Environmental Friendliness Research Articles

A Review on Biomass-Derived Carbon Quantum Dots: Emerging Catalysts for Hydrogenation Catalysis.

The circular economy and the depletion of Earth's resources highlight the need to transform waste into value-added emerging materials like carbon quantum dots (CQDs), which show great promise in energy storage, catalysis, and other applications. The production of catalytically active CQDs from biomass garners significant attention due to their unique advantages, such as ease of availability, natural abundance, renewability, low cost, and environmental friendliness. This review addresses the synthesis of CQDs from biomass, the factors influencing their properties and performance, and their diverse applications in catalytic hydrogenation reactions, selective reduction of nitroaromatic compounds, and azo dyes. Recent studies demonstrate that biomass-derived CQDs exhibit significantly improved catalytic activity, selectivity, and stability, effectively addressing the long-standing challenges of low activity and poor stability in catalysts derived from conventional sources.

Mitigating Zinc Dendrite Formation and Parasitic Side Reactions in Aqueous Zn-Ion Batteries Via Laser-Assisted Carbonization of Cu-PANI Films on Zn Anodes.

Aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) are gaining attraction for large-scale energy storage systems due to their high safety, significant capacity, cost-effectiveness, and environmental friendliness. On the other hand, the development of aqueous ZIBs is restricted by the limited practical application of zinc (Zn) because of the high reactivity of Zn in aqueous electrolytes, which results in the severe dendrite growth and parasitic side reactions such as hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). In this study, heteroatom-doped carbon porous surface modification by laser-assisted carbonization of copper (Cu) doped polyaniline (PANI) is designed and fabricated on top of the Zn metal anode (c-Cu-PANI/Zn). The c-Cu-PANI surface-modified Zn anodes exhibit high electrochemical stability and performance during the Zn plating-stripping cycles and suppress the dendrite formation. The symmetrical cell and half-cell with the c-Cu-PANI/Zn anodes exhibit stable cycles for 6000h and 100% Coulombic efficiency for 2500 cycles, respectively. Moreover, the c-Cu-PANI/Zn║V2O5 cell delivers a high specific capacity of 319 mAh g-1 at 0.2 A g-1, which is significantly higher than that of the bare Zn║V2O5 cell (240 mAh g-1). It is believed that applying c-Cu-PANI as a surface modification can enhance the stability and reversibility of the Zn anodes, therefore accelerating the commercialization of ZIBs.

Microwave-derivatized enhanced-spectrofluorophotometric characterization of nateglinide-loaded solid dispersion adsorbate and greenness profile assessment of method.

Nateglinide is an oral meglitinide that treats diabetes. Nateglinide was determined in several commercial formulations using chromatographic and spectrophotometric methods in published research. Quality-by-design approach was applied to develop the in-house nateglinide-loaded Solid Dispersion Adsorbate (SDA) for improving bioavailability and solubility. To determine nanogram-level nateglinide concentration forthe in-house developed nateglinide-SDA pharmacokinetics required time-consuming and expensive hyphenated analytical techniques such as LC-MS or UPLC-MS. Hence, asensitive spectrofluorophotometric method was developed to estimate nateglinide using NBD-Cl (7-chloro-4-nitrobenzoxadiazole) as the fluorophore. Microwave-aided chemical derivatization of nateglinide with NBD-Cl sped up sample analysis. Chemical reaction solvents were eco-friendly to safeguard aquatic life and environment. The chemical process was optimized by quality by design approach using screening design and response surface modelling. The fluorescence intensity of nateglinide was found to be linear over the concentration range of 20-250 ng/mL with a correlation coefficient of 0.9978. The limits of detection and quantification were found to be 10 and 20 ng/mL respectively. Precision and robustness investigations of the spectrofluorimetric method showed less than 2% relative standard deviations. Nateglinide-SDA drug-release study and pharmacokinetics were performed using the sensitive spectrofluorophotometric method. The in-house developed nateglinide-SDA released 95% of the drug in 30 min time duration. In-house-developed nateglinide-SDA has 1.5 times the oral bioavailability of commercial formulations due to in-vivo absorption. The published analytical methods were compared to the enhanced-spectrofluorophotometric method for user-friendliness, efficiency, cost-of-analysis, and environmental friendliness. The proposed sensitive-spectrofluorophotometric method was found to be robust, rapid, eco-friendly, cost-effective, and simple for the estimation of nateglinide.

