High Textural Properties Research Articles

Solid-state synthesis of aluminophosphate-based zeotypes from conventional amorphous precursors: Strategy and catalytic performance

Exploring novel strategies for the preparation of zeolitic materials with high performance continues to be of great significance. Here we report a general solid-state approach for fabricating aluminophosphate (AlPO)-based zeotypes by directly calcining conventional amorphous precursors at 300 °C for just 30 min. Accordingly, AEL, AFI, LTA and CHA types of AlPO-based zeotypes with high crystallinity and similar textural properties to those of counterparts made by established synthesis approaches have been synthesized. As a demonstration, the catalytic performance of Mg-substituted AlPO-11 (S-MgAlPO-11) in hydroisomerization of n-hexadecane (n-C16) was also investigated. Compared with the Pt supported on conventional MgAlPO-11 (Pt/C-MgAlPO-11) catalyst, the Pt/S-MgAlPO-11catalyst exhibits higher isomerized (87 % vs. 84 %), multi-branched C16 (48 % vs. 30 %) yields and superior reaction stability, attributing to the improved diffusion property and appropriate metal-acid balance. This strategy provides an efficient approach to synthesis promising zeolitic catalysts for industrial applications.

Investigation on Fermented Milk Quality after the Addition of Flaxseed Mucilage and the Use of Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum AG9

Background: Flaxseed mucilage (FSM) is one of the healthy components of flaxseed. FSM is an example of a material that can be used in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries due to its rheological properties. FSM consists mainly of two polysaccharides, arabinoxylan, and rhamnogalacturonan I, and it also contains protein components and minerals. The prospect of using FSM in food is due to its gelling, water binding, emulsifying, and foaming properties. In addition, valuable natural sources of phenolic compounds such as lignans, phenolic acids, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, and tannins are partially extracted from flaxseed in FSM. These antioxidant components have pharmacological properties, including anti-diabetic, anti-hypertensive, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective properties. A combination of FSM and lactobacilli in dairy foods can improve their functional properties. This study aimed to develop dairy products by adding of FSM and using two lactic acid bacteria (LAB). FSM (0.2%) was used as an ingredient to improve both the texture and antioxidant properties of the product. Methods: Skim milk was fermented with 0.2% flaxseed mucilage using Lactobacillus delbrueckii subs. bulgaricus and the probiotic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum AG9. The finished fermented milk products were stored at 4 °C for 14 days. Quantitative chemical, textural, and antioxidant analyses were carried out. Results: Adding 0.2% FSM to the dairy product stimulated the synthesis of lactic acid. FSM increased the viscosity and water-holding capacity of L. bulgaricus or L. bulgaricus/L. plantarum AG9 fermented milk products. Combining these starter strains with FSM promoted the formation of a hard, elastic, resilient casein matrix in the product. When only L. plantarum AG9 was used for the fermentation, the dairy product had a high syneresis and a low viscosity and firmness; such a product is inferior in textural characteristics to the variant with commercial L. bulgaricus. The addition of FSM improved the textural properties of this variant. The use of L. plantarum AG9 and FSM makes it possible to obtain a fermented milk product with the highest content of polyphenolic compounds, which have the highest antioxidant properties and stimulate lipase and α-glucosidase inhibitor synthesis. Combining of L. bulgaricus and L. plantarum AG9 in the starter (20% of the total mass of the starter) and adding of 0.2% FSM is the optimal combination for obtaining a dairy product with high textural and antioxidant properties. Conclusions: The physicochemical properties (viscosity, syneresis, water holding capacity, texture) and antioxidant properties of fermented milk were improved. In the future, as part of the work to investigate the functional properties of dairy products with FSM, studies will be conducted using in in vivo models.

Quality of Refrigerated Squid Mantle Cut Treated with Mint Extract Subjected to High-Pressure Processing.

Squid (Loligo vulgaris) is commonly prone to spoilage, leading to a short shelf-life. High-pressure processing (HPP) can play a role in maintaining the quality and freshness of squid. Along with HPP, food preservatives from natural sources such as mint extract (ME), which are effective, safe, available, and cost-effective, are required. The present study aimed to investigate the combined effect of ME and HPP on the quality of refrigerated squid mantle cuts (SMC) over a period of 15 days. The time-kill profiles of ME and planktonic cell inactivation by HPP were assessed. ME (400 mg/L) inhibited bacterial growth, while planktonic cells treated with HPP (400 MPa) exhibited a reduction at 5 min. Physicochemical and microbial qualities of SMC treated with ME (0, 200, 400 mg/L) followed by HPP (0.1, 200, 400 MPa) for 5 min were monitored during refrigerated storage. Samples treated with ME (400 mg/L) and HPP (400 MPa) exhibited lower weight loss, cooking loss, pH changes, volatile base content, microbial counts, and higher textural properties than other samples. Based on next-generation sequencing results, Brochothrix campestris from family Listeriaceae was the predominant spoilage bacteria in treated sample after 12 days of storage. Therefore, ME and HPP combined treatments exhibited effectiveness in extending the shelf-life of refrigerated SMC.

