SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
·
2026
·
IF 9.1
Muhammad Numan Nawaz,Sadaf Bashir Khan
Atmospheric water harvesting provides a passive method for generating freshwater in regions with persistent water scarcity. Inspired by the water-collection strategies of cacti, a hierarchical polyacrylamide zinc oxide (PAM/ZnO) composite was developed for efficient water harvesting in arid and semi-arid regions. Incorporation of ZnO nanoparticles within a PAM matrix creates a hydroxyl-rich active site and nanoscale roughness. This lowers the energy barrier for heterogeneous nucleation, mimicking the hydrophobic/philic gradient and spike structure found in cacti spines. These topographies endorsed rapid droplet nucleation, directional coalescence, and transport towards the base. Structural and chemical investigations using XRD, SEM, FTIR, EDX, and XPS confirm the uniform distribution of ZnO, robust polymer-oxidation interfacial bonding, and the development of multiscale roughness, all essential for efficient condensation. Wettability studies indicate a progressive reduction in the water contact angle with increasing ZnO concentration, consistent with enhanced surface hydrophilicity and increased nucleation density. Under controlled fog–flow conditions, the composite exhibits a 6.10 g cm − 2 h − 1 water capture rate, demonstrating improved performance over the pristine PAM system. External stimuli indicate how moderate heating and sunlight further accelerate the evaporation-condensation cycle, increase thermal-induced vapor flux, and maintain continuous droplet collection. The integration of biomimetic spike geometry, ZnO-mediated micro-nano texturing, and stimuli-responsive surface activation establishes a robust materials platform capable of high–efficiency passive water harvesting and provides a scalable strategy for development in low–humidity and high-irradiance climates.
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
Materials Today Physics
·
2026
·
IF 9.3
Zhipeng Li,Xudong Li,Hongyan Zhang,Jie Ai,Haiyang Zhang,Chu Chen,Ling Zhang
A high-performance ammonia (NH 3 ) gas sensor based on ZnO/Ti 3 C 2 T x composites was fabricated using the hydrothermal method. The gas sensitivity test results show that the composite of Ti 3 C 2 T x and ZnO improves the sensing performance of Ti 3 C 2 T x -based NH 3 sensor at room temperature. The response of ZnO/Ti 3 C 2 T x to 200 ppm NH 3 is 158.7 and the response/recovery time is 3.6 s/0.9 s. Additionally, the sensor demonstrated excellent humidity resistance and long-term stability. This improvement is attributed to the introduction of additional free oxygen species and oxygen vacancies on the Ti 3 C 2 T x surface by ZnO, exposing more active metallic Ti sites. Simultaneously, reducing the number of -OH groups increases the number of -F groups and enhances the polarity of the -OH groups. DFT studies indicate that higher surface oxygen vacancy density promotes the formation of highly active and unsaturated Ti sites, thereby enhancing strong chemical adsorption of NH 3 . Concurrently, the reduction in -OH groups increases the polarity of -OH, thereby improving the adsorption efficiency of NH 3 molecules. Thus, modulating the Ti 3 C 2 T x surface with metal oxides to reduce hydroxyl groups and increase oxygen vacancies promotes the formation of Ti metal sites, offering a novel approach for developing high-performance room-temperature NH 3 gas sensors based on Ti 3 C 2 T x .