Solar-Driven Hydrogen Peroxide Production via BiVO4-Based Photocatalysts.

Solar hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) production has garnered increased research interest owing to its safety, cost-effectiveness, environmental friendliness, and sustainability. The synthesis of H2O2 relies mainly on renewable resources such as water, oxygen, and solar energy, resulting in minimal waste. Bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) stands out among various oxide semiconductors for selective H2O2 production under visible light via direct two-electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and two-electron water oxidation reaction (WOR) pathways. Significant advancements have been achieved using BiVO4-based materials in solar H2O2 production over the last decade. This review explores advancements in BiVO4-based photocatalysts for H2O2 production, focusing on photocatalytic powder suspension (PS) and photoelectrochemical (PEC) systems, representing the main approaches for heterogenous artificial photosynthesis. An overview of fundamental principles, performance assessment methodologies, photocatalyst and photoelectrode development, and optimization of reaction conditions is provided. While diverse strategies, such as heterojunction, doping, crystal facet engineering, cocatalyst loading, and surface passivation, have proven effective in enhancing H2O2 generation, this review offers insights into their similar and distinct implementations within the PS and PEC systems. The challenges and future prospects in this field are also discussed to facilitate the rational design of high-performing BiVO4-based photocatalysts and photoelectrodes for H2O2 generation under visible light.

Research on Plant-amendment Combined Remediation Technology of Heavy Metals Contaminated Soil

With the rapid development of industrialization and urbanization, the problem of heavy metal pollution in soil is becoming more and more serious, posing a serious threat to the ecological environment and human health. Phytoremediation technology is valued for its environmental friendliness and cost-effectiveness. In order to provide a scientific basis for the remediation of heavy metal contaminated soil and the promotion of the safe, efficient and sustainable use of heavy metal contaminated cultivated soil, We reviewed the application of plants, amendments, and plant-amendment combinations in the remediation of heavy metal contaminated soils, and The effects of different plants and amendments and their combined application on heavy metal contaminated soil were discussed.

Removal of Pb(II) from aqueous solution using xanthate modified waste walnut shells

A vast number of biomass-based materials are getting increasing attention for heavy metal removal and recovery due to their good performance, low cost, large availability, and environmental friendliness. This study primarily aims to fabricate a cost-effective, potent adsorbent derived from walnut shells through chemical modification, targeting the removal of Pb(II) ions from water. The experimentation involves the preparation of adsorbents from charred walnut shell (CWS) and xanthated walnut shell (XWS), followed by batch trials to eradicate Pb(II) from water. Parameters for instance pH, concentration of Pb(II), adsorbent quantity, and contact duration were examined using both CWS and XWS adsorbents. For characterization purposes, FTIR, XRD, and FE-SEM analyses were employed. Optimal conditions were identified at pH 4 and duration of contact 150 minutes for both adsorbents. Equilibrium sorption data adhered best to the Langmuir isotherm model, with maximum adsorption capacities of 61 mg/g for CWS and 109.9 mg/g for XWS. Kinetic modeling showed the well-fitting of pseudo-second order kinetic. These findings suggest that XWS presents a promising, eco-friendly alternative bioadsorbent intended for the elimination of lead (II) from water.

Porous frameworks for uranium extraction from seawater

The utilization of uranium (U) fission energy as a high-density, clean power source plays a pivotal role in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. Uranium extraction from seawater exhibits superior environmental friendliness compared to terrestrial uranium mining, as it avoids substantial generation of radioactive waste and harmful chemicals. However, conventional adsorbents such as fiber, polymer, and biomass materials exhibit slow adsorption rates and low ion selectivity. Porous frameworks with large inner surface, full host-guest interaction, and site utilization are utilized to improve uranium absorption performance. Consequently, devising and synthesizing materials that enable efficient and cost-effective extraction of U(VI) from seawater poses a formidable challenge. Recently, there has been a considerable surge in academic interest regarding the synthesis and design of porous frameworks. By integrating experimental data, spectroscopic analysis, and theoretical calculations, we have conducted an extensive investigation into the actual performance, underlying principles, and practicality of conventional materials (such as fibers) and novel porous materials serving as adsorbents, photocatalysts, and electrocatalysts for U(VI) extraction from seawater.

