Morphed graphene (MG) has only recently been put forward as the perfect reinforcement composite material for structure composites due to its unique mechanical properties. This article addresses the possibility of applying MG as a toughener phase in composites of cement for oil-well. MG was synthesized from petroleum coke through control milling and incorporated into cement with varying concentrations (0.1-1 %). The mechanical behavior of MG-reinforced cement demonstrated significant improvements, including enhanced fracture energy, flexural strength, and compression strength. Electron microscopy morphological analysis confirmed that MG effectively reduced porosity and improved particle cohesion.

This comprehensive review provides a detailed analysis of the potential of polymers with intrinsic microporosity (PIMs) as specialized binders for electrochemical applications. The quest for improved fuel cell and electrolyzer performance has driven extensive research on binders. Early investigations focused on conventional binders, aiming to enhance mechanical properties and adhesion. However, limitations in mass transport prompted the search for novel materials with superior gas permeability, driving interest in PIMs. Analyzing recent advancements and insights presented in the literature, we elucidate the distinct advantages offered by PIMs, such as chemical stability and enhanced gas permeability. The latter attribute is crucial for a binder in electrochemical devices, allowing efficient transport of reactants (e.g., hydrogen, oxygen) to active sites within the catalyst layers, significantly improving device efficiency and reaction rates. By synthesizing and assessing key research findings, this review aims to pave the way for future advancements in PIM-based binders for electrochemical applications, filling a notable gap in the existing literature.

ABSTRACT Polymers of Intrinsic Microporosity (PIMs) are a class of polymers characterized by a native microporous network resulting in a high surface area. PIMs also display a highly tunable and efficient gas permeability, attracting a lot of attention in several electrochemical applications. In this work. PIM‐1 was combined with a deep eutectic solvent (DES) for the production of a potentiometric sensor for CO2. This study reports the synthesis of both components, the fabrication of composite membranes via solvent casting and impregnation, and their evaluation as CO2 responsive materials together with a comprehensive characterization. The PIM‐1/DES materials demonstrated efficient CO2 capture and release behavior with open‐circuit voltage responses recorded under controlled CO2 exposure and adsorption–desorption cycling with full recovery. The membrane exhibited a response of 29 s in pure CO2 with a recovery time of 240 s. The sensors followed a logarithmic correlation between CO2 concentration and voltage variation and it showed a sensitivity of up to 9.6 mV/%CO2. These findings indicate that the developed sensor offers high reproducibility, fast response, and reliable detection of variable CO2 levels, underscoring its strong potential for practical implementation in environmental and industrial monitoring applications.

The field of hydrogen storage is one of the last frontiers in the exploitation of hydrogen-based technology. Particularly, the utilization of ammonia borane is a very promising route to solve the issue related to hydrogen storage due to the content of hydrogen up to 19.8 wt% and the stability in the ambient temperature and pressure conditions. Nevertheless, the hydrogen release from ammonia borane is quite complex under thermal stimuli, with several secondary compounds released. Alternatively, hydrolysis of ammonia borane is a simpler route to release of hydrogen in presence of water without any side reaction when a catalyst is used. This study investigates the ultrasound-assisted hydrolytic dehydrogenation of ammonia borane mediated by oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) as a metal-free energy-efficient catalytic system. The application of ultrasonic irradiation significantly enhanced the catalytic performance by promoting mass transport, improving water molecule activation, and increasing the dispersion and reactivity of the oxidized MWCNTs in the water medium. The oxidized MWCNTs promote the activation of ammonia borane, reducing the activation energy of the systems over 77% and reaching a remarkable hydrogen release efficiency with a conversion of up to 98%.

The development of sustainable hydrogen generation technologies remains a key pillar in the transition toward a sustainable society. Hydrogen storage represents one of the most intriguing challenges due to the necessity of production of safe, cheap and solid solution for small and medium applications. Chemical hydrogen carriers are very promising and ammonia borane represent a solid choice due to its high hydrogen content up to 19.6 wt% and easily hydrogen release under hydrolytic conditions. Nevertheless, ammonia borane hydrolysis required fresh water and use of catalysts increasing the environmental impact of the process. In this work, we reported the use of a complex wastewater from cheese industry, known as Scotta, rich in small organic acids as catalytic system for hydrogen generation from ammonia borane and its methylated derivatives. Scotta system showed complete hydrogen release from ammonia borane after 300 and 180 s at 40 and 50 degrees C respectively. Similarly, diand thrimethylated derivatives reached a conversion of 93.3 and 86.8% after 600s at 50 degrees C showing also a decrement of kinetic constant rate from 9 up to 40%. Furthermore, we evaluated the environmental impact of replacing fresh reagent with Scotta through life cycle assessment methodologies, proving the viability of this solution with a global warning output decrement of up 10 %.