The effect of mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles incorporating various metallic ions (Cu, Zn, Mn, Te) on wound healing

At appropriate concentrations, therapeutic metallic ions can impart efficient biological properties to mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles to promote wound healing.

Modification of the electronic structure of g-C3N4 using urea to enhance the visible light-assisted degradation of organic pollutants.

Graphitic carbon nitride has been proven to be a good candidate for using solar energy for photo-induced pollutant degradation. However, the high photo-induced holes-electron recombination rate, unfavorable morphology, and textural properties limited their application. In this study, we present a novel g-C3N4 with a novel electronic structure and physiochemical properties by introducing a single nitrogen in the graphitic network of the g-C3N4 through a novel method involving step-by-step co-polycondensation of melamine and urea. Through extensive characterization using techniques such as XPS, UPS-XPS, Raman, XRD, FE-SEM, TEM, and N2 adsorption-desorption, we analyze the electronic and crystallographic properties, as well as the morphology and textural features of the newly prepared g-C3N4 (N-g-C3N4). This material exhibits a lower C/N ratio of 0.62 compared to conventional g-C3N4 and a reduced band gap of 2.63 eV. The newly prepared g-C3N4 demonstrates a distinct valance band maxima that enhances its photo-induced oxidation potential, improving photocatalytic activity in degrading various organic pollutants. We thoroughly investigate the photocatalytic degradation performance of N-g-C3N4 for Congo red (CR) and sulfamethoxazole (SMX), and removal of up to 90 and 86% was attained after 2 h at solution pH of 5.5 for CR and SMX. The influence of different parameters was examined to understand the degradation mechanism and the influence of reactive oxygenated species. The catalytic performance is also evaluated in the degradation of various organic pollutants, and it showed a good performance.

Effects of different drying methods on physico-chemical properties, bioactive and taste substances of Cynomorium songaricum

Cynomorium songaricum is a typical edible and medicinal plant, also called Suoyang (Chinese name). The effect of different drying methods on Suoyang quality has not yet been performed. Here, four drying methods were tested, including sun drying (SD), microwave drying (MD), hot air drying (HAD), and vacuum freeze drying (VFD), to evaluate the influences of various drying methods on the physico-chemical properties, bioactive and taste substances of dried Suoyang. Results showed that VFD treated samples maintained the original cellular structure and color, and had higher textural properties, antioxidant activities, and rich flavor. In addition, a total of 980 metabolites in four kinds of dried Suoyang were detected and clustered into 9 co-response modules based on utilizing widely targeting metabolomics method and weighted metabolite co-response network analysis (WMCNA). Among the important modules, 3 key metabolites were identified as potential quality markers of overall antioxidant capacity and 30 key metabolites were identified as the main taste substances, which also might be relate to the nutritional value of dried Suoyang. This finding will provide reference for choosing proper drying method that can maintain the quality of dried Suoyang and adapt to industrial production.

Nicotine fast pyrolysis under inert and air environments. Effect of catalysts

Fast pyrolysis of nicotine under He and Air atmospheres and in the presence of three mesoporous materials (two different morphology SBA-15 materials and one MCM-41) has been studied by EGA/Py/GC/MS. Nicotine is more stable under inert atmosphere, still representing around 6.7% of the products at 900 ºC, than under oxidizing atmosphere, where it is almost completely decomposed at 700 ºC. The products distribution as well as their evolution is also highly affected by the atmosphere, being 3-vynil pyridine and nornicotyrine the major compounds under inert atmosphere, whereas 3-cyano pyridine and nicotyrine are the major compounds under oxidizing atmosphere, where the significant presence of hydrogen cyanide is also observed at 700 ºC. The presence of catalysts modifies and accelerates the degradation of nicotine under both atmospheres studied. MCM-41 and SBA-15p show higher activity than SBA-15 f, probably due to their higher textural properties and accessibility of the nicotine molecule. Under Inert atmosphere, 3-vynil pyridine is highly reduced by SBA-15p and MCM-41, still being the major compound. Pyridine increases its yield in presence of these two catalysts, as well as quinoline and isoquinoline (products not present when pyrolyzing sole nicotine). Under oxidizing atmosphere, the three catalysts increase the water yield, as well as that of 3-(2,5-dimethyl-1 H-pyrrol-1-yl)pyridine, compound that is almost not obtained in absence of catalyst. HCN as well as the toxicity of the compounds evolved are reduced by the three catalysts.

