The wastewater from natural rubber manufacturing units in rural areas is characterized by high concentrations of organic acid, chemical oxygen demand (COD), acidic pH, nitrate, turbidity, solids, and phosphate. This can result in soil degradation, groundwater contamination, surface water pollution, and health issues during its final disposal. The possibility of integrating zinc oxide nanoflakes (ZnO nanoflakes) during the ultraviolet (UV)-Fenton process for the efficient treatment of rubber wastewater was evaluated in this study. The reaction rates of various treatment processes, including coagulation-flocculation (CF), UV alone, ZnO-assisted UV-Fenton, and CF followed by ZnO-assisted UV-Fenton, were estimated using different kinetic models. Additionally, the synergistic effects among these processes were analyzed. CF pretreatment achieved 35
In the conventional method of the production of lactose from whey, the concentration of whey is carried out by energy-intensive evaporation technique, but in present novel study, an alternative energy-saving method is introduced. A porous styrene butadiene styrene (SBS) membrane containing hydrophobic silica nanoparticles was fabricated by phase inversion technique and was utilized to separate lactose from whey via membrane distillation crystallization (MDC) process. Hydrophobic silica nanoparticles with different weight percentages were added to the solution containing SBS, toluene solvent, and additives including sunflower oil and polyethylene glycol to improve the membrane properties. The membranes were characterized by various tests. The characterization results showed that the liquid entry pressure (LEP) reached a maximum of 1.2 bar in the presence of nanoparticles. The results of the MDC test showed that the maximum amount of lactose was obtained using the membrane containing 1 wt
Rice husk pyrolysis yields silica-carbon hybrid fillers for polymer and construction use, but conventional acid leaching and alkaline extraction generate hazardous effluent that conflicts with zero-liquid-discharge (ZLD) manufacturing. This work reports a strictly dry, solvent-free pyrolysis route in which the milling sequence, rather than any chemical treatment, controls metal purity. A 2 × 3 × 2 full factorial design varied pyrolysis temperature (400–800 °C), residence time (60–120 min), and comminution sequence (pre-milling vs. post-milling), with triplicate runs (n = 3). Post-milling introduced markedly higher iron and chromium oxides (Fe₂O₃ 2.7 to 3.8 wt
This study investigates the production of acid-activated geopolymer mortars using phosphoric acid as the activator and metakaolin as the precursor, both individually and in combination with iron oxide. The optimum liquid-to-solid (L/S) ratio was determined for each formulation, considering a precursor-to-natural sand ratio of 1:3 by mass. Compressive strength, pH, ultrasonic pulse velocity, and chemical and microstructural characteristics were evaluated. In addition, a cradle-to-gate Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was performed using SimaPro software and the EcoInvent database. A theoretical optimum L/S ratio of 0.24 was identified for metakaolin-based mortars and 0.32 for mortars containing metakaolin and iron oxide, considering a phosphoric acid solution with a molarity of 10 mol/L. Mortars containing iron oxide exhibited compressive strengths approximately twice those of mortars produced solely with metakaolin, reaching 28.8 MPa after 28 days. However, these mortars experienced a significant loss of strength over 90 days, whereas formulations containing only metakaolin showed a strength increase of up to 288.4