Ensemble Bagging Model for Predicting Flexural Strength of Geopolymer Concrete

Waste materials, such as fly ash and lime mortar, are used in the concrete industry to create an environmentally friendly environment. However, since the experimental studies will take time, it is necessary to predict the flexural strength (FS) and properties of Geopolymer concrete (GPC) using ensemble Learning (EL) algorithms in order to shorten the experimental work process and save money and time. In this study, a new ensemble the Bagging prediction model using gradient boosting regressor estimator is proposed to predict the FS of GPC using lime mortar. The performance of the proposed model was evaluated using the performance metrics [Formula: see text], RMSE, MSE, MAE, and MAPE. The proposed model was compared using the individual learning algorithms and validated using [Formula: see text]-fold cross-validation technique. From the SHAP plot obtained using the best proposed EL model BGR, ICE, and PDP analysis, it is seen that the blast furnace slag content has the most significant effect on the FS of GPC.

In Situ Organic Transformation Reactions Involved in Synthesis Process of Polyoxometalate‐Based Hybrids

AbstractThe unique acidity, redox properties, and catalytic characteristics of polyoxometalates(POMs) provide an environment for the in situ transformation of organic molecules. The hydrothermal in situ ligand transformation has shown fascinating appeal in the synthesis of new POM‐based metal‐organic hybrid compounds due to its effectiveness, simplicity, and environmental friendliness. Currently, there has been an increasing number of reports on POM‐based metal‐organic hybrid compounds based on in situ transformation, and the study of the transformation mechanisms of organic components is of great significance for designing new POM‐based hybrid materials. Here, this review summarizes six types of in situ transformation reactions of organic molecules (pyrolysis, hydrolysis, oxidation, condensation, substitution, and cyclization), covering approximately forty kinds of organic molecules. The regulatory mechanisms during the in situ transformation process of organic molecules are discussed, and the impact of in situ transformed organic molecules on the structure of organic‐inorganic hybrid materials based on POMs is analyzed. The article also delves into the structure‐activity relationship between the in situ transformation of organic molecules and the properties of POM‐based composite materials. Finally, the article summarizes the existing problems in this field and provides an outlook on future development directions, aiming to showcase the broad application prospects in catalysis, materials science, energy, and medicinal chemistry.

Enabling Long-cycling Aqueous Zn-Mn3O4 Batteries via Segregated and Interlaced Carbon Frameworks.

Mn3O4 is a promising candidate for aqueous zinc ion batteries (ZIBs) due to its high theoretical capacity (468.5 mAh g-1) and environmental friendliness, while its practical application is hindered by slow kinetics and rapid capacity degradation. Herein, a porous Mn3O4 with segregated and interlaced carbon framework (HCF-Mn3O4) is introduced. The in situ hydro-assembled interlaced carbon nanotube (CNT) forms a porous structure enhancing electron conduction and accelerating Zn2+ transport; while the segregated CNT network serves as an encapsulation layer to improve mechanical stability. Together, these features facilitate the simultaneous insertion and transformation of H+/Zn2+ and enhance Zn2+ diffusion kinetics. As a result, HCF-Mn3O4 achieves a high specific capacity of 474 mAh g-1 at 0.05 A g-1, excellent rate performance of 178 mAh g-1 at 1.50 A g-1, and stable cycling over 3000 cycles with minimal capacity decay (≈0.02% per cycle). This design offers new opportunities for developing high-rate, long-lasting ZIBs.

Rational Design of Porous Y2O3-MnOx/Carbon Heterostructures with Abundant Oxygen Vacancies for High-Efficiency and Ultrastable Zinc-Ion Storage.

