Biopolymers such as PLA, ZnO nanoparticles and chitosan are materials that have some properties in common, such as oxidizing action, antimicrobial activity, biocompatibility and formation of a mechanical barrier, which make them promising for application in food packaging, as they ensure safety in contact with food. In this study, the antibacterial activity of pure PLA films and those incorporating chitosan, ZnO nanoparticles and both was analyzed for four strains (two Gram-positive and two Gram-negative bacteria) by the agar diffusion method, aiming to verify the action of each substance and their combination. The characterization of ZnO NPs was performed by XRD, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, UV-Vis, SEM and Zeta potential (ZP) methods. The results showed that the ZnO nanoparticles synthesized by the Pechinhi method, with calcination temperatures of 600 and 800ºC, presented a predominant morphology of nanorods and nanospheres, according to SEM images, with high purity and crystallinity. The PLA-based films presented a rough structure, with small pores, and the incorporation of chitosan and ZnO NPs was effective, which was proven by the SEM/EDS technique. The results showed that the films incorporated with ZnO NPs presented inhibition for Gram-positive bacteria in the range of 12.5 to 14 mm. common barrier packaging study Grampositive Gram positive Gramnegative negative method combination XRD FTIR spectroscopy UVVis, UVVis UV Vis, Vis UV-Vis ZP (ZP methods 60 800ºC ºC nanospheres images crystallinity PLAbased based structure pores effective SEMEDS EDS technique 125 12 5 12. 1 mm 6

Borate bioactive glasses are more soluble than silicate’s and convert rapidly and completely into hydroxyapatite (Ca5(PO4)3(OH)), being more suitable for wound healing applications than their silicate counterparts. In this work, the 45B5 composition (46.1 B2O3 – 26.9 CaO – 24.4 NaO – 2.6 P2O5, mol%)) were embedded into electrospun PHBV (Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate)) nanofibers by encapsulation and/or electrospray deposition aiming to produce a wound dressing with optimized bioactivity and antibacterial properties for wound healing applications. The fibers were characterized regarding their physical, structural, and thermal properties, and in vitro by L929 Mouse Fibroblast Cell Line adhesion, migration, and cytotoxicity and by its antibacterial activity against the bacteria S. aureus. The set of characterizations evidences that the encapsulation method was the most promising for the 45B5 embedding into PHBV nanofibers, as it produced a wound dressing with great loading efficiency (70%) with a highly hydrophilic surface, leading to expressive adhesion, migration, and viability of L929 cells and antibacterial activity. Thus, the nanofibers produced by the encapsulation method alone provided a dressing with high potential in wound healing management. silicates s Ca5PO43OH, Ca5PO43OH CaPOOH Ca5 PO4 3 OH , Ca PO (Ca5(PO4)3(OH)) counterparts work B 45B 46.1 461 46 1 (46. BO O B2O 269 26 9 26. 244 24 4 24. 2 6 2. P2O5 P mol% mol mol%) Poly3hydroxybutyrateco3hydroxyvalerate Polyhydroxybutyratecohydroxyvalerate Poly hydroxybutyrate co hydroxyvalerate (Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) andor or physical structural L L92 adhesion migration S aureus 70% 70 (70% surface Thus management (Ca5(PO4)3(OH) 46. (46 P2O hydroxybutyrateco (Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate L9 7 (70 (Ca5(PO4)3(OH (4 (7 (

In this study, electrospun nanofibers of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) were produced with the addition of [6,6]-phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (PCBM) and poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT), for application as a nanostructured active layer of bulk heterojunction polymer with fullerene and polythiophene derivatives in third-generation photovoltaic devices. The electrospinning technique was used to favor the formation of the β phase, exhibiting ferroelectric properties, improving the electrical performance of the device. The morphological, structural and electrical characteristics of the nanofibers were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and DC electrical measurements. The synergism between nanofiber processing and the addition of P3HT and PCBM improved electrical conductivity by up to three orders of magnitude, furthermore, the nanofibers incorporating P3HT exhibited responses to solar stimuli. study polyvinylidene poly vinylidene fluoride PVDF (PVDF 6,6phenylC61butyric 66phenylC61butyric phenylCbutyric 6,6 phenyl C61 butyric 6 C (PCBM poly3hexylthiophene polyhexylthiophene 3 hexylthiophene poly(3-hexylthiophene P3HT, PHT , P HT (P3HT) thirdgeneration third generation devices phase properties device morphological SEM, SEM (SEM) FTIR (FTIR measurements magnitude furthermore stimuli 6phenylC61butyric phenylC 66 6, C6 (P3HT (SEM