CuS-based low-emissivity coatings are emerging as sustainable alternatives to Ag- and ITO-based systems for energy-efficient glazing, as they combine visible transparency with strong infrared reflection using earth-abundant elements. Among solution-based deposition methods, SILAR is attractive due to its low cost and potential scalability, but long deposition times and the scarce reporting of non-chemical process parameters still limit optimization and reproducibility. In particular, the influence of process parameters such as the transfer speed between baths remains largely unexplored. Here, CuS-covellite thin films were deposited on CdS/glass substrates by SILAR, keeping the chemical conditions and the number of cycles constant while varying the transfer speed (Ts) to 8, 10, 12, and 14 mm/s. Increasing Ts reduced total deposition time by ∼ 30 min, while decreasing the film thickness from ∼ 119 nm (8 mm/s) to ∼ 91 nm (14 mm/s), demonstrating the direct influence of Ts on the deposited material. Most morphological and microstructural features remained nearly unchanged, although a stronger (100) preferred orientation and a reduction of higher-index planes were observed. The visible transmittance at ∼ 560 nm exceeded 40
Molybdenum-based metal oxide quantum dots (MoOx QDs) have caught the eye as viable next-generation electrode materials in energy storage devices because they exhibit novel quantum confinement effects, a large surface-to-volume ratio, and highly diverse multivalent redox chemistry. MoOx QDs, in comparison with bulk molybdenum oxides, surpass inherent drawbacks like poor electrical conductivity, slow ion diffusion, and excessive volume swelling when subjected to electrochemical cycling. This is a systematic review of recent developments in the synthesis, the structural properties, and the charge-storage mechanisms of MoOx QDs, especially focusing on hydrothermal, solvothermal, microwave-assisted, ligand-controlled and laser-based processes. Performance enhancement strategies and future perspectives are also critically debated, highlighting that although oxygen-vacancy engineering, heterostructure formation, and composite design can significantly improve conductivity and electrochemical performance, these approaches may also introduce challenges such as structural instability, synthesis complexity, and difficulties in identifying the true contribution of MoOx QDs to overall device performance. Electrochemical performance of the MoOx QDs is discussed in lithium-ion, sodium-ion, magnesium-ion, and zinc-ion batteries, in supercapacitors and hybrid supercapacitors, and the performances are outstanding because of their high capacities, fast kinetics, and enhanced cycling stability. Although this has made tremendous progress, there are still challenges of low initial coulombic efficiency, structural instability, and scalability. Lastly, the proposed research directions in the future involving interface stabilization, multivalent ion storage, and sustainable synthesis routes are suggested to improve the expedited implementation of MoOx QDs in advanced energy storage systems.
Nickel oxide (NiO) nanomaterials hold significant promise for antimicrobial and environmental applications; however, their performance is highly dependent on defect engineering, porosity, and controlled crystallite growth. Here, we report a dual-fuel solution combustion strategy employing chitosan and urea as synergistic redox agents to produce highly porous, defect-rich NiO nanoparticles with finely tuned structural and electronic properties. Multiscale characterization reveals that the rapid gas-evolving combustion process yields nanocrystalline NiO (≈ 15 nm) exhibiting a sponge-like morphology, a pronounced absorption edge at 298 nm, a narrowed bandgap of 1.97 eV, and a high Urbach energy (1.20 eV), indicative of substantial lattice disorder and abundant localized states. The engineered NiO nanoparticles display outstanding antimicrobial activity, with strong dose-dependent inhibition against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as fungal pathogens. Molecular docking analyses further demonstrate multi-target binding affinity toward key microbial proteins—DNA gyrase, PBP3, UPPS, and fungal CYP51—providing a mechanistic framework that correlates structural defects with biological potency. In parallel, the NiO adsorbent exhibits high affinity toward Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions, achieving maximum uptake capacities of 74 mg/g and 53 mg/g, respectively, driven by a combination of surface hydroxylation, inner-sphere complexation, and defect-mediated interactions.
