Environmental Friendly Materials Research Articles

Investigation of physical and electrical properties of a suboxide layer at Si/Si-hexafluoride interface

The silicon suboxide SiOx (x < 2.0) offers promising industrial application possibilities ranging from electrodes in lithium-ion batteries, which are used widely in electrical vehicles and portable devices to sensing applications. Therefore, a low cost, environmental friendly and high performance silicon oxide materials are required for an appropriate operation of any electronic gadget. In this work, we report on the physical and electrical properties of a suboxide layer of up to 1 μm, which was grown on silicon during the formation of a dielectric layer, namely the ammonium silicon hexafluoride. It is a stable oxide exhibiting light emission from 400 to 1700 nm offering scalable and cost-effective large area processing capability. The measurement results reveal interesting properties, which are required to be understood clearly before proceeding with any suitable application. The results have been analyzed using state-of-the-art physical and electrical characterization techniques such as ellipsometry, AFM, SEM, FTIR, photoluminescence lifetime and resistive switching measurements to determine structural, optical and electrical properties. At 300 K the carrier lifetime measurements reveal the lifetime values ranging from about few tens of picosecond up to 4500 picoseconds. Scanning probe analysis indicate a surface roughness of about 30 Å. Resistive memory forming was observed also in these layers at relatively low power thresholds. We provide a comprehensive description of the physical and electrical properties in order to clarify the origin of the observed features. The wavelength dependent real ε1(ω)\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${\\varepsilon }_{1}(\\omega )$$\\end{document} and the imaginary ε2ω\\documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \\usepackage{amsmath} \\usepackage{wasysym} \\usepackage{amsfonts} \\usepackage{amssymb} \\usepackage{amsbsy} \\usepackage{mathrsfs} \\usepackage{upgreek} \\setlength{\\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \\begin{document}$${\\varepsilon }_{2}\\left(\\omega \\right)$$\\end{document} dielectric functions provided useful insights on optical properties. A lookout is given for the possible applications of this special SiOx dielectric oxide layer.

Dynamic deformation characteristics and microscopic analysis of xanthan gum-treated silty soil during wetting process

The deformation characteristics of silty soils under vibrational loads can easily change due to the wetting process, leading to the failure of roadbed structures. Commonly used methods for improving silty soils in engineering often yield unsatisfactory economic and ecological outcomes. As an environment-friendly soil improvement material, Xanthan gum has broad application prospects and is therefore considered a solidifying agent for enhancing silty soil properties in the Yellow River Basin. In this study, a series of tests is conducted using a scanning electron microscope and a dynamic triaxial testing apparatus to investigate the microstructure and dynamic deformation characteristics of unsaturated silty soil with varying xanthan gum contents during the wetting process. The results show that xanthan gum effectively fills voids between soil particles and adheres to their surfaces, forming fibrous and network structures. This modification enhances the inherent properties of the silty soil and significantly improves its stability under dynamic loading. Specifically, with increasing xanthan gum content, the dynamic shear modulus increases while the damping ratio decreases. During the wetting process, as suction decreases, the dynamic shear modulus decreases while the damping ratio increases. Xanthan gum reduces the sensitivity of the dynamic deformation characteristics of the treated silty soil to changes in suction levels. Finally, based on the modified Hardin-Drnevich hyperbolic model, a predictive model for the dynamic shear modulus and damping ratio of treated silty soil is proposed, considering the xanthan gum content. These research findings provide a theoretical basis for the construction and maintenance of water conservancy, slope stabilization, and roadbed projects in the Yellow River Basin.

