Eco-friendly Materials Research Articles

Exploring Aqueous Solution-Processed Pseudohalide Rare-Earth Double Perovskite Ferroelectrics toward X-Ray Detection with High Sensitivity.

Three-dimensional (3D) pseudohalide rare-earth double perovskites (PREDPs) have garnered significant attention for their versatile physical properties, including ferroelectricity, ferroelasticity, large piezoelectric responses, and circularly polarized luminescence. However, their potential for X-ray detection remains unexplored, and the low Curie temperature (TC) limits the performance window for PREDP ferroelectrics. Here, by applying the chemical regulation strategies involving halogen substitution on the organic cation and Rb/Cs substitution to the PREDP [(R)-M3HQ]2RbEu(NO3)6 [(R)-M3HQ=(R)-N-methyl-3-hydroxylquinuclidinium] with a low TC of 285 K, a novel 3D PREDP ferroelectric [(R)-CM3HQ]2CsEu(NO3)6 [(R)-CM3HQ=(R)-N-chloromethyl-3-hydroxylquinuclidinium] are successfully synthesized, for which the TC reaches 344 K. More importantly, such a strategy endowed [(R)-CM3HQ]2CsEu(NO3)6 with notable X-ray detection capabilities. Centimeter-sized [(R)-CM3HQ]2CsEu(NO3)6 single crystals fabricated from aqueous solutions demonstrated a sensitivity of 1307 μC Gyair -1 cm-2 and a low detectable dose rate of 152 nGyair s-1, the highest sensitivity reported for hybrid double perovskite ferroelectric detectors. This work positions PREDPs as promising candidates for the next generation of eco-friendly optoelectronic materials and also offers substantial insights into the interaction between structure, composition, and functionality in ferroelectric materials.

Enhancing bricks with titanium dioxide ore waste: Mechanical and environmental assessments

Using residues, generated in various production chains of goods and services through developing new materials for civil construction, has proven to be a promising approach to addressing environmental issues. The residue generated during titanium dioxide (TiO2) production, commonly called Unreacted Ore Waste (UOW), presents potential utilization routes in the ceramic materials production chain, thereby avoiding disposal in industrial landfills. This study aimed to investigate the effects of combining UOW with ceramic blocks for any beneficial results. The properties of ceramic blocks obtained from the mixture of clay and UOW were evaluated after adding 5 %, 10 %, 15 %, and 20 % of UOW relative to the clay’s total mass. The ceramic blocks produced were assessed for their mechanical, photocatalytic, morphological, granulometric, mineralogical, and chemical properties. The results indicated that UOW did not negatively affect the structural properties studied. The addition of UOW led to a significant 9 % increase in the self-cleaning efficacy of the ceramic block produced. The textural parameter values of the ceramic blocks decreased with UOW incorporation due to more efficient particle packing. The surface area reduced from 16.6 to 9.1 m2/g, and the pore volume decreased from 0.045 to 0.025 cm3/g for samples from 0 % to 20 % UOW, respectively. Decreased porosity values contributed to increased compressive strength, resulting in a 6.5 MPa increment. The results suggested that the addition of UOW causes an increase in Al concentrations in leachate samples, from 647.64 to 5128.92 ppb for samples from 0 % to 20 % UOW, respectively. The presence of leachate and solubilized components from UOW impaired the germination of Lactuca sativa seeds. Based on the results, although the addition of UOW resulted in toxicity from the leachate/solubilized components, it did not adversely affect any fundamental properties of the ceramic materials. It can be incorporated up to 20 % into the process, replacing traditional raw materials. This suggests promising future trends in sustainable construction, with broader applications in the development of eco-friendly building materials.

