Materials Chemistry and Physics最新文献

{"title":"Role of hygroscopic nanofillers and plasticizer in enhancing ionic transport and structural stability of plasticized chitosan-based nanocomposite polymer electrolyte membranes for fuel cells","authors":"Qamber Ali ,&nbsp;Taweesak Boonsod ,&nbsp;Rojana Pornprasertsuk ,&nbsp;Wanwisa Limphirat ,&nbsp;Wirach Taweepreda ,&nbsp;Kanoktip Boonkerd","doi":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2026.132212","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2026.132212","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The growing demand for high-performance, environmentally friendly, and cost-effective polymer electrolyte membranes (PEMs) has driven increasing interest in natural polymer-based materials. Chitosan (CS), a renewable and biodegradable biopolymer, offers a promising alternative to conventional synthetic PEMs but suffers from limited proton conductivity and stability. This work systematically investigated the incorporation of hygroscopic nanofiller (calcium oxide nanofiller, CaO–NF) and plasticizer (ethylene carbonate, EC) into a CS matrix and their effects on PEMs’ performance. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analysis confirmed the formation of hydrogen-bonding interactions among the CS matrix, CaO–NF, and EC. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) revealed a homogeneous dispersion of CaO–NF throughout the CS matrix. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis showed that the incorporation of CaO–NF and EC promoted the formation of amorphous region in the CS matrix, facilitating ion transport and resulting in a high ion-exchange capacity (IEC) of 3.5 meq.g⁻¹ and a proton conductivity of 166 mS cm⁻¹ for the CS/CaO₁/EC₁ membrane. Arrhenius analysis revealed a reduction in activation energy upon the incorporation of an optimized amount of nanofiller and plasticizer, confirming enhanced ion transport efficiency within the membrane matrix. The maximum chemical stability was achieved with the incorporation of 1 wt% CaO–NF, extending membrane durability to 86 h compared with 70 h for the pristine CS membrane; however, the stability decreased when EC was added to the CS/CaO₁ membrane. Based on comparisons with commercial PEMs reported in the literature, the CS/CaO₁/EC₁ membrane exhibited competitive proton conductivity together with excellent thermal stability, chemical stability, and mechanical properties, highlighting its potential for high-performance fuel cell applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18227,"journal":{"name":"Materials Chemistry and Physics","volume":"354 ","pages":"Article 132212"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146191915","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Influence of heat treatment on the microstructural evolution, mechanical behaviour and strengthening mechanisms of additively manufactured AlSi9Cu3 alloy","authors":"R. Ramesh ,&nbsp;Saurabh Gairola ,&nbsp;R. Jayaganthan ,&nbsp;M. Kamaraj","doi":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2026.132140","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2026.132140","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The present study focuses on AlSi9Cu3 alloy produced using the Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF). The components produced using LPBF have higher dislocation density due to cyclic heating that occurs during printing. Heat Treatment is crucial for lowering the dislocation density by homogenising the microstructure and enhancing mechanical properties. The alloy in its as-built condition is subjected to various heat treatments (stress relief, solution treatment and T6 aging treatment) and the hardness, tensile strength, and fracture toughness, along with their corresponding strengthening mechanisms, were examined in relation to its microstructural evolution. The alloy in as-built condition exhibits a hardness of 137 HV and a tensile strength of 487 MPa, attributed to the presence of Si network and a higher dislocation density. Stress relief treatment reduced the strength and hardness due to the fragmentation of the Si network, while solution treatment homogenized the microstructure. In the T6 condition, the formation of very fine Al₂Cu precipitates restores the hardness, tensile strength, and fracture toughness. Dislocation and Si-network strengthening, as well as precipitation strengthening mechanisms, are the dominant mechanisms in the as-built condition and T6 conditions, respectively.