In this work, we have synthesized bamboo stem porous activated carbon/zinc oxide/copper oxide (BSPAC/ZnO/CuO) ternary nanocomposite using hydrothermal method. Subsequently, the synthesized BSPAC/ZnO/CuO ternary nanocomposite, BSPAC, ZnO and CuO NPs were confirmed by FT-IR, powder XRD, Raman, FE-SEM, EDAX with elemental mapping, UV–Vis DRS, HR-TEM, TGA, XPS and BET surface analysis. Following that, FT-IR and XRD analysis was provided the clear information about functional moieties and crystalline pattern of BSPAC, CuO, ZnO and BSPAC/ZnO/CuO ternary nanocomposite. The FE-SEM images of BSPAC was shown broken honey comb like structure whereas, after the fabrication of ternary nanocomposite provided spongy and rod like morphology with clustered aggregation. Then, the EDAX spectrum of BSPAC/ZnO/CuO was shown atomic weight

Background Carbonization of woody biomass under inert atmospheres is a practical route to producing functional carbon materials. However, carbon yield and microstructural development are strongly influenced by temperature and by the presence of metal additives. The temperature-dependent differences in the effects of such additives on carbonization behavior remain insufficiently understood. Methods The effects of copper and titanium additives were systematically examined during heat-induced carbonization of Todo fir ( Abies sachalinensis ) wood flour at 500 °C and 800 °C under nitrogen using controlled heating rates. Carbonization behavior was analyzed by thermogravimetric–differential thermal analysis. The resulting char was characterized by elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Results At 500 °C, copper addition was associated with the formation of partially layered turbostratic carbon structures with expanded interlayer spacing, suggesting possible stabilization of carbon frameworks with reduced bond cleavage. In contrast, titanium addition was associated with increased devolatilization and fragmentation, leading to lower carbon retention and more heterogeneous microstructures. At 800 °C, thermally stable, carbon-rich residues were obtained largely independent of heating rate, indicating that the final hold temperature was the primary factor influencing bulk carbon ordering. Under these conditions, copper was associated with higher char retention, whereas titanium was associated with enhanced interfacial reactions and decomposition-related behavior at carbon interfaces. Transmission electron microscopy showed that overall structural ordering was primarily determined by the final temperature rather than by the additive. These findings indicate temperature-dependent variation in additive effects, with copper favoring solid carbon retention at moderate temperatures and titanium showing stronger decomposition-related effects at elevated temperatures. Conclusions The results suggest distinct temperature-dependent differences in the effects of copper and titanium during biomass carbonization and provide a basis for considering additive selection and thermal design in controlling carbon yield and microstructure.

Background Carbonization of woody biomass under inert atmospheres is a practical route to producing functional carbon materials. However, carbon yield and microstructural development are strongly influenced by temperature and by the presence of metal additives. The temperature-dependent roles of such additives remain insufficiently clarified. Methods The catalytic effects of copper and titanium were systematically examined during heat-induced carbonization of Todo fir ( Abies sachalinensis ) wood flour at 500 °C and 800 °C under nitrogen, using controlled heating rates. Carbonization behavior was analyzed by thermogravimetric–differential thermal analysis. The resulting char was characterized by elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Results At 500 °C, copper addition promoted the formation of partially layered turbostratic carbon structures with expanded interlayer spacing, suggesting stabilization of carbon frameworks with reduced bond cleavage. In contrast, titanium enhanced devolatilization and fragmentation, leading to lower carbon retention and more heterogeneous microstructures. At 800 °C, thermally stable, carbon-rich residues were obtained largely independent of heating rate, indicating that the final hold temperature governed bulk carbon ordering. Under these conditions, copper suppressed carbon consumption and increased char yield, whereas titanium promoted interfacial reactions and accelerated carbon decomposition. Transmission electron microscopy showed that overall structural ordering was primarily determined by the final temperature rather than by the additive. These findings indicate temperature-dependent catalytic role-switching, with copper favoring solid carbon formation at moderate temperatures and titanium promoting decomposition, particularly at elevated temperatures. Conclusions The results clarify distinct, temperature-dependent functions of copper and titanium during biomass carbonization and provide a basis for controlling carbon yield and microstructure through additive selection and thermal design.

