Manufacturing a durable superhydrophobic polypropylene coating on aluminum alloy substrate by adding nano-titania nanoparticles.

A superhydrophobic polypropylene (PP) coating on the surface of aluminum alloy coupons is unstable because of the existence of metastable state in curing process. Nano-titania particles were added into PP solution to form hierarchical micro- and nano-structures of PP coatings on the surface of aluminum alloy coupons. The morphology of the coatings was observed with Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and the corresponding structure and components were investigated with Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD), respectively. The results indicated that nano-TiO2 particles are the main nucleation cores in the curing of the coatings; PP in solution is enclosed in these cores and crystallizes gradually. The coatings can preserve the stable micro- and nano-structure on six months due to the nucleation action of nano-TiO2 particles, and its durable water contact angle (WCA) is about 164 +/- 1.5 degrees.

Fabrication of the micro/nano-structure superhydrophobic surface on aluminum alloy by sulfuric acid anodizing and polypropylene coating.

The preparation of the superhydrophobic surface on aluminum alloy by anodizing and polypropylene (PP) coating was reported. Both the different anodizing process and different PP coatings of aluminum alloy were investigated. The effects of different anodizing conditions, such as electrolyte concentration, anodization time and current on the superhydrophobic surface were discussed. By PP coating after anodizing, a good superhydrophobic surface was facilely fabricated. The optimum conditions for anodizing were determined by orthogonal experiments. After the aluminium-alloy was grinded with 600# sandpaper, pretreated by 73 g/L hydrochloric acid solution at 1 min, when the concentration of sulfuric acid was 180 g/L, the concentration of oxalic acid was 5 g/L, the concentration of potassium dichromate was 10 g/L, the concentration of chloride sodium was 50 g/L and 63 g/L of glycerol, anodization time was 20 min, and anodization current was 1.2 A/dm2, anodization temperature was 30-35 degrees C, the best micro-nanostructure aluminum alloy films was obtained. On the other hand, the PP with different concentrations was used to the PP with different concentrations was used to coat the aluminum alloy surface after anodizing. The results showed that the best superhydrophobicity was achieved by coating PP, and the duration of the superhydrophobic surface was improved by modifying the coat the aluminum alloy surface after anodizing. The results showed that the best superhydrophobicity was surface with high concentration PP. The morphologies of micro/nano-structure superhydrophobic surface were further confirmed by scanning electron microscope (SEM). The material of PP with the low surface free energy combined with the micro/nano-structures of the surface resulted in the superhydrophobicity of the aluminum alloy surface.

Preparation and microstructure of nanocrystalline Ni-Mo films.

Ni-Mo films were prepared by electrodeposition technique with citric acid as a complexing agent. The influence of the main technical parameters such as the concentration of Na2MoO4 x 2H2O, the current density, the bath temperature and pH on the component content in the Ni-Mo films were investigated by energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), the microstructure and surface morphology of Ni-Mo films were characterized by employing X-ray diffractometer (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The results showed that the excellent Ni-Mo films with 35.51 wt% Mo was obtained when the concentration of Na2MoO4 x 2H2O was 15 g/L, the current density was 8 A/dm2, the bath temperature was 30 degrees C and the pH was 5.0. The mircostructure of the Ni-Mo films were nanocrystalline and the average size of grain was about 20.12 nm by calculating using Scherrer Equation.

Preparation of micro/nano-structure superhydrophobic film on aluminum plates using galvanic corrosion method.

A simple and novel approach has been developed to obtain a microporous film with compound nanoparticles on the surface of aluminum alloy substrate using the galvanic corrosion method. The wettability of the surface changes from hydrophilicity to superhydrophobicity after chemical modification with stearic acid (SA). The water contact angle (WCA) and sliding angle (WSA) of superhydrophobic aluminum alloy surface (SAAS) are 154 degrees and 9 degrees, respectively. The roughness of the aluminum substrate increases after the oxidation reaction. The porous aluminum matrix surface is covered with irregularly shaped holes with a mean radius of about 15 microm, similar to the surface papillae of natural Lotus leaf, with villus-like nanoparticles array on pore surfaces. The superhydrophobic property is attributed to this special surface morphology and low surface energy SA. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) pattern and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDS) spectrum indicate that Al2O3, Al(OH)3 and AIO(OH) has been formed on the surface of aluminum substrate after the oxidation reaction. The Raman spectra indicate that C-H bond from SA and the Al-O are formed on the SAAS. The as-formed SAAS has good stability.

The Preparation, Structural Design, and Application of Electroactive Poly(vinylidene fluoride)-Based Materials for Wearable Sensors and Human Energy Harvesters.