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
ACS Catalysis
·
2026
·
IF 13.6
Shufen Ma,Yachao Wang,Guofeng Zhao,Weixin Huang,Cong Fu
Photocatalytic oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane (ODHE) is a promising route to ethylene under mild conditions, yet achieving a high yield and selectivity is challenging due to the inert C–H bonds and overoxidation to CO2. In this study, we present ZnO fine nanoparticles decorated with highly dispersed Pd species and featuring closely associated interfacial oxygen vacancies (Ov) for highly selective ODHE. The optimized catalyst achieves a C2H4 production rate of 8.5 mmol g–1 h–1 with a selectivity of up to 96.1%, surpassing most reported photo- and thermocatalysts and maintaining robust stability for over 10 h. Through a combination of operando DRIFTS, in situ XPS, and in situ EPR analyses, we demonstrate that the enhanced photocatalytic performance stems from a synergistic, spatially separated dual-site configuration involving Pd species and adjacent interfacial Ov. This configuration enhances spatial charge separation, promotes oxygen activation, and facilitates the selective conversion of C2H6 into key *C2H4 intermediates, thereby boosting ethylene formation. This work not only provides fundamental insights into the photocatalytic ODHE mechanism but also underscores the importance of interfacial engineering in the design of highly efficient photocatalysts for alkane conversion.
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
POLYMER DEGRADATION AND STABILITY
·
2026
·
IF 8.1
Sarah Elfadil Ali,Jianhui Li,Yuanqing Shen,Xiaochun Chen
With global plastic production soaring, developing efficient chemical recycling methods for polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is critical. While synergistic systems of ionic liquids and metal salts have shown promise for PET glycolysis, they often face significant challenges in catalyst separation and recyclability, hindering practical application. To address these limitations, this study introduces a heterogeneous catalyst [P 66614 ]Cl-ZnO, synthesized through an ultrasonication-assisted method. Comprehensive characterization reveals that the ionic liquid forms a stable composite through electrostatic interactions, creating a bifunctional acid catalyst with both Lewis and Brønsted acid sites, as confirmed by pyridine-FTIR. Critically, the mesoporous architecture of [P 66614 ]Cl-ZnO (surface area = 57.5 m 2 /g, mean pore diameter = 35.48 nm) is more than double that of pure ZnO and specifically designed to facilitate rapid diffusion of bulky PET polymer chains through catalyst pores, overcoming typical mass-transport limitations in polymer depolymerization. Under optimized conditions (195°C, 80 min), the catalyst achieves complete PET conversion and an 89.89% yield of bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET), while reducing the activation energy to 102.3 kJ·mol −1 . The heterogeneous nature of the catalyst allows for easy recovery, demonstrating consistent performance in ten consecutive cycles. The high purity of the BHET product was verified by NMR, MS, and elemental analysis. This work provides a robust, efficient, and reusable catalytic system for PET glycolysis, highlighting the importance of tailored textural and acidic properties in catalyst design.
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS
·
2026
·
IF 5.4
Tianxiang Gao,Yan Zhu,Jian Zhao,Zhe Yang,Tao Shen,Mingrong Dong,Jinkun Liu,De-Quan Yang
Hierarchically structured composite hydrogels were fabricated by integrating a poly(vinyl alcohol)–hyaluronic acid (PVA–HA) network with a medical‑grade hydroentangled nonwoven (NW) scaffold, and trace amounts of ZnO/Fe 2 O 3 nanoparticles (ZnO/Fe 2 O 3 NPs, 2500/100 ppm). A simple dip‑pad–freeze–thaw process produced an interpenetrating hydrogel–fiber architecture that substantially reinforced the soft matrix while preserving high water uptake. Transmission electron microscopy revealed ultra‑small Fe 2 O 3 NPs (2–3 nm) homogeneously dispersed within the hydrogel network. These nanoparticles acted as nano‑spacers and hydrophilic centers, respectively, thereby modulating the polymer network density and free volume. Consequently, the equilibrium swelling ratio increased from ∼575% for the pristine PVA–HA hydrogel, to ∼650% for the ZnO/Fe 2 O 3 ‑loaded composite, while an appropriate water vapor transmission rate was maintained. X‑ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electron spin resonance measurements indicated that ZnO/Fe₂O₃ heterojunctions promoted efficient charge separation and enhanced reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation at the hydrogel–bacteria interface. This led to > 99% killing efficiency against both Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus at ultra‑low nanoparticle loadings, without compromising fibroblast viability. Overall, this study demonstrates how nanoscale inorganic inclusions and a fibrous scaffold can be combined to tailor the colloidal network structure, transport properties, and interfacial antibacterial performance of PVA‑based hydrogels, outlining a versatile route towards multifunctional soft materials.
