Weihang Qiu¹, Bo Zhang², Zhaofeng Gu^2,*, Zijun Liu², Xiang Shen², Yimin Chen^1,2,*

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.23, No.8, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cl.2026.089518 - 18 September 2026

Abstract This study presents electron-beam evaporated As₂Se₃ films tailored for far-infrared heterogeneous metalenses. Characterization via X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy reveals a structurally relaxed network in the films compared to bulk glass, resulting in enhanced infrared transmittance, a reduced refractive index, and a lower glass transition temperature. However, thermal expansion mismatch is found to induce cracking in thick films subjected to thermal cycling. The As₂Se₃/BaF₂ system demonstrates superior adhesion, attributed to a minimal thermal expansion mismatch (Δα < 2.5 × 10⁻⁶°C⁻¹). Notably, an 8 μm thick film endures over thirty rapid heating and liquid nitrogen quenching cycles without More >

Yuzhang Wang^1,2,*, Zhuning Liu¹, Haozhe Sun¹, Zhuo Li³, Kanru Cheng¹, Chaoran Yang¹

Frontiers in Heat and Mass Transfer, Vol.24, No.4, 2026, DOI:10.32604/fhmt.2026.084530 - 31 August 2026

Abstract During the operation of a gas turbine, the surface morphology of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs) of the high temperature blades inevitably evolves due to sintering, particle deposition or other factors, leading to an increase in surface roughness. This altered roughness can significantly influence the flow behavior of cooling films and the heat transfer performance of the coupled cooling film-TBC system. In this work, the flow behavior and conjugate heat transfer between cooling film and TBC under varying surface roughness conditions were investigated using the double distribution function lattice Boltzmann method (DDF-LBM) coupled with large eddy… More >

Elena S. Kartashynska^*

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.89, No.1, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2026.082702 - 13 August 2026

Abstract The discovery of graphene and its unique physicochemical properties has catalyzed intensive research into alternative two-dimensional (2D) materials, with a view to their prospective applications in diverse fields of physics, chemistry, and materials science. In this context, there is a notable scientific interest in developing computationally efficient theoretical approaches capable of reliably estimating key parameters of organic films deposited on 2D surfaces. This objective necessitates a rigorous selection and validation of appropriate computational methods, ensuring an optimal balance between computational cost and predictive accuracy. This study presents a method for evaluating the thermodynamic and structural… More >

Sana Handor^1,*, Mohamed Manoua², Mohamed Sahlaoui¹, Laura Hrostea³, Mustapha Adar⁴, Mohammed Sajieddine¹, Liviu Leontie³, Abdelati Razouk^1,*

Energy Engineering, Vol.123, No.9, 2026, DOI:10.32604/ee.2026.082739 - 06 August 2026

Abstract In this study, thin films of titanium dioxide (TiO₂) were deposited onto glass and indium tin oxide (ITO) substrates at room temperature, using plasma-assisted pulsed DC sputtering with a 99.9% pure stoichiometric TiO₂ target. Our research aims to investigate the influence of film thickness on the optical, structural, and morphological properties of TiO₂ nanostructured thin films, as well as its impact on the photovoltaic performance of heterojunctions where TiO₂ serves as the emitter. Using advanced PRISA software, parameters such as refractive index, film thickness, and band gap energy were determined. Spectrophotometry analysis shows that TiO₂ thin film samples More > Graphic Abstract

Lishuang Zheng^1,*, Fengjun Chen²

FDMP-Fluid Dynamics & Materials Processing, Vol.22, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/fdmp.2026.083363 - 31 July 2026

Abstract A computational fluid dynamic (CFD) numerical framework is established in this article to comprehensively uncover the flow evolution laws and gas-liquid phase-change heat transfer mechanisms of vertical falling film with high Reynolds numbers (Re). Systematic numerical analysis are carried out to characterize the liquid film spatial distribution, flow velocity field, internal turbulent vortex structures and comprehensive heat transfer behaviors. The swirl-induced coherent structures are identified using velocity vectors and vortex-detection criteria, and the influences of swirl angle, channel width, and platform height on film thickness distribution and thermal performance are examined. Model validation is performed through… More >

Milica Aćimović¹, Milena Popov², Nataša Mandić², Ana Tomić³, Biljana Lončar⁴, Lato Pezo⁵, Mirjana Cvetković⁶, Jovana Stanković Jeremić⁶, Olja Šovljanski^3,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.95, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2026.079695 - 30 July 2026

