Effects of non-thermal plasma treating wheat kernel on the physicochemical properties of wheat flour and the quality of fresh wet noodles

The effects of non-thermal plasma (NTP) on the physicochemical properties of wheat flour and the quality of fresh wet noodles ( FWN) were investigated. The results showed that NTP effectively decreased the total plate count (TPC), yeast and mould count (YMC) and Bacillus spp. in wheat flour. Wet gluten contents and the stability time reached the maximum when treated for 20 s. The viscosity of starch increased significantly after treatment due to the increased of damaged starch. The contents of secondary structure were altered to some extent, which was because that the ordered network structure of gluten protein broken. Furthermore, compared with the control, texture properties of FWN were enhanced significantly at 20 s, and the darkening rate of FWN was greatly inhibited due to the low polyphenol oxidase (PPO) activity. Consequently, the most suitable treatment was 500 W for 20 s, providing a basis for the application of NTP in flour products.     

Gluten-free cakes with walnut flour: a technological,sensory, and microstructural approach

Walnut flour (WF), a by-product of walnut oil production, is characterised by high polyunsaturated fatty acids, proteins, and fibre contents and presents suitability for bakery products. However, when using non-traditional ingredients, it is essential to evaluate the effect on the quality properties of the final product. So, this work aimed to assess the impact of WF on the technological, physicochemical, and sensory properties of gluten-free (GF) cakes. WF was added at a flour blend (cassava (CS) and maize (MS) starches and rice flour) at 0, 10%, 15%, and 20%. The results showed that WF modified starch gelatinisation, increased amylose–lipid complex (ALC) content, and made crumbs easier to chew. Besides, the total dietary fibre (TDF) and protein content significantly increased. Cakes with 15% WF presented the highest specific volume (SV) and no differences in overall acceptability with respect to control. Hence, WF is a suitable ingredient for gluten-free bakery products.     

Flash joining of alumina ceramics under a small current density

The ceramic joining using electric field (E-field) has garnered significant research attention due to the decreased joining barrier and enhanced reliability. However, the underlying mechanism of E-field assisted joining remains unclear. Herein, we report the rapid joining of alumina ceramics using a small current. Moreover, the E-field is applied in both perpendicular and parallel directions to the faying surfaces, demonstrating a significant difference in terms of joint strength. These results indicate that the E-field generates defects and promotes the joining process by facilitating ionic diffusion.     

Influence of fluorine-containing side chain on the properties of waterborne polyurethane-urea

In order to prepare waterborne polyurethane with excellent water resistance and thermodynamic properties, a series of side chain fluorinated waterborne polyurethane-urea (FWPU-UA) was synthesized with polytetramethylene ether glycol, N-(2-methyl-1,3-propanediol-2′-)-perfluoro-1-butanesulfonyl amine (NPBA), isophorone diisocyanate, and isophoronediamine. With the increase of NPBA content, the weight loss temperature, glass transition temperature, and tensile strength of FWPU-UA were all improved. Gaussian fitting analysis of infrared data and density functional theory simulation proved that the introduction of fluorine side chains increased the interaction of hydrogen bonding in the FWPU-UA. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis indicated that the aggregation of fluorine atoms on the surface of film were caused by the migration and enrichment of fluorine side chains. Furthermore, the water resistance of polyurethane-urea film could be significantly improved by adding a small amount of NPBA, and the seven-day water absorption rate of polyurethane-urea film was reduced from 30.13% to 12.55%.     

Calcium aluminate cement in castable alumina: From hydrate bonding to the in situ formation of calcium hexaluminate

Calcium hexaluminate (CA₆) is an intrinsically densification-resistant material, therefore, its porous structures are key materials for applications as high-temperature thermal insulators. This article reports on the combination of calcined alumina and calcium aluminate cement (CAC) in castable aqueous suspensions for the in situ production of porous CA₆. The CAC content (10–34 vol%) and the curing conditions ensure structural integrity prior to sintering and maximize the development of hydrated phases. Changes in physical properties, crystalline phases, and microstructure were investigated after isothermal treatments (120–1500 °C), and three sequential porogenic events were observed. The hydration of CAC preserved the water-derived pores (up to 120 °C), and the dehydroxylation of CAC hydrates (250–700 °C) generated inter-particles pores. Moreover, the in situ expansive formation of CA₂ and CA₆ (900–1500 °C) hindered densification and generated intra-particle pores. Such events differed from those observed with other CaO sources, and resulted in significantly higher pores content and lower thermal conductivity.     

Preparation of a ternary hybrid of P-g-C3N4@PGS-Ti and its enhancement of the flame retardancy of epoxy resins

A novel ternary hybrid flame retardant named P-g-C₃N₄@PGS-Ti was prepared through step-by-step method. First, titanium dioxide was loaded on PGS to make PGS-Ti (where PGS = palygorskite), and then, PGS-Ti was decorated by phosphor-doped g-C₃N₄ (abbreviated as P-g-C₃N₄) to prepare a ternary flame retardant of P-g-C₃N₄@PGS-Ti. It showed that P-g-C₃N₄@PGS-Ti could efficiently improve the flame retardancy of epoxy resins (EP). The structure and the morphology of P-C₃N₄@PGS-Ti were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, scaanning electron microscopy and hermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The flame retardancy and the burning behavior of 5 wt% P-g-C₃N₄@PGS-Ti composited EP were well investigated through TGA, limiting oxygen index (LOI), cone calorimeter test (CCT) and vertical burning test (UL-94 standard). It was found that the peak heat releasing (pk-HRR) of the EP/P-g-C₃N₄@PGS-Ti composite reduced 36% (from 1459 to 852 kW/m²) with the addition of 5 wt% of P-g-C₃N₄@PGS-Ti flame retardant to the matrix of EP. The combustion residue analysis showed that the EP/P-g-C₃N₄@PGS-Ti composite gained the most continuous and firmest char yield due to the synergistic effect of PGS, TiO₂ and the introducing of P element. The mechanism proved that the combination of gas phase and condensed phase flame-retardant processes were well coordinated to improve the fire retardancy for EP. We tested and studied the mechanical properties of EP/P-g-C₃N₄@PGS-Ti composites. Only 2.4% decreasing of flexural strength and 23.5% decreasing of impact strength in EP/P-g-C₃N₄@PGS-Ti composites compared to pure EP, respectively. But according to the test results of EP/P-g-C₃N₄@PGS-Ti composite material and the control sample in the system, EP/P-g-C₃N₄@PGS-Ti composite material had the highest flexural modulus and impact strength.     

Integrative improvement on thermophysical properties and ablation resistance of laminated carbon/carbon composites modified by in situ grown HfC nanowires onto carbon fiber cloths

HfC nanowires modified carbon fiber cloth laminated carbon/carbon (HfC_nw-C/C) composites were fabricated by in situ growth of HfC nanowires on carbon cloths via catalytic CVD, followed with lamination of the cloths and densification by pyrolytic carbon (PyC). Morphologies, thermal conductivity, coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE), and ablation resistance of the composites were investigated. Due to the loading of HfC nanowires, the matrix PyC with low texture was obtained; the thermal conductivity of the composites in the Z direction was enhanced from 100℃ to 2500℃; CTE along the X–Y direction also decreased in the range of 2060 ℃ – 2500 ℃, which reaches the maximum of 24 % at 2500℃. Moreover, the 20s-ablation-resistance of HfC_nw-C/C composites exhibits mass and linear ablation rates of 5.3 mg/s and 21.0 μm/s, which are 40 % and 37 % lower than those of pure C/C composites, respectively. Our work shows laminated HfC_nw-C/C composites are a promising candidate for high-temperature applications.