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
·
2026
·
IF 6.6
Lingchao Wang,Yun Guo,Xiaofan Li,Hui Guo,Yinzhong Liu,Xiaotao Zhu,Yiyu Qiao,Xuechun Yang
Developed a unique Gd-doped Tourmaline@MOF-ZnO nanostructure that integrates a polarized core with a highly porous shell. • Achieved a massive response (890.31 to 100 ppm), fast kinetics (34 s/18 s), and a ppb-level detection limit (56.63 ppb) for n-butanol at 240 °C under UV activation. • The gas-sensing performance is significantly boosted through the synergistic combination of the MOF-derived porous architecture, Tourmaline polarization, Gd-induced oxygen vacancies, and UV activation. Reliable monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) demands gas sensors with fast response, high sensitivity, and excellent selectivity. To this end, we designed a novel gas-sensing material based on a Gd-doped Tourmaline@MOF-ZnO core–shell nanostructure. This structure integrates a Tourmaline core with a porous MOF-derived ZnO shell, further enhanced via Gd doping. The gas sensing properties were evaluated under both dark condition and UV activation. At the operating temperature of 240 °C with UV activation, the optimized sensor with 0.08 wt% Gd and 5 wt% Tourmaline (denoted as 0.08 wt% Gd-5 wt% TML@ZnO) exhibited a remarkable response of 890.31 to 100 ppm n-butanol. This value is 9.96 times higher than that of the pristine MOF-derived ZnO (89.43). Moreover, the sensor demonstrated fast response/recovery times (34 s/18 s), high selectivity, excellent long-term stability, and a low detection limit of 56.63 ppb. The outstanding performance underscores the considerable promise of the optimized Gd-doped Tourmaline@MOF-ZnO core–shell composite for practical ppb-level VOCs monitoring. This work provides an effective strategy for designing high-performance gas sensors through the synergistic integration of rare-earth doping and core–shell structural design. Download: Download high-res image (214KB) Download: Download full-size image
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
Materials Today Chemistry
·
2026
·
IF 7.4
Mengjiao Zhao,Xianjie Xu,Sheng Huang,Xiuquan Gu,Wufan Xuan
The CsCu 2 I 3 /ZnO-heterojunction-based sensor enables H 2 S detection with a response value of 0.83 at 1 ppm, with response and recovery times of 240 s and 834 s. • The CsCu 2 I 3 /ZnO heterojunction improves structural stability and ensures continuous and stable sensor response. • The CsCu 2 I 3 /ZnO-heterojunction-based sensor achieves self‐calibration for different H 2 S concentrations with 99% detection accuracy. Hydrogen sulfide (H 2 S), a colorless and toxic gas, poses serious health risks upon prolonged exposure, including damage to respiratory and cardiovascular systems, which can be fatal in severe cases. Current H 2 S sensors suffer from limited response, particularly in detecting ultra‐low concentrations. To overcome this limitation, we developed a CsCu 2 I 3 /ZnO heterojunction‐based gas sensor via vacuum evaporation. This composite material enables highly responsive H 2 S detection at room temperature. The heterojunction not only improves structural stability but also ensures continuous and stable sensor response. At 1 ppm H 2 S, the sensor exhibits a sensitivity of 0.72, the response value of 0.83, the limit of detection (LOD) of 14.25 ppb, with response and recovery times of 240 s and 834 s, respectively. Furthermore, an intelligent calibration framework was developed by integrating Gramian Angular Summation Fields with the AlexNet algorithm, operating as a robustness enhancer. The sensor achieves self‐calibration for different H 2 S concentrations with 99.33% detection accuracy through 5-Fold Cross-Validation, significantly enhancing quantification capability. These results demonstrate the excellent potential of our CsCu 2 I 3 /ZnO-heterojunction-based sensor in H 2 S monitoring. The combination of responsive materials with machine learning offers a robust strategy for advancing ultra‐low concentration gas detection technologies.