Improvement of cooking and textural properties of rice flour-soy protein isolate noodles stabilised with microbial transglutaminase and glucono-δ-lactone and dried using superheated steam.

In a bid to produce rice flour noodles with improved texture and reduced cooking time, rice flour-soy protein isolate noodles (RNS) were structurally enhanced by a combined treatment (COM) of microbial transglutaminase (MTG) with glucono-δ-lactone (GDL). The RNS-COM was either dried using superheated steam (SHS) to yield RNS-COM-SHS or steamed for 10 min (S10) before air drying to produce RNS-COM-S10 noodles. Control samples were SHS-dried rice flour (RN-SHS) and air-dried RN-S10 noodles. In general, textural and microstructural properties indicated higher textural properties and a more robust network in RNS-COM-SHS and RNS-COM-S10 than in other noodles. However, optimum cooking time (P < 0.5) was in the order; RN-SHS, RNS-COM-SHS < RN-S10 < RNS-COM-S10. As a result of the COM treatment, structurally enhanced noodles were more resistant to cooking. As applied in RNS-COM-SHS noodles, SHS was able to improve cooking quality, probably through the formation of bigger and evenly spread pores that had promoted faster gelatinisation of starch, with a high order of relative starch crystallinity.

Robust Cu-URJC-8 with mixed ligands for mild CO2 cycloaddition reaction

The synthesis of the new MOF Cu-URJC-8, containing two different organic ligands, 2-aminoterephtalic acid and 4,4-bipyridyl, is reported in this work. Cu-URJC-8 shows a pillared-layer structure consisting of [Cu2(-CO2)4(-N)2] paddlewheel secondary building units, with the 4,4’-bypiridyl linkers acting as pillars in the two-fold interpenetrated networks, which provides a robust structure to the material. Cu-URJC-8 presents Lewis acid and basic sites, constituted by Cu2+ and -NH2 groups, respectively, and it is chemically stable in different commonly used organic solvents. This new material shows a CO2 uptake of 1.59 and 1.07 mmol/g at 25 and 45 °C, respectively, and a Qst value of 27 kJ/mol, higher than those observed for other reported MOFs with higher textural properties, possibly due to the presence of amino groups in the MOF structure. Its catalytic activity in the cycloaddition reaction of epichlorohydrin and CO2 was evaluated under various conditions and the best performance (90 conversion and 99% selectivity) was achieved when using 1% mol of catalyst, 4% mol of co-catalyst, 12 bar of carbon dioxide pressure, and room temperature. When different epoxides with bulkier radical groups are used as substrates, the epoxide conversion decreases, evidencing steric hindrances for diffusion inside cavities of Cu-URJC-8. Finally, Cu-URJC-8 has a high stability, keeping its structural integrity and catalytic activity after successive CO2 cycloaddition reaction cycles. These results show that Cu-URJC-8 is a promising catalyst for CO2 revalorization.

Bio/KOH ratio effect on activated biochar and their dye based wastewater depollution

Waste potatoes peels (WPP) were adopted as a Biomass in this investigation to produce highly porous activated Biochars. The carbonized-activation process was principally governed on double pyrolysis at 600 °C intercalated by intermediate thermal-chemical step for homogenous incorporation of KOH oxidation agent. The effect of CWPP/KOH precursors ratio and the second pyrolysis temperature were systematically carried out to study the activated Biochars physico-chemical properties (morphology, textural and chemical bands) using different techniques (XRD, FTIR, Raman, TGA/DTA, XPS, FESEM, EDX, CHNO/S, BET, Zeta potential). The obtained activated Biochars are in micro/nano-porous systems and have interesting SSA [580 – 2400 m2/g], pore volume [0.08 – 1.02 cm3/g] and average pores size < 4 nm depending to the activation conditions. Moreover, the second pyrolysis temperature has an effect on the carbon atoms structure reorganization which is proved through their high Raman and textural properties. To demonstrate the double activation process effectiveness and the resulting Biochars properties, we have studied their adsorption behavior to remove two kinds of dyes (cationic MB and anionic AZ). The obtained adsorption capacities have reached 1246 mg/g and 315 mg/g with an equilibrium contact time around [5–10 min] and [30–40 min] for MB and AZ dyes, respectively. These values have never been reported before, especially using the very low activated Biochar adsorbent quantity of 8 mg (at each initial pH and 100 mg/l concentration of each dye solution).

