrolled patients underwent cranial computed tomography(CT)examination within 24 hours after EMT.Clinical data in terms of National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS),the 3-month modified Rankin Scale(mRS),self-rating depression scale(SDS),and self-rating anxiety scale(SAS)scores were collected and compared between patients with HDAs and non-HDAs and between patients with good and poor clinical prognosis.Compared to patients without HDAs,patients with HDAs presented severe neurological deficits(admission NIHSS score:18±3 vs 19±4),were more likely to have post-stroke disabilities(mRS<3:35%vs 62%),and suffered more severe depression(SDS score:58±16 vs 64±13)and anxiety disorder(SAS score:52±8 vs 59±10).Compared to patients with a good prognosis,patients with a poor prognosis presented severe neurological deficits(admission NIHSS score:17±4 vs 20±3),were more likely to have HDAs on CT images(64%vs 33%),and suffered more severe depression(SDS score:55±19 vs 65±11)and anxiety(SAS score:50±8 vs 58±12).Multivariate analysis revealed that HDAs were independent nega-tive prognostic factors.CONCLUSION In conclusion,HDAs on CT images predicted poor prognosis and severe depressive and anxiety symptoms in patients with AIS who underwent EMT.

Polyethylene glycol has immunoprotective effects on sciatic allografts, but behavioral recovery and graft tolerance require neurorrhaphy and axonal fusion

Behavioral recovery using(viable)peripheral nerve allografts to repair ablation-type(segmental-loss)peripheral nerve injuries is delayed or poor due to slow and inaccurate axonal regeneration.Furthermore,such peripheral nerve allografts undergo immunological rejection by the host immune system.In contrast,peripheral nerve injuries repaired by polyethylene glycol fusion of peripheral nerve allografts exhibit excellent behavioral recovery within weeks,reduced immune responses,and many axons do not undergo Wallerian degeneration.The relative contribution of neurorrhaphy and polyethylene glycol-fusion of axons versus the effects of polyethylene glycol per se was unknown prior to this study.We hypothesized that polyethylene glycol might have some immune-protective effects,but polyethylene glycol-fusion was necessary to prevent Wallerian degeneration and functional/behavioral recovery.We examined how polyethylene glycol solutions per se affect functional and behavioral recovery and peripheral nerve allograft morphological and immunological responses in the absence of polyethylene glycol-induced axonal fusion.Ablation-type sciatic nerve injuries in outbred Sprague–Dawley rats were repaired according to a modified protocol using the same solutions as polyethylene glycol-fused peripheral nerve allografts,but peripheral nerve allografts were loose-sutured(loose-sutured polyethylene glycol)with an intentional gap of 1–2 mm to prevent fusion by polyethylene glycol of peripheral nerve allograft axons with host axons.Similar to negative control peripheral nerve allografts not treated by polyethylene glycol and in contrast to polyethylene glycol-fused peripheral nerve allografts,animals with loose-sutured polyethylene glycol peripheral nerve allografts exhibited Wallerian degeneration for all axons and myelin degeneration by 7 days postoperatively and did not recover sciatic-mediated behavioral functions by 42 days postoperatively.Other morphological signs of rejection,such as collapsed Schwann cell basal lamina tubes,were absent in polyethylene glycol-fused peripheral nerve allografts but commonly observed in negative control and loose-sutured polyethylene glycol peripheral nerve allografts at 21 days postoperatively.Loose-sutured polyethylene glycol peripheral nerve allografts had more pro-inflammatory and less anti-inflammatory macrophages than negative control peripheral nerve allografts.While T cell counts were similarly high in loose-sutured-polyethylene glycol and negative control peripheral nerve allografts,loose-sutured polyethylene glycol peripheral nerve allografts expressed some cytokines/chemokines important for T cell activation at much lower levels at 14 days postoperatively.MHCI expression was elevated in loose-sutured polyethylene glycol peripheral nerve allografts,but MHCII expression was modestly lower compared to negative control at 21 days postoperatively.We conclude that,while polyethylene glycol per se reduces some immune responses of peripheral nerve allografts,successful polyethylene glycol-fusion repair of some axons is necessary to prevent Wallerian degeneration of those axons and immune rejection of peripheral nerve allografts,and produce recovery of sensory/motor functions and voluntary behaviors.Translation of polyethylene glycol-fusion technologies would produce a paradigm shift from the current clinical practice of waiting days to months to repair ablation peripheral nerve injuries.

Enhancing performance of low-temperature processed CsPbI2Br all-inorganic perovskite solar cells using polyethylene oxide-modified TiO_(2)

CsPbX_(3)-based(X=I,Br,Cl)inorganic perovskite solar cells(PSCs)prepared by low-temperature process have attracted much attention because of their low cost and excellent thermal stability.However,the high trap state density and serious charge recombination between low-temperature processed TiO_(2)film and inorganic perovskite layer interface seriously restrict the performance of all-inorganic PSCs.Here a thin polyethylene oxide(PEO)layer is employed to modify TiO_(2)film to passivate traps and promote carrier collection.The impacts of PEO layer on microstructure and photoelectric characteristics of TiO_(2)film and related devices are systematically studied.Characterization results suggest that PEO modification can reduce the surface roughness of TiO_(2)film,decrease its average surface potential,and passivate trap states.At optimal conditions,the champion efficiency of CsPbI_(2)Br PSCs with PEO-modified TiO_(2)(PEO-PSCs)has been improved to 11.24%from 9.03%of reference PSCs.Moreover,the hysteresis behavior and charge recombination have been suppressed in PEO-PSCs.