Affordable Materials Research Articles

Innovative developments: Complex feed concentrates – lizunts; carbohydrate-vitamin-mineral complexes; buffer premixes – deoxidizers

Animal husbandry of the Republic of Bashkortostan occupies about 94% of the structure of gross agricultural output. The leading industry in the livestock industry of the republic is cattle breeding, which accounts for about 66% of the meat produced. Near the cities, cattle breeding is developing in the meat and dairy direction, in the mountainous and northeastern regions - meat and meat-dairy. The share of pork in the meat balance is about 17%, lamb is about 2%. Forage production is the foundation on which the production of livestock products is based. The main feed products are bulky (coarse and juicy) feed of own production, where the main consumers are ruminants. For a complete and balanced feeding, not only concentrated feeds are needed, but also feed additives that make up for the lack of protein, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals, prepared with local cheap, affordable raw materials. Such additives developed by the staff experimental station “Ufa” Ufa Federal Research Center of the Russian Academy of Scienc, include complex feed concentrates – lizunts, carbohydrate-vitamin-mineral complexes – salt blocks and buffer deoxidizers to reduce the acidity of the rumen of highly productive cows.

Elucidating the role of the nanostructure in protein aerogels for removal of organic water pollutants

Access to efficient and affordable materials for water purification is of fundamental importance for the sustainable development of our society. Materials based on protein nanofibrils (PNFs) from agricultural waste- or...

Plasmon-powered chemistry with visible-light active copper nanoparticles.

In the quest for affordable materials for performing visible-light driven chemistry, we report here intriguing optical and photothermal properties of plasmonic copper nanoparticles (CuNPs). Precise tuning of reaction conditions and surface functionalization yield stable and monodisperse CuNPs, with a strong localized surface plasmon absorption at ∼580 nm. The molar extinction coefficient is estimated to be ∼7.7 × 107 M-1 cm-1 at 580 nm, which signifies their suitability for various light-harnessing studies. The characteristic wine-red colour and crystallography studies confirm the presence of mainly Cu(0) atoms in CuNPs, which showed excellent long-term colloidal and compositional stability under ambient conditions (at least 50 days). The as-synthesized oleylamine-capped CuNPs are ligand-exchanged with charged thiolate ligands of both polarities to form stable dispersions in water, with complete retention of their plasmonic properties and structural integrity (for ∼2 days and ∼6 h under inert and ambient conditions, respectively). Photothermal-conversion efficiency of CuNPs is estimated to be ∼80%, raising the surrounding temperature to ∼170 °C within ∼30 s of irradiation with a 1 W 532 nm diode laser, which is 'hot' enough to perform useful solar-vapor generation and high-temperature crystal-to-crystal phase transformation. Our work projects plasmonic CuNPs as an affordable and effective alternative to conventional metal NPs to harness light-matter interactions for future plasmon-powered chemistry.

Structural, optoelectronic, thermal and transport properties of hybrid perovskite (EAGeCl3) material

Hybrid halide perovskites are emerging as an encouraging option for the fabrication of solar systems. Ethyl-ammonium-based hybrid halide perovskites offer amazing qualities such as reduced bandgap, increased structure stability, and less toxicity. Properties like structural; electrical; optical; and thermoelectric of the material ethyl ammonium germanium chloride are calculated using density functional theory (DFT) simulation code WIEN2K and calculated the optimized structure; density of states; and band structure of EAGeCl3 using exchange-correlation potential KTB-mBJ, establishing it as a direct bandgap semiconductor. Several optical properties such as dielectric function; absorption coefficient; and refractive index over a photon energy spectrum over the range of 0 to 7 eV have also been calculated. In addition, transport coefficients also calculated dependent on concentration of charge carriers, the chemical potential, and temperature at which the material is operating. The findings emphasize the extraordinary properties of EAGeCl3, which has a high ability to absorb electromagnetic radiation, such as light, with a high efficiency, superior compound’s ability to generate an electric potential in response to temperature, among additional benefits. These discoveries confirm its suitability as an affordable material for use in photovoltaic devices, contributing to the resolution of environmental concerns.