In the framework of plastic circularity, managing end-of-life plastics containing flame-retardant (FR) additives represents a significant challenge. Although FRs are essential for enhancing fire safety in polymeric materials, many FR-containing products are never exposed to fire during their service life. As a result, substantial amounts of still-active FR remain in plastic waste streams. Since mechanical recycling is currently the most widely implemented strategy for plastic waste management, it is crucial to evaluate whether this process affects the flammability and combustion behavior of FR plastics. In this study, polypropylene (PP) containing 21 wt.% intumescent FR (IFR) was reprocessed up to five times to simulate mechanical recycling. After each cycle, the materials were systematically characterized in terms of rheological, morphological, combustion, and mechanical behavior. Although the agglomeration of IFR particles was observed after multiple cycles, the materials maintained stable processability and thermal stability. Importantly, the charring efficiency of the IFR system was preserved, resulting in consistent flammability performance; furthermore, all reprocessed samples achieved UL 94 V-0 classification and exhibited comparable limited oxygen index values. Mechanical properties were likewise largely maintained. Overall, these findings demonstrate that mechanical recycling represents a viable end-of-life strategy for this PP/IFR system, supporting its compatibility with circular material flow.

The electrochemical reduction of CO2 (CO2RR) to value-added chemicals offers a promising route for carbon recycling and renewable energy storage. Cu-based catalysts are uniquely capable of producing multi-carbon products such as ethylene, but their selectivity is highly sensitive to their morphology. In this work, we systematically investigate the impact of Cu2O nanocube size (45-600 nm) on CO2RR performance in both alkaline flow cell and zero-gap electrolyzer, both operating at industrially-relevant current densities. The catalysts were synthesized with well-controlled geometries and edge lengths. In the flow-cell, smaller nanocubes (45-75 nm) exhibited superior selectivity toward ethylene and liquid C2 products, achieving Faradaic efficiencies toward C2 products (FEC2) of up to 50%, attributed to an optimal balance between edge and facet sites. In contrast, in the zero-gap cell, although 45 nm cubes were the most ethylene-selective, overall FEC2 was reduced and strongly influenced by operational parameters, such as anolyte composition. Long-term tests revealed a trade-off between catalyst durability and ethylene selectivity. These findings demonstrate the critical interplay between nano-structure, testing configuration, and electrolyte, and emphasize the need to assess catalyst performance under industrially-relevant conditions.

This work explores the influence of two preparation methods, solvent casting and melt mixing, on the structure-property relationships of poly-L-lactic acid (PLLA) composites reinforced with char derived from different waste feedstocks. Three types of char were produced by slow pyrolysis at 550 °C: olive pruning waste biochar (OC), tyre-derived char (TC), and a 1:1 hybrid co-pyrolyzed char (OTC). Each filler was incorporated into PLLA at 1 and 2 wt.% loadings, and the resulting composites were characterized through physicochemical, thermal, mechanical, and electrical analyses. Raman, FTIR, and SEM analyses revealed distinct structural characteristics for each char, with the hybrid OTC exhibiting the highest structural order due to synergistic interactions during co-pyrolysis. The preparation method affected filler dispersion. Solvent-cast films displayed micrometric agglomerates and interfacial voids, whereas melt mixing ensured a more homogeneous distribution. Thermal characterization showed that char addition did not significantly alter the crystallization or melting behavior of PLLA, although melt-mixed samples exhibited restricted chain mobility. Mechanical tests revealed opposing effects of filler loading depending on processing: in solvent-cast materials, stiffness increased while strength remained nearly unaffected, whereas melt-mixed composites exhibited reduced modulus and strength, attributed to the disruption of the denser amorphous structure generated during melt processing. Electrical resistivity depended on the preparation method. Solvent-cast composites remained insulating, while melt mixing, with OTC at 2 wt.%, led to a resistivity drop (down to 0.02 × 1015 Ω·cm from 20 × 1015 Ω·cm for unfilled PLLA), although all materials remained within the insulating regime. Overall, this work provides insight into the role of sustainable char fillers in improving the performance of PLLA composites and highlights the interplay between processing method and material properties. The developed PLLA/char composites are promising candidates for applications in flexible electronics, sensors, and antistatic components, as well as in lightweight structural materials and energy devices.