Manganese oxides have been considered as the most competitive cathode materials for aqueous zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs) on account of their inherent safety, high operating voltage, environmental friendliness, and cost-effectiveness. Unfortunately, the manganese dissolution, inherently poor electronic conductivity, and the sluggish reaction kinetics of commercial manganese-based oxides severely hinder their practical applications. To address the above issues, we creatively developed hierarchical porous Y2O3-MnOx/C nanorods (named OV-YMO/C) with unique heterostructures and abundant oxygen vacancies via a facile MOF-assisted synthetic process and employed as the advanced cathode. Owing to the well-constructed porous structure, larger surface areas, abundant oxygen vacancies, and strong synergetic coupling effect at the heterogeneous interface, the as-obtained OV-YMO/C cathode exhibited a fascinating discharge capacity of 389.6 mAh g-1 at 0.1 A g-1. Simultaneously, it demonstrated remarkable rate performance (233 mAh g-1 at 4.0 A g-1) and cycling durability (90.6% capacity retention over 3000 cycles at 4.0 A g-1). The fabricated Zn//OV-YMO/C pouch cell could deliver superior flexibility and electrochemical stability under extreme bending conditions. Furthermore, the electrochemical reaction mechanism was comprehensively explored by kinetic analysis and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The synergistic strategy by subtly combining the MOF-assisted approach, heterojunction engineering, and oxygen defects engineering provides valuable insights into the construction of cathode materials for high-rate and ultrastable aqueous ZIBs.

Development of Technological Options for the Use of Various Wastes as Alternative Energy Sources Based on Multicomponent Compositions of Solid Fuels

The article considers promising areas for solving problems of energy and resource conservation, as well as issues of rational use of natural and secondary resources generated in industrial and communal activities. The aspects of research and development of technological options for the use of various wastes based on multicomponent compositions of solid fuels as alternative energy sources are presented. Also presented are the main stages of the developed and applied technologies for briquetting and incineration of multicomponent mixtures based on various combustible waste. The developed algorithm for solving the problem under consideration which makes it possible to rationally use substandard combustible industrial municipal waste to obtain multicomponent solid fuel that meets the quality criteria for energy and environmental indicators is reviewed. The results of the applied research directly related to the qualitative assessment of multicomponent briquetted fuels and facilitating achievement of the best production and consumer indicators values of energy quality and environmental friendliness are presented.

Review on Photocatalytic Applications for Deodorization in Livestock and Poultry Farms

Odor emissions from intensive livestock and poultry farming operations pose significant environmental and health concerns. Photocatalysis, an advanced oxidation process (AOP), has shown great promise for mitigating odorous gasses in livestock and poultry farming due to its efficiency, environmental friendliness, and mild operating conditions. This review summarizes the principles and performance of photocatalytic deodorization in livestock and poultry farming and evaluates the advancements in photocatalytic deodorization from lab- to field-scale. Photocatalytic systems demonstrate removal efficiencies of up to 98% for ammonia (NH3), 89.9% for hydrogen sulfide (H2S), 99% for volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and 17.2% for particulate matter (PM). However, reduced efficacy occurs in practical applications due to humidity, dust, and pollutant complexity. Key knowledge gaps, such as insufficient field-scale experiments and limited studies on complex pollutants, hinder further improvements in photocatalytic deodorization. Therefore, this review highlights strategies to enhance photocatalytic systems under farming conditions, including an improved photocatalyst design, reactor optimization, and combined technologies. By bridging the gap between lab-scale studies and field-scale applications, this work provides a foundation for developing sustainable and effective odor control solutions for livestock and poultry farming.

Metabolic Engineering for Squalene Production: Advances and Perspectives.

Squalene is a linear polyunsaturated triterpene which has multiple physiological functions including anticancer, antioxidant, and skin-care. It has been widely used in the food, medicine, and cosmetics sectors and also serves as a precursor of triterpenes and steroids. Recently, the production of squalene by microbial cell hosts has drawn much attention due to its sustainability, environmental friendliness, and great efficiency. In this review, we first introduce the recent developments in the production of squalene by employing microbial cell factories, especially yeasts. Next, we underscore the primary metabolic strategies, including the biosynthetic pathway engineering, precursor manipulation, cofactor engineering, and organelle engineering. In addition to traditional metabolic engineering strategies, we also discuss some prospective metabolic regulation approaches, including regulation of lipid synthesis, identifying and manipulating related transcription factors, dynamic regulation of the metabolic pathway, and secretion engineering of membrane-impermeable terpenoids. These approaches provide insights for further metabolic engineering of squalene and related terpenoids.