This work evaluates how adding cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) in the synthesis affects the physical and chemical features of Ni/CeO2 catalysts. The samples were characterized by the Rietveld refinement from X-ray diffraction (XRD) and showed a decrease in the crystallite size and an increase in the microstrain from 5.9 to 7.5 x 10-3. Nitrogen physisorption analysis was used to obtain the pore size distribution by the BJH method, varying the pore size between 8 and 12 nm. Raman spectroscopy was employed to confirm the fluorite structure arrangement of ceria and the number of vacancies in the bulk phase, where the ratio from vibrational modes related to defects and oxygen vacancies increased from 0.488 to 0.516 ratio. With the spectra obtained from X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), it was possible to observe the distribution of metals on the surface of the samples and their oxidative states, providing clues about the quantity of vacancies. Samples with higher concentrations of CTAB obtained higher values of Ce3+, reaching a 0.45 ratio on the surface. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed that the addition of CTAB formed more irregular shape grains, reaching 20 μm of medium size for all the samples. (CTAB NiCeO2 NiCeO Ni CeO2 CeO Ni/CeO catalysts Xray X ray XRD (XRD 59 5 9 5. 75 7 7. 103. 103 10 3. 3 10-3 method 1 nm phase 0488 0 488 0.48 0516 516 0.51 XPS, XPS , (XPS) states Ce3 Ce Ce3+ 045 45 0.4 SEM (SEM grains 2 10- 048 48 051 51 0.5 (XPS 04 4 0. 05

Alum sludge (AS) from water treatment plants is an abundant, non-toxic residue with high Si and Al contents. These characteristics make it an ideal precursor for zeolite synthesis, not only reducing the environmental impacts from AS disposal but also adding value to the waste by promoting its reuse. Herein, we propose a route to prepare zeolitic materials from AS, aiming for its application as a component of slow-release fertilizers, using mild conditions and cost-effective hydrothermal synthesis. X-Ray Diffraction revealed the formation of sodalite (Na-SOD) in short times (5-10 h) and moderate temperatures (100-120ºC), with sodium silicate addition favoring Si-quartz consumption and zeolite crystallization, without a fusion step. The Na-SOD showed a desirable cation exchange capacity, reaching 117 mg g-1 for K+. A K-SOD fertilizer was then prepared with an average 490 nm size, 2 m2 g-1 BET surface area, and slow-release behavior. Incubation in soil confirmed that Al was inactive in K-SOD and did not immobilize phosphate, in addition to promoting high K+ availability. The results support the potential of AS reuse for application in agriculture as an efficient and sustainable fertilizer. (AS abundant nontoxic non toxic contents synthesis Herein slowrelease slow release fertilizers costeffective cost effective XRay X Ray NaSOD Na SOD (Na-SOD 510 5 10 (5-1 h 100120ºC, 100120ºC ºC 100 120ºC , (100-120ºC) Siquartz quartz crystallization step capacity 11 g1 g 1 g- K KSOD 49 size m area behavior phosphate availability 51 (5- (100-120ºC 4 (5 (

Piezoelectric ultrasonic sensors used in Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) systems are usually attached to components by using adhesives with intrinsic properties that end up affecting their frequency-response. In this work, the electromechanical impedance of sensors attached to an aluminum sheet with three different epoxy resins was monitored during curing. Impedance change indexes (CIs) were calculated and compared with cure degree estimations from Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Results show that resonance frequencies were displaced by up to 30 kHz, and amplitudes changed considerably during the curing process of the selected resins. Results indicate that certain CIs show a high positive correlation value (R=0.96) with DSC data, and could therefore be used in practical applications to evaluate the curing status of the adhesive in SHM applications. (SHM frequencyresponse. frequencyresponse frequency response. response frequency-response work (CIs DSC. . (DSC) 3 kHz R=0.96 R096 R 0 96 (R=0.96 data (DSC R=0.9 R09 9 (R=0.9 R=0. R0 (R=0. R=0 (R=0 R= (R= (R