Hybrid solid electrolytes present a promising class for applications in lithium‐metal batteries; however, their practical implementation remains limited by the difficulty of simultaneously achieving high room‐temperature ionic conductivity, mechanical robustness, and stable electrode‐electrolyte interfaces. In this study, we report the development of ceramic‐rich hybrid ionogels (HIGs) formulated by combining a dimethacrylate polymer with a high content of Li6.25Al0.25La3Zr2O12 (LLZO) nanoparticles and imidazolium‐based ionic liquid electrolytes (ILEs). This approach results in a garnet‐rich solid electrolyte matrix intended to balance mechanical integrity and ion‐conducting performance. Four groups of self‐standing HIG electrolyte membranes are fabricated through an in situ solvent‐free thermal polymerization process, where the ILEs feature either single‐ or binary‐anion environments and serve as the reaction media. Comprehensive characterization demonstrates electrolyte membranes with high ionic conductivities (up to 1.93 × 10−3 S cm−1 at 20°C). Among the investigated formulations, the LiTFSI‐EMIFSI‐based HIG exhibits the most favorable electrochemical performance, including a wide electrochemical stability window and stable charge‐discharge cycling with LiFePO4 at room temperature, delivering specific discharge capacities approaching 130 mAh g−1 up to C/5 and coulombic efficiency close to 100%. This work highlights the potential of hybrid ionogel electrolytes, clarifies the role of anion chemistry in enabling practical solid‐state electrolyte designs, and provides a useful strategy for the development of safer and more stable lithium‐metal batteries operating at room temperature.

The Digital Image Correlation (DIC) is a non-contact technique that analyses a sequence of images providing full field measurement of displacements and strains over time. The DIC experimental set-up requires a speckle pattern. In this work a new epoxy-based nanocomposite, containing TiO2 nanoparticles and coffee-derived biochar fillers, was developed to obtain an ecofriendly flame-retardant material with suitable mechanical and optical properties for its use as speckle pattern for DIC applications. The optimized formulation is characterized by a uniform distribution of TiO2 and biochar particles and can be employed as self-standing material during the manufacturing of composite reinforcements. The physicochemical properties, mechanical behaviour and fire performances of the nanocomposite are described. The incorporation of the additives in the epoxy resin increases the Young’s modulus by around 30% and almost doubles the burn-through time with respect to pristine resin, suggesting a slight condensed phase mechanism arising from the synergistic action of TiO2 and biochar. The effectiveness for creating DIC speckle patterns is validated by comparing the experimental strains measured by means of DIC analysis with those obtained through a traditional technique. Finally, the durability of the speckle patterns was assessed by accelerated thermal aging tests, confirming the potential application of the material in structural health monitoring of composite structures.

Ammonia borane is a promising hydrogen storage material due to its high hydrogen content, but its use as hydrogen carrier under thermal stimuli involves the production of several byproducts, such as borazine, reducing hydrogen purity and the overall efficiency. This work is focused on the use of high-boiling-point amines to modulate ammonia borane decomposition, aiming to enhance hydrogen release and suppress volatile NxBy species. Kissinger’s equation kinetics revealed that amines significantly influence the decomposition mechanism, and TGA-IR investigation showed a maximum of 2.4 wt.% of pure hydrogen release in the presence of triphenyl amine. Furthermore, the experimental data herein discussed, together with a computational study of activation energies, allowed us to derive a detailed mechanism that leads to a foundation for further advancement in the exploitation of ammonia borane as a hydrogen carrier, suggesting that the formation of linear species is anchored to amine over the release of borazine and production of poly borazine-like species.