Effect of hydrocolloids on functionality of Protaetia brevitarsis proteins.

In this study, the effects of various hydrocolloids on the functionality of extracted proteins from Protaetia brevitarsis were investigated. Gel solubility, apparent viscosity, thermal properties, microstructure, textural properties, foaming properties, and emulsion properties were estimated and compared among treatments. Although all hydrocolloids enhanced the protein gelling properties compared with those of the control protein, the protein-polysaccharide complex in samples treated with a hydrocolloid with a lower solubility of hydrophobic bonds and disulfide bonds showed a more compact microstructure with high textural properties, apparent viscosity, and emulsion stability. By contrast, hydrocolloids with a high solubility of hydrophobic bonds increased the foaming properties and showed high thermal stability of the insect proteins. These results indicate that hydrocolloids should be carefully selected when in complex with edible insect proteins according to their purpose as gelling or foaming agents.

New nanocarriers based on Porous Clay Heterostructures (PCH) designed for methotrexate delivery

In this paper, two types of porous clay heterostructures were proposed as drug delivery systems for loading of methotrexate (MTX), an antitumor drug used to treat a wide range of diseases. The inorganic porous heterostructured materials, characterized by different textural properties, morphologies and structural properties were synthesized using a montmorillonite as starting clay in which silica precursor was polymerized in various conditions. The properties of porous materials were evaluated by various techniques (FTIR, XPS, XRD, elemental analysis, zeta potential, TEM, BET analysis and UV-VIS). BET results suggested that these materials exhibit superior textural properties than starting clay used in the synthesis. The drug encapsulation efficiency of inorganic hosts was influenced by the textural properties. TEM and XRD analysis indicated that the inorganic hosts were characterized by a highly intercalated-exfoliated structures. The prepared MTX delivery systems were characterized by different drug release profiles that are strongly influenced by the PCHs properties. The proposed inorganic hosts are opening the path for a new type of drug delivery systems. The high encapsulation efficiency, textural and structural properties recommend these types of materials as a potential nanostructured host for methotrexate drug.

Semiamorphous Fe-BDC: The missing link between the highly-demanded iron carboxylate MOF catalysts

Porous Fe carboxylates are amongst the most promising MOF-based materials due to their low price, low toxicity, metal environments (including open metal sites) and remarkable (meso)porosity variety. Fe-MOFs based on the cluster [Fe3O(X)(solvent)2]6+, that is, MIL-101(Fe), MIL-100(Fe) and semiamorphous Fe-BTC, are of particular interest. These three materials are quite related each other: (i) MIL-100(Fe) and MIL-101(Fe) have the same zeolitic topology MTN and two types of mesocavities, whereas (ii) Fe-BTC and MIL-100(Fe) form an unprecedented semiamorphous / fully-crystallized pair, having in common the metal cluster, the composition, one mesocavity, etc but without becoming a nano- / micro-crystalline pair. This work describes the room-temperature synthesis, characterization and catalytic performance in the aerobic cyclohexene oxidation of the semiamorphous Fe-BDC, which together with MIL-101(Fe) would form the second semiamorphous / crystallized pair in MOFs. Unfortunately, Fe-BDC could not be prepared in water as solvent, but in either ethanol or in N,N-dimethylformamide. It possesses relatively high textural properties (above 500 m2g-1) and key common features with MIL-101(Fe): XRD reflections at the same 2θ positions, similar thermal stability, almost equal linker conformations, etc. Fe-BDC became quite active in the solvent-free aerobic oxidation of cyclohexene under mild conditions, surpassing the activity performance of the well-known commercial Fe-BTC catalyst in the same reaction under the same mild conditions.

General, Metal-free Synthesis of Carbon Nanofiber Assemblies from Plant Oils.

