Depletion Of Non-renewable Resources Research Articles

PGPR: Key to Enhancing Crop Productivity and Achieving Sustainable Agriculture.

Due to the burgeoning global population and the advancement of economies, coupled with human activities leading to the degradation of soil ecosystems and the depletion of non-renewable resources, concerns have arisen regarding food security and human survival. In order to address these adverse impacts, the spotlight has been cast upon plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR), driven by a strong environmental consciousness. PGPR possesses the capability to foster plant growth and amplify crop yield through both direct and indirect mechanisms. By expediting plant growth, augmenting nutrient assimilation, heightening crop yield and caliber, and fortifying stress resilience, the application of PGPR can mitigate reliance on chemical fertilizers and pesticides while diminishing ecological perils. This exposition delves into the function of PGPR in modulating plant hormones, fostering nutrient solubilization, and fortifying plant resistance against biotic and abiotic stressors. This review offers valuable insights into the intricate interplay between PGPR and plants, elucidating uncertainties ripe for further investigation. Profound comprehension and judicious utilization of PGPR are indispensable for attaining sustainable agricultural progression, making substantial contributions to resolving the conundrums of global food security and environmental conservation.

Investigating a siderophore-based approach for the recovery of critical metals from waste streams and leach solutions using microorganisms

As technological advancements progress and unsustainable consumerism of electrical devices rapidly increases, the demand for critical metals continues to rise. The limited supply of these metals, driven by the depletion of non-renewable natural resources, calls for the recycling of waste materials and the development of sustainable and cost-effective extraction methods. Conventional methods of leaching such as pyrometallurgy pose threats to the environment by creating slags and releasing toxic secondary materials. Biohydrometallurgy emerges as an environmentally friendly method to extract metals from low-grade ores and waste material. Siderophores are secondary metabolites secreted by microorganisms that have the ability to selectively chelate certain metals. By immobilizing these siderophores for subsequent bioleaching, target metals can be extracted from multielement solutions. This research focuses on optimizing the immobilization efficiency of the siderophore desferrioxamine B (DFOB) in sodium alginate using physical entrapment for the removal of gallium. Four parameters were varied to find optimal conditions: sodium alginate concentration (1 – 4 % w/v), calcium chloride concentration (1 – 10% w/v), agitation time (0.25 – 10 hours), and DFOB concentration (1 – 4 mM). Using UV-Vis spectroscopy, free siderophore concentration could be determined. After 30 runs, the highest immobilization yield of 80.05% was determined at 2.5% sodium alginate, 10% calcium chloride—the highest concentration tested—after 5.13 hours with a concentration of 2.25 mM DFOB. Design Expert-13 software was used to analyze all experimental results. 2D graphs support that DFOB immobilization depends on responsive parameters, CaCl2 demonstrating the largest impact.

MOF-derived hollow octahedral CoxP/MOF-801 p-n heterojunction for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production

Hydrogen energy produced through photocatalytic water splitting is widely recognized as a viable solution to the depletion of non-renewable energy resources and ecological contamination concerns. This work designed and synthesized the MOF-derived hollow octahedral CoxP/MOF-801 p-n heterojunction photocatalyst. According to the result of hydrogen production test, the hydrogen production amount of CoxP/MOF-801-2 could reach 25.31 mmol g−1 under light irradiation for 5 h. The hollow octahedral structure and p-n heterojunction of the photocatalyst helped to enhance the light trapping ability and promote carrier transfer, resulting in improved performance of photocatalytic hydrogen production. To sum up, the design of hollow octahedral CoxP/MOF-801 photocatalyst effectively improved the photocatalytic hydrogen production performance.

Optimizing bioethanol production from hassawi rice straw with Aspergillus sp. NAS51 cellulosic enzyme and in silico homology modeling

