The degradation and erosion of wood and its products caused by microorganisms remains a persistent challenge, which leads to significant economic and property losses and poses a potential health threat to users due to the presence of pathogenic microorganisms. In light of the recent COVID-19 pandemic, this issue has become increasingly urgent to address in modern society due to the increasing focus on private health. In this work, the carboxymethyl chitosan nano-silver (CMCS-Ag) was prepared through a microwave-assisted method, where the CMCS-Ag was ultrasonically blended with waterborne paint to obtain a waterborne antimicrobial wood coatings. Compared with commercial nano-silver with the same particle size, due to the unique system, the CMCS-Ag exhibited superior antibacterial efficacy and lower Ag+ release. CMCS-Ag exhibited effective dispersion within waterborne coatings, leading to a significant improvement in both the mechanical and antimicrobial performance of the coatings. With a CMCS-Ag content of 10 wt%, the coating films exhibit high elastic modulus, tensile strength and shore hardness, 78%, 33% and 69% higher than the control, respectively. Moreover, antimicrobial tests confirm that CMCS-Ag wood coatings inhibit Escherichia coli (24 h sterilization rate: 99.99%), Aspergillus niger (28 days without erosion), and soil decay fungi (56 days undecayed), while minimizing wood product appearance deterioration and mass loss from microbial erosion. These findings not only provide valuable insights into enhancing the antimicrobial of wood and its products but also reduce possibilities for people exposed to pathogens.

In this essay, by summarizing the research progress and achievements of various scholars at home and abroad in recent years on the material properties and corrosion resistance of magnesium phosphate cement (MPC), we review the factors influencing on the properties of MPC, and analyze the effects of raw materials, retarders, and admixtures on the properties of MPC. Two different hydration mechanisms of MPC are discussed, and finally the research progress of MPC in the field of anti-corrosion coatings for steel and ordinary concrete (OPC) is highlighted, and suggestions and prospects are given.

3D printed concrete has emerged as one of the most hotly researched 3D printing technologies due to its advantages of shaping without molds and intelligent construction. Given its low heat of hydration and low carbon emissions slag-based cement is becoming more widely used for 3D printing concrete. However, in the formwork-free shaping process, freshly printed slag-based concrete is immediately exposed to air and loses moisture much earlier than traditional cast-in-formwork concrete. As a result, there is a greater risk of drying shrinkage and cracking and poor volumetric stability of the printed part. This study investigated applicability of photo-polymerization technology in improving the volumetric stability of 3D printed concrete by using UV-curable polyurethane-acrylate (PUA) resin as in-situ sprayed coating on the surface of freshly printed slag-based cement samples. The results show that, in comparison with the uncoated 3D printed cement samples, the volumetric shrinkage of the coated 3D printed cement samples significantly reduced by 44 % after 28 days of environmental curing. For samples of the same age, the compressive strength of the coated test block was increased by 27 % from 20.03 MPa to 25.49 MPa, and the interlayer bond strength was increased by 41 % from 1.46 MPa to 2.06 MPa. The sprayed UV-curable polyurethane-acrylate resin can cure rapidly on the specimen surface within seconds under the irradiation of UV light to form an in-situ protective coating, which is tightly bonded to the surface of the cement, effectively reducing water dissipation and promoting hydration, allowing more even and condense microstructures to form during hydration from the outer surface to the inner part of the printed sample, resulted in a higher strength.

This study addresses a critical issue faced in harsh desert environments characterized by intense sunlight and dusty conditions, which pose significant challenges for applications ranging from solar panels and optical devices to architectural surfaces. In response, we have developed a silica coating that may offer a solution to these environmental challenges. The silica coating exhibits excellent anti-reflective properties, drastically reducing the amount of sunlight reflected from the coated surface and thereby enhancing photon absorption. This study examines the controlled tuning of optical and morphological properties in silica thin films, fabricated through reactive RF magnetron sputtering of an SiO2 target, using various oxygen-to-argon flow ratios [r(O2)=O2/Ar]. Empirical properties of the coatings were systematically examined and demonstrated to be finely tunable by adjusting r(O2). Additionally, surface morphology, as assessed by average roughness (Ra) measurements, was found to be strongly influenced by the oxygen concentration during deposition. Hydrophilicity of the silica coatings was assessed using contact angle measurements, demonstrating that the oxygen content in the films plays a significant role in influencing their hydrophilic properties. Furthermore, micromechanical properties of these silica coatings right after sputtering deposition and those exposed to outdoor conditions were systematically evaluated using Vickers indentation, showing, on one hand, that the hardness of the silica coatings can be regulated by adjusting the oxygen levels introduced during the deposition process, and on the other hand, a high mechanical stability of these silica even after 24 months of outdoor exposure in desert environments. Finally, this study also highlights that dust accumulation on the surface of these silica coatings is inversely proportional to the oxygen content into the films, demonstrating the coatings' self-cleaning properties. The hydrophobicity of the deposited silica thin films further contributes to their self-cleaning capabilities, making them particularly valuable in enhancing the performance of photovoltaic modules, especially in desert environments where dust accumulation can significantly impact efficiency. This multifaceted approach not only improves optical and mechanical properties but also offers a sustainable solution for maintaining the efficiency of solar panels and other devices in challenging environmental conditions.