We designed a metal‐free synthesis of carbon nanofiber based on ketene chemistry using phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) and vegetable oil. Based on the characterization of intermediates, P2O5‐oil reaction yielded most possibly alkylketenes, which polymerized into poly(ketene) with abundant enol groups. The enol groups further reacted with P2O5, forcing the poly(ketene) to assemble into a nano‐sized preassembly structure. Moderate heating transforms these structures into carbonaceaus nanofibers. This approach is applicable to other chemicals with similar structure to vegetable oil. The carbon nanofibers with P‐O‐C functionalization show relatively high graphitization degree and promising textural properties. The C‐O‐P environment accounts for 66 at % of the total P and creates a superior thermal stability. As a model application, a CDI system built of a carbon‐nanofiber‐based electrode countered by an activated carbon‐based electrode exhibited exceptional performance.

General, Metal‐free Synthesis of Carbon Nanofiber Assemblies from Plant Oils

AbstractWe designed a metal‐free synthesis of carbon nanofiber based on ketene chemistry using phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5) and vegetable oil. Based on the characterization of intermediates, P2O5‐oil reaction yielded most possibly alkylketenes, which polymerized into poly(ketene) with abundant enol groups. The enol groups further reacted with P2O5, forcing the poly(ketene) to assemble into a nano‐sized preassembly structure. Moderate heating transforms these structures into carbonaceaus nanofibers. This approach is applicable to other chemicals with similar structure to vegetable oil. The carbon nanofibers with P‐O‐C functionalization show relatively high graphitization degree and promising textural properties. The C‐O‐P environment accounts for 66 at % of the total P and creates a superior thermal stability. As a model application, a CDI system built of a carbon‐nanofiber‐based electrode countered by an activated carbon‐based electrode exhibited exceptional performance.

Recent Advances in Metal-Organic Frameworks Derived Nanocomposites for Photocatalytic Applications in Energy and Environment.

Solar energy is a key sustainable energy resource, and materials with optimal properties are essential for efficient solar energy‐driven applications in photocatalysis. Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) are excellent platforms to generate different nanocomposites comprising metals, oxides, chalcogenides, phosphides, or carbides embedded in porous carbon matrix. These MOF derived nanocomposites offer symbiosis of properties like high crystallinities, inherited morphologies, controllable dimensions, and tunable textural properties. Particularly, adjustable energy band positions achieved by in situ tailored self/external doping and controllable surface functionalities make these nanocomposites promising photocatalysts. Despite some progress in this field, fundamental questions remain to be addressed to further understand the relationship between the structures, properties, and photocatalytic performance of nanocomposites. In this review, different synthesis approaches including self‐template and external‐template methods to produce MOF derived nanocomposites with various dimensions (0D, 1D, 2D, or 3D), morphologies, chemical compositions, energy bandgaps, and surface functionalities are comprehensively summarized and analyzed. The state‐of‐the‐art progress in the applications of MOF derived nanocomposites in photocatalytic water splitting for H2 generation, photodegradation of organic pollutants, and photocatalytic CO2 reduction are systemically reviewed. The relationships between the nanocomposite properties and their photocatalytic performance are highlighted, and the perspectives of MOF derived nanocomposites for photocatalytic applications are also discussed.

Non-oxidative decomposition of propane: Ni-Cu/Al2O3 catalyst for the production of CO2-free hydrogen and high-value carbon nanofibers

A Ni-Cu/Al2O3 catalyst was tested in the thermal decomposition of propane to produce CO2-free hydrogen and high value-added carbon nanofibers (CNF), the quantity and quality of which are key to making the process economically viable. The effect of temperatures in the range 550–750°C and space velocities from 24 to 240 l gCat−1h−1 on the product distribution, conversion, H2 selectivity and carbon formation rate (CFR) was evaluated. In addition to H2, CH4 and C2H4 together with small amounts of C2H6 were detected in the reaction gases. While propane conversion overpassed 90% at 700°C and higher temperatures, H2 selectivity reached 40% for low space velocities (24 l gCat−1h−1). Likewise, the CFR increased with temperature to 50 gC gCat−1h−1 at 700°C, doubling the rates reported for methane or ethane as the feedstock and same reaction conditions. The CNF, thoroughly characterized by XRD, N2 physisorption, SEM and TEM, exhibited bimodal and wide diameter distribution (6–120 nm) and fishbone morphology with high graphitic order (interplanar distance: 0.339–0.347 nm, and crystal sizes around 5 nm) and good textural properties (specific surface area: 100–190 m2 g−1 and total pore volume: 0.23–0.45 cm3 g−1).

Strontium-Modified Scaffolds Based on Mesoporous Bioactive Glasses/Polyvinyl Alcohol Composites for Bone Regeneration.