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
PACKAGING TECHNOLOGY AND SCIENCE
·
2026
·
IF 4.7
Wenting Gao,Bin Mu,Fangfang Yang,Yalong Li,Yu Tang,Zhihe Luo,Aiqin Wang
The potential of chitosan (CS) films for the preservation has been explored, and it is recognized as one of the promising approaches to enhancing the comprehensive capability of CS films for food control after incorporation of functional nanofillers. Herein, Rhodiola rosea extract/ZnO/palygorskite (RRE/ZnO/Pal) nanocomposites were facilely prepared and incorporated into CS matrix to obtain RRE/ZnO/Pal/CS (RZPC) composite films, in which ZnO/Pal nanocomposites were synthesized by a green phyto-mediated method followed by loading of R. rosea extract via a semi-dry grinding process to form organic/inorganic bioactive nanocomposites. The composite films exhibited significantly enhanced antioxidant, antibacterial, mechanical and UV-shielding properties compared with the pure CS film, as well as the maximum scavenging activities on hydroxyl radicals and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazine radicals of composite films were 92.85% ± 1.59% and 56.89% ± 0.56%, respectively. The antibacterial ratios of composite films containing 6.25% of RRE/ZnO/Pal nanocomposites were 94.92% ± 2.67% and 95.48% ± 2.08% for E. coli and S. aureus , respectively. In addition, the RZPC films effectively delayed browning and deterioration of bananas. This study provides a green method for construction of bioactive nanocomposites and new strategy to design multifunctional CS films for food preservation based on the synergistic effect of organic and inorganic components.
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS SCIENCE
·
2026
·
IF 4.4
Bai Haoshen,Chen Liyan,Jiao Wenxin,Zhang Ganghua,Kong Demei,Li Dezeng
Silver nanowires (AgNWs) are regarded as a new generation of photoelectric material for transparent conductive films (TCFs) to replace indium tin oxide (ITO), on account of their superior conductivity, flexibility and stability. However, challenges still remain in the applications of AgNW-based TCFs to realize a combined enhancement of both transmission and conductivity. Herein, three types of AgNWs–ZnO composite TCFs were specifically designed to improve photoelectric properties. Through employing structurally controllable ZnO modifications on AgNWs, the contact architecture between AgNWs was optimized, enhancing optical performance and electron transport within the network. The results show that: (1) AgNWs/ZnO (Type-Ⅰ) with AgNWs deposited on a ZnO-nanoparticle (NP) film reaches a sheet resistance of 27.6 Ω·sq −1 at a transmittance of 90.68%; (2) AgNWs@ZnO (Type-Ⅱ) with AgNWs encapsulated by ZnO NPs reaches 20.6 Ω·sq −1 at 87.59%; (3) AgNWs⊥ZnO (Type-Ⅲ) with AgNWs integrated with ZnO nanotrees (NTs) achieves 44.0 Ω·sq −1 at 89.60%. Furthermore, Type-Ⅰ TCFs show excellent photocatalysis, interfacial hydrophilicity, and flexibility. The comprehensive multifunctionality of AgNWs–ZnO composite TCFs proves the great potential for their development. Graphical abstract The alternative text for this image may have been generated using AI.