Synthesis and Characterization of Lithium Phosphate (Li3PO4) as a Solid Electrolyte

Due to its high thermal stability, environmental friendliness, and safety, lithium phosphate (Li3PO4) is used as a solid electrolyte in battery applications, but it is usually used with dopants due to its lower ionic conductivity, which is required for ion transport. However, due to its stability and environmentally friendly aspect, lithium phosphate is still a hot topic among suitable energy materials that need further research to improve its electrochemical properties. In the current work, a novel synthesis of lithium phosphate was proposed from the raw materials lithium carbonate (Li2CO3) and trisodium phosphate dodecahydrate (Na3PO4*12H2O) under suitable stoichiometric conditions using the co-precipitation method. In the set of synthesized samples, a single-phase β-Li3PO4 (named LPO-4) with 99.7% purity and 93.49% yield was successfully prepared under appropriate stoichiometric conditions and pH 13 at 90 °C. The average particle size was 10 nm with a large surface area of 9.02 m2g−1. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of LPO-4 revealed a conductivity of 7.1 × 10−6 S.cm−1 at room temperature and 2.7 × 10−5 S.cm−1 at 80 °C with a low activation energy of 0.38 eV. This performance is attributed to the morphology of the nanotubes and the smaller particle size, which enlarge the reaction interfaces and shorten the diffusion distance of lithium ions. The kinetic and thermodynamic key parameters showed that the β-Li3PO4 exhibits thermal stability in the room temperature range up to 208.8 °C. All these property values indicate a promising application of lithium phosphate as a solid electrolyte in solid-state batteries and a new route for further investigation.

Progress in Biomass-Based Electrospun Nanofibers in Bio-Medical Application

Traditional biomedical applications in wound dressing and tissue engineering materials frequently lack the appropriate balance of environmental friendliness, antibacterial effectiveness, and mechanical strength. A growing number of medical applications are focusing on electrospun nanofibers because of their special qualities, which include a high surface area-to-volume ratio, tailor-made mechanical strength and more eco-friendly. The goal of this review paper is to thoroughly examine the corpus of research that is currently available about electrospun, nanofibers especially made from aloe vera and pineapple leaf fibers for use in biomedical applications. This review's goals include optimizing electrospinning conditions, assessing biocompatibility, researching antibacterial activity, and its current challenge.

PKM Improving the Quality and Quantity of Environmentally Friendly Smoked Fish Processing in Air Dingin Village, Bukit Raya District, Pekanbaru City

Through the Community Partnership Program (PKM), an activity can be carried out to improve the quality and quantity of smoked fish production in the MINA SALAI KUARAN business group in Air Dingin Village, Bukit Raya District, Pekanbaru, Riau to become an independent coaching group through two aspects: Increasing the level of empowerment of partners in the production aspect. Still lacking, because it uses traditional methods so that the target of this activity will result in a 50% increase in production quantity. And increasing the level of empowerment of partners in the social community aspect, this is done by using online marketing and SME information via Twitter and Facebook. Meanwhile, the lecture and discussion methods for participants are carried out directly in the field by presenting direct counseling materials that also involve students in the MBKM program, then conducting a demonstration method at the Partner's place of business. The innovation of biomass energy-based Salai fish processing technology that is made uses biomass waste raw materials from tree trunks, especially rambutan trees. The PKM activity of the MINA SALAI KUARAN business group, Making Salai Fish in Air Dingin Village, Bukit Raya District, Pekanbaru, Riau, is an application of technology with the hope of providing solutions to the obstacles faced by this MITRA, including: (1) making improvements to the management of the application of technological innovations in processing aspects of production and (2) improvements in the social aspect of society through the application of an online marketing information system and promotional media through Twitter, Facebook and MITRA's business signs, which are shown by the support and willingness to work together as partners with the community service team from the Physics Department, FMIPA, University of Riau.