A Study of Optical Properties of Edible Film based Coconut Water for Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Materials Packaging

A Study of Optical Properties of Edible Film based Coconut Water for Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly Materials Packaging

Enhanced energy-storage performance with optimized thermally stable dielectric property in BNT–BST ceramics modified by KNN doping

Developing environmental-friendly materials with high-density energy storage is of paramount importance to meet the burgeoning demands for energy storage. In this study, we harness the modulation of a multicomponent solid solution by introducing KNN as a third element into the BNT–BST system, thereby achieving a marked enhancement in both energy storage performance and the temperature stability of the dielectric constant. BNBST–4KNN stands out for its exceptional dielectric stability, with a dielectric constant variation rate within 10% across a broad temperature range of [Formula: see text]C to [Formula: see text]C, a feat attributed to the flattening and broadening of the [Formula: see text] peak. BNBT–2KNN exhibits superior energy storage capabilities, with an energy storage density of 1.324 J/cm3 and an energy storage efficiency of 72.3%, a result of the P–E loop becoming more slender. These advancements are pivotal for the sustainable progression of energy storage technologies.

Analysis and Assessment of H2S Sorption Capacity of the Selected Biofiltration Materials

Hydrogen sulfide known as one of the highly toxic chemical compounds existed in the raw biogas and needs to be eliminated before implementation at any industrial sector. Biofilter (a typical bioreactor) is a tool used to separate sulfide/sulfate from hydrogen by biofiltration method, which is known as the green technology. Packing material is the main component inside a laboratory-scale biofilter to undertake the desulfurization process of H2S. This study is dedicated to evaluating number of selected recyclable/waste organic, inorganic, and synthetic packing material’s rate of impact on amplifying purification progress of hydrogen sulfide from biogas, known as biofilters “removal efficiency (RE)”. Variable effective factors such as environmental and equipment conditions, consumed time (day), and inlet H2S concentration will be controlled throughout the measurements for all chosen packing materials. In the end, the best performed environment-friendly biofiltration material in terms of sorption capacity of H2S from the biogas will be announced.

The Effect of Using Environmentally Friendly Materials and Energy Efficiency in the Production Process on Reducing Carbon Emissions in the West Java Automotive Industry

This research quantitatively analyzes the effect of integrating environmentally friendly materials and energy-efficient production processes on reducing carbon emissions in the West Java automotive industry. Through surveys and statistical analysis, the study examines the adoption of sustainable practices among automotive manufacturers and assesses their impact on carbon emissions reduction. Findings indicate that companies actively embracing sustainable practices demonstrate a significant reduction in carbon emissions compared to those with minimal adoption. The results underscore the importance of prioritizing sustainability initiatives within the automotive industry to mitigate environmental impacts and contribute to global efforts to combat climate change.

The GREENART Project: Environmentally Friendly and Low Impact Materials for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage

ABSTRACT While some green solutions and advanced materials have been proposed in recent decades to improve on traditional conservation processes, conservation practice still uses petroleum-based compounds and procedures that lack time- or energy-efficiency, and are not sustainable. Tackling these issues, the GREENART project (GREen ENdeavor in Art ResToration, Horizon Europe, 2022–2025) is developing green and sustainable systems for the remedial and preventive conservation of works of art, following a ‘safe and sustainable by design’ approach where green components are firstly screened and then used to formulate new materials. This contribution reviews traditional and state-of-the-art materials used in protective coatings, foams and packaging materials, consolidants, cleaning systems, and monitoring tools, and introduces the novel solutions the GREENART project is developing for each of these classes. Some of the new products are already being assessed, and the main processes in the formulation of the solutions are outlined. Life cycle assessment will be carried out before the commercial production of the new systems to demonstrate their full sustainability. Finally, perspectives are discussed, highlighting the role of GREENART in promoting a green transition for cultural heritage preservation.

Polybenzoxazines containing borosiloxane structures as high-temperature resistance (T g > 300 °C) and environment-friendly flame-retardant materials