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18227,"journal":{"name":"Materials Chemistry and Physics","volume":"354 ","pages":"Article 132140"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146192206","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Broad table-like magnetocaloric effect in Gd(Mn,V)Si just above room temperature","authors":"S.P. Platonov ,&nbsp;A.G. Kuchin ,&nbsp;R.D. Mukhachev ,&nbsp;A.V. Lukoyanov ,&nbsp;M. Yu. Yakovleva ,&nbsp;V.S. Gaviko ,&nbsp;A.S. Volegov","doi":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2026.132221","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2026.132221","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>New intermetallic compounds with the composition GdMn_1-<em>x</em>V_<em>x</em>Si (<em>x</em> = 0, 0.02, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4), with a tetragonal CeFeSi-type structure (space group <em>P</em>4/<em>nmm</em>) have been synthesized. For the compositions with <em>x</em> = 0, 0.02, 0.05 two magnetic ordering temperatures are observed for the Gd and 3<em>d</em> subsystems, which decrease from 270 to 225 K and increase from 320 to 340 K, respectively. The table-like magnetocaloric effect MCE at the Curie point <em>Т</em>_С for GdMn_1-<em>x</em>V_<em>x</em>Si varies in a narrow range from 1.8 J/kgK to 2 J/kgK for <em>x</em> = 0-0.4, while <em>Т</em>_С varies in the range 320-365 K. Consequently, the total half-width of all peaks of the MCE(<em>T</em>) varies in a wide range of 300-380 K. The GdMn_1-<em>x</em>V_<em>x</em>Si compounds (<em>x</em> = 0–0.4) in cassette form may be of interest as working materials for household magnetic refrigerators for cooling from elevated room temperatures to more comfortable temperatures of about 300 K. Our theoretical modeling within the DFT + U method reveals that the most energetically favorable configuration in the 3<em>d</em> subsystem of GdMn_1-<em>x</em>V_<em>x</em>Si is an anticollinear arrangement in pairs of the nearest neighbors of transition metals. The magnetic moment on vanadium appears when it is in the close environment of the manganese ion, which means configurations with such pairs are lower in energy. The magnetic moment of vanadium (1.05 μ_B) is significantly lower than the moment of manganese (2.82 μ_B), which explains the sharp reduction of both the calculated total magnetic moment and measured demagnetization of the GdMn_1-xV_xSi system.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18227,"journal":{"name":"Materials Chemistry and Physics","volume":"354 ","pages":"Article 132221"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146191629","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Investigating superplastic deformation mechanisms in HC1000/1470DP advanced high-strength steel through high-temperature tensile and bulge forming tests","authors":"Tianmin Li ,&nbsp;Jiahui Wang ,&nbsp;Xiaoting Xu ,&nbsp;Qingbo Yang ,&nbsp;Chunxu Wang ,&nbsp;Liqiang Zhan ,&nbsp;Tongxu Zhou ,&nbsp;Daili Yang ,&nbsp;Kaijia Zhang ,&nbsp;Guofeng Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2026.132213","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2026.132213","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This paper systematically investigates the superplastic deformation behavior and mechanisms of HC1000/1470DP dual-phase high-strength steel. Through high-temperature tensile tests and gas pressure bulge forming experiments, combined with microstructural analyses such as electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), its deformation performance and microstructural evolution under conditions of 700–775 °C and 0.0001-0.01 s⁻¹ were comprehensively evaluated. The results show that the maximum elongation of 345% was achieved at 750 °C and 0.0033s⁻¹, with a strain rate sensitivity index (m-value) of 0.32 and a deformation activation energy of approximately 152.6 kJ/mol, where the characteristic parameters are consistent with grain boundary sliding. Based on the dynamic material model, a thermal processing map was constructed and process parameters were optimized. Box-shaped bulge parts with depths of 20 mm and 30 mm were successfully fabricated at 750 °C and 3.3 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹.After bulging, significant dynamic recrystallization occurred at the bottom, accompanied by a decrease in martensite content and dislocation density, leading to a reduction in mechanical properties, with the thinning rate of the 30 mm part reaching nearly 80%. This study clarifies the grain boundary sliding -dominated superplastic deformation mechanism of this steel, providing a basis for its hot forming applications in lightweight automotive components.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18227,"journal":{"name":"Materials Chemistry and Physics","volume":"354 ","pages":"Article 132213"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146191628","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Star-shaped donor-acceptor arylsilanes as 3D ambipolar materials for optoelectronic and bioelectronic applications","authors":"Dmitry O. Balakirev ,&nbsp;Elena A. Kleymyuk ,&nbsp;Evgenia A. Svidchenko ,&nbsp;Nikolay M. Surin ,&nbsp;Sergey A. Pisarev ,&nbsp;Artem V. Bakirov ,&nbsp;Yulia A. Isaeva ,&nbsp;Michael D. Khitrov ,&nbsp;Artur L. Mannanov ,&nbsp;Svetlana M. Peregudova ,&nbsp;Anastasia A. Vetyugova ,&nbsp;Askold A. Trul ,&nbsp;Olga A. Maloshitskaya ,&nbsp;Sergei A. Ponomarenko ,&nbsp;Yuriy