Abstract (1) Background: Plant hydrolates are widely generated as by-products of essential oil distillation, yet their potential biological properties remain insufficiently explored. This study evaluated whether that lemon catnip (Nepeta cataria var. citriodora) hydrolate exhibits allelopathic and antimicrobial effects in preliminary in vitro assays, contributing to the valorization of distillation residues within circular bioeconomy approaches. (2) Methods: Phytotoxic effects on germination and early seedling growth of crops (maize, soybean, and white clover) and weeds (common lambsquarters, amaranth, and wild carrot) were evaluated under in vitro conditions using hydrolate solutions (10%, 20%, 50%, and 100%). Germination kinetics were modelled using first-order,… More >

Harmiansyah^1,2, Maisy Pitaloka Sinaga¹, Sheilla Ika Amalia¹, Salma Hanan Arwinda¹, Al Aqib Anugerah Ramadhan¹, Hervianna Indira Kusuma Riandara¹, Mohamad Haafiz Mohamad Kassim^3,4,5, Mohd Shahrieel Mohd Aras⁶, Melbi Mahardika^3,7,*

Journal of Renewable Materials, Vol.14, No.7, 2026, DOI:10.32604/jrm.2026.02026-0007 - 28 July 2026

Abstract The limited mechanical performance of starch-based bioplastic films, particularly their low strength and stiffness, remains a major challenge for their broader application as sustainable packaging materials. This study aims to address this issue by utilizing cellulose fibers extracted from oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) waste as a reinforcing agent in corn starch–based bioplastic films. The bioplastic films were fabricated using a solution casting method with varying cellulose contents and subsequently characterized to evaluate their mechanical properties, crystalline structure, and thermal stability. The results demonstrate that the incorporation of cellulose fibers significantly enhances the tensile… More >

Edgar G. Zamorano-Noriega¹, María E. Martínez-Barbosa^1,*, María L. Mota², Ana B. López-Oyama^3,4, Eugenio Rodríguez González⁵, Crescencio García-Guendulain⁶, Ramón Ochoa-Landín⁷, Fernando J. Sánchez-Rodríguez^8,*, Santos J. Castillo^3,*

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.23, No.6, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cl.2026.085590 - 02 July 2026

Abstract The major challenge in developing efficient photovoltaic devices is achieving highlight absorption, optimal charge transport, and low recombination losses. In this work, the effect of the immersion bath numbers in the chemical bath deposition (CBD) technique on the properties of bismuth oxysulfide (Bi₂O₂S) thin films, as emergent materials, was studied. The films were synthesized under eco-friendly conditions, using a low-concentration bismuth nitrate precursor and thioacetamide as the sulfur source, and under basic conditions at moderate temperature, with a reaction time of 3 h. X-ray diffraction demonstrated the formation of a crystalline Bi₂O₂S phase, and the morphological… More >

Nourah A. Alsobai¹, Norah Alsairy², A. Ashour³, A. M. Ismail⁴, Khaled M. Abdelbased⁵, Atef Ismail^6,*

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.23, No.6, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cl.2026.083101 - 02 July 2026

Abstract This study presents a comparative investigation of the structural, DC electrical, and magnetic properties of pure cadmium sulfide (CdS) and 10% chromium-doped CdS (Cd_0.9Cr_0.1S) nanocrystalline thin films deposited by thermal evaporation. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the polycrystalline hexagonal (wurtzite) structure of both films with no detectable secondary phases. Upon Cr doping, the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the principal diffraction peaks increased systematically, leading to a reduction in average crystallite size from 19.8 nm to 13.9 nm, accompanied by an increase in lattice strain (from 2.48 to 3.52) × 10⁻³ and dislocation density (from… More >

Hanaa I. Mohammed¹, Eman M. Nasir^2,*, Iqbal S. Naji²

Chalcogenide Letters, Vol.23, No.6, 2026, DOI:10.32604/cl.2026.079657 - 02 July 2026

Abstract Thin films of Cu_xZn_1−xS nanocomposite with varying copper content (x = 0.3, 0.5, and 0.7) were successfully synthesized by the pulsed laser deposition (PLD) technique from their fabricated powders by the precipitation method for optoelectronic applications. The impact of Cu content on the film’s structural, morphological, optical, and electrical characteristics was investigated. Elemental composition analyses indicated that thin CZS films consisted only of their constituent elements and were free of any noted impurities. XRD patterns demonstrated that all as-grown thin films were polycrystalline in nature and adopted various planes and phases of CuS and ZnS binary… More >