Experimental Study on Direct Shear Behavior of New-to-Old Interface for Recycled Aggregate Concrete with Different Replacement Ratios

The large amount of construction waste produced by the construction industry brings severe natural resource consumption and environmental pollution, elevating the awareness of sustainable development. Recycled aggregate concrete, crushed from construction waste, is recognized as an eco-friendly material and the current optimal solution for the environmental problem. The interface shear failure between substrate recycled coarse aggregate concrete (RAC) and overlay natural aggregate concrete becomes vital for structural safety. In order to study the direct shear performance, a total of 19 specimens were designed to carry out the direct shear test with different replacement ratios, interface types and curing ages. The whole process and failure mode were recorded. The relationships between the shear capacity and deformation, ductility, damage evolution, and energy dissipation were evaluated and discussed. The results demonstrate that the RAC component in the interface was the weak line in the shear plane, accelerating the damage evolution. In the early curing stage, the replacement ratio had a slight influence on the shear properties. Increasing the recycled aggregate replacement ratio from 0 to 100% improved the normalized strength ratio by 8.94% and 14.62%, respectively, for curing ages of 3 days and 7 days. A regression equation was proposed to predict the shear strength, accounting for the curing ages. With the increase in the replacement ratio, the ductility and energy dissipation gradually enhanced.

Studying of Mechanical Behavior of Waste Materials Modified Cement Mortar

Large-scale environmental problems have been triggered by ceramic tiles from demolished buildings and animal bone waste. Therefore, optimizing their potential for reuse and recycling is an important goal of sustainable solid waste management. The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of partial replacement of the fine aggregates in cement mortar with a combination of natural animal bone powder and industrial waste materials which is wall tiles ceramic powder. This study measures thermal and mechanical characteristics. Recycling construction waste is one of many ways to deny waste material from entering landfills and create new eco-friendly material that reduces energy consumption in buildings. Modified mortar cement specimens with 5% up to 25% mixtures were combined using a 1:3 ratio and a 0.5 W/C ratio to see how the ratios would affect the material’s properties. The addition of a superplasticizer boosted the cement mortar’s workability and compressive strength. The compressive strength, flexural strength, density, and thermal conductivity were evaluated for each mortar mixture ratio. Results showed that compared to regular cement mortar, cement mortar combined with 20% bone and ceramic powder wastes reached the optimal replacement percentage. Compressive strength increased by 54% and flexural strength by about 67%. At the 28-day mark, thermal insulation was lowered by 25%.It is concluded from this study that it is possible to use bone waste as a natural material with ceramic waste as an industrial material to modify the insulation and mechanical properties of cement mortar.

One-Pot Hybridization of Microfibrillated Cellulose and Hydroxyapatite as a Versatile Route to Eco-Friendly Mechanical Materials.

Hydroxyapatite was crystallized in an alkaline dispersion of mechanically fibrillated cellulose to prepare their composites with hydroxyapatite contents of 26-86 wt %. The composite powder was uniaxially pressed at 120 °C and 300 MPa to obtain the compacts. Three-point bending tests revealed that the bending strengths of the compacts were 40-100 MPa, and the elastic moduli were 4-9 GPa. The composite containing 43% hydroxyapatite showed the largest bending strength and the largest work of fracture, and the composite containing 62% hydroxyapatite showed the largest elastic modulus. The composites, derived from the bioderived eco-friendly materials, showed the mechanical properties comparable to those of engineering plastics such as polyamide-6. Scanning electron microscopic observation of the fracture surface showed that the organic phase was discontinuous when the hydroxyapatite weight fraction was increased from 43% to 62%, and the compacts with a discontinuous organic phase lost toughness.

Enhancing mechanical properties of carbonated steel slag through surfactant-assisted CaCO3 crystallization

This study investigates the enhancement of mechanical properties in carbonated steel slag through surfactant-assisted CaCO3 crystallization. Sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) was employed at various concentrations (0.1–0.4 mol/L) and temperatures (20–60 °C) to modulate the carbonation process. Optimal performance was achieved with 0.2 mol/L SDBS at 40 °C, resulting in a maximum CO2 uptake of 8.51 % and a compressive strength of 62.89 MPa, 81.66 % higher than unmodified steel slag. Characterization techniques confirmed the formation of crystalline calcite, vaterite, and aragonite, contributing to improved microstructure and strength. SDBS micelles act as templates for CaCO3 nucleation and growth, with low concentrations facilitating carbonation and high concentrations inhibiting it. This research offers new insights into surfactant-assisted crystallization for enhancing carbonated steel slag properties, paving the way for high-performance, eco-friendly building materials from industrial waste.