N. Luponosov","doi":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2026.132152","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2026.132152","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Novel donor-acceptor arylsilane molecules, <strong>Si(PP-DCV)4</strong> and <strong>Si(PT-DCV)4</strong>, featuring three-dimensional star-shaped geometries, were synthesized and investigated in comparison to model compounds. These compounds, comprising a tetraphenylsilane core linked to terminal phenyldicyanovinyl groups through phenylene or thienyl π-spacers, exhibit a range of promising physicochemical properties, including high thermal stability (up to 490 °C), deep-lying HOMO energy levels (up to −6.4 eV), ambipolar charge carrier mobility, efficient light absorption, and high crystallinity. A comprehensive experimental and theoretical investigation, in comparison to model compounds, revealed the nonordinal optical properties of these compounds, elucidating the nature of electronic transitions and fluorescence efficiency. Substitution of the phenylene spacer with a thiophene spacer led to significant changes, including a red shift in the absorption spectrum, an increased extinction coefficient, lower HOMO energy levels, enhanced crystallinity, and improved ambipolar charge carrier mobility in films. Additionally, the polar and amphiphilic nature of these donor-acceptor molecules enabled the formation of stable nanoparticles (50–110 nm) in aqueous solutions without surfactants. These findings highlight the potential of these materials for applications in optoelectronic and biological applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18227,"journal":{"name":"Materials Chemistry and Physics","volume":"354 ","pages":"Article 132152"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146190778","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Nickel pyrophosphate: Development, physicochemical properties and theoretical perspectives for energy storage and catalysis","authors":"Chaimaa Moukhfi ,&nbsp;Abdelmalek Matine ,&nbsp;Adil Chakir ,&nbsp;Youssef Ghandi ,&nbsp;Ali Barhoumi ,&nbsp;Soufiane Zerraf ,&nbsp;Mohamed Elalaoui Belghiti ,&nbsp;Brahim El Bali ,&nbsp;Said Belaaouad","doi":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.132004","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2025.132004","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>This study focuses on the synthesis and characterization of nickel pyrophosphate (Ni₂P₂O₇), a promising material for energy storage and catalysis applications. Ni₂P₂O₇ was prepared by solid-state reaction from nickel oxide and phosphate, followed by extensive characterization by different experimental and theoretical techniques. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the formation of a monoclinic α-Ni₂P₂O₇ phase. Infrared and UV–Visible spectroscopy revealed the vibrational and optical properties of the material. Morphological analysis by transmission electron microscopy revealed a heterogeneous structure with grains ranging in size from 155 to 541 nm.</div><div>Theoretical calculations based on density functional theory allowed us to examine the chemical reactivity of Ni₂P₂O₇, revealing good stability of the material. The study of the molecular electrostatic surface and Hirshfeld analysis highlighted the active sites of the material, essential for its catalytic and electrochemical performances. Additionally, Monte Carlo simulations were conducted to evaluate the hydrogen adsorption on the Ni₂P₂O₇ (110) surface, showing an improvement in the adsorption efficiency with increasing H₂ concentration. These results highlight the potential of Ni₂P₂O₇ for applications in energy storage and conversion technologies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18227,"journal":{"name":"Materials Chemistry and Physics","volume":"354 ","pages":"Article 132004"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146191526","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Tailoring concentration of copper oxide materials to optimizing the morphological and electrochemical properties for symmetric supercapacitor devices","authors":"Pooja A. Desai ,&nbsp;Aishwarya A. Admuthe ,&nbsp;Dhanaji B. Malavekar ,&nbsp;Jin H. Kim ,&nbsp;Raghunath H. Patil","doi":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2026.132138","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2026.132138","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The growing global demand for sustainable and efficient energy systems has intensified the need for high-performance energy storage devices such as supercapacitors. In this study, copper oxide (CuO) thin films were synthesized on stainless steel (SS) substrates using a hydrothermal approach followed by annealing at 300 °C. The influence of Cu-precursor molarity on the structural, morphological, and electrochemical properties of the CuO thin films was systematically investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the formation of monoclinic CuO with a polycrystalline phase, favourable for electrochemical charge storage. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) revealed that precursor concentration strongly affects surface morphology, while the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) study indicated that the 0.15 M CuO thin film possesses a high surface area of 24 m²g^-1 with mesoporous characteristics. XPS analysis confirmed the formation of phase-pure CuO with Cu existing predominantly in the Cu²⁺ oxidation state (characteristic Cu 2p_3/2, Cu 2p_1/2 splitting of ∼19.8 eV and distinct satellite peaks), while the O 1s spectrum revealed lattice oxygen along with oxygen-vacancy-related and surface hydroxyl components, indicating defect-rich CuO thin films. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) confirmed the successful formation of CuO, and energy-dispersive X-ray (EDS) analysis verified the presence of Cu and O elements. Electrochemical testing in 1 M KOH electrolyte showed that the CuO thin film with 0.15 M precursor concentration exhibited an excellent specific capacitance (C_s) of 558 Fg^-1 at a scan rate of 5 mV/s and 299 Fg^-1 at a current density of 6 Ag^-1. The CuO//CuO symmetric supercapacitor device delivered a specific capacitance of 84 Fg^-1 at 5 mV/s within a potential window of 0–1.2 V and demonstrated 75.7 % capacitance retention after 2000 charge–discharge cycles. These results highlight that CuO thin films synthesized via the hydrothermal method are promising electrode materials for high-performance supercapacitors and energy storage applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18227,"journal":{"name":"Materials Chemistry and Physics","volume":"354 ","pages":"Article 132138"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146191535","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Benzothiazole-conjugated perylene diimide/functionalized reduced graphene oxide composite electrode for flexible supercapacitors","authors":"Sudhir D. Jagadale ,&nbsp;Sidhanath V. Bhosale ,&nbsp;Sheshanath V. Bhosale","doi":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2026.132170","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2026.132170","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The development of flexible devices based on organic small molecules (OSMs) will be a crucial advantage in modern portable and wearable electronic appliances. In this work, we investigate the energy storage capacity of benzothiazole functionalized perylene diimides such as 2,9-bis(6-methoxybenzo[<em>d</em>]thiazol-2-yl)anthra[2,1,9-def:6,5,10-d'e'f'] diisoquin oline-1,3,8,10(2H,9H)-tetraone (PDI-BTH1) and 2,9-bis(6-hydroxybenzo[<em>d</em>]thiazol-2-yl)anthra[2,1,9-def:6,5,10-d'e'f'] diisoquinoline-1,3,8,10(2H,9H)-tetraone (PDI-BTH2)-reduced graphene oxide (rGO) composite-based electrode materials. The PDI-BTH1/rGO and PDI-BTH2/rGO- based three-electrode supercapacitor (SC) device delivered excellent specific capacitance (<em>C</em>_sp) of about 350 and 295.92 F g⁻¹ at 1 A g⁻¹ current density. The presence of the methoxy (–OCH₃) group in the organic molecular skeleton influences the <em>C</em>_sp of the electrode in the SC device. Moreover, in two-electrode PDI-BTH1/rGO//PDI-BTH1/rGO symmetric supercapacitor devices at 0.5 A g⁻¹ offers remarkable <em>C</em>_sp of 321.08 F g⁻¹ and outstanding energy density (ED) of 57.79 Wh kg⁻¹ at 1079.37 W kg⁻¹ power density (PD) with impressive cycling stability of 106.74% after 10000 gravimetric charging and discharging (GCD) cycles. Furthermore, the flexible device has been developed by depositing the PDI-BTH1/rGO electrode layer on graphite foil (GF). By assembling the PDI-BTH1/rGO//PDI-BTH1/rGO on a graphite foil (GF) surface in two-electrode flexible symmetric supercapacitor (FSSC) devices, the electrochemical performance was measured. The electrochemical studies showed that the FSSC device with its two structures with bending angles of 0° and 180° exhibits an excellent <em>C</em>_sp of 66.40 mF cm⁻² and 57.90 mF cm⁻², respectively, at 0.5 mA cm⁻². After 5000 GCD cycles, both the FSSC devices with 0° and 180° bending angles exhibited excellent cycling stability with 94.98% and 84.55% <em>C</em>_sp retention. The flexible flat SSC device displayed ED of 11.95 μWh cm⁻² at 1.66 mW cm⁻² PD. Therefore, these FSSC devices represent significant potential for electronics.