Comparative study on devolatilization behavior, microstructural evolution and resultant properties during calcination of petroleum coke with distinct mesophase texture

Petroleum coke as an affordable and abundant material represents significant opportunities for using in both traditional and emerging fields, whereas a lack of understanding transformation chemistry during essential calcination hampers its development. Herein, relevance among devolatilization behavior, microstructural evolution and resultant properties during calcination of green coke were investigated. Calcination is found to be roughly distinguished into three regimes according to average stacking height (Lc) and average interlayer spacing (d002) obtained by analysis of WAXS as well as appearance of D2 peak in Raman spectra. The first regime below 800ºC shows starting transformation from semi-coke to coke, mainly induced by volatilization of low-molecular-weight components, dealkylation and intramolecular dehydro-condensation. Simultaneously, progressive healing of in-plane defects, gradual increase of mesogen-layer size and decrease of interlayer spacing was accompanied, causing significant growth of real density. Thereafter, intermolecular dehydro-polymerization and heteroatoms elimination become dominant in 800–1400 °C, leading to removal of interstitial defects. Consequently, larger stacking height and more homogeneous stacking of well-developed hexagonal carbon layers are formed, further promoting microstrength and electric-conductivity of resultant coke. Next, graphite-like microcrystallites would be rearranged into polyhedral configuration in 1400–1600ºC, indicating a transition from coke to semi-graphite. Notably, the mode of arrangement of mesophase units in the green coke would largely predetermine the coke microstructure. This work could give a guidance for regulating structural evolution via selection of green coke and calcination condition according to application.

Selective separation of methylene blue from aqueous solution using Mn/Pd decorated chemically modified MoS2 nanocomposites

The presence of dyes in wastewater is posing as serious threat to human health. There are a huge number of physical, chemical, biological and hybrid methods available for the removal of colorants (dyes) from aqueous environment. In this work, we demonstrate the fabrication of new nanocomposites, MoS2-COOH/gly@M (M= Mn, Pd), with high adsorption property fabricated by chemically immobilizing manganese and palladium metallic centers onto the glycine- modified molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) material. The chemical and physical properties of adsorbents were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) companied by energy dispersive X-ray and mapping (EDAX & MAP) analyses. Zeta potential (ξ) technique was also used to measure the surface charge of adsorbents. Performances of nanocomposites were investigated on the sewage as adsorbent for dye removal. Synthesized nanocomposites revealed selective adsorption of methylene blue (MB) dye from aqueous mixture of MB and methyl orange (MO). Results displayed the equivalent high adsorption capacity for MB and MO up to 553 and 619 mg/g, respectively (green reaction condition= 120 min contact time, ,25 °C, pH 2.0 and pH 7.0, in the presence of 2 mg adsorbent and 50 mg/L (30 mL) initial concentration of MO and MB). The remarkable adsorption capacity of dye by MoS2-COOH/gly@M (M= Mn, Pd) nanocomposites can be attributed to the intermolecular interactions due to the presence of the amine, hydroxyl, and carboxyl functionalities. To describe the adsorption mechanism of MO and MB dye by synthesized nanomaterials, the pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetics were further studied. Isotherm models displayed that the adsorption of MB and MO onto the MoS2-COOH/gly@M (M= Mn, Pd) nanocomposites is more correspondent with the Freundlich model with high-correlation coefficients. The results showed that the electrostatic attraction and H-bonding interaction were the basic cause of the adsorption of these anionic and cationic dyes on the surface of the nanocomposites. One of the distinguished properties of adsorbents is their capability to selectively adsorb MB from an admixture of MO and MB. The adsorption selectively has expanded in the following order: MoS2 < MoS2-COOH/gly@Mn < MoS2-COOH/gly@Pd. Based on the results, this new type of nanocomposites has potential to act as an effective and affordable adsorbent material for dye removal from an industrial sewage.

A Hauser-base modulated boron-based electrolyte empowering superior interfacial chemistry in rechargeable magnesium batteries

Electrolytes with superior Mg plating/stripping performance and cathode compatibility through a simple synthetic pathway and affordable raw materials have become a long-term pursuit of rechargeable magnesium batteries (RMBs). Herein, an efficient Hauser-base modulated boron-based electrolyte TMPLB is proposed via a facile in-situ one-pot method that involves mixing intrinsic LiCl-containing Hauser-base TMPL (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidinylmagnesium chloride lithium chloride complex) and Lewis acid B(Otfe)3 (tris(2,2,2-trifluoroethyl)borate) in tetrahydrofuran (THF). Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) results reveal that the TMPLB electrolyte is mainly composed of active cation [Mg2(μ-Cl)3·6THF]+ and anion [(TMP)B(Otfe)3]−. In addition to a conducive solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) formed on Mg, the in-situ generated robust cathode electrolyte interphase (CEI) on cycled Mo6S8 jointly endows excellent Mg2+ transfer kinetics and cycling stability. Specifically, Mo6S8||Mg full cells can be cycled for over 3000 cycles with a superior capacity retention of 88.2 mAh g−1 under 5 C. The TMPLB electrolyte paves an avenue for the building of stable electrode/electrolyte interfaces in future practical long-life RMBs.