Phonon-charge carrier dynamics via grain-boundary phase in equilibrium reaction of higher manganese silicide/CNF hybrid composites

Higher manganese (TE) silicide (HMS), an eco-friendly, low-cost, and earth-abundant p-type thermoelectric material, exposes a Nowotny chimney-ladder crystal structure, obeying the 14th-electron rule. Here, a hybrid composite of a carbon nanofiber (CNF) and HMS was synthesized by vacuum melting followed by spark plasma sintering, and its thermoelectric performance were demonstrated. The incorporation of CNF with HMS notably enhances the Seebeck coefficient and decline the thermal conductivity without significantly affecting the carrier concentration and electrical conductivity due to the interfacial energy filtering effect. A maximum Seebeck coefficient of 307 μV/K was recorded for the 0.5% CNF composite with HMS, leading to accomplish a high-power factor of 1755.63 μW/mK2 at 803 K. Also, interfaces, grain boundaries, and dislocations leading to the high magnitude of strain, confirmed from HR-TEM and strain analysis, leads to decrease in lattice thermal conductivity to 1.95 W/mK. As a result, HMS attains the peak zT value of 0.64, suggesting that carbon-based composites are a promising way to boost the thermoelectric performance of HMS-based compounds.

Effect of Sustainable Fabric Sourcing on Fashion Brand Reputation in Sweden

Purpose: The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of sustainable fabric sourcing on fashion brand reputation in Sweden Methodology: This study adopted a desk methodology. A desk study research design is commonly known as secondary data collection. This is basically collecting data from existing resources preferably because of its low cost advantage as compared to a field research. Our current study looked into already published studies and reports as the data was easily accessed through online journals and libraries. Findings: Sustainable fabric sourcing has a positive impact on the reputation of fashion brands in Sweden. Brands that prioritize eco-friendly materials and ethical supply chains are increasingly seen as socially responsible, gaining consumer trust and loyalty. This shift reflects growing environmental awareness among Swedish consumers, who value transparency and sustainability in the fashion industry. As a result, brands that adopt sustainable practices often experience enhanced brand image, stronger customer relationships, and increased competitiveness in the market. However, the challenge lies in ensuring consistent implementation of these practices, as consumers are quick to criticize brands for "greenwashing" or failing to meet sustainability standards. Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: Stakeholder theory, theory of planned behavior & resource-based view (RBV) may be used to anchor future studies on the effect of sustainable fabric sourcing on fashion brand reputation in Sweden. Brands should implement transparent communication strategies that detail their sustainable fabric sourcing practices. Policymakers should create supportive frameworks that incentivize sustainable sourcing practices in the fashion industry.

Performance Optimization of Alkaline Multi-Industrial Waste-Based Cementitious Materials for Soil Solidification.

This study presents the development of eco-friendly cementitious materials for soil stabilization, based on alkaline multi-industrial waste (AMIW), using steel slag (SS), blast furnace slag (BFS), carbide slag (CS), fly ash (FA) and flue gas desulfurization gypsum (FGDG) as the raw materials. The optimal AMIW-based cementitious material composition determined through orthogonal experiments was SS:CS:FGDG:BFS:FA = 15:10:15:44:16. Central composite design (CCD) in response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the curing process parameters. The maximum 7-day unconfined compressive strength (7d UCS) was achieved under the optimal conditions of 18.51% moisture content, 11.46% curing agent content and 26.48 min of mix-grinding time. The 7d UCS of the AMIW-stabilized soil showed a 24% improvement over ordinary Portland cement (OPC)-stabilized soil. Rietveld refinement results demonstrated that the main hydration products of the stabilized soil were C-S-H and ettringite. After curing for 7 days to 28 days, the C-S-H content increased from 3.31% to 5.76%, while the ettringite content increased from 1.41% to 3.54%. Mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis revealed that with the extension of curing time, the pores of the stabilized soil become smaller and the structure becomes denser, resulting in an improvement in compressive strength.