A series of borosiloxane structures-containing polybenzoxazines (PBZs) with intrinsic environment-friendly flame-retardant properties and high-temperature resistance are investigated in this study. Initially, borosiloxane structures-containing benzoxazine macromonomers (BZ-BSiO-X) were synthesized through a condensation reaction between silicon ethoxy groups-containing benzoxazine monomers (P-mdes), boric acid (BA) and diphenyldimethoxysilane (DPDMS) with varying feed ratios. Subsequently, the benzoxazine groups in BZ-BSiO-X underwent ring-opening polymerization at elevated temperatures to produce poly(BZ-BSiO-X). The properties of poly(BZ-BSiO-X) were evaluated using Dynamic Mechanical Analysis, Thermogravimetric Analysis and an Oxygen Index instrument. The results show that the heat resistance of poly(BZ-BSiO-X) is enhanced by the cross-linking structures formed by the P-mdes segment and B-N coordination interaction, leading to their glass transition temperatures (T g, tan δ) exceeding 300 °C. The thermal stability and flame-retardant properties of poly(BZ-BSiO-X) are reinforced via the borosiloxane structures formed through DPDMS and BA, resulting in a 5% weight loss temperatures (T d5) around 400 °C and limiting oxygen index (LOI) values above 30. These polymers, containing environment-friendly flame-retardant boron (B) and silicon (Si) elements, exhibit potential as alternatives to halogen- or phosphorus-containing flame-retardant materials and are expected to be used in various fields as environment-friendly flame-retardant materials.

Green sound-absorbing material prepared by using natural fiber for building acoustics

Natural fibers are recently seen as a replacement for synthetic fibers as core material to produce sound-absorbent materials. These are biodegradable and renewable, and using them as sound-absorbent material brings many environmental benefits as it is much greener compared to existing inorganic and synthetic fibers. Present exploration serves the purpose of investigation and comparison of the acoustic absorption characteristics of individual and mixed natural fibers; jute, coconut coir, and bamboo. Each fiber is reinforced with natural rubber in a certain weight ratio during the fabricating stage. The fibers are then compressed with the help of mould and ram piston in a hydraulic press. The compression is done in the form of cylindrical samples of 40 mm diameter. Each specimen is kept 36 mm thick, according to the given standards. The impedance tube technique is used to evaluate acoustical performances. Multilayered composites made of layers of coir, jute, and bamboo performed better in all the frequency ranges than composites made of individual fibers. Results establish that these fibers are promising and a viable option for light and environment-friendly sound absorption materials.

Chitosan gels in the nutrient controlled release: a review

The use of slow and controlled release fertilizers (S/CRFs) has been beneficial in enhancing fertilizer utilization and crop yields, improving food security. However, the massive use of conventional S/CRFs has also polluted soil, water, and air, which poses a challenge to the sustainability of modern agriculture. To address this, a more efficient and environmentally-friendly material for crop nutrition is needed. Chitosan gels have proven to be an ideal carrier for nutrient transport given their biodegradability and high adsorption characteristics. This paper reviews the cross-linking of chitosan gels, preparation methods, nutrient transport, and performance, and how they contribute to sustainable agriculture. In addition, we detail the contribution of chitosan gels fertilizers to greenhouse gas reduction, soil conditioning, and crop yield improvement. In conclusion, although further research is needed on chitosan gels fertilizers as S/CRFs, it is expected that their use could lead to improved nutrient efficiency and reduced environmental pollution from a long-term development perspective.

Impact of defect concentration on piezoelectricity in Mn/Fe-doped KTN crystals

Defect engineering via doping exhibits considerable potential for improving the performance of environment-friendly lead-free piezoelectric materials. Owing to the susceptibility to lattice vibrations and the micro-local chemical environment, the readily available Mn/Fe transition metal elements (TMEs) facilitate the construction of defect structures. However, the role of TMEs in shaping the domain structures and the corresponding promotional mechanism of piezoelectricity need to be further decoded. Herein, we propose the different influence mechanisms of Mn and Fe ions on the ferroelectric domain and piezoelectric properties. Different concentrations of (MnNb/Ta′-VO••)• and (FeNb/Ta″-VO••)× defect dipoles are obtained based on the synergy of Mn/Fe ions with oxygen vacancies. Diverse ferroelectric behaviors resulting from (MnNb/Ta′-VO••)• and (FeNb/Ta″-VO••)× defect dipoles are observed. Furthermore, the variation of the dielectric diffusiveness with the defect dipole concentration is investigated. Trace concentration of (MnNb/Ta′-VO••)• generates strong diffusiveness. With the characterization of the ferroelectric domain, this strong diffusiveness is attributed to the lattice-like domain structure. Thereafter, the mechanisms of Mn/Fe defect dipoles on the formation of domain structures are clarified. Macroscopically, the dielectric and piezoelectric properties are measured with Mn/Fe ion components. Trace Mn doping and the resulting lattice-like domain significantly enhance the piezoelectric coefficient, resulting in an increase of nearly 50% for K(Ta,Nb)O3 single crystals. This work highlights the tremendous potential of TME-induced defect dipoles for modifying the ferroelectric domain and provides a reference paradigm for improving piezoelectricity through defect engineering.