Researchers' attention has been greatly focused on the use of lignocellulosic wastes to produce bioethanol and biogas due to the depletion of non-renewable energy resources. In our effort to find a potent cellulase-producing fungal strain, the fungus NAS51 was isolated among eight isolates from a sponge collected from the Red Sea, Jeddah, and selected as it displayed the highest cellulase activity including (FP-ase, CMC-ase, and β-glucosidase enzymes) at levels of 3.13 U/ml, 2.52 U/ml, and 0.69 U/ml, respectively. The fungus was identified morphologically and genetically by sequencing its 18SrRNA gene as Aspergillus sp. NAS51. The cellulase activity of Aspergillus sp. NAS51 was optimized and maximum enzyme production was obtained at initial pH7, temp 30oC, incubation period 11 days, moisture content 70%, urea as a nitrogen source, and K2HPO4 (2 g/L). The crude cellulases from strain NAS51 were characterized, and results showed that the enzyme is stable over a wide pH range (6–10), with peak activity at pH 7.0 and 40 °C. The cellulase gene has been sequenced and the protein 3D structure was generated via in silico homology modeling. Determination of binding sites and biological annotations of the constructed protein was carried out via COACH and COFACTOR based on the I-TASSER structure prediction. To reach the maximum enzyme hydrolysis, the rice straw collected from Al-Ahsa, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was pretreated with NaOH 1.5% to remove lignin and to enhance the saccharification process by Cellulase. The saccharified product was measured using HPLC, fermented by S. cerevisiae and the bioethanol yield produced from the fermentation was 0.454 mL ethanol/g fermentable sugars. This study indicates the potential application of fungal enzymes such as cellulase enzymes in biofuel generation and waste management.

Improved electrochemical behavior of Co3O4@graphtic carbon nitride nanosheets for supercapacitor applications

Scientists have directed their efforts towards advancing energy storage devices to address the growing energy problem resulting from the depletion of non-renewable resources. Supercapacitor, are innovative energy conversion and storage devices got attraction because of their longer lifetime and specific power. This study presents the hydrothermal route to fabricate Co3O4, g-CN and Co3O4@g-CN nanohybrid. Different characterization methods evaluated the morphological, electrochemical and structural characteristics of fabricated material. The 3-electrode configuration was used to investigate electrochemical characteristics, specifically in KOH with a 2.0 M solution. The galvanostatic charge/discharge plots of Co3O4@g-CN nanohybrid had Cs value of 764 F/g, which was higher than individual Co3O4, g-CN 562, 238 F/g respectively. The analysis of electrochemical stability demonstrates that Co3O4@g-CN material demonstrates structural stability after the 5000th charge/discharge cycles with (95%) retention. The Nyquist plot was utilized to find charge transfer resistance of the Co3O4@g-CN nanohybrid resulting in a value of 0.4 Ω. This value was found to be lower than the charge transfer resistances of both Co3O4 and g-CN. The Co3O4@g-CN electrode material exhibits improved electrochemical characteristic making it a viable candidate for incorporation into supercapacitor. Moreover, their material stability suggests their potential to be used in future generation energy storage equipment.

Role of silicate-rich and silicate-less industrial solid wastes in the physicomechanical properties and durability of low quality metakaolin-blended cement.

Although calcined clay-blended cement offers higher performance and durability compared to neat Portland cement (PC), its extensive use of natural clay leads to the depletion of natural non-renewable resources. To address this concern, this study focuses on the utilization of supplementary cementitious materials-based waste products as a substitute for PC. The blended cement was optimized with a low replacement level of 10 wt.% calcined Fanja clay (FNJ) as a low-grade metakaolin (MK) and 90 wt.% PC. Various types of industrial solid wastes (ISWs) were incorporated into the PC-FNJ blend in place of PC. The ISWs utilized included silicate-rich wastes, such as silica fume (SF) and glass waste (GW) powder, as well as silicate-less waste, such as marble dust (MD). The results revealed that incorporating 10 wt.% SF into the PC-FNJ mixture resulted in a considerable decrease in the flow rate while improving its early mechanical strength. GW, as another silicate waste, also enhanced early mechanical properties but not as much as SF. However, the composite of PC-FNJ-GW exhibited higher workability than the neat PC, PC-FNJ, and PC-FNJ-SF. The mixtures of PC-FNJ-MD demonstrated the same trend. Embedding SF into PC-FNJ-GW and PC-FNJ-MD substantially decreased both their flowability and mechanical properties. Nonetheless, all composites containing ISWs showed higher flexural strength, higher resistivity to chloride diffusivity, and higher or comparable acid and salt resistivity.

