Inverse photoconductivity effect in triple cation organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite memristors with various iodine concentrations, electrodes, and modified layers

With the advantages of light absorption ability, photo-stability and moisture resistance, triple cation perovskites (TCPs) have great application prospects in optoelectronic devices. Here, we reveal a novel inverse photoconductivity (IPC)...

Reasons for Reduced Moisture Resistance of Sulfur-Extended Asphalt Concrete

The paper presents the results of a study of the mechanism for reducing the moisture resistance of sulfur-extended asphalt concrete. It is shown that a decrease in moisture resistance occurs due to the occurrence of chemical and physical processes. At the same time, it was found that during the manufacture of sulfur-bitumen composites, toxic gases H2S and SO2 are formed, which are capable of interacting with a mineral filler, as well as the interaction of sulfur with a mineral powder with the formation of sulfur-containing water-soluble salts, the extraction of which leads to a decrease in the moisture resistance of sulfur-bitumen materials. The change in the rate of leaching of these substances from the composite is due to the physical process caused by the crystallization of sulfur and the formation of a capillary structure, which significantly increases the rate of leaching of calcium and magnesium salts, which are products of dissolution or hydrolytic decomposition of water-soluble products of the interaction of sulfur, H2S and SO2 gases with calcium and magnesium carbonates. The intensity of chemical and physical processes intensifies with an increase in the amount of sulfur in sulfur-bitumen materials.

Development of Plywood Binder by Partial Replacement of Phenol-Formaldehyde Resins with Birch Outer Bark Components

The apparent shift in climate has resulted in the pursuit of environmentally friendly bio-based products to reduce the carbon footprint. In the scientific literature, there are many attempts to make phenol-formaldehyde resins (PFR) more sustainable by using bio-based phenolics in the synthesis instead of petroleum-based phenol. However, it is also important to reduce the content of formaldehyde in the binder, the vapours of which are toxic and even carcinogenic to the human body. One of the technologically simplest solutions could be the incorporation of another bio-based wood composite binder into the completed industrial PFR. In turn, birch outer bark suberinic acids are an effective, ecological, thermosetting binder to produce mechanically durable and moisture-resistant wood composites. The aim of the study was to adapt the components of birch outer bark (suberinic acids and betulin-based extractives) for their incorporation into industrial PFR and to find the optimal degree of resins replacement in practical experiments. At the same time, to keep a similar level of the bending strength and moisture resistance (shear strength) of the plywood bonded with the modified binder compared to pure industrial PFR. As a result, it was found that it was possible to replace up to 30 wt% (dry basis) of the industrial PFR with birch outer bark components to obtain birch plywood without significant loss of the bending strength and moisture resistance. In this way, it would be possible to significantly reduce the carbon footprint of the synthetic PFR binder in the birch plywood industry by using birch processing residues.

Utilization of Waste Glass Powder and Glass Composite Fillers in Asphalt Pavements

Today, researchers around the globe are looking for suitable alternatives of conventional fillers which can form flexible pavements with satisfactory engineering performance in an environmental friendly and cost-effective manner. This study investigated the engineering, economical, and environmental viability of recycling waste glass powder (GP) and glass-hydrated lime (GL) composite as alternative fillers, in place of stone dust (SD). All fillers were characterized, and asphalt concrete mixes incorporating them at different proportions (4–8.5%) were designed using the Marshall mix design method. The engineering performance of asphalt mixes was analyzed using the static creep analysis, indirect tensile fatigue test, Cantabro test, modified Lottman test, resilient modulus test, mixing time analysis, and boiling water test. Additionally, the design of single km of two-lane flexible pavements utilizing aforesaid mixes was done as per the mechanistically empirical method suggested in IRC 37 guideline. Finally, the economic and environmental analysis was done by comparing their material cost and global warming potential (GWP). GL and GP mixes exhibited better resistance against rutting, fatigue, and low temperature cracking at lower optimum asphalt content than SD mixes. However, GP mixes also displayed poor moisture resistance and adhesion due to the high amount of silica in GP. GL mixes had satisfactory moisture resistance up to 7% filler content due to the fine nature and anti-stripping properties of hydrated lime. The pavement containing GL and GP fillers also reduced material cost and GWP up to 35% while consuming up to 74 tons of GP.