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Review Article
Preparation and Performance Study of Modified Graphene Based on Multimodal Functionalization
Wenbo Gong
,
Jiaming Han,
Anyang Shi,
Lulin Sun,
Yufei Liu,
Haoran Cui,
Jianliang Liu,
Jialuo Yin,
Huihui Wang,
Shiwei Liu,
Sai Geng*
Issue:
Volume 15, Issue 3, June 2026
Pages:
80-91
Received:
6 April 2026
Accepted:
15 April 2026
Published:
8 May 2026
Abstract: Graphene, a two-dimensional carbon nanomaterial composed of single-layer carbon atoms forming a hexagonal honeycomb lattice via sp2 hybridisation, has attracted extensive worldwide attention since its discovery in 2004. Benefiting from its distinctive atomic structure, graphene exhibits extraordinary physical and chemical properties, such as ultra-high electron mobility, excellent mechanical strength, superior thermal conductivity, and large specific surface area. Nevertheless, the inherent chemical inertness and unsatisfactory dispersibility of pristine graphene severely restrict its practical applications in various fields. Accordingly, the modification of graphene has become a key research direction to address these limitations. This paper systematically reviews the recent research progress of graphene and its modification strategies, mainly including covalent functionalisation, non-covalent functionalisation, and elemental doping. The application advances of modified graphene in energy storage, sensors, composite materials and other high-tech fields are comprehensively summarised. In addition, the existing challenges including mass production, quality stability and cost control, as well as future development trends, are prospected. Studies demonstrate that optimised modification design can effectively improve the performance of graphene-based materials, which hold great promise for wide applications in multidisciplinary areas.
Abstract: Graphene, a two-dimensional carbon nanomaterial composed of single-layer carbon atoms forming a hexagonal honeycomb lattice via sp2 hybridisation, has attracted extensive worldwide attention since its discovery in 2004. Benefiting from its distinctive atomic structure, graphene exhibits extraordinary physical and chemical properties, such as ultra-...
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Research Article
Synthesis of Chabazite Zeolite and Evaluation of Its Catalytic Property During the Esterification Reaction of Acetic Acid and Isoamyl Alcohol
Issue:
Volume 15, Issue 3, June 2026
Pages:
92-99
Received:
20 March 2026
Accepted:
27 April 2026
Published:
16 May 2026
Abstract: Chabazite is a microporous material widely studied due to its applications in heterogeneous catalysis. In this study, the authors synthesized a zeolite by the hydrothermal method at 125°C using tetrapropylammonium bromide as an organic template, which was removed by calcination at 800°C. The characterization of the synthesized product was carried out by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction showed the presence of a crystalline phase consisting of chabazite crystallizing in the rhombohedral lattice with lattice parameters a = 9.4250 Å and α = 94.060°. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed absorption bands located between 400 – 1000 cm-1, characteristic of zeolites. X-ray fluorescence highlighted the aluminosilicate nature with a Si/Al ratio of 4.5 for the synthesized product. The SEM coupled with EDS revealed the uniformity of the product, a hexagonal morphology or the symmetrical facets characteristic of rhombohedral symmetry. The protonated form of the synthesized zeolite, obtained by ion exchange, was used as a catalyst for the synthesis of isoamyl acetate with a yield of the impure product of 79.03%; this yield being close to the same product obtained (84.76%) from the same reaction catalyzed by sulfuric acid. The UV-visible spectral data validated the synthesis products.
Abstract: Chabazite is a microporous material widely studied due to its applications in heterogeneous catalysis. In this study, the authors synthesized a zeolite by the hydrothermal method at 125°C using tetrapropylammonium bromide as an organic template, which was removed by calcination at 800°C. The characterization of the synthesized product was carried o...
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Review Article
Titanium, Stainless Steel and Cobalt-chromium-based Alloys: Classification and Diverse Applications
Onyia Tobias Makuochukwu*,
Audu Emmanuel Ilemona
Issue:
Volume 15, Issue 3, June 2026
Pages:
100-112
Received:
13 April 2026
Accepted:
3 May 2026
Published:
18 May 2026
Abstract: Titanium, stainless steel, and cobalt-chromium-based alloys represent the most widely used metallic biomaterials and high-performance structural materials owing to their outstanding corrosion resistance, mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and strength-to-weight ratio. This review provides a comprehensive classification of these alloys based on chemical composition and thermomechanical processing. Titanium alloys are categorized into α, near-α, α+β, metastable β, and stable β types; stainless steels into austenitic, ferritic, martensitic, duplex, and precipitation-hardened grades; while cobalt-chromium alloys are differentiated into cast (e.g., F75) and forged (e.g., F799) variants. The microstructure property relationships, influence of key alloying elements, and the effects of cold rolling and deformation processing on strength, fatigue resistance, and corrosion behavior are critically examined. Particular emphasis is placed on their diverse applications in the aerospace industry (airframe structures, jet engines, fasteners, and spacecraft components) and biomedical fields (orthopedic implants, cardiovascular devices, dental prosthetics, and trauma fixation devices). Advantages, limitations, biocompatibility issues (such as stress shielding and ion release), and recent advancements in surface modification techniques are discussed. Finally, future directions including the development of low-modulus β-titanium alloys, nickel-free stainless steels, improved Co-Cr alloys, and advanced additive manufacturing routes are outlined to address current challenges and meet the evolving demands of high-performance engineering and long-term biomedical applications.