Effect on Sulfuric Acid Resistance and Shrinkage of Concrete Incorporating Processed Bagasse Ash and Silica Fume

Using ordinary Portland cement (OPC) in concrete has significant environmental and sustainability concerns. Notably, in the production of OPC, large volumes of greenhouse gases are produced, which contribute to global warming, and large amounts of natural raw materials are used, which can lead to the depletion of nonrenewable resources with time. In addition, OPC production is highly energy-intensive. To mitigate these concerns, it has become common practice to reduce the amount of OPC used in concrete production by partially replacing OPC with a supplementary cementitious material (SCM). Most of the SCMs used have pozzolanic properties and react with free lime in OPC to provide more cementitious material, which increases the long-term strength of concrete and also densifies the pore structure, resulting in improved durability in harsh environments. This study explored the effect of OPC on the resistance to sulfuric acid attack and drying shrinkage when OPC is partially replaced by processed bagasse ash (PBA) at dosages of up to 50%, together with 5% silica fume. Both materials are pozzolanic and are expected to react with free lime in OPC concrete to increase the strength and densify the concrete; however, with increased PBA dosage, the cement is diluted, and a reduction in strength can be expected. This study explores the benefits that can be realized, focusing primarily on sulfuric acid resistance and the reduction of drying shrinkage.

An Enhanced MPPT Approach Based on CUSA for Grid-Integrated Hybrid Electric Vehicle Charging Station

Because of the fluctuating demands for electricity and the growing awareness of the need to protect the environment from global warming and the depletion of nonrenewable natural resources, battery-powered electric vehicles, or EVs, are being used in the transportation sector as an alternative to internal combustion engine vehicles. However, charging these EVs with conventional fossil fuels is neither economically sustainable nor structurally viable. Therefore, this manuscript proposes a renewable energy-powered EV charging station featuring a combination of solar energy, standby battery systems, sophisticated control techniques such as neural network-integrated grids, the enhanced Cuckoo Search Algorithm for Maximum Power Point Tracking, and the Proportional-Integral-Derivative controller. This idea beats current methods and presents a viable way to drive the EV revolution while lessening environmental effects. It maximizes energy management and guarantees a steady power supply even in erratic weather. Grid integration ensures the consistency of power supplies at charging terminals. When compared to other algorithms that have been investigated in the literature, the designed algorithm exhibits excellent performance. Grid integration, in addition to the standby battery, is essential in ensuring that the charging station has a constant power supply, even during unpredictable weather.

Electric mobility in an oil-producing developing nation: Empirical assessment of electric vehicle adoption

Electric vehicle (EVs) usage has become imperative owing to its merits in combating environmental pollution, non-renewable resource depletion, and advancing environmental sustainability. Notwithstanding, there is a lack of enthusiasm and interest in adopting and using electric vehicles in Africa. EV acceptance and proliferation hinge pivotally on consumer attitudes, perceptions, and behaviors. This underscores the need to inquire about the adoption intention of electric vehicles in Africa. Empirical studies on the adoption of EVs in Africa remain limited. Consequently, the study investigates EV adoption intention in Ghana, – a crude oil-endowed African nation. The study expanded the technology acceptance model (TAM) with imposition perception, low-carbon commuting campaigns, and status symbolism. With 512 responses, a structural equation model (SEM) was applied in verifying the hypothetical statements. Attitude, perceived ease of use, and status symbolism positively influenced EV adoption intention, as imposition perception showed an adverse impact. Low-carbon commuting campaign was insignificant in impacting EV adoption intention. Status symbolism insignificantly impacted attitude. Perceived-ease-of-use impacted attitude. Attitude fully mediated low carbon commuting campaigns and EV adoption intention. The analysis also indicated that perceived-ease-of-use partially mediated the impact of imposition perception and status symbol on EV adoption intention. Policy initiatives are enumerated for improving EV adoption and proliferation.

Investigating the Influence of Inlet Relative Humidity on Polymer Electrolyte Membrane Fuel Cell Performance by Visualizing 4-D Water Distributions in Gas Diffusion Layers