We report the synthesis of bamboo stem porous activated carbon/chitosan/zinc oxide (BSPAC/CS/ZnO) ternary composite using co-precipitation method. Subsequently, the synthesized BSPAC/CS/ZnO ternary nanocomposite was confirmed by FT-IR, powder XRD, Raman, FE-SEM, EDAX with elemental mapping, HR-TEM, UV-vis DRS, TGA, XPS and BET surface analysis. The distinctive surface area of composite material has been 55.354 m2/g, effectively illustrated its biological activity towards various gram positive and negative bacteria's by using disc diffusion method. In addition, BSPAC/CS/ZnO showed significant cytotoxicity against MDA-MB-231 (Human breast adeno carcinoma epithelial cell line) in a dose dependent manner and the IC50 value was found that 50.28 mu g/mL. These research findings indicated that, BSPAC/CS/ZnO may lead possible application in the field of biomedical.

In this present review paper, the catalytic applications of carbon quantum dots (CQDs) as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst for organic conversion under sustainable and greener protocols have been investigated. The CQDs have carboxylic acid and hydroxyl functional moieties utilized for the modification of the surface of the CQDs. Moreover, CQDs and CQD-based composites have generated C–C, C–N, C–O, etc., bonds that leads to various organic synthesis via straightforward methodology. The following CQDs and decorated CQDs such as magnetic CQDs, CNDs, CQDs-N(CH2PO3H2)2, CQDs-N(CH2PO3H2)2/SBA-15, BPEI-CD, CDs/Bi2MoO6, Cu(I)-doped CQDs and SCQDs catalyzed one-pot multicomponent reactions are discussed. And also, CQDs and decorated CQDs have ensured excellent stability, recyclable, economically viable, and environmentally friendly, shorter reaction time, and avoid tedious work-up procedures. This review paper highlighted the synthesis of a one-pot multicomponent reaction catalyzed by the CQD catalyst.

A promising water treatment method involves using biomass-derived activated carbon (AC) to remove emerging pollutants from wastewater due to its adsorption capacity, cost-effectiveness, and sustainability. Notwithstanding, the existing literature lacks comprehensive studies that specifically focus on removing contaminants in water by comparing the effectiveness of adsorption and photocatalytic degradation methods. Additionally, there is not much emphasis on analyzing the combined processes of adsorption-photocatalytic degradation utilizing AC. Herein, this paper investigates the intricacies of adsorption-photocatalytic degradation mechanisms and contributing variables in the enhancement of performances using biomass-derived AC. Furthermore, this review paper presents a comprehensive examination of different biomass sources employed in the synthesis of AC. It also discusses the diverse techniques utilized for the fabrication of AC, including physical and chemical activation methods. Finally, the shortcomings and future prospects of biomass-derived AC have been addressed. This study offers significant insights for the development of future biomass-derived AC, with the goal of improving their efficiency and expanding their uses in wastewater treatment.

Porous activated carbon (PAC) from bamboo, sisal, and coconut coir fibres with two carbonization steps were prepared and the microwave absorbing characteristics in the frequency range of 8 GHz to 12 GHz were investigated. The PAC based on bamboo, sisal and coconut coir had BET surface areas of 354.79, 141.91, and 25.70 m2/g, respectively. The return loss of -27.3, -25.6 and -16.4 dB was achieved for PAC from bamboo, sisal, and coconut fiber at 10.46, 11.08 and 11.00 GHz, respectively. The microwave absorption of more than 99% for porous activated carbon of bamboo and sisal, and more than 90% for porous activated carbon of coconut coir fiber, is indicated by these return loss values. It is shown by these results that biomass resources can be considered a promising lightweight, cost-effective, and eco-friendly microwave absorber material.

A challenging, yet fundamental part of initiating effective control measures against an invasive pest species is developing reliable means of monitoring the pest’s seasonal abundance. Halyomorpha halys , a polyphagous insect pest native to East Asia, has become a major economic threat to agricultural systems following unintentional introductions to North America, South America, and Europe. Research involving the seasonal phenology and monitoring attractant preferences of H. halys from its native range remain scarce. An 11-year collection of H. halys monitoring trap data from black light, incandescent light, and methyl (E, E, Z)-2, 4, 6-decatrienoate (MDT) lured traps from three locations in Kyoto, Japan was analyzed to fill gaps in knowledge relating to the native seasonal abundance and effectiveness of diferent trapping techniques for the pest. Due to a high amount of zero trap counts, a zero-inflated approach was taken to analyze the dataset. Overall, H. halys followed a bell-shaped population trend in Kyoto, with abundance peaking in the mid-summer. The attractant preference of H. halys varied slightly with the season, with black light traps producing to highest mean trap counts. The MDT lure traps generated the lowest mean trap counts, but displayed potential use in the reliable detection of early season H. halys . This work is expected to provide greater insight on H. halys in its native range and ultimately help refine existing management programs in invaded regions.