Bio-stimulant based nanodelivery system for pesticides with high adhesion and growth stimulation

Pesticides are important agricultural production materials to ensure global food security, but the low utilization rate during pesticide application has caused a large amount of waste and environmental pollution. The use of pesticide carriers to deliver pesticides can help to prevent rapid release, assist in targeted release, and improve pesticide utilization. However, after completing pesticide delivery, less part of pesticide carriers has more functions and may remain in the environment, leading to material waste and environmental burden. Here, we propose that the environment-friendly carrier materials for pesticide delivery can synergistically enhance control efficacy with pesticides. Based on the bio-stimulant polyglutamic acid, amphiphilic polymers (mPEG-b-PLG) were constructed, and they assembled into nano micelle. After encapsulating prothioconazole (PTC) into the nano micelle through hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions and hydrophobic interactions through co-assembly, mPEG-b-PLG-PTC nanospheres with a diameter of approximately 120 nm were prepared. The nanospheres exhibit pH responsiveness for targeted release of pesticides, as well as excellent retention capacity, droplet bounce inhibition ability, and deposition capacity. At the same time, compared with commercial formulations, it has long-term antifungal properties and lower EC50, while its acute toxicity to human cells is lower, which can reduce cell apoptosis by about 63 %. It is also gratifying that the main root length, plant height, and fresh weight of wheat seedlings treated with mPEG-b-PLG have significantly improved, effectively applying carrier materials for synergistic effects. In summary, this work proposes a promising strategy to synergize pesticide carrier materials as active ingredients, providing new ideas for the integration of pesticide and fertilizer, improving pesticide utilization efficiency, and reducing environmental pollution.

Achieving high energy storage density and efficiency in (Na0.5Bi0.5)TiO3-based lead-free ceramics

Due to the demands of miniaturization, weight reduction and green development for electronic devices, development of lead-free dielectric ceramic capacitors with high recoverable energy density (Wrec) and energy storage efficiency (η) attracts much attention. To this end, (1-x)[0.75(Na0.5Bi0.5)TiO3-0.25SrTiO3]-xNdNbO4 (abbreviated as: NBST-xNN) ceramics were fabricated through a solid-state reaction method. After adding NN, the non-perovskite phase of Bi2Ti2O7 (BTO) with low dielectric constant (εr) and loss (tan δ) is generated. Finite element software (COMSOL) was used to explore the influence of the BTO phase on breakdown strength (Eb). The simulation result indicates that the BTO phase with a low εr concentrates a larger local electric field (LEF), and thus weakens the LEF loading in the main perovskite phase, which is beneficial for enhancing Eb. Moreover, NN doping significantly decreases the oxygen vacancy concentration in NBST ceramics, which plays a key role in improving Eb. On the other hand, as NN content increases, the hysteresis of the polarization (P)-electric field (E) loops is substantially suppressed, and the polarization saturation is delayed, which can be ascribed to the appearance of the BTO phase having a linear dielectric characteristic and to the enhanced fluctuations of composition and charge by NN doping. Benefitting from the above factors, the optimal energy storage performance (ESP) with a Wrec of 4.14 J/cm3 and an η of 90 % is obtained in NBST-0.08NN ceramics. Meanwhile, the ESP of NBST-0.08NN ceramics shows good charge-discharge properties and thermal stability. In conclusion, these results demonstrate that NBST-0.08NN ceramics are promising candidates as environment-friendly dielectric capacitor materials.