The catastrophic effects of atmospheric greenhouse gases and the depletion of non-renewable resources has led to the urgency to develop clean, sustainable energy technologies to meet increasing energy demands. However, the intermittent nature of current renewable energy technologies warrants the acquisition of on-demand renewable energy through either energy production or storage methods. Polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are promising candidates for this task, as they utilize the most abundant element on Earth, hydrogen, to produce high amounts of power under rapid changes in load with little to no greenhouse gas emissions (1). Therefore, PEMFCs have great potential to help offset the negative impact of atmospheric pollution due to excessive carbon emissions. However, liquid water management issues associated with high power output of the fuel cell typically leads to reduced performance and durability of the fuel cell, and thereby hinders global implementation of these devices (2). To minimize these losses and improve GDL material designs, an understanding of the relationship between product liquid water distributions in the cathode GDL and transport properties of PEMFCs under varying operating conditions is highly valuable. Previous works have characterized the effect of operating temperature on liquid water pathways and distributions in GDLs by visualizing operando PEMFCs with 3D imaging techniques such as X-ray computed tomography (CT) (3). The high-speed, high-resolution capabilities of these imaging techniques enable the visualization of dynamic pore-scale activity to elucidate transport mechanisms in the GDL.In this work, the effect of inlet relative humidity on the formation and distribution of liquid water pathways in cathode GDLs is investigated by imaging a PEMFC operando with synchrotron X-ray CT at high spatial resolution, enabling the resolution of water in the individual pores of the GDL. The contribution of a microporous layer (MPL) is also explored by imaging a cell with an MPL and without. Imaging is conducted on a specialized cell designed to facilitate continuous rotation about the CT stage, enabling fast acquisition of consecutive scans to achieve high temporal resolution useful for visualizing the dynamic development of preferential water pathways. Additionally, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy was performed to quantify mass transport losses. The sequence of CT images was utilized to capture the dynamics of liquid water development as well as stabilized water distributions. Visualizing the reconstructed images shows that as current increases, water production increases, and the development of water pathways to breakthrough at the flow field interface is observed. Additionally, results show that an increase in relative humidity led to a significant increase in cathode GDL water saturation.The contribution of this study to understanding transport mechanisms in GDL materials is significant to the characterization and optimal design of materials for improved PEMFC performance. Ultimately, the goal of this work is to accelerate the worldwide adoption of PEMFCs as a sustainable, reliable solution to replace conventional carbon-emitting energy sources.1. Alaswad et al., J. Hydrog. Energy, 41, (2016)2. Nagai et al., J. Power Sources, 435, (2019)3. D. Shum et al., Electrochem. Acta, 256, (2017)

The impact of circular economy indicators in the optimal planning of energy systems

One of the purposes of the Circular Economy is to promote the optimization of resources; most power systems planning towards renewable energy focus on the operation phase. In this sense, innovative Circular Economy indicators play a fundamental role in planning electricity generation due to the massive electrification of economic activities, offering the option of using fewer material resources in the system infrastructure to reduce the depletion of non-renewable resources. Therefore, when planning a power supply system, it is essential to assess technical, environmental, and economic aspects to guarantee the system's proper functioning and an infrastructure design with the minimum impact. This work presents a mathematical programming approach that aims to introduce rigorous metrics on the requirements of non-renewable resources used during the process and energy self-sufficiency since they have not been studied as one of the aspects of the Circular Economy within the energy sector. In addition, the model determines the optimal selection of the required infrastructure and necessary capacities in energy production to satisfy the energy demand required in a specific period. Together, the quantification of materials is normalized using the Abiotic Depletion Potential as a comparison of the depletion of non-renewable resources. The proposed Mixed Integer Nonlinear Programming (MINLP) multi-objective model is solved using the goal programming technique, allowing to determine the compensations between the total cost, CO2eq emissions (related to the production of energy in the different energy generating technologies) and Circular Economy indicators. A case study for power generation in Mexico is presented and the results show that by implementing Circular Economy indicators as an addition to the economic and environmental functions, “achievement in performance” for the different objectives ranges from 84.00 % and 89.96 %. In addition, the optimization shows a 76.17 % decrease in the total cost and 48.73 % in CO2eq emissions concerning the respective worst case (Nadir point). This paper contributes to the growing body of literature on the integration of Circular Economy metrics, specifically in optimizing the energy sector.

Mechanical properties of straw basalt fiber reinforced concrete composites

One of the biggest problems responsible of the nonrenewable resources depletion and environmental issues is the construction industries, which generates large amounts of mineral waste and harmful emitted gases. Therefore, these problems generated the necessity to search for alternative natural building materials based on renewable resources. To study the mechanical characteristics and microstructural behavior of the concrete reinforced by raw wheat straw basalt fiber composite (RWSBFc), and treated rice straw basalt fiber composite (TRSBFc), a number of experimental tests were carried out with different composites ratios. Concrete compressive strength, splitting tensile strength, and flexural strength tests were considered as main parameters. The results showed that the RWSBFC has a positive effect on concrete flexural strength by increasing of 12.58%, compared with control samples. Also, it showed good enhancement in concrete flexibility and ductility. In contrast, both RWSBFc and TRSBFc showed uneven deterioration in concrete compressive strength and splitting tensile strength. To avoid the deterioration in compressive strengths of the various composites types, some improvement methods such as processors for the used straw, and adding some additives were recommended.