Investigating the Sway of Marine Brown Seaweed Gel as Natural Polymer in Properties of Concrete

In the present study, the effects of the fresh properties as slump, consistency and setting time and hardened concrete's characteristics such as compressive, split tensile and flexural strength for various ages, the brown seaweed (Sargassum wightii) gel was added to cement throughout differing proportions (1, 2, 3, 4 and 5%) by the mass of concrete. Durability and thermal tests such as water absorption, sorptivity, RCPT, acid attack and thermal conductivity also determined at various ages. Micro structural properties of seaweed gel were found out by SEM, FTIR and XRD analysis. Test results show that seaweed gel act as retarding admixture in cement up to 5% of addition. For instance, 5% alginate collections as a percentage of concrete mass showed a comparable compressive strength of about 42MPa. The use of seaweed gel improved the thermal characteristics of concrete by reducing its thermal conductivity roughly 50% for a 5% addition. The seaweed gels up to 5% addition in concrete will significantly improve the fresh-state properties of concrete without affecting its hardened properties. The future is completely dependent on eco-friendly materials; hence the use of natural organic additives to improve the strength and durability of cement concrete would be the better option for sustainability.

Eco-Friendly Brick Produced from Bagasse Ash and Lime, Jaggery: A Study of Waste Reuse

The building construction industry in India, which is one of the fastest-growing in the world, heavily relies on limited natural resources, especially burned clay bricks, which raise greenhouse gas emissions. This study investigates the viability of using the laterite soil-based bagasse bricks as an affordable and environmentally friendly substitute. This brick's greater compressive strength, decreased water absorption, and improved insulating qualities are the result of combining sugarcane bagasse—a byproduct of sugar production—with the laterite soil, lime, and jaggery. These bricks' low weight limits the dead load in tall structures, which lowers the price of building with reinforced cement concrete (RCC). Employing bagasse also lessens the effects of stubble burning, an ancient custom in India that seriously pollutes the air. The goal of the study is to encourage the use of laterite soil-bagasse bricks as an environmentally friendly building material by highlighting their many uses in construction. This research aims to encourage environmentally friendly practices in the building sector by promoting the use of sustainable materials by architects, designers, and builders. Key Words: Sustainable construction, laterite soil, bagasse bricks, greenhouse gas emissions, compressive strength, insulation, stubble burning, eco-friendly materials, RCC construction.

Cutting Edge Nanoplatforms with Smart Bio-sensing Applications: Paving the Way for Sustainable Green Approaches

Abstract: In the era of automation, sustainable technologies employing eco-friendly materials and manufacturing techniques such as ‘Green nanobiosensors’ have taken centre stage, owing to their opulent portfolio encompassing renewable fabrication and design from biomaterials, biocompatibility, and ease of functionalization. Generally, sensors utilize nanomaterials sourced from renewable resources or with minimal environmental impact, such as cellulose nanocrystals, chitosan, and biopolymers, owing to their exceptional properties such as high surface area. With the advent of environmentally conscious attributes in the cutting-edge nano biosensing technology, green nano-biosensors offer innovative avenues for sensitive and selective detection and monitoring of myriad analytes with minimal environmental repercussions. Further, such sensors operate at low energy levels, contributing to reduced energy consumption, and can be mass-produced with minimal environmental influence. The present outlay of literature aims to decipher the utilization of eco-friendly materials and sustainable manufacturing techniques in creating nano-biosensors and subsequently promulgating their advantages in terms of energy efficiency, low environmental impact, and use of renewable resources. Furthermore, this study embellishes a comprehensive framework that delineates the diverse applications of these green nanobiosensors as eco-friendly technological solutions across diverse sectors primarily agriculture, environmental monitoring, and biomedicine, showcasing their potential to revolutionize these domains while minimizing environmental impact.

Prediction of the Future Trends of Housing Project Development with Modified Delphi Technique

This research was initiated to study the trend of the housing projects in the next ten years (2022-2031), with the applied Modified Delphi Technique. The research was conducted by interviewing five experts with more than ten years of knowledge and experience in design, construction, technology, location, and marketing. The gathered trends were applied to create questionnaires in order to conduct two rounds of surveys to assess the consensus level of ten experts with at least ten years of experience in the real estate industry, according to the consensus analysis method from the Modified Delphi Technique. Thirteen trends were found from the study. There are four design trends: more beautiful façade, soundproof wall, universal design furniture, and universal design house building. In addition, eco-friendly materials and modular construction systems were found to be construction trends while smart home device installation and active air flow technology were found to be technology trends. Regarding the trend of the project location, the projects tend to be located in areas expanding into the suburbs. Finally, four marketing trends were also reported: Virtual Reality utilization in sales presentation, advertising to reach more customers, inviting social media influencers to play a role in reviewing projects, providing credit consulting services and refunding of reservation money if a customer’s loan is not approved. The results of the study provide information to all parties involved in planning strategies and operating a business in developing housing estates in the future.