Study of the Properties of Iron/Iron Redox Flow Batteries

New energy storage technologies are needed to offset the erratic power supply of renewable energy sources due to the rising global energy demand and the urgency of climate change action. Even if there are still concerns with operational parameters and efficiency, the Iron/Iron redox flow battery is a viable contender for large-scale energy storage. Iron is a highly affordable active material, making it possible to create inexpensive energy storage systems and possibly batteries with very low initial investment costs due to the positive electrode's moderate pH and relatively low voltage, maintaining minimal toxicity and aggression. Many challenges have been faced in the experiments on iron/iron redox flow batteries. For example, hydrogen formation and its impacts on the system must be minimized to ensure long-term use as an energy storage device. Iron hydroxides quickly form in response to elevated pH levels or contact with ambient oxygen, which restricts the battery's effectiveness.For each series, various iron/iron redox flow batteries were assembled, and their functional properties were studied as a sustainability factor. The functional properties of the battery, such as an increase in electrolyte volume, an increase in charge/discharge times, the addition of a break time between charge/discharge cycles, varied charge cut-off voltages, varied discharge cut-off voltages and IU charge/discharge were investigated. It was also possible to complete more than 50 cycles with 8 hours of charging time and calculate and compare efficiencies and other performance values. The 8 hours of charge/discharge parameter proved to be the most suitable for conducting long-term cycling experiments because of the increased CE and EE trendline over 25 cycles. The 60 minutes rest time recorded a delay of charge voltage with a maximum of 35 minutes starting from the third cycle because of the blockage of the membrane and polarization effects. An optimized battery achieved up to 62% energy efficiency at 25 mA/cm2 with 4 hours of charging time and 8.01 Ah maximum theoretical capacity. Figure 1

Catalyst Stability in Electrolytic Production of Hydrogen Peroxide: Importance, Challenges, and Standardized Degradation Protocols

On-demand electrolytic hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production is a significant technological advancement that offers a promising alternative to the traditional anthraquinone process.1,2 This method, which employs electrocatalysts to selectively reduce oxygen via two electrons transfers (ORR-2e–), has the potential to provide a sustainable and cost-effective method of producing H2O2. However, several challenges must be overcome in order to enable on-demand H2O2 electrosynthesis, including designing affordable and selective catalytic materials and preventing oxidative damage or degradation of catalytic materials.1,2 While catalyst development has traditionally focused on maximizing activity and selectivity, it is equally important to ensure that the catalysts maintain their performance over time in real-world applications. The stability of electrocatalysts is critical due to the harsh conditions they are subjected to during electrochemical reactions, such as high applied potential or currents, high temperatures, high pressures, and highly acidic or basic environments, as well as the oxidative power of H2O2 and reactive oxygen species that it can generate.3,4 If an electrocatalyst degrades or undergoes chemical changes during the reaction, it can result in reduced activity or selectivity, or even complete reaction failure. This not only leads to decreased yields and increased costs, but also poses potential safety hazards. The performance and degradation processes of catalysts can vary substantially depending on the reaction environment and the lineage of the catalyst used.3,4 In the last years, numerous classes of catalysts have emerged as highly active and selective for the electrocatalytic production of H2O2, especially transition metal-based materials and metal-free carbon-based materials.5 However, while numerous studies have focused on the activity and selectivity of catalysts for the ORR-2e–, research on their stability is still lacking. To effectively address the issue of catalyst material degradation under stress conditions and understand the underlying factors driving the degradation pathways, a unified and standardized approach is crucial. In this study, we focus on the deactivation processes in electrolytic H2O2 production and propose the use of specifically designed degradation protocols, employing a rotating ring-disk electrode setup. Our approach takes into account the most active and selective classes of catalyst for H2O2 production in acidic media, with the aim of enabling more researchers to tackle this crucial aspect and provide a comprehensive understanding and evaluation of the stability of electrocatalysts.