Dielectric Properties of Polypropylene Blended with Ethylene-Butene Elastomer for High Voltage Applications

In recent years, polypropylene (PP) has been tremendously explored in high voltage cable applications due to its outstanding thermal and electrical properties. Furthermore, PP is an environment-friendly material that can be recycled, thus making it a promising candidate to replace conventional crosslinked polyethylene. However, the stiffness and brittleness of PP need to be further modified so that it can be utilized for practical cable applications. Recently, elastomer blending has been one of the favorable methods used by the industry to modify PP flexibility. Unfortunately, different types of elastomers bring different compatibility in the PP matrix. In this paper, the dielectric performance of PP, when mixed with ethylene-butene elastomer (EBE), was investigated. The thermal behaviors and morphological analysis were identified by using a differential scanning calorimeter and scanning electron microscopy, respectively. Meanwhile, the direct current (DC) breakdown strength was set up referring to the ASTM D3755 standard. Based on the findings, EBE shows a certain degree of compatibility with PP, where uniformly distributed spots were observed. Although the addition of EBE slightly degraded the DC breakdown properties of PP, the performance of PP/EBE blends at low elastomer contents is still good enough compared to conventional XLPE.

Ethno-Science Study of Bamboo as A Building Material of Baduy Community for Environmentally Friendly and Sustainable Materials Chemistry Learning

Ethno-Science Study of Bamboo as A Building Material of Baduy Community for Environmentally Friendly and Sustainable Materials Chemistry Learning

Flexible ceramic based ‘paper separator’ with enhanced safety for high performance lithium-ion batteries: Probing the effect of ceramics impregnation on electrochemical performances

Cellulose is now considered as an appealing environment friendly material for the development of sustainable separators for rechargeable batteries. This study thus aims to develop high performance paper based ceramic separators with superior electrolyte wettability (>170 %), high thermal stability (>200 °C) and excellent flame safety. While developing paper based ceramic separator, extensive studies are carried out to understand thenature and functionality of different nano-structured ceramic materials (Al2O3, BaTiO3 and ZrO2) impregnated in paper matrix. Nano-ZrO2 facilitates an effective pathway for Li +-ion transport (tLi+ = 0.51), whereas BaTiO3 and Al2O3 ceramics show moderate Li +-ion transport properties (tLi+ of 0.29 and 0.30 respectively). Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) measurement clearly reveals that ZrO2 exhibits more interfacial compatibility with the electrodes (MCMB and LiNi1/3Mn1/3Co1/3O2) compared to the other two ceramic separators during full cell operation. The developed paper separators show excellent electrochemical properties in terms of cycling (tested 300 cycles), multi-electrode compatibility and rate capabilities at different current densities of 0.1–1.2 mAcm−2. The pre- and post-electrochemical EIS data reveal that ZrO2 based impregnation offers significantly lower charge transfer resistance compared to the other two separators. The study thus demonstrates a real promise for its successful application in Li-ion battery towards achieving sustainability and safety.

Multiple objective energy optimization of a trade center building based on genetic algorithm using ecological materials

It is crucial to optimize energy consumption in buildings while considering thermal comfort. The first step here involved an EnergyPlus simulation on a trade center building located in Tehran, Bandar Abbas, and Tabriz, Iran. A multi-objective optimization was then performed based on non-dominated sorting genetic algorithm II (NSGA-II) in jEPlus + EA to establish the building in the selected city where would benefit the most from implementing the radiant ceiling cooling system. Efforts were undertaken to choose environmentally-friendly materials. The final solution by Pareto charts resulted in a 52% reduction in energy consumption, a 37.3% decrease in cooling load, and a 17.4% improvement in comfort hours compared to the original design. Annual emission of greenhouse gas reduced as 167.67 tone of CO2 equivalent emission, 25.77 ton of CH4, and 0.2 ton of NO2. The mentioned algorithm was conducted for the first time on a trade center, including a DOAS system and radiant ceiling cooling system. Simultaneously, the environmental-friendly materials were dealt with. The procedure holds significant relevance for the design and optimization of buildings in Iran, especially wherever the climate is hot and humid. This approach offers advantages to the environment by reducing the impact on energy resources and utilizing environmentally-friendly materials.

