In the present work, we developed an efficient strategy to prepare high performance nanofiltration membrane. The polyethersulfone (PES) substructure were chosen as a support layer. Dopamine, polyethyleneimine (PEI) and MXene were used to modification the PES through co-deposition as intermediate layer. The physicochemical properties of membranes were analysed to confirm the successful modification. These modification membrane was evaluated through separation of aqueous salt solution (sodium sulphate (Na2SO4), magnesium sulphate (MgSO4), magnesium chloride (MgCl2), and sodium chloride (NaCl)). Results showed that the modified membranes exhibit enhanced hydrophilicity and reduced surface charge, which contributed to improved antifouling performance. The separation performance demonstrated that the modified membranes exhibiting higher water permeance and enhanced salt rejection. Typically, the optimum membrane achieved a water permeance of 22.25, 19.63, 21.34, and 23.36 L·m−2·h·−1·bar−1 for sodium sulphate, magnesium sulphate, magnesium chloride, and sodium chloride solution, respectively. Compared with the pristine membrane, the membrane modified by dopamine/PEI and nanofiller present significant enhanced of about 58.92%, 46.49%, 47.17%, and 53.68%, respectively. Moreover, the long-term stability tests were carried out. The membrane exhibited stable separation performance during the 75 h continuous test. This novel strategy provides a promising route to fabricate composite membranes, indicating great potential for practical wastewater treatment.
The need for highly strengthened, lightweight materials for working applications has led to a rise in the use of composites reinforced with fibers of natural or synthetic materials. Fiber-reinforced polymer composites have excellent mechanical capabilities and resistance to wear, corrosion, impact, and fire in addition to their high strength-to-weight ratio. These features have been made to use the fiber-reinforced polymer composites in various applications like automobile, marine, aerospace, construction, and many manufacturing industries, manufacturing processes, mechanical properties, thermal characteristics, and tribological behavior of composite materials determine their performance. Consequently, in order to determine the optimal material characteristic for the intended application, it is necessary to study all these things used to fabricate the composite materials. The study of This review includes the current research efforts on natural fiber-reinforced polymer composites manufacturing processes, impact modification, improved mechanical properties, thermal properties, and tribological behaviors. Improvements in the composites' mechanical, thermal, and physical properties are made possible by hybridization. This review also covers the hybridization of polymer composites and studies 3D printing a new advancement in the fabrication of polymer composites.
This study reports a combined experimental and theoretical investigation of nanocrystalline (100−x)Ni/(x)MgO nanocomposite (x = 20, 30, 40 wt%) prepared via mechanical alloying for magnetic hyperthermia applications. Structural analysis using X-ray diffraction revealed successful formation of Ni–MgO nanocomposites with progressive lattice expansion and reduced crystallite size due to Mg incorporation and mechanical strain. Magnetic measurements showed a clear decrease in saturation magnetization (Ms) and an increase in coercivity (Hc) with increasing Mg content. Heating performance under an alternating magnetic field exhibited a composition-dependent behavior, with 30% of MgO achieving the highest specific absorption rate (∼26 W/g), indicating an optimal balance of magnetic properties for thermal conversion. Complementary density functional theory calculations confirmed the observed trends, showing reduced magnetic moments, increased internal lattice distortion, and suppressed Ni 3d density of states at the Fermi level with higher Mg substitution. The strong agreement between experimental data and theoretical calculation indicates the effectiveness of MgO in tailoring the structural, magnetic, and magnetothermal properties of Ni-based nanomaterials, advancing their application potential in self-regulating magnetic hyperthermia.
The construction industry is increasingly seeking sustainable materials to mitigate environmental impacts. This review examines the potential of sisal fiber composites as reinforcement for building components. Valued for their low density (1.3–1.5 g/cm3), high tensile strength (10–700 MPa), and good thermal/acoustic insulation, sisal fibers are a promising alternative to synthetics. The review covers fiber origins, composition, and the critical role of surface treatments. Alkali treatment increases tensile strength by 10.8%, while silane treatment reduces moisture content from 12.8% to 1.7%. Acetylation boosts tensile strength by 30% and reduces fiber diameter by 20%. The suitability of various polymer and cement/concrete matrices is discussed, with microstructural analysis (scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy) confirming improvements. Life cycle assessment shows a 20% lower global warming potential against glass fiber composites. Future focus on scalability, standardization, and enhanced functionalization is essential to realize sisal fiber-reinforced composites’ full potential as eco-friendly reinforcements.
