Phosphonic Acids as Corrosion Inhibitors and Adhesion Promoters for Organic Coatings and Bronze.

Currently used organic coatings for the protection of bronze sculptures have a relatively short lifespan as a consequence of strict requirements of conservation ethics, which limit the selection of coatings. For that reason, enhancement of the corrosion protection level and durability of appropriate coatings is needed. The aim of this work was to examine if corrosion protection of bronze by selected acrylic and polyurethane coatings could be improved by using two phosphonic acids, 16-phosphonohexadecanoic acid (COOH-PA) and 12-aminododecylphosphonic acid (NH2-PA). Electrochemical measurements (linear polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, EIS) were performed to gain an insight into the influence of these phosphonic acids on the performance of the coatings during a two-week exposure to artificial acid rain and a three-month outdoor exposure. Besides the influence on the corrosion protection level, the influence on the coating adhesion was examined as well. A pull-off test clearly confirmed that the studied phosphonic acids act as adhesion promoters of both polyurethane and acrylic coatings, while electrochemical studies revealed improvements in corrosion protection levels, especially in the case of the acrylic coating Paraloid B72.

Bio-Based Aerogels in Energy Storage Systems.

Bio-aerogels have emerged as promising materials for energy storage, providing a sustainable alternative to conventional aerogels. This review addresses their syntheses, properties, and characterization challenges for use in energy storage devices such as rechargeable batteries, supercapacitors, and fuel cells. Derived from renewable sources (such as cellulose, lignin, and chitosan), bio-based aerogels exhibit mesoporosity, high specific surface area, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, making them advantageous for environmental sustainability. Bio-based aerogels serve as electrodes and separators in energy storage systems, offering desirable properties such as high specific surface area, porosity, and good electrical conductivity, enhancing the energy density, power density, and cycle life of devices. Recent advancements highlight their potential as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries, replacing non-renewable carbon materials. Studies have shown excellent cycling stability and rate performance for bio-aerogels in supercapacitors and fuel cells. The yield properties of these materials, primarily porosity and transport phenomena, demand advanced characterization methods, and their synthesis and processing methods significantly influence their production, e.g., sol-gel and advanced drying. Bio-aerogels represent a sustainable solution for advancing energy storage technologies, despite challenges such as scalability, standardization, and cost-effectiveness. Future research aims to improve synthesis methods and explore novel applications. Bio-aerogels, in general, provide a healthier path to technological progress.

Synthesis and Nanoarchitectonics of Novel Squaraine Derivatives for Organic Photovoltaic Devices.

Necessary advancements in the area of organic photovoltaic (OPV) devices include the upgrade of power conversion efficiencies (PCE) and stability. One answer to these demands lies in the research into new absorbers. Here, we focus on the development of new small molecule absorbers from the group of squaraines (SQs). These modular absorbers can be applied as donors in organic solar cells and have the ability to utilize a broad range of solar radiation if blended with suitable acceptors. In order to allow for the compatibility and favorable organization of donor and acceptor in the absorber layer, we intend to optimize the structure of the SQ by varying the groups attached to the squaric acid core. For that purpose, we accordingly developed a well-suited synthesis route. The novel alkyl- and benzyl-substituted aryl aminosquaraines were synthesized through an improved and eco-friendly procedure. Special emphasis was placed on optimizing the amination reaction to obtain initial precursors in the synthesis of squaraine, avoiding hitherto common catalytic processes. All SQ precursors and SQ products were completely described. The derived SQs were additionally characterized in thin-film configuration using cyclic voltammetry and UV-VIS spectroscopy and then processed to prepare self-standing bulk heterojunction (BHJ) thin films in conjunction with fullerene-based electron acceptors, which were characterized via profilometry. The comparison between SQ and BHJ solutions and thin films, using atomic force microscopy and UV-VIS spectroscopy, revealed differences in susceptibility for the organization and orientation of the constituting domains.