Preparation of Waterborne Polyurethane Coatings with Enhanced Mechanical Properties and Superhydrophobic Surface

Waterborne polyurethane (WPU) coatings are recognized for their environmental friendliness and non-toxic nature. However, the presence of abundant hydrophilic groups within their polymer networks often restricts their hydrophobicity and mechanical performance. In this study, we utilized two distinct diols to design the molecular structure of WPU, aiming to enhance its mechanical properties by optimizing microphase separation and crystallinity, achieving a tensile strength of 24.13 MPa and a strain of 1350%. The resultant WPU exhibited high cohesion and abundant hydrogen bonding sites, which contributed to its strong adhesion of 8.31 MPa. Moreover, inspired by the self-cleaning function of lotus leaf-micro-nipples, we made the surface superhydrophobic by micro-nano structure. The irregularly embedded structure was formed between the WPU and SiO2@hbp. The surfaces of WPU coatings formed the peak-valley structure similar to the lotus leaf, achieving a water contact angle of 162° and a sliding angle near 1°. Additionally, the self-cleaning property of the coatings was preserved after 200 cycles of friction, each with a single friction distance of 40cm. The environmental friendliness and excellent self-cleaning capabilities of the coating highlight its potential for practical applications and provide a valuable reference for developing waterproof self-cleaning coatings.

Advances in deep eutectic Solvent-Based synthesis of nanomaterials for environmental remediation

The application of eco-friendly deep eutectic solvents (DES) in the functionalization and synthesis of adsorbent materials has gained significant research interest in recent times. These materials, employed for treating polluted water primarily through degradation or adsorption, are emerging as sustainable alternatives to traditional technologies. However, the information regarding the functionalization and synthesis of adsorbent materials using DES is dispersed throughout the literature. This review aims to consolidate and clarify the extensive information available on the synthesis and functionalization of DES-based adsorbents, their application in water treatment as nanomaterials, and the future prospects of such technologies. DES presents an ideal alternative to conventional solvents for modifying and functionalizing adsorbents due to their lower toxicity, cost-effectiveness, and environmental friendliness. Most DESs effectively introduce desired functionalities and enhance the surface area of adsorbents, thereby greatly enhancing the removal of pollutants. This review compiles recent literature on the synthesis and modification of graphene oxides, carbon nanotubes, metal oxides, and other materials for the degradation/adsorption of pharmaceuticals, herbicides, dyes, pesticides, heavy metal ions, and other water contaminants. Besides this, DES-based nanomaterials have potential future applications in nanotechnology, nanofluids, nanocatalysts, biosensors, environmental remediation, among others. The anticipated exponential growth in these areas underscores the urgent need for such a review.

Experimental study on oil removal performance and anodic dissolution characteristics during the treatment of marine oil spills using electrocoagulation

As global demand for oil increases, offshore extraction and transportation activities have become more frequent, leading to a rise in marine oil spill incidents that threaten marine ecosystems. Electrocoagulation technology, known for its efficiency and environmental friendliness, holds potential in treating collected oil-water mixtures during oil spill emergency responses, particularly in controlled environments where the oil has been contained. This study systematically evaluates the oil removal performance and anodic dissolution characteristics of electrocoagulation technology for purifying marine oil spills. The experimental operating parameters ranged from 0.5 A to 1.5 A current, 1.2 L·h−1 to 3.6 L·h−1 flow rate, and 1 cm to 2 cm interelectrode distance. The results indicate that under relatively better operating conditions of 1.0 A current, 1.2 L·h−1 flow rate, and 1 cm interelectrode distance, the oil removal efficiency reaches 90.48 %. The anode dissolution rate is unevenly distributed, with the fastest dissolution occurring in the anode g region, and the dissolution rate increases with the current. Increasing the current inhibits the formation of average pitting depth and expansion of pitting on the anode. This study provides critical data and theoretical support for optimizing the application of electrocoagulation technology for marine oil spill treatment.