A variety of physicochemical analyses were systematically conducted on the complex thermoreconstitution process of Co/Fe layered double hydroxides, and deconvolution analysis strategy was utilized in elucidating the reconstitution process. The thermal analysis of Co/Fe layered double hydroxides indicated that approximately 27.8 % weight loss, three weight loss peaks and two pronounced endothermic phenomena were detected via thermogravimetry, differential thermogravimetry, and differential scanning calorimetry, respectively. In the thermoreconstitution process of Co/Fe layered double hydroxides, scanning electron microscopy images indicated that the layered structure gradually collapsed, fractured into pieces, and partially melted. Meanwhile, significant X-ray diffraction peak broadening phenomena were detected and further confirmed by the d-spacing values in high-resolution transmission electron microscope images, which were mainly caused by the lattice expansion effect and the heterogeneous microstrain effect. Three reactions were deconvolved from the differential thermogravimetry curves, and the thermokinetic models of Reaction 2 indicated that volatile components in the form of H2O and CO2 escaped from the solid-state residuals via a one-dimensional diffusion reaction model. The major products in solid-state residuals were cubic Cobalt(III) oxide and Iron(II, III) oxide. The thermokinetic models played a complementary role in elucidating the physicochemical variations that occurred throughout the thermoreconstitution process of Co/Fe layered double hydroxides.

Utilizing wood in space-based applications poses challenges because the lack of electrical conductivity of this material can lead to local charging while off-gassing under high vacuum can potentially also have adverse effects. However, carbonized wood exhibits electrical conductivity and does not produce gases in a vacuum, making it a potential candidate for use in spacecraft. Even so, erosion by atomic oxygen (AO) at low altitude orbits could potentially degrade wood surfaces. The present study therefore investigated the effects of AO irradiation on carbonized and uncarbonized milled wood lignin (MWL) obtained from both softwood and hardwood sources. The lignin source was found to significantly affect resistance to AO. Specifically, softwood-derived MWL underwent structural changes upon AO exposure whereas hardwood-derived MWL showed greater resistance due to the higher concentration of oxygen-containing functional groups in the latter. AO irradiation evidently induced changes in the carbon framework while affecting the micropore sizes and peak distribution ranges. These findings highlight the importance of selecting specific wood types and carbonization conditions when producing lignin-derived carbon materials for AO-exposed environments. Softwood MWL is evidently more vulnerable to AO erosion as a result of the guaiacyl structures in this material whereas hardwood MWL resists AO based on its oxygen-rich syringyl groups. The present work underscores the complex relationships between the wood type, concentration of oxygenated functional groups, and AO resistance. This research also suggests potential applications for wood-derived lignin carbon in low Earth orbit vehicles and highlights the need for additional studies as a means of better understanding the underlying mechanisms.

Solid dispersion materials of abietic acid (ABA) in mechanically fibrillated cellulose nanofiber (CNF), TEMPO-oxidized cellulose nanofiber (TOCNF), and partially deacetylated chitin nanofiber (ChNF) without or with aluminum sulfate (Alum) were prepared using a conventional solvent-evaporation method. ABA was retained in basically an amorphous form in the solid dispersion materials. The interactions between ABA and the nanofibers (NFs) were different between anionic NFs (CNF and TOCNF) and cationic NF (ChNF)-containing solid dispersion materials. The ABA dissolved in water from CNF- and ChNF-containing solid dispersion materials increased with an increase in shaking time and leveled off, whereas the amount released from TOCNF-containing solid dispersion materials increased rapidly, reached a maximum at the initial stage and then decreased gradually. The different behaviors might be presumed to depend on the narrowness of the NF fiber width rather than the ionic nature of the NFs. Alum basically inhibited ABA dissolution from CNF-containing solid materials, whereas it promoted ABA dissolution from TOCNF and ChNF-containing solid materials unless Alum addition was excessive. The former might correspond to a decrease of dissolved colloidal substances by Alum in acidic papermaking systems.