The increasing demand for sustainable technologies to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions has intensified research on efficient adsorbent materials for carbon dioxide and methane capture. In this work, three carbon-based materials, phenol formaldehyde xerogels, nickel-modified xerogels, and activated carbons derived from olive stones, were synthesized and systematically compared in terms of textural, structural, and adsorption properties. Comprehensive characterization revealed that both the pyrolysis temperature and nickel incorporation strongly influence porosity and surface functionality. Adsorption experiments demonstrated that activated carbon based on olive stones exhibits the highest total uptake for both gases, reaching 6.41 mmol/g for carbon dioxide and 2.75 mmol/g for methane compared to 4.41 and 2.79 mmol/g for phenol formaldehyde xerogels. In comparison, nickel-modified xerogels present an adsorption capacity of around 1.34 and 0.65 mmol/g, respectively, for carbon dioxide and methane under the same conditions. These results due to the large surface area and dominant microporosity of biomass-based samples. In contrast, the nickel-decorated sample shows superior surface-normalized adsorption efficiency, particularly at low pressures where surface interactions prevail. The presence of nickel introduced electroactive sites that enhanced carbon dioxide affinity by way of quadrupolar interactions and improved methane adsorption through localized polarization effects. These findings highlight that surface chemistry plays a more decisive role than textural parameters in determining selectivity and adsorption performance under realistic conditions. Overall, this study establishes a rational design strategy for next-generation carbon adsorbents combining engineered porosity and functionalized surfaces, paving the way for energy-efficient carbon dioxide and methane separation processes.
The excessive presence of heavy metal ions in food and drinking water poses severe threats to human health and the ecological environment. Therefore, it is crucial to establish highly selective, direct and rapid detection methods. In this work, using cane molasses as the carbon source and ethylenediamine as the nitrogen source, nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots with high fluorescence performance were synthesized via a green hydrothermal method. By incorporating specific masking agents, this study developed a fluorescent sensor for the rapid, highly sensitive and selective detection of Ag+, Co2+, Mn2+ and Fe3+. The sensor exhibits excellent linear ranges with limits of detection of 0.12, 0.53, 0.53 and 0.70 mu mol & centerdot;L-1, respectively. Mechanistic studies reveal that the fluorescence quenching is governed by a static quenching mechanism. Furthermore, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy systematically elucidated the specific functional groups interacting with different metal ions, providing a solid structural basis for multi-ion sensing. The successful application of this sensor in human serum and tap water samples demonstrates its outstanding potential for efficient multi-metal ion monitoring.
Metal–organic framework (MOF) composites enable adsorptive separations, catalysis, and delivery, but scale-up is constrained by costly metal precursors and complex coordination chemistry. This paper reviews sustainable, cost-effective routes that integrate MOFs with waste-derived inputs (industrial residues, post-consumer poly(ethylene terephthalate), biomass, and polymer matrices). These routes also improve feedstock valorisation and composite processability. This paper proposes a design logic – hierarchical utilisation → in situ composite formation → functional synergy – where wastes act as metal/ligand sources and processable supports. Distinct from prior sustainability- or waste-to-MOF reviews, this review introduces a role-based classification of waste inputs (precursor source, scaffold/support, functional additive) and couples it to a three-axis compatibility lens (feedstock–process–function), enabling more actionable cross-study comparison and scale-up-oriented decision making. Using in situ growth, selective metal-ion capture, and interface engineering can reduce raw-material and processing costs while improving stability, mass transfer, and multifunctionality, and it favours cross-waste co-utilisation and simpler workflows; representative case studies report ∼40%–60% reductions in precursor (bill-of-materials) cost, although these values are case-specific and not directly comparable across studies without harmonised system boundaries. Challenges remain in scale CAPEX/OPEX, durability under realistic conditions, and manufacturing throughput, motivating priorities for green scale-up, interfacial-mechanism elucidation, and scenario-driven demonstrations.
