Topic Review
2D Nanomaterials
Materials can be rightly characterized as 2D material or nanosheet if only one of its dimensions is in nano-size, they usually resemble a large sheet with one or few atomic thickness layers (more like a sheet of paper). This explains the fundamental characteristic of 2D materials and their unique properties that made them very attractive in tribological applications. Also, the method of preparation of the materials are highlighted.
  • 2.6K
  • 11 Nov 2021
Topic Review
Acrylic Carrier
Wood used outdoor is subjected to different sources of degradation and should be protected properly. In this study, acrylic resins were added to a wood impregnation system using amine oxides and propiconazole, an organic fungicide, to create a two-part wood protection preservation treatment. Since amine oxides can diffuse readily into wood, this treatment protected both the surface and inner structure of the treated wood following a simple dipping. Many aspects of the treatment were studied: the adhesion of the acrylic coatings, their permeability to water, and the impregnation depth of the propiconazole. In each case, a particular attention was accorded to the interactions between the resins and the impregnation system. Adhesion and permeability tests were coupled with an artificial aging process simulating severely wet conditions. Amine oxides reduced the adhesion of the coatings, but did not impair their aging properties. Because of their hydrophilic nature, they also increased the permeability to liquid water, although they did not affect the air moisture permeability. The penetration of the propiconazole, estimated with a dye, decreased with the resin. Overall, the two parts of the treatment lightly impaired each other, but the practical aspect of this treatment may overcome these disadvantages.
  • 758
  • 30 Oct 2020
Topic Review Peer Reviewed
Active Edible Packaging
Active edible packaging is a food packaging made of comestible bioproducts and active compounds that interacts with the food. The bioproducts, usually biopolymers, must be recognized as safe and with characteristics to be consumed by humans—comestible—and not toxic and capable of carrying an active compound, like anti-browning agents, colorants, flavors, nutrients, antimicrobial and/or antioxidant compounds, in order to extend the product shelf-life, reduce contamination and maintain or even enhance the nutritional value.
  • 2.6K
  • 13 Apr 2022
Topic Review
Agro-Food Waste Valorization for Sustainable Bio-Based Packaging
The increase in the generation of agro-food processing waste, coupled with uncontrolled disposal and inefficient recovery methods, has raised concerns among society, industries, and the research community. This issue is compounded by the accumulation of conventional synthetic packaging. Owing to their significant environmental and economic impacts, the development of sustainable, biocompatible, and biodegradable materials has become an urgent target. In this context, research efforts have been directed toward developing new packaging materials based on renewable sources, such as agro-food waste, contributing to the circular economy concept.
  • 136
  • 17 Feb 2024
Topic Review
AlCr-Based Coatings in Industrial Applications
AlCr-based hard nitride coatings with different chemical compositions and architectures have been successfully developed and applied over the last few decades. Coating properties are mainly influenced by deposition conditions and the Al/Cr content. The fcc structure is dominant for an Al-content up to Al0.7Cr0.3N and is preferred for most cutting applications. Different (AlCrX)N alloying concepts, including X = Si, W, B, V, have been investigated in order to enhance oxidation resistance and wear behaviour and to provide tribological properties. AlCr-based oxynitrides and even pure oxides (Al1−xCrx)2O3 with different crystalline structures have been explored. Multi- and nanolayered coatings within the AlCr materials system, as well as in combination with (TiSi)N, for example, have also been implemented industrially. The dominant deposition technology is the vacuum arc process. Recently, advanced high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) processes have also been successfully applied on an industrial scale. 
  • 2.0K
  • 25 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Alkyl Chains Impact in Polymer-Based organic Solar Cells
The research for efficient organic materials organized in bulk heterojunction (BHJ) thin films for organic photovoltaics (OPVs) has shown a significant breakthrough. Desired structural organization can be attained through various strategies. Conjugated polymer-based bulk heterojunction solar cells have exhibited high power conversion efficiencies (PCEs). The role of side chain engineering in solution-processable conjugated polymers is taking a growing role in these record performances. 
  • 307
  • 20 Sep 2023
Topic Review
Annealing Methods for Perovskite Solar Cells
Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have garnered significant attention in the photovoltaic field owing to their exceptional photoelectric properties, including high light absorption, extensive carrier diffusion distance, and an adjustable band gap. Temperature is a crucial factor influencing both the preparation and performance of perovskite solar cells. The annealing temperature exerts a pronounced impact on the device structure, while the operational temperature influences carrier transport, perovskite band gap, and interface properties. 
  • 69
  • 28 Feb 2024
Topic Review
Annealing Methods in the Growth of Perovskite Grains
Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) are a promising and fast-growing type of photovoltaic cell due to their low cost and high conversion efficiency. The high efficiency of PSCs is closely related to the quality of the photosensitive layer, and the high-quality light absorbing layer depends on the growth condition of the crystals. In the formation of high-quality crystals, annealing is an indispensable and crucial part, which serves to evaporate the solvent and drive the crystallization of the film. Various annealing methods have different effects on the promotion of the film growth process owing to the way they work.
  • 524
  • 08 Jul 2022
Topic Review
Anti-Icing Surfaces
In numerous fields such as aerospace, the environment, and energy supply, ice generation and accretion represent a severe issue. For this reason, numerous methods have been developed for ice formation to be delayed and/or to inhibit ice adhesion to the substrates. Among them, laser micro/nanostructuring of surfaces aiming to obtain superhydrophobic behavior has been taken as a starting point for engineering substrates with anti-icing properties. 
  • 1.5K
  • 17 Mar 2021
Topic Review
Anti-Oxidation Coating on Niobium Alloy
Niobium (Nb)-based alloys have been extensively used in the aerospace field owing to their excellent high-temperature mechanical properties. However, the inferior oxidation resistance severely limits the application of Nb-based alloys in a high-temperature, oxygen-enriched environment. Related scholars have extensively studied the oxidation protection of niobium alloy and pointed out that surface coating technology is ideal for solving this problem.
  • 627
  • 23 Nov 2021
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