A suspension of microalgae (Spirulina or Chlorella) biomass powder, a terephthalaldehyde condensation accelerator, and Mg pre-templates (MgCl2, Mg(OAc)2, Mg(OH)2, or mixtures with MgO) in water was hydrothermally reacted at 220 °C for 14 h in an autoclave. The MgCl2 additive changed the reaction solution pH to acidic, reducing the yield of the insoluble hydrothermal product. In contrast, Mg(OAc)2, Mg(OH)2, and the MgO mixture retained the pH of the solution as neutral to weakly alkaline, producing a large amount of non-porous hydrothermal carbon. After or before removal of the Mg template by acid washing, the particulate hydrothermal carbons were carbonized by heating from room temperature around 25 °C to 900 °C under an Ar atmosphere. The resulting Mg-free algal carbonized materials were N-containing porous carbons with specific surface areas ranging from 200–1500 m2/g, mesopore/total pore volume ratios ranging from 0.6 to 0.9, and electrochemical capacitances in the range of 150–320 F/g at 0.1 A/g in 1M H2SO4.

The invasive, Halyomorpha halys (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae), is a severe economic insect pest native to East Asia. A strong effort has been made to identify natural egg parasitoids of H. halys in invaded regions, but parasitism rates reported from these studies have been inconsequentially low. To determine the species composition, phenology, and efficiency of egg parasitoids in the native region of H. halys , we deployed fresh and frozen sentinel H. halys egg masses from March through December in Kyoto, Japan. Our findings provide valuable insights on the abundance and parasitism rates of native H. halys parasitoids in Japan. A total of seven parasitoid species emerged from the sentinel egg masses, but Trissolcus japonicus had the highest parasitism rate of all parasitoids recovered (84% on fresh egg masses) and maintained the largest portion of the total parasitoid species composition (60% on fresh egg masses). The early season parasitoid community in Kyoto, Japan, is dominated by T. japonicus , with the first parasitism activity occurring in March. Throughout the course of the field study, T. japonicus also sustained a significantly higher parasitism rate on fresh H. halys eggs than frozen. The results from this research help expand the understanding of parasitoids in the native region of H. halys and hold importance for the future development of biological control programs against this invasive pest.

The details of the lignocellulose deconstruction processes in the digestive systems of wood-feeding insects remain elusive. This study aimed to examine the biochemical conversion of lignocellulose in the digestive system of a wood-feeding anobiid beetle, Nicobium hirtum, one of the most important pests of wooden products in Japan. To this end, N. hirtum larvae were fed with Japanese red pine (softwood) and Japanese beech (hardwood) sapwood diets, as well as an artificial diet containing Shorea wood (hardwood) sapwood sawdust. The structural differences between the original and digested (feces) lignocellulose samples were examined using wet-chemical and two-dimensional (2D) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) methods. Cellulose and hemicelluloses, especially mannan in the softwood diet, were preferentially degraded over lignin in the larval digestive system. As a result, lignin was enriched in the digested lignocellulose residues. Lignin compositional analyses based on thioacidolysis and 2D NMR determined that the proportions of oxidized lignin aromatic units were notably increased after digestion. Further, the 2D NMR analyses revealed the accumulation of aldehyde and hydroxypropiovanillone/syringone end-unit structures in lignin, indicating that oxidative and/or reductive modifications of lignin polymers occur in the larval digestive system. Such structural alterations of lignin may facilitate the dissociation of the lignin barrier, thereby liberating polysaccharides for subsequent enzymatic conversion for assimilation and energy.

The soldier caste of termites uses sensilla to sense pheromonal, tactile, and vibrational cues to communicate inside and outside their nest. Although sensilla with many modalities on the antennae of subterranean termites have been well explored, there remains a lack of information regarding sensillum characteristics and distribution of the nonolfactory organs of the soldier caste in the Coptotermes genus. In this study, the ultrastructure of sensilla from the soldier caste of three Coptotermes spp. (Coptotermes formosanus, Coptotermes curvignathus, and Coptotermes gestroi) was observed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy, and the putative function of each type was deduced. Six total sensillum types were observed, with two mechanoreceptive sensillum types (hair and plate). The long flexible-peg mechanoreceptive sensilla may work as contact-chemoreceptive sensilla due to their elongated dendritic outer segments and uniporous characteristics. There was a significant depletion of mechano-chemoreceptive sensillum numbers in C. gestroi, which was compensated by a high density of short-peg mechanoreceptive sensilla on the pronotum. Finally, cuticular and innervation characteristics of thermo-/hygrosensitive sensilla were observed for the first time on the labrum of the soldier caste of Coptotermes.