In this study, a method of using cottonseed oil as the main component for the preparation of bio-based compositions for the new generation of artificial leather was investigated. Genuine leather is considered a renewable, bio-based product. However, ecological issues caused by leather processing have led to a significant productivity decrease in this industry. As a result, artificial leather, made of polyvinyl chloride and polyurethane, has been commonly used in both industrial and commodity applications. These synthetic alternatives show similar properties to genuine leather but are composed of fossil oil-based materials. Therefore, extensive research is being conducted to utilize renewable materials in the manufacturing of artificial leather. The cottonseed oil-based leather prototype was prepared according to the classic three-layer structure approach that is currently used in synthetic leather manufacturing. Epoxidized cottonseed oil was used to create the top and foamed layers of leather, while the third layer consists of cotton fabric. The properties of the individual layers of leather were evaluated using thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, dynamic mechanical analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. By combining all layers, artificial leather prototypes were fabricated. Layers made of functionalized cottonseed oil possess flexibility and softness characteristic of traditional synthetic leather.
In this study, lavender essential oil was obtained from lavender seeds using a Clevenger apparatus and then characterized by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Chitosan-based biofilms containing lavender oil at varying concentrations (0%, 0.2%, 0.4%, and 0.8%) were prepared and designated as CN, CN/0.2 LO, CN/0.4 LO, and CN/0.8 LO, respectively. The physicochemical parameters of the biofilms - including porosity, degree of swelling, oxygen permeability, and water vapor permeability - as well as optical properties such as opacity, transparency, and barrier properties, were determined. The opacity values of CN, CN/0.2 LO, CN/0.4 LO, and CN/0.8 films are 0.183, 0.412, 0.440, and 0.445, respectively, while their barrier values are 52%, 83%, 91%, and 71%, respectively. Strawberries are non-climacteric fruits that spoil quickly after harvest. To extend their shelf life, strawberries were coated with CN, CN/0.2 LO, CN/0.4 LO, and CN/0.8 biofilms. The effects of these films on shelf life, acidity, and appearance were investigated. Titratable acidity values were 0.96 for uncoated strawberries, while strawberries coated with CN, CN/0.2 LO, CN/0.4 LO, and CN/0.8 had values of 0.83, 0.71, 0.65, and 0.77, respectively.
In the present study, carrageenan-chitosan bioplastic films reinforced with titanium dioxide (TiO2) were developed to evaluate the effect of inorganic filler incorporation on the performance of biodegradable film systems. Titanium dioxide was incorporated at different concentrations (0%-7% w/w), and the films were prepared using a solution casting method. The resulting films were characterised in terms of mechanical properties, water resistance, barrier properties, biodegradability, and morphology. The overall results showed that titanium dioxide incorporation influenced the performance of the films, particularly by enhancing water resistance while maintaining mechanical stability and biodegradability. Increasing titanium dioxide concentration beyond a certain level did not lead to further improvement in functional properties. Morphological observations using scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of dispersed particles within the polymer matrix, indicating successful incorporation of titanium dioxide and its influence on film structure. Based on these findings, titanium dioxide incorporation can be considered as an approach to adjust the functional characteristics of carrageenan-chitosan bioplastic films, supporting their further development for moisture-sensitive sustainable packaging.
The current study explores the mechanical behavior of 3D-printed polylactic acid () specimens under shear deformation, employing both numerical simulations and experimental testing. A compression-shear specimen was designed and optimized to convert a compression load into shear deformation in two symmetric gauge regions. A full factorial parametric study was employed to determine the optimal geometry of the specimen. The shear stress error is reduced from 86% of the initial specimen dimensions to 4% of the optimized one. The optimized design was produced using the fusion filament fabrication () additive manufacturing technique. Compression-shear tests were performed using a universal testing machine, generating shear stress-shear strain curves. In addition, the shear modulus and shear yield stress were evaluated. The results align with previous findings reported in the literature, demonstrating that the proposed compression-shear specimen geometry is suitable for further experimental studies. Such studies could explore the impact of process parameters on the shear behavior of or other 3D-printed materials.
The growing concern over environmental contamination, coupled with advancements in the digital age, has underscored the urgent need for innovative, accurate, and accessible monitoring systems. Nano-enabled sensors have emerged as transformative tools for detecting environmental pollutants with enhanced sensitivity and specificity. This review paper investigates the evolution, design, and application of nanosensors, emphasising their role in monitoring critical contaminants like toxic gases, pathogens, pesticides, and heavy metals. Nano-enabled gas sensors, characterised by their ambient-temperature operation, relatively lower cost, and flexibility are highlighted as cutting-edge technologies for point-of-care and point-of-location testing. Similarly, the detection of heavy metals like arsenic, whose contamination poses severe health risks worldwide, has been revolutionised by nano-enabled methods. Advances in the fabrication of nanostructures and the modulation of nanomaterial chemistry have remarkably increased the sensitivity, selectivity, and efficiency of these sensors. By bridging the gap between data collection and actionable insights, nano-enabled sensors hold the potential to transform environmental monitoring, providing a systematic and quantitative understanding of pollutants. This review critically compares nanomaterial classes, signal transduction strategies, and readiness for deployment and has identified the key challenges in scalability, long-term stability, and filling the gaps between innovation in the laboratory and implementation in the environment.