The influence of polyacrylamide and multi-wall carbon nanotubes as binders for the granulation process for iron ore sintering was investigated in conditions of high proportions of ultrafine (< 0.150 mm). The binders were added to the sintering mixtures composed of 20 and 40 wt.% pellet feed and then subjected to granulation tests in an HPS laboratory scale route. The granules obtained were analyzed by particle size, shatter test (degradation), and cold permeability after granulation, degradation, and drying. A decrease in the granules’ size with the addition of polyacrylamide was observed due to decreased granulation efficiency, leading to low cold permeability of the granules. Adding nanotubes dispersed in burnt lime resulted in the improvement of the granulation process, presenting larger, more resistant and more permeable (before/after degradation) granules. After drying, the bed permeability of granules produced using polyacrylamide or nanotubes decreased significantly, pointing to low performance in the sintering dry zone. multiwall multi wall < ( 0150 0 150 0.15 mm. mm . mm) 2 4 wt wt. route degradation , (degradation) drying efficiency larger before/after beforeafter before significantly zone 015 15 0.1 (degradation 01 1 0.

Calcium hexaluminate (CA6) presents a wide application in high-temperature thermal insulation. Despite the high porosity levels achieved, the use of carbonated precursors in its synthesis inevitably produces CO2 as a by-product. CA6 was produced by combining different sources of alumina (α-Al2O3 and ρ-Al2O3) and lime (CaCO3, Ca(OH)2, and CaO) in aqueous suspensions that were cast and sintered to evaluate these routes on its physical properties. The products attained after sintering at 1550 and 1600 °C were characterized for crystal phases, real density, particle morphology, uniaxial compressive strength, apparent porosity, and pore size distribution. Part of the samples sintered at 1600 °C was subjected to a thermal shock test and was then evaluated for residual strength under diametrical compression, apparent porosity, pore size distribution, and flexural elastic modulus. The CA6 samples produced from α-Al2O3 presented lower pore fraction and higher mechanical strength and modulus of elasticity. The superior properties of the materials produced with α-alumina were maintained after thermal shock. The acicular geometry of the CA6 particles is related to their excellent thermal shock resistance and mechanical performance. The results indicated a more environmentally friendly system produced from α-Al2O3-CaO for industrial applications of high-temperature thermal insulation resistant to thermal shock damage. CA (CA6 hightemperature temperature achieved CO byproduct. byproduct product. product by-product αAl2O3 αAlO α Al2O3 Al O (α-Al2O ρAl2O3 ρAlO ρ ρ-Al2O3 CaCO3, CaCO3 CaCO (CaCO3 CaOH2, CaOH2 CaOH Ca OH 2, 2 Ca(OH)2 CaO 155 160 C phases density morphology distribution compression α-Al2O elasticity αalumina performance αAl2O3CaO αAlOCaO damage (CA αAl αAl2O AlO Al2O ρAl ρAl2O ρ-Al2O (CaCO Ca(OH) 15 16 Ca(OH 1

The effect of ammonium bicarbonate (AB) and polyethylene wax (PW) on the physicochemical properties of macroporous biphasic calcium phosphate bioceramics (BCPs) processed by space-holder technique was investigated. BCP powder was mixed with AB and PW and, then, uniaxially cold-pressed at 300 MPa. AB and PW were eliminated by heat treatment at 170°C for 2 hours or 550°C for 4 hours, respectively. Subsequently, the samples were air-sintered at 1070ºC for 2 hours. The results revealed that AB is more attractive than PW due to its lower degradation temperature, which has avoided the formation of undesirable phases. In addition, it favored an adequate consolidation of the particles with the formation of sintering necks that provided a better mechanical resistance to handling. The samples with AB also presented the formation of uniformly distributed macro and microporosity in great extension, which is shown by literature as a fundamental combination to stimulate cells/scaffold interaction. (AB (PW BCPs (BCPs spaceholder space holder investigated then coldpressed cold pressed 30 MPa 170C C 170 550C 550 respectively Subsequently airsintered air sintered ºC temperature phases addition handling extension cellsscaffold cells scaffold interaction 3 17 55 1 5

