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Copper oxide thin layers were elaborated using the sol-gel dip-coating. The thickness effect on morphological, structural, optical and electrical properties was studied. Copper chloride dihydrate was used as precursor and dissolved into methanol. The scanning electron microscopy analysis results showed that there is continuity in formation of the clusters and the nuclei with the increase of number of the dips. X-ray diffractogram showed that all the films are polycrystalline cupric oxide CuO phase with monoclinic structure with grain size in the range of 30.72 - 26.58 nm. The obtained films are clear blackin appearance, which are confirmed by the optical transmittance spectra. The optical band gap energies of the deposited films vary from 3.80 to 3.70 eV. The electrical conductivity of the films decreases from 1.90.10^-2 to 7.39.10^-3 (Ω.cm)^-1

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Background: Superhydrophobic materials which have contact angle higher than 150°, considering their widespread applications, are very important for researchers.
Method: In this research, silica nanopowder was synthesized successfully using inexpensive sodium silicate source and very simple and facile method. Synthesis of hydrophobic solution was carried out by sol-gel method. The surface modification of silica nanopowder was performed using different silane/siloxane polymers and was deposited on glass slides. For characterization of the samples XRD, FESEM, EDX, TEM, FTIR, and Raman analysis were used.
Results: The XRD result shows a very wide peak at 2q = 24.7° which indicates the amorphous nature of the silica particles. The results of the performed characteristics confirm the synthesis of silica nanopowder with the size of less than 25 nm. The EDX spectrum shows that only Si and O elements are present in the structure and no impurities are visible. The contact angle between water droplet and thin films was measured and the effect of different synthesis parameters on the contact angle was studied. Among the studied polymers and solvents, the most hydrophobicity was obtained using TMCS polymer and xylene solvent. The optimized sample has a maximum contact angle of 150.8°.
Conclusion: The synthesized thin films have superhydrophobic properties and the method used in this research can be developed for use in industrial applications.

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In the present research work physical, mechanical and tribological behavior of Aluminum (Al) alloy LM13 reinforced with Nano-sized Titanium Dioxide (TiO₂) particulates were fabricated, mechanical and tribological properties were investigated. The amount of nano TiO₂ particulates in the composite was added from 0.5% to 2% in 0.5 weight percent (wt %) increments. The Al-LM13-TiO₂ Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) were prepared through the liquid metallurgical method by following the stir casting process. The different types of Al LM13-TiO₂ specimens were prepared for conduction of Physical, Mechanical, and Tribological characteristics by ASTM standards. Microstructural images, hardness, tensile, and wear test results were used to evaluate the effect of TiO₂ addition to Al LM13. Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), and X-Ray Diffractometer (XRD) were used to examine the microstructure and distribution of particulates in the matrix alloy. In the Al LM13 matrix, microstructure analysis indicates a consistent distribution of reinforced nanoparticles. The attributes of the MMCs, including density, hardness, tensile strength, and wear resistance, were improved by adding up to 1 wt% TiO₂. Fractured surfaces of tensile test specimens were studied using SEM pictures.  The standard pin-on-disc tribometer device was used to conduct the wear experiments; the tribological characteristics of unreinforced matrix and TiO₂ reinforced composites were investigated. The composites’ wear resistance was increased by adding up to 1 wt% of TiO₂.  The wear height loss of Al LM13-TiO₂ composite increased when the sliding distance and applied load were increased. Overall, the Al LM13 with one wt% of TiO₂ MMCs showed excellent Physical, Mechanical and Tribological characteristics among all the percentages considered in the present study.

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In this research, after pressing in a cylindrical mold, the AA 7075 alloy swarf was melted and cast in a wet sand mold. After rolling and cutting, sheets with two different thicknesses of 6 and 20 mm were obtained. The sheets after homogenization were solutionized at 485°C for 30 and 90 minutes, respectively, due to differences in thickness and thermal gradients. The solutionized samples were quenched in 3 polymer solutions containing 10, 30, and 50% Poly Alekylene Glycol. The results showed that melting, casting, rolling, and heat treatment of AA7075 alloy swarf similar properties to this alloy is achievable. Microstructural studies by optical microscopes (OM), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed that by increasing the quenching rate after the solutionizing process, precipitation increases during aging. The tensile test results indicated that as the quench rate and internal energy increase, the diffusion driving force would increase the precipitation of alloying elements. Hence, this leads to an increase in hardness and reduction of its strain after aging.