Ecolabelling for improving sustainability of agri-food supply chain: An experimental implementation of the Made Green in Italy scheme on the hard sheep milk cheese

Unsustainable food supply chains are sources of relevant environmental impacts and strongly contribute to the depletion of non-renewable resources. Ecolabelling is one of the measures for increasing market awareness of the sustainability of a product and encourage the implementation of low-input practices along the food production system. Made Green in Italy (MGI) scheme is an initiative based on the PEF method and aimed to reward Made in Italy products with high environmental profile. A screening study was conducted on four Sardinian dairy plants to develop an experimental MGI application on the hard sheep milk cheese supply chain, using Pecorino Romano PDO as reference product. Sheep milk phase resulted the main contributor for all relevant impact categories (over 94%). Benchmark score (1.33E-05 Pt) was calculated adding the normalized and weighted values of the 3 main relevant impact categories (Climate Change, Land Use and Water Scarcity). Three performance classes were defined considering the best and the worst values of life cycle processes: upper threshold was equal to 1.62E-05 Pt and lower threshold was equal to 1.17E-05 Pt. The relevant sheep milk impact highlighted the crucial role of sheep farming systems for improving the environmental footprint of the Pecorino Romano PDO.

Sustainable trimmings for clothing

Global environmental concerns, as well as the rapid depletion of non-renewable resources based on fossil fuels, have led to research into the development of sustainable, environmentally friendly, and biodegradable materials for use in a variety of applications. The textile chain is wide and diversified according to the final product. The basic raw material is the fibers/filaments, however, other compounds/materials are necessary for the formation of the part. In this context are the trimmings, elements that are part of the finishing of the pieces and that can be used for decoration or functionality. The materials most used in the production of trim are synthetic. Therefore, this article aims to present a review about sustainable trims, obtained from different materials, which are usually discarded in nature, and which are increasingly being used in the textile and fashion industry, as well as clothing companies that have already adopted sustainable practices and the challenges that arise when adopting sustainable materials.

Technological progress in the function of productivity and sustainability of agriculture: The case of innovative countries and the Republic of Serbia

Bearing in mind the predictions of global population growth and the reduction of agricultural areas, followed by the depletion of non-renewable resources and environmental pollution, which leads to climate changes, it is necessary to implement sustainable solutions in the shortest possible time in agriculture, as one of the leading polluters. It is necessary to resolve the contradiction between increasing yields and preserving the environment. In this sense, modern technological solutions in agriculture should be applied, which will lead to an increase in productivity, i.e. creating a higher yield on the same or smaller areas. This can be achieved by optimizing the use of inputs in agriculture by introducing different solutions within precision agriculture. AI is one solution that needs to be developed and that leads to sustainable development. Adequate education, digital literacy and appropriate infrastructure are also required for its application. The goal of the research is to indicate the direction in which technological progress in agriculture should go and how the current technologies applied in agriculture reflect on the economic and sustainable development. With OLS panel regression concluded that only agricultural technologies that lead to increase productivity in agriculture have a positive impact on economic and sustainable development.

Recycled Concrete Aggregates (RCA)-based asphalt mixtures: A performance-related evaluation with sustainability-criteria verification

This investigation aims to explore the feasibility of using Recycled Concrete Aggregate (RCA) as a partial replacement for Natural Aggregates (NAs) in the production of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) and Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA). As WMA technology, Iterlow T (a chemical additive) was selected. For both types of asphalt mixtures, the RCA dosages of 0, 15, 30 and 45% by weight of coarse aggregates were considered. Notably, four different RCA sources were assessed, and the alkali-silica reaction and attached mortar quantity were analyzed for each one. In order to examine the effect of the coarse RCA on the performance-related properties of the asphalt mixtures, a test protocol was conducted. This protocol comprised four tests, i.e., stiffness modulus, moisture susceptibility, rutting resistance, and fatigue life. Additionality, a sustainability-criteria verification was performed employing the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) methodologies. Respectively, the LCA and LCCA estimate each alternative's environmental impacts and production costs. Consequently, the main finding obtained were: (i) as the coarse RCA content increases, asphalt mixtures exhibit a reduction in their mechanical performance; (ii) the performance-related properties of the HMAs and WMAs with a 15% RCA dosage are acceptable, but more elevated amounts generate highly noticeable deterioration; and (iii) 15% of coarse RCA minimizes the environmental burdens and maximizes the cost-effectiveness of the asphalt mixtures fabrication. Thus, the main contribution to the literature that achieves this research is to perform a comprehensive multi-criteria examination on the potential of the RCA as a recycled material to minimize the depletion of non-renewable resources.