Osteosarcoma remains a highly aggressive bone malignancy with limited therapeutic outcomes due to systemic toxicity and multidrug resistance associated with conventional doxorubicin (DOX) chemotherapy. To address these challenges, this study reports the development of a novel localised drug delivery platform comprising DOX-encapsulated amorphous silica nanoparticles (aSNs) embedded in sodium alginate (SA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) nanocomposite films. aSNs were synthesised via sol-gel methods and characterised for their drug loading efficiency, achieving 95.3 +/- 2.01% encapsulation. These nanoparticles were integrated into PVA/SA films to fabricate aSNs@SA + PVA nanocomposite films, followed by comprehensive characterisation using SEM, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy, swelling, porosity, thermal analysis, and biodegradation studies. The optimised 10 Wt.% aSNs@SA + PVA nanocomposite film exhibited desirable swelling (85.9%), high porosity (90.28%), and moderate biodegradation (50.99%), supporting its suitability for localised therapeutic applications for bone tissue regeneration. In vitro drug release showed sustained and pH-responsive behaviour, with significantly enhanced DOX release under acidic tumour-mimicking conditions (pH 5.5) compared with physiological pH (7.4). Cell viability assessment using MG-63 cells demonstrated potent cell proliferation efficacy, comparable with tissue culture polystyrene plate control after 24 h. These results indicate that the aSNs@SA + PVA nanocomposite film offers a promising strategy for osteosarcoma treatment and reduced systemic toxicity.
Rapid dissolution, volatilisation and leaching of fertilisers has been a major concern in agriculture industry. Controlled-release fertilisers help to regulate the nutrient release and reduce the environmental damage. In the present study, poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT)-based nanoparticles were synthesised for the controlled delivery of urea. Formulations with different urea to PBAT weight ratios (1:5, 1:10 and 1:15) were prepared using solvent evaporation method and characterised for morphology, crystallinity and release kinetics. X-ray diffraction analysis showed the absence of additional peaks of urea, suggesting that urea remained dispersed within the PBAT network. Scanning electron microscopy images displayed changes from rough and agglomerated surfaces in samples with lower polymer content to compact and uniform surfaces for higher PBAT compositions, thereby indicating enhanced distribution and encapsulation of urea in the polymer matrix. Zero-order, first-order, Higuchi and Korsmeyer–Peppas models were used to study urea release kinetics. The analysis showed a transition from Fickian diffusion to anomalous transport and again to Fickian diffusion with increasing polymer content, suggesting molecular diffusion and polymer relaxation. The results highlight the role of polymer composition in controlling the nutrient release behaviour and the potential of PBAT-based systems as biodegradable controlled-release fertilisers for sustainable agricultural systems.
By utilizing electrospinning technology followed by subsequent controlled carbonization processes, hierarchical porous three-dimensional carbon nanofiber mats (HPCNFMs) were successfully fabricated. Within the ternary blend, polyacrylonitrile served as the carbon source, while polyvinylpyrrolidone and polymethyl methacrylate were acted as pore-forming agents. Precise control over the pore size of the carbon fibers synthesized from the ternary blend system was achieved by leveraging differences in solubility. Among these, HPCNFM-3 displayed the most outstanding performance, combining robust mechanical strength and good hydrophobicity (water contact angle approximate to 141.4 degrees) with a hierarchical pore structure. It achieved a high oil flux of 7723.80 L m(-2) h(-1), exceptional oil-water separation efficiency (>99.9%), and remarkable oil adsorption capacity (able to absorb 69-131 times its own weight). In addition, this material demonstrated superior flexibility. These superior performance attributes establish HPCNFM-3 as a highly promising material for advanced oil-water separation applications under diverse environmental conditions.