Investigating the Impedance of an Iron/Iron Redox Flow Battery at Different State of Charge Conditions – a Distribution of Relaxation Times Analysis

New energy storage technologies are needed to offset the erratic power supply of renewable energy sources due to the rising global energy demand and the urgency of climate change action. The Iron/Iron redox flow battery is a viable contender for large-scale energy storage, even if there are still issues with operational parameters and efficiency. Due to the positive electrode's moderate pH and low voltage, which preserves minimum toxicity and aggressivity, iron is a very affordable active material, making it feasible to develop inexpensive energy storage systems and batteries. The Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy technique was utilized to understand the degradation of the iron/iron redox flow battery during charging and discharging operation modes. However, discriminating between processes occurring at similar time scales is difficult since they overlap in the generally used Nyquist or Bode representation. Distribution of relaxation times (DRT) analysis tackles this issue by converting the EIS data with respect to the time constants of the individual processes. Individual processes such as electrochemical reactions inside the iron/iron redox flow cell, transport processes through porous structures, and iron ion transport were investigated.The impedance measurements were carried out to evaluate the ohmic resistance during the charging and discharging phases of the iron/iron redox flow battery with varied states of charge ranging from 0-100% while charging and 100-0% while discharging. In this series, a DC offset load of 100 mA in the charging and discharging directions was used to test the resistance differential associated with the battery's state of charge. In the charging phase of the battery of three DC offset load parameters, the iron ions were transported faster in the process while the state of charge of a battery increased at lower frequencies. The impedance increased when the state of charge decreased at a higher frequency range, involving the iron ions transported through the negative half-cell in an iron/iron redox flow battery. The overall ohmic resistance in the charging phase of the battery decreased up to 6 % until the battery was fully charged, but in discharging phase, the overall ohmic resistance increased to 2 %. This indicated that the DC offset load in the charging and discharging direction were dependent on the battery's state of charge. Figure 1

Microwave-assisted upcycling of plastic waste to high-performance carbon anode for lithium-ion batteries

The increasing demand for high-performance lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has emphasized the need for affordable and sustainable materials, prompting the exploration of waste upcycling to address global sustainability challenges. In this study, we efficiently converted polypropylene (PP) plastic waste from used centrifuge tubes into activated polypropylene carbon (APC) using microwave-assisted pyrolysis. The synthesis of APC was optimized using response surface methodology/central composite design (RSM/CCD). Based on the RSM results, the optimal conditions for PP plastic conversion into carbon were determined as follows: HNO3 concentration of 3.5 M, microwave temperature of 230 °C, and holding time of 25 min. Under these conditions, the obtained intensity ratio of Id/Ig in PP carbon was 0.681 ± 0.013, with an error of 6.81 ± 0.013 % between predicted and actual values. The physicochemical studies, including FESEM-EDX, XRD, and Raman spectroscopy, confirmed the successful synthesis of APC samples. The APC 800 material exhibited a well-organized three-dimensional structure characterized by large pores and mesopores, enabling fast ion transport in the electrode. As a result, the APC 800 electrode demonstrated an initial discharge capacity of 381.0 mAh/g, an improved initial coulombic efficiency of 85.1%, and excellent cycling stability after 100 cycles. Notably, the APC 800 electrode displayed remarkable rate performance, showing a reversible capacity of 355.1 mAh/g when the current density was reset to 0.2 A/g, highlighting its high electrochemical reversibility. The outstanding characteristics of APC 800 as an anode electrode material for high-performance lithium-ion batteries suggest a promising future for its application in the field.

A Study on Sustainable Concrete by using Recycled Concrete Aggregate and Waste Glass