The generation of liquid fuels and chemicals is potential through a catalytic fast pyrolysis (CFP) which is a rapid, inexpensive, and promising method utilizing tropical wood biomass as starting material. There is a little known in the potential of wood biomass from tropical fast-growing trees as starting materials for the production of liquid fuel and chemicals. In this study the formation of aromatics by pyrolytic-gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (Py-GC/MS) is evaluated on the effect of wood species with different characteristics and its cellulose component to the formation of aromatics. Fast pyrolysis of eucalyptus wood characterized with low content of ash and high percentages of hollocellulose and α-cellulose produced much high relative peaks of levoglucosan and small relative peaks of lignin derived products. Meanwhile high content of vollatile matter and high crystallinity of cellulose attributed balsa and jabon woods as feedstock for fast pyrolysis. The catalytic process in fast pyrolysis of eucalyptus decomposed the most of oxygenated compound such as levoglucosan and furfural into aromatics in the presence of ZSM-5. Coke formation on the surface catalyst might lead partly of decomposition of levoglucosan and furfural to form aromatics in the catalytic fast pyrolysis of balsa wood. Cellulose component determined on the formation of benzene, toluene, styrene, p-xylene, indane, indene, and naphthalene in catalytic fast pyrolysis of wood.

A microalgal suspension of Spirulina and Chlorella in water was hydrothermally reacted at 220 degrees C for 14 h in an autoclave; this efficiently obtained hydrothermal carbons as an aggregate of non-porous spheres several microns in diameter when phthalaldehyde was added as an auxiliary condensation reagent. The algal hydrothermal carbons contained considerable quantities of nitrogen; approximately 6 wt% originated from the protein component in microalga, which could be converted to microporous carbons with a ca. 2 wt% nitrogen-content and a specific surface area of approximately 700 m2/g, via heating from room temperature to 900 degrees C under an argon atmosphere. The algal porous carbons containing pyridinic-nitrogen derived from Chlorella exhibited high activity for electrical double-layer capacitors, with capacitances of approximately 250 F/g and 200 F/g, respectively, at current densities of 0.2 A/g and 1.0 A/g in 1 M H2SO4 in a three-electrode system under galvanostatic conditions.

Pore size distribution and microstructure development of oil palm shell heat treated at 300ºC and treated at 300ºC and recarbonization at 600ºC followed by slow- or fast heating treatment up to 700ºC were investigated by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), N2 gas adsorption and Raman spectroscopy. On oil palm shell heat-treated at 300ºC, slow heating treatment gave the widening micropore along with the ordering microstructure; but fast heating treatment produced charcoal with a narrow diameter of micropore with wider pore size distribution and the disordering microstructure. On oil palm shell heat treated at 300ºC and recarbonization at 600ºC, slow heating treatment contributed on the opening new micropore with ordering microstructure, but some parts of micropore showing inaccessible for N2 gas. Meanwhile, fast heating treatment with the heating rate from 75 to 250ºC/min increased BET surface area with similar pore size distribution and the disordering microstructure.

To develop high capacity electrode materials for lithium-ion battery (LIB), dissimilar materials are mixed and, as a result, carbon nanofibers containing silicon (Si) nanoparticles and its components are successfully created by electrospinning method and some heat treatments. Tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) and Si nanoparticles are adopted as additives of carbon nanofibers because of their huge potential for obtaining high capacity. In this research, therefore, we develop TEOS/Si hybrid carbon nanofibers. Consequently, some samples obtain much higher charging/discharging capacity than the theoretical capacity for graphite (372 mAh/g, LiC6) even after second cycle.

Carbonized wood which possesses microstructure with random orientation graphitic crystallites and with pores between the graphitic crystallites, is potentially developed into new material of silicon carbide (SiC) composite, a high performance material for engineering purposes. This paper investigates the development of the microstructure in the turbostratic carbon phase and the formation of SiC crystal from the reaction of carbon and SiO2. Results show the turbostratic microstructure in carbonized wood lead to the possible formation of SiC compound in the manufacturing of SiC/SiO2/Ccomposite. The heat treatment at 1800ºC on the mixture of SO2 and carbonized wood creates the formation of SiC compound, which improves the degree of microstructure ordering. The improvement of microstructure turbostratic carbon and the growth of graphitic crystallites in turbostratic carbon improves the thermal conductivity of SiC/SiO2/C composite comparingwith those of carbonized wood composite.