Magnesium alloys are attracting increasing attention for the fabrication of temporary implants because of their superior biodegradability and biocompatibility. However, their high degradation rate under physiological conditions limits their clinical applications. In this work, a Nb₂O₅/Nb₂O₅–Mg/Mg multilayer coating was prepared on the surface of AZ31 magnesium alloy by magnetron sputtering in order to improve its corrosion resistance. The microstructure and performance of the layers were studied by SEM, AFM, EDS, and XPS, and a scratch tester, nanoindenter, friction tester, and electrochemical workstation, using Nb₂O₅ monolayer coating as a control. The results show that these two coatings significantly improved the mechanical, tribological, and anticorrosion performance of AZ31 magnesium alloy. Compared with a Nb₂O₅ monolayer coating, the multilayer coating exhibits an increased adhesion by about 10.6 times, and a decreased wear rate and corrosion current density by one order of magnitude, meaning higher damage resistance. This study provides a feasible strategy for enhancing the properties of ceramic layers on magnesium alloys for medical applications.

Bamboo, one of the richest non-timber resources, thrives in vast tropical and subtropical regions around the world. The surge of interest in bamboo materials stems from their profound contributions to polymer matrix composites, lauded for their environmental sustainability, mechanical properties, and recyclability. However, the inherent hydrophilicity of bamboo poses a challenge to achieve optimal compatibility with hydrophobic polymer matrices, impede interfacial bonding, and reduce the effectiveness of fiber-reinforced composites. To address these hurdles, economical and environmentally sustainable heat treatment methods have emerged as pivotal tools for enhancing the surface properties of bamboo. Delving into the depths of thermal treatment research, this article meticulously summarizes the influences of varying temperatures, time, and medium on the structure of bamboo. Moreover, it reviews the mechanical properties and surface moisture content of bamboo after heat treatment, providing insights crucial for advancing the frontier of bamboo-based materials.

Development of an efficient technique for accurate and sensitive dibutyl phthalate (DBP) determination is crucial for food safety and environment protection. An ultrasensitive molecularly imprinted polymers (MIP) voltammetric sensor was herein engineered for the specific determination of DBP using poly-l-lysine/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)/porous graphene nanocomposite (PLL/PEDOT−PG) and poly(o-phenylenediamine)-imprinted film as a label-free and sensing platform. Fabrication of PEDOT−PG nanocomposites was achieved through a simple liquid–liquid interfacial polymerization. Subsequently, poly-l-lysine (PLL) functionalization was employed to enhance the dispersibility and stability of the prepared PEDOT−PG, as well as promote its adhesion on the sensor surface. In the presence of DBP, the imprinted poly(o-phenylenediamine) film was formed on the surface of PLL/PEDOT−PG. Investigation of the physical properties and electrochemical behavior of the MIP/PLL/PEDOT−PG indicates that the incorporation of PG into PEDOT, with PLL uniformly wrapping its surface, significantly enhanced conductivity, carrier mobility, stability, and provided a larger surface area for specific recognition sites. Under optimal experimental conditions, the electrochemical response exhibited a linear relationship with a logarithm of DBP concentration within the range of 1 fM to 5 µM, with the detection limit as low as 0.88 fM. The method demonstrated exceptional stability and repeatability and has been successfully applied to quantify DBP in plastic packaging materials.