Sustainable and affordable building materials are a developing concern in the construction sector. This abstract outline a creative method for creating a cost-effective concrete mix that uses discarded glass as the fine aggregate and recycled coarse aggregate (RCA) as the main coarse material. The goal is to investigate whether using recycled materials instead of traditional aggregates is feasible while both addressing environmental issues and lowering construction costs. The proposed concrete mix's mechanical qualities, financial ramifications, and environmental impact were all compared through laboratory experiments, a thorough assessment of the literature, and comparative analysis. The scrap glass came from glass bottles and other abandoned containers, while the RCA came from crushed concrete waste. The experimental studies assessed different concrete mix proportions while taking into account various replacement amounts for RCA and waste glass. Along with other crucial qualities like workability, density, and durability, the mechanical properties including compressive strength, tensile strength, and flexural strength were evaluated. The test outcomes were contrasted with a control concrete mixture made up only of common aggregates. The results of the research show that using waste glass as fine aggregate and recycled coarse material in the making of concrete can substantially reduce building costs. The mechanical performance of the concrete was not significantly affected by the use of the RCA and waste glass in place of normal aggregates. Additionally, using these recycled materials lowers the amount of waste that is transported to landfills and helps conserve natural resources. Economic concrete mixtures that use waste glass as fine aggregate and recycled coarse material have enormous potential for green building techniques. This method is appealing for large-scale construction projects due to the lower material cost and positive environmental effects. To make sure the best mix proportions are employed, it is necessary to take the specific application into account as well as the engineering requirements. This study supports continuing initiatives to advance affordability and sustainability in the building sector. As well as studying further strategies to improve the engineering features of recycled aggregate-based concrete, future research could concentrate on examining the long-term performance and durability of the suggested concrete mix.

ASSESSMENT OF CONTAMINATION LEVEL AND SOURCE APPORTIONMENT OF HEAVY METALS IN SERAYU RIVER WATER, INDONESIA

Diverse community activities along the river can alter water quality, particularly heavy metal pollution, which can negatively affect public health. This study examines the contamination and distribution of heavy metal sources in the Serayu River, one of the longest and largest rivers in Central Java Province in Indonesia. Along the Serayu River, water samples were obtained from 18 distinct sampling points. Heavy metals content in water samples was measured for lead, cadmium, chromium, nickel, arsenic, cobalt, iron and manganese. Pb, Cr and Ni Concentrations have surpassed government rule No. 22 of 2021 regarding quality criteria in several locations. The contamination factor (CF) determines the level of heavy metal pollution in the Serayu River. The average value of CF, from highest to lowest, is as follows: Pb (2.03); Ni (0.24); Cr (0.24); Fe (0.21); Mn (0.10); Co (0.04); Cd (0.04); As (0.02). The modified degree of contamination (MCD) suggests that the bulk of river water falls into moderate contamination. Agricultural practices in the upper reaches of the Serayu River are regarded as the primary source of surpassing the quality level. Multivariate statistical analyses, namely principal component analysis (PCA), pearson correlation matrix and cluster analysis (CA), revealed that most heavy metals originated from various human activities. Pb, Cr and Ni were primarily derived from agricultural activities, whereas Cd, Co and Mn were primarily derived from industrial, agricultural, settlements and tourism. As and Fe are primarily derived from mining. The alternative recommendation for contamination recovery is the application of biochar which is economically affordable material to be applied in the river.

Mechanical and dynamic mechanical behavior of 3D printed waste slate particles filled acrylonitrile butadiene styrene composites

This study analyses the feasibility of utilizing waste slate particles as a strengthening component in affordable 3D-printed composite materials to address environmental issues associated with waste management. Composite filaments were created by incorporating waste slate particles (5 %, 10 %, and 15 % by weight) into an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) matrix and subsequently evaluated for mechanical properties. A twin-screw extruder obtained the composite filaments, while test samples were produced using a 3D printer by fused deposition modelling. The developed composites have a gradual variation in evaluated properties, about an 8 % increment in hardness, and a 40 % increment in flexural and tensile modulus was noted on the inclusion of 15 wt% of waste slate particles in the ABS matrix. The composites filled with 10 wt% and 5 wt% waste slate particles exhibited the maximum flexural strength (65.24 MPa) and tensile strength (42.11 MPa), respectively. These values were 5 % and 8 % higher than those of unfilled ABS. Furthermore, it was shown that the ABS matrix saw a decrease in elongation and impact strength as the dosage of slate particles increased. The fractured surface morphology indicated that filament breaking, filler pullout, and the creation of voids between neighbouring layers were the primary causes of material failure. The dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) results show the reinforcing effect of slate particles by an increase of storage modulus with 13 % at 35 °C for the composite with 10 wt% slate particles and 20 % for that with 15 wt% slate particles. DMA results analyzed the composite's adhesion factor, degree of entanglement, reinforcement efficiency factor, and effectiveness factor to clarify the reinforcing mechanism of slate particles. The study determines that the most effective utilization of waste slate particles in an ABS matrix is achieved by including 10 wt%. The results of this study enhance the concept of recycling waste slate powder and reveal the potential for their utilization in several industries, including the aerospace, automotive, healthcare, and architectural sectors of 3D printing.