Aluminium Metal Matrix Composites (AMMCs) reinforced with a particulate form of reinforcement have emerged as a replacement for monolithic alloys in various engineering industries due to their superior mechanical properties and customizable thermal and electrical characteristics. Silicon Carbide (SiC), is renowned for its high-temperature strength, hardness, wear resistance, excellent oxidation resistance, chemical resistance, low thermal expansion, high thermal conductivity, and compatibility with aluminium alloy find extensive utilization in Shipbuilding industries. The necessity for joining AMMCs arises in numerous engineering applications. Friction Stir Welding (FSW) emerges as one of the most fitting welding processes for joining AMMCs reinforced with particulate forms of ceramics without compromising their superior mechanical properties. This study endeavours to establish regression models predicting the Ultimate Tensile Strength (UTS), Percent Elongation (PE), and Weld Nugget Hardness (WNH) of friction stir welded AA6092 matrix composite reinforced with Silicon Carbide particles (SiC). The models correlate significant parameters such as tool rotational speed (TRS), welding speed (WS), axial force (AF), and percentage of SiC reinforcement in the AA6092 metal matrix. Statistical software Design Expert, along with analysis of variance (ANOVA) and student’s t-test, is employed to validate the developed models. It is observed from the investigation that these factors independently influence the UTS, PE, and WNH of the friction stir welded composite joints. The developed regression models are optimized to maximize the UTS and WNH of friction stir welded AA6092/SiC composite joints. (AMMCs characteristics SiC, , (SiC) hightemperature temperature strength hardness resistance expansion conductivity applications FSW (FSW (UTS) PE (PE) (WNH AA AA609 SiC. . TRS, TRS (TRS) WS, WS (WS) AF, AF (AF) Expert ANOVA (ANOVA students student s ttest, ttest t test, test t-test joints AA6092SiC AASiC (SiC (UTS (PE AA60 (TRS (WS (AF AA6

In this study, the surface of ZL104 was ultrasonically rolled (USRP) to provide better overall mechanical properties and corrosion resistance. USRP experiments were conducted on the surface by setting different parameters to improve the performance of ZL104 after strengthening. The results of the gradient residual stress test showed that the specimen with parameter 350N, 4-pass had 95.5% increase in residual stress and better fatigue resistance. The corrosion resistance of the specimen with a parameter of 500N, 3-pass was superior to that of the original specimen, with an increase of about 50%. The surface roughness test results showed that the surface roughness was reduced by about 38%-50% after USRP treatment. Meanwhile, the microstructure (OM, SEM) results showed that the surface grains were refined and the hardness increased from 105.45HV to 197.61 HV after USRP processing, and the properties were optimized. study ZL ZL10 (USRP strengthening 350N N 4pass pass 4 955 95 5 95.5 500N 3pass 3 50 50% 38%50% 3850 38% 38 38%-50 treatment Meanwhile OM, OM (OM SEM 10545HV 105 45HV 19761 197 61 197.6 processing optimized ZL1 9 95. 38%50 385 38%-5 10 1976 19 6 197. 38%5 38%- 1

The novelty of the present study lies in synthesized ZnO film in a single step by chemical bath deposition. The typical conversion of zinc hydroxide (Zn(OH)2) into ZnO material through thermal annealing is not required. A direct synthesis has achieved using four different zinc salt sources, yielding equivalent results. All the synthesized ZnO films were non-specular and adhered well to the glass slide substrates. We present the results of the structural, optical, and morphological characterization techniques. These revealed a hexagonal structure, a band-gap energy of around 3.2 eV, and a hexagonal nanorod shape for all the synthesized ZnO films. deposition ZnOH2 ZnOH Zn OH 2 (Zn(OH)2 required sources nonspecular non specular substrates structural optical techniques structure bandgap band gap 32 3 3. eV (Zn(OH) (Zn(OH