Abstract: Titanium, stainless steel, and cobalt-chromium-based alloys represent the most widely used metallic biomaterials and high-performance structural materials owing to their outstanding corrosion resistance, mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and strength-to-weight ratio. This review provides a comprehensive classification of these alloys based o...
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Research Article
Experimental Investigation on the Mechanical Properties of Mortar-aggregate Interface and Its Use in Meso-scale Numerical Simulation of Concrete
Yachao Zhu*
Issue:
Volume 15, Issue 3, June 2026
Pages:
113-124
Received:
8 May 2026
Accepted:
17 May 2026
Published:
26 May 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijmsa.20261503.14
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Abstract: Mortar-aggregate interface is the weakest region in concrete in terms of the mechanical properties due to its relatively higher porosity compared with the surrounding bulk cement paste, which has a significant effect on the behavior of concrete when subjected to loading. As a result, the mechanical properties of the interface have been recognized as the principal condition for the meso-scale numerical modeling of the fracture process of concrete and concrete structures. In this study, the composite mortar-aggregate specimens with different surface roughness of aggregate and mortar strength were prepared to quantitatively investigate the mechanical properties of interface by means of a series of tests, including the splitting tensile test, the direct shear test and the three-point bending test. The test results indicated that the mechanical properties of interface to some extent depend on the strength grade of mortar and the roughness of aggregate surface. The failure mode largely depends on the fracture energy of mortar cohesion layer and the joint adhesion layer. It is also found that the fracture energy of interface increases with the increase of mortar strength and the roughness of aggregate surface. With purpose of providing basic constitutive model for meso-scale numerical simulation of concrete behavior, the tension softening curves of mortar-aggregate interface for different mortar strength grade were developed based on the test results. Finally, with the proposed constitutive model of interface on meso-scale, the response of plain concrete under loading were conducted using the Rigid Body Spring Model (RBSM). The numerical simulation results indicated that the expressions of tension softening curves were valid and can be successfully applied to the numerical analysis of concrete structures.
Abstract: Mortar-aggregate interface is the weakest region in concrete in terms of the mechanical properties due to its relatively higher porosity compared with the surrounding bulk cement paste, which has a significant effect on the behavior of concrete when subjected to loading. As a result, the mechanical properties of the interface have been recognized a...
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Research Article
Influence of Physical Parameters on the Mechanical Properties of a Material Produced from PET Plastic Waste into Paving Blocks
Hassan Alaguid Ibrahim Sofo,
Haroun Ali Adannou*,
Albayine Macki Haroun,
Youdjari Djonkamla,
Kilma Dieuleveut Alpha
Issue:
Volume 15, Issue 3, June 2026
Pages:
125-131
Received:
20 April 2026
Accepted:
6 May 2026
Published:
27 May 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ijmsa.20261503.15
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: This study is part of a circular economy approach aimed at valorizing polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste in cementitious matrices through a materials science and engineering approach. PET waste from used containers underwent a controlled thermomechanical transformation (melting at 260°C, cooling, grinding, and sieving), yielding two distinct fractions: plastic aggregates (> 5 mm) and a fine powder. These two forms were incorporated into hydraulic concrete using two formulation strategies: (i) partial substitution of natural gravel with PET aggregates and (ii) partial substitution of sand with PET powder, at rates ranging from 0 to 18% by mass. The concrete's performance was evaluated after 7 days by measuring uniaxial compressive strength and water absorption capacity. The results show that the morphology and incorporation rate of PET significantly influence the concrete's properties. Substituting gravel with PET aggregates leads to a progressive decrease in mechanical strength and, at high concentrations, an increase in water absorption. Conversely, substituting sand with PET powder exhibits more favorable behavior at low concentrations (≤ 6–8%), characterized by a densification effect on the cementitious matrix. An optimal range of 5 to 8% PET powder is thus identified for non-structural hydraulic concrete applications.
Abstract: This study is part of a circular economy approach aimed at valorizing polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste in cementitious matrices through a materials science and engineering approach. PET waste from used containers underwent a controlled thermomechanical transformation (melting at 260°C, cooling, grinding, and sieving), yielding two distinct fr...
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