Performance evaluation of a sand energy storage unit using response surface methodology

The utilization of affordable and cost-effective storage materials is a crucial factor in the development of such systems. In this study, the influence of coil pitch, inlet fluid temperature and hot fluid velocity on sand based thermal energy storage (TES) unit is investigated, using experimental results and theoretical models. The experimental segment of this study focuses on measuring the thermophysical properties of two sand samples obtained from different locations within the United Arab Emirates. A conjugated heat transfer model is developed to predict TES using the experimentally measured sand properties. A regression model utilizing response surface methodology (RSM) approach is developed to represent the energy stored per kilogram of sand as a function of the input factors. Furthermore, an optimization algorithm is employed to determine the optimal values of input factors that maximize the energy storage density. The results reveal that the three factors (fluid inlet temperature, velocity, and number of coil turns) significantly affect the stored thermal energy. The RSM analysis illustrates that maintaining high levels of both inlet temperature and fluid velocity maximizes the energy stored. Similarly, keeping inlet temperature and coil turns at the high level maximizes the energy stored. The optimized sand energy storage unit mass reaches 6.348 kJ/kg after an 8-h charging period, with an associated pressure drop of 71.4 Pa for the currently designed unit.

ВЛИЯНИЕ СВЕТЛОЗЕРНОЙ РЖИ И ПОРОШКА САХАРНОЙ СВЕКЛЫ НА КАЧЕСТВО БИСКВИТНОГО ПОЛУФАБРИКАТА

In order to expand the range of flour confectionery products for a healthy diet, the possibilities of using cheap and affordable plant raw materials rich in nutrients have been studied. The main raw material is flour from light-grain rye of the Pamyati Bambysheva variety of the FASC of the South-East breeding. As a substitute for white sugar, powder from sugar beet root crops grown in the Balakovo district of the Saratov region was used. The evaluation of organoleptic indicators of the quality of products was determined according to GOST 14621-78, and a tasting assessment of the quality of finished products was carried out, quality indicators were evaluated on a 9-point scale. Physico-chemical parameters were determined according to generally accepted methods: the mass fraction of sugar – according to GOST 5903-89, the mass fraction of fat – according to GOST 31902-2012, ash content – according to GOST 5901-2014, humidity of products – according to GOST 5900-2014. The foaming ability, density and stability of the whipped mass were determined in the work. As a result of research, it can be concluded that when wheat flour is replaced with flour from light-grain rye of the Pamyati Bambysheva variety, a pleasant smell and taste are noted in the finished biscuit semi-finished product, according to physico-chemical indicators, the mass fraction of sugar and fat decreases, which gives the products dietary properties. The nutritional and energy value of the biscuit semi-finished product changes in a positive direction, as the carbohydrate content decreases, and the content of polyunsaturated omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, vitamins, macro- and microelements, many of which are antioxidants, increases markedly. Therefore, the results of these studies make it possible to position the finished product as a product with functional and dietary properties.

Upaya Penguatan Literasi Anak Usia Dini melalui GERDASI

This activity aimed to strengthen the literacy movement in early childhood through the habit of reading aloud at school and home. Gerdasi was a series of literacy-strengthening programs implemented at Kindergarten/RA Al Hidayah in the form of reading aloud at school and socializing the selection of children's books for parents. Gerdasi was held in April-June 2023 and attended by all children and parents/guardians of Kindergarten/RA Al Hidayah. The stages of implementing the community service activities included: 1) laying the foundation; 2) research design; 3) data gathering and analysis; and 4) acting on findings. Based on observations during reading-aloud activities, the data showed that more than 90% of children liked reading-aloud activities and enjoyed every discussion process. However, children's interest in books is not facilitated well at home. These findings became the basis for carrying out follow-up efforts in the form of socializing the selection of children's books with parents/guardians as the target. This socialization explained important points about literacy facts, choosing good children's books, as well as alternatives for choosing e-books. It was hoped that parents' knowledge regarding sites that provide e-books for children's storybooks could be an inspiration for parents to provide children with affordable reading materials.

