3D arrays of super-hydrophobic microtubes from polypore mushrooms as naturally-derived systems for oil absorption

Porous materials derived from natural resources, such as Luffa sponges, pomelo peel and jute fibres, have recently emerged as oil adsorbents for water purification, due to their suitability, low environmental impact, biodegradability and low cost. Here we show, for the first time, that the porosity of the fruiting body of polypore mushrooms can be used to absorb oils and organic solvents while repelling water. We engineered the surface properties of Ganoderma applanatum fungi, of which the fruiting body consists of a regular array of long capillaries embedded in a fibrous matrix, with paraffin wax, octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) and trichloro(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl)silane. Morphological and wettability analyses of the modified fungus revealed that the OTS treatment was effective in preserving the 3D porosity of the natural material, inducing super-hydrophobicity (water contact angle higher than 150°) and improving oil sorption capacity (1.8-3.1 g/g). The treated fungus was also inserted into fluidic networks as a filtration element, and its ability to separate water from chloroform was demonstrated

Supplementary Information Files for "3D Arrays of Super-Hydrophobic Microtubes from Polypore Mushrooms as Naturally-Derived Systems for Oil Absorption"

Supplementary Information Files for "3D Arrays of Super-Hydrophobic Microtubes from Polypore Mushrooms as Naturally-Derived Systems for Oil Absorption"Abstract:Porous materials derived from natural resources, such as Luffa sponges, pomelo peel and jute fibres, have recently emerged as oil adsorbents for water purification, due to their suitability, low environmental impact, biodegradability and low cost. Here we show, for the first time, that the porosity of the fruiting body of polypore mushrooms can be used to absorb oils and organic solvents while repelling water. We engineered the surface properties of Ganoderma applanatum fungi, of which the fruiting body consists of a regular array of long capillaries embedded in a fibrous matrix, with paraffin wax, octadecyltrichlorosilane (OTS) and trichloro(1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorooctyl)silane. Morphological and wettability analyses of the modified fungus revealed that the OTS treatment was effective in preserving the 3D porosity of the natural material, inducing super-hydrophobicity (water contact angle higher than 150°) and improving oil sorption capacity (1.8–3.1 g/g). The treated fungus was also inserted into fluidic networks as a filtration element, and its ability to separate water from chloroform was demonstrated.</div

Structure and Magnetic and Magneto-Optical Properties of a New Cubic Ce₃Sc₂Ga₃O₁₂ Garnet Crystal with Heavy Ce³⁺ Concentration

Based on the thermal stability analysis by density functional theory and the crystal phase optimization by tolerance factor, the crystal structure was designed. So, a new cubic Ce3Sc2Ga3O12 (CSGG) garnet material with a high Ce3+ concentration was synthesized. The centimeter-scale CSGG crystal was grown by the Czochralski method. CSGG exhibits fine magneto-optical properties, which are attributed to the stable valence and high concentration of rare-earth Ce3+ ions. Compared with commercial Tb3Ga5O12 (TGG), CSGG is also paramagnetic, but its magneto-optical properties are better. The Verdet constants of CSGG in 532, 635, 1064, and 1550 nm are −380.0, −258.8, −47.5, and −22.4 rad/T·m, respectively, which are from 1.2 to 2.0 times that of TGG. Moreover, the CSGG crystal has high transmittance in 1500–2300 nm to make up for the poor transmittance of TGG crystal in this band. Also, considering its low raw material cost, the CSGG crystal presents promising application potential. It could be qualified as an essential material for magneto-optical isolators, circulators, and switches within the visible to mid-infrared band