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Microstructure evolution and mechanical properties of Zn-22Al alloy after post-ECAP natural/artificial aging were investigated. A homogenization treatment was applied to the casting samples. In addition, after preparing the samples for the ECAP, secondary homogenization treatment was done and then the samples quenched in the water to form a fine grain structure. After 8 passes of ECAP, some ECAPed samples were naturally aged and some ECAPed samples were artificially aged. Natural aging after 8 passes of ECAP showed that Zn-22Al alloy has a quasi-stable microstructure because limited grain growth occurred. Two-phase structure of Zn-22Al alloy prevented excessive grain growth after natural aging. On the other hand, artificial aging after 8 passes of ECAP caused a relatively much grain growth took place. In shorter times of artificial aging, the grain growth rate is faster due to the high surface energy of grain boundaries. On the contrary, as the time of artificial aging increased, the surface energy of grain boundaries decreased, which leads to a decrease in the grain growth rate. In addition, texture evolution was studied after aging artificial. Therefore, the main texture of α and η phases was determined.
 

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Perovskite materials are widely studied for their super-conducting, magnetic, catalytic and electro-optic properties. Among them, barium stannate (BaSnO₃), finds applications in dielectric and optically active devices, thermally stable capacitors, humidity and gas sensors. In this study, BaSnO₃ was synthesized by chemical and greener methods and comparative analyses has been performed on their electrochemical, third order nonlinear, dye deactivation and bacterial suppression properties. Decreased crystallite size was realized for the green synthesized BaSnO₃. Energy band gaps were 3.23 and 3.04 eV for BaSnO₃ synthesized by normal and greener approach, respectively. The extract mediated sample exhibited increased specific capacitance value. Photocatalytic degradation efficiencies were 78.4% and 89.7%, respectively for BaSnO₃ synthesized by normal and greener approach against methyl violet after 90 min of UV light irradiation. Enhanced nonlinear optical parameters were obtained for the extract mediated BaSnO₃. Excellent antibacterial efficacy against Proteus vulgaris bacteria was realized for the greener BaSnO₃ NPs thanks to the domination of phytochemicals of M. olifera leaf extract.
 

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Natural-reinforced hybrid composites, called "eco-materials," are becoming increasingly important for protecting the environment and eliminating waste problems. In this study, hybrid biocomposites were produced by the colloidal mixing method using seashell (SS) as natural waste, two graphene derivatives (graphene oxide (GO) and reduced graphene oxide (RGO)) as filler material, and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as the polymer matrix. The crystallization and mechanical properties of hybrid biocomposites were examined based on their thermal properties using TGA and DSC analysis. In comparison to PVC/GO and PVC/RGO composites with identical weight percentages of GO and RGO, the PVC/GO composite exhibited superior thermal stability and crystallinity, resulting in elevated hardness values for the same composite. These results were attributed to the better interaction of GO with PVC due to the higher number of oxygen-containing functional groups in GO than in RGO. However, the PVC/RGO/SS hybrid biocomposites exhibited superior properties than PVC/GO/SS hybrid biocomposites. The greatest crystallinity values were 39.40% for PVC/RGO/SS-20 compared to PVC/RGO at 20 wt% SS content and 29.21% for PVC/GO/SS-20 compared to PVC/GO. The PVC/RGO/SS-20 hybrid biocomposite showed the greatest gain in hardness value, up 18.47% compared to the PVC/RGO composite. No significant change was observed in the melting and weight loss temperatures as the SS content increased; however, the crystallinity and glass transition temperatures in hybrid biocomposites increased as the SS content increased. All analysis results demonstrated the achievement of SS-graphene-PVC interactions, suggesting that SS waste could enhance the thermal and mechanical properties of composite production.