Owing to their biocompatibility, chemical stability, film-forming ability, cost-effectiveness, and excellent electroactive properties, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and PVDF-based polymers are widely used in sensors, actuators, energy harvesters, etc. In this review, the recent research progress on the PVDF phase structures and identification of different phases is outlined. Several approaches for obtaining the electroactive phase of PVDF and preparing PVDF-based nanocomposites are described. Furthermore, the potential applications of these materials in wearable sensors and human energy harvesters are discussed. Finally, some challenges and perspectives for improving the properties and boosting the applications of these materials are presented.

Preparation, Chromatic Properties Analysis and Proportioning Optimization of Co-Cr-Fe-Based Black Pigment.

The utilization of Co-Cr-Fe-based black pigments bears considerable significance within the realm of commercial ceramic pigments, owing to their distinctive spinel structure, remarkable high-temperature stability, and exceptional chromatic attributes. This study delves into the synthesis of diverse black pigment configurations by employing the co-precipitation method, leveraging the interplay of these three metallic oxides. This investigation encompasses a comprehensive scrutiny of ion valences, crystal structures and parameters, colorimetric properties, and their interrelationships. The methodology integrates the response surface methodology (RSM) framework, using theoretical formulations to navigate the material ratios and elucidating the associations between the resultant compositions and color coordinate values, aligned with the CIE-Lab* colorimetric methodology. The derived predictive models yielded an optimized black pigment composition, characterized by heightened black intensity and a refined formulation.

Prognostic Value of the C-Reactive Protein/Albumin Ratio and Systemic Immune-Inflammation Index for Patients With Colorectal Liver Metastasis Undergoing Curative Resection.

Background: We evaluated the prognostic value of C-reactive protein/albumin (CAR) and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), which we calculated as neutrophil × platelet/lymphocyte) in patients with colorectal liver metastasis (CRLM) after curative resection. Methods: We retrospectively enrolled 283 consecutive patients with CRLM who underwent curative resection between 2006 and 2016. We determined the optimal cutoff values of CAR and SII using receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis. Overall survival (OS)- and recurrence-free survival (RFS)-related to CAR and SII were analyzed using the log-rank test and multivariate Cox regression methods. Results: We found that a high CAR was significantly associated with poor OS (P < 0.001) and RFS (P = 0.008) rates compared with a low CAR; a high SII was significantly associated with poor RFS (P = 0.003) rates compared with a low SII. The multivariate analysis indicated that CAR was an independent predictor of OS (hazard ratio [HR] = 2.220; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.387-3.550; P = 0.001) and RFS (HR = 1.494; 95% CI = 1.086-2.056; P = 0.014). The SII was an independent predictor of RFS (HR = 1.973; 95% CI = 1.230-3.162; P = 0.005) in patients with CRLM. Conclusion: We proved that CAR was an independent predictor of OS and RFS in patients with CRLM who underwent curative resection, and that the prognostic value of CAR was superior to that of SII.

Comparison of a Powdered, Acidified Liquid, and Non-Acidified Liquid Human Milk Fortifier on Clinical Outcomes in Premature Infants.

We previously compared infant outcomes between a powdered human milk fortifier (P-HMF) vs. acidified liquid HMF (AL-HMF). A non-acidified liquid HMF (NAL-HMF) is now commercially available. The purpose of this study is to compare growth and outcomes of premature infants receiving P-HMF, AL-HMF or NAL-HMF. An Institutional Review Board (IRB) approved retrospective chart review compared infant outcomes (born < 2000 g) who received one of three HMF. Growth, enteral nutrition, laboratory and demographic data were compared. 120 infants were included (P-HMF = 46, AL-HMF = 23, NAL-HMF = 51). AL-HMF infants grew slower in g/day (median 23.66 vs. P-HMF 31.27, NAL-HMF 31.74 (p < 0.05)) and in g/kg/day, median 10.59 vs. 15.37, 14.03 (p < 0.0001). AL-HMF vs. NAL-HMF infants were smaller at 36 weeks gestational age (median 2046 vs. 2404 g, p < 0.05). However AL-HMF infants received more daily calories (p = 0.21) and protein (p < 0.0001), mean 129 cal/kg, 4.2 g protein/kg vs. P-HMF 117 cal/kg, 3.7 g protein/kg , NAL-HMF 120 cal/kg, 4.0 g protein/kg. AL-HMF infants exhibited lower carbon dioxide levels after day of life 14 and 30 (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0038). Three AL-HMF infants (13%) developed necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) vs. no infants in the remaining groups (p = 0.0056). A NAL-HMF is the most optimal choice for premature human milk-fed infants in a high acuity neonatal intensive care unit (NICU).