Severe dye contamination makes titanium dioxide (TiO2) coating a key photocatalytic material, hence enhancing its catalytic activity is research priority. Copper (Cu)/titanium dioxide composite coatings were fabricated via plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) using electrolytes containing trisodium phosphate (Na-3(4)) (concentration: 2-10 g/L, 2 g/L stepwise), sodium fluoride and copper oxide. Microstructure, crystalline phase and photocatalytic activity were fully characterised. Higher phosphate concentration reduces surface micropore density; energy-dispersive spectroscopy proves homogeneous dispersion of oxygen, sodium, fluoride and copper. X-ray diffraction confirms coexisting anatase and rutile, and anatase content rises first then declines. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy peak shift verifies successful Cu3+ doping into titanium dioxide lattice. The coating derived from 6 g/L trisodium phosphate delivers optimal performance with 61.9% decolourisation after 200 min irradiation. Copper doping optimises electronic structure and charge separation, enabling better degradation than pristine titanium dioxide.
Green and sustainable polymer nanocomposite films are promising for optical and dielectric applications. In this study, methyl cellulose (MC) films incorporating green-synthesized zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles prepared via a tea-mediated route and calcined at 5008C were fabricated by solution casting with ZnO contents of 0, 4, 8, and 12 wt%. Structural, morphological, and optical properties were investigated using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and UV-vis spectroscopy. FTIR analysis revealed shifts in O-H and C-O-C vibration bands, indicating hydrogen bonding and interfacial interactions between ZnO nanoparticles and MC chains. XRD confirmed phase-pure wurtzite ZnO, while broad polymer diffraction halos suggested nanoscale particle dispersion within the films. Optical analysis showed enhanced absorption and a redshift in the absorption edge with increasing ZnO concentration. Tauc and absorbance spectrum fitting methods demonstrated a gradual reduction in optical bandgap, while Urbach energy increased, indicating enhanced structural disorder. Wemple-DiDomenico analysis showed increased refractive index dispersion and polarizability. The results demonstrate that green-synthesized ZnO effectively tunes the optical and dielectric behavior of MC films for sustainable photonic and separator applications.
This review article discusses the integration of reverse engineering with additive manufacturing (AM) as a sustainable product development and manufacturing solution. Reverse engineering and AM are two critical technologies that have gained significant attention in recent years. Reverse engineering involves the process of deconstructing and analysing an existing product to understand its design and functionality. At the same time, AM allows for creation of complex geometries through layer-by-layer material deposition. By utilising reverse engineering to analyse and optimise existing products and designs and then using AM to produce these optimised designs with reduced material waste, energy consumption, and carbon dioxide emissions, sustainability can be achieved throughout the entire product life cycle. This review explores the benefits of this integrated approach, including reduced costs, decreased environmental impact, and enhanced supply chain efficiency. In addition, challenges and opportunities associated with this integration are discussed, along with potential future directions for research in this field. Ultimately, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the benefits and challenges associated with integrating reverse engineering with AM, highlighting its potential to maintain sustainability in product development and manufacturing.