Portland cement production is one of the main sources of CO₂ emissions, representing a significant environmental challenge. Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs) have emerged as a promising alternative to mitigate the environmental impact associated with cement manufacturing, while also enhancing the properties of concrete and mortar. In this context, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of garlic peel ash (GPA) as a supplementary cementitious material in mortar. Portland cement was partially replaced with GPA at levels of 10
This hypothesis-driven systematic review evaluates whether nanoscale engineering of organometallic catalysts produces size-dependent amplification of combustion performance in ammonium perchlorate (AP)-based composite propellants. Following PRISMA 2020 principles, a structured Scopus search (2020–2025) identified seventeen studies meeting predefined nanoscale (< 100 nm) and quantitative performance criteria. Three hypotheses were examined: nanoscale systems outperform bulk or molecular analogues; catalytic efficiency correlates with accessible site density rather than nominal metal fraction; and that an optimal sub-100 nm regime modulates decomposition and burn rate enhancement. Across studies, high-temperature decomposition reductions of 24–138 °C and activation energy decreases of 55–151 kJ·mol⁻1 were reported. Graphene- and carbon nanotube-supported architectures exhibited the strongest kinetic shifts, while nano-Fe (40–60 nm) achieved nearly threefold burn rate enhancement at 1 wt
The coexistence of emerging dissolved organic contaminants and nanoplastics in aquatic systems presents a major challenge for conventional water treatment technologies, which are typically optimized for either molecular degradation or particulate removal. Herein, we report the strategic fabrication of a magnetic MWCNT@Fe-ZIF 67 nanoheterostructure for the photocatalytic degradation of Bisphenol S (BPS) and heteroaggregation-driven nanoplastics removal from water. The integration of Fe-modified ZIF 67 with functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) generates a defect-engineered heterostructure containing mixed-valent cobalt-iron oxide domains, which enhance visible-light absorption, interfacial charge transfer, and surface redox activity. Spectroscopic and electrochemical investigations revealed improved charge separation and prolonged charge-carrier utilization within the composite heterointerfaces. Under visible-light irradiation, the material achieved rapid photocatalytic degradation of BPS (99.82
Polysulfone (PSf) hollow fiber membranes were surface-modified using fluorinated silica (F-SiO₂) nanoparticles to improve membrane hydrophobicity and wetting resistance for carbon dioxide (CO₂) stripping in gas–liquid membrane contactors. Pristine PSf hollow fiber membranes were fabricated by the wet phase inversion method and subsequently coated with different concentrations of fluorinated SiO₂ nanoparticles (0.5–1.5 wt
This work presents the exclusive pyroelectric properties of double perovskite Pr2FeCrO6 (PFCO) with monovalent Na+ doping at the Pr³⁺ site. The conventional sol-gel method was used to produce samples of Pr2−xNaxFeCrO6 for x = 0, 0.20, 0.40, and 0.60. The synthesized ceramic samples were crystallized in an orthorhombic structure with Pbnm space group. The surface morphology reveals that the material exhibited an average particle size of 169 nm, and with Na+ doping it reduced up to 128 nm. The X-ray photoelectron spectra indicated the presence of oxygen vacancies and dual oxidation states of Cr (Cr6+ Cr3+) ions with the Na+ doping. The indirect band gap was enhanced with Na+ doping, which is associated with the decreasing crystallite and particle size. Further, high temperature-dependent dielectric properties were analyzed. The resistance of the material has reduced from 3226 Ω to 368 Ω, resulting in an increment of conductivity. The conduction mechanism in Na+ doped samples is primarily attributed to the overlapping large polaron tunneling model. The significant increase in dielectric constant is observed from 23 to 633 with Na+ doping. For the first time, these materials were examined for pyroelectric response, and with the Na+ doping, the pyroelectric effect is clearly detected. The obtained pyroelectric coefficient lies from 0.12 nCm−2K− 1 to 2.21 nCm−2K− 1. Additionally, these materials underwent energy harvesting testing, and the output voltage in the mV range for the Na-doped materials was successfully displayed, which signifying the effective thermal-to-electrical energy conversion. Thus, Na-doped PFCO can stand out as viable candidate for thermal-to electrical energy conversion applications.
The rise of nanothermochromic materials for energy‑efficient glazing, recognizes windows as the major challenge for building energy losses and HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning) demand as the sector that consumes more than 40 T_lum ), solar modulation ( ΔT_sol ) and tunes the phase transition temperature ( T_c ) toward room temperature while strengthening durability and manufacturability. Wet‑chemistry and physical routes yield size and phase‑controlled VO2(M) compatible with scalable processing (inkjet, blade coating, sol–gel, hydrothermal synthesis, sputtering, atomic layer deposition). Elemental co‑doping lowers the Tc with manageable optical characteristics; multifunctional stacks integrate electro‑, photo‑ and mechano‑activation to accelerate switching and sharpen spectral selectivity; polymer matrices and hydrogels provide flexible, low‑cost routes to enhance ΔT_sol , and core–shell VO2 architectures extend environmental stability. Nanothermochromic VO₂ have achieved advances such as high transmittance, strong solar modulation and lower transition temperatures through co‑doping, size control and scalable, durable designs, moving smart windows toward potential energy‑efficient application.