Lignin-based flame retardant via sequential purification-nanoparticle formation, and N[sbnd]P coupled chemical modification

A nonhalogenated and ecofriendly flame-retarding material was developed using lignin, one of the main components of lignocellulosic biopolymers. Lignin was purified, dissolved, and formulated as nanoparticles and implemented after processing in an ecofriendly water-based γ-valerolactone (GVL) system at different concentrations. Nitrogen‑phosphorus sequential chemical modification was performed using polyethyleneimine (PEI) and phytic acid (PA), The char residue increased by ≥10 % compared with lignin nanoparticles (LNPs). A 10 wt% lignin-based flame retardant (L-FR) based on the weight of cotton fabric was introduced using a simple dipping method. Compared to existing cotton fabrics, the combustion time of L-FR treated cotton fabrics was reduced by 6.8 s. The maximum flame height was reduced by 5.4 cm, and the charcoal residue increased by 25 %. The flame-retarding mechanism of L-FR involved low-temperature dehydration, thermal decomposition of cellulose by the phosphorus component of PA and generation of expansive gas by the nitrogen component of PEI. These results showed that lignin-based raw material processing, polymer processing, and chemical modification were biomass-based, suggesting that lignin could be converted into an ecofriendly flame retardant, highlighting the feasibility of high-value-added lignin.

Effect of granulated blast furnace slag on uniaxial compression fatigue properties of engineered geopolymer composites

Engineered geopolymer composites (EGCs), emerging as a novel eco-friendly cementitious material, exhibit considerable potential in diverse applications. Granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS) is a by-product of the blast furnace ironmaking process. Owing to its exceptional cementing properties, GBFS is frequently incorporated into geopolymer materials to enhance strength and stability, while also achieving slurry solidification at ambient temperature. The study examined the effect of different rates of GBFS replacement on the fatigue behavior of EGCs using uniaxial compression fatigue testing, with a particular focus on the changes in fatigue life and fatigue deformation. The results indicate that the fatigue life of EGC conforms to a Weibull distribution. While a higher GBFS replacement rate can improve the compressive strength of EGC, it has a detrimental effect on the fatigue life. Furthermore, when subjected to fatigue loading, the total strain accumulation, residual strain, and fatigue stiffness of EGC exhibited a three-stage evolutionary pattern, and remained constant during the secondary creep stage. Therefore, the comprehensive effect of adding GBFS to EGC on material strength and fatigue properties should be taken into account. This study uncovers the potential negative impacts of GBFS on the fatigue properties of EGC, contradicting the previous belief that GBFS could enhance the mechanical properties of geopolymers. Therefore, a comprehensive and meticulous assessment is necessary when contemplating the use of GBFS as a reinforcement material for EGC.

Water-soluble chitosan polymer for enhanced oil recovery in the carbonate reservoir

Numerous surfactants, nanoparticles and polymers have been developed and utilized for enhanced oil recovery applications, irrespective of their environmental impact. Most of these oilfield chemicals were prepared through multi-steps from fossil-based starting materials using hazardous solvents. However, there is a desire to advance eco-friendly and sustainable materials to reduce CO2 emissions and enhance the sustainability of oil production. Herein, we propose the development of chitosan salt, a solely green polymer, prepared in water in the presence of acetic acid (0.1% v/v). The resulting water-soluble polymer demonstrated excellent stability under reservoir conditions and was tested for enhanced oil recovery in the carbonate reservoir. The oil-wet rock wettability was significantly reduced after using chitosan salt solution. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments were used to show the oil displacement at different pores regions using relaxation time (T2 distribution). Imbibition and coreflooding experiments showed that the chitosan salt is able to increase the enhanced oil recovery by extra 16.2% which surpass the recovery obtained from commercial surfactants such as α-olefin sulfonate (AOS) and cetrimonium bromide (CTAB). This study shows that green materials are promising candidates for oil recovery and upstream applications.