A composite catalytic system composed of choline chloride, p-chlorophenol, and zinc acetate was developed for the efficient glycolysis of waste polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Under optimal conditions (185 degrees C, 4 h, 2.5 wt% catalyst), PET was depolymerized into high-purity bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) with a yield of 96.3%. The catalyst structure was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance. Key reaction parameters, such as temperature, ethylene glycol/PET ratio, and catalyst loading, were optimized. The obtained BHET was repolymerized by way of melt polycondensation to produce regenerated PET, which exhibited thermal and structural properties comparable with commercial PET, as confirmed by thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, FTIR, and nuclear magnetic resonance. The catalyst demonstrated excellent reusability, maintaining over 82% BHET yield after six cycles. This study proposes a sustainable, highly efficient, and fully recyclable strategy for closed-loop PET recycling. Specifically, by harnessing a synergistic Lewis-Br empty set nsted acid system, the strategy demonstrates outstanding scalability and thus holds considerable promise for near-term industrial application.
Converting waste cooking oil (WCO) into high-value materials is challenging due to low profitability and technical barriers. This study first successfully turned WCO into low-cost, high-performance glass fiber-reinforced polymer (GFRP). Specifically, WCO was transformed into photocurable monomer epoxidized waste oil methyl acrylate (EWOMA) by way of epoxidation and ring-opening esterification. EWOMA was then blended with triisopropylsilyl methacrylate (TIPSMA) to formulate an ultraviolet (UV)-curable resin (designated as EWOMA-TIPSMA (ET)) for use as the GFRP matrix, with glass fiber (GF) fabric serving as the reinforcement. The WCO-based GF/ET composite was fabricated by way of a hand lay-up process using a resin-to-fiber mass ratio of 7:3 and was subsequently cured under 405 nm UV light to form the final GFRP. The optimized GF/ET composite, prepared with an ET resin at an EWOMA-to-TIPSMA mass ratio of 3:2, exhibited outstanding mechanical properties, including a tensile strength of 191.92 MPa, a flexural strength of 204.97 MPa, and an impact strength of 103.49 kJ/m2 - representing similar to 12.5-, 6.3-, and 35-fold improvements over the neat resin, respectively. In addition, the composite showed low porosity (3.44%) and minimal water absorption (1.57%). This work provides a sustainable, scalable route to transform WCO into structurally competitive composites, combining resource efficiency with high performance for industrial applications.
The present study focused on the fabrication and characterization of three-dimensional (3D) printing filament produced from high-density polyethylene waste (rHDPE). The rHDPE was sourced from injection-moulded waste such as sprues, gates and runners. Due to the unsuitability of injection grade of polymer for extrusion process, injection-grade rHDPE was blended with extrusion-grade high-density polyethylene (HDPE) materials. Different blend ratios of injection-grade rHDPE to extrusion-grade HDPE (100:0, 60:40, 50:50, and 40:60) were prepared and extruded into 3D printing filaments. The filament characterization including filament diameter consistency, filament ovality, and melt flow index were evaluated, while the thermal stability of the blends was analysed using thermogravimetric analysis. Among the blend ratios, the 50:50 (injection-grade rHDPE: extrusion-grade HDPE) blend demonstrated the starting ratio for producing 3D printing filament with consistent filament diameter and was therefore selected for 3D printing tensile specimens for tensile testing, indicating its suitability for 3D printing applications. Tensile specimens printed from this 50:50 blend ratio filament were tested at three different infill densities (20%, 60%, and 100%). Furthermore, the tensile properties of 3D-printed parts printed from 50:50 rHDPE blend filament were compared with those of commercial virgin polylactic acid, polyethylene terephthalate glycol, and HDPE filaments.
Conventional phenolic resins are often composed of petroleum-derived phenol and formaldehyde, which can lead to serious environmental and health hazards. In this work, a bio-based phenolic varnish resin was synthesized by partially replacing phenol and formaldehyde with cardanol and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). When 50 wt% of phenol was replaced by cardanol, the resulting resin showed the best overall performance: its bonding strength was 7.68 MPa, free formaldehyde content was as low as 0.0015%, and free phenol content was 1.98%, which was significantly better than that of commercial adhesives (bonding strength of 0.7 MPa and free formaldehyde of 0.3%). In addition, the cured resin's water contact angle was 88.14 degrees, indicating its good hydrophobicity. In conclusion, our study innovatively used the synergistic impact of cardanol and HMF to provide a new and more sustainable alternative for the synthesis of more environmentally friendly adhesives with satisfied performance. In particular, the application prospects are quite promising.