A highly efficient NiFe2O4/TiO2 nanofibrous photocatalyst was prepared by a simultaneous solution blow spinning method. The hybrid fibers were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, and magnetometry. The photocatalytic properties were evaluated using Crystal violet (CV) and Congo red (CR) dyes under visible light irradiation. Fibers calcined at 600 ºC and 700 ºC showed the highest CV decolorization (77%). On the other hand, for CR, the best performance was encountered with the photocatalysts heat-treated at 500 ºC, which exhibited photocatalytic degradation of 87% after only 30 min of visible light irradiation. The high reaction rates (0.018 to 0.067 min-1) explain the fast decolorization yielded by the combined effect of adsorption and photocatalytic processes. Moreover, recyclability assays showed stable CR dye efficiency after five recycling cycles. Therefore, the NiFe2O4/TiO2 nanofibers present a high potential for application in the decolorization treatment of wastewater from the textile industry. NiFe2O4TiO2 NiFeOTiO NiFe2O4 TiO2 NiFe O TiO NiFe2O4/TiO method SEM, SEM , (SEM) Xray X ray XRD, XRD (XRD) spectroscopy magnetometry (CV (CR irradiation 60 70 77%. 77 77% . (77%) hand heattreated heat treated 50 87 3 0.018 0018 0 018 (0.01 0067 067 0.06 min1 1 min-1 processes Moreover cycles Therefore industry NiFe2O4TiO NiFeO NiFe2O (SEM (XRD 6 7 (77% 5 8 0.01 001 01 (0.0 006 06 0.0 min- (77 00 (0. 0. (7 (0 (

The integration of Inconel 718 (IN718) and Cold Metal Transfer (CMT) based wire + arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) for wall fabrication with a near-net shape and low buy-to-fly ratio presents a novel and promising approach with potential applications in various industrial sectors, including aerospace and automotive industries. This research aims to investigate the microstructure and mechanical anisotropy of thin-walled IN718 components that were produced using CMT based WAAM, and to compare the properties of as-deposited and heat-treated samples that underwent aerospace (AMS5663) procedures. To characterize the microstructure of the specimens, we employed optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and an element probe microanalyzer (EPMA). Tensile and hardness tests were conducted to evaluate the mechanical properties of the specimens. Our results revealed that the as-deposited samples exhibited a dendritic microstructure with a high degree of segregation, leading to lower mechanical strength than that of the heat-treated specimens. Precipitated heat treatment promoted the precipitation of strengthening phases, such as gamma prime and carbides, improving the mechanical properties. In contrast, the precipitated heat-treated specimens exhibited a more refined microstructure with equiaxed grains and a significantly enhanced mechanical strength. This study provides critical insights into optimizing the material for different applications, leading to the development of more efficient and effective parts. 71 IN (IN718 (CMT WAAM (WAAM nearnet near net buytofly buy fly sectors industries thinwalled thin walled IN71 asdeposited deposited heattreated treated AMS5663 AMS (AMS5663 procedures SEM (SEM EDS (EDS EPMA. EPMA . (EPMA) segregation phases carbides contrast parts 7 (IN71 IN7 AMS566 (AMS566 (EPMA (IN7 AMS56 (AMS56 (IN AMS5 (AMS5 (AMS

Ferroelectric thin films of 0.2BaTiO3 – 0.8BaZr0.5Ti0.5O3 (BT-BZT) are dielectric materials applied in various sensors, particularly in capacitor manufacturing, due to their excellent electrical properties. This ferroelectric material also has a high dielectric constant value, such that it is suitable for use in Ferroelectric Random Access Memory (FeRAM) and microwaves. Therefore, this study aimed to synthesize thin BT-BZT films with annealing temperature variations of 700 °C, 750 °C, and 800 °C. To achieve this, the sol-gel method was applied to Fluorine Doped Tin Oxide (FTO) substrate, a selected technique for its simplicity and cost-effectiveness. The electrochemical properties were characterized using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The research results show that at a frequency of 100 Hz, the highest dielectric constant obtained was 58975.43 at a temperature of 800 °C. This temperature has the highest resistance compared to other samples. The highest capacitance value is 2.9 µF at a temperature of 700 oC. Therefore, it was concluded that the annealing temperature influenced the dielectric constant and the capacitance values of the capacitor. 02BaTiO3 BaTiO 0 2BaTiO3 0.2BaTiO 08BaZr05Ti05O3 BaZrTiO 8BaZr0 5Ti0 5O3 BaZr Ti O 0.8BaZr0.5Ti0.5O BTBZT BT BZT (BT-BZT sensors manufacturing FeRAM (FeRAM microwaves Therefore 70 C °C 75 80 solgel sol gel FTO (FTO substrate costeffectiveness. costeffectiveness cost effectiveness. effectiveness cost-effectiveness EIS. EIS . (EIS) 10 Hz 5897543 58975 43 58975.4 samples 29 2 9 2. oC 02BaTiO 2BaTiO 08BaZr05Ti05O 8BaZr 5Ti 5O 7 8 (EIS 1 589754 5897 4 58975. 589 58 5