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
·
2026
·
IF 8.3
Qi Lei,Xiaowen Zhang,Zhenghongri Zhang,Liuxue Liang,Qihua Liang
Reliable detection of triethylamine (TEA), a hazardous amine compound, is critical for occupational health and environmental safety. Whilst metal oxide semiconductor sensors are favored for their scalability and low cost, their response and selectivity are often limited. Flower-like Co 3 O 4 /ZnO heterojunction microspheres were synthesised via a solvothermal method, and the experimental results showed that the Co 3 O 4 /ZnO-5 mol% sensor has excellent sensing performance. The response value of 50 ppm TEA at 180°C was 387.2, which was 18 times that of the pure ZnO sensor, and it also exhibited excellent selectivity and good moisture resistance. Furthermore, it has a detection limit of ppb and shows long-term stability. This Co 3 O 4 /ZnO sensor was further applied to food freshness assessment, enabling rapid determination of food freshness through quantitative detection of TEA released during the spoilage of fish and meat. Mechanism studies show that the formation of Co 3 O 4 /ZnO heterojunction enhances electron-hole transfer and charge transfer, continuously promotes oxygen activation into chemisorbed oxygen, and provides active sites for the redox reaction of TEA. This study contributes to the application of TEA sensors and accelerates the development of the integration of experiments and applications.
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
Polymers
·
2026
·Vol. 18
·期 11
·1316
·
IF 5.8
Xu Dong,Haijuan Zhu,Jianhua Zheng,Zhongliang Wang,Sihang Zhang
Developing a biodegradable film with integrated mechanical robustness and multifunctionality remains a significant challenge for sustainable food packaging. Herein, a pectin/carboxymethyl cellulose composite film (PNZxC) incorporated with zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO) was fabricated via a solution casting method to achieve the synergistic enhancement of structural and functional properties. ZnO exhibits dual functionality within the polymer matrix, serving both as a reinforcing filler and as a coordination interaction node via interactions with carboxyl groups. At an optimal loading, the PNZ2C film demonstrates a uniform dispersion of nanoparticles, facilitating the development of a dense network structure and enhancing intermolecular interactions. Consequently, the film showed reduced water vapor and oxygen permeability, attributable to the formation of tortuous diffusion pathways, together with increased surface hydrophobicity and a significantly improved tensile strength of 25.4 MPa. Enhanced thermal stability and excellent UV-blocking performance were also achieved. Notably, the optimized film demonstrated superior preservation performance in blueberry storage, effectively reducing moisture loss and delaying quality deterioration compared with the control. These findings provide new insights into the structure–property relationships of ZnO–polysaccharide nanocomposite systems and highlight a viable strategy for designing high-performance, biodegradable packaging materials with integrated multifunctionality.
✓ 已验证
DOI
PubMed
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF THE EUROPEAN CERAMIC SOCIETY
·
2026
·Vol. 47
·期 1
·118759
·
IF 6.3
Mingfei Cheng,Yiyang Cai,Changzhi Yin,Xiaoqiang Song,Jiaqing Yang,Weicheng Lei,Zihang Chen,Yaqing Hu,Yaodong Liu,Xiaoxiao Li,Wenzhong Lu,Wen Lei
The poor sinterability and intrinsically positive τ f of BaZr(PO 4 ) 2 ceramics were addressed by introducing ZnO as a sintering aid and property modifier. In a conventional solid-state reaction route, ZnO promoted liquid-phase sintering through the in situ formation of BaZn 2 (PO 4 ) 2 , enabling near-full densification (>99% relative density) at 1250 °C. The ZnO content strongly affected phase evolution, microstructure, and microwave dielectric properties. The Q × f value reached a maximum at ∼4 wt% ZnO and then decreased because of losses associated with the secondary phase and increased grain-boundary density. Notably, τ f could be systematically tuned from positive to negative values through compensation by the negative- τ f BaZn 2 (PO 4 ) 2 phase. The optimized composition (4 wt% ZnO) exhibited ε r ≈ 10.1, Q × f ≈ 36,300 GHz, and τ f ≈ +0.4 ppm/°C. These results identify a promising microwave dielectric material that can be densified at a lower temperature and establish a practical strategy for tailoring τ f in phosphate ceramics through controlled secondary-phase formation.
✓ 已验证
产品关联
DOI
高影响因子
危险品化学品经营许可证（带存储）