The present study evaluates the effectiveness of non-living Mixed Indigenous Microalgae (MIMA) for mercury biosorption at concentrations representative of environmental conditions (10–100 µg L⁻¹), offering novel insights into their potential as sustainable, low-cost biosorbents for aquatic mercury remediation under the influence of such concentration levels. The MIMA consortium, primarily composed of Chlorella sp. and Arthrospira sp., was thermally inactivated to produce a stable non-living biomass with enhanced surface porosity and functional group availability. MIMA achieved removal efficiencies ranging from 61.5
Propylene glycol (PG), an FDA-approved biocompatible coolant with antifreeze characteristics, is a suitable heat transfer fluid for low to moderate temperature thermal management applications. PG-based nanofluids have been envisioned for such applications, where safety and environmental compatibility are essential. In this work, ZnO nanorods of aspect ratio ranging from 10 to 17 were used for the formulation of ZnO–propylene glycol (ZPG) nanofluids at volume fractions ranging from 0.25 to 2 vol
Food waste is a persistent environmental issue, but it also represents a promising raw material for bioplastic production. This study aims to develop and characterize biodegradable bioplastics from mixed common household organic residues, specifically a mix of potato, banana, apple, and tomato peels. The methodology in this study involved extracting starch from these wastes, followed by bioplastic synthesis using glycerol as a plasticizer, using calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) and sodium carbonate (Na₂CO₃) as modifying agents. The resulting films were analyzed through microbial activity, biodegradation assays, thermochemical degradation and film tensile test. Results showed that bioplastics modified with CaCO₃ exhibited superior mechanical performance, with an elastic modulus of 1.8 MPa and maximum tensile strength of 0.48 MPa, compared to the standard bioplastic (1.08 MPa and 0.43 MPa, respectively). Biomass degradation in soil ranged from 57.8 wt
Ocular injuries due to chemical spills pose a substantial concern, representing 10–22
Starch remains one of the most practical and sustainable biopolymers for fluid-loss control in water-based drilling fluids (WBDFs), yet its native thermal and ionic limitations restrict performance under demanding downhole conditions. This systematic review synthesizes advances in starch-based fluid-loss reducers by screening eligible studies published between 2010 and 2025 and examining how physical, chemical, and hybrid modification strategies influence hydration behavior, thermal stability, filtration control, and rheological performance in WBDF systems under saline and elevated-temperature conditions. Physical treatments such as gelatinization, pregelatinization, micronization, and nanogrinding primarily improve hydration, granule disintegration, pore plugging, and interparticle bridging, but their performance window is often narrower than that of chemically modified or hybrid-modified systems. The thermomechanical characteristics of sago starch suggest that it may be a promising candidate for extrusion-based pregelatinization aimed at achieving cold-water solubility without excessive loss of thermal integrity. Chemical modification generally provides more durable performance under elevated temperature and salinity. Crosslinked and graft-copolymerized starches more often outperform simple etherified derivatives, while carboxymethylated starch offers improved hydration capacity and saline compatibility, making it an effective component in more integrated designs. Among the reviewed routes, hybrid-modified starches, which combine ionic, hydrophobic, or network-forming functionalities, provide the most balanced improvements in thermal endurance, ionic tolerance, and overall WBDF performance. Despite these advances, the literature remains fragmented by inconsistent testing practices and limited technoeconomic or environmental assessment. This review consolidates the current evidence, identifies critical research gaps, and highlights the underexplored potential of sago starch as a feedstock for next-generation WBDF fluid-loss reducers.
A green, chemical-free method was successfully employed to produce a highly efficient Pb(II) bioadsorbent using Juglans regia shell as a low-cost adsorbent material through Aspergillus niger mediated SSF. The bioadsorbent was found to have a > 10-fold adsorption capacity (40.24 mg g⁻¹) compared to the raw material. Pseudo-second-order kinetics and the Langmuir model are the best fits; the rate-determining step is film diffusion. Adsorption is a spontaneous, endothermic and favourable process. The adsorbent was predicted to have a Pb(II) removal efficiency of 99.50 ± 0.42