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18227,"journal":{"name":"Materials Chemistry and Physics","volume":"354 ","pages":"Article 132170"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146191596","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Strain-induced martensitic transformation and mechanical properties of additively manufactured AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel","authors":"Nasim Maboudi Far ,&nbsp;Rouhollah Mehdinavaz Aghdam ,&nbsp;Hamed Mirzadeh ,&nbsp;Farid Gharibi Asl ,&nbsp;Arian Najjari","doi":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2026.132219","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2026.132219","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Strain-induced martensitic transformation and mechanical properties of AISI 316L austenitic stainless steel manufactured via the powder bed fusion (PBF) method known as selective laser melting (SLM) was investigated and compared with the conventionally manufactured as-annealed counterpart. At a comparable grain size, it was observed that the yield and tensile strengths of the as-SLM fabricated sample were higher compared to the as-annealed sample, which was attributed to the high dislocation density in the former due to the fast solidification and inherent thermal gradients in the SLM process. To investigate the effect of manufacturing process on the strain-induced martensitic transformation, cold rolling with varying reductions in thickness (15 to 75%) was performed on both samples. Cold rolling promoted the formation of α′-martensite within the deformed austenitic matrix, similar to the advanced high-strength steels with transformation-induced plasticity effect, where both the martensite volume fraction and dislocation density in the as-SLM samples were higher than those in the as-annealed counterparts. Kinetics analysis by the Olson–Cohen model revealed that the initial microstructure of the as-SLM sample promotes the martensitic transformation. Based on the X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, the obtained relative texture coefficient (RTC) values revealed the promotion of a strong 220-type reflection during cold rolling. Vickers hardness similarly increased with higher thickness reductions due to the combined effect of enhanced dislocation density and martensite content, with a more pronounced increase observed in the as-SLM samples.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18227,"journal":{"name":"Materials Chemistry and Physics","volume":"354 ","pages":"Article 132219"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146191627","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Psoralen-loaded polycaprolactone microspheres: A pH-responsive drug carrier for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis","authors":"Lixian Zhu ,&nbsp;Zhijie Gao ,&nbsp;Tengyue Zhang ,&nbsp;Hechao Zhao ,&nbsp;Dexian Zeng ,&nbsp;Yanhua Wang","doi":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2026.132185","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.matchemphys.2026.132185","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Developing novel drug carriers for delivery of psoralen (PSO) is crucial to inhibit the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This work aims to develop PSO-loaded polycaprolactone (PCL) microspheres through a single emulsion solvent evaporation route, improving the bioavailability and controllable release of PSO. The resulting PCL@PSO microspheres are characterized by multiple physicochemical techniques. Results show the loading of PSO onto PCL, via surface adsorption, increases the size and specific surface area. Accordingly, the encapsulation efficiency and loading capacity of PCL@PSO microspheres are (87.77 ± 0.07)% and (12.28 ± 0.01)%, respectively. Strikingly, such microspheres exhibit pH-responsive drug kinetics, predominantly releasing PSO in alkaline environments in contrast with neutral or acidic conditions. This release pattern, mostly caused by diffusion, is conducive to inhibit inflammatory response whilst promote osteanagenesis in bone microenvironment. Cell experiments confirm PCL@PSO microspheres are cytocompatible with BMSCs cell but strongly toxic to RBL-2H3 cell. Mechanistically, mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, as evidenced by the up-regulation of pro-apoptosis proteins such as Caspase3, Cyto-c and Bax, is activated by PCL@PSO via increased ROS and reduced mitochondria membrane potentials. Further, the up-regulation of APC and LATS1, and the down-regulation of OIP5 are contributed to the apoptosis of RBL-2H3 cell. Moreover, PCL@PSO could down-regulate the expression of histamine receptor HRH1 in RBL-2H3 cell, thereby inhibiting inflammation expansion. However, the study is limited by the absence of in vivo animal validation, and the underlying mechanisms remain to be fully elucidated. In particular, the upstream regulatory pathways governing ROS generation have yet to be comprehensively investigated. Conclusively, it is feasible to use PCL@PSO microspheres as candidate micro-carriers to deliver PSO, terminally inhibiting inflammatory response whilst promoting osteanagenesis, especially for individuals suffered from rheumatoid arthritis.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":18227,"journal":{"name":"Materials Chemistry and Physics","volume":"354 ","pages":"Article 132185"},"PeriodicalIF":4.7,"publicationDate":"2026-04-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"146191914","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"材料科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}