Toward Design Rules for Multilayer Ferroelectric Energy Storage Capacitors - A Study Based on Lead-Free and Relaxor-Ferroelectric/Paraelectric Multilayer Devices.

Future pulsed-power electronic systems based on dielectric capacitors require the use of environment-friendly materials with high energy-storage performance that can operate efficiently and reliably in harsh environments. Here, a study of multilayer structures, combining paraelectric-like Ba0.6Sr0.4TiO3 (BST) with relaxor-ferroelectric BaZr0.4Ti0.6O3 (BZT) layers on SrTiO3-buffered Si substrates, with the goal to optimize the high energy-storage performance is presented. The energy-storage properties of various stackings are investigated and an extremely large maximum recoverable energy storage density of ≈165.6Jcm-3 (energy efficiency≈93%) is achieved for unipolar charging-discharging of a 25-nm-BZT/20-nm-BST/910-nm-BZT/20-nm-BST/25-nm-BZT multilayer structure, due to the extremely large breakdown field of 7.5MVcm-1 and the lack of polarization saturation at high fields in this device. Strong indications are found that the breakdown field of the devices is determined by the outer layers of the multilayer stack and can be increased by improving the quality of these layers. Authors are also able to deduce design optimization rules for this material combination, which can be to a large extend justify by structural analysis. These rules are expected also to be useful for optimizing other multilayer systems and are therefore very relevant for further increasing the energy storage density of capacitors.

Resource recovery from soiled sanitary napkin waste-a state-of-the-art review.

With ever-improving social and medical awareness about menstrual hygiene in India, the demand for sanitary napkins has increased significantly. The utilization of high-quality and environment-friendly raw materials to produce these pads is further supporting the growth of the market. However, with improving demand and usage, the need for proper disposal techniques becomes more relevant, since all of these pads get contaminated with human blood which makes them a biohazard and can cause significant damage to human health and the environment. One sanitary pad takes around 800years to degrade naturally and the plastic and super absorbent polymers (SAPs) in sanitary pads are non-biodegradable and can take multiple decades to degrade. Waste management technologies such as pyrolysis, gasification, and resource recovery can be adopted to manage tons of sanitary waste. Currently, sanitary waste treatment mainly focuses on landfilling, incineration, and composting, where biohazard wastes are mixed with tons of solid waste. Disposable sanitary pads have a high carbon footprint of about 5.3kg CO2 equivalent every year. Innovative solutions for sanitary pad disposal are discussed in the manuscript which includes repurposing of derived waste cellulose and plastic fraction into value-added products. Future aspects of disinfection strategies and value addition to waste cellulose recovered from napkins were systematically discussed to promote a circular economy.

Plasmon-emitter coupling in cytosine-rich hairpin DNA-templated silver nanoclusters: Thermal reversibility, white light emission, and dynamics inside live cells.

Bio-templated luminescent noble metal nanoclusters (NCs) have attracted great attention for their intriguing physicochemical properties. Continuous efforts are being made to prepare NCs with high fluorescence quantum yield (QY), good biocompatibility, and tunable emission properties for their widespread practical applications as new-generation environment-friendly photoluminescent materials in materials chemistry and biological systems. Herein, we explored the unique photophysical properties of silver nanoclusters (AgNCs) templated by cytosine-rich customized hairpin DNA. Our results indicate that a 36-nucleotide containing hairpin DNA with 20 cytosine (C20) in the loop can encapsulate photostable red-emitting AgNCs with an absolute QY of ∼24%. The luminescent properties in these DNA-templated AgNCs were found to be linked to the coupling between the surface plasmon and the emitter. These AgNCs exhibited excellent thermal sensitivity and were employed to produce high-quality white light emission with an impressive color rendering index of 90 in the presence of dansyl chloride. In addition, the as-prepared luminescent AgNCs possessing excellent biocompatibility can effectively mark the nuclear region of HeLa cells and can be employed as a luminescent probe to monitor the cellular dynamics at a single molecular resolution.