In the search of a new biomaterial for the treatment of bone defects resulting from traumatic events, an osteoporosis scenario with bone fractures, tumor removal, congenital pathologies or implant revisions for infection, we developed 3D scaffolds based on mesoporous bioactive glasses (MBGs) (85 − x)SiO2–5P2O5–10CaO–xSrO (x = 0, 2.5 and 5 mol.%). The scaffolds with meso-macroporosity were fabricated by pouring a suspension of MBG powders in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) into a negative template of polylactic acid (PLA), followed by removal of the template by extraction at low temperature. SrO-containing MBGs exhibited excellent properties for bone substitution including ordered mesoporous structure, high textural properties, quick in vitro bioactive response in simulated body fluid (SBF) and the ability of releasing concentrations of strontium ions able to stimulate expression of early markers of osteoblastic differentiation. Moreover, the direct contact of MC3T3-E1 pre-osteoblastic cells with the scaffolds confirmed the cytocompatibility of the three compositions investigated. Nevertheless, the scaffold containing 2.5% of SrO induced the best cellular proliferation showing the potential of this scaffold as a candidate to be further investigated in vitro and in vivo, aiming to be clinically used for bone regeneration applications in non-load bearing sites.

Effect of high hydrostatic pressure in combination with low salt content for the improvement of texture and palatability of meat gels

The effect of high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment of 200 MPa for 10 min at room temperature in combination with salt (sodium chloride) and phosphate (sodium pyrophosphate) addition on the microstructure and sensory characteristics of beef gels were investigated. Sensory evaluation was involving students and staff of the Niigata University, using Scheffe’s paired comparison method with grade. Gel microstructure was observed using scanning electron microscopy (JSM-6510LA, JEOL LTD., Japan). The free amino acid content of beef gels was analyzed by an amino acid analyzer (JLC-500/V, JEOL LTD., Japan). The results of sensory evaluation revealed that high pressure at 200 MPa improved the cohesiveness and springiness (elasticity) while significantly decreasing the softness in low salt and/or low phosphate beef gels (p < 0.05). Irrespective of the salt and/or phosphate content in the beef samples, panellists noted that the pressurized beef gels were firmer, more elastic, and more pleasant to bite. The scanning electron microscopy images revealed that high pressure treatment at 200 MPa produced a dense, homogeneous networked structure with small cavities for water retention in low salt beef gels. The total free amino acid content of low salt and/or low phosphate beef gels was increased by high pressure at 200 MPa (p < 0.05). The present study confirmed that high hydrostatic pressure at 200 MPa was effective in producing low salt and/or low phosphate beef gels while providing high quality textural and organoleptic properties.

Effective synthesis route of renewable nanoporous carbon adsorbent for high energy gas storage and CO2/N2 selectivity

Mandarin peels are fruit by-products and provide an economically viable and renewable carbon source. In order to recycle and convert the bio-waste materials, a scalable synthesis approach for mandarin peel-derived porous and activated carbon were designed, and an influence of its preparation conditions such as carbonization, activation temperatures and activating agents was well investigated. The developed nanoporous carbon achieves high textural properties of surface area of ∼2500 m 2 g −1 and pore volume of 1.04 cm 3 g −1 and is naturally doped by sulphur. Owing to a high textural properties and some metal residues, obtained nanoporous carbon exhibited promising sorption properties for all energy carrier gases (e.g. H 2 , CH 4 ) and excellent CO 2 separation and storage performance, that to the best of our knowledge are among the highest reported values for porous carbons. The H 2 storage capacities at 77 and 298 K and 25 bar were recorded as 6.1 and 0.45 wt%, respectively. For CH 4 and CO 2 storage at 298 K and 25 bar, uptake of 9.65 and 20.6 mmol g −1 were achieved, respectively. Additionally, the separation of various binary mixtures (CO 2 /CH 4 , CH 4 /N 2 and CO 2 /N 2 ) at different composition was studied according to the ideal adsorbed solution theory (IAST) model and a high value of 63 was achieved for CO 2 /N 2 which is among the top values for nanoporous carbons reported in the literature. • Scalable synthesis approach for mandarin peel-derived porous and activated carbon was developed. • The optimal conditions for the preparation of mandarin peel-derived AC were determined. • One of the highest storage capacities of energy carriers (H 2 and CH 4 ) and greenhouse gas (CO 2 ) were achieved. • Developed AC achieved highest CO 2 /N 2 selectivity of 63.