Study of stable sodium ion storage in porous carbon derived from puffball biomass

The pursuit of affordable anode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) has become imperative in light of the rising energy demand in modern society. Hard carbon (HC), a highly promising candidate for SIBs, has garnered interest among researchers. In this study, we present a novel approach involving the thermal treatment of low-cost puffball (PB) at various temperatures to produce cost-effective porous carbon, which holds great potential as an anode material for SIBs. The carbon derived from the treated puffball biomass showcases distinctive morphological features, including carbon tubes and plentiful balloon-like porous structures. This morphological structure can prevent the agglomeration and stacking of carbon materials, which can effectively increase the active sites and energy storage channels. The resulting puffball biomass-derived carbon exhibits a reversible capacity of 205.05 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1. Even after 600 cycles at a current density of 2 A g−1, the discharge capacity remains as high as 146.98 mAh g−1. These findings emphasize the remarkable performance and cycling stability of the carbon material. Significantly, the puffball biomass-derived carbon exhibited an impressive initial Coulomb efficiency of 57.6%, which is a noteworthy achievement. Moreover, we employed in situ XRD to investigate its energy storage mechanism in sodium-ion batteries. When integrated into a complete cell with Na3V2(PO4)3 (NVP) and bulking materials, the carbon anode exhibited impressive multiplicative performance and maintained good cycling stability. These findings not only provide new insights into the design of carbon anodes for sodium-ion batteries but also emphasize their exceptional attributes such as excellent initial coulombic efficiency, impressive rate capability, and cost-effectiveness for sodium storage.

Photovoltaic ZnO/SnSx heterostructures obtained by “electrochemical deposition-successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction” approach

In this work, ZnO/SnS/indium tin oxide (ITO)/glass functional heterostructures have been developed using a combined approach of electrodeposition of a SnSx layer and successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) of the ZnO layer. The high-quality 400 nm-thick orthorhombic SnS0.9–0.95 films were formed on the ITO substrates with a thickness of 130 nm and an electrical conductivity of less than 40 Ω/□. Chemical deposition of ZnO thin films by the SILAR method allowed to deposit hexagonal films with a thickness of about 200 nm. The morphology, elemental and phase composition of the films were characterized by Scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The band gap (1.4 eV for SnSx and 3.3 eV for ZnO), as well as the high light absorption coefficient of SnSx films (1–2) × 104 cm–1 were determined. The obtained ZnO/SnSx/ITO heterostructures formed by the electrodeposition–SILAR cycle showed a photoEMF value of 198 mV. These properties make ZnO/SnS heterostructure promising for low-cost solar cells based on affordable materials.

Development of eco-friendly wall insulation layer utilising the wastes of the packing industry

Efficient thermal insulation materials considerably lower power consumption for heating and cooling of buildings, which in turn minimises CO2 emissions and improves indoor comfort conditions. However, the selection of suitable insulation materials is governed by several factors, such as the environmental impact, health impact, cost and durability. Additionally, the disposal of used insulation materials is a major factor that affects the selection of materials because some materials could be very toxic for humans and the environment, such as asbestos-containing materials. Therefore, there is a continuous research effort, in both industry and academia, to develop sustainable and affordable insulation materials. In this context, this work aims at utilising the packing industry wastes (cardboard) to develop an eco-friendly insulation layer, which is a biodegradable material that can be disposed of safely after use. Experimentally, wasted cardboard was collected, cleaned, and soaked in water for 24 h. Then, the wet cardboard was minced and converted into past papers, then cast in square moulds and left in a ventilated oven at 75 °C to dry before de-moulding them. The produced layers were subjected to a wide range of tests, including thermal conductivity, acoustic insulation, infrared imaging and bending resistance. The obtained results showed the developed material has a good thermal and acoustic insulation performance. Thermally, the developed material had the lowest thermal conductivity (λ) (0.039 W/m.K) compared to the studied traditional materials. Additionally, it successfully decreased the noise level from 80 to about 58 dB, which was better than the efficiency of the commercial polyisocyanurate layer. However, the bending strength of the developed material was a major drawback because the material did not resist more than 0.6 MPa compared to 2.0 MPa for the commercial polyisocyanurate and 70.0 MPa for the wood boards. Therefore, it is recommended to investigate the possibility of strengthening the new material by adding fibres or cementitious materials.