Power generation from wastewater using microbial fuel cells: A review.

As the world grapples with an imminent energy crisis brought on by the depletion of nonrenewable resources, such as petroleum, the necessity for alternative and eco-friendly power sources becomes increasingly apparent. In this regard harnessing knowledge gained from natural microorganisms to produce electricity using economical substrates is a promising solution through microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Microbial fuel cells leverage microbes' catabolic abilities to break down organic matter and release electrons that are subsequently transported across an external circuit for electricity generation. This article delves into the fundamental components involved in MFC construction and explores crucial factors that impact their performance including substrate oxidation, electron transfer, and internal resistance. Additionally, it offers a comprehensive analysis of existing microbial fuel cell designs while highlighting their respective strengths and weaknesses. Finally, the article showcases cost-effective MFC models based on thorough studies conducted worldwide while illuminating potential practical applications of this renewable energy technology.

Sustainability assessment of hydrogen production based on nuclear energy

Hydrogen is expected to be a key energy carrier in the global energy transition. A promising method of hydrogen production is water electrolysis powered by nuclear energy. This energy source can also be used in other hydrogen production technologies, such as copper-chlorine cycle. Proper comparison of various hydrogen production methods from the sustainability perspective requires the use of analysis in a global balance boundary. The paper presents a comparison of sustainability of various hydrogen generation methods, with emphasis on the methods exploiting nuclear energy. Instead of local energy efficiency, the index of Thermo-Ecological Cost (TEC) is proposed. TEC is a measure of the depletion of non-renewable resources burdening the production of a given product. Other criteria used in the assessment are: availability of energy supply (capacity factor), cumulative greenhouse gas emissions and resources to production ratio. In addition, water electrolysis and copper-chlorine cycle have been considered cogeneration processes, providing oxygen as a useful by-product. Taking into account all the criteria suggests that obtaining hydrogen with the use of nuclear technologies will provide a fair, long-term compromise compared to other hydrogen generation technologies.

The feasibility and analysis of electric taxi vehicles in Singapore: A review

Taxi is one of the essential ways of transportation, which contributes to the depletion of non-renewable resources, congestion, emissions of harmful gases, energy consumption, and noise pollution. One way to reduce the environmental pollution caused by the road transportation system is to replace conventional and hybrid vehicles with pure electric-driven powertrains. In fact, EVs were announced as the key element in the sustainable transport strategy in urban areas, but the company operating transport services using vehicle fleets should increase the demand for electric vehicles to spread awareness. This paper reviews the feasibility of EV taxis in Singapore by analyzing the available infrastructure and energy prices. To introduce the electric vehicle in Singapore as an electric taxi, the construction along with the location of charging infrastructure need to be properly planned. Initiatives taken by different countries and the large-scale transition have also been reviewed. Despite the drawbacks of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), such as charging inconvenience and limited range, promising potential for EV taxis has been presented by the technological progress This paper also compared different aspects of the currently used taxis with EV taxis in Singapore. For the augmentation of this transition, improvement of the business model, dissemination of charging infrastructure, and policy support can play a vital role.

Preparation of Biodegradable Reduced Graphene Oxide/Agar Composites by In Situ Reduction of Graphene Oxide

Plastics are ubiquitous in our daily life. However, the use of petrochemical-based plastic as packaging materials causes the depletion of non-renewable resources, thereby leading to an increase in oil prices and economic crises. Moreover, these petrochemical plastics raise the issue of environmental pollution due to their non-biodegradability. Owing to this, there is a need to develop an alternative biodegradable and eco-friendly packing material. Agar, which is extracted from seaweeds, is one of the abundantly available polymers. However, moderate tensile strength and thermal stability restrict its application. As a step forward, agar/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) composites were prepared by in situ reduction of GO in the polymer matrix. The tensile strength of the composite was found to increase by 55% at 2% RGO loading. The electrical conductivity and thermal properties of the composite were also improved. The presence of conductivity suggested that apart from packaging, agar/RGO composites can also have potential applications as capacitor plates creating a supercapacitor and as electric field-induced wound healing material.