Metal-based drugs are of capital relevance for the modern medical chemistry. Nonetheless, their use has faced several issues related to toxicity and scarce biocompatibility. Metal-doped carbon dots can represent an interesting and promising solution for simultaneously exploiting the properties of metal-based drugs together with the superior biocompatibility, solubility, and photoluminescent properties of pristine carbon dots. In this concise review, we discussed the utilization of metal-doped carbon dots in biomedical applications with a focus on chemotherapy and diagnostic uses.

Biochar is a promising material for carbon storage and water purification, particularly for heavy metal removal. The transition from laboratory studies to real-world applications remains challenging due to variability in commercial biochar properties and lack of testing on multi-contaminant matrixes. The study aims at bridging such a gap by characterizing and testing nine commercial biochar in the real case scenario of the area surrounding the decommissioned Malagrotta landfilling site (Latium region, central Italy). The area is notorious for legal, social, health and environmental issues. Periodic monitoring performed by local authorities classifies chemical water quality as scarce. In this context, the effect of environmental water-biochar interactions was tested on surface water samples. Biochar multi-method characterization was carried out through optical microscopy, SEM, EDX spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, ICP-MS, pH-electric conductivity and FT-IR spectroscopy. Biochar characterization allowed systematic comparison not possible trough commercial labels: bulk composition is carbonaceous (78-92 %); mineralization mostly consists of calcite (<8 % for most samples); heavy metal contaminants are present (up to >100 ppm for Chromium and Zinc); pH ranges from 8 to 12, bearing exponential relationship with electrical conductivity (EC230-2417 mu S); FT-IR spectra testify high aromaticity and variability in oxygenated (approximate to 1700 cm(-1)) functional groups, less abundant in pyro-gasification-produced biochar compared to pyrolysis-produced ones.Contrary to expectations, trace pollutant concentrations in Malagrotta waters are within legal limits. Thus Malagrotta case study explores bottom thresholds for surface water treatment using biochar. Low trace contaminant concentrations hinder detection of adsorption phenomena. Moreover, leaching tests utilising drinking water and high biochar dosage (10 g/L) demonstrate biochar's safety, as leaching is limited to few mu g/L. These results are instrumental in elaborating biochar specific water treatment regulations.

In this study, we explored the effect of Cr3+ substitution by partially and fully replacing Fe3+ in the normal spinel ZnFe2O4 crystal structure at electrochemical interfaces. The resulting ZnCrxFe2-xO4 nanomaterials exhibited an average particle size between 20 and 50 nm with a spherical morphology. The materials also demonstrated energy band gaps ranging from 2.1 to 3.1 eV X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed that all the synthesized materials maintained a normal spinel structure, attributed to the octahedral site preference energy (OSPE) of Zn2+, Fe3+, and Cr3+ ions. Electrochemical performance assessments revealed that the ZnFe2O4-based sensor achieved a sensitivity of (37.8 f 0.2) mu A/mM with a kinetic rate constant of (13.1 f 2.8) ms-1, while the ZnCr2O4-based sensor exhibited a sensitivity of (32.4 f 0.5) mu A/mM and a kinetic rate constant of (3.73 f 0.55) ms-1 in the detection of paracetamol, whereas ZnCrFeO4 sensor has produced the second-best sensitivity (35.7 f 0.1 mu A/mM) and the rate constant (4.53 f 0.54 ms-1) with the lowest limit of detection (1.94 f 0.01 mu M). These differences in electrochemical performance were correlated with the variations in the energy band gaps caused by the restructuring of the normal spinel structure. Our findings indicate that the ZnFe2O4 sensor has a higher potential for direct electron transfer, whereas the other sensors are more likely to facilitate surface-mediated electron transfer.

Hydrogen is key player in the energetic transition towards a more sustainable society as a very versatile energy carrier. Nevertheless, hydrogen storage represents the main limitation to the spread of a hydrogen driven economy on a small and medium scale. Clearly, achieving this requires a balance among material engineering, system optimization, and techno-economic assessments to optimize performance, safety, and scalability. In this work we briefly and critically discuss the progress in hydrogen storage focusing on the necessity to create a bridge to overcome the actual limitations. We explore the most recent advancement in the field drawing a picture of the complex scenario of hydrogen storage in the framework to the transition to a net zero or carbon negative society providing an updated opinion on the challenges addressed and those still to be solved.