Polymer-grafted metal–organic framework with carbon nanocomposite for photocatalytic dye degradation

Wastewater effluent threatens the environment. Creating eco-friendly materials for its treatment is crucial. We have created an eco-friendly material to treat wastewater effluent. Our trinary nanocomposite combines ZIF-8, Ppy, and AC to degrade organic dyes. We used sugar as the carbon source and changed the pH from acidic to basic to develop Zn/Ppy/AC nanocomposite material. A trinary hybrid named Zn/Ppy/AC was employed to break apart organic dyes, notably methylene blue (MB). The combined material possesses high photocatalytic efficiency when combined with polypyrrole as it is a conductive material that excites electrons more easily and transfers them towards ZIF-8 MOF. The control studies show that the nanomaterial photocatalytic efficiency increased by 98.32 % under UV visible light conditions for 30 min of exposure containing 50 mg nanocomposite with 50 ppm of 50 ml dye solution at room temperature and having neutral pH. Through several cycles, it was discovered that the newly developed hybrid nanocomposite had boosted reusability. The chemical oxygen demand for the nanocomposite was 124 mg/L, revealing that (MB) has been photocatalytically degraded. The in-situ synthesis of the Zn/Ppy/AC nanocomposite was the main objective of this work to synthesize it in large amounts at an affordable price for use in the breakdown of organic pollutants and other applications.

Recovery of mining and agri-food wastes in fired materials: a case study of the Moroccan industry.

The linear economy follows the "take-make-dispose" model and generates huge amounts of waste without consideration for recycling or reuse. This model which deals with raw materials puts pressure on natural resources and creates a serious environmental impact. In a circular economy, the "reduce-reuse-recycle" model is applied to recycle waste into resources and reduce the impact on the environment and society. This work aims to highlight the significance of implementing a circular economy approach in the construction sector by merging two different production lines, notably mining activity and agri-food industry. The investigation presents sustainable management of coal mine waste (CMW) and olive pomace (OP) in the production of eco-friendly fired materials and introduces an innovative approach for manufacturing lightweight fired bricks. Microstructural, physical, mechanical, and thermal properties were determined to evaluate the technological quality of fired materials at 900°C. As a pore-forming agent, adding 10 wt% OP yielded specimens with a bulk density of 1552kg/m3, water absorption of 19.80%, apparent porosity of 29.61%, loss on ignition of 26.98%, and compressive strength of 7.08MPa, satisfying standards for clay masonry units. Simultaneously, it enhances the thermal insulation by reducing thermal conductivity by 18% compared to the control sample with CMW. In this regard, the transition to a greener construction sector necessitates the immediate implementation of a circular economy approach to developing eco-friendly building materials by recovering large amounts of industrial waste, limiting the overuse of natural resources (e.g., clays), and improving the engineering properties of the final product.

Optimizing Comfort and Sustainability: The Impact of Passive Cooling and Eco-Friendly Materials on Indoor Temperature Reduction—A Case Study

Optimizing Comfort and Sustainability: The Impact of Passive Cooling and Eco-Friendly Materials on Indoor Temperature Reduction—A Case Study

Design Issues and Solutions for Improving the Comfort of Neo-Ming Style Chair

This paper explores the design issues and solutions for improving the comfort of new Ming-style chairs. It first analyzes the historical origins, traditional aesthetics, and modern users' new demands for comfort in these chairs. Then, it highlights the comfort-related challenges in terms of chair form, materials, structure, and usage scenarios. The study proposes design principles from the perspectives of ergonomics, material innovation, structural optimization, and modern usage scenarios. Specific strategies to enhance comfort are provided, such as optimizing the angle between the chair back and chair surface, improving cushion materials, optimizing the chair's supporting structure, and incorporating intelligent design. This paper also discusses the challenges of integrating technology with traditional design, the application of eco-friendly materials, and the diverse demands of consumer groups. Finally, it summarizes the future trends and challenges in the comfort-focused design of Neo-Ming style chair.