The increasing demand for sustainable road infrastructure necessitates alternative materials that enhance soil stabilization while reducing environmental impact. This study investigated the application of organosilane-based nanotechnology to improve the structural performance and durability of road corridors in Peru, offering a viable alternative to conventional stabilization methods. A comparative experimental approach was employed, where modified soil and asphalt mixtures were evaluated against control samples without nanotechnology. Laboratory tests showed that organosilane-treated soil achieved up to a 100% increase in the California Bearing Ratio (CBR), while maintaining expansion below 0.5%, significantly reducing moisture susceptibility compared to untreated soil. Asphalt mixtures incorporating nanotechnology-based adhesion enhancers exhibited a Tensile Strength Ratio (TSR) exceeding 80%, ensuring a superior resistance to moisture-induced damage relative to conventional mixtures. Non-destructive evaluations, including Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) and Pavement Condition Index (PCI) tests, confirmed the improved long-term durability and load-bearing capacity. Furthermore, statistical analysis of the International Roughness Index (IRI) revealed a mean value of 2.449 m/km, which is well below the Peruvian regulatory threshold of 3.5 m/km, demonstrating a significant improvement over untreated pavements. Furthermore, a comparative reference to IRI standards from other countries contextualized these results. This research underscores the potential of nanotechnology to enhance pavement resilience, optimize resource utilization, and advance sustainable construction practices.

This work demonstrates the development of room-temperature curable and durable anti-soiling coating using fluorine functionalized mesoporous silica (F-SiO2) and silicone resin-based hydrophobic coatings. The use of silicone resin with a catalyst enabled room-temperature curing of the coating and enhanced its mechanical properties. The coating prepared from mesoporous silica and F-SiO2 exhibited contact angles of 102 degrees and 122 degrees, indicating a significant improvement in the wettability of F-SiO2-based coatings. Additionally, the transmittance values were 93 % and 94 %, respectively, which are comparable to those of bare PV cover glass. A soiling study of the fabricated coating was conducted in an outdoor environment for over one month. The results confirmed that the F-SiO2-based hydrophobic coatings showed a minimal transmittance loss compared to non-coated PV cover glass. The durability of the F-SiO2-based coating was confirmed by mechanical properties like adhesive strength (1.86 MPa) and hardness (4H). The photo-conversion efficiency of the F-SiO2 coated PV module was measured in an indoor soiling environment using wind cleaning action. It was observed that the module regained its photoconversion efficiency after only one minute of wind cleaning. These results indicate that the prepared coatings have a significant potential for practical application in PV industry.

Conventional food packaging films pose significant environmental hazards. Consequently, there has been a burgeoning interest in biopolymers, leading to numerous studies to develop biodegradable and bioactive films suitable for the food packaging industry. In this study, we present a novel environmentally-friendly chitosan-based film incorporating berberine, a bioactive compound abundant in various plants. Before blending with a chitosan solution, berberine chloride's water solubility was enhanced using 2-hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the interactions between berberine and chitosan. Scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy analyses demonstrated the even distribution and good compatibility of berberine within the chitosan film. By blending berberine with chitosan, the obtained biopolymer film exhibited improved mechanical properties compared to the control film. Differential scanning calorimetry analysis showed that berberine incorporation reduced the glass transition temperature from 89 degrees C to 68 degrees C. The film also blocked the UV light almost 100%. The addition of berberine decreased the water vapour permeability of the chitosan film while increasing the swelling ratio and water solubility. The berberine-incorporated chitosan film exhibited an antioxidant capacity of 33.7% as measured by the 2,2 diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl assay, which was significantly higher than that of the chitosan film, which has 5.92%. The film also demonstrated antimicrobial activity with a reduction in B. cereus and S. typhimurium growth compared to the control. Additionally, the degradation study revealed that the film degraded by 82.5% within ten days under soil. Our findings suggest that the chitosan-berberine film holds promise for applications in the food packaging industry.

Pioneering results of seed-potato health improvement and the suppression of soil-borne infection during the potato production by the preplant coating of tubers with an azoxystrobin-loaded degradable polymer film coating are presented. The film coating was applied to the surface of potato tubers by spraying with a 1% solution of the degradable polymer poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) in dichloromethane mixed with azoxystrobin. The film coating did not damage the tubers or reduce germination. The half-life of the polymer coating in field soil was 25 days. The film degraded gradually from potato planting to the beginning of flowering, ensuring long-term delivery of the fungicide to the plants. In the experimental group, a more effective reduction in the total number of rhizospheric soil fungi, including plant pathogens Alternaria alternata and Fusarium oxysporum, was revealed, compared with the preplant treatment of tubers with the commercial fungicide azoxystrobin (comparison group). The healing effect of the fungicide-loaded coating led to an improvement in the quality of the potato crop. In the experimental group, the total yield and the share of marketable tubers exceeded those of the comparison group by 5.6 t/ha and 8%, respectively. The proportion of Fusarium infected tubers was 8.5% in the experimental group versus 12.1% in the comparison group. The fungicidal effect of a long-term degradable polymer film coating with azoxystrobin was more successful than traditional treatment of tubers with a solution of this fungicide. Thus, the proposed approach is promising for the protection of seed potatoes.

Although bioplastics and paper straws have been introduced as alternatives to single-use plastic straws, their potential environmental, economic, and social impacts have not been analyzed. This study addresses this gap by designing a polylactic acid layer interface adhesion on cellulose paper-based (PLA-P) composite straws by a dip molding process. This process is simple, efficient, and scalable for massive production. Optimizing key manufacturing parameters, including ice bath ultrasonic, overlapping paper strips (2 strips), winding angle (60 degrees), soaking time (5 min), and drying temperature (50 degrees C), were systematically evaluated to improve straw quality and manufacturing efficiency. PLA chains were found to deposit onto the cellulose network through intermolecular interactions to form a consistent sandwich structure, which can improve adhesion, water resistance, and mechanical properties. Interestingly, PLA-P straws effectively decomposed in soil and compost environments, with a 35-40 % degradation rate within 4 months. Besides, PLA-P straw residues affected seed germination and plant growth, but no significant toxic effects were detected. Further, microplastics were observed in soil and plant tissues (roots, stems, and leaves), and their possible diffusion mechanisms were explored. The results of a comprehensive life cycle assessment (LCA) and cost analysis showed that the process improvements reduced the ecological footprint of PLA-P straws and showed good prospects for commercial application. The study's findings

The demand for seed-based restoration and revegetation of degraded drylands has intensified with increased disturbance and climate change. Invasive plants often hinder the establishment of seeded species; thus, they are routinely controlled with herbicides. Herbicides used to control invasive plants may maintain soil activity and cause non-target damage to seeded species. Activated carbon (AC), which has a high adsorption of many herbicides, has been incorporated into seed pellets and coatings (seed technologies) to limit herbicide damage. Though various AC seed technologies have been examined in numerous laboratory and field studies, questions remain regarding their effectiveness and how to improve it, and what causes variation in results. We synthesized the literature on AC seed technologies for dryland restoration and revegetation to attempt to answer these questions. AC pellets compared to seed coatings were more thoroughly tested in the field and generally provide strong herbicide protection. However, greater amounts of AC in seed coatings appear to increase their effectiveness. Seed coatings show more potential for use than pellets because they are less logistically challenging to use compared to pellets, but need more field testing and refinement. Results often differ between laboratory and field studies, suggesting that field studies are critical in determining realized effects. However, seedling establishment failures from other barriers make it challenging to evaluate the effectiveness of AC seed technologies in the field. AC seed technologies are an innovative tool that with continued refinement, especially if other barriers to seedling establishment can be overcome, may improve the restoration and revegetation of degraded drylands.