Nitric acid oxidation at various concentrations was used to change the surface chemistry of activated carbon fiber (ACF). Boehm titration, zeta potential results confirmed the presence of acidic functional groups on the surface of ACF. Physicochemical characterizations verified the growth of zinc oxide (ZnO) on surface-oxidized fiber. ZnO/ACF rods and flowers formed at pH 7 and 9 were used for decontamination of malathion at solution pH in the presence of ultrasonic waves and ultraviolet radiations. The disappearance of malathion in the solution followed pseudo-first-order kinetics. Total organic carbon analysis confirmed the decontamination of malathion in aqueous media.

We report on a new type of polymer electrolyte fuel cell based on a hydroxide ion conductive polymer combined with a non-noble chromium–nickel (Cr–Ni) catalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). We study variable fractions of Cr in Ni by density functional theory simulating the thermodynamic potentials characterizing the ORR. We found increased ORR catalytic activity employing the rotating disk electrode technique. The polarization curve and power densities measured for the constructed fuel cell indicate considerable performance improvement with the Cr–Ni catalyst. Thus we expect that this kind of fuel cell may open up alternative routes in fuel cell research using non-noble catalysts.

The goal of this work was to provide antimicrobial activity to polypropylene by covalent immobilization of lysozyme. The first step was the grafting of ethylene glycol dimethacrylate and glycidyl methacrylate through “grafting-from” method by means of γ-rays. Then those chemical groups were activated to allow the immobilization of lysozyme by Schiff bases. The activity of lysozyme showed an improvement by the remaining double bonds from the grafting. Finally, the presence of lysozyme was confirmed by the hydrolysis of Micrococcus lysodeikticus at different temperatures, pH values, and cycles. The new materials were characterized by infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis, contact angle, and by the surface morphology.

We have performed mechanical finishing operations on Sverker 21 (traditional) and Vanadis 6 (advanced powder) steel surfaces: grinding, turning, and turning followed by slide burnishing. Then each specimen was subjected in turn to focused ion beams of helium or krypton up to fluences of 1015 ions/cm2 and finally to scratch resistance testing. Acoustic signals show that krypton implantation reduces microcracks. Helium ions act even more strongly as homogenizers—almost completely eliminating the imperfections. Optical microscopy during scratch testing shows the force level when debris formation begins. Helium ions fitting between the iron atoms increase the resistance against scratching; larger krypton ions produce the opposite effect.

Epitaxial Sm0.6Nd0.4NiO3 thin films were grown on different substrates by pulsed laser deposition. X-ray diffraction indicates that for SLAO substrate, strain relaxation is accompanied by the creation of oxygen vacancies. The film resistivity on LaAlO3 and SrTiO3 substrates shows a clear insulator–metal transition (IMT) at 185 and 325 K, respectively, while the film is exclusively semiconducting on SrLaAlO4. At low temperatures, the conductivity of films deposited on SrLaAlO4 and SrTiO3 is described by the Mott variable-range hopping mechanism. With increasing film thickness, progressive tensile strain relaxation takes place, which in turn results in a gradual decrease in the IMT temperature.

By inserting a carbon chain, the geometric structure and electronic properties of carbon nanotube (CNT) would undergo a significant change. Numerous studies have conducted to experimentally find the insertion effect of carbon chains on CNTs. This paper in a theoretical way studied the geometry of carbon chains inserted CNTs and analyzed the mechanism for conductivity change after insertion of carbon chains. Results indicate that carbon chains in the innermost channel of the tube are effective methods for transforming the electrical properties of the CNT, leading to the redistribution of electron and thereby causing the conductivity change in obtained configurations.

In this paper, a single-band local surface plasmon mode resonance metamaterial filter is calculated and simulated. The damping constant of the gold film is optimized in simulations to eliminate the effects of the grain boundary and the surface scattering on the transmission property. The transmission property of the designed metamaterial filter can be enhanced through optimizing structural parameters (the vertical distance or radius of the gold particle). Two narrow transmission bands are achieved due to the electric field enhancement effect. The electric field enhancement factor η = |E|/|E 0| is used to reveal the electric field resonance strength change. Higher transmission peak and larger field enhancement factor can be achieved than the pure gold hole array structure.

The goal of this work was the modification of silicone rubber (SR) by radiation grafting of glycerol methacrylate (GlyMA) which was limited just on the surface, allowing the control of hydrophilicity and swelling properties. The grafted SRs were activated by derivatization of GlyMA to 2-oxoethyl methacrylate using sodium periodate, enabling the chemical immobilization of lysozyme by covalent bonds. The presence of lysozyme was confirmed by non-specific assay and by the enzymatic activity at 30 °C with Micrococcus lysodeikticus (coccus, Gram-positive). The materials were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy-attenuated total reflectance, thermogravimetric analysis, water contact angle, and by mechanical properties as well as scanning electron microscope.