The detection of dopamine represents an intriguing and relevant field of application for electrochemical sensors. The sensors tailored with inorganic species are of great interest due to their high tuneability in both morphology and chemical features. In this work, we investigate the effect of different amounts of poly(ethylene glycol) used as template agent for ultrasound assisted synthesis of bismuth oxynitrates on composition and morphology. We found that the increase in poly(ethylene glycol) induced a surface defectiveness on bismuth oxynitrate boosting electrochemical sensing performances reaching sensitivity of up to 16 μA/mM and LOD close to 2 μM and achieving a sixfold increase in the electron transfer rate compared with the bare electrode.

Biochar has been proven to be a compelling adsorbent for contaminants in water, however little data are available about real case histories. Moreover, such data are often related to biochar produced solely for the sake of research, this means biochar would not be readily available for actual commercial applications. The aim of the project is to employ commercial biochar for water purification in a real case study and test its viability as a pollutant adsorber. The chosen study area covers the surroundings of the decommissioned Malagrotta landfill in the Lazio region, Italy. The landfilling site, the largest in Europe, active from 1970 to 2013, has been the subject of numerous social and legal disputes throughout and after its operating period. At this stage, a chemical survey of the area’s surface water has been performed to determine its health and to evaluate remediation through biochar. Moreover, nine commercial biochar types produced in Italy and Europe have been characterized before and after experimentation to monitor structural, surface and physical-chemical properties. Post testing analyses are aimed at determining the effects of biochar’s interaction with water. Testing biochar in real case scenarios provides an assessment of its potential in an high added value application such as water purification and provides the constraints to achieve optimal performance. Future developments of the project build upon collected data and expertise to identify best practices for the valorisation of biochar as a contaminant adsorber.

This study investigates a microwave‐assisted synthesis method for producing IrNi bimetallic catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction in acidic environment. Due to the high cost of iridium‐based catalysts used in the anodes of proton‐exchange membrane electrolyzers, reducing the noble metal content while maintaining high performance is crucial. In this work, materials with various IrNi atomic ratios are synthesized and their impact on the catalyst microstructure, phase composition, and electrochemical performance is evaluated. The results reveal a synergistic effect between the two metals, with 60 at% Ni identified as the optimal nominal composition. This catalyst achieves an overpotential of 274 mV at 10 mA cm −2 and a Tafel slope of 49 mV dec −1 in 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 electrolyte, outperforming commercial IrO 2 (320 mV at 10 mA cm −2 and 56 mV dec −1 ). The higher activity is retained after both a 6 h chronoamperometry and an accelerated degradation test, during which Ni acts as a sacrificial component and the electrochemically surface area of the films increases. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of microwave‐assisted synthesis, a greener and faster alternative to conventional methods, for developing low Ir‐content catalysts with enhanced performance.

The utilization of red mud is a topic of significant interest due to its great production around the world, being the major by-product of alumina production. Nevertheless, its correct valorization is a matter of great complexity. In this work, we propose a novel use of red mud as a catalyst for the release of hydrogen from hydrolysis of ammonia borane in mild conditions. Ammonia borane is among the best chemical hydrogen carriers with a gravimetric hydrogen capability of up to 19 wt

The urgent demand for sustainable energy solutions in the face of climate change and resource depletion has catalyzed a global shift toward cleaner energy production and more efficient storage technologies. Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), as the cornerstone of modern portable electronics, electric vehicles, and grid-scale storage systems, are continually evolving to meet the growing performance requirements. In this dynamic context, two-dimensional (2D) materials have emerged as highly promising candidates for use in electrodes due to their layered structure, tunable electronic properties, and high theoretical capacity. Among 2D materials, molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) has gained increasing attention as a promising low-dimensional candidate for LIB anode applications. This review provides a comprehensive yet concise overview of recent advances in the application of MoS2 in LIB electrodes, with particular attention to its unique electrochemical behavior at the nanoscale. We critically examine the interplay between structural features, charge-storage mechanisms, and performance metrics—chiefly the specific capacity, rate capability, and cycling stability. Furthermore, we discuss current challenges, primarily poor intrinsic conductivity and volume fluctuations, and highlight innovative strategies aimed at overcoming these limitations, such as through nanostructuring, composite formation, and surface engineering. By shedding light on the opportunities and hurdles in this rapidly progressing field, this work offers a forward-looking perspective on the role of MoS2 in the next generation of high-performance LIBs.