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We have modeled theoretical incident photon-to-current electricity (IPCE) action spectra of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) and [6,6]-Phenyl C61 butyric acid methyl ester active layer bulk-heterojunction. By the two-dimensional optical model of a multilayer system based on the structure of Glass substrate / SiO₂ /ITO/ PEDOT: PSS /P3HT: PCBM(1:1)/Ca/Al, the optical responses of the device have been computed for different photoactive layer and Ca layer thicknesses to found an optimal structure which allows obtaining the maximum absorption localized in the active layer and high device performance. The electric field intensity, energy dissipation, generation rate, and IPCE have been computed to enhance the device's performance. The finite element method executes the simulation under an incident intensity of 100 mW/cm² of the 1.5 AM illumination. It was found that the optimum structure is achieved by a 180 nm photoactive layer and 5 nm Ca layer thicknesses.

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Acrylic resins are one of the most important thermoplastic resins used in various industries due to their significant properties. However, they are inherently brittle and addition plasticizers to them is very common. In this study, role of both Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) and Triacetin on the mechanical properties of acrylic resin have been investigated. To do so tensile test, bending and wear tests have been performed. To achieve the optimal mixture of plasticizers, a tensile test has been carried out, and the best percentage of the mixture has been determined. Subsequently, bending and wear tests were conducted, which showed a significant increase in the bending strength of the acrylic resin after the addition of plasticizers. Furthermore, it was found that the abrasion mechanism of the resin was significantly altered compared to its pure state.
 

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This study reported the biological changes occurring after γ-irradiation of in vivo rat model and the osteochondral protective effect of Gelatine-Chitosan-Ginger (GEL-CH-GING). The results showed that Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Spectroscopy of GEL-CH-GING showed two paramagnetic centres which correspond to g=2.19 and g= 2.002. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses revealed an increase in peak intensity at C–H chains, as well as, C=O carbonyl groups. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed no change of crystallinity. After gamma ray exposure, the rat groups have received an osteochondral defect and then were treated with GEL-CH-GING composite. Sixty days post-surgery, a significant reduction in thiobarbituric acid-reactive compounds (TBARs) was seen when compared to non-implanted rat group. Concerning oxidative stress status, GEL-CH-GIN significantly improved Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) 76 nmol/l, Catalase (CAT) 0.79 nmol/l, and Glutathione Peroxidase (GPx) 1.77 nmol/l activities in osteochondral tissue. Regarding the histomorphometric parameters of cartilaginous tissue (nCg.Th, µm), (cCg.Th, µm), (Cg.Th, µm), irradiated-GEL-CH-GIN group showed a significant increase as compared to irradiated group with 116, 74 and  188 µm, respectively (p<0.01). The microanalysis showed a high percentage of O and C in the regenertaed osteochondral tissue and indicated the deposition of novel collagen matrix. The biomechanical behaviour showed a significantly enhanced hardness measurement (1.73±0 .029 VH, p<0.05) when compared with that of irradiated group
Biochemical markers suggested an osteocartilage repair capacity.  In fact, the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and VEGF in the implanted rat with GEL-CH-GING composite exhibited 51±3.48, 30.05±5.18, 65.12±4.33 and 40.42±3.32 ng/l, respectively. Our findings suggested that GEL-CH-GING composite might have promising potential applications for cartilage healing.

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The composite solid polymer electrolyte films were prepared by doping nano-sized Fe₂O₃ particles on PVB (Polyvinyl Butyral) complexed with NaNO₃ salt by solution casting technique. FTIR, XRD, and SEM methods characterized these electrolyte films. The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction methods reveal the structural and complexation changes occurring in the electrolytes. The surface morphology of the electrolyte film was examined using the SEM (Scanning Electron Microscope) technique. The PVB+NaNO₃+Fe₂O₃(70:30:3%) electrolyte shows a moderate ionic conductivity of 2.51×10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹ at ambient temperature (303 K). AC impedance spectroscopic analysis evaluates the ionic conductivity of the produced polymer electrolyte. Wagner's polarisation technique was applied to study the charge transport characteristics in the electrolyte films. The investigation revealed that ions constituted the majority of the transport carriers. An Open Circuit Voltage (OCV) of 2.0V and a Short Circuit Current (SCC) of 0.8 mA were found in the discharge characteristics data